Chapter 4

From Shadows

4 months after the Fall of Vale

In the sea off the western coast of Menagerie

I stroll along the starboard edge of the transport ship with a quiet patience. The night sky is cloudless and the ship is brightly lit with moonlight. The stars reflecting in the ocean hold most of my attention. It's a sight I could never get used to. A light sea breeze billows through my hair and brings a strong dose of salty sea air. It's relaxing.

"Hey Blondie," An unexpected voice from behind sends a jolt of panic through my spine. I'm spun around in an instant, ready to swing.

"Whoa! You alright there? You're always so jumpy," I finally recognize the voice and let the tension drain from my shoulders, "We're out in the middle of the sea ya know. What kind of trouble can you really expect out here?"

The female faunus wanders closer, as I lean on the railing to stare back out at the sea. She leans on the rail beside me, close enough to bump shoulders if we were to hit a rough wave.

"You never know Ash. Trouble has a way of finding me." I think back to my days at Beacon. "Middle of the ocean or not."

The faunus lets out a short laugh. I glance over at the feeling of a comforting pat on the shoulder. The woman's golden eyes glint in the moon light. Ash is my bunk mate for the trip. I've grown pretty fond of her. When you're stuck on a ship for weeks, there isn't much more to do but talk. It seems there's been an influx of faunus retreating to Menagerie. Which means the ship filled up fast, forcing most to have to share rooms. I don't find space to complain though. The company has been nice.

"It's all gonna be alright Blondie. We've only got a day or two left on the water. I'm sure you'll feel better once we get back to dry land. I know I will."

"Yeah... Maybe... I've got someone to see at the capitol," I can feel my hands shaking with anxiety. "I don't know how it's going to go... It's been a long time since we last met and... we didn't part on the best of terms."

I can see a look of thoughtfulness pass her freckled face. She studies me for a long moment before looking out over the water. The dim light offering a dull reflection off her thin antlers.

"Wanna tell me about it? I'm a good listener ya know." Another beat of quiet. "You've been so reserved this entire trip. It can really help to get this stuff off your chest."

"I appreciate the offer... I really do..." I can't bring myself to look at the woman next to me. "But, I don't want to burden you with my problems. You've already got enough going on."

She pulls her hand from my back and we idle in silence. I feel a pang of guilt. Ash lost her brother during the Fall of Beacon. I wish there was more I could've done back then.

"Blondie, you've been a really good friend during this trip. Ya know, I-It's been hard without my brother, but you've been kind. If you want... I have a place for you to stay. My aunt owns an inn in Kuo Kuana. We could always use a huntress for higher," I meet her piercing gaze with shock, "Why are you so surprised? You were a finalist of the Vytal Festival. The whole world should know your face. A face, I might add, you have made no attempt to hide."

I look down at my hands quietly, flexing my mechanical fingers. I hadn't really though about that.

"Look... I know you said you gotta meet someone, but I can tell that you don't seem ready for it... So come stay at my aunt's inn. There is certainly going to be plenty of work. The Grimm are getting worse by the day ya know. I'll even help you get a disguise going," There's a grin on her face as she bumps my shoulder. "You don't exactly strike me as the stealthy type though."

The thought of real huntress work sends butterflies through my stomach. It's what I've always dreamed of. I don't know if I am ready to see Blake, but I could definitely use some practice. I haven't had an actual fight since Beacon. The practice might be the difference some day soon, if the Fang really are up to no good. Not to mention, a good cover might be useful in gathering information on the Fang.

I throw my arm around the shoulders and give her a light squeeze, "Thanks for the offer Ash. I think I'll take you up on it."

I wipe the sweat from my brow and admire my handiwork. The fresh golden coat of paint on my prosthetic and Celica is gorgeous. I leave them to dry and walk over to check the mail. Only a single letter today. I pull it out and check the front. It's for me, but it was addressed to Signal. Curious I tear open the top of the envelope with my teeth and slip out the letter inside. I open the single page.

