Chapter 31: Together in an Empty Room

Yang's eyes slowly opened. She found herself lying on a couch and staring up at a ceiling. She wasn't sure where she was at first, but she figured she must be at Weiss's penthouse. Nothing else would've made sense to her. She did have a vague memory of speaking to Weiss after arriving wherever she was, but the last three days of nonstop flying over Atlas were all a blur to her. She was a little surprised she'd had the wherewithal to find her way back to Weiss at all.

Yang slid her boots off the couch and rose into a sitting position. She smacked her lips a few times. Her mouth was dry but not nearly as dry as she'd expected it to be. Weiss must have gotten her to drink some water before she'd passed out. But all that begged the question of where Weiss was now.

As if on cue, Weiss walked into the living room wearing her combat dress. She had her hand on her dagger which she'd just slid into the sheath incorporated into her belt. She paused when she saw Yang sitting there and looked mildly surprised. She must have been expecting Yang to still be asleep.

Weiss said, "Good. You're up."

"Where's Ruby? Did you save her yet?" Yang asked. She had no idea how long she'd been out.

"That's exactly what I'm about to do," Weiss said. "And before you say anything, you're not going this time."

Yang almost objected out of pure habit. However, while she did feel like she'd recovered quite a bit already from her airborne marathon, she knew she was still a long way from being back to one hundred percent. Her body was sore in ways she didn't think she could explain to someone who couldn't transform into a bird. She could feel muscles she didn't have at the moment aching.

Yang looked at Weiss and said, "Okay."

"You've done your part. Just…leave the rest…to me," Weiss said, almost trailing off at the end. She'd clearly anticipated that Yang would argue with her.

Yang leaned back on the couch. For possibly the first time in her life, she felt content to sit still and do nothing. After all, she knew there was no one in the world more determined to save Ruby than Weiss.

Weiss openly stared at Yang. She asked, "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

"I will be once you come back with Ruby," Yang said.

"Don't worry about that," Weiss said. "I've been preparing for this. And I'll be bringing backup."

Yang lifted her head. She asked, "Really? Who?"

"The Atlesian military," Weiss said. She was obviously trying to play it cool, but a hint of smugness had crept into her voice.

It was Yang's turn to stare at Weiss as she tried to figure out if Weiss was messing with her or not. She was certain that Weiss was dying for her to ask how she'd managed to get the military's support, which was precisely why Yang didn't ask. The rules really were different for the rich it seemed.

Yang said, "Punch Jaune a few extra times for me."

"I'll do more than that," Weiss said. She turned to leave, but before she walked away she added, "I left some lunch out for you. Do make sure to eat something. And take a shower too! There's also a gift waiting for you in the kitchen."

"A gift?" Yang asked.

Weiss didn't elaborate. She was already walking toward the penthouse's front door. Once she reached it, she opened it up. However, just before she stepped through, she called out to Yang, "By the way. My sister wanted me to tell you that she said hello."

"Sister?" Yang asked. "You have a sister?"

The front door closed. Weiss was gone.

Yang sat there, perplexed. Apparently Weiss not only had a sister, which was news to Yang, but said sister was someone she knew. She had absolutely no idea who it could be. She recalled all the countless Schnee Dust Company shipments she'd robbed over the years back in Mistral, although back then she'd known the organization less as "The Schnee Dust Company" and more as "those people who really liked to put snowflake logos on everything". However, she didn't recall running into anyone guarding the company's Dust who struck her as looking like Weiss's close relative. She couldn't imagine that someone as important as Weiss's sister must be would've been stuck on such mundane duty anyway.

Yang wondered if perhaps she'd encountered Weiss's sister in a barroom brawl. Back when she'd still been with her tribe she'd gotten into a lot of those, because she'd frequently started them. But Weiss's semblance, which was hereditary as Yang understood it, was so unique that Yang was certain she hadn't met Weiss's sister in a drunken fight either. She would have remembered someone flinging glyphs around. But if Yang hadn't robbed Weiss's sister, and she hadn't brawled with her, that only left one possibility that Yang could see.

Yang flipped through her memories of the many, many one-night stands she'd had over the years. Her mind quickly settled on a tall Atlesian military officer with an eye patch who had really filled out her uniform in all the right ways. She'd actually been one of Yang's longest hookups ever. They'd seen each other for many weeks straight. Maybe it had even been as long as a month or two. If Yang remembered correctly, her name had been Winter. And now that she was picturing Winter again, she saw the strong family resemblance to Weiss. The conclusion was as obvious as it was hilarious. She'd slept with Weiss's sister, and not just once either.

