I looked outside the window of my room again tonight. Even when shattered, it seemed that the big rock in the space still did its monthly cycle. This time, a new moon covered the sky.
It was so oddly beautiful, even more so than when I could actually see a full moon. I felt the need inside me, to go hunt and get stronger, like the night itself just wanted to tempt me into going outside and let myself go.
But I'm not a dumbass. I won't do that.
Silently, I got outside my room once more. Ruby and Yang slept on the second floor, so I just needed to be extra careful to not wake Summer up this time.
So that's what I did. With my almost perfect eyesight, I walked through the house. Avoided the sleeping Zwei. Passed by the fridge to grab a snack; any kind, really. I decided on a rice-based bar dipped in chocolate, and then I got outside.
Last time I didn't really stop to appreciate the scenery. This late into the night? The only sound was the small crickets here and there, and since this residence was slightly separated from the main settlement, there was plenty of peace.
I took a look at the dirt path and the trees surrounding the house. I thought that it may be a good night to read up on my astral magic book and try something out, but I felt that I could do nothing on a new moon. Or at least, not yet.
So I just took a seat right there in the grass. I didn't even mind that it was slightly wet from the dewdrops.
I took a breath in, and out. The headmistress did say I could find out more about my strange magic by 'unlocking my Semblance', and from a quick search on Summer's phone— Scroll. I found out that a Semblance is supposed to represent an aspect of your soul.
Not the whole thing, no. Only an aspect.
Closing my eyes, I tried to feel out that same space from my first night possessing a body. That dark space in which I found that poor little kid.
That place in which he cried. The place in which he was set free by a blinding light.
That place in which I replaced him.
Slowly but surely, I could myself delving deeper and deeper. The darkness of the night enveloping my body and mind in its silent and safe embrace. For darkness doesn't always mean treachery or even danger nor fear.
…
Was I getting awfully philosophic? Maybe. It isn't like me, but I am playing with concepts here.
…
I opened my eyes, and my face twitched with a smile.
Darkness all around. Just like that day, I found myself in this dark place where there was absolutely nothing but shadows.
…
It felt like an hour passed, and I still could not figure out how to find my supposed 'soul'. Did I mess it up somehow or am I just bad at this?
Every time I felt that I had a solid grasp on myself, it just slipped away completely, and if I tried to force it to stay, it would forcefully tear itself away from me.
Haa…
I was almost about to give up, when a sudden realization struck me. Sure, maybe I could not find my own soul, but what about that little spark that ignited me in the first place? Could I find that?
As if the shadows around me tried to answer, the darkness parted easily, revealing a door. A white-colored door.
Subtle.
Silently, I walked up to it. Then, I put my hand on the pommel and pushed. The door opened without any resistance, revealing another shadowy room. Only that this time there was a pillar made of white marble in the middle of four black walls that made this room.
I walked up to it. On top of the pillar was a light. That same white spark.
Then I touched the pillar.
The Blessing of Darkness taints this fragment further…
My eyes widened as the shadows started spreading around the white pillar like an infection. In mere seconds, once pristine and beautiful decoration was nothing more than another shadow. The white spark in my hand turned grey.
I followed my instincts, and swallowed it.
You have acquired [Hidden Hunter].
Your SORCERY has increased by 1.
…
''N… N…i…r! Noir!''
Opening my eyes, I stared up at the face of Summer. When did I lay down in the grass? Did my body just fall like that after I entered that place?
''Noir, are you alright?'' Since I'm laying down, and the first thing I see is Summer's face…
I reached out with a hand, feeling up whatever I was using as a pillow right now, and by the plush yet firm softness along with the Silver-eyed woman's face becoming slightly red, I figured out that I was resting on Summer's thighs.
Life really was amazing.
''Yes. I'm fine Summer, thanks for asking.'' I gave a little smile to which I got a flick on my forehead. ''Did I wake you up again? Sorry… I just wanted to get outside a bit.''
I was tempted to close my eyes again, but I felt her hand on my scalp, playing with my hair. ''Sorry to tell you, little Noir. But you'll need a bit more than being sneaky to get past a seasoned Huntress. Do you know how many times I caught Ruby trying to get extra cookies from the jar?''
