Cardin's a Dick

Sapphire POV:

"Well, if it isn't team Ruby's little pet, playing fetch for your masters are we?" A voice taunts from behind me, joined by scattered laughter.

Haaaah…...

With the tray still in my hands, I turn around, and I am met with the mocking faces of team Cardinal.

Cardin Winchester, as one of the few students in this school taller than me, even including my ears, looks down on me with a mocking smirk on his face. Behind him stand his, noticeably shorter, lack-, teammates, Russel Thrush, Dove Bronzewing, and Sky Lark.

Thrush is blue-eyed and has his light-green hair shaved down to a mohawk. He seems to like the color green, as the only thing I have ever seen him wear that's not some sort of green is the Beacon uniform. Then again, I haven't really been paying attention. Bronzewing has slightly long, light-brown hair and has his eyes in a permanent squint, so I don't know the color of his eyes, not that it matters. Brown and black are his colors of choice. Lark has blue eyes and long, combed back, dark-blue hair. He is arguably the best looking of his companions, but it is ruined by his personality. They are Cardin's yes men. Everything he says they agree with, and everything he does they are complicit in.

Now for Cardin himself, he has violet eyes and burnt-orange hair. Like I said before, he is tall, but that isn't all, he also has a large build. With his size, he is sure to stick out in a crowd. He wears silver-grey armor with gold accents. A symbol of a cardinal adorns the front of his chest plate, and I can't help but find that Ironic. For him to wear that bird, fabled as a messenger of peace, as a symbol, and then to turn around and actively ruin the peace of others, it's kinda sad really.

Anyway, I return my attention from my thoughts back to the people in front of me. The quartet hasn't had the guts to approach me until now that is.

"Haaah, Is there something you want, Cardin?" I let out with a sigh.

His mocking smirk morphs to a grin loaded with ill intent, and he opens his mouth to speak.

He then speaks in a fake friendly tone, "As a matter of fact there is, Sapph. You see, my team and I were talking, and your name came up."

"I'm flattered," I speak with my words laced with sarcasm, but he just brushes it off.

"As you should be. Anyway, we were talking, and we couldn't help but wonder, why were so many exceptions made for you?" he continues.

What is he talking about? Ozpin had already explained why I was allowed into Beacon late, and everything else as a result of that. I mean he obviously has bad intentions, but I just don't know what his goal is.

"What are yo-?" I try to voice my confusion, but I am interrupted by Cardin.

"Come on, you know what I mean. Getting into beacon late, Being able to pass the initiation without a partner, being put on a pre-existing team, getting a senior dorm. If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're getting special treatment, but I realize you are probably paying for this some way or another" Cardin's excitement grows as he speaks.

I frown as I notice the steam leaving the mugs sitting on the tray in my hands, and at Cardin's meandering conversation.

"Get to the point," I demand.

"Fine, fine, We were just wondering, for whom did you get on your knees to get all these privileges," Cardin voices loudly.

The room goes silent at this; not even a whisper was shared. I look around to see the shocked faces of the many people observing our conversations. It seems that the morning rush had started without my notice, but I don't understand why the room is so silent. I thought Cardin was inferring that I begged my way into Beacon, but, judging by the room's reaction, he meant something else.

"What do you-?" I once again try to express my confusion but am once again interrupted.

"He's asking whose dick you sucked to get here, freak! I bet you whored your way to the top of the class as well!" Russell so graciously informs me with a self-important attitude.

Oh….

That's what he meant…..

"Haha, if you're still offering your services, I wouldn't mind becoming one of your patrons, Hahaha," Dove follows up with a mocking tone.

Cardin then approaches me with a look that gives me chills; His eyes wander and linger on places I'd rather they not. He then closes in further and reaches for my shoulder. I want to slap his hand away, but anything I do, physically, is going to spill everyone's drinks. So my only option is my semblance, but using a semblance in an unsanctioned fight with another student is grounds for serious punishment of, not just the student, but the student's team as well, although more lenient.

