Behind Bars, Volume Two

Part Four: Warning Signs

"I don't give a flyin' ffffffffffuck 'bout those new – new bitchez they hired to police us. They can go fuck 'em selves. S'pecially that quill bitch."

Yang sat at her customary table, hidden deep in the stacks at the back of the library. Her feet were propped up on the table, crossed at the ankles. A book sat open in her lap, forgotten.

She narrowed her eyes, listening to the slurred speech of the girls loitering at the far end of the row where her table was. Some of them were hidden from sight, blocked by the ceiling-high stack of shelves, but she could still see a handful of them from where she sat.

Some of them she recognized, and some she didn't. But from what she could tell, they were all Faunus.

And for the most part, they were all wasted.

"Who the fuck she think she is? Some hot shit with spikes f' hair? Uglier than a mothafuckah if you azk me!"

"Bitch could poke an eye out with dat shit!"

"Probbly always gotta be on top, if you know what I mean!"

"Oh damn, ew! Why you gotta bring that shit up?"

The circle of girls cackled. The one who laughed the loudest was the one who'd made the crack – she doubled over and clutched her sides, tears brimming in her eyes.

Some of them started to catch their breath and they passed around a glass bottle half full with brown liquid. The syrupy substance sloshed around inside the glass, bits of what looked like fruit floating inside it.

As it made its way around the circle, each girl took a swig before she passed it along to the next. One or two grimaced, forcing themselves to swallow the dark brown drink.

The drunker they got, the more they spilled. After a while, Yang could smell the distinct tang of alcohol, sweet but metallic. Notes of honey and peaches floated down the row towards her.

"Shh-shh-shh," said one of them, holding a finger up to her lips. Eyebrows raised and a sloppy smile plastered to her face, she said, "Quiet – don't want that glasses bitch from the front desk to catch us."

They giggled, pretending to look abashed. And still, they kept passing the bottle around.

Only two of them seemed still in control of themselves – one was Judith. Yang watched her more carefully than the others. She wasn't quite as tall as her sister, but her reddish-blonde hair still stuck out amongst the crowd.

Every time the bottle came her way, she leaned back and looked like she'd taken a bigger swig than most, but she never seemed to swallow it. She acted drunk, but her eyes were more alert, wary.

The other girl who didn't seem quite as trashed was Freya. The rabbit Faunus stood on the edge of the circle with her arms wrapped around herself. At first, she'd refused the bottle, but after a series of abusive remarks from the other girls she'd started to take small, hesitant sips.

Seeing Freya, Yang realized that these Faunus weren't from the Vertés' usual crew: Judith seemed to be sharing the wealth of work crew contraband with inmates from A and D blocks.

Probably recruiting more Faunus… thought Yang. She gnawed on her lower lip, eyes zeroing in on Judith once again.

The mountain cat Faunus's cut-off tail twitched and she turned, as if feeling Yang's gaze on her back. For a second, she met Yang's glare, a cocky smile on her lips.

Momentarily, Yang's eyes drifted – following the long chain around Judith's neck down to where a coin dangled against the front of her shirt. Recognizing it, Yang realized it was the necklace she'd seen Reilly pass to Judith in the Yard.

Getting a better look at it than she had before, Yang confirmed that she'd never seen any sort of currency like it before. It was large – an inch and a half across. Engraved into the silver was an intricately crafted design: from what she could tell, it was some sort of elm or oak, most of its leaves fallen and swirled in a pile around its base.

Irritation flickered across Judith's face as she noticed Yang scrutinizing the necklace. Protectively, she gripped the coin and tucked it beneath her shirt, hiding it from sight.

Pointedly turning away from Yang, Judith focused her attention back on the other Faunus who were still chattering away obliviously. Digging in her pockets, Judith pulled out a few small brightly wrapped objects and started handing them out to the other girls in the circle.

There were a few exclamations of excitement as drunk fingers fumbled with the wrapping around each parcel. Squinting, Yang read a few familiar brand names off the packages – recognizing several of them as popular chocolate bars.

One wrapped in red and yellow made its way to Freya and the girl held it possessively against her chest. There it remained, clutched in her hands uneaten. She hiccupped once, the tip of her damaged ear twitching.

Meanwhile, the circle of girls went back to chatting.

