A/N: A little bit slower paced recovery chapter today. Hope you all enjoy. :)

Book Two: Corruption's End

Chapter 31: I'm Drowning

"Again! Again! Again we turned them back! Again! Again! Away! Away! Away we sailed, clothed in noble grey! Away! Away!" - Ancient Woadian Drinking Song

Once more, the 111th gathered in the great hall of the Ascendant Dawn to pay tribute to the fallen. It had been a full day since leaving Ranshu. Most of the Regiment had collapsed once they found their barracks, sleeping off the horrors of the past few days. That is, until Major Hraksson called them over the ship's PA, summoning them for the service.

Bound by her wheelchair, Yang hummed along to the resonant melody of the funeral dirge. Unlike the wake of Jala Prime, however, it was sung with lighter hearts. They were no longer mourning the forgotten, but praising those who gave their lives to protect the city of Shao-la. Even though initial estimates feared the worst, the timely arrival of the Sisters had curbed casualties significantly. Only a thousand Woadians perished in the Emperor's service.

Yang bowed her head. Though paying no heed to her comrades' religion, they deserved every inch of respect. Her friends did the same, making the sign of the Aquila. When the dirge died away, the lone voice of a Ranshu native reached for the rafters, soon followed by many of its brethren.

Soo was not the only one to leave their homeworld behind. A whole host of camp followers cropped up overnight, drawn from the ranks of Ranshan civilians. Whether drawn by wanderlust, the Emperor, greed or despair, they'd boarded the empty drop ships, ready to make their fortune among the stars.

Though one thing gnawed at Yang: the Lady Inquisitor did not stand in observance of the rituals. Worrying after her friend's well-being, she didn't hear Ros' words at first.

"Huh?" She asked, snapping to face her friend.

"I asked, 'are you alright'?"

"Yeah. Doing fine," Yang replied with a wide grin. "I think most of my ribs are in one piece, which is always nice." Her wound colored her flank a dark and blotchy purple. In her first year as a huntress, such a wound would've been an extended hospital stay. Now it was annoyance. Her aura would have her back in fighting shape within the next few days.

As the Woadians shuffled out of the Great Hall, Yang and her friends headed back to their barracks. Though they had lost a few close comrades, their mood was bright, and whispered rumors of a memorial party reached their ears. Caolin sidled up to her as they wound through the corridors. Soo joined them as well, slipping an arm through Mael's, silent but observant.

"You gonna tell us how you survived, or what?" Caolin asked, eyebrow raised.

"Ask Soo. She was there for most of it… kinda," She replied, waving him off.

"She can't speak a damn word of gothic and you know it," he said. Yang shrugged, wearing a mischevious smile.

"Guess it'll be a mystery, then. At least until Mael teaches her." Mael rubbed the back of his head, chuckling noiselessly. Asgeg rolled her eyes. Craning her neck to look up at Ros, Yang saw she was frowning.

"Relax, girl." she said, beaming. "I'm fast, and I have a power sword. Cut 'em up like butter."

"Was that before or after they broke your ribs?" Caolin said, his split-lip scar turned into a sly grin. Yang threw her hands up in mock frustration.

"Oh, thanks for all the sass." she said, trying to angle her wheelchair to crush his toes. "It's not like I saved you from certain death or anything. Don't mention it. Any time, you guys." They laughed.

"For what it's worth," Theni said, "I'm grateful."

"Thank you!" She cried, much to the amusement of her squadmates.

"Yeah, shut the fuck up Caolin. You haven't even gotten hit yet." Ros said, wearing a small grin.

"That's hardly fair, I-"

"Shot in the leg," Theni said. Leering at their marksman friend, Asgeg clacked her augmentic fingers together.

"Hell, I got stabbed in the shoulder," Ros said. "It still hurts sometimes!" Mael pointed to his mouth.

"And we all know what happened with me," Yang finished.

"You guys are too cruel." Caolin said, flushing as his face sunk into his scarf.

"We're just giving you shit, buddy." Asgeg said, throwing her good arm over his shoulder. "We're really just jealous. You got lucky. In a way," she paused, "we all did. If we were in Third Company…" The jovial mood died at once, the reminder of the daemon swallowing their smiles. Even from their position on Shao-la's flanks, they could still see their comrades throwing themselves off the walls. Ros slapped her on the back of the head.

