Author's Note: Warning This chapter contains sexual content.

Chapter 7

"Do you remember where Ruby's room is?" Summer asked.

"It hasn't been that long since I've been here." Pyrrha laughed as she headed off down the hall, carrying her bags. "I lived here once before, remember." Pyrrha's parents often had to travel overseas for business. Rather than take Pyrrha with them, away from her friends and familiar surroundings, she was left to live with various friends and family members. She had spent a few months living with the Rose/Xiao-Long family as a freshman in high school.

"I hope you're comfortable." Summer said. "Ruby's so short...her bed reflects that."

"I usually curl up anyway." Pyrrha called back. She dropped one bag to open the door. She stood in the doorway and stared in at the room.

"Is something wrong?" Summer asked.

"It's...it's clean." Pyrrha gasped. "I can see the floor." In Pyrrha's experience Ruby's room was always strewn with clothes, blankets and other assorted clutter. Now the bed was neatly made and not a single thing was out of place.

"Ruby took a lot of her junk with her." Summer laughed. "And with her out of the house I was finally able to get in there and clean it up."

Pyrrha picked up the bag she had dropped, taking it along with her other and placing it on the bed. "She won't be happy when she gets back!" Pyrrha joked. "She loves her mess!"

Yang appeared, leaning against the doorway. Though no longer in need of a wheelchair, she was still a bit unsteady on her feet. She inhaled deeply and a faint smile spread across her face before quickly fading. "I hope Ruby didn't leave any of her toys lying around." Yang said with a smirk.

"Toys?" Pyrrha asked. Then it hit her. "Oh! Oh my…"

Raven appeared behind Yang. "I'm sure she wouldn't be that careless." Raven said. She and Yang shared a laugh as Pyrrha stood there slack-jawed. "I wonder if you'll find her toy chest…"

"I...I'll be careful not to." Pyrrha struggled. Yang and Raven headed to Yang's room, further down the hall. "Do you guys need my help?" Pyrrha asked.

"I've got it." Raven said. "I'll help Yang while you unpack." She returned to the doorway. "And if you find anything you're curious about, don't be afraid to ask." Raven said with a wink before leaving again. For a second time Pyrrha was left stunned and speechless.

Blake hated her Ethics in Journalism course. It was not so much the course itself as the instructor. Given his obvious bias whenever current events were discussed, it was questionable as to whether or not he actually had any grasp of the ethics he was supposed to be teaching. That it was the last class of the day only made matters worse. Once it was over she rushed back to her room, hoping to get a little nap in before dinner. That was not going to happen.

Blake unlocked the door and was surprised to find the light on. Velvet had class now and always turned it off before leaving. The reason became immediately apparent. Ruby was sitting on Blake's bed. If Ruby's attire - a tight tank top and short skirt - did not give away what she had in mind, her mischievous smirk certainly did. "Ruby...uh…" Blake struggled. "What are you doing here?"

"Hey Blake." Ruby said. "I thought we could have a little fun." Blake walked over, tossed her bag on the floor, and sat on the edge of her bed. Ruby adjusted her position to embrace her from the side. "I'm not wearing any underwear." Ruby whispered in Blake's ear before giggling.

"Ruby, I know we talked about the...unique sexual aspects...of Faunus, but I feel like it bears repeating." Blake warned. "Scratching, biting, aggressiveness, possessiveness, heat, are you sure you're ready for all that?"

"Blake, it's like a checklist of my kinks." Ruby laughed. "You can be as aggressive and rough with me as you want."

"I'm not sure I...are you…" Blake stammered.

"Don't worry about it." Ruby said. "My safeword is 'strawberries.'" Blake looked at Ruby with nerves and confusion. "If you're not comfortable now we can do this another time."

"It's not that...it's just…" Blake started.

"Your past?" Ruby asked. "I asked Weiss. I'm sorry I went behind your back, I just wanted to be certain, I didn't want to hurt you."

"It's not a big deal." Blake shrugged. "She wouldn't tell you anything I wouldn't...mostly because she doesn't know. Next time just ask me, alright?"

"Okay, I will." Ruby said.

"I have scars." Blake sighed. "I hope you don't find them...upsetting."

"They're a part of you, how could I find them upsetting?" Ruby asked with a smile.

