Hey guys, some bad news. So, my mom is a bit sick at the moment. My sister got into some trouble and my father is being a pain as always. This is crazy. Honestly, it if wasn't for my discipline and determination to continue writing these stories, I would have just given up a long time ago. But… that's just not me, as much as it might be smart for me to just drop writing fanfiction, it's one of the few things that keep me happy these days. And with how stressed out I am right now, I need every bit of it I can get.

So, prepare for the worst but hope for the best. The worst being that my mother passes or gets worse and that leads to me taking a long break or quitting, and the best is that I manage to keep myself together and get through this. I like to think that I am a strong-willed person at the very least, so I will be hoping for the best.

Pairing Note: I keep getting asked this question, and so I will answer that question now publicly. The pairing is something I have been trying to plan for each possible route, and I could go for some of those options, but the problem with that is Kai as a character. Kai right now, and even before Beacon, was not interested in relationships, while it wouldn't really be an issue if I did make that decision to go on with one of the choices, and it isn't as dramatic as me feeling like I'm betraying that character that I created and developed thus far. But I do want to stay true to Kai's character. So, eventually, yes there will be a pairing, and when that pairing comes you'll be able to tell. Promise.

PS. For the poll I had a while back, that special will be written and released this year on Valentine's day. Just for those wondering.

Coverart: Nova

Beta: CrowSkull

The Blind Huntsman

Volume 2, Episode 10

Chapter 67- Intermission

It was difficult resting, Kai quickly realized as he lied back in the infirmary bed. Even when his body very well needed it, and even when he knew that he needed it, he just couldn't get a well-rested nap in without being awoken by his never-ending trains of thought that go around and around in circles. It may have been overthinking, and to be fair it probably was, but all those 'what if's', not all of them could be wrong. On top of that, there was the issue of Roman and Neo. They knew about him and Stone Face being the same person. That was dangerous information. If it got out, then he'd be screwed. He remembered the reaction Orchid and his friends had when they encountered his vigilante persona. It… wasn't good. He didn't really have much time to think about it since right after Qrow picked him up, but as much as they considered him an ally that night, he was still a killer. They were wary around him, and he was sure that if it wasn't for the common and more powerful enemies before them, they would have tried to fight and arrest them.

They couldn't find out, not ever. It was the one lie he didn't feel bad about hiding from them, and he was sure Qrow felt the same way because of his relationship with his mother. Torchwick and Neo he couldn't predict. He never even met Torchwick face to face and had only ever fought Neo every time he met her personally. Any day now, he was preparing himself for the moment where Roman shockingly reveals to all of Vale the true identity of Stone Face. To be questioned by Ozpin, confronted by his teammates and friends. It made him nervous, on edge. They had the power to ruin his whole life and in the hands of someone who worked directly with Cinder, that made it even worse.

He flinched when he heard someone open the door to his room, and winced when a body let it's weight down across his legs. He didn't even register that it was Ruby until he heard Blake scold her for surprising him like that.

"Hey!" The young silver eyed girl greeted him happily.

"Hey," Kai greeted back not nearly as cheerfully. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We wanted to see you out," Blake answered right away.

"Yeah, aren't you getting out today?" Orchid asked.

He almost forgot, damn. He really was more out of it than he thought. "Yeah," He half lied, remembering what the nurse told him earlier that morning. "I just have to pass one more assessment, and then I can go. The nurse should be coming by any minute now."

"Well, looks like we're waiting until then," Orchid said as she happily sat down on his foot, not even apologizing verbally as she slid forward to sit on the edge of the bed. Thankfully, Blake took the much more sane route and pulled up a chair to sit beside his bed. "How do you feel?"

"About how I look, I can imagine." He laughed at his own poor attempt of a joke. "I'm okay. Still a little sore but nothing a little rest and stretching can fix."

"Nope," Ruby piped up, giving the P in the word an extra pop for good measure. Kai knew what that meant, and gave his attention to the girl and waited for her to explain herself. "Your mom made sure that we were going to make you rest for as long as possible, which means no training."