Judith leaned in, her voice low as if sharing a secret.

"…working on the reconstruction crews might be rough, but it comes with its perks," she said, smiling and pulling out more candy. "Gives us an in with the guards who import materials for the rebuild. And that's not the only favor we're winning with them…"

"So it's true?" asked one of the girls who was more alert. Several of the other inmates simply stared at Judith, looking more or less confused.

"Mhm," Judith hummed deep in her throat and nodded. "The hospital ward empties just little bit more every day, and they keep jamming more and more girls into what little cells they have left-"

"Assholes s'pect us to live like mo'fuckin' sardines!" shouted one of the girls, cutting off Judith.

Judith glared at her, eyes hard. Tossing her hair, she continued.

"Needless to say, overcrowding is a huge problem, so they're starting to transfer girls out. Some are even getting early releases if they're close enough to their date…"

Yang's eyes were wide – she was hanging on every one of Judith's words.

She can't mean… there's no way! Sneaking in candy bars and cigarettes is one thing but actually influencing the transfers, she has to be bluffing…

"Got a couple of our girls moved to min security facilities just a couple days ago – opened up a few spots on the work crew in D block," said Judith with a wink.

"S'plains where Lilli went," muttered one of the girls, clutching the bottle in an unsteady hand.

"I knew they was moving girls out!" exclaimed another. She had small horny ridges poking out of the skin above her temples, surrounded by small circular patches that almost looked like scales. "A couple girls in the cells next to mine disappeared yesterday."

"Mhm! Friend of my cellie's over in B block got the boot outta here the other day. Said she only had a couple weeks left on her time. Rumor has it she didn't get moved, she got out. Like out out, no new facility – she's home-fuckin'-free."

One of the other inmates still seemed skeptical – a Faunus with a big, bushy red fox tail swishing from side to side.

"How the hell we s'posed to believe it's you and your sister influencing who gets out?"

Yang saw something dark – like anger or irritation – flash in Judith's eyes. But before she could be entirely sure what she saw the look was gone, replaced by a big, flashy smile.

That's right, thought Yang, directing her words at Judith. You don't have them all sold yet. You're probably just blowing smoke up their asses and some of them know it.

Still listening, Yang tried to puzzle out the Vertés' end game.

"Gotta take it on faith, friend," said Judith – her tone lighter than before. "And in the meantime…"

Judith grabbed the bottle and took a deep swig – actually swallowing some of it this time for effect. Still smiling, she passed it to the girl who'd posed the question.

The girl accepted the bottle and took a drink, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Returning Judith's smile with an impish grin, the fox Faunus shoved the bottle into Freya's hands – the girl nearly dropping her still un-wrapped candy bar in surprise.

The circle looked expectantly at Freya until she finally caved and brought the bottle back up to her lips for another drink. She squeezed her eyes shut and seemed to fight with herself for a moment, forcing herself to swallow.

Laughing, the girl who'd passed her the bottle tipped the glass back farther, forcing more of the sticky brown liquid past Freya's lips.

The rabbit Faunus coughed and sputtered, bringing the bottle away from her lips and holding her mouth in an effort not to spit up the liquid that was still snaking its way down her throat.

The circle of girls laughed and the next inmate in line grabbed the bottle.

Riding the wave of crazed energy, Judith joined in. Her laugh was surprisingly musical, although lower than most – matching her seductive voice. Again, she turned her eyes back to the girl who'd questioned her ability to influence the guards.

"Tell me, Velez," she said, eyes shining in the light from the fluorescents, "How much time you got left on your sentence?"

"Supposed to be another two months give or take. Why?" she asked, eyes studying Judith even as she swayed slightly on her feet.

"Two months, huh?" said Judith, making a show of mulling it over. "After how many long years?"

The girl frowned.

"Seven," she growled.

Judith smiled, and said, "Might be a bit steep for an early release – but these are desperate times for the fat fucks up in the Warden's office. I just might be able to swing something…"

"You'd do that?" asked Velez, her voice hopeful.

"Well, in exchange for a little something on your part, I'm sure you, me, and my sister could work something out."

The fox Faunus grinned, and leaned in closer to hear what Judith said next. Yang strained but she couldn't hear what they were saying.

