Chapter 39

Adam groaned as he awoke in an unfamiliar room. It took him a few moments to remember where he was. He sighed and pulled himself up and out of the bed. Sun poked through the slightly open curtains, slowly warming the bedroom.

Adam yawned as he pushed through the door. The smell of bacon greeted him and led him down the hallway. Taiyang smiled as he entered the dining room. "Morning."

"Morning." Adam replied groggily.

"Bathroom is down the hall. I've left a towel and a change of clothes in there for you. You'll have to deal with my spares but you'll live. Get washed up before you have breakfast. Okay?"

"Okay." A memory of a young boy being welcomed into a warm home and told to get cleaned up flashed into his mind. That had been so long ago, well over a decade. So much had changed, and yet strangers still welcomed him, out of the goodness of their hearts.

He followed the instructions and opted for a quick shower. While he still felt sticky he managed to clean off the blood and dirt and other refuse from the previous day. Soon enough he was shrugging into ill-fitting clothes, all in various shades of warm browns and yellows. He kept his dirty blindfold however.

By the time he returned Taiyang had finished cooking. A plate of bacon, eggs and toast was devoured with speed. Taiyang chuckled at the sight of Adam almost throwing food down his throat. I didn't realise how hungry I was. Adam thought as he sipped a glass of juice, settling down.

"Yang woke up last night." The older man said as he grabbed the plates and took them away. "And before you get any ideas, she went back to sleep. I'm going to go in and see when she's being discharged. I'll be asking a friend to look after Ruby while I'm out."

"She's not awake?" Adam called after him.

"No, she isn't. Oh and no offense, but I don't exactly trust you to look after her while I'm out." Taiyang returned to the table and sighed as he sat back down. "I just doubt you've ever looked after an unconscious girl. At least at this point."

"What do you mean?"

"Have you ever fed an unconscious person before?" Adam remained silent. "Exactly. Besides I'm not about to leave a guy I barely know alone with her."

"I get it."

"Good. So, what are you going to do?"

"I…" Adam trailed off and thought for a moment. "I should head back to Vale. Look for my other teammate. My friends too."

Taiyang nodded. "Good. I'll drop you off. Here." He threw a few Lien cards onto the table. "Get yourself some new clothes. And here's my scroll number. Call me if you need anything." He slid a piece of paper across.

"How forward of you." Adam drawled.

"Ha. Good to see you still have a sense of humour."

Adam hummed. "No Qrow?"

"He's helping Professor Goodwitch. She's organising to retake Beacon. She's mostly just assigning Huntsmen. Some are taking missions as normal, but most are working in Vale and Beacon. She's taken over the city's main library. Most of the students have been moved there."

"Thank you. I'll repay you for this." Adam stood.

Taiyang shook his head as he stood up. "You can repay me by not dying. It'd break my girl's hearts."

Adam nodded. "Deal."

One day wasn't really much time in the grand scheme of things, but the people of Vale worked hard and fast to get some semblance of normal life back. The streets had been mostly cleared of bodies, both organic and robotic, and people were hard at work removing the rubble strewn about. They had also set up the student's temporary housing quickly. Though calling it housing was a stretch. It was little more than several dozen tents set up around an old library.

Despite the accommodations, the people within were working hard to keep their morale up. They had really come together in the trying times. Those whose wounds were minor or already healed spent the day helping those still recovering. Those with major wounds were still kept in the hospitals of course, at least until they could be discharged. They needed all the room they could get.

As Adam walked through the crowded tent city towards the library he finally came across someone he wanted to see. Cardin lowered the crate of medical supplies he carried and waved his team onwards as Adam approached.

"Taurus. Good to see you didn't die."

"Winchester. I can say the same. If you died I couldn't thank you."

"Thank me?" Cardin asked, brow raised.

"You saved my life, but more importantly you saved Yang's. That deserves thanks."

"I guess it does." Cardin shrugged. "I didn't really think about it. I just did my job, you know?" He sighed.