"You and your cheesy pick-up lines." Blake sighed.

Ruby laid a hand on Blake's thigh. "Are you sure you're okay with this?" She asked.

Blake rolled her eyes and lifted Ruby up, shifting Ruby to straddle her lap. Ruby squeaked and giggled with excitement. Blake smiled and nuzzled against Ruby's neck, planting several kisses before gently nibbling on her earlobe. Ruby gasped and whimpered. "For you, I'm willing to try." Blake whispered in Ruby's ear.

Ruby pulled back to kiss Blake passionately, Blake's hands cupping her rear. Ruby let her hands roam Blake's body, finally settling near her hips, lightly grasping Blake's shirt. Ruby paused, pulling back to meet Blake's gaze. Blake nodded and Ruby gently slipped the shirt up and over her head. Blake tossed the shirt away, laying back, splaying out for Ruby to better examine her.

Ruby gently traced three claw-like scars to the left of Blake's navel, the light touch sending shivers up Blake's spine. Ruby noticed another scar, much longer and harsher, showing from below the right cup of Blake's bra. Blake took a deep breath and undid her bra, the front-facing clasp allowing Ruby to push the cups aside and see the scar in full. The scar ran from just below the collar, down Blake's breast and through the areola just to the left of the nipple, before continuing down across two ribs. Whatever caused it must have been agonizing, as the angry, thick mass of rough and discolored scar tissue attested.

Ruby's eyes widened as her finger gently traced the scar's full length, making Blake's breath hitch. Blake shut her eyes, bracing for her partner's reaction, only to feel a wet warmth on her breast. She opened her eyes to see Ruby cover the scar in a series of slow and gentle kisses. Reaching the end, Ruby looked up, meeting Blake's gaze. "You're beautiful Blake." Ruby declared. "Every last inch of you."

Blake felt her eyes sting as they welled with tears and pulled Ruby into a kiss. Wrapping her arms around her partner, Blake flipped them over, tossing her bra away as she loomed over Ruby. Blake breathed heavily, her eyes nearly black with full dilation to match Ruby's. "I love you Ruby Rose."

"I love you too...ah...Blake!" Ruby gasped. Blake grinned and kissed her way down Ruby's neck, letting her hands go to work beneath Ruby's skirt.

Weiss sat in bed, reading a book she had borrowed from Blake. The series was notorious for its depictions of sex but Weiss found it surprisingly bland. She had awoken a little earlier and was surprised to see Ruby was not around. It was a rare treat to get to read without having to wear headphones. Suddenly the lock clicked and Ruby burst through the door, eliciting a startled yelp from Weiss.

"Ruby Rose, knock fir...oh my God!" Weiss exclaimed. Ruby slammed the door shut, leaning back against it and allowing herself to slide down to the floor as her legs gave way. She was wearing one of Blake's shirts, comically oversized on her, allowing her neck and a shoulder to show. Several bite marks, angry and red, were visible on her exposed skin. Weiss shut her book and slid it under the bed before getting up. "It that Blake's favorite shirt?"

"It's mine now." Ruby giggled. "I got my scent all over it!"

Weiss shivered at the tone of Ruby's voice as she approached to kneel in front of her. "What happened to your shirt?" Weiss asked.

"Blakey ripped it." Ruby said as she giggled again. "Among other things…"

Weiss took a closer look at Ruby. "Really?" She gasped. "Claw marks too?" She shook her head. "Lucky bitch." Weiss swore under her breath.

"Hmm?" Ruby asked.

"Nothing." Weiss declared. "Come on, you need sleep."

"I got sleep, I think, still tired though." Ruby yawned. She bit her lip and looked up at Weiss. "D-did I interrupt something? You're awfully flushed Weissy."

"Th-that's it!" Weiss exclaimed. "Up you go."

"Are you gonna' tuck me in?" Ruby asked playfully.

Weiss stood and pulled Ruby up, guiding her to the beds. Ruby staggered and, though Weiss tried to stop her, fell into Weiss' bed, snuggling into the sheets. "That's my bed you...ugh." Weiss groaned. "You dolt, fine." Ruby dozed off more or less instantly and Weiss did indeed tuck her in.

