Chapter 4

Ruby entered the house with Zwei in tow. "Dad, I'm back!" Ruby announced. Zwei raced down the corridor, skidded into the guest room and leapt onto Yang's lap. Yang petted the dog's head before it dove back to the floor and ran off. The sound of approaching footsteps preceded Ruby's arrival. She appeared in the doorway. "Hey sis, hey Pyrrha." She said. Her hair was messy and she was breathing heavily. That was no surprise, taking Zwei for a walk was always quite a workout. "Wait, did something happen?"

Only moments from their depressing conversation, Yang and Pyrrha were still morose. Both scrambled for a plausible explanation that would not drag Ruby down with them. "We had a run in with some photographers earlier." Pyrrha said. It was not an outright lie. "Yang regrets her reaction." That was.

"I got angry and scared them off." Yang said, rolling with Pyrrha's story. "I probably shouldn't have done that."

"Oh don't worry about it." Ruby said. "It's only natural to be angry at them for invading your privacy. So, how was the trip?"

"Terrifying." Pyrrha replied.

"Yeah, Yang rides like a maniac." Ruby said. "How do you like our house?"

"It's nice." Pyrrha said. "It's such a departure from what I'm used to, and that's a good thing."

"Great." Ruby said. "Dad's almost done making dinner."

"We'll be right there." Yang said. Ruby nodded and disappeared back into the hallway. "Thanks for not telling her." Yang said once Ruby was sufficiently far away.

"I wouldn't want her to be sad too." Pyrrha said.

"Well, I guess we should go eat." Yang suggested. "Dad's a good cook, I bet you'll love it."

Yang led Pyrrha to the dining room and the pair sat down at the table with Ruby. Moments later Taiyang entered from the kitchen carrying a large tray. He carefully placed it in the center of the table. The meal consisted of grilled fish and pasta accompanied by a variety of sauces. "I hope this up to your standards Ms. Nikos." He said as he took a seat.

"Please stop treating me like I'm special." Pyrrha requested. "And you can call me Pyrrha."

"Alright Pyrrha, but it'll be difficult." Taiyang said. "You are a famous Huntress with exceptional skills after all."

"Dad, she hates being treated like a celebrity." Yang said. "Just act like she's any other guest."

"I guess I can do that." Taiyang said. "Now go on and eat before it gets cold."

There was not much dinner conversation. The way Pyrrha's hosts ate could only be described as ravenous. Most Huntresses and Huntsmen were though, it was a profession that certainly worked up an appetite. The food was also quite good. It was not five-star restaurant quality but it was better than what Beacon served. When the others finished their portions, Pyrrha was still only half done.

"So, how did you two meet Pyrrha?" Taiyang asked.

"During initiation we fought a Deathstalker and a giant Nevermore together." Ruby explained. "Her team has the room across the hall from ours too. And our teams usually eat together."

"You're from Mistral right?" Taiyang asked. Pyrrha nodded. "Why did you come all the way to Beacon? Haven Academy is very highly regarded as well."

Pyrrha swallowed what food was in her mouth before speaking. "In Mistral my fame was becoming a distraction." Pyrrha said. "I thought Beacon might give me the opportunity to get away from some of that. I also hold Headmaster Ozpin in the highest regard."

"Did it work?" Taiyang asked.

"Well we were ambushed by the paparazzi on our way here, so I'm going to say no." Yang said.

"I can see why though." Taiyang said. "Not only are you supremely talented, you're quite an attractive young lady."

"Thank you?" Pyrrha said, unsure of how to respond to such a compliment.

"Dad, don't start." Yang warned.

"Start what?" Taiyang asked.

"Yang doesn't want you hitting on her girlfriend." Ruby blurted out.

Taiyang looked back and forth between Yang and Pyrrha for a moment. "Wait, what?" He asked. "You two are dating?"

"Surprise…" Yang sighed. "Thanks Ruby."

