Interlude 2 Chapter 6: Cat-astrophe

AN: Hmm, let's see if I can get this out New Year's Eve. If I can, hope everyone had a happy holidays and have a great year to look forward to.

And… oh boy, I put in that kind of title, didn't I? It's going to be another one of those chapters, isn't it?

(Perspective: Blake)

"… and once I have given you the passcodes, your forces can sneak a small team through this maintenance tunnel, allowing them to bypass most of Amity's defenses and target the antigravitational engine holding the facility aloft."

Blake scowled at the schematics in front of her as Cinder laid out this particular phase of her plan. Unfortunately, only part of her frustration and mounting dread was due to this phase itself. But no, ever since Torchwick died, she'd been the one in charge of everything, and all of a sudden she knew why Roman hated his boss so much. Cinder acted like she owned everything, and Blake knew she couldn't beat her if it came to a fight; the raw power she casually shed like the sun did its light was evidence enough of that.

That still didn't change the fact that this plan of hers was horrible. Actually, she took that back: it was brilliant for Cinder. For the White Fang, however? How did attacking the Vytal Festival bring about justice? What did getting into a shooting war with the full might of Atlas' military have to do with Faunus rights?

How did killing thousands of civilians – because there was no way the collateral damage by itself wouldn't be a slaughter – bring about the change society so desperately needed?

Taking a deep breath, Blake tried to steel herself. Cinder wasn't easily defied, and yet she must. "That only accounts for the security doors. Assuming that crashing the Coliseum is indeed the best move, we'd still need to deal with the security androids and automated sentry turrets guarding the engine."

Cinder looked up slowly from the schematics, left eye beginning to glow even as the ambient temperature surged a few degrees in the room. "You're an intelligent young woman, Blake, and I sincerely doubt you suffer fools to lead under you. Figure it out."

"What I've 'figured out' is that this plan involves massive risk to the men and women I need to look out for, to mention nothing of the general death toll," Blake ground out before she could stop herself. Her breath caught when Cinder started glaring at her… but damnit, this was something that needed to be said. "So far, all you've told me is that this is for the greater good, but all that entails is what amounts to a giant distraction so that you can go steal something of 'immeasurable importance'. Meanwhile, I need to ask my people to suffer, and die, and kill untold innocent people, for something that won't even strengthen our position!"

Suddenly, power flooded the room, the glow in Cinder's eye intensifying as the woman metaphorically put her foot down on the matter. Blake couldn't help but gulp, sweat beginning to break out all over her skin. "Roman Torchwick, time and again, would overestimate his usefulness, believing himself irreplaceable. Now, he is dead. Do not be so foolish as to repeat his mistake." After ensuring that Blake had been sufficiently cowed, Cinder opened her mouth to speak agai-

"Enough," a new voice called, the sheer presence it was filled with instantly muting all sound in the room despite its relative lack of volume. From around the corner leading into the front room of the warehouse they were currently hiding out in, strode the one and only Adam Taurus. Despite the scowl he wore, Blake nearly sagged in relief. He'd gotten her messages, after all.

The smug grin that had been growing on Cinder's face died a premature death at the newest entrant to the meeting. "Adam. I was hoping you would be able to make it."

"Do not try to distract me," he practically spat, stilling at Blake's right. Meeting Cinder's sudden glare with one of his own, his hand went to his sword. "You are not at full strength, and you do not have me at a disadvantage this time. Threaten what is mine again, and I shall return the favor."

Blake knew she had to do something when sparks started jumping from Cinder's upturned palm. Placing her own hand over Adam's – and his sword – she turned to a mediator role. "Enough, please. Words were hastily chosen, and answers were just as hastily given. We're still friends, here. Let's… let's focus on the mission at hand."

Adam's hand loosened its hold on Wilt, and the power that Cinder had flooded the room with died down to match. A small smile returning, she entreated, "It is little wonder why Adam has trusted you with this. He chose his servants well, it seems."

