Chapter 18: A Night to Remember.
The breeze was gentle, as was the vibe in the atmosphere, however, even with decent temperature, Aoihi is still not in a brutally honest happy place. The time was coming. The time when he would confess to Weiss and invite her as his date to the Beacon dance was near. But, he still didn't feel comfortable enough doing so.
For even with that promise she made a while back, he was STILL scared of Weiss rejecting him and leaving him…
He wasn't always like this, not this scared depressed kid who's scared of being abandoned. Not one bit. During his childhood, Aoihi was smiling regardless of what happened, for ONE person was among him and his father, his mother.
As a mother, Yuki Moeruhi wasn't just beautiful, but also a very loving and kind woman. Her appearance was always striking to the naked eye. A very mature and healthy figure with long black hair, ice-blue eyes, and a bow on her head, in the same way Blake wears her's. She was also a VERY powerful huntress and always with words of wisdom.
Oh… how it pained him when she did that unforgivable act of cowardice.
It was a peaceful morning when a 5-year-old Aoihi walked down the stairs.
"Mother?" He called. "Mom?!"
"She's not here, Aoihi." Ryo soon replied as he walked towards his son with a note in his hand. "She left this behind, saying goodbye."
That memory from his past caused Aoihi to grit his teeth with anger, as he walked closer and closer towards the beacon tower.
"I'll never forgive her." He thought. "I'll NEVER forgive my mother for abandoning me! Or for NEVER coming along when Tbeodore Ashward followed us to Vale and killed my father! If she came, dad WOULD have lived! He WOULD'VE!"
Walking into the lobby, he glanced at the receptionist who had received the id information from Aoihi's scroll which he had immediately scanned at the terminal.
"Okay, Mr. Moeruhi, you're free to see Ozpin."
He nodded and stepped into the elevator as it closed its doors and began the ascent. At this moment of time, he thought back to Black Kite.
"Who IS she?" He thought. "Why does her aura feel familiar to me? Why did she bother to help us in that fight against Torchwick and those mechs?"
Perhaps, Ozpin might be able to provide some insight on Black Kite as well.
In Beacon's Library, Blake was busy working on the holographic computer there. She could BARELY stay awake now, slowly nodding and stopping herself from falling asleep several times. This same old pattern continued until a small red dot circled across her screen. She looked behind and saw no one there. However the dot still continued to bug her. Frustrated she tried to hit it with her fists only for it to slip her grasp.
"Stupid thing!" She muttered bitterly as she then stood up and started to follow it.
She walked past students and bookshelves, trying to step on the dot or whatever is bugging her. She turned down a corner and realized she ran into someone. Blake looked up, as her eyes widened in surprise.
"Yang?"
"Hello!" Yang replied in a sing-song voice as she turned off the lazer pointer in her hand. "We need to talk."
She grabbed Blake's wrist and zoomed away with the Faunus, before she could protest.
Within the Beacon Tower, Aoihi stepped out of the elevator and into Ozpin's office. To his luck, the headmaster was there.
"Ozpin." He soon spoke, getting the headmaster's attention. "Do you have a moment? I want your advice for something personal and maybe just listen."
Ozpin smiled and nodded with a fatherly expression.
"Of course, Aoihi. Please, have a seat. I am more than willing to listen."
Aoihi immediately took a seat and began to talk to Ozpin what he wanted to talk about.
"First things first, I suppose I should come clean and state that me and my team have been investigating Torchwick and White Fang without your knowledge. We don't know what he's planning, but it's something big considering he got his hands on Atlas mechs and tech."
Ozpin sighed, frowned and nodded.
"While I would reprimand you and your teammates of RWBYA for such reckless behavior the fact that Torchwick has such tech is troubling, so thank you for finding that out and bringing it to my attention."
Aoihi simply nodded and continued.
"We weren't alone though. A mysterious female katana wielding Faunus was there too. One who calls herself Black Kite. She actually single-handedly took out one of the mechs. I couldn't place my finger on it, but something about her aura is familiar to me."
Ozpin sighed upon hearing this as he looked at Aoihi with a look that said it all.
"You know who Black Kite is?"
"Yes." Ozpin simply replied. "And she's a legally licensed hunstress. When the time is right, you WILL know who she truly is."
"That's a fair answer." Aoihi stated in satisfaction as Ozpin nodded in agreement. "Now then on for more pressing matters, this is going to come off weird, but with the Beacon dance being tomorrow, I think me possibly wanting such advice would be expected."