Dammit! she thought, getting aggravated. Her legs tensed – half ready to get up out of her chair when a voice slithered into her ear from just behind her shoulder.

"Listening to all the bees buzzing?"

Startled, Yang jerked away from the girl whose lips were right by her ear. She recognized the voice and turning, she met Sasha's eye.

"Never would've pegged you for an eavesdropper little Yang," said Sasha, an amused smile fixed to her face.

"Never would've pegged you for a creep who pops up behind people and whispers in their ear. Oh wait," said Yang, her tone mocking. "You've only done that to me like seven times."

Sasha's smile deepened.

"A little bitter now aren't we?"

Yang glared up at her from where she still sat at the library table. Her arm was crossed protectively over her chest, her hand gripping the stub hanging from her right shoulder.

"What do you want Sasha?" she said, keeping her voice low.

"A little birdie told me she saw you and your pet wolf coming out of the Yard all hot and sweaty the other day. Looked like you'd been doing more than just walking laps around the field. You wanna tell me about that?"

"A little birdie?" said Yang, raising an eyebrow and looking purposely at Sasha. "Funny phrase coming from you."

Sasha stiffened.

"Don't talk shit about things you don't understand, halfbreed," she hissed. "Now admit it. You and your little Faunus friend were sparring in the Yard."

Yang glared back at her, the muscles in her jaw tightening. When she didn't say anything, Sasha scoffed.

"I'll take that as a yes," she said. Leaning closer to Yang, she trailed a finger down along the bicep of Yang's ruined right arm. "Worried that you can't defend yourself nowadays, is that it?" she purred.

Yang flinched and shook off the touch.

"It's none of your business," she muttered.

Getting tired of Sasha's antagonism, Yang made to rise up out of her chair but Sasha shoved her back down, a hand clamping around each of Yang's shoulders.

"Sit. Stay," she spat, lowering her face towards Yang's. "Good girl," she hummed, meeting Yang's defiant gaze.

"You know," said Sasha, "if you ever really wanna learn how to fight again, I might be able to do something about that. Not that I owe you any favors. If I remember correctly…"

Her voice trailed off as one of her hands lifted off of Yang's shoulder. One long-nailed finger drifted down and poked Yang in her side – just above her hip where Sasha's wound had been after the Grimm attack.

Yang fought not to jump at the touch, a knee-jerk reaction causing her muscles to clench.

"…you still owe me for saving your life from that Nevermore," said Sasha, straightening up and taking her hands off Yang.

Her hand balled up into a fist, Yang said, "So is that what you want? A favor?"

Sasha shrugged, unconcerned by Yang's thinly veiled anger.

"Nothing much really, compared to what I've already done for you," she said, leaning against one of the bookshelves. "I just need you to do what you've already been doing, and get close to that wolf bitch and the other Faunus."

"Why the hell would you want that?" asked Yang, genuine confusion on her face.

"It's pretty simple, Xiao Long. None of my girls are getting anywhere near those work crews thanks to the pussy cat twins," said Sasha, casting a disgruntled look in the direction of Judith and the other Faunus that still stood huddled around the brown bottle, the level of liquid diminishing all the while.

Lowering her voice so that only Yang could hear, Sasha continued.

"But that little connection of theirs – the relationship they've established with the guards in charge of the reconstruction – could be useful. So I need someone – namely, you – to stay close to them, so that one day if I should need something, you can get it for me. Through them," she said with a sneer.

Clearly you don't like having to rely on them, thought Yang as she studied Sasha.

After a brief pause, Yang asked, "And what if I don't do what you ask? What if I can't? Just because I'm friends with Cadeja it doesn't mean that I can-"

"You'll find a way, little Yang," said Sasha, leering down at Yang from where she leaned against the shelves. "Or else you, your cellmate, and that little puppy, Raya, from A block will find yourselves falling on hard times, if you catch my drift."

Yang leapt up out of her chair and threw herself at Sasha. Trying to take advantage of the surprise, Yang used her one good arm to pin Sasha against the bookshelf.

Through gritted teeth she hissed, "You leave them out of this."

Hearing the crash as Sasha's back slammed into the bookshelf, the Faunus at the far end of the row stopped talking and watched them warily. For a moment, a furtive look passed between Sasha and Judith, but with a signal Judith dispersed the group of Faunus, each of them heading away from the scene.

