Chapter 8

Yang sat next to Blake, with her hands in her face. Sitting in silence after her outburst. These things Yang had never shared with anyone. She felt her semblance burning inside of her. Yang's anger roared at herself, reliving the past and her failures. Her eyes burning red with self-hatred. She felt the hand on her shoulder. Yang flinched, not used to someone trying to comfort her in a long time. She let Blake's hand rest there, not saying anything at all. Yang quickly thought about all of these reasons that caused her outburst.

After the final fight with Salem, she made sure everyone was okay. Shortly after she left, cutting almost all ties with those she had fought closely with, save for Ruby. The sisters kept up with each other, but from a distance. Yang was unable to face her in person, she thought too highly of Ruby. She deserves more than what Yang is capable of giving her. The years went by, Yang quickly understood how Qrow always had a drink on hand. She became quick friends with Qrow's flask, both as a reminder of her failure and one to drown her sorrows away. Living mission to mission, scraping by each day living as a huntress outside of civilization. The days went by, then months, then years. Before Yang knew it, four years had passed. Her scroll had a plethora of unanswered calls from Weiss and Blake, unanswered messages as well. From talking to Ruby, she had made sure to keep up with what the monochrome duo was up to. Blake becoming the head of the White Fang, leading the Faunus as she always strived to be. As well as Weiss, taking the Glynda Goodwitch's position, as she was promoted to headmistress in restoring Beacon Academy to its former glories. Both seemed to have landed on their feet, Yang was once again affirmed in her decision to cut herself off. Yang had made sure to stay in the areas around her mother's bandit camp, in the attempt to both keep her in check, as well after a few very drunk nights, a place to vent. Raven was to one to give pity, even to her daughter. Yang expected to live this way for a long time. However, when Blake sent the message for help, Yang came. She knew she had to help Blake. Despite not talking in a while, they were teammates…at one point they were much more than that

Blake sat in silence next Yang, not knowing what to say. Not knowing even what to feel. Out of the things she expected Yang to say or do, that was not one of them. She continued to stare forward, deciding to focus more on her job to keep her mind off of things for the moment.

Yang finally sat up not sure how long they sat there for, feeling Blake move off of her shoulder. Knowing it was on her to continue the conversation, Yang thought carefully about what she wanted to say. Yet… .nothing, she was drawing a blank. Finally, as she grew uncomfortable, she spoke.

"Sorry… I didn't mean to yell."

"Its fine. I.." Blake trailed off. Yang could see a mixture of confusion and sadness on her former partners face. In their relationship, Yang had quickly learned to read her reserved girlfriend. Her ears wear down, shoulders slightly slumped, looking ahead but with her head slightly pointed down. Yang knew whatever Blake expected, her outburst was not it. Yang could almost feel her sadness. Not wanting to be around or face someone she failed, she unscrewed the flask with her shaking hand and took a drink.

"Well… Im going to head inside. Didn't sleep much" Yang mumbled, throwing in the excuse to get away from Blake at the moment. She got up and slung herself onto the side of the wagon. Blake watched her go, also glad for the solitary. She was still a bit stunned, but knew she could at least gather her thoughts while her teammate sat awkwardly inside with the loving couple.

Yang knocked on the door and spoke "Hey I'm coming in, heads up."

Opening the door, she made her way into the comfort of the wagon and away from Blake. Inside she saw Amber curled up and asleep with her head resting on Whitley's lap. Sitting down, she closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Finally looking at the couple across from her. Whitley sat there, quietly typing something on his laptop with one hand, the other slowly ran through Amber's hair. Amber seemed peaceful and at ease with the gentle touch of her Whitley's hand. Tail slightly flicking behind her. Whitley paused the typing, looking at Yang slightly concerned. Yang met his stare briefly with a look of indifference. Looking at the open window knowing Blake's keen hearing, Yang pulled out her scroll. After a slight head tilt, she hinted to Whitley to do the same. They exchanged numbers quickly, and began Yang began to type.

Y: So guessing you heard that?

W: Yeah, we did.

Y: And?

W: Well, I don't really think its my place, given that I hardly know either of you

Y: Eh, fuck it. Go for it. You've known her for a few days now, and probably heard stuff about me.

W: Okay, fair enough. From what ive known of Blake in this short time, I doubt she reacted well to your outburst. Talking to her before, she shouldered a lot of regret about whatever happened.

Y: Wasn't her fault. Wasn't her blame to share.

W: All because of you? Something you did or didn't do?

Y:… Yes. I failed, I lost a fight that caused my uncle and dad to die.

W: Im sorry…

Y: Not about them right now.

Yang briefly glared at him, but knew he was right about the outburst. Whitley had grown up quite familiar with these sorts of outbursts due to his 'loving' father. From what Blake had said, he knew Yang didn't realize what she had done, time to do some mediating. He thought to himself.

W: Very well. But from past experiences, it is hardly a situation where one person can have all of the blame. Even if you believe that you should be blamed, Blake probably feels the same way. She has carried that for years now. Its not going to go away after one short outburst by you… sorry.

Y: So what? I should blame her?

W: You know that's not what I meant… Listen to her, maybe hear her out before cutting her off. Think about everything she said.

Yang paused. She realized Blake barely got out a few sentences in that… well rant by Yang. She really didn't know at all what Blake felt, and to be honest at the time she didn't care. Yang sighed, realizing the young Schnee spoke at least some truth. Yang paused, trying to think back on what Blake had said. Blake thought it was her fault which was bullshit, thought Yang. Stop. Breath. Think.

