1: A Tale of Two Sisters

image [https://i.imgur.com/DOGnjF5.png]

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1

A Tale of Two Sisters

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image [https://i.imgur.com/vSwXqGH.png]

“Ruby… Hey. Sweetie.”

Music blares from the set of red headphones over her ears. Her deep, silver eyes rest on the ground, half closed, devoid of any shine. Her tan-skinned fingers skip over the touchscreen buttons, not pressing hard enough to trigger them. A strand of her blood-red hair hangs over the bridge of her nose and over her partly open, pink lips.

Ruby’s bare shoulder is grasped and a light shake awakens the young girl from her trance. She looks up with a start. A much older, blonde man, her father, Taiyang, smiles at the young girl from his spot next to her on the bench. She pulls her headphones down and tilts her head up at him.

Taiyang points ahead, prompting the redhead to look in the direction he motions to. Her lips part and her eyes widen at the sight. She stands up from the bench, adjusting her dark, sleeveless top and blue jeans rolled to the calf and takes a step forward as well as a small inward breath.

The golden blonde hair makes the woman stand out from the crowd of wandering civilians going about their own business. She holds a large duffle bag in her left hand, her bandaged right carrying a small, ruffled piece of paper. The woman wears a form-fitting, dark tank top with a jacket tied around her waist, hanging above a baggy pair of cargo jeans. Her sparkling purple eyes wander around the area. Ruby opens her mouth to callout to the women, but doesn’t have to when she finds herself staring into bright purple eyes.

image [https://i.imgur.com/wteeJMz.png]

A large smile spreads across the blonde’s face and she waves at Ruby. Adjusting her travel bag, she speed walks over. The redhead takes the initiative and sprints the rest of the way. The moment the distance is closed between the two girls, she jumps up and wraps her arms around the woman’s neck, laughing.

image [https://i.imgur.com/7z6s8k9.png]

"There it is!” the blonde says as she returns the warm embrace, swinging Ruby around, nuzzling her cheek into the top of her head.

"I missed you, Yang," the redhead says.

Yang squeezes tighter. "Missed you more.”

"Yang Xiao Long, what is with that hair?”

Yang goes stiff at the sound of the new voice. Ruby, her arms still around Yang, still being held off the ground by the blonde, turns to an approaching older blonde woman, Song, with her arms crossed over her chest.

“Oh boy…” Yang says, her shoulder sagging.

"Why did you let it get so long?" Song asks. “It’s like you haven’t cut it since you left!”

"Good to see you, too, mom," Yang says in monotone. "Feeling great, feeling good, how are you? Of course I had fun at school. It was a blast.”

“He—He, yeah, cute. The hair." Song motions to Yang’s long, flowing, curly locks of gold. "What’s goin’ on here?

"Mo—m! I’ve been back for all of two seconds. Can you at least save the nagging until we get home?”

"No, I can’t. In fact, I’m gonna nag your ass all the way home since you don’t like listening’ to me the first time around.”

"Swear," Ruby says.

Song looks at her. “What?"

"You said a swear. You know swearing isn’t allowed, Song.”

“Oh!” Yang points at Ruby while looking at Song with a hand over her mouth. “She’s right, you know. None of that.”

Ruby nods her head.

Song’s eye twitches. She sighs and throws her hands up. "Okay—Okay, whatever, sorry…" She looks away. "…ass…" she whispers.

“Swear."

“Oh my god, how did you even— Ugh!" Song crosses her arms and pokes out her bottom lip.

Yang pokes Ruby and sticks her hand out, palm up. Ruby claps Yang’s hand.

“Come on, Song, don’t be like that,” Taiyang says, putting his hands on Song’s shoulders, massaging them, leaning down closer to her face.. "In fact, as I recall, you were the one to make that rule up.”

Song’s head dips lower and she grumbles.

"And I personally don’t see a big problem with Yang’s hair.” He moves around closer and walks next to Yang, who still holds Ruby. He puts a hand on her shoulder. “I happen to think it looks nice! Like a…” He snaps his fingers in quick succession. “Ah!” He points at Song. “Like a younger you!”

“Oh! Yeah—Yeah!" Ruby says. “I could totally see that, Song!”

"Uh-Huh, ya’ see?" Yang asks, nudging her head at Ruby and Taiyang. "It’s unanimous! Long-hair-Yang is cool. I’m looking bomb. You’re just a hater.”

Yang, Ruby and Taiyang smile at Song. She stares back at the three of them, unamused.

Song groans. "All right! Shut up already! Tai, you are absolutely no help. Ruby, get off Yang’s saddle. Yang, you’ll never be as bomb as me. Now shut up and let’s go eat already. Sheesh!”

Song turns on her heel and stomps off, nose in the air, hands on her swinging hips.

Yang pulls Ruby and Taiyang in and squeezes them tight. "God, I missed you all.”

The redhead smiles up at Yang. "Song really missed you, too. Even if she’ll never admit it.”

"You don’t think I already know that, Rubes? She ain’t no different than the last time I saw her.”

“So accurate, it hurts.”

The sisters share a giggle.

“All right, you two, let’s ease up on mom and get going now," Taiyang says. He points at Yang’s travel bag. "Want me to get that for you, sweetie?”

"Nah, I got it, pop," Yang says, adjusting the bag in question on her shoulder. "Come on, you guys. I’ve been on that train for hours and I am starving.”

Taiyang chuckles. "Then do we have something for you.”

"Yeah," Ruby says. "Song made a huge meal for us! I even got to help out some!”

"You did? Well, now I’m really excited! What’d you two cook?”

"Oh, a whole bunch of stuff! It’s practically a feast at home! When we left we’d just finished making some…”

The two sister’s conversation goes on as Yang carries Ruby off through the crowd of people, following Song’s path. Taiyang puts his hands in his pockets with a grin.

"Gang’s all back together.”

He follows behind his family.

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Present Day — 3 Months Later

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“Guh!"

Her eyes snap open — dilated, feral-like.

Ruby’s tan skin and the top of her tank top are drenched in a cold sweat. Her longer, upper back-length hair hangs messy over her face, sweat dripping off the pitch black tips. She trembles, her hands convulsing atop the sheets of her mattress. Those same sheets are riddled in tears and holes.

Her eyes shut and she takes a few deep breaths, her jaw shaking with each exhale. A few moments go by before her breathing stabilizes into a more manageable rhythm. Ruby reopens her eyes and swings her legs over the edge of her bed, then leans on her thighs, running her hand through her soaking hair. Her vision adjusts to the dark of the apartment bedroom as she scans around the area. A dim moonlight seeps through the curtains next to her bed.