Ozpin chuckled.
"I suppose it is. So does it mean that you have someone who you want to ask to the dance then?"
"Yes." Aoihi replied with conviction. "But also confess my feelings for her, to Weiss. I genuinely love her, Ozpin."
Ozpin smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
"I may not be a complete expert on the subject, Aoihi, but considering how close you and Weiss have become since day one of this school year, all I can really suggest is to do what you always done and be honest and to the point."
Aoihi nodded at this as a small smile cracked between his lips.
"I see. Thank you, Ozpin."
Ozpin smiled back.
"Anytime, Aoihi." He replied, as they began to chat for a little bit more.
Within one of the classrooms, Yang and Blake were both there, with the intention to talk. Or Yang was. Blake simply wanted to leave, knowing it was another intervention.
"Yang, if you're going to tell me to stop, you may as well save your breath."
Yang glanced over at Blake with calm yet stern features.
"I don't want you to stop; I want you to slow down." Blake paced about unhappily.
"I don't have the luxury to slow down."
"It's not a luxury; it's a necessity." Yang soon stated with concern as Blake huffed.
"The 'necessity' is stopping Torchwick."
"And we're going to. But first you have to sit down and listen to what I have to say."
Blake sighed in defeat.
"Fine."
Yang took a breath and began to speak.
"Ruby and I grew up in Patch, an island off the coast of Vale. Our parents were Huntsmen. Our dad taught at Signal, and our mom took on missions around the kingdom. Her name was Summer Rose, and she was, like... Super-Mom: Baker of cookies and slayer of giant monsters. And then... one day she left for a mission and never came back."
Blake was taken aback by this information, seeing how solemn her partner was. However, Yang continued.
"It was tough. Ruby was really torn up, but... I think she was still too young to really get what was going on, y'know? And my dad just kind of... shut down. It wasn't long before I learned why. Summer wasn't the first love he lost; she was the second. The first... was my mom."
Blake blinked in surprise.
"Wait, really?"
"Yes." Yang replied as she then let off another sigh. "He wouldn't tell me everything, but I learned that the two of them had been on a team together with Summer and Qrow, and that she'd left me with him right after I was born. No one had seen her since."
Blake was stunned. "Why did she leave you?"
Yang can only sigh and walk towards the chalk board at this remark, grabbing a piece of chalk and beginning to draw as her mind wandered.
"That question... Why? I didn't know an answer, but I was determined to find out. It was all I thought about. I would ask anyone I could about what they knew about her." She then sighed as she began to think back. "Then, one day, I found something. What I thought was a clue that could lead me to answers, or maybe even my mother. I waited for Dad to leave the house, put Ruby in a wagon, and headed out. I must've walked for hours. I had cuts and bruises, I was totally exhausted, but I wasn't gonna let anything stop me. When we finally got there, I could barely stand, but I didn't care; I had made it. And then I saw them. Those burning red eyes… There we were: A toddler sleeping in the back of a wagon and a stupid girl too exhausted to even cry for help. We might as well have been served on a silver platter. But, as luck would have it, our uncle showed up just in time. My stubbornness should've gotten us killed that night."
The pain in Yang's voice made Blake's heart ache for her.
"Yang... I'm sorry that happened to you, and I understand what you're trying to tell me, but this is different. I'm not a child, and this isn't just a search for answers! I can't just-"
Yang scowled and clenched her fists as she interrupted Blake.
"I told you: I'm not telling you to stop! I haven't! To this day, I still want to know what happened to my mother and why she left me, but I will never let that search control me. We're going to find the answers we're looking for, Blake. But if we destroy ourselves in the process, what good are we?"
Blake scowled now in frustration.
"You don't understand! I'm the only one who can do this!"
"No, you don't understand!" Yang soon fired back as she looked fiercely at Blake. "If Roman Torchwick walked through that door, what would you do?"
"Fight him!" Blake declared as Yang shoved her back.
"Idiot! You'd LOSE."
"I can stop him!"
"YOU CANNOT EVEN STOP ME!"
Shoving Blake a second time after the Faunus's futile attempt to shove back, she exhaled and looked at Blake with concerned and kind eyes, with them returning to their usual purple.
"I'm not asking you to stop. Just please, get some rest. Not just for yourself, but for the people you care about." She then sighed as she walked past her, before looking back at Blake and giving her a confident smile. "And if you feel like coming out tomorrow, I'll save you a dance."
