Hunting or Bust: The Journey Continues
Dust 12: Menagerie's Darkest Day
Well, I'm making some better progress. I might hit the goals I had for some of these stories sooner than I expected. And I'm clearing my '30 updates per year' quota I set myself on by a wide margin!
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Under the sizzling heat of the sun, a small scorpion emerged out of the sand and snapped at the air before moving along. The arachnid's legs carried it over the blistering hot sand and along the desert for nourishment-
Before a small knife flew into its back and pinned it to the sand.
"Finally," An exhausted voice said as it grabbed the knife, and the dead creature stuck halfway along the blade. She gripped its side and pulled, the creature's carapace popping open and revealing the meat it had to offer. Something gross and uncooked and probably bad to eat.
On the other hand, after walking through a desert for the better part of a day, she wasn't picky.
Her knife melded back into her Aura and Tenten picked at the meat she could get from the scorpion before devouring it. Even with a pinched face, the young Huntress reveled in something to satiate her hunger and thirst. She made no complaints as she chomped the food down.
"SSSHHHRR-"
Her hand whipped out and lodged a long spear into the head of the scorpion Grimm before it could fully emerge. She drew the spear back into her Aura and made her way along before she finished her meal. Tossing the remains of the scorpion aside, she started to trek through the sands again.
Tenten panted as she walked along, her blouse removed and leaving her in just her undershirt and sports bra as she tied it around her head to help her weather the heat. Her pants were torn at the shins and her shoes had been weathered by all the sand. Her skin was either darkened or burned red from the intensity of the sun she found herself under.
Nevertheless, the determined young woman marched through Menagerie's most hostile environment with her destination in mind. Despite the exhaustion and heatstroke, she followed the marker of her wristbands towards Kuo Kuana. She would reunite with her friends, rest, and recover, and then they would stop the White Fang.
And maybe she'd get a chance to punch that smug white-haired tiger and the rest of his friends a few times in the face.
Oh yeah, that's what kept her pushing on.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
What could she say? What should she do? What could she possibly tell Blake to justify getting her friend killed and betraying her like this?
No! No, she betrayed them first! She turned her back on the White Fang and their cause! She was the enemy and Ilia had to accept that!
It was already decided. They were going to take the position of power from the Belladonnas once and for all. Menagerie would become the next focal point of White Fang operations, training, and expansion for generations to come. And the Belladonnas along with all of their guests would be taken out. While Blake…she would be shipped off to Mistral for Adam to see to her.
Unless she escaped. Unless she convinced Blake to run and not turn back. Or even take her and send her off somewhere else against her wishes. She'd be upset about the loss of everything she had here, but she'd still be alive. She would move on from her loss…
She would move on from losing her parents.
Ilia took a shuddering breath as she hugged her knees. She kept up her dark camouflage and stayed vigilant of the Belladonna Manor through the thicket of trees. And despite the myriad of conflicting and treacherous thoughts that collided in her head, she did her best to ignore them and focus on her scouting. This was her job and she was going to keep to it.
Even if that damn human girl's words and smiling face jumping off the cliff lingered in her head.
Ilia's fretting came to a sudden stop when she saw the balcony door slide open. And her heart twisted with an icy grip as Blake slowly stepped out. She shared a few words with the guard before they retreated inside. Blake stood out by the banisters and looked out into the forest.
Did she see her? She spotted her before. Was she expecting her? Was she looking for her? Should she go out there and talk with her? Should she tell her about what she did to her human friend? Should she drag her into a boat and send her away before she could say no?
Blake didn't stay out long enough for Ilia to come to a decision. The Huntress turned and stood by the screen door before sparing one look back. Ilia's breath hitched as she felt like she had been spotted by Blake's focused eyes. But the cat Faunus reached up and put something in the frame of the door before walking inside.
Ilia jumped across the trees and daintily landed on the banister of the balcony. She quickly made her move before she was spotted. Ilia stopped by the door and reached up, feeling around until she found what Blake had left behind.
A note.
The chameleon Faunus was gone before the guard returned to their post.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"You were supposed to keep watch over her until we gave the order to finish her off."
"Now we have no leverage to use against the Belladonnas to force their hands."
Mizuki gnashed his teeth while facing the Albain brothers, "We were gonna kill the human anyway! What does it matter if we did it a little early?!"
"It matters because we weren't done using her for our benefit. She was supposed to be our trump card to pressure Chieftain Ghira out of office. Now we can only hope that he and the rest of his group are nervous and foolish enough to fall for our bluff." Fennec said with an exasperated sigh.
