Protect me, Blake?

Chapter 1: Yang's Confrontation

Yang had mentioned after their reunion, that it'd take a while for things to go back to normal, but she was glad that they were back together; that Blake was back. However, there was this nagging feeling she couldn't let go of. A feeling she was very familiar with. A feeling she despised with her whole heart.

After their train car of the Argus Limited derailed and crashed into the snow, Team RWBY - along with Uncle Qrow, Oscar, and the cranky old lady who invited herself to tag along with the group - found themselves at an abandoned farming village. The group soon discovered that all the residents had passed away, presumably in their sleep and due to some sickness. They didn't want to stay there any longer, and Blake suggested that she and Yang should look around the farm for any vehicles.

The couple walked through the snowstorm outside and entered a huge barn, sliding the heavy wooden door shut behind them. Yang wandered deeper into the barn as Blake brushed some snow off her shoulders. The blonde looked around and noticed a flatbed that could be hooked up to Bumblebee to carry everyone else.

As Yang was inspecting their ride, a flash of red outside the window caught her eyes. That familiar red hair, red horns, and a red blade. She gasped, stumbling backward. Blake rushed to her side, ready to unsheathe Gambol Shroud. "What is it?" she inquired, her voice full of worry. She has never seen the blonde so anxious. That's when Yang told the brunette about her PTSD, her left hand shaking violently. Blake's ears immediately drooped at the sight of her partner's distress. And guilt washed over her knowing it was all her fault.

But she pushed that feeling aside. She had to be there for her partner now, and that's precisely what she'll do. "Hey, I'm not leaving. And if we ever see him again, I promise I'll be there." Blake assured, taking Yang's prosthetic hand in both of hers. Yang gave her a soft smile. She looked at their intertwined hands, still smiling. That was all she wanted to hear, that her partner wasn't going to leave her. That she can count on her.

"And I'll protect you,"... Yang looked up and turned to Blake, uncertain and confounded. "What?". Blake's ears perked up, her eyes widening. "What did I say this time? Goddammit, why do I keep messing up?!" she cursed herself. Yang's jaws clenched as she looked deep into those amber eyes, and Blake could swear she saw a flicker of red in Yang's bright lilacs.

The blizzard outside grew vicious, the wind howls deafening, and the silence between them that stretched for more than a minute only amplified the sound of Blake's heart thrumming in her ears. She has four, for that matter. Yang wouldn't hurt her, she knew that for sure, but she was well aware of what Yang could do when she got mad.

But the blonde simply sighed and looked away..."Protect me, Blake?" she began, looking out of the window. Blake's breath caught in her throat. "Yang I-" the brunette started, only to be interrupted by the blonde. "After I'm done fighting my battles?..." Yang turned towards her, and Blake could see it all, all the emotions flashing in Yang's eyes like a reel playing a film. Anger, hatred, resentment, and...hurt.

Blake stood there, speechless. Before she could say anything, the blonde retreated her hand from the brunette's grip and proceeded towards the door. "Yang, p-please," Blake's voice cracked. She reached a hand out to the blonde, pleading her to stop, and Yang did. Blake didn't know what to say next, because she wasn't expecting that to work. She looked down at her feet instead, groping for words.

"Months," Yang sighed, rubbing her face, her back still turned to Blake. "For months, I was left in the dark," Blake lifted her gaze, knowing very well what the blonde was talking about, "Left without a trace... or any explanation," she continued. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath in. "You don't understand," the brunette said, almost in a whisper, taking a step forward. Yang's fists clenched, and her eyes snapped open. "Ofcourse I don't understand!" she snapped at Blake as she turned around forcibly. Blake got startled by the sudden reaction and gasped, taking a step back. "Cause you left without a word, Blake! Do you have any idea what I've been through?!". Yang's voice boomed across the room. Blake took a tentative step toward her, "Yang, it's-". "You don't..... cause you didn't care enough to stick around." the blonde hissed through her gritted teeth.

Blake stared at Yang, mouth agape, tears pricking at the corner of her eyes. Yang's words rang in her ears. She had so much to say, but she couldn't form any words. She swallowed hard, and her chest felt heavier - as if someone placed a huge stone over it, making it difficult to breathe.

Yang began walking towards Blake, slowly. "Everyday, I had to battle the demons in my head.... the demons that kept reminding me of how STUPID I've been." "You're not," Blake mustered up in a whisper, and Yang scoffed. She was standing infront of the brunette then, who held her gaze. Blake tried to push down the lump in her throat, fighting back her tears.

She didn't want to break down, she couldn't. She had a lot of making up to do, lots of questions to answer, and lots of apologies to make. She had to start facing her problems - and solving them.

Yang started circling her as she continued lamenting, "the demons that kept telling me that I'll never be good enough, that I'll never be strong enough!"

Blake stared at her in utter incredulity. Yang? Not strong enough? She was the personification of strength! Blake felt her heart beginning to crack.

"...And that I'll always end up with the people that I care about leaving me!!" Yang cried out, standing face-to-face with Blake. Teeth gritted, brows furrowed, she glared into the brunette's eyes; trying her best to hold back her tears.

Yang's look was so intense it sent a shiver down Blake's spine. If her heart had cracked before, it shattered into a million pieces after hearing that last sentence. She stood in silence, tears beginning to cascade down her cheeks. Her eyes never left Yang's though, and it's a wonder how she did that. Everyone knew Yang's looks could kill. But for some reason, they were always soft for Blake - except for now.

The brunette felt her surroundings closing in on her, causing her to suffocate. Her heart was racing like a free horse. Thud-thud, thud-thud, thud-thud. The barn they were in began feeling colder and colder with each passing moment. It was as if Yang's emotions and feelings were projecting through nature.

Seconds passed with neither of them saying a word, and then when Yang opened her mouth, Blake's world came crashing down.

The blonde shook her head and laughed. She...laughed... It was a burst of half-pained, half-sardonic laughter, and it felt agonizing to the brunette's ears.

The blonde leaned in, her nostrils flaring, and what she said next broke Blake completely.

"You weren't there when I needed you the most, and I don't think I need your protection now..."