Author notes: Where to begin with this? I know I've written it so many times but I'm genuinely so sorry that these are coming out so late. You guys are honestly the best and I'm trying so hard to finish this for you. I debated on waiting this out longer so that I could refine it more and make it better for you, because you all deserve that– but I knew that it would just be an excuse for me to not get it done. So here is the next chapter in the exasperated series, it's not perfect by any means necessary but it's something. It's honestly mind blowing that I have so many people reading this and enjoying it and if I would've known that back when I first started this as a dare – I doubt I would've believed it. So thank you all so, so much for waiting so long and for you're support. It honestly means the world to me.

Anyhow as per usual likes and comments are much appreciated and yeah I guess, enjoy?

Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing, all creditability and ownership of the following scenario's and characters goes to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum.

Where was she?

The thought echoed hollowly in Blake's mind as she took a sharp but painful breath.

How did she get wherever she was now?

Her head flopped unceremoniously onto the side of what felt like a pillow as she slowly came too. The somehow soft yet firm cushion providing her a sliver of comfort at the realisation that not only was she alive, but someone was taking care of her. For the White Fang, had they been the ones capture her dust-forbid, wouldn't have ever allowed her such luxury.

The relief and happiness at the realisation felt strange, foreign to her almost.

When was the last time that she had been happy?

She lightly groaned into the pillow as her body twisted to try and get into a better position, the what she presumed to be a mattress beneath her groaning as she did.

The deep shrieking of springs realigning almost made her smile as memories of Ruby and Weiss's bunkbed sprung to mind. It had used to bug her slightly back then, when Ruby would toss and turn in her sleep making her bed consequencely groan and whine, but it had grown to be a noise of comfort in the last few months before the Fall.

Of course it was only a noise in the dark, and she assumed that to anyone else but her it would've just been annoying or silly,but at the end of the day when night fell and the shattered moon glowed high above their heads it was a small reminder to Blake that – that well. She wasn't alone.

A small tear quickly blossomed and fell down her right cheek, but she made no move to wipe it away.

Long gone now were the nights where the rustling of Ruby's sheets, the soothing hum of Weiss's lighter breathing and Yang's heavier snores lulled her to sleep.

Her heart beat loud and heavy in her chest as she turned to lie on her other side.

There would be no more shouts from Weiss to wake Ruby up when the morning inevitably came. No more tender touches and gentle whispers from Yang into her own ears to draw her from slumber.

The thought of Yang brought an unexpected and unwelcome chill down her spine, almost as if someone had opened a window or yelled out her name in anger. She didn't know where it had come from, but as her hands fisted into her sheets as she tried to shake the uneasy feeling that had settled deep into her stomach off, she knew that something bad had happened.

Very rarely were her gut instincts wrong.

And right now they were telling her to be afraid; to be afraid of Yang.

She desperately raked through her mind aimlessly as she curled into a ball.

What had happened?

What had happened to her – What had happened to Yang?

She pictured golden hair and a blinding smile so bright that it could match the sun – but she knew that it wasn't right – that this Yang wasn't right.

Then suddenly lilac eyes burned red.

As red as blood.

As red as the blood on the mask of Grimm that Yang now wore.

She immediately bolted upright - a shrill scream breaking from her lips as she clutched her aching heart.

"Yang!" She screamed as the memories of what had happened hit her hard and fast.

Suddenly the warm mattress didn't feel so solid or comforting anymore as the phantom sensation of snow tingled beneath her finger tips and struck her core.

It was as if she was back in the field of ice.

And she was alone.

She wailed as the taste of the bitter ache of abandonment, the cruel stab of betrayal as Yang had shot and walked away coated and rose like bile onto her tongue.

It hurt – It hurt more than the word pain could ever describe.

But the wound that plagued her and made her wail like a siren as she fell back onto the bed weren't physical , no.

For the bullet didn't even touch her. As a matter of fact, it hadn't even come anywhere close; for at the last second, crimson eyes swayed and hesitated, until at the final moment, a ghastly pale hand rose to the air and fired away.

So no, the still echoing gunshot wasn't what tore Blake apart.