"Sorry, I thought you told him." Ruby said sheepishly.

"Well, I didn't see that coming." Taiyang admitted. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was going to." Yang said. "I never really felt like the time was right."

"So are you two not going to need separate rooms then or…" Taiyang started.

"I don't think we're that far along in our relationship." Pyrrha interrupted. Her face was red with embarrassment. "We've only been dating for about a month."

"Congratulations I suppose." Taiyang said. He too looked to have been thrown off by the conversation. "I'm going to start cleaning up before I make this more awkward than it already is." He stood and collected empty plates from around the table.

Pyrrha still had food on her plate but the awkwardness of the situation caused her to lose her appetite. She placed her utensils on the plate and slid it away.

"That could have gone more smoothly." Yang groaned.

"I'm really sorry." Ruby repeated.

"It's alright." Pyrrha said with a cheerful smile that hid her discomfort. "It was actually less embarrassing than how the rest of you found out."

"I'm sorry about that too." Yang said. "I'm really not good at this sort of thing."

"Don't worry, neither am I." Pyrrha assured her. "My parents have no idea either. I haven't quite figured out how to tell them."

After a long and eventful day, everyone was fairly tired. They retired for the night. The next day, New Year's Eve, was an important one. It was a day to remember the past in anticipation of the next day's celebration of the future. Pyrrha showered then dressed for bed. She went to sleep hoping the next day would be less awkward.

Pyrrha awoke to the sound of Ruby and Yang arguing. "You can't go alone." Yang said.

"Then come with me." Ruby said.

"I can't just leave Pyrrha here." Yang said. "Just wait for dad to get back."

"By the time he gets back there won't be time." Ruby countered. "I'm going."

Pyrrha groggily walked to the house's main room. She was surprised to see Ruby had Crescent Rose with her. "What's going on?" Pyrrha asked.

"Ruby wants to go…" Yang started but hesitated.

"I'm going to visit my mother's grave." Ruby said.

"It's not in a safe location." Yang explained. "It wouldn't be safe for Ruby to go alone."

"I've done it before!" Ruby protested.

"Yeah and you had to fight off a pack of Beowolves by yourself." Yang reminded her. "What kind of sister would I be if I just let you go off into the woods alone?"

"So go with her." Pyrrha suggested.

"I can't leave you here alone." Yang said. "You came here specifically so you wouldn't be alone."

"I'll go with you." Pyrrha offered. "I'd like to pay my respects as well. That is if it's not a problem with Ruby."

"It would be embarrassing for you to see me get emotional." Ruby said. "How do you even know about my mother?"

"I'm sorry but I lied to you." Pyrrha admitted. "Last night, when Yang and I were sad, it was because she was telling me about your mothers. I didn't want you to be sad too, so I lied.

"So Yang didn't get angry and scare off the paparazzi?" Ruby asked.

"No, that really happened." Yang said. "I don't regret it though."

"Well, are you sure you want to come?" Ruby asked. "You're visiting us to have a good time, not to go somewhere sad."

"I don't mind at all." Pyrrha replied. "Being a friend isn't all about the happy times. The tough ones are important too. I want to be there, for both of you."

In a flash of red and black and a flurry of rose petals, Ruby was suddenly hugging Pyrrha. "Thank you." She said.

"Thanks." Yang said, smiling and laying her hand on Pyrrha's shoulder. "This means a lot, to both of us."

Pyrrha could now understand why Ruby had not been willing to wait to visit her mother's grave. Just getting there took hours of walking. She also understood Yang's concern. It was in the middle of untamed wilds, sited on the edge of a cliff. Upon arrival Ruby immediately approached the monument. Yang waited some distance back and Pyrrha stayed with her as Ruby began talking, a one-sided conversation. In the meantime Yang whispered stories of Summer to Pyrrha, wiping away the occasional tear. Yang could be brash and vulgar, but she also showed a surprisingly loving and emotional side. Yang spoke of Summer with such love and nostalgia. As hard as it had hit Ruby and Taiyang, the loss had clearly left a deep scar on Yang too.

