Another one in the books.
Just as a reminder, there's gonna be parts of the story that favor more to Team RWBY, especially Blake, and even Sasuke.
They're the other prominent main characters and will have arcs that the story favors telling their story.
So let's get to this chapter, shall we?
Born with no life... into subjugation
Treated like a worthless animal
Stripped of all rights
Just a lesser being
Crushed by cruel ruthless human rule
When it started
All we wanted was a chance to live our lives
Now in darkness
Taking anything we want and we will rise
We'll rise
We'll rise
"I thought you were just one of the protesters! No, you were one of those terrorists that firebombed and assaulted my father's warehouses and other businessmen and politicians to get your way!"
"Like you would understand! The methods were crude, yes! But they worked! People couldn't ignore our plight!"
Tucking her down and slumping as she sat on her bed, listening to the argument, Ruby's eyes swiveled back and forth. She nervously fidgeted, her leg trembling. She looked over to her sister, who was grimacing, startled and confused.
She didn't know what to do either… What could they do?
The moment they returned to the dorm after classes, Weiss snapped, demanding to know what everything was about. What Professor Goodwitch meant by being lenient toward her.
Ruby hung her head further, wincing.
Blake was part of the White Fang… Why didn't she say anything when we had our girl talk? Maybe we could have talked it out…
"Ah, gals…" Yang tried to intervene, stepping forward and between them, waving her hands passively to break up the argument. "I can see things are tense and heated, but shouldn't we take a moment…"
"Your plight? Give me a break! Faunus have equal wages! You are allowed everywhere…"
Yang shrunk and grimaced.
Apparently not…
"Do you live in a bubble?" Blake hissed, a seething glare piercing into Weiss' cold blues. "Do you not see the signs on shops all over Vale? The so-called Kingdom of Freedom! Why do you think I put on that stupid bow when we went into town last weekend? For decoration? No! It's so I can be served everywhere we decide to go! So I'm not charged extra! To not get sneered at by random people everywhere! We Faunus aren't welcomed everywhere!"
Weiss flinched and hunched back, grimacing. She saw the signs… They were few and far between… Saw people who came to the CTT tower that gave nasty glares toward Blake… Velvet… Even some students…
She didn't live in a bubble… Did she? …Were Faunus genuinely charged extra?
Blake leered, scoffed, and turned away from Weiss. Yang perked up for a moment, believing her intervention had worked to an extent before she shrunk back as Blake glanced back, her gaze burning vitriolically, her voice but a whisper. "For years, wages were barely liveable for Faunus. Prices were hiked in districts where Faunus lived, and were charged more when we went elsewhere. The old ways only worked so much… Violence got us results. Faunus are no longer underpaid… Ask your father how that went after years of fighting it."
Weiss' body went rigid. Her eyes flickered with indignation. Her lips snarled, and she stood straight.
Her gaze vehemently pierced into Blake's. "My father… You have no idea… Do you understand just what your violence did to my family? To me?"
With her eyes scouring her shaking, stiffened demeanor, Blake scowled. What did that mean? They only stole from and burned his warehouses… Hit transports to affect the bottom line.
Hit him where it hurt.
"Okay, gals, that's enough, seriously." Yang rigidly approached with a more demanding tone to end this fight. "Let's just talk this out…"
"You're right; it is enough." Weiss spat, glimmering hatefully toward Blake. "I refuse to be on a team with a leader… Like her. I'm done. I'm requesting a transfer from this sad excuse of a team."
Blake stiffened. Her eyes dilated. A hiss escaped her lips.
"No, no, no!" Ruby leaped off her bunk in a blind panic, gently grasping Weiss' shoulder. "We can talk this out…"
"I will not!" Weiss snapped her shoulder away from Ruby before leering toward Blake. "I refuse to work with someone who actively divides people… Actively destroys lives and stirs hatred, directing it toward others! …You and your friends are no better than my father."