"Hey now, none of that!" She said. "We did the Emperor's work back there. Hell, who else'll get to tell their kids they saw traitor marines, a daemon, and the Sisters of Battle in one day?" Clapping her on the back, Yang took over for her red-headed friend.

"She's right, you know. We made it through that shit-show, we're alive! We have some kick-ass battle nuns with us now. Not to mention," she said, giving them a lecherous grin, "we have camp followers now, huh? So enough of moping, huh? Let's go to this party we've been hearing about! Let's get wrecked!" They laughed at this, the reminders that they survived the flaming hell of Shao-la helped return their spirits a bit. "And Mael, buddy... buddy…" She said, still smiling. Caolin laughed, rubbing his knuckles into the mute man's shaggy hair. "I think I speak for all of us when I say that you better keep your eye on Soo. She fell for your ugly mug, what's she gonna do when she has the whole regiment to pick from?" Mael made his silent chuckle, showing her a two-fingered salute popular among the agri-worlders.

"So where is this party anyway?" Ros asked.

"Barracks Block C." Caolin said. "Lana told me to stop by." They gave him puzzled looks. "What? Didn't she tell you?" Confused, they shrugged their shoulders.

"Alright then!" Yang said, pointing to Block C dramatically, "forward, lackeys! Full steam ahead!" Theni coughed, his eyes shifting around.

"Well, Yang… it's only been about twelve hours since we got back. Most of us reek." Yang stopped. She'd been so used the smell of smoke, ozone, sweat and death, she'd totally forgotten. Shaking away the uneasiness that thought brought, she pointed once more.

"To the showers!"

After a few quick showers and an hour's preparation, they arrived at Barracks Block C. Yang felt much better once her hair was clear of ash and blood. Though she was still bound in her wheelchair, she felt refreshed. While Weiss' words still stuck with her, (and she still had a bone to pick about her aborted escape attempt) there would be time to talk later. Right now, she wanted to push that to the back of her mind. Didn't want to think about it. Her friends needed to smile.

Noise boomed from within, splitting Yang's lips into a wide smile. "Better late than never, huh guys?" Chuckling, Caolin rapped on the bulkhead emblazoned with a worn and scraped 'C'. Lorl ripped it open, already piss-faced. Seeing his squad mates, he gave them all a huge grin.

"There you guys are!" He bellowed, red-faced and slurring his words. Laughing, they embraced him, entering the party. It was total chaos. All six barracks in the block stood open, each overflowing with Woadians. In the cold, spartan hallways of the Ascendant Dawn, strings of light hung in their hundreds, and the crowd brought the room temperature to a sweltering boil. A crude music player blared noise that one could construe as music if one was appropriately deaf. Yang laughed, even though it sent needles of pain running up her flank. This is what my funeral should've been like. They decided to honor the dead by celebrating life. Yang liked that.

Even a few Ranshan attended, standing out with their pale skin and taller frames. A trooper pressed a cup of amasec into her hand, one she downed before she could move on. It tasted just as bad as she'd hoped.

"You sure you should be drinking, Yang?" Ros asked.

"Alcohol kills germs. That's science, Ros." She replied with a wink. Soon, they were all equipped with drinks, tapping their feet to a shuddering bass kick. Such was the press of dancing and inebriated Woadians, there was barely any room for the members of Squad F. "Man, how'd they even get this much amasec?" Yang boomed, now on drink number seven.

"No idea," Asgeg said, "but they better keep it coming!"

"Well if they're not careful, Hraksson will close 'em down," Ros said, her eyes scanning the party. "Or worse, Daniloft will come creeping around."

"Now that'd be a shame, wouldn't it?" Major Hraksson said, wearing a red face and a devilish grin. At his waist hung one of his command squad, taught muscles and breasts glistening with sweat. Yang threw her a wink, and her freckled face screwed up in confusion. Ignoring her friends' laughing approval of their Major, Ros straightened.

"S-sir!" Ros shouted, saluting.

"Lemme… lemme give you a hint, Corporal," Hraksson said, nuzzling the pale, braided mane of his companion, who giggled and slapped him away. "What you have in your hands is grade 'A' bathtub amasec… straight from the quarters of an anonymous Major." The nearest Woadians roared their approval, hoisting their cups and canteens high. Turning to Yang, Hraksson knelt next to her, close enough to smell the alcohol steaming from his mouth.

