Author's Note: This story is the sequel to A Holiday on Patch Island. I think it can stand on its own, but I would recommend reading that story first. While Holiday kind-of sort-of fit into canon, this story really doesn't. So I guess that makes this series full-blown AU now. It's kind of ironic since we know a lot more about Blake's history than we did when I wrote Holiday.

Yang and Blake are still 18 in this story just like they were in the last one. (Actually as I think about it, they may be 19 now.) Speaking of which, this is the Teen and Up rated version of the story. The Mature rated version has been posted over on Archive of Our Own.

This story was written during the interim between Volumes 4 and 5.

Chapter 1: Reunion

Summer had only just begun, but Yang was already ready to declare it the best summer ever. She and Blake had just gotten off the boat from Vale to Menagerie, and they were standing in the middle of the dockside marketplace in Kuo Kuana, Menagerie's capital. Yang had two duffel bags slung over her shoulders—one for her and one for Blake—and a big smile on her face. This was the first time she'd set foot on Menagerie, and from where she was standing, it was awesome.

Yang knew a lot of faunus felt that Menagerie was just a token concession given in a halfhearted attempt to placate them, but Yang really couldn't see what they were complaining about. The skies were clear and beautiful. The smell of the ocean was refreshing. And the tropical plants made the place look like some resort in a touristy part of Vacuo. Sure, the weather was a little on the hot side, but Yang didn't care. She regularly lit herself on fire. A paltry summer heat wave just couldn't compare.

The marketplace surrounding Yang and Blake was bustling with people, much to Yang's delight. She loved crowds. The throng of people surrounding her made the island feel so alive. She was already trying to figure out how she could get a job hunting grimm here after she graduated from Beacon.

Yang had been surprised when Blake had suggested that they go to Menagerie for their summer vacation this year. Sure, Blake was a faunus, but that didn't mean she automatically had a reason to visit the island. When Yang had asked Blake about it, Blake had reluctantly explained that it was because she wanted Yang to meet her parents. Yang had been even more surprised at that. Blake had never talked about her parents before at all. She hadn't even gotten any mail or messages from them that Yang had seen. Yang had just sort of assumed they were dead.

Yang was more than happy to go anywhere with Blake, so she'd enthusiastically agreed. It wasn't like she'd come up with any better plans, and it was only fair that she return the favor after Blake had made the journey to Patch last winter to meet Taiyang. Yang was eager to meet Blake's parents anyway, now that she knew they were alive.

Traveling to Menagerie was more difficult than visiting one of the kingdoms. Airships didn't fly there since the island didn't have the facilities to support them. The only way to get to Menagerie was to take a boat. Yang had actually enjoyed the ride there. She and Blake had shared a cabin, and there had been plenty of time to just be alone together. The journey's only disappointment had been that the grimm hadn't attacked. Yang had always wanted to fight a sea dragon. Maybe she would get lucky on the trip back to Vale.

Yang let her eyes wander over to Blake. She couldn't help but grin. The best part about being on Menagerie by far was that Blake wasn't wearing her bow. Yang was free to look at Blake's adorable kitty ears whenever she wanted to for as long as she wanted to. If this place wasn't a paradise, Yang didn't know what was.

Blake apparently felt Yang's gaze on her. She glanced at Yang. A light blush colored her cheeks and her cat ears tilted back slightly when she realized what Yang was doing. "Yang," she said. "My eyes are down here."

"Oh yeah?" Yang said, looking down. "Well your eyes are pretty sexy too."

Blake's blushed deepened, which was exactly what Yang had been hoping would happen. Blake always looked cute, but she looked extra cute when she got all flustered. Yang put her arm around Blake's shoulders and pulled her into a side hug. "I love you, Blake," she said.

"I love you too," Blake said softly.

Yang smiled happily. It hadn't been that long ago that she'd been too embarrassed to express her feelings for Blake out loud. In hindsight, her reluctance seemed just silly. Maybe it had been because she'd never felt so strongly about anyone before. Maybe it had been because she'd been terrified of what it would mean if Blake hadn't returned her feelings. It didn't really matter now. She was head over heels in love, and she wasn't afraid anymore of what that meant.

