After The Battle (ch4)

EARLY RELEASE FOR ALL MY PATRONS! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

I tried sticking mainly to canon events but changed how they happen. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

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														Chapter 4. Decision

For the next several days, Pyrrha and Yang continued making attempts at both physical and emotional recuperation.

They played with Zwei out in the yard every afternoon, Yang crouching and Pyrrha throwing, until they each felt confident enough to reverse their roles.

Soon, Pyrrha's ankle was healed enough to allow her to crouch down without risk of the stitches rupturing, and the level of pain had decreased significantly.

Conversely, Yang decided to try throwing Zwei's toys with her left arm. She was terribly clumsy at first, the arcs of her throws were never very large, and the ball often ended up only a few feet in front of her. But after a few hours a day of practicing, Yang began putting faith in her left arm, and Pyrrha began putting faith in her ankle.

Their steps to recovery were small and gradual, but they made sure to cover them every day. And at night, they would curl up together, pressing close as they shared many secret kisses.

They weren't sure how long it would take for them both to feel okay again.

But as things were now, they felt they could take their time.

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About a week after Ruby left, Yang had been playing with Pyrrha and Zwei in the yard once again when her father approached her.

It was difficult for him to make the proposal about a new arm for her. He didn't want her to think she was incomplete or abnormal without it, but he wanted her to know she would always have that option available should she decide to accept. He ensured her that General Ironwood and his team had created a durable, modernized, and efficient prosthetic.

"I'm not saying you have to use it," he told her. "But it might help you feel a little... well, a little more normal again."

Yang wasn't sure how to feel about that comment. She glanced at the limp right sleeve of her shirt, where the loose end had been tied into a ribbon thanks to Pyrrha. Yang frowned and looked from her arm to her father.

"What if this is normal now, Dad?"

And Tai backed off right away.

"Then that's fine, honey. It's up to you. I just want you to know the prosthetic is an option. If you wanna check it out, it's in the shed."

And with that, he left the yard.

Yang was silent for a few minutes, head hanging as her eyes flicked from one arm to the other.

Her gaze was just traveling to the shed when she felt a hand on hers. Pyrrha moved up to stand beside her, curling their fingers together by means of support.

"Yang?" she said softly. "What are you thinking? Do you want to try out the prosthetic?"

Yang took in a deep breath, then released it in a sigh.

"I dunno. I'm gonna need some time to think it over."

"Of course." Pyrrha kissed her cheek sweetly. "Take as much time as you need."

Yang smiled briefly and kissed her cheek in return.

"Pyrrha? What... What do you think I should do?"

Pyrrha squeezed her hand a little harder.

"I'm sorry. I don't really have an answer for that, Yang. I don't have an opinion that leans either way." She lifted Yang's hand up to her lips and pressed another kiss to the back of it. "I'll support you no matter what you decide. I'll love you either way."

Yang flinched, just a little. The last person she'd heard the word "love" from had been Ruby. She'd also never heard Pyrrha use it this way before.

Yang fell silent for a moment, but Pyrrha didn't let go of her hand. When Yang was finally ready, she gave a small shrug and looked to the shed.

"Then... I guess I should at least check it out..."

Pyrrha gave her fingers another gentle squeeze.

"All right. May I tag along?"

"Please."

Together, they left Zwei to sunbathe, and made their way to the shed.

Right in the center was a box which Tai had already opened. Yang knelt down, and Pyrrha could now crouch down beside her with ease. They began moving the tissue paper and packing material aside, until the prosthetic was revealed.

It was everything Tai had described it as. Pyrrha released Yang's hand so the blonde could reach out and run her fingers over the arm.

It was hard, cold, and limp, a contrast to her remaining arm. It made her realize she'd gotten too soft during her recovery time. The muscles in her left arm were weakened, and even if she should decide in favor of the prosthetic, it would hardly do her any good if her flesh arm wasn't as strong as the fake one.

But she wasn't planning on making a decision right then and there. She just wanted to understand her options.

When she was ready, she stood, and Pyrrha went with her. She didn't say, do, or imply anything that might suggest she was trying to sway Yang one way or the other. Pyrrha was entirely neutral and didn't care what she decided on.

When Yang knew her father had already picked a side, it was nice to know there was someone who wouldn't try to influence her.

After that, they headed back inside for the afternoon to have some lunch and ponder.

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It was two days after that when they caught wind of some troubling news.

It was their first time going into town together. Yang had decided she'd stayed at home long enough, and the lingering pressure of the decision she'd eventually have to make weighed over her constantly.

Therefore, she'd made a proposition to Pyrrha, who had eagerly agreed to accompany her into town. Yang had offered Pyrrha her wardrobe, and after dressing in casual clothes, they had walked there to do a little bit of grocery shopping.

It was nice at first, because Yang got to see some people she'd known since childhood, like the shop-keeps and some neighbors. Evidently, her father had told them about her arm, or they had heard another way, because not a single one of them looked at her right side directly.

