Hello, everyone! I uploaded this before but I didn't get the chance to explain the heart behind this story or to summarize it well. It is going to be a little slow going at first but I promise if you stick with the story it'll delve into deep issues that I believe plaque our society today. Anyways please enjoy the story! (Also this story will have no pairings... except maybe Arkos because I can't resist...and Renora...but only because they are cannon and love them hahaha)

Yang Xiao Long grinned wildly as she exited the diner with her two best friends and younger sister. Snowflakes drifted to the ground creating a picturesque view of the busy city, busy. Yang shook her head at the word, Vale was certainly a busy city and the four girls were busy people. It was February, the second semester of their senior year and although the semester came with much excitement and anticipation it also came with a flurry of tests, rolling college application and last-ditch attempts to improve their GPA. Of course not that the majority of the group needed to improve their GPA as they were all experts in their chosen field to some extent. Her younger sister Ruby, although two years younger than the rest of them was highly sought-after for her mechanical expertise and had been offered early admission to MIT and dreamed of becoming a Robotic Engineer. Yang had fond memories of Ruby creating and blowing up creations in their shared room and even though it had angered her when one of Ruby's mistakes ended up costing Yang her eyebrows and an inch of her hair she still found herself bursting with pride. Ruby had come a long way from the small pipsqueak that would look up at her with big silver eyes and ask to sleep in her bed.

"Come on Weiss! I don't see the big deal, it says low fat!" Ruby protested as Weiss snatched a bag of mini Famous Amos cookies out of her hands.

"Ruby Rose" Weiss snapped as she pinched the bridge of her nose "Just because an item says low fat on the packaging does not mean you can consume half your body weight in said item! Besides, the low-fat moniker is just a marketing tool designed to get you to buy more by reducing the fat by less than 5%. Hardly having an effect on your overall health."

"Blah, Blah, Talk, Talk, I hate Ruby and Cookies!" Ruby mocked

Yang quickly shoved her fingers in her ears as Weiss began to screech at Ruby. Yang shook her head as the red and white duo began to bicker. While Ruby was an out of the box thinker perfectly suited for a degree in Robotics, a degree that encouraged and even required free-form thinking. Weiss Schnee with her white hair, pale blue eyes and perfect posture was perhaps the perfect embodiment of the rules and regulation needed to succeed in the torrid world of finances. Despite having her pick of Ivy League schools had gone with her father's first choice of Princeton University where she would major in socioeconomic's before replacing her father as the CEO of the Schnee mining company. Yang smirked at her short friend as she continued to berate Ruby. Despite Weiss's outward appearance of conformity she was a rebel, a good indication was the way she had made friends with three kids from the wrong side of the tracks and how she consistently wore her hair in a lopsided ponytail. Yes, Weiss was a rebel and Yang was certain her slightly neurotic friend was going to change the company for the better.

"Think those two will give it a rest anytime soon?" A voice next to her wondered

Yang turned her head and found herself looking into the amber eyes of her normally reserved and currently freezing best friend Blake Belladonna. "Nope!" Yang said popping the P.

Blake rolled her eyes playfully "they fight a lot but I am willing to guess that those two will miss each other like crazy"

"I thought you were majoring in journalism, not psychology" Yang quipped

Blake smirked "You're right, but maybe I should consider a double major considering somebody needs to look after your bouts of impulsivity"

Yang shook her head "Please, even your dark, brooding mind would find what I think of disturbing"

Blake grimaced "I'll take your word for it"

Yang laughed as the two settled into a comfortable silence and continued walking forward. Blake was probably the one most likely to change the world or at the very least the one most likely to be arrested for organizing a public sit in. Blake was a refugee from the war-torn country of Menagerie and her aspiration was to bring light to the issues plaguing both her country and her people. Having experienced discrimination since birth due to her Faunus traits and heritage like the muckrakers of old Blake sought to undo the injustices done to her people and expose the corruption of the highest level of government. Yang used to kid her and say that she would wind up either dead or on the other side of the world with all the digging she wanted to do. Blake would retort that while she believed that the pen was mightier than the sword she was still willing to use the sword when it was called for. All of their majors like their personalities were as different as day and night but the four of them were as close as sisters, they shared every aspect of their lives together. For the most part. Yang's smile slid off her face as she remembered the real reason she had invited the crew out tonight. Unlike her friends, the blonde beauty did not have a crystal clear vision for what she wanted to do with her life. All she knew was that she wanted to travel the world and if she could help people along the way then so much the better. So in a fit of impulsivity Yang had walked into a recruiters office and half an hour later had signed all the paperwork needed in order to join the Army. Yang knew it was a good decision, her father and uncle had encouraged it. However, her younger sister and two closest friends had no idea. Her plan had been to make the announcement while at the dinner but the mood had been so great and they were having so much fun planning their summer that Yang didn't have the heart to tell them that she was slated to leave for Basic Training the week after graduation.