After a long while Ruby turned around and looked at the pair expectantly. "I guess it's our turn." Yang said. They approached and Yang knelt beside the monument. "I still miss you, mom." Yang said, placing her hand on the stone.

Pyrrha stood with her hands folded in front of her. "You raised two beautiful, caring daughters." Pyrrha said. "I wish I'd known you." Pyrrha could not help but shed a tear. She stood silently with her eyes closed until Yang finally tapped her on the shoulder.

"It's a long walk back." Yang said. "We should get going."

"Of course." Pyrrha said.

"Thank you, again." Yang said as the pair walked away from the monument. "This means more to Ruby than you can imagine, and that means everything to me."

"Thanks." Ruby said as the pair reached her. She seemed to be in better spirits than when she had arrived. Perhaps talking to her mother was cathartic. "I'm really glad you came."

"I'm sure she would be very proud of both of you." Pyrrha said.

"Come on, you're going to make me cry." Ruby complained.

"I mean it though." Pyrrha insisted. "You're both wonderful people."

"You're pretty great there yourself." Yang said. "Not a lot of people would have done this."

The trio headed back home. The long walk back was just as uneventful as the journey out but all three were more cheerful. Pyrrha had expected a trip dedicated to somber mourning. Instead it was more a celebration. As Yang and Ruby shared stories of their childhood Pyrrha felt it all a fitting tribute to a mother who seemed more an angel than a woman. It was a standard Yang and Ruby clearly aspired to and Pyrrha now joined them in that sentiment.

Upon reaching the house everyone was tired from the long walk. Ruby had told a story about visiting her mother's grave in the depths of winter. It was a grueling trek in the mild weather in which they had just undertaken it and Pyrrha could not imagine the difficulty she would have experienced in the snow. Ruby could seem goofy and childish but deep down she must have been determined and strong-willed. She was also apparently in great shape because no sooner had the group gotten home when she took Zwei out for a walk, leaving Yang and Pyrrha alone.

Pyrrha sat down at the end of the couch. Yang walked to the couch and lay down, resting her head in Pyrrha's lap. Yang's luxuriant hair spread out across Pyrrha's legs. "You have beautiful hair." Pyrrha said, running her fingers through it. "It's soft too."

"Thanks, I try." Yang said with a smile. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "It's a lot of work, I'm glad you like it. You have a very comfortable lap."

"Thank you?" Pyrrha replied.

"I could get used to this." Yang said. She popped one eye open briefly before closing it again. "The view's pretty good too."

"I'm happy to see you happy." Pyrrha said. "You have a lovely smile."

"If you don't mind, I'm going to take a nap." Yang said.

"That sounds like a good idea." Pyrrha agreed. "I'm tired too."

Yang's breathing slowed as she drifted to sleep. Pyrrha just gazed at her for a while. With her mouth open and drool drizzling from it, Yang was not a pretty sleeper. Still, there was something charming about it. Pyrrha carefully adjusted herself to be more comfortable and leaned back. She was adept at falling asleep under less-than-ideal circumstances, a useful skill for someone who shared a room with Nora. Soon she too drifted into dreamland.

Pyrrha and Yang were awakened by the sound of the front door slamming. Yang snapped to a sitting position with a snort and swiveled to face the door, wiping the drool from her cheek. "Hey dad." She said.

Taiyang was carrying several bags of food for the night's dinner. "Where's your sister?" He asked.

"Ruby took Zwei for a walk." Yang replied.

"Did you two go…you know where?" Taiyang asked. He walked into the kitchen and immediately set to work preparing the meal.

"Pyrrha came too." Yang said.

"Did she?" Taiyang said. "Thank you Pyrrha. It means a lot to all of us."

"There's no need to thank me." Pyrrha said. "It means a lot to me that you would include me."

