Air conditioning died again on Saturday. Thankfully, our repair guy was able to get the parts and fix it by Tuesday, but the house was unbearable for those few days. We pretty much abandoned the upstairs and slept on the couch instead. Even at night with the windows open, it hovered around 80 degrees. Poor dogs were so happy when the house finally felt cool again. I'll freely admit we've become wimps with our reliance on AC, but I don't care. I'll take my soft life over sweating buckets every night any day.
Also had my brother and his kids tune into one of my gaming livestreams for the first time ever this week. His wife sent us a picture of all of them crowded around a laptop watching. Never thought he'd be interested, but I think he enjoyed it. Rather, he enjoyed seeing how chat tortured me all stream with their redemptions. Kindred spirits, there. Not sure if that's as cute as my mod's baby becoming a superfan. She watches while taking care of him in the evening and he apparently is mesmerized by the colorful wheel I spin for spicy jellybean redemptions. If he's watching, I'll spin it over and over since she told me he likes it. But then she told me that she started up the stream one day and he came crawling over excitedly to look when he heard my voice. Might be the cutest thing ever.
Well, enough cuteness. back to Adam! Also a rare different perspective at the end of this chapter!
As weird as it sounded, Adam missed this.
The thought made him smile as he ducked under the paw of a Beowolf and neatly sliced through its leg, turning and plunging his sword through its neck before it even hit the ground. The faintest wisps of smoke drifted up as he wrenched it free, slicing across the chest of the next opponent in a single motion. He spun with the momentum, driving his heel into the beast's stomach and knocking it back into the next Beowolf's charge, stunning them long enough for him to rush in and cut through the pair entirely.
Adam had never realized how tense he'd been the last few years. He'd been stumbling from one crisis to another, always on the back foot and trying to balance more than anyone ever should. The abuse of Orostachys had been the tipping point, but he hadn't had a moment's rest since leaving the caravan back in Mistral. Even now, when he should've finally had a chance to rest in Menagerie, he'd been caught up in a political cold war with both sides somehow convinced he could be the deciding factor.
But out here, standing between a village and the Grimm, there was no nuance to be seen. If there had been, he'd have killed it just like the last dozen Grimm to try him today.
This wasn't the first attack he'd fought off for Shidekobushi since they'd arrived. Not even the largest. Well, numerically, it probably was, but he felt like the pack of Ursai two days ago counted for more. They certainly were harder to bring down, even if they weren't quite as quick. Adam was just glad they'd arrived at different times. Mixing the two would've been an absolute pain.
He wasn't the only one fighting, of course. Sienna practically danced through the Grimm further down, proving all that training wasn't just for show, even if she couldn't quite keep pace with Adam's dismantling of the Grimm. Not that Adam was counting, of course. He'd have to be pretty petty to keep track of something like that.
He glanced over, smirking as she squared off with a single Beowolf in the time it took him to topple three.
His superior kill count aside, not many Grimm could hold up to their combined efforts. Manti fought nearby, proving an able fighter with a cruel pair of scimitars. He had aura - Adam had made sure when the guy joined them the first time outside the walls - but they'd kept him closer to the walls as a sort of second line of defense. Beyond that, a long line of guns barked periodically from atop the wall, focusing fire on any Grimm in between the trio of front-liners. Not that they needed it. The villagers alone would've been enough to pick off some of the stragglers, but with the squad of White Fang reinforcements added to their ranks, it became a waiting game to see if Adam and Sienna would even leave them a target. When one broke free, a hail of bullets brought it down without much effort.
Overall, it looked like Shidekobushi's Grimm problem wouldn't hold.
Soon enough, the numbers dwindled until Adam relieved a final Beowolf of its head, cutting off what might've been a vicious snarl if he'd had the patience. He looked around, almost wishing more would appear. Alas, the forests of Anima were quiet once more, at least until they rang with the victorious cheers from the walls.
"Looks like the last of them," Manti said as he sheathed his blades across his back.
"Sure does." Sadly. Couldn't there be just a few more to fight? Maybe next time he'd ask Sienna to cover Manti so he could have more of them. "You all right?"
"Barely even broke a sweat. Not like I did much fighting." True. Adam did his best to make sure none got past him. He and Sienna could only cover so much ground, though, so some were bound to find the gaps. He'd panicked the first time, lunging at a target too far away, only to surge past it with frightening ease and nothing but a dissolving corpse behind him.