"We should get going," Blake said.

Yang released Blake from her hug. "Alright. Lead the way, Blakey," she said.

Yang followed as Blake navigated her way through the crowd and out of the marketplace. The two of them were soon walking along a road made of hard-packed clay. It looked like it was the town's main thoroughfare, but there weren't any cars or other motorized vehicles to be seen, just an endless procession of pedestrians. There were houses scattered about everywhere, although to Yang they looked more like elaborate jungle huts. The town in general reminded her of the adventure serials that she and Ruby used to watch as kids and the exotic villages that the hero would inevitably find himself in.

"This place is a lot different than I was expecting," Yang said.

"Menagerie isn't like the kingdoms, Yang," Blake said. "We make do with what we have."

"I didn't mean that in a bad way," Yang said. "I like it here."

"So far," Blake said glumly.

Yang eyed Blake. "Are you feeling alright?" she asked. "You've seemed kind of down since we pulled into port."

"I'm alright," Blake said.

Yang didn't believe Blake for a second. The way Blake was clutching her fists and the way her cat ears were drooping told Yang that Blake was anything but alright.

"Come on, Blake. We're on vacation," Yang said. "You can worry about whatever's bothering you later. Let's go meet your parents and have some fun!"

"Yang…" Blake said. She stopped walking and lowered her head. "This will be the first time I'll have seen or even spoken to my parents in years."

"Oh!" Yang said. "Really?"

"Yes," Blake said. "I'm sorry. I should have told you before we left Vale."

"It's alright," Yang said. "It wouldn't have changed my mind."

"I know," Blake said. "But that's not why I should have told you."

"Do your folks not know we're coming?" Yang asked.

"I sent them a message weeks ago, but I don't know if they got it," Blake said. "There's no CCT Tower here. All you can do is write a letter and hope it gets through."

"Even if they didn't get it, I'm sure they'll be really happy to see you again," Yang said. "They're your parents after all."

"I almost hope they didn't get it," Blake muttered.

"What? Why?" Yang asked.

Blake sighed. "I didn't just tell them I was coming home. I also told them that…I was bringing my girlfriend."

"Is that why you're so nervous?" Yang asked. "Are your folks not okay with you dating a girl?"

"No. That's not what I'm worried about," Blake said.

"Well then what are you worried about?" Yang asked.

"Look around," Blake said.

"Uh, okay," Yang said. She did as Blake had asked. The two of them were standing on the top of a hill, and from their vantage point, they could see most of the town. Yang had no idea what Blake was hoping she'd notice. All she saw was a big temple of some kind, hundreds of huts, and masses of people.

Yang was just about to give up when an old woman standing across the street caught her eye. The woman was glaring at Yang with the nastiest, most disapproving look Yang had ever seen. Yang suddenly realized that a lot of people were discreetly staring at her, only averting their eyes once they realized she'd noticed them.

"Everybody's looking at me," Yang said.

"You're human," Blake said. "You might be the only human on the entire island right now."

"Oh," Yang said. "So you don't think that'll go over so well with your folks?"

"I doubt it will," Blake said.

"Maybe I should've worn one of those headbands with cat ears on them or something," Yang joked, trying to lighten the mood. "It'd be just like your bow except in reverse, eh?"

"Yang…" Blake said exasperatedly.

"Or maybe I should've gotten a fake wolf's or cat's tail or something," Yang said. "I don't know. What kind of faunus do you think I'd be?"

Blake shot Yang a look. "Being a faunus doesn't define who you are," she said. "And it doesn't work the other way around either."

"I…just did that thing again, didn't I?" Yang asked. "Where I say something insensitive without realizing it."

"It's okay," Blake said with a sigh. "I know you didn't mean it like that."

"I'm sorry, Blake," Yang said. She really wished she'd stop doing things like that. She was getting better about it, but not as quickly as she'd hoped.

"Just don't say anything like that in front of my parents," Blake said.

