Happy 2021! 2020 was rough, but hopefully, this year will be a lot better!


There was the sound of a sharp gunshot and then a fragile yelp ensued.

When Adam looked over, he noticed his leader writhing on the ground in pain. He couldn't help himself as he chuckled darkly. A smug smirk was hidden under his mask.

To Adam, it was enjoyable to see Sienna in pain. He was angry by her leadership after she gave him that demotion. If anyone should be her right-hand, it should be him. But as he watched her writhe, he was amused. She was so used to inflicting it on others, that she didn't experience it much herself. That's what she gets for demoting him.

While he was distracted watching her, Blake took the liberty of conjuring up multiple clones. When he focused again, he was surrounded.

"You've improved," Adam noted that before she could only conjure a couple of clones at a time.

In unison, all the clones pounced. Adam didn't look intimidated in the slightest as he spun his katana in a circle. In one fell swoop, he annihilated every single one. However, several more appeared.

"Come out, Blake!" Adam roared. "Entertain me yourself!"

Meanwhile, Yang and Blake hid behind a thick tree trunk. The couple watched him wipe out wave after wave as Blake concentrated.

"Don't overdo it," the blonde whispered in concern. "You're summoning way more than your usual four."

"I have a plan," Blake said, impressed with her own ability.

"I like where this is going," Yang smirked.

In unison, the bumblebee couple took deep breaths. They had to gain their bearings for what they had in store for him. Adam was a tough opponent. It was no wonder why Blake tried to avoid him.

"I didn't come here so you could hide!"

By the second, Adam was growing more irritated. Exactly what they were hoping for.

Yang leaned into her girlfriend's ear as her eyes flickered red. "I'm fully charged."

A nod.

Ready, Yang threw her fists together and ignited. Her wild mane was a raging inferno that roared brilliantly. The flames were so torrid that the vegetation around her withered away. Once caring lilac eyes warped to a menacing red.

The second Adam swung into the trap clone, he was caught in ice. The clone stole his blade and kept him from moving as he tried to wiggle away.

"Dust?!" Adam shouted. "Blake, you have no problem using Schnee dust?!"

When he was trapped, the bumblebee couple darted out from behind their hiding spot.

As Yang rapidly approached Adam, she shined like the sun. She was so blinding that she almost blinded her own girlfriend. Yellow and red collided.

"There you are!" Adam scowled.

"Kickin' your ass!" Yang shouted.

Due to her newfound power, Yang rocketed a punch directly in his torso. To make the impact more devastating, she cocked her gauntlets and used a bullet to break through any potential defenses.

"That's what you get for torturing Blake!"

The rippling through his body was enough to stun Adam. The ensuing cracks were music to Yang and Blake's ears. A yellow shockwave followed, and Adam stumbled backward a few feet.

He gasped like he couldn't breathe. Despite the lethal impact, Adam remained standing. The harsh jab was more painful than he let on. Currently, his body was pulsating in waves. Throbbing incessantly.

"You call that a punch-"

Yang gave him no time to react. He was barely able to block several more punches from the raging inferno. The two were engaged in fierce melee combat. Each of them zipping past the other and then clashing.

It was so intense that Blake had to take a step back. When her girlfriend was in the zone, she didn't want to break her concentration. Right now, Yang was in overdrive. The last thing Blake wanted was to get in her way.

She was shocked that Adam lasted this long against the blazing brawler. No one had been able to hold off Yang's semblance before.

Adam managed to block and dodged every lethal uppercut. When he was able, he released his katana and used it to go on the offensive. Unfortunately for him, Yang was in overdrive as she blocked every slice with her gauntlets.

Multiple grunts rang out as the two were locked in fierce melee combat. Each unable to get the best of the other.

This was the heat of the fight. Exactly what Yang thrived on. Despite being in danger, Yang was smiling. To Blake, it was mesmerizing to watch her fight like this.

"This is what you get for working for Sienna!"

The only thing that broke Adam's defenses was when Yang cocked her gauntlet to initiate her signature left hook.

Not even he could prepare himself for that blow.

"Agh!"

He sailed back and landed roughly, toppling to the side. He was barely able to block another punch. Somehow, he managed to deflect them as his body pulsed in pain. He absorbed several daunting hits. At least until his opponent showed the slightest ounce of slowing down.

Yang cocked her gauntlets, aiming for an opening-

Abruptly, Adam dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Since that wasn't expected, Yang was caught off guard. There was a sudden pain directly in her ribs. His foot landed a devastating kick as a few cracks reverberated.