Another reason he didn't want the fighting to end. He knew what happened. His Semblance had shown itself again, though this time against a Grimm. It proved no less devastating to his target, tearing through bone plating and muscle like a hot knife through butter. He had no idea what unleashed it or why. Even now, he could feel the energy fighting to get out, like his Semblance desperately wanted to unleash once more but couldn't. It made his arms shake with anticipation until he felt it finally begin to recede disappointingly.
He'd have to talk to Kaito when he got back. They'd already assumed it would work on the Grimm, but now he had proof. It also seemed to charge up more the longer he fought. He'd made some excuse about scouting the area after the Ursai attack yesterday just so he could burn off some energy running through the woods. Today wasn't quite as bad, but Beowolves weren't exactly the strongest Grimm.
And to think he'd almost died to them as a kid. Twice, in fact. How embarrassing.
"We're clear," Sienna needlessly reported as she joined them.
"I'll have Yuma do a quick search and make sure," Manti promised. As if summoned by the words, Yuma landed next to them. "Do a quick sweep. If you see any movement, don't engage. Just-"
"Yeah, yeah. Fly back here and tell everyone. I got it, old man."
Manti shook his head as Yuma kicked off and took flight, distancing himself with impressive speed. "Kids. Act like they know everything."
The report came back almost an hour later with the predictable answer. No Grimm. If there had been any, the fighting would've drawn them in already. They'd been at Shidekobushi a week, but the attacks had started to slow slightly. The first two had come within a day of each other. Sienna had hoped the Ursa attack was the last big one, which seemed reasonable given how much faster other Grimm were, but it looked like there was a second group that had been lured in. They decided to extend their stay another week, just to be safe. If things started dying down, they'd be on their way home soon enough.
And die down it did. The days began to slow down as more time was spent lazing about the village than fighting. They saw two more attacks, but the numbers were substantially smaller and far less satisfying for Adam. He had to remind himself that less Grimm was a good thing, no matter how much he itched for the simplicity of combat. With each success, whatever lingering negativity the village felt was quickly replaced with celebration, making them less and less of a draw for Grimm. That made the attacks smaller and easier to overcome, adding to the defenders' relief.
Grimm attacks were always a spiral, but sometimes in a good way.
Throughout their time in Shidekobushi, Adam mostly hung out with Yuma and Trifa. Or, more accurately, they followed him around. Jakob hardly helped with his stories. Meanwhile, Sienna kept meeting with Manti every day, though no one knew exactly what they were discussing. Jakob's theory went utterly ignored, especially since they weren't slipping away to share a tent or anything. Hard to get up to stuff like that when everyone could see them walking through the village or standing atop one of the walls.
With the attacks dropping off and Shidekobushi resupplied, it looked like a job well done. Manti and the villagers would be more than enough to handle the lower levels of Grimm and trade could soon resume. They'd even had a caravan pass through early in the morning - as clear a sign as any that the Grimm siege had broken. With only a day left before they rolled out, the White Fang loitered around the village with nothing to do.
"You sure you guys have to go? You could do a lot of good here," Yuma offered. Not for the first time, either. He'd been trying to get Adam to stick around, no doubt seeing the value of a skilled defender. To be fair, he'd also talked to a few others. Bane politely turned him down. Trifa not-so-politely turned Jakob down. It looked like the gang would all be heading back to Menagerie after all.
"There's good to be done everywhere," Adam responded, even if the offer was tempting. No politics. No drama. Just life in a small village where he could settle down and help people that really needed him. But he'd made a promise to help with the White Fang, and if a man couldn't keep his word, then what good was he? "If you ever need us, though, don't hesitate to call."
"Don't worry. We will."
"And if you need us for any other reasons…"
""We won't." Trifa shut down Jakob's latest attempt mercilessly.
"I'm glad we could help," Adam said before Jakob dug himself a deeper hole - one Trifa would gladly bury him in.
"The White Fang will always help those in need."
"Sienna." The leader of their operation joined them without warning, finally tearing herself away from the repeated meetings with Manti.
"We're leaving tomorrow," Sienna reminded them, as if anyone had actually forgotten. "I'll make sure we send a team to check up on Shidekobushi from time to time. We didn't come all the way here to let you fall the moment we leave."
"Appreciate that," Yuma answered with a nod.
