RWBY: Innocence

Reformation

Lazarus's arms hurt. He had been lumbering along through the forest as his bloody arms hung loosely by his sides. They were still bleeding slightly and the massive gashes almost seemed to be decaying. His wings were slumped and dragged behind him. His cape seemed somewhat ragged and almost torn up. His pathetic whimpers never ceased. Each whimper told the same story of pain, misery and loneliness. The wounds had first formed when he smashed the cuffs on his arms; the metal had cut into his flesh and left some nasty scars. Lazarus felt disappointed in himself as he felt that he could have stopped the metal with his bones, but now it was too late; the damage was already done.

As he dragged himself through the forest, his delusional mind focused onto the blonde-haired girl. Ever since he had met her, the idea that not all humans were evil latched onto his thoughts and never let go. The fact that she hadn't attacked him was enough proof that she was a friend, but the fact that she had found and slept with him had struck an alliance between the two of them. Despite that they never spoke, Lazarus trusted this girl...

"Yang Xiao Long..."

That made him stop; the mysterious voice echoing in his mind without any warning. Lazarus couldn't understand what had happened to make the voice speak, but he wanted to see if he could make it speak once more. His thoughts trailed back to the blonde-haired girl...

"You love her..."

Lazarus's legs started to move on their own, sending him forwards. Lazarus thought he had an alliance with her, but considering that Torchwick had made him think that he had known the humans before, he started to think that this girl was something more than an ally. Wanting answers, he began to think again...

"You have to be strong for her..."

Lazarus growled in frustration and shook his head. Wasn't he already strong?

"You have to get better..."

He gritted his teeth furiously. He was perfect and he knew it! Nobody could beat him...

"You have to wake up..."

Lazarus's legs finally stopped. His eyes widened at the sight of the figure before him. Lo and behold; it was the blonde-haired girl. She stood smiling at him with her arms outstretched. But what did the voice mean? Wake up? He was already awake...

"You aren't Kenzo..."

Now without any control of his body, Lazarus's bloodied arms slowly raised from his sides and wrapped themselves around the girl. If he wasn't Kenzo, then just who was he? The name struck a light of realization in his mind. He could remember writing the name in dirt before he fought Torchwick. Lazarus was his true name, but why did he think he was Kenzo?

"I am Kenzo...You are my other half..."

Of course! The humans around him must have thought he was Kenzo as he did become the other half of this mysterious man named Kenzo. But there was one question that he needed answering; what did he need to do?

"You need to rest..."

********

Yang was in Heaven. She was in the arms of the love of her life and she was finally going to experience her first kiss. She didn't care that Lazarus had randomly appeared from the forest and had instantly headed straight for her; she was happy to see him. Looking into his gleaming Red eyes, she saw the same kindred spirit that she had known for so long.

"Kenzo...I love you..."

Her lips connected to his as the new couple shared their first kiss. Lazarus's wings wrapped around her body tightly and smothered her body in warmth. His soft lips caressed hers as they held each other lovingly. Tears rolled down Yang's eyes as her right foot slightly raised off the ground.

It was perfect.

********

Kenzo could remember it all. He remembered being raised by his uncle for seven years straight and eventually hearing the tragic story of his parents' death and running away from home. The warm memories of his peaceful life on the run caressed his mind lovingly. He remembered the comfort he felt when Spiros offered him a home in his garage.

"He's my best friend..."

The memories of being tackled to the ground and dragged into the ship by Atlas guards sent a flaring pain into his head. He remembered sitting in his uncle's office and being furious at him. But no matter how angry he got, his uncle's love was unforgettable.

"He cares for me like a father..."

The memory of meeting Yang for the first time was still warm in his mind. The feeling of their first hug was always going to be stuck in his mind. The guilt of snapping at her at the bar was still there.

"She loves me..."

********

The bones broke away and his skin returned to its regular color. The wings and cape evaporated and disappeared into the night sky. His lips disconnected from Yang's and his eyes finally returned to their Green shade.

"Yang...I love you too..."

It was at this moment that Kenzo was finally brought back to life. He was still the same person, but unknown to the world, he had changed. His future had finally changed for the better.

It was at this moment, for the final time, that Kenzo collapsed and passed out.