"Night Blakey, night Weissy, love you…" Ruby said, somewhere between waking and sleep.

"You're too bloody adorable for your own good." Weiss huffed. "I love you too." She pecked Ruby on the temple. "I need a shower."

After putting Ruby to bed, Weiss showered and dressed. She went to see Blake, knocking twice on her room's door. "It's open." Blake called from inside. Weiss pushed in to see Blake lounging on her bed wearing a yukata. Her black hair was frazzled and several hickeys were visible on her exposed skin.

"Good morning." Weiss said. "Looks like you're not the only one who bites."

Blake laughed, then stretched and yawned. "It's a very good morning." Blake said with a grin.

"Ruby says goodnight." Weiss said.

"Certainly was." Blake laughed. Blake threw a bundle of black cloth at Weiss.

Weiss caught the bundle and let it unfold, revealing Ruby's torn tank-top. "Lucky bitch." Weiss grumbled.

"Jealous?" Blake teased.

"Hardly." Weiss scoffed. "Maybe a little."

"We need to get you laid." Blake laughed.

"Shut up!" Weiss shouted.

Blake was about to say something when there was a knock at the door. "It's open." She called.

Velvet walked in looking a little dazed. She stumbled a few steps before noticing Weiss. "Good...morning...Blake?" She said.

"Velvet, Weiss, Weiss, Velvet." Blake introduced them.

"I apologize for taking so long." Weiss said.

"It's fine." Velvet said. She looked a little confused for a moment. "We need to open a window."

Blake laughed as Velvet headed over and opened the window a crack. "So, we were just talking about getting Weiss laid." Blake chuckled.

"Blake!" Weiss admonished.

Velvet stepped up to Weiss and looked her up and down. "Hmm...Neon might be interested." Velvet suggested. "She's really nice, so long as you don't pull her tail."

"Tail?" Weiss asked.

"She's a Faunus." Velvet said. "That's not an issue is it?"

"No, no." Weiss said, shaking her head. "I've just never...well, been with a Faunus before."

"You'll be fine." Blake assured her.

"I can give her your number." Velvet offered. "You could text each other, see how things go."

"I guess, sure." Weiss agreed.

"My work here is done." Blake said, leaning back with her hands behind her head.

"You didn't do anything!" Weiss protested. Blake just grinned.

Yang's condition was improving, physically at least. She no longer walked like she was aboard a rocking ship and simple tasks no longer exhausted her. Psychologically, it was another story. She was just as depressed as she had been the day she got home from the hospital, maybe as depressed as she had been when she first discovered her condition. At least she was no longer overtly hostile and angry. She just kept to her room, lying in bed, watching videos on her scroll for hours a day, only emerging when it was necessary. When Pyrrha or Summer tried to engage her in a conversation, they were lucky to get more than a handful of words out of her and it was clear she just wanted to be alone. It was a battle for Summer and Pyrrha just to get Yang to do the prescribed physical therapy exercises.

Pyrrha was adapting to her new home rather well. Summer's stellar cooking helped. Ruby's bed, while a bit short for someone of Pyrrha's stature, was surprisingly comfortable. In only took a day for the place to feel like home. Still, Yang's melancholy dragged Pyrrha's mood down. It hurt to see her friend, once so strong and joyful, in a state of helplessness and hopelessness. She tried all manner of things to get Yang going and lift her spirits, but nothing worked. Even helping out, the stated reason for her being there, seemed to hurt Yang, only reinforcing her disability and the burden of her existence.

Pyrrha brought along most of her things when she moved in, but the first time she showered she realized she had forgotten one - shampoo. She took to sampling what was on hand. After her shower she dressed and headed to Yang's room. It was late, time to sleep, and Pyrrha wanted to check in with Yang one last time before bed. "Yang, do you need anything?" Pyrrha asked. "Water maybe?"

"Water would be good." Yang said, not even bothering to look at Pyrrha. Pyrrha departed, filled a cup with water, and returned, placing the glass on the nightstand beside Yang's bed. As usual Yang was lying on her side, facing away from the door. "Thanks. I'll be alright now."

"No problem." Pyrrha said.

Yang rolled over to face Pyrrha, sniffing the air. "Pyrrha...whose shampoo did you use?" Yang asked.

