CHAPTER 3 - A Small Reunion

The sounds of fingers tapping in a table is repeated, not just from one person. But to several men and women who are sitting in one large table. Some have a uniformed guard, each bearing a White Lotus symbol, standing behind them. Everyone in the table is waiting. But waiting for who?

The sounds of a door opens. Everyone except for the guards look to see Blake and Ilia enter the room.

"I do apologize for arriving to this very important meeting, very late." Blake said as she walks to her seat. "I had a very rough night of preparations." She sits down. "I do hope there were no trouble while waiting for me."

Ilia stands next to Blake, her weapon on her back. Blake continues to speak.

"I do hope, in the future, that something like this will never happen again. I can guarantee it. I can promise it. But until then...let's get down to business."

CITY STREETS

Yang is sadly staring outside the car window as the Kingdom of Vale passes by. Inside the same car, Weiss, Velvet and Jaune are seated with Yang, while someone drives the car.

"We really appreciate you giving us a ride, Weiss." Jaune said.

"It's the least, I can do." Weiss said. "Blake plans on visiting my office shortly after her meeting with the Council. And since the two of you wanted to see her...might as well."

"Great." Jaune said. "And...maybe...since we'll all be together again...maybe we can all hang out later."

Yang slowly turns to look at Jaune, who notices her. "...Maybe." She turns back to stare outside.

BEACON ACADEMY - OZPIN'S OFFICE

Inside the Headmaster's office on the topmost tower of Beacon Academy, a woman sighs as she looks at some reports on her Scroll.

"Another student dropped out this morning, Headmaster." Glynda Goodwitch said. "That's the 9th one this month. I don't seem to understand this, Ozpin."

Sitting at the headmaster's desk, the former farmer boy, Oscar Pine has his head flat on the desk.

"If you're expecting Oz, he'll be back shortly." Oscar said, his voice barely muffled.

Goodwitch grunts as she closes her Scroll. "Why is he always too busy to speak?"

Oscar lifts his head as rests his arms onto the desk. "I don't know. He never lets me in on what he's doing until the last second. Has been doing so, since the...you know."

Goodwitch notices Oscar's right hand is shaking before the latter closes it tightly. Oscar was never the same, after witnessing the deaths from Salem's wrath. And having learned that his aunt was a victim, he never talked about her again. Oscar clenches his fist with his other hands, as he tries to calm himself.

It's okay, Oscar.

Oscar's mood turns to anger, upon hearing Ozpin's voice.

"That's easy for you to say, Oz." Oscar said. "You didn't lose somebody that day."

Goodwitch sits down as Oscar talks to himself...well...Ozpin.

I was just trying to-

"I don't care what you were trying to do!" Oscar exclaims, before lowering his voice. "Just take over."

...very well.

Oscar's eyes briefly glow before his expression changes to calm, and his hands separate.

"I do apologize, Glynda." Ozpin said. "Oscar and I have had these tensions since that day. They tend to happen when you're not around. You caught us on a rare day."

"It's fine, Headmaster." Goodwitch said. "If I may, though...I would suggest talking to Oscar, every now and then. And you...you need to be free more." She stands up. "Now then...I noticed some troubling information among your list of appointments for the month. And I have to say...it's a big risk, you know."

"I do, indeed." Ozpin said. "I know this is indeed troubling-"

"You're requesting that Miss Xiao Long and Mister Arc, visit Beacon, in order to speak to them." Goodwitch said. "Despite the fact, that they now harbor a severe hatred for you. Why would you even do this, Ozpin?"

"...I felt that we needed to talk. I never fully explained to her the many things that I hid from her. And as for Mr. Arc, I never gave my condolences. What happened to Miss Valkyrie was a tragedy."

"...She was a nuisance." Goodwitch said. "But what happened to her, shouldn't have happened."

"Indeed. Now, then. We shouldn't think about it right now. We have our current problems as of now. We should take care of these."

Glynda sighs. "Yes, Headmaster."

WEISS' OFFICE

Outside of Weiss' office, Velvet is finishing a call from a client, nodding and placing her hand on her head. As she does, she sees Blake and Ilia arriving upstairs nearby. Velvet ends the call and quickly stands up. She then proceeds to give Blake a hug.

"It's good to see you again." Velvet said before she separates the hug.

Blake smiles. "Same here. How are you, Velvet?"

"...Doing my best. Been a rough few months. But I got back on my feet."

"And working for Weiss." Blake said. "She offer you the job?"

"Yep." Velvet answered. "Times were tough. And she felt pity. I'm really glad it happened. Anyways..." She heads to the door. "She's not busy right now. So you can head in and say hi."

