Chapter 15

The sound of knocking at the door had awakened Blake from her sleep as she opened her golden eyes. She couldn't see anything but was sure that it was morning already. The person at the door, it could only be Winter knocking at this time like she said she would. When she tried to move she could feel that her neck was stiff, she expected as much considering how she had fallen asleep. She could also feel that one of her arms was around Yang's waist but as she tried to move herself again she found she couldn't. It came to her attention that the blonde had her in some sort of headlock for some reason. Yang's arm was tight around her neck and so she moved her hand to try and pry herself free. As usual she didn't mind it but she had to answer the door quickly, otherwise she'd have stayed.

After freeing herself she pulled at the quilt. Somehow she had ended up under it as she slept. She saw Yang as her eyes adjusted to the light, she was still fast asleep despite the knocking at the door, of which several more came followed by Winter's voice, "It is five minutes past eight in the morning, how are you two not awake!?" she yelled.

Blake rubbed her eyes before crawling over the bed towards the side of the room that had the door on it. She stepped up off the bed and made her way towards it. Standing in front of the door she removed the chain lock and pulled it open. Stood there was Winter, arms crossed as if she had been waiting longer than necessary. "Sorry" muttered Blake as she kept rubbing her eyes, stepping aside for the woman to enter. She didn't seem to care that the Faunus was wearing so little.

Winter strode into the room and came to a halt before the bed, glaring down at Yang as she slept. Blake shut the door before following after, she leaned forward to nudge the sleeping woman's shoulder in an attempt to wake her up. And she did. Lilac eyes glanced around before looking to Blake. Yang smirked at her in a friendly manner before her eyes caught notice of Winter. Her expression seemed to waver at that point.

"Enjoy your break?" asked Winter in a stern tone, her icy glare not leaving Yang..

"Uhh..." was all that came from Yang's lips.

With a sigh Winter shook her head, "Never mind. I have some news" she answered. To this Blake looked to her, her golden eyes widening slightly as she came to a realization. She hadn't told Yang about Neo and it was likely that Winter would and should that happen Yang would know that Blake kept it from her.

In a quick attempt to avoid such a scenario the Faunus spoke out, "Can you let us change first?" she asked.

Winter looked to Blake with an uncertain expression, "Why? Is you being fully clothed more important than what I have to say?" she asked.

Blake had to keep thinking up quick answers so that the conversation seemed natural. "I just feel a little uncomfortable" she replied as her eyes turned away in feigned embarrassment.

Once more the woman simply stared her down. "I am a professional, Miss Belladonna" she stated, her eyes didn't leave her face as if trying to prove a point.

"Pfft, come on Winter, Blakey is just shy. She can't talk to strangers in her underwear" came Yang's voice to which Blake was very thankful to hear. Even now she had her back.

Winter looked to Yang and paused as she closed her eyes, "It concerns me that you just implied that you can" she answered before turning around. "I will be waiting outside, be quick about it" she added as she made her way back to the door, leaving the room.

As soon as the woman had left Blake took out her scroll and started typing out a message as fast as she could. The message read, "I didn't tell her about Neo yet. Please don't mention it". After having sent it to Winter who was just outside the door she turned to getting dressed. Yang on the other hand seemed to be taking her time with it, wherever due to her still being in a lazy mood or simply because of her having one arm was unclear.

Before they were even finished changing Winter had re-entered the room, her eyes narrowing at Blake who caught the stare. "Yang, Blake" spoke the woman as she turned back to the two, kicking the door behind her shut.

"Hey, we're not ready" mentioned Yang, the woman ignored her.

"I thought you would be quicker. I gave you time, now let me make my statement" she began, her voice seeming more cold than usual. Blake looked worried, would Winter really tell Yang about Neo? And no doubt Yang's trust in Blake would waver as a result. "I came to inform you both personally that Neo was not at her apartment. She escaped" answered the woman.

Blake was shocked that Winter would lie on her behalf, or perhaps she was simply doing it for Yang's sake. Causing mistrust between the two girls would only damage their efficiency in the long run and Winter had no reason to want that. She caught another look from her, the Faunus knew she would owe her a favour for this.