Corsac clicked his tongue and shook his head, causing the volatile tiger Faunus to snarl, "This is why we hesitate to allow you to handle any larger tasks, Brother Mizuki. You're far too gung-ho and reckless for jobs like this. It makes us think Brother Adam may have been wrong to-"
"Don't blame Adam for this! And don't blame me either! If you're gonna hoist the blame on anyone, it's Amitola!" The furious man yelled, spittle flying off his lips in his rage, "She was supposed to be keeping an eye on the girl! But she got distracted and allowed her to escape! And by the time we reached her, she'd already allowed the human to throw her life away! If we're going to make any moves, we can't have our backs protected by someone who can't commit-"
"You're questioning if I'm committed to the cause?" The conversation ground to a stop as Ilia walked in, pulling her Grimm mask up to glare at the tiger, "Sounds like you're making excuses, Mizuki. But I shudder to think what it would be like for all of us if you were the one left in charge to do anything."
"You little-"
"Sister Ilia," Fennec quickly stepped in, cutting Mizuki's angry tirade off before it could start, "I thought you were scouting out the Belladonna Manor. Why have you returned?"
Ilia looked down for a moment, closing her eyes before she pulled out a piece of paper and held it up for them, "Blake Belladonna posted this for me to find. Not sure if she knew I was watching or if she just placed it there for one of us. But it says she wants to negotiate a trade."
"A trade?"
"The human girl and the safety of her family, in return for her surrender and willing transfer to Adam Taurus."
…
Corsac stepped forward, holding out his hand as Ilia handed him the note, "She left this for you? This could just be a trap to catch us off guard." The fox Faunus opened the note and started to read it. As he got further down his expression changed to one of intrigue, "Oh?"
"What is it, brother?"
"Tomorrow, Chieftain Ghira is supposed to be giving a speech to the people of Kuo Kuana. He invited us, along with other influential figures on the island."
Mizuki scoffed, "You'd expect them to think twice about answering any summons from them considering the example we made of their collaborators the other day."
"Yes, well, he told us it would be concerning something important."
"And this letter says what it'll be." Corsac smiled, "Chieftain Ghira is going to step down from his seat of power and surrender it to us tomorrow. He's complying with the demands Brother Yagura shared with them. And Sister Blake is planning to surrender herself during the announcement."
Fennec slyly smirked, "Which means Chieftain Ghira will surrender power, we'll get the seat of control here in Menagerie, and Sister Blake will surrender herself without a fight."
"This seems too good to be true." Yuma noted.
"Yeah, but even if they try something, we can make it work in our favor." Trifa snickered.
"Brothers and sisters, this has been a long campaign for us. But now I see us on the cusp of victory."
"By this time tomorrow, Menagerie will be in our hands and our opposition will disappear."
"We're going to kill them, right?" Mizuki's inquiry hung in the air as everyone went silent. His metallic fist started tightening so much the metal fingers were grinding together, "Adam ordered us to end the Belladonna family once and for all! Even if they surrender power, we don't-"
"Plans change as it becomes necessary."
"Considering how High Leader Taurus secured power over the White Fang, I'm certain he can understand when compromises-"
"BULLSHIT!"
Ilia closed her eyes and walked away as Mizuki started screaming and arguing with the Albain brothers about following through with Adam's demands. As they quarreled and rationalized their points, Ilia's thoughts stayed with Blake and what she was offering to do.
She must have known that whatever Adam had in store for her when he got her, it wouldn't be pretty. Yet she still planned to turn herself over anyway? In the hopes that she'd be able to convince them to surrender her friend and keep her family safe.
Did she plan to follow through with it to save her family? Did she plan to escape somewhere along the way? And what would she do when she found out what happened to Tenten? The questions bounced around in Ilia's head relentlessly…
And left her body feeling like it was twisted into a dozen knots.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Blake heard the frantic and urgent rush of footsteps along the dirt as more citizens made their way over to see her father's announcement. She tried to calm her breathing and settle her stomach as she kept making her way over to the intended meeting point.
She didn't have her Scroll with her. She didn't bring Gambol Shroud. She was practically going into this meeting naked.
Yet all she could think about were the stakeouts and risky outings she and her friends did in Beacon. Somehow remembering them kept her feeling less on edge.
Her ears twitched when she heard the almost imperceptible sound of someone landing behind her. And the more obvious, louder grunts of others surrounding her.
She slowly turned around and felt a modicum of relief seeing Ilia was the one to greet her. Blake turned to face her, "I'm glad you got my note."
"You didn't exactly hide it very well."
"I hid it where I knew you would find it."
Ilia seemed to tense and still for a moment before she stepped forward with a rope. She stopped in front of Blake, never looking up at her eyes before she spoke, "You understand what it is you're signing yourself away for, right?"
