So... this chapter's a little late, mainly because I wasn't quite happy with it. I redid it more than a few times, though in the end I managed to come to something that I'm at least moderately happy with. IU might still come back and change it later, but for now here it is.
On the RWBY side of things, Vol6's first chapter just dropped. I got to see it on Saturday being a first member and… I liked it. I readlly really liked it. Really, I'm not sure what to think about myself. I consider myself at least a moderately fair critic, but any time it comes to watching RWBY the first time at least I can't help the shakes. I get really into it, you know?
Anyway, won't talk about it here since it's only fair that I wait until everyone gets to see it, nut I think more than a few people will be happy with the action we were given, as well as general visuals and the like.
still, we all thought the same with the first two chapters of Vol 5, so a cautious optimism still. I'll look forward to it all the same and since the intro is up on you tube I can at least talk about that.
mainly the old lady, Ozpins past and a particular blonde woman...
I hope it's not Salem.
Because I mean seriously, if Salem ends up being a spurred lover or something I will seethe with ungodly amounts of rage.
I mean, I'll put a prediction down saying she used to be human, I.. have a road I'm going with that even in this story, but if she and Oz got busy and now she's mad then so will I be.
Salem needs her own character damnit.
I suppose I'll wait and see. if anything, I'm just excited for new characters to add to this little journey. Usually my stories are more freeform. I have a beginning, an end, and a few scenes or events I decide must happen no matter what, but the rest is up in the air, makes it easier that way.
Also Neo, the scariest fuckin mute on Remnant is coming back y'all!
if her and Cinder team up we might actually get so amazing characterisation for both of them.
Can you imagine them as their own faction gunning for Ruby in revenge? It would be amazing.
...
"Can you tell what's been a thorn in my side Blake?" The dark-haired Faunus blinked, turning to the older woman. They were alone together, in her home or about as alone as they could be one such a small island.
A fact that was becoming quite clear to Blake for the last while. Too many people in such a compact place.
"Is it something dad said?"
"Yes…. Or at least what Ghira is refusing to do."
"And that is?"
"Listen to reason!" Sienna sighed. "Blake, you've seen the problems Menagerie is facing, haven't you?"
She bit her lip. "I have… we're low on food, lien and usable land thanks to all the Faunus flooding in over the months."
"Exactly. Even after establishing checkpoints to try and at least slow the flow of people it hasn't been enough. We just can't keep up with the demand."
"And dad is being a problem?"
The tiger Faunus scoffed. "Not with that, amazingly, though we'll get to that, you're aware of the…. Disappearances aren't you?"
She was: for the last month Faunus had been vanishing nearly without a had been one or two at first, something for the police force on Menagerie to deal with. Then. Four or five, six, seven eight and so on. It hit the double digits and still no one had a clue as to why.
Crime wasn't exactly common in Menagerie, at least not before the White Fang had arrived to shake things up. Now moreover, with low food supplies and overcrowding, it was starting to pick up.
Then the White Fang themselves realised they were missing a few of their numbers.
Thirty, thirty people missing and nothing to tell people what had happened to them.
Nothing but a few splashes of blood.
Blake feared the worst.
"I know of them."
"Well Ghira doesn't want us to do anything." Sienna growled. "He's worried of starting a witch-hunt looking for the culprits, which I could understand if this showed any signs of stopping. He says we should leave it to law enforcement here."
Blake raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you basically the new law enforcement here?"
Sienna scoffed again. "Quiet you."
She knew what she was talking about in any case. Sienna might not have pushed for it, but the White Fang was a fighting force that had planted itself in Menagerie. They were a power now, and even if they were under Sienna and not the Chieftain of the village people saw them as what was essentially the armed forces here. In that way, though people were still rightly suspicious, most were fine to look to them for protection.
Blake sighed. "I understand. Even if you think it's the right thing to do you can't go against dads word publicly… it might cause another civil war."
"Exactly." She aid. "Something needs to be done, sooner rather than later tensions are getting worse underneath the surface even if your father can't see it I keep pushing for action by Ghira just pushes back each time… it doesn't help that Kali is supportive of him no matter what."
"Isn't that a good thing for a couple?"
"Don't be ridiculous. If two people agreed on everything they'd never make a proper decision. Kali is a good woman, but she refuses to go against Ghira's decisions even if she knows their wrong."
"What is she doesn't?"
"Huh?"
Blake sighed. "People don't always realise they're making stupid mistakes… not until it's too late anyway."