She grasped the pillow in a detached grip and allowed her sobs to consume her.

For what had really hurt; what had really clawed at her insides and made her sick to her very core was the moment where Yang had looked her in the eyes and turned away.

It felt like a knife being twisted into her gut, like a poisoned sense of karma and it burned, oh dust – it burned unlike anything that she had ever experienced before in her life.

Her cries slowly subsided as she pulled her face away from the pillow, her eyes growing red and blood shot as she turned to anger. Giving into her darkest parts as she lay there, breathing hard like a broken athlete as she let herself get consumed by hate.

She should've expected nothing less.

Yang was the one to hit their enemies harder, and to burn brighter than anyone else after all. Why should've it been any different when her violent fists were raised to Blake instead?

She took a shaky breath.

But the guilt about thinking such bad thoughts about Yang never came.

So she remained there, with her eyes squeezed her shut and her body wrapped tight around the now drenched pillow.

It should've been easy to lie. She thought after a moment. It should've been conceivable and easy for her to keep her eyes closed; To pretend that Yang could never harm her and to play everything off as a bad dream as she lay down somewhere unknown. Living.

And just for one sweet moment, maybe because she had finally reached her mental limit – her mind let her peacefully wander. -

She breathed low, imagining the crispy zing of fresh fruits at the beach side market back at Menagerie. The tastes of cooked meat over a campfire outside Vale. The gentle hold of her team during a group photo at Beacon.

A small smile graced her otherwise stoic features as she let herself sink and drift in the happiness.

She could picture their reunion. Of course, Ruby would undoubtedly rush into her arms with unparalleled speed, knocking her off of her feet in a blur of red but neither of them would care. They'd hug and rejoice, lying flat against the crisp summer grass whilst Weiss would smile wide in the distance, holding in tears her pride would be too stubborn to let fall as she made her way over and Yang..

-Until the cruel reality came crashing back.

"I'm so sorry, kitten."

The shocking black and orange of a reformed ember Cilica's barrel pointed at her face burned bright behind closed eyes and denied her the pleasure of finishing her fantasy.

She shuddered lowly as she fought off the memory. Her sullen eyes reluctantly opening once more, only to find the colour grey. Grey walls, dark grey crates and even flashes of the colour as a white light pitifully flickered against the black floor.

How she hadn't noticed it before, she didn't know - but for that moment she wished that she would've remained ignorant, for it wasn't a pleasant sight. Especially as she lazily recalled how it looked like the inside of one of the airships that were used to transport civilians and the injured away from Vale.

Maybe that's who her rescuers were? A concerned huntsmen or just an innocent medical crew. The latter was far more likely, but for now she didn't really care who they were, she just wanted to forget everything that had happened prior as she completely collapsed against her bed, trying to blink the sight of grey away.

She knew that it was impossible of course, but anything right now was a welcome getaway from the annoyance of how she could still taste the sweet reunion with her team that would've been on her proverbial set of cards once.

But now? She thought back again with mirth. What did a childish delusion matter? It was just a dream that would never come true. Not after what had happened to them all, but especially not with Yang.

The tears returned hard and fast without her permission at the memory.

Never had she even humoured the idea that her partner could ever turn against her. But she was wrong. Yang; the strongest, the party girl, the motherly figure of their ex-team had gone rogue. Rabid. Almost feral.

It was still crazy to her that she wasn't lying dead in the snow after the encounter, but after everything that she had been through after waking up, she had definitely proven that she was alive.

Her Faunus ears flicked in annoyance at the thought, only to twitch immediately again after the rough clanking sound of multiple doors being opened followed by a ripping sound off to her right hitting her sensitive ears.

She was definitely alive - Yes.

But she wasn't alone.

"I don't know why you bothered summoning me here. I already told you everything; I don't know what happened." A gruff voice suddenly yelled off from her right. The sheer anger in the speakers tone making Blake suddenly shrivel up and sink deeper into the mattress in unadulterated fear. Ignoring the searing pain in her chest in order to try and shy away from the person's anger and into safety.

Maybe these people weren't medics after all.

"You must know something!" Another person desperately urged from her left.