The last one to leave was Freya – still clutching the chocolate bar to her chest like a child.

Shaking her head, Yang turned her attention back to Sasha. The raven-haired girl was smiling back at her, not even trying to resist the pressure of Yang's arm across her throat.

With a strained voice forcing its way up past the pressure from Yang's chokehold, Sasha murmured, "My, my – looks like little sister has some anger issues."

Yang's eyes flashed red, only proving her point more. Ragged breaths seethed out between her teeth, and Yang fought to regain control.

For a moment nothing happened. Sasha's hands were raised defenselessly, her open palms facing Yang even as she increased the pressure on her throat.

Glaring down at Sasha, Yang saw a flash of something that couldn't be real. She blinked, trying to clear away the vision:

Sasha's tawny eyes shifted, changing shape and turning red. Her hair came down out of its severe ponytail, falling in long black waves around her shoulders. Her skin shined, losing some of its color.

Mom?

"UH!" growled Yang, releasing her hold on Sasha and stepping away.

Focusing on her breathing, she glanced back over and Sasha was Sasha again – no sign of Raven remained.

Sasha rubbed her throat with her hand, never once losing the grin that had been plastered to her face.

"Looks like I struck a nerve," she half-whispered. She made a sound trying to clear her throat and coughed once, hacking.

Yang ignored her, still fighting within herself for control. Her eyes still shone red, and every muscle in her body quivered – tensed for a threat that wasn't there.

Sasha's voice reached out to her again – sounding like water in her ears, the words lost in the roar of crashing waves.

Distantly, Yang registered that Sasha had sauntered over to her, hips sway. Her lips moved, and the sounds reached her belatedly.

"…somebody could get the wrong idea about you two. You cling to that feral little bitch like she's more than just a cellmate…"

Sasha's hand trailed playfully around Yang's shoulder and down over her chest. Heat rising off of her skin, Yang's eyes snapped onto Sasha's – glinting with something like fury.

"…who's to say what happens behind closed cell doors. And I mean, as far as animals go – at least that white haired dog has a nice set of-"

"GET OFF ME!" shouted Yang, shoving Sasha away. Pushing past her, Yang half-ran down the row of bookshelves, heading for the front of the library.

Behind her, Sasha chuckled but didn't follow.

Blindly, Yang ran towards the exit. Darrah shouted something at her as she passed the front desk, but all Yang heard was a ringing in her ears.

I'VE HAD ENOUGH.

It was that one thought that dominated her mind. Driven, she stomped up to the library doors and shouted.

"CO!"

She rattled on the handle of the locked doors.

"COOO!"

"What!" snapped a female voice on the other side of the doors.

"I want to see my counsellor! Take me there, now!" hollered Yang, still pulling uselessly on the handle.

"Can it inmate!" said another guard in the hallway. "You still got time left on your work duty."

Yang ignored him.

"I demand to see my counsellor! Isn't there walk in hours or some shit?" she shouted, pulling on the door handles again. "You have to let me go!"

Yang was still yanking on the doors when they suddenly swung inward, nearly knocking her over.

"Hey!" she yelled, stumbling back.

A female guard stood in the open doorway. It was the Faunus guard Yang and Cadeja had seen in the Yard – the one with hedgehog spikes running down her back in a long sheet like hair. She had calm brown eyes.

Not looking at Yang, she turned her head towards the other guard in the hall.

"She's just gonna keep shouting, Jed. Best to just take her and shut her up before she starts something with the other inmates in here," she said. Again, Yang couldn't help but notice the hazel coloring of her skin, almost unlike any other she'd ever seen.

"Evvie-" he started to say.

"It's Quinn. Don't call me that," she barked, cutting him off.

"But you just-"

"Who gives a shit? Just shut up and move aside. I'm taking," she paused, looking at Yang's uniform, "Xiao Long here to the counsellors' offices."

Yang watched the two guards warily. She held out her hand, waiting to be cuffed.

CO Quinn glanced at her and huffed.

"Fuck that, let's go," she said and clamped a hand down around Yang's proffered wrist.

Yang gasped, struggling not to pull her hand back. Quinn's grasp was cold, her skin hard like steel.

