Darkness slowly swirled and faded and despite everything being black, different shades of the color clouded and disappeared, a pressure building up and weakening in a steady rhythm like that of a heartbeat. A wind began to blow, howling like wolves through the shadows as they run deeper and deeper into the woods. Rustling and scattered noises echoing, bouncing off nothing but the air itself as the sounds faded away into nothing but a quiet and still surrounding.
There was a sudden clasp of power as Kagami's eyes shot open. She gasped for air, her breathing shaky and staggered as she closed her eyes and began to move. Her heart began to pound inside her head as she felt her wrist tied behind her back and around something, sweating dripping down the side of her face. She groaned, her nostrils flaring with each breath she took as she pulled back, her feet digging in and scraping the dirt and leaf ground below her.
"Whoa! Whoa whoa whoa! Kagami!" Leaning up against a tree while sitting with her air compressed rifle in her lap, Elise scattered to her feet, stumbling slightly as she slid down on her knees next to her friend. "Hey! Hey! It's okay! Calm down!" She forcefully grabbed her shoulders, holding her still as well as she could as the birds began to sing in the distance.
Swallowing thickly, she took several deep breaths, her chest rapidly rising and falling as she squirmed around. After a few seconds, she let her shoulders relax, the only movement coming from them moving up and down with her breathing.
"Sorry. Sorry..." She sighed softly, slowly removing her hands. "I... I didn't know if you were going to wake up you or not you... s-so I had to take precautions..." She smiled a bit, gently moving her hands behind her as she untied her leader's arms. Pulling her arms back in front of her, she smiled a little brighter and held up the jadette's belt. "Didn't know what to use so I had to improvise a bit." She chuckled softly.
"So... you're stripping me... now?" Kagami groaned, reaching up slowly to rub her head only to flinch from the touch. Inhaling, she swallowed bringing her arms down in front of her. Watching her hands trembling, she slowly shut her eyes, moving her head around with jagged movements another groan.
"Hey... hey, it's okay." She set the belt aside, grabbing her hands and holding them steady. "Try not to do too much right now. I used the bandages you have wrapped around your arms to dress the wound on your head and on your wrist. I did the best I could. I'm not really a medic or anything. I checked the others too. The seem fine aside from being exhausted and are currently sleeping."
Letting out a quiet grumble, she slowly raised her head, her eyes one again a tea green though the were now bloodshot. Slowly lifting her left hand up, she couldn't stop it from trembling as she gently reached up at placed her hand on the brunet's shoulder, tapping at her slightly bruised neck. "Your... your..." She heavily groaned, rolling over onto her side a bit as her stomach contracted, her body hunching over slightly as the contents of her stomach spilled out.
Sighing, Elise reached over, pulling back her friends hair as she shook her head. "You know, I've only seen papa hungover once, and you're acting worse than him." Holding the jade colored hair in her left hand, she reached back with her right, pulling out her hair tie and letting her hair fall down as she put her friend's up insead.
"I'm... going to punch you..." She mumbled between a muffled groan and coughing. Slowly sitting back up straight, she leaned her head back, her teeth clenched as she heavily breathed in and out. Sweat began building up on her forehead and making it shine.
"Nuh uh huh." She shook her finger with a smile before brushing her hair behind her ear. "That's just Zucchini's poison talking." She sat down and crossed her legs, leaning forward slightly.
"Shut up..." She hissed slightly, putting her hand on her friend's face before slowly letting it fall back into her lap as she rolled her head around.
"Okay, okay. Not the time." The brunet sighed softly, glancing down. Slowly reaching behind her head, she scratched at her scalp as she slowly looked back up with a soft smile. "Well, I know something that will make you smile." She nodded a bit, slightly eagar.
"If it doesn't... involve me... getting rid of this headache... I don't care..." Kagami took a deep breath, slowly glaring up at her.
"That'll pass... I promise." She slowly nodded, still softly smiling, though it had faded a bit, as she moved up and scooted beside her teammate. Pulling out a long piece of fabric that was usually wrapped around the leader of team MACE's arm, she chuckled a bit. "I got bored of counting the stars before the sun started rising, so I wrote another poem!"
