Chapter 6 - Neo's struggles, regrets and a true friend

A 15 year old Neo never knew what her young self would experience. From the dregs of society that people look at with pity or disgust to a life full of privileges and even her most shameful period she'd rather forget about.

It was that one regretful time that had occurred when Nephrite truly started to take off.

[Flashback]

At first it wasn't much but as she gradually forgot about the days where they fought for a piece of bread just to survive another day, another part of her came about.

People are perceptive and children perhaps even more so. It wasn't that bad when they started to compliment her and her style. At least that's what she thought.

No, she had just ignored her growing pride and arrogance and had grown complacent. She was 12 years old when she finally noticed that something was wrong and yet it was seemingly too late and karma had returned a full roundhouse kick at her.

It was a day like any other and she was going out with her 'friends'. They were the group that complimented her as they realised what clothes and items she wore and used.

Even though Neo was strong, but who could resist the sweet temptation and feeling of being something more than a 'nuisance' and a 'mistake without parents'?

The puppies she once thought were terrified of her had tamed her like a pet. Her financial situation and the stronger she was as she had grown older had amplified her confidence or perhaps arrogance at that point.

Just few sweet words and she would 'hang out' with those 'friends'. They would shop in expensive places and eat food for the 'wealthy'.

And yet the people around her never even shared the group's expense. Heck, they hadn't even mentioned it to the point that Neo would instinctively take out her wallet to pay for anything when hanging out with 'them'.

But it didn't end just there. No, it got worse and worse. From a stylish young lady that radiated confidence to a selfish maiden that looked at people like they were pieces of garbage...

Something she was not long ago, something that she had despised she had become.

At that time 'Neo' had vanished, replaced by a superficial puppet without even realising it. Of course Nephrite had noticed at one point that something was wrong.

It was the day when Neo had gotten a piercing in her nose and had a faint smell of drugs on her. Thankfully it wasn't too late and she had declined the offer. Her 'friends' were surprised as it was the first time she had declined something when they 'offered',

They couldn't shake her resolve and just shrugged, inhaled some and forgot about it.

Deep down, Neo, the Neo that was always there caged by the lies, false pride and illusions she had casted on herself, was waiting and watching over her.

To not step over the one absolute taboo Nephrite had imposed on her. Even if she became a criminal, long time ago she had promised Nephrite one absolute thing.

'Whatever you do in life never and I mean never touch drugs.' Those were the words Nephrite had always repeated to her whenever they were discussing her life goals and her dreams.

But that day she was closer than ever to breaking that promise. In fact Nephrite never gave her big allowances. Maybe it was big compared to a child from mid-income family but it wasn't on the level of 'rich'.

Then how could she afford everything she bought and squandered? It was simple, her savings, everything she had saved over the years was squandered away.

At first it was just a bit beyond her usual allowance. 'What's the harm? I've saved a lot.' She thought before she spent more.

It spiralled and the ball kept rolling. The expensive clothes were in fact a gift from Nephrite when she had successfully completed her basic dancing lessons and even her tutor said that if she wanted to she could become a professional.

Unknowingly as if the clothes were a curse it ate her from the inside. If one set of good quality clothes could give her friends what could more sets possibly do?

And now she was here for the first time in her life she had asked for more pocket change. Nephrite was just slightly surprised before he thought about make-up prices and didn't think much about it.

Not much until he smelled a faint stench. The stench of something that he had come across numerous times when wandering around in the slums.

"Drugs..." Quite muttered Nephrite before his eye turned bloodshot.

Neo didn't hear him and just tilted her head. "What?" She quietly muttered.

It riled up Nephrite even more... "Drugs! DID YOU DO DRUGS?!" He yelled before he violently yanked her towards him to inspect her eyes. Seeing her eyes healthy and her mouth not smelling of anything he heaved a sigh of relief.

Maybe for Nephrite it was a relief but for her it was the first time in forever where Nephrite yelled at her.

She hadn't even processed her words before she forcefully pulled herself apart from Nephrite and ran out of the house.

