I'm back with another story update but I'm back on a limited basis so updates will take a bit longer than normal thanks for sticking with me.

Readers Advisory a term in this chapter used that is offensive but it is only being used for story purposes, this author does not condone the free use of this term to offend in any way.

Chapter2 When Water becomes Blood

Bianca was slowly starting to put her life back together after her aunt Juliana decided she didn't want to be responsible for her anymore forcing her to find a new place to live, at first Bianca wasn't sure about how she was going to find a place to stay apartments in Toronto weren't exactly cheap not to mention landlords weren't exactly eager to rent to a high school senior with a sorted past and she didn't want to ask Owen who she was dating at the time Juliana kicked her out and moved away.

Bianca had been couch surfing in the days after she was kicked out and debated caving and asking Owen to put in a word for her with his parents but that idea went up in smoke when the two ended their short but enjoyable romantic relationship because it strained their friendship almost to the point of being permanently damaged.

After breaking up with Owen Bianca developed a strong friendship with Fiona and Imogen which not only helped Bianca recover from her breakup but also saved her friendship with Owen and get over he hurt of having her aunt walk away from her.

The bond was also beneficial for Fiona as well as Imogen who had grown a bit more assertive because of Bianca who helped Fiona and Imogen talk to Natalie about moving in together shortly after Fiona proposed to Imogen.

Fiona had come to think of Bianca like a sister who would always look out for you and be there when you needed someone to tell you what you needed to hear with no filter even if it hurt and that was something Fiona needed in her life, she loved Imogen but Imogen didn't have that certain something that allowed her to turn off the friendly loving side of her and be neutral and stern when hard topics came up and Fiona need to be laid into with no apologies.

Bianca often thought of Fiona as a big sister because she would be there to pick Bianca up and be a sounding board and an ear when she needed to just vent, the time spent with Fiona also allowed her to embrace more of her softer side, the bond between the three had grown to the point that just as Fiona and Imogen allowed Bianca to express her softer side she showed both Fiona and Imogen to embrace their tough side.

A couple weeks after Bianca was out on her own Fiona asked Laura if Bianca could move into the loft since she had nowhere else to which after thinking about the affect having Bianca around had on Fiona she agreed to let Bianca move in.

Just before school started again Bianca had gotten in contact with her old MMA coach who was in part responsible for helping cultivate Bianca's tough side and teaching her how to channel all of her pent up anger into a positive outlet and started training with her again after she found out she was forming an MMA team at her new gym called the Red Dragons, Bianca jumped at the chance to get back to one of her passions which led to her recruiting Drew and Katie who used martial arts as a way to build focus Drew and Katie getting involved led Bianca to recruit Owen who had a passion for MMA after seeing it on TV and falling in love with the sport.

Once the trio started training seriously on whim Fiona and Imogen decided to stop by one day and check out why Bianca was so in love with the sport surprisingly Fiona found MMA helped her release nervous energy that would sometimes cause to panic and bring out her urge drink meanwhile Imogen feel for it because it helped her express hidden emotions she had inside from her father's declining health which at times was a lot for her to handle.

Towards the end of the summer Cassie the Red Dragon coach had seen enough from the team to enter them in the Grand Warrior cup tournament which was one of MMA's showcase events especially for new teams despite being a show case event on the independent MMA scene it was the perfect place for the team to get some buzz going.

The team was in luck they had time to prepare for the tournament because the event wasn't until the beginning of November everyone had time to train.

For the next couple of weeks the entire team went into hardcore training Owen and Drew had a fairly easy task of making weight since they kept to their football playing weights of 170 and 185 Bianca and Katie had to help Fiona and Imogen get down to their limits because they were both new to weight cutting, they agreed that Imogen would compete in the 125 division while Fiona would compete in the 135 pound division Katie took her normal weight class slot at 145 from Thai Quan Do while Bianca moved up a class to the 155 division to avoid a potential fight with Katie.