A chuckle escaped Yang's lips, but it quickly grew into a belly laugh. Yang wondered at first if Weiss realized exactly how she "knew" her sister, but she quickly decided there was just no way. If Weiss did, she wouldn't have been so casual about mentioning her. Yang was tempted to call Weiss up on the spot and tell her, but this was one of those rare times when she thought it would be better to delay gratification. She really wanted to wait for just the right moment to drop this particular bombshell on Weiss. She'd wait years if she had to.

Yang's laughter eventually died down. She let out a sigh. She realized this was the first time since Blake had left that she was feeling alright, not great but alright. Her thoughts drifted to the cabin she still jointly owned with Blake. She wondered if the little garden Blake had been tending to out back was completely overgrown by now. Maybe she'd head that way soon and see if there was anything she could do to save it. It wouldn't mean much in the grand scheme of things, but Yang knew that small acts were what she needed right now. She would put her life back together one step at a time. And who really knew what the future would bring? If the convoluted path her life had taken that had led her from being a lawless bandit to being a welcomed guest in the penthouse of Weiss Schnee was any indication, the possibilities were endless.

A loud gurgling noise suddenly came from Yang's stomach, reminding her that she was hungry. She got up off the couch and started wandering toward Weiss's kitchen. When she got there, she saw that a tray with sandwiches on it had been set out on the kitchen's island along with a glass and a pitcher of water. The tray looked needlessly fancy to Yang, and the sandwiches, which had been cut diagonally with their crusts removed, were artfully arranged. Yang shook her head in amusement. She wondered if Weiss was capable of doing anything in a way that wasn't at least mildly pretentious. She also wondered why the sandwiches' crusts were missing. If she'd had to guess, she would've said it was because that was how Ruby preferred them.

Yang grabbed one of the sandwiches and hungrily stuffed it into her mouth. As she chewed, her eyes were drawn to a parcel wrapped in plain brown paper that was also sitting on the island nearby. It was about the size and shape of a small pillow. Yang assumed it was the gift Weiss had mentioned. She put her hand on it and pulled it toward her. Then she started tearing the paper open until she laid eyes on what was wrapped up inside.

"Awesome!" Yang said through a mouthful of food. She decided that no matter Weiss's faults, she at least had good taste.

Weiss had never been to Atlas Academy before. Many years ago she'd intended to visit the school to see off Winter on the first step of her journey toward becoming a huntress. However, Weiss had only been ten years old at the time, and since Father hadn't approved of her sister's decision to enroll at the Academy, Weiss hadn't been allowed to go. Now, fourteen years later, she was finally standing on the Academy's campus, with Winter nonetheless. She only wished better circumstances had brought them there.

Weiss and Winter were heading toward where the Arc Knights had last been seen, the grimm studies laboratory building. Weiss's dagger was resting in its sheath, and she had Crescent Rose strapped to her back using one of Ruby's spare harnesses. Ruby wouldn't be separated from her weapon for much longer if Weiss had anything to say about it. Winter was also armed; a saber was hanging off her hip. And if all of that wasn't enough, an entire squad of Atlesian soldiers in full battle dress were marching right behind them.

In addition to the soldiers, one more person was following Weiss and Winter. He was the assistant headmaster of Atlas Academy, one Professor Sven Malen. He was a portly, bespectacled man with short legs who was struggling to keep up with the group. However, he still managed to say to Winter, "General, is this really necessary?"

"It is," Winter said without breaking her stride. "But it should not have been."

Professor Malen obviously knew exactly what Winter was insinuating because he said, "It's part of the Academy's function to liaise with foreign huntsmen! You know this!"

"Indeed I do," Winter said. "However, it is not standard practice to give them unsupervised access to the Academy's facilities."

"Of course not!" Professor Malen said. "But the Arc Knights aren't your typical team of huntsmen!"

"That much is very clear," Winter said.

"General!" the professor whined. "The first thing they did upon entering the kingdom was to take down a troop of winged beringels that had been plaguing the roads leaving Atlas for months! We had no reason to think they were up to no good!"

"Now is not the time for justifications," Winter said. "We will assign blame after this situation has been dealt with."