Staring blankly at her, she blinked very slowly a few times before rolling her eyes as she glanced over at the rising sun, The sky tinted pink and orange with a few clouds hiding between the trees. "I think... I would have rather been asleep... for a hundred years... and woke up to the four Kingdoms at total war with each other..."
"Oh shut up." She pouted, unfolding the cloth. "I actually tried really really hard on this one. I spent like fours hours on it." She smiled more, leaning back as she read her sloppy handwriting with ease.
You're a super cool and awesome friend
Just like Kris' fashion trends
You're really kind
You have a really bright mind
And again I need another rhyming line
You mean the world to me and the others
I don't think I could say the same for my three brothers
You've taken some shots that weren't the best
Like that time where I almost shot Chey in the chest
Even though you kicked our ass
I think I need a wine glass
Your to strong and brave with that sword
Sorry I never gave back your hoodie I've been kinda bored
Now I just want to sit down and read
Wait that reminds you still need to watch RTD
Just remember we've forgiven you right from the start
Now stop blaming yourself and keep doing your part
You're the glue to our little family don't you know
Now all you need to do is relax and glow
The jadette slowly glanced over at her as she finished, unable to control a smile as she gently shook her head with a small cough. "That... that took four hours..." She laughed softly before grimacing slightly as she wrapped her arms around her torso. "I mean... that's... that's definitely improvement from the last one..." She shook her head just slightly, showing off her teeth.
"I will take that only because I know you're still loopy, but I know once you feel better you'll love it and let me write it in your book." Elise nodded, rolling the fabric back up and sliding it into her pant's pocket. "I know you love it."
"No..." She coughed slightly, leaning her head back to relax with a faint smile. "Never... you're not tainting... my book... ever again..." She eyed her, smirking slightly. "But... quick question..."
"Yeah?" She blinked, raising an eyebrow. "What?"
"Why... are we still in... the woods...?" She took a deep breath, swallowing heavily as she licked her lips.
"Because I can't carry three unconscious dunderheads out of here and through the city. I may be a Spruce, but I am a lady Spruce, not a man. I can only carry max maybe a full grown buck over my shoulders. So I guess I could have carried maybe two of you... I could have left Kris..." The brunet lost herself in her words for a moment, trailing off quietly as she glanced at her friend. Slowly, she tilted her head to the side with her brows furrowed. "Kagami...?"
Breathing heavily with wide eyes, Kagami was frozen stiff as her pupils dilated. Staring dead at a pack of Alpha Griffon, each creature slowly stepping towards them. Their wings spreading as their claws dug into the earth. "E-Elise... get your rifle..." She whispered, her breath shaky as she gulped.
"Huh?" Elise glanced at her, seeing where her eyes were pointing and looked over her shoulder, seeing nothing as a breeze gently blew between the trees. "What... what are you looking at?" She looked back at her friend, her eyebrows furrowing more. "Kagami...?"
As her heart began to race inside her chest, she slowly brought her knees to her chest, closing her eyes as she put her hands over her ears after hearing a few of the Grimm cry out. "D-Damn it... I'm... I'm hallucinating..." She stuttered, her body trembling.
"Whoa, whoa, okay." She took a deep breath, reaching over and gently holding her shoulders. "Hey, hey at least you know whatever is over there isn't real... just... just breathe through it? Yeah?"
Slowly curling her fingers, the jadette shook her head no while pressing her head deeper into her thighs. She let out a quiet noise, goosebumps dancing across her arms as she shook.
Exhaling softly, Elise reached up, pulling of her leader's hoodie, revealing a long sleeved green and brown flannel shirt. "Hey, just try to relax. You're going to be fine." She gently placed the green hoodie over her friend's shoulders, wrapping it around her. Gulping a little herself, she slowly moved her arm around her, pulling her close as she gently began to rub the back of her head. "Remember, Ozpin made you our leader for a reason. You got this. Plus, Nihilus said that only the strong can handle Zucchini's poison. And you've already done and dealt with that, so I know you're capable of getting through this."