"You sound like you- oh…"
She managed a rueful smile. "Yeah, count the White Fang as just one of those mistakes."
Sienna fell into silence for a brief moment, thinking to herself.
"So what should I do then? To get your father to see it my way I mean."
"I don't know." She shrugged. "But You're talking with him tonight aren't you? I'll come with you, see if I can't help you convince him."
"… I appreciate it." The tiger laughed. "At least I can get on well with one of the Belladonna's."
"Looks like it." Blake agreed. "So what to do now then?"
"I would be thankful if you could come with me to go over the men again. If you could."
She sighed. "The recruits again?"
"And the more veteran of the Fang."
"Sienna, you know they're not much better."
She didn't mean it harshly, but it was true. The fact was that the White Fang Sienna had brought with her to Menagerie weren't the elites like she had said, at least, they weren't any more. At best, they were above the average grunt, filled with more determination and grit than skill and experience."
Sienna didn't refute the point. "It couldn't be helped… my best died to make sure I made it out of Mistral alive."
"…right… sorry."
"It's fine." The White Fang leader waved. "What's done is done, you had no part in it. You will come with me though won't you?"
"Will Ilia be there?"
"She will."
"Then okay. Lead the way."
The so-called training ground as it was, was in fact no more than an open field.
It had a rifle range and plenty of open space but other than that it was pretty much lacking in any sort of quality.
Menagerie wasn't a military power, it just never had the reason or resources to invest in any sort of foremost defence or arms, that much was clear.
There were about twenty or thirty Faunus spread out across the field, in pairs sparing while Ilia and a few other veterans oversaw them on a ridge.
The two feline Faunus made there way over, and when Ilia saw them coming she shot Blake a little grin.
"Glad you decided to finally join us."
Blake rolled her eyes in good humour as she came to a stop beside her, Sienna on the other side. Ilia nodded. "Ma'am."
"How are things progressing?" the older woman asked, scanning over the recruits.
"Better, than I expected anyway;
"You have low expectations."
"True. I'm not much of a frontline fighter, you already know that though."
Blake sighed. "I suppose we should get started then shouldn't we?"
The other two nodded as she hopped down to the ground and sighed.
A few looked her way but a bark from a veteran reminded them not to lose focus. Blake ignored it. That wasn't really what she was here for.
She looked around, eyes scanning the few dozen Faunus slowly. She wasn't exactly great material for teaching. She'd learned the practical way, mud and blood. The best she could do was give these recruits a few pointers, tell them where they were going wrong.
Speaking of which.
She made her way over to a Faunus holding a spear in a way that he might have ended up stabbing himself in the foot. She shook her head as she spotted the familiar ram horns. "Mata, what are you doing?"
The young man blinked for a moment before realising who it was that had asked him and straightening up. "Miss Belladonna! I'm, practising?"
"Not like that you're not." She said, standing beside him now. "Show me your stance."
He did so, holding the polearm before him.
Blake sighed. "How many times have we been through this Mata?"
"O-oh! Right, sorry." He coughed, crouching a little lower, widening his stance.
"Don't hold the spear in front of you like that." She told her, guiding his arms. "If you hold it like that then as soon as you hit any kind of force you'll impale yourself."
"Right."
"Don't lock your joints."
"Yes ma'am."
"Eyes forward."
"Uh-uh."
"Show me a thrust."
He nodded, doing as he was told as Blake watched. He stabbed at the air. She didn't speak. He did it again and she watched.
He did it again. And again. And again.
"You need to push further. "She said. "You're wasting the reach of that spear."
"Alright."
She sighed. "What is it Mata?"
"huh?"
"You're usually not this quiet. Frankly you talk so much it's a wonder the others don't find you annoying."
"Do you?"
"That's not important." She waved off." There's something that's got you thinking. What is it?"
He sighed, setting the spear to the side as he scratched the back of his head. "My mom found out I was doing this." He admitted.
Blake stared. "You… hadn't told her beforehand?"
"No" he gasped as if she'd asked a particularly offensive question. "My mom would freak out if she'd known I was doing this in the beginning. Even now she wasn't me to stop.
"Really?"
"She's super overprotective like that. Doesn't even like the idea of me learning to defend myself."
"Did you tell her that's what you're doing here? Just learning to defend yourself?"
"She doesn't believe me." He sighed. "She thinks I'm going off to do something dangerous and get myself killed."
