AN: Howdy howdy I'm new to this and i hope i do okay with this first chapter. I saw a fan art of blake in winters uniform and it sparked my imagination and made me decide on making this fic a real thing :). I hope you guys enjoy all reviews and criticism is welcome i only seek to further my experience and probably make this fic big if it gets enough of a following. Also tell me if you guys want to see this turn into monochrome or not because I'm thinking about it or it could just be a simple story and AU.

Like i posted in chapter 2 i ran this through my proofreader application and did some touch us to reupload it! the fans deserve the best!

Blake woke quietly as her alarm went off. The annoying buzzing getting swatted as she sat up in bed stretching and twitching the appendages that set atop her head. She slowly ran her fingers through her hair brushing softly against her cat ears as she sighed to herself and checked the time. 7:30 AM. The important meeting with General Ironwood would be at 10 AM sharp and she would get her new assignment.

She swung her legs over her bed and stretched once more working out the kinks of sleep out of her flexible body as she looked into the mirror and observed all the scars and skin blemishes she acquired over the years through training and special ops mission. Thankfully her aura had prevented any facial scarring at the time. She couldn't recall how many times she would have gotten a scar across the face during mission after receiving blows from dust infused weaponry.

Looking at herself for a few more minutes the mirror she walked off to her bathroom in her one-bedroom apartment and showered for the day. After her shower, she checked the time seeing the time. 8:15 AM. She got dressed in her standard Atlas uniform that was simply modified from the original sporting black pants and overcoat over the original white seeing as how she usually worked in the night and needed the added black for stealth. Opting for a quick simple breakfast she walked out of her apartment finishing the last bite of her toast.

Quietly she adjusted Gambol Shroud on her back and locked her apartment as she made her way downstairs in the elevator just down the hall from her room. As the elevator clicked shut her scroll went off signifying there was a new message for her. She pulled her scroll from her pocket and swiped the screen pressing the message icon to see that her recent companion Winter had messaged her.

Blake,

I shall be attending the meeting between you and ironwood this morning as it deals directly with me. Would you perhaps like to grab a coffee with me beforehand at the coffee and tea shop near HQ?

Blake blinked a few times at the message as she thought about the opportunity at hand and she quietly checked the time. Only a few minutes had passed and the was certainly time with a shrug and a twitch of her cat ears she began typing her reply.

Winter,

Certainly, I'd love to there is still plenty of time before the meeting but I shall be drinking tea instead as usual. I simply am not a coffee person. I'll see you soon.

Blake put her scroll away as the elevator opened to the lobby and she walked out her heels clicking lightly against the tile. She nodded to the receptionist and smiled lightly and the receptionist waved her greetings. Making her way through the double sliding doors she stopped and took a breath in of the morning air smiling slightly to herself enjoying the warmth of the sun as she quietly made her way to the shop checking the time.

As she walked she quietly recalled how she got to her current position and life before she was adopted into the Atlas military after being abandoned by the White Fang and Adam as a child. Her brow furrowed and she scowled lightly remembering his words still to this day.

Flashback….

"You'll never survive in the Fang Blake. You're better off on your own with the humans and the rest of our kind that is weak!" Adam turned his head sneering as he put his mask back on over his eyes as he drew Wilt and pointed the tip at her. "Never come back again Blake. Stay away for your own good."

Blake at this time was but a child who supported the White Fang. She looked up at Adam rubbing her cheek where he had stuck her with tears in her eyes sniffling. "I'll prove you wrong Adam!" She defiantly stood gripping the black fabric of a bow in one hand and glared up at him.

"I'll change how the world sees Faunus myself if I have to Adam! You'll see!" She yelled and ran off into the night hearing him laugh behind her.

Blake ran for days getting lost in the wilderness without much hope in sight she fell over due to hunger and not much sleep or energy left she closed her eyes letting the darkness take her.

She opened her eyes slowly as she heard the roar of what was that? An engine? As she came to she sat up slowly and tried to gain a sense of her surroundings as she felt a hand gently push her back down to her laying position.

