Blake frowned slightly as she adjusted her positioning once again and struggled to keep the dress shirt where she wanted it. She stood in the marketplace next to a stall, earning several strange looks as she tried desperately to lay the shirt on her chest, hold it in place with one hand, peek over the collar in what she could only hope was a cute fashion, and take a clean photo of the entire process with the other hand. Blake exhaled through her nose as she leaned backward slightly to help the shirt rest on her chest without slipping, and finally found success. She slowly moved her scroll-arm forward and snapped a photo, before drawing it back and looking over her work.

The picture had come out exactly as she wanted it- slightly tilted at an angle, a little off-center, and naturally cute. Blake sighed in relief as she realized just how much effort had gone into making the photo look spontaneous, before sending it off to Sun. She let the screen of her scroll linger on the conversation as she watched a grey bubble appear to indicate that a response was coming, and smirked to herself.

"…not bad at all. You've got an eye for quality photos."

Blake's hand jittered as she jumped in surprise at the voice right behind her, and she accidentally dropped her scroll into the dirt. She whirled and brought her arm up to grasp Gambol Shroud upon her back while she clenched the dress shirt tightly in her other hand. Her eyes narrowed and she grit her teeth as she watched Cinnamon nonchalantly dip forward and pick up the fallen scroll.

"Give that back," she commanded as she began to draw her blade.

Cinnamon's eyes flicked up from the device to meet Blake's. "Hm… alright," she answered in a lighthearted tone as she outstretched her arm to offer the scroll back to Blake.

The cat faunus merely stared at the offering for a few silent moments, before whipping her free hand forward with lightning speed to snatch the scroll away from Cinnamon. Blake took several steps back as her unexpected companion hiked a brow and shook her head.

"My, you're tense. Keep that frown up, and you'll have wrinkles before you're my age."

"What the hell do you want, Cinnamon?" Blake asked with an ample amount of venom as she began to circle the other faunus. Slowly, onlookers halted their conversations to watch the encounter, and the sound of worried murmurs began to fill the immediate area.

"…a new window and table would be nice, but I'll let those items go for something more important. Let's start by taking your hand off your weapon, so you stop causing a scene. You're attracting attention, and there's no telling how many members of the White Fang are in the area," Cinnamon added as she raised an arm over her head to stretch, while flexing the other and grasping her elbow. The orange and white spines along her triceps twitched dangerously as she extended her arms, and then dropped them back to her sides.

Blake took a few breaths and pocketed her scroll. She looked around at the whispering onlookers and growled to herself before taking a plastic bag from a nearby stand and stuffing the dress shirt into it.

"Drop the act. You didn't come and bother me without a purpose. The cops are all over your place, and when they find the suspicious things in your basement, they're going to ask questions," Blake commented as she seethed.

"Probably true," Cinnamon agreed, "which is why I'm skipping town tonight… but I wanted to talk to you before heading out of the village. Not here, of course- too many ears, and not enough concentrated noise to cover the conversation."

"And where exactly do you propose we go? Some 'safe' house? You seriously expect me to follow you, and play these games? You're White Fang. You're with Adam. You're the enemy, and that's the end of it," Blake spat as she shook her head.

"Am I?" Cinnamon asked as she mirrored Blake's pose. Most of the onlookers went back to their business, while the ones still paying attention began to give the two women a wide berth as they watched from afar. "I really wish you didn't see it that way. And no, I don't expect you to follow me somewhere that you could easily be ambushed. In fact, there's nothing to stop you from simply using your semblance to… run away from the situation, is there?" Cinnamon asked as she tilted a palm out to the side.

Blake ground her teeth together as she tried to maintain her composure. "I don't know who you've been talking to, but I'm getting really tired of your smug bullshit. Give me a straight answer, or I walk."

"Kitty has claws," Cinnamon mocked as she turned away from Blake. "I'm going to one of the dockside tables, at the edge of the market. Isolated, and plenty of noise from the harbor and the distant clamor of the crowd here to mask any private conversation. Join me, or don't."

The woman began to walk with a sultry sway in her step, her painted sarong rocking side to side as she went. Blake watched her for a moment and then took out her scroll and read Sun's reply, before sending one of her own.

Sun, I need to take a chance on a potential lead, alone. I need you to trust me. If I don't text you again in an hour, call the police and come looking for me at the docks. I love you.

With an annoyed exhale, Blake began to walk through the crowds as she followed Cinnamon's path toward the dockside tables. The wooden road between market stalls turned into a raised bridge as it extended out into the shallows of the sea, and formed a wide circle with tables dotted around the edges. Blake glared around from table to table until she spotted Cinnamon, who sat checking her nails at one in the distance. She stomped forward along the raised wood toward the setup, and slipped into a chair across from the other faunus with crossed arms.

"Start talking," Blake demanded.

"How's Sun? Is his aura fully recovered?" Cinnamon asked in a smooth tone.

"Oh, fuck you," Blake snarled as she narrowed her eyes.