"Yang watch out!"

"Wha" Yang slammed into a light pole, she fell backward and was engulfed in a pile of snow as the pole wobbled and the snow from the top slammed into her "Shit" she groaned

"Yang!" Ruby rushed to her "Are you okay! I'm sorry I should have warned you sooner"

Yang waved her of "Nah, don't worry about Rubes. I should have been paying attention to where I was going. I was just kinda in my own head"

"Yes" Weiss drew out as she helped the blonde back up to her feet "you have been growing increasingly distracted these last couple of months"

"What?" Yang stiffened "No I haven't!"

Blake narrowed her eyes "I don't know Yang I have to agree with Weiss half the time I take you're staring out into space"

Yang ran a hand through her hair nervously "I uh"

She opened her mouth to come up with a poor excuse when all of sudden Ruby interrupted waving her arms around violently "Oh my gosh! I forgot my scroll at the dinner!"

Weiss shook her head "Ruby you dolt" she sighed heavily "This conversation isn't over! Come on you ignoramus lets go find your scroll" Weiss said pulling the younger girl by her hood

"Weiss I'm not even fat!"

"What? I never called you fat!" Weiss screeched

"You called me an ignoramus!"

"That's not what the means you-"

Yang laughed as the two rounded the corner and their bickering trailed off she stiffened as she heard Blake clear her throat behind her she turned around slowly.

"So, are you finally going to tell me what's been up with you the past couple of weeks?" Blake intoned looking up at her with her piercing amber eyes.

Yang gulped she had always found Blake's eyes mysterious and they had wormed a confession out of her many a time but now they were downright unnerving. Yang could have sworn Blake was looking straight through her. "I don't" Yang's defenses died on her lips as she locked gazes with her best friend. "Okay, I have something to tell you" she sat down heavily on a wooden bench. Their walk had taken them to the park and Yang couldn't help but gape at how quickly the snow was coming down. It was peaceful almost enough to distract her from the maelstrom raging in her heart. Almost.

Blake sat right next to her she sighed "Yang, I know I got onto you but I understand if you need some more time"

Yang smiled warmly at her, she appreciated Blake compassion but still, she could no longer take the cowards way out "No, I uh need to tell you. I just don't know how"

Blake reached for her hand "Just take your time then" she gave her a comforting squeeze

"I joined the Army" Yang felt Blake stiffen "Blake?" a fleeting vulnerability crossed her features "Blake?" she asked again

"How long?" Blake asked tightly

Yang looked away awkwardly "Four months give or take? she ran a hand through her golden locks "I leave a week after graduation" Blake sat rigidly "Blake please" Yang reached out for her.

Blake pulled away as if Yang's hand would burn her "Does Ruby know? Does anyone?' the same tightness was still in her voice.

Yang visibly deflated at the motion of her younger sibling "My dad knows, so does Uncle Qrow, hell he even took me out for a drink…but you're the first person outside of them." Blake stayed silent "Blake please say something."

Blake stood up quickly, she glared at Yang. Her normally calm and reserved demeanor morphing into one of hurt and range. Her amber eyes narrowed into slits and her black ears laid flat on her head given her the appearance of a feline waiting to pounce. "What were you thinking?" Blake erupted "Do you have any idea who you'll have to fight?"

"Blake please"

"No Yang! In case you haven't been following the news lately you'll be shipped off to Menagerie to fight the White Fang!" Blake's' chest was heaving with emotion "Do you know what they've done? The atrocities they have committed, in the name of my people?!"

"Yes, Blake I do!" Yang yelled now moved to anger herself "and that's why I have to do my part!"

"My parents spent most of my childhood trying to stop the evil they helped create and in the end it meant nothing! Instead, they ended up missing and I ended up as a child soldier!" Tears formed in Blake's eyes.

Yang felt all of her anger dissipate "I'm sorry Blake, I didn't mean too" she trailed off.

Blake shook her head as a sob built in her throat. Yang yanked her into a fierce embrace letting the shorter girl sob into her shoulder with an intensity that terrified her. "Shh..it's okay Blake" she soothed hugging her tightly.

Blake withdrew herself slowly from the embrace "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have lost it like that"

Yang smiled "Don't ever apologize for having emotions Belladonna. Especially around me… you are my best friend and I understand what it's like to bottle crap in"

They both sat back down on the bench Blake stared straight ahead refusing to look at Yang "I just I lost my family, my home, and for a while, I even lost myself" she clenched her fists "I just don't want to lose you."

"You won't," Yang said firmly

Blake smiled sadly "Can you really promise me that?"