"You alright?"

"Yeah. Mostly. I just… never really saw myself fighting to protect other people like this. I didn't become a Huntsman to be some grand protector. I went to Beacon to make my dad proud. Now… I don't know." He shuffled awkwardly. "I'm going to go see my dad later today."

"What for?" Adam asked warily.

"To listen. One more time. To see if his hate for the Faunus still sounds right. I need to find out if I still think the same way about them. About you."

"What will you do after you have your answer?"

"If I think he's full of shit, then I'll need to figure out for myself why I want to be a Huntsman. If I think he's right then… well I guess I'm back to showing why we humans are superior." He replied. He sounded lost, confused.

"Where'd this come from?"

"The White Fang attacked, sure, but more people died from the Atlesian weapons turning on us. So many were shot in the back." Cardin growled. "And then there are the rumours going around."

"Rumours?" Adam folded his arms.

"Yeah. People are saying a human orchestrated this. All of this. How can I say humans are better when we pull shit like this!?" Cardin took a deep breath after his outburst and rubbed his face. "I don't know what's next for me, but I know for sure that I can't be the same person I was."

Adam nodded. "I… I feel the same. We can't stagnate. We need to push forward. Grow."

"Yeah… what are you going to do?"

"I'm not sure. Support my team. Keep looking for a way to help Blake. I'm not sure how though."

"You can always do what I'm doing. Go back to your roots and see how it all looks now."

"Roots huh?" He's turning to his father. I don't have parents to turn to, at least not my parents. Would they welcome him back, however? He wouldn't know unless he tried. "Thanks. I'll keep it in mind."

Cardin grunted as he grabbed the crate again. "No problem. Don't forget about our next duel. It'll be a while, but I still want to fight you. No matter what I decide."

"Of course." Adam shared a smile with Cardin before the former bully walked off to continue his business. Adam heaved a heavy breath and continued on.

As he reached the stairs to the library he saw another person of interest. "Schnee! We need to talk!" He called out.

Winter Schnee turned with a look that could petrify. "Taurus. Speak quickly." She was lightly bandaged, mainly around the arms, and guarded by two Atlas Soldiers, who kept their guns at the ready.

"Where's Weiss?"

"She left. Our Father took her back to Atlas last night." He scanned her face but saw no hint of a lie.

"Shit."

"Quite. Is that all?"

"Yes."

"Then farewell." She left without another word.

Adam cursed under his breath and continued inside. He couldn't see Weiss, but he still had other people to check on.

He jogged up the stairs and pushed open the pair of wooden doors into the large library. Grand bookshelves filled the large open hall within, reaching to about three-stories tall. Students moved every which way, carrying supplies or being put to work. Side rooms were being turned into office spaces for the remaining teachers or small classrooms.

A few minutes of searching led him to one of the former study areas, now being turned into a classroom. He passed by a grinning Nora as she carried a bookshelf put like it was nothing, trailed by a tired-looking Ren with a box of books. They both gave him a nod and greeting as they passed him by.

Inside he found the next person he wanted to see. Jaune smiled as he approached. "Adam! It's good to see you!" He said, closing another box of books.

"Jaune. I'm glad you and Ren and Nora are alright."

Jaune smile faded. "Yeah. Yeah, we are. Pyrrha's still in the hospital though. I heard about Yang too. I'm sorry."

Adam shook his head. "Nothing to apologize for. What happened to Pyrrha?"

"She fought the woman behind it all, Cinder Fall. She took two arrows to her leg. The first would have been alright but the second… well the doctors said it's going to take her a while to heal."

"Cinder Fall?" The name sounded more familiar than he expected.

Jaune shrugged. "Some woman who was a transfer student from Haven. Or she was pretending to be one. I'm not sure."

"I see."

"So… what are you going to do?"

Adam raised an eyebrow. "Is everyone interested in my next action?"

Jaune shrugged again. "Kinda. You are a bit of a wildcard. I'm just wondering if you're going to stick around."