"Woah, there little one. Don't push yourself we found you out and alone in the middle of nowhere. We are taking you back to our Basecamp to see what we can do for you." She heard a man say as she looked up seeing a man in a combat outfit and helmet.

Blake blinked a few times realizing he was some sort of soldier and human on top of that she quickly backed up and her back hit a wall of the bullhead they were currently flying in. She rubbed the back of her head and trembled slightly afraid of what they might do to her because she was a Faunus. She put her hands over her head and cat ears to protect them as she whimpered in fear.

The men seeing this took on a confused expression as he tried to assess the situation and took off his helmet revealing dark brown eyes with a head of dark silver and short cut military hair. He cautiously reached out and touched the small girl's arm.

"Hey, it's okay." He said trying to reassure her and calm her. "We won't hurt you I'm only going to try and help you."

Blake jumped at the touch but calmed down none the less as she didn't feel and threat coming from the man as she looked up and took in his features. He didn't look like he wanted to harm her as she could see the worry and kindness in his eyes.

"My names John. What's your little one?" He said as he gently pats Blake on the head to calm her more.

Blake's ears drooped a bit as she looked up at the man as she let him touch her and she looked back down bringing her knees under her chin.

"My names….B-blake…" She responded quietly still slightly trembling.

The man gave her a soft smile and pat her head gently once more. "Well, Blake what were you doing out here on your own?"

Blake looked to the side and hid her face quietly. "I….I was abandoned and kicked out of the White Fang…."

The man took on a shocked expression as he looked to the side at his fellow soldiers only receiving a shrug from the other three. He looked back at blake as the Bullhead started to decrease altitude and prepare to land.

"I…I'm sorry to hear that Blake how long have you been on your own?" John said as he sat closer to her.

Blake looked up with tears in her eyes and tried to wipe them as they fell. "I-I lost track of time…. I think that was weeks ago…." She said as she tried to stifle a sob.

John looked at her with sad eyes and sighed to himself as the bullhead landed at the base and he rubbed her back and gently proceeded to pick her up and carry her in his arms. "Don't worry kid your safe now. I'll work something out with the commanding officer and I'll keep you safe."

Blake quietly nodded and closed her eyes drifting off to sleep not sure why she was trusting the man but she felt safe as she rested her head on his shoulder.

Blake woke the next day on a soft bunk bed with a bunch of loud yelling outside and marching. She sat up and looked around. It seemed to be a barracks of some sort. She looked at the entrance of the tent she was in and the flap came up as a person entered with a tray in his hands. It was John dressed in a basic army outfit of a green shirt and pants with army boots.

He set the food down in front of Blake and took his own plate of breakfast. "Alright, kid…I got some good news and some bad news. But before we talk go ahead and eat.

Blake nodded eagerly and started eating like a starving animal. Downing the food in minutes while john took his time and watched her.

Blake looked up at john sheepishly and whipped her mouth with a napkin as she saw he was staring at her. "So um….bad news first…?" She asked quietly.

John sighed and nodded as he fished his meal a few minutes after her. "Well, the bad news is your going to have to spend some time with my commander and answer some questions about the Fang to the best of your ability."

Blake gulped and started to lightly tremble looking up at him while she hugged herself.

"But the good news is you can live here on the base for a while and you won't be discriminated against while you live here." He said with a half-smile but still saddened eyes.

Blake visibly brightened up after John said that and looked confused now. "They…. they are going to give me somewhere to stay? Somewhere to be safe?" She asked in disbelief.

John nodded and reached down ruffling her hair. "Yeah kid and they also said I can look after you and keep you safe. Which I plan on doing."

Blake smiled and nodded happily feeling like she should trust John. He then stood up and offered her his hand which she took and followed him out as he guided her to the large building in the middle of the base. After a few hours of questioning and glaring Blake finally emerged from the building with john visibly shaking and wiping her tears away calming down as John squeezed her hand gently.