Blake's face scrunched in displeasure at the overwhelming noise and the sudden realisation that she was lying between an argument.

She struggled to swallow the sudden burst of anxiety at the situation, but she forced her eyes to remain closed and her body to stay still until she sat frozen like a corpse and was able to listen, wanting to know as much information about her surroundings as possible.

Especially if these People weren't friendly.

"Look! All that I know is that she was pretty beat up and is lucky to be alive!" The man on the right retorted, his voice raising in pitch.

"It just sounds pretty suspicious to me is all." The second voice countered, non-chalant.

It was eerily silent for a second, the words taking a while to sink in before the sound's of rustling clothes and harsh footfalls told Blake that the man on her right had moved closer. She struggled to remain calm.

"What are you trying to say? You think that I did this!"

"Well if you would've stayed at home like I told you to, this wouldn't have happened now, would've it, Tai?"

Tai.

That's the name which makes Blake drop her charade and open her eyes once more.

Taiyang Xiao Long.

She immediately looks up and locks onto the iconic blonde hair and bulging muscles which loom over her right side. Her heart filling up with unadulterated hope at the confirmed knowledge that Taiyang was really there. That she was safe and that she knew that he would make sure of it.

She opens her mouth to speak. The word "Taiyang" on the tip of her tongue until her eyes take over his face and overall appearance.

Instead of the sudden comfort that his presence brought, the true sight of him makes her suck in a harsh breath and washes away all of her misguided hope.

She can hardly recognise him.

Straining her eyes, she takes a deeper, longer look. Fear quickly taking over where the ghost of her happiness had been. For, the last time that they had met, Taiyang had looked tired sure - but still held a sense of warmth. But now? With dark purple bags that underline his straining eyes, he looks ghoulish. Even the smile is gone, replaced with a snarl on his shrunken face.

"I couldn't just stay at home while my youngest daughter ran around Remnant trying to play the hero with you!" He roars, making Blake quiver although he doesn't wave an accusatory finger at her, but at the man on her left.

"Couldn't or wouldn't?" The gruff voice on the left challenged. "You know that Ruby is perfectly capable of looking after herself. I think that the real reason you left was because you became sick and tired of looking after Yang all the time."

Hurt.

Hurt and rage and pain all flicker through Taiyang's face at the same time a sorrowful ache pulses through Blake's own heart at the mention of Yang's name. And for a minute, she despises the man on her left, the man who clearly knew the pain that his words would cause, the man with a tongue like a blade.

"Don't you dare suggest that I would ever forsake Yang." Taiyang lowly growls out, his fingers curling into fists at his side. "Especially after what she's been through, Qrow. Don't you ever."

Qrow?

Yang's uncle?

She twists her head uncomfortably to the side, ignoring the sharp twinge the movement causes to take a look and sure enough on her left sits Yang's uncle. However, unlike Taiyang, he looks the exact same as he did when she first met him. Even the whiskey flask in his right hand hasn't changed.

"But that's what exactly what you did, Tai. Even after I specifically warned you that this could happen." Qrow mutters, taking a quick sip from the flask before closing his eyes in momentary defeat.

"So you admit that you knew that this would happen and you still left us! Left her!" -

"Enough!"

All is silent as a third speaker enters the Frey.

Blake can't even hear her own heartbeat as the entirety of the room is thrown into a deathly quiet as the girl screams, breaking up the dispute.

"Both of you! It doesn't matter who's fault this is. All that matters is that we get Blake to a hospital and then find Yang. Then and only then will it matter who's to blame!"

Fresh tears well and spill down Blake's pale cheeks and suddenly she's not lying down on the bed anymore but propped up on her elbows and looking dead ahead. She'd recognise that piercing voice anywhere.

Weiss.

Weiss Schnee was here.

Wherever here was.

"Weiss?" She croaks, desperately trying to ignore her body's heavy protests only to see a flash of white in the otherwise grey room. "Weiss is – is that yo-"

She doesn't get a chance to finish her sentence before she's crushed in a desperate hug. "Blake!"

