The days on the ship passed somewhat quickly for Jaune and Blake after the Sea Feilong incident. Regrettably the next few days after that incident, the two were usually surrounded by people thanking them for saving them every time they left their room. And with neither of them enjoying the extra attention, the two had elected to staying in their shared room until the excitement settled down. They only really left to get something to eat before returning to their room.
They spent their days just relaxing, reading or calling their friends to see how things were going. The signal this far out was a bit finicky but they were able to get through most times. When Nora, Yang and Ruby found out about their fight with the Grimm, they all showed their annoyance for missing that fight. They were also shocked to learn that Blake had been able to connect with Jaune's aura and was able to manipulate wind. They made them swear to keep them updated on that front.
Eventually, the two were able to leave their room without everyone on board rushing over to thank them. That allowed them to freely walk around and enjoy the ship ride for the last few days before reaching Menagerie. As they were getting closer, Blake's nerves would come back more frequently and stronger. Jaune would then hold her close and gently rub her cat ears to try to soothe her. It always made him glad when she would relax and start to purr, letting him know it was working. And with that, the days slowly passed by and they were nearly at their destination.
The ships airhorn went off as it docked in Menagerie. An offramp slowly came down from the ship and onto the docks properly. As that was happening, a bell in the distance was ringing to inform the others in the vicinity that the ship had arrived. Jaune, using Void to change his hair and eye color, Blake and many other Faunus, were slowly making their way down the ramp to the island. As they were, Jaune took in the many small buildings and homes that were set among sand dunes and palm trees. The island just had the look of a summer paradise.
Jaune stopped at the end of the ramp to look around and Blake stopped after a few steps when she noticed her boyfriend wasn't following. He saw numerous Faunus in summer wear were walking casually around the docks. He saw many mobile kiosks selling food or other wares. The whole area had a relaxed atmosphere to it. As they disembarked, some of the Faunus looked and their eyes landed on Jaune in particular. They were all shocked that a human had come to the island before some of them turned to disdain or mistrust. "Looks like I'm drawing some attention." He said quietly to Blake.
She noticed the stares but sighed as she walked back over to Jaune. She gently took his hand in her own, "Don't mind them. They are just being cautious."
Jaune nodded, "I know and I get it. I was just hoping to avoid any unnecessary complications." He sighed to himself before he spoke again, "Alright, let's go meet your parents." He gave her a grin and she just gave a weak groan before she started to drag him through the docks. He just chuckled and started to match her pace.
As the two made their way through the market area, some of the looks he was getting started to turn from disdain to shock and confusion. Probably a mix between wondering why he was here and shock that he seemed to be in a relationship with a Faunus. They mostly ignored them and continued to walk through the market area. As they were about to leave, a Faunus with a lizard tail stumbled out from a nearby alleyway and looked at Jaune with sheer drunken hatred. "Hey! What's a human doing here?" he slurred at him.
Jaune just pulled out his scroll and showed the drunk man his license, trying to defuse the whole situation before it became a nuisance. "I was sent by Professor Ozpin of Beacon to give some important information to the leader of this settlement." He said simply and in as friendly of a tone as he could.
The Faunus just stared beady at the scroll while he swayed on his feet. He just scoffed, "Well if it's so important, why did he send you." His tone just filled with venom, not even trying to hide his disdain.
Blake narrowed her eyes at him while her ears pinned back. It looked like she was going to say something but Jaune gently squeezed her hand. She stopped and looked at him and he just gave her a look that simply said, 'It doesn't matter.' He then turned back to the Faunus, "The Headmaster sent me because I'm the person who knows the most about the situation that is being brought to your Chieftain. It just made sense to send me. Besides, I have a great guide." He said happily as he motioned to Blake with his head.
The Faunus just slowly looked between the two of them for a bit until he scowled. Blake was slightly taken aback by the random ferocity while Jaune took a step forward to put himself between Blake and the drunken man. The man in question just stared Jaune down for a bit before he scoffed again and spat on the ground at the Swordsman's feet. The Faunus then stumbled away as Jaune just kept staring him down. "Prick." Blake said from beside him. That caused him to snort since he was not expecting her to say that. He turned to her with a grin before he kissed the side of her head and the two began to continue their journey.