Kai wilted. "I didn't say I was going to train…" He weakly pointed out.

"Kai," His partner spoke up. "You train so much that it's a wonder how you're still considered to be on first-year level in this school, not to mention that you're in good enough shape as it is…"

"Oh?" Orchid looked at her teasingly. "Taking glances at our leader, eh Blake? And here I thought you swung the other way."

"It would be a lie for anyone to say that Kai isn't in good shape," Blake smirked victoriously at Orchids huff. "And whatever gave you that idea?"

"Girl, do you talk to any guys? Like, at all? You have no problem talking with us girls," Orchid made a show of fluttering her eyelashes and gesturing to herself and Ruby. "not judging or anything, just pointing out that I've seen the books that you read. Not all of it is of the… straightness."

Blake flushed. "Y-you went through my books!? Why? No, don't answer that." She hugged herself defensively. "What I am and am not attracted to is none of your concern."

"Heh," Orchid winked to Ruby, who giggled back in turn. In truth, Orchid never touched Blake's books, it was just an assumption, and Blake just proved her right. And she would never even know it. Victory and redemption for her. "Gotcha."

"Is this what you guys usually talk about while I'm gone?" Kai asked with a laugh.

"Not really," Ruby said, rolling over so that it was her back against his legs rather than her belly. "You could learn more about what we talk about if you hung out with us more."

Kai felt a sting of guilt run down his spirit. "I have to train…"

"How strong do you need to get?" Far from angry, Ruby sounded purely curious. "You're already super strong and can literally stare Grimm to death. And you're still only seventeen and how much do you weigh? Like, a hundred and sixty-something pounds of pure muscle." Giggling, she reached and squeezed his arm, finding herself more than correct as there wasn't any pudge for her to push down on. "I think you're strong enough. Besides, I don't want to worry your mom anymore, so whatever you say, you're going to stay with us for the next few days."

Kai hummed quietly and puffed air out through his nose in a quick sigh. This was their plan, to gang up on him like this. He didn't have many options, to refuse would mean to drive a wedge between him and his friends, and might even get himself even more hurt training with Raven, Vernal or even Ozpin. He already had exemptions from Miss Goodwitch's combat class, so if he was caught training on his own he would get in some trouble. To accept… there was really no downside to it. They were right, he really was as strong as a seventeen-year-old boy could get. Similar to Pyrrha, who was about equal to him in terms of physical conditioning, even though she was training lightly with her teammates to keep herself in shape, she was still as strong as ever, though instead of trying to get stronger, she was trying to improve her skill even further. Taking their advice and offer and accepting drew no negatives that he could fish for. The White Fang have been attacked countless times already, and like Cinder told him at the docks, did any of that even matter in the end?

"It's a tempting offer," He found himself admitting out loud. Less training would mean more time with his family and friends, and he's been having this feeling lately that his sister wanted to see him more anyway. He's sworn to always protect his friends and family, but what did that mean if he wasn't around enough to keep those relationships strong? "I just might take you up on that…" He said after sensing their eager patience waning on them constantly.

After hearing his words, Orchid and Ruby gasped happily and immediately went to planning on what to do with him. While Blake looked ahead and felt happy with what she was seeing. He couldn't see it, but he knew that she was probably giving him an approving look, so he nodded back to her.

A break would be nice, not having to worry about Cinder, Salem, Roman, Neo, silver eyes and maidens for once sounded like a good night's sleep. It still attacked his mind, the thought of his identity being revealed. But then again, what proof did Roman have? And who would take the word of a criminal who has been known for working directly with the White Fang and was an accomplice for the attack on the docks? In Beacon, he and his loved ones were in the most secure place in Vale. Even Cinder would have trouble trying to punish him for it if she found out. He was fine. It would be fine.

Maybe… he could give himself some relaxation time. Raven would understand and he knew Ozpin would too. His mother would appreciate it and Malienna would adore him even more for it and that's not even mentioning the positive feelings his friends would have. It's been a while since he's talked to Pyrrha, Weiss, Rick, Brick, Yang, and so on and so forth. He felt like he's been unintentionally neglecting them. It was high time he fixed that.

