This is Nothing New
Two figures clad in black spec-ops like uniforms walked through the menangerian bush, under the shade of the trees and the light of the shattered moon. They are enforcers under the command of the Albain brothers; leaders of the Menagerie branch of the White Fang and representatives of the organization in the unofficial faunus kingdom.
"I still believe you should get a weapon, brother Yuma."
These two faunus just finished a task for them, and are currently heading back to report their success on their task.
"If you don't want to get a gun, then why should I get a weapon, sister Trifa?" said Yuma, walking alongside his partner, aware of his surroundings even though he's only looking forward.
"You've seen many times how efficient I am with Sicarius Yǐnshì." She took out said knife from one of her belt pouch. Throwing it above her, making it flip in the air. And when it falls back she catches it on her index, perfecty balancing the tip of the blade on the tip of her finger. She looked at him with a smug look on her face.
"And you've seen how efficient I am without weapons." Replied the bat faunus unimpressed by her trick.
She and many others have seen how good he was. Being one of the few member who already came with combat experience made him an exceptional enforcer in the eyes of the Albains. Only second to Ilia, for reasons. She didn't mind the fact, everyone had their role to play and she was fine with being third place.
"Yes," she put Sicarius Yǐnshì back in her pouch. "I certainly have."
There was something on her mind, but she didn't know how to bring it up to her partner. The fact that he was always stoic didn't give her any confidence in bringing up the matter either.
She shivered.
Not because of the cold night wind, but because of the memory of Yuma losing himself in the act today. The dangerous look in his eyes, the predatory grin on his face and the way he played with one of their targets… It was unpleasant to say the least.
But Father Albain didn't train a coward that couldn't speak her mind. He broke them out of their shells.
So she took a deep breath and prepare to speak to the brunette.
"… It's not uncommon for you to get carried away on missions," his gray eyes looked at her, no clear emotion in them. "But seeing you get like that this time? It was... Disturbing."
"Why?" he wondered what her issue was if she was used to seeing him like that.
"Because he was another faunus." Was her quick reply.
That he could understand. Their targets were mostly humans; politicians, reporters, criminals and business men- mostly related to the SDC, but there were exceptions. Always humans, but never other faunus.
Until now that is.
"Is it wrong to enjoy my duty?"
"Of course not." She was no stranger to enjoying a job well done after all. She always took small pleasure in a job well done, shown in a smirk on her usually serious face. "It's just that…"
"Look," he stopped walking, and she did too. "I get that seeing me like that on another faunus feels wrong, but think about it. The man was a traitor to us all, and that makes him as bad as a human. And just like them, he got what he deserved."
Trifa still looked unsure, but Yuma could see she was trying to understand him and not be bothered by his actions towards their kin. He would be satisfied with that if it was any other member of their cell, but Trifa was his partner and he didn't want her to have any issues working with him.
Maybe some truth could be shared. Just for her.
"You remember why we're partners?" he started walking again, taking the lead for her to follow.
"Yes?" she replied, not seeing how that related to their conversation in any way. "We were both rescued in Mistral by the Albains, making us both new members under Father Albain's guidance."
"Yes, we both were in Mistral. But do you remember what I was rescued from?"
She pondered the question.
Both of them were reserved and quiet- more so than now -when they became part of the White Fang, and kept their past to themselves. But just shared the bare minimum with each other, since Father Albain told them to trust in each other.
"You were a slave fighter, right?" unsure of her answer, her gray blue eyes settled on him, waiting for his answer.
"Yes." He didn't spare a glance her way, keeping his eyes forward. "And most often than not, the fights ended with death."
Only their steps and the wind filled the silence. Yuma kept going as if he was indifferent to Trifa's thoughts, but he was just waiting for a vocal response from her.
A few minutes pass and she speaks.
"You've killed faunus before."
It wasn't a question, but he answered. "Yes."
"That's why it was so easy for you- as if it was another human target." It was just like usual to him.
He nodded. "It was kill or be killed, sister Trifa. I wouldn't be here today if I didn't get used to it."
Get used to kill other faunus. That thought troubled her. Could she get used to it?
She handled the humans and left the faunus to Yuma for a reason in today's mission. She felt uncomfortable at the though of killing another faunus- a previous brother to the cause even.
"Don't think too hard about it."
She looked at him, and he could see the insecurity in her eyes. "We don't go around killing 'just because'- not even the humans." He keep walking while keeping eye contact. "Every death has a purpose, sister Trifa. This faunus will be a lesson to those weak of will and resolve." His hand settled on her exposed shoulder, comforting her. "Beisdes, I'm sure this won't become a routine."
Yes, she could see that. She understood. This was for a greater good. Their target was going to leak information to the SDC about another raid and rescue mission; all because of selfishness and fondness for a brother no better than him. It would have resulted in the death and capture of many brothers and sisters. A great failure after many victories for the White Fang.
If it wasn't for them, Taurus and Belladonna would've probably been captured.
Yes, she could get used to this. She will get used to this- even if it didn't become routine to face traitors -, for their cause. For the White Fang.
Yuma could see she wasn't troubled anymore, so he set his gaze forward. Keeping vigilant for any Grimm that could drop out of nowhere. Menagerie, had some very dangerous and nasty critters out in the wilderness.
Yuma descended, folding his wings once his feet touched the ground. "We're close to Kuo Kuana."
"Good." Was the reply of his partner, glad to be near their hidden base. "I was not looking forward to camping so far from a settlement." Or camping at all for that matter.
For these types of missions, Trifa always made sure to drink lots of water. Her webs made for some very reliable and comfy beds. But you had to put leaves on it, or you would get trapped like a fly on a... Spider web.
They headed towards base, their only home. Their life is in the White Fang.
"Hey, sister Trifa…" She looked at him, raising a brow in question. "How would I look with a goatee?" he rubbed his chin.
"… Are you serious?" Of all the things he could've asked, she didn't expect that from her stoic partner.
"No, I'm batty." He said, in a monotone tone, face set on stone.
She knew it wasn't a good joke, but she couldn't help but chuckle. "Getting back on topic; I think it would look good on you."
He smiled- a rare sight even to her, his partner. "Thanks. I think I would look good too." She scoffed, muttering something about 'vane partner'.
Both got back on track and kept going to report their mission to the Albains. All the while wondering about their future missions for the Fang, the obstacles and enemies they would deal with for the cause.
No matter how bloody, the job will be done.
So a little later than I would've wanted, but still on schedule (yay).
So I decided to tackle these two, and I would really like to know what y'all think. Did I do good with what little we got from them in the show? Or just decently enough?
Considering that I wanted to write Yuma like a Ren with a touch of Mercury, it was hard to write him in a way that (at least) was good enough for me.
Hope y'all enjoyed it at least, specially since I want to do more with them in the future.
Next chapter will cover the aftermath for the rally after Torchwick went after Blake and Sun. Coming out around 04-09 of September.