It was while they were waiting in line for their turn to select groceries from an outdoor food stand when they noticed the excessive bustling of the crowds. A pair of older women nearby were speaking too loudly for them not to hear.

"Did you hear the news about what happened in Atlas?"

"Oh, at that banquet, yes."

Instantly, Pyrrha and Yang stiffened, both of their minds only leading to thoughts of one person. They shared a glance, and came to a silent mutual decision.

"Pardon me," Pyrrha said gently tapping one of the women's shoulders. "We don't mean to pry, but would you mind telling us what happened in Atlas? With communications still down, we haven't heard much news recently."

The two women turned to them, both sighing.

"Well," one began. "My nephew was at that banquet, so I heard it directly from him. Evidently, that young heiress went out of control and set Grimm on the crowds."

"That Schnee girl did always have a reputation for having a bad temper," the other woman grunted. "I heard General Ironwood himself had to interfere."

They continue gabbing, but Pyrrha and Yang had heard all they'd needed to hear already. Staggering back, eyes wide, they clung to one another for support.

"No way..." Yang muttered. "That... That can't be... Weiss wouldn't do that..."

"Absolutely not. It must have been an accident. Something must have happened to her..."

Frantically, the two of them began asking as many people as they could about the news.

Most people seemed to have the same opinion, that Schnee's youngest daughter had gone rouge and caused an uproar. But a few pitied her, believing it must have been an accident.

Pyrrha and Yang didn't need to make assumptions, though. They knew it must've been an accident.

Of course, the rumors about the Schnee heiress were the most widespread that day. But as they went around town listening for news and gossip, they heard about other troubling things as well.

"Beacon's still a mess, I hear. No one even knows if the Academy is gonna reopen or not."

"Apparently those White Fang are on the move again. I thought they were supposed to be peaceful now, but they attacked that school."

"I heard they're becoming corrupt again."

"Who cares about that? Didn't you hear there's an invasion of Grimm heading to Mistral?"

Every new piece of information they heard was one they wished they hadn't been listening for.

Clearly, Weiss was in trouble back in Atlas, Blake and Sun could very well be compromised in Menagerie with the leaders of the White Fang, and as far as they knew Jaune, Nora, Ren, and Ruby were heading for Mistral.

Pyrrha and Yang just felt sicker with worry by the minute. By the time they eventually got back to the house, Tai was looking troubled as well.

They sat through a tense dinner that night, giving only bits and piece of information they knew or had heard. Tai agreed with them that Weiss had probably acted with good reason, or at least had never intended any harm. He also kept saying he was certain that if the Grimm were headed Ruby's way, she'd be smart enough to avoid them, or strong enough to defeat them.

But even though his words said it, Yang could tell his eyes didn't.

They didn't talk about the White Fang. That was still something Yang didn't want to think about so soon. While she was worried about Blake, she also knew she could handle herself, and if Sun was with her, it was for the better.

But that night was full of unease and tension. Even with Pyrrha beside her, Yang couldn't relax or take her mind off their teammates.

Pyrrha seemed equally as unnerved. She held onto Yang's hand and laid there in the darkness with her, knowing Yang wasn't sleeping any more than she herself was.

Eventually, Yang forced out a whisper.

"We've gotta do something... We can't just stay here..."

Pyrrha admitted she agreed to a certain point.

"I feel the same. But... I think we may need a little more time, Yang."

She was only being reasonable. Yang knew they couldn't simply pack up and leave tomorrow morning.

But she also knew the time for lying back on the couch and playing toss with Zwei in the yard was over. It was time they started getting serious.

Pyrrha could sense her conviction even without a single word needing to be said. They each turned on their sides to face one another. Pyrrha brushed her nose against Yang's.

"In any case, let's rest tonight. We can discuss things tomorrow. Does that sound all right?"

Yang took in a deep breath, then let it out steadily.

"Yeah. Sounds good."

They shared one small kiss before closing their eyes.

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The next morning, they were up with the sunrise.

They got dressed in light clothes that were easy to move around in. Pyrrha tied her hair back into a tight ponytail, and when Yang indicated she'd like her hair the same way, Pyrrha happily tied it for her.

As soon as they were ready, they headed downstairs together, where Tai hadn't even started making breakfast yet.

For the past week, they'd come down quietly together, with their hair loose and their clothes ruffled from sleep, and without any spark of motivation in their eyes.

So naturally, when he saw them this morning, both dressed and ready to go with such unwavering determination in their eyes, he was surprised.

But only for a second. He'd known all along it wouldn't take much more time before he'd see this side of his daughter again.

He smiled.

"Morning, girls. What can I do ya for?"

Yang smirked just a little bit, then crossed the room to stand before him.

"Dad? I think I'm ready to try out that gift you got me."

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A/N: BT and I wanted to have Yang accept the arm, but in a different way from the show. In the show, Tai basically pressures (almost bullies) her into using it. But here, I wanted to portray him as more supportive of her, even if she decided against it.