Blake stumbled, her eyes shimmering. Her heart skipped before thunderously beating in her chest. That couldn't be!
She lowered her head; her body trembled. Her gaze dulled. Everything she did with him… All the damage inflicted… The pain.
Were their actions any better than those they were fighting against?
Clutching her fists, a cold chill shivered and trailed down her spine. Her eyes flickered, and she bit her lip…
No…
"You can stay…" Blake's eyes misted as she turned entirely away. "I'll go… I don't deserve to be here."
"Wait! Stop!" Yang reached over for Blake, only for her to pull her shoulder from her. "I don't know what you did… Or completely understand the reasoning… But if they gave you a chance here… Doesn't that mean they saw something in you and believed in that?"
"They were wrong…" Blake blankly looked to the floor momentarily, turning her head back, her gaze focusing on Ruby. "Your leader now… This team was always mean for you, not me."
"What? I…" Ruby was taken aback, clutching her chest before vehemently shaking her head. "No! No, it wasn't! I…"
"Why do you think it's called RWBY instead of BRYS or something else that starts with B? Every team in Beacon has their leader's initial first." Blake responded, her head slumping.
Ruby was left dumbfounded. Unable to speak. She could shake her head, watching Blake turn away and head for the door. Was this what was bothering her? Was it something more?
Weiss froze, her eyes shifting toward Ruby and then back to Blake. That couldn't be… Did that mean… She was never in consideration for leadership?
Wait, no… That wasn't what this was about! Weiss glowered, shaking her head before turning around. "Good riddance. We don't need someone like you."
"Would you shut up, princess! This is just as much your fault!" Yang snapped at Weiss, startling her, and turned to Blake, who exited the room and cursed. "Wait! Oum dammit! Hold on!"
"Blake!" An anxiety-ridden Ruby bolted out the door.
Clutching onto her shoulder only for it to vaporize into shadows before her.
Her eyes snapped wide, and she scanned the hall and swiveled her head, unable to locate a trace of her. "Blake?"
"Blake!" Yang flew out the door, a deep scowl on her face as she looked around to see Blake had vanished. "Dammit! Come on, we'll find her together…"
"I don't care what their issue is. We'll figure this out!"
Where was she? It had been two weeks since she was sent out…
How difficult was it to gain information on this pest? Locating him was easy enough… The fool in charge was fond of making massive announcements.
"Another pathetic attempt to unite the people?" She mused, scrolling through the news feeds; amber eyes flickered with a burning passion. An instructor for Beacon… How bothersome.
That would make dealing with him and her future plans problematic. He saw me… Exposed who I was to that nosy witch who was a part of their order.
She snarled and tossed her custom-built scroll onto her desk in frustration. Everything must go according to plan if there is a chance of succeeding. He has too many eyes around here… It was difficult to stay hidden.
Now, a new player with magical capacity seemingly joined his side? One that overwhelmed her with the element she found she had the most affinity for from her new powers?!
The scroll ruptured in flames; her intent furiously focused on it. A cruel smirk twitched on her lips, and she chuckled. "Oh dear… I guess I'll have to have him build me a new one… Put that pathetic fool to good use."
"Could you not set things on fire?" An annoyed voice snarkily commented while a suave and quite gorgeous man she persuaded to join her cause strolled toward her, seemingly irritated.
It would only be a matter of time before she took him. Used him as she so desired.
A snide grin crossed her features. Perhaps failing to inform her of his capacities was for the best? Knowing her direct approach, she may have attempted to capture and bring him to her…
Little fool.
"If a single spark ignites wrong in here, we all go boom, got it?" Roman scowled, flicking his cane and waving it to all the containers around them. "I value my life, Ms. Fall. I would rather not be scattered into the wind as nothing but ashes from sheer negligence. Not after all the work I've put into this for you."
Cinder only amusingly smirked before she feigned acknowledging his words, using a low and husky tone as she placed a hand on her chest, begging for forgiveness. "Forgive me. I must learn to control my temper. This power of mine is quite unstable…"
Roman squinted and refrained from snarling. He was adept at understanding and reading people and knew there was no sincerity in her words.
