It was warm outside, Ruby took a deep breathe of the Mistrali air, she definitely knew that March had arrived. She thought back to the conversation she shared with the Mistrali Commander yesterday.

"Ruby, please don't mention this to anyone," Pyrrha pleaded, "The implication behind – the Fall family, Salem's a Councilman that was appointed by the King… to accuse her of treason, practically unheard of."

"Got it…" Ruby didn't want to stir the pot, not when she herself had just earned her freedom back.

"But I promise you," There was a certain conviction in her eyes, "I will talk about this with my father, he too is a Councilman and I'm sure he'll have a better idea of what to do with… this information."

"Thank you, and I apologize – it's just that I know Nadir wouldn't have said something so whimsical with his dying breath." Ruby reasoned.

"I believe you, I truly do."

"What's on your mind?" Weiss asked once she approached the fighter.

"A lot of things," Ruby smiled softly at her, "I thought you were going to be hard at work with Velvet today?" She had met the rabbit Faunus a few times whenever the girl would come over to help take care of the paperwork, "Aren't you supposed to be opening up your headquarters soon?"

Weiss nodded, "I decided to take today off, take off from work." It was partially true.

Jaune Arc and the rest of the released POWs were supposed to be leaving in a week, Weiss Schnee would be lying if she said she was completely happy to hear the news. Even though Ruby hadn't outright said it, she knew she was going to go home to Vale. The few times that Ruby would go out to town, she would gladly wear the forest green cloak that Weiss learned was given only to Valesian scouts. The silver badge that bore Vale's symbol was always polished and helped clasped it together.

"A day off? Wait until Yang catches wind of that." Ruby joked, she picked up quickly how much Yang liked to antagonize the Merchant.

"Maybe she will, if she stops fawning all over Blake." Weiss rolled her eyes sarcastically; lately the pair had been inseparable.

"You don't like it?" Ruby was a bit surprised.

Weiss lightly hit her shoulder, "It was a joke, I'm glad Blake's been having a lot of fun lately… don't tell Yang, but I'm fortunate that she managed to stumble her way here."

"I was about to say." The former slave grinned at Weiss.

"Yeah – pot, kettle, whatever."

"You make a cute pot." Ruby flirted; she planted a soft kiss on Weiss' forehead. Before she could pull away, two gentle hands caught her cheeks and pulled her lips to the merchant's.

"You make a strong kettle." She mumbled against Ruby's lips, "Where is your sister?"

"She went with Blake and Klein to go shopping in town for dinner tonight." Ruby answered.

"You didn't want to go?"

"I was hoping to catch you whenever you had down time." Silver eyes sparkled, "Who would have thought that I'd be so lucky to catch you on your day off."

"Want to go for a walk?" Weiss offered, "There's field not too far from here, not a lot of people go."

"I would love to."

The sea breeze blew gently, it caught the ends of Yang's brown coat as she walked through town. Blake was wearing flowing robes that were reminiscent of Weiss' to accommodate the warmer weather, Yang couldn't think of anyone who looked more stunning than the Faunus in front of her.

Yang looked over at the various stalls that lined the main road leading into the great port, she looked over and caught a certain Faunus staring at her, but before more could be delved upon, Blake looked away with a slight blush on her face.

The Huntress smirked to herself and began to wander a bit closer to the Faunus as she compared a few apples together with Klein.

"What're we eating tonight?" Yang asked, her lips inches away from Blake's ear.

"U-uh…" The blush on Blake's face grew, which only caused Yang smirk to grow into a toothy smile.

Klein sighed and shook his head, he smiled at the thought of how inseparable the two have been as of late.

"Thinking of making a stew with an apple pie for dessert, Blake has gotten very adept at making the dessert since the first time I showed her," Klein answered after he let out a sigh, "Yang, do you mind going with Blake down to the docks and picking out a fish – preferably tuna."

"Not at all." Yang nodded.

"A-Are you sure, Klein?" Blake was a bit surprised, she always stuck by the manservant when ever they did their shopping.