"I do. And I hope it can bring an end to this once and for all."
Blake allowed her wrists and arms to be tied by rope before a bag slipped over her head.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
As the crowd gathered around the stage and podium prepared for the speech, Ghira and Kali looked worried about what they knew was going on and about to happen. Even so…Kali gently put her hand on her husband's arm and helped ease the concern across his face. The large leader gave a small smile of relief and nodded before steeling himself.
The whole crowd - all of Kuo Kuana - seemed to fall silent as their Chieftain made his way up the stage. From their spot in the back of the crowd, Fennec and Corsac tried to keep their smiles as subtle as they could and made sure they stood with some of their more loyal followers around them.
Fennec leaned in towards his brother, "It looks like Chieftain Ghira doesn't have his usual entourage with him keeping an eye on the crowd."
Corsac nodded, also noticing the lack of Huntsmen before nodding to the sparse number of guards as well, "It seems like even their most trusted protectors aren't willing to take a risk with them now."
Ghira stopped at the podium and looked up, not flinching as the flash of lights from cameras came from all angles. Ghira pulled out his cards and put his glasses on before leaning into the mic, "Just a few days ago, Kuo Kuana, and all of Menagerie, were gripped in terror by a series of attacks. Attacks perpetrated by the rogue enemies that have been attacking our home and making themselves heard known the island."
"Recently, leaders from our community and the victims of these attacks have come forward demanding action be taken against these terrorists. I wanted to assure them and all of you that no further harm would come to Menagerie…but that was not a promise I could make lightly without assurances. Assurances we did not have. But then, a proposal was passed to me by a liaison to the rogues and their group. That no further danger or harm would come to Menagerie…if I relinquished my title as Chieftain and stepped down from the position of leadership."
Gasps and murmurs ran through the crowd as more flashes followed. Hands were raised and questions started flying out for answers.
"Please, everyone, hold your questions. I believe it would be for the best that I finish first." The people quieted down as Ghira nodded gratefully, "When I took this job after standing down from my position in the White Fang, I did so with the desire to help Faunus to the best of my ability. If my occupation of this seat can cause pain and suffering to the people of Menagerie…I realized that I am ready to forfeit it for the benefit of its people."
Fennec and Corsac felt their Scrolls vibrate but ignored them. Too enraptured by the scene of their ultimate victory to look away.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
After walking for a long time and being forced into a seat as her hands and feet were bound, the bag over Blake's head was finally removed. It took her eyes a moment to acclimate before she opened them and looked around the empty building and the busy floor she had been led to. Several White Fang members, masked and not, were taking stock of what they had around and preparing weapons.
But directly in front of her was Ilia…her face trying to stay stoic without her mask to cover it.
"This seems rather small for the size of your group." Blake jokingly said with a small smile and a shrug, "Do you have bases set up elsewhere? Or do you cramp up in here?"
Ilia looked at her silently. She closed her eyes and took a slow breath through her nose, "We're going to transfer you by boat to the mainland. There, another team will pick you up once they make landfall. And from there you'll be taken to HQ…and handed over to Adam." She expected to see fear or some kind of resignation on Blake's face when she said that but the Huntress didn't react. Ilia turned, "Good luck when you finally-"
"Where's Tenten?" Blake asked, "I said I'd hand myself over as long as she and the others' safety was secured. So where is she?"
…
"Ilia, where is she? Where is Tenten? Take me to her right now! I won't make this easy for anyone if her safety isn't promised!"
"She's gone already." Blake's eyes widened as Ilia whispered, "It's too late."
"What happened?!" Blake struggled in her seat and pulled on her restraints. The other White Fang members noticed, getting tense and reaching for their weapons as Blake's voice grew louder, "Ilia! Answer me! What happened to Tenten?! Did you do something to her?! Ilia?! Ilia-"
"She jumped!" Ilia yelled at her, "She jumped off a cliff and into the sea! She took her own life! So stop asking!"
…
"She…she jumped?"
"Yeah! She jumped!" Frustration was brimming in Ilia's voice having to remember the moment, and not just because she was being pestered by Blake about it.
As the room seemed to settle and the other White Fang members went back to their business, Blake looked down in contemplative thought. Hearing that her friend had jumped made her feel uneasy but…not sad or afraid. Because the Tenten she knew wouldn't do something like that without a reason.
Regaining some of her composure, Blake looked up at Ilia, "My conditions aren't going to be met, are they? I'm going to be taken away and delivered to Adam…and everyone else is going to get hurt."
The chameleon Faunus tried to keep her stoic expression, but failed to meet Blake's eyes, "I told you what they were after from the very beginning. You can't be surprised by that."
