Warning: This chapter contains sexual content.

Chapter 6

Winter arrived before the door to Weiss' house. She had the key, and fumbled around her pocket for it. To her surprise, the door opened before she could locate the key. A blonde woman stood before her in the doorway. "Who are you?" Winter asked. "And what are you doing here?"

"I'm Yang, aspect of fire, daughter of the Dragon God of Fire." She replied. "Glynda asked me to watch the house and handle Weiss' Huntress requests until she recovers. You must be her sister."

"I am." Winter confirmed.

Rather than leaving as Winter had hoped, Yang retreated into the house. Winter sighed and followed. "I did a little cleaning." Yang explained. "Ruby had a little accident and got some blood on some of Weiss' clothes. I figured she wouldn't want to see them, so I boxed them up. I'll take 'em to Glynda to see if she can do anything to clean them. I also tidied up some of the side rooms. They were a real mess."

"Well...thank you." Winter allowed. "You can go now. I'll take it from here."

"You sure?" Yang asked. "You look like you could use some company. Come on, I know how to have a good time."

"I'm not in the mood." Winter grumbled.

"So frosty, just like Weiss." Yang observed.

"Leave." Winter demanded. "Now."

"Alright, alright, I'll go." Yang threw up her hands. She walked to the boxes stacked beside the door and picked them up. She paused before crossing the threshold. "You sure?"

"Get the fuck out!" Winter screamed. Yang shook her head and left. Winter rushed over the slam the door behind her. She stood there seething for a moment, breathing heavily through gritted teeth. After taking a moment to calm herself, without much success, Winter sat on the couch. As she sat, surrounded by Weiss' things, her rage faded, replaced by a rising tide of depression. Weiss, her little sister, the person she cared about more than any other, was never going to be the same. Winter could not imagine Weiss would ever be happy again. Though she tried to fight it, Winter broke down, sobbing into her hands.

"Is she always that much of a bitch?" Yang grumbled as she tossed the boxes full of clothes onto the floor.

"Winter has always been a bit...cold." Pyrrha admitted. "But please go easy on her, this situation is harder on her than any of us."

"I just try to brighten her day a bit, and I get yelled at." Yang complained. "Where's Glynda? She said she might be able to clean Weiss' clothes."

"She's upstairs in her study." Pyrrha replied. "Perhaps you can ask Ruby to help. She's been looking for something to do to assist Weiss."

"I'll let her know." Yang nodded. She abandoned her solid form and tore up the stairs as a cloud of flame, reforming at the door to Glynda's study. "I brought Weiss' bloody clothes for you to try to clean."

Glynda finished writing something and turned around. "I suppose my eyes can use a break...not to mention my fingers." She sighed. Yang flashed away to get Ruby as Glynda trudged into the hallway, then down the stairs and into the living room. She picked up one of the boxes and headed for the basement. Glynda spotted Ruby out of the corner of her eye. The strange summon picked up the other box and followed Glynda down.

Without a word, Ruby went to work helping Glynda unpack the boxes. She occasionally teared up, sometimes sniffling, a contrast to Glynda's stoic facade. Once everything was laid out, Glynda started mixing chemicals. "Um...Glynda…I can control my blood." Ruby finally spoke up. "Why don't I just pull it off the clothes?"

"Some of the fabric is quite delicate." Glynda warned. "You might accidentally damage it."

"Oh...I don't want to make things worse than they already are...but I want to help." Ruby sighed.

"I'm mixing up some magical cleaner." Glynda declared. "You can help scrub it in." She finished the first vial. "Bring me a dress."

Ruby picked up a dress. She looked at it and frowned. It was the one Weiss had intended to wear for her date. Ruby reached out and touched the stain. Suddenly, the blood was sucked out of the fabric, absorbed into her hand. "Gah!" Ruby shrieked, dropping the dress.

"Interesting…" Glynda rubbed her chin. "I guess you can absorb blood too. Try on another dress."

