And we are back. Back with Kai stuff and main character things.

Beta: CrowSkull

The Blind Huntsman

Chapter 113

Volume 5, Episode 1

A Tough Loving Reunion

Kai let out a deep sigh as he dropped his butt onto the soft cushioned cot that had been provided for him within Raven's camp. He ran a hand down his face, groaning into it and shaking his head as he went through the recent events in his mind over and over again. He pulled his sword on Raven, someone he believed he could trust and loved as a mentor figure. It was not his plan to come to her camp and immediately do that, but when he found not only Weiss, but his sister within her camp as well? He just got so angry out of nowhere. Kai didn't know where it came from. It took both his sister and Weiss to calm him down, making it clear to him that Raven hadn't kidnapped Malienna, nor was she hurting Weiss in any way. She was treating them quite nicely apparently, and after determining that to be the truth, Kai put his sword down and Raven had one of her bandits show him the way to his tent. Neo was on another cot adjacent to his, and she was leaning forward with her hands on his knees in her own way of comforting him. He was grateful for that.

They were alone for all but five minutes before Malienna came storming into the tent with Weiss following close after. Kai opened his arms and let Malienna leap into them. He never felt her hug him harder in his life, and he hugged her back just as tightly. Neither of them said a word to each other, they were just happy that they were together again. Kai had honestly thought that Malienna was dead before he connected to her with the power of his eyes. The fact that they could do that and so reliably at that was something that would need to be more explored later down the line, but right now, all Kai cared about was that he had his sister again. And Weiss as well for that matter, who sat next to him while keeping an eye on Neo. She raised an eyebrow when she saw her hands on his knees, and she gave her a silent warning to back away. Neo did so, shrugging and leaning back against the post of the tent and allowing Weiss and Malienna to have Kai all to themselves for now. She felt as though Kai needed this. They had spent so long out in the goonies of Mistral, Vale, and even Vacuo to a lesser extent fighting for their lives regularly. She made a mental note to return to him once night came again however, she needed to let loose some stress of her own as well, after all.

"I'm glad you're okay," Weiss said, placing a hand on Kai's shoulder and squeezing it while his hands were occupied with a still tearfully relieved Malienna. "I'm very glad."

"Hm," Kai gave her a weak smile. "I'm glad you're okay too, Weiss. I didn't expect to find you here as well. Not saying that I am ungrateful that you're okay or anything, but what are you doing here?"

Weiss let out a long tired sigh. "That is a long story I'd rather not waste time to explain. To keep it short, once Vale was evacuated my father wanted me back home. At first I thought it was to keep me safe but… again, long story short, it wasn't safe for me to stay in Atlas any longer."

Kai's smile fell. "Did he hurt you?"

"He didn't-" Weiss stopped herself and bit her lip, she couldn't lie. He would know. "He tried to." She admittedly was careful. "Like I said, I really don't want to talk about that right now, not so soon after we finally met again. I'm just glad I'm not there anymore and I was able to find both of our missing Matsuokas," she let out a soft chuckle, one that Kai forced himself to share. "I have to ask though, I… I really thought you were dead, Kai. You, Brick, and Rick were in the middle of Vale in the center of the Grimm's invasion. How? How were you able to survive that where the twins were..."

It was Kai's turn to let out a long sigh. Malienna was still awake and sobbing into his lap, but he knew that she was likely curious about that as well. "Rick and Brick fought with me for as long as they could… I… I wish I could have saved them." Biting back old tears, Kai shook his head and continued. "I tried to kill Salem."

"Salem?" Weiss tilted her head, confused. "Who is that?"

Kai let out a bitter laugh. "She's the one who's above even Cinder. She controls the Grimm, she's the reason Vale and Beacon were overrun and destroyed." he explained. "She's also the one who killed Brick and Rick. Told me that it was a favor killing them instantly by crushing their hearts with magic." Weiss gasped at that, making Kai hang his head as he remembered the depressing memory. "I tried to kill her, keyword being try. I stabbed my sword through her heart, but nothing happened. She just held my face," Kai recalled the scene perfectly as if it happened just yesterday. It was something he could never forget, no matter how badly he wanted to. "And told me "You cannot slay what cannot be slain." Then she…" Kai closed his eyes tightly, the memory of what had happened becoming too painful to explain. Weiss recognized this, and reached over to hug him over her side.