For the first time in a long time, Kai felt himself feel relaxed. Like the weight of the world wasn't on his shoulders for once. He nodded his head along absentmindedly to what Orchid and Ruby were telling him and would accept what came after.

Hell, he was seventeen. Almost eighteen in a few more months. Maybe it was time to start acting like it.

Qrow sat in one of his favorite bars, in a nice desolate corner with dimmed lights and an empty seat in front of him. Just how he liked it, with no one to distract him he could enjoy his drink and food in peace. He's been trying to drink less for Marron, who has constantly been hinting to him that he should cut down on it, and he sure as hell didn't want Malienna, his potential future step-daughter to remember him as being a drinking man or moments of him being drunk. He only started drinking because of the depression he felt when Summer died and Raven ran off and left Taiyang and their daughter. It was just about the only thing that helped him forget that. But now he wasn't depressed anymore. He had two beautiful nieces, a best friend, a girlfriend and a gorgeous young girl with a tail that's already calling him 'step-daddy'.

He never showed it, but he always loved it when she called him that.

He still remembered how Marron and he first got together. He was training her per her request to learn how to defend herself. It was a slow process, and quickly she started to talk to him more and more. Over the years, they grew closer and closer. His bad luck semblance seemed to take a break for all that time, because before he knew it Marron started to rely on him and care for him in more ways than he ever thought someone would care for him. At first he was reluctant because of Malikai being one of his best friends before he passed, but Marron assured him that as much as she loved Malikai, and always will, she had to move on. For her daughter and son… and then confessed that she had feelings for him. It was hook, line, and sinker after that. They got together, and a few weeks later Kai found out about it and here he was now, back in the bar.

He wished he was here just to let loose and relax, but that wasn't so. Tonight was a night of reunions. The chance to think happy thoughts was lost when a red and black portal tore through the air in front of him, and out came his lovely older twin sister Raven. She was as wild as they came, and with a huff, she sat in the stool in front of her and lifted her legs onto the table.

"What do you want?" She asked as she stole his drink and downed the rest of it.

"Is that any way to greet your loving twin brother?" Qrow asked with a smirk.

"It is when you called me bright and early in the morning to tell me about something the boy did." The red-eyed woman sighed explosively. "Why would you think that's a good idea?"

"You came didn't you?" Qrow countered as he finished his food and wiped his mouth. "Thought you should know about some of the shit he's done thanks to your very intelligent advice. Y'know, if Marron knew about what's been going on she'd try to kill you."

"Keyword being 'try'."

Qrow glared at her but hid it quickly. She didn't know that they were together, and it might just be better if it stayed that way.

"Whatever. Either way, you wanna hear what the kid did or not?"

Raven held up a finger and stretched the other out to her side. Within seconds, Vernal stepped through. The Spring Maiden, as Qrow knew her as. It took all the advice in the world to convince Ozpin not to go down to Raven's tribe personally and take the maiden, or try to anyway. He managed to calm him down and went to Raven herself about it shortly after the attack in Mistral. A deal was made - had to be made. Vernal was not to commit to abuse her power and would agree to take his protection if the tribe was ever assaulted by Salem. Raven didn't like it, but it was that or fight Ozpin, and as much as she boasted about being strong, one didn't just fight someone as ancient as Ozpin and plan to come out without a scratch.

"Old man," Vernal greeted him with a huff as she yanked a seat out of some poor guys bottom and pulled it up to the table, when the guy tried to get his chair back he was glared into submission. "The hell you doing calling both of us here."

"I am so glad you asked," Qrow sarcastically remarked. Raven had a smug smirk on her face, she knew he was annoyed by the question. "If you girls would be so kind as to be compliant with me, I'd like to know what kind of training you two put Kai through."

"What's it to you?" Vernal stonewalled him. Curious, Qrow immediately figured out that despite being brought up and practically raised by Raven, she still had a heart. She was fond of Kai, at the very least.

"Call it a concern for his safety," Qrow answered her after a moment.