"Elise..." She quietly muttered, shifting around slightly before slowly pressing up more against her.
"Yeah, Kagami?" She blinked a few times, glancing down.
"Shut up... I have a headache..."
Smiling, she slowly nodded, strands of her brown hair wrapping around her face as she closed her eyes. "Yeah, alright. Me too... me too."
Later on that day, resting on the couch in Officer Keegan's house, Dino was sitting on his legs with his head tilted as he watched the daily news with intrigued eyes. It was then the doorbell rang, causing him to flinch a little as he sat up straight. With wide eyes, he glanced around quickly, seeing no sight of his mother. Taking a deep breath, he stood up, his alligator tail swaying back and forth as he stepped towards the door. Not without first picking up his toy gun.
Grabbing the doorknob, he puffed out his chest while tightening his jaw. In one swift motion, he tossed the door open, firing a single foam dart straight in front of him.
Standing slightly to the side, Elise blinked, her head turning as she watched the dart woosh through the air behind her. Standing there, both Cheyenne and Kris were on either side of Kagami, helping her from losing her balance. Though, they weren't as much help as the toy bullet hit their leader square in the forehead, making her head tilt back a little before she leaned backwards and fell onto the ground with a soft grunt.
The brunet blinked a couple times before she glared back at her two friends. "You had one job!" She waved her arms around.
"Uhhh..." The redhead stared for a moment down at the jadette before quickly pointed over at the deer Faunus next to her. "It's Chey's fault! She obviously took one too many hits!"
"I'll show you one too many hits, Christmas..." The lighter brunette glared back at her.
"Okay! Okay! Okay! Whatever! Just one of ya or both of ya pick her up!" Elise heavily exhaled, turning around on her heels to face the younger boy. "Hey listen, my friend you shot, she's having a really bad day. Well, we all are. So could you not shoot her perhaps?"
Staring at her with his brows furrowed, the gator Faunus raised his arm, taking aim with his toy gun before slowly lowering it. He glanced around, taking a small step back as he unloaded the foam dart from it.
"Thank you." She kindly smiled towards him. "Now, is your mother home?" Seeing him nod slowly, she smiled more while putting her hands on her hips. "Could you perhaps go get her for us?"
Dino stared at her for a moment, glancing between the four girls as Kris and Cheyenne both picked up Kagami. Biting the inside of his cheek, he gave a slow nod, quickly rushing off to another part of the house.
"So um, do we step inside or..." Cheyenne trailed off, blinking a few times.
"I... don't know. He didn't exactly invite us in..." Elise trailed off as well, glancing back at Kris.
"I dunno." The redhead shrugged. "I would have walked in by now and made myself at home though. But that's just me."
Scoffing, the young farm girl rolled her eyes, glancing back inside the door just as Keegan stepped in front of it with a groan and her eyes shut. Wearing a pair a of black sweatpants with no shoes and a white shirt, her hair was slightly messy as she shifted her body weight to her right leg. With her right hand holding up an ice pack to her head and a cup of coffee in her left hand, a few files were tucked underneath her right arm. "Who is-" She opened her eyes, blinking a few times before she slouched forward with a soft grumble. "What could you four possibly want now?"
After explaining what happened post to the fight with Sanguine and her Fang Gang and laying Kagami on the couch with a pillow and blanket, he remaining girls of MACE sat down at a table with Keegan. "And see," Elise continued on with the story. "Papa is super protective and caring. I love him to death, but sometimes he's a bit hard headed. Unlike mama who once she gets angry thinks about everything and calms down, papa just stays angry. If I tried to explain to him what happened, he'd throw a fit and and probably pick up Kagami and throw her out the window. He doesn't take kindly to his little girl being hurt by someone close. And we didn't know where else to go so we came to your house." She smiled brightly, though she looked half asleep.
Rubbing her head, Keegan groaned with a sigh mixed in as she rubbed the side of her head with two fingers. "You girls really know how to get yourself in trouble." She exhaled, grabbing her cup of coffee and taking a rather large gulp. "I don't even know what I was thinking agreeing to work with you."