Adam shook his head. "None of them are my servants. But, semantics aside, she's right. I'm afraid I had to make a rather hasty journey here. Give me a summary over what we have."

It was hours later when Blake managed to get out of the stuffy, hastily thrown together area currently serving as their operations room. Popping her back, she decided upon a brief distraction by heading back into the main of the warehouse. She'd already been over the inventory twice herself, in addition to the inventories of the people whose jobs it were to maintain it. However, she found the cataloging strangely relaxing. Mindlessly going over racks and racks of ammunition, small arms, and heavy weapons, checking to make sure it was the same as the previous day minus any pre-logged changes… it let her think.

She was halfway through the inventory when the sounds of badly muffled footfalls could be heard behind her. Smiling, she shook her head and stopped taking inventory. As much as most Faunus didn't follow any traits their animalistic counterparts showed, there was absolutely nothing about Adam that was subtle. As such, she found herself overtaken by a complete lack of surprise when an arm snaked around her waist a few seconds later and Adam quietly said, "You seem troubled, my love."

Understatement of the year, Blake couldn't help but think. Handing the pen and clipboard off to Cyan, who had just been passing by to begin his own inventory, she turned around and shook her head. "Not here," she replied, equally quiet. "I've got a small room set up at this location."

A small smirk crossed Adam's lips. "Lead the way."

Smiling again as she set off across the building, Blake couldn't help but tease him as they got near their destination. "If you keep staring at me like that, people are going to talk."

"Let them," Adam insisted. They paused for as long as it took to squeeze into the small room. A simple cot shoved into the corner, a chest containing her meager wardrobe, and even the luxury of a few shelves to house her collection of literature. "My second in command should be in a finer abode than this. Especially with as cold as it's starting to get."

Blake shook her head. "None of the other men have anything better. Just because I command them doesn't mean I'm better than them – oftentimes, they've lost far more than I have. I'm not one to lord my status over others, you know that."

"One of many reasons you're my second in command," Adam praised.

"Besides," Blake added, smirking, "I've got you to keep me warm now."

"Indeed," Adam conceded. Lunging forward and catching Blake, he growled, "Enough work," before they made their affections known for the first time in months.

Blake groaned, both in how nicely Adam's fingers dug into her sore back, and in how she needed to deny his request. "Unfortunately, there's a little bit that I need to talk about."

Sadly, Adam pulled away, expression as blank and serious as the mask he had divested himself of. "Something you don't want to say within earshot of Cinder."

"I don't like her," Blake admitted. "She's done nothing but withhold information about her goals, and even information that could keep our comrades safe." She paused long enough to let out an explosive sigh, then continued, "I mean, obviously she doesn't have our best interests at heart, but at this point it's like she's not even trying to hide how much she doesn't care about us. And, of course, we can't do a damn thing about it since none of us are even remotely strong enough to stand up to her. She knows it, too, which only makes her even more regardless of –"

"Easy, Blake," Adam urged. Taking her by the shoulders and guiding her to the cot, he began kneading the muscles there while he reassured, "Leave that traitorous witch to me. I'll admit, she caught me off guard in Mistral, but I've learned my lesson. Cinder will not be able to usurp my authority again without whatever power she's after, and she knows that as well as I." He paused long enough to plant a kiss to her neck, before asking, "If I keep her insanity from leaking into the plan, can I count on you to look out for what is best for our brothers and sisters?"

Blake scoffed, almost insulted that he even bothered asking. Letting that serve as answer enough for that particular question, she said, "I'm also worried about the plan – about the casualties, specifically. Sure, most of the people who will die haven't done us any favors… but they still don't deserve what would become of them. Not to mention however many Faunus are among them. And leading Grimm to run loose in the city? That'll ruin all the credibility we've built up these past few years."

Adam frowned. "The Grimm are only there to keep the Hunters busy. Believe me, the first thing I'll bring up with Cinder is only allowing those beasts in already abandoned areas of the city – or, preferably, kept within Beacon itself."