"So fiery. No wonder Adam liked you."

Blake slammed a fist on the table in rage as she leaned in. Cinnamon didn't react.

"Are you trying to provoke me? Because it's working! I'm about at my limit for bullshit and stress from the White Fang, and you're making it a lot worse. If you want to talk about something important, then get to it. Otherwise, I'm leaving right now," Blake threatened as she pulled her hand back to her chest. Her entire arm pulsed with pain from the impact, and she ground her teeth together to hide it.

"…between us, few things are more important than Adam," Cinnamon began. "There are a couple of things I think you should know about him, Belladonna."

Blake's ears flattened as she shifted in her seat. "What can you possibly tell me that I don't already know? If you're going to try to paint him as sympathetic, it's not going to work. You don't know him like I do."

"Don't I?" Cinnamon inquired as she crossed her legs beneath the table and leaned back in her chair. "We've been an item for more than a year."

The bitter cold feeling associated with her flesh creeped into Blake's core at the revelation, and she found herself at a loss for words.

"Surprised?"

"…why?" Blake asked, before she could help herself. "What do you see in him? And why don't I recognize you, at all? What are you doing here, Cinnamon? What are you doing in the White Fang? Just… what is all of this?"

"Let's take those questions one at a time, Blake. I joined the Fang a few months after you left. What I'm doing in the Fang is the same thing you tried to do- make a change. As for what I see in Adam… it's rather simple, really. I see opportunity."

"No," Blake said. "No, Cinnamon, I need you to stop being vague. I need you to be straight with me about your intentions, or to leave me the hell alone. I can't take any more taunting and teasing statements that feel like threats. I came home to relax, and spend time with people who matter to me. All you're doing is making that a lot harder, and if you really are helping the White Fang attack Haven Academy, then we can't do this. I have nothing to say to you, and you have nothing of value to say to me," Blake finished as she pushed her chair back.

"Adam is on a self-destructive path of vengeance. He's a loose cannon, constantly looking for a spark to set him off and encourage his violent tendencies. Do you disagree?" Cinnamon asked as she remained still. Blake hesitated instead of standing, and looked sideways to the water.

"…no. Obviously. I don't care if he self-destructs. I hope he does, because I can't face him. I can't deal with him, and I don't want to put that responsibility on someone else."

"I know. I don't care, either. In fact… I have much the same hope," Cinnamon replied with a smirk.

"But you're dating him," Blake said immediately as she turned to face Cinnamon once again.

"What better way to get close? To find out what buttons to push and strings to pull?"

Blake opened her mouth and closed it again as a shiver rocked through her body. "…you… expect me to believe that you're using him?"

"No, I don't expect you to believe it," Cinnamon began, "which is a big part of why I'm telling you. That way, when everything comes to its inevitable conclusion, you'll see that I'm true to my word and reconsider your position. I also don't think that Adam, or anyone else in the Fang, would believe you if you told them what I'm telling you. Denying it is easy, and you have every reason to lie. Besides… doesn't this make things that much more interesting?" Cinnamon asked with a devilish grin.

Blake's eyes darted back and forth as she searched Cinnamon's face. "I… why? What do you get out of all of this? If you're telling me the truth, then… what's the purpose?"

"When Adam meets his end, it will be from his own blind rage. It may not come from you, poetic though it may be, and it certainly won't be from me, but it will come. When it does, I'll be ready to step in. Adam would be the perfect martyr and motivation for what remains of the Fang, wouldn't he? How easy it would be to twist his untimely death into a guiding light for those with wills too weak to lead."

"This… but, Sienna! What about Sienna?"

"Sienna is weak," Cinnamon replied, her voice laced with venom. "Sienna is weak, and will not last much longer with Adam climbing the ranks and making plans."

"What are you saying? Is he going to do something to her?" Blake asked, her voice shaky.

"Are you going to stop him, if he does? Do you even know how, or where to go?" Cinnamon asked with narrowed eyes. Blake mashed her lips uncomfortably as she wrung her hands together. "I didn't think so. She is a necessary loss, for the greater good."

"So you're just willing to sit back and watch people die, to make a power grab? That's what all of this is about, then?" Blake asked as she stood. Her hand trembled as she brought her arm up to reach for Gambol Shroud, but found herself pausing halfway through the motion as Cinnamon fixed her with an unreadable look.

"No. Not quite. I'm not interested in 'power'. Not really. Power is necessary, but it's a means to an end. All I want is equality between human and faunus. Was that not the intention behind the formation of the White Fang?"

"…at any price. You're willing to pay any price to make that happen, is what you're telling me," Blake stated as her hand dropped limply to her side.

"Again, not quite. I refuse to kill faunus, and I greatly dislike injuring them."

"You're planning to blow up Haven Academy! Faunus go there!" Blake said as she threw an arm out to the side. "You're insane! None of this makes any sense!"

"…sit down, Belladonna," Cinnamon replied with ice in her voice. "Now."

