Alena paced furiously across the dorm room floor, her steps heavy and relentless, as if the movement could somehow burn away the anger clawing at her insides. Three days had passed since Rhia collapsed in the training room—three days since she'd blacked out, her body crumpling from the weight of her trauma. And yet, despite everything, Rhia was still trying. She was still trying to get closer to her, to Weiss, the heiress to the company that had destroyed their lives. That had worked their mother to death.
Each day Rhia exchanged more messages with Weiss, each time insisting that she wanted to keep trying. And every time Alena saw her sister's scroll light up with a message, the fury inside her boiled hotter, gnawing at her sanity. How could she still trust Weiss after everything?
Alena's fists tightened until her nails bit into her palms. She hadn't been able to shake the image of Rhia, pale and trembling, collapsing under the weight of it all. And Weiss—standing there, looking guilty but still there. Close to Rhia. Too close. Sin just let it happen.
He could've stopped it. He should've stopped it. If he cared about Rhia like he claimed to, he would've protected her. He would've told Weiss to back off, told her to stay away from her sister. But no. Instead, he stood there. And worse—he defended Weiss.
"They're all the same. The Schnee family, the company, the people who worked for them," Alena thought, her steps quickening, the memories of their mother's death washing over her again. She could still see her mother's body collapsing from exhaustion, the company pushing her too hard, too far. "They took everything from us. And now they're taking Rhia too."
Sin. He's no different. Maybe... maybe he'd been planning this all along. Getting close to Rhia, driving a wedge between them. Alena's breath hitched as her thoughts spiraled, her rage burning hotter with each step. "He's using her. He's using me. And I let him."
Alena's thoughts drifted back to the infirmary, to the moment her words had sliced through the air, aimed squarely at Weiss. She remembered the way her accusations had struck—the way she'd accused Weiss of taking pleasure in Rhia's suffering, of being no different from her father. Weiss had stood there, wide-eyed and shaken, the weight of those words crashing down on her like a boulder. "Good. She deserved it."
But then... Sin. Sin. He had stepped between them, defending her. Defending the Schnee heiress, like some kind of protector, the type of protector he claimed to be for Rhia. The memory made Alena's stomach churn, and her nails dug deeper into her palms as her rage boiled over again. "He's tricked Rhia," she muttered, her breath shaky with anger. "He's tricked all of us."
The thought clawed at her, festering like an infection. Rhia's trust in him, their whole team dynamic—all of it had been manipulated. Sin had wormed his way into their lives, gotten too close to her sister, and now... now he was letting this happen. He was letting Weiss get close. He was letting her break Rhia all over again.
Alena couldn't take it any longer. She shot up from her seat, grabbing her jacket with an angry yank and storming toward the door. "Sin won't protect my sister, I will." The words echoed in her mind, a furious oath she swore. Her heart raced with a furious determination, her mind made up.
"I'll make her regret it."
Weiss and her team were sitting outside in the courtyard, enjoying the late afternoon breeze. Ruby was in the middle of an animated explanation about some new combat technique, her arms flailing with unregulated energy as her voice practically bubbled with excitement. Yang chimed in with a joke, something about Ruby's energy being dangerous on its own, and the younger girl pouted, causing Yang to burst into laughter. Blake, sitting quietly with her nose buried in a book, glanced up every now and then, her lips twitching into a soft, amused smile as she listened to her teammates' antics.
Weiss, sitting a little more rigidly than the rest, was trying to focus on the conversation. But as usual, Ruby's overly enthusiastic energy was a little much for her. She sighed heavily, rolling her eyes as if she were annoyed, but couldn't quite keep the corners of her mouth from turning upward. She glanced away, hiding the faint smile tugging at her lips, but the warmth of the moment wasn't lost on her.
"She is such a kid... but it's not so bad," Weiss thought, letting herself settle into the familiar rhythm of their banter. Even though she didn't admit it out loud, she had come to enjoy these moments.
And that's when Alena's fury crashed into her world.
