Chapter Nine
Leap of Faith

Blake rolls her shoulder, relieved now that her cast is off. Between being unable to participate in combat class and needing her aura to recover, she wasn't able to properly test how much weight her shades can hold. They can easily pick up small objects like a pencil or a book, but is that the extent? Can they carry as much as her, or maybe even more?

She enters the gym, heading for the weights instantly. It's relatively quiet today, she's found that the last day typically is as everyone relaxes after the week. Which she prefers, as she'd rather not have others watching her practice her skills.

She summons a shade once she reaches the dumbbells, and without prompting her shade starts going down the line, picking up each one. It doesn't take long for it to stop, shortly when it tries to pick up the twenty pound weight. It strains itself and turns to Blake with a pout, but she's smiling, more than satisfied.

There's a lot one can do with less than twenty pounds. Throwing knives or rocks, blinding with a cloth, or, as she's going to focus on, using a weapon. Blake unclips Gambol Shroud, hesitating a moment with a glance around before passing it to her shade, who seems alarmed.

"You need to get used to the weight," Blake explains, even if she doesn't necessarily need to say it aloud. Goodwitch had recommended she do this, as sentient semblances tend to respond better when they are spoken to like a regular person. After Goodwitch had gotten over just how rare such semblances are. "And I need to practice my hand-to-hand. If I get incapacitated in again in the future," which she suspects will happen due to her line of work, "then you can fight for me so I don't slow down the others and I can still defend myself."

Her shade nods slowly, still looking a little unsure holding Gambol. Blake feels just as unsure, almost feeling naked without the reliable weapon. With another glance around, they adopt fighting stances and quickly engage with one another.

Her shade has trouble landing hits at first, unused to the weight in its hand. Blake is able to use this time to get into the feel of her own unarmed combat, which she frustratingly notes is incredibly rusty. She'd be able to defend herself from a standard street thug, but against another trained opponent she wouldn't be able to gain much ground.

But this isn't another trained opponent, this is her shade, and it doesn't take long for the sparring to turn into it's usual game of chase. It's always better to train this way for her, when she gets to learn against a constantly evading target rather than a static one. Plus, it lets her have a bit of rare fun. With her life no longer in constant danger, she can afford it.

Her fun, however, is ruined by an unwelcome face.

"Hey." Bella sighs, turning to Winchester with crossed arms and her usual air of indifference. She's surprised he hadn't pulled anything while her arm was recovering. "Spar with me," he yanks his mace off his back.

"Hmph," Bella catches Gambol when her shade tosses it to her, flipping it into pistol mode and aiming at him. "Fine, then."

She fires two shots, at his face and feet. He takes the hit to the face, coughing when it explodes into fire upon impact, blinding him. Then with the ground slick with ice he slips onto his rear, and she stays where she is, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. Although she doesn't like to admit it, Winchester is objectively excellent in combat, so why did he make this so easy? She quickly glances around for his lackeys, but like many times before they aren't around. Nobody is. Where did they all go?

"Is this really all worth it?" she asks as he stands, and blinks in confusion when his face is scorched. His aura should have taken those hits easily, so why is he hurt?

"Did you know?" he coughs, but smirks. "It's against school rules to attack a student unprovoked."

"Then you should have plenty of strikes on you," she says plainly, eyeing him carefully. Of course, she knows someone like him isn't bound to the same type of rules.

"Nah, those cowards know their place. Unlike you, they keep their heads down and do as they're told." Her skin crawls as he laughs. "If I go to Ozpin with this, he'll believe me in a second. But you already know that."

"Go ahead," she sheathes Gambol, but keeps her hand on the hilt. "At worst I'll get a warning."

"And if I report your secret?" he snarls. It really is delightful to see his confidence so easily shattered. "What will they think about you foraging documents?"

Well considering Ozpin already knows... Which continues to unnerve Blake. "You keep spouting this nonsense of secrets and forged documents. Do you really have any evidence against me? Oh, of course you don't," Blake lets herself smirk just to see him get angrier, and it works, "if you did you would have gone to Ozpin already. Just give it up, Winchester, this is a waste of both our times."

He charges her and she swings Gambol up to block his strike, but instead of stopping he tackles her to the ground. She kicks into his gut instinctively, but his blasted armour blocks the hit as he tugs harshly at her hair, earning a hiss. She punches him in the throat, prepared to aim for his eyes next, when he's suddenly flung off her.

"Get the fuck away from my partner!" Yang bellows, hair flickering and eyes burning. She'd wanted to try asking Bella to spar now that her cast is off, but this bullshit isn't what she expected to stumble across. Of course, maybe she shouldn't be so surprised with how grossly obsessed Winchester is with Bella.