Across from her own bunk is a second one, occupied at the moment. Yang lies with her back to Ruby, making no indication that she heard Ruby's cry. The red haired girl puts her face in her hands and moans.

Throwing the covers aside, she swings her feet out of bed and stands. She walks toward the desk that sits between the two beds and reaches for the gray hoodie draped over the chair. Ruby swings the garment over her shoulders and puts her arms through the sleeves before zipping the jacket up.

Pulling the hood over her head, she walks for the door and —

“Sis…"

The young girl stops short just before coming into contact with the doorknob, but doesn't turn to her sister.

"Same dream?" Yang asks. Ruby nods her head. "You okay?”

Ruby sighs and takes the knob in hand. "Yeah, I'm... I'll live. Just getting some air."

"Need me to join you?”

Ruby opens the door. "I'll be okay. Go back to sleep, Yang."

She walks out and closes the door.

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The door to the rooftop opens and Ruby walks out onto it, shutting the door behind herself. She strides over to the railing at the edge, her hands in the pockets of her hoodie. She reaches the rail post and leans over it. Her tired, baggy-eyed gaze sweeps the large, brightly lit expanse of Vale City and the large mountains lining the horizon behind it. She takes a moment to let the light breeze flow through her locks, breathing in the night air through her nostrils, then letting out the breath through her pale, pink lips.

One.

Two.

Three minutes pass.

She opens her eyes.

Ruby reaches into her jacket and withdraws a red journal, complete with fuzzy bunny pen. She takes a moment to shake its bobbing head, smirking at the amusing little guy, then flips the book to the next open page.

Pen is put to paper. Ruby writes in her journal:

“Same dream again… But, what else is new?”

“This is the second time tonight it's happened. That red water, the broken, black moon... Is that the only thing my mind can think up? I know I should be way too used to the nightmare by now, but... It doesn’t get any more familiar than the very first time. It's a new, terrifying experience every night.”

“I'm actually scared to go back to sleep right now… I know it's just going to repeat all over again. I don't want to see those horrible things. I don't want to ever be that scared… I don’t wanna see it again…”

Ruby yawns and rubs her baggy eyes.

“Feels like forever since I’ve actually gotten any sleep. These bags aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, that’s for sure.”

“Maybe one day they'll stop. That's the only thing I can hope for at this point. Unlike everything else that hurts me, I can't just run away from this. I wish I could, though. I wish that stupid dream would leave me alone… I wish it would just go away…”

She shuts the book and looks down at the closed cover with the words, Ruby’s Thoughts: No Touching! ;p, written on it. She sighs and puts the book back in her jacket.

Ruby hops up on top of the railing and sits down, swinging around so that she’s facing the drop-off over the edge. Her eyes wander up to the dark sky. No stars in sight. She looks down to the street below, no readable expression on her face. She shuts her eyes and lets the cool air wrap around her body once again, edging ever-so-slightly off the railing.

"I wonder how far I’d go…" she says.

The rooftop door squeaks behind her. She doesn't even bother turning around.

"Could have sworn I said I was okay.”

"Had to be sure." Ruby finds her neck entangled in the arms of her sister, Yang. The blonde puts her chin on top of Ruby's head. "Just checking on ya’."

"You didn't have to.”

“Wouldn’t sleep if I didn’t.”

The two sisters stare out into the cityscape. Ruby's hand comes up and takes hold of a strand of Yang's long, blond hair hanging down, playing with it between her fingers.

"You sure you wanna get rid of this?" Ruby says. "I think you look like a princess.”

“Same question, same answer, sister.”

Ruby smiles. "I do it just to mess with you, Yang.”

"Well, you enjoy ‘messing with me’. Keep touchin’ my hair, though, and Imma flick you.”

“Touch.”

Yang flicks Ruby on the forehead.

“Ow.”

“What’d I say? It's like you're getting more sarcastic by the day.”

“I have to if I wanna keep up with you. Only room for one jerk around here.”

“Are you implying that I am a jerk? I am offended you would even think something like that about your own sister. You’re gonna make me cry.”

Ruby mock gasps as she swings around on the railing to face Yang. "Well that will not do. That just can not stand!" Ruby jumps down and takes the hem of Yang's shirt in her hands.

Yang looks alarmed. "W—What are you doing?”

"Well, I can't have my big sister crying, can I? As a responsible younger sibling such as myself, I must mend this atrocity by the only means I can think of at the moment." Ruby lifts Yang's shirt, revealing her navel.

Yang's eyes widen. "Ruby, you better not.”

"Too late.”

"Ruby, I swear to to god!”

"Go ahead. Still gonna do it.”

“Ruby!"

“Yang.”

Taking a deep breath, Ruby plants her lips on Yang's exposed stomach and blows, giving the blonde a sloppy raspberry.

"Oh my— Hahahaha!" Yang laughs loud, flailing around to push Ruby off of her. "Ruby— Hahahah! Ruby, stop! Rub—"

Yang falls to her back as Ruby continues to blow. Tears form in the blonde's eyes as she laughs.

"Ruby, please— Hahahaha! Please, sis, I'm beggin' ya’— Hahaha! Ruby, stop!”

Ruby lets up and looks down at the erratically breathing Yang. A smile pulls on her lips and Ruby chuckles.

Yang looks up at Ruby. "You are... a little bastard... you know that...?" she says between deep breaths.

“Swear."

"Oh, shut up." Her head falls to the rooftop as she continues to catch her breath.

Ruby lies down next to Yang, the two now looking up to the sky above. Ruby turns to her sister and pokes her cheek. "Love you.”

Yang shrugs. ”Yeah, I guess you're okay, too.”

Ruby chuckles again.

The two sisters are silent as they stare up at the dark sky. Yang’s arm wraps around Ruby and she rubs the young girl’s hoodie clad arm. Ruby moves in close to Yang and puts her head on her sister’s chest, then lets out a sigh. Ruby’s fingers come up and play with Yangs.

“So…” Yang says. “Thoughts on Vale City so far?”

Ruby shrugs. “It’s a city. Pretty big one.”

“Yeah, I thought the same thing, too. When I first got here, I, uh, took a trip around town with some of my classmates. I think only one of us was a native here and even he got turned around halfway into the trip.”

“Oh no.”

Yang chuckles. “Yeah, it was bad. We were lost for hours. Eventually, we had to call the school to send us a shuttle that’d take us back to Beacon. First time I got to meet Ms. Goodwitch face-to-face. She buried me in spit with how much she berated my friends and I.”