How dare she? How dare Weiss sit there, laughing, smiling, acting like everything was fine like she hadn't tortured Rhia. The memory of Rhia's breakdown played over and over in Alena's mind, twisting into a sharper, more painful echo with every step she took. Her fists clenched at her sides, her pulse roaring in her ears.
Team RWBY's conversation faded into background noise as Alena's vision narrowed. She saw only the Schnee heiress. The rest of the courtyard might as well have disappeared.
Alena marched up to Weiss, her movements quick and aggressive. In one furious motion, she grabbed Weiss by the collar of her uniform and yanked her to her feet, the suddenness of it sending a ripple of shock through the rest of Team RWBY.
"Stay away from my sister," Alena snarled, her voice low and dangerous, the venom dripping from every word.
Weiss' eyes widened in shock, her body stiffening in Alena's grip. "A-Alena, wait—"
"You're just like your father," Alena spat, her grip tightening, knuckles white as she practically shook Weiss. "A twisted torturer, just like the rest of your family. If you come near Rhia again, you'll regret it."
Ruby jumped to her feet the moment Alena yanked Weiss up by her collar. "Hey! Let her go!" Ruby's voice was sharp, panic lacing her tone as she dashed to Weiss' side.
Yang was already moving, her body a blur of motion as she stepped in front of her sister. Her hand shot out, shoving Alena back with a powerful, practiced push. "Back off," Yang growled, her lilac eyes flashing dangerously as they shifted into a burning red. Her protective instincts flared, and for a second, it looked like she might do more than just push.
Blake stood as well, her book falling from her lap as her amber eyes flickered between Alena and Weiss. Her body tensed, ready to jump in if necessary, her hand hovering near the hilt of Gambol Shroud.
Alena's eyes darted to Blake, narrowing into a look of pure disgust. "You..." she hissed. "You're a faunus. And yet you stand with her?" Her lips curled into a sneer, her words dripping with venom. "Traitor." The accusation hit Blake like a blow, her eyes widening for a fraction of a second. The venom in Alena's voice made Blake flinch, her usually calm mask slipping as her expression faltered.
"Alena, stop it!" Ruby pleaded, stepping protectively in front of Weiss, her wide silver eyes full of worry. "This isn't right. Please, just stop!"
Before the situation could escalate further, Sin appeared, moving quickly as he sprinted across the courtyard. His hand clamped down on Alena's shoulder, pulling her back with a firm grip. "Alena, that's enough!"
Alena whirled around, her fist crashing into Sin's face before he could say a word. The sound of the impact echoed through the courtyard, causing everyone to freeze. Sin staggered back, momentarily stunned and nearly losing his balance. His hand instinctively reached for his nose, and when he pulled his fingers away, he saw blood.
Ruby's eyes widened in shock. "S-Sin?"
Yang stepped forward, fists clenched. "What the hell? You don't just punch your own teammate like that!"
Blake narrowed her eyes, tension creeping into her posture. "Alena, stop this."
Sin's gaze remained on Alena, his expression unreadable as he wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice calm despite the circumstances. "Alena... What the hell are you doing?"
Alena's eyes flashed with anger, her chest heaving. "You stood by and let my sister suffer. You defended her, a Schnee" she hissed through clenched teeth, "You're even worse than the rest of them."
There was a tense silence as Alena spat her venomous words, turning on her heel and storming away from the courtyard, leaving Team RWBY in stunned silence.
Ruby rushed to Sin's side, her eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?"
Yang, visibly irritated, muttered, "She needs to get a grip on her. You can't just go around hitting people."
Blake stood nearby, her brows furrowed as she exchanged a glance with Weiss. Alena's earlier insult—calling her a traitor for siding with Weiss—still stung, but Blake remained silent, keeping her thoughts to herself.
Weiss, though still shaken, stepped forward hesitantly. "Sin, I'm so sorry. This is... this is because of me" she said, her body shaking.
Sin shook his head, dismissing her words with a small wave of his hand. "We already talked about this Weiss. None of this is your fault." He looked down at his bloodied hand, then back at Weiss. His voice was steady, though a little rough around the edges. "You're not the one responsible for their pain."
