48

Weiss and Pyrrha were using their scrolls to get at least a little light so that they would lose their eyes or even heads to some loose debris.

Yang, who was walking in front, didn't bother with that. Her semblance was already running for over fifteen minutes, her blazing hair providing enough light. Neither did she bother with trying to avoid all of the things around, choosing to simply burn and melt everything that came into contact with her body.

They had wasted too much time as it is.

It was so unbelievably quiet. They were deep enough that all of the sounds of the outside frantic operation were left behind and all that was left was darkness, dust and silence.

They reached some sort of chamber. It was almost thirty feet high.

The biggest surprise was how abrupt it was. Loose stones, pieces of the train and rails were all smoothly cut off leaving only a large dark emptiness. The floor was extremely smooth and covered in a thin layer of fine dust.

And in the middle of it all was a small barely visible bump. Yang didn't need any other prodding.

Even if it was barely visible in the dark, she already knew who it was. Dashing forward with a speed comparable to her sister, she immediately pulled out a dirty red cloak.

No, no, no.

Then came her sister.

No… please no, not again… you can't leave me too!

She put a shaking hand on her neck and it took a herculean effort not to break down into both laughter and tears once she felt her pulse.A second later she snapped back to the present.

Her sister was out cold, deep in a tunnel and there was a hundred and one thing that could go wrong before she would be able to call it a day.

She picked her up in bridal carry, turned on a heel and started walking at a quick pace towards the exit.

Pyrrha trailed after her with a look full of worry.

Weiss wasn't as panicked as her two other teammates. Ruby was safe and stable, if that wouldn't be the truth, there would most likely be a brand new vulcano in Vale. She slowly waved her scroll around. They were still missing their main target and considering how easily identifiable he would be compared to the rest of the fangies, she would have immediately spotted him outside.

And there he was! Sitting on the edge of the chamber, slightly to the left from the exit towards Vale. He looked just about what she expected a person to look after a train crash. Torn clothes, bruises and some trickles of blood.

He should be happy that he had his aura unlocked, otherwise he would be a smudge somewhere on the tunnel wall.

He also clearly suffered some head damage. If the trickle of blood from his temple wasn't a give away, the thousand yard stare he was having was quite obvious too.

She stepped closer and pointed Myrtenaster at his neck. "Roman Torchwick."

No reaction.

"You are under arrest for too many things for me to name right now. Get up and start moving. And no funny business."

Still no reaction.

She raised an eyebrow and gently, at least as gently as a criminal like him would deserve, poked him on the shoulder.

That finally jerked him awake and after Weiss motioned for him to get up, he immediately tried to obey.

Key word: tried.

He just barely started picking himself up when he released a painful hiss and Weiss saw that his legs were pretty much bent the other way they should.

"Shit…" He breathed out. "Forgot about that." He weakly commented.

Weiss sighed and started walking away. Behind Torchwick an ursa rose from a glyph and took a scruff of his coat in its mouth and started carrying him like a cat would a kitten.

Once outside, the things were even more chaotic compared to when they went in. Atlesian drones and occasional soldiers were keeping the perimeter, VPD was carting away White Fang troops and Goodwitch was torn between trying to coordinate efforts on the ground or focusing on the bullhead that was taking off and clearly making it everyone else's problem to move out of the way.

Pyrrha just stood under it with a look of utter confusion.

And now she was also getting yelled at by Glynda.

And Yang was nowhere to be seen.

She was only two minutes later than them, right?

-BBW-

Wounded students at Beacon were nothing new. One who just tired herself out and passed out was actually one of the easiest to handle. Just let them sleep it off and they would be up and running within hours, a day at worst.

The nurse stepped away from Ruby's bed and discreetly wiped out sweat from her forehead. She had only put the drip in so that she wouldn't get dehydrated and tucked her in.

Veteran huntsman standing in the corner and her teammate watching her every move were the problem. She had asked them to leave. That they would be able to visit later when they were done with checking for any more serious injuries. But nooo, they wouldn't even listen. And when Miss Goodwitch showed up to kick them out, the younger one gave her a bone-chilling glare, then ignored her. The huntsman on the other hand started arguing, rather loudly, ending with both of them staying with Ruby Rose while Goodwitch stormed off to tell the headmaster.

/

Clicking repeat once again, Oz leaned closer to the screen.

It was a recording from one of the news helicopters that arrived on the scene. Some were focused on the wreckage and the blown up tunnel exit. This one on the other hand went higher and was filming what was happening above the tunnel on the ground.

First there was thick black smoke coming out of the old ventilation system. Then the cracks started to appear in the ground, the same smoke making it all look like a large fire took place.

And then came the light. Made only more obvious with the smoke blocking out the sunlight.

The official story he and James gave to the press was that the White Fang had a bomb on the train. It was loosened during the crash and later detonated, clearing out the grimm.

But he knew what truly happened.