The mental image of a smaller Ruby trying her best to reach the top of the fridge made me snort.
''Still, why the lap-pillow all of a sudden?'' I asked teasingly, to which the woman huffed and looked away, into the woods, instead of at me.
''No reason. Just felt like it.'' Even with those words, one of her hands searched for mine, to which I gladly took and squeezed. While she was embarrassingly looking at the forest, my gaze remained on her face.
''Thanks.'' I smiled.
''Don't mention it.'' She huffs.
-Yang Branwen-
''Feels nice to stretch your legs! Doesn't it, sis?'' She said, in between punching a Beowolf directly in the face, making the Grimm recoil backwards from the impact, its mask cracked.
Her answer was a blitzing shower of petals, accompanied by a 'Wooo!', speeding past her and re-forming into the form of the petite red-reaper in question, a massive scythe in her hands that cut through a Creep's hide like butter, making the creature howl in anger.
She chuckled and faced the way she sent that Beowolf flying, only to notice dissipating spoke reforming into a ball, and Noir laying his back on a tree dressed in a common leather vest, along with a pair of knee-pads of the same material.
Her eye twitched in slight annoyance. ''Hey! That was my kill, prick!'' Noir turned to look at her, a little small blossoming on his face.
''Ah, you won't even spare one for me? So heartless, Yang…'' He looked down in fake hurt while clutching at his chest. This bastard kept messing with her. Every time she tried to tease him for any reason, he just countered with his own.
'Damn pretty boy…' The worst part is that it worked somewhat.
Shaking his teasing from her head, she huffed and rolled her eyes. ''Fine. Keep that one, see if I care.''
She crushed down the little warmth in her chest at seeing him smile slightly again. ''You're the best, bombshell.'' With a wink and that stupid quip, he circled around the three, only to slowly fade away from view before he could get behind it.
At that, she deadpanned. ''You do know that doing things like that doesn't make you look cool, right? It's like calling out your 'ultimate move' before striking or some shit.'' When she did not get any answer besides Ruby calling out from a distance with 'Yes it does!', she stuck out her tongue and checked her scroll.
Then she winced at the aura meters on it. Even if she was the one with the most reserves among the three, she still sat at a 78%, while Noir was at 87% and Ruby sat at a chilling 96%. The only waste of aura on those two being the constant use of their Semblances.
Yang clicked her tongue. Damn her, for once that her mother and aunt took them to get some practice hunting and she was lagging behind the newbie.
Suddenly, a chill went down her spine as she felt her blonde mane of hair being caressed from behind. Then, that same newbie's voice whispered into her ear. ''Don't fall behind, blondie… Also, it does make me look cooler.''
Her cheeks felt hot all of a sudden, and she punched the air behind her only to hit nothing but air. A grumble left her mouth at the slowly fading laughter of Noir.
''No it doesn't, asshole! And don't touch my hair!'' She huffed and stopped messing around, deciding to charge directly into the thicket of the forest to not lag behind her sister, who was already getting out of view.
All the while she ignored that his whispering voice, accompanied with that teasing tone, did some things to her.
…
Behind the slowly fading form of the blonde, Summer and Raven looked at the children messing around and hunting Grimm, as if they were playing in a park.
''I think both of them are getting particularly affectionate with Noir.'' Summer spoke with a smile, her trusty axe in hand and ready. To the huntress' words, Raven turned with a raised eyebrow.
''And you are not?'' The edgy woman sassed.
''What about you, Raven? Acting like you're not getting particularly touchy-feely?'' She quipped while elbowing her partner.
''…Touché.''
-Noir Leblanche-
''Alle-hup!'' Looking at Summer, dressed in a beautiful red sundress while using her axe; Sundered Rose to chop the fuck out of a tree so we have somewhere to sit, is a lot more brain stimulating than I thought.
A heavy thud echoed in the clearing as Summer bent slightly over to chop the dead tree into pieces.
Truly, a mind enlightening experience.
Someone snapped their fingers in front of my face, which made me change that glorious view for Yang, who was raising an eyebrow and deadpanning at me. ''Having fun ogling my aunt?''