Training was going great with the tournament only a couple weeks away and the team rounding into form Bianca went to pack her training bag and join the rest of the team for an early morning workout before class started she noticed a man in a black suit walking towards on her while she walked outside.

"Good morning are you Bianca DeSousa?"

"Who wants to know?"

I'm Henry Connors I was hired by Bianca's aunt and told to deliver this envelope to her personally."

"Well in that case I am her here's my ID."

After checking Bianca's ID the man handed Bianca the envelope.

"Ms. DeSousa inside this envelope are documents that inform you of your aunts decision to renounce her guardianship rights and allow you to either find someone to take these rights or to make you a child of the court and allow them to seek proper placement for you."

Bianca was shocked her aunt was legally giving her away and letting her find a place for herself or risk being put in the foster system.

"Okay so let me get this straight my aunt hired you to give me papers that allow me to be adopted or go into the foster system?"

"That is the simple version yes."

"So all I have to do is get someone to adopt me and Juliana will leave me just like that?" Bianca asked while she started making her way towards her car which was parked a few blocks from the loft.

"Yes but I should inform you that if you find a willing caretaker there is also the matter of a slightly large amount of money left to you by an uncle that only becomes yours if you are adopted."

"Can I have some time to go over all this?"

Of course my contact information is on the cover-page of the documents call me when you make a decision."

After the man left Bianca put the envelope in her glove box and made her way towards the gym.

As Bianca made her way towards the gym which was only five blocks from Degrassi she slowly wrapped her head around what she had been told Juliana was actually giving her up and allowing her to choose where she ended up.

Once Bianca pulled up to the gym she took one more look at the envelope and right as she was opening her door an idea hit her like a ton of bricks but for it to work she was going to need to convince certain people to make life altering decisions.

Bianca walked into the gym and noticed Fiona rolling Imogen on the mats while Owen and Drew were having a sparring session in the ring and Katie was over by the heavy bag with Cassie working on her kicks.

Bianca put her stuff down and walked over to the mats where Fiona had Imogen setup for an arm triangle choke.

Once Bianca saw Imogen tap to the move she went to Fiona.

"Hey Fiona can we talk outside for a bit?"

"Sure Bianca what's up?"

Fiona got up and followed Bianca outside.

"So what's up B?"

"Well before I got here this morning I ran into a lawyer who was hired by my aunt and he gave me an envelope and told me something I wasn't expecting."

"What was it?"

"My aunt gave up her guardianship rights and is allowing me to choose what happens to me."

Fiona was stunned at what she just heard she couldn't believe what Bianca was saying to her.

"So have you looked at the papers yet?"

"Not yet I was coming to talk to you first because I have an idea what I want to do."

"I'll help anyway I can."

"Great that makes me feel a little better about asking you this and I want to do it before I lose my nerve so here it goes would you be cool with me asking your mom to adopt me?"

Bianca waited for Fiona's answer hoping that she didn't just set herself up to be disappointed.

After a few moments Bianca decided to resign herself to the fact that she would be going into the foster system and walk back into the gym defeated when all of a sudden she felt herself being pulled forward engulfed in a hug.

"What's this for Fiona?"

"This is me saying yes you can ask my mom to adopt you I've always wondered what it would be like to have a sister I'll even help you talk to my mom after school."

"Thanks that means a lot hopefully your mom feels the same way."

Fiona and Bianca walked back into the gym and got in a quick workout before leaving for class lucky everyone on the team had a spare first period.

Meanwhile at Degrassi Clare was sitting in drama trying to keep herself from going crazy she had been spending the last week struggling with how to come out to her family and how she was almost sure she was writing her own ticket out of her house and on to the street the minute Helen found out she was gay and if that wasn't bad enough Clare also had to worry about Eli who was hell bent on making Clare's life hell, ever since Clare broke up with Eli it seemed like he went out of his way to make it clear he wasn't going to stop until Clare was completely broken and hated herself.