"Considering how you use that spear I can't blame her." Blake quipped.
Mata groaned. "Am I really that bad?"
"No," she admitted. "But if your mothers worried about you then she has every right to be. You know that don't you?"
"I mean, yes." He mumbled. "I just… I wish she'd relax a little bit, let me do things on my own you know?"
"I understand." Blake nodded. "But she's not really stopping you is she?"
"I… no?"
"Then you're fine. She's just worried. Let her be worried and assure her you'll be okay. After a while of you not getting hurt I'm sure she'll calm down."
"That makes sense. I guess."
Blake rolled her eyes. "Of course it does. God, why des helping you defend yourself translate into dealing with your mother?"
"Because mothers are terrifying when you make them upset?"
"…Okay maybe," she relented. "We'll see. Forget about that now, get back to it, I'm going to work on some other poor saps."
"Um, when you say 'work' on what do you mean?"
Blake chuckled. None of them were prepared.
…
…
Tension built behind her shoulders.
Blake wasn't sure why, or how she knew what it was exactly, but she did all the same.
It was like a knot. A weight right on the back of her neck and she wasn't really sure what to do with it. This was important. It was really important and she was going to be a part of it.
No… no she was more of a bystander. She would sit and listen and if asked a question then she'd speak. She nodded to herself. Yeah, she needed to appear mature here or she might not be allowed to take part again.
It didn't help though how her left side twitched.
As if it could feel her nervousness and was reacting to it. She swallowed, lifting the collar of her coat a little higher to hide the creeping lines making their way up her neck. She wasn't angry. She was calm, totally calm.
Now wasn't the time to make things any harder for herself.
She could focus on that later, right now wasn't the time.
… great, now she was repeating herself.
Thankfully that was put to a stop before it could get any worse as Sienna saw her approach. The tiger Faunus was stood outside the door to the living room where they'd be having their meeting.
Her dad liked comfort over formality after all.
"Good, you're here… are you alright?"
Blake sighed. "Yeah… yeah I'm fine. So, what do think we're going to talk about tonight?"
Sienna let out a sigh. "pointless trifle I assume."
The younger Faunus hesitated, shooting her a look. "You think so?"
"Probably. Ghira is… well you already know how he and I don't agree. Frankly I don't see what on Remnant there is to discuss. This missing's persons issue is all I care about at the moment but I'm sure he'll have some reason to avoid it."
"Well then I suppose we should get started then."
"Yes, I suppose we should."
And like that the time for pause was gone. Sienna stepped past Blake and opened the door before her.
A tiny part of Blake's mind complained about how big those doors were. Far too intimidating, far too large for indoors.
It promptly vanished as she caught sight of her parents.
Blake didn't know why she was nervous. She'd seen them every day since she'd gotten home.
And yet the sight of her mother and father sitting at a table with a sombre look on their faces caused her throat to clench up.
"Blake." He nodded seriously. Not an inflection of surprise in his voice. She didn't expect there to be. He'd known she was coming even if he'd kept his opinion on it to himself.
"And Sienna." He went on. "if the two of you are ready we can begin right now."
Sienna nodded, taking a moment to kneel down at the low table.
A table that separated her from Ghria and Kali.
Blake bit her lip as her left side… twitched.
Her mom and dad were on one side, together as a joint force.
Sienna was alone. She was alone at her side of the table for each and every one of their meetings.
They outvoted her.
They opposed her.
It was clever, taking into account what Sienna had said, how her mother always took her dads side on issues they disagreed on.
Clever…
But devious.
And not in a way Blake was completely happy with.
She felt a growl build in the back of her throat, one she pushed down with a momentous effort… it was devious, conniving and dishonest. They deliberately overpowered Sienna on these matters… but what had she expected honestly?
As much as Blake had loathed to admit it when she was younger, the White Fang was a dangerous force. Even in times when it had been peaceful it had the potential to be dangerous. The Faunus had been hurt, wronged and angry at the best of times. A person had needed to lead them, had to understand those feelings, use them… direct them.
Here at this table, Blake saw two examples of how those feelings had been used.
Both had failed in her eyes.
She shook her head minutely.
Now wasn't… it wasn't the time. She could contemplate leadership later.
Right now, she was here to change that balance of power.
As much as she didn't like it, she would likely be opposing her parents tonight.
Which meant Sienna needed an ally in her.
She had to be one.
In the spirit of that, Blake moved to kneel at the table, besides the tiger Faunus.