"You had to have saw something. You wouldn't have tried if you didn't." Cheyenne leaned forward a little, her brows raising. "You said it yourself, we're young. But we're also strong in ways you aren't because of that. We just... sometimes you can't win every battle."
"You don't think I know that?" She held up the hand that was holding her coffee, pointing at her. "I've fought and lost more battles than you can imagine. The problem here is that I got caught up in my own damn emotions and drama with that filthy bastard, I let you four get hurt. And as an officer, I serve to protect. And if I can't protect, I'm not doing my job very well."
"You know," Kris raised a hand, pointing over at the canine Faunus. "You haven't yelled once. Or jumped around like the hyperactive person you are. And you're drinking coffee..." She trailed off, tilting her head before grunting as she was elbowed in the side.
"How is that the first thing on your mind to ask?" The deer Faunus whispered, narrowing her eyes at her.
"It's fine, it's fine." The older woman brushed her black hair back with her free hand before taking another sip of her coffee. "I put a little wine in it. It helps with the after affects of my semblance and the headache that follows."
"May I ask a question?" Elise suddenly asked, resting her head on her hand as she propped her arm up with her elbow. "If you don't mind that is."
"What is it, huh?" Her brows rose as her dog ears twitched. "What do you want to know?"
"Well," The brunet scratched at her head, her brown hair still down and wrapping around her forearm. "You have a semblance. And an aura. And both are pretty powerful. But you chose to go to a police academy and become a police officer instead of going to a Huntsmen academy to further develop your skills and become a Huntress. So... why?" Her brows furrowed a little as she tilted her head. "I don't understand. Wouldn't you be protecting more people as a Huntress?"
Chuckling softly, Keegan set her cup of coffee down, crossing her arms with a smile as she leaned her head back. "Now that, that's one hell of a story there. You see, dad was the best. Hard working, he loved us, would make it home for dinner every night and always kissed us goodnight. Mom on the other hand, she was... a little different."
Sixteen years ago, in the Kingdom of Vacuo, two years after Keegan was picked up from the streets in a snowy Mistral by the Tiaco family, the young twelve year old Faunus walking down the inner city streets quietly with her head down. Her short black hair tied into two small pigtails as she wore a pair of black slip on sandals, black cargo shorts with white flower designs and drawstrings ties at the ends, and a white button up shirt with black buttons, a black collar, and black trimming on the sleeves.
Walking in front of her, a fourteen year old girl with blood orange hair down to her shoulders was talking to every person she passed by, whether they were at a stand selling fruit and other foods or simply walking or sitting on the street. She had on a pair of orange and white tennis shoes, loosely fitting dark khaki shorts held up by a light brown webbed belt, a red shirt, and a dark red scarf wrapped around her neck.
Suddenly stopping at a small fruit stand and spinning around on her heels with a grin as her scarf waved through the air, the older girl held out her arms. In her hands a bright red and golden apple. "After school snack? The shopkeep says they're going bad and said we can have one since he loves me." Her smile grew.
Keegan took a few more steps before stopping. She blinked a few times before before rolling her eyes a bit with a soft smile. Her dog ears twitching slightly. "You really are friends with everyone around here, aren't you, Auran?"
"Yep." The redhead nodded, pushing her thumbs between where the stem of the apple was and pulling it apart in half with a soft grunt. "Here ya go." She held out her left hand, offering the piece of apple to her.
She smiled some more, reaching out and taking it before taking a rather large bite. The apple crunching between her teeth as she chewed. "You're such an outgoing idiot." She mumbled with a soft chuckle.
"And your a little puppy dog who hasn't learned to bark yet! But give it time." She twirled her apple half between her fingers, twisting back around to face forward.
A little ways in front of them down the street, a Faunus girl around their age with messy white hair and hard scales on her arms pushed a dark skinned boy with a with a bag of candy back a little. As he stumbled, she snatched the bag, shoving him to the ground as hard as she could. "You think you can walk around with this and not expect to share? Huh? Did dear old mommy give you this for being a good boy today?" She drug her foot forward, sending dirt into his face and making him cough as he reached up and rubbed his eyes.