The two continued walking further into the island, still hand in hand, as they just walked in a comfortable silence. Although, Jaune could feel her fidget from time to time; her nerves slowly coming back again. The two eventually stopped at the top of the hill they were climbing to look at the view. The road they were on went downhill with palm trees and homes flanking the road. Some of the houses had canvas roofs while others were wooden. The palm trees spread out to the edges of the mountainous dunes in the distance. And right in the middle was a large, three story house with an open courtyard, which the road seemed to lead directly too.
"Whoa… That is beautiful." Jaune spoke up after a minute or so of just taking it all in.
Blake nodded, "It is. This is Kuo Kuana." They sat like that for a bit before she took a deep breath, "Well, we can't push this off anymore. Time to go home."
Jaune looked over to her and saw she was just staring at the massive building in front of them. After a few seconds, it clicked into his head, "That is your parent's home?" he asked. Blake looked at him and nodded bashfully. He looked back to it, "Damn. That's almost as big as my parent's home but they had eight kids." Blake rolled her eyes playfully before she started to pull him towards her childhood home once again.
The two made their way down the road and after a few minutes, started to walk up the stone steps of the Belladonna residents to the front door. Blake slowly raised her arm but hesitated before she could grab the knocker. Jaune saw this and gently squeezed her hand, "I'm right here, Blake. You're not in this alone."
"I know, Jaune. I'm just very nervous…" she said quietly. Drawing strength from him, she took a deep breath and banged the knocker against the door. The heavy and resonating sound went through the house as Blake took a few steps back away from the door with Jaune taking the space beside her.
The two stood there for a bit until the door began to open. Behind it was an older Faunus woman with black hair, cat ears and yellow eyes. She looked around until her eyes landed on Blake. Her eyes perked up and she moved the door out of the way so she could walk forward. "Blake?" she asked in disbelief.
Awkwardly, she raised her arm in a greeting, "Hi, Mom." She said lamely with her ears wilting.
Her mother quickly walked up to her before wrapping her in a hug. Blake's entire body stiffened up and her ears shot up. Her mother just hugged her as her hand was gently stroking her hair, "My baby girl." She said happily with a smile on her face.
Jaune saw this and let go of her hand. She soon had her own smile on her face as she hugged her mother back. Jaune just stood there and smiled at seeing his girlfriend having her reunion with her mother. They then heard footsteps getting closer from inside the house and a voice accompanying them, "Kali? Who is it?" said a deep and masculine voice.
Her mother let go of her to turn around and the two looked into see a giant Faunus with a beard and yellow eyes. He stood there with his hands on his hips before his quizzical expression turned to a wide eyed surprise, his hands, shoulders and face fell from shock. Jaune's smile grew just a bit as Blake had her hands clasped in front of her and a tentative smile on her face. As her mother was still holding onto her one arm and she smiled at her husband. Her father's face soon had a giant smile and that caused Blake to smile more.
Jaune just stood off to the side, not wanting to ruin the family reunion. He knew what this meant to Blake and her parents, while knowing just how much they needed it. Along with him thinking about his own parent's once again and the guilt settle into his stomach. But soon, Blake's mother turned to look behind her directly at him, "Oh, I'm so sorry. We've completely ignored you." She said in embarrassment.
He just chuckled to himself, "It's no big deal. I understand how important this is." He said as he motioned to the reunited family.
Blake smiled at him before she took his hand and pulled him over to her. The two parent's just looked on in confusion and anticipation. "Mom, Dad, this is Rien. He's a Huntsman I met at Beacon."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Her mother said as she stood in front of them with a big smile on her face. "Let me introduce myself, I'm Kali. And this is my husband, Ghira." She said as she motioned to her husband.
Jaune nodded and bowed his head slightly, "It's a pleasure to meet you as well. But, regrettably, I didn't just come to reunite you with your daughter. I was sent to see you, sir, by Headmaster Ozpin." He told Ghira.
The older Faunus just looked at him before he nodded his head, "This sounds important." He motioned to the interior of his home, "Please, come in and we can discuss this more appropriately."