"What if I damage it?" Ruby asked.

"This is an experiment." Glynda noted. "I'll take full responsibility."

"Well...alright." Ruby agreed. She picked up another dress and touched the stain. The result was the same, as her touch absorbed the blood. It did no damage to the fabric. "This is kinda' cool."

"Hmm...another experiment." Glynda encouraged. She picked up a pin and pricked her own finger, then wiped the blood on a nearby towel. "Try touching this." Glynda passed the bloody towel to Ruby.

"Uh...okay." Ruby hesitated. She took the towel from Glynda and touched the bloodstain, but nothing happened. "Oh...it didn't work."

"One more thing." Glynda said. She grabbed a vial from a nearby shelf, pouring a little bit of red liquid from it onto the towel. "Try that."

Ruby touched the new stain and the blood was absorbed into her hand. "It worked!" Ruby exclaimed. "Was that one of the samples I gave?"

"No." Glynda replied. "That's a blood sample from Pyrrha."

"So...what does it all mean?" Ruby asked.

"It means you can control Pyrrha's blood too." Glynda explained. "I knew your blood was more or less identical, but this is still something of a surprise. I guess your summoning has linked the two of you more closely than I anticipated. Just be careful with your power and everything should be fine."

"After we finish cleaning the dresses, what should I do?" Ruby asked. She picked up another garment and absorbed the blood from it. "I want to help Weiss, but all I've been able to do is sit around and wait. It's really hard."

"Perhaps you could do something to make the room more comfortable for her." Glynda suggested. "She's going to be in for a nasty shock when she regains consciousness. If her surroundings are more friendly, perhaps it will lessen the blow."

Ruby nodded and smiled. "That's a great idea!"

Prancing through the woods, "Cindy" was euphoric. Red clouded her vision, heart beating harder than it ever had before. So long had she gone without pure blood, without the thrill of the hunt, the anticipation, the craving all but driving her insane. The moment Weiss' blood had touched her tongue, the world ceased to exist, and even now she was barely aware of her surroundings. She slaughtered something, it may have been a bear, or an Ursa, it did not matter. Whatever it was, it wasn't now, and she could smell her destination. Mint hung upon the air, three heartbeats growing stronger, one slow, one fast, and the loudest among them, steady, suddenly hitching.

"Cinder!" Emerald cheered. From the mouth of the cave, a human flew. Clad in a red silk robe, dark skinned, though her blood was no less vibrant, nor was her hair, as brilliant in color as smell, mint green and gleaming in the moonlight. She halted, only to retreat as Cinder advanced. "M-mistress, forgive me for leaving the cave. Mercury found himself a toy, and they keep-" Cinder kissed Emerald, arms snaking around her body, pulling them together as Cinder borderline devoured her mouth, before moving down her throat. "Hah, I take it things went well."

Cinder chuckled against Emerald's pulse point, nipping lightly before picking her up. Emerald's legs wrapped around her waist as golden eyes bored into her. "I was interrupted." Cinder declared. "Though it only added to my excitement. Weiss was truly worth the wait."

"Are we in danger?" Emerald asked.

Cinder chuckled again, the feeling of their shared pulse sending waves of excitement through her being. She trailed her tongue along Emerald's jawline, drawing a shudder from her human. "Hardly my sweet." Cinder replied. "We'll lay low and...play for a while. They'll grow complacent, thinking us fled. The Huntsmen will move on, and we can be free." Emerald's pulse increased, body heat like a furnace against Cinder's skin, breath heavy, nethers dripping, the smell of arousal like a drug to Cinder's heightened senses, her pupils dilated, naught but a thin ring of gold left of her irises. Emerald was putty in her arms, just as she belonged.

"Y-yes mistress...of course, I apologize for doubting." Emerald stammered. "I was merely worried. This town's witch is powerfu-hng!"