Scoffing, she turned around, strands of her white hair wrapping around her face from the breeze. "You didn't even put up a fight." She stared at the bag of candy for a moment, clutching it tight as she exhaled and lowered her arm. "Pathetic."
"Hey!" A voice called out behind her, making her glance back with raised eyes. Rushing to the boy's side, Auran slid down on her knees, scuffing up her shorts a bit. She pulled off her scarf, helping him clean out his eyes with her right hand as she held her apple in her left hand. She glared over a the white haired Faunus. "What's your problem?"
Rolling her eyes, she held out the bag of candy in a shrug. "It's not my fault he's not strong enough to take it back." She lowered her arms, cocking her head as she pointed towards the redhead. "Just what exactly are you going to do about it?"
Glaring at her for a moment, she squared her her jaw while puffing out her chest. After a moment, she sighed, looking away as she went back to helping the boy. "Nothing..." She quietly muttered.
Scoffing, she rolled her eyes before looking over at Keegan who stood a few steps away. "And what about you,huh?" She her shake her head no and look down, the white haired girl shook her own head as she turned around and started to walk off. "You're all pathetic. This is Vacuo. If you're not going to fight for what you want you shouldn't be here."
Watching her leave, Keegan let out a small sigh, letting her head fall a bit as her canine ears lowered. Walking up beside her sister and the boy, she crouched down. "Is he okay?" She asked, taking another bite of her apple half.
"He should be alright." Auran smiled, wrapping her scarf back around her neck. "You can see alright, can't you?"
He quickly nodded back, smiling wearily. "Thank you..."
"It's nothing." She smiled back with a nod, brushing her blood orange hair behind her ear. She glanced down at her apple half, slowly holding it out towards the boy. "Here. Since you lost your candy."
"You... sure?" He blinked a few times, glancing up at her.
"Positive." She nodded, handing it to him as she stood up, then held out her hand to help him up. "Now be careful next time. Some people around here are just rude."
As he walked off and the two sisters began to head home once again, Keegan chewed on her lip as her hands fiddled with each other. "Hey, Auran?"
"Yeah?" The older sister glanced down. "What's up?"
"In the two years I've known you, you're always the first person to rush to someone in need. But you never go and fight back against the person hurting them." She paused for a second, her brows furrowing. "Why is that?"
"Well, I guess," She reached behind her head, scratching it a bit. "I don't know. It's hard to explain. Here in Vacuo, people are always fighting. I've seen people get black eyes and bloody noses. I've seen people get shot... and I want to be able to help those people. I want to make it so someday no one is hurting like that. I know what it's like to hurt really bad and have no one able to help you. I hate it. You feel alone and helpless. And I don't want anyone else to feel that way. No one deserves that type of feeling. Especially the feeling of being alone. You know?"
The dark haired girl smiled a bit, shaking her head at her sister. "You know, you're crazy sometimes."
"Yeah. I know." She chuckled.
A few hours later, Keegan was laying on her back on her bed, tossing a bright green tennis ball into the air, just a few centimeters shy of the ceiling, and catching it with a soft thud as it came back down. She would inhale as she tossed it upward, exhaling in boredom as it fell back down. Beside her, a second bed. Hearing the door open, she quickly sat up, keeping the ball in her lap. "Is dinner done yet?" She asked.
"Not yet." Auran sighed, closing the door and leaning up against it. "Mom said dad told her that he was going to come home early from work and cook steaks himself, but he got tied up with a few things at Shade. But he'll get here real soon and start dinner then. Nice and juicy pink steak here I come." She licked her lips, rubbing her hands.
"Ew." She stuck out her tongue, shaking her head as her black hair tossed around. "You and dad are so weird. Meat should not look like that. It should be fully cooked."
"You're just a dweeb who wasn't born in Vacuo like mom." She rolled her eyes, jumping onto her bed and onto her side with a small sigh. "No one here in their right mind would ever eat meat that has no color to it."
Keegan simply shook her head more, glancing over. She was about to say something, then blinked and stopped. "Hey, Auran?"
"Yeah?" The redhead tilted her head back and looked over.
