Chapter 19

The sound of chirping birds was more like an alarm. Yang was sure there was a nest just above her window but had never the time to check. Her bed was empty for the time being, it wasn't the first time she had woken up today after all. Earlier in the morning she had found Blake practically laying on top of her, not that she minded. Afterwards the Faunus had left the apartment to do some more shopping, leaving Yang to catch extra sleep to which she greatly appreciated.

She took in a deep yawn before opening her eyes to stare blankly up at the ceiling. Thinking back on yesterday she found that she wanted more and similar experiences with Blake in the future. Perhaps if nothing got in the way they could do something today. She remembered the kiss she gave the Faunus upon her cheek. At that moment she had been curious what it would be like, if she was comfortable giving such affection to her friend. Well, she was more than mere friend now. To her surprise it had been just fine however, and the thought of perhaps moving their interactions further was all that came to her mind. She found herself smiling at the thought of Blake, her cheeks gaining a soft tint of red. It was clear to her now, she definitely had a crush on the Faunus in the same way Blake had on her.

Her hand blindly reached for her scroll, missing a few times before catching it. She opened it up and moved the screen to her face. She had no new messages. But that didn't seem right. She had received a text from Neo yesterday that she hadn't opened. Searching her messages she found it to be nowhere, as if it had simply been deleted. She placed her scroll down before sitting up in her bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She looked to the window and saw the light shining through the fabric that covered it. Turning her head right she saw Neo.

It took a second to hit her as her face filled with shock, scrambling back in her bed as her hand reached for Ember which was upon the drawer besides the bed. Only it wasn't. She looked to see it had vanished completely. Her eyes moved back to Neo. She was standing in the corner of the room, idly observing the apartment. In her left hand she held Ember. The woman looked straight at Yang, a blank expression upon her features.

In response Yang's blood started to boil, her jaw clenched as she curled her hand into a fist. Neo took a step towards her and blinked, her eyes taking on the same shade of red that Yang's would. This mere action seemed to warn the blonde, in fact, seeing that shade of red intimidated her in a way she couldn't explain. It halted any thought of attacking that she had. Once Neo had noticed this she blinked again and relaxed her posture as her eyes took on a stark white. These eyes Yang had seen upon Neo before, when she had ambushed her within her apartment. It was a look of vulnerability, fear and pain. Though as to why the short woman had opted to don them now confused her.

In silence Neo continued to stare at Yang before she reached out her left hand, delicately offering Ember back to her. Once more Yang was at a loss and so hesitantly she reached out her own hand and took back her weapon. She thought that once she did Neo would attack but she didn't. She kept standing there, looking at her. Yang's lilac eyes narrowed upon her before she spoke, "Why are you here?" she asked, cautiously arming herself with Ember. Neopolitan extended her right arm forward as a gloved index finger pointed at Yang. "What? You're here to fight me then?" asked Yang again as her voice almost growled.

Neo shook her head, still maintaining a blank expression.

"Then... Then what? Do you want something?" asked Yang, the short woman's silence grating on her. Neo seemed uncertain of her answer as her eyes tilted up. Eventually they dropped back down to Yang and she nodded. "What do you want..?" asked Yang again. Neo held out her left hand sideways, as if to shake hands. The blonde looked at it. An offering of peace? A truce? She furrowed her brow as she glanced back up at the silent Neo. "Is this some sort of apology? What makes you think I'll accept it after everything you've put me through!? You got my dad arrested! You humiliated me like some toy! You tattooed your damn name onto my neck!" yelled Yang, her frustration rising.

Neo closed her eyes as she lowered her hand, she reached into her pocket to pull out a light pink scroll. Her eyes opened, still white, as she turned her scroll to Yang. The image upon the screen almost made her gag as she glanced away. It was a severed arm. Adam's severed arm.

"Th- That's sick!" responded Yang. Neo frowned as she closed her scroll, pocketing it. Yang understood what she must have meant by showing her that image though. She was reminding her why she was alive right now. "You kicked me out of a window" reminded Yang herself, to which the smaller woman glanced aside. But Neo wasn't wrong. If not for her Yang wouldn't be standing, and kicking her out of a window seemed to be a small price to pay for her life. Still, that couldn't simply outweigh all the things the girl had done to her.

