Ch 3

The sudden burning pain in her left side caused her to jolt awake. Tsuyoku gripped her arm tightly and hunched over in pain.

Tsuyoku glanced around trying to check if she woke someone up. Seeing that no shadows had moved she assumed that no one was awake. That was a mistake she would regret.

Tsuyoku decided to take a breather and ended up going to the roof. The pain had calmed, but still remained.

'Damn grimm…' Tsuyoku cursed internally.

Tsuyoku gripped her arm, quivering ever so slightly. Was it from pain? Or perhaps it was from the cold? Tsuyoku didn't know, but she was definitely not scared.

"Tsuyoku." A voice came from behind her. She jumped up startled, on instinct she had gotten into a defensive position.

Tsuyoku blinked when she saw Ozpin. "What the hell Oz? You scared the crap out of me!"

"Language, Ms.Takamoto." Ozpin scolded lightly.

"Yeah, yeah whatever." Tsuyoku rolled her eyes.

He sighed at her stubbornness. "Having trouble sleeping, Ms. Takamoto?"

"Said who?" Tsuyoku laughed.

"I've known your family for centuries. Don't think I don't know what you act like, Tsuyoku." Oz gave her a serious look.

Tsuyoku flinched back at Oz's stare. She cleared her throat before speaking. "I'm fine, Oz. Leave me alone."

"Your father put you under my care. You are my responsibility, Tsu." Ozpin sighed.

"Father is long gone. So why would you stay true to such a promise?" Tsuyoku glared at the Ozpin.

"You are the last heir to the Takamoto Clan-"

"And what of it?" She scoffed. "Do you need me for your little schemes, Oz? Is that why you want me alive? Or is it because of my semblance?"

Tsuyoku yelled at him. Her hand on her chest. Her voice held rage yet her face bore pain. Oz was stunned at her outburst. His feet were glued to the floor, his mouth stumbled to form words.

"The power to eliminate darkness? Isn't that what you want me for? Isn't it Oz!" Tsuyoku yelled. By the second her face was a waterfall of tears.

"Tsuyoku-" Oz reached out to her in an attempt to wipe her tears away.

"Just admit it, Oz." She smacked his hand away, glaring daggers at him. Oz didn't say anything. She scoffed. "Forget it. It doesn't matter."

She walked straight past him. He whipped around, his hand reached out for her. His voice broke as he called for her. Yet his voice was too soft.

"Tsuyoku…"

***

Morning came fast for Tsuyoku. Maybe it's because she has a set time to wake up at 6 every morning. So she basically only got 6 hours to sleep.

Surprisingly when she had gotten to the bathroom Blake was already there brushing her teeth.

"Hey, Blake." Tsuyoku muttered a greeting to Blake. She too began to brush her teeth.

Blake glanced at the weary girl, who had yawned. She finished brushing her teeth and proceeded to gargle with mouthwash. After finishing up she suddenly froze and turned to Tsu.

"Where'd you go last night?" Blake said, which caused Tsuyoku to choke on the toothpaste.

Quickly she regained her composure and washed her mouth. "What do you mean?" Tsuyoku asked, wiping her mouth dry with the edge of her cloak.

Blake handed her a handkerchief before she spoke. Tsuyoku muttered thanks.

"I heard you wake up and go outside the ballroom." Blake said.

Tsuyoku blinked. 'I thought she was sleeping…'

Blake must've read her face because she had answered her question. "I'm a light sleeper."

"Oh…"

Tsuyoku cleared her throat a bit embarrassed that she let herself be read like a book. "I had a nightmare and decided to take a breather." She rubbed her nape, explaining meekly.

"A nightmare?" Blake raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah. Nothing major." Tsuyoku waved her hands, acting like it was fine. Blake ,although, saw through her.

"What kind of nightmare makes you hunch over in pain and grip your arm?" Blake said, looking at Tsuyoku with a suspicious glare.

Unconsciously Tsuyoku brought her hand up to her left arm. This didn't pass over Blake's eyes. She reached out to Tsuyoku's arm.

In response, Tsu flinched back. She tried to escape, yet it was futile. Blake grabbed Tsuyoku by the wrist and pulled up the long cloak.

"Ah- wait!" Tsuyoku shouted. She went into a panic.

It was too late. Blake had already seen a glimpse of the burning marks. The curse marks pulsed like veins on her.

"What the-" Blake's voice got cut off when Tsuyoku smacked her hand away.

She panted, a bit out of breath. Tsu took a deep breath in, not daring to look Blake in the eyes.

"What is that?" Blake asked, her voice quivering.

"…" Tsuyoku stayed quiet.

Blake briefly remembered Tsuyoku's words when they were talking before bedtime.

'Everyone has their secrets ya know? I'm sure you have some too.' Tsu's face briefly invaded her mind.

Blake sighed. The sound of footsteps gained their attention.

"Come on. Let's go. People are coming." Blake held her hand out. Tsuyoku looked up at the girl confused. Blake impatiently grabbed Tsu's hand and pulled her away.

"Eeeh?!" Tsu shrieked, surprised at the decision the 'anti-social' Blake decided to make.

Blake ended up dragging Tsuyoku to eat with her. Yet the rest of the time they spent together was completely quiet. Thou Blake just dragged Tsu around until it was time.

Blake found herself at ease when she was around Tsuyoku. Maybe it was because Blake found her and Tsu quite similar. Maybe it was because they both had their own secrets? But Blake didn't know why.