John spoke up after a few more minutes as they walked and he guided her to another building. "Alright, Blake this is gonna be your new home starting today. I promise I'll take care of you kid as long as I'm able to alright?"

Blake nodded as he led her in and showed her the room she would be staying in. It was filled with a small bed and shelf with assorted books and a little desk to the side that looked just her size.

Blake hugged John's waist gently and smiled looking up at him with bright eyes. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She exclaimed happily as she ran into the room and jumped onto her bed.

John smiled and watched her from the doorway leaning against it and laughed lightly. "My room is down the hall kid. Knock if you need me,"

A Few months passed and Blake got used to life on a base and even friendly humans. John had a reputation apparently as a successful soldier with an extremely high mission success rate. When her 10th birthday came to pass she asked John to show her how to fight and train her.

John was hesitant at first but she insisted multiple times and he eventually caved in and accepted to teach her how to fight and use multiple weapons. From Simple swords and even a katana. Then one day he taught her how to use firearms. Mainly side arms and pistols nothing too big for her since she was still a child.

A few more months passed and with John's permission she was allowed to train her marksmanship on her own and that she did earning praise from more than a few of the soldiers who came to watch her. She beat a record or two at the shooting range and caught the commander's attention.

After a few more months the commander approached Blake and John and made them an offer. He asked if Blake would like to train and become a part of the Atlesian military when she was of age. She could continue her training but receive more advanced forms of training that John had taken part of in the past and as long as she made high marks on her tests and training exams she would not need to do much more and possibly receive a higher rank than most initiates.

He presented the offer and Blake looked to John for support of her choice but saw John in deep thought. He was thinking of whether or not he should let her do this. Because after everything was said and done he considered her to be like a daughter to him after he had taken care of her for so long as it was now over a year of time they had been together.

John sighed to himself and looked at Blake then slid his hand over to hers and gave hers a light and supportive squeeze.

"Whatever you want to do Blake. I'll support your choice."

Blake smiled happily and looked at the commander nodding her head. " I accept sir. When do I begin?"

Flashback End….

Blake blinked and smiled to herself at the memory. Through a few years of training, she gained more experience than most people that left boot camp. She rose through the ranks and earned the title of specialist. Not many could earn said the title and she was a special case after she learned that John possessed the rank himself and it gave him some pull to allow his commander to let him raise her. Being the first specialist at the age of 16 she was well known throughout the Atleasian military.

That is when she met Winter on her first mission and through a long fought battle and saving Winter form a lethal blow she gained her trust and later her friendship. Blake arrived at the Coffee and Tea shop and glanced around outside and then through the window spotting Winter sitting at a table sipping her coffee and checking her scroll.

Blake entered the shop and winter waved her over motioning her to sit with her. Blake smiled warmly and sat down across from her noticing Winter had already taken the privilege of ordering her a cup of earl gray. Her favorite. She greeted winter and thanked her for the tea as she took a sip checking the time. 8:45 AM. Still plenty of time before the meeting with the general.

"So Blake would you happen to know anything about your next assignment?" Winter asked looking at her over the top of her cup of coffee.

She simply shook her head and looked down into her tea looking at her reflection. "No why do you ask?"

Winter set her cup down clasping her hands together giving Blake a leveled look. "Do you know anything about beacon academy Blake?"

Blake looked back up at her mid sip of tea and raised a brow." I do. What of it?" She asked slightly confused.

Winter simply smiled and looked to the side out the window. "My sister will be attending Beacon this year. Apparently, she seeks to make a name for herself and get away from our father. Not that I can blame her for that part."

Blake nodded and recalled a few story's winter shared with her about her father. She shuddered lightly not even being able to imagine what living under a man who valued business over family and the wellbeing of his own daughters could be like.

"I see. Well, I wish the best for her. Being the Heiress of the Schnee dust company must be quite a lot to deal with on top of huntress training." Blake replied after finishing her tea and setting the empty cup aside.

Winter nodded and looked back at Blake more seriously this time. "Blake you know after the many missions we went through over the years that I trust you with my life correct?"