Blake's gaze shot up, eyes wide. She didn't know anyone who hated how society treats them more than Adam did. Usually, she had to try and reign him in, lest there was unnecessary collateral damage. Suddenly wrapping him up in a hug, she planted her head on his shoulder and whispered, "Thank you."

"No," Adam reposed, equally quiet and with his voice breaking slightly. "Thank you. Thank you for keeping me just."

Blake smiled at their familiar song and dance. Adam had his faults, true. She knew nobody with worse anger management issues. But his devotion, his dedication to the right thing was a trait more should aspire to. The man had a strict moral code, contrary to what the media would portray of him. Sure, Blake needed to keep him honest, from time to time, but it was worth it, because when he was at his best, he truly was the best hope for the Faunus' future.

"Thank you for keeping me convicted," Blake whispered back. While it was true that she was the better half of the relationship, sometimes she could find herself distracted. She was too nice, sometimes… Blake blushed as she remembered one mission, early on, when she abandoned her post to help a couple orphans get a meal. Fortunately, nothing bad happened from her dereliction of duty, but the lesson was still learned. In time, she came to know that she couldn't save everyone. And just as she was the wisdom and compassion that stayed Adam's blade when it wasn't needed, Adam was her strength and focus to remain devoted to the task at hand, whatever it may be.

Adam gripped the side of her head, gently, bringing her focus to his face. "I swear to you, we will do right by your father's legacy. The White Fang will bring freedom to the Faunus."

"I know," Blake said, smiling. Her smile fell as she thought of those she left behind to continue the fight. "I can only imagine what my parents are thinking now."

"Your father is a great man," Adam reassured. "The world just wasn't ready for him yet. We'll make it ready, though; by the time we're finished, we will be ready for the peace and equality he strove so much for."

"Thank you," Blake muttered. Suddenly standing up, she shrugged off her vest. It was getting late. She hadn't seen Adam for months. "I've got a few ideas, love."

Adam smiled and shook his head. "You and your art."

"Funny," Blake commented with a smirk, "I don't remember you complaining last time."

"I'm not complaining this time, either," Adam said. They stepped into each other's embrace again, ready to retire for the night. They had been just about to surrender to their passions when the door behind them suddenly flung open. Unbidden, Blake went for Gambol Shroud and Adam for his sword at the same time.

Their weapons pointed at a steel faceplate hidden under a brown cloak. Blake groaned, catching Adam's attention. "Munsell, what the hell are you doing here?"

The young man in question, seemingly completely uninterested in the occupants' rather compromising position, held up a book. "Finished my most recent read. Came to get a new one."

Blake couldn't help but groan again, rubbing her temples as Munsell replaced the book on the shelf before picking up its neighbor. Just as he was about to leave, she shouted after him, "Hey, how about knocking, next time?!"

The young man said nothing, simply closing the door behind him. Blake dared to lift her eyes to meet Adam's, who looked like he was still trying to figure out what had just happened. "That's it, I'm getting a lock for that door," Blake growled.

Adam only nodded. "I'll make sure it gets installed tomorrow."

(Perspective: Kassidy)

"And guess who's back!"

Kassidy spared a glance for the blonde who just exploded back into their dorm room from wherever she'd been. Yang said she'd had a package come in – from where is anyone's guess. Turning her eyes back to her Grimm Studies notes on Bob's screen, she gave her girlfriend, "Oh, such rapturous joy."

Yang made a sound that Kassidy couldn't quite pin a name to; another quick glance revealed the woman pulling her tongue back in her mouth. Rolling her eyes, she commented, "Stick it out further and a bird might come land on it."

"Ooh, someone's in a good mood," Yang said. Shrugging off her jacket and wrestling with her boots, she followed, "Where're Rubes and Ice Queen?"

"In the library, studying," Kassidy answered. Conversation died as Yang worked to get off the more constricting parts of her combat gear and Kassidy's mind continued to slowly turn into mush from having to memorize Beowulf pack dynamics, of all things. Why do I care about their pack dynamics, again? My interest in the Grimm pretty much begin and end with shooting them. So unfortunately engrossed in her material was she, that she didn't pay attention to a soft click coming from the far end of the room.