"Now," he began, with all the false trepidation he could muster, "Representative, I trust our gracious Lady won't hear a word about this party?" Yang's brow twisted in confusion.

"Party?" She stole his drink, downing it as she gave the Major's arm candy another look. "I'm sorry sir, no idea what you're talking about."

He exploded with uproarious laughter. Standing, he shouted. "Hey! Hey! Turn that shit down, I've got something to say!" A few heads turned. "HEY!" He bellowed. That got them, and the noise died down. "Thank you. Here," he began, placing a hand on Yang's shoulder, "sits Trooper Yang Xiao Long. Most of you know her as our Representative to the Lady Inquisitor. What you don't know is that she's the one who slew the traitor marine, whose head now decorates our banner!" Gasps and whistles of approval filled the Block. "I propose a toast… first, to those who died. They died as heroes! Their sacrifice is what allows us to celebrate today! Second, I toast Trooper Yang, dare I say the most able among us!" This was greeted with a few cheers and whistles. "Lastly, most importantly, a toast to the Emperor, who blessed us all with friends, drink, the Sisters, and a noble battle! Trooper Yang, any words?" Silence reigned for a moment as they waited for her response.

"Let's get fucked up!" The noise was deafening. Once more, the party erupted and the music returned with a vengeance. Hraksson accepted a long kiss from his companion. Damn, Yang thought, no luck there. Before she could process what was happening, Yang was assaulted with well-wishers and drunken Woadians, who plied her with drinks she gladly accepted. Where was this the last times we've fought?

Her companions dispersed into the party. Lana arrived to drag Caolin away, Asgeg made her way over to the dancers, and Mael embraced Soo, their faces red from heat and proximity, each wearing big, dopey grins. Watching them, many of the Woadians cajoled and whistled, happy that their kinsman snagged a local girl.

"This is insane!" Yang said, laughing. "Where the hell did this come from?" Theni chuckled at her confusion.

"I guess the mood's better now!" He said. "Look at him," he said, nodding towards Major Hraksson. Their commander's hand was vanishing under a loose-fitting tank top. Lucky bastard. "That's his vox-officer, by the way." He shook his head, smiling at the look on Yang's face. "It's just how we Woadians are, right?"

"Right…" Yang said. She turned to drag (or wheel) Ros deeper into the party, but found her friend had vanished. "Ros?" No answer. Where'd she get off to? "Ros?" Frowning, she made her exit, struggling to fit her wheelchair through the bulkhead. "Damn it." Her vision swam as a heady buzz filled her vision. Too many drinks far too fast. Defenses weren't up. "Shit." Once she was through, she saw a flash of red hair turning a corner. "Ros!"

Wheeling after her friend, she grew frustrated with her slowness. "Ros!" She tried again. She ignored her. "C'mon!" Snarling with frustration, she stood, and the chair skittered across the hallway. Diving forward, she took ahold of Ros' wrist and spun her around. Her friend's eyes were puffy and red, swollen with tears. They ran down her face with such speed they dripped onto her tunic, and her throat worked as she tried to swallow ragged sobs.

"Ros…" Yang started, ignoring the pain in her side. "Ros, what's wrong?" Her friend tried to remove herself from her grip, but she failed. Shuddering, she fell into her arms, lips blubbering. "Hey… shhh, shhh. Ros, what happened?"

"What do you think?" She replied, the words angry and bitter.

"I promised-"

"Doesn't make it easier, Yang," Ros spat. Yang felt fingers tighten around her golden locks, desperate hands cast adrift in a storm-wracked sea of blonde. "I'm sick of this, Yang! I'm sick of missing home, I'm sick of feeling alone. I'm sick…" She stopped, sucking in a breath. I just can't be happy. Not since I left Woadia." Breaking off, shaking hands reached into her pocket and withdrew a lho stick.

"Ros…" Her lighter wheezed, shooting sparks into the cold metal hallway.

"I wouldn't expect you to understand." With a sizzling gasp, the lho-stick caught, and Ros breathed deep. "Bad fucking habit. What would Koris say?" She sneered, and it sounded like glass breaking. "See? All I can think about is home."