I don't want to get them in trouble for my sake.

As thoughts wander in my head, Cardin's actions bring me back.

I felt Cardin's hand land on my shoulder, as he leans his head over to my left ear and loudly says, "Hahaha, what do you say? I would love to see you gasping for breath as I pull your hair, and ram you from behind, after all, the only thing you animals are good for, pleasuring my d-!"

-Bang!

The door swings open behind me, and Cardin's face, and subsequently body, is sent flying, replaced by a fist, covered in a yellow aura that seems to mimic fire. The fist now linked to a figure swiftly does the same to the trio that remains, but I pay no more attention to that.

Cardin was grabbing my shoulder, so when he was sent backward, my shoulder was jostled along with the rest of my body. The drinks I was carrying were not immune to this jostling, and the, very, hot water in the mugs spilled everywhere, even on me.

"Shhh!" I took a sharp breath in from the scalding feeling on my arms and chest, but I did my best to keep the mugs from falling on the floor and breaking.

-Shatter!

I felt my ears and my tail droop as I took in my failure. I was able to save two of the mugs and my drink, but the shattered remains of two Beacon mugs and what was left of their contents are scattered on the ground in front of me.

The scene seems to trigger something, and memories and thoughts violently jumble my consciousness.

-----------------------------------------------

"....0...3…! 093..fo...rd! MOVE!!" A deep voice yells out and an impact to my back breaks me out of my trance and knocks me to the floor.

"093, Get up," the voice orders.

Fearing another beating, I quickly comply.

"Yes, sir," I call out as I stand.

The voice ignores me and orders once again, "Forward!"

When he says that I notice pure white double doors directly in front of me. There is no labeling of any sort to tell me of what lies beyond them, but I know. Behind these doors is where we eat. The 'people' called it the 'cafeteria', so that is probably what it's called.

My thoughts are interrupted by another impact to the back, but this time I only stumble and don't fall.

"Forward!" the voice calls again.

I don't want to be hit again, so I comply with the escort's instructions and enter the doors. Beyond them is a large well-lit room filled with tables. On these tables sat the others like me, all wearing the same white robes and choker. All the subjects wear these same clothes.

-Step step click

I hear the person from earlier step in the doors after me and lock them. I glance over and I am able to see what this person looks like, sort of. The soldier-looking person wears a white helmet, black mask combo that conceals his face. He is wearing white and grey clothes under, black armor plating. He holds a rifle of some kind across his chest, and at his side is a holstered pistol.

He is one of the many armed guards that watch the subjects at all times, and he is not the only one in the room. Tens of them guard the perimeter of the cafeteria like we are dangerous criminals and not just children. They have full authority over us when the scientists are not around, and they don't wield that authority lightly. If we, as the subjects, mess up in any way they would gladly take advantage of that to beat us near to death.

I've seen them beat one of us till they were coughing up blood just for speaking out of line. They are terrifying, but I still prefer them to those scientists, at least the soldiers wait for a reason to hurt us.

I notice the guard started to grow agitated by my inactivity, so before he finds this reason enough to punish me, I walk over to the line to get food. At the front of the line is a metal countertop, inlaid with the wall, as high as my chest, and behind that is the kitchen, where our meals are "cooked".

I watch as one after the other subjects are handed their food by the people behind the counter and bring it to their seats. The line whistles down and before long, I find myself at the front.

I look up at the woman behind the counter, but I don't look anywhere near her eyes. Many have been beaten for making eye contact with their betters, me among them, and I don't want that to happen to me again. I was in pain for the rest of the month.

The lady handed me my food and water, so I moved away to find an empty seat. It was on the other side of the room, though, as all the seats close to the serving area had already been taken. Still, I started walking.

I look down at the plate and glass in my hands. On the plate are the same tasteless, unrecognizable slops we are always fed and a metal spoon, while the glass is filled with lukewarm water, like always.