Blake's skin crawled as she looked at the woman before her, and her stomach lurched as she found herself slowly sinking back into the seat. She couldn't tell exactly why she obeyed, but she didn't question it, either.

"I don't like this. I don't like any of this. Your semblance isn't useful one on one, and we're alone. If you don't start making sense, I'm taking you in," Blake threatened.

Cinnamon rolled her eyes. "I've heard that line before, just earlier today. Listen, I can't say too much… but I can say that if something I built was going to be used at a time that it could kill, or even injure a large number of faunus… then I wouldn't build it. You're a smart girl. Think it over."

Blake furrowed her brows as she stared down at the surface of the table. As she spoke, she found her voice coming out small and unsure. "…is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"One other thing, yes," Cinnamon said as she leaned in. Blake instinctively pulled back, before Cinnamon extended a hand and pulled her index finger toward herself to gesture Blake to come closer. Blake bit her lip as she leaned back in, and Cinnamon moved to whisper in her ear.

"…the White Fang have an island base, within a day's travel from Kuo Kuana. I can't tell you where, but I can tell you that searching for it is suicide. It's too heavily fortified for you and your merry band of misfits, or even the law enforcement of Kuo Kuana to take. The reason I'm telling you at all is that Adam is there, right now. He's close, and there's a good chance that he'll end up here, sooner than later. You need to leave this village, Blake. Take Sun, convince your family to go, and disappear. Kuo Kuana is ripe with faunus that could support the cause of the Fang, and Adam needs bodies for something happening soon. We both know he isn't above making an example to get his way, and the Belladonna family is a meaningful target. You aren't safe… and I should be the least of your worries."

Blake's eyes widened as she leaned back, her mouth dry. "…stop him. You need to stop him. We can't just leave, this is our home! If you're really trying to help me, you need to stop him from coming here, Cinnamon," Blake pleaded as she stood once again.

"Help you?" Cinnamon asked, amused. "Oh, I haven't been trying to help you at all. I've been feeding you information that I want to feed you, and you can take it or leave it. We aren't on the same side, but we do share at least one goal. Because of that, I don't mind keying you in to… certain information."

Cinnamon stood as well, and folded her arms. She pulled an uncomfortable face as she looked at Blake, and let out a ragged sigh.

"…there's also the fact that, well…" Cinnamon said as she frowned, "…Adam does gloat about what he did to you, to anyone who will listen. He calls you his little 'doll', and talks up his 'conquests' among the other men at the camp, who love nothing more than to hear every indecent detail. I know you have no reason to believe me, but I don't ask for or appreciate his little stories. He offers them freely, and quite frankly, I find it disgusting. From one woman to another… I'll buy you a day, when he makes the decision to head to Kuo Kuana. That's honestly the best I can do. Consider it a gift."

Blake said nothing as she looked once again to the water, her breaths erratic and her stomach in knots. Cinnamon looked up at the sky as she extended a hand to the side, and then curled her fingers inward to form a fist as she rubbed them against her palm. "…it's starting to rain. A storm is coming, Blake. Best not get caught in it."

Nothing more was said as Blake turned and began to run. Raindrops brought an uncomfortable, frigid feeling onto her skin and hair as she clenched her shopping bag tightly to her chest while she ran. With her free hand, she reached for her scroll and fired off a message to Sun, while ignoring his previous reply.

I'm okay, but I need you right now. I'm headed back to the mansion. Meet me in your room. It's going to be a long night.

A response came almost immediately, and Blake cursed under her breath as she read from the screen.

Gotta be your room. Ilia stuck around, and she's talking to Kali in mine. What's wrong?

Blake sniffled as a downpour started up, and the cold droplets dampened her dress shirt in a cascade of freezing water.

Everything. Everything but you.

Author's Note:

Big things coming. At this point, the story is transitioning into Volume 5.

-I wasn't actually planning to include Kali, Ilia, and Blake's bra-shopping as a legitimate scene... but ask, and you shall receive. I know where I can work it in.

-Team SSSN: Oh, there will definitely be some focus on Sun's team and his thoughts on them... and Team RWBY, as well.

-This update schedule sucks, but I absolutely refuse to break it. Once I begin bashing my head against a wall, I don't stop until the wall falls over. The story coming after this one is going to follow a different update schedule (twice per week on two consistent days) and I'll be taking a short hiatus of some sort before I begin uploading it, but until that point, I'm sticking to this. The people deserve more Eclipse/Black Sun, gay lizards, and Kali being Kali. And soon, Adam being anything but Adam.

-I updated the description of this story, because it was seriously ass before. I'm one of those people who just kinda does things, and when this story was originally conceived, it was a slice-of-life, 10-chapter at most affair of Sun just bumbling around the manor and eventually making the kisses with Blake. The new description fits the story much more, so feel free to read it if you... need help deciding if you want to read the story you're now 26 chapters into? I don't know.

Next update on Friday, the 22nd.

-RD