It made a concerned student and more importantly, a protective sister, hijacking a bullhead and flying straight to Beacon and landing on the roof of the medical wing much less concerning.

"Okay Oz, I know a cover up when I see one. What happened down there?" Ironwood arrived at his office and marched up to his desk. "Is Rose another maiden? Which one would that be? Spring or Summer?" He hotly demanded.

"She is not a maiden." Ozpin answered, turned off the video and turned to James. "But you are not that off the mark. Only a different old legend."

"Oz, not now, I don't want to deal with your crypticism right now."

"The Legend of The Silver-eyed Warriors."

"Never heard of it." James replied and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"For a reason." Ozpin relaxed into his chair. "Maidens are one thing but… Silver eyes are a direct threat to Salem and grimm in general. Descendants of those who were blessed by the Light brother. I spent…centuries burying that one."

"And Miss Rose?"

"One of the last, if not the very last." Ozpin fixed Ironwood with a hard look. "And now Salem knows where to look for her." He had hoped that he would be able to hide her for longer, at least until graduation. "Enough about Miss Rose. Did you learn anything from the mad hatter?"

"Only that he's even madder than before." Ironwood said with a scoff. "He was barely aware of where he was or what was happening. Kept staring off into the wall while mumbling something about heroes, light and storms."

"Mister Torchwick was exposed to both dangers and knowledge that is far beyond his…comfort zone. Give him a week to calm down and then talk to him again. I want to know whether White Fang is preparing another surprise and who is their elusive mastermind."

"Understood." He stiffly replied. "We tried to interrogate the White Fang members but they didn't know anything concrete. Only some rumors that they are being led by a young human woman and Taurus is only a puppet, but we already suspected that. Taurus' aide, who was also captured isn't cooperating and had already tried to escape, kill my men, bite his own tongue and commit suicide. In that order."

-BBW-

"May I come in?" Winter asked after a few soft knocks. After a short while she opened the door and quietly let herself in. The small corgi previously sitting next to her leg excitedly ran inside.

Her sister, expectedly, took up the duties of the team leader and was preparing a review material for the two indisposed girls. One was yet to wake up, the other refused to leave her side unless somebody else was with her sister. Pyrrha was sitting on the bed with Belladonna being curled up and held in a half hug.

Apparently the girls were taking turns so that she would have time for bathroom breaks. Also bringing her food. None of them knew how she was dealing with sleep.

"Not you again…" Blake hissed out. Nobody knew whether it was meant for Winter or Zwei.

"Oh, so that's where this little guy went!" Weiss cheered up and started cuddling the dog.

Pyrrha looked down at Blake. "Didn't Ruby leave him with you?"

"She did." Winter answered instead.

"We…didn't get along." Blake shyly admitted. Nora and Zwei got on like a house on fire. Ilia and Ren were okay with it. Her… She couldn't stand the thing.

"Obviously." Winter dryly spoke out. "I then offered to take him in for a time. I think he enjoyed being on board well enough."

Weiss was utterly surprised and stared at her sister with wide eyes. "You took Zwei? On your experimental ship?" That was really, really out of character for her.

"Imagine Winter in her thirties, living alone with ten dogs. Would make for good family visits, though."

Shush you! If anything, she would make a general herself and still be married to her job.

"Yes, I did." Winter replied matter-of-factly. "He is well trained, good company and didn't create a mess, which is more than a good portion of my subordinates."

"You are here only for what? A week or two and you are already going crazy." Weiss with mock(?) despair in her voice. "Come on Pyrrha, we have our own crazies to take care of. Thanks for dropping by, Blake."

/

"Professor Goodwitch, are you sure it's a good idea?" Pyrrha, almost desperately pleaded.

"Her sister is stable and she can visit whenever outside of schoolwork she wants." Glynda answered with a huf and entered Ruby's room, leaving Pyrrha and Weiss outside.

"This will end in a disaster." Weiss commented with a sigh. Internally she was just counting down until-

The wall next to the door exploded and their combat instructor flew, leaving a large dent on the opposite wall before slumping to the floor out cold and with an obviously broken arm.

"Yep, that's about what I expected." Weiss commented and watched the panicking personnel start popping up. "Go help her and try to make sure Yang doesn't get herself kicked out. I'll take a look inside.

/

"Does it run in your family or is it just your mere presence that's making people stop following orders?" James asked Qrow as they were riding the elevator out of Ozpin's office. "Orders from a superior, from common sense, doesn't seem to make a difference."

"Oh shut up Jimmy. If you weren't the only child you'd get it." Qrow answered with an eye roll.

"Oh? So your sister would have stayed by your side for days on end?"

"When we were still seventeen? Definitely. Although she would also be the one responsible for me being there in the first place."

The general sighed. "You are probably right." He still remembered how Winter behaved the week after her siblings got almost killed by the White Fang. He actually had to send Elm to keep an eye on her.

Qrow's scroll started ringing in his chest pocket. He pulled it out and looked at the caller.