Small talk like this wasn't normal for Sienna. Adam wasn't the least bit surprised when Sienna kept going. "You know, the White Fang could always use faunus like you two to help fight for others. There are a lot of faunus out there you could help." Really? A recruitment pitch? He shouldn't have been surprised. Still, Adam knew their answers before they even gave them.
"I'm good here."
"Thank you, but we'll pass," Trifa echoed. "Shidekobushi needs us now more than ever."
Adam prayed Sienna wouldn't push. In a small village like this, every able-bodied fighter was worth their weight in gold. They'd nearly fallen to the Grimm, and Sienna wanted to take away two of their main defenders? Sure, they hadn't been on the front line like Manti, but they'd led the defenders on the wall and had even fought out front before Adam and Sienna showed up. They'd be needed in the days to come, not to mention if the Grimm activity picked up again someday. Manti couldn't do everything himself. They might as well have asked Manti to abandon everyone and join them at that rate.
Oh gods. Sienna had tried that, hadn't she? What else were they always meeting about? He really needed to have a talk with her about her recruitment drives before they drove people to madness.
Thankfully, Sienna didn't push any further. "Very well. I guess we all serve in our own ways. Perhaps someday we'll-"
"To the gates!"
"More Grimm?" Adam asked aloud, even if a small part of him cheered at the prospect of a Grimm attack. Sitting around had gotten old pretty fast. A couple Beowolves would be just what he needed to liven things up and work off some of his extra energy.
Yuma and Trifa traded confused looks before Yuma took flight, soaring up and away from them without a word. "He said the gates," Trifa explained. "We haven't seen any attacks there yet."
True, but Grimm didn't exactly attack from only one side. Still, they'd said that area was clear thanks to the hunting parties from the larger town. Had the Grimm really repopulated that area so quickly? If they had, he'd probably be in for the smallest attack ever.
Adam raced to catch up with Sienna, who wasted no time heading for the gate and scaling the platform along the wall. Quite a few people had already gathered there, but no one looked to be attacking. They all stood there nervously, looking out from the wall without so much as a single rifle aimed.
The moment Adam pushed through, he saw why.
"By order of the Council of Mistral, we demand that you hand over the wanted criminal Adam Taurus!"
Uh oh. Adam recognized the leader of the group assembled outside the gates. And what a group it was. There had to be at least twenty men there, including a certain sheriff missing one of his hands. The one making demands had been the one to help the sheriff afterwards. The same one who promised not to forget his attack.
Looked like he'd meant it.
"What's the big idea?" Manti demanded, stood directly above the gate by himself. He zeroed in on the so-called leader below. "Figures you lot would show up late. You know, we could've used your help a couple weeks ago when the Grimm started attacking."
"You're harboring a fugitive," the man below continued, ignoring Manti's comment entirely. "We demand he turn himself in at once."
Adam shrunk back as several people turned to stare at him. "I think we're gonna have to pass on that one."
"We weren't asking," a new voice said, louder and more confident than the first speaker.
"And just who are you?"
All eyes turned to the larger man who stepped forward. He stood out from the others, and not just because of the bright clothes he wore. Adam recognized what he was the moment he laid eyes on the man. Where the men behind him eyed the walls nervously, this new entrant walked with purpose and confidence. Instead of the simple firearms everyone else carried, this man sported a spiked club that was almost as big around as his thick neck. A single word came to mind and obliterated any hope Adam clung to.
Huntsman.
A Huntsman had come to Shidekobushi. Normally, that would be cause for celebration. He'd drive back the Grimm, clear the area, and ensure the safety of everyone here without breaking a sweat. The ultimate symbol of bravery and protection had arrived.
And he was here for Adam.
The brave Huntsman come to slay the monster. How fitting.
"My apologies," the Huntsman began with a slight bow. "My name is Vern Alder, and I've come to arrest the murderer Adam Taurus and bring him to justice." And there went Adam's last hope. Bad enough the locals had come after him, but Mistral had sent a Huntsman? They were the ultimate warriors. Much better than some slightly trained whelp from the middle of nowhere. Huntsmen spent their whole lives fighting, and no one else came close to their skill level.
"And what if we refuse?"
Was Manti seriously considering defying a Huntsman? That was…that was suicide! Aura or not, Manti couldn't keep up with him or Sienna, which meant he'd be screwed against someone like this.
Vern tapped his club against his free hand threateningly. "Harboring a fugitive is a crime against Mistral." In other words, he'd arrest everyone if he had to. "Hand him over and we'll leave the rest of you in peace."