Weiss' shoulders slumped, the weight of guilt still clinging to her despite his reassurance. "But... if I hadn't—"
"Stop," Sin interrupted gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. His usual playful demeanor softened, replaced by something more sincere. "You're not your father, Weiss. Believe me, I would know."
For a moment, Weiss was at a loss for words. She searched Sin's eyes, looking for some sign of judgment, but all she found was a calming sincerity. It was the same sincerity she'd seen the night he walked her back to the dorms after Rhia collapsed. The way he defended her, the way he spoke, left her feeling... confused. Her throat tightened, trying to comprehend why Sin's words, his touch, seemed to affect her so deeply.
Sin smirked, a glimmer of his usual charm returning. "Besides, I've taken way worse hits than that. So don't worry about it." His tone became more casual as he took a step back. "You'll be fine, Weiss. Just take care of yourself."
Weiss blinked, her heart unexpectedly fluttering at his words. He wasn't just brushing off the punch—he was brushing off the guilt she'd been carrying, with a confidence that made her question everything. She had expected judgment, or perhaps the cold sting of rejection, but Sin… Sin treated her differently. The shameless, insufferable flirt had defended her, comforted her in a way so few had ever done in her life. And it felt... genuine.
As Sin turned to leave, he glanced over his shoulder, locking eyes with her. "I'll see you ladies around."
Weiss stood there, rooted in place, her thoughts swirling in a haze of confusion and something more she couldn't quite grasp. He hadn't flirted with her—at least not in the obvious way he usually did—but the way he spoke to her felt... personal, in a way that left her unsure of what to think.
Yang, noticing the tension in Weiss' silence, furrowed her brow and stepped closer. "Hey, you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "That was intense."
Blake's gaze flickered between Weiss and where Sin had just been, her expression unreadable, while Ruby stayed beside Weiss, her hand hovering as if unsure whether to comfort her friend or prepare for another confrontation.
Weiss swallowed, her chest still tight with emotion. "I... I'm not sure," she admitted, her voice quieter than usual. "I thought... I thought I'd be able to handle this. But everything that happened... Alena... Rhia..."
She trailed off, her gaze distant as she tried to process everything. "And then Sin... the way he..." Her words faltered, and she shook her head, not knowing how to explain the whirlwind of emotions inside her. "I don't know what to think anymore."
Yang softened her stance, her usual playful demeanor gone as she placed a reassuring hand on Weiss' shoulder. "You've been through a lot, Weiss. It's okay not to have all the answers right now."
Weiss nodded, though her mind still raced. She could feel the eyes of her team on her, their concern palpable. But it was Sin's words, his presence, that lingered in her mind. And as much as she wanted to brush it off, to tell herself it didn't matter, she knew deep down that something had changed.
Back at the dorm, Sin entered quietly, dabbing his nose with the sleeve of his shirt, trying to stop the slow trickle of blood. The soft click of the door caused Rhia to look up from where she sat at the small table, her fox ears twitching slightly. Concern immediately flashed in her emerald eyes. "What happened to you?" she asked, her voice edged with worry.
Sin forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Oh, you know," he said with a casual shrug, "flirted with Team RWBY, got distracted staring into Yang's chest, walked into a wall. You know how it goes."
Rhia blinked, her eyes darting briefly to the closed bathroom door where Alena had disappeared just minutes ago. She didn't respond right away, but her face softened with a mix of concern and dread. She stood up from her seat, her steps hesitant as if she already knew the answer but didn't want to believe it.
Her voice was quieter this time. "Alena hit you, didn't she?"
Sin's smile faltered, the silence hanging in the air like a confession. He didn't need to say anything—the truth was there, written in the space between them.
Rhia's shoulders slumped slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line as she glanced at the floor. Her heart sank at the realization. Alena had finally snapped, just like she had feared. With a soft sigh, she walked over to the cabinet without another word, pulling out the first-aid kit.
"Let me see," she said, her voice small but full of concern.
Sin sat down as she moved toward him, and with gentle hands, she began to dab the blood under his nose. Her fingers trembled slightly as they brushed against his skin. She wasn't angry, not with him—just worried, as always, caught between her loyalty to her sister and her care for Sin.
