Those Of A Lifetime

Chapter 18: Moving Forward, The Dance Of A Lifetime

*A/N(s)* Whoo! Okay, man I took forever to get this chapter out, but here it is! Merry Christmas to you all!! Also, it's the longest chapter I've ever written. Excluding the author's note, this chapter is 7,906 words long and could've been longer, but I'm keeping those ideas for the next chapter, so stay tuned! I was going to divide this chapter up again, but decided against it. So yes, this is a continuation of chapter 17. And without further ado, here is chapter 18.

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"Weiss, what happened in your dream?" the headmaster inquired.

"I- I saw Ruby... she was in my dreams... and she... she told me to stop crying for her... and we..." Weiss trailed off thinking it was best for now to out the fact that they kissed.

"We?" Yang questioned with a hint of wanting Weiss to continue.

Weiss sighed. "We kissed, but it was... It was so real... so genuine... It felt as if she really was right there with me... don't you find it odd?"

"Hmm..." Ozpin raised an eyebrow" and crossed his arms. "Did anyone else dream of Ruby?"

They all answered "yes" in unison verbally and non-verbally except for Yang.

"Yang? You didn't dream of Ruby?" Qrow asked.

"Well... I didn't sleep... I couldn't... but I had a strange experience last night... it was like I was..." tears began to form in Yang's eyes, but she held them back. Blake held Yang's hands in hers rubbing her thumb over hers. Yang had to swallow the pain forming in her throat. "It was like..." she swallowed again. "I was talking to her ghost...or.... I don't know! B-but tell me!" she sniffed. "Tell me that I was asleep... a-and that everything was just a dream!" Blake was hugging and kissing Yang gently now, wiping away Yang's tears.

Ozpin's brows furrowed keeping his head bent. "Oz, what is it?" Qrow asked placing one hand on Ozpin and the other around Yang's shoulders. "Yang, your sister will be okay..." he said comforting her.

"I assume we all had a different experience with Ruby as she tried to connect with us... I don't like the sound of any of this... she's still alive, but I don't think she wants to wake up... I for one, dreamt of Ruby and her mother... all I saw was Ruby's face... and then Summer's... I'm not sure what that could've meant, b-but... Summer... we never meant for this to happen...!" Ozpin pulled on his hair exposing his forehead. "Summer just looked at me... while Ruby was smiling..." and he slowly shook his head. Everyone were all taken aback as they watched and listened to Ozpin and seeing him lose his collected nature. "I-I need to see Ruby!" he said as he dashed into the hallway heading back to the emergency room.

"Ozpin!" Qrow called out, but Ozpin was already out the door. Qrow grunted. "Let's follow him!" he commanded and everyone followed suit.

Ozpin... this wasn't anyone's fault... no one knew that the White Fang would be there! Even Ruby didn't, even if she had some affiliation with Neo, no one would have guessed they'd be there... And the outcome of things was Ruby's choice... Summer isn't mad at you! Qrow thought as he raced after Ozpin. Everyone else followed in silence all eager to know of Ruby's condition and hoped for the best.

Ozpin stood by the doorway for several minutes before proceeding into Ruby's room. His breathing was uneven, not that he was tired, but a part of him has gone missing. His shoulders fell slump as he saw Ruby's heart monitor has remained the same since she was hospitalized, even her aura gauge stayed near depletion. And yet, her breathing was a leveled rhythm, her features were calm, and peaceful despite the melancholic atmosphere.

"Ruby..." Ozpin whispered kneeling by her bedside.

Ozpin... a voice inside his head spoke.