"Didn't you fall on your shorts and not your knees when you went down beside that boy? Your knees are all scraped up." She tilted her head, pointing at her sister's slightly bloody knees.
"Huh? Oh..." She stared for a moment, giving a small shrug before she quickly swung her legs off the ed and stood up. "Guess I didn't even notice. I'll be right back. You can stay here. I'm just going to go wash them up real quick, alright?"
"Mhmm." The darked haired girl nodded, laying back down with a heavy plop on her bed. After a while of laying in her bed in boredom again, she finally decided to get up, tossing her green ball onto her bed as she did so. "Auraaan, you're so slow." She mumbled to herself, opening the door.
After walking into the bathroom and finding no one, she decided to look elsewhere. As she came close to the living room, she could hear faint mumbling. But as she got closer and closer, the whispers slowly turned into what sounded like angry talking. She blinked a few times, slowly and quietly peering around the corner.
There, sitting on the couch was Auran. Her hands carefully placed on her lap as she kept her head lowered. Her blood orange hair wrapping around her face. In front of her, her mother stood. Her arm outstretched as if she was pointing to something for emphasis.
"I'm just saying..." The young girl kept her voice low. "If you leave marks my clothes can't hide, people will notice. Dad will notice."
"Well maybe if my daughter knew how to behave and not damage the clothes she wears, there wouldn't be a problem." Her mother snapped. "You had no reason or purpose to be involving yourself with someone else's issues and ruining your clothes. Do you know how much those shorts cost?" She placed her hands on her hips, glaring.
"No..." The redhead swallowed heavily. "But maybe if you actually worked and had a job like dad-" She was cut off, her head snapping to the side as her mother's hand slid across the side of her face. She closed her eyes, her jaw tightening as her hands balled up. If she didn't have her eyes closed, she would have been staring eye to eye with Keegan.
The dog Faunus stared for a few seconds, watching her sister remain still. She gulped, her breathing slightly shaky. What had just happened? She bit her lip, taking a few small and quiet steps back before running back to her room.
"Do you think I would ever degrade myself to work at one of these low life, criminalistic, barberic places? Bad enough you talked your father into bringing that animal back here to live with us." Her mother continued. "The only reason your father and I came back to this shithole was because he got a job at a Huntsmen Academy even though he isn't a Huntsman but because of his vast knowledge on Grimm."
Inhaling, she slowly opened her eyes, moving her head back down as she lowered her shoulders. "I'm... I'm sorry... but I'm telling you the truth... someone is going to find out... and I don't want that to happen... dad... dad really loves you... you make him happy... I don't want to see you two break up because of me..."
"Then no one better find out." She snarled back, her hand suddenly grabbing the red scarf around her daughter's neck and pulling her up roughly to her feet. She pulled her face to face, glaring as coldly as she could. Her breath washing across her face. "And you know exactly what will happen if someone does-"
This time, she was the one to be cut off, a tennis ball striking her square in the jaw. She stumbled back as Auran's eyes widened. She quickly glanced over, seeing Keegan with two other balls. "Leave her alone!" She shouted louder than she ever had before, throwing another at her mother, this one hitting her side.
As she threw the last one, her mother glared up, catching the green ball as she stood up straight. Slowly walking towards the younger girl, she dropped it, letting it bounce up and down on the floor. "Why you... why are you going to do about it?" She stepped closer, towering over her.
Growling, she clenched her jaw, balling up her fist as her canine ears pointed upward. "I'll make you leave her alone!" She let off a small scream, punching the woman in her chest.
She stumbled back a bit, shaking her head slightly before heavily growling. "You stupid brat..." She hissed, reaching over and grabbing the collar of her daughter's shirt. "Learn your place!" She jerked her down, her head crashing into the floor with a heavy thud.
Keegan let out a small whimper, tucking her knees into her chest as she brought her arms above her head trembling. Tears swelling up in her eyes.
Grinding her teeth, Auran was breathing heavily. Ignore her mother as well as the front door opening, she quickly rushed over and knelt beside her sister. "Hey, hey, are you okay?" She quietly asked, pushing her hair from her face. "Keegan?"