He nodded and walked in behind Kali and Blake, with the latter still refusing to let go of his hand. That did not go unnoticed by the two parents. "I'll go make us some tea." Kali said as she walked off. The younger couple followed Ghira to a sitting room and he sat down on the ground by a small coffee table. Jaune sat down on the man's right while Blake sat down across from him. It wasn't much longer before Kali walked in with a tray of teacups and a kettle. She placed it down before pouring every one of them a cup.
Jaune to a sip of his own before he hummed, "This is some of the best tea I've had, Mrs. Belladonna."
Kali smiled at him, "Thank you for the compliment, Rien." She took a sip from her own tea before she started talking again. "We were horrified when we heard what happened in Vale. The Kingdom isn't perfect but it certainly didn't deserve that. We were both so worried for our baby." She said as she looked at Blake.
Ghira chuckled as he crossed his arm over his chest, "Please, I knew she'd be fine."
Kali just waved him off, "That isn't the slightest bit true. You should've seen him pacing." That made Jaune grin as he brought the teacup up to his lips again, "I don't even want to imagine how bad things could've gotten if the Elemental Swordsman wasn't there."
That caused him to freeze before he quickly finished drinking his cup and placed it back down, trying to act like nothing happened. He noticed that Blake was giving him a sideways glance, "You heard about him?" he asked, trying to just sound curious.
She nodded, "Oh, yes. We didn't learn all the details but we did hear about how that young man bravely fought to stop the Wyvern and even stopped the woman who planned all of it." She looked down sadly as Ghira did the same out of respect, "It's a shame he gave up his life to do so. Someone so young giving up their life…"
Jaune felt his hand start to grip the cup in his hand harder before he quickly realized what he was doing and loosened his grip. "Well, you two had little to worry about." They looked at him, "Blake here is one of the most skilled Huntresses-in-training currently at Beacon. Her team, Team RWBY, and their sister team, JNPR, are the top teams of her year." The two looked back to their daughter and she took a sip from her tea as a light pink came to her cheeks.
Kali just smiled at her, "Well, it's good to know you can take care of yourself. I can't wait to hear about all the stories you have with your team." That made Blake stare wide eyed at her mother, knowing that some of those stories she didn't want her to hear. Ever.
Ghira slowly turned to the only person that wasn't part of his family, "Before we talk about business, Mr. Rien, would you kindly tell me what your relationship is with my daughter?" He asked with an edge to his voice. With that, Kali turned to him and looked eager to find out the answer herself. While Blake's eyes kept snapping from her boyfriend to her parents.
Jaune took a deep breath to calm himself before he looked at the father, "I think you have a pretty good idea but I'll just come out and say it: I love your daughter with all my heart." He turned to look at her, "I met her at Beacon in her first year. Back then, we were both closed off and in dark places but we were slowly but surely able to open up to each other." He placed his hand on the table and she easily took it in her own. He smiled at her, "She helped me open my heart again and I had done the same for her. I can honestly say if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't know where I would be or who I would be right now."
The two just smiled at each other and the two parents just looked at their daughter's happy expression. Kali seemed happy but Ghira still looked stern. "Well, since you are a Huntsman and she is still in the Academy, how much older than her are you?" he asked.
He looked at him and cleared his throat nervously, "Actually, I'm around the same age as her." That caused the parents to stare at him in shock. He chuckled nervously, "Yeah. I was actually in the same year as her but because of my high level of skill, Professor Ozpin allowed me to graduate early. And I've been working for him ever since."
Ghira started to stroke his beard as he was deep in thought, "That is interesting. Very interesting."
Kali meanwhile leant over to said to her daughter, "I like him." Blake turned to her quickly before she gave her a small smile and a small blush on her cheeks.
That is when they all heard the front door knocker. Ghira looked annoyed, "Damn, I completely forgot about the meeting!" He then hit his fist gently on the table.
"Ghira…" Kali said gently as her own hand went over his.
He sighed, "Give me a moment." He then got up and started to walk towards the door.
"Is everything okay?" Blake asked her mother.
"Yes, dear, just poor timing." She told Blake with a strained smile. "He can always reschedule. It's just been hard dealing with them lately." She then brought her own tea to her lips.
Jaune and Blake exchanged a look and he eventually asked, "Dealing with who, ma'am?"
She gently lowered her cup and sighed, "The White Fang."