For a moment, I center in the girl's attire. She's wearing a cropped, brown letter jacket with an open vest, and short sleeves. It leaves a nice view of her beautifully lean stomach, which highlights her abs.
Below that is a yellow, low-cut crop top that leaves a nice amount of cleavage exposed. Then, on her arms there's a pair of yellow, mechanical gauntlets that I know have a shotgun integrated in them because I clearly saw a hole getting punched on a Boartusk's underside when she punched it.
How cool is that?
Then it's the fact that she's wearing some black booty-shorts that really— Shit!
I don't let the pain of that punch on the shoulder show on my face as I look at a frowning Yang with a spec of red on her cheeks. Well, she was complaining that I was staring at Summer, wasn't she?
''Hey, I was just balancing things out.'' That made her scowl, and it's now that I can see the resemblance between her and Raven. Even if Yang is a lot more outgoing, she looks entirely like her mother when pissed off. ''If I didn't know any better, I'll say that you really want to cave my face in.''
I don't know why, but acting insufferable towards Yang feels quite fun. Maybe it's the way her eyes go from purple to red, like she just popped a blood vessel, but even then, what I started to call my 'Grimm Sense' never picked up any extreme anger, maybe mild annoyance and embarrassment.
Suddenly, her scowl turns into a big smirk, and I think I made a mistake.
''Oh, that sounds like a great idea!'' She pulled her scroll out of a pocket in her utility belt. ''Hey Rubes! I and Mr. Assassin edgelord here want to have a spar, can you call it off when one of us gets at… 30%?''
The hyper-enthusiastic red reaper suddenly appeared from out of nowhere in a burst of petals with a big grin on her face. At the same time, Yang threw her scroll at her, and Ruby caught it easily enough. ''Sure thing!''
Oh, I certainly made a mistake.
I turned my gaze to the 'responsible' adults in the situation, and while Summer was a bit busy with arranging some sort of table with the fallen down tree, Raven locked eyes with me for but a second, and I could clearly tell that her stoic face turned into a slight, imperceptible smirk.
Then my eyes widened as I turned to Yang, my senses flaring with warning—
Only to get absolutely decked in the face. What a bitch.
I didn't even notice that I had been laid down on the ground until I had to look up at a smirking Yang, hands on her hips and her embarrassment gone and replaced with absolute smugness.
Getting up, it's now my time to give an ample smirk as pools of shadows start to gather at my feet. ''I didn't know your love language was squaring up, blondie.'' I allowed myself to play it cool as I grabbed the pair of steel daggers I had at my belt, making even a show out of it by throwing one in the air and catching it perfectly mid-fall. ''What a pity for you…''
Suddenly, Yang didn't look so smug anymore, as a sudden realization fell on her face.
From the pits of shadows, five adult Beowolves with a mimicry of savage grins came out. Glowing, steel grey eyes instead of the regular red. ''Because the words 'fair fight' are some of the many I don't believe in!''
-Raven Branwen-
Raven stared at the teenagers duking it out while lying against a tree. She was going to propose that they spar somewhere later in the week, but it seemed that they were already going at each other's throats.
''I actually expected that Yang was going to eat him alive, but it seems to be going the other way around…'' She muttered under her breath.
Then, Summer, who had already finished making a makeshift table by chopping down a big slab of the dead tree she fell, walked up to her while also looking at the fight.
''He does seem to like to mess with Yang, for whatever reason…'' Summer shrugged and she shook her head at remembering just how good Summer's hearing was. Bet most Faunus with ears as a trait would hear worse than her. ''Who do you think will win?''
For a moment, she stared as her daughter punched the chest of one Beowolf before activating the sword-mode in her Ember Celica. The sword impaled the Grimm, acting as a hidden blade. Then, she pulled her fist down, making the sword slice through the Grimm's flesh. The creature screeched and fell to the floor as it slowly dissipated.
Then, the combat-fitted form of Noir appeared behind Yang, and even with her daughter's senses being superior thanks to the personal training Raven put her through, she was simply not fast enough to evade Noir's dagger.