He had to be good at it. To survive this long? With Lil' Miss Malachite and Spider still out after him?
Always had to be a step ahead.
…Would help if he had his partner…
His eyes narrowed. If she had anything to do with why Neo hadn't returned…
"Just keep your little friends out of my business and keep the animals in line so I can run this operation smoothly. That bullheaded one you brought under your thumb is making things far more difficult than necessary." Roman scowled as he turned around, tipping his hat's rim over his gaze. "We've been running the streets here. We know what we're doing. …It would be running more efficiently if she was here."
Amber eyes flared with contempt at his retreating back. Cinder's lips snarled before she scoffed. Her expression turned to amusement. "Is that so? I'll put her on it when she returns… Have another job I need her for. She's the right age, after all, and I need a fourth member."
His eyes flickered with annoyance as he glanced back. Roman's displeased gaze glared into hers. And without a word, he scoffed and faded into the warehouse, intent on continuing his work.
Ember dances in Cinder's manic gleam, watching his fading back.
Oh, she would break this handsome devil… Claim him as hers as she showed him how little their lives mattered. He would watch this place burn to the ground…
Every person screaming in anguish as chaos reigned!
They all would come to know her suffering!
They all left her… She was all on her lonesome.
A numbness filled her entire being as she absently gazed before her. She could hardly pay attention to Doctor Oobleck's lesson…
Wait, was he talking about the Faunus War? Why was that today's lesson?
"Ms. Schnee!"
"Ah, yes?" Weiss shrunk in her seat at suddenly being called and glanced around the room nervously at the other first-year students, who were now all paying attention to her.
Recognizing that the rest of her team wasn't present.
"In the treaty that ended the Faunus Revolutionary War, what was the main stipulation of the treaty?" Bartholomew quizzed, a rapid frown crossing his features, momentarily noticing the empty seats surrounding her.
Weiss squinted before furrowing her brow. She prided herself on knowledge, but the history of the Faunus War wasn't something she knew off the top of her head.
With her disorganized thoughts, she scowled as she wracked her brain, attempting to think of the solution. "I believe it was for equal rights."
"Alas, it is not." Oobleck shook his head. "Faunus received equal rights after the Great War. However, and this is truly unfortunate, they've had to continue to stress and even fight for those rights to this day. Faunus discrimination is still a massive problem and why many Faunus choose to live in Menagerie despite having the freedom to live wherever they wish."
Her stomach knotted and twisted at those words. Weiss' head sunk, and her eyes glistened, her thoughts shifting to what happened last night.
Was that why Blake said she could never understand… Why their methods had become so brutal?
…That they were still fighting for rights they were supposedly given yet never possessed?
"No, what the treaty stated, if I were to simplify it, was that Faunus were not to be confined and exiled to only Menagerie." Bartholomew continued with the lesson. "That they could live amongst the Four Kingdoms without conflict, although many forget that portion of the treaty. …Is that funny to you, Mr. Winchester?"
"No!" Cardin immediately shook his head, seeing intent drawn to him, and winced, the smirk on his face dropping instantaneously.
Weiss scowled, looking directly at him with disgust. He laughed at such a plight? What kind of person was he?
Her eyes shimmered as she hung her head. What kind of person was she? …Was she really like…
"Ms. Schnee." The Doctor's concerned voice caused her to gaze toward him. "May I ask where the rest of Team RWBY is? It is highly irregular for students to skip class. Did something happen we were unaware of?"
"Um… Yes." Weiss winced, feeling the weight of everyone's eyes upon her. Why did she have to be asked about this so publicly… It was embarrassing.
"There was an argument last night." Weiss stuttered over her words while grimacing. "It got heated… Blake was upset… And ran off and hasn't come back… Ruby and Yang are out looking for her…"
"I bet she ran off so she doesn't have to face me." Cardin snickered above, causing Weiss to frown and clench her fists.