Vaguely, she heard the male guard protesting even as they shoved past him and into the hallway.

"Evv- CO Quinn! You can't do this, the prisoner has to be restrained!"

The Faunus guard ignored him, tugging Yang down the hallway in her wake. As they marched away, Yang cast a glance back and saw the male guard dithering – struggling to decide between chasing after them and keeping his post outside the library.

Seeming to make a decision, he pulled the library doors shut, securing them and returning to his post in front of them. Only his eyes followed them down the hall as they rapidly moved out of sight.

"Hey," said Quinn, not looking back at Yang as she continued to pull her through the hallways of Briarcliff's administrative wing.

Her hand was still wrapped in a steel vise around Yang's wrist.

"Which one's your counsellor?" she asked, her voice gruff.

"It's Adrienne," said Yang.

"Adrienne? Which one's that?" asked Quinn. "I'm still pretty new here – don't exactly know who's who."

"Oh, um," said Yang, struggling to remember Adrienne's last name. "Luna – that's her name I think."

"Luna," said Quinn, mulling it over. "Got it."

They turned a corner, entering the hallway where the counsellors' offices were located. Quinn's eyes scanned the gold name plates fixed to each door, tugging Yang along until they came to a stop outside Adrienne's office.

"I'll wait here," said the guard, releasing Yang and taking up a post next to the door.

Yang nodded, barely listening. Her eyes were locked onto Adrienne's name, her rage from earlier bubbling back up to the surface.

Steeling herself, Yang gripped the doorknob. Thinking about Adrienne, she remembered everything that had happened with Sasha – first in the showers and then in the library. Her anger flared back up inside her and briefly, an image of her mother's face flashed in her mind.

Gritting her teeth, she threw open the door and stepped inside.

"What in the-" exclaimed Adrienne, surprised as the door slammed open, banging against the wall.

Letting her bangs fall forward over her eyes, Yang strode further into the room.

"Oh," said Adrienne, regaining some of her composure. "It's you, Yang."

Yang suppressed a growl. Peering up at Adrienne, she saw the small woman's soft blue eyes and remembered how hard they had looked, standing over the dead body of the Coeurl.

You played me, thought Yang bitterly.

For a second, Yang felt the slightest of pressures building in her head, causing her forehead to throb. Briefly, she remembered what Cadeja had said about the point of energy where aura focused just before her eyes turned red.

Cool it. Try to keep your calm, Xiao Long.

"Was there something that I could help you with?" asked the counsellor, sounding stiff and official.

"Why the hell would my mother do this?" shouted Yang. Startled, Yang momentarily realized that her voice was even louder than she'd intended.

So much for staying calm, she thought wryly, still fighting for control.

"I'm afraid I don't understand exactly what you're asking," said Adrienne, guarded. Her hands were folded neatly on top of her desk; the perfect picture of calm.

Yang's one good hand balled up into a fist.

"You know damn well what I'm talking about! Sasha! You! All of it!" yelled Yang.

Adrienne sighed, looking slightly irritated.

"Could you at least close the door before you start pitching a fit? Some of these things are… sensitive."

"Seriously, that's what you're worried about?" barked Yang. Regardless, she half-turned back towards the door, gripping the wood between her fingers and slamming it shut with a resounding bang.

There was no noticeable reaction from Quinn in the hall.

Adrienne merely smiled, shaking her head slightly. Staring back at Yang, she remained seated behind her desk.

"You gonna answer me?" demanded Yang, growing impatient. "What the hell is Raven up to?"

"What exactly is it that you want to know?" asked Adrienne, her expression impassive.

"Why the hell did Raven make Sasha my watch dog in here? Does she really hate me that much?" yelled Yang, breathing heavily. "Why the hell would she even ask Sasha to watch over me? And for that matter – why you? Not one watch dog but two – not exactly my mother's style. She doesn't protect people without a reason…"

"Mhm," hummed Adrienne, agreeing. "Raven never does anything without a reason. You should be wary of that."

"Well DUH!" shouted Yang, impatience growing.

"I imagine she wanted to keep an eye on you, and make sure you stayed alive – not for your sake, but for hers. And as the leader of their tribe, Raven has the power to command Sasha, although Sasha's ability to follow orders without stepping out of line is always a bit… questionable."