A slash crossed her entire back, and as she looked at the yellow aura of her daughter flickering intensely, she knew that was a nasty hit.
''That felt kind of personal…'' Her leader mused, making her snort, which got her a weird look from Summer. ''What?''
''The brat loses those Grimm permanently when they get killed. He complained to me about it when I sparred with one a bit too hard. Go figure.'' She shrugged.
Silently, she pulled up her scroll, Ruby was not the only one that could monitor the aura level of the brats, it was a nifty thing that Scrolls could do. Very convenient on missions to just connect the level of aura to any participant's scroll.
Yang, who was already weakened by her brutish fighting style, was around 40%. That last hit from the brat seemed to take a big chunk out of it… maybe a 15% or more. All the while, Noir only wasted Aura for hiding away with his newly discovered Semblance, putting him at a solid 77%.
''He seems to hit awfully strong, doesn't he?'' Summer wondered, to which Raven nodded, an answer already firing.
''From what he told me, his Semblance makes him invisible while muffling his presence, like the sound he makes. When he stays like that for a long while, the next strike when he appears is a lot stronger.''
''Well, aren't you awfully well informed? You just know everything about your newest student~'' Her eye twitched at Summer's teasing.
''Shut up, you predatory cougar.''
Summer sputtered, and before she could start making embarrassed excuses, Raven focused on the fight. Slowly but surely, Yang's mane of blond hair was starting to glow with more intensity, the blood red in her daughter's eyes flaring up to life, making her sigh.
''Are you listening to me, Raven?! I'm not a—''
''Yang wins.'' Raven interrupted.
Summer clicked her tongue, the embarrassment not perfectly fading off her reddened cheeks. ''How are you so sure?'' The way she almost seemed offended made her crack a little smirk. What, she can't handle her 'little Noir' losing?
Still, it was another easily answered question.
''Noir doesn't know what Yang's Semblance is.''
…
''Oh dear…'' Oh dear indeed.
Yang went to punt another Bepwolf in the chest. The last one standing since she killed three of them, and the other was put into one of those dark pools of shadows before they could die.
Yet, before she managed, Noir re-appeared at her side to try and strike the finishing blow. His impatience was a pity.
Before he could strike, Yang smirked victoriously and changed targets almost immediately. Then, she quickly went to grab Noir's hand, making the boy widen his eyes in shock.
The blonde's hair turned into a fiery inferno of orange and yellow glow, like the sun itself lived in her hair. ''How's this for 'love language', dickhead?!'' With Noir being unable to escape her grip thanks to her superior physical strength, Yang pulled her right fist back and then decked the Grimm-eyed boy directly in the chest.
With an explosion of power, Noir was sent slamming against a tree that had the bad luck of having been planted there probably a century ago. He slammed against the tree-bark, cracking it completely as his black aura tanked the entirety of Yang's blow and impact.
''Match, match! Yang, you went too far again! He's on the red!'' Ruby screamed while waving Yang's scroll in the air, only to petal directly to Noir's side with a worried expression.
The brat groaned, so he was alive at least.
Taking a look at her scroll again, the end result was Yang at 32% aura and Noir at 7%. 'You were close, brat. Scarily close. Just how much talent is on that lean body and pretty head of hair…?'
…
She won't pretend that the thought that crossed her mind didn't exist. If Summer was going to be a shameless cougar, from what Merula told her, all was fair game.
''Told you.'' she snarked. A swelling pride inside her chest at how far her daughter has gotten.
''Daughter of a biscuit…'' Summer muttered, making her snort. Really? Was she regressing to the age she used nice words instead of cursing? Does she not know she's not that young anymore?
Of course, Raven was not a fool, so she wouldn't say that directly to her leader's face.
-Noir Leblanche-
I think my ribs are cracked…
After my soundly victory-turned-defeat by the hands of that mood swinging bombshell of a babe that is Raven's daughter, I decided that maybe I need to start working on some other aspects besides my stats.
My 'Perks' or 'Skills', whatever they are called, have this little thing besides the name that I guess can only mean my level of mastery over the power itself.
The highest one is Curse Manipulation with an 'Intermediate' level to it. Yet, no matter how much I seemed to use the magic, the 'mastery' didn't go up.