"I guess not. But are you okay with it? With going through with it?"
"If it means a better future for Faunus, then yes."
"My father is going to step down and relinquish his position. You're going to have full control of Menagerie. So what point is there in killing my parents and my friends? Other than because Adam wants it and the Albains can?" Her question hung in the air and Ilia looked aside in shame, "And that's something you're okay with? Whatever is going to happen to Menagerie and the rest of the world because of this is acceptable?"
"For a better future?" Ilia's eyes hardened, "Absolutely."
"Then I guess I don't feel as guilty about this."
"What? What are you-" A Scroll started to chime behind her and Ilia frowned, "Can you shut that off?! I'm trying to-"
Another one went off. And another. The several White Fang members present felt through their pockets and retrieved their buzzing Scrolls. Even Ilia's started to vibrate and chime as calls and texts came through.
Ilia looked up and saw Blake's firm and unfazed expression, "What did you do?"
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"If my resignation would bring peace to the island then I would not hesitate in stepping down." Ghira lowered the cards in his hands and slowly removed his glasses. And when he opened his eyes, the crowd was startled by just how heated and focused they were, "But I was warned that it would be pointless."
The looks on Fennec and Corsac's faces quickly turned with his words.
"My daughter, Blake, warned me that this was a trick. A manipulation of my desire to protect Menagerie at all costs. Because even if I followed their demands and the attacks were to stop, peace would not come in its place. She warned me that whatever tranquility or happiness this island has would be ripped away and replaced with fire and rage."
People raised their hands but Ghira's voice caused them to pull back, "The White Fang rogues accused my daughter of committing the crimes they were responsible for. My daughter believes herself guilty of far more than she has ever committed. She blames herself for what the White Fang has become…both outside and inside our borders. But she has been out there in the world while we stayed safe and hidden here…and she knows how they operate." Ghira retrieved his Scroll and raised it into sight, "For weeks now we have been reacting and playing to their tune…and so my daughter suggested; if we can not figure out how to stop them…"
Ghira pressed a button on his screen and the Scrolls of everyone in the crowd started to vibrate. They pulled them out to check the message…
And turned to Fennec and Corsac in shock.
The two brothers quickly turned on their devices to see what the message was…
Candid photos were taken of them colluding with Mizuki, Ilia, and more of the disavowed rogues that were once White Fang.
"Let them believe they've won…"
The brothers' Scrolls chimed with dozens of urgent messages from their followers.
"And strike when they raise their heads in victory."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"C-Commander?!" Some of the Menagerie guards panicked as their fellow guardsmen apprehended them and restrained them, "W-What is this?"
"Sorry," Rodentia apologized with a stern expression, "But you lot are some of Captain Yagura's closest crew. Until such a time you can be vetted, you are to be brought in."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Some of the devout White Fang members made their way through the public on their normal routes. No one was any the wiser to some of their more troubling plans and dealings.
This is why they were surprised when they were met by a group of guards led by Sun with a smoothie in his hand. The monkey boy took a sip of his drink before smiling, "Yeah, you guys are going nowhere."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
At one of the White Fang's warehouses, more of its legitimate and rogue members were preparing for what Menagerie would become once it was in their leader's grasp.
They'd been so focused that they didn't notice the flash of yellow until it was in the corners of their eyes.
And by then, Minato had already rushed in to take them out.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Mizuki quickly clamored behind a corner and snarled at his Scroll, "Pick up! PICK THE FUCK UP!"
An ear-shattering shockwave nearly deafened him and he looked around the corner to see Jiraiya plowing through his squad like a juggernaut.
The furious tiger cursed and quickly escaped before he could get caught.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Captain Rolf, there's no sign of Yagura anywhere!"
"Keep looking! He has to be here somewhere! That traitor will be caught!"
Yagura listened to all the commotion from his spot on the roof and sighed. The turtle Faunus blew his lips and drummed his fingers on his hook, "Is this still salvageable?"
((((((((Hunting))))))))
The Albains paled in horror as they realized the doubt and suspicion being aimed at them from all directions.
"Fennec and Corsac Albain, you are charged with conspiracy and aiding and abetting known terrorists." Ghira announced for everyone to hear as guards appeared from the corners and surrounded them, "You will be detained until a thorough investigation can be-"
The brothers immediately drew their weapons, extending the staves of their wands and pointing them down as an explosion of wind and fire enveloped everything around them.
The crowd screamed and the guards shielded themselves before the explosion subsided to reveal the brothers had vanished.