Neo looked towards Yang once more and for a second time extended her left hand out to shake.

Yang refused again. "No, you can't just call it even like that, even if you did save me. You still did terrible things to me!" she replied.

Once more Neo took out her scroll, she seemed annoyed. Yang thought for a second she would simply show her the same picture, but this one was different. A smashed table, spilt tea, broken pieces of porcelain, shattered glass. It was a mess, it was destruction. Neo's apartment.

Once more Yang's mind took a second to try and figure out what Neo was attempting to convey. Perhaps that Yang in her revenge had also done something terrible to her? And Neo's own response to the destruction of the things she loved was to... save her? When she thought about it logically, had their score been evened between ruining Neo's apartment and being saved from Adam? She counted the things that had been done to her on Neo's account. There was the humiliation in the abandoned complex. The tattoo. Convincing her dad they were a couple. Getting her dad arrested. She could've swore there was more to it than that. She couldn't fault her for the fights they had, if she did that she would have a grudge on most people and fighting was something she had enjoyed, at least when it was going her way.

With that in mind though, Yang considered that they could be even on all counts except for one. Neo had suffered pain as Yang did sure, but she had yet to be humiliated herself. "How do you expect to even what you did to me at the complex?" asked Yang.

Neo once more seemed to ponder her answer. She blinked and her left eye took on a magenta colour while the other remained white. The significance on this was lost to Yang but what happened next was not. The short woman seemed to shuffle awkwardly before both her hands reached up to the button upon her jacket as she unclipped it.

"Wh- Wait, stop!" urged Yang as she moved to cover her eyes with her hand, but she could still hear fabric falling to the floor, Neo was undressing in her apartment. "What are you doing!? I didn't mean-!" continued Yang, finding the entire situation ridiculous. She moved her hand just slightly so that it granted her vision only to Neo's head. She was blushing heavily and looking to the ground in a shamed manner. She saw as the woman turned her attention back up to Yang and after a brief pause she started advancing towards her, crawling across the bed in an attempt to get closer. In a last effort to get her to stop Yang yelled once more, "Okay we're even! Just put your clothes back on!"

Neo paused and nodded once more, her shy expression still visible on her face as both her eyes blinked and returned to white. Yang kept her vision covered by her hand as she heard the woman re-dressing herself.

Cautiously Yang lowered her hand from her face to find that Neo was fully clothed once more as she buttoned up her jacket. She looked to Yang and extended her left hand forward towards her again. Yang stared down at the gloved hand. She didn't like Neo, that was painfully obvious. But she had just admitted that they were now even, even if it was just to stop her from getting closer. Her lilac eyes peered back up at Neo, she looked almost pleading by this point, a small pout on her lips. Slowly Yang reached her hand out, eventually clasping it around Neo's who quite eagerly shook her hand. A bright smile had appeared on the smaller girls features and her eyes had returned to magenta and brown with a blink.

Yang still couldn't understand why any of this was happening, by all rights she ought to be using that very hand to punch her face in. But here it was, forming a truce. Though if that's what this really meant it may have been worth it. To not have to look over her shoulder or feel like she was watching her. Yes, this was definitely the right choice. The shaking stopped and for a moment Yang could feel that Neo's hand was incredibly soft for the amount of fighting she supposedly did, not only that but it felt delicate, as if the smallest squeeze would snap the bones inside. She let go of her hand and glared down at her. "Let's just make it clear though, this doesn't mean we're friends. I still don't like you" spoke Yang, she had to get her message across clear.

To this Neo frowned as she pulled out her scroll, with a few swipes she showed the screen to Yang with a blush on her cheeks. It was a picture that Yang had taken, an empty bowl of what was left of three flavours of ice-cream.