No, it wasn't because of you, fool… It was me…
"Oh, I see…" Oobleck frowned upon hearing that information. "While I thank you for doing the correct thing and informing one of the staff so we may be able to assist… Why are you here?"
Upon seeing his questioning stare, Weiss shrunk further in her seat."I… uh…"
"You should be with the rest of your team, also searching for her." Oobleck frowned, placing his hands behind his back. "Academics are secondary to the well-being of your comrades and should always be considered as such. I do believe that was what Professor Uzumaki's first-class expressed."
Grimacing, feeling the knot in her stomach wrench, Weiss slumped in her chair. Even her instructors were disapproving…
"You may be excused from class, Ms. Schnee," Oobleck added, wavering his hand to the door. "Please inform Professor Greene and Uzumaki of the situation. They should be able to assist you."
"And I will inform Professor Goodwitch so she can hold the training for the Vytal Tournament. She prefers when all students can attend, after all." Oobleck added, causing Cardin to freeze in his seat.
He couldn't escape this!
Trudging through the streets, unable to focus on anything other than passerby cars when crossing the street, Blake gazed up into the sky longingly.
Where was she going to go?
She couldn't go home… He undoubtedly was waiting for her to resurface… Heading home would tip him off on her location…
Last thing she wanted was to drag them into her mess.
…Or see what Adam would retaliate for abandoning him.
Blake grimaced, looking down at herself… She hadn't even changed anything since leaving…
"Did I ever really leave?" Blake muttered, grasping the fabric of her blouse and winced. "I'm still the same person… Nothing has changed, has it? I was just… pretending."
She glowered spitefully, her golden eyes glimmered with indignation. She clenched her fists as a cold shudder ran down her spine. She came to change herself… To better herself. What had she really done?
Biting her lip, she hung her head lowly. Nothing… She did nothing but run away and hide.
It was all she ever did… Ran away from home… From the White Fang… From him… Even her Semblance was only good for escaping and running away.
Blake scowled, hearing her scroll once more, rolling her eyes. Likely Ruby or Yang again…
Straightening her posture and pulling her scroll out, her body went rigid… How was he calling? He had just figured out how to answer his scroll! Did he figure out how to make calls?
Blake's shoulders slumped as she rejected the call. Her mood soured into a sullen state. They had told him that she had left… And now he was searching for her?
Why?... Wasn't he disappointed… Blake dropped her head, remembering that expression he held at her. So why is he out…
Her eyes shimmered as a thought crossed her mind. Was he trying to help her still? Was it because she agreed to help him?
Or was there something more…
Why did she care? He was only trying to get home… He didn't need someone like her around… He was too…
Blake's head to her scroll, seeing another call, scowling. Why wasn't he stopping?
Her face softened before she flinched. She knew why… It was just who he was.
"I'm sorry…" Blake rejected the call, putting away her scroll. "I'm not…"
Her eyes shifted to the side, to the building she stood by. It was a store… A very particular store.
Blake scoffed before a light smile crossed her lips, looking over her appearance. "How can I start anew if I'm stuck in the past…"
"Let's hope they serve Faunus… I'm sorry! I didn't see you!" Blake flinched as she bumped into some, cringing as she knocked them over before reaching down to assist her.
Only to jump back as her head sharply gazed up at her at an awkward angle from how she was lying on the ground, a vivid smile crossing her features. "It is quite alright! It's so nice to meet you!"
"My name's Penny! What's yours, friend?"
"She's not going to answer," Weiss muttered nonchalantly, handing over the scroll to its original owner, whose scowl caused her to flinch as he took it back.
"What the hell did ya argue about that caused her to run off?" Naruto squinted, locking his scroll into its holder on his waist, crossing his arms, and glancing around the city.
Weiss squirmed under his gaze. Being around him was difficult enough… Him being annoyed?