When Velvet turns back, she notices that Blake is looking a little nervous. Ilia notices and looks at her. "You okay?"

Blake doesn't verbally answer. But she nods before she proceeds to head inside. Blake stops after a few steps when she sees Weiss, who is staring out her window, and taking a sip of her coffee. Ilia looks around to also see Jaune sitting nearby, smiling and waving to the two. Jaune quickly stands up and walks to Blake.

"Look who it is." Jaune said.

Blake smiles at Jaune and the two of them hug each other. They separate before Blake's smile disappears.

"Hey." Jaune says. "What's wrong?"

"...Juane...I'm sorry. I'm sorry about Nora. I'm sorry that I missed the funeral. I'm sor-"

"Don't." Jaune said, before placing his hands on Blake's shoulders. "It's okay. I understand, why you couldn't. I'm not mad, Blake. Okay?"

Blake nods, before she looks at Weiss, who places her cup down. The two of them look at each other, before Weiss approaches the cat girl. Blake raises her arms, expecting a handshake. But instead, she gets another hug. Weiss tightly wraps her arms.

"I missed you, my friend." Weiss said, before she separates too. "I am glad that you are here."

Blake's smile returns once again. "Thank you."

The sounds of throat clearing is heard. The three of them turn around to see Ilia, who seems annoyed.

"Oh!" Blake said, before walking to Ilia. "You guys remember Ilia, right?"

"Oh, we remember her." Jaune said, crossing her arms. "Still haven't forgotten about that spider on my bed."

Ilia chuckles. "Oh come on. It was just a prank."

"Oh sure." Jaune said.

"Besides, it was Blake's idea."

"Was not!" Blake exclaims. "It was Weiss' idea. I just passed it along."

Weiss pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs. "It was."

"Wow." Jaune said. "You led me to believe that for quite a while."

Weiss chuckles. "Worth it." She turns to Blake. "Listen. Before we talk business, I need to attend to a couple errands. Would you mind waiting for us downstairs? Conference room will be on your right, as you reach the bottom floor."

"Sure." Blake said. "No problem. "Ilia and I will head down right now. You guys coming?"

"...No." Jaune said. "One of Weiss' errands involve us. Besides, I'll be heading home after. But it was good seeing you again. Come visit us anytime, while you're in Vale."

"You know I will." Blake said. "Let's go, Ilia."

Weiss and Jaune both watch the two of them exit the room, before their smiles fade.

"Make sure they don't exit the building." Weiss said.

Jaune would then proceed to head downstairs as well. He watches Blake approach the conference room, which has the window blinds down, unable to see inside.

As Blake opens the door, her arm is grabbed by Ilia, who has a worried look on their face.

"Something doesn't feel right." Ilia said. "I can feel it, Blake."

"Don't be paranoid." Blake said. "It's just a business meeting. And a bit of a reunion. You just need to relax, okay?"

Blake heads inside.

"Besides. We need to-"

Ilia notices that Blake stops moving and talk. And the latter now has a look of shock on her face. "Blake?"

Ilia moves her head in order to see someone in the conference room. Her eyebrows raise in surprise, as Yang stands nearby, looking out a window that shows Vale outside. Ilia sees Blake's hand starting to tremble.

"Hello, Blake." Yang calmly said, before she turns her head to look at Blake. "It's been quite some time."

Blake grabs her shaking hand, which now clenches into a fist, and slows down her breathing.

"It's okay." Yang said. "Take your time. Sit down, please."

Blake turns and looks at Ilia. "Wait outside."

"Are you sure?" Ilia asked.

Blake nods and she watches as Ilia exit the room, closing the door behind her. Blake then turns back to Yang, before proceeding to sit down. She clenches her hands together as she rests her head on them.

"It's beautiful outside." Yang said, staring out the window. "The garden out there. The flowers are blooming great." She turns around and sits down at the chair near her. The two former teammates stare at at each other in silence, before one of them eventually speaks.

"What are you doing here, Yang?" Blake asked.

"...Really?" Yang asked back. "That's all you have to ask? What am I doing here?"

"...Well...I was expecting only seeing Weiss and Velvet. Not everyone else." Blake said. "I like to keep a steady schedule."

Yang slightly smiles. "You follow a schedule now? You sound like Weiss."

"I'm the leader of an organization, Yang." Blake said. "I don't have time to fool around, these days."

Yang's smile fades away into slight anger. "Really? And what about the other day? Or the other night at the diner? You sure you don't time to fool around?"

"...That is none of your business." Blake answered with some anger in her voice.

"Really?" Yang asked.