Just as Nephrite wanted to dump his stat points to have even the slightest chance of catching up to Neo a shattering sound sounded and she broke into beautiful pieces of glass.

Nephrite knew at that moment that unless she wanted to show herself it would be impossible to find her. He almost broke something in his frustration before he sighed and started calling various people.

The school to find out the people she hang out with if any and few huntsmen that became his acquaintances after they had become his regulars. After all, connections are more important than a secret that was bound to be leaked.

As Nephrite was making calls and dashed out of the house Neo was long gone. She was crying and needed someone...

Then she remembered her 'friends' and called a few she thought was besties with. After calling few of her 'closest' friends she stood frozen in an alley she had hidden in.

'What do you mean you are busy?! Why is everyone BUSY?! Wait, yes that boy that was always eager to help me. He would surely help me right?' She frantically moved and quickly called him.

After few minutes of talking that boy's voice was like an antidote. He was the only one who wasn't 'busy' and the only one that would help her.

She didn't even question anything and just arrived at an abandoned factory. She hadn't questioned anything, she couldn't question anything. The only person in her life an eternal pillar that had always stood tall had seemingly crumbled.

The sudden yelling with combined gossip she had heard in her 'group' and the hormones had produced an explosion in her head. It stripped her of her rationality.

Frantically looking around for the boy that was the most obedient and always flattered her, she found him. He wasn't alone though.

A rugged man with dirty clothes and a crazed expression walked out too.

"Father this is the bitch you wanted me to charm." Said the boy as he pointed at her. Neo's mind shook once more. She wasn't dumb and it gave her a moment of clarity.

Everything like a puzzle had pieced itself together. Everything she once stood against she had become and there was seemingly no going back.

"Finally you are not useless you piece of garbage." Said the man in disgusting tone but the boy beamed and smiled happily like a child that got it's candy.

Neo was shocked and distracted at this abusive interaction and the man took an advantage of that.

He wasn't just another deprived man, he was an ex-huntsman. A broken shell of a man that lost everything in one day and his 'son' was the blade that reminded him every time what he had lost with those eyes.

Dashing at a surprising speed, he arrived before Neo and attempted to grab her. Just as he thought he had caught her, she dodged at the very last moment.

The joyful memories she had with Nephrite flooded her mind and the days he had spent training her and himself appeared too.

His lessons, tips and everything she had learned was subconsciously released at this very moment and she had remembered the feeling she experienced when she was running away.

'A semblance.' Nephrite's voice sounded in her mind and she instinctively used it for the second time that day.

The disgusting man once again tried to grab her but all he got was shards in response. Looking around and using his senses that told him that the brat had gotten away, he roared in anger before brutally beating his son to vent his emotions.

...

Neo ran for her life for the second time in her life. She ran and ran passing districts. Running at her full speed gradually wore her out and she plopped on the ground, exhausted.

Once she stopped running all of the emotions slowly descended onto her. When she was running all that was on her mind was to run some more.

And now that she had stopped everything caught up to her like a tsunami. It started drowning her and she struggled to breathe.

[???? POV]

'The ride should have been here 5 minutes ago!' I groaned and complained to myself. I was in Vale for a vacation with my parents and my brothers.

But everything just had to go wrong! First some ugly brat tried to hit on me and then he tried to threaten me with his family!

Ridiculous was what I thought as I kicked him in the balls and walked away. Afterwards when I wanted to blow some steam off and go to my favourite shop it was closed!

And when I thought it couldn't get any worse the ride I had called to get to the hotel was late and they didn't even reply to my messages!

Pissed, I started walking around before I saw some girl collapse few meters away from me.

Seeing her bloodshot eyes and tears that ran across my face something had awoken in me.

'Come on Coco! Just because that stupid brother of yours had said that I am a lesbian doesn't mean that I am one!' I practically screamed in my head before taking few steps back.

As I turned around I heard her quiet sobbing and her ragged breaths.

'Maybe, just maybe you are right for once...' I said to myself as I went and squatted next to her. My heart ached for the girl...

...

[3rd person POV]

Neo could barely breathe and crazy thoughts started to brew inside her head. Just as they got worse and worse a foreign voice startled her.