"Weiss!" She whines, her lungs constricting in pain at the sheer tightness of their grip but she doesn't care. Instead of feeling the pain she just claws desperately at her friends back and buries her head into the crook of her neck, breathing and living for the scent of expensive perfumes and the feeling of Weiss's pounding heart against her own chest.

Weiss was here, and she was alive too.

"Ssh, Blake. I'm here. I'm here, Blake." Weiss coos and it just breaks Blake's already shattered heart further at the gentle reassurances of comfort and a promise of safety. "You're safe. We're safe. It's going to be okay."

Blake Keens, her lower jaw and arms trembling until saliva and tears dampen the shoulder of Weiss's jacket. A million feelings rushing her at once making it difficult to tear herself from happiness and relief to fear and doubt. "Weiss." She chants instead, just needing to repeat her name.

"Blake." Weiss husks out, sniffling. In as much emotional turmoil as her best friend.

The two girls cling tighter to each other, neither of them willing to let go despite the way that Blake's breathing becomes shallower and slower with each passing moment or how Weiss's favourite jacket is now finally ruined.

They're both here and they're both alive.

Nothing else matters.

"Blake." Weiss's choked voice mutters out after a while of sobbing that feels like eternity. Her right hand slowly unwrapping from around Blake's shoulder, only to hold Blake at the crease of her elbow instead as she tenderly pulls back.

"Are you – Are you okay?"

Blake's bottom lip trembles at the question. A thousand synonyms for the word no flashing through her mind but she doesn't get a chance to vocalise a single one of them before Weiss pulls her close and wraps her arms around her once more.

"Shh, Shh, Blake. Blake it's okay. It's okay. We're going to be alright."

Weiss gently coos for a minute, letting Blake's loud sobs subside before she starts tenderly rubbing Blake's back with one hand whilst pulling back and reaching beneath Blake's chin with the other. Tenderly encouraging her to look up.

Blake knows her eyes are red and straining but as she looks into Weiss's calming baby blue ones she takes a much needed breath and slowly sturdies. Drawing strength from Weiss's own. "We're going to be alright."

"We're going to be alright." She recites in a whisper.

Weiss swallows before nodding her head. "Yes. We are. All of us." She says whilst looking around her and it's then that Blake remembers that they're not alone.

Qrow says nothing in response whilst Tai exhales loudly, looking at Blake like a lost puppy before turning to Weiss. "How can you say that?"

"Tai." Qrow warns but Taiyang ignores him.

"How could you say that?" He repeats in a whisper.

Weiss lowers her left hand so that it slots into Blake's own and squeezes lightly. "Because it's the truth. We're all going to be alright. It will get better... for all of us."

"We are not okay." Tai growls. Frowning as he looks up at Weiss. "You barely made it out of Atlas!" He seethes, glaring daggers at Weiss. "And she –" He nods his head towards Blake. "Nearly died of wounds and exposure."

"Yes – well." –

"And there's not even any guarantee that either of my daughter's are even alive!" He yells. Standing in an instant and looming over the bed, Blake flinches back in fear at Taiyang before a shadow darts over her head and slams into Yang's father.

"I said that's enough, Tai!" Qrow growls, his hand curled tight around Taiyangs right shoulder and preventing him from moving closer to the girls "You need to step out."

Taiyang huffs loudly, pushing harder against Qrow's hand for a second before Weiss speaks up.

"You're right, Sir."

The low statement silences them all as they are stunned by the heiress.

"Weiss –" Qrow begins before Weiss cuts her off.

"No... Sir, er, Qrow?.. He's right... Right now. We're all abit.. lost and well... Broken."

Blake deflates at the word.

"But we simply can't just give up on the idea that tomorrow will be better." She continues, looking at Taiyang dead in the eye. "We can't stop believing that our friends... That our family will return to us safe. That it's going to be better"

More tears spill down Blake's cheeks at the words and she chokes down a sob at how Weiss holds her hand as she says them.

"Because do you know what, Sir?" Weiss questions after a second. "I never gave up on them; on my team, on my true family. Even when I was half the world apart and had no clue where they were. Even when I didn't know if they were even alive or not. I didn't give up or let my fear or anger stop me from carrying on until I finally ended up here."

She turns to look back at Blake.

"With one of them safe by my side."