"I confronted her about what happened yesterday and why she had been acting off… She came clean about it…" Weiss apprehensively responded, looking away. "About what she did in her group…"
"Mah, she didn't do anything with them." Naruto glowered; his golden eyes with rectangular pupils darted and absorbed every detail around them as they continued strolling through the streets, hoping he could spot her or feel her presence nearby.
With his sensory, while channeling natural chakra, he was very effective at sensing individual presences. Was able to even sense through that sealed barrier they kept behind when the Fourth shinobi was started…
However, this was frustrating. He couldn't locate her. It was difficult to penetrate the thick fog that surrounded this city. Every presence came up blurry, unrecognizable within it. Even those nearby…
Were diluted, but he could at least tell who they were. So if she was nearby, he could track her…
"Gah, pollution sucks!" Naruto growled in frustration, glaring at everything around him.
Weiss was startled by his back-to-back comments. Pollution? What was he talking about? There wasn't a toxic spill or anything by…
"What do you mean she didn't do anything?" Weiss narrowed her gaze, gritting the words out through her teeth. "She said she took part in all their activities. Raiding Dust warehouses or Fire bombing them or destroying property and assaulting work staff on Dust transports. Setting politicians or wealthy influencers actively disparaging their group property on fire."
"Yeah, she was a part of those things." Naruto scrunched his nose at the heiress, her tone grating on him before shrugging her off. "But you are acting like she did most of those things. She was just present for most of it… Well, outside, going to town on those droids and stealing Dust… I mean, she went to town on them."
Weiss' eyes flickered before she furrowed her brow and scowled. Then why did she say she took part in all their actions…
"If she was only present… Why would she admit to doing all the more heinous crimes?" Weiss narrowed her gaze, turning her full attention to Naruto. She didn't entirely understand…
"Guilt, if I were to take a stab at what's been troubling her. She was always with her partner as he operated, sometimes with larger units, but never really partaking unless it was theft and property destruction." Naruto shrugged nonchalantly before running his hand through his hair, noticing a stutter in Weiss's step.
Surprised flickered across Weiss' expression. She hung her head and pursed her lips at this confusing information. Eyes glinted with a semblance of remorse.
She then scrunched her cheeks and scowled, gazing up toward Naruto. "How do you know about any of this?"
"Every instructor was informed of her situation… I just happened to be the last since I'm new." Naruto responded before scratching his head as he scoured the area around them, his irritation growing. "Gah, when I tossed that fire bomb down, this was not what I expected! I wanted her to open up, not run off! Why can't people express themselves when something's eating them!"
Weiss grimaced and bit her lip. She knew why… She understood it all too well.
"Some things only cause pain… And you don't want to burden others with that pain." Weiss' posture shrunk, her eyes misting.
"Yeah, and if you bottle all that pain, it will tear you up from the inside, ya know?" Naruto countered, crossing her arms and squinting ahead. "Makes a mess out of you… Can cause you to hate… And hate never leads to anything good for anyone involved."
Stopping in her tracks, her heart skipped a beat… Everything he said…
Glancing over toward Naruto, Weiss pursed her lips inquisitively. Her brow furrowed. The way he talked…
"You're different than other people…" Weiss tepidly frowned. "I've never heard anyone talk like you before… It's weird…"
"Yeah, I've heard that before." Naruto glanced back, sheepishly grinning, as he fussed with his hair and ears. "I talk straight from the heart… No filter, as Sakura would say."
"I agree." Weiss squinted, a sliver of a smile gracing the corner of her lips. Perhaps…
This distrust was unwarranted… Not all Faunus were alike…
Some could be trustworthy.
"Let's go find, Blake." Weiss scoffed, flipping her hand through her ponytail and pulling out her scroll. "Got some things I need to talk to her about…"
"Let's hope we can listen this time."
