Menagerie.

An air horn sounds loudly as an offramp is being lowered on the ship bearing Hana, Blake and Sun to allow passengers to disembark. The town has many small buildings and homes set among dunes and palm trees. The town bell that has been ringing is shown in its belfry.

Hana, Sun and Blake make their way from the deck to the offramp. Hana takes out a walking can before holding on to Blake's arm.

Hana and Blake proceeds without pause while Sun stops to look at the town "Huh".

Several Faunus in summer wear meander casually at the dock, some waiting for friends or family among the new arrivals. The dock is also a commercial area, with mobile kiosks selling food and other wares. It is a relaxed atmosphere on a sunny day.

Sun is looking around while he the girls disembark and walk through the market area together "I've never seen so many Faunus in one place!".

"This is the one place everyone can feel safe, no matter who or what they are" Blake said, still letting Hana hold on to her.

"Wow, sure is, uh, crowded, huh?" Sun asked.

Blake shakes her head "Yes. Yes, it is".

Sun dodges a Faunus carrying a box "Is it always so... cramped?".

"Well, when you try and take an entire species and put them on an island that's two-thirds desert, yeah, it tends to be cramped" Blake said.

"What! You guys have that much more space? Why waste it? A little desert never hurt anyone!" Sun pointed out, being used to desert himself.

"It's not like the desert in Vacuo, Sun. The wildlife here is more dangerous than most other regions" Blake explained.

"So, they give us a terrible island, in the corner of Remnant, to try and shut us up" Sun summed up.

"That's a pretty good summary, yeah" Blake agreed.

"Huh. Jerks" Sun said.

"We try to make the best of things" Blake said.

"I always wanted to see the homeland of my people... though this is not how I pictured my first visit" Hana said as she uses her cane to feel her way forward.

"But, can't you see everything you hear? Why do you even need that cane?" Sun asked.

Hana sighs "That is a part of my semblance. And like everyone else, I can't use my semblance all the time or I could collapse. So for times like these I need to go back to basics".

"Oh... Sorry" Sun said feeling stupid.

"It's ok. As long as I have you two around, I should be perfectly safe" Hana said.

"Just try not to lose your grip on me Hana. Last thing I need is to lose you in the crowd" Blake said.

"No need to worry about me Blake. If anything I should worry about you, given that you are baking in your oven" Hana pointed out.

Blake said nothing as she placed her hand on her belly.

"And all this time I thought you were just eating more" Sun said, earning him a hit on the head "Ow... yeah I deserved that one".

The three pause in their walk to look at the view of the town the road affords. The road they are on goes downhill and to the side, bordered by palm trees and homes that have either canvas or wood roofs. The vista of palm trees spreads out to the edge of mountainous dunes in the distance. Right in the middle of all this is a large house with an open courtyard that the road appears to lead directly to. The house is at least three stories and is the only building in the whole area with a sophisticated roof.

"Whoa..." Sun said, amazed by the view.

"This, is Kuo Kuana" Blake said.

"It's... beautiful. I take it all back. This place looks great! Why would anyone ever want to leave?" Sun asked loudly.

"That's not the point, Sun! We asked to be equal, to be treated just like everyone else! Instead, we were given an island and told to make do. So we did the best we could. We came together and we made a home where any Faunus could feel welcome. But this island, this town, will always be a reminder that we're still not equal" Blake said before lowering her face "That we're still second-class citizens".

Sun putts his hand on Blake's shoulder "Well, hey, this guy's feeling pretty at home".

Blake smiles a little "Alright, time to go home".

"Oh yeah?" Sun asked moving his hand to her other shoulder and pulling her in "Which one's yours? Can you see it from here?".

As Sun uses his free hand like a visor to help him peer at the houses Blake speaks "Kind of".

"Is it that one?" Sun asked while pointing away from Blake "What about that tiny one down there?" He points across Blake "I like the paintjob".

Blake takes Sun's intruding arm by the wrist and directing it toward the large house "It's... that one".