A small show, but one all the same.
Ghira's brow creased ever-so-slightly.
The message was clear to him. She was with Sienna.
He cleared his throat.
"So, we have a number of topics to discuss before we get to the… main issue of tonight. I hope you don't mind but it might take a while."
Blake expected the older Faunus beside her to bristle at that. At not getting to the root, the most important thing first. Blake new she felt irritation at it. It wasn't her left side causing such feelings either.
Which was why she was surprised when Sienna simply nodded.
"Of course. I'm assuming the first thing will be touching on is Menagerie's supply lines?"
"Or lack thereof, yes." Ghira nodded.
"By all means go on ahead then."
The Belladonna's head nodded, but instead of speaking, glanced towards his wife.
"In terms of supply lines across the sea it's not a lie to say we have nothing to show for our efforts. Once again the loss of the CCT is placing a large amount of distrust on the Faunus population. Any traders big or influential enough to lend us aid are refusing to based on what the White Fang did to Beacon… Food seems to be our biggest issue, but the fact that our treasury of Lien is floundering doesn't entice them either."
She turned to Blake, and the younger girl was beginning to think they were explaining this for her sake.
"All the work we've had to put into extra residence, for the new arrivals, has stretched on thin on more than just the literal resources, but how we can afford to maintain them. That's not to mention our security has been left to a… the White Fang is considered a third party."
Sienna made a noise. "The transition could have been easier if you had made a public statement and threw your support in with us when we arrived."
"You know we couldn't have.. since hearing about what happened at Beacon, having Menagerie be openly supportive of the White Fang, especially since the world doesn't know if it's split, would bring the other kingdoms down on us."
A reasonable point Blake thought. It wasn't particularly wrong… but…
"Something still needs to be done about the divide." Sienna pressed. "Even if you can't weigh in with a statement of allegiances you can still ask the people to show some sort of hospitality."
Ghira frowned. "AS far as I have heard they trust them enough to protect them. "Sienna scoffed. "Yes, and that's about it. There's a separation in the two groups... expecting people to die in your defence isn't the same as treating them as equals. You especially should understand that."
Blake suppressed the urge to bite her lip as her dad made a face that hinted he was none too pleased with Sienna's words.
Were discussions between them always like this?
Had it been this way even before her dad had stepped down?
Kali sighed, muttering under her breath. Blake picked it up, though only through her left ear. Unbalancing her for a moment even as she pretended she didn't hear;
"We're going to have to go through this again."
And they did.
They spoke about the villagers. They discussed the food and Lien deficiencies and argued about their forces. They talked about housing, farming. Sustainability, Dust, weapons, travel, the growing wildlife problems.
It went on for what Blake was pretty sure was hours.
And through it all Blake listened, offering her opinion only when asked by Sienna.
It felt like her own father wasn't too keen on asking her for her thoughts, it seemed he'd come to the conclusion that Blake was firmly on Sienna's side.
It… wasn't completely like that.
Even if it felt like that.
Sienna and her just agreed on far more things being brought up even as her parents disparaged their words.
Frankly, it irritated Blake.
They didn't know how bad Adam was, Blake and Sienna did. They knew that bolstering their defences wasn't just some push for more power but necessary if the new so-called leader of the White Fang turned his gaze to the only Faunus haven on Remnant.
Peace was fine in wartime she thought, but now wasn't peace. And if they weren't going to attack they needed to at least defend their home.
Why couldn't her father see that?
It eventually got to the point though that Blake stopped caring about what the either of them were thinking. They were still arguing by the time the moon rose up into the sky.
"You can't seriously be telling me you want to let Taurus get away with what he's doing!" Sienna growled, slamming a hand on the table. "We have to put a stop to him!"
Ghira crossed his arms. "And how would you propose we do that? Fight them? Start some kind of civil war on a larger scale? No, even if we were to consider that possibility we wouldn't have the people to fight him."
"We could!"
"No, we could not!" he snapped. "The people of menagerie are people who've relinquished the fight. They've grown tired of it. Don't think I don't know about your band of… 'fighters' that you've been cultivating. Menagerie will not sacrifice its people for that. I will not sacrifice people for that."
"Oh well you're doing an amazing job of that so far." She snarled. "Fine, if you're not going to focus on outside our borders then what about inside? What about people disappearing? Have you done anything on that matter?"
There was a pause.
"Yes actually… I have."