It took forever to get rid of Penny… But at least now, she felt a little better. The girl was a little creepy… Too sheltered… Her behavior was so strange…
Blake glanced at the mirror, swiveling her hips and turning around to get a good glimpse of what these clothes looked like on her. It's a good fit…
Tossed in a bag beside her in the changing room, her clothes sat within. She was done with them… Her old look. It needed to go… So she could start again.
A soft, gentle black tank top with checkered straps. Same color tight pants with a thick white belt with a gold buckle. Purple thigh-high boots with gold trimming. Finally, a long white petty over it that billowed with each step.
Glancing at her new image through the mirror, a slow smile drew across her features. A new beginning started with changing one's appearance…
At least, that is what she read in many novels… A change of appearance was the first step…
Her smile faded and soured into a stern grimace. Her gaze settled on a single feature…
That needs to go… Blake combed her hand through her and scowled.
Her eyes darted to Gambol Shroud… She still really didn't have too much Lien…
Grasping the handle of her sword, she carefully lined the blade with her hair. The first step to change is a new appearance…
With a grimace and bite of the lip, the first cut was made…
They had looked everywhere.
Been everywhere.
Separated their search several times…
Ran into Naruto, regardless of her feelings about him, was someone she was actually glad to see helping their search, and Weiss, who was now searching for Blake, albeit with mixed feelings on the matter. She wasn't sure how it happened. She was just glad they were assisting, especially Naruto.
Might have mixed feelings about him, but he's someone I would want on a search like this! Yang scowled, glancing at her environment. Yet we still haven't found a trace of her?! Ugh!
"Where could she be?" Yang slumped forward in frustration before stretching back as she grabbed her temples, stretched and arched her back, and cried out in annoyance. "Why did this happen? Ugh! Can't people just express what they're feeling and not take it personally?!"
"I get why you wouldn't…" Ruby sullenly replied, grimacing as she looked out to the docks, hoping Blake was nearby.
Perhaps on one of the ships, trying to stow away…
"I mean, I get it, too, but I can't help but be ticked off about this entire situation!" Yang rubbed her temple to work the building headache she felt coming on before sighing. "Some things are harder to say than others… Admitting something like that? …To Princess of all people? …Yeah, can imagine that's something she wanted to keep to herself."
Ruby solemnly nodded, her eyes peeled despite how fruitless this search had felt. "I've heard some of the things that group has done… Especially around here… But I can't help but think… That isn't the kind of person Blake is. She seems…"
"I don't think she's that kind of person either, Rubes." Yang flashed a weak smile to encourage her sister. "I can feel that much… She is straight-laced and can be a little temperamental… Like I can say anything… But she's level-headed and thoughtful. …She just seems genuine, ya… Gotta stop saying that! Why do we have similar mannerisms, dammit!"
Ruby giggled at her sister's sudden outburst before a devilish smirk crossed her expression. "Because he is you…"
"Rubes, swear to Oum!"
Letting her laughter come freely briefly, a soft smile crossed Ruby's expression as she held her chest. "Thanks, Yang. …I needed to hear that."
"Yeah, you're welcome," Yang grumbled, crossing her arms over her ample chest. "Just saying what I feel… And gonna say more when we find her and shake her down! Gonna make her talk. …Sit down Princess, too. Make 'em work this out."
"She does seem to have a lot on her mind… Weiss too. …I feel for both of them." Ruby agreed before sighing and scratching her head. "From what I know, Blake is good at being stealthy. She's making top marks in Professor Greene's class. Don't think we're gonna find her like this…"
"Yeah, let's ask around again. See if anyone has caught sight of her." Yang agreed, spotting someone wondrously observing the sunset over the ocean's currents, and briskly waved them down. "Heyyo! Hi there! Hate to bother ya, but could you help us out? We're looking for a friend…"
"Huh? Are you talking to me?" A young lady with the brightest burnt orange shoulder-length hair shimmering in the fading sunlight turned toward them with a confused expression before her electric green eyes glimmered vividly. "Salutations! Happy to meet you, friends!"