"Positive, we'll meet over at the usual bakery so we can pick up some flour before heading home. With Yang here we can probably get a much bigger bag of flour to take back." He explained.

"More than happy to help out, Klein." Yang flashed a bright smile to the man, "Let's go then, I'm sure you would love to pick out the tuna for us."

"Shush." Blake quipped back, but the smile on her face betrayed her words as the two went strolling down to the pier.

"Ah… to be young." Klein mused while he took a leisurely stroll about the stalls.

"So…" Yang started, she took a look around the pier and noticed the pub that she and Penny got kicked out of.

"So?" Blake questioned.

"Notice you've been talking to my sister a lot." She looked over at the Faunus, "How is it?"

Blake looked out at the water before answering the question, "We were just kind of talking about our… experience with this." She pointed to her collar.

"She's never really brought up her time as a slave with me yet… I don't wanna push her too hard, but at the same time I just can't help but worry." Yang began, "She's my little sister and I really wanna try my best to understand her."

She looked up at the Huntress, Yang truly had a heart of gold, "It's difficult to talk about it to someone who hasn't been through it, is what I imagine Ruby's going through." The two turned down an empty boardwalk, it was empty, "Ruby's strong, really strong, I admire her for her strength."

"Has she mentioned… anything in particular?" Yang stopped and leaned on the wooden railing, a few seagulls were flying overhead.

Blake pondered a minute, "She trained everyday in order to keep winning in the Arena, she mentioned that if you weren't useful to her old master then you were tossed the side, literally."

Yang nodded her head as she absorbed the information, "She has a lot of scars, and the ones on her back are definitely lashes from a whip." Her stomach sunk when she saw the thick snake-like scars on Ruby's back, she wanted to ask, but a single look from Ruby pleaded with her other wise. "Did she mention anything about it?"

Blake nodded, "She did, her old master would whip the unruly slaves or those who would act out without a second thought. Ruby said she had her moments, but that was about it."

"A little rebel like me." Yang mused, she took a deep breath, "Thank you for telling me that." An apprehensive look encompassed the blonde's face.

"Are you going to be alright?" Blake asked, not missing the look.

"I will be, it's just… Ruby's my little sister, and to think about all those horrors she went through just makes me want to smother her with all my heart." She admitted.

"I don't think Ruby wants that, she doesn't seem like the type to take to pity well."

"It's not pity, I just care, you know?"

"But she might not see it that way." Blake reached a tentative hand to touch Yang's arm, she was careful that no one else saw a slave try to touch a free woman, "Give her time, I said it before – Ruby is incredibly strong." She squeezed Yang's arm, "Just like her big sister."

"She is." Yang looked down at the hand that rested on hers, softly she set her hand on Blake's. "Thank you for talking to Rubes, I really appreciate it."

"Ruby is a good person." Blake smiled brightly, "I think you and her are going to be just fine.

Yang leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on Blake's temple, "Thanks, Blake." She smiled when she saw the Faunus' ears turn a shade of red.

"Y-You're welcome." Blake walked off, determined to find a decent fish stand some where in port.

"Ruby!" Weiss shrieked in delight as she felt her form being spun around in the field of open tall green grass. She reveled in the feeling of those strong arms wrapped around her waist while the two were playing around in the field.

It started as a quick stop over because Ruby caught sight of the lone tree out in the field, the girl wanted to climb it because it had been years since she climbed one. Weiss remained on the ground watching the spider monkey make her way to the top branch.

Without warning, the tree climber jumped down from such a height that it gave Weiss a shock, and it surprised her more once she felt her form being picked up and spun around.

Together the two fell to the ground, Weiss on top of Ruby and both of them were breathless.

"Why'd you do that?" She chastised while lightly slapping Ruby's chest.

"Impulse." Ruby smirked, she planted a kiss on Weiss' nose, "It's been so long since I've done something childish – I just didn't feel like fighting the urge."

"Dolt." Weiss quipped.

Strong hands ran through the soft fabric of Weiss robes, "I always thought you looked elegant in Mistral's fashion." She grabbed lightly at her robes.