"I know how hard it is."

"Do you, Yang?"

"Well, I don't know anything about having a husband, but here..." Recovering her chair, Yang brought Ros over to a secluded hallway, farther from the dulled thump of music from Block C. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the photo of Team RWBY from her wallet, her thumb carefully obstructing Weiss from view.

"That's my sister," she said, pointing to Ruby. Ros sniffed, trying to get a better look. Yang smiled. "I've carried that photo around for five years. She's been dead for two of them. Every... " Yang took a deep breath, "every time I look at this photo, I see the same thing. That day, I was sure I'd have her around for the rest of my life. She was so sweet, Ros. In all my life… I've… I've never met a better person. And I was lucky enough to call her my sister."

"Yang-" She cut her off with a wave of her hand.

"I'm not done. Do you really want to know why I stayed behind back on Shao-la? Why they're cheering me back there?" Yang asked.

Ros took a deep drag, letting the smoke calm and center her. She let it loose, and it spilled out from her lips in long, lazy spirals."I'd like that." Yang sighed.

"I wasn't afraid of them, the traitor marines. Hell… I'm not scared of anything anymore. Once Ruby died, there was nothing worse that could happen to me. Those big bastards…" She wiped a tear away, "they might as well have been big fuzzy ursa." Ros' brow furrowed in confusion. "I'm not from Woadia. You know that by now, and there's no use pretending." Ros made a weak, chuffing noise. Could have been a laugh.

What Yang didn't tell her is that not only was she incapable of fear, but that she'd wanted that fight. She wanted to challenge herself, feel adrenaline pumping thick and fast under her temples, and let her aura ignite into a roaring inferno. She jerked her thumb back at the noise, smiling.

"You guys can throw one hell of a party though. Mind telling me what that's about?"

"It's… well, Woadian armies have always been boisterous." Ros said, her lho stick crumbling onto the floor. She gave a weak chuckle. "We have more songs about drinking warriors then the battles they fought," she said, kicking at the ash. "And it's traditional for commanders to throw feasts now and then. Throw their prestige around, keep morale up." Her neck craned, peering around the corner at the giant 'C'. "I guess the Major finally brewed enough amasec to have a good party." They shared a brief silence before Ros broke it once more. "You know what… it's only fair." Digging into her pocket, she unfolded a stack of picts, which were so bent and frayed, Yang couldn't tell how many there were.

"Feast your eyes," Ros said, rubbing at her face with the heel of her hand. She passed a pict to Yang. It was her in a simple wedding gown, hair long and braided like it once was. At her arm stood Koris. Around them, droplets of rain stood frozen in time, but the two couldn't look happier. Yang gave a low whistle.

"He's a looker," She said. With a square, clean-shaven jaw and broad shoulders filling out a well-fitting tunic, the enraptured grin painted on his face pulled his look together quite nicely. That's odd… his arms look fine… Yang half-remembered her friend saying his arm had been mangled. Chuckling, she shrugged the thought away. "You've lost a bit of weight since then." Ros didn't respond to her teasing. Yang sighed.

"Look Ros," she said. "I wish I could tell you it gets better, but it doesn't. Before joining the guard I was…" On another planet. In another Galaxy. Dead. "...I was a mess. But after a few months in the Guard. It… it feels good. We're helping people. Hell, look at Soo and Mael."

"I did." Ros mumbled. "It hurt." Her hands swallowed her face as she took a deep, rattling breath. "It's not fair, dammit." Yang shook her head, her buzz long since faded away.

"Sure as shit it's not. But Ros, for the first time since… since Ruby died, I feel a little less empty inside. I've been wallowing in grief too long. Now, I'm able to flex my muscles. Knock some heads. You won't see Koris for a long time, and I'd be lying if I said otherwise. While we're here though, let's make the most of it, okay? Let's keep families together." She gave her friend a wry grin that tasted like salt. "And maybe help start some new ones, huh?" Ros sank into an embrace, pressing a smile into her collarbone.

"Yeah. Sounds good to me." Withdrawing, Ros dabbed her eyes with her shirt. She finished her lho stick and ground it into ash. "The way the Major and his friend are going at it, they'll have a lot to explain to the Colonel soon enough." Yang gave a low, wistful chuckle.