"It's okay, you don't need to keep going." Weiss said. "I understand that it hurts to talk about. Just know that you're not alone anymore."

"Mmm…" Kai hummed, appreciating the gesture. "Neo was the one who saved me after that," he pointed out. "After Salem told me some things, she left me there. Exhausted and beaten. I don't know for what, but she wants me to live for some reason."

"She was the one who saved you?" Weiss asked out of disbelief. "Her?"

"Yeah…" Kai said, not understanding why Weiss was reacting the way she was. Neo for her part scoffed quietly, amused by Weiss' reaction toward her. "I understand that she wasn't always an ally, per se, but she was the one who helped me move across three different kingdoms in a quest to try and get to Mistral so we could find my sister and then stop Cinder."

"She… did all that for you?" Weiss asked, still in disbelief that Neo would do any of that for him. "But… she…"

Weiss was there. She saw Neo, disguised as Kai, kill Penny and frame him for working with Cinder. Obviously, Kai would never do that, and the things that he has said so far sounded far from dishonest. Kai had to have known that something happened to tarnish his name over the time that he had left Vale, it was impossible that he hadn't since he traveled across the kingdoms, he said so himself. Did he know what Neo did before that? She appreciated that Neo saved him and protected him all this time but… something was off. Neo was far too comfortable where she was now, Kai was far too comfortable for even her own liking. Weiss didn't know what to do with this. But right now, she didn't want to ruin the reunion that Kai was having with his sister. After everything they had been through so far, they needed this. She locked eyes with Neo, and she looked as smug as ever. Weiss glared at her. She wasn't about to trust her anytime soon, so she'd let her hang around for now.

"Very well… How is she?" Weiss said instead, switching the topic back to Kai's little sister.

"She's sleeping…" Kai said as he stroked Malienna's hair. "Has been for a few minutes. She feels a lot heavier, but not in a bad way. Has she been training?"

"Yes, actually." Weiss answered. "Raven and I have been training her. Not against her will," she felt like she had to make that clear. "We just wanted to make sure that she could protect herself. Just in case… you know."

"Yes. I do know." Kai sighed as he continued to stroke her hair. "I can't be mad about her getting stronger… I just wanted… I wanted to make a world where she wouldn't have to train." Kai explained. "So that she wouldn't have to feel the weight that I feel. I was thinking about it as well, since obviously it looks like she has been learning to use her eyes as well."

"But she's still very young." Weiss said. "I understand. I was uneasy about the prospect as well. But this way, at least she knows how to use her aura and how to wield a weapon."

"I want to protect her." Kai said, continuing to stroke Malienna's hair. "I want to make sure she doesn't have to use those skills. I agree that she needs them, but she'll only have to use them if I'm not there, and right now, I don't plan on ever leaving her side again." Kai looked back her way. "Weiss, I am going to be going again soon. I'm bringing Malienna with me, and I want to bring you too."

"I appreciate your haste," Weiss said. "But… There is something Raven has to tell you herself. Something about Cinder. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving until that happens."

"What do you mean something about Cinder?" Kai asked, narrowing his eyes. "What happened?"

"Raven will tell you." Weiss said Kai let her take Malienna with her. There were only two cots in his tent, and the other one was being taken by Neo already. So she would have to go back with Raven for tonight at least. "For now, just rest. I'm sure you've been traveling a lot and have been through so much already just getting here."

Kai felt very tired all of a sudden. Now that Weiss pointed it out, she was right. He was sore, his body felt hot and heavy, and above all, he was tired. He was reluctant to let go of Malienna, but he trusted Weiss to take care of her for him. He kissed Malienna on the forehead and hugged Weiss one more time before they went.