"It's a lot different than what I usually wear in Atlas, thick pelts and warm coats all year round." Weiss settled herself on top of Ruby, her ear resting next to where her heart beat, "If we're talking about fashion, I do have to say that your wolf armor makes you look like a fine officer."

"You should see me in my Valesian get up, made a few heads turn when I first wore it." A smirk, Ruby breathe in deep, the smell of the tall grass and flowers that surrounded them where they lay was calming.

"Someone's getting a big head now." Weiss slapped her shoulder, "Vale…"

Ruby immediately sensed what was going on through Weiss' head, "Yeah, Vale." She snaked her arms around the merchant, "I gotta go home, Weiss… There's just… there's just a lot to deal with here." She squeezed a little tighter, "I can't walk around town without hiding my face or else someone will recognize me, my country lost the war to Mistral, and then…" Ruby trailed off, "Slaves are such a deeply ingrained part of the lifestyle here." She looked down at Weiss, "We don't have slaves anymore in Vale."

"So I've heard." Weiss lifted her head and opted to rest her chin on Ruby's chest so that she can look up at her, "I'm going to miss you," Tears began to build in the corner of her eyes.

"I'll come back." Ruby sat up with Weiss pulled up on her lap, "If there's some things worth coming back here for, one of it is definitely you." Her tone was optimistic.

"One of it?" Weiss repeated.

"Well, there's Bolin… and in a few more years, Sun." Ruby listed off, "I have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot more of Yang too."

"I do too." Weiss giggled, "I'll have to come out to Vale one day, you said that there's a lot of forests in the region."

Ruby nodded her head, "We've got a port too, though nothing as grand as Mistral's " She leaned in closer to the woman in her arms, "Write me?"

"I will." Weiss closed the distance with her lips.

She promised herself that she would never forget this day out in the field with Ruby Rose.

Yang sat alone at the hearth outside, it was still chilly at night, but not as chilly as before. She traced the constellations in the stars, trying as hard as she could to remember the different ones she learned on her travels. Ruby and Weiss ran off upstairs right after dinner, Yang didn't mention anything of it since the two were particularly touchy with each other that evening.

"Are you leaving too with Ruby?" She didn't have to turn to see who it was.

Yang nodded, "Yeah, I've been here for almost a month now. I'm sure Uncle Qrow is going to either get restless or drink himself bored" She chuckled at the thought.

"I see." Blake took a seat next to the blond at the hearth, instinctively she tucked her feet under her and leaned in closer to her companion. Yang complied by wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

"Gonna miss me?"

"Maybe."

"What are you doing out here? It's pretty late, I thought you'd be sleeping by now."

Blake looked down at the ground, "It's not hard to figure out what woke me up."

Yang laughed heartily, "Non-stop, huh?" She was referring to Weiss and Ruby doing their midnight stretches again. "Ruby's leaving soon, so maybe they're going to try to make up for all that time."

"I'm not sure how Klein sleeps through all of it." The Faunus pondered for a minute.

"Klein's partially deaf from his time in the Navy." Yang answered, "Stood too close to the canon fire."

"That must be bliss." Blake smiled at the thought.

Yang looked down at her, "Do you mind if I ask a personal question?"

Amber eyes looked up into hers, "No, what's up?"

"Menagerie…" Yang started, "Are you related to Chief Ghira Belladonna?" She had been curious, "I was in Weiss' study and saw… I guess a receipt of your purchase, your full name was on it."

A sigh, "Yeah."

"I met him, really caring guy, loves his people." The Huntress let out, "Why did you want to leave?"

"I was 17 when I left home," Blake looked down at the hearth, the coals were only embers but it provided enough heat, "I just felt so restricted, bored, and I used to spend so much time in port listening to the different sailors that came through – I fell in love with the stories of Mistral." She smiled to herself at the thought, "I heard about how if you had enough grit and heart you can really make something out of yourself, I was captivated by stories of triumphant gladiators that earned their freedom in valiant fights, and how Mistral was the trade epicenter of Remnant – you were able to find a little bit of everything there."