Ruby smirks. “Bet that left a good first impression.”

“Oh, we were at each other’s throats for most of my first year. She threatened me with expulsion, like, once every week. It got to the point that she’d see me in the hallway and pull me aside to pat me down for whatever else I did bad. Man, that was annoying. I mean, she was usually right, but still.”

Ruby smacks Yang on the stomach. “Someone was a bad student.”

Yang shrugs. “Yeah. That’s fair. I got better, though. Started gettin’ my stuff together during the second year. I mean, I still had a long way to go, but… I was gettin’ there.”

“I bet you were.”

“I just needed a good kick in the pants, you know? Glynda, bless her soul. She happened to be the one with the best punt.”

“I would’ve just kicked you out.”

“Good lookin’ out, sis.” She smacks Ruby on the head. Ruby chuckles.

The two sisters are silent again.

"Your dream..." Yang says. Ruby’s pauses her fiddling with Yang’s fingers. "You wanna talk about it?”

Ruby let’s go of Yang’s hand. "No... Not really.”

Yang sighs. "Come on, sis, talk to me. Please?”

"I said I don't want to, Yang.”

"I have been asking about that same dream for years now, and it’s only gotten worse since we got here. Why won't you just let me help?”

Ruby groans and leans up and off of Yang. "There is nothing to help me with, Yang. It's my problem, not yours. Now drop it, okay?”

"Well, at least let me try. I'm your big sister, kiddo. I'm just worried that this dream of yours is… messin’ with you and all. You aren’t sleeping, you’re having hallucinations. I don't like seeing you like this.”

"Like what, Yang? Huh? What is so wrong with me that you're acting like I'm in danger, or something?”

"Because you might be. I won't know if you don't tell me.”

"Well, nothing's wrong with me. I'm fine. It's just a stupid nightmare. I can deal with it." Ruby shrugs off Yang’s hold and stands up, then walks for the rooftop door.

"That is bull, Ruby, and you know it. This thing is eating at you, and you need help. Ya’ can't deal with it alone. I may not be Song, but I can still try to do something for you.”

Ruby freezes and she turns back to Yang, brows furrowed. She advances on her sister. "Don't bring her into this…!"

Yang looks as if Ruby just smacked her. “Who? My mom? My own mother?”

Ruby is face-to-face with Yang now. "She has nothing to do with this!”

"Well, tough shit, Ruby, because I want to talk about her! I am not gonna keep pretending she didn't exist just because you do! That is our mother and we are going to talk about her, about dad, and about every goddamn thing else!”

Ruby shoves Yang, the blonde stumbling back. "Yang... I'm warning you right now... Leave her out of this…"

Yang stands up straight with her chest poked out. "She was here, Ruby... She was alive... And I will never forget that…”

Ruby stares Yang down for a moment longer, her body trembling. She turns and runs for the door, opens it, then slams it shut, leaving Yang alone. The older girl balls her fist.

"She was here, sis..." she whispers.

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A Past — 3 Months Earlier

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"Home sweet home!”

Ruby skips into the bedroom with Yang following close behind, her duffel bag slung over her shoulder. It drops to the floor when she sags her shoulders.

The room in question is modestly sized and cozy looking, two beds on either side of it, opposite of each other. Between the two beds is a wooden desk with a black computer chair. At the foot of Ruby’s bed, the one to the right of the room— the one the young girl is currently splayed out across— a large bean bag sits, a few books sinking into it.

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Yang’s bed looks untouched. The blanket and sheets are made up neat and the pillow is fluffed and fat. On it, a cute little teddy bear sits with a card in its hand with the words, Welcome Home, Goldilocks!, written on it. Yang smiles and takes a long whiff of the air. She lets out a breath.

"Home sweet home…" the blonde says.

She strides over to her bed and plops down onto it, face first. Ruby and Yang let out contented sighs at the same time.

Ruby looks over at her face-down sister.

"The teddy bear was my idea," she says.

Yang turns to Ruby. "Wow, I… never would have guessed." She sits up on her bed and takes the aforementioned plush toy in hand, tossing it around. "I’ve been gone for two years and the only new addition seems to be this little guy. I thought you would’ve turned my side of the room into, like, a work station, or a princess castle, or somethin’.”

Ruby rolls her eyes with a scoff and props her head on her arm. "Oh, please. Why the heck would I do something like that? A chocolate mansion is so much more hardcore.”

"'Hardcore'?" Yang snorts. "Sure, if that’s what floats your boat there, sailor.”

"Oh come on, you know a humongous mansion made entirely out of chocolate would be awesome! Don’t even act like it wouldn't be!”

"I never said that wouldn’t be the balls. I just wouldn’t have used ‘hardcore’ as the first adjective to describe that sugar nightmare of yours.”

Ruby narrows her eyes. "Okay. How would you describe it, then?”

Yang puts a finger on her chin and looks up at the ceiling, She snaps her fingers and points. ”Diabetic.”

"Yang, your wisdom knows no bounds."

Yang chuckles and places her teddy bear down, then hops off her bed and walks over to Ruby. "Well, I am a higher education attendee now. Comes with the territory.”

"Yeah, well, I don’t really see that much of a difference from two years ago.”

Yang rubs Ruby’s head. "Give it time. You wanna know one of the things I learned about at Beacon?”

Ruby lifts a brow at Yang. “What?"

"How gravity works.”

"Oh wow, so next level.”

"Did you know that, sometimes, gravity can suddenly increase with little to no warning? It can even do it on a single person whenever it feels like.”

Ruby snorts. "No it can’t, you liar.”

"Sure it can. You never know when Remnant will decide to…" Suddenly, Yang stumbles around. Ruby tilts her head. “Uh-Oh…”

“W—What…?”

"Oh, I was afraid of this. It’s happening right now as we speak. The gravity…! It’s… increasing…!”

"Yang, no it’s not.”

"Is too! I can feel it…! Pulling…! Forcing me… to the ground…! I can’t… resist… much… longer…!" Yang tips over onto Ruby.

"Wha— Yang, what are you doing? Stop it!”

"I’m sorry, Ruby…! I can’t! I’m tumbling down!”

Yang fully falls on Ruby, the redhead struggling under Yang’s weight. "Yang, stop! Get off of me, you big log!”

"I can’t, kid, the gravity is pulling me down.”

“Well, make it pull you up, then!”

“What’s the magic word?”

“Your mom! Now get off!”

“Someone mention me?”