Neo took the empty spot Weiss left behind as soon as she left the tent, leaning into him bodily and kissing his neck. Her intentions were clear, and Kai didn't push her away.

"Thanks, Neo." Kai said, returning her affection. "I guess I should relax, just for tonight, at least."

The next morning, Kai didn't waste any time. He dressed himself and then left his shared tent with Neo, making his way through the camp and making his way toward Raven's tent where he knew she would be. He didn't see his sister or Weiss around, so he safely assumed that they were already with her. The bandits didn't get in his way. Some of them he recognized, but most if not all of them recognized him in turn. They were nervous around him, unsure about him, he could figure why. He was a different person now. A man, not like the boy that they'd seen Raven bring around to train every once in a while. They were able to see the scars, metaphorical and physical, on his body and soul. He didn't pay any heed to it, instead focusing entirely on what he needed to do. Silver Ebony was still at his side as its always been, but as he approached Raven's tent, the sword felt heavier and heavier. He couldn't allow himself to even rest his grip on the hilt of the blade as he usually did. Guilt flowed through his heart and mind, and he couldn't stop thinking about the look that Raven must have had on her face when he drew his sword on her. What would have happened if Weiss and Malienna hadn't stopped him? Would he have attacked her? Demanded answers? Honestly, he was scared to find the answers to those questions. He couldn't imagine his past self ever drawing his blade against someone he cared about in such a manner, but now…?

Kai sighed and shook his head, forcing himself to stop thinking about it. Instead, he faced his guilt and pushed his way into Raven's tent. Confirming his earlier suspicions, Weiss and Malienna were still inside the tent, the latter of the two still sleeping while the former was doing her hair. They both shared a nod, and Weiss closed off her and Malienna's section of the tent, allowing Raven and he some iota of privacy. He sensed Raven look at him curiously, up and down and left to right. Meanwhile, Kai smelled the alcohol on her breath, and several empty bottles near the cot where she slept. Wordlessly, he moved through her messier side of the tent and sat down on a makeshift chair that the bandits must have made, sitting across from her and taking one of the half-empty bottles as he did so. The liquid burned as it went down his throat, but he didn't gag or cough. He just groaned as he struggled to figure out how to start a conversation with her after what had happened yesterday.

"You've gotten bigger," Raven commented suddenly, gesturing to him with her flask. "Taller, stronger. That sword of yours is proportional to your body now."

"Hmph," Kai scoffed. "I'd hope I'd grow some. It's been a long time since we last saw each other, Raven."

"It has," Raven agreed. "The last time I was at Beacon, I believe it was when you made me talk to Yang. A long time ago indeed…" She took another long swig from her flask. "A lot has happened since Beacon fell, kid. I'm sure you have a lot of questions to ask me."

"I do." Kai said, then sighed. "But not right now. I… I just wanted to…"

"Apologize?" Raven asked, then scoffed when Kai didn't immediately answer. "Yeah… I won't lie, a lot of shit has been happening lately. Too much shit. I wanted to let myself feel something when I saw you again, and I did, but that backfired all to shit."

"I'm sorry…"

"I know you are." Raven said indifferently. "Doesn't change what happened though. But it does explain a few things for me. That one exchange between us of you drawing your sword at me and demanding answers tells me why my semblance isn't bonded with you anymore."

Kai perked his head up with interest. "We're not bonded anymore? How? That should be impossible."

"I thought so too." Raven continued. "I stopped being able to open portals to you almost immediately after Beacon fell. I wanted to open a portal to you to bring you back, make sure you were safe, and give that brat over there," she pointed to where Malienna was still sleeping. "Her big brother back. She kept asking for you, you know. She kept asking for updates on where you were, what you were doing, and how long it'd be until she saw you again. Pah," Raven spat something out into a bucket nearby. "Mushy shit like that. The point is, however, that you changed."

"Changed…" Kai for all he wished to, couldn't deny it. "Everyone changes," he said instead. "What makes me any different?"