The group finally stopped in front of the grimm studies laboratory. Weiss looked the building over. It matched the description that Yang had given of where she'd seen Jaune and his cronies coming and going. She said, "This must be it."

"Very well," Winter said. "Are you ready?"

"Ready," Weiss said. She drew Eiszapfen. She was so nervous that her stomach was doing flip-flops, but she forced herself to remain focused. She knew it must have been her imagination, but she would've sworn that Crescent Rose suddenly felt heavier. Its weight was an inescapable reminder of Ruby's absence.

Winter glanced back at the soldiers under her command. She said, "Weapons tight."

The soldiers all drew their rifles from off their backs without question. Professor Malen let out a distressed whimper.

Weiss and Winter each grabbed one of the laboratory's double doors. They glanced at each other. Then they pulled the doors open.

Weiss and Winter burst into the building. Their entourage followed close behind them. The stark foyer lit with cyan-colored lights that silently welcomed everyone was typical for the Academy. Weiss quickly looked about, but she didn't see any sign of Ruby or Jaune.

"Come on. Ruby's got to be here somewhere," Weiss said. She refused to admit to herself that she didn't know that for a fact. Yang had only seen Jaune, Nora, and Ren after all.

The group started collectively making their way deeper into the facility. There appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary, although a trio of unremarkable students did pass them by going the other way. No one paid them any mind, Weiss included. She wasn't concerned about anyone or anything other than Ruby.

As everyone continued to walk, Winter asked Professor Malen, "If one was to hold a huntress hostage here, where would she be kept?"

"What?! Why would anyone do that?" the professor said, clearly perturbed by the question.

"Where would she be kept?" Winter calmly repeated.

"In the containment cells? I suppose?" Professor Malen said. "But they're intended to hold grimm, not people."

Weiss said, "That must be why the Arc Knights are here specifically. Ruby's semblance would make it difficult to keep her locked up in an ordinary prison."

"Professor," Winter said. "Take us to these cells."

The professor unhappily led the way. A few tense minutes later, Weiss found herself in a hallway lined on one side with a series of hefty doors.

Weiss asked, "Are these it?"

"Yes," Professor Malen said. "But like I explained to you…um…."

"What is it?" Weiss asked when the professor trailed off.

Professor Malen pushed the bridge of his glasses up his nose and said, "It seems that one of the cells is in use."

"Which one?!" Weiss asked.

"That one right there," the professor said, pointing to one of the doors. "The occupancy light is on."

Winter waved to her soldiers and barked out, "Secure the area!"

The troops sprang into action. Without a word between them, half of them took up positions guarding the rear of the group, facing back the way they'd come. The other half moved farther down the hallway with their rifles ready. They quickly vanished around the next corner.

"This doesn't make sense," Professor Malen said. "Nothing is schedule to be in the lab for weeks. Many of the head researchers are on vacation right now."

Winter said, "How convenient for the Arc Knights. That means there are far fewer potential witnesses for them to worry about."

Weiss was already jogging over to the door Professor Malen had pointed out. A quick glance at the control panel next to it told her she had no idea how to operate it. However, the door had a window in it.

Weiss stepped up to the window and peered inside. She saw a tiny corridor beyond that led to a second, identical-looking door. She could see some of the containment cell's interior through the inner door's window, but it appeared to be empty.

"Ruby?!" Weiss shouted. She pounded her fist on the window. "Ruby, are you in there?!"

The seconds ticked by, each one stretching into an eternity for Weiss. When nothing happened, Weiss felt her hope withering away. But then Ruby's face appeared in the inner window. She looked anxious at first, but the very second she saw Weiss, her eyes lit up with joy. She pressed her hands against the window she was trapped behind and said something that Weiss couldn't hear.

Weiss's heart was hammering in her chest now. She practically clawed at the window in front of her before shouting at Professor Malen, "She's here! What are you waiting for!? Get this thing open!"

The professor scurried over to the door. He pulled out an identification card and stuck it into a slot on the nearby control panel. There was a beep. Then both the cell's inner and outer doors lifted open.

Ruby instantly rushed out of the cell in a burst of rose petals. Her body reappeared a moment later, and she collided with Weiss. She and Weiss staggered backward, but they both managed to keep their balance as they frantically embraced one another.

"Weiss!" Ruby shouted. "I knew it! I knew it! I knew you'd come for me!"