Blake's lips trembles as she smiles a teary smile at the heiress.

"And I'm not going to stop until I have Ruby and Yang here with us together too."

Everyone looks up at Weiss, admiration and respect clear in all of their eyes.

"So, yes, Sir. I can say that it's going to be alright because the proof of that fact is right here." She tilts her head to Blake. "It's just a matter of time before we find the others and we can all heal... Together."

Taiyang deflated beneath Qrow's hand after a moment to process the words. His sadness clearly showing through his sagged shoulders and watery eyes.

It hurt Blake to see him that way and the sudden urge to say something to ease his suffering was overwhelming - but she didn't really know how. She was never the greatest at consoling others, that was always Yang's job.

Yang's..

Inspiration hit her fast and clear like a bolt of white lightning and before she could even consider her words, they had already passed through her dried lips. "Weiss is right sir. We - We're going to find the answers and people we're searching for. But if we destroy ourselves in the process what good are we?"

Blake's voice breaks on the last word. Her mind showing her a play by play of the moment Yang had said a similar line to her all that time ago when their biggest concerns was dresses, dates and Torchwick.

An abrupt emptiness lulls her at the memory. They had all been so innocent then.

Who would've ever guessed that they'd be where they were now back then? A thousand miles away from Beacon. Some of us missing. Some of us... Changed.

She closed her eyes. It was too late to change or dwell on what had happened now.

Taiyang huffs and she looks up to a kind smile and raised eyebrows. His pain is clearly still there in his eyes, but he doesn't let it overwhelm him. "That's a good one kid. Where'd you get it from?" He unsteadily jokes. "A fortune cookie?"

Blake swallows painfully around the sudden lump in her throat. "Not a fortune cookie, Sir... but from someone very dear to me."

He laughs a breathy laugh at that and Qrow takes his hand off of him. "Ah. Well. Whoever they are they're certainly full of very good advice... " He trails off before scratching the back of his head.

"Well, anyhow, I better go and speak to the pilot." He states after a minute of awkwardness, clearly not enjoying the now tense environment. He turns away from the group, slowly making his way past crates and canisters before he turns over his shoulder and walks through a door. "I'm glad that you're doing better, Blake."

She nods, not trusting her voice not to break again before the door shuts behind Taiyang and she's left in the room with Weiss and Qrow.

"So.." Qrow begins, moving back to his seat and sitting down, not prolonging the silence. "I know this isn't exactly what you two girls want to be hearing right now. And I know that both of you should be resting as you've both been through a great and many ordeal – But, I also think that from this point forward we have to be completely honest with each other."

Blake tightens her grip around Weiss's hand as Qrow takes out his flask and drinks. "There are some things that not many people know about in this world." He starts, looking solemn. "And I'm sorry that it's come to this but please, try and be open minded."

Weiss frowns. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the real danger to Remnant, Weiss; Relics... Maidens... Salem." He takes another drink. "But before we talk about that... We should probably talk about you first..." He nods his head towards Blake, a dark expression on his face. "And what exactly happened to my niece."

Blake's eyes widen and a sub sequential sweat breaks out across her palms.

How could she tell him what had happened when she barely knew it herself?

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you, Sir."

Qrow frowns, leaning forwards on his knees. "Try me."

Blake reflexively tries moving away from him, only to push harder into Weiss who still sits beside her. She looks at the silent heiress who gives her a reassuring smile which helps Blake breathe.

If Weiss trusts him. So will she.

"I – I travelled to Patch after hearing a rumour that Yang was alive." She starts, her eyes downcast but her grip on Weiss's hand still tight. "I went to her house. I – I entered after no-one answered my call until I walked into what I thought was her room." Her breath hitches and she takes a moment which thankfully no-one interrupts, to steady herself before she continues. "And then he was there."

"Who." Qrow softly questions and Blake flinches before the word is even out of her mouth.

"Adam."

Qrow sneers, gripping his flask tight. "Taurus? That mad dog who cut off her arm?"

Weiss let's go of her hand at the question, only to instantly envelope Blake in a bone crushing side hug. It hurts her fragile bones to return the hold but she does so regardless, needing the support. "Yes. He – he somehow knew. He knew that I came there for her."