"Your 'partner' is a liar!" he snaps back, getting to his feet. "She's-"

"Oh as if I'd believe a single word outta you!" Yang flares her aura and walks forward, staring him down. He sneers, bracing himself. Looks like he's going to let Yang hit him like Blake had. "From the beginning all you've done is hurt other students and harass Bella! You got her arm broken and you act as if that's justified? Well I've got news for you, buddy," Yang stomps, hair flickering like a writhing flame as she grabs his shoulder and rears back her fist, "here's your justice!"

Blake flinches a little when Yang wails her fist into Winchester's face, but can only stare at her back when he's knocked out cold on the floor. What brings her out of her shock is feeling her hair fall loose of her headscarf and she scrambles to adjust it, heart hammering at almost having it be ripped off. She'd had a feeling he would try something like that, but not so soon into their little game.

It amuses her, at least, that he really has little patience when things don't go his way.

Yang snorts coldly, then turns to her in concern, crouching down. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Do you need help to the infirmary at all?"

For a moment, all Blake can do is stare. A part of her screams that this is some kind of deception, that somehow Yang had orchestrated this to make herself seem like a hero. But it doesn't take much for her to brush the thought aside and see this for what it truly is.

To see Yang as someone who is genuine down to her core. How can she look into the face of such worry and compassion and still convince herself that it is a trick? This is the same concern Yang had for her sister right after the Nevermore almost hit her, unfabricated and true.

The part wiggles back in, asking her if she can really let her guard down. Once she does, she won't be able to bring it back up. Can she take the chance, even if it ends with all sides being hurt? Can she stand to believe it even a little?

"Hey, hey don't do that." Blake jolts out of her thoughts to Yang hovering her hands over her shoulders, thankfully not touching her. Blake realizes she's been clutching her bicep through her miniature panic and looks down, ashamed. "Is it okay if I help you to your feet? The floor isn't comfy."

True. Her tail is getting crushed.

Inhaling deeply, Blake nods. Warm and gentle hands hold onto her shoulder and back, helping her up at a slow pace. Yang utters quiet comforts as she helps her up, and once Blake is steady on her feet she removes her hands. Blake rolls her shoulders, missing the warmth as a tingling is left behind.

"So, are you okay?" Yang tries, wringing her hands.

"I'm not as hurt," Blake answers.

"That asshole!" Yang growls, red bleeding into her eyes as she paces. "What the Hills does he have against you? The bastard's lucky I don't break his legs right now!" she scowls at him, still knocked out. She'll probably get detention later. No regrets.

When was the last time someone fought so much for her? Initiation, the Bauson, a bully, Yang has stood up for and protected her for all of that without ever looking at her like she owes her. Just with a sincere smile of relief when she knows she's okay.

Hasn't it been proven by now?

Yang is someone she can trust.

It feels strange to even humour the thought, like she's abandoning a part of herself, but she can't say it feels bad. Heart pounding, Blake decides that it's high time she takes a leap. It's time to change.

"Winchester has blackmail on me," she admits, shocking Yang into silence. "He's been trying to get me to confess verbally since his words hold no weight."

Yang blinks, then swears loudly and begins her pacing. After a few moments, she claps her hands together, presses them to her nose and takes a deep breath. Eyes still red, she pumps her fists with a grin. "Well two can play at that game! I happen to have a 'friend' in the seedy network and could get some blackmail on him as payback! Shouldn't be too hard?" she taps her chin, leaning to one side as she looks up. "I'm, like, ninety percent sure he lives in Vale. It might take some time, though. Someone that rich would pay off any controversies, so it might take a few weeks. Sorry about that," Yang rubs the back of her neck.

Blake is stunned for a moment. "You..."

Yang hums out of her thoughts.

"Don't you...want to know what it is?"

She's met with confusion. Complete, utter bafflement. "I mean, I won't lie and say I'm not a little curious, but if it isn't something you wanna share how is that any of my business? It's your Bella Blackmail," she grins, shooting finger guns at her.

To distract from her overwhelmed shock, Blake frowns. "That was terrible."

"I'd like to see you do better."

When Bella remains silent, Yang nods smugly. "See? Therefor I win. Anyway," she spins, planting her fists on her hips, "we gotta deal with this piece of shit."

"I don't think there's a toilet big enough," Blake says without much thought, then worries she said something wrong when Yang slowly looks at her with wide eyes.