"Ru…Ruby…" Weiss said. She could hardly speak. Tears were pouring down her cheeks. It was all she could do to hold on tight to Ruby. She wasn't even convinced yet that Ruby was even real.

"We need…" Weiss tried to say. She started to pull herself together again. "We need to find Jaune! He has to be apprehended!"

"Right!" Ruby said. She reluctantly let go of Weiss. "He was right here! He couldn't have gone far!"

"You'll need this!" Weiss said. She slid her dagger back into its sheath so she could use both hands to pull Crescent Rose from off her back. She still had no idea how Ruby slung the scythe around with such ease.

"My baby!" Ruby shouted, sounding almost as excited to see her weapon as she had been to see Weiss. She snatched the scythe out of Weiss's hands and cooed at it. "Did you miss Mommy? Yes you did! Yes you did!"

Weiss couldn't help but giggle in an undignified manner, despite her best effort not to.

Winter was standing back and keeping vigilant. However, she asked Weiss, "Is she always like that?"

"Frequently," Weiss said. She'd intended to sound exasperated, but the only thing that had been conveyed by her voice was relief. She reached her hand up and dried her tears. There was no doubt now that this was the real Ruby.

Crescent Rose unfolded in Ruby's hands, once again coming to life. Ruby gave the scythe a spin for good measure. She said, "I'm ready! Let's get Jaune!"

Several of Winter's troops suddenly returned from where they'd disappeared down the hallway. Winter said to them, "Report."

"Facility is secure, ma'am," one of the soldiers said. "No one else inside."

"Wait. But…" Ruby said. "Jaune was just here. I saw him, like, a minute before you showed up!"

Weiss asked, "What was he doing?"

"I don't know for sure," Ruby said. "He was talking with Ren and Nora, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. They looked upset about something."

"They must have somehow known we were coming," Weiss said.

Winter turned to Professor Malen. She asked, "Are there any other exits to this building other than the one we came in through?"

"Only emergency ones," the professor said. "And an alarm would have sounded if they'd been opened."

"Then where did the Arc Knights go?" Winter asked.

The answer suddenly dawned on Weiss. She said, "Ren…."

"Pardon?" Winter asked.

"Lie Ren-Valkyrie, one of the Arc Knights," Weiss explained. "His semblance can make it difficult to notice him or anyone he's touching. Those people we passed by on the way in must have been them! We just didn't realize it."

"Outside!" Winter shouted to her troops. They immediately began to move.

"You attend to Ruby," Winter said to Weiss. "We'll attempt to intercept the Arc Knights. Professor! With me."

"Uh…of course," Professor Malen said.

The hallway quickly emptied until only Weiss and Ruby remained.

Weiss was incredibly frustrated with herself. She knew how Ren's semblance worked. Why hadn't she forced herself to pay attention? There was no way Winter's squad would be able to track down Jaune and his team now, Weiss just knew it. They were going to get away. The thought of it made her blood boil.

"Hey," Ruby suddenly said. She let go of her scythe with one of her hands and touched Weiss's cheek.

Weiss looked at Ruby. Her ugly thoughts momentarily left her. It finally hit her that Ruby was standing in front of her, safe and sound. She'd done it. She'd gotten Ruby back, and in one piece to boot!

Weiss lifted her hand to touch Ruby's.

Ruby said, "We'll get Jaune another day. Promise."

Weiss almost hadn't heard Ruby. She leaned forward, and her lips drifted toward Ruby's like they were being drawn in by a mystic force. She kissed Ruby, reveling in the warmth she felt spread through her body.

Ruby's hand slid around to the back of Weiss's head, and she pulled her in even closer as they continued to kiss. Weiss's heart overflowed. In that moment, the rest of the world disappeared. There was only her and Ruby. She swore she'd never let Ruby out of her sight ever again.

Eventually, Ruby pulled back. Her lips separated from Weiss's. She smiled at Weiss, looking like a schoolgirl who was head over heels in love. But then she glanced around the hallway and said, "Wait…. Is this Atlas Academy? Are we at the Academy?"

"Didn't you graduate from this school?" Weiss asked. "How did you not recognize it?"

"I never spent any time in the dungeon!" Ruby said, clearly embarrassed. "I wasn't that bad of a student!"

Weiss laughed. It felt good to laugh. She affectionately said, "You dolt."

Author's Note: I'm sorry, Jaune. I know you technically didn't fight Weiss, but I must rule that a loss by forfeit. Maybe you'll have better luck next time.

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