A droplet falls onto her head and for a second she forgets that she's telling a story to look up for the source, only to realise that it was from Weiss. She was crying.

Her tongue instantly ties into knots but before she can release her sob, Qrow cuts her off.

"And then..."

Blake steeled her breath as she turned back to Qrow, trying to focus on how this was important. "And then I tried to run. I tried to run away. I didn't even think about staying to find Yang. I just ran outside ."

"I presume he followed you?" Qrow beckoned, fully immersed in the story.

"Yes. I only made it until a field before he had caught up. He's faster and stronger than me you see?." Blake mumbled. "And then when we fought. It wasn't long before he beat me..."

She sniffles at the memory. "He had thrown away my weapon. My aura was gone. I thought that I was going to die."

"But?" Weiss asked, almost desperate to hear that the story had a happy ever after.

"But then she came."

A broken sob breaks from her before she can stop it.

"Yang came for me. She ran so fast that I didn't even really see her until she pushed me to the ground. It was freezing and everything hurt. I looked up.. and... And..."

Weiss clung to her harder, putting away her own anxiety behind a mask as she tried to stabilise the poor girl. "Ssh Blake. It's alright. It's over now. Everything's okay."

Blake just growled in return. A sudden swell of anger from remembering what had happened hitting her as hard and fast as a fully charged hit from Magnhild. "She was stabbed, Weiss! She pushed me out of the way to take the hit!"

She pushed herself away from the heiress's grip with a snarl on her face. "His sword was through her fucking stomach.. and I ... I did nothing!"

Qrow suddenly grabs a hold of her shoulder, forcing her to look deep into his crimson eyes despite how hard she tried to push away – but his grip is just too tight. "And then what happened!"

Blake's heart raced a mile a minute as she remained silent, glaring at him.

"Blake this is important what happened next!" He demanded, his grip on her tightening impossibly.

"Then she killed him!"

Weiss gasps but Blake doesn't stop.

"She threw his body away like it weighed nothing then she turned to me. She looked me in the eye. She was covered in blood yet she still managed to turn and look at me! To talk to me before.. before...

"No!" Weiss suddenly whispers. "No, Blake that's not possible! Yang – she no! She can't be! She can't!

"She died Weiss! She was right there in front of me! I saw it! I saw her fade away and did nothing!"

Silent streams of tears fall down both girls heated cheeks. Its a tense atmosphere with neither of them quite believing what had happened- but not Qrow. No. Qrow remained silent with a fire in his eyes.

"And then what?"

Blake swallowed her pain down, wanting to finish the story sooner rather than later. "Then there were ashes."

Blake didn't miss the way that Qrow's grip loosened before he stood back from her entirely. "Did they – Did she?" He mutters.

Blake just solemnly nods. "Then something crawled out from them."

Qrow's eyes finally water and his fist tightens around his flask.

"What?" Weiss questions. Rubbing the evidence of her tears on her sleeve.

"A person rose from the ashes... They – they wore a mask of Grimm."

Weiss hiccups, her face a honest mask of confusion and Blake feels sudden pity for her.

"The rest is a blur after that but they came towards me.. then someone else was there. A woman... Then she wasn't - It was strange. I've never seen anything like it... But – But then Taiyang called out. The person in the mask then turned to leave but I called out for them. "

For Yang...

" They then stopped." She looked down at the mattress and let all of her grief out in a significant sigh before she continued. " They raised their weapons at me but shot in the air instead. After that I – I don't know."

Weiss looks even more lost than before. "That that's impossible!" She demands. " It- It can't be!"

Blake looks away from Weiss, knowing that nothing that she could say would convince the heiress further. Instead she turned to Qrow, who's eyes looked redder than usual before he suddenly stood - throwing his flask across the room with a tremendous bang - spilling drink everywhere.

"I'm going to kill her!" He immediately roars as he storms across the room and to an open door .

"Wait. What does this all mean!" Blake called out. Needing some answers to all of the madness.

Qrow slams his first into a doorway , growling. "It means that we're going to Haven, and we're going to find my sister."