Ruby burst in and Zwei raced into the kitchen, lured by the smell of fresh meat. "Zwei, no, you'll get some too when it's ready." Taiyang said. Zwei wined and looking sad walked back into the living room and lay down beside the couch.

"What did you two do while I was gone?" Ruby asked.

"We just took a nap." Yang said. "We wouldn't want to fall asleep before midnight. You should probably get some sleep too."

"Nah, I'll be fine." Ruby said. She flicked on the television, tuning it to a program that was recapping the important events of the previous year. She sat at the other end of the couch with Yang in the middle. Yang slid herself closer to Pyrrha and leaned against her, resting her head on Pyrrha's shoulder.

Together they watched television in silence for a while. Pyrrha found being close to Yang much more enjoyable here that on the back of a motorcycle. Yang could come across as tough and irritable but now it was all softness and warmth. Yang, for her part, seemed just as content. If this was what Pyrrha had to look forward to, the future was bright.

"For all the ups and downs it was a pretty good year." Yang said. "It really picked up towards the end too." She added with a wink.

"I bet next year will be even better." Pyrrha said.

"What are you kids up to?" Taiyang asked, walking into the room.

"We're just watching TV." Ruby replied. "Yang and Pyrrha are being all romantic and gross."

"I bet Qrow's going to have the same reaction." Taiyang laughed. "At least he did all those years ago." Taiyang smiled, a nostalgic look on his face. "Speaking of Qrow, he should be here soon."

No sooner had Taiyang said that then there was a knock at the door. Taiyang walked over and opened it. Qrow stood there, his flask in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other. "Happy New Year." He slurred, handing the bottle to Taiyang.

"Hey Qrow." Taiyang said. "I have something to tell you. You probably won't be thrilled."

Qrow took a long sip from his flask and slid it into his pocket. He peered into the room and spotted Pyrrha. "Oh no it's happening again!" He screamed, pressing his hands against the sides of his head."

Some Years Earlier

Taiyang answered the door. Qrow stood there, a bottle of champagne in his hand. "Happy New Year." He said, handing the bottle to Taiyang.

"Hey Qrow." Taiyang said. "I have something to tell you. You probably won't be thrilled."

"Yeah, what's up?" Qrow asked.

"So…I got your sister pregnant." Taiyang said, rubbing the back of his head nervously.

"You what!?" Qrow shouted. "I mean, congratulations.

Two Years Later

Taiyang answered the door, holding baby Yang in his arms. Qrow stood there, a bottle of champagne in one hand and his flask in the other. "Happy New Year." He said, handing the bottle to Taiyang. "Huh, they grow up so fast."

"Hey Qrow." Taiyang said. "I have something to tell you. You probably won't be thrilled."

Qrow took a big sip from his flask. "Yeah, what's up?" Qrow asked.

"So…I got Summer pregnant." Taiyang said.

"What!?" Qrow shouted, spitting his liquor all over Yang and Taiyang. Angered by the sudden dousing, Yang's eyes flared red and her hair burst into flames, lighting the highly flammable liquor and creating a spectacular fireball that engulfed the trio. The flames subsided in Yang's hair and her eyes returned to their normal violet. "I mean, congratulations. Oh crap, your eyebrows are gone."

"Yours too." Taiyang said. "Good thing my little girl's fireproof."

Present Day

"You know, when it was my sister and my teammate I was almost okay with it." Qrow said. "Now this! And Pyrrha Nikos of all people. Not only is she famous, she's less than half your age! You kept it in your pants for a decade and a half, what the hell were you thinking?"

"Oh, you think I…" Taiyang said. He laughed. "No, no, nothing like that." He slapped Qrow on the shoulder. "Since Pyrrha's staying here she's got the guest room. You'll have to sleep on the couch."

Qrow took a deep breath. "That's a relief." He sighed. He laughed uneasily. "You almost gave me a heart attack."

"Come in, come in." Taiyang said.