As Ruby continues to struggle to free herself, Yang looks up at the room entrance to see her mom leaning on the doorframe, arms crossed under her breasts, smirking. Yang laughs and finally gets off of Ruby.

“You’ve been back all of two hours and you’re already causing trouble.”

"Hey, I’ve got all of two years of being an annoying big sister to make up for," Yang says.

Ruby jabs her in the arm. "Song, when is Yang going back to school?”

Song laughs. "Sorry, kiddo. You’ve got about two weeks of this to put up with. Might as well start preparing yourself now.”

Ruby deflates, poking out her lip. Yang gives Ruby a look of mock-sympathy and pokes her cheek. Ruby snaps her jaws at Yang’s finger and the blonde pulls back quick.

Song stands up straight. “All right, you little goofs, go clean yourselves up. Pop’s almost done setting up the table, so get ready to come to dinner." She moves to leave.

"Okay," Ruby says.

“Mom. Hold up a sec?” Yang asks, pausing Song in her departure.

The older woman looks back at Yang. ”Yeah? What’s up, flame?”

"Do you, uh… think we could chat for a minute?”

Song lifts her brows at Yang’s request. "Yeah, all right." She turns to Ruby. "Hey, let me talk to your sister, squirt." She points out the door. “Shoo."

"Oh. O—Okay," Ruby says.

She hops off the bed, sticking her tongue out at Yang. Yang returns the favor, adding an "L" shape to her forehead with her fingers. As Ruby walks by Song, her hair is frazzled and she giggles. Once Ruby steps out, Song steps into the room.

"Now. What’s up, you?" is the last thing Ruby hears before the bedroom door is shut, leaving her alone in the dark hallway.

She looks around the area, rocking back and forward on her toes and heels with her hands behind her back. She pops her lips.

"Welp… Time to hit the ‘ol… dusty trail,” she says before turning to walk away.

"What, you don’t like the little guy?”

Ruby halts in her stride when she hears Song’s voice and turns back to the closed door.

"What? No—No, that’s not what I was saying." Yang says that.

"I can always take it back and get you, like, a little mini oven, or somethin’.”

Ruby wanders back to the bedroom door.

“Mom. What am I, four? Besides, I love the guy. I’m gonna cherish this stupid little bear forever. I’m just really curious about why she got me a teddy bear of all things.”

"You’re asking this about the same kid who sits by the Christmas tree all night so she can make sure to catch Santa Claus one of these days.”

"…Oh wow, what the hell was I thinking?”

“Swear."

"Don’t even.”

The two women laugh. Ruby chuckles. This, however, wakes her up and she snaps away from the door.

"What am I doing?" she says in a whisper. "This is total invasion of privacy!" She shakes her head. "Just walk away, Ruby. Walk aw—“

"So what’s this all about, flame?”

Ruby looks back to the door when Song continues to speak. As another moment of silence passes, Ruby inches closer and closer to the door, then puts her ear to it.

"…Hey, mom?" Yang says.

“Hm?"

"…Do you, um… Do you remember… I mean… Back when I was… Well…”

"Christ almighty, come on, dude, dinner’s gonna get cold. Spit it out already.”

“Okay—Okay!”

More silence. Ruby tenses up as she waits for Yang’s next words, pressing her face harder to the door.

"…Do you remember back when I first left for Beacon two years ago… Back when I… left home…?”

"…Oh… O—h, I see where this is going.”

"Do you?”

"Yup, absolutely. And, to be honest, I feel the same way as you.”

"W—Wait, really?”

"Yeah, totally, I’m woman enough to admit when I screwed up. Did you see that cake I baked? Thing looked like road kill in a bucket of spit.”

Ruby snorts at Song’s out-of-nowhere response, forced to cover her mouth lest she be found out.

"E—Excuse me?" Yang asks.

"Freakin’ thing took me all night to bake and all I was able to show for it was that monstrosity," Song continues to rant.

"No, mom, that’s not—“

"I mean, yeah, your pop and Rube wolfed it down, but I don’t even blame you for not touching that thing. I’m surprised those two didn’t get sick—“

"Mom, would you… shut up for a second?" Ruby jumps at Yang’s outburst. "You know that’s not what I’m talking about! You know damn well that I’m trying to bring up—“

"Yeah, I know.”

"Then can we please just talk about—“

“Nope."

"What? But, mom—“

"I was kinda trying to shy away from it, but someone doesn’t wanna take a hint.”

"But I wanna talk about it!"

"Well, I don’t.”

“Mom!"

“Pause."

Silence. Swallowing saliva, Ruby waits with baited breath to hear what happens next.

"There’s nothing to talk about. What’s done is done," Song says.

“But, mom, you don’t understand. I need to get this off my chest, it’s been driving me crazy for two whole years.”

"I don’t know why.”

"What do you mean ‘you don’t know why?’ After everything I did, how can this not bother me?”

"Well, I’m doing pretty all right.”

"How is it not bothering you? Why aren’t you angry at me? Why aren’t you yelling and screaming and making me feel bad? Why are you taking all this in stride?”

"You really wanna know why?”

"Yes! Please, just tell me! Why don’t you hate me?”

“…Easy.”

Footsteps, then one of the beds decompresses.

"Because you're here now… Period. The past is the past. It doesn’t matter anymore. And it damn sure isn’t gonna stop me from the lovin’ the crap out of you.”

"…What I did to you, mom… everything I said… I don’t deserve this…”

"Please. Shut up. It ain’t about deservin’ nothin’. Imma love you even if you hate my guts.”

"…I don’t hate you, mom…”

"You don’t think I’ve always known that? Come on, give me some credit here. I'm smarter than the average bear, y’know.”

"…So… what happens now?"

"Now we get out of here and go get some dinner. Make some stupid jokes, say some sappy stuff, rinse and repeat. And hey, looks like I’m getting my lovey-dovey schlock out of the way early.”

Yang laughs.

"Now, are you done being all dramatic and stuff? Gettin’ kinda hungry here.”

"…Yes ma’am…”

“Alrighty then. I didn’t spend the day cooking all that food to not eat it, so…”

“Okay.”

Ruby stiffens, her eyes widening. She stumbles back from the door, making as little noise as possible while doing so. She almost slips, but catches herself and runs down the hallway before rounding a corner quick, putting her back against the wall. Just as she makes it, she hears the bedroom door squeak open.

Ruby peaks her head out from behind her hiding spot. Song waltzes out and stretches. Yang follows behind her.

As Yang starts down the hallway, Song grabs the younger blonde by her shoulder and turns her around. "Hey—Hey, hold on a second.”