"What?!" the two shouted in unison as they rose to their feet. Blake rushed to the door with Jaune only a few steps behind her. As they got closer, they saw Ghira speaking with two hooded Faunus, the taller of the two had a fox tail while the shorter had a pair of long fox ears. Both had a formal posture and were keeping their hands clasped in front of them. "Dad!" Blake shouted.
"Blake, what's wrong?" Ghira asked as he turned to her. That gave the two Faunus a clear view of the two rushing forward.
"Miss Belladonna." The taller of the two said before the two bowed in sync.
The shorter of them then spoke, "We had no idea you'd returned." Before they stood tall again.
The two stopped in front of Ghira and Blake looked up to her father. In that few seconds where the two Belladonnas weren't looking, Jaune kept his gaze on the Faunus at the front door. The two looked back at him and he could barely veiled disgust in their eyes. Not effected but that look, he just returned their gaze and a clear warning in his eyes. "What are you doing talking to these people?" Blake asked her father.
Ghira motioned to the taller Faunus, "This is Corsac…" Then he motioned to the shorter one, "And Fennec Albian." He lowered his hand, "They represent the White Fang here in Menagerie."
"Which one?" Jaune asked as he kept looking at them. "The one lead by Sienna Khan or by Adam Taurus."
"Young man." Fennec said as he looked up to him. "I'm not sure what you've heard about our organization-"
"Trust me, I know enough." He cut off the fox Faunus. "My teacher was a founding member of the White Fang and if she saw what Adam Taurus had led his branch of the organization to do, she would be beyond disgusted." His tone carrying a measured heat to it.
Blake glared at them, "We saw firsthand. Those fanatics slaughtered so many people!"
"Blake, that's enough." Ghira said evenly.
Blake looked up at him in shock as Kali walked up behind them. "Is everything alright?" she asked tentatively.
Corsac looked up to Ghira, "Your Grace, we were the ones that brought this to your attention. We do not condone what Brother Taurus has done. And High Leader Khan has expressed her desire to find him and his supporters to bring them to justice. We just wish we could've stopped him before it was too late." He looked down sadly.
"You know, the White Fang were attacking Vale long before the Fall of Beacon. Why didn't that clue you all in sooner?" asked Jaune.
Fennec looked at him and answered, "The High Council had their suspicions of a splinter group but they had no proof until that latest incident."
"Incident? People are dead because of him!" Blake yelled he ears pinned back against her head.
"Not to mention, it was Adam himself that nearly killed Blake and nearly dismembered her partner." Jaune replied with a hard tone. "You think you would've kept a closer eye on a person that unhinged, no?" After hearing that, Kali gasped from behind them and Ghira now had a near murderous look in his eyes a she looked upon the Albians.
"Brother Taurus was a proud member of the White Fang. We have no idea on why he plotted such a tragedy. Otherwise, he would've been stopped long before then." Corsac replied.
Fennec looked back to Ghira, "Your Grace, we came to reassure you that the White Fang is doing everything to find Brother Taurus and stop him before he can do anything else."
Ghira looked at them for a while before he sighed. He looked down to his daughter, "I understand your feelings, Blake. I was the same when I heard but Corsac and Fennec have been keeping me in the loop. So, I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt."
Blake just kept looking up to her father before she looked down with a glare. "Thank you, Your Grace." Fennec said. "We do have more documents from the latest council meeting and a few new strategies to apprehend the strays ready for you to review, as usual."
Ghira nodded, "I thank you but another day." He looked back to Blake and motioned to her with his hand. "I'd like some time to reconnect with my daughter." He then motioned to Jaune, "And, Rien here has important information for me, sent my Headmaster Ozpin. I'd like to look that over first."
"But of course, You Grace." Corsac said with a slight bow.
"We completely understand." Fennec followed up before both brothers turned to Blake again. "It was a pleasure to see you again, young Blake."
"We were saddened when we heard of your departure from the White Fang." Corsac continued. "But we understand if you can no longer support our cause."
"It is a weary fight, after all." Fennec finished.
Blake just stared at them with borderline murder in her eyes. Jaune gently laid his hand on her shoulder and gave a little squeeze. That pressure was enough to ground her again, so she took a deep breath before looking at the two with determination in her eyes. "I'm not done fighting. I just found a better way than what Sienna or Adam have done."