Qrow sat in a chair at the far side of the room and immediately took a swig from his flask. "So, what's Ms. Nikos doing here?"

"I'd better let her tell you." Taiyang said. "You might have some nasty flashbacks hearing it from me." Taiyang returned to the kitchen to finish up dinner preparations.

"So, what gives?" Qrow asked.

"Well, one of my teammates is going home and the other two are sort of a couple…" Pyrrha started.

"I can sympathize." Qrow groaned.

"…so instead of being alone I came here for the holiday." Pyrrha continued.

"Yeah, but why here?" Qrow pressed. "I'm sure there are other places you could've gone."

"Yang and Pyrrha are dating." Ruby said. "Before you got here they were being all romantic."

"Gross." Qrow said with a big smile matched by Ruby's. "Well, congratulations Yang. Pyrrha, you have my sympathies."

"Hey!" Yang protested.

"I'm kidding." Qrow laughed. "Well Ruby, at least your two other teammates aren't an item."

"I'm not so sure." Ruby said.

"Well kid, when it comes to coping with all this, don't turn to alcohol." Qrow said. "Apparently it's not befitting of a Huntsman to walk around wasted all day."

"It's not that bad." Ruby said. "Pyrrha's really nice. She even came to visit mom with us today."

"Did she?" Qrow asked, raising an eyebrow. "Looks like you found yourself a real winner there Yang. Don't blow it." He burst out laughing. "Yang, come on, don't give me that look. I'm just messing with you. You two make a cute couple and I'm sure you're great for each other."

Qrow looked homeless and smelled like alcohol, but Ruby and Yang clearly looked up to him. Having his approval meant a lot to Pyrrha. She felt increasingly like another member of the family.

The hours before midnight passed quickly. Dinner was a sizable feast with delicious cuts of meat and delectable sides. It was all consumed as quickly as the night before. Qrow and Taiyang, with their years of experience, had many stories to tell. Ruby, Yang and Pyrrha had their own tales to tell of their time at Beacon. It was like nothing Pyrrha had experienced. Here she was not Pyrrha Nikos, unstoppable fighter. She was Pyrrha Nikos, member of the family. She was not expected to be anyone other than who she really was. She had never dared to dream she could feel so at home, so at ease.

As midnight and the New Year approached, Pyrrha sat with Yang leaning against her. Qrow had passed out and so too had Taiyang who had made the mistake of trying to go drink for drink with his teammate. As Yang had suspected, Ruby was unable to stay awake after a long day and slept soundly at the other end of the couch. For all intents and purposes, it was just Pyrrha and Yang.

The television showed a massive throng of revelers in Vale as the countdown began. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6. Yang gazed up at Pyrrha and Pyrrha down at Yang. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. "Happy New Year." They whispered in unison so as not to wake the others.

"Make a wish." Yang said.

"I want to spend the year with you, like this." Pyrrha said.

"No fair, that's my wish." Yang complained. "There's a lot I want to do with you too."

"I know." Pyrrha said. "I look forward to it."

"So, how about a New Year's kiss?" Yang asked, twisting around to face Pyrrha.

"I was wondering when you'd ask." Pyrrha replied. She leaned forward, her and Yang's lips meeting as they embraced. They remained locked there as long as their lungs would allow. The connection Pyrrha felt was more powerful than anything she had experienced before. Even their other kisses and embraces had not given her this feeling. She felt as if she and Yang were the only people in the world. All her troubles, all her worries melted into insignificance.

"It's going to be a great year." Yang said when they finally broke the kiss.

"When I'm with you I feel like nothing else matters." Pyrrha said. "I finally feel like there's somewhere I belong, and that place is at your side. As long as you'll let me, that's where I'd like to stay."

"I know I've said it before, maybe too much." Yang said. "But I love you, everything about you."

"Hearing you say that fills me with such joy." Pyrrha said. "I love you too, and no matter what happens, I always will."