"What’s up?" Yang asks.

Right after, Song pulls Yang in and wraps her toned arms around Yang’s smaller body, putting her face in the crevice of her neck. Yang returns the gesture, closing her eyes as her head rests on her mother’s shoulder.

"I love you, baby," Song says. She kisses Yang’s neck. "I always will…”

Yang smiles. "I know, mom… I love you, too.”

From her hiding spot, Ruby has a bright, warm smile on her lips. Taking one last look at the hugging mother and daughter, she leans back behind the wall. She rests her head on it and sighs with her eyes close. Then, she pushes off the wall and walks down the hallway.

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”Oh, finally! Real food!”

Song laughs at Yang’s reaction as she carries the last tray of the large dinner to the table. "What, the food at Beacon that bad, or something?”

"Ehh… I mean, I wouldn’t say it’s terrible. It just ain’t this! No one beats your cooking, ma’!”

Song puts the plate on the table. "Well, don't I feel special. Dig in, kiddo. Have as much as you want.”

"That’s all you had to say!" Yang proceeds to stuff as much food into her face as it would allow her to.

"Hey—Hey! That doesn’t mean you have to inhale the stuff!" Song says. "At least save some for me!" Song decides to show off where her daughter’s ungodly appetite comes from and chucks even more food into her own mouth.

Ruby and Taiyang look back and forward between the two female blondes as they race to see who can stuff their mouths with more food, the male blonde sipping on his cup of coffee.

"It’s like she never even left…" he says with a smile. "So, sweetie, tell us about Beacon. Was it everything you hoped for?”

Yang stops herself from putting another fork full in her mouth and swallows what she's already chewing on, then lets out a loud belch.

"Ew," Ruby says.

"Oh, it's even better than I dreamed! Other than the boring GenEd courses, everything else is perfect!”

"Teachers treatin' you right?" Song asks. "That old fart Port still there?" She puts a fork full of rice in her mouth.

Yang groans, throwing her head back. "Don’t even get me started on ‘Professor Pork’. Dude spends more time yappin' about his many 'adventures' than he does actually teaching us anything. I think he told that 'six Beowolves' story, like, eight different times.”

"Um! Yeah!" Song swallows her food. "I think I actually remember that one! ‘Six Beowolves, two rounds, no chance of survival…'"

Yang laughs. "Oh my god, that’s exactly the one!"

"'My squad mates were nowhere to be found. The darkness had begun to consume me. I could feel the cold touch of Death inching up the back of my neck. Ah… My old friend…'"

Yang holds her abdomen. Ruby chuckles while she watches the scene play out.

"'It'd been quite some time since our last greeting'," Taiyang quotes, joining in on the fun, deepening his voice and stroking his nonexistent mustache.

Song laughs. "Christ, you do that too freakin' perfect!”

"'I was wondering when I'd next see my familiar companion. To think our next encounter would be accompanied by such a... perfect... setting.’”

Song throws her head back. "You dork! You even did the stupid little pause for effect!”

"Dad...! Dad, stop...! You're killing me here!" Yang says, her head on the table as her body shakes from laughter.

“‘I wondered if—‘“ Taiyang laughs, cutting himself off. “‘I wondered if I—‘“ He keels over, chuckling too much to speak. “Okay—Okay, Imma stop now.”

The three blondes cool down, a few chuckles escaping here and there. Ruby looks around at the family with a bright smile. “Hey, Yang?” she asks.

Yang lets out a breath, still giggling a little. “What’s up, little sister?”

“Um, so, how much did you learn about being a Huntress? Did they let you do much during your first two years?”

Yang stuffs a fork full of rice into her mouth. "Eh, kinda shorta. Mosht of it wash—“

"Yang, please, swallow your food," her father cuts in.

“Oh. Shorry.” Yang chews her food more and swallows.

“Thank you.”

"Okay, so, yeah, a lot of it was stuff mom had taught me beforehand. What kinds of Grimm there are, their sweet spots, formations; all that jazz. But, we did get to see some Grimm up close and personal.”

Ruby gasps at that, putting her hands over her mouth. "You’re joking!”

Their father lifts a curious brow at that. "Yang, I don’t believe newer students get to see Grimm that—“ A loud clearing of the throat from Song interrupts him. He looks over to see what she wanted. Rather than speak, she smirks and shakes her head, putting a finger to her lips in a ‘shush’ manner. Then, she points to the sparkly eyed Ruby. Taiyang chuckles and leans back in his chair. "You know what, never mind. It’s not important.”

"They actually let you fight real Grimm?!" Ruby continues to gush.

"Tha—t’s right!" Yang says. "Got to take on a whole group of Beowolves once.”

Ruby’s hands shoot up to her mouth. "How many…?" Yang smirks and puts up three of her fingers, causing Ruby’s eyes to almost pop out of their sockets. "Oh my gosh, I have to go to Beacon! It sounds amazing there!”

"Whoa, slow down there, baby girl," Taiyang says while putting his cup down, "You still have to attend Signal before you can even think about Beacon.”

Ruby sighs. "I know—I know. I’m just really excited to go there is all. I can hardly wait!”

Yang perks up at the short conversation. "You… want to apply to Beacon?”

"Yeah, of course!" Ruby answers. "I’m gonna become a Huntress just like you and Taiyang and Song!”

"Don’t worry, Flame, we were just as surprised as you," Song says. "She only just recently told us, too.”

"I’ve been training really hard this whole time. I even managed to get accepted into the Young Hunter regime and forge my… Oh snap, that’s right! I almost forgot! Yang, I wanna show you something! Hold on just one second, I’ll go get it!”

"Wait, go get what?" Yang tries to ask her sister as she runs off. "What are you about to show me?" She sighs then turns to her parents.

"Give it a second," her dad says.

A few seconds later, footsteps pound the floor, heading to the dining room. Ruby rushes in, stumbling as she skids to a stop. She stands erect while holding something behind her back with a huge smile her face.

Yang smirks and raises her brow. “Well? You gonna show me what you’ve got there?"

Ruby chuckles. Then her brows angle downward, a sudden fire in her eyes being accompanied by a toothy grin. She swings her hidden object around and holds it out in front of herself. “Tada!"

And it’s!… a red… thing…

It’s looks to be some sort of faded red, rectangular box, a few black markings running along the surface. The two sisters stare at each, Ruby never leaving her stance. Yang waits for something to happen, but, ultimately, nothing really does.

"Okay… What is it?" Yang asks.

"Well, what does it look like?" Ruby asks.