Yang it's Sun. I don't know where you are right now, so I'm sending this to Signal in hopes it finds you. Blake and I are doing alright. I had thought she was going to like, hunt the White Fang or something. Instead she was heading home to Kuo Kuana. We met up with her family. Her dad is the chieftain of Menagerie. It's pretty cool. There is one problem though. The White Fang is here. We don't know what they're planning, but it can't be good. If you don't come out, I understand. No matter what, I'll be there for Blake. I know you will too.

I can feel tears gathering in my eyes. The conflicted emotions battling in my chest are overpowering. I was so ready to go out and hunt down Ruby. Weiss was with her family, Blake was missing, where else would I go. I never expected Sun to send this letter. If I hadn't been awake that night...

I can't be with both Ruby and Blake right now. Ruby has Qrow and everyone else... but what if she needs me? The White Fang in Menagerie isn't a good sign. Beacon was just the beginning and who knows what else they could be up to now. What if Adam is still after Blake? Sun won't be enough to help her. The paper crackles as I crush it in a fist. Why did this have to get complicated?

I head back and pick up my prosthetic and Celica. I reattach my arm and head to the shed holding my bike. I open the door and walk in. Bumblebee is sitting in the middle of the shed. A brown tarp laying over it as an extra protection from the elements. With a deep breath to calm my nerves I reach out and grip the tarp, throwing it to the side. The sight of my old bike, its beautiful spectrum fade from red to yellow, sets in reality. I'm finally leaving.

"I don't remember saying you were ready." Dad's voice sneaks up on me from the entrance.

"Oh yeah? You gonna try and stop me?"

"Nah, I'm still sore after our last fight. I just wanted a better good bye than a letter. And, I also have a question for you."

I turn to face him, running my thumb over the letter in my hand.

"Where are you going?"

"What do you mean?"

Dad moves into the shed stepping up to me, "Well, despite asking him numerous times not to, I know that Qrow told you where your mother's been at these days. I know how much you wanna see her. I've stopped you in the past, but I won't anymore. And we both read the note. We know your sister's headed to Mistral. So, where are you going?"

I look down at the crumpled paper in my hand and sigh, "Well, that's not the whole of it now Dad." I hand him the letter

"It's from Sun. I was awake that night when Blake left. Sun was there and... I asked him to follow her." I inform him, the sound of frustration heavy in my voice.

There's a moment of silence as he reads the letter. He looks up with a thoughtful expression.

"I see. So... what's your plan then?"

"I haven't come up with one yet. I was just going to head towards Mistral and figure it out on the way. I wanted to see Mom, and I was going to have her send me to Ruby. You told me how her semblance works and I figured two birds with one stone ya know. But now," I sigh and turn away, running my hand over the handle of my bike, "If Blake needs me... if the White Fang are really stirring up more trouble... I don't know if I can just ignore this."

There is an extended moment of silence. I'm tense, nervous to hear my Dad's thoughts.

"Alright. Yang... I know how much your partner means to you. I also know how much you want to help Ruby. So, I'll go after Ruby." There's a steely determination in his voice.

I'm stunned at the words. I look at him, knowing the disbelief and surprise is written on my face. He's got a hardened edge in his eyes.

"Listen, Yang. I know it's been a long time since I've been in the field proper. I would stay here and keep teaching if I could, since I always want you girls to have a safe home to return to. But, you kids are out here risking your lives. If I knew you'd be going to Ruby, it'd be different." Dad lays a hand on my shoulder and the hardness on his face softens to a smile.

"You need to go after Blake. I know you've been hurting so much. I also know what it's like to have someone you love leave you behind. So go after her, and when you can come find us. After I find Ruby and Qrow, we'll make our way to Haven Academy. That's where you'll find us okay? We can journey to Mistral together and then split up after. How does that sound."

I smile and lay my hand on his forearm, "It sounds like a plan to me."