Neither of those options sounded great to Adam. Then again, both of them ended with him being arrested and taken back to Mistral, likely for a quick sham of a trial and an execution. Or maybe just the execution. Either way, he didn't hold out much hope of getting off easy. Not if they were sending Huntsmen to track him down.
Those around Adam looked conflicted, and he couldn't blame them. Defying a Huntsman would just be trouble for them all. Turning him over would be the easiest option. Then again, they'd seen him carve through Grimm with ease. None of them wanted to be the ones to confront him and risk his wrath.
Dang it! What could he do? If he resisted, Shidekobushi would be in danger. If he gave in, they'd probably kill him, either out here or back in Mistral, all under the claim of justice. Could he run? Maybe if he hopped the wall on the other side he could slip away into the forest before they noticed. He could go on the run for a bit and find his way back to Menagerie in time. It would be rough, but it had to beat a cell and a rope.
The only problem was what would happen to everyone he left behind. The Huntsman might ignore them and go after Adam, but he could also say they helped him escape and detain them. Especially if he recognized Sienna, which he almost certainly would if he was after a White Fang criminal. Adam might be the hot new target, but Sienna had apparently made a bit of a name for herself as well. Maybe not enough to get a long drop with a short rope, but enough that she'd rot in a cell for a long time at the very least.
"I'll do it."
The arguing between Manti and Vern continued.
"I'll do it!" Adam tried again. Manti paused, which gave Adam a chance to step forward and draw attention to himself. "I'm here."
"Adam Taurus," Vern loudly proclaimed. "You are wanted for crimes against Mistral and the SDC. My orders are to-"
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Adam really didn't need to hear all the trumped up charges against him right now. Then again, he didn't need to be arrested, either, but he couldn't always get what he wanted. "I'll be down in a minute."
The mix of villagers and White Fang parted around him, watching in sympathy and disappointment as he headed for the stairs down. Some murmured between themselves, wondering what was going on. No one dared get in his way, though.
No one but Sienna.
"Adam, you can't!" she hissed, jumping in front of him.
"I have to." Because, really, what choice did he have? "It's the only way."
"They're going to make an example out of you. Parade you around before putting you through the most one-sided trial in history, all as a warning to faunus everywhere."
"You think I don't know that?" Adam snapped, silencing her with a glare. "But there's no other way. If I don't turn myself in, they'll just arrest you and everyone else in my place. That's a Huntsman out there. A real one. None of us can hope to fight him." They could, but they'd lose spectacularly.
Not that it would stop Adam, of course. He'd fight, but not here. Not with so many lives at stake. Once they were away from here, though? The first chance he got, he'd make a break for it or go down fighting. They'd probably fly back to Mistral, given how far out they were. If so, he'd just jump for it and hope for the best. Huntsman students did that kind of stuff all the time according to what he'd seen at Haven, so why couldn't he? It would be risky, but still better odds than a fair trial in Mistral.
"Look after everyone, Sienna." Adam pushed by her before adding, "And tell everyone back home…I'm sorry."
Blake would kill him for not coming back to train her. Or, she would, if Mistral didn't do it for her.
The walk to the gates felt like a million miles, each step heavier than the last. It was the march of the damned, and everyone knew it. He heard someone call out - Jakob, by the sounds of it - but refused to look back as he kept going. He had to do this by himself.
Poor Adam. All alone again. Adam ignored the haunting words, trying to focus on the opening gates ahead and the fate that lay beyond. Oh, come on, Adam. You knew this was coming. Sooner or later, everything you've done was bound to catch up with you. You've killed, what, three people already? Four if you count that bandit. He didn't. Fine. Three and a half. Only fitting you die in return.
Fitting? He'd never gone out of his way to kill anyone. They'd all deserved it. Not him! Why did their lives matter so much more than his? Where was the outrage for how he and those like him were treated? What made him unworthy in everyone's eyes?
I wonder if they'll broadcast your trial. You think Jean will get to see it? Adam's stomach knotted. I wonder what he thinks of everything you've done. Probably blames himself for teaching you to fight in the first place.
"Shut up."
Oh, I bet Nila will watch. Maybe she'll even see your execution. Bet she cheers when she sees the light fade from your eyes. Oops. Your eye. My mistake.
