A Molten Fox's Tale

It has only been a day since my birthday and a finding Indigo shot by the White Fang just a few hours after that. Blake spent all of yesterday and today at the hospital, no matter who called her on her scroll she wouldn't pick up. The rest of team RWBY were worried sick for their friend and professor. Just before going to bed, I had tried to contact Auntie but was only informed of busy schedule no matter what I said.

Even now, after having gotten up and ate breakfast, I tried again only for the same person to pick up and mention that Auntie is busy at the moment. I could only groan at this, it was way too early for this shit and the receptionist is driving my patience up the wall. I hung up before they could finish droning off the same words from yesterday. Tak was nearby, already mediating his stress away from yesterday. I looked back down at my scroll in one hand while I ate another spoonful of cereal and beginning to dial Auntie’s personal number.

It rang a few times before someone picked it up. “Hello? Who’s this?”

“Hey Auntie, it’s Viri.” I said to her.

“Oh Viri! It’s good to hear from you again. I hope that chip I sent you gets there on your birthday… Which was yesterday… you did get it right?” She asked me. I rolled my eyes at this.

“Yes I got it thank you. Where are you by the way I’ve been trying to get a hold of you.” I asked her with a frown before taking another spoonful.

“Oh, I’m on vacation.” She answered me before I heard my scroll gotten a message. I looked at it and saw that Auntie was on a beach in a dark red and black bikini and a sun hat. “Needed some time at the beach, so relaxing.”

“I’ve been trying to get in touch with you and you’ve been on vacation!” I said, upset at she’s taking it easy.

“Now now, no need to get angry. What do you need?” She asked me, a little edge in her voice for yelling. I sighed and explained what happened to Indigo and about the bullet. There was some silence from the other end of the call before I heard a soft ‘Poof!’ before she spoke. ‘Okay, I’ll take a look at it. You just-”

“How am I supposed to know you’re actually going to look into this and not go to the spa or something?” I asked her. Again there was silence before I gotten another photo, this one was Auntie in some sort a lab and had a white coat on, though she was still wearing her bikini under it.

“Does that answer that? If so good! Now send me the bullet.” She asked me before explained that my scroll can send stuff to her as long as it’s not bigger than the scroll itself. I nodded and sent her the bullet and was told that she’ll call back when she has the data, which should be in a half an hour or an hour tops. With that said she said goodbye and I was left with half of my cereal gone from eating it. I grumbled a bit as I placed my scroll down, that receptionist gave me such a headache for nothing! Nothing!

“Please don't set fire to the table, we eat there.” Tak said to me, no doubt having heard my frustration. I sighed a bit.

“Sorry, just… people.” I said with a little grumble. Tak shrugged a bit and when back to whatever he was doing. It wasn't long before I got up and washed the bowl before brushing my teeth and changing. I had promised to visit Indigo today and I don't plan on breaking that promise. Tak had already changed, having gotten up before I did and when he heard me walk out in shoes, he stood up with his cane and was ready to go as well.

We made our way to the hospital and headed to Indigo’s room where Indigo was reading the book Blake got from mama as she slept in the chair nearby his bed. Did she spend the night here? “Hey Indigo.” I greeted him as we entered.

“Hey.” He said, moving his gaze up to us. He looked at Tak in confusion but said nothing, perhaps he didn't bother wanting to know. We came in and closed the door as Tak sat down in one of the chairs he found as I looked at Indigo.

“How are you feeling?” I asked him as I walked up him and taking a chair before setting up near him. He closed the book quietly and setting it down by the table next to him.

“Honestly, pretty sore. A little mellowed out now despite what happened yesterday.” He said in a calm tone, which came to a surprise for me.

“For someone who gotten shot that’s surprising.” I said to him, earning me a shrug from him. I smiled and looked over at Blake who was still sleeping. “Did she really stay here all night?” I asked. He looked over to Blake and nodded.

“Yeah. I tried telling her to go back to Beacon but she wouldn't have it.” He said to me. I looked back at him, seeing that he was still looking at Blake. “I don't get why she cares so much.” He said with a shake of his head.

“I don’t know either, the whole time when we took you to the hospital she looked like she was going to break down into tears.” I told him. Indigo didn’t say anything for a few moments before he tired to speak but the door opened and a figure walking into the room. I couldn’t tell who this person was as she wore a hoodie that seemed to cover their face. The person turned to Indigo and spoke.

“Well… you look like shit.” the person said, finding out it was female. As the lady finished her line Indigo went from calm to down right pissed. It was a little frightening how quickly his demeanor changed.

“What are you doing here?” He asked through gritted teeth, he actually struggled to say this. He looked like he was going to jump off the bed, screaming bloody murder.

“Well hello to you to Indigo, long time no see and what not.” The woman said before checking out of the window and door before removing the hoodie. Her hair was short, dark red colour and her eyes were a deep green colour. Her features were sharp like an animal as she stared at Indigo. As I looked at her I notice that she also had a tail, a lions tail. She also looked familiar. She looked over at Blake and arch a brow. “Say, isn’t that… Oh it is, little Blake grew up.” Indigo's eyes narrowed.