As her hand worked, the world outside the dorm seemed to fade into the background. The steady rhythm of her movements slowed, and when she looked up, their eyes locked.
For once, Sin wasn't wearing his usual playful grin. There were no quips, no lighthearted jokes to break the tension between them. His eyes, usually full of mischief, softened as they gazed into hers, and Rhia felt something stir inside her. Something deeper than just friendship, but not something she could fully name or even understand—not yet.
This wasn't the first time they had found themselves in this kind of moment. The last time, that quiet tension had hung in the air between them, leaving both of them confused. But now, it felt even stronger, as if the space between them was shrinking with every breath.
The silence between them grew heavy, and Rhia felt her heart skip a beat, her gaze locked on his. It was confusing—this pull she felt toward him. She wasn't sure what it meant, but it made her pulse quicken, and for a fleeting second, she wondered if it was something more than just the bond of teammates. It made her feel vulnerable in a way that both scared and intrigued her.
Sin's gaze never wavered. His eyes, usually so confident and teasing, now held something else—something deeper, something unspoken. There was no pretense in this moment, no shield of jokes or flirtation. Just him. Rhia's heart pounded, and for a moment, she found herself wondering if this look meant something beyond friendship. Beyond teammates. Did it mean more? Could it?
Her fingers lingered on his face, the cloth forgotten as her mind raced. There was something between them—something that made her feel... different whenever they were alone like this. It was subtle, but it tugged at her, leaving her breathless. She wasn't sure what it was, but it was there, undeniable and confusing, and she didn't know what to do with it.
Sin's voice broke the silence, barely more than a whisper. "Rhia, I—"
Her breath hitched as her heart thudded in her chest, waiting for whatever it was he was going to say. The weight of his words, unspoken as they were, hung in the air between them like a promise of something more—something neither of them had dared to acknowledge before now.
But before he could finish, the bathroom door swung open, and Alena stepped out, her expression still stormy. She froze at the sight of them—Rhia and Sin, so close, the weight of the moment between them impossible to miss.
Alena's eyes narrowed dangerously as she took a step toward them, her voice low and filled with barely contained rage. "Get... away from my sister."
Alena's voice trembled with barely contained fury. "Get away from her, Sin." She spat each word with venom, her fists clenched tight. "You've caused her enough pain."
Her glare was sharp, burning through Sin as though he were the sole cause of all their suffering. Her whole body seemed to shake with the weight of her rage, her breathing quick and uneven as she stood there, muscles tense as though she might lash out at any moment.
Sin, for once, was silent. His mouth opened slightly, ready to defend himself, but before he could say anything, Rhia rose to her feet, the frustration boiling inside her finally spilling over.
"Stop it, Alena!" Rhia's voice cracked through the tension like a whip, louder and more forceful than it had ever been with her sister. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she felt the tremor in her hands as she stared down her older sister, something she had never dared to do.
The room seemed to freeze. Alena blinked, momentarily taken aback. Rhia had never raised her voice to her, never looked at her with such defiance.
Rhia's breath came in shallow bursts, the heat of her frustration mixing with the weight of uncertainty. Her hands shook, her throat tightened, but she couldn't stop now. She had to speak, had to say what had been building inside her for days. "This isn't Sin's fault! It's not Weiss' fault either!" Her voice wavered, her chest tightening with each breath, but she pressed on. "I'm the one who wanted to try. I'm the one who decided to get close to Weiss."
Her heart was pounding so hard she thought it might burst. She could feel the tears welling up, her emotions tangled in a knot she couldn't untangle. "It was my choice!" Her voice cracked, tears threatening to spill as she clenched her fists. "So just... back off."
Alena stood frozen, disbelief flickering in her eyes as she stared at Rhia—her little sister, who had always been so quiet, so gentle. But now... she was resolute. Angry. And all that emotion was directed straight at her.
For a moment, Alena's anger faltered. Her face twisted, torn between shock and fury. Her lips parted as if she was about to speak, to argue, but nothing came out. She stood there, trembling, her body rigid with the force of her emotions, the disbelief roiling inside her. She didn't know what to say, didn't know how to respond to Rhia's unexpected outburst.