Kali quickly ran up on stage and Ghira came to his wife's side as they stared at the spot the brothers disappeared from.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Ilia's skin lost most of its color as she looked down at the candid picture of them interacting with the brothers. From the looks of it, the picture was taken just last night when she had returned to the hideout with the note from Blake. She looked up and saw Blake's determined expression as the other White Fang members panicked.
"You planned this?"
"If this was just between us, I would have trusted you to keep your word. But with the Albains, Mizuki, and Yagura leading the charge as well…nothing I could have said or done would have convinced them."
"So you used me to tear down our plans?!" Ilia's skin turned red and yellow in fury, "You did this and used me to do it!"
"Ilia, I-"
"How?! How did you get this picture?! You didn't leave the house after I left! Someone would have noticed your friends leaving too!"
"Yes…" Blake nodded sadly, "So we took a risk with someone with skills in hiding their whole lives."
The ceiling of the hideout crashed in as rubble and wood rained down to the floor. Everyone stared at the cloud of dust kicked up in the center of the room as a glowing figure stood in the center.
Chains of Aura whipped out and spun around rapidly to cover the room. Ilia dove aside to avoid the chains but the rest of her group weren't so agile. The chains slammed into their sides and dragged them through the air in a vicious roundabout before they were slammed into the ground.
The woman covered in red Aura drew her Semblance back after the numbers were thinned. And when Kushina spotted Blake still tied up, she quickly pulled Gambol Shroud from her back and helped release her. Once the ropes fell, Kushina passed the weapon back to her, "That was a risk trusting me to be able to follow you guys here."
"Well, you already took a risk following them last night to take the picture. Felt only right that I take a risk as well. Besides," Blake cracked a small smile, "It didn't feel like a risk." She shrugged at Kushina's confused expression, "I had faith you would be here."
Kushina's eyes widened for a moment before her face pinched and she looked aside in annoyance. Even so, Blake looked down and saw her fox tail shift around behind her back. It might not have been a set of ears but the son took after the mother in this case. The redhead sighed heavily before looking at Blake, "That sounds like something my son would say."
Blake giggled, "Probably. I've had a lot of good people helping me along the way…just trying to put some of that help and trust forward, I guess."
"Hmm." Kushina cracked a tiny smile and nodded. The two Faunus women looked around at all the White Fang lying unconscious across the ground, "What are the chances we managed to round up all of the White Fang at all the locations we were able to find?"
"Slim to none." Blake grimly said, "Not only do we not know how many other drop sites or bases they might have on Menagerie, but considering the training some of them went through I'm sure they're more tenacious and resourceful than just letting themselves get caught like this."
With a reluctant shrug, Kushina looked around, "At least we made a dent. And most of the support they've garnered will sour with the exposure." She looked around the warehouse, "But I think your little friend got away."
"Ilia…I'm going to have to find her."
"Well for now let's get back to the house. I'm sure Kali will be relieved to see your plan didn't cost her baby girl her life. Wait, where's Ten-"
A sudden ear-splitting alarm came from the Scrolls of all the unconscious White Fang. Blake flinched and immediately covered her ears from the unpleasant ringing while Kushina fished a Scroll out of someone's pocket. They huddled up and looked at the screen.
Blake's face paled in shock, "Oh god…"
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Most of the White Fang members that escaped from the raids returned to a designated emergency spot in the forest of Menagerie. The spot was not completely secure as threats could be at any side and they could be followed by their pursuers.
That didn't stop Mizuki from screaming as he started breaking the trunks of trees in anger.
"Dammit," Fennec cursed, his composure slipping as he looked to Yuma, "Has Brother Yagura reached out yet?"
"Still nothing, but I doubt they have the manpower to stop someone like him."
"We should be doubting everything!" Corsac hissed, "We were so close to having everything in our hands! And it was torn away at the last second!"
"What do we do now?" Trifa queried.
The Albains tried to catch their breath and focus their rage. There was nothing they could gain from letting their feelings get the better of them at such a crucial moment. Corsac let out a slow exhale and stood up from his seat, "We need to take hold of the narrative. Convince people that the image they saw was doctored by the Belladonnas and used against us."
"We couldn't have lost all the goodwill and faith we've built up with just one accusation." Fennec continued, "We can turn this against them. Say they wrongfully apprehended a number of our congregate and their guards without sufficient evidence. It'll be a complete disregard for justice-"
"No. We kill them. End of story." They all went quiet and looked to Mizuki as the tiger turned around and stepped into the center, "No more waiting and planning. Tonight, the Belladonna family dies, along with anyone who would stand with them."
"Brother Mizuki, you don't know what you're saying."