"Nope. No way" replied Yang. Neo wiggled her eyebrows at her in response. "No. And if you're going to keep pushing it..." she warned. To this the smaller woman gave a slight frown as she pocketed her scroll and placed both her hands behind her back. She alternated between standing on her toes and her heels as she rocked back and forth, looking up at Yang. This prompted Yang to wonder if Neo had the wrong idea on what she thought they just shook on. A thought came to the blonde's mind as she turned to the drawer besides the bed, picking up a notepad and pen with one hand as she held both out towards Neo. "Why don't you just use this?" she suggested. She knew Neo could probably read and write, she wouldn't have been able to read Yang's messages if not.

Neo leaned forward slightly as her eyes gazed over the notepad and pen. She took them both in hand and scribbled something on the paper for a few seconds before holding it back to Yang. It was a heart. And not the simple type of heart, it was a drawing of an actual human heart. In detail.

Yang just nodded her head slowly as if she understood what the drawing meant before placing it asides. "Okay... Is that a no to actually writing?" she asked as she watched Neo.

Neopolitan nodded once as an answer, though the reason why she refused to write words was anyone's guess at this point.

With a sigh Yang reached for her own scroll as she began swiping through her contacts. She could see from the corner of her eye that Neo was watching her curiously. Yang started making a call as she brought her scroll up to her ear. After a few seconds a voice came in through the other end. "Yes?" spoke Winter's voice.

"Winter, can you come on over? There's something you uhh..." began Yang as she faced Neo, she was still smiling at her with that usual smug expression that had been vacant for a while now. "There's something you'll want to see..." she said.

"Good timing, I have matters to discuss with you as well. I will be over shortly" replied Winter as she hung up. Yang immediately started another call as she kept her eyes on Neo.

"Yes?" came Blake's voice from the scroll.

Yang turned around as if wanting some measure of privacy during her call, "Hey Blakey" she greeted. "When you get home uh... Can you... Try not to freak out?" she asked nervously.

A pause came from the scroll. "What did you do?" asked Blake.

"Oh, nothing. It's not me just uhh... Promise, yeah?" replied Yang.

Blake's voice sounded uncertain. "Sure, okay. I promise. I'm almost back, just a few more things to pick up" she replied.

"More dirty books?" asked Yang with a smirk.

"We can read them together if you really want" came the quick response from Blake followed by a chuckle.

Yang shook her head to herself, "Filthy, Blake. Filthy" she answered jokingly. "I'll see you soon okay?"

"See you soon" replied Blake's voice before the call ended. With that Yang turned around to see that Neo was sat right behind her on the bed, clearly having listened in. It irked her to know she was eavesdropping as her eyes narrowed.

Neo simply tilted her head at her with her usual smirk. A part of Neo just seemed so... innocent. Yet Yang knew full well just what she was capable of.

Some time later and she could hear a knock at the door. "It's open!" she called out. She hadn't even taken the time to properly dress, still in her orange tank top and black shorts. The door opened to reveal Winter. Immediately the woman's icy glare shot to Neo who was sat on the bed behind Yang, peering back at her.

"Yang, get down!" yelled Winter as she unsheathed her saber and prepared to charge forward. Neo's eyes widened as Yang held out her hand towards Winter.

"Wait! I know she's behind me!" replied Yang.

At first Winter seemed at a loss as her eyes searched Neo. "You are... sure?" she asked as she looked back to Yang to which the blonde nodded. Winter sheathed her blade cautiously as she made her way into the room, kicking the door shut behind herself. "Can I get an explanation..?" she asked.

"She was here when I woke up" Yang began, but quickly realised that may not have been the best start to her explanation. "Look, she... I think she really is trying to make amends, like you said" admitted Yang.

Winter sighed through her nose, eyes glued to Neo. "And you are fine with that?" she asked, looking back to Yang.

"I still hate her if that's what you're asking. And I'm making sure to-" she paused briefly as she looked back at Neo, "-Remind her of that every chance I get" she finished with a harsh tone. Neo pouted at Yang in response.

"Well. Okay. What's her price?" asked Winter, she had caught Neo's attention.

"Her price?" asked Yang.

Winter nodded once. "Yes. Her price. In case you hadn't notice, little miss Neopolitan here has always appeared to be a hired gun. Or... umbrella. First Torchwick, then Hei Xiong. After Xiong did you not stop to notice she had become a lot less aggressive towards you? It was because her client had turned on her" explained the woman as she gestured a hand towards the subject of discussion.