As Yang gave a wink, she left the room, as Blake stood there, with food for thought, she eventually left too, yawning and deciding to strike the dorms to at the very least catch up on sleep. She still wasn't sure about going to the dance, but she knew she needed to at least rest and rejuvenate herself.
Stepping into the ballroom, Yang smiled in amazement as she saw all the streamers and balloons decorating it.
"Dang!" She remarked as she whistled. "It's looking good, you guys!"
"Thanks, sis." Ruby replied with a smile.
"Did you manage to get through to Blake?" Weiss then asked with worry, as Yang sighed.
"I don't know about coming to the Beacon dance part, but I am pretty sure that I at least got through to Blake on resting."
"At least she'll be okay on that part." Ruby remarked with a sigh. "I just wish all of team RWBYA was here for the dance."
"Me too, sis. Me too." Yang replied as then Weiss suddenly felt her scroll vibrate.
"Oh! Uh! Yang? Can you please hold this speaker? I need to get my scroll out."
"Sure!" Yang replied, as she took the speaker from Weiss's hands which allowed the SDC's Heiress to pull her scroll out of her pouch. However, she wasn't expecting to see the next message she got.
"Ah! Oh my!"
"What is it, Weiss?" Ruby asked, curious to know what exactly got her teammate to jump in surprise.
"It's Aoihi. He wants me to meet him by the statue ASAP. And JUST me."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Yang then asked Ruby as she soon had the same mischievous smile that matched her sister's.
"Oh yeah!" Ruby replied to her sister as she and Yang then looked at Weiss and spoke to her in unison.
"Go and see him, darn it!"
"O-okay!"
Weiss darted out of the ballroom without a second thought as the sisters high-fived.
"Team FireFlower strikes again!" Yang declared.
"Booya!"
Running across Beacon, Weiss was hurrying to the statue. Thankfully, Aoihi was there, patiently waiting for her as she came to a stop.
"Whoa. Deep breathes, Weiss. Don't strain yourself."
Weiss did and soon was fine as she looked at Aoihi.
"I need to talk to you about…"
The two teens froze for a moment at their sudden case of unison talking before bursting into laughter. They laughed for a moment before settling down.
"Okay. Weiss, you first, then I'll say what I wanted to say."
Weiss smiled and nodded at Aoihi. She then took a deep breath and looked at him with a more affectionate way.
"Aoihi…" She began. "From the day just before the school year started to now and perhaps beyond, you honestly touched my heart in ways I can't describe. You're blunt, yes, but you're also very kind and sweet, and I like that about you. You're so selfless and strong, not to mention, finding the strength to try taking another step forward in life without being held back by ableist idiots and your past." She then exhaled as she felt her heart beating faster and faster as a blush rose on her cheeks. "Aoihi… you're so special to me. I… I… I want you as my date to the Beacon dance, Aoihi. I really do!"
Aoihi blinked in surprise before covering his mouth in disbelief.
"What? No way! Weiss! I was going to ask you the same thing! To be my date to the Beacon dance!"
Weiss then smiled sweetly as she walked closer to Aoihi gently placing her hand on his chest.
"So I suppose your answer is obvious then, hmm?"
"Y-yes." Aoihi replied as he blushed now. He then sighed. "Shall I pick you up from the dorm tomorrow and escort you to the ballroom as my date?"
"I'd love that." Weiss replied with an genuine smile as she nuzzled his cheek. "I'll eagerly await for you to pick me up, my prince."
"Sure thing, my princess."
With a final smile of affection the two went their separate ways for the evening as Weiss had some more decorating to do.
The next day was the day of the Beacon dance. All the students were all buzzing with excitement. As night finally came, Weiss was finishing up her hair, making sure it was perfect for the evening. She was wearing a short, white, sleeveless dress with cutouts on both sides of her waist. With the yoke of the dress being a translucent mesh, and, white pumps.
Ruby had already left to help make final preparations with Yang and would be changing in a restroom not too far from the Ballroom. She was just double checking herself in a mirror, when a knock sounded from the dorm room's door.
"Oh! Oh my! I must get it."
Dashing over with excitement, Weiss opened the door and smiled as she saw Aoihi waiting for her. He was dressed in an azure frock coat with a white button up shirt, azure tie, and a pair of navy blue pants with a matching waistcoat, along with some black brogue boots. Weiss smiled as she saw her date.