Yang nodded as she listened intently to Blake's story, "What happened?"

"Reality set in, a little too late." Blake frowned, "I snuck on board a ship heading to here, coming to Mistral was the first time I became very aware that I am a Faunus." She trailed off at that.

"I got it." Yang was no stranger to some of the hardships that the Faunus were subjected to, especially here where it was obvious they were treated as second class citizens. "What do you think now?"

"I think that I can't wait to get this collar off and leave here, maybe go back home to Menagerie." Blake forced herself to keep her gaze trained on the hearth, lest her little tell gave her away to the lie.

"Don't mind being here as much?" Yang yawned loudly, "Sorry, getting a little late."

Blake giggled, "You yawn like a lion Faunus – but no… I guess I don't mind it here too much."

"I've heard the analogy a few times." A sleepy smile, "I'll come around and visit, there's plenty of hunts in the area, come by and bug Weiss every time I do – though I may need to keep Uncle Qrow in town, not sure how she'll take to him."

"Despite her ranting, I don't think she minds all that much." Blake also began to yawn.

At that, Yang shifted both their forms so that they were lying down on the cushions of the outdoor patio. She grabbed the blanket that was usually folded neatly on the arm and spread across the both of them.

"What are you doing?" Blake pushed herself up slightly on top of Yang.

"Sleeping." Came the lax reply, "I don't think I can fall asleep in my room listening to those two being so lovey dovey all night."

"I can – "

"I don't mind it, one bit." Yang placed her hand on Blake's cheek, she traced a soft circle there and began to trail her hand down the Faunus' neck, her fingers grazing the slave collar, "Do you mind?"

"Not at all."

Gently, the Huntress arched her neck forward, a soft kiss was planted on the Faunus' supple lips. Blake leaned back into it when she felt Yang getting ready to pull away. It was gentle, caring, and serene.

"Good night, Yang."

"Night, Blake."

"It's just the word of a slave girl."

"Free woman." Oobleck corrected.

"Right, my apologies." Atreus looked down at the Scholar's desk.

"Your daughter still voiced her concern to you. And is not strange that Torchwick – man who is notorious for holding on to his precious fighters – would simply give away a prized fighter like the Wilding… And then for the Wilding to die so soon after?" Bartholomew Oobleck, Councilman of the Scholar, paced about his office as he mulled over the information. "Atreus… I said it before that I thought it suspicious of Salem and those who are overtly loyal to her have had an increase in armed guards around their Villas."

"Madness, Salem is the Councilman of the King, appointed by King Lionheart himself – a man who I have followed into battle before." Atreus defended, "And it makes sense, the amount of break-ins and increased violent crimes towards the nobles."

"Which don't add up to anything," Oobleck interjected, "Atreus, we have not been able to pin point any particular reason why there is such a spike in violent crimes and theft for the past year."

"The war – "

"The war that we have won." Oobleck hissed, "Please, think it over, you know how I have held… suspicions towards the Fall family, and on top of that they have brought Roman Torchwick into their inner-circle."

Atreus sighed, despite House Torchwick and House Nikos' deep rooted history with each other, there was always something in the way that Roman made his skin crawl. "Bartholomew."

"Atreus, I know you always try to see the good in people, that's why you're always elected back into the seat time and time again, but please believe me when I say that my instincts say to believe that what Ruby Rose has said is true." Oobleck tried to reason once more.

The red short was a mangled mess as the great warrior ran his hand through it for the hundredth time that night, "With this, it somewhat does add up to Salem's strange behavior as of late."

"I know that she's the King's Councilman, but she has her nose in far too many affairs that should be handled by the King himself." The Scholar was referring trade agreements with other kingdoms, contracts and negotiations that would affect the entire Mistrali populace, even laws and decrees that should only be over seen by King Lionheart himself.

"Barty," Atreus' tone dropped down to it's serious octave, "If you're wrong and we follow through with this accusation against House Fall… do you know what this means for us?"

Treason.