Then she bursts out laughing, so hard she holds her stomach and nearly doubles over. Blake startles into taking a step back, not really believing she'd made Yang bust a gut like that. And maybe it's because she feels light-headed, maybe it's because she's tired, or maybe it's because she's relaxed, maybe it's because Yang's laugh is just that contagious.

Blake giggles.

Instantly, Yang's head snaps up and she slaps her hands over her mouth, cutting herself off with a delighted laugh. Her eyes almost look like they're tearing up.

"That was so cute! Your laugh is like bells! Heh, I see why your name fits you so well!"

Blake blushes so hard she feels her face could rival the sun, and she wonders if part of that is due to Yang's proximity. She bashfully looks away, shaking her head as pleasant butterflies flutter in her stomach. "Thank you." She shuffles on her feet, unsure of what else to say.

"You're welcome! And hey, I finally got you to laugh!" A groan from the ground ruins Yang's mood and she glares at Winchester as he picks himself up, holding his nose and glaring. "Oh hey. He's arisen."

"I will tell Ozpin," he growls.

"Okay then. C'mon, Bella," Yang waves, sauntering away. "I could go for some snacks. Do you like brownies?"

Yang's placed herself between Winchester and Blake, and the latter grants him one last mild stare before following the brawler. She's still scared that she's misjudged after all and that opening up, even this small amount, will make everything explode in her face. But she's tired of being afraid of the unknown, and call it stupid, or naive, or wishful, but she chooses to believe that this time everything will be different.

She chooses to put her faith in Yang and herself.

0o0o0

Yang expects to get an earful from Weiss later for her stunt, but she can let Future Yang deal with it. Current Yang is busy trying not to dance a jig at this new development from Bella. Her partner has finally opened up to her, even just a small amount, and that is enough to celebrate in her eyes.

She bobs her head happily as she ties her hair back in a high ponytail. Turns out Beacon had foresight when it came to the stupid tiny kitchenettes in the dorms, because the common room has several cooking stations which gives them so much room for baking.

Dammit, she wants to keep talking with Bella. She can appreciate the quiet, but she wants to get to know her partner. Although on the other hand she might annoy her with how enthusiastic and loud she can be. That had always been pointed out to her by her classmates at Signal.

Ah, but this isn't Signal, is it?

"So..." Yang cracks an egg into the bowl, shooting her shot. "What's your favourite season?"

Blake, measuring the milk, hums. She probably should have expected Yang to start asking questions, but she half expected them to target private matters, not be something so mundane. Then again, she just proved she won't pry into her blackmail so maybe it shouldn't be so surprising.

In any case, favourite season...

Certainly not winter, she's been through far too many cold nights shivering and unable to sleep. Maybe she would have said summer, once upon a time, but that brings with it a homesickness she isn't ready to face. So left with two options...

"Autumn," she decides, nodding to herself. "Cool, not cold. Warm, not hot. And I love the rain," she smiles a little. "Listening to it hit the roof, curled up by a fire with a book and tea. The colours changing is also pleasant."

Even if the echoes of a train whistle ring in her ears.

"What is yours?"

"Spring! Seeing all the colours bloom after the snow is always exciting to me, and I used to play in the rain for hours as a kid," Yang sways side-to-side. "I had my own little flower patch on Patch," she spares Bella a wink and receives an eye-roll. "I wonder if I could make one here too," she hums.

Blake figures it's now her turn to ask a question. She takes a moment to ponder it.

"Have you ever been outside Vale?" That should be safe to ask. "You have experience with Grimm."

"I've never gone outside the city, no. I learned a lot from my uncle, Qrow, and a little from Dad. You?"

"This is my first time staying in a Kingdom long term, I would usually just pass through before." Floran isn't recognized as a Kingdom by Remnant, after all.

"That explains how smart you are!" Yang grins when Bella blushes. "Was it tough with all the Grimm? I hear settlements outside Kingdoms get attacked a lot." Once again, Blake is surprised by the amount of genuine worry in Yang's tone.

"I moved around a lot. But when I did encounter Grimm I always had help."

"Did you travel with your family?" Yang hopes that isn't too personal, and maybe it's vague enough if it is.

That's more complicated than it should be.

"No," she answers, keeping it simple. "My parents are back where I was born. It's difficult to get a signal to talk to them."

(theyll be so disappointed in me)

"I do miss them," she can at least admit that. "Well you mentioned your dad and uncle, and of course you have Ruby. Is there anyone else in your family?"

Wow, complicated question there, Yang rubs her neck. "No," she says, a bit softer than intended as her mind drifts to the picture in her pocket of a stranger with her face, and pushes away the image of kind silver eyes and the warmth of a white cape. She almost immediately regrets it, expecting the usual empty platitudes of 'sorry for your loss' or the dreaded 'it happened for a reason', but it doesn't come.

