Something's Up Pt. 2

Yang POV:

-Shatter!

The shrill sound of ceramic shattering on the tile floor pulls me from my anger-fueled stupor, and I realize that, in my anger, I had neglected the very reason for that anger.

Sapph!

I ignore the blue-haired coward that is running away, and, even though every cell in my body is screaming at me to chase after him and give him his just deserts, I turn to face Sapph.

What I saw made my stomach drop in guilt. She just despondently stood there, seemingly unresponsive to the world around her, and silently gazed at the broken remnants of what were once mugs and their still steaming contents scattered on the floor. Her ears drooped on her head, and her tail limply swayed behind her.

"Shit!" I exclaim as I realize Sapph's state.

Sapph's previously loose, white tank top now became far more form-fitting and brown. She spilled the scalding hot contents of the beacon mugs all across her chest and forearms. Her previously somewhat pale skin tone now turned red where the hot coffee or tea hit her.

I rushed to some cabinets underneath one of the sinks, pushing through the crowd in my way, and pulled out a dishrag. It's rough but it's clean and will do for now.

I once again push through the crowd, and my annoyance with them grows. First, they do nothing as Cardin harass Sapph, and now they just dumbly stand here as I, URG! Just getting in the way!

I more aggressively pushed my way through the crowd back to Sapph, and it seems the rest of my team finally decided to come through the door. They walk through the doors right as I get past the crowd, but Scarlatina, the one who guided us here, is nowhere to be seen. Where did she go?

That's not important right now!

I shake myself out of my thoughts and turn my attention back to Sapph, but what I see baffles me.

She kneels and sets the tray by her side, before picking up the broken pieces of ceramic on the ground; with her bare hands no less. She didn't even activate her aura to protect her hands!

She picks up the ceramic shards by the handful, and, as her blood drips to the ground, moves them to her left.

Wh.. what? What is she doing!

Never mind that! I need to stop her first!

I rush in and grab her wrist with my empty left hand, and shrilly question her.

"What are you doing!?" I, panicking, call out.

My words, however, are only met with a dull look from sapphire, and an empty reply.

"Cleaning," She absentmindedly answers.

"What the hell do you mean cleaning!? Your hands are bleeding Sapph!" I yell, but she doesn't even register my words.

She just stares at me with that same blank look. What the hell is going on?!

Seeing as she still tightly grips the sharp pieces tightly in her hands, and blood continues to drip onto the floor, I forgo any other approach.

"Drop It!" I demand, but she is unresponsive.

I forcefully open up her hands and make her drop its contents.

"What the hell are you doing, Sapph!?" I question Sapph as I kneel on the ground in front of her.

No response.

"Sapph! Are you even listening to me!" I called out with growing worry.

Again, no response.

I drape the dish towel that is still in my hands over my shoulder before grabbing her shoulder and calling out once again.

"Sapph! Sapph!" I say while shaking her shoulder a little.

Finally, a response.

Her dull eyes grow more and more focussed, and her blank face is replaced with one of confusion. I got through!

"Yang…..?" Sapph muttered out with confusion.

I let out a relieved breath before my attention goes back to the cuts on her hands and the scalds on her chest and forearms.

"Activate your aura," I demand.

She doesn't seem to have registered the pain yet as she confusedly asks, "Wha? Why?"

"Just do it!" I say while looking into her eyes.

Even though I can tell that she is still confused, she doesn't question anymore, and she immediately activates her aura. A deep sapphire-blue glow encompasses her body, and the scald marks fade, while the cuts on her hand heal visibly.

She seems to finally register the pain in her hand as she grimaces slightly before looking down at them. Her confusion visibly grows, but I don't attempt to alleviate that for now.

I grab the rag and my shoulder and use it to dab up the warm liquid on her arms and chest. Her face grows red, but she doesn't move to stop me.

"Nnh," I hear Sapph let out a suggestive breath, but I do my best to ignore it, even if I can feel my own face heating up.

While I was focused on drying Sapph off, I heard Weiss's voice call out, "What are you all looking at! Mind your own Business!"

She then proceeds to block the vision of some of the crowd by stepping between them and us. I can't help but let out a smile at her thoughtful actions, even if she would never admit her kind intentions.

Ruby follows her example and blocks the other side, well, as much as her small frame would allow.

Blake however comes into my vision with a broom, dustpan, and some paper towels. She proceeds to sweep up the broken ceramic into the dustpan and dry the floor with paper towels.

"We should head back to the room," She whispers.

"Yeah," I whisper back my agreement, and I notice a subtle nod from my other teammates.

I dry Sapph's chest as much as I can and ignore the many suggestive noises Sapph lets out as I am doing so, but The large brown stain will likely not come out, even in the wash. She will have to get a new one to ever have it clean again.

After I stand up and Sapph does so as well, I toss the now dirty rag into a dedicated hamper by the door. I glance at the more scattered crowd and open the door for my team to go through.

"Well talk back at the dorm," I whisper to Sapph as she walks past me.

Even as her tail droops and her ears fall limp, I don't change my mind. I need answers and her scarred puppy look is not going to dissuade me from getting them, even if it hurts me to do so. Something's up with Sapph, and I will find it out before she hurts herself more.