"Man, I'm gone for a few extra minutes and it looks like a tornado came through here." Blinking as he stepped inside the room, the girls' father took off his hat and glanced over at his wife. "What happened?"
Keegan slowly lifted her head up, one eye open as tears fell from it. She glared, slowly pushing herself up a little next to her sister. But before she or her mother could say anything, Auran spoke.
"Me and Keegan were messing around, dad." The older sister sighed, forcing her younger sister's head down a little. "Mom was getting the kitchen ready for you and I guess I was being a little to rough and Keegan hit her head. Mom rushed in here immediately. I'm sorry..."
"Aw, don't worry. Accidents happen. You just go make sure your sister is alright. Remember what I told you about head injuries?" He crossed his arms, seeing his eldest daughter nod. "Good. Take her back to your room. I'll go and get dinner started. If you need any help or something bad happens, you come get me or your mom, alright?"
"Of course, dad." She smiled, standing up while still holding her sister close. She eyed her mother for a moment, quietly exhaling as she left.
"Kids will be kids, huh honey." Their mother smiled, her tone soft as she wrapped her arms around her husband.
Smiling, he gently held her hands in his, glancing back at her. "Kids will always be kids and roughhouse. And adults will always be adults and roughhouse." He chuckled softly, kissing her on the forehead.
A few minutes later, the two girls were sitting on the edge of Auran's bed. The older girl letting her sister lean on her as she held a bag of frozen peas on her head where a small bump was. As her sniffling died down a bit, she slowly removed the source of cold and set it down before rubbing her shoulder. "You don't feel dizzy, do you?" She quietly asked.
"I feel angry..." Keegan pouted slightly, shifting around. "You... could have told dad what she was doing... she would have stopped..."
"No... she wouldn't." She sighed softly, looking down as her hair wrapped around her face. "Dad would have broken up with her. And left. And she makes him really happy. He would lose so much happiness because of me. And it doesn't happen often. Only when I do something she doesn't like. She gets upset. It's how she expresses herself. You just need to stay out of it."
"It's wrong..." The younger girl sniffed, looking up. "You're always walking around taking care of people. Who's going to take care of you? Who's going to protect you from her?"
There was a small pause before the redhead gave a small shrug. "Who's going to protect everyone else out in the world that's getting hurt?"
Again, another pause in their conversation. "What if I will?" Keegan spoke up, rubbing her eyes a little as she sat up. "I'll... I'll fight for and protect people who can't themselves. Like you from her. And... and if the do get hurt, you'll take care of them. Like... like when I stop her from hurting you next time. You can do this again."
"I won't let her touch you again." Auran's voice rose a bit before she looked down. "I... I don't know how but I won't. This isn't your problem. I won't let her hurt you."
"It's OUR problem." She corrected, slowly wrapping her arms around her with a sniff. She was quiet for a moment, thinking of all that she blindly missed the past two years. All the signs she could have spotted. Or for how many years this had been happening. She held onto her sister tighter, closing her eyes. "I know you're afraid to hurt people, but I'm not now. I don't remember my parents, so you were the first person to be nice to me that day. I don't want to see you hurt. So I'll protect you. I'll protect anyone who can't themselves from now on."
The older sister blinked a few times, glancing down at her little sister before smiling and hugging her back. "Thanks, Keegan. I guess you've finally learned to bark." She softly exhaled. "And I'll make sure I take care of you when something hurts too. I'll take care of anyone who's hurting." She gently rubbed her shoulder. "I promise."
Back in the present, Officer Keegan was waving her arm around. "And then about a year later dad ended up finding out and left that old controlling hag with the two of us. It's the only time in my entire life that I remember seeing Auran hit someone. Thing is, dad wasn't mad at all. I mean, he was upset that his daughters were getting hurt, but he wasn't mad about leaving her. He was pleased actually. And seemed happier than ever when we got our own place. Part of me hopes she's dead in a ditch somewhere, but I probably shouldn't say that. Being a cop and all."