I made a mistake though. While I was observing my meal, I didn't pay attention to what was in front of me. One of the guards was patrolling the area, and he moved right in front of me.

Before I could react, I walked right into him, and my plate and glass went crashing to the floor. The atmosphere in the room seemed to stipend, and the little noise that was being made ceased.

-Shatter!

I heard the utensils shatter on impact, but that was the least of my concerns. I just looked at the food and watermarks on the guard's uniform, terrified. I started visibly shaking, and my tail and ears held themselves tight against my body. They have killed some of us for less, and I could do nothing to stop the same from happening to me. I could only hope that this guard is more lenient.

"Fucking animal!" The guard yelled, causing me to flinch and tears to well up in my eyes.

"I-i-i'm sor-ACK!" I tried to apologize to alleviate some of his anger, but I was interrupted by him striking me on the side of my head with his rifle stock.

Pain radiated from the left side of my head. Everything went blurry, and I felt the other side of my head impact the ground. My thoughts were cloudy, but I felt something warm on my cheek. I shakily reached my hand to where I felt the warmth, and I felt something wet. After I bring my hand into my recovered vision, I see red.

Before I can comprehend what just happened, however, the guard once again strikes me; this time he kicks me in the stomach, hard.

"Ucg!" I let out as I tumbled across the ground.

"Who do you think you are!" he yells again, but I barely register any of it.

The throbbing of my head and stomach makes paying attention to anything else impossible. I can hear my heartbeat, and I can feel more blood fall down the side of my head.

I shakily bring myself to my hands and knees, but, instead of bracing myself for another impact, I let out the contents of my stomach. I notice a lot of red in my blurry vision, but I am once again unable to worry about it, as an impact to my back brings my face directly into the bloody vomit.

"Filth!" He yells, before kicking me in the side; once again, sending me tumbling across the floor.

-crack!

I hear a sickening sound from my side, and excruciating pain wells up in my chest. I try to scream, but the attempt only causes more pain. Every breath grows more and more excruciating, and it feels like I'm suffocating.

"*whimper*" A pained whimper is all that I could manage.

"That's more like it. An animal acting like an animal!" He shouts with sadistic pleasure.

I arduously turn myself onto my back in hopes that it would make breathing less painful, but nothing changes. The guard only takes this opportunity to do more damage.

-stomp!

-crack!

"!!!!!!" I silently scream at the new pain coming from my left shin.

I laboriously bring my vision to my leg, and I see what even my blurry vision can tell is wrong. My shin is indented, and my foot is facing the wrong way.

"*whimper*" Looking at my new injury seems to only inflame it, and I let out another whimper, as I feel my consciousness waning.

"Haha, oh no, you're not done yet," The guard speakers in that same sadistic tone.

-Stomp!

-Crack!

The pain from him stomping on my other leg pulls my teetering consciousness back from the edge, but this time I don't even bother to look. I know it's broken; just like the other one.

If he's just going to kill me, I wish he'd make it less painful.

With labored breaths and blurry vision, I gaze at my aggressor; an unworded plea for death, but he doesn't grant me this mercy. Instead, he grabbed me by the hair and dragged me across the floor. It hurts, but I don't have the ability to even struggle at this point.

I'm just really…..tir..

-bam

Another impact forcefully returns my consciousness, and I find myself by the shattered remains of what was once my plate and glass.

"No sleeping yet~" I hear the man say, "Hey, you! Bring that trash can over here!"

I don't know who he was talking to, but judging by the light footsteps I hear, it was probably one of the other kids.

A few seconds pass by, and even with my faltering consciousness the guard never allows me to fall asleep.

-thud

I hear a hollow object impact the ground next to me, and I look over to see a trash can looming over me. I also noticed another kid wearing the same clothes as me, probably the one who brought the thing over. I don't try to ask for help, not that I could, it would be useless. Even if someone would step past their fear and offer help, it would just end with us both here on the ground.