"I don't know." Pyrrha shrugged. "It was in a pink and red bottle. Strawberry Shortcake I think?"

"It's Ruby's." Yang said.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Pyrrha apologized, unsure of exactly why she was apologizing. She started to walk away but Yang grabbed her wrist.

"It's okay." Yang said. "Can you...can you stay here with me...just for tonight."

"Uh...sure." Pyrrha said nervously. She sat on the edge of the bed, swiveling to lie down on her back as Yang shifted over to make room.

Yang remained on her side, staring blankly at Pyrrha. It was disconcerting. "Can I hold you?" Yang asked.

"Hmm...o-okay." Pyrrha said. She rolled onto her side, allowing Yang to spoon her. Yang released a contented sigh and nuzzled Pyrrha's hair. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Mhm, better than I was." Yang confirmed.

Pyrrha's mind raced. Oh God, oh God, I'm on fire. My heart is beating...it hurts. God, deliver me from this hell, I desire not torment but peace! "Goodnight Yang." She said.

"Goodnight Pyrrha." Yang said. "Thank you."

The next morning Yang was more cheerful than she had been since her injury. Pyrrha was not sure if she was getting better or if it just had something to do with the subconscious effects of the shampoo's scent. Pyrrha did decide to keep using Ruby's shampoo. If it made Yang a little happier it was worthwhile, and it did smell rather nice. Pyrrha left for work feeling better about Yang's future and the potential for a true recovery.

One result of Yang's improved mood was her determination to get out of the house at some point. She would not be able to hide in her room forever. She went through her wardrobe, looking for clothes that would hide or at least draw attention away from her amputation. There was not much that fit the bill. At least she had some nice scarves, kerchiefs and bows she could tie around her arm to hide the more unsightly aspects of the stump. Eventually she came to outerwear. Fall was just arriving and the temperature was already dropping. A jacket would soon be a must.

Yang slipped on her favorite light jacket and stood before the mirror in her room. It still looked alright on her, but the way the empty right sleeve flopped around...no. She decided to knot it off. Yang placed the jacket on the bed and struggled to wrap the sleeve around itself. It made her very aware of how difficult things were with only one arm. "Damnit!" She shouted as once again the sleeve slipped out of place.

Summer appeared in the doorway a few seconds later. "Do you need help sweety?" She asked.

"No mom, I've got it." Yang snapped as she wrestled with the jacket.

"Oh, alright." Summer sighed. "Are you…" There was a knock at the door. Summer hesitated but went to get the door. It was Pyrrha, home from work.

The phantom pains in Yang's arm flared. She grabbed the bottle of pills on the nightstand, wrenched it open, and poured two pills onto the bed. She put the pill bottle down, picked up the pills and slapped them into her mouth. Yang grabbed the half-empty glass of water on the nightstand and took a sip, swallowing the pills. In a few minutes the hydrocodone was working and the pain faded. The medication had been prescribed to replace the morphine drip Yang had had in the hospital. She was supposed to use it as little as possible, just when she was in pain. Yang found herself using it more and more.

Yang felt a little tired but refused to give up on the task at hand. She continued battling with her jacket but did get the sleeve knotted off. She picked it up off the bed and slipped her arm in. Her stump slipped in easily into it but her arm came to a hard stop halfway in. "Fuck." Yang groaned. She had knotted off the wrong arm. She started laughing. Seriously, this is my fucking life now? But even as she did tears welled in her eyes and began to streak down her cheeks.

Pyrrha heard Yang laughing, a sound she sorely missed. With a smile on her face she arrived at Yang's room. When she saw the tears in Yang's eyes her smile faded away. "Yang?" Pyrrha said.

"Can you help me, please?" Yang sobbed.

"Of course." Pyrrha said. She rushed over and took the jacket off Yang's shoulders.

"I just wanted to knot the sleeve...but it was so hard...and then…" Yang cried.

"It's alright." Pyrrha encouraged. With a few swift motions she untied one sleeve then knotted off the other. "Here." She handed the jacket back to Yang.

This time Yang had no trouble slipping the jacket on. She stood before the mirror. She had stopped crying but tears still stained her face. "How does it look?" Yang asked.

"You look beautiful." Pyrrha replied. "With or without the jacket."