"A red thing-a-ma-gigger.”

Ruby groans. "No, Yang, it is not just a ‘red thing-a-ma-gigger'. It’s… Guh, just… hang on a second.” Ruby retracts her toy and tinkers with a few of the mechanisms between the segmented openings. “Come on, you…!” she says under her breath, grunting and pulling at the parts. Soon enough, a clicking sound is heard. “Ah! There we go!” The object unfolds and grows. The bottom segments move outward as a black pole extends. The top half rolls upward, a silver blade being revealed. Ruby swings it over her shoulder, assuming a cheesy pose, complete with "V" sign. “Tada!”

Yang stares. "…That’s a scythe.”

"Yes, Yang. It’s a scythe.”

"It’s a really big scythe.”

"It’s also gonna be a customizable, high impact, sniper rifle.”

"Lost me.”

She cocks the handle. "It’s also a gun.”

"Gotcha. Dad, why does a thirteen-year-old girl have a giant sniper scythe and why are you okay with this?”

Taiyang puts his mug down. "Yang, your sister worked really hard on her weapon. Yes, it may be a bit…" He looks at Ruby, who seems to be snuggling with her scythe. "…much... But her weapon is an extension of herself, an expression of her creativity. And besides, you made those gauntlets of yours when you were her age.”

"Uh-Huh. Right. Mom, your thoughts?”

Song shrugs, chewing food. "That thing’s friggin’ awesome.”

Yang sighs and stands up. "Yeah, okay. Sis, we need to have a little chat.”

Ruby pauses her Scythe snuggling and looks at her sister. "Yang, what’s—“

"In private.”

Ruby flinches. She gulps and collapses her scythe back into its boxed form before placing it on the kitchen counter. She follows Yang, who has walked to the door, holding it open for Ruby to walk through. Before she does, she grabs a dark red hoodie off the coatrack by the door, then walks out the house. Yang closes the door behind the two, leaving their parents behind.

Taiyang sighs. “Well, dear, you called it. Yang isn’t happy. Think she’s going to chew Ruby out?”

Song swallows food. "Hell if I know. I told Ruby not to tell her yet. But, hey, the brats are gone now, so more food me." Song proceeds to reach over and take Yang’s plate, scrapping it’s contents on top of her own.

"…You know Yang’s gonna be pissed, right?”

"Bite me.”

"Are you giving me permission?”

"Haha, smooth. But not right now. Food first. Fun time later." And, with that, she proceeds to stuff her face.

----------------------------------------

The small town is silent as its residents prepare to settle in for the night and rest for the next day. The warm breeze of the night passes through her blood red hair and whistles by her ears— a testament to how uncomfortably quiet things are at the moment.

She’s been reduced to twiddling her fingers to keep her mind off the awkward walk she and Yang are having. She looks up at the back of the blonde’s head. Her lips part to break the ice. However, no words come out as she hesitates and returns her attention to her fingers.

“Sis…"

Ruby freezes on the spot when Yang speaks. Yang stands still, her back to the redhead. For a minute, the two stand there, no words being said. Ruby’s hand tugs on the bottom of her hoodie. She waits with baited breath for what was to happen next. That’s when Yang sighs and faces Ruby. The younger girl flinches. Yang’s purple eyes stare into Ruby’s silver ones, no readable emotion on her face.

Then… she grins.

Her usual golden bright smile crosses her lips and she chuckles while putting her hands on her hips. Ruby looks on, tilting her head.

"A sniper scythe?" Yang asks while still laughing to herself. "Think you went a bit overboard there, Rubes?”

Ruby’s eye twitches. “L—Look who’s talking! ‘Oh, shotgun fisty-cuffs, that’s totally not flashy, or anything!’ Seriously, Yang?”

"Well, at least mine’s somewhat restrained. Who the heck thinks up a huge freakin’ scythe that can snipe the sliced up pieces of their enemy? Geez, you’re a lot more hardcore than I thought, sis.”

"Says the girl with shot. Gun. Gauntlets.”

"Hey, whatever. My weapon is awesome. These babies’ll get the job done anytime." She laughs as Ruby makes a bloated, annoyed face. Yang simmers down and looks to the ground. "Why do you wanna become a Huntress, Ruby?”

Ruby jumps at Yang’s sudden change of tone. Swallowing saliva, she speaks. "I… I just… I mean… Well…” She looks at her shoes.

Yang’s eyes shut and her hands drop to her side. She advances on her sibling, the young girl keeping her eyes on the ground. Once the distance is closed, Ruby is entangled in her older sister’s arms, her body going stiff.

"I’m not mad you know…" Yang says. "But… I’m not gonna say I’m okay with this, either. Far from it, actually.”

Ruby grits her teeth. "Well, why not? You want to be Huntress. And wasn’t Song not okay with that? But you still went off and did it anyway.”

Yang shakes her head. “That’s… different. The important thing is: I’ve been training for this since the day I could walk," she says. "I’m built to be a Huntress— rough and tough as nails. You…?”

Ruby’s brow rises. She looks up Yang, who’s gaze is averted to something off to the side. “…What?"

Yang backs away from Ruby. ”You…? You’re…" She sweeps her hands over Ruby’s body.

"You just motioned to all of me.”

The blonde sighs as she slings her arm around Ruby’s shoulders. "Look, sis, I’m just saying. You’re not the kind of person who should be a Huntress. You’re sweet, gentle as a dandelion, you cry every time we watch that one movie with the fish—“

"Hey!" Ruby interjects, glaring at Yang. "That movie is touching, dang it... A—And you cried the first time, too, you know!“

"You’re missing the point. You don’t need to be apart of this, sis. There are things out there that you should never have to see, or experience. I’m fighting so I can make sure you never do. People have died fighting this war, you know."

Ruby continues to glare up at Yang. The blonde chuckles, running her hands down the length of Ruby’s arms.

“God, you always were a stubborn kid…. Look… Ruby, I can tell you really want to do this. I see that fire in your eye. Just like the one I’ve always had.” Ruby’s glare softens at this. “But… I mean…" Yang sighs "Please don’t, Ruby. If not for you, then… for me. This gig is not for you. Take my word on this one, sis…”

Ruby’s head sinks. ”Aren’t you scared to be one…?”

Yang messes with a few locks of Ruby’s hair. "Nah, not really. Kind of have to let go of that fear if I really want to do this. Comes with the job, you know?”

"Well, I am." Ruby looks up at Yang, moving Yang’s hand away from her hair. "You said yourself that a lot of people die fighting this war. What if you were one of them?”