"Yeah. Really. You don't need to know."

"...Ok. You don't have to." Yang said, her anger fading. "I just...I was concerned. I mean, you just left us again for a year. And all of a sudden, you show up. Just out of nowhere."

"...I know." Blake said.

"Do you? Do you have any idea how much you hurt us, Blake? How much you hurt me?" Tears fall down Yang's face. "...You didn't even come to the funeral."

Tears fall down Blake's face before she lowers her head. "I'm sorry, Yang."

"It's not enough!" Yang yells as she slams her hands onto the table.

Blake flinches from this, but doesn't act scared. The door behind her opens, with a concerned Ilia having her weapon ready. Yang lowers her arms and slouches down her chair. Blake begins to stand up and looks at Yang.

"I truly am sorry." Blake said. "I really am. Honest. But I'm trying to move on, Yang. I'm trying to build something here. I'm trying to start over, to the best of my ability. For my own health and for those who have lost someone and are trying to move on. I can't change what happened this past year, Yang. I'm just trying to move forward. And you should too."

Blake then proceeds to exit the room, with Ilia following her, leaving Yang alone in the conference room. Yang just stays there as the sounds of their footprints become more fainter and fainter. But some become louder as someone arrives. Yang looks up to see Jaune, who enters the conference room.

"You okay?" Jaune asked.

"Do I look okay?" Yang asked back.

Jaune stares at Yang for a few seconds, before speaking. "Come on. I'll take you home if you'd like."

Yang stands up and proceeds to follow Jaune out of the conference room.

1 HOUR LATER - Patch

Yang and Jaune are slowly walking down the path towards Yang's house. As they walk, the have a chat.

"Have you heard anything from your mom, lately?" Jaune asked.

Yang clenches her fists. "...No. Haven't heard from her since...since Nora died. I tried so many times to contact her. But I don't care how she's doing."

"She's your mother, Yang." Jaune said.

"Yeah. One that abandoned me as a child, tried to kill us back in Haven, and killed the Spring Maiden, so she could take the role. Yeah. Mother of the Year, alright. Whatever."

"Those might be true. But regardless, she did stay with you after the Tragedy. She was the main reason, why you went to see that therapist, Weiss told you about in the first place."

"Until she scared him off." Yang said. "Don't need him anymore, though. Haven't had a breakdown in a month."

Jaune stops and has Yang do the same. "Yang. We're meeting with Ozpin tomorrow. I'm pretty sure, you're going to have one then."

Yang stares at Jaune, before looking at the floor and grabbing her arm. "Fuck. I forgot."

Jaune the places his hand on Yang's shoulder. "Tell you what. If that does happen, I'll try my best to help you."

Yang is surprised to hear Jaune's proposal. "Are you sure? You don't have to."

"But I do. I don't want to see you hurt. Okay?"

Yang slightly smiles. "You always like to help others out. Sure. Thank you."

Yang and Jaune turns, noticing her house nearby.

"You wanna come in?" Yang asked. "Zwei never got to say hi to you, the night before."

"Sorry. But I have to head home. My sisters are visiting, and well...I don't want them thinking, I abandoned them."

Yang chuckles. "Of course. I'll...I'll see you tomorrow."

Jaune, even though he wants to stay, slowly turns around and head down the path. Yang's smile fades into sadness as she walks towards her house.

EVENING - VALE

The sounds of a groan is heard. "3...hours...long. And all for a simple yes or no."

Velvet, along with Weiss, Blake and Ilia, are sitting at a park in Vale. Velvet looks like she's about to pass out.

"Those meetings tend to be like that, Velvet." Weiss said. "Hence why I leave you out of them. So you don't get bored to death."

"I'll remember that, next time." Velvet said, resting her head on Weiss' shoulder.

"Look on the bright side." Ilia said. "The Council has approved of an embassy here, in Vale. I'd say that's a victory"

"Indeed." Blake said. "And one of many achievements that's to hopefully come."

Blake notices the two of them and looks surprised. "So...the two of you?"

"Yes." Weiss said. "And we are very happy, if you were going to ask. And I assume the same with you and Ilia?"

"Absolutely." Blake said as she grabs Ilia's hand as they both stand up. "We really appreciate you helping us, Weiss. We really do."

"Thank you." Weiss said. "But...there's something else that we need to do. Having to sit for hours in a meeting was very boring. So, I propose that the four of us meet up tomorrow night at this place called The Blooming Rose. I'll be treating us to a nice dinner, as a way to celebrate."

"So...a double date, then?" Ilia asked. "I'm in."