"I'm not sure. I don't know what I want to do."

Jaune hummed. "I can see that being an issue." He slowly inhaled and exhaled. "I have another question if you don't mind." Jaune said, his cheeks going red.

"Yes?"

"You've had a girlfriend before, right?"

"Yes." Adam's eyes narrowed.

"How do you know if a girl likes you?" Jaune asked with a speed that would have made Oobleck proud.

"What?" Adam deadpanned.

Jaune sighed. "It's just… Pyrrha! She kissed me before she ran off to die and I don't know what it means!"

"What?" Adam asked, flabbergasted. She not only finally did something about her feelings, but Jaune didn't know what it meant!? Maybe he needs his head examined.

"Well, I don't know why she would kiss me! Judging by what she's said before I don't think she ever has kissed anyone before, and she knew I hadn't so she must have done it because she was about to die and wanted time to feel it and knew it would be important for me too! But it might be a cultural thing instead! I'm not from Mistral! I don't know if they kiss their friends before charging to their deaths! Or it could be-"

Adam slapped a hand over Jaune's mouth and struggled to hold in his own laughter. "Jaune. I knew you could be dense but that was… damn." He pulled his hand back. "She likes you, she likes you a lot!"

"No way! She can't!"

"Why not?"

"She's way out of my league! No way she could ever fall for a guy like me!" Jaune argued.

Adam sighed. "Jaune. That whole league stuff? It's stupid. Love is love. It doesn't care about anything we say. You fall for who you fall for. Why do you feel unworthy?"

Jaune looked to the floor. "She's way better than me, at everything."

"So?"

"Well, how can I be at her side as an equal!?"

"Do you think it's based on skills? Ha! Jaune. You're right that in a relationship both need to be equals, but that's not got anything to do with how well you can swing a sword. It's about how you act. You have to give her just as much of a voice that she gives you. It's about communication." He placed a hand on Jaune's shoulder. "Something I failed at."

"But-"

"Nope. No buts. If you get into a relationship then you have to respect each other."

"But… but I like Weiss…" Jaune muttered without much energy.

"Why? Why do you like Weiss? Why keep flirting with her when she's turned you down again and again?"

"She's just playing hard to get! You know the whole chase thing!" Jaune frowned at Adam's groan. "What!?"

"She wasn't playing hard to get Jaune! She wasn't interested!"

"But on the first day of school, she called me cute to Ruby!"

Adam facepalmed so hard his forehead hurt. He groaned loudly. "Damn it Jaune. If she was interested she would have said something! She isn't the kind of girl to play hard to get! Besides, you shouldn't chase anyone. It's stupid."

"Aren't you chasing your ex?"

"I'm trying to convince her not to be a terrorist anymore. I'm not chasing after someone who thinks playing hard to get is conducive to a healthy relationship!"

"Right. Okay. So I was wrong about Weiss." Jaune sighed.

"Where did you get all of your ideas on romance Jaune?"

"Huh? Oh well, all my dad ever told me was to be confident so I had to look to movies as an example of-"

Adam facepalmed again, letting out a loud slap. "Movies are a terrible example." Adam groaned again. "For both sides. The amount of times they have practically fetishised Faunus is…" Adam growled and then sighed. "Sorry. Anyway, don't use them as an example of romance."

"Okay okay. What should I do then?"

"Do you love her?"

"I don't know. I haven't really thought it out."

"Do you care about her?"

"Yes."

"Did you enjoy the kiss?"

"Yes." Jaune's cheeks grew red.

"Do you want to kiss her more?"

"Y-yes." His cheeks had turned crimson by this point.

"Are you interested in dating her? You know, going out and doing things together. Just you two."

"Yes."

"You have your answer then. So go talk to her. Tell her how you feel, even if it's just that you aren't sure yet, and say you want to try dating. Then go from there."

"Okay. Okay yeah. I can do that. I'll go now! Thanks, Adam." Jaune seemed sure of himself as he rushed off.

