A/N Hey everyone, sorry this one took so long to finish. Had to deal with writer's block, document loss, life, and a few other things. I know it's not as long as some of my other chapters, and for that I do apologize. But I hope you all enjoy it nonetheless. I have both a twitter and a tumblr you can follow for updates on things (handles below), even though it seems like twitter is about to fall into the dirt.

Chapter 15
Confrontations

Yang's P.O.V.
-outside Junior's club-

I check my scroll one last time before putting it away as I hang my helmet from Bumblebee's handle. As I approach the door, the usual bouncer is replaced by Junior himself, who just shakes his head as he blocks the door. "Alright Blondie, I know you're not here to talk with me. Ice Cream is already waiting for you in the VIP room. I don't know your connection to her, but do try to keep any fighting to the room." As he finishes speaking, I push past and head inside with a shrug. Inside, the twins are attending to the bar as a few heads turn towards me and then quickly look away as Junior's goons recognize me. I hear him walk in behind me and I turn to look at him, an eyebrow raised.

"What? Didn't think I heard you the first time?" I ask before waving a hand next to my head. "You don't have to worry about a fight tonight. I'm only here for answers."

Junior scoffs as he opens a hidden door next to the entrance. "And I know your track record with that. I'm just happy blue boy kept you from starting a fight the other night. If it weren't for the fact that I'm more scared of crossing Ice Cream than you, this meeting of yours wouldn't even be happening." He motions towards the open doorway that leads to a set of stairs as he speaks. "So again, do me a favor and keep the fight in the room."

I sigh as I shake my head and head up the stairs. 'You better have a good explanation for all of this Neo. I won't accept a half-assed one like last time.'

Third-Person P.O.V.
-abandoned warehouse in vale-

Ruby sits on the edge of the warehouse's roof, a box tucked up under her arm as she hums a small tune to herself in the evening air. She stops humming as her ears twitch, the sound of gravel on the roof crunching as someone approaches reaching her. She stands up and takes a defensive stance as she turns, relaxing as she recognizes Adam beneath his mask.

"Took you long enough. I would ask if you were raised to keep a lady waiting, but we both know how you were raised."

Adam chuckles as he shakes his head, removing his mask. "I was, actually. But you are no lady yourself, little wolf. If I remember correctly, you were the one who had relieved a few grimm of their heads with your own hands, not Blake."

Ruby pouts and folds her arms in front of her. "And who was it that asked me to take care of that problem, Bully? Blake was on another mission, and I was the only one you trusted at the time to deal with them." She unfolds her arms as she sits back down, looking over her shoulder with a small smile. "So, I've got it this time. Didn't have to sneak out, surprisingly. Told ice queen I had a present to deliver and got a ride from Yang. Don't worry, she dropped me off a few blocks from that bar she usually visits. It's a ways away from here so she doesn't know a thing."

Adam sighs as he walks over and takes a seat next to his old friend. "Well, that's good then." He smiles and leans back, tilting his head to look up at the stars. "You know, I told you last time that I had to think over that question, and I've got your answer..."

Adam's P.O.V.
~Nine days ago~ -same rooftop-

"As for my last question..." Ruby taps her chin in thought again before her expression turns serious. "If I were to stick with becoming a Huntress instead of rejoining the Fang, would you hate me for the rest of your life?"

I turn Ruby to face me as I just stare at her, stunned by what she had asked. She stares right back at me as I find the words I want to say. "What do you mean? I mean, I can understand wanting to become a Huntress to help bring the equality we want to the world, but that's just..." I shake my head as I run a hand through my hair, moving my gaze to the lights of Vale around us. "I... I need to think about this for a bit, okay Rubes? Just... didn't expect you to ask something like this..."

I feel her sigh as she stands up. "Alright, love. But only because I have to get back to the dorms for classes again. And I promise to have my new mask when we meet again."

~Present Day~

I feel Ruby's gaze on me as I look at the sky, taking a deep breath before I lean over and wrap her in a one-armed hug. "Nothing in this world could ever make me hate you. I'd do anything to make sure you were safe and alive, even if it means you go along with becoming a huntress instead of rejoining the Fang... joining me." I shake my head and nuzzle the brunette's hair with a small smile. "Hell, I spent the last few months after the incident on that freight train searching for any sign of you, after all. If that isn't love and dedication, then what in this world is?"

As I say all that, I feel the little wolf return the hug for a moment before she pulls away and hands me the box. "Well, I also kept my promise from last time. Only right you should open it since you brought me the shards to make it anew with, right?"