"I'll be good," Yang said, giving Blake a reassuring smile. "I promise."

"My home isn't far from here," Blake said. "Let's…get this over with."

"I'll bet we can see it from here," Yang said. "Which one's yours?"

Blake pointed. "It's that one."

"You mean the one in front of that big temple-looking thing?" Yang asked.

"No. It is the 'temple-looking thing'," Blake said.

It wasn't often that Yang found herself struck silent, but this was one of those times. Her mouth fell open while her brain struggled to make sense of what Blake had just told her.

"My father is the chieftain here in Kuo Kuana," Blake explained. "The house technically isn't ours. It's for the ruling chieftain and his family. But we've lived in it a long time."

"Chieftain?!" Yang asked, finding her voice again. "You mean your dad's in charge around here?"

"Sometimes it doesn't feel like it, but yes," Blake said.

"You're a princess," Yang said flatly.

"That's not really how it works," Blake said.

"I am dating royalty," Yang said, ignoring Blake. "That. Is. Awesome! Weiss is going to be so jealous when she finds out! And Ruby's going to go nuts! Does this mean I'm going to be a queen's consort someday?"

"Yang, I'm…I'm not a princess," Blake said.

"You can still call me your consort," Yang said with a wink. "It'd be hot…Your Highness."

"You're going to call me that all the time now, aren't you?" Blake asked.

"You know it," Yang said.

Blake chuckled, but the amusement quickly faded from her face.

"Hey, Blake," Yang said. "Don't worry. It's going to be okay."

"There's something else you should know," Blake said.

"What is it?" Yang asked.

"My father…he used to be the leader of the White Fang," Blake said.

"He what!?" Yang exclaimed.

"The movement didn't turn violent until he stepped down, but…" Blake trailed off.

"But he was still the leader, and you're about to show up with your human girlfriend," Yang finished for Blake.

"Exactly," Blake said.

Yang frowned at the worry that was etched onto Blake's face. She had to admit that she'd never really understood the whole humans versus faunus thing. People were people; it didn't matter if they had a few extra bits sticking out of them. Some days, like right now, Yang wished she did understand it. That way she might be able to properly sympathize with Blake.

Yang did the only thing she could think to do. She pulled Blake into a hug and kissed her on the forehead. "It's going to be okay, Blake," she said. "Your folks are going to love me. You'll see."

"I…I believe you," Blake said.

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

"How about we go meet them?"

"Alright."

A short walk down the road found Yang and Blake in front of the massive door to the Chieftain's House. Yang felt like there should be guards lined up in front of it, wielding spears and dressed in loincloths and feathers, but maybe she was getting fiction and reality mixed up again.

Yang slipped the duffel bags she was carrying off her shoulders and set them down. Blake knocked twice against the door. The sound echoed ominously, and then there was a long moment of nothing. Yang shifted on her feet, not sure if she should be doing something.

Finally, the door swung part way open. On the other side was a woman about the same height and build as Blake, with a similar pair of cat ears perched on top of her head.

"Blake?" the woman said.

"Hi…Mom," Blake said.

The woman walked up to Blake with a look of guarded joy on her face, like she wasn't sure if Blake was real or not. She studied Blake's face closely. Then she threw her arms around Blake and said, "Oh my dear sweet child."

Blake looked stunned at first, but then she smiled her first genuine smile since setting foot on Menagerie. Blake's arms closed around her mother, and she hugged her back.

Yang stood and silently watched the family reunion. Happy tears were forming in the corners of Blake's eyes as she embraced her mother for the first time in years. Delight welled up in Yang at seeing how relieved Blake was. She decided this trip had absolutely been worth it.

Blake's mother finally let go of Blake. "Welcome home, Dear," she said. Then she turned to Yang. "And you must be Blake's…girlfriend."

"Hiya!" Yang said. "That's me."

"Mom, this is Yang," Blake said. "Yang, this is my mother, Kali."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Kali said with a polite bow.

"Likewise," Yang said. "Blake didn't tell me her mom was so young-looking. I thought you were her sister at first."