But one person wasn't taking the information too well. Yang looked furious. "What? Can't your men do anything right!?" she lashed, her eyes blinking into red as her anger raised.

In times like these Blake would try to calm Yang down, usually in the same manner that you would try to calm anything with a wild temper. Show it your palms, give it some space and in this case, simply talk to them. But Blake had yet to attempt any such actions as Winter's approach was drastically different from her own. The Faunus was almost inspired by her in fact.

Winter had taken a step towards Yang, eyes piercing her as her brow furrowed. "Perhaps if would stop rushing into things like I keep telling you not to, I would not have to clean up the mess you keep leaving behind whenever you get a "good" idea!" yelled Winter in return, her voice raising as she scolded Yang harshly. The latter even taking a step back at the display. "Did you not even think to call me!? Did any thought pass through that skull of yours before you decided to not only endanger yourself and your friend, but break the law and throw aside any good chance for a successful ambush in the future!?" finished Winter. Blake didn't think it was possible for her to become more intimidating than she already was, she definitely exuded power.

Yang's eyes had returned to lilac and she looked away from Winter with an annoyed expression. Blake wanted to comfort her but in a moment like this Yang had to stand on her own, especially in front of someone like Winter. Winter eventually sighed to herself after having seen that Yang wasn't going to snap back at her. Her expression softened. "We still have work to do and blaming me for Neo's escape will accomplish nothing, so let us do something that will" she spoke, her voice more calm now.

"Like what? Track her down?" asked Yang as her sour expression persisted, it was as if she didn't want to give up so easily.

"No, we have a greater objective" replied Winter. "We need to destroy, cripple or push out the White Fang. We need to free Vale from their grip. And when I say we I mean the Atlesian Military" she said, shifting a glance at Blake, "But I believe that we have a mutual interest regarding them" she added.

Yang finally finished dressing herself properly as she looked out the window of the room. "So we're just letting Neo run around?" she asked.

Winter's eyes snapped to Yang, "This is bigger than your squabble with her right now. Neo seems only concerned with you, she has yet to become a danger to the city itself, something the White Fang managed" she answered.

"Weren't we going to find Weiss?" came Blake's voice as she sat down on the edge of the bed.

"As much as I would like to... my superiors requested that I remain in Vale until matters here are resolved" said Winter in a regretful fashion. She in turn quickly snapped herself out of it as she continued on, "So, have either of you learnt anything?" she asked.

Blake pondered. All the two had really done was sit around. Something came to her though as she reached for her scroll which caught Winter and Yang's attention. The Faunus swiped through some screens before holding her scroll out to face Winter. "This number called myself and Yang last night. I answered it but there wasn't a response" said Blake.

Winter narrowed her eyes at the scroll, it didn't take long for something to become evident to her as her eyes looked up to Blake. "The number is from Atlas, that much is clear. This excludes our resident mute" she answered.

Turning her scroll back to herself Blake looked at the number. "I said hello and asked who it was, but there was nothing. Can you track-" the Faunus paused. She was smarter than this. An Atlesian number, who did both her and Yang know from Atlas? "...Weiss?" answered Blake softly as she looked at her scroll.

From Winter's expression it seemed she already knew who it was the second she saw where the call was made from. "Very likely..." spoke the woman.

"Wait, Weiss called? Why don't we just call her back then?" asked Yang, climbing over the bed towards the two.

"I tried last night. No one picked up" replied Blake to Yang. "But if it was her, why didn't she say anything?" asked the Faunus as she looked to Winter for answers.

Winter turned her head as she spoke, "I will not regale you with tales of me and my sister's upbringing but..." she looked back to the two. "You do not know our father. I am almost certain that Weiss is not allowed to contact anyone outside of Atlas. She must have found a way somehow but kept quiet out of fear of being discovered. Perhaps she... simply wanted to hear that you were okay. Both of you" spoke Winter, for a brief moment a frown appearing upon her face.

Yang peered at the woman, "Did she call you too then?" she asked. Blake looked to Yang, shaking her head at her as she tried to warn her not to ask, but it was too late. Yang realized this as Winter stared back at her with a blank look.

"I will be in touch regarding the White Fang" responded the woman as she turned. Yang looked as though she was about to call after her but once again Blake gave her a silent warning not to. With that Winter left the apartment.