I take it and release Ruby from the hug, seeing her give me some space as I open the box. Sitting there, on a small red pillow, was a stark white vulpine-esque mask with symmetrical red streaks running across it, some going across the eye slits and a few outlining the sharp ears. I pick it up and flip it over, the weight feeling similar to my own mask. On the inside, I see a pattern reminiscent of the front, except with light gray, and instead of connecting down at the nose, the left side trails off towards Ruby's preferred emblem while the right trails off towards mine. Finally, I smile as I set it down in the box and slide it back over to her.

"It's perfect for you, Ruby."

Third-Person P.O.V.
-Junior's Club—Private Rooms-

A dart slams into the bulls-eye on the board with an audible crack as it pierces the cork and embeds itself into the wall behind, the ice cream themed woman gripping the last dart with white knuckles while her blonde friend paces in circles near the door, eyes a bright crimson red as her aura flares briefly right when a smack rings out.

"Yang, stop beating yourself up over it! I told you, it's no one's fault but my own that I wound up here. I am as pissed off as you are about this whole situation, but I'm in too deep." Neo sighs as she bounces the dart in her palm before setting it on the table next to her.

Yang sighs as well as she moves over to the couch and falls face first onto it, her following words muffled. After a few seconds, she rolls over to her side and glares at Neo, propping her head up on one hand. "You dropped off the face of Remnant for ten years, Neo. Would you rather I beat you up for leaving me when I needed someone to lean on that wasn't my dad?"

The shorter woman returned the glare while she picks the last dart up and throws it with a loud cracking sound as it splits the previous one in half. "No, you should be beating up the one who is truly to blame. What was the story you told me that day again, Yang? 'Ruby snuck out of the house one night because she said earlier in the day she wasn't a little girl anymore. All you could find was an unconscious man and pieces of a red cloak in an alley half an hour away.' I also remember you clearly saying that you were attending Signal for one main reason, becoming a huntress so you could find your sister or those who took her." She then walks over to the couch as well, electing to sit on the floor with her back against it as she looks at Yang again. The blonde's face clearly showed the emotions her words dug up: doubt, anger, denial, and shame.

She suddenly stands up and moves away from Neo as she runs a hand through her hair, pacing again as her aura flares around her. "I will not risk losing her again, Neo! I don't care what she did for those ten years she was gone, I'm just glad she's back, and won't let anything compromise that!" She takes a deep breath as she calms down slightly and continues in a barely calmer manner. "She doesn't want dad or Qrow to know she's surfaced yet for some reason. And if I were to contact either of them they'd spill the beans that I told them." She looks at her friend again, biting her cheek with a pleading look in her eyes.

Neo suppresses a groan as she leans her head back against the couch cushion, closing her eyes. "At least you're not putting me in a difficult situation here." She stretches her back in an arch, using the motion to get into a standing position. "But I want to warn you, Roman has it out for her right now. And our employer now has an interest in your team, and that's not something you wa-" Her scroll cuts her off with a loud three tone signal before she snatches it up and answers it, angrily shouting, "What now?"

Unknown P.O.V.

As I walk down the hallway lined with cells, the only sound that can be heard above the engines keeping the carrier flying is that of my own determined footsteps, and for the first time in years, I am actually nervous. Near the end of the hall, I see General Ironwood pinching the bridge of his nose as he stands in front of the only occupied cell. Hearing me draw near, the general hardly even looks at me with barely contained anger at the detainee, Roman Torchwick, who I can see talking on a scroll in a hushed voice. As the general pulls me aside, I have to ask him, "I thought he wasn't allowed any amenities while in our custody, Sir?"

General Ironwood shakes his head with a raised hand. "This was requested by Headmaster Ozpin on Torchwick's behalf. Why he'd allow this stain his one call is beyond me. What do you have to report?" I start to straighten up into a salute before being waved off. "I told you, no need for such formalities when it's just us two. You've earned it after all."

I nod as I force myself to relax. "I've received news from a reliable source that at least one active member of the White Fang terrorist group is attending Beacon, with a high likelihood of more, as well as someone potentially connected to whatever Torchwick is a part of. Do you want to warn the headmaster before the Vytal Festival starts or send in the special squadron?"

Ironwood lets out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose again. "How much do you trust this source of yours?"

"As much as I trust you, general. I wouldn't bring this to you if I doubted her." I cross my arms in front of me as I say this before leaning to glance over his shoulder at the sound of a scroll hitting , seeing a gloved hand holding Ironwood's scroll precariously with two fingers.

"If you two are done flirting, I'm done with this. Do you want it back or not Iron Nuts?"

A/N Again, sorry if this doesn't meet expectations for the amount of time that it took. Over a year and a half since the last one, but setbacks and slumps happen, right? See you all next time, and stay safe in this crazy world. :) Ciao~

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