Leaving Shidekobushi was a small mercy, as it finally quieted the voice in his head as his focus shifted to the Huntsman waiting a few dozen feet away. The men behind Vern fidgeted or backed up, likely remembering how fast he'd struck before. The sheriff almost seemed to be hiding behind Vern, who looked cautious but not overly concerned.
"So, you're the one I've been hearing so much about."
"You're making a mistake," Adam attempted.
"Hunting down a dangerous murderer and terrorist? No, I'm pretty sure I'm in the right place." Vern laughed at his own joke. A few of his men chuckled nervously. "Adam Taurus, you're under arrest for crimes against Mistral and the SDC. Come quietly, and no one has to get hurt."
"No one else," the sheriff grumbled. "I still say we should just kill him. He wouldn't hesitate to do the same to us."
"No one's dying on my watch," Vern declared, as much a warning to his men as a promise to Adam. Not that he believed a word of it. He'd had enough of empty promises. "You're doing the right thing, turning yourself in like this. I'll make sure the authorities know you came peacefully."
"Like that'll matter."
"They might give you a-"
"Save the speech. We both know how this ends." At least, if they ever got him to Mistral, that was.
"I promise you'll get a fair trial."
Adam snarled as he ripped the bandage over his eye loose, startling the men before him. Vern held his ground but narrowed his eyes at the scar on Adam's face. "I've seen what fair looks like for people like me. You'll forgive me if I don't hold out much hope."
Vern muttered something to himself, but Adam's words weren't enough to sway him. "Tell it to a judge. My job is just to get you to Mistral safely."
"And collect the reward. Make sure to collect your coin, ferryman."
The time for talk was over. Vern's empty promises meant nothing to Adam, while the reality of what was happening had little effect on the Huntsman. He shook his head and stepped forward, pulling out a pair of cuffs as he did. "I take no pleasure in doing this."
"I do."
Vern jumped back as Sienna leapt from the wall, slamming her whip down on the ground between him and Adam. A quick yank pulled the weapon back to her as she stood defiantly next to Adam.
No one looked more shocked than Adam. "Sienna. What are you doing?"
"The right thing," she answered, standing a little taller as she addressed the Huntsman and his troupe. "Adam Taurus is innocent of your so-called crimes and has the full backing of Menagerie and the White Fang."
The sound of over a dozen guns being readied seemed to disagree, though Vern tried to wave them down. He still seemed to think things could be solved with words. "Mistral has found him guilty." Vern accidentally said the quiet part out loud, only realizing a moment later in the face of Sienna's smirk. "Menagerie has no authority here."
"But the SDC does?" She'd hit a nerve, judging by the twitch of Vern's face. "Take your men and leave. Adam stays with us."
"You're lucky I'm not taking both of you, Sienna Khan." Yep. He'd recognized Sienna all right. Things were going from bad to worse. "My orders are only for him."
"Orders? Ha! So much for the virtue of Huntsmen. You're nothing but pawns of your corrupt government."
"How dare-"
Sienna didn't let him interject. "A village was in danger! Grimm threatened the lives of these innocent faunus, yet you only show up afterwards to arrest the very man who defended them." Though she faced Vern, Adam had a feeling the words were aimed behind. "Are faunus lives not worth saving?"
"This has nothing to do with what you are."
"Doesn't it? You believe the lies of the SDC over the word of a faunus, even when the evidence is right before your eyes. When faunus lives were in danger, not one of you stood to defend them. And now," Sienna turned to face her true audience on the walls, "now that the threat is dealt with, they are here with an army of humans to take your hero from you. Is that fair?"
"No!" Someone shouted back, echoed by a few others.
"I said, is that fair?!"
"No!" The call echoed through the woods this time.
Sienna returned her focus to Vern and his men. "So take your men, return to your masters like the dogs you are, and beg their forgiveness. For you will find no victory here today."
The assembled men hesitated, looking to one another for answers but finding none. They were almost ready to turn tail and run if not for their obvious advantage. "I'm afraid I can't allow that," Vern said, readying his club before them. "I had hoped to avoid bloodshed, but if it's a fight you want, then I shall give you one."
"No!" Adam tried, stepping in front of Sienna. "I'm the one you're after. Leave them alone!"
"We're not letting them take you, Adam." Sienna's words caught him off guard. "You're one of us, and we stand up for each other." Her gaze shot to the Huntsman preparing to attack. "Especially against racist trash."
Vern glared back, clearly unamused by her condemnation. "I don't care what you are. Only what has to be done."
"I wasn't talking about you."