Adam let out a long breath. Jaune had seemed so dense, but it turned out he learnt everything he knew from entertainment. The worst tutor.

One last stop.

Professor Goodwitch smiled as he entered her new office. Still in progress like the rest of the construction of course but the Deputy Headmistress was far from troubled by the rough accommodations.

"Mr Taurus. How can I help you?"

"Just had a question about any open spaces outside."

"We have space if you need a place to stay, though Mr Xiao-Long told me you were staying with him?"

"Just wanted to be sure of my options. In case Yang is… mad at me."

"I see. We can find you space should you require it. I can't promise comfort but…" She trailed off.

"That's fine thanks. I'll come to you if I need it."

"Alright. It's good to see you have regained some of your previous energy."

"I had a good sleep."

"That's good to hear. Take care of yourself, Adam."

"You too Professor." Adam took his leave.

He felt tired after so much interaction, but he still needed to go pick up some new clothes before he returned to Patch. On his way out however, he bumped into a certain monkey Faunus with a golden tail and a bright smile.

"Hello, Sun."

"Hey, Adam! Good to see you!"

"You too."

"So what are you planning on doing?"

"Again?"

"Huh?"

"Sorry. Third person to ask me that." He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't know."

"Oh. I was expecting to hear about how you were going to hunt down the White Fang and show your girl how wrong she was!" Sun shrugged.

Adam winced. "I… I still want to."

"Then why don't you?"

"Yang's injured! She'll need me."

"Need you? The way I hear it she lost an arm. Are you going to sit around doing everything for her? Coddle her? Is that what you mean?"

"Well, I…"

"Look man, I come from the desert. It's deadly out there. If someone can't look after themselves then they're left behind. She isn't done for good you know? She can get a prosthetic or learn to live with it as is. Coddling her isn't going to help." Sun's face had turned serious. "Are you just going to leave Blake to do whatever she wants?"

"No, I-"

"Then what are you going to do? You never did anything about her before. You talked up a big game and ended up doing nothing. So make a choice and stick with it!"

They were silent for a while. Sun coughed at one point, looking a little awkward and sheepish.

I didn't decide did I? I did on the train but then I backtracked. Even there at the last fight, I didn't even decide. Yang suffered. I need to resolve this. Before someone else gets hurt because of me. Adam took a deep breath, held it for a moment and then released it.

"I… I don't know what to do about Blake but I know where to go to get help. To get other opinions. To figure this out."

"And?"

"I guess I need to go there. No, I know I need to. I have for a while now."

"Sweet. When are we leaving?"

"Huh?"

"Well, you kinda suck at sticking to your decisions. Besides you need help!"

"What about your team?"

"They can come too!" Sun smiled.

Adam sighed. "If you want to, that's fine. It's your choice. It's their choice too. I'll send you the time and place to meet up."

"Awesome! I can't wait! I'll go tell the gang!" Sun said before running off.

I hope this wasn't a mistake.

By the time Adam arrived back at the log house it was getting late in the day. His new shirt and pants did little to calm him, though he was thankful for them. They fit far better than Taiyang's spares after all.

Qrow was sitting at the dining table drinking as he entered. The older man tipped his glass to Adam and pointed down the hall. "Guest room is occupied. Tai put Yang in there."

"Yang's back?"

"Yup. She's recovered enough to move. That's enough for them at the moment. Waaay too many are injured after all." He downed his drink. "Give it a few before you go in, okay? Tai's explaining things."

"Alright." He sat down across from Qrow and spent the next few minutes thinking. He wanted to prepare first. Qrow just poured himself another glass. And then another. And another. Adam frowned but didn't say anything. It wasn't his place.

Eventually, Taiyang came out. Adam offered him a bag with the man's clothes and got up. He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. He heard a quiet 'come in' and entered.