Her hands balled into fists, her nails digging into her palms as the silence grew unbearable. Her face twisted into something hard, angry, and without another word, she turned and stormed out of the room, the door slamming behind her with a loud crack.
The sound echoed, leaving a suffocating silence in its wake.
Sin glanced at the door, a sinking feeling settling in his chest as he watched Alena leave. He hesitated, unsure of what to do, unsure of what could be done. He thought about following her, trying to calm her down, but before he could make a move, he felt a hand grip his arm.
"Stay," Rhia's voice was shaky, on the verge of breaking. "Please... just stay."
Sin looked down at her, and his heart clenched at the sight. Tears glistened in her eyes, her whole body trembling as she clung to his arm, desperate for something—someone— familiar to hold onto, to comfort her and make her feel safe.
He looked at the door, the past hour was proof that things had gotten out of hand with Alena. She was still out there, still angry, maybe it was time to settle this. But right now... Rhia needed him more.
His eyes flicked back to Rhia, seeing the fear and vulnerability in her gaze. The weight of everything—their pain, their fear, their anger—was pressing down on her, and Sin could see how close she was to breaking.
"Of course," he said softly, his voice a gentle reassurance. He could deal with Alena later. Right now, Rhia needed him. And he wasn't about to leave her alone.
Rhia exhaled a shaky breath, her grip on his arm loosening slightly as he sat beside her. Her tears finally spilled over, sliding down her cheeks as she let herself cry, the tension, the fear, the frustration all pouring out at once. Sin stayed quiet, simply offering his presence as her silent anchor.
For the next few hours, Sin stayed with her, sitting quietly as she slowly calmed down, her tears eventually drying up, her breathing evening out as she leaned against him, exhausted from the emotional storm that had just torn through her.
Eventually, Brick returned, his heavy footsteps breaking the silence as he entered the room, giving a nod to Sin before taking his place beside them. Sin explained everything to him and as always Brick remained silent until he finished.
"Zin," the large faunus began, "It is time to talk to Alena. Vu need to make beace vith each ozer. For Rhia's zake."
Before he could answer his brother Sin's scroll buzzed, it was from Alena, "We need to talk" was all the message said, followed by an address in the city.
He glanced at Rhia one last time, her eyes fluttering closed in exhaustion, and with a heavy sigh, he stood up. He gave Brick a knowing look, one that said, "Keep her safe," before he made his way to the door.
Sin tucked the scroll away and gave one last look to Rhia, telling Brick, "I'm heading into the city. Just grabbing some supplies."
Brick's eyes flicked to the scroll in Sin's hand, but he nodded without saying a word. He knew.
With a final glance at Rhia, Sin slipped out of the dorm, heading toward the city to meet Alena.
The location Alena had sent was an abandoned lot, hidden behind a row of crumbling, condemned buildings on the outskirts of Vale. Sin stood in the open space, his stomach twisting with unease. This place—dark, deserted—reminded him too much of the spots his family used for "business" back in Mistral. Execution grounds. His instincts screamed at him to turn back, but he stayed. Alena wanted to talk, and he needed to try and fix this.
Alena stood a few paces away, her back turned to him. Her entire body was tense, rigid, like a coiled spring ready to snap. Even from this distance, he could see the way her hands trembled slightly, knuckles white from how hard she was gripping her weapon.
"You wormed your way into our lives," she hissed, her voice low and laced with venom. Each word felt like a stone, heavy and dangerous. "You've been playing this game from the start, haven't you?"
Sin's chest tightened as he took a cautious step forward, sensing just how volatile this moment had become. "Alena—"
"You've manipulated my sister," she spat, her voice rising with every syllable. "You made her trust you, made her depend on you... and now she's turning against me!" Her body moved with her anger as she whirled around to face him, eyes burning with a fire that made Sin's heart race. The weapon in her hand gleamed in the fading light, poised for action.
Alena's posture screamed hostility—her legs braced in a defensive stance, every muscle in her body taut with fury. Her breaths came in quick, shallow bursts, and her eyes... they were wild, unfocused, driven by something far deeper than anger.