She didn't know if it was the one of his voice, or the way he said it but Blake was immediately suspicious, to the point where she realised her eyes were narrowed in her father's direction.
"What do you mean you have?" Blake asked. "I haven't seen anything like that in town… there haven't been any searches that's for sure."
"I… have pulled a few strings."
"Ghira," Sienna spoke in a flat voice. "What did you do?"
"We can't risk sending people out to look for whatever or whoever it is causing these disappearances. We needed someone far safer for ourselves."
"Ghira. What. Did. You. Do."
"… I sent a request oversees to Vale asking for aid… a group of Mercenaries sent back a message saying they had accepted my request."
Sienna stared. Blake stared.
They both stared at the man in disbelief. When Sienna spoke again it was barely a whisper.
"You thought it would be better to ask strangers to come to menagerie… than to let your own people handle their problems?"
"I-"
"Are you insane!?" she roared suddenly, shaking them all with her rage. Blake flinched back. Where was this coming from?
"After all that bloody politics with our supplies, with you saying we didn't have the Lien to get by you tell me, right to my face that you hired mercenaries?!"
"Sienna-"
"Don't 'Sienna' me Ghira. You're bringing outsiders to this island the last haven for Faunus on all of Remnant and you're bringing people we don't even know here? Do you have any idea the risks that could bring with it?"
"There are risks if we leave this matter unattended."
"That's what I've been saying!" Sienna practically screamed. "Let me pull together our own people to-"
"NO!" Ghira bellowed with a show of aggression Blake hadn't seen from him in a long time. It took the wind out of Sienna's sails all too effectively. He took a breath. "I will not risk people on a situation we aren't clear about. I have already decided on mercenaries… people… people we wouldn't mind losing if this is more dangerous than we predict it to be."
Blake's skin shivered with a feeling she couldn't place. So that was his plan then? To use expendable strangers? It sounded… cold.
Sienna eyed him wearily. "Do… do you know anything at all about them?"
"…A few things." Ghira admitted. "They are a group of three… I believe they have a Faunus amidst them, and instead of names I received titles: The Sage, The Trident, and The Berserker."
The tiger Faunus snorted, though to Blake's ears it sounded bitter.
"Practically charming names. I bet they're completely trustworthy don't you think Blake?"
"I…" Blake hesitated. "I don't know. I don't understand why you'd ask help from Vale… I mean, they were just hit by a major terror attack less than a year ago."
No, she did. Practically they were the only kingdom Menagerie could reach out to. Really, that said more about their poor situation than anything else, that a damaged kingdom was their best chance of aid.
"And, it's not only that, but with all the…" she glanced over at Sienna. "new people living here. I don't know if it's the best idea to bring humans onto the island, even with a Faunus at their side. I mean, can we even trust them to not harm anyone? They're mercenaries."
"Well… I believe they actually went by the term Bounty Hunter… which I know is more… reputable in some ways."
Blake sighed. I don't know what I'm supposed to say. You already when ahead and decided haven't you? Before you even brought up the conversation, before you asked or discussed it you went behind our – Sienna's – back and made the choice for us."
"Blake," her mother protested gently. "You know it's not like that."
In spite of that, Blake felt a flash of hot anger surge through her as she shot a glare their way.
Again, the divide between them was apparent.
"Isn't it? The two of you made the decision without anyone else's consent. Regardless of whether or not it might be the right one the consequences are on you now. If this is the way you ran the White Fang all those years ago I can see why there was a cry for change."
She'd had enough. Suddenly being in this room was too much for her.
She stood up. "It's late. We've barely discussed anything useful" she glanced at Sienna. "and I'm tired. I'm going to bed."
The other woman let out a breath and nodded, doing the same. "I will to. It's clear we weren't needed at this so-called meeting… I will be waiting for these Bounty Hunters to arrive, and if they fail, I'll carry out the search myself, with or without your permission."
There was silence as Blake stalked out of the room, but for the life of her she couldn't care less. Instead, all she could think about was how useless that had been.
Had that been what the White Fang had been like six years ago? Before that even? If it was, Blake was beginning to realise just how much they had all failed.
How they'd all wasted their time squabbling amongst themselves when a bigger issue was at play. If this taking sides business was all it had been back then, then it was the reason they'd failed to truly make a difference.
And again, Blake hated how it made her feel.
Disheartened.
…
…
The ship came into the docks that next afternoon. Obviously from her home Blake couldn't make out anyone stepping off, but even so there was no commotion, no crowd or even just a group of people making their way specifically to her home. She would have thought there would have been, for a bounty hunter that as.