Clare made it through her first three classes without breaking but once the lunch bell rang and she walked towards the café to meet up with Adam Jenna and Alli she got a not so welcome surprise on her locker in big red spray painted letters was the word dyke scrolled across her locker Clare immediately broke down crying after seeing the word sprayed across her locker unluckily for her Maya saw her crying on the ground.

"Excuse me Clare are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm I'd like to be left alone." Clare sobbed not wanting to be around anyone at the moment.

"Well I would leave you but you look upset."

"Just leave me alone Maya it's nothing."

"Clare I know we barely know each other but you look like you need a friend now what's wrong?"

Clare noticed Maya wasn't going to take no for an answer so she decided to let her in a bit.

"Take a look at my locker."

Maya looked up at the locker and was shocked she had heard of things like this happening from going to an LGBT meeting with Tristan on weekends but never thought she would see the damage one word could cause up close.

"Clare you've got let Simpson know about this it isn't right."

"I can't do that it would get me in trouble and just get worse."

"Clare I know you're scared but if you don't do something about this now this could end up being really bad for you I've heard what happens to people in your situation they hold it in until they snap I don't want that to happen to you."

"Thanks Maya it's nice to know that someone cares."

"Anytime Clare let's get you cleaned up and go to Simpson."

The girls went to the washroom after which they informed Simpson about the incident at Clare's locker which resulted in an emergency locker search and assembly taking place.

After the assembly and locker search students were dismissed for a proper investigation and action plan that needed to put into place to protect the students.

Later that afternoon Clare walked out of Degrassi with Alli Jenna and Adam. The trio noticed that Clare was looking over her shoulder after every block to Adams and he decided to check on her.

"Clare are you alright you've been jumpy all day."

I'm fine Adam really and I think I'll see you guys at school I just want to get home and relax after all the craziness earlier."

"You sure you're okay Clare?"

"I'm sure Adam I'll see you guys later." Clare said as she split off from her friends and made her way home thinking that after what she had been through today with the locker incident with Eli she needed to rid herself of the weight she felt because of her secret and tell her family she was gay and put up with the consequences.

Once she got home she noticed her mom was working from home for the afternoon Clare thought she should just get it over with and just figure out the rest later.

"Mom can we talk?"

"Sure Clare what is it?"

"Mom there's something I need to tell you and I'm not sure how you'll take it."

"Clare I'm mother just tell me."

"Mom I broke up with Eli."

"Well that's wonderful Clare now you can date a boy more suited for you."

"Mom that's just it I don't want to date anymore boys."

"Clare what are you saying?"

"Mom I'm a lesbian."

"Clare Diana Edwards get the hell out of here I will not have a lesbian in my home".

Clare went up to her room packed a duffel bag and left home knowing she would no longer have a home there.

Once Clare was on the street it hit her she didn't have a place to go on instinct she pulled her phone out and called the only person she could think would be able to help her at a time like this.

"Hello Emma."

"Hey Clare what's up?"

"I just came out to my mom and she threw me out and now I don't have a place to stay."

"Clare where are you now?"

I'm headed to the Dot."

"I'll leave work now and go get you don't worry."

"Emma you don't have to do that."

"Clare I want to and I'm going to its no problem, now go wait at the Dot I think Peter is working there today."

"Thanks Emma you're a life saver."

Clare ended the call and headed towards the Dot knowing that this was only a small step towards really being herself.

Clare entered the Dot and went right to counter where Peter was just dealing with an unruly costumer once he squared the costumer he acknowledged Clare.

"Hey Clare what can I get you?"

Just a water and corn muffin I'm waiting for Emma here if that's okay."

"Sure its slowing down here anyway I'll be back in a sec."

"Peter grabbed a muffin buttered it and warm it up and after grabbing a water bottle from the back he handed it to Clare.

"$2.75 Clare."

"Thanks Peter."

"Anytime Clare."

Peter noticed that Clare was upset but didn't press the issue because he had to restock above the Dot before he left but made sure to reach out to Clare later via Emma.

