A/N: Well I'm late… the biggest reason is I got sick, and I had a lot of storyboarding to do for Guilty Rose.

So this chapter pushed a lot of development. Both plot and character.

I made another big decision, which you'll see in the first scenne. I won't spoil it, so just read.

A quick warning, this scene gets a bit graphic. No worse than the first scenes where I established Rose's sleeping habits and morning routine. Just, please forgive drunk Weiss for having no filter.

VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: guys, every girl in this story is not gay or bi. I am also not making every one of them gay or by. The only reason you see so many gay and bi girls is because those are the pairings I am focusing on in the story. So please, stop berating me on that aspect of the story.

Other than that, I have no more pre chapter announcements.

On to the chapter! *dramatic leader pose*

I own nothing!

Guilty Rose Chapter 39

"I always said I missed being a part of the White Fang, being a part of making a change in the world. But I never missed the Oum-damned paperwork."

Ghira grumbled more as he massaged his temples. He reached for his cup of tea, only to be disappointed in finding it empty. A growl almost escaped his lips before Marron walked up with a tray of fresh tea.

"I have to agree with you there. Even when they devolved into terrorists, they still kept me swamped with it."

Ghira took a cup of tea and took a sip before responding.

"Yes, but at least that paperwork was useful to us, given the plan and all."

After another draft from his cup, he returned to his work before him. Marron chuckled mirthlessly and sat across from him and began her portion of the paperwork.

"All paperwork is important and useful, Ghira."

Ghira chuckled again before signing another form. This one was for accepting a shipment of supplies from Vacuo.

"You sound like a true secretary."

Marron smiled bittersweetly.

"That's my secret, I was a true secretary before I joined the Fang."

Ghira raised an eyebrow at this. For the weeks Marron had stayed in his home, she hardly ever spoke of herself.

"Oh? Where did work back then?"

Marron continued to work. And though her hands were moving, Ghira could see that she was no longer in the present.

"I worked for a law firm back in Vale. It was a small one made up of humans and faunus. We took cases where people couldn't afford a proper lawyer."

"So, mostly faunus?"

Marron shook her head lightly.

"Yes, but we had our share of human clients too."

Ghira smiled at that, he was happy to hear about such cooperation between faunus and humans. It's what always gave him hope. But, he knew where this story was going.

"I take it that you left the firm because you felt it wasn't making a difference?"

This time, Marron stopped working, and a dark look fell over her eyes.

"That's the thing… We were making a difference, a big one too. You see, our main supporter was this rich asshole human, with more money than brains usually. I only say that because he tried to grab my ass once, and then tried to pay me to keep my mouth shut. Anyway, he kept us afloat and even made sure we didn't face unfair opposition."

Ghira admitted to himself that was not what he was expecting to hear from this story. Marron chuckled mirthlessly again before continuing her tale.

"I know, why would such a person help us so much. Well, my brother in law may have been an ass, but he was never racist. He loved my sister, and the work she did."

That definitely had Ghira's undivided attention. His mind was racing to comprehend the details now.

"So what happened to this perfect and cliché firm, you must be asking now… Well, what always happens when an underdog happens to rise up. The reigning big dog steps in and makes an example of them."

"The Schnee Dust Company."

Marron smirked at Ghira's answers.

"I wish, at least then it we would have gotten a bribe or warning first. No, this was just some bunch of seedy, racist assholes… We were working on a case late that night… I went on a coffee and energy drink run… I came back… They had set fire to the building with everyone inside… Anyone that got out… Well, they wished they'd just stayed inside."

A sudden clatter of dishes hitting the ground forced both faunus to look at the entrance. There they found Khali and Sienna with shocked and horrified expressions.

"Oum."

Marron barely had time to brace before both women tackled her in a hug. Her expression softened when their sobs reached her ears. She returned the embrace with a warm smile.

"Thanks, you two. But don't worry, I've had plenty of time to heal."

Sienna nuzzled her face deeper into Marron's shoulder. The woman knew those words were hollow. Words like that were always hollow.

….

Ilia was prepared to tear her hair out.

She remembered ending up at the bar. She remembered binge drinking whatever they gave her there.

What she didn't remember was the face of the girl she met.

The chameleon faunus paced in her current quarters, wracking her brain both mentally and physically. All in the effort of trying to recall the girl's face.

"Her name was Rose. She was small and adorable. She had… black hair...with red tips. ARRGGGHH! Come on! You meet he cutest girl your drunk ass could possibly think of, and you forget what she looks like. What the fuck is wrong with you, you useless lesbian."