"We have not spent all this time building up an image and trust in Menagerie for your foolhardy aggression to ruin it. We will return to the settlement, gather those that would listen, and then make a move to usurp power-"
The brothers gasped when Mizuki rushed in and grabbed their collars before slamming them back into a tree. The other White Fang members reached for their weapons-
"YOU WERE OUTPLAYED! YOU WERE OUTMANEUVERED! AND NOW MOST OF OUR NUMBERS ARE SCATTERED AND CAPTURED!" Mizuki seethed, "I am not going to stand by and wait for more goodwill and faith to be built up after it was yanked out from under us! Playing the field and gathering political strength hasn't gotten us anywhere! So I say we do the next best thing; kill the Belladonnas and make Menagerie fall in line."
"Are you mad?!"
"You'd have us rebel and usurp power in the eyes of the citizens?! They'd never follow us willingly after that!"
"They will. If they know what's good for them." Mizuki released the brothers and turned, staring back toward Kuo Kuana as he looked at the rest of their forces, "We were going to kill the Belladonnas no matter what. Their weakness and refusal to stand against humans is no longer a mindset we can afford to have in our new world. We can kill them and their human-loving friends to make it clear what this island is going to become."
He turned to the Albains, "Aren't you furious? You just said your best-load plans and ambitions were ripped away just at the finish line, right? Can you tell me - honestly - that there isn't any part of either of you that wants to choke the life out of Ghira Belladonna and his flock?"
…
Mizuki smiled twisted dementedly, looking down at his hands as they curled into fists, "We can take Menagerie for ourselves right here and now. And once we're done, everyone on the island will understand; they're either with us…or against us. What do you say?"
As seconds passed, no one raised an argument. Despite his radical suggestion, every person here was furious and wanted vengeance. To finally end the campaign and gain the hold on the Menagerie they were aiming for.
Even the Albains could find no other words to argue. If just one raid could get them all the power they were aiming for…
Fennec and Corsac pulled out their Scrolls and sent a message to all their followers who could still receive it.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Emblazoned across the Scroll's screen in flashing dark colors was a message impossible to misinterpret.
RAID THE MANOR
"They're not even hiding it." Kushina nearly spat in disgust, "They've lost track of their plan and are going into this with full fury. Like Danzō."
Blake shuddered, "Like Adam."
"And I bet like Mizuki." Kushina tossed the Scroll and retrieved her own, "They probably saw that message on a procured Scroll but we need to warn the others."
Blake nodded and followed after her, "We need to get back. Who knows how many of them are still-"
A glint came into view and Blake quickly kicked Kushina forward as she flipped back to avoid the metal whip lashing between them. Blake drew her katana and Kushina took a stance as the rapier whip drew back into the scaffolding before disappearing.
"Ilia…she's still here."
"Dammit, we don't have time for this!" Kushina channeled her Semblance and started forming chains from her Aura, "If we attack everywhere at once we should-"
"Go home and make sure everyone is okay. I'll handle her."
"What? But Blake-"
"Please," The young brunette looked back at the redhead with pleading eyes that left Kushina silent, "I have to do this. I'll follow after…so please go ahead."
Kushina frowned before releasing her Aura and dispelling her chains. With a reluctant nod, the fox woman turned and rushed out of the safe house as Blake held Gambol Shroud at the ready.
The soft, almost impossibly silent footsteps from above stopped and started every few seconds as Blake knew she was being circled.
She had to stop Ilia here and now.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
The people of Menagerie quickly hid away as they saw a small army of White Fang members and rogues make their way through the streets. Word of the conference that happened earlier in the day and the new evidence brought up against them was still circulating the island. Word of mouth and staunch deniers would continue spreading the new and differing opinions on it for quite some time.
But by this time tomorrow, Menagerie would find itself under the White Fang's banner and leadership.
The Belladonna Manor was probably already aware that they were coming for a fight, yet they couldn't mobilize a strong enough force as fast as possible while their guards and Huntsmen were spread out still handling the round-up of White Fang affiliates around the island. This meant even if they did see the message, they weren't going to make it back before the White Fang arrived.
Some young guards standing outside of the manor noticed their approach and demanded that they halt. They were met with a spread of gunfire that forced them to duck and retreat into the manor. Mizuki let out a deranged cackle as he rushed inside, Yuma and Trifa following after him to act as the vanguard while some other masked members followed their example.
Corsac and Fennec kept an even pace while the rest of their forces left their side and rushed the manor. They didn't let their bloodlust or ferocity show, but it was clear in the way they marched ahead that they had been swayed. They didn't need to plot or plan for their rise to power anymore. It may have been crude but Adam Taurus was right about one thing…
This world only truly responded to action and violence.