Yang stumbled back, blindsided by the enthusiastic greeting and bright smile from the seemingly energetic girl. She found herself at a loss for words, further expressed by the young lady continued with equal enthusiasm. "Oh no! One of your friends is missing? You must be so worried!"
"Ah, yeah, we are." Ruby stepped forward for the bewildered Yang, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly as she tilted her head slightly. "We wanted to ask you if you have possibly come across or seen her?"
"I will do my best to assist! Penny is on the case!" Penny fervently nodded, utterly entranced at talking to others.
"Thank you!" Ruby chirped, feeding off Penny's energy. "So… Ah, how do I put this without coming off as… Our friend has long, wavy black hair. Had a white blouse on with a black vest over it. Purple thigh stockings… White shorts…"
"She's a Cat Faunus." Yang bluntly added, causing Ruby to double over, watching her sister cup her hands over the top of her head. "Has cute little ears like this. Gold eyes with irises that can dilate like a cat's…"
"Yang!"
"What?" Yang scrunched her face and glared at her leering sister. "I'm not being racist! I'm giving details that need to be described!"
"Oh, she ran into me earlier!" Ruby and Yang's heads swiveled back to Penny with audible snaps.
"Really?" Ruby clasped her hands together in a grateful manner. "I know it's a long shot that she'll still be where you ran into her…"
"I've been following my new friend!" Penny beamed, closing her eyes and tilting her head awkwardly, causing Ruby and Yang to wince and stumble at her words. "She seemed very upset about something… I thought she could use a friend, so I kept observing her even after she cut her hair and changed her clothes! …I got a little distracted when I saw the sunset over the waves and wanted to record it…"
"She what now?" Yang narrowed her gaze, hearing Blake had changed her look entirely. Why change perfection? She looked good before!
Was she trying to avoid them?
"Oh, do you know where she was last heading?" Ruby anxiously responded after recovering from her shock.
"To the warehouses!" Penny pointed beyond the docks before jogging ahead, waving them to follow. "I can scan for her easily and locate her signature again!"
"Follow me!"
"Not sure if I like this…" Blake fused with her now shoulder-length bobbed hair, scrunching her nose. "What was I thinking? I almost look like my mom now… This didn't help at all!"
Blake's shoulders slumped as she wanted to scream. She was already compared to her mother for most of her life!
"I forgot why I let my hair grow out… I'll take care of the odd ends and lengths later when I have time," Blake muttered, her right eyebrow twitching as she finally dropped her hands and pocketed her hands into her tailcoat.
Dusk had fallen as she trailed through the back alleys, scanning the old warehouses. Places that once stored Dust for the companies in Vale…
Before Schnee Dust Company bought almost every competitor and ran them out of business, only the Mistral Trading Company survived. Having its hands in all manner of businesses allowed them to keep traction against them… Although it was debatable who treated their employees worse… No, it wasn't. The SDC had the MTC beat by a mile…
MTC had always paid their human workers relatively fairly, at least.
Blake hissed, her thoughts fading to her once more. She contemplated heading back after cooling off. But that comment she made stuck… She was nothing like that man! It was… She couldn't persuade him. Have him take a more moderate approach like the rest of the White Fang.
Blake hung her head, grimacing at the memories. She had long wished to forget them. Start a new chapter in her life…
But it wasn't so easy. Blake screwed up her face and exhaled. It was their group that attracted the most negative attention. She heard Sienna disapproved of many of the actions he took. But because he curried favor with many of the other officials beneath her… She only criticized their actions.
"She's losing control just like Dad…" Blake muttered, glancing around at the warehouses.
It was too late to head back now… No… There was something she needed to do… Something she needed to prove… Then maybe…
One of these has to be decent enough to stay in for a night. Blake scowled, her eyes gleaming as the shadows faded to darkness as the sun set on the horizon.
Her ears twitched and straightened on her head. She screwed her nose and concentrated on listening, leering forward to an abandoned warehouse up ahead. Are people using it for something?