Yang shook her head "No, I guess I can't. But I can promise that I'll fight like hell to come back"

Blake smiled at her "I'll take that"

"Good" They stood up "I wonder where Ruby and Weiss are?" Yang questioned

"Probably arguing which way is the fastest." Blake chuckled

They both went silent as they noticed a man approaching them out of the dark. He was wearing a gray hoodie and seemed to be approximately 5'10. By any other accounts, he seemed like a normal passerby but there was something about his gait that made Yang's hair stand on end. "Blake" she muttered "get behind me" she moved in front of her not willing to take the chance.

The man stood still once he got close "Cute" he uttered lifting his head up revealing unkempt silver hair and gray eyes "familial affection, it's so touching."

Yang curled her hands into fist "What do you want asshole?"

The man smirked "I don't know if I should tell you Yang, aren't the best things in life a surprise?" he chuckled darkly

Yang felt as if she had been dunked in a bucket of cold water "How the hell do you know my name? Who are you?"

"All those questions will be answered soon." he said smugly "Well for you not so much for the cat behind you."

"Shut up!" Yang yelled

"So fiery just like you were described"

Yang was stunned "What?"

The man pulled a revolver out of his back pocket and leveled it at her "I'm sorry to do this to you but it's for your own good" he put his finger on the trigger.

"No!" Blake yelled she attempted to move in front of Yang but the taller girl pushed her away.

The man pulled the trigger twice and ran leaving the still smoking gun behind. Yang felt the bullets slam into her chest a deep burning pain invaded her every sense. Blood blossomed across her yellow shirt as she fell, Blake barely able to catch her in time and set her on the cold ground face up. Yang grasped at the snow beneath her blood quickly pooling into her lungs as her life's essence spilled onto the pure white snow below.

"Help!" Blake cried putting pressure on the gushing wound, she winced as Yang grunted in pain "I'm sorry Yang but I have too"

Yang shook her head spots dancing in her vision "Blake…get….out…of…here" she wheezed "He…might…come" Yang coughed hard blood spilling out of her mouth.

Blake shook her head "Shut up Yang, I'm not leaving you here" she looked around again "Help!" she yelled again.

Yang heard two familiar footsteps fast approaching but she couldn't find the energy to sit up "Blake what the-"

"Yang!" Ruby screamed rushing to her side "Blake what happened?"

"There was a guy he shot her. I don't know why" Blake grit her teeth "Shit! Ruby, you're the fastest bring my car around, Weiss call 911 and tell them we have a gunshot wound victim on the way" the two girls hesitated "Now!"

Ruby took off running and Weiss pulled out her scroll "Hello 911, yes my friend was just shot we are taking her to the ER right now"

Blake smiled down at Yang "Don't worry Yang, I had Ruby bring the car…she didn't see much"

Yang smiled weakly "Thanks…Blake…I'm so…tired" she began to close her eyes.

Blake shook her "No, Yang stay awake!" she shook her harder "Please stay awake!"

Yang's normally bright lilac eyes were growing dim and she felt colder than she ever had in her life "Blake…tell Ruby…Uncle Qrow and…my dad…that I love…" she coughed again

"You're gonna tell them yourself!"

Yang shook her head "I'm not…" she could feel herself growing weaker and she doubted she would make it to the car much less the ER.

Blake opened her mouth to retort but Weiss interrupted her "Blake! Ruby's here we have to leave now!"

"Yang this is going to hurt! Weiss help me carry her!"

Yang bit back a scream as the two picked her up and rushed her to the car. Blake got into the back first she laid Yangs head on her lap as Weiss slammed the door and clambered into the passenger seat.

"Go, Ruby!" Weiss yelled

Ruby hit the accelerator grinding into the floor as the car shot out into the night "Blake is she gonna be ok?" Ruby asked tears falling down her face.

Blake swallowed "Just focus on the road Ruby, I'll take care of Yang."

Ruby sobbed and Yang felt her heart snap in two "Blake… you and Weiss…you..need to look after her" she whispered

Blake swept Yang's bangs away from her sweat covered forehead leaving a streak of blood "Why? She has you." Blake whispered tightly

Yang brought a hand up to Blakes shirt and gripped it weakly"No…she won't" her breathing shallowed and she closed her eyes.

"Ruby hurry!" Blake yelled

"I'm going as fast as I can! Damn it Yang hold on!"

Yang groaned there was too much going on and her head was pounding she could hear Weiss's frantic conversation with the 911 operator, Ruby's sobs and she felt something warm drip onto her face. She opened her eyes and saw that Blake was crying "Don't cry…" she closed her eyes again.

"No! Yang keep your eyes open!" Blake shook her

"Love you guys…" Yang breathed giving Blake one last grin before everything faded to black.

Thank you for reading! Please review!