The red dot that suddenly appeared on her arm, however, absolutely got her attention. Instantly drawing the worst conclusion, Kassidy sprung to immediate action. She rolled off the bed, taking Bob with her while also snaking her arm out to snag her pistol off the nightstand next to her. She ignored the spurt of Aura that emanated when she headbutted Weiss' bed, instead preferring to try and peek out the dorm room's window while hissing, "Yang, get down!"

Her search for the sniper got distracted when Yang started chuckling. Kassidy's eyes diverted from the window, to find the dot once again on her arm and shaking madly. Utterly confused – there was no way that a sniper outside the building still had an angle on her – she turned to her girlfriend, who was holding her ribcage with one hand and a laser pointer in the… other… hand…

"Goddamnit, Yang," Kassidy spat, just as Yang lost control of herself and slid down the wall to continue her laughing fit from a seated position. Kassidy took a moment to get her breathing and heart rate under control, then continued, "Nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Sorr – sorry, K," Yang fought to get out. "But that was too good. Admit it. It's funny."

Kassidy crossed her arms over her chest in an attempt to make her displeasure known – which, for your information, did not constitute pouting. "It really wasn't," she said.

"Aww, c'mon, partner," Yang reasoned, having finally gotten her mirth under control. "Alright, I'm sorry for making you panic. I promise I'll give you fair warning before doing that again."

Kassidy huffed out a breath, rolling her eyes as a small smile threatened to pull at the edges of her lips. "Well, alright, I suppose that's – wait, what do you mean 'again'?!"

"Like this," Yang blurted with a grin, clicking the laser pointer back on and making the dot appear on her arm again.

Kassidy groaned, resigning herself to her fate. A bored Yang was a dangerous Yang, after all, and if this was her method of entertaining herself then it's a lot less damaging than it could be. Letting her pistol fall to rest on the nightstand where it began, she dragged herself back into her bed and got back to trying to study. An endeavor that proved to be futile when Yang snickered again, moving the laser pointer's dot to sit right on top of her hand as she scrolled through the screen. Kassidy absentmindedly shook her hand, and almost as if the action had actually worked, the dot moved to rest right next to her hand, resting on the covers of the bed.

The next several minutes proceeded in such a manner, with Yang moving the dot around and snickering, and Kassidy doing her best to ignore it as she studied. Eventually, however, after her seventh failed time to shoo away the pointer, she lowered her screen and spun around on Yang. "Look, can you seriously cut it out? I'm trying to study here; I fell behind on my Grimm Studies work with all the craziness that happened this semester."

"Sur- hrk, sure thing, K," Yang bit out. The red dot finally disappeared from the room, and Yang pocketed the laser pointer before slumping in the seat at her desk. "I've got my entertainment for the immediate future."

Shaking her head, Kassidy muttered, "Someone's easily pleased."

Almost as if he too was party to the whole 'let's keep Kassidy from studying' conspiracy, Bob picked this moment to pipe up, "I believe you're failing to identify the jest that seems to be Miss Xiao Long's source of amusement."

Eyes narrowed, Kassidy considered her options before slowly allowing, "Okay, I'll bite: what did I miss?" Upon being prompted, her computer switched her screen to what seemed like some random internet video of a cat chasing a laser pointer. She felt a grin begin to form, and asked, "Alright, amusing, but what does that –"

She was interrupted by the screen splitting in two vertically. Now, running simultaneously to the generic cat video, was a feed from the 'borrowed' camera she'd installed in the room. It was here that Kassidy got to witness the point being made, as she watched herself… well, for lack of a better term, pawing at the laser pointer like some kind of house cat while trying to study.

"Damnit, Bob, way to be a traitor," Yang whispered, and it was the speech that finally roused Kassidy to action. Setting the screen down, she turned her gaze upon her girlfriend, who simply shrugged at the attention she received. "Hey, what do you want me to say? It looked like you needed a break."