Cinder reached beneath Emerald's robe, rubbing the delicate, exposed petals within, drawing amusing whimpers from her pet. It was adorable, her concern, her fears, her loyalty, so genuine, so unfiltered, never anything less than honest, even in fear of angering her mistress. Emerald was truly Cinder's one constant. Even Mercury was little more than a hanger on, muscle, bodyguard for her pet. Once again, Cinder was tempted to give in, to turn her beloved pet, to make her equal, to make her strong. And once again she resisted. Now was not the time. The hunt took precedence. She would need Emerald's blood for the months to come. Perhaps next time, perhaps then she would be sated.

"So long as you remain by my side, you need never worry, I will protect you." Cinder promised.

Emerald cried out, Cinder's strong fingers playing her body like an instrument, the melodies of her voice the music. "Please...mistress...Cinder...let me serve you." Emerald begged.

Cinder kissed Emerald silent. She had taken much from Emerald, more than any other conquest, any pet. It was selfish. No matter her purpose, humans had limits, and Emerald had surpassed her own many times. Vampires were good to their cattle, Cinder was no exception. "Shh, we have all the time in the world my sweet." Cinder whispered. Tonight, she would be selfless.

Pyrrha slipped on her shoes, then threw on a raincoat. She was heading out. Now that Winter had arrived and Weiss' condition was stable, Pyrrha had to inform two others of her condition. Velvet was a good friend, and needed to be told what had happened. Plus, Weiss would need some of her blood. Port had to be told as well. He was in charge of the village's defense, and with Weiss in no condition to handle her duties, something must be done, just in case. As Pyrrha reached for the doorknob, she heard footsteps approaching. Turning around, she spotted Ruby. It was strange to see her away from Weiss' bedside.

"Do you need something?" Pyrrha asked.

"Um, could you take me to Weiss' house?" Ruby requested.

"Of course." Pyrrha nodded. "Why?"

"Glynda said things would be hard for Weiss when she woke up." Ruby noted. "She said maybe if I made the room more comfortable for her, it would help. I thought I could bring some things from her house, to make the room more...uh...Weissy."

"That's a wonderful idea." Pyrrha smiled, forcing a cheerful tone for Ruby's sake. "You should take a coat, the weather is quite bad." The storm that had announced its approach with wind the day before had arrived in full force, with pouring rain and even more violent winds.

Ruby grabbed a coat - Blake's - from the rack beside the door, and threw it over her shoulders. "Let's go!"

Pyrrha left Ruby in front of Weiss' house, heading for Velvet's shop. Even with heavy coats, both were cold and soaked by the winds and rain. Ruby rushed along the path, ducking beneath the awning that shielded Weiss' front door. She hesitated for a moment, then knocked as she had seen Pyrrha do before. Ruby was unsure of what to do next, but before she could decide the door opened, revealing Winter. Her clothes and hair were neater than they had been the day before, but subtle tear tracks still marked her face.

"Ruby, right?" Winter asked.

"Yeah, I-" Ruby started.

"What do you want?" Winter cut her off.

"I wanted to make Weiss' room more comfortable, so she won't be as sad when she wakes up." Ruby explained. "I thought if I grabbed a few things from her house, it would help."

"Ruby, what are you?" Winter asked. "Glynda failed to give me a straight answer."

"I...well, I don't know." Ruby replied. "Pyrrha was doing some sort of ritual, and I just, kind of, appeared. All I remember from before that is having a mom, and knowing Yang."

"I've never met a summon unaware of what it was." Winter declared. "I am...was a Templar. I can sense things normal people can't. I can tell that you're something powerful, unnatural. I don't trust you, and I don't want you having anything to do with my sister."

"But-" Ruby tried to protest. Winter slammed the door in her face.

With a vial of Velvet's blood - a generous donation - in her pocket, Pyrrha exited the shop. She found Ruby waiting outside, staring at the ground as the rain pounded her coat. "Ruby, are you okay?" Pyrrha asked. "What happened?"

