Forever And Always

Chapter 22

When Weiss and Ruby left, I had gotten a phone call from Cardin, again.

"What the fuck do you want? I did what I was told. What could you possibly want from me?"

"I need you to do a mission for me."

"And that is?"

"I need you to head over to where Junior is. He has someone who wants to meet you."

"Sort of like a meet and greet?"

"You could say that."

"Who is this person he wants me to meet?"

"Let's just say, your biggest fan."

I sighed, "I'll be there as soon as I can."

I hung up, grabbed my keys, my gauntlet, and jacket. I headed towards the door, but Blake caught me before I could leave.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm just going out to get groceries."

"With your gauntlet?"

"You never knew who you could run into. Might have a run in with a guy trying to steal your groceries."

Blake glared at me and shook her head, "Alright."

I was about to walk out, but remembered something. I set down my things and hugged Blake. Her head rested underneath my chin. I kissed her head and put my hand underneath her chin. I made her look up at me. Her amber eyes were beautiful as ever. My lips met her's. We kissed for a few seconds until I pulled away.

"I love you, Blake."

"I love you too, Yang."

I kissed her cheek, grabbed my things, and left. I hated leaving her, since we live in a much bigger house. I got into my car and drove out towards Junior's. When I reached his club, I put on my gauntlet and headed inside. As soon as I walked in, Junior walked over to me.

"Blondie? What are you doing here?"

"Cardin called and said someone wanted to meet me."

"I don't have anyone here wanting to see you."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Shit. This was all a setup.

"Well, I think I'll be going now."

I turned to leave and saw Mercury. Shit. I was in deeper shit now.

"Hey, Blondie. I think we need another rematch after you humiliating me in front of your home turf. And then humiliating me on my home turf, while I wasn't even there. Everyone knows you're the one who won the Vytal Festival in Atlas. You're going to pay."

"Mercury, I'd love to stay and chit chat, but I need to go."

"You're not going anywhere. Besides, there's a few more people who has a bone to pick with you."

They were all fighters from the festival. All of the opponents I had defeated. Mercury got them together to form sort of a hate group. Ember Celica flew open as well as a small gun on my robotic arm.

"Get her!" Mercury cried.

Ten minutes in and I was exhausted. There were too many of them. Mercury swung his leg underneath mine, causing me to fall onto the ground. I knew that was the end of me. Everyone there got on me. It wasn't until I was pulled away from them by someone.

"I'll call the authorities on you!" a voice called.

"They're already here," said a police officer.

I watched them being taken away. My breathing was slowing down. There were a few paramedics taking me from the arms of my savior. I looked at them and my heart sank. The person who had saved me, was in tears. Their heart looked completely broken. As if they had witnessed a life changing experience.

"Blake?"

I woke up, who knows how long it was. All I remember was seeing Blake. I woke up, one eye was swollen shut. Dried blood had formed from the corner of my mouth. I think I had a black eye, as well as the swollen one, and maybe a few broken bones. I looked around and saw Blake was sitting in a chair, facing me. There was anger and sadness on her face.

"You said you were going to the grocery store!"

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice very hoarse.

"You lied to me, Yang."

"Blake, I was just trying to protect you. If you would have came, then you would be next to me, in a hospital bed!" I said, coughing from trying to raise my voice.

"I know," Blake said, crying. "I just don't want to see you hurt."

"I know."

I opened my arms and she sat beside me. She hugged me, resting her head underneath my chin.

"You were out for three days. You have a concussions, swollen eye, black eye, a broken leg, and a few broken ribs. Your voice will return within a few days."

"Blake, I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. I just didn't want you to get mixed up in all of the shit I had caused over a few years."

"Yang, it's alright."

"It's not."

"How did you get caught up in all of this?"

"Well, it all began when Cardin came to me. I was walking around Downtown Vale. He asked me if I would be interested in a fight club. He said he would pay me more than I get at working with Neptune. At that point in time, I was desperate to make more than fifteen dollars an hour. So I accepted his request. My first day at the fight club, everyone loved me for my arm. They heard what happened and placed high bets on me. I had made over a hundred dollars in my first week. I kept going back. Fighting more stronger and better people. I myself got better with fighting. I wanted to leave multiple times. But Cardin was dragging my ass back in. He offered me something I couldn't turn down. That six million dollars. I couldn't refuse that offer so I took it and look where I am now. Lying in a hospital bed because I thought I could take Mercury and those guys from the tournament. Turns out, they're the sore losers of this story. And he was afraid of getting his ass beaten in public."

"So he made you get your butt kicked in public."

"Only Junior knew me there. Everyone else at the club didn't."

"I'm just glad you're ok," Blake purred against my neck. I rubbed her head and cat ears.