Sun stares for a second before pointing his finger at her with a questioning expression. Blake nods. Sun looks at her for a beat before taking his arm off her and stepping back. He covers the sides of his head and crouches a bit, staring wide-eyed at the house and making a comical, amazed noise.

"Huh?" Hana asked confused.

"Oh, Blake has the biggest house in the whole town" Sun explained.

Hana gasped "Wow Blake, you are really living it up huh?".

"Well my parents are rather high ranking faunus" Blake said.

"Well let's go" Hana said before she noticed something "Darn it, I hate down hills. They are so tricky to walk on".

"Well I got an solution to that!" Sun said with a smirk.

"What solu-WHA!" Hana yelps as Sun suddenly lifts her in to a piggyback "Sun!?".

Sun laughs "I will carry you the rest of the way!".

"Wait hold on a sec! SUN! SUUUUUUN!" Hana screams as Sun takes of running with her "WHAAAAAAAAAAA!".

Blake giggles as the sight before following her crazy friends. They finally stop in front of Blake's home and Sun puts Hana down "Made it safe and sound. Thank you for choosing the Sun express"

"Don't. Ever. Do that. Again!" Hana warned, Sun simply chuckled at her cute angry face.

They walk up the stone steps to the front door of the house. Blake hesitates when she moves to use the knocker.

"What is it?" Sun asked.

"I um... it's just been a long time since I've seen my parents" Blake said.

"Well, you came all this way" Sun pointed out.

Blake takes a quick breath for courage and bangs the door knocker. It makes a loud, heavy, resonating sound on the large door. Sun stares up, stepping back while Blake politely backs away from the door a few paces.

"Okay, if we're being honest, that's kind of intimidating" Sun said.

"Yup" Hana agreed.

All three give a start at the sound of the door being opened. A short, female cat Faunus is behind it, looking around at the visitors. Her ears perk and she moves the door out of the way so she can step forward when she recognizes her daughter "Blake?"

Blake awkwardly lifts her arm in greeting "Hi, mom".

The woman steps forward and hugs her daughter "My baby girl".

Blake hesitates, uncertain for a moment, before her face gentles into a smile and she hugs her mother back.

They stand in front of open doorway. From inside the house, footsteps come closer and a shadow falls onto the carpeted entryway. The woman lets go of Blake and turns behind her at the sound of a man's voice voice.

"Kali? Who is it?" He asked.

'Her name is Kali' Hana made sure to remember.

The man stands with his hands on his hips, waiting to greet the visitor. His quizzical expression changes to wide-eyed surprise, before his hands, shoulders, and face all fall in a clear, emotional reaction to the sight of his daughter come home.

Sun sees this and grins, pleased at Blake's welcome as he turns to look at how she's taking it. Blake has her hands clasped in front of her, awaiting her father's reaction. Kali has not let go, with her hands supportively on Blake's shoulder and arm.

The man says nothing, but smiles, clearly happy. Blake smiles back, relieved. She and Sun exchange sideways glances.

"Sorry, but could someone say something? This silence is making me uneasy" Hana suddenly spoke.

"Oh, these are my friends. Hana Song and Sun Wukong" Blake spoke

Kali noticed Hana's condition and gasped "Oh I am so sorry my dear. Here, let me help you".

Hana felt gentle hands on her. One on her shoulder and the other taking her hand "I will try not to knock anything over".

"Don't worry, I got you" Kali said in a warm tone "My name is Kali. The big man is my husband, Ghira".

"Pleasure to meet you both" Hana said as polite as she could, she really wanted to make a good first impression.

Ghira smiled at the small girl "What a polite young girl. Glad to see my daughter have made good friends".

"Come, I'll make us some tea" Kali said.

Hana smiled, looks like the managed to get on their good side.

Later Kali sets down her cup down as all sit on the floor at a square table "We were horrified when we heard the news. The Kingdom of Vale isn't perfect, but it certainly didn't deserve what happened. Oh, we were both so worried".