"That’s not gonna happen.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I still have you.”

Ruby reels back.

“I don’t wanna think about leaving you or mom or dad alone. If anything, that’s going to make me fight even harder. No matter what happens, I promise I won’t leave you alone. I’m gonna protect you no matter what." Yang smiles that golden smile. "That’s why I want to be a Huntress after all.”

Ruby’s eyes avert to the ground as her hair hangs over her face. Her hand rises to her chest and contracts. Yang lays her chin atop Ruby’s head, eyes closed.

"Don’t be like me, Ruby. Don’t become a Huntress.”

"…Is it really that bad out there, Yang…?" Ruby asks.

Yang gives no answer.

"Maybe I’m not cut out to be a Huntress… because… I’m actually scared of what’s really in store…" She looks up at Yang, eyes glossing over. "Does that make me a coward, Yang…?”

Yang gives a small, sad grin and pulls her sister in for another tight hug. "Nah… Just makes you human…" Ruby hangs her head and Yang smiles at her, placing her hand on the young girl’s shoulder. "Come on. Let’s get back home, ‘kay?”

Yang lifts Ruby’s face and pecks her forehead. Yang takes Ruby hand up and leads the way, dragging the redhead behind. The two sisters make their way home.

The entire time, Ruby has her eyes on the ground. She looks to her open palm and balls it. She squeezes until her knuckles turn white, then relaxes her hand and stares into her now red palm. She sighs.

“Maybe… it’s for the best…” Ruby says.

“Mom?”

Ruby looks up and stops her stride behind Yang, seeing the blonde coming to a halt. She tilts her head and opens her mouth to speak, but stops herself when she sees what Yang is staring at. From down the street, Song is sprinting for them. The closer she gets, the more Ruby notices Song’s physical state.

Her face is twisted with distress. Her blonde, gray-stricken hair is unkempt and hangs over her face, jittering in the wind. The dress she wears is torn in multiple areas and there are deep red spots all over it. Her feet are bare. Her purples eyes are wide and wild.

"Something’s wrong…" Yang says. She releases her hold on Ruby and speed walks to meet her mother in the middle. Ruby follows behind. "Hey, mom! You okay? What’s the—“

"Yang! Ruby!" Song calls out.

"Mom! What’s up?”

A shadow passes over Ruby. Then a second one. She looks into the sky to see what it is. At the same time, Song catches a glimpse at the sky and speeds up even faster than before. Ruby freezes at the sight. Like rain, a group of large, sharp objects shoot down right at her. Ruby can do nothing but stare.

In the background, Song screams her name.

“Ruby!"

That is the last thing she hears before the projectiles rain down and everything goes black.

----------------------------------------

A loud ringing resonates in her ears.

Everything looks blurry and unrecognizable.

She fights against the darkness that threatens to engulf her.

Her vision finally starts to right itself. She looks around the area in a haze.

Black, talon-like objects imbue the ground and even pierce the buildings on either side. Large feathers of some kind. Windows and walls are completely shattered, pieces of the buildings crumbling to the ground. She looks further down the street. The fuzzy images of citizens all running the opposite direction. Some stumble out of the wrecked houses, helping each other stand. A man staggers from a broken hole in the second floor of a house, a long, black feather sticking out of his chest. He walks forward and falls to the ground. He doesn’t move.

The ringing in her ear subsides. More people rush by. Their screams and cries of panic fills the air. That… and the hint of dark, low growls. They seem so distant that it’s almost as if they aren’t there, but Ruby knows they are. She… just does.

She forces herself to roll over onto her stomach, wincing and gritting her teeth as she does.

"Damn it…! Damn it…!”

A voice. One much closer. One familiar. ”Yang…?”

She wills herself to turn around upon hearing her sister’s panicked voice. She finds that she is inside of one of the houses broken by the bombardment of projectiles. Ruby completely turns her body around, where she sees her older sister.

"Come on! Come on, damn it! Move!" the blonde says as she pulls on a long, black feather.

Yang has her arms around it and looks to be trying her hardest to dislodge it. Although, Ruby can’t quite see what she’s attempting to pull the object from. So, she slowly crawls across the ground to get a better look…

And wishes she hadn’t…

Her eyes widen at the sickening amount of blood covering the building wall and the ground. The blood is flowing from multiple sources on a body.

Song’s body.

"Why… won’t it budge? Move, you… piece of shit!" Yang says as she jerks at the bloodied feather imbued in Song’s chest. Yang ignores the smaller feather protruding from her own abdomen, as well as the stream of blood flowing from the wound, pooling to the ground, joining the puddle made of Song’s blood.

Song’s eyes are dim. She looks as if it is taking every part of her being to draw breath, let alone stay conscious. Ruby’s hands cover her mouth, the color draining from her face. Tears dance at the rim of her eyes. Her entire body trembles.

"Ruby! Ruby! Listen to me! Ruby!”

Ruby snaps out of her stupor at the sound of her sister’s voice. The blonde looks at her with desperation— no, fear. Genuine fear.

"Ruby, help me! I can’t move this thing by myself!”

Ruby looks between Yang and Song. She shakes her head and gives herself a smack, then runs to her sister’s side. She eyes Yang’s impaled abdomen.

"Yang… You’re—“

"That’s not important right now!" Yang says. "We have to worry about mom first. Grab this thing and we’ll pull on my mark." Ruby does what she is told and she wraps her arms around the base of the giant feather, getting the best grip she can. "Okay, you ready?" Ruby nods. Yang looks at her mother. “All right, hold on, mom. Grit those teeth, okay? On three. One… Two… Three!”

The two girls pull with all their might. Ruby has her teeth grit and her eyes closed. The feather moves a bit. Song groans in pain. The more they pull, the louder her pained whimpers echo. However, the feather no longer moves. It comes to a standstill and no progress is being made.

"Come on!" Yang says through clenched teeth. But the effort proves futile as the two girls lose their grip and fall to the ground. "Again! We have to try a— Agh!" Yang doubles over and grabs at her wound. Ruby scoots over and takes her shoulders, rubbing her back.

"Yang, you can’t," Ruby says.

“I—I’m fine!" Yang says. "We need to… try again!” She wraps her arms around the feather and pulls.

"Stop…! Stop…!" Song, with a pained breath, says. Yang continues to pull as hard as she can. "Yang, stop!”

Yang releases the feather and looks to the ground, her shoulders bouncing with each strained breath. For a moment, the three sit in silence.