"I won't let you hurt her."
The weight of her accusation hit Sin harder than he expected, sending a cold wave through him. In that moment, he saw it—not just her hatred of humans, not just her anger at Weiss, but her fear. She was terrified of losing Rhia, of being pushed out of her sister's life, replaced by a human. By him.
"I'm not here to hurt Rhia," Sin said, his voice steady but softer now, trying to reach her. "I'd never—"
"Liar!" Alena's voice cracked, the raw emotion in her tone spilling out like an open wound. She tightened her grip on her weapon, leveling it at him with a hand that shook, not from weakness, but from the sheer force of her emotions.
"You need to disappear," she growled, her voice dropping to a dangerous, icy calm. Her eyes were locked onto his, filled with the desperation of someone on the verge of breaking. "Stay away from my sister. From us. Leave Beacon, Shade. Leave everything. You will walk away right now and you'll never come near her again."
Sin swallowed hard, the weight of her ultimatum hanging heavy between them.
"You either leave now..." She took a step closer, her body trembling as her grip on the weapon tightened even more. Her voice dropped to a whisper, thick with rage and something close to sorrow. "Or I'll kill you right here."
Sin stayed silent for a long moment, carefully weighing his words. His voice, when he spoke, was softer than usual. "I'm sorry, Alena. I can't pretend to know what you've been through. But I'm not leaving Rhia."
Before he could say anything more, Alena charged at him, her weapon slicing through the air with reckless, desperate force. Sin barely had time to react, dodging her wild swing. "Alena, stop!" he called out, his tone pleading as he activates his semblance to dodge her attack, "I don't want to fight you."
But Alena was beyond reason. Her strikes came faster, erratic and uncoordinated, fueled by the blind fury and pain that had been festering inside her for too long. Sin moved swiftly, dodging each attack, unwilling to fight back. He refused to hurt her. "Alena, please!" His words fell on deaf ears. She was lost in her rage, lashing out with every ounce of strength she had left.
Each swing carried her frustration, her helplessness, her fear. And Sin... Sin could see it. With every missed strike, her movements became sloppier, her breath more ragged. She was burning herself out.
"Alena, this isn't how to solve this." His voice cracked slightly, the weight of the situation pressing on him. But still, he held back, refusing to raise a hand against her.
Minutes passed like hours, and finally, Alena stumbled, her footing giving way as her strength failed her. Her weapon slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground. Before she could fall, Sin was there, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her close before she could hit the dirt.
"No... let me go," she struggled to yell, her voice strained, but the fight in her was gone, her energy spent.
Sin lowered them both to the ground, still holding her against his chest, his arms steady and strong around her trembling frame. Alena struggled weakly, her fingers curling into his shirt, but Sin didn't let go. "I'm not letting go, Alena," he whispered, his tone gentle but firm. "I won't let go of either of you."
Tears began to well in Alena's eyes, her chest heaving with sobs she couldn't hold back any longer. The weight of her emotions, the years of pain and bitterness, finally began to break free. "I hate you," she choked out, her voice shaking as the tears spilled down her cheeks. "I hate you, you damn fucking human."
Sin's heart clenched at the words, but his grip only tightened around her. He didn't flinch. He didn't argue. He didn't tell her she was wrong.
Instead, he just held her.
Alena's body shook as the dam of her emotions broke. Sobs wracked through her, the hate, the anger, the sorrow all spilling out in the only way she knew how. She clung to him, fists tangled in his shirt, and despite all her words, she didn't push him away. In that moment, as she let the pain flow out of her, she wasn't alone.
And Sin, for all his charm and bravado, said nothing. He didn't try to fix her pain, didn't offer empty reassurances. He just stayed. Silent, steady, a presence she could lean into, even if only for this moment.
Minutes passed in the quiet lot, the only sound being Alena's broken sobs. But even in her anger, even in her tears, something in her seemed to shift. She wasn't fighting anymore—not really.
And as Sin held her, he silently promised himself that he'd keep being there for her, even if she hated him for it.