Pieces out of Line

Original Concept: RWBY/Fate/Stay Night

Chapter 21

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Created by: Rooster Teeth Productions/Type-Moon

written by: wrathie

Author's Notes: And this is the chapter where RazyAngel does his debut as my beta - I'm also amused by what ChaosVector wrote in his notes, but I'm not judging. In any case - this chapter was long, and was frustrating to publish due to formatting issues. Who knew it was so hard? Especially since the italic words keep sticking to each other...

Anyway - This chapter was also another chance to show how Yang isn't a typical blonde, gonna love that! I also enjoyed kitty Blake and authoritative Weiss. There's not much Weiss love recently after Shirou's Knight debut, hasn't it? Anyway - Enjoy this chapter!

ChaosVector: So, I may be the reason this chapter is a day delayed… Sorry, about that. Well, talking about the story, if any of you thought the Shirou would be the driving force that solves the situation in this chapter… Then you better read it to find out for yourself. So, I got my hands on this game called "Armored Core 4" and got to the point where my mecha has to solo against 4 enemy aces, one of them being the current 'No. 1'. Question: What would you do? Answer: Make your AC [mecha] tanky as hell and only equip 2 HI LASER CANNONS. But I digress, you guys better stick around for the next chapters because something's about to hit the fan.

Razyangel: A very necessary chapter that delves more into our Heiress and Feline character's mental state. I always believed Yang was more than what she appeared to be. Anywho hope my OCD helped in refining this chapter. Enjoy and look forward to the next chapter.

XoreandoX: Well first off, I would like to say welcome to Razyangel to the beta team, with the new addition hopefully PooL will come out a little quicker. As for notes regarding this chapter, we hopefully give a small glimpse into the kind of trauma Weiss had to endure over the years as a child, and despite how some readers might see her reaction as being something OOC from Canon, I'd like to remind readers that Weiss in canon had a full day with Yang to think about how she would address Blake before actually meeting with Blake face-to-face at the docks. In this scenario, she only had about an hour to try and cooldown before confronting Blake, and compounded with the resurgence of an old but dark memory of Weiss' past, you get the explosion you see here. Well thats it from me, so without further delay enjoy the chapter, and for the authors out there; Keep on Writing.

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'… That's the story of the White Fang, what we... were supposed to be... it was never supposed to be that way.'

Blake had finished her version of the story about the so-called terrorist group with the rest listening attentively to her. At numerous times when Blake was telling the story, Weiss had looked miffed and looked like she was going to interrupt when Yang stopped her and the heiress had relented, that was until now.

This was especially so when Blake looked at Weiss with guilty eyes, the Faunus knew about the raids and attacks that were carried out by the White Fang, hell she'd even participate in one of them herself.

'I-I'm... sorry, Weiss.'

The apology from Blake came a little too late for Weiss and she was about to launch a tirade at Blake for even daring to say that when the steady hand of Yang stopped her. Whirling back, Weiss glared at Yang only to see her team mate silently shaking her head at her instead. Having Yang, the impulsive and teasing blonde – not to mention the one who Weiss had mocked for being the stereotypical example of a dumb blonde tell her what the right thing to do was really making Weiss upset and confused on how Yang could do this, she was confused, and it was getting her very worked up and upset.

They did not know how much this mattered to her. The White Fang – regardless of their intent or past actions have done the unforgivable.

They had killed her family, they had to pay – and there she was, a member of the White Fang that she could actually reach and touch and punish and they were stopping her? Weiss could barely control herself or her hatred of that... that FAUNUS BITCH!

'You need to calm down, I get it, you might not think so, but I get it, Weiss.'

Yang's strong and steady hand tightened its grip on her shoulders and Weiss glared angrily, her temper rising at how Yang dared to say that.

The attention of the entire group was now focused on the two of them instead of on Blake, but Weiss didn't care that it was so – Yang wasn't helping her at all. She was stopping her from exacting revenge for her family!

'You don't, how could you ever understand?'

Weiss growled back and she could care less that Yang didn't even react physically to her threat – Yang did not scare easily but that was not important – she was probably too dense to even know fear.

'Maybe, maybe not… I won't say I do, but hear me out at least. Humor me, why don't you?'

Yang challenged and that lit the smouldering fire that caused Weiss to snap under the strain and intense anger.