Well, alright, point to Yang – Kassidy had been staring at that screen long enough to go nearly cross-eyed. Still, justice had to be meted out. "You're going to pay for that, Yang. You're going to pay for that dearly."

Suddenly standing up, Yang put her hands on her hips and fixed her nearly trademark smirk in place. "Oh, yeah? What're you going to do about it?"

Her smirk faltered as Kassidy's own grin turned predatory. "Well, isn't someone eager to find out?" she teased. She let her arms and legs tense, Aura seeping into the limbs. It was time to give Yang a firsthand demonstration of the Aura control lessons she had been improving upon.

Yang obviously wasn't prepared for her newfound control, as evidenced when she went from a cocky, ready stance, to getting thrown onto the bed with a shriek in no time flat. She turned around just in time to see Kassidy allow her Aura to return from her arms, the dark blue concentric circles around them fading as the source of their power was withdrawn. "Woah," Yang muttered, obviously distracted from the current situation. "When did you start doing that?"

Kassidy shrugged. "Ren's been helping me a bit with my Aura control. It's still not where it needs to be, but… I've got a few more tricks up my sleeves, now."

"You mean the sleeves you don't have?" Yang asked, grinning.

Kassidy's deadpan look killed her grin, however. Yang tried to sit up, but Kassidy let another Aura-enhanced shove push her back onto the mattress. Climbing on top of her, Kassidy wrestled a bit to get Yang's wrists gathered together in one of her own, before she looked Yang dead in the eye. "You made me look like a fool."

"Admit it," Yang said, "that was pretty hilarious in hindsight."

Kassidy's flat face nearly faltered at the memory, but she somehow managed to hold on through force of will. "Hilarious or not, there's only one fate who those who dare attempt such a foolish task."

The weak, limp struggling Yang had been putting up faltered momentarily as lilac eyes went wide and their owner gasped. "K," Yang warned, "don't you even think about it."

"Too late," Kassidy admitted. Focusing her Aura into her left hand to keep Yang from breaking free, her right darted down into Yang's ribs. Her girlfriend made quite the interesting face, before she bit her lip and tried to clamp down with all her focus to keep from laughing. Given Kassidy's current tickle attack on her, however, it was a battle quickly lost, and it wasn't even a minute later that Yang was beginning to giggle below her.

"K… cut it – cut it out!" Yang managed to squeal between her rapidly increasing guffaws.

Kassidy shook her head. "You know what to say to make this stop."

Yang's eyes managed to focus long enough for her to belt out, "Never!"

"If you insist," Kassidy answered with a shrug.

"Y-y-you – you fiend!" No answer was given to Yang's latest outcry, though Kassidy did chance a glance up as Yang bucked her wrists against hers again, and for a moment she worried that even with an Aura-augmented grip she wouldn't be able to hang on. Oh dear lord, if Yang managed to get the best of her… nothing good could come of it. Fortunately, her grasp held, and it didn't take much longer for Yang to concede "Al-al-al-alright! I gi-gi-give!"

Kassidy smiled to match Yang's own, as she asked, "Who's the greatest?"

"You are!" Yang admitted.

"Who's the best?"

"You!"

"Who's your favorite person in the whole wide world?"

"Ruby!"

Kassidy frowned at that last answer… but had to shrug and concede the point. Ruby was pretty much everyone's favorite, after all. "Eh, close enough," she offered. She ceased her attacks, instead falling to lay on top of Yang, both blondes a breathless heap from the viciousness of the devastating attack and Yang still helpless to let out a small laugh now and then.

When Kassidy found enough of her faculties to sit back up, it was to find herself inches from Yang's face, a face that she really couldn't get enough of watching. It... oddly, it made her think of the past year, of things that could have been but thankfully weren't.

"Something on your mind, K?"

Her girlfriend's words got her to focus on the present again, and she found herself staring into those lilac orbs again. Deciding that she didn't want to fight the urge to get it out of her system, Kassidy found herself saying, "Thanks, Yang." When Yang cocked an eyebrow, Kassidy explained, "For keeping me sane."