"What we are teaching him isn't anything that would harm his body. You know what it takes to be a huntsman Qrow, you shouldn't be surprised if he is showing signs of exhaustion or prolonged fatigue."

"You train him despite knowing that?" Qrow had to ask.

"Yes," Raven held his gaze with a determined sense of believing in herself and her philosophies. At Qrow's disappointed glare, she continued. "Grimm won't wait for him to feel better, Sa-... Cinder won't wait for him to feel better. He needs to be ready, whether he is at his best or his worst."

"So you do care," Qrow lazily remarked. Raven simply scoffed.

"We aren't doing anything that you didn't already go through yourself," Vernal continued for her master. "We're training Kai to get stronger and overcome foes stronger than him. That's it."

"You train him to use his semblance at all?"

"Not much," Raven cared to admit. "It's already powerful enough and mostly relies on his emotions for it to release a stronger output. What he needs to focus on is relying on his own strength and not the strength of his aura."

"Sure," Qrow agreed with that much. He's constantly tried to convince Ruby and Yang not to rely on theirs, but Ruby's speed is a great part of her combat style and Yang always falls back on her semblance if she can't defeat her opponent head-on. They would be vulnerable if they ran low on aura. Kai being strong in both departments made sense. A safe amount of sense. "What about his eyes?" He asked next, quietly.

Raven and Vernal looked to each other. Qrow couldn't tell what they were saying to each other with their gestures, but it looked like Vernal was trying to convince Raven not to say anything else, but to no avail. After their little battle of gestures, it was ultimately decided.

"There's no point in my lying to you, is there?" Raven sighed. "As much as I hate to admit it, you know me. Yes, I did expose the boy to Grimm so that he could get better control over the power over his eyes."

There it was, Qrow's suspicion. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. Sensing the tenseness of the situation, Raven threw her legs off the bed and crossed her arms as she leaned back in her seat. They were brother and sister, but they were both ready for a potential attack and Vernal was on edge, she didn't know what was going to happen next.

"You ever his eyes glow a different color other than White?" Qrow asked in a voice barely louder than a whisper.

"Define different," Raven replied.

"Different enough that instead of white light, Kai's eyes release black darkness." Qrow's expression turned dead serious. "A darkness capable of turning people into stone."

"Impossible," Raven shook her head. "You heard the tale just as well as I did, and we both know that Ozpin is partly responsible for the birth of the silver eyes in the first place. As much as I don't trust that man, I know that he wouldn't allow them to even get close to a power like that."

"Yeah, that was also thousands of years ago," Qrow pointed out. "S.E.W's are powerful, but they are still human. They can evolve just as well as we did. Things happen."

"Where are you getting this from?" It was Raven's turn to lean forward and press her hands onto the table, glaring death into Qrow's eyes. "What happened that makes me think that you are trying to actually tell me the truth about something for once."

"I am not liking this bait to a revelation…" Vernal muttered.

"A few days ago, Kai, me, and a bunch of other huntsman and huntresses in training all took part in a raid on a White Fang recruitment center," Qrow began. Raven and Vernal obviously didn't know about it, and so they leaned in closer to better listen to his next words.

He went on to explain what happened that night. How it was all some trap that Tyrian, Hazel, and Roman put together. They knew that they were coming, and they trapped Kai, Ruby, and a few of their friends inside the building. It was hard for him to explain how Kai activated the ability in the first place, but he managed it pretty well. Kai and Ruby got in some trouble with Tyrian, and some things were revealed… He didn't go into detail on what Tyrian told Kai, but they got the message. Kai got pissed off by the thought of his entire bloodline being traitors to the silver-eyed race and released some kind of power. He tried to explain it the best he could, but he wasn't a silver-eyed warrior, especially not one who actually had control of the power. When he told them about what he did with the power, Raven and Vernal actually had the decency to look shocked. They've all killed people before, Raven was a bandit before she was a huntress and so was Qrow, and even as huntsman they had to take bad people down from time to time. But taking out a few hundred people all at once? That was something none of them ever got close to before, not even Vernal with the Spring Maiden powers.