Corsac appeared to be analyzing her and Jaune before he hummed to himself, "If you ever do wish to return, you need merely come find us."
Fennec nodded, "Sister Ilia would be elated to see you." That just had Blake narrow her eyes at him before his eyes moved to Jaune. "I would suggest you be careful. Some Faunus won't be so… Receptive to a human walking around their home."
Jaune could easily see the threat their and smirked at the brothers. "I can appreciate your concern but I've spent nearly my whole career out in the badlands. I've seen worse than angry people, trust me on that. I think I can handle myself."
With that Ghira walked between the doors of his home and looked at the Albian brothers, "Goodbye, gentlemen." Before he closed the doors.
Blake looked down with a sigh. Jaune laid his hands on her shoulders and gently rubbed them, "You alright?"
She nodded before her own hands came up to lay on his, "Yeah. A part of me was hoping we could avoid meeting with any of the White Fang while we were here."
He nodded and pulled her just a bit closer, "I know. I also don't trust them. Something about them just has me on edge."
"Why don't we all go sit back down and try to relax?" Kali offered as she looked at the two.
Ghira sighed, "That sounds like the best plan, honey." With that said, the four of them went back to the room they were just in and started enjoying their tea again. Blake moved her pillow to sit beside Jaune and was currently resting her head on his shoulder. Kali just smiled at how close the two were while Ghira was still analyzing them. "By the way, Rien, who was your teacher? You mentioned that they were a member of the White Fang and now I'm curious."
Jaune looked over to Ghira with a smile, "My teacher was Gin Inari."
That caused the two older Faunus to freeze. "Gin?" Kali asked in shock as she just stared at him. He just nodded with a smile.
Ghira started to laugh, "Well, that would explain your skill level. Gin was a ferocious fighter, especially if it meant protecting someone." He sighed, "It's been years since we've heard from her but that really isn't too strange, considering her usual nomadic life. How is she doing?"
The smile fell from his face as he looked back down at the table. Blake instantly moved closure to him and held his hand. He sighed sadly, "She… She died, sir. Shortly before I started Beacon…"
A heavy silence filled the room. Both Ghira and Kali just stared before both became misty eyed after hearing that a good friend of theirs was no longer with them. Kali started to wipe her eyes with a handkerchief and Ghira draped his own hand over his own eyes. After about a minute or so, the two had regained control of their emotions. Ghira cleared his throat, "It is a shame. Despite everything that she had gone through, she was a beacon of light for both Faunus and humans."
Jaune chuckled, "Yeah. She was amazing. I am beyond grateful that she took me on as her student. Me and my surrogate siblings."
Kali nodded, "That's right. She told us about you three." She giggled a bit, "She called you three the lights in her life."
That made Jaune laugh, remembering all the times that they spent together. "She was another mother to me. No way around it."
They sat like that for a bit before Blake nudged him. He looked over to her and she whispered, "I think it would be alright to tell them, Jaune."
He looked at her in shock, "I don't want to spread that around though. If they find out, not only my family but yours will be in danger."
"Jaune, please. I don't want to lie to my parents." She asked him one more time. He knew if he said no, she would let it go. But at the same time, he didn't want to make the situation between her parents any worse.
"Um, not to be rude, but why are you calling him 'Jaune', Blake?" The two quickly snapped to attention to Kali who was looking at them in confusion as her ears twitched slightly. They turned to Ghira who was also looking on in confusion but more like he wasn't understanding what his wife was asking, he probably didn't overhear him. Jaune looked back to Blake, who was still giving him that pleading look.
His resolve crumbled and he sighed, "Fine, I'll do it." He looked back at the Belladonna parents. "The truth is, Rien isn't my real name. It's an alias I've been going under since the Fall."
"Then what is your real name?" Ghira asked, unsure on where this was going.
Jaune took a deep breath before he closed his eyes and concentrated. The Void in his hair started to recede back into the base of his skull, revealing his blonde hair. And when he opened his eyes, they were the usual blue. They two parents were looking on and stunned by what has happened. He gave them a nervous smile, "Well, my real name is Jaune Arc." That earned him two shellshocked expressions from the parents. "And I was the Elemental Swordsman."