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by a knock on the door. Ash is still asleep on the bed across the room. I woke up early and didn't bother getting around. The gentle roll of the boat as the waves pass is comforting. I like to relax and think in the mornings. The knock comes again, more urgent, and with a sigh I open it up.

I open the door and find myself face to face with the first mate. The dark skinned woman has a look of concern written on her face.

"Huntress, there's a problem. The captain sent me down to request your presence in the main cabin."

"Woah, hold on there. What makes you think I'm a Huntress?"

"You're father informed us before departing at Mistral. He said that if there were any issues that we could rely on you."

Damn it Dad, you couldn't even warn me?

"Alright, inform the captain that I'll be up shortly."

With a swift nod, the first mate starts off at a brisk pace. I watch her leave as fear begins swirling in my veins. I shut the door and grip my shaking arm. With deep practiced breaths I calm my emotions and my mind.

"What's going on Blondie?" Ash's voice cuts through my concentration. I glance over and sh"es laying on her side, head resting on her fist. Her eyes follow me as I walk back to my bed and pull out my day clothes.

"I don't know. Apparently there's a problem and the Captain wants me topside," I inform the faunus as I start changing out of my tank top and pajamas and into my battle gear. There's a low whistle from the other side of the room. I glance over at the smirking woman.

"You know I gotta ask... Are you spoken for? Because, those abs are impressive Blondie," She's winks.

With a soft chuckle I wink back, "Yeah. I'm spoken for... but, if anything changes you'll be the first to know."

"I'll hold you to that," Ash flops over on her back. "Anyways, I'm gonna hang out below deck for a while. If Grimm are out, I don't wanna be topside."

I slip on Celica and fluff out my hair. With a last glance at the auburn haired woman on the bed, I make my way out the door.

The halls of the ship are quiet as I stroll through. I find my way up the staircase leading to the ship deck and step out into the early morning air. The sun is just beginning to peak through the dissipating mists. I take in a deep breath of the ocean air and continue towards the control room. It's a short walk.

I walk into the cabin and am greeted by the captain. The older gray haired man greets me with a firm handshake.

"It's a pleasure to finally get the chance to speak with you, young huntress."

"Same here Captain. I was told you needed something taken care of?"

"I wish we could have a more friendly chat, but business is urgent. If you will follow me?" the captain directs me to a console towards the back of the room.

"This is a new radar that we got installed after a recent incident with a massive Grimm. We didn't want anymore surprises like that, especially with the recent rise in Grimm activity. It turns out that it was good thing we did. There's another one just a half click out, looks to be of similar size. It hasn't seemed to notice us yet, but it's between us and Kuo Kuana."

"Do you have any idea what it's called?"

"Bah, I remember hearing something. It was a uh... Sea Filet?"

"Sea Feilong?"

"Yeah that."

I grip my arm to steady the shaking appendage, "That's one hell of a beast. I've never fought one but I know the basics. It's a massive sea serpent Grimm. It has the ability to breathe lightning, it can switch between aerial and water based mobility at will. More importantly its armor is extremely tough. I don't have the power to take it down on my own... I'm guessing you have a plan?"

"Indeed. As I said, we've had an encounter before. We've a heavy cannon on board that can deal with it. The problem comes from the beasts mobility. It's quick and has no problem dodging our blasts."

"So that's where I come in. You need someone to distract or cripple it long enough to get a clean shot. Alright, I can do that. How long before we reach it?"

"As soon as you're ready, we'll weigh anchor. I wanted to be sure we had a plan going into this."

I grin. It's been too long.

"Captain, the plan is simple. Get me close, and I'll beat this thing into submission. It's been too long since I had a good work out." I'm trying to just ignore the fear and panic in the back of my head. I don't know if I'm ready, but I have to try.

There's laughter from the few crew members in the room. The captain has a smile underneath his bushy mustache.

"That sounds like my kinda plan... Ms?"

"Just call me Yang."

"Alright Yang. Let's show the Grimm something to be afraid of."