"And he doesn't remember killing them all specifically," Qrow said with a sigh. "All he remembers is black, something cold, and then passing out. You had to be there to believe it, I know, but trust me on this one Ray, he turned all those people into stone. I don't know if it was a quick death, but I damn well hope it was. Most of them were fresh recruits."

"This…" Raven didn't care much for people, but even she had to show some effect on that. "That shouldn't be possible…"

"I'm guessing you've never seen that happen before?"

"We haven't," Vernal said. "I've seen the white kind before and Grimm turned into stone, but nothing even close to what you just described to us. Not so much as a grey even."

"I wanted to ask you two because besides his team and sister no one else really sees or hangs out with him all that often." Besides recently Ozpin of course, but the headmaster never trained the kid to use his eyes, he would have told him if he did. So he was out of the picture. "Is there anything you can give me?"

"No, nothing," Raven said with shut eyes. She looked conflicted. "Though he hasn't been calling for me recently, I assume he is in the infirmary?"

"Yup," Qrow confirmed. "Been in there since the botched raid. The activation took a toll on his body and it turned out he was suffering from over-exhaustion." He enjoyed the way Vernal winced at that, though Raven managed to keep a straight face. "Fancy that…"

"Very well, if you are done with the questions than I will leave," Raven said as she stood up suddenly, apparently being done with the conversation.

"Raven," Vernal looked like she didn't agree. "Shouldn't we at least visit him?"

"He'll call for us when he's ready to train again," Raven said as she slashed through the air, creating a portal with her semblance. "Though if you wish to see him so badly, you may stay. I can hardly force you to listen to me as it is."

"He looks up to you, y' know," Qrow pointed out loudly. Raven froze right as she turned around to enter the portal. "Relies on you, always wants to train with you, takes your advice, that's more than I can say for his mother honestly," He laughed sadly. "Maybe your next bit of advice to him should be 'Hey, don't go out every night and nearly get yourself killed'-"

He stopped speaking when Raven stepped through the portal and closed it behind her. Vernal huffed, shook her head, and crossed her arms. Not entirely pleased with being left behind so easily like this. Qrow took one look at her, and Vernal looked back at him, only to take the seat that Raven had left behind.

Qrow offered her a drink, and she took it and downed it without hesitation.

"You know, I'm sure I can get a spot for you in Beacon if you want it." Qrow offered. "Single-man team and everything, wouldn't want you accidentally killing any of your partners. I'm sure Ozpin would be happy to have you."

"Hmph," Vernal shook her head. "No, I already have a home. The only partner over there I'd be willing to have is already taken to. There's nothing for me here," she scrunched her face as she took another sip of the strong liquor. "Especially not when that bitch is still tearing up the town."

"Offer stands," Qrow accepted without pushing, he knew that it was a bad idea to push her. If anything, she was like a slightly nicer Raven who was actually willing to let people in. Though, Malikai would be to thank for that… "Cheers, buddy." He said as he dumped the rest of his alcohol on the floor in his late friend's name. "Hope you're kicking ass in the Overworld."

Not to his surprise, Vernal made a toast to her old friend as well. Even passed, Malikai still had an effect on the people he met, even the rough Spring Maiden. It was hard thinking that he could do anything to betray his friends, and whatever happened he wouldn't believe anything that comes from a crazed man's mouth.

And he left behind a strong son to take up his sword, and honestly, Kai was well on his way to becoming just like him, and just as strong.

He passed the assessment, amazingly enough. He had a feeling that the headmaster may have had something to do with it but in the end he didn't really care. The infirmary smelled weird and to his sensitive nose, there were dozens of other scents that he could smell that no one else could. He got used to it, but it was starting to give him a headache. Kai was glad that he was able to just lie down in his bed for once in his life, he didn't know when the last time was when he was able to do something like this, Just sit back, relax, and not have a care in the world.