Yang's breath had grown a little short, hair flaring up a little in thought. She saw Whitley watching her cautiously. Think about Blake. She always… oh fuck… Yang looked up to Whitley with a look of realization. She had been stupid, Blake had in the past struggled with one thing. Thinking that her mistakes or her past caused her friends to be hurt. With Adam, with Yang's arm. Her metal hand clenched. No wonder she blames herself. Giving Whitley a slight nod, Yang got back up to head out with Blake again.

Settling down next to the cat Faunus, Yang led. "Hey, hows it looking?"

Blake barely looked at her. "Its fine, about a full day from now we will get there. So one more night of camp then tomorrow morning will arrive at Kuroyui." Blake had heard nothing of what was going on in the wagon, but the silence spoke volumes. Either both Whitley and Amber were both asleep or they talked on probably their scrolls, not wanting her to overhear them. Either way she had time with her own thoughts.

"Well that's good" Yang sat gingerly next to Blake, unsure of how to act. She had never been the best at saying she was wrong… Both hands began to fidget with her pants, she stared forward. "Look, I'm sorry for earlier. I shouldn't have cut you off like that."

Silence. Yang looked to Blake after a few seconds trying to gauge if she would even respond. Blake was looking forward, thinking maybe?

"You know" Blake finally said, letting out a deep breath "for five years now I was convinced you hated me. Even hated Weiss, since you hardly talked to her also." She paused. She was still sorry to Yang, but know that she knew Yang thought differently it stirred something in her. Anger. "After everything our team went through, the Fall of Beacon, Haven Academy, the journey to Atlas, the relics, Salem. But by Dust Yang, you abandoned us after that. Yes I am sorry about Qrow and Tai, but all of us knew them to. It was Weiss and I who stayed by your sister's side. Your sister Yang, who just lost the two, no actually all three of the people she looked up to the most. She lost you too. Yeah I know you keep up with her, but from a fucking distance? Really Yang? Honestly, I would have rather you pissed at me I think, because to me that was a better excuse for leaving your sister. When was the last time you saw her?"

Yang sat there, a mixture of sadness and anger. Remembering her talk with Whitley, she quietly replied. "We video chat a bit…"

"That's not what I asked." Blake quickly replied with a bite of anger in her voice.

"Four years… I saw her four years ago once…"

Blake paused, not even realizing it was that long ago. Her blood began to boil with even more anger. "ONCE?! Dust Yang, I actually expected more. Look I would even understand avoiding Weiss and I, but Ruby? That's who you should be apologizing to." Blake stopped there, a bit scared she might end up saying she would regret. She saw Yang's eyes change from red back to her normal violet color and maybe a little water begin to form. Turning her head forward, she stared at the road, trying to burn it with her eyes with all of the anger inside of her.

"I…" Yang trailed off… Tears forming in her eyes. "I'm going to ride by the wagon." She quickly went to the back, unhitched Bumblebee and hopped on. She trailed behind the wagon about one hundred meters.

Meanwhile, inside the wagon, Amber had woken up. Along with Whitley, she had heard this conversation. They sat in silence, looking to each other. Amber leaned to Whitley and whispered. "I have an idea". She pulled away with a naughty smirk. The rest of the days travel went by without much talking, save for the small chat between Whitley and Amber. Upon arriving at camp, Yang immediate headed out to 'scout' the area. Blake decided to set up camp and touch base with the nearby town, to arrange for a place for them to stay.

Whitley helped set up camp, though seeing Blake was not really in the mood to talk he kept to himself. He would pause every now and then to observe her. Her ears were down, a sad look in her eyes. She seemed to be constantly checking the woods for Yang's return. Eventually Yang came back.

"Perimeter is clear" She said in a very quiet voice, just loud enough for both Whitley and Blake to hear. Her eyes were still violet, but red and puffy all around. Blake looked like she wanted to say something but couldn't. "I'm going to get some rest" Yang said, heading towards the wagon which had become her makeshift tent. As she approached, Amber left the wagon to get some fresh air, letting Whitley set up their tent.

Blake looked towards her half-made tent downtrodden as Yang left, still at a loss of words.

Whitley finally decided to speak up. "Hey… I know things have been rough today, but this might be the last time you can have a good conversation with her, before she leaves tomorrow. Do you want to leave on this note?"

Blake look towards him with a flash of anger then sadness. She knew she did not want to leave things like this with Yang. Maybe later tonight, she thought, later will be a good time to talk to her. "Yeah" Letting out a long breathy sigh "I know. I just got so angry earlier. I'll talk to her later tonight. Sorry about all of this." She mumbled out.

"Oh no worries Blake, if this is the cost of being rescued from bandits then I am sure both Amber and I do not mind at all."

With that, the pair continued to set up the tents for the night to come. Once down, Whitley and Amber settled down for the night while Blake kept watch for a time. Whitley was tempted to ask Amber what her idea was, but with the sultry look on her face looking at him, he quickly let it slip his mind.

/* End Chapter Notes

Hello! Long time no updates haha… Sorry about that. It was the perfect storm of University coming to a semester's end, me leaving my laptop charge at home, being on vacation, new DLC of a game I enjoy, and this being a difficult chapter for me to write. Re-wrote it twice, so hopefully you enjoy! Also I promise next chapter after a short little conversation to have a large section of smut, which I am going to be working on even as I upload this, want to get it done before Christmas.

*/