"I... messed up right?" asked Yang as she looked to Blake with an apologetic expression.

The Faunus sighed at her, "Just a bit" she answered.

The park was always a quiet place but with the hive of Grimm that is Beacon there simply wasn't anyone else around now. Besides her walked Yang who despite learning that Neo was still at large had heightened spirits now that she was out of her apartment. She caught Blake staring at her and offered a bright smile to which the Faunus smirked before turning her attention elsewhere, not wanting to be so blatantly staring back. "You know I think I actually needed this" admitted Yang as she bumped her shoulder against Blake's, causing her to stumble slightly.

"I'm glad. I wasn't sure how much longer you could have stayed in that bed for" replied Blake as she continued to smile, looking to the ground as she walked.

"My record is pretty hard to beat" chuckled Yang. They continued to walk in silence for a few seconds as they enjoyed one another's company. "Do you think Winter is gonna be okay?" asked the blonde.

Blake offered a nod in response as she looked up at Yang. "She's a big girl. You could have used a little more tact though" she answered.

"Yeah. Suppose" sighed Yang to herself, the path they were now walking upon entered a slightly wooded area of the park which provided shade from the sun. "Still, poor Weiss. Her dad sounds like a complete control freak"

"We won't leave her there, not if we can help it. And when we have her we can look for Ruby. We'll be a team again" said Blake as she smiled to Yang. When she smiled back with those lilac eyes she felt her chest tighten once more. She looked away to contain her emotions as the two kept walking.

Yang peered at the Faunus searchingly, "Blakey, everything okay?" she asked.

Blake's walking pace seemed to quicken slightly, as if she was trying to run away from such questions. Yang easily kept speed with her however. "Yeah, why wouldn't it be?" she asked in reply.

"Dunno, you just seem a little weird lately. Keep making me think I've got something on my face" answered Yang.

The Faunus shook her head in refusal, quickly enough that her long black hair swayed back and forth. "No, that's not it. It's just..." she paused and stopped in her tracks. Her thoughts were rushing with suggestions of confession. Before anything could come to her mind she felt Yang grasp her right wrist. She looked up to the woman who just kept smiling at her.

"Come on, we can talk over here" she answered before pulling the Faunus along with her, receiving only minor complaints in return.

Blake was dragged towards one of the trees along the side of the path. Yang released her wrist and sat down against the trunk before patting the ground besides her. "You know it's really nothing" said Blake, attempting to worm her way out of the sure-to-be interrogation.

"Nope, sit down. Let's talk" persisted the blonde, once more patting the ground besides her. Awkwardly the Faunus agreed and sat down besides her friend, her back pressed against the trunk of the large tree. "So what's on your mind?" asked Yang as she looked to Blake.

Her heart was beating faster. She thought about telling her, she really did, but every time the words were about to escape her lips she started thinking of the responses she could receive. The rejections. The strange looks. It could completely ruin their friendship. But in the end she remembered what she had told herself to do, to wait and watch.

Blake looked to Yang. Her golden eyes meeting lilac as she paused. Opening her mouth she choked on her words and glanced away. Yang placed her hand upon her shoulder which prompted an audible response. "I... I just keep expecting you to turn around and despise me. I know we said we forgive each other for what happened after Beacon but..." lied Blake. She couldn't tell the truth, so instead she weaved something else with her words.

Yang frowned and moved her arm to wrap around Blake's back, pulling her against herself into a one-armed hug. "Blake that's silly. I'd never turn on you, not now. You need to trust me on that" she answered.

Blake wrapped her arms around Yang as she returned the embrace, squeezing tightly. She rested her head upon her shoulder. She hated that she had now caused Yang to believe she didn't trust in her but it seemed the easier option. "I know that... But I just keep thinking... what if, you know?" answered Blake.

"Then do what I do all the time and stop thinking you big dummy" responded Yang as her arm tightened around her briefly in a reassuring squeeze.

The Faunus chuckled softly at the joke, "So do this mean you're never leaving me?" she asked.

"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" laughed Yang which once more got a chuckling reaction from Blake. "Nah, don't worry. I'm not going anywhere. We're team buddies for life" she answered.