'Oh really, Yang Xiao Long.'

Weiss muttered Yang's full name – causing the blonde to narrow her eyes. Weiss knew how Yang hated to be called that and she knew she was pushing her buttons – but she didn't care.

Even if Yang swung at her, it would just serve to prove her point – that Yang had no business telling her to calm down when she can't do the same.

'The White Fang, the organization in which that Faunus -'

Blake winced visibly at how Weiss spat that phrase out – 'Faunus' like it was a swear word. The raven-haired girl had neverseen Weiss so upset before, but she could understand why Weiss was angry at her. At them. It still ripped into her though, it really hurt her to see her friend do that to her. Her worst fears were being realized and it was not pretty.

' - had admitted to being part of, is responsible for taking my family members away from me, almost destroying my entire childhood, and causing endless trauma and pain for countless innocent people that were directly or indirectly connected to the Schnee for no reason at all. Even if there might be some grain of truth in how the Schnee group treated the Faunus employees under our charge – that does not give them ample reason for them to target us so viciously.'

Weiss paused before narrowing her eyes, swinging her hands back and pointing at Blake angrily.

'IF - and that is a big if – they could use that as a reason to target the Schnee indiscriminately, in the same vein, I could do the same back to them. Be glad I did not up till now – my animosity for the White Fang could have spread to all Faunus, but I have in no small effort, tried to remain objective and fair. Shirou has a point.'

Weiss gave the Knight a small nod in acknowledgement before she continued.

'Not everyone is at fault, or is the same. I admit and acknowledge – that Faunus do have the right to be angry at us humans, yes. But none of that matters for the White Fang.'

Weiss drew Myrtenaster out swiftly and softly – the rapier pointing dangerously at Blake while Weiss had a dangerous glint in her eyes. She would end this White Fang member– she would without a moment of hesitation in a heartbeat.

'They are terrorists and murderers – I will have my vengeance on the White Fang, one way or another and it will start with you, Faunus scum.'

Weiss snarled and was ready to show that she meant business when Yang clapped her hands in applause. It was not to congratulate her. There was no mirth with the gesture – no sounds or looks of teasing, Yang was meeting her eyes stoically and firmly, she was dead serious and that made Weiss hesitate for a moment.

'That was a good speech – magnificent really, I didn't think you could, well, be so level headed while wanting to chew someone out. You really are a Schnee, aren't you? But – yeah – that was good, that was great – really, and if I was like, the jury member after you delivered that – I might even acquit you if you attacked her right now.'

Yang jerked her thumb at Blake – who started to look afraid and confused at the two's exchange.

'Your point being, Yang?'

'If she's the White Fang member that killed your family – no, if she was any White Fang member, I'll probably agree with you – they did terrible things to you, they deserved to be punished for what they've done. Even if I hate the circle of revenge – hatred, that's so cheesy, I know right? But I'd say that you gave plenty of justification to why you should be allowed to attack a member of the White Fang. Heck, if she actually did something to you and your family – then sure, I think anyone would say she deserves what's coming.'

As the others looked confused at Yang's words, Weiss certainly knew she was – was Yang giving her permission to end that Faunus right now? She was not going to stop her? That was the whole point of her argument, yes, but to have it be accepted so easily does throw her for a loop.

'So... you would not stop me, Yang?'

Weiss tried tentatively but Yang shook her head, further confusing the heiress, was that a yes or a no?

'Nope, I'll stop you, because... you called her Faunus... a Faunus. You're not even viewing Blake as our friend anymore.'

Weiss's breathing stopped as Yang's point struck home and she turned to look at Blake, her friend, her comrade again as her eyes widened. It was similar to what Ruby had asked before they had rushed here – whether she viewed Blake as a friend – and she did, but had she been viewing the girl in front of her as Blake?

Her rage had covered her better judgement once more, and Weiss found herself staring at Blake again, trying to associate this… girl, not that Faunusas Blake.

It should be easy for her to do that. It was just Blake, Blake with cat ears – but… somehow, no.

It just, it wouldn't – Weiss couldn't look Blake in the eye without going to her ears and thinking – Faunus.

She was a Faunus and not, not human.

..

Weiss had never had that problem before. Not even Velvet had caused such an extreme association at all – was it the betrayal that she felt when one of her closest friends dropped this bombshell on her?