Ilia beat on her skull a few more times to jog her memory, but the image of Rose never cleared up. With a dejected sigh, the faunus slumped down onto her bed and let herself fall back.

"At least she has your scroll number. Hopefully, you're worth the call."

Trying, and failing, to not let herself fall into despair any further, Ilia continued to lay there.

Before long though, there was a knock at the door. Ilia silently thanked whatever powers that be for saving her from herself.

"Yes?"

"I have the information for your missions."

Ilia sighed again as she got up and walked to the door. Upon opening it, files were practically thrusted into her arms and the grunt walked away. Ilia shot the grunt the bird before looking down at the files, the very lean files.

Upon opening the first one, she found the basic layout of the CCT, dates of public events when she could attempt an infiltration, and finally, the drop location for the Arena's schematics.

"At least he's giving me something."

Ilia closed the first file and put it under the second. She couldn't help but stare at the file with trepidation. She had done missions before where there were casualties, but never was she expected to hurt anyone herself. And now she was being sent to kill someone. She didn't want to open the file. She wanted it and the mission to vanish into thin air.

"You are going to get me killed."

She glared at the offending parchment as she opened the file. There was only on piece of paper in the file. A simple profiling page labeled 'The Guilty Rose'. Ilia skimmed the details, her gender, her height, her faunus trait. The last thing Ilia found on the page was a photo stapled to the bottom.

In the photo, she saw the most adorable creature she ever laid eyes on.

Then she remembered Rose's face.

"Fuck. Me."

….

Rose couldn't help but smile as she replaced the ice pack on her sister's head. Her sister, who still couldn't get up from her bed, didn't find the situation as humorous.

"Rose, it's really not that funny."

"You crushed cans on your head because you remembered someone doing that in a movie. Which wasn't too bad...until you grabbed a glass bottle by mistake."

"You could have stopped me."

"It took six people to keep you from stacking Weiss on Blake, we had to pick our battles."

Yang facepalmed and grumbled loudly. She may have taken partying too seriously last night.

"At least Winter didn't see any of that."

Rose didn't respond verbally, but her face showed that she knew something.

"She didn't see anything, right?"

Rose shrugged noncommittally.

"I didn't know I need to get your scroll away from you until after Winter messaged me."

There was a beat of silence.

"I know I should be more concerned with what I sent Winter, but why does she have your number?"

"It's easier to get a hold of her than you sometimes."

"Fair enough. Well I guess the next question I have is, did anyone else make a fool of themselves?"

Rose shrugged again before pulling out her scroll and showing Yang a few of the pictures. Pictures that made Yang bust out laughing before groaning in pain.

"Where did Jaune get a dress that fit him?"

"Mel and Mil have quite the collection."

They kept scrolling through the images until Yang stopped on the pic of a redhead she didn't recognize and Rose.

"Who's this girl?"

"Her name is Ilia, she was at the club when we were there. She had a really rough day at work apparently."

"She's pretty cute, did you get her number?"

"Yep… and she asked me on a date."

Yang stared at her sister for a few moments.

"You know, you scare me sometimes with how fast you work."

Rose looked down sheepishly.

"I wouldn't go that far… She asked me out of the blue… But I am a little worried about her."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"I don't know, when she asked… It was like she was making a last request. Like this date was some last bit of happiness before she died."

Yang was silent for a moment. She had to admit that even she was a little bit worried with that information.

"Did you say yes then?"

Rose lightly shook her head.

"I said I'd talk to Weiss and them first."

"Ah, I guess that would be best."

Yang couldn't help but stop for a moment and groan.

"I know I keep asking you this, but why am I so okay with you having a harem?"

Rose couldn't help but shrug again.

"I don't even understand it myself, but I...love them and they love me."

"Ah, that's why. Anyway, you should go talk to them about Ilia. If things are as bad as you say, you should probably give the girl an answer soon."

….

"Let me get this straight. You want me to go back to the tribe."

"No, I want you to go with them on a job."

"I'm not seeing the difference."

"The difference is that your just going to help them clear a trade route in Anima and come back here."

That made Qrow pause. He knew Raven had stopped the tribe being bandits, but this was different. It sounded like they were doing something that was wholly respectable.

"And why are they clearing a trade route."

Raven groaned as she massaged her temples.

"I know you've spent the last decade and a half in a drunken haze, but this is ridiculous. I've told you again and again, that the tribe is a respectable mercenary group now, and we sometimes get jobs from councils. This is one of them."

Qrow felt a sting from those words. He stopped drinking, but the bottle still caused him problems.

"Fair enough. So, why am I needed?"

"Because this job reeks. Not of foul play, but all the details aren't adding up. And the ones that do, scare me."