"You okay?" Ilia asked, leaning against the railings.
Blake shook her head. "No… at least… I don't think so. This idea is… strange. I get why dad wouldn't want to send anyone after a group of murders in case they were next, but a stranger? How is that going to do anyone any good. Not to mention they're human."
The chameleon raised an eyebrow. "You have a problem with that? I thought you were all friendly with humans."
"I… I am, and it's not that. It's just that bringing them here, to menagerie is a big step… Senna's just the extreme example but I don't think everybody is going to be happy with humans just suddenly appearing and taking money from our coffers, even if they know we need their help."
"Well at least one of them is a Faunus right? Your dad found that much out about them at least."
"Yeah," she scoffed. "And nothing else. "I mean, The Trident, The Sage and The Berserker? Not exactly friendly sounding names. I don't know Ilia…. I'm just not sure we can trust them."
"Then we don't." She shrugged. "We keep an eye on them, give them the information they need to help, hope they can and when it's over they get paid and leave, simple as that."
Blake's shoulders slumped. "I suppose you're right. Sorry."
"Don't be. You're allowed to think about stuff like this isn't a good idea if you don't think it is. I'm just worried about how Sienna's going to react when she meets them. What do you think they're like anyway?"
"I don't know. Rough maybe? If they're bounty hunters I'm guessing they must be ruthless in their jobs. If they have a Faunus in their group then I'm guessing they're not racists at least, but I think I should get a look at them before my parents get close anyway."
There was a thump below her feet and they both startled. Her dad said something and a second later the sound of the front door opening below them could be heard, along with the chieftains loud greeting.
"Well I guess it's a little late for that now."
Blake sighed but let that one go.
"Come on." She said. "We might as well join my parents."
Ilia nodded and followed her as they made their way downstairs. She heard them before she could see them, voices, muffled through the doors but she could at least make out the words as her ears perked up.
"Nice place you've got here." One said, smooth and friendly, not what she expected exactly but there it was. "Big place too. You guys have servants here?"
"More like bodyguards," that was her mother's voice. "They're here for protection of… well us, but you don't have to worry. They're not dangerous to you I promise."
"Nah it's okay." Another voice came, slightly deeper but a whole lot more… chipper. Her and Ilia shared a look as they got closer. "It's kinda cool seeing it all. First time any of us have been to Menagerie. It's a little different than I thought it would be, a lot of people… more than a lot actually."
"Yes I know what you mean." Her dad said. "We're working on it as best we can but things have been hard. It's been even harder with these recent disappearances… we're hoping you could solve them. After you've rested of course, I can guess how the voyage must have been tiring."
"That would be nice." A third voice agreed. A feminine voice. A very familiar voice. Blake's eyes widened. "Maybe we can talk about what's happened here over some tea?
She was there, Blake was at the door. She might have waited in any other circumstance, but that voice. She had to know! She threw the door open and came face to face with three people she'd never expected to be in her home.
Sun and Neptune stared at her wide-eyed, rightly as shocked as she was. They looked a little bit different. They stood a little taller, stronger, sharper. Sun wasn't wearing a simple white shirt anymore, but an open black jacket and shorts with an assortment of belts, buckles and pouches holding things she didn't even recognise. Some looked like herbs, other power and some dust. His staff was propped up against him, and one end looked like it was plated silver.
Neptune was similar in the changes to his colour scheme. He still had his red jacket, but the grey was replaced with black, and he was… armoured. Some kind of pauldrons and greaves were fairly new accessories.
They looked different.
But not as different as Yang.
She'd seen the thing she was wearing before. That black coat was worn by some of the people who'd tried to protect Vale. It looked like she'd given it an upgrade.
A breastplate peaked out from her coat, covering her chest and neck over her orange scarf that wrapped around her neck, chin and draped down her shoulder.
Ember Celica was still around her wrists, but she still clearly showed off her obsidian arm for all to see. Her boots covered her legs though, hiding the paired false limb.
Her hair was longer. Blake's first thought was how striking it was, more than ever. It was so much more untamed, spiked, roaring, like a mane; bright and wild and wicked.
Blake's eyes travelled down, to a thin scar across her cheek where Adam had cut her.
And then, she saw her eyes.
Blood red, and boring into her.
Her dad perked up at her arrival.