Blake blink at the serious tone she had and simply nodded waiting for her to continue.

"Well…. I wish for you to…look after her Blake. She may need help or guidance while she is there. You know I wouldn't ask this of anyone else or someone I did not trust." Winter looked down at her hands grasping them tighter.

Blake's ears twitched lightly at the request and tilted her head to the side lightly." I… I don't seem to understand winter. How could I accomplish this if I am here in atlas with you?"

Winter looked up with a slight smile and chuckled lightly. "Well, you see this is actually your next assigntment….to attend Beacon and watch over my sister in your study's. I asked the general for a personal favor he owed me and he saw this as an opportunity to further extend and acquire experience on your part."

Blake's mouth dropped open slightly at the information and her ears twitched only in slight annoyance. "So you're telling me…. I am being sent away to train further and….." Blake didn't want to say babysit but nearly did. "Watch over your sister? Will this be official bodyguard business or am I to be undercover to some extent?"

Winter nodded and broke eye contact looking slightly ashamed. "Please, Blake...? I wouldn't ask anyone else to do this…"

Blake sighed and thought for a few minutes then she reached over and placed a hand on top of winters. "I make no promises but I'll do my best winter. I Promise."

Winter let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in relief and grasped blake's hand in both of hers. "Thank you so very much Blake."

She simply nodded and checked the time. It was time to go to the meeting and get the rest of the details. Winter nodded and rose from her seat after paying the cashier and she and Blake went to the Atlas HQ building in the middle of the city. Upon reaching the building they both provided identification and entered the elevator and took it a few floors up to general ironwoods office. They both entered and after taking a short deep breath Blake entered in after winter.

General Ironwood turned to Blake as she came up to his desk and clicked her heels together and saluted perfectly. "General sir, Specialist Belladonna reporting for duty and reassignment Sir!"

The general let out a light chuckle and motioned for her to relax. "At ease Belladonna no need to be so formal after all these years. You and Schnee here are two of my best. No need to be so formal."

Blake sighed and released her pose as she took a seat next to winter and nodded. "I am under the impression I am being sent to beacon sir?"

Ironwood nodded. "I suppose winter informed you of most of your assignment? Studying to become more of a huntress and to gain more field experience. As well as keeping an eye on Winter's sister."

Blake nodded and folded her hands in her lap and the general gave here more tidbits and details of the assignment. She was to check in ever 2-3 months and keep into contact. She also had the option to still go on missions while at beacon as long as she had the time and was keeping up with her studies. She would be leaving in a few days after she gathered her things and say her goodbyes.

The day finally arrived and she gathered her bags sighing as she closed the door to the living space for the past couple of years ready to take on her next assignment wondering if she would ever return here after her next four years of attending beacon. Upon reaching the lobby she was surprised to see the general and winter waiting for her talking to the receptionist.

Blake approached them as the general glanced to the side noticing blake and nodded to the receptionist dismissing himself and winter. He approached blake and held out his hand. "We came to see you off Belladonna and wish you a safe trip."

Blake blinked a few times and accepted the handshake nervously but smiled nonetheless and she turned to winter and was surprisingly enveloped in a friendly hug.

"Do give my sister my regards, would you? We haven't spoken in months and she must be worried or even curious as to how I am." Winter said into her ear to which Blake nodded and returned the hug.

Ironwood dismissed himself and returned to HQ while winter accompanied Blake to the bullhead docks. The quietly made their way to the docks and waited together for the bullhead. As it arrived Winter said her goodbyes and once again thanks blake for agreeing to look out for Weiss. Blake waved and boarded the rather large bullhead looking around at the various passengers seeing a decent mix of Faunus and humans. Blake sat in a corner of the Bullhead and pulled out one of her many books on her person one of her favorites in fact the popular 'Ninjas of Love' Series.

She smiled and read her book as her long trip to beacon started after a few hours as the bullhead stopped off at its next destination she decided to take a nap and twitched her cat ears keeping alert as she slowly drifted to sleep.