"Ugh!" exclaimed Yang, throwing up her hand. "I don't know much about this tribe crap – only what I've heard from my uncle and what I've picked up from watching Sasha."

For a moment, Yang could hear Sasha whispering in her mind.

Halfbreed…

She shook her head, trying to ignore it.

"But how could she trust Sasha! She's out of control. Especially when she has you in place too! It just doesn't make any sense!" shouted Yang, fighting the urge to grab the nearest object and send it flying across the room.

"Yang," said Adrienne. Her calm, even tone was really starting to annoy Yang. "Did you ever consider the fact that Sasha has access to you as a prisoner that I simply don't as an administrator? Your day to day life here in Briarcliff – I'm simply not there, am I?"

"No…" said Yang, wary.

"Well, and I'm just guessing here, that's where Sasha comes in. Raven leans on me as a check on Sasha's more unreliable nature, but there's not much insight I can glean into your life here – save what you tell me. And based on past experience, that isn't much," said Adrienne, her voice growing a little gruff.

"Are you saying this is my fault? That because I didn't trust you and spill my guts, Raven continues to sick Sasha on me?"

Adrienne shrugged.

"To be quite honest, I'm not sure Raven would have Sasha back off even if you did open up to me."

Yang slammed her palm against her forehead, generating a resounding smack.

"But WHY!" she demanded, grinding her teeth and pacing back and forth across Adrienne's cramped office.

"Well," said Adrienne, watching Yang carefully. "I'm not tribe myself, so I don't know exactly what Raven's motivations are. But I think we both know she's not keeping you safe out of the kindness of her heart. Clearly, she wants something from you – and needs to make sure you stay alive long enough to give it to her."

"If you're not one of her underlings then why the hell are you helping her? And why would she trust you?" asked Yang, suspicious.

Adrienne laughed once, grinning.

"That's my business."

"That's not an answer!" growled Yang.

"It's the only one you're going to get for now," said Adrienne, a dangerous edge creeping into her tone.

Yang sighed, feeling like she was getting nowhere.

"Is there any way to get Sasha to back off? Or to get a message to Raven asking her to stop all this?"

Adrienne paused, thinking.

"A message to Raven? I could probably get one out, but there's absolutely no guarantee she'd listen. If anything, it's more likely I could promise you that she'd ignore it. But as for Sasha," she said, still mulling it over, "I think that one's gonna be up to you to take control. She certainly won't listen to me, so I won't be foolish enough to even offer that."

Yang paced for a moment, thinking.

"Well if you can talk to Raven, tell her I said to back off. Her, you, Sasha – all of it – I don't want anything to do with it. I mean, look at where I am! Does it look like I need this crap?"

For a moment, Yang thought she saw genuine concern on Adrienne's face, but in an instant it was replaced by her customary false smile.

"I'll see what I can do. She'll get your message, one way or another. And speaking of messages…" she said, one hand rifling through a pile of papers in a bin on her desk. "Something came in the mail for you. Technically I should wait until the guards do the next mail distribution for your cellblock, but here – take it."

Adrienne held out a small off-white envelope in her hand. Yang hesitated – not wanting to accept any favors from Adrienne, but curiosity got the better of her. With two quick strides, Yang walked over the desk and snatched the letter out of Adrienne's hand.

Holding onto to it tightly, Yang glared back at Adrienne, still not quite in control of her anger.

For a moment, the room was filled with an awkward silence – neither one of the women moving.

But eventually, Adrienne spoke.

"If that's all, Yang, I think it's best if you leave. I was in the middle of something when you nearly broke down my door barging in here."

Yang still stood frozen for a second – the letter wrinkling around her tense fingers – but eventually her muscles thawed out one by one and she turned on her heel to leave.

Her hand on the doorknob, she grumbled over her shoulder a half-hearted "sorry" before opening the door and stepping back out into the hallway.

CO Quinn eyed her carefully as Yang closed the door to Adrienne's office behind her.

"You all set here, Xiao Long?" she asked.

"Yeah," murmured Yang.

"Then let's go," said Quinn, taking a firm hold of Yang's wrist – same as before – and twisting her arm behind her back. With her other hand coming up to grip Yang's shoulder, Quinn started to lead Yang back towards the main compound of the Birdcage.