"Huh? We've just left his office… Yo, did you forget to tell us something?"

Ironwood kept looking at Qrow's face as it was turning more and more incredulous.

"Wait, really? Are you joking?" He then burst out laughing. "Yeah, yeah, it's not funny. It's hilarious!... No, I don't know what Tai had been feeding her. Maybe Glynda is just losing her touch with age… No no no! Don't tell her I said that! Nobody would ever find my body!... Right, sure I'll do it."

"Something wrong?" James asked.

"A little, nothing on our side though, just Ozpin asked for a quick favor."

/

A pair of slender arms hugged her from behind.

"Yang…how are you?" Weiss quietly asked.

"I'm not leaving." Yang replied without returning the hug.

"I'm not asking you to. I'm asking how are you and how is Ruby?" Weiss tightened the hug.

"She is…fine, at least the nurse said so but…" Yang whispered. "...why doesn't she wake up?" She said with a small shudder.

"She took out a grimm horde by herself." Weiss spoke in a soothing voice. "I think she more than deserves a little rest. Speaking of rest-" She leaned closer to Yang's ear. "- when was the last time you slept?"

No answer.

"Okay, come on, get up, go take a shower and take a nap. You can sleep here if you want, I'll stay with you for a couple of hours." She stood up and walked around to take a look at Yang's face. Her heart clenched at the sight of her tired bloodshot eyes and messy hair. "Yang…what will Ruby say when she wakes up and you are looking a couple steps from grave yourself?" She kissed her on the cheek and helped get up from the chair.

"I'm not getting a proper one?" Yang weakly tried to joke.

Weiss gave her a flat look before smirking. "I know they don't keep spare toothbrushes here and yours haven't left the dorm. You will get it once you catch up on your hygiene." Oh, how she loved when she could get Yang to pout.

Yang left the room for the nearest shower and Pyrrha finally came in after Goodwitch was picked up and placed into the room next to theirs.

"I suppose nobody is going to try and kick Yang out." Weiss nonchalantly commented.

Pyrrha just shook her head. "I understand that Ruby gave us all quite a scare but-" She looked at the large hole in the wall. "-I doubt they will let this one slide."

"Wouldn't be so sure about that." Weiss also glanced back. "We are heroes right now. The brave team from Beacon who put a stop to White Fang's evil scheme. If they touch Yang too much, people will start asking why one of their heroes is getting frak for protecting her teammate and especially sister. Ozpin may have not said who was there but there are enough photos of the three of us and even a couple of Yang carrying Ruby out. Obviously, the two of us were already recognized." Her father already gave a speech in Atlas about how 'their' family was fighting against hatred and terrorism.

What a joke.

/

Goodwitch was ten minutes late for her lesson and the third years were starting to get jittery. She had never come late before, usually already waiting for them when they were just filling in.

Almost all of their heads turned when the doors were kicked open and a lanky middle aged man walked in.

"Listen up, brats. Glynda is…indisposed so I am filling in. Break up into your teams and come two teams at the time."

-BBW-

She woke up with a groan, her head feeling like somebody used it for a sledgehammer practice.

Ruby slowly opened her eyes and tried to look around. It was really hard to do. Felt almost like the first time she went camping. Sleeping without a bed could get very uncomfortable and it took her half an hour of stretching in the morning to get her neck and spine back in order.

But she did see the large familiar golden streams of hair. She was turned away, mostly focused on the door but her right hand was holding hers left.

She felt so weak and tired. She didn't know whether it was just a moment or she took several minutes to give Yang's hand a weak squeeze.

She totally heard Yang's neck crack with how quickly she turned her head.

"Ruby!" She dropped from her chair and kneeled at her bed.

"Hehs…"

"Don't talk! I'll get you some water."

"Thanks." Ruby gave her a small smile after downing her third glass. "So…" She took a better look around, now recognizing an adjusted room to Beacon's infirmary. "I guess we switched roles." She said with a cheeky smile.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Well… the two times before it was you in the bed knocked out with me waiting for you to wake up. Hey, can you help me sit up? My back is killing me."

Yang numbly did as asked, a very strange expression on her face. "Ruby… don't just…"

"Yang? Did I say something wro-?"

"It should have been me! I-I… How could you do it all these times?" Yang tightly hugged her, still mindful of her condition. Ruby felt warm drops on her neck and shoulder. "It was unbearable. Just sitting there, wondering whether you'll be alright or not while I just sat on my ass doing nothing to help."

"Yang…" Ruby slowly raised her arms to return the hug and just let her sister get it out of her system. "Well with you I've always known that you would be fine! You are big and strong and great! I knew that something like that would never keep you down."

"But-"

"And what's the whole thing with you being here instead of me? Yang, I'm a huntress-"

"And I am still your big sister! And you threw me out so I had to dig you out! What if I was too late?!"

"Bu-but I wanted to keep you safe!"

And they were both back to square one. One wanted to protect everyone while the other only cared about the one. And a small handful of other