Peter still cared for Clare even if it had been ages since he'd spent any time around her the bond he shared with Darcy was still with him and he knew Darcy would want him to keep Clare safe.

Half hour later Emma walked into the Dot seeing Clare gazing at passerby's she walked over Clare without scaring her.

"Clare I'm here."

"Oh hey Emma thanks for doing this."

"No problem Clare I told you I'd be here for you don't worry about having a place to stay you can stay with Spinner and me we have an extra room at our place we'll figure this out."

"I hope so Emma after the day I've had I could use some good news."

"I heard what happen at Degrassi I'm sorry for that no one should have to go through that ever."

"Thanks Emma it helps but I just can't stay with you and Spinner forever you both have lives."

"Clare don't worry about that I'll talk to Spin and see what happens just know as long as I'm around you'll be safe now let's get out of here I'll make you something at home Spinner doesn't get off work until later we'll just relax."

Emma thanked Peter for watching Clare and promised to call him later to fill him in but for now her top priority was Clare.

Meanwhile Bianca and the rest of Red Dragon were finishing up a sparring session when Cassie called them over to her.

"Listen up guys I just got off with the organizers of the Grand Warrior Cup and fund out the event is being held at the grand ballroom in New York city so that means we need all our paper work in order and I need to bring in an extra coach so guys from here on out its training nonstop and Fiona since the big city are your old stomping grounds I'm putting you in charge of making sure the team stays on point that weekend that means while we're in New York Fiona is our point person after events.

Fiona was excited to be heading back to New York for a bit she missed the fast pace lifestyle New York offered but was also excited to show Imogen a taste of New York life before they moved there after graduation.

"Now as for the new coach I'm bringing in she is the best of the best at grappling and will really give us an edge since she is so disciplined allow me to introduce your grappling coach Anya MacPherson."

The team was shocked especially Owen he hadn't seen her since she left for the army.

Anya walked out on to the mats dressed in a black sweat suit with her hair tied back.

"Hey everyone now before we start let me say even though I am your coach in the gym out of the gym I am your friend don't be afraid to open up and I'll tell you guys right now I won't go easy on any of you no matter if we have a previous tie or not I'm all business in here, now I've seen tape of you guys from earlier this summer I'm impressed but we can get better for today I think you guys have done enough go rest up but be ready to go hard from here on out I want finished fights no judges needed now get outta here I'll see you guys later."

Once the team was dismissed Anya pulled Cassie to the side and told her about her past with Owen which she accepted but made it clear it wasn't to interfere with their training or she would be gone.

After assuring her it wouldn't Anya left the gym and headed home even if she wanted to hide it she knew Owen was a big part of the reason she came into coach the team some days she held out hope the two could somehow rekindle their old spark in some way.

Outside of the gym Fiona Bianca and Imogen made their way to Laura's office to see if she would adopt Bianca.

"Fiona do you think your mom will go for this?"

"Bianca after she reads those papers I'm sure she will after even Drew Katie and Owen told you it was going to happen and even if she decides not to neither one of us will let you go into foster care we're here for you."

"Thanks Fiona that means a lot."

The trio pulled up to Laura's office a short time later and went up the fifth floor of the office building with envelope in hand.

"I hope this works Fiona."

"It will Bianca just chill."

The trio knocked on the door and went in.

Laura looked up from her work and noticed the girls.

"Hey girls this is a surprise what brings you here?"

"Mom Bianca got an envelope from her aunt saying she was giving up guardianship of Bianca and was allowing her to choose what happen to her and she was hoping you could adopt her."

Laura was stunned at what she had been told she took the envelope from Bianca opened it and looked over the papers after going through them she was ready to tell Bianca what she decided.

"Bianca after looking through the papers and thinking about it I've decided I'll be more than happy to make you a Coyne."

Bianca couldn't believe what she had just been told she was finally going to get the chance to have a mom in her life and she was finally going to be able to understand what people meant when people told her sometimes water can become blood.

The next update will be up ASAP but I will tell you Peter isn't the only Degrassi alum showing up.