"Pick it up," I hear the guard order.

I just look at him in confusion. Pick what up?

"The mess, pick it up," he says while gesturing to the broken ceramic and glass on the floor.

I now know what he's talking about, but I still don't move to do anything. Why would I? What is he going to do? Kill me? I'd rather that than remain in this suffering. My head still throbs. Every breath still hurts. My legs feel like they were crushed. My stomach feels like it's on fire. Just finish me already!

As if he noticed my intentions, he just says, "Alright."

I thought for a moment there that this would end, but that hope was just false. Instead of ending me, the guard grabbed the girl who brought the trash can over and pointed his gun at her head. Even in the state, I'm in, I notice the terror radiating off of the child. She did nothing wrong! Why bring her into this!

"How about this? If you don't. I will kill your fellow animal. Up for it now?~" He says with sick sadistic glee audible in his voice.

I look at the terrified girl. Tears paint her face as she begs me to do as the guard says. I don't know her. We have never met. Why should it matter to me if she dies!

Even so, I pull myself up to my knees with the trashcan as support. Something about the girl drove me forward. She reminded me of the family I have to return to.

Cry-baby Bran. If I die, who will sing you to sleep when your nightmares keep you awake? Who will comfort you when you feel hopeless?

Han. If I'm gone, who would you share your burdens with? Who would get through your cold demeanor and be your support? If I'm gone, who would be your spoiled little sister?

Tina. If I'm gone, who will read you stories of heroes and villains? To whom would you ask your silly little questions?

Snow. If I'm gone, in whose arms would you rest your head when it all became too much? Who would you let into your heart to support you when you're afraid?

Onyx. Without me, who will keep your arrogance in check? Who would help you when you stretch yourself too thin, trying to help everyone? Who will be there for you, while you're there for everyone else?

Mazon. If I'm gone, who will patch you up after your fights? To whom will you cling to when you are beaten? Who will be there for you no matter how many punches you throw at them?

Lave. If I'm gone, who's clothes will you steal to wear for yourself? Who will you cling to when others make fun of your hobby?

Shade. If I'm gone, would you still have the warm smile on your face? Who will you turn to when your optimism fades?

Vi. If I die, would you put up more walls? Who would stay by your side no matter how hurtful your words became? Who would you be able to turn to when your worries tear you apart?

Ivory. If I'm gone, who will hold you as you fall asleep? To whom will you cuddle when you feel alone?

Ebon. If I'm gone, who will you cling to every second of the day? Who will you reveal your spoiled nature to? Who will you hold as you sleep?

No.

I refuse to die and leave you all alone here!

And I refuse to let this innocent girl die for me!

I ignore the pain and every cell in my body telling me to stop, and I drag myself over to the mess on the ground. I reach down and pick up a handful of shattered remains. Even as I felt the shards cut into my hand I didn't drop it. Blood dripped to the ground as I dragged myself back to the trash.

I go back to repeat the process, but as I reach into the sheltered glass and ceramic once more, my wrist is grabbed. I follow the hand up to its body and find a yellow silhouette with worry somehow portrayed through its featureless face.

"What are you doing?!" A panicking voice called out.

"Cleaning," I answered absentmindedly.

I feel like I should know this voice. An indescribable warmth finds itself in my chest. The pain I once felt at every brace fades, and the throbbing of my head disappears. I've all but forgotten the agony I was just in.

"Drop it!" The voice demands and forcefully opens my palms; I don't resist.

"Sapph, Sapph!" the figure kneels down in front of me, and the featureless silhouette becomes more and more defined. The light makes way for vibrant golden hair, lilac eyes, and a worried scowl on its brow. A slight frown makes itself known. Further down, The figure wears an orange tank top with a flaming red heart blazoned on the front, black shorts, and running shoes.

"Yang...?" I muttered out.