"That's why you're so overprotective, isn't it?" Cheyenne tilted her head. "That's why you were so hesitant to work with us. You didn't want to see any of us get hurt under your watch."
"Mhmm." The dark haired woman nodded, taking a sip of her coffee.
"That still doesn't explain why you're a police officer with a semblance!" Elise shouted slightly, waving her arms around.
She stared at her, her canine ear twitching before she sighed and set her cup down. "We promised we would stick together. And while she was studying to be a paramedic, I was developing a semblance. Which I didn't want or need if I was going to work side by side with her. So I kinda ignored it and let it grow into whatever it is now and just went of to the police academy." She shrugged. "Though I did end up leaving Vacuo eventually and coming here for my last few years. Thought some bigger city teaching would be nice. And I've been here since."
"I think you're really drunk." Kris blurted suddenly. "I don't like this you. I hate it when adults get all drunk and personal when you ask one stupid question."
"I will kick all four of you out of my house." The dog Faunus glared.
Seeing her friends glare back at her, the short redhead waved her hands in defense. "Okay, okay. Sorry. I'll be quiet." She looked away, rubbing her arm.
The deer Faunus sighed, rolling her eyes as she looked back at the officer. "Kris' mother is a jerk too. She's just... I guess making rude comments is how she copes when she's reminded about it."
"Shut up." The younger girl snapped back quickly.
"See?" She motioned her hands to her.
Nodding, Keegan sighed softly and exhaled. "That's understandable." She grabbed her cup, slowly standing up with a soft groan as she pushed her chair in. "You three, try not to burn my house down. I'm going to go take a long hot bath."
"Hey could I make dinner?" Elise grinned a little while holding up her finger and leaning to the side. "Papa and mama taught me really well. Ask anybody here."
"Yeah, sure. Whatever." The dark haired woman waved her hand as she stepped away. "Just make sure any meat is well done. I don't care."
"Uncultured swine." The farm girl mumbled under her breath, pouting a little as she watched her leave.
Meanwhile, a while before, as the group of three girls were sitting and listening to Keegan's story from long ago, Dino squatted down in front of Kagami who was laying on the couch slowly shifting around. He tilted his head, staring at her with confused and puzzled eyes before he reached up, poking at her cheek.
To which the jadette quietly groaned, pushing herself deeper into the couch cushions while pulling her blanket over her shoulders. "Please don't..." She mumbled, keeping her eyes shut.
He stared a bit more, his tail slowly moving before he smiled brightly, jumping up onto his feet as he hurried away. A few minutes later, he came scurrying back to the weakened girl. He let out a tiny grunt, holding out his arms with a grin. In his hands was a small brown teddy bear with stitching over its right side. He quickly pushed it up against her, tucking it underneath her.
Kagami groaned back, shifting around before rolling over and facing the back of the couch. "Listen... stop... alright...?" She quietly whispered.
The young Faunus boy's brow furrowed, his joyful expression fading away slightly. He glanced around, looking at her for a moment before rushing off again. After a while, he came back with another blanket. This one a dark olive drab and made off wool. He bit his lip, tip toeing as he slowly laid the blanket across her. He then stepped back, his eyebrows raising as he questioned his actions. Only hearing the jadette groan and move around again, he let out a huff of air, his head dropping slightly as he looked a the floor. His shoulders lowering as his tail went still. After standing in silence for a little, his head suddenly perked up as he half smiled.
This time, once he left he was gone for much longer before. Kagami almost found herself asleep before feeling her shoulder being poked at. She took a deep breath, exhaling heavily as she rolled back over to face the young boy. "Yeah...?" She asked, her eyes half open.
Smiling with his hands behind his back, Dino gave a nod, moving his arms in front of himself. In his hands was a small steaming bowl of instant miso soup and a spoon. He smiled more at her, sitting down carefully while setting the bowl in is lap. Holding the spoon as level as he could, he got a small spoonful, holding it up to her.
Kagami blinked several times, staring at him blankly before rolling her eyes with a soft smile. Slowly, she wrapped the second blanket tighter around her while moving her arms around the stuffed bear. "Thanks..." She muttered, slowly opening her mouth.