'…'

Yang leaned closer before wrapping a hand around Weiss' shoulders.

'I get it, you hate the White Fang, and really, I think you have good reason to. If Blake really has done something wrong, she shouldanswer for them. That's how justice works.'

Blake flinched but then lowered her head in understanding at her friend's words. It was just fair and to be honest – Blake felt a little relieved at that. She was done hiding, not being able to be open with who she was and what she had done.

The fear that her past would catch up with her and end up hurting her friends was a real and growing threat that had been haunting her till now. But enough was enough, she was going to face her past, fears as well as her friends openly and proudly too.

Blake looked around at the group of individuals she was proud to call friends – Ruby was silent but giving her silent support as she was standing by her side and holding her hand.

Shirou was being, Shirou, he hadn't left her side as well and he wasn't judging her with his eyes.

Pyrrha was frowning, deep in thought but she was hopeful that the sensible redhead would accept her as who she was.

Nora had Ren's hand holding hers as the energetic girl looked like she was ready to pounce on her – she was quite worried about that but she had no doubts Nora would never mind knowing she was a Faunus, or a member of the White Fang.

Ren was a logical as Pyrrha – Team SNPR had the oddest and the most stable individuals in the same group and from how Ren was quietly holding Nora back, he didn't care at all who she was at all.

She should've been braver and told them when Shirou stood up for the Faunus in the cafeteria that day. That would've been the best time, but as she missed it, she was too afraid to do so again.

'...Weiss, I just want you to be sure, that whatever you plan on doing, you know that you are doing that to Blake. Blake Belladonna, our friend, and our team mate... the person who saved you in battle before. If she really wanted you dead, you'd be dead already.'

Weiss flinched at that but Yang had a point, a perfectly valid point that made the heiress shudder slightly as she looked at Blake.

'Weiss, look at me and then look at Blake again and calm down... if and only if you see her as Blake and not some faceless member of the White Fang, then we can talk about what we're going to do, alright?'

Yang's arm squeezed Weiss while the anger slowly drained out of her as Yang's point was made to her. She had lost herself to her anger and even if she was right – she was right in her points, she had neglected the history the two of them had as well.

Somehow it infuriated her again, that Yang had to be the one to remind her of that

Yang of all people, if it was Blake, she might have – oh no...

Yang gave a snort as if she could read her mind and the Schnee heiress scowled before lowering Myrtenaster slowly, her entire body in a fit of anger, or was it fear?

Weiss Schnee, the heiress of the Schnee Group – the same group that the White Fang had systematically tried to destroy – took a deep breath before meeting Blake Belladonna's eyes again.

'Yang's right… I… lost myself… and… and I am sorry, I apologize.'

Weiss forced the words out of her mouth as she looked at Blake – the heiress did not want to do that – to apologize to a member of the White Fang. But this was Blake, her team mate, and not only is it disrespectful to what Blake had done for her, it would be considered ungrateful as well. And a Schnee always repays their debt.

'I lost myself to my anger… and I caused trouble for everyone, especially you, Blake… I might, would have… acted on my ingrained hatred.'

Weiss paused while saying that word – hatred – was it that deep? Yes it was, it was hatred – she could neverforgive the White Fang for what they did to her family.

'Hatred… for the White Fang…. I believe you were speaking about how you were no longer a member of the White Fang, Blake?'

Weiss gained control of her emotions before asking Blake.

'I… need to know, no, I demand to know. Did you participate in any terrorist activity against the Schnee group, Blake?'

Weiss saw Blake hesitate but the heiress swallowed her reflective urge to pounce on that physical cue of guiltiness to allow Blake to defend herself. Weiss could allow for that much at least for a friend of hers.

'...Weiss – I...'

Blake stammered and stopped when Ruby nudged her from behind, seeing the smaller redhead mouthing the words 'I'll support you' gave her the strength to respond to Weiss. The Faunus girl was scared, anyone would be in her situation.

'Alright Blake, be frank with us, be honest little kitty. Did you do something against the Schnee?'

'I did… I helped the White Fang steal a train full of dust, Weiss… I'm…'

Blake hesitated – apologies were not going to be sufficient but she had to say that – right? So why did she stutter and stop?

Was it because of the look of shock that she saw in her team mates that made her stop again – had she disappointed them, made them fear her perhaps?