As they made their way through the destroyed entrance, it was in time to see several masked soldiers get thrown aside like children after trying to tackle Ghira. The bulky Faunus huffed and caught his breath before they caught his eye. Ghira's face darkened with anger, "You're attacking my home? Have you finally reached the point where you can't keep making new lies?"
"Go further in," Corsac ordered to the rest, "Empty this house."
Fennec narrowed his eyes, "We'll take care of the former Chieftain."
"Why you-"
The brothers drew their daggers, Cyclone and Inferno, and released blasts of wind and fire that Ghira had to guard against. As they impacted his Aura, Ghira heard rapid footfalls around him and Mizuki's maniacal laughter grow further away. When the flames died down, Ghira found himself facing the Albain brothers alone.
"You turn the people against us, threaten their safety and peace for your gain, and threaten my family." Ghira gripped his vest and yanked it off, standing bare-chested as his arms tensed at his side, "There will be no mercy for that."
"We've decided to secure the position first and worry about approvals afterward." Corsac tossed his dagger to his brother as he pulled his red hood off. His tail eagerly moved behind him as the taller brother rotated his shoulders, "Wouldn't hurt to give this new method a try."
"It seemed to work remarkably well for Brother Taurus when he killed High Leader Khan," Fennec smirked as Ghira's eyes widened. As Cyclone and Inferno stirred to life in his hands he nodded, "That messenger you sent to warn her? Another senseless victim of your stupidity."
"YOU LITTLE-"
Corsac rushed in and locked hands with Ghira as they struggled for supremacy as Fennec sent a swirl of fire and wind at them.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
The sounds of the Albains' fierce battle with Ghira echoed out from the front of the manor. Followed by the other sounds of battle and gunfire. Mizuki's blood couldn't help but start pumping eagerly as his cheeks pulled into a manic grin of joy. He was also pretty proud of the fact that he was able to convince the Albains and the others that this was the most obvious course of action they could take.
Adam was undoubtedly going to be thrilled when he heard about this. Not only will they wrestle away control of Menagerie and firmly plant it under the banner of the White Fang, but in the process weeded out any uncooperative elements and purged the Belladonnas' stain from the land. Once they delivered the little traitorous tramp to Adam, they will have fulfilled all their goals. And Adam could finally see just how useful and capable he was as a right-hand man.
But first…he was going to kill Naruto's mother and father so that he could present their dead bodies at his feet.
His sharpened metallic claws scraped against the wall, leaving indentions as he dragged them along with vicious glee. As Mizuki approached a door, he sensed someone inside of it and let out a low chuckle. Grabbing the doorknob, he pushed it open and grinned, "Knock kno-"
Mizuki's head flew back as the end of a nunchaku slammed into his chin. He immediately snapped back with a snarl and swung, aiming for the head of blond hair that quickly ducked and slipped by his side. The white-haired tiger growled and twisted his hips to kick out at the figure that got behind him. But the blond quickly jumped out of the way, landing on the railing of the second floor and hoisting his staff upon his shoulder.
"Great, the clown." Mizuki groaned, "And here I thought I would be able to kill the human Huntsman or that red-haired whore that betrayed us."
"Trust me; they'd whoop your butt before you even had a chance to pull out those pretty claws." Sun mocked the irate man with a smirk on his face, his tail jovially swaying behind him as he sat on the banister, "You should be glad it's me you're running into and not them. I'm a nice enough guy that if you turn around and walk away, I might just-"
Mizuki lunged forward and slashed at Sun, the agile Huntsman sliding aside as his metal claws shredded through a section of the wood. He turned and threw a hook kick as Sun flipped over his head and rolled along the ground. Not letting the quick monkey get away, Mizuki grabbed the broken banister and tore it off the ground before throwing it Sun's way.
The monkey Huntsman crushed the projectile with a swing of his staff and quickly took a stance before smirking, "Alright, but don't say this ass-kicking wasn't unavoidable."
"I'm going to rip your tail off," Mizuki cracked his knuckles, "Strangle you with it," He rotated his neck until it cracked and snarled with a toothy grin, "And then kill everyone else in this manor."
"And you think you're the righteous good guy how exactly?"
((((((((Hunting))))))))
The sound of warfare and gunfire echoed out clear as day in the setting night of Kuo Kuana. People in the cramped city could see muzzle flashes through the windows and the sight of a flame starting to burn through the wall and roof. It was a startling sight to see their leader's home attacked and burning as the moon started to rise.
And this was what Yagura found himself looking at when he arrived.
He'd gotten the message from the Albains calling for all members to come to charge the Belladonna Manor. And he'd stayed out of the line of sight of other guards or Huntsmen who might have been looking for him now. But as he stood outside and watched the raid and burning fire rage, he had to wonder what changed their choice of method so drastically.