Ghira lets out a huff "Please, I knew she'd be fine!".

Kali scoffs "That isn't the slightest bit true. You should have seen him pacing".

Hana giggled at that, they reminded her so much of her own parents...

"You guys have nothing to worry about. I've seen your daughter in action before! And trust me, she's got some moves!" Sun said, clearly not realising how he made it sound.

Blake, who was sipping from her cup while Sun spoke, abruptly lifts her head and swallows at his last choice of words. Ghira glares at the young man on his right "And what exactly do you mean by that, Mr. Wukong?".

Sun freezes and slowly turns toward his host "I... uh, well, you see sir, it's just that, you know, that she's such a good fighter and all, uh, and as a fellow fighter, I have a lot of respect for her..."

Kali leans in to ask quietly "Why is he here again?".

"He just kind of followed me home" Blake answered.

"I see" Kali said.

"Slightly, I mean she's definitely above average. I mean, uh..." Sun struggles for words as all three Belladonnas watch him and wait for him to either get out of the hole he just talked himself into or keep digging.

Hana takes her walking cane and gives him a hard smack on the head. He yelps, before rubbing his head in pain.

"Sun. I know this is hard to understand for someone with your limited brain capacity. But in situations like these, it's better if you stop talking" Hana scolded.

"You'd do well to listen to your friend, boy" Ghira said, happy that at least Hana was putting some thoughts in to her words.

"Don't worry sir. Blake already gave her heart to my brother. And he was the perfect boyfriend" Hana said.

"Oh really? Then where is this boy?" Kali asked in clear interest.

When she said that, Hana gasped before looking down with pain in her eyes. Blake did the same, while slowly putting her hand on her belly again. Kali and Ghira looked worried at their sudden change of spirit.

Sun put a hand around Hana's shoulders to comfort her as he explained for her "He was a true huntsman... to the end".

Kali and Ghira understood right away and Kali was the one to speak "I am so sorry for your loss... I can't imagen how it must have felt".

"That is why I followed Blake here. I have no other family left" Hana said, doing her best not to cry.

"Hana..." Ghira spoke in a warm tone "If you and Blake are that close, then you can consider yourself a part of our family".

"Yes. We would be happy to have you" Kali said softly while putting her hand on Hana's own.

Hana smiled "Thank you... that means a lot to me. And speaking of family. Blake has something to tell you".

"Hana!" Blake whisper yelled.

"Oh? And what is that?" Kali asked.

"Well... I... I.. I am-" Blake began but the loud sound of the front door knocker resonates, catching everyone's attention.

"Darn it, I completely forgot about the meeting!" Ghira said as he hits his fist onto the table and Kali quickly covers it with her hand.

"Ghira..." She spoke softly

"Give me a moment" Ghira said as he gets up and walks out.

"Is everything okay?" Blake asked.

"Yes, dear, just poor timing. He can reschedule. It's just been hard dealing with them lately" Kali said as she picks up her cup.

"Dealing with who?" Blake asked

Kali sips her tea "Hmm? The White Fang".

Hana, Sun & Blake rises to their feet in shock "WHAT?!".

Hana, Blake and Sun rush to the door, where Ghira is speaking with two fox Faunus. The two visitors maintain respectful, formal postures, keeping their hands clasped before them.

"Dad!" Blake calls out.

"Blake, what's wrong?" Ghira asked.

"Miss Belladonna" One of the men said.

"We had no idea you'd returned" The other one said.

Every time either one of the two brothers speaks, they gesture with their hands and end with clasping their hands before their chests again.

"What are you doing talking to these people?" Blake demanded.

"This is Corsac and Fennec Albain. They represent the White Fang here in Menagerie now" Ghira explained.

"Those psychos are here, too?!" Sun asked in anger.

"Young man, I'm not sure what you've heard of our organization, but I can assure you, we're not nearly as ferocious as the media would have you believe" Fennec said camly.