"Lucky bastard," she said. Ros rolled her eyes.

"Emperor protect you, Yang." Her gaze fell, before returning it to Yang. "Look… that was the most you've ever said about her...your sister, I mean. I know it wasn't easy... so thanks. I appreciate it. Yang... If I wasn't friends with you, I don't know where I'd be."

You'd probably be dead, Yang thought. "Likewise," she said.

"Alright. Enough moping. Let's get back to the party and rescue Caolin. I could've sworn I saw Lana sink her filthy claws into him."

"Yeah…" Yang said, her hand resting on her pocket. Weiss is waiting on me. And here I am, running away once again. "Would you mind taking this one? I… need to speak with the Inquisitor."

"Really? Yang the party girl skipping out on the biggest one since Elodia?"

"I'll try to make it back. Have fun, Ros. And I mean that. Smile." Limping over to her wheelchair, she beat it back into decent shape before taking a load off. Releasing a long breath, she set off to fetch her microbead. It was time to speak with the Inquisitor.

A/N: After about ten-twelve chapters of "the suck", It's about time they'd cut loose. Oh, and if you're thinking "wow, they're not acting like guardsmen here", just know that this kind of shit probably isn't that rare (aside from Hraksson being the provided). Most regiments spend years in transit, they're going to find ways to entertain themselves.

That being said, any thoughts you have on the chapter are greatly appreciated! I love hearing from y'all! :D

Review Replies:

The Walrus of Eden: The Dawn of War games are definitely canon to AWoBE, but telling you anything about who's showing up when would be a spoiler!

DanAbnettFan1997: I think you'll like it! :D

Redcollecter: I guess we'll find out!

Nemris: On to Uriel right now. I wonder what awaits them there...

tierbook: That is correct.

Kiyoushu: *facepalms*

Knives91: "Because Yang" - that's utterly perfect. Glad you like the Sisters so much, I agonized over them for long time!

OBSERVER01: I don't think the SoB know who they're crossing...

huCAST 75 madeanaccount: I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens!

reality deviant: Now THAT will be the day!

Enuncia: Aww! You're too sweet! Glad you're loving this so much! I'm incredibly flattered.

Hypothetical Spiritual Entity: I think the SoB get a little bit of an overzealous reputation, even for what they are... that being said, I'll admit Yang being a fifth chaos god probably won't happen haha

Ctornello: Yes! I love getting reviews like yours! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Sigurd: That would be pretty funny! I'm interested to see your thoughts on the Squad's reactions, and there's a little bit more of that in here. Hope you enjoyed!

LegionofMisfits: Hahaha! It all remains to be seen!

Gafgar: You didn't, unfortunately... but you did remind me that they existed!

Chris Adair: That would be telling!

Soleimon Berserker: Your comment confuses me... Maion is a Striking Scorpion!

Dom380: Hmmm... I guess we'll find out later!

snoogenz: Glad you enjoyed it! :D

soupie13941: Oh wow, thanks so much! I'd love to write for the Black Library if I could! As for RWBY fanfiction, it's not all terribad, but there is a dearth of good ones.

Jack Inqu:

Yoshtar: Your review made me laugh! I'm seriously thrilled you're enjoying it so much!

JonesMcDoodles: I love getting reviews like yours! I admit, when I first heard about 40k, my reaction was pretty much the same. I'm pumped you're enjoying the story!

OnyxIdol: Thanks so much for your reviews! I'm honored and flattered you're enjoying it so much! Like JonesMcDoodles above, I love getting reviews like yours, where you don't have knowledge of one side of the crossover. However, I think you're in the vast minority who come here not knowing anything about RWBY! I'm surprised the story engaged you so much, but happy to hear it nonetheless!

ATP: I mean, Weiss is brilliant, but I don't think she would just be able to build mecha for her guard, no matter how much she'd want to. Plus, the AdMech would NOT be a fan of that.

coalface: Elaborating would be a bit of spoiler, sorry!

Skepsis Forever: I foreshadowed the Sisters a LONG time ago, and apparently not sufficiently.

Holy shit, you guys just do not disappoint! I'm thrilled there's so many newcomers to this humble little fic of mine, and I'm so happy to have each and every one of you! Thank you all so much!