"What was Ruby like as a little kid?" Bella asks instead, with only a small nod of acknowledgement to the difficulty the question brought.

"More hyper, if you'd believe it," Yang laughs, partially in relief for the change in subject. And one she'll gladly rattle off about. "She discovered her semblance when she was, like, five, and would burst all over the place. One time she ran through the glass of our sliding door, and luckily that's when we learned of her 'passing through' effect. Nearly gave me 'n' Dad heart attacks, but she just passed out giggling away."

"She discovered it that young?" Bella raises a curious brow, reaching into the cupboards for a kettle. "Want any tea?"

"Sure, thanks. Chamomile please. And yeah, Qrow unlocked our auras young. He didn't want us being caught unawares if we were in any danger," she glances away, hearing the squeaks of a wagon. "I discovered my semblance when I tripped playing in the yard. Leg started heating up and I was so scared I broke something that I cried," she laughs at the memory. "When did yours show up?"

How much to say...

"My aura unlocked when I was about ten. My friend and I had gotten separated from our other friends when a pack of Beowolf attacked us. My aura flared up in the panic and a shade practically stepped out of my body, distracting the pack enough for us to get away."

"Ah, the duality of semblance discovery. Getting hurt while playing," Yang plants her hand on her chest, "versus life threatening panic," she flips her wrist to Bella. "Were you and your friend okay after that?"

"I passed out and he carried me to safety," Bella shrugs lightly.

"Could they always pick stuff up?"

"No, that's new."

"Handy! Maybe we could get them to throw erasures at Winchester in class."

"Maybe," Bella smirks, just a tiny bit. "Although we'll want to back off for a bit, once you get that detention."

"Worth it," Yang sing-songs. "You should at least throw a pillow at Ruby if she ever blows that damned whistle again."

"Yang that was weeks ago."

"And yet I still hear its shrill little cry in my head. Although she'd probably turn it into an all-out pillow fight. Fun, but I don't know how pillows are replaced, so..."

Blake nods, pouring the finished tea for the two of them. As she busies herself, her mind drifts to the Bauson, as it often still does. Leaning against the counter, she takes a sip of her tea to center her thoughts.

"...Is Ruby upset with me? For jumping," Bella asks, voice barely audible.

"I mean," Yang rubs the back of her head, pouring a bit of milk into her tea, "she was never really upset with anyone, just the situation. And herself." She admits, earning a small wince from Bella. "Don't feel bad about it, 'kay? We were all stressed and trusting people is hard. Besides, she's just happy that you're spending more time with us."

Bella had actually joined them for breakfast this morning.

Regardless of how Ruby and Yang feel, Blake resolves to apologize to Ruby when she gets the chance. If she can put her trust in Yang, then she should be able to extent that to her leader who risked herself so selflessly for her sake. And speaking of apologies.

"I'm sorry for being...difficult as a partner," she glances away.

"Bella, you really don't have to worry about that," Yang waves a hand in front of herself, gulping her tea. Blake shutters at the thought of chugging tea that hot. "We were strangers. Believe me, I get it. This, right here?" she points at the floor. "This is already a huge step for us! But if this is important to you, then I accept your apology!"

Blake relaxes her shoulders, relieved Yang actually accepted. She isn't sure how she'd feel with a simple 'no worries' approach.

"So..." Yang stares into her tea, "are we friends now?" She doesn't like being so forward and blunt, but she can't stand ambiguity.

Luckily she doesn't have to worry for long. "Yes, Yang. We're friends now."

Yang can feel her heart soaring and it takes all her self control to keep from scooping Bella up in the biggest hug. But that feels like a step too far, so she settles for downing the last of her tea and beaming. "Hills yeah! Let's face this world together, Bella!" she raises a fist.

"Okay," Bella bumps their fists together, with a tiny smile.

Yang stands alone in a dim light, looking at the backs of those she loves leaving her behind. She smiles, even if it hurts. So long as they're happy, that's all that matters, right?

But a shadow forms next to her. It isn't solid, more like wisps, but for the first time in a while, someone else is by her side.

Maybe this time, they will stay.

A/N: No I won't apologize for my terrible jokes and puns, I'm not funny I just live here

I've been looking forward to this chapter for a while :D Friendship building! I'm honestly not a fan of canon Bumbleby, but I'm excited to write their growing relationship (and of course when I get to toss Weiss into the mix later down the line)

Constructive criticism is welcome and encouraged! Thank you for reading!