There's also a notification that made me slightly cautious. The moment my level rose up to 8 by going on a rampage on the Grimm's population in this secluded part of the forest, a notification popped up.
A new possibility was discovered.
Level and requirements insufficient.
That was all. No sort of explanation at all.
I put it out of my mind for the rest of the day as I slowly but surely recovered from Yang's beat down. She even half-heartedly apologized during dinner for almost shattering my aura in what was supposed to be just sparring.
I resisted the urge to tease her greatly and told her everything was good. Lest I get punched through a tree next time.
When the sun started to fall behind the horizon, we set up camp. The embers of the campfire we used to cook Summer's delicious stew died down and I opened up my tent to take a look outside.
Only person outside was Summer, but that was to be expected since she and Raven were taking turns on night watch. 'Better safe than sorry!' she said.
Silently I stepped out, and Summer's hand stopped for but a moment as she did maintenance to her axe. She resumed a moment later but my presence was already known to her, so I walked to her with a petition on my mind.
''Couldn't sleep again, little Noir?'' She spoke softly while putting away her weapon. Her gaze turned to me and I could swear that those intimidating silver orbs glowed slightly in the night. Yet, when I blinked, the glow was gone. ''You look conflicted. Is something the matter?''
''Ah, nothing much, really.'' I was conflicted, but it's not something she can really help me with. ''I just like it better at night. I feel a lot more… rejuvenated, and I don't really need to sleep either.''
That got me a worried face from her. ''Are you sure about that? Don't you feel tired?'' It really warms my heart how caring this woman can be.
I shrugged my shoulders and sat by her side on a log, watching the smoldering and dying embers of our campfire, as if they had some sort of meaning behind them. ''I don't know. I haven't slept a day since Miss Merula got me out of the forest. So… almost two weeks now?''
It was kind of crazy, how attached I've grown to these people in such a short time. Especially Summer herself. I won't even try to trick myself into thinking I was so close to her almost motherly care.
I was just infatuated with this woman, even if it was that care she showed that made me gravitate towards her in the first place.
''Just don't push yourself, okay? Today you took quite the nasty hit. I'm surprised that your aura could hold on.'' Summer quipped, putting her hand on my head and ruffling it slightly. I just let myself be pampered.
We stayed in silence for at least a few minutes. It was comfortable, like it fit just right in some way, but of course, I'm just not built to leave this poor mother alone.
''Hey, Summer…'' I waited until her clothes ruffled slightly and those intense eyes bore into me. It was weird to know when she was staring. Especially since this only happened with her and Ruby. ''Would you date someone younger than you?''
A little smirk crossed my face as Summer's body completely stilled and a spike of nervousness skyrocketed inside her. It was just that much fun.
''N-Noir!'' She whisper-shouted so as to not get anyone up. ''What are you even saying right now? Of course I wouldn't! That's…''
Even if she didn't trail off, all of her body language told me that she was lying, and let me tell you, from what Raven said to me? Summer and Ruby were horrible liars. So, because of that I just doubled down on the 'teasing'.
''Oh, does that mean I have no chance? I had a whole confession and everything at the ready.'' Now I turned to look at her as I spoke with the most leveled tone I could manage. The shocked and blushing expression she wore was delightful.
The silver-eyed woman did her best to calm down, and with great effectiveness. Her gaze didn't connect with mine as she averted her eyes with shame and sadness. ''Noir… I'm quite flattered that you think of me that way, but… It's improper. I'm much older than you— Heck, I could be your mother!''
Since I am not that socially inept, I decided to save the Mommy joke for now.
''I sense the particular lack of the word 'no' there, Summer.'' My teasing quip didn't go unnoticed as Summer's hand twitched. ''So what's really the matter?''
A beat of silence passed, only for Summer to sigh a moment later, a nervous laugh escaping her lips.
''You see, I- uh. You know there's… a few things that Vale does with actual male and female relationships, since, well, most of the pregnancies around are caused by artificial insemination.'' I definitely did not know that, but it makes sense, so I'll act as if I knew. ''Usually, when a young man comes of age and decides to 'do his duty' as the Mistralies put it… The first woman he seriously involves with is supposed to represent… a lot. Like a life-long partner.''