"Come here, you two…" Song says. "Let mama… talk to ya’ for a second…" Yang and Ruby comply and crawl closer to Song. They both sit on either sides of her. Yang takes one of her hands and squeezes. "Now… let’s be honest here… this thing ain’t comin’ out… Too deep… And I’d just bleed out anyway… And even then I’d just slow you two down… Looks like… this is my last stop…”

"Shut up!" Yang says. "Stop being stupid! You’ll be fine, we just have to—“

"Yang Xiao Long… I need you to shut up and listen to me for once in your life… Does it look like I can make it outside the city like this…?”

"Yes you can! You can’t give up yet, that’s not like you! You always told me to keep pushing on no matter what kind of Hell I find myself in! You always told me that you’re some big strong Huntress who doesn’t let anything stop you from getting what you want! So why are you giving up now, huh?!”

Song smiles. ”Yeah… That’s exactly what I said… So... I need you to... just give me this... I just… want you two to be okay… You may have a few wares and tears… but you two can still make it… And I have no doubt you’ll be fine without me… or your dad…" Song coughs up blood on the feather inside her. Some gets on Ruby’s face. "This sucks… Not the best goodbye I would have come up with…”

Ruby’s head hangs low, her hair shadowing her eyes. "Don’t say goodbye… Please…”

Yang rubs a hand through her dirtied blonde hair and squeezes her eyes shut. "Don’t do this, mom… You can’t leave us like this… I can’t do this all alone… I’m not strong like you…”

Song smiles warmly. "No… You’re not… You’re stronger… Both of you…" The sisters look up at their dying mother. "I am so sure… that you two are infinitely stronger than I am… Let me tell you a secret… Wanna know why I… think I’m so strong…? ‘Cause… If I didn’t… you two wouldn’t think I was that cool… My little girls would… think their mommy was just a lame… big-mouthed wannabe… I just wanted to be… the strong mother… you two deserved…”

Yang lays her head on Song’s shoulder.

"That’s not true…" Ruby says. "We wouldn’t care… You’d still be the best mom in the whole world…” Tears stream down her cheeks. “You’ll always be… my strong mama…”

Song’s eyes widen. Her own tears drip down into her chest. “Baby…” She sniffles. “Oh, shit… Not really proving my point so good…” A hiccup.

Ruby puts her forehead to Song’s and closes her eyes. ”Swear…" Ruby hiccups between sobs.

Song laughs, nuzzling her forehead against Ruby’s. “I’m sorry…" Song looks down at Yang in the crock of her shoulder. “Hey… Hey, Flame. Let me look at you…” Yang lifts her gaze and stares into Songs eyes, her own bloodshot, red and full of tears. Song smiles brighter and pecks just under her right eye. ”’Bout that time, baby girl… You two… gotta get goin’…”

Yang shakes her head. "Please… Please don’t do this…”

"I’m sorry… but mama’s not goin’ anywhere…” She looks between Ruby and Yang. “I need you to be strong… That goes for both of you… I need you two… to stick together… Protect each other… Love each other… If you girls just do that… there is nothing this world can throw at you… that you won’t be able to handle… Ya’ understand me…?”

Yang nods. Ruby can only cry.

“I love you, mom…” Yang says.

Song smiles. “Love you more…” Song says.

Ruby can only cry.

Song looks at Yang. Her lips straighten and her eyes intensify. "Now take your sister… and run…”

Yang has a glare in her eye. She moves around Song and lifts Ruby, cradling her against her chest. Without looking at her mother she takes Ruby and does exactly what she is told.

She runs.

"Wait… Yang…”

The young girl stirs from her stupor as she sees her broken home inch further and further away. As her dying mother vanishes in the distance. Her dull silver eyes widen and spark with fear.

"What about mom and dad…? Yang, why are we leaving them…?”

Ruby shuffles in Yang’s grasp, turning her body back to where Song is. As Ruby cries out to her, Yang’s grip round her tightens and she hugs her closer. Her teeth grit and her fists clench, but she does not turn back…

She does not heed Ruby’s pleas.

"Mom and dad aren’t with us, Yang! We have to go back! We have to save them!"

Ruby struggles against her, fighting to free herself from Yang’s grasp. Yang only squeezes. The tears pouring from Ruby’s eyes trail behind as Yang runs forward, never looking back.

Yang’s tears soon join them.

image [https://i.imgur.com/Ode6dM1.png]

As Ruby screams, Yang lifts her head to the sky and screams as well, her purple eyes glowing in the night.

----------------------------------------

Present Day — 3 Months Later

----------------------------------------

The bedroom door creaks open.

Yang enters the room. The first place she looks to is her younger sister’s bed. Empty.

She closes the door and looks around the rest of the room. It is completely torn apart, as if it had been hit by a hurricane... or an angry redheaded little girl, anyway. The dresser is knocked over, the contents inside it strewn all over the room along with various other items. The computer desk chair is in two pieces on top of Yang's bed, the desk itself lying on it’s side with a sizable hole in it.

The blonde sighs, her shoulders sagging. She looks back to her sister's bed and walks over the debris and carnage left in Ruby’s wake. Reaching the bunk, she kneels down and looks to the underside, finding who she’s looking for curled up with her back to her.

Yang lies down on her back, looking up to the ceiling, arms behind her head. "This is our chance, Ruby... We can try again... We can restart…”

No answer.

"We've been through so much together. We've seen so much. I hate that you had to go through all of this. But... I just need you to know... that we're in this together, okay? I'm right here. I'm always right beside you... You understand me?"

The young girl doesn't answer.

Instead, her hand reaches out behind her. Yang takes the hint and grabs it, squeezing tight, rubbing her knuckles.

"We're gonna be okay, sis... Two sisters against the world... Just you and me…" Her eyes close. Soon enough, her chest rises and falls rhythmically.

Ruby stays still. However, her eyes are half open, empty. The dried trails of her tears stain her cheeks, the residing moisture puddles on the floor. Her cracked lips are part a bit. The memories of those three months before repeat in her mind. Flashes of the images that haunt her crop up and disappear just as quickly.

“Sleep…”

The voice is but a whisper only she can hear; that of a child. Similar to her own. But not her own.

“Sleep, my dear…”

The voice. So horrid. So dark.

So… enticing.

So… comforting.

Her eyes drop lower, but quickly reopen.

“We have much to discuss… And I do miss you so…”

The voice…

So… welcoming.

Darkness wraps around her.

“Come to me, my child… Come home…”

Darkness…

Darkness…

“I will always be here for you…”

And from here, we fade to black…

To Be Continued...