"I am too." Blake said. "We'll meet you there. Elegant or normal clothing?"

"Just something...fancy." Weiss said, before turning her head to Velvet, who is sleeping on her shoulder. "I should take her home." She raises her hand. "Good to see you again, old friend."

Blake proceeds to shake Weiss' hand. "Likewise."

Weiss watches Blake and Ilia leave, before she shakes Velvet to wake her up.

"Huh...wha?" Velvet said, before yawning.

Weiss chuckles. "Come on. We're going home."

"But I don't wanna stand up." Velvet said, moping.

Weiss just smiles and proceeds to lift Velvet, bridal style, and the rabbit girl wrapping her arms around Weiss' neck.

Weiss then proceeds to carry Velvet as they head home.

NIGHT - PATCH

Yang sits down at her couch in her living room. Zwei is resting on her lap, as she flips through the channels of her television. She stops flipping channels and just looks around the empty living room. Often, her dad would be sitting here, drinking his evening coffee and watching the sports channel. And Ruby would be playing with Zwei, who would chase her all around the house. But they aren't there to do these things, leaving only Yang to sadly staring at the floor.

As she does so, Zwei suddenly gets up and begins to growl at something near the front door. Yang raises her head, but doesn't turn towards the door. Instead, she continues flipping through channels as footsteps are heard behind her.

"Hello, Neo."

Behind Yang, with her blade ready to strike, the girl with white and brown eyes stands in surprise. Neopolitan, the ice cream girl who once worked with Roman Torchwick lowers her blade and tilts her head.

"Enough, Zwei. It's okay."

Zwei stops growling and proceeds to head to he little bed in the corner.

"About time, huh?" Yang asked as she turns off her TV and stands up.

Neo just watches Yang proceeding toward her kitchen, leaving the former confused and angry. Neo would then rush to the kitchen and watches as Yang simply pours a cup of coffee. The latter turns as she takes a sip of her coffee, looking at Neo, who is gripping her blade tight.

"What? Did you expect me to be afraid?" Yang asked. "Well guess what?"She puts her cup down. "I'm not. Because I don't care about you...or Cinder...anyone else that you were affiliated with. Not anymore."

Neo looks at Yang in confusion.

"Salem accomplished her mission. She wiped out a quarter of Remnant's population in minutes. My...my dad...my uncle...and my sister. All dead...because of the monster that Cinder served under. I'm damaged, Neo. And what could you possibly do, to damage me more? I've got nothing to lose."

Yang then proceeds to get down onto her knees.

"Go ahead, Neo. This is why you're here, right? To kill me?" Lowers her head. "Just do it, already."

Neo just walks forward and looks down Yang, who isn't flinching. Growling, she then grabs Yang's head by her hair and forces the latter to look at her as she puts her blade on Yang's neck. Yang's face has no emotion, but tears had fallen down her face.

"Go ahead." Yang said. "Kill me."

Neo, who would've immediately has sliced Yang's throat in an instant, is now showing hesitation as she grips her blade tight. She then begins to slowly pulls it back. But Neo feels Yang grabbing her arm, forcing the blade back on her neck.

"What are you waiting for!?" Yang exclaims, more tears falling down. "Do it!? DO IT!?"

Neo then begins to struggle, trying to free herself from Yang's grip, before kicking the latter, finally freeing herself but falling down the floor. Neo just sits there, seeing Yang beginning to break down in front of her.

"WHY DIDN'T YOU DO IT?" Yang screams. "STOP HESITATING AND KILL ME NOW!"

All Neo does is just stare, now feeling stunned. The once-cocky blonde is now a broken woman, crying in her home, giving up hope.

"Please." Yang said. "I begging you. Do it."

As Neo watches Yang sobbing, she turns to her blade and proceeds to grab it. Then she would sheathe it back into her umbrella. She would once again walk forward until she stops next to Yang, who has stopped sobbing, and is now looking at her with grieving look. Neo then proceeds to place her hand on Yang's shoulder, as the blonde lowers her head. Yang can feel the girl shaking. Neo then grabs Yang's head and has her rest her head on her side, while shakily exhaling.

The two of them just stay at the kitchen, with Neo comforting Yang as she stares away in sadness, knowing what it's like to lose someone that she loved.

END OF CHAPTER 3

Hey guys. Only 7 Chapters left. And with Avengers Endgame coming out in 2 weeks, I might incorporate parts of that movie into this story. It'll depend on after I see it. And Chapter 4 might still be in writing by that time. But other then that, this small reunion of old friends happen, Blake and Yang finally see each other after a year, and Neo returns. Who else might return later on? Until then, I'll see u guys later!