The rest of Team KRBR was with him of course, because why wouldn't they be. Orchid was in the bed with him, though not in the way others may take it. She was simply lying beside him and in a reversed position so that her feet were on his pillow and her head was by his feet. Across from them Ruby and Blake were in a much similar position, although it was more Blake just sitting down with Ruby splayed across her. It was funny to imagine the kind of indignant or defeated look Blake would have on her face at that time.

"Today was a fun day," Orchid said with a yawn. It was night time now, and after a full day of hanging out with friends, they found themselves mentally exhausted. That was what happened when Rick, Brick, and Nora were all in the same room together for a prolonged amount of time. "I mean, we even got you to play video games with us today."

Kai laughed. "I still don't know what the point of that was, I just held a controller listened to you guys laughing at me."

"That's because even blind you still managed to beat Blake!" Ruby giggled uncontrollably at her teammate's expense. "I-I mean, how Blake? How do you manage that?"

"I've never touched a controller before!" Blake exclaimed.

"So what?" Orchid snickered. "Kai hasn't either and he's blind!"

"To be fair," Kai said between laughs. "I did sorta just mash buttons like Ruby told me to."

"Coach Ruby is the best Ruby, I say." No one believed that it was terrible advice and if Kai had gone up against any other person in that video game he would have gotten his ass handed to him. But they all let her think that.

That was only the start of their little relaxation plan for him that day.

It was almost sad to think about, the way he missed his friends and didn't even know it. When they were told that he was going to hang out with them today, everyone was surprised, yet happy and relieved in some way. Ruby, still a little shaky after being caught and maimed by Tyrian, got comfortable enough to show off her robotic fingers without any issue, not that her friends would have any with it to begin with. There was even a nickname for those two little metal appendages, that were given by Rick and Brick respectively. The pinky finger was nicknamed Rain, by Rick, and the ring finger was named Magma, by Brick. Very coincidental that both names were inspired by each of their favorite colors, surely, but Ruby paid it no mind and even engraved those names into the bionic fingers.

After his little video game match with Blake, it was just another game of catching up with all of his friends. Pyrrha was as nice as ever, and they talked for what felt like hours, apparently she came to Vale to attend Beacon instead of Haven because she wanted to escape her fame, and in a way, Kai was able to actually relate to her on that given his public name as 'The Blind Huntsman'. He was still in training, but 'The Blind Huntsman in training' didn't have as much ring to it as the former. Also apparently, there were hopes that the two of them would become partners in initiation, and much to the disappointment of the media, they did not meet up to that expectation.

After her, he caught up with Rick and Brick, and the didn't change a single bit over the years. The sixteen-year-old twins seemed to have spent too much time with Nora however, he noted that when he listened to them go on about their crazy adventures in training sessions and frequent trips down into the Emerald Forest with Professor Port to help catch Grimm for extra credit. Over their heads, he saw Jaune, Pyrrha, and Ren all shake their heads at every point in their story but were smiling nonetheless. Nora was proud of them though, and in turn, Kai told them about his training, which was remarked to be even more intense sounding than Pyrrha's training regime.

Then there was Yang, the two of them were on an off nowadays. They were still good friends and he'd like to think they were on good terms. But Raven is a constant reminder for the two of them always came up some way or another within their minds. He did promise her that one day he would convince Raven to speak to her, but that was two years ago, and Raven proves to be as difficult as ever. Like mother like daughter, he thought. They were more alike than either of them cared to admit, not that they would know anyway. Yang thanked him for protecting Ruby, and soon their relationship would hopefully return to the way it was before. No matter what, they still cared about each other, but nothing was ever perfect.

Lastly was Weiss, the last person he really had a serious conversation with. The two of them never really had a moment to catch up ever since they were in Mistral or in the first weeks of Beacon given the fact that they were placed on two different teams. She thanked him for healing her after he won their fight in Mistral, and for the life of him he couldn't remember exactly what he did, he honestly forgot about it until Weiss explained it to him. Despite that, it was good to get to know the heiress again, he still remembered those mechanical socks that he was gifted from Atlas. He still didn't know who exactly sent them, but he knew for sure that it came from Atlas. He promised to wear them again after the Schnee girl reminded him that the tech that went into those machines were apparently more worth than houses.