Yang looked... rough. It was the nicest way to put it. She was dressed in a simple brown shirt, the left arm of which was tied off at the shoulder. Her violet eyes were red and puffy and bloodshot as she stared at her own lap. She didn't seem angry just… hollow. Adam swallowed and pulled up a chair next to the bed.

"Hey, Adam." Yang said, her voice bland and tired.

"Yang. I… I don't know what to say."

"You don't know what to say?" Her face grew confused.

"Should I be asking if you're okay? How you're doing? That seems… idiotic. Of course you're not okay"

"Yeah." She muttered.

"I'm glad to see you still alive."

"Thanks."

"I… I have a lot to say but I don't want to get off track. I'll keep it short. Weiss was taken back to Atlas."

Yang's breath hitched. "O-oh. I see."

"Her dad forced her back." Yang nodded along. He paused. The next part wouldn't be easy nor kind. "Blake escaped. As did the woman behind all of this. And… I know this probably sounds stupid of me, but I'm going after Blake."

"What!?" Yang turned to face him, her eyes wide.

"I need to deal with her. It's… well she's my responsibility. I'm the reason she's a monster. I'm the reason you got hurt. I'm the reason for everything the White Fang did."

"Bullshit! She did it! She's the murderer!" Her eyes had gone red.

Adam sucked in a breath. It was time for a bombshell. "Yang. I killed dozens, if not hundreds of people when I was in the White Fang. If I deserve a chance then so does she!"

"She's had her chance!"

"I don't agree. We've fought but I never made a good case. I failed to give her the out. I need to be able to."

"So you're just going to abandon me!? For that bitch!?" Yang growled. Adam flinched. "She's that important to you!? So important you have to leave barely a day after your partner loses her arm!?" She screamed.

"I don't want to leave Yang. But I-"

"I don't care! You're just trying to sugarcoat it! Well!? If you want to go then go!" She yelled and pointed to the door a little awkwardly with her right hand.

"This isn't forever Yang. I'll see you after. I promise." He quietly said as he stood.

"Fuck off." She snarled.

Adam took a deep deep breath and nodded. "I'll see you later."

She didn't answer as he left. He didn't stay in the house either. He said a short goodbye to Taiyang and Qrow and returned to Vale.

He spent the next few days preparing, gathering supplies for the journey and booking passage with a caravan. He returned one more time to the Xiao-Long house, but only left a note.

Almost a week had passed when he gathered with a slightly disgruntled team SSSN at the eastern gate.

"Why are we here?" Scarlet asked, his arms folded and a frown in his face.

"The boats are currently being used primarily for moving supplies. None are going where we are. We'll cross over to the east coast and take a boat from there."

"And where are we going?" Scarlet asked again.

"Menagerie. Home of the Faunus. I need to talk to the chief of Kuo Kuana. He and his wife can help me. If they'll even talk to me."

Scarlet rolled his eyes. It was apparent they hadn't quite come because they really wanted to. Sun might have misunderstood. Or failed to communicate properly. Again. Ugh I'm going to have to get him to understand that lesson, aren't I?

A few minutes later they climbed into the back of a truck, surrounded by boxes of preserved foods, and were off.

I'm sorry Yang. I'll make it up to you later. But I have to do this. If only to stop Blake from causing more damage.

A/N: A big boy chapter dedicated to Adam's perspective on the aftermath! Cardin continuing his growth, Jaune being told to get his head out of his arse and Sun being Sun. Oh and Yang doesn't take kindly to him wanting to leave. That's important I suppose. Who knew having abandonment issues would cause friction when someone wants to leave? At least he didn't run off without talking to her, he just ran off without talking to Ruby! Or talking more with others. Such is Adam's curse: to be obsessed with his ex. He should really get that fixed. Next chapter will be more aftermath, especially the Jaune/Pyrrha discussion so look forward to that!

Fun fact: Kuo Kuana, the town on Menagerie we see in the show, means 'trash' or 'rejected' in Hawaiian! What a great name for the main town on an island that means a collection of wild animals in captivity!

I hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you next time!