"I don't think Winter likes me very much." Ruby sighed.

"She has the effect on people." Pyrrha noted. "Whatever warm center Weiss managed to salvage from her wreck of a family, Winter never found."

"She said some mean things, that she didn't want me to be around Weiss." Ruby continued.

"Winter's just...this whole situation is really hard for her." Pyrrha laid a hand on Ruby's shoulder. Ruby looked up and Pyrrha met her with a smile. "Don't take it to heart."

"Okay." Ruby managed a smile.

"Let's go talk to Port." Pyrrha said.

Pyrrha led Ruby through the village to Port's forge. The man was inside, working as usual. The pair entered, ringing the bell attached to the door. Port looked up, smiling when he saw them. "Welcome back!" He boomed. "What brings the two of you here on a day like this?"

"Not good news, unfortunately." Pyrrha replied. Port put his work aside. "Weiss has been...severely injured. She was attacked by a vampire...she almost died. Glynda...Glynda had to turn her. It was the only way to keep her alive. She should recover physically, and Winter has taken over her Huntress duties for the time being. But…"

"You don't know if she'll ever recover psychologically." Port finished for her. "And Winter will not remain here forever."

"Yes, exactly." Pyrrha confirmed. "Do you have some kind of contingency plan? Are any of the Hunstmen under your tutelage ready?"

"None of my students are ready just yet." Port shook his head. "Well, there is one." He smirked and reached under the counter. With the clatter of metal, he retrieved a spear and shield, placing them before Pyrrha. "You were ready back then, and your training as a witch has only made you more powerful. Please, take up your arms, be our defender while Weiss cannot."

"I...I can't, I...what happened…" Pyrrha stammered.

"You can." Port insisted. "You are strong, smart, talented beyond measure. What happened that day was tragic, but you cannot let it hold you back. This village needs you, now more than ever. Be the Huntress, the hero we need! The hero you were always destined to be!"

"I...I will." Pyrrha sighed. "But only as long as I'm needed."

"Very good." Port smiled. Pyrrha approached the counter, looking over the spear and shield placed there for a moment. She picked up the shield, slipped her arm through leather strap and grabbed the handle on the back. After waving it back and forth, getting a feel for the weight, she held it at her side, then picked up the spear with her right hand. Pyrrha took up a fighting stance, ducking behind the shield and holding the spear over the top. "It suits you."

"I wish I could feel the same way." Pyrrha frowned. She slung the shield over her back, then turned to Ruby. "Let's go home."

"Just a moment." Port called. "I'm willing to donate blood for Weiss."

Pyrrha turned back. "Thank you. Just come by the house whenever you're ready."

Ruby and Pyrrha trudged home through the storm. Pyrrha's shield made a remarkably good umbrella substitute, even if the sound of rain pounding it was deafening. When they reached the house, Ruby headed for the lounge. Pyrrha grabbed a towel from the closet before joining her. With a frown and sadness in her eyes that Ruby had never seen before, Pyrrha carefully dried her spear and shield. Even Yang noticed.

"Hey Pyr, you alright?" Yang asked from the hearth, where she restlessly burned away at some logs. Pyrrha just shook her head.

"Pyrrha, what's wrong?" Ruby asked. "You and Port said something happened, is that it? What happened?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Pyrrha mumbled.

"Might make you feel better." Yang suggested. "When Ruby was a sprite, telling her about my problems always helped, and she couldn't even talk back." Pyrrha remained silent.

"Don't you think Ruby should know?" Glynda asked from the doorway. "It is why you were performing that ritual, isn't it?"

"G-Glynda..." Pyrrha stammered. "B-but I-"

"I know it hurts." Glynda declared. "But she deserves to know."

"I...fine, you're right." Pyrrha sighed.

"Do you want me to leave or…" Yang started.

"No, that's alright." Pyrrha shook her head. "Everyone else knows. It's only fair that you do too."