I think I'm starting to connect the dots. I shouldn't be that surprised that a different world would have different traditions, but it feels strange nonetheless.
''So you see! I'm already much older than you, and with a daughter. It won't be right for me to-'' I decided to not listen any longer. Instead, I interrupted Summer by placing my hand on her face. ''Noir…?''
I stared directly into her eyes. Every second that passed was another one that the fear inside my body grew. I let it, all the way until it became so great that it dissipated into nothing like every extreme negative feeling. It was to put a placebo effect on me, so I could look at her longer.
Silently, we got closer. My remaining hand was placed on her thigh, while she softly grabbed my arm, if she wanted to stop me, she could, but she didn't.
'Was this right?' came the intrusive thought in my head. Am I taking advantage of her by using a body that is not mine to create something intimate with this woman?
The logical part of me cussed me out. I was a supposed 'enemy of humanity', practically infiltrating their species and acting as one of them when I was nothing but a parasite. One of the many monsters that wanted to tear the world apart for no apparent reason that I knew of.
Summer's eyes lidded. Our faces, and especially, our lips, mere inches away from each other.
The emotional part of me craved this connection. This sense of belonging to someone, or even more than one by this world's crazy standards, just made me feel right. I knew why, of course I knew. I could never enjoy something like this in my old world.
Who would want to actually connect with someone who was dying by the day, after all?
In this life I could enjoy this. I could be selfish, even if guilt crushed my heart at the lie that was my identity.
…
I let the emotional part win.
Our lips finally connected under the presence of a sleeping camp of people. The dead embers of a campfire, and with the shattered moon being the only source of light around.
It felt amazing, and by the way that Summer went from nervous to confident, leaning into the kiss and pulling me closer to her, I wholeheartedly don't regret this decision. It was a few seconds later, that we separated, slightly out of breath and a strand of saliva connecting our mouths.
''You're one dangerous young man…'' Summer admitted with a shake of her head, to which I only smirked. ''Fine. If you would have me, guess I don't have any more excuses.''
I embraced the woman in my arms, and I felt a comforting warmth in my chest. This feeling? I like it very much.
…
''Did you really have a confession planned out?'' Summer asked suddenly and I blinked.
''Ah. No, not really, but don't worry. I'll make sure to have one ready when I take you out on a date.'' I replied cheekily, which earned me an embarrassed Summer and a slap on the arm.
I chuckled, and she did too. Together, we tried to hold our laughter at the silly situation lest we wake someone up.
Yeah, maybe I'm lying, and maybe I don't deserve it at all.
But I will definitely cherish it for as long as I can.
Bonus Scene: A Rose's Remorse.
As she stared at the young man that was so bold as to take her lips for himself, retreat to his tent, Summer allowed the little smile on her face to fall.
''Noir…'' A saddened expression took her face. Then, memories of old wounds that she believed had long-healed resurfaced.
A short head of blonde hair. Belonging to a confident woman. A woman who had power by her side, and did what she believed was right. Caring especially for the people around her. A woman she felt deeply infatuated with, who gave the last of herself to Summer.
A woman, she could barely, just barely reflect on the dark-haired boy. Probably his kindness, or his endless, stone-faced teasing.
He was his own person. Comparing him to her in any way just by the feelings that sprouted inside her was wrong. Incredibly so.
A tear streamed down her face. 'I'm sorry, little Noir.' She apologized, even when she knew that being sorry wouldn't make her stop.
'I don't deserve it, but would you let me cherish it a little longer…?' She wondered briefly, before getting to do maintenance on her axe once again.
.
.
.
Author's Note: Well, that certainly took a turn!
Yeah, I know that Summer and MC's relationship seems a little rushed. Especially since it doesn't seem to be a purely physical relationship. Still, we know that MC's is a bit touch starved (understatement of the year, anyone?) due to his previous life. With that last scene, I hope to subtly explain why someone like Summer, who is a lot more experienced and wise (in theory) would jump into a relationship with Noir, who's stated to be 'at least half her age'.