Darkest Nights: a RWBY Story

Chapter 11: Reunion

Blake sat on her bed, the warm light of evening filling the room with a soft glow. She looked down. She was holding the long, silver knife that Jason had given her, turning it over and over on her hands, watching the light of the setting sun catch the edge of the blade before vanishing again as the knife continued to rotate.

She got up and stretched, placing the knife back in its sheath on the nightstand. She quickly crouched down and pulled her bag out from under the bed. It would be good to be on the move again.

There was a knock on the door and Yang entered brushing a strand of hair from her face. She looked at the empty bag.
"Still not packed?"
Yang said, flopping down on the bed. Blake sighed.
"I've just been thinking that's all."
Yang sat up and looked at her friend picking up the knife that Blake had put down on the bedside table and looking at it. The phoenix engraved into the hilt glinted in the light. She sighed.
"I'm sure he's fine Blake."
Blake looked up at Yang. "I know... it's just, he wasn't supposed to be gone this long and..."
"You're together." Yang finished.
Blake turned to look at yang. "How did you-?"
Yang let out a genuine laugh.
"You actually think I didn't? Let's just say I know you didn't go all the way to Menagerie just to see your parents. Plus, I saw you on the balcony the night he left."
There was a long silence. Then Blake spoke.
"You knew this whole time? And You aren't mad or anything?"
Yang smiled sadly.
"Sad, maybe a little, but mad? No. Blake, I saw how happy you were when he was here and honestly, I don't think I've seen you that happy since Beacon.
And if you're happy, I'm happy. Just know I'll always be here if you need me."
Blake hugged her friend.
"Thank you Yang."
Yang smiled and stood up.
"C'mon, I'll help you pack, we've gotta be up early tomorrow."
Blake grinned as she began to empty the contents of the chest of drawers into the duffle bag with yang's help before strapping the knife, still in its sheath, to her belt.
With Yang's help, Blake managed to pack up in a matter of minutes.
In the living room the fire was roaring in the hearth, casting shadows on the walls, as Blake put her bag by the door before sinking into one of the large leather armchairs near the fire.
She looked around the room, not knowing if she'd ever be back to the safe house again.
Ruby and Weiss sat, playing cards, at a small wooden table by the window. Nora was curled up by the fire, asleep, her head resting on Ren's lap. In another corner, Jaune and Oscar sat talking quietly.
Blake sat down on the large sofa in the middle of the room and picked up her copy of Ninjas Of Love from the coffee table.
She had finally gotten lost in the book when she heard the front door open.
There stood Jason, his boots covered in snow from the path outside and his hair damp from the rain. He walked in and set down his bags.
"Sorry I'm late."
He said, removing his jacket and hanging it on the hook by the door.
He walked over to Blake who rose from the couch to meet him. She smiled and drew him into a swift hug, followed by a quick kiss. She felt a low, rumbling purr rise inside her.
When Jason pulled back, the rest of the group walked over as he placed one of his bags, a long, leather case, on the coffee table.
He looked at Blake before he spoke.
"Blake. I know it's partly my fault that Gambol Shroud was destroyed. And even though I didn't have of the original pieces, I stopped by a workshop on my way back from Vacuo and well, I did my best."
Jason flipped open the gold latches on the case and let the lid swing open.
Blake felt her breath catch in her throughout.
Inside the case, wrapped in cloth, was Gambol Shroud, or at least something very close to it.
The blade was the same matte black, but this time with a sharper point. The hilt was slightly thinner, but much sturdier, with a thin line of gold running through it.
Blake picked up the weapon, feeling the weight. It was almost identical to the original. The fit her hand perfectly, her index finger resting gently on the trigger.
Then she looked down. Neatly tied into the hook at the bottom was a flowing dark purple ribbon.
After a moment, Blake looked up at Jason san smiled.
"Thank you..."
Jason nodded.
"It's why I was so late getting back. It took me a couple of hours to put it together."
"You did a great job."
Blake said, sliding the sword into its sheath before fitting it with its new custom dust cartridge.
"It's a shame you won't get a chance to use it before we get to Vale."
Yang said, eyeing the weapon.
Blake chucked.
Jason checked the clock. It was already 10:00 pm.
"We need to get to bed. We'll be up in a few hours to get to that train."
They all agreed and said goodnight before heading off to their rooms for the night.
Jason was exhausted.
He was asleep the second his head hit the pillow.

(Chapter co-writer: Raven Blackheart)