Curiosity overcame her. She had to know what was happening inside. With all the scrapes and chatter, the building was bustling with activity.
Leaping up to a window, Gambol Shroud Kusarigama mode to grasp the corner of the warehouse's roof to hang from like a makeshift grappling hook, Blake inquisitively peered inside.
Her shoulders tensed. She squinted and scrunched her facial features. Gnashed her teeth.
Did she stumble onto a White Fang operation?
Many Faunus wearing masks she was all too familiar with were scattered through the warehouse. Moving containers of various sizes with either equipment or what looked to be weapon and ammunition crates with their bare hands. Moving the materials to Bullheads they appropriated…
Blake hissed. It seems like they're organizing some kind of storage? That's Atlas weaponry and munitions… Must make the rest of the containers… Dust?!
Hunching her shoulders, clenching her hand tightly onto the ribbon she was grasping, Blake furiously leered into the room. They were arming themselves far beyond anything necessary! Was this Adam's doing?
Her eyes darted across the visible screen she had, searching. Was he here? Commanding this… Travesty! …This wasn't what the White Fang was built to do! It was meant for humane change! To create opportunities for Faunus! …Not war! What was he thinking?!
Landing on a single figure, a snarl escaped her lips. Was that a human ordering and guiding their operations? …What was going on?!
Carefully propping the window open as silently as she could to avoid drawing attention from those with sensitive hearing, Blake pulled free Shroud and slid into the room. Landing in a crouch, Blake hid behind the larger containers, carefully observing their actions. Why were they listening to this man? This didn't make any sense!
Blake gritted her teeth, repressing a hiss building in her chest. Only one way to find out…
Sprinting behind crates, blocking visible sight between her and anyone, for she couldn't hide in the shadows with this many of her people around, Blake crept closer to the man. Her body shook at his words. So derogatory… Why were they listening to this scum?
She waited for her opportunity. Observing patiently, waiting for the moment his back was turned. She knew better than to underestimate her target… If he was commanding a White Fang unit, and they were dutifully obeying…
A conservative approach was necessary. There was no telling what he could do…
Now!
Blake awoke her Semblance for an extra burst of speed, having it push her forward. She didn't want to chance it, even with his back turned. Give him an opportunity…
Snatching his right arm behind him, dragging it behind his back quickly to grasp it with her left, she drew her blade to his throat and hissed. "Just who do you think you are to order us around?!"
"Son of a…" The suave, auburn-haired man cursed before cringing at the sword held to his throat; the attention of every nearby White Fang member turned to him and drew their weapon. "This escalated quickly… Alright, take it easy… You must be new around here… Let me explain…"
"She is far from new…" A cold shiver ran down Blake's spine as she tensed upon hearing the voice, causing Roman to curse as the blade light cut into his skin. "She just hasn't been around for a while. Allow me to explain."
"Whatever gets her off of me!" Roman spat, his and her gaze drawn to the pitter of soft steps moving casually toward them.
"No…" Blake's eyes quivered, her voice strained as she shook her head. "Why are you… What is going on here?!"
An amused chuckle escaped a young man's lips. Slicking a hand through his windswept red hair of spiky locks, a single azure blue eye shimmered behind his mask as he stopped mere feet before them. "It's been a while, Blake… Things changed the moment you left."
"It's so good to see you are healthy. Now, where shall we start from, my love?"
No apologizes for the cliffhanger. :)
Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
I appreciate all the support you have shown.
It makes writing each chapter a little easier!
If you've got a minute to comment, I would love to hear from ya!
After Volume 2, I'm gonna get back to updating a few other stories before continuing with Volume 3.
For sure Hushed Dreams, Fairy Tale of the Sun, and Legend of the Golden Kitsune will get updated.
But I'm curious as to what everyone else wants to see updated, so I put up a poll for it.
If you can't vote (either a guest or on the App) you can just leave comment what you would like updated.
And until next time,
Peace.