Qrow raised an eyebrow at this. If Raven was admitting that she was scared, to him, things were serious.

"What has you so on edge?"

Raven let out a long sigh.

"I think it's a grimm or a pack of them, but."

"That begs the question why they aren't sending huntsmen."

"Exactly, so I did research… They have sent huntsmen. No big names, but well accomplished in their own right. The thing is, none came back."

Qrow's eyes narrowed. That changed the things, big time.

"This sounds like a trap."

"I know, which is why I looked even deeper. I found out that the huntsmen that took the job were all solo. Their profiles all looked like they were trying to make a name for themselves. The tribe is being hired, because we have made a name for ourselves, and we work as a group."

"In other words, you're expendable, but might still get the job done."

"Pretty much. So, will you help make sure they all come home?"

"You realize you're asking me, the walking bad luck charm, to keep them safe, right?"

Raven took a long moment to stare into her brother's eyes.

"I am asking my brother to make sure I don't lose my family."

Qrow sucked on his teeth at that. She was pulling that card. This was literally as close to her begging as she'd ever get, pining for Summer's affection notwithstanding.

"I'll do it."

"Thanks, I'll open you a portal."

Qrow nodded as Raven used her semblance. And just before he stepped into it she called out.

"By the way, make sure Vernal uses protection when you celebrate a job well done."

Before he could even begin to comprehend those words, boot met ass and he was thrust into the swirling red portal.

….

"Alright, we're all here, what's the big thing we have to talk about."

Weiss would have to admit, an important talk after a night out scared her. Not that she had anything to be truly scared of. Unless Rose found out about the kind of man her father was. She wasn't sure that there would be a place on Remnant that man could hide on that day.

Cinder, Neo, and Emerald did look rather nervous though, not that Weiss truly knew why. She figured it was because they were still shaken up from the week that Rose found out she could have kids a new way.

No, what had Weiss truly worried, was the massive grin on Yang's face, who seemed to be going through her gallery on her scroll.

Rose looked at all of the girls before her. While they had made this arrangement, this would be the first time she'd be asking them about her going on a date with some new girl.

She looked to Yang for support, but her sister was still snickering at a picture. She was on her own.

"I got asked to go on a date by a girl at the club."

There was a beat of silence. Then Emerald spoke up.

"I thought Mel and Mil were straight?"

Weiss looked at the former thief.

"They said they were at least… Wait, is that why couldn't find you last night, because you were off with them?"

Yang snorted, looking up from the screen finally with her grin smugger than before.

"No, you couldn't find her because you guys were that drunk."

Weiss glared at the blonde, who then showed a video from her scroll.

Weiss was stumbling around, glaring at her feet. She then looked up and around.

"Rose? Rose, darling, where are you?"

Weiss continued to walk unsteadily to the bar where Rose was.

"Hello? I'm looking for my girlfriend. She's a little shorter than me. Black hair with red tips. She's absolutely adorable. Like the kind of adorable that you want to dunk in your morning coffee and gobble up… gobble such a funny word… Anyway, she's sexy too! Like I just constantly want to grab her and knead her butt. Bite her neck. Suck on those pert little nubs she has… Have you seen her by any chance?"

Rose, looking appropriately terrified, pointed in a random direction.

"Thank you."

Weiss immediately hid her face in her hands and adopted a full body blush.

"I have more, Rose sent me everything."

"No thank you, that was enough."

Yang busted out laughing and continued to scroll through her future blackmail material.

Rose cleared her throat to garner everyone's attention.

"No, it wasn't either of the twins. There was a girl there last night. She was really drunk because her Boss gave her two impossible jobs so she'd get fired. She asked me if she could take me on a date if she finished them. I don't know why, but she looked like she was making a final request when she asked… which reminds me, she told me I couldn't help, but I'd still like to see if there's anything we could do to help her."

Cinder decided to take over, seeing as Weiss was still trying to get over her embarrassment.

"Oh… well that's certainly concerning, and I think all of us would be more than happy to help. Did you give her an answer on that date?"

Rose shook her head.

"I said I'd talk to all of you first. She gave me her number so I could give her an answer."

Cinder nodded her head in understanding. Though a very small part of her hoped this would be the last time she'd have a conversation like this.

"Did she give you her name then. Also, she must have left quite the impression if you're taking this so seriously."

Rose mulled her response over for a few moments before answering.

"I can't really say I know anything about her besides what I said. Honestly, I'm talking to you guys because I don't really know what to do right. I don't know what to even say to Ilia."