"Kai," Raven leaned forward. "What happened to you in Vale? What did you do between the fall and now? Tell me, and you just might figure out the answer to that question yourself."

Kai hung his head as he made himself remember. Remember Salem, what she did to Rick and Brick, and then the revelation about him being her far descended grandson. Then everything that came after that. Visiting his father's grave in Vacuo, accepting his mother and sisters' presumed deaths, traveling with Neo through three kingdoms, and all the people and Grimm along the way. He didn't know how he couldn't figure it out before, but now it was so obvious, especially when he was recalling it out loud now. It became clear to him when he talked about Aiden, the last remaining teammate of his father's team, his betrayal, and what he did to him when he found out about it. Working with Tyrian Callows of all people to do it as well. He told Raven everything that he could remember, and he felt her go through a range of emotions from shock, awe, disappointment, and even fear before ending in relief. He spoke quietly in hopes that Weiss didn't hear him, and he made sure to leave out his relationship with Neo as well, but when he was done, it was both of them reaching for a drink.

"And yet you asked me why our bond isn't active anymore?" Raven asked with a peal of bitter laughter. "You stupid boy. You're on a path right now that is taking you to a dark place." Coming from the leader of a bandit tribe was ironic, but she was right. "You don't even know how many people you've killed, you fought for your life countless times, and you are using tactics you would have never even entertained before. And working with Tyrian fucking Callows?" Raven reached over and punched him in the face. The shock of what she just did to him made him widen his eyes as he fell onto the floor clutching his now bruising cheek. He sensed her anger, her disappointment, and now her sorrow as she glared down at him as he righted himself and stood back up with her.

"And you're not even reacting to that pain…" Raven spat, shaking her head as she turned away from her. "No shit you've changed. Not even my semblance recognizes you anymore. Why do you always do this-" Raven cut herself off and widened her own eyes as she realized the answer to that question as soon as she asked it.

"A long time ago…" Kai went on. "You told me that if there is an issue you need to handle, you best do it yourself before it becomes a problem." he recited for her. "I guess I took that advice a little too hard and literally…" Laughing dryly, Kai returned to his seat. "I became Stone Face, I started killing people, I started doing and trying things I wouldn't have done before, all because of that one mistake of mine. I've… I've really fucked myself up, haven't I?"

Raven looked back at him, her face was conflicted and sad, and now she was the one who didn't know what to say. She couldn't help but remember Qrow telling her something. That she was like another motherly mentor figure for Kai, and he started relying on her in those ways. She enabled him without realizing it - No, she knew what she was doing at the time. But her intention was to make him stronger and more independent. She didn't want this.

"I didn't want that life for you." Raven said out loud. "I… I guess I'm the one who should be apologizing to you now."

"No," Kai stood up. "No, it's not your fault. I know what I've been doing. I know why I'm the way I am now. It's no one's fault but mine. At least now, I have someone I can look up to again."

"Hmph," Raven scoffed. "Be careful where that leads you, Little Kai. Sit back down," she instructed, doing the same. "There's another reason why we needed to talk. With you here now, things have changed."

"Changed how?" Kai asked. "Weiss told me that Cinder might be involved." He remarked, his tone shifting to a dangerous tone. "What happened?"

"Cinder came to this camp. Let me finish." Raven cut him off before he could ask another dozen questions. "She came and destroyed one of the gates you might have sensed out there. She killed a few of my men and injured a lot more. I had Weiss take Malienna and hide while I made a deal with her."

Kai forced himself to relax. "What kind of deal?"

"The kind of deal where she wouldn't kill us all in exchange for us doing her a favor involving my portals when she calls for it." Raven explained. "The kind of deal that I was going to be forced to go through with before, but now that you're here, things have changed." She repeated.

"Because when she calls on me for that favor, I will be sending you right to her." Raven revealed. "And you are going to do your damndest to finish the job you neglected to do before."

For some reason, despite this chapter being short, I thought this was a good spot to leave things off for now. Until next time, it shouldn't be so long between this chapter and the next, hopefully.