"You look good." She remarked.
"So do you." Aoihi replied with a smile as he held out his hand. "Ready to go?"
Weiss can only nod and smile as she took Aoihi's hand and began to walk with him towards the ballroom where the beacon dance was being held. As they arrived, Yang was quick to greet them at the podium. She was dressed in a short, white, halter neck dress with a pale gray hem and a pair of white pumps.
"Ey! Hey! Hey! Looking good you guys!"
"Thanks." They both replied in unison as they stepped into the ballroom.
"So, have you or Ruby seen Blake yet, Yang?" Aoihi then asked as Yang shook her head.
"No. I haven't, though Ruby is not too happy right now." She sniggered as she gestured over to Ruby.
As of right now, Ruby was wearing a short, red, sleeveless dress with a thick black sash around the waist and black trim along the bottom. The bodice of the dress was split vertically to the sash and laced with black lacing. The yoke of the dress was transparent mesh with an opaque collar and hem, as well as opaque lines connecting the collar to her shoulders. She also had on a pair of black stockings and pumps. She walked akwardly and shakily with every step as she edged closer to Yang, Weiss and Aoihi.
"Ugh! Weiss! How do you fight in these?!"
Weiss and Aoihi couldn't help but chuckle as the white haired rich girl gave a reply.
"Don't worry, Ruby. You'll get the hang of it. At least you look good. That's what counts, right?"
Ruby pouted as Yang, Aoihi and Weiss laughed at the 15 year old's reaction. However the laughter stopped as they all heard footsteps echoing from outside. Emerging from the doors was Blake. She was dressed in a short, purple, asymmetrical, halter neck dress that was split up the right side and had a black collar. The translucent black mesh covered her shoulders, decolletage and back, and decorative black swirls cover the left side of the dress and continued up the left strap. She also had on a pair of black pumps, and a teal bow on her head in place of her usual black one. She stopped before her friends of Team RWBYA as they all smiled at her.
"Hey guys! Sorry I'm late!"
"Blake! You're here!" Ruby exclaimed.
"You're looking much more refreshed now." Weiss remarked with a thankful tone.
"Nothing that a good night's rest couldn't fix." The Faunus soon replied. "You're all right. I should rest now and then so I don't burn myself out."
"It's just good to see you looking rested up, Blake." Aoihi stated kindly, before Yang stepped towards Blake.
"So… are you up for dancing together, Blake?" She then asked.
Blake could only smile. "You bet, Yang."
Taking Yang's hand, Blake was led out into the dance floor. Smiling, Aoihi glanced at Weiss.
"You up for some dancing too, Weiss?"
Weiss beamed from ear to ear. "Oh! Yes, Aoihi! I'd be delighted too!"
They immediately ran out into the dance floor as Ruby huffed indignantly as she couldn't believe she was alone. Or at least alone for the next few seconds.
"Not enjoying yourself?" A familiar voice asked.
Ruby jumped in surprise to see Ozpin there. She soon laughs and rolls her eyes.
"No. Everything's fine. I'm just not a fancy pansty kind of girl."
Ozpin couldn't help but chuckle as he looked at Ruby kindly.
"Well, unfortunately, you can't live your life completely on the battlefield." He remarked gently.
Ruby scoffed. "I know that, Ozpin. That lesson has been floating around lately."
Ozpin's demeanor and expression still has not changed as he glanced at the crowds of couples on the dance floor. Aoihi and Weiss stood out to him the most.
"If you think about it, fighting and dancing aren't so different. Two partners interlocked, although one wrong move on the ballroom merely leads to a swollen foot."
"Or a twisted ankle." Ruby remarked as she looked at her feet.
Ozpin can only smile more.
"It's not every day that friends are able to come together like this. Time has a way of testing our bonds, but it's nights like these that can help keep them stronger than ever. Nights like these are ones we'll never forget."
Ruby couldn't help but smile at this as Mercury and Emerald stepped through the doors. Yang was quick to greet them as Blake stood by her side. Ruby then looked over at Ozpin who sighed as he glanced at the corner.
"I apologize for ending this chat my dear student, but I did agree to come so Glynda Goodwitch would not argue about at least dancing SOME before continuing work."
Ruby wasn't sure, but she swore she could see a small blush on Ozpin's face as he mentioned Glynda. She'll DEFINITELY never forget that.