"You fine?" Said a girl that looked to be one or two years older. She had short dark brown hair, fair skin and brown eyes.

On her head were lying sunglasses and a few pieces of her brown hair were dyed golden.

"Can you speak?" She asked again as she saw a faint scar across her throat. It was barely noticeable but it was still there.

"What do you want?" Neo could barely throw out in audible voice.

'I am too kind.' Thought Coco to herself with sarcasm before she extended her hand. 'It's like I am pacifying my younger brother no biggie.'

"Do you want a dessert? I need some company before my transportation arrives, don't worry it's on me."

Maybe it was because it was a first person that had offered her something for free that wasn't Nephrite or maybe because it was the first time she was talked to with almost indifference she didn't know.

She just thoughtlessly extended her hand and followed her. Coco quickly found a café and both of them sat in a corner.

"So why are you crying? Did your boyfriend dump you? Don't worry I can show you some tricks to make him wish he wasn't born as a male." Said Coco trying to gather Neo's attention.

"By the way name's Coco what's yours? Wait let me guess is it that ice cream... What was it's name. Oh! Neopolitan!" She continued and looked at Neo that silently nodded.

"Wait seriously? What kind of horrible naming sense is that! Even my name is better than that!" Coco had successfully distracted Neo.

"Shut up! That name was given to me by someone important" Neo basically screeched before violently coughing.

Coco was surprised before she remembered that scar and almost slapped herself.

Waiting a bit for Neo to stop coughing she expertly steered the conversation away.

"So what happened? Were you dumped by your boyfriend that is lactose intolerant?" Neo shook her head and Coco had tapped her head and brought up her scroll.

"Let's chat through our scrolls so you don't need to talk... Here my number is xxxx-xxxx-xxx-xxxx."

Neo pulled up hers before she saw 40 missed calls and 50 messages.

"Wow, were you the one that actually did the dumping?" Coco had seemingly teleported next to her and was few centimetres away from her looking at her scroll.

Neo glared at her before Coco turned around and looked at Neo. For some reason she suddenly looked away and Neo dismissed it.

Quickly typing the number she added Coco and they started their 'silent date'. Not long after two strawberry cakes arrived with two milkshakes.

An hour passed. A quiet hour that slightly reminded her of the times she spent with Nephrite just watching the TV.

During this time she had learned many things. For the first time ever she had realised what it means to have a friend and not a 'fake'.

Person who listens and answers but also thoughts that don't revolve around just her.

Neo wasn't the only one that lamented and ranted but Coco joined her and complained about her day. The thought of not being alone had lessened her burden.

Coco had also shared her hobbies and was surprised at how knowledgeable Neo was. She had also realised that Neo must have hurt someone because of her 'fakes'.

She didn't comment on it and when Neo wanted to confess she just looked into her eyes and said.

"Just apologise. Plain and simple, if they love you they'll forgive you and you can slowly repay them later. Just don't drag it out for a long time or the damage will be irreversible." Neo nodded and uttered a small "thank you".

The feeling of being understood was much better and peaceful than those 'compliments'. The small things that she took for granted, the attention and love Nephrite gave her became more invaluable.

Suddenly, Nephrite barged in startling all the customers before he insta-locked at Neo and dashed over.

"Neo! Thank God." He said as he embraced her. He was trembling and his eyes were bloodshot. The amount of nerves he had almost broken was uncountable.

"Oh! You are that guy that refused to be my personal chef!" A voice startled him and dispelled the awkward situation and other customers slowly stopped looking.

Looking over and letting go of Neo he saw Coco Adel. One of the most interesting characters in RWBY before she vanished.

A person that offered a monthly salary that he earned in 2 days.

"Ah it's you Coco..."

Day full of ups and downs, action and enlightening.

Neo had shed her previous 'shell' that acted like a prison and finally found a real friend. A slightly blunt one but one nonetheless.

After Coco left Vale and returned to Vacuo she and Neo kept contact. They chatted and met each other over the years whenever they could.

She was also the first one to notice something off about Nephrite but that's for another time...