Kali let out a warm laugh. "If you're trying to win my approval it will take more than flattery, Dear," she said. "But don't let that stop you."

"It's not flattery if it's true," Yang said.

Kali laughed again. "I think I see why Blake likes you."

Blake said, "You must have gotten my letter."

"We did," Kali said. "Your father was beside himself with joy to hear from you."

"He was?" Blake asked, sounding surprised.

"Of course, Dear," Kali said. "The two of you may not have parted on the best of terms, but that doesn't mean—"

Kali was cut off by the sound of the door creaking behind her. Everyone turned and looked.

A mountain of a man was standing in the doorway. Yang presumed him to be Blake's dad, although she couldn't see any features on him that would distinguish him as a faunus. Maybe his faunus trait was the magnificent tuft of thick, luxurious, fur-like hair on his exposed and muscled chest.

Yang had to stop herself from laughing at the irony when she realized she was gawking at the man's chest. She didn't feel too bad about it though. She'd been on the receiving end of admiring, and jealous, eyes since puberty, and she knew when someone was dressed to show off.

"Ghira," Kali said. "Look who's home."

"Blake," Ghira said.

"Hi, Dad," Blake said.

There was uncertainty in both Blake's and Ghira's voices, but there was also hope. Kali nudged Blake. That was all the prompting Blake needed. She walked up to Ghira's waiting arms and threw herself into them.

"I'm so sorry," Blake said, sobbing. "You were right."

"It's okay, Blake" Ghira said. "We'll talk about it."

After a few minutes, Kali cleared her throat loudly. "Blake, aren't you going to introduce your father to your friend?"

Blake glanced over at Yang. She stepped out of her father's embrace and hastily dried her eyes. "Dad, this is Yang Xiao Long. I…talked about her in my letter."

"Yes, you did," Ghira said, sounding less than enthusiastic.

"Hiya, Pops," Yang said.

Out of sight from her father, Blake closed her eyes and brought her palm to her face.

Ghira did not look amused. He said, "You will call me, Chieftain, Sir, or Mr. Belladonna. Any one of those will do."

"Uh, okay. Chief," Yang said.

Blake frantically motioned for Yang to keep going.

"…tain?" Yang added.

"Hmm," Ghira said. "That's better, I suppose."

There was a long and awkward pause. Yang could feel Ghira's gaze as he scrutinized her. She wasn't afraid of him though, so she stood there and let him study her. Somehow, her confidence seemed to annoy him.

Just as the tension was threatening to ratchet up to a new level, Kali stepped into the middle of the group. "Now that we've all been introduced. Who would like some tea?"

Yang said, "Tea sounds great!"

Ghira's nose wrinkled. "Kali, this is hardly the time for—"

"Ghira!" Kali scolded. "Your daughter is home for the first time in years! And any guest she's brought is welcome in our house."

"Very well," Ghira reluctantly said. "We will have tea."

Ghira turned from the group and walked back into the house.

"Come along, dears," Kali said, following after her husband. "I want to hear all about everything."

Yang picked up the duffel bags again. She was about to head into the house when she noticed that Blake was lingering by the door.

"You okay?" Yang asked.

"They're really willing to just take me back in," Blake said in disbelief. "After everything that happened."

"Well yeah," Yang said. "Why wouldn't they?"

"I'm…sorry about my father," Blake said.

"Oh, don't worry," Yang said with a grin. "Before we leave here, him and me are going to be best friends."

Author's Note: Don't feel too bad, Yang. I thought Blake's parents were dead too. Then they suddenly showed up in the show! It's a good thing they did. They're great characters. I think I might be in love with Ghira's chest. What? Don't look at me like that!

I'm not really sure if Ghira is supposed to be the Chieftain of just Kuo Kuana or the whole of Menagerie in canon, so I cheated the dialogue a little to make it work for either one. Does anyone know which one he is?

As always, I welcome constructive criticism. Please feel free to leave a review. And if you like what you've read, taking the time to favorite and/or follow really helps me out. You can also find me on tumblr (electronicyarn) if you want to send me a message or be notified of updates.