“I'll ask again, what are you doing here?” He repeated his earlier question before saying. “Come to finish the job finally?” He asked mockingly before opening his arms up wide. “Well go ahead.” He said. I looked at the two of them confused as the woman shook her head.

“No, I’m not here for that.” The woman said as she crossed her arms. “I’m not like that anymore… Not that you believe me.” She said with a frown. I stared at the woman for a few moments before something clicked.

“Wait… you’re Nava. You were part of Indigo’s team back then!” I said in surprised.

“Please… don’t call me that.” Nava said to me with a frown. “My name isn't Nava… not anymore.” She said with a solemn tone. Indigo stayed silent, narrowing his eyes and lowering his arms as he did. The room settled into silence before she spoke again.

“Look, I know a lot has happened and there’s no fucking way you can forgive me, I doubt you will but after I heard you got hurt by the White Fang… I got worried.” She said, almost expecting Indigo to throw something at her or yell.

“Worried for what?” He asked, crossing his arms. Nava looked away from Indigo for a moment before looking back.

“You getting yourself killed.” She stated which made Indigo frown more. She sighed and spoke. “Look, what I did was wrong, I know that ever since… Dew… Indigo I’ve changed, I’m not like I was before, I left the White Fang and started over. I’ve… moved on.”

“Yeah… I noticed.” He said, his anger now gone. The Faunus woman sighed.

“Can I ask what happened to you?” She asked Indigo, leaving me and Tak in the background, wondering what’s going on. This caused Indigo to chuckle as he said.

“That's the stupidest question I've heard yet.” He said before sighing. “After everything went down, the depression was getting to me. I kept it at bay the only way I knew how.” He said to the lion faunus.

“Is that why I smell booze on you?” She asked him. “Out of everyone, you’re the last one to take up drinking.”

“It was either that or a bullet to the head.” Indigo said to the lion faunus with a nonchalant tone. This caught everyone by surprise, even Nava. Nava looked away in shame at this before saying.

“And what about yesterday? All I heard the Fang hit you hard and you got sent here.” Nava said as she glanced over at Indigo. Indigo removed his arms from blocking the bandages, allowing us to see that it was dirtied with blood.

“I was jumped by some goons, they used some special aura negating bullets.” Indigo said before laying back down. This got Nava’s attention.

“So… the rumors were true…” She muttered to herself before looking at Indigo. “The White Fang are starting to get more bold with this now.”

“Ummm, rumors?” I asked, now coming into the conversation. The two of them looked over at me for a moment before Nava continued.

“About some kind of ore that has the power to negate one’s aura, no one can look into it other than Sienna Khan and those she picked to know about it…” Nava said before shaking her head. “Here I thought it was just something to boost morale.”

“Well it isn't and it's very real, if they can mass produce that stuff. We're fucked.” Indigo said plain and simple.

“Umm, if you want to know… I sent a bit of whatever it was to my aunt.” I informed them.

“I’m sorry but what?” Nava said, looking a bit more irritated by this. “I don’t see why you go and send a bit of stuff that can stop aura with ease, to your aunt. Hell, I don’t even know you.”

“Her aunt owns the dust company rivaling the Schnees.” Indigo said just before I could introduce myself. There was a slight pause when he said that, making the lion Faunus blink a few times.

“Oh.” Was all she said. She didn’t say anything before looking back to Indigo. “Anyway, I just… wanted to check up on you. That’s all.” She said as she pulled her hood up. Nothing was said as she walked out, Indigo only sighed and hung his head. The whole ordeal must've really brought out some bad memories.

“You going to be okay?” I asked him.

“Yeah… I'll be fine.” He said in a low tone, which only only made me feel bad for him.

“You want to talk about it?” I asked. This got an odd look from Indigo as I shrugged. “What? My mama asked me that question if I feel bad.” He shook his head and simply said.

“I'd rather not… best to forget.” Was all he said to me, his shoulders sagging as he spoke. I frowned at this but nodded, I didn’t want to push my luck with him. As he sighed Blake shifted a bit before waking up. Wow, talk about timing.

“Mmm, wha…” She said as she rubbed her eye a bit. “Did I miss something?”

“Nah, me and Viri were just talking.” Indigo said to Blake, the way he said this make sound like if it were true. I arched a brow at him but said nothing. She nodded before yawning a bit. She then asked Indigo if he’s alright and everything, still worried about him and his injuries.

“Blake, I'm fine. You don't need to make such a big fuss over it.” Indigo said to Blake after the many health related questions given to him. Blake looked at him for the longest time without uttering a word, that is until she spoke.

“Sorry… I was, worried that’s all.” Blake finally said to Indigo. What Indigo did next actually surprised me, having known him as the always grouchy professor of Beacon, I had never expected to see a smile from.

It was about two hours before the doctors allowed Indigo to be discharged since he’s all healed up. We stepped out of the hospital after waking Tak up from his nap. Indigo was fully dressed in his clothes though they were still dirty from the blood but it wasn't too noticeable unless you're looking for it. It didn't take us long to get back to Beacon, thanks to a quick Bullhead ride courtesy of the Headmaster and parted ways from Blake and Indigo. Blake wanted to make sure that Indigo went back to his room safe and sound but while I expected Indigo to be against her coming with, he simply said nothing and let it happen.