He found himself wishing that he could spend more time with them, but Malienna begged for his attention and he had to oblige his little sister and her needs. He couldn't believe that she was already three years old, he remembered when she was born. Thankfully he couldn't see it but he was there when his mother gave birth. He was told that she was growing up to be the female version of him. He wants to make sure that she does, but as the person that he was before. Not who he was now, he didn't want his sister to be the same way as he, he wanted her to be better. After telling her that, she giggled and snuggled with him. How could she understand? She was still just a three-year-old girl.

Once he was allowed to leave after Princess Malienna gave him permission, he found himself here. In his bed, with his three female teammates. He had a feeling that some guys would have loved to be in his position, but they had no idea what living with Ruby and Orchid was like. Blake was the only sane person there.

"Mmm." He hummed as he pushed the back of his head deeper into his pillow. It was definitely a good idea to let loose for today. He could feel his body already drifting off to sleep, sadly he currently wasn't allowed too.

"Hey, hey!" Orchid kicked him gently in the side of the head. "I asked you a question!"

"You did?" That was the wrong answer because now Orchid was sitting up as she let out a sharp, shocked sounding gasp. "Sorry…"

"Hmph," Orchid sassily harumphed. "You're lucky you meant that."

"That…" Blake had no energy to correct her. She sighed. "We were talking about the dance, and who was going with you."

"I'm sorry, but 'we?'" Orchid remarked sarcastically. "Last time I checked Ruby was the only other one adding to the conversation."

"Sup," the silver-eyed girl perked up.

"I listened…" Blake defended.

"Fair enough," Orchid easily surrendered, much to the faunus' confusion. "By the way, Kaizy, the dance is coming up in like, a week."

"It is?" Kai was surprised, he seemed to have lost track of the school schedule a long time ago.

"Yup," Ruby sat up and swung her legs over the bed. "Some people are freaking out that they don't have dates yet, Team CVFY were the ones who set it up though since their mission was canceled, so they are making sure that everyone is going to come so everyone can see their hard work."

"You mean Coco?"

"I mean Coco."

They all shared a laugh at that, it sounded like something Coco would do without a doubt.

"Well, are you guys going with anyone?" Kai asked, still lying down.

"Blake is," Orchid teasingly pointed out.

Blake sighed explosively. "Stupid blue-haired guy wouldn't stop asking me, Sun's partner took one look at me, and decided that I was the one for him apparently." She shook her head, annoyed. "He knew where to find me and what time, and I just gave up after the fifth time."

Kai laughed. "You know you could have just continued to say no if you really didn't want to go with him."

"I-I w-well," Blake sneered at her partner. "Shut up."

"Sun is going with Penny, it's so cute!" Ruby pointed out and saved her teammate from further embarrassment. "You shoulda seen it, it happened in lunch while you were in the infirmary. Sun went up to Penny, who was sitting with her really 'Atlas' teammate, asked her to the dance, and Penny got all excited and jumped up and down and carried off Sun to go to Vale with and help her find a dress." She snorted. "And then Ciel followed them with the funniest look on her face."

"I think she was annoyed beyond comprehension," Blake pointed out. "But it was indeed a funny moment."

"Brick asked Ruby to the dance," Orchid pointed out next, much to the young girl's expense. "Tell us, dear partner, what did you do to poor old Brick?"

Poor old Brick? This was definitely something he needed to hear."

"I… uh…" Ruby guiltily played with her hair. "Said no."

Kai sat up with shock on his face.

"But… But…" Kai fished through his own memories. "I remember you two always feel nervous around each other, embarrassed, I could have sworn that you two would have eventually finally hit it off."

"I know! And I did have a crush on him… for a little bit."

"Oh God," Kai palmed his face. "He got friend-zoned, didn't he?"

"Oh yeah, it was a one-way trip too," Orchid said. "She really laid it on thick too. Tried to explain how she didn't like him like that anymore, told him she was sorry, wanted to still stay friends. It was hilarious."

"There was nothing hilarious about it!" Ruby wailed. "I felt so bad!"