"Oh, so that's what you think I've been doing?" she asked. Finally breaking free from Kassidy's now slack hold, she asked, "What prompted this?"

"Dunno," Kassidy admitted. "Just been thinking. I wasn't… I wasn't in a good spot, this time last year. I don't know what would've been if I had kept going down the path that was open to me then, but I do know that I wouldn't have liked it as much as I like being here." She shook her head, before focusing on the woman beneath her again. "I'm a far better person than I was this time last year, I'm happier than I've ever been, and I've – I've actually got a life ahead of me that's actually worth looking forward to. So, thanks. Thanks for being the best thing to have ever happened to me."

Yang's jaw dropped slightly, before she shut it with a soft 'click', before splitting into a huge smile herself. "Well, in that case, thanks for being my light. You have got to be, without a doubt, the best part of me coming to Beacon. Every day is such a great adventure, I don't know what the day will bring, but I do know it'll be awesome because you're there to make it so. And that's not even counting how… how you saved my life, and Ruby's, and…" Yang paused long enough to brush her hair out of her face, then said, "I love you, K. Don't ever forget that. Just… one thing."

"Yeah?" Kassidy asked, utterly breathless. She got to suck in a new one, though, and suddenly stiffen when something grabbed her butt and squeezed.

As the most obvious source of the disturbance, Yang grinned shamelessly. "Man, I've always wanted to do that." When Kassidy shot her a mild glare, she kept grinning and offered, "What? You've got an awesome ass."

"Yang?" Kassidy asked quietly. "Shut up and kiss me."

Their lips had barely touched when the door slammed open to admit the missing half of their team, and in particular a certain red-haired team leader. "We're ba- oh my Oum, guys!"

"Again?" Weiss added. "Really? Can't you two just… ugh, forget it!"

The two now frustrated and embarrassed blondes traded glances, before Kassidy ground out, "Hey, I hear there's this new thing called 'knocking'. All the kids are getting into it; you should try it, sometime."

"How is this our fault?" Weiss challenged. "That's the third time in two weeks!"

"Please, don't remind me," Yang groaned. "That's it, K. We need to change the locks."

Kassidy couldn't help but nod. "I'll check with Goodwitch to make sure it gets installed tomorrow."

AN 2: Why must I be so cruel to my characters? Oh, hey, title pun!

Meanwhile, over here in "what's-an-upload-schedule" land… I've got nothing. Just going to finish off the reader responses, get this posted, then get back to my job hunting.

Also, next chapter is the final chapter of Interlude 2, on account of I've run out of content before the Vytal Festival. Not having a real plan for Interludes suck.

Now, onto Reader Responses.

EWR115: Crap, I can't remember that particular scene from our favorite Regenerating Degenerate. Oh well, if nothing else it's a good excuse to rewatch the movie.

DIYEyal: I completely agree, we needed more Blake. Oh, hey, more Blake, how convenient! Also, allow me to confirm that Bob performed A prank. Which prank, I'm not going to say. Consider that a bit of "choose your own adventure" for you guys. Thank you, awful semester of awfulness is over, now I just need to try and land a job and get an income stream happening.

FlouriteFlower: Ow. Had braces. Getting them installed/adjusted is never fun. Here, have some fluff.

ThornedRose367: Glad to hear you enjoyed. And… yeah, RT did a real crappy job showing the horrendous plight of the Faunus and we promise they're being discriminated against and would you please just take our word for it and stop asking hard questions? Been trying to flesh out the world a bit while in RWKY, and consider that a bit of world fleshing.

Tykene: Thank you, my man, and I hope you had a merry Christmas as well. Glad to hear you enjoyed the last chapter so much, and here's to hoping you enjoyed this chapter just as much.

YumiKnowsBest: Welcome to the madhouse! I'm glad to hear you enjoy reading so much. Wait no more, my friend, the next chapter (aka this one!) is out! Hope you enjoy this as well.