To this Blake was relieved. She understood Yang was probably over-exaggerating but it was comforting nonetheless. She didn't want to break the embrace but from the feeling of Yang's loosening arm around her she had to. Slowly she withdrew, her arms sliding to Yang's shoulders as she stared into her eyes. Their faces were so close and Yang's seemed so inviting. The Faunus had paused too long in consideration and silence as her friend raised a brow at her. To this Blake let go of her shoulders and turned her head to hide her blush. "Sorry, my mind really isn't working today" she said in excuse.

"I didn't mind, you've got really pretty eyes" answered Yang casually as she turned to lean comfortably against the tree once more, her arm behind her head.

"Y-You too" muttered Blake in her flustered moment, her response didn't even make much sense now that she thought on it as she cringed in hindsight.

"What was that?" asked Yang as she crossed her legs, looking up to the branches of the tree.

Blake awkwardly shuffled herself around before replying, "Nothing. Is anything up with you?" she asked, trying to change the topic as quickly as she could.

"Yeah, do you think Winter likes me? I think she does" asked Yang.

If the Faunus could slap herself in the face without gaining her friend's attention she could. In this moment she had never known a more dense person than Yang, to think that somebody who showed no interest liked her, while she had to sit besides her right now with her heart yearning. "Uhh..." began Blake, "I... don't think so? What would make you think she does?" she asked.

Yang shrugged her shoulders, "Well she lets me ride on her bike with her, she keeps sending me messages and calls, she visits when I don't pick up and doesn't care if I'm in my shorts. We even slept together once" answered the blonde.

"What!?" blurted Blake as she turned back to Yang, she was not expecting to hear something so lewd, nor was she expecting she'd raise her voice as a result.

"Oh, no no, not like that. We had our backs turned to each other and stuff" answered Yang hastily.

Blake took a deep controlled breath and breathed out. "I... I think the messages, the calls, the visits and everything else is called work" she answered.

Yang looked confused for a moment, "I don't work" she relied. Sometimes Blake wondered what exactly it was she saw in Yang. "Oh, you mean her, right, got it. Yeah that makes more sense actually" nodded Yang.

"You actually shared a bed with her though?" asked Blake.

"Yeah, but not like we do" replied Yang. At this point Blake was starting to theorize that Yang knew exactly how she felt and was only tormenting her for her own enjoyment.

But curiosity forever caught up with her. "Like we do?" she asked, looking away with a sly smirk.

Yang nodded once more, "Oh, yeah you wouldn't know. You're always asleep" replied Blake.

The Faunus had once more been caught off guard, this time she was confused as she looked back, "Wait what?" she asked.

Yang seemed to be considering telling the Faunus, eventually giving in. "Sometimes when you're asleep you bite me. Mostly my shoulder, you've got really sharp canines by the way" she answered. Blake appeared frozen at the words. "That's why I put you in a headlock. I guess I was lucky you didn't just bite my-"

"That's-! That's uh..." began Blake, cutting Yang off before her sentence got any further. Her blush was clear for all to see now and this time there was no hiding it.

Yang grinned and patted the Faunus upon the shoulder, "Hah, don't get embarrassed, you were asleep so you can't help it" she answered.

"...I can sleep on the floor if you want?" asked Blake, she really didn't want to but she felt she had to at least offer as some sort of apology.

"Pfft, nah, you're way too comfy to kick out the bed" laughed Yang.

Blake smiled softly at the response. She opened her mouth to make a reply when a thundering boom sounded out towards the east. Both of them stopped immediately and their expressions turned to confusion as they looked to where the sound had come from. Smoke was rising in the city. "What was that?" asked Blake as she stood up to her feet.

The sirens within the city started to sound. It was a siren the two had heard before. Yang pushed herself up to her feet as she stared out towards the smoke. "That alarm... that means..." she spoke.

Blake narrowed her eyes, "They must've got through but... how? I've seen those defences Yang, they're impossible for the Grimm to break through!" she said, looking to her friend.

"Not unless they had help again" replied Yang. "We need to go, Winter might need our help!" said the blonde before she started running into the direction of the smoke, Blake closely followed behind her. The plume of smoke billowed above the east side of the city ominously.