"There's nothing to be ashamed of Ruby," Blake returned the favor and came to her defense. "You don't have to date anyone if you don't want to, and besides, you're still young. You have plenty of time to worry about yourself before you start to care about silly things like that. Trust me, one-way feelings are something I am not a stranger too."

"Coming from experience Blakey?" Orchid teased.

"I…" Blake clammed up, remembering a certain bull faunus. "Something like that…"

"Yeah, and besides, he recovered real quick when Weiss told him to stop being a baby and that if he really wants to go with someone he can just go with her as partners." Orchid snorted. "I think you were replaced instantly."

"Boys are so weird…" Ruby commented.

"What about you, Kaizy?" Orchid nudged her Signal partner and wiggled her eyebrows. "Got a secret girlfriend you haven't told us about?"

"Against popular belief, I really do just train every time I go out at night," Kai assured them. "So no. No hidden girlfriend. Just uh… a lot of training."

"Wow, we need to get you a life."

"Ouch, but thanks, I guess."

"Are you even going to the dance?" Blake asked him next.

"I might," Kai shrugged his shoulders. "It's not something I really put a lot of thought into." He's never been that kind of guy, never worried about such things that most boys his age would constantly work through in their minds. Girls, relationships, social activities always came second to his studies and training until today. "I might just wait for you guys to get back-"

"No no no!" Orchid cut him off. "You're not getting out of this one. Tell you what, no one has asked me to the dance yet-"

"I wonder why," Blake said, obviously referring to Orchid's very well known tendency to swap out personalities on the fly. She meant it as a joke however, so Orchid took no offense.

"But," Orchid scowled anyway. "Since I don't have a date yet, and you don't have a date yet, why don't we fix that problem together eh? I'm on a confident personality now, so there's a time limit before I take that back." She added in a whisper.

Kai shrugged his shoulders. "Sure, why not?"

"Eh-" Orchid swapped personalities right on cue and found herself red and embarrassment. "J-just like that?"

"Yeah," Kai smiled at her. "It'll make you happy and I'm sure I'll be too. So sure, let's go to the dance together."

Something thudded on the floor.

"What was that?"

"Orchid went into her super shy personality and passed out," Ruby sighed as she stepped off the bed and lifted her partner. "She'll be fine, but I'm definitely telling everyone what just happened."

Kai sighed, of course she was. The night that followed was met with a strange silence and Ruby and Orchid muttering to each other in the bathroom. Obviously coming up with plans for the dance, and since Blake didn't want any part of it, she was naturally dragged into it as well. Leaving him alone to his thoughts as he willed himself to sleep once again. He enjoyed spending his time the way he did today, and he hoped to do it again. This week, he promised himself would be a calm one. The most exciting thing about it would be the upcoming conversation about his eyes with the headmaster. It still lingered about, what he did, how he did it. But the White Fang, recruit or no, were still terrorists. In the end, they got what they deserved. But what he described… Silver eyed activations capable of killing people was an evolution even he knew shouldn't be in the hands of the wrong person. The results would be catastrophic.

No matter what, as much as he wanted to, he couldn't rest forever. Things needed to be done, Cinder was still out there, Roman Torchwick was still out there, Adam, Sienna, Tyrian, and all of their allies were still out there. He felt like he created an even bigger target on himself after what he did, but they were after him anyway so it wasn't too big of a deal.

For now, he'd rest. Gather his strength again and spend his time wisely. But it was always the same. He couldn't do it forever. After the dance, he would continue on with his crusade, no matter how hopeless it may be.

Needed to finish this now or else I would have never finished it. As you guys can probably imagine, I could have written a lot more detail in what Kai did and interacted with his friends, but that would have made the chapter drag on and be a lot longer than I intended it to be. Maybe one day I'll create a little folder of all the things that happened without Kai being there, but since this story is mainly in his perspective, I can't just do that at times. I mean, I could, but that'd make a lot more work for myself.

So, I will do my best to keep updating this story. I will return, so have no fear of that.

T w itter . com (slash) genatools

P a treon . com (slash) Genatools