"Ah! I was wondering when you'd arrive. These are the bounty hunters I was talking about. Miss Branwen, this is my daughter B-"
"Blake."
He stopped, blinking. "I… yes. How did you…
He trailed off as he noticed Blake's stare. Her mother looked between them. "Do… you two know each other?"
"We-" Blake swallowed. "We were partners… back at Beacon."
"Really?!" Kali gasped. "That's wonderful then! We know at least then that Miss Branwen is trustworthy."
Wait, what had her mother just called-
Yang shifted, eyes not leaving Blake. "Do you know?... Belladonna… your last names… they're Belladonna, right?"
Ghira blinked. "I... yes they are. Why?"
"And is Belladonna a common name?"
"It is I suppose. I was just like everyone else before I started up the White Fang."
Yang hissed so loud and angrily and volatile her parents flinched back in shock. So did she.
"Funny." Yang said, though she didn't sound the least bit amused… she sounded angry. "Blake failed to mention to me that little part of her life… I didn't even know she was from Menagerie. "which is strange, considering her and I were… close."
There was an undertone there, one her father didn't catch right away, but when he did, he looked alarmed, understandably so, since Blake hadn't told them. She hadn't told them anything about her life at Beacon, she'd avoided it. But for Yang to bring it up here, so suddenly, so unceremoniously and cold.
His eyes flickered to her, as he suddenly picked up on the tension radiating from Yang.
Sun and Neptune were silent, listening. If anything, they seemed to be monitoring the situation now.
They were watching Yang's movements.
The blonde was tensing, fists opening and closing. Sun leaned in, saying something into her ears that Blake couldn't pick up and suddenly Yang took a breath. It was strained with a forced calm. She glanced up at her fellow blond and nodded. He stepped back.
It seemed to prevent the feeling of upcoming conflict… but not much else.
"I… wasn't aware of that."
"Of course you weren't, why would you be? It's not like Blake is a very truthful person. She lies, a lot apparently. Isn't that right Blake?"
"Yang I-"
The Faunus was cut off by a growl that came from the blonde's throat. "Don't," she snarled. "Don't even talk to me. Whatever you have to say I don't want to-"
The doors slammed open as Sienna stalked in. she growled as if to say something, but her eyes fell on yang before she could. She stiffened, before straightening up and narrowing her eyes at the human.
"So… these are the bounty hunters." It came out low, cold. Blake felt the threat there, in her words, in her movements as she stepped up, face-to-face with Yang not an arm's length between them.
Anyone else would have been intimidated.
Yang should have been intimidated.
She wasn't.
"Sienna Khan." She grunted, acting for all the world as if the woman in front of her wasn't dangerous. "Leader of the White Fang. Funny, didn't expect you to be here."
The tiger's eyes narrowed. "And where did you expect me to be human?"
Yang grinned. It wasn't a friendly one. She bared her teeth and Blake didn't fail to notice the feeling that suddenly pressed down on her, like that of a predator hunting its prey. It put Ilia and her parents on edge.
"Wow, that's funny. You know you sound like every other White Fang drone I've ever heard. Human is that the best you can come up with? To answer your question though, I thought you'd be dead in a ditch somewhere, either from being assassinated after the massacre that was Beacon, or killed off by some other freak following your orders. Or hey, it was a wild guess, but I thought maybeyou'd be someone Grimm's bitch."
Sienna snarled. "What are you-"
"Ah, ah, ah!" Yang chastised, wagging a finger. "No arguments in the client's house. In case you haven't noticed I'm not here for you. Fact is I don't really care that you're here so unless you have something useful for me I think you should get lots. I'm here to solve your little problem with the disappearances."
Sienna didn't like that, and her fists clenched angrily. "We don't need you."
"Funny, really it is. Maybe you can explain to me all the dead bodies you're going to have to bury when this is over."
Kali's hands flew to her mouth. "What?"
"I asked around town before I got here." Yang explained for their benefits, softer and more respectful that what she'd offered Blake or Sienna. "The first few disappeared months ago. They're dead, no questions there, but if there's blood like people have seen then my guess is they people missing weren't taken gently. I need to take a look at the places they went missing more first before I can help, but that's my first guess."
"I-" Ghira swallowed. "How about we look at them right away then? We can save the pleasantries for after."
She nodded. "That would be a good idea. Lead the way."
He did so, leaving the room with yang in tow. She didn't even look back.
Once they were gone though, Sun whirled around with a stony face and a mad look in his eye. "Do you have a death wish?!"