But after a few steps, a hum of voices floated down towards Quinn and Yang. At the far end of the corridor, a bustle of people came marching towards them.

Immediately, Yang recognized Winter at the head of the group. On either side she was flanked by Atlesian Knights. From where she stood, Yang could catch bits of the group's conversation.

"Don't think I haven't noticed the uptake in contraband in the prison," she said, snapping at an attendant over her right shoulder.

Yang grimaced, remembering the drunken scene she'd just left behind.

"Specialist-" he said, starting to make an excuse.

"Don't even start with me Jenks – just figure out where the leaks are and shut. them. down," said Winter, her eyes pinched closed.

"Yes ma'am," muttered Jenks. Scurrying away, he peeled off from the main group.

Winter's eyes flicked open, scanning the hallway ahead. Noticing Yang, her gaze raked over her – making a note of her lack of restraints no doubt.

Yang winced when suddenly CO Quinn's icy grip tightened even further around her wrist. Glancing over, Yang saw that the Faunus's eyes were glued to Winter and the other soldiers from Atlas.

She could've been mistaken, but Yang thought she heard a low growl rumbling deep in Quinn's throat.

But she didn't have time to think more about it because the two groups were on top of each other. Quinn and Yang were forced to come to a halt – Winter and her forces were blocking the hallway in front of them.

"Specialist Schnee," said CO Quinn, acknowledging Winter with a slight tip of her head. To Yang, it sounded like there was an edge of resentment in her tone.

"CO," said Winter, returning the greeting. Her hands were clasped firmly behind her back.

A moment of awkward silence stretched between them. Yang looked back and forth between the two women, wishing she were anywhere but between them.

Yeesh what's the matter with them? she thought.

Eventually, everyone in the hallway seemed to take a breath when Winter broke the silence. Turning her eyes away from Quinn, she addressed Yang.

"How are you, Xiao Long?" she asked, her tone formal.

"I – um, fine I guess," said Yang, still feeling uncomfortable. Regardless, the longer she looked at Winter, the more she was reminded of Weiss. "And you can call me Yang, by the way."

Quinn's grip shifted on Yang's wrist and she couldn't help but flinch as her shoulder was wrenched even farther out of alignment, her hand twisted behind her back.

Winter's gaze followed the motion briefly before flicking back up to meet Yang's eye. Still not looking at Quinn, she said, "CO – where are you escorting the inmate? And why is she not shackled according to the new protocol?"

Her voice low, Quinn responded, "I didn't see the need for manacles, Specialist. I'm perfectly capable of taking one prisoner back to B Block without them."

"I'm sure you are," said Winter. "But from now on, I expect that you follow the new edicts. I and the representatives of the Warden's office put them in place for everyone's safety."

Yang listened to the exchange, noticing the slightly dismissive tone in Winter's voice.

When Quinn didn't respond, Winter continued.

"I believe that I can take the prisoner from here, CO. Thank you for escorting her this far. You're dismissed."

Yang didn't hear Quinn say anything but the pressure suddenly released from around her wrist. And after a second she heard a low grumbling and the clicking of boots on the linoleum floor as CO Quinn turned on her heel to leave.

Yang flinched, feeling the brush of Quinn's spiky hair poking into her back but in a moment, the sensation was gone.

As soon as the guard was out of sight, Winter dismissed the rest of her escort – sending them on ahead of her. Clomping and clanking along, the mixture of Atlesian Knights and soldiers shoved their way past Yang, disappearing down the hallway in the direction of the Warden's office.

However, one Knight paused briefly, brandishing a pair of manacles. Without any visible sign or command, the Knight automatically cuffed the cold silver chains around Yang's ankles and wrist before following in the footsteps of its comrades.

When they were alone, Winter turned to stand side by side with Yang, the two of them shoulder to shoulder in the hallway. Wordlessly, they started to walk down the hall, back towards B Block.

It was several minutes before either one of them spoke. Occasionally a guard or a cluster of inmates would pass them in the halls.

"So," said Yang, not sure of what else to say.

"So," repeated Winter, pensive. Her pace slowed, and she peered over at Yang. For a moment, she seemed to war with herself over something, but eventually she made a decision. "I'm not sure I should be telling you this…"

Her voice faded out, still dithering.