Blake's sudden gasp caught everyone's attention. They all turned to find her looking at Rose as if she'd seen a ghost.

"You said her name was Ilia? What was her last name? Was she a faunus!"

Blake's panicked stream of questions caught everyone off guard.

"I don't know if she was a faunus, but she said her name was Ilia Amitola."

Blake's face paled even further.

"You know her, Blake?"

The feline faunus didn't respond to Cinder's question right away. No, she seemed looked in her own mind until Neo poked her arm. Blake's sudden return to reality must have been intense because she was sweating and panting.

"Blake, what's wrong?"

Blake's eyes focused on Rose.

"You said she sounded like she was making a last request… I think she was."

That riled everyone up.

"Slow down, what are you talking about."

Blake closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I know Ilia because we were in the White Fang together, we were friends even… As far as I know, she never left. That means her boss is Adam Taurus."

Suddenly the gravity of the situation was setting in.

"And that means her life is in danger."

That hit all of them, they knew how Adam's White Fang operated. None of them could ignore this.

"We have to get her out then. We have to stop whatever they doing."

"And how are we going to do that. We're just huntresses-in-training, we aren't ready to take on the whole White Fang by ourselves."

Blake step forward with a resolute expression.

"And we may never be ready. They certainly won't wait until we are."

Blake's words seemed to stir everyone's resolve.

Yang, deciding to join the conversation again, jumped to her feet.

"Yes! All in favor of singlehandedly taking down the biggest terrorist organization in the world?"

Hands were about to go up when Rose shook her head.

"No."

Everyone looked at Rose in confusion.

"What? I thought you wanted to save Ilia and stop the Fang?"

Rose looked over the group.

"I do… but we don't have to take all upon ourselves. We can ask for help."

"Who can go to, Rose? Ozpin? Even if he believed us, he can't just take action based on what we say."

Rose's expression hardened.

"All of you have been drilling into me that I'm not alone anymore for months now. So, we're not alone in this. Maybe Ozpin can't take full action based solely on what we say. But he'll still help however he can. And even if he actually can't do anything, we can still go to others for help. My moms, Glynda, Amber… Sun"

There was a moment of confused silence as everyone looked at Rose and then followed her line of sight to the blonde monkey faunus, who was crawling through the window.

Sun, realizing he'd been caught, stopped and waved sheepishly."

"Hey guys?"

"What are you doing?"

Sun held up a manila folder labeled 'RFC- Weiss' eyes only', before turning the blank side to them.

"Um...Weiss forgot her homework from Professor Peach's class? Yeah, that's right, and I was delivering it to her. But yeah, I'm totally on board to help take down the Fang."

Weiss stared at the blonde, baffled by his idiocy. But before she could go to berate him, Rose spoke up.

"See guys? We really aren't alone. We just need to ask."

"Yeah, you always bring friends on dangerous adventures. that's why I brought Neptune with me!"

Neptune's head peeked in from the side of the window.

"Sup?"

"Um… How did you get up here?"

"I have my ways… could someone let me in now, this window is really high."

Sun rolled his eyes and grabbed his partner by the collar before hoisting him in.

"So, when do we get to kick some ass?"

Rose chuckled at the monkey faunus' antics, and then looked around with a small proud smile on her face. As soon as we get everyone we can on board."

A/N: So that was great.

Serious, I had so much fun writing this chapter. Now I am sorry that it's not 4k in content length, but I didn't want to spend another two days on this chapter.

Anyway, quick recap.

Marron's backstory… Well, I'll be honest, I've got really nothing but postive reviews on Marron, so I gave her some more substance as a character. Yep, I gave her one that was cliché, but I tried to spice it up.

Ilia's freak out, yeah, I decided to showcase her some more, and then mess with her by giving her a picture of Rose. Yeah, I'm an ass.

Yang and Rose's talk… That was just for my amusement, mostly. I wanted there to be aftermath to the partying. Also, kudos to anyone who got the movie reference. Plus I wanted to add in why Yang has been okay with Rose dating all those girls.

Raven and Qrow's talk, that was me continuing the storyline, and having some fun. I'm not sure how important I want to make this storyline. But it will have personal impact on several characters, if nothing else.

Last scene, I needed to push, so plot got pushed. The rally infiltration, is now a rescue mission. I got more details to work out, but it should be a pretty action packed chapter or two. Also, the video, yeah, it was spectacularly explicit, but v'mon guys, I'm trying to keep it PG-13...ish. Look I know this story straddles M-rating, I do, but I'm keeping it on one side as much as possible. I've got some ideas to placate certain people, hopefully I get around to them.

End of Recap!

Well, night guys. I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

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