Oobleck sighed and smiled at the childhood nickname, "Atty, I would never ask you to do something that I wouldn't do – you know this."

"I know." The warrior sighed once more, "Gather your evidence, properly, and I'll think this through – please, just give me some time."

"For you, I'll give you all the time you need, old friend."

"Here, where the Villa's begin to intersect with the heart of the city." Mercury pointed to a map that showed the opening of an underground tunnel that had been long forgotten by the expansion of the city. "And here, in between the castle and the main gate."

"He's vindictive, that Taurus." Salem was impressed.

"He wants to shed as much noble blood as possible, his hatred knows no bounds, Mistress." Mercury explained.

"When will it happen?"

"Night of the new moon, they're going to use the cover of darkness to spread the master key around." He held up the earth crystal that he used to take off his collar earlier, "Those slaves are crafty ones for having figured out a way to take off the collars without killing the wearer."

"Unbreakable and inescapable, is how they advertised these things when they first created them." Cinder looked at the contraption, "How many master keys did they create?"

"By my count, at least a hundred – it wasn't cheap, the technology they needed to create such a thing is pretty sophisticated, they went through a lot of test runs before they got it right." Mercury explained. "As I said before, they have a communication network already set up with all of those that have infiltrated the nobility as well as some of the plants and big farms."

"Did you know that slaves out number us 3 to 1?" Salem let out casually.

"Do you think you can control this… Mother?" Cinder was worried at the thought.

"What are a couple dozen ants to a giant?" Salem looked over the map, "Have the guards take up positions at these marked positions. Is all of our hired swords in the city now, Roman?"

"Yes, Mistress." Roman bowed his head, "And we smuggled in enough explosives to take care of the tunnels."

"Good. Once everything is set in motion, I'll take charge of the army and quell whatever is left over." Hazel Rainart, famed Commander in the Mistrali Army, instructed.

Tyrian Callows looked at the map, "Once you give me the signal, I'll route the rebelling slaves positions at the gates." Another noble who fought in the war against Vale, "I'll push my forces in and started cleaning up the nobles that escaped their mark."

Any and all nobles that weren't directly supportive to Salem's faction are to be executed. Mercury took special measures to make sure each noble was designated a slave assassin.

"I'll give you 3 hours after the slave's start their offensive, I'll blow the explosives to the slave's underground headquarters and then seal off the main entrances Mercury pointed out." Arthur Watts crossed his arms as he observed the strategy.

"Mercury, you know where to lead the bulk of the rebel slaves when it's your turn? I'll have my forces at the castles hiding and waiting for the ambush." Salem looked at the other nobles who supported her cause, there was easily 30 people in the room.

"Of course, Castle courtyard, they won't expect it since they think they'll have the upper hand." Mercury looked over at Roman, "Just make sure your bunch stays out of it."

"They'll be under lock and key on top of the plus of up of hire swords, plus Villa Torchwick is notorious for it's ability to lock down like a castle of it's own. I doubt the chaos will be able to make its way to my front door step." Roman had begun to make the necessary preparations to make sure his family Villa would remain standing.

"Why not just kill them all?" Emerald looked on with a bored expression.

"Because they're still valuable," Roman shot back. "When is the new moon supposed to take place?"

"Three days time."

A/N:

Well, I have a confession to make: I'm a little sad. I've written practically non-stop for the past few days, forgone some rituals (my biceps are bigger than some of my friends calfs... I know, I'm bragging) to focus on finishing Gladiator... and it's almost done. I alluded to the intended chapter count before in previous A/N's and I'm really proud to say that as of today I have finished penning Chapter 22 and will work on the final chapter soon as a nice little bow on top. Over the next week or so I'll get into the habit of posting a lot more frequently than what a lot of you are used to - doing some final edits before I post it on here.

Welling up a bit on the inside, but I'm excited as well because I get to work on this Bumblebee story that's been knocking around my head for far too long.

Hope you guys enjoyed this edition of Gladiator. I hope a lot of you are with me once we bring this journey to an end.

Cheers,

DevilRed