"Tell me what?" asked Yang, prodding gently.

"There's a lot that you're probably not aware of, trouble that's been stirring up in the kingdoms. Vale isn't the only one who faces desperate times. If I'm right, Mistral may have its own reasons to worry… Regardless," she said, seeming to circle back on topic. "Even with the difficulties of long distance travel, across kingdoms and otherwise, a new shipment is coming."

"A new shipment?" asked Yang, puzzled. "Of what? More Knights?"

Winter smiled weakly, shaking her head.

"No, not that kind of shipment. Briarcliff has ordered more monitors – and they should be on their way shortly. The ankle monitors are coming back."

"Oh," said Yang, her voice falling.

Well at least it means the manacles will be going away soon, but still… how am I gonna train with those things coming back?

And how will I be able to defend myself? Without my semblance, and barely any control over my aura…

Yang's mind flashed – images of the giant Nevermores tearing away at the walls of Briarcliff clogging her thoughts.

I can't go through that again…

Something of the dismay must have shown on her face because Winter's voice softened.

"Just consider this a… friendly word of warning. It won't happen overnight – even with military clearance these things take time. I just thought I'd give you a heads up," she said, pausing. After a moment, the hard edge returned to her tone, "And I trust that you'll keep this information to yourself – it wouldn't do to have it spreading all over the prison."

"Of course," mumbled Yang. Looking up, she saw that they'd arrived at the main gate that led into B Block. "This is my stop," she said, coming to a halt in the corridor.

Winter nodded, stopping beside her. With a word, she signaled up to the guard on duty who buzzed open the gate. A CO appeared on the other side to escort Yang to her cell.

"I'll leave you here then," said Winter, glancing over at the guard.

Yang nodded.

"Take care then, Yang," said Winter, turning and marching off down the hallway.

"Thanks," murmured Yang to Winter's back as she walked away.

For a moment, Yang simply watched her retreating figure, but the sudden pressure of the CO's hand on her arm seemed to wake her out of her trance. Startled, she nearly dropped the small envelope in her hand.

The letter, thought Yang, her mind shifting to focus solely on that one small object.

Suddenly, she was impatient to be back in her cell, where – hopefully – she could read the message in private.

Hurrying, Yang practically half-dragged the CO up the two flights of stairs and down the walkway to the cell she shared with Darrah, Laurel, and Cadeja. At one point, she nearly tripped over the chain dangling between the manacles around her ankles.

The guard muttered something gruff that Yang ignored. When they arrived at the cell, Yang was practically buzzing with impatience. She held out her hand expectantly, waiting to be uncuffed.

She didn't even feel the usual relief when the CO unshackled the restraints from around her limbs. Peeking into the cell, she saw that the other girls were all still at their work duties or wherever it was they were supposed to be at this time of day.

As soon as she was free, Yang slipped inside and plopped herself down on her mattress. Distantly, she registered the sound of her cell door grinding shut along its tracks, but the greater part of her attention was reserved for the letter she held in her hand.

Tearing it open, her heart fell when she saw it was just a small card – no more than four or five inches across. There was no letter – just a single sentence scrawled out in tidy black block letters:

"SHE'S WORRIED ABOUT YOU."

It was signed Ghira Belladonna.

Author's note: Okay so a lot of information all jammed into this chapter, laying major groundwork for the rest of this story arc (just like I did with the first four chapters of Volume 1).

Sorry about the delay in releasing this chapter, my work schedule and whatnot has become pretty hectic so I'll probably be slowing down a bit compared to the pace of releasing chapters last volume (slowing down, but not stopping!)

As always, please hit me up with any comments/suggestions/questions – I love getting your guys' feedback, really helps to motivate the story!

Also, just wanted to give a quick shout out to my two friends who read these chapters before they go up (you guys know them as CO Reilly and the late great CO Lowell)!

Also, one of my friends figured something out (having to do with Freya and Cadeja) and I was super excited, I love it when people pick up on the threads I leave in the story! Even though it means he unraveled the mystery of one of the subplots…

If you guys have any theories about what's going to happen/any sort of ideas about details I pepper into these chapters, hit me up – I'd love to hear them!