The seriousness in which he asked caused Blake to flinch back. "W-what? What are you- no, Sun what are you even doing here? What's going on? You're bounty hunters now?"
"Yeah," he nodded. "have been since the Fall. Listen I get that you're surprised about us being here, but I gotta say it now before you do something stupid; don't talk to Yang."
"What?!"
"I'm sorry I'm confused." Kali stepped forward. Blake didn't fail to notice how Ilia had taken a few steps back, or how Sienna was currently glaring at the male duo. "I'm afraid I'm not up to date on my daughters' acquaintances. Who are you if I can ask?"
"Oh, right." Sun blinked, suddenly a lot friendlier like she remembered, seriousness put on hold for the moment. He reached out and shook her mother's hand. "The names Sun Wukong, this is my buddy Neptune Vasilias and the girl who just left is our leader Yang Branwen."
"You mean Xiao-Long." Blake frowned. "Branwen is her mother's name."
Neptune shook his head. "That's what she's called now. Don't say Xiao-Long in public, people might be able to trace it back to her dad."
"Trace it back?"
"It's complicated."
Blake's face fell. "Guys what's going on?"
"We can't tell you."
She scowled, Sienna however answered first.
"Can't tell her? It sounds like you have something to hide."
"Oh, gee really?" Sun drawled in a tone of sarcasm Blake had never heard from him. "Great job on that one miss. Yeah we have something to hide. Far as I can tell it has nothing to do with you though."
Sienna bared her teeth at that. "Watch who you're talking to boy. I don't take kindly to that sort of disrespect, even from fellow Faunus."
Sun paused, eyes roaming up and down the tigers form. If anything, he looked bored.
"Listen lady. I've seen, fought, and killed more dangerous things than you. Deadlier things than you. You don't scare me even a little. Besides, in case you forgot we're here to help."
"How exactly?" Ilia cut in quickly before Sienna could snap again. "I mean, what are you going to do about it?"
Neptune answered with a shrug. "Don't really know. All depends on what Yang sees. We'll work things out from there as we go from there." Then he sighed.
"Listen, Blake?"
"Yeah."
"I'm going to give you some advice, I'd be a pretty good idea to follow it." He bore into her as if to press the point.
"Well, what is it?"
"Stay away from Yang."
She stared at him for a minute, waiting for the punchline. For him to say he was kidding and give her some actual advice.
But when she realised there wasn't one, something angry twisted inside her. "Are you serious?"
"Yes." He responded breezily. "I think it would be a good idea if you didn't talk to her let us do our job here without the two of you talking."
"She's my partner."
There was a pause as Sun sighed, turning, and walking away but not before giving a few last parting words. "Was your partner… She's different now… and I hope you don't figure out what exactly that means."
…
…
A curved blade sang as a whetstone was dragged across its edge.
Sharper.
Wicked.
A girl in a red hood sat on a tree stump, one arm hanging by her side as a Scythe rested on her lap.
Shink!
Shink!
Shink!
Eyes of silver were honed on the task before her, and yet they flittered as two figures approached her.
A man and a woman.
A monster and a thief.
A crook and a pyromaniac.
The girl didn't stop in her sharpening actions but her head tilted to one side, showing that she was listening.
"We've got everything we need kid. Whenever you're ready just say the word." The man said.
"All the necessary preparations have been made." The woman followed next. "The others are similarly prepared… whenever you decide, we are with you."
The girl paused in her motions, the whistle of her blade coming to an abrupt stop.
"It's… early." She mused, in a voice that sounded like it hadn't been active in a while. She hummed, hopping off the treestump, standing up as a red scythe rested on her shoulder.
"Should we start then?"
...
…
So yeah, not quite down with Blake's side of things yet, but Yang's got plenty left to explore, and with what's going on in Menagerie it should be interesting. Especially when they have problems rising up like poverty and a lack of food.
Nothing could go wrong...
Absolutely nothing.
Can't give too much away though, you'll find out soon enough.
And then, we'll get into the meat of this arc, and it's something I've been waiting for.
Oh boy.
Once again, I wish I could draw though. do you guys know any people who do good RWBY commissions? I might just get desperate enough for them eventually.
And I've been genuinely curious lately, how many of you would rather be a professional artist or a professional writer?
I might do a poll on it just because, though next week, I hear there've been problems with hackings and all that on the sight if you go onto people's profile pages. so... yeah, don't do that here, just in case.