With eyes wide, Yang coughed weakly as the oxygen fleeted from her lungs. Blood splattered onto her chin and grass as she plunged back.

"Yang!"

Before she could smash into a tree, Blake caught her in midair. The faunus tumbled to the side, keeping her safe in her grasp. Yang was frighteningly stiff and she was having trouble breathing. There was blood seeping out of her mouth and staining her shirt.

"Are- are you okay?!" Blake asked frantically.

As Yang lay on the soft grass, she panted. "I've had better days."

Blake only gave her a light smile. And then glared over her shoulder at her approaching opponent. Protectively, Blake set her on the grass and threw herself in front of her. She used her body as a shield as she held out her arms to protect her with her life.

"You should just give up," Adam leered. "This is pathetic. Why are you risking your life for a measly human?"

"Because I love her!" Blake declared like it was obvious, causing him to be taken aback. "Not that you could understand anything remotely resembling that!"

A wicked grin. Adam began chuckling darkly.

"She wouldn't love you if she knows what you've done."

After that, Adam held up his sword under the sun. Shaking, Blake poised her katana and took a defensive stance. She tried to summon another clone, but her aura was low. She had to protect Yang. No matter what.

"You're going to have to kill me to get to her!"

Adam only scoffed. "That won't be necessary. That is, unless you confess!"

Amber orbs whipped from Adam to Yang, who was panting harshly. Despite her condition, Yang met her frightened gaze. The blonde responded with love, with her kind and caring lilac eyes Blake had come to adore. She showed her there was nothing to fear.

That gaze was all Blake needed to know that it would be okay. She took a deep breath, unable to meet her girlfriend's eyes.

"I killed someone. When I escaped the Khans."

There was so much guilt swimming in her voice. From the confession, Yang was silent. She heard her loud and clear as she tried to breathe. This had to be the most painful secret her girlfriend carried. Such a huge burden was on her shoulders all this time.

"His name was Crimson!" Adam shouted like she should be ashamed. "But no one liked him, anyways."

From hearing that, Blake lowered her katana and frowned. "How horrible…"

"I'm not the one who killed him!"

"I had no choice!" Blake shouted back. "I was going to die!"

"Excuses!"

"You of all people shouldn't lecture me!"

With bloodlust, Adam rushed her. Despite being weakened, he was able to knock the weapon out of her grasp. Blake gasped and almost countered, but she was rammed into the side and sent to the ground.

Adam leered over the heaving, helpless blonde. Yang glared him down as she prepared herself.

"You won't be missed," Adam growled.

Yang closed her eyes, waiting for her inevitable demise-

"Fuck!"

Abruptly, Adam lurched to the ground in agony. He clutched his knee that was pouring blood. Lilac eyes widened from the unexpected sight. She thought for sure she was done for.

A quick glance to the right told them that Ruby was responsible. The captain sent them a nod, but she was then locked in combat with Neo. There was no time for appreciation.

Hurriedly, Blake knelt by her girlfriend's side. "Yang- I'm so sorry. I- I didn't mean for you to-"

"Blake…" Yang muttered.

Cat ears perked up, alert. "Yeah? Do you need anything?"

"I told you before… didn't I?" Yang sent her a wide, bloody grin. "Nothing will ever make me stop loving you."

Amber orbs widened from her words. A shiver shot up her spine as she held onto her girlfriend. Of course that was Yang's reply. Blake should've figured as much.

It was like cupid's arrow had struck Blake's heart all over again as it swelled three sizes. Tenderly, she wiped away the blood from her lips.

"Yang…" Blake murmured as she fondly gazed down at her. "I love you, too."

"I had a hunch."

That caused Blake to timidly smile.

"There it is," Yang grinned and then coughed. "Help me up. I'm tired of layin' around."

"Are- are you sure?" Blake asked, noting her ribs were dark blue. She held her in her lap in case she'd making any sudden movements and lifted her shirt to check on her injuries. "You might be bleeding internally."

"This is nothin'."

As usual, Yang dismissed her injuries. She always liked to act tough. Shakily, Yang lifted herself up. In concern, Blake hovered behind her and ultimately helped her stand. Fondly, the blonde held her hand. For a brief second, it felt like they were invincible despite their injuries.

"We have a fight to finish, partner," Yang said.

A nod.

"Right."


This bumblebee is too damn cute.

Stay dandy,

~Toto