A single shot rang out, the bullet whizzing overhead to strike the dirt in front of one of the men behind Vern.
In the sudden silence that followed, Sienna's threat rang loud and clear. "You say you do not wish for bloodshed? Then I suggest you think of those with you." Another shot, this one right between two men who stumbled away so fast they fell. "You may have aura, but I'm willing to bet they don't."
"You would threaten innocents?"
"The White Fang has found them guilty," Sienna answered, throwing his earlier declaration back in his face. "This is your last chance. The next shot will not miss."
Adam looked back to see a line of weapons pointed out from the wall, and not just by the White Fang. The villagers stood united as they had against the Grimm, ready to defend their village to the bitter end. No, to defend him.
"He's a murderer!" Vern shouted, stepping back when Sienna raised a hand. "He needs to face justice."
"Over your dead bodies!" No matter how serious the moment, Adam couldn't help but sigh at what was very clearly Jakob's taunting voice. The cheers that followed hardly helped. They really shouldn't encourage the idiot's behavior.
Sienna seemed bolstered by it all, staring down the dangerous man with her hand still held in the air. It was the only thing holding back a hail of bullets that would decimate Vern's reinforcements. Even if Vern could handle it, he'd still have to fight Adam and Sienna before the gunfire focused on him. The odds of victory weren't great. The cost would be even worse.
Vern recognized the situation Sienna had placed him in, but even so, he couldn't quite bring himself to give up so easily. Sienna helped move things along. "The choice is yours, Huntsman." She practically growled the last word. "Leave or fight. But know that the White Fang will fight to the last man if needs be."
"As will Shidekobushi." Manti marched out of the gate, flanked by Bane and Trifa. The trio walked calmly to join Adam and Sienna, further adding to the threat. Yuma landed with a thud a moment later, startling their aggressors even more at the sudden appearance. "The White Fang saved us all. It's only fitting we defend them in return."
Adam couldn't believe it. People he'd only met a couple weeks ago were risking their lives to protect him. Even the White Fang were willing to die for him, and he'd done almost nothing to earn it. They could've just turned him over and saved themselves. Instead, they were standing up to a Huntsman for him - something no normal person could ever hope to survive.
Sienna nodded to the new arrivals. "My patience is at an end, human. Leave now, or we will open fire." Vern's mind raced for a solution, but Sienna didn't feel like waiting. "Very well. Know that you have brought this on yourselves." She raised her hand a little higher, ready to signal the first volley and end the lives of everyone there.
"Wait!" Vern shouted, just before the order was given. Sienna paused, a victorious smile showing she knew what came next. "We're leaving," he commanded reluctantly, though his men looked relieved. Relieved and angry. At least they'd be alive to complain about it later. "The White Fang will pay for this."
Sienna snorted, amused at the threat. "More empty promises from humans."
Vern didn't find it as funny. "It seems the rumors were true, then. The White Fang have truly lost their way." With a sneer, Vern offered his parting words before turning to follow his men. "The next time we meet, Adam Taurus, I will not be so merciful."
Great. He'd made an enemy of a Huntsman. The thought should've terrified him more, but when entire Kingdoms and the SDC already topped that list, what was one more person? At least if he was focused on Adam, he wouldn't have time to worry about everyone else. "I'll look forward to it."
Whatever pride Vern had left died as the cheers of Shidekobushi and the White Fang chased him and his men into the forest. Bane gripped Adam's shoulder and gave him a confident squeeze - one that had Adam keeping his aura up lest the guy cripple him.
"It's over." Sienna's words crashed down on Adam like a sack of bricks. His legs felt weak for a moment, but he held shakily. "Get the men ready. We're leaving tonight."
An obvious choice. Vern could come back at any moment and attack. Without the threat to his men, there'd be no reason to hold back. He might even call in reinforcements - the Huntsman kind. The sooner they left, the better off Shidekobushi would be.
"I think I'd like to reconsider your offer, Sienna."
Manti's words only made Sienna's smile widen. "Of course. You're welcome to join us."
Join them? Manti was leaving Shidekobushi for the White Fang? But the village needed defending. It needed leadership. "What about the village?" Adam asked. "Won't they be in danger?"
"Not if they all come with us."
All of them? Sienna wanted to bring everyone back?
Manti seemed to agree. "Our neighbors won't take kindly to what we did. Anima is no longer safe for us."