'It's okay, Blake –'

Ruby was again the one who rescued her as she gripped her hand harder.

'Even if you did that – I still trust you, Blake.'

'Ruby… I-I'm sorry… but, I… don't deserve this trust… and Weiss, I did… I'm sorry. I know that it's too late, and it means nothing now, there's nothing I can do to… to make amends – but I, I'm sorry… I knew it was wrong – but… there's no excuses I can say that makes it right…

'Okay Weiss, lynch her.'

Yang interrupted suddenly much to everyone's shock, Ruby gave her sister a startled cry while even Weiss was caught by surprise, she spinning to look at Yang who had a dead serious expression on her face. The other members of the two teams just stared, gaped and looked outraged.

'Yang! H-How could you say that, sis? B-Blake's a friend! W-Why did you, why do you want to do that!'

'Yang... I... I, I suppose... I...deserve that.'

Blake's shoulders slumped in what might be dismay that made Shirou clench his fists. Had Blake given up just like that?

'Or punish her, whatever's good. It's justice, or whatever you want to call it. If someone did something wrong, they have to be punished – and from what you already explained – it's Blake's fault, she started it by attacking the Schnee, so you can lynch her. It's only fair, right?'

Yang had the airs of someone who was totally disinterested in what was going on – and the blonde dismissed everyone who was glaring at her.

'Yang... What do you mean by that? Do you honestly expect me to do that to... Blake?'

'What, wasn't that what you wanted at first, Weiss? Remember, she admitted to stealing from your family! They stole an entire train worth of dust, that's stealing right? Hijacking too! What if Blake killed someone there by accident? What if the dust was used to kill people? Oh, that would be bad right?'

None of those gathered understood what Yang was driving at. The blonde was jumping from one conversation to another and it simply threw everyone of them into a loop. What was Yang doing? Was she defending Blake or was she making things worse?

'Yes... it would be bad... and yes, Blake admitted to... stealing from my family, and... so you would wish for me to take justice into my own hands?'

Weiss asked patiently, drawing the words out in a bid to understand Yang better. It was strange, now that she had gotten the opportunity to do so, with Yang's support, she didn't want to. It, just didn't make sense at all.

Was this Yang's ploy all along, to string her up so much that she had worked her temper and anger to exhaustion?

Weiss narrowed her eyes angrily as she contemplated that Yang might have done just so – and found herself unable to come to terms with that.

This was, Yang, after all. Yang Xiao Long, a girl who seemed to be all muscle and violence, with none of the smarts or experience playing the political games that a Schnee like she did. She found it extremely difficult to accept that she could manipulate her to do so without her realizing it.

It – was just a coincidence.

'Wasn't that what you wanted, I was helping you, Weiss. Like I said, I got your back.'

Yang gave Weiss an easy going smile while the rest of Team RWBY and SNPR gathered around Blake protectively – only for Blake to beg them to give way.

'Yang is right... I, I committed a crime and... I helped them get away with it, and... I should answer for it.'

Blake put on a brave face as she walked towards Weiss, the raven-haired girl giving her a bow as she stood in front of her, waiting for Weiss' judgement on what should be done to her.

She had told them everything about her past and the White Fang, she wasn't going to just deny it right now. If Weiss were to call the police to arrest her, she'll admit to the crime.

'… You will surrender yourself to me, Blake?'

Weiss spoke carefully, her eyes wary and guarded as Blake nodded her head. With Yang beside Weiss, the heiress looked firm, but a little sad as she opened her mouth to speak – only for Yang to butt in again, sounding cheerful while the others just gawked at how she was handling the situation.

'For all we know she's been so close to us is to get you softened up so she could stab you at the back. But then again, this is Blake, she's our friend – isn't she?'

The response from Weiss was to slap Yang instead, the heiress doing that without even thinking and the Blonde looked shocked before turning back to look at Weiss. She was twitching in anger before reaching out to grab Yang's collar.

'What is wrong with you? What do you want me to do?! Are you ordering me? Are you suggesting to me what to do? What? Answer me, Yang? One minute you are telling me to take my revenge on the White Fang – the next you are telling me to not confuse Blake, my friend with those who attacked my family and now, and NOW – you are telling me that Blake is not my friend? Isn't SHE your friend?!'

