Swords and Sisters
Yang didn't realize being the dragonborn meant being Remnant's errand girl. She was a fighter, a mercenary, she killed people for god sake but then again that was before she was given the cursed title of Dragonborn.
Before she killed and ate the soul of a dragon.
She didn't mean to, she didn't even believe they existed until it was burning men to ashes beside her. All she knew was that she wasn't going to be killed by an overgrown reptile.
It all started on a chilly morning in the month of Sun's Dawn. Yang was lounging in the Bannered Mare, a tavern run by a soft spoken young man by the name of Jaune. She had just rode back into Beacon following a job and was looking to rest up before looking for more work. She had shed her heavier armor for a simple tunic and trousers but her greatsword still rested on her back. The steel nordic sword was simple in design but served her well. A broad blade kept in pristine condition from routine cleanings with a long handle large enough to fit both of her hands comfortably wrapped in leather. At the base of the blade was carved a small dragon. It never broke or chipped in the 5 years she's had it and it saw her through many scuffles and dangerous situations, which she often found herself in.
Yang had few constants in her life, her sister Ruby, her trusty steed Ember, and her sword. None of which she took for granted.
“Yang got your usual right here” Jaune said while holding her plate of venison and potatoes. A modest but filling meal.
A grin covered her face as she graciously accepted the plate from the blonde “Thanks Jaune you sure know how to make a lady feel wanted” she swooned dramatically.
He rolled his eyes punching her shoulder which would have left almost anyone else with a missing arm but he was Jaune. Along with being the inn keep he was also a healer of sorts. He had patched her up one too many times with his magic to not be considered family.
“Finish your food and get out of here before your storm of a sister rolls in and trashes my tavern.” the blonde grumbled out without any real malice.
Yang bowed jokingly before stuffing her face with the venison and bounding out of The Bannered Mare. While it was quite cold out the sun still shone bright and Yang stretched enjoying the feeling of sunshine.
“Now then, off to the guild!” she said to no one in particular and walked leisurely up the steps to her old home. Yang was a traveler now but as a young teen with no parents she and Ruby needed guidance and a roof. That came in the form of The Companions Guild. A group of rowdy restless warriors who had nowhere else to go. Sure they were obnoxious and loud but they were all Yang and Ruby had. A giant of a man by the name of Hazel had found Yang and Ruby pickpocketing for food and instead of turning them in he had picked them up by the scruff and dragged them to the guild hall where they learned the ways of the companions. Yang had since left the guild in search of her own adventures but the now older Hazel would never turn her away even if he did act like a tough old man.
Ruby on the other hand was still an active member and rising through the ranks quickly. She was well respected by all the members, new and old. Her kind disposition, quick wit, and expert axeman ship had to do with it of course. Ruby Rose was an excellent warrior, preferring lighter armor such as leather and a bit of chainmail as opposed to Yang's heavy steel armor. She had a knack for creating new weapons, often up in the skyforge with an old blacksmith named Pietro. She had specially designed her own double sided ax which could detach in the middle and become two axes she could dual wield. Both of her ax heads had her signature roses carved into them stained a bright red. A mighty weapon to behold indeed.
The doors to the guild burst open and the rowdiness of the mess hall died down as everyone turned to look at the loud intruder. Yang strode in hands behind her head glaring down anyone who might tell her to leave but once everyone realized who it was they wisely kept their mouth shut and went back to their own conversations. She nodded once before scanning the table for Ruby but if she was there Yang would have already been tackled to the ground. Instead she looked for another familiar face until she spotted Oscar, a younger new member who was previously a stable hand and had sparked up a friendship with her sister so perhaps he would know where to find her.
She took long strides towards the boy who was currently chatting with a few other newcomers before they all paled staring at the figure behind him. He brushed his wiry brown hair from his eyes before turning slightly to see what they had been staring at. His green eyes widened significantly taking in the blonde.
“Ruby. Where is she?” Yang kept it short. She didn't need to bring more attention to herself then needed.
“Oh! Yang right? Uh Ruby? Right she's uh up at the forge with Pietro!” Oscar managed to stammer out pointing frantically in the direction of where the forge would be. He was staring at her wide eyed fearing he had somehow said the wrong thing. While he had not interacted with the blonde before he had heard enough about her from the other members to know she was not one to be messed with. Hell she wasn't even part of the guild anymore and yet Hazel never stopped her from coming and going as she pleased! Something no one else would dream of doing under the threat of facing an angry Hazel.
Yang hummed in response and promptly turned towards the door making her exit as abrupt as her entrance. There seemed to be a collective sigh of relief from everyone inside, grateful that nothing angered the girl and nothing was left broken.
Yang hadn't always been so unapproachable. Years of being alone on the road does that to someone. Especially after finally finding your long lost mother only to find out she abandoned you on purpose. The world was not kind to Yang so why should she be kind back? She was funny and sweet if she was your friend but until you earned her respect you may as well be any other stranger.
She took two steps at a time up to the forge excited to see her sister after about a month apart. Cresting the top of the rocky hill she saw Ruby hunched over the workbench likely blue printing a new weapon or armor of some sort. She was mumbling to herself twisting the feather pen between her fingers. Ink and ash linined her arms and hands as they worked furiously over the scroll. Yang smiled fondly leaning against the cool stone of the mountain, opting to watch her sister at work for a few seconds before breaking her silence.
“Shoulda known you'd be up here huh?” Yang said, the grin evident in her voice.
The young girl suddenly dropped her pen, spinning around to confirm the voice she had just heard, “YANG!!!” came the shrill shriek.
Yang braced herself before getting slammed into almost falling over but nevertheless hugging her sister back just as tightly. She finally released her younger sister pulling back slightly to get a good look at her face.
“Hey sis! How has Hazel been treatin ya? Do I gotta knock some heads around?” The tone was joking but both knew there was an underlying truth to her words. Yang would kill for Ruby, she had killed for Ruby.
Ruby giggled before replying “He’s been the same! You know him always grumpy! He did say that after Pietro retires I might get to take up the forge!”
“There ya go Ruby! I knew you had it in you” a sly smile took over her face before she continued, “ and how about Penny? Anythin new goin on there?”
Rubys face matched her hair with how red she went “N-No! Same old same old..” she stared down finding her boots very interesting all of the sudden.
“I’m just teasin ya sis besides I still gotta give her the big sister talk.”
“Please don’t”
They caught up for a little longer, exchanging tales of what they had done over their month apart before retiring to the guild's sleeping quarters for the night. Ruby had the privilege of her own room so it’s not like Yang was taking anyone else’s bed.
Before sleep overtook her Yang found herself staring at the stone ceiling, Ruby snoring loudly at her side. She wondered if this was all her life would be. Going out for a job and coming back home to Ruby. She wanted more. She wanted a purpose. How dreadfully boring her life was. But of course that would all change quite soon.