"The White Fang is happy to help any faunus in need," Sienna assured him. "You can start new lives in Menagerie, safe from the oppression of people like them."
"Thank you, Sienna. And you, Adam." Him? Why were they thanking him? He was the reason they had to leave their homes in the first place. Manti didn't elaborate, instead waving Yuma and Trifa closer. "Spread the word. Pack only the essentials. We leave tonight."
"I'll let them know."
"On it, boss."
"I'll have everyone ready to leave within the hour," Manti promised. "Thank you both…for everything." And with that, he hurried away after Yume and Trifa to spread the word. Well, after Trifa, anyway. Yuma had already flown his way to the wall.
"Good work, Adam."
"Huh?" He hadn't done anything praiseworthy. All he'd done was draw the ire of the authorities. Twice! "But I didn't-"
"You saved these people, Adam," Sienna explained before he could carry on. "Because of you, they'll finally be free. They'll live better lives in Menagerie. You'll see."
Would they? Could anyone really say fleeing their homes to an unknown land was an improvement? Then again, hadn't Shidekobushi started out like that? They'd built the village for faunus cast out from the nearby towns, only to be left to fend for themselves against the Grimm and almost slaughtered as a result. At least in Menagerie they'd be safe. And all because of the White Fang.
Because of him.
Maybe he had helped, in a strange sort of way. Only time would tell, but judging by the fresh cheers beyond the wall, it didn't sound like anyone was too upset to leave. When they loaded the trucks, people even stopped to thank him for saving them. When he ordered his truck emptied to make room for the villagers to ride along - a suggestion from Sienna - they only praised him more. Even the White Fang that he forced to walk seemed happy to obey. He had a feeling they'd be singing his praises all the way to the shores of Menagerie.
And for once, he didn't mind. He'd fought back the Grimm for them. Stood against a Huntsman for them. They considered him their savior. It certainly had a nice ring to it. Sienna wanted a symbol. They wanted a hero. Maybe it was time to give the people what they wanted.
/- - - - - - - - - -/
When the ship pulled into Kuo Kuana's port, Corsac and Fennec watched with growing smiles as Adam and Sienna walked side by side ahead of the refugees from Shidekobushi. She'd called ahead to let them know, of course. Spreading word to the populace of their arrival ensured a sizable welcoming from the locals - the better to show Menagerie's hospitality with. The White Fang's hospitality.
"It appears our plan worked better than expected," Fennec boasted.
"Indeed," Corsac agreed. Even from this far away, there was no mistaking the way everyone seemed to focus on Adam. They'd been a little worried about putting so much focus on an untested newcomer like him, but it seemed to be working out better than expected. "It seems Sister Sienna was correct."
"His face alone has rallied many to our side. Perhaps we should push for more exposure."
"In time, brother," Corsac assured him. His brother could be too eager sometimes. Adam would be an integral part of their plans, as long as his loyalty could be assured. Getting him a sword had been child's play. Pushing the young Belladonna on him seemed to be working as well.
But alerting the locals of Adam's arrival in Shidekobushi? That had been a stroke of genius.
"Brother Adam will be of great use to the White Fang," Corsac said solemnly as Adam led what looked almost like a parade toward the Belladonna mansion to meet with Ghira and Kali, neither of which seemed to be aware of just how important their guest truly was. "Great use indeed."
Because what are the odds of a bunch of locals knowing to look for Adam in the middle of nowhere? Corsac and Fennec always seemed to have plans in the background in canon, so why not here?
Before anyone thinks I'm making Huntsmen a little OP with the idea of Vern taking on so many people, remember this is all from Adam's perspective. He's not always the most reliable narrator, so to speak. To him, Huntsmen are the pinnacle of strength and all of them are way beyond any of them. Nevermind both he and Sienna have aura and training, not to mention a pretty sizable support behind them with both position and numbers advantage. Adam sees a Huntsman and abandons hope. Obviously, that'll change in time, but figured I'd head that complaint off early if I could.
As for our new Huntsman's name, it's admittedly not the most creative. I looked up names for different shades of green, saw fern, and decided to turn it into Vern. It's a French name that means "alder grove" so naturally I made the last name basically the same thing. This is Jack Corvus all over again (Beacons of Love). Haven't decided whether we'll see him again or not, but he wasn't even planned for this chapter, so who knows. The chaotic fun of writing with basically no plan. Even I don't know half the stuff that'll happen along the way.
Next chapter: Adam furthers his ties to the White Fang.