Weiss shouted at Yang and as she rubbed her chin – Yang answered Weiss easily.

'Duh, of course she's my friend. She's part of Team RWBY – and my team mate, Blake is my adorable little kitteh!'

Yang reached over to grab Blake in a hug that made the Faunus yelp in surprise.

'So why did you – why did you do all that? Why are you riling me up? Why are you saying all those things to me about Blake and me! What is it that you want me to do, Yang?!'

Weiss sounded desperate now as she questioned Yang's motives and as before – no one knew why as she was literally spouting nonsense. But when Yang replied – it was with a serious expression that made everyone pay attention.

'I'm just putting it out on the field here – being honest and telling you the possibilities that you have. The world isn't fair, and really – that's the way things works. You're a smart girl aren't you, Weiss. You are, don't answer that, it kills me to say it, but you're smart. You're also naïve – but also honest. You don't need to make that decision for any one but yourself.'

Weiss couldn't quite follow what Yang was saying – it was a little beyond her, and she was shocked that Yang could even say that with such a straight face as if she knew what she was saying. She knew what she was saying... right?

'… Right, you need to. So Weiss, what are you going to do about our adorable kitty now that we know that she attacked your family's property when she was with the White Fang? I got your back – partner, just let it rip!'

But as Yang grinned, the moment was gone just as quickly as it had happened– but it left Weiss a little doubtful about what kind of person Yang Xiao Long was. Just a little – because regardless Yang was right – she needed to make a decision now, about Blake – not the White Fang, but about Blake.

The White Fang could come later – and as what Blake said – she got the chance to get all the answers she wanted.

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'Weiss...'

Blake still looked confused but she was still willing to accept what Weiss was going to do to her and with Ruby's trust in her – she felt that she could face it head on and be proud of it. It took a while of contemplation from Weiss, but finally she did speak.

'… It's difficult, very difficult for me to say that I forgive you – Blake... you... you lied to me, and more importantly – you lied to us, even if it was a lie of omission.'

Weiss stood proud with her chin up while Blake listened. This was not a speech that she thought she had to give, at all and she had to just do it with dignity as any Schnee would do when facing a dilemma like this. A dilemma that she had to have Yang of all people to help make up her mind on what to do. She would never hear the end of this and would never live this down. She almost acted out or rage, out of misunderstand, out of naivety – she would not make those mistakes again.

'Even if that lie of omission has not caused us any harm, you are still guilty of breaking our trust with each other. We... are your team mates, and your friends. We are supposed to have each other's back, did you not trust us enough?'

Weiss asked with a sad smile that made Blake start to stammer out her denials, but Weiss didn't allow her to say a word as she raised a finger at her to cut her off.

'Uh uh, don't answer that... besides all that, you were a member of the White Fang, and confessed to being an accessory to a crime against my family... and as such, as the heiress of the Schnee Family and with the powers bestowed unto me by my father.'

Actually Weiss had none of the power and was simply bluffing, no one would know that though and since they were her team, they would keep it from spreading – hopefully at least.

'I, Weiss Schnee, decide that your punishment shall be to assist me in bringing in the true culprits of the crimes that were done to my family.'

Weiss crossed her arms as she waited for Blake's reply.

'Well, do you accept, Blake Belladonna?'

There, she had the same dignified look that her mother wore when dealing with those of her class – she was glad she was able to remember how she carried herself.

'I... I accept, Weiss... thank you'

Blake stuttered for a moment before she smiled in relief – this was probably better than she could have hoped for.

'And we start with our first lead – Kiritsugu... we will find him and get the truth from him. Starting tomorrow.'

Weiss gave her orders but was surprised when Ruby suddenly appeared in front of her to give her a big hug and then releasing her.

'R-Ruby, why did you do that?'

'Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU WEISS!'

The redhead was excited, and she should be, she just let Blake off for something that she could be imprisoned for the rest of the life with.

'Hmph... Don't read too much into it – it-it's not like I did it, because she's my friend...'

Weiss sniffed before turning and bumping into Yang, the blonde giving her a grin before patting her on her shoulders.

'… That was way better than my first time, at any rate.'

She whispered to Wiess before glomping Blake and pulling in the excitable Nora into the same glomp – amusing themselves by playing with Blake's ears.

'… What did she mean by that?'