Winter's words rang true. Ever since Junior had betrayed Neo she had very little direct conflict towards Yang. "Huh... I guess you're right- Wait are you suggesting we hire her? Because that would mean having her around" responded Yang.

"If we can afford her price, trust will not be an issue. She will be loyal so long as the money keeps coming her way, much like she has been loyal to every client she appears to have had so far. Is that not correct?" asked Winter, turning her attention once more to Neo. The small woman stood up to her feet and nodded with glee. "Then that begs the question, what is the price?" asked Winter once more.

Neo, as per usual, considered her answer for several seconds. Eventually she held out three fingers towards Winter. Afterwards she made an O with her finger and thumb twice in succession.

"Three hundred Lien? Weekly I presume?" asked Winter, Neo nodded but then crossed both her index fingers, making a plus sign. Winter raised a brow as she watched Neo take a step to stand besides Yang, she pointed a finger at her.

Yang glared down at Neo, "I'm not for sale" she answered. Neo looked to her and shook her head. To demonstrate she took a step away from the blonde, shaking her head after pausing. She then returned to her side and nodded. Yang seemed lost.

"Ah... I think I understand" smirked Winter as she folded her arms.

"What is it?" replied Yang in an annoyed fashion.

Winter looked between the pair. "Part of her deal appears to include being by your side. Hei Xiong was not exaggerating..." she answered.

Yang wasn't sure what to think of it. The idea of having Neo following her around was not the best one, but perhaps she wouldn't have to worry if what Winter said about her profession was true. She glanced to the ground with a sour look. "I don't like it" she admitted.

"Yang, it would be beneficial. You have seen what she is capable of. And if it makes you feel better I will handle the expenses" offered Winter.

"Why would you do that?" asked Yang as she looked back up to her.

Before a response could be made the door opened as a familiar Faunus entered. The three all looked to her as her golden eyes widened at the sight of Neo. The first to respond to her was Winter who blocked the view from Neo. "I have just had it explained to me. Neo is no longer a threat" she stated in a now common stern tone.

"What? But she's-!" began Blake. She thought immediately of mentioning the pictures Neo had taken of both herself and Yang the day before but thought to how that could impact her relationship with Yang. The blonde would likely not take kindly to the idea of her looking through her messages after all. Instead she paused. "She's the enemy" she ended, her tone a little flat.

"I still don't like her" called out Yang from behind Winter.

"Look, Blake" said Winter, using Blake's first name like she so rarely did. "For now it will be easier for you to simply not dive upon the girl. I have news that must be prioritized, then I will explain Neopolitan's presence" said the woman.

Blake reluctantly nodded before peering past her, quickly she made her way over to Yang's side, dropping her bag of shopping next to the bed. Yang smiled at her reassuringly but Blake could see Neo's gaze glaring upon her from behind the blonde.

The sound of Winter closing the door left open by Blake caught everyone's attention. "I have been conversing with General Ironwood recently" she stated before turning around, arms folded. "I will not take you through the entirety of our talks, but it boils down to this. He has acknowledged my desire to go back to Atlas, but he cannot allow it" she said, to this Yang and Blake frowned. "But... he has assured me my position once I return from being..." Winter paused, the very words seemed distasteful for her. "Absent without official leave" she nodded.

"Wait... you're quitting your job?" asked Yang.

Winter shook her head, "No, not entirely. The general has informed me that I cannot expect any military assistance. Once I begin heading for Atlas I am on my own. But of course... I will not be alone, will I?" she asked, eyes looking upon Yang. The promise.

A smile began to form upon Yang's face. "Nah, you won't be. You hiring Neo suddenly makes a bunch more sense too. Even if I hate her guts" admitted Yang. Neo pouted again.

"We're taking her with us?" asked Blake to which Winter once again nodded.

The four of them sat in silence for a brief second as they came to terms with what had just transpired. A team assembled. The way was clear, Atlas was to be their next destination.

Weiss was their next destination.

"Wait are we seriously called Team Bunny now...?" asked Yang, she didn't seem too fond of the initials that formed the name of the newly created team. Team BWNY.