"What we've heard? We've seen firsthand. Your fanatics slaughtered people!" Blake said in clear spite.

"What is she talking about?" Ghira demanded.

"Precisely what we came to discuss with you, Your Grace" Corsac answered.

Kali approached the group "Is everything alright?".

"Wait, you guys seriously don't know?" Sun asked in disbelife

"Know what?" Ghira asked dangerously.

"The White Fang was at the Fall of Beacon. They attacked innocent civilians and they released Grimm into the school" Blake explained, still glaring at the two brothers.

There is a brief silence. Fennec makes an innocent, sideways glance at his brother. Ghira slowly turns to face the two White Fang representatives "Is this true?".

Fennec looked down for a short second "Sadly, Your Grace, it is".

Blake was getting angrier "Don't act like you're s-".

"That's enough!" Ghira said sharply before looking back to the Albains "Explain yourselves".

"Though it pains us to admit, it has become apparent that the Vale branch of the White Fang is no longer operating under orders of High Leader Khan. Rather, they've elected to follow the rule of one Adam Taurus. I believe you're all familiar with the young adept and his... extreme philosophies" Corsac explained.

"You know, Beacon wasn't the first time the Fang started shooting up Vale!" Sun pointed out, not beliving they were so innocent as they tried to sound.

"The High Council had their suspicions of a splinter group, but they could prove nothing until this latest incident" Fennec said.

"Incident? People are dead!" Blake said with pain in her voice.

"And it is a tragedy" Corsac said camly.

"Tradgedy!? That's what you call what happened!?" Hana snapped as she stepped forward, almost tripping over herself before ripping of the bandaid of her eyes, showing her white eyes who was a clear sign of what she no longer had "This happened because of the White Fang! My brother is dead because of them!".

The two brothers were silent for several moments as Hana was shaking it both anger and pain. Fennec was the one to break the silence "So... you are Hana Song?".

Hana gasped "How did you know my name?".

"You may have gotten older. But we would know you anywhear. You look just like your mother" Corsac said.

"Who are you people?" Hana asked, this was getting to much for her.

"We don't blame you for not remembering us. You were still a little baby last time we saw you" Fennec said.

"Your father... was our brother" Corsac finished.

Hana felt ready to faint "What...?".

"Yes. You are our niece" Fennec said with a smile. Hana fell to her knees with shaky breaths.

"Hana!" Sun bent down on a knee to help her.

"Your Grace, we came to assure you that Brother Taurus and his followers do not represent the will of the White Fang" Fennec said.

"And how can I be sure of that?" Ghira asked

"We understand if you bear any skepticism towards these claims. The White Fang's tactics are admittedly, more aggressive since you stepped down as High Leader and became Chieftain of Menagerie. But this, this is no way to make our message heard" Corsac said.

"We have ample documentation from the council meeting, as well as several strategies to apprehend and punish these strays if you care to review them" Fennec said.

"I will, but another day. I'd like some time to reconnect with my daughter" Ghira said.

Corsac bows "But of course, Your Grace".

Fennec bows too "We completely understand. It was a pleasure to see you again, young Blake".

Corsac looks at Hana "We understand this is a lot to take in, so we will leave you in peace".

Hana said nothing, she just did not know what to say about all this. Blake picks her up as Ghira closed the doors.

Kali moves to stand closer and face her husband while Blake walks off with Hana in her arms.

"So... those guys were creepy" Sun said.

Ghira glares at him "I really don't like you".


Outside, the two brothers descend the steps, perfectly in sync and their formally clasped hands. Corsac, however, is now using the prayer posture that Fennec had been using all along.

"An interesting development, wouldn't you say?" Fennec asked.

Corsac nods "Interesting indeed".

"So, shall we inform Brother Adam?" Fennec asked his brother.

"Oh, we shall... But I would sleep better if young Hana was not around when the bloodshed starts" Corsac said.

"Agreed. Would be a real shame if our lovely niece would meet the same fate as her father" Fennec agreed.

They exchange unsettling grins.

.

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