"C-Captain Yagura!"
"You're here!"
"The White Fang are attacking the Chieftain's home!"
It seemed like even though word of the Albains' treachery had spread across the island, not everyone was aware of his part in the conspiracy. They still knew him as the new, capable, and trustworthy captain of the guard they all relied on.
Well, not his fault they didn't know any better.
"Everyone! Please, stand back!" Yagura announced as he stepped forward and wreathed his hand in blue Aura. He started gathering up water in his palm, "I'm going to try and extinguish the fire!"
He'd blow out the wall and a few supporting beams with a torrent of water strong enough to bring the house crumbling down. A few of his comrades would probably die…but that was something he could live with.
But before Yagura could make a move, he saw a flash of yellow brighten his vision. Yagura's eyes widened and he jumped back as a knife sailed down and flew by his head to embed itself into the dirt. A moment later, Minato landed in a crouch and retrieved his knife.
As the blond Huntsman stood up and faced him, Yagura smiled, "You know I'm trying to save the house and your friends, right? Are you so against Faunus you-"
A tingle ran up Yagura's spine and he turned while releasing his water. His fierce torrent slammed into Jiraiya's metal palm as a Shockwave burst from his arm, droplets blasting out in every direction when the two attacks collided.
Jiraiya's other hand came swinging in for Yagura's neck and the turtle Faunus quickly ducked underneath his grasp. His hook weapon came speeding off his shoulder, catching around the toad's ankle and yanking his leg out from under him. As the older Huntsman fell, his hand slammed into the ground and released a Shockwave that kicked up dust and forced Yagura to retreat.
Directly into Minato's range of attack, the blond human rushed in and viciously swiped at the shorter man with his three-pronged knife. The captain of the guard retaliated by twirling his hook back into his hands and knocking Minato's stabs off track. Sparks flew as they exchanged rapid slashes with each other in the blink of an eye.
They only stopped when Jiraiya jumped out of the dust and swung for Yagura's head, forcing him to disengage from Minato and jump aside. When Yagura looked back up, it was to see Minato and Jiraiya standing side by side in front of the Belladonna Manor. Minato spun his knife in his hand before pointing it at Yagura…
"You will not come any closer to this house."
"Try it," Jiraiya cracked his knuckles, "And we won't hesitate to beat the shit out of you."
…
Yagura was sure there was some manipulation or lie or tactic he could use to put pressure on the duo with the help of the startled and confused civilians watching them fight.
And yet…despite it not helping the façade…Yagura couldn't help but get excited at the idea of fighting the two men.
With a wide grin, Yagura slowly stood back up and faced the two men. As his hands and feet glowed with his Semblance, they lowered their stances and prepared to fight.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Get! Out! Of! My! House!" Kali screamed while firing across the room at the White Fang that invaded their home. Most of the intruders retreated to avoid her gunfire as she and some of the other guards laid a suppressing fire.
Yuma jumped and flew through the air, his wings spreading out and helping him rise to the second floor to avoid their line of fire. Kali and the other guards tried to shoot him down before he could circle back to attack them.
A glob of webbing flew forward and stuck Kali's gun and hand to the wall. Before the guards could help pry her free, more webbing flew and stuck their feet to the ground so they couldn't move. Yuma flew back down, kicking them across the head until they toppled over unconscious.
Kali's breath hitched in fright as the guards had been neutralized and she was pinned to the wall. Yuma's wings folded closer into his back and Trifa walked out of the shadows with a knife in hand. Both rouges turned their attention to Kali and smiled. They slowly made their way over, Kali futilely pulling against the webbing that stuck her to the wall as they drew closer.
"Sorry, ma'am," Yuma muttered, "But we'll make sure this is-"
As Kali shirked back and the White Fang drew closer, the window over their heads suddenly shattered over their heads. From above, a figure flew over and then landed in a crouch ahead of them. Before immediately jumping up to rush them.
Yuma guarded against the metallic fist with his arms while Trifa barely dodged the swipe to her chin. Both Faunus retreated across the room and stared at their sudden new enemy in shock.
She smiled as her Steel retracted over one of her arms, "Thanks for the smoke signal. I never would've made it if I didn't see that."
"Tenten!" Kali smiled, "You're here! What happened?"
"Long story. Took a walk through the desert." Tenten gripped the webbing covering Kali's hand and tore it away, "Feel tired and hot. Do I have a tan? Like a sexy, charming tan I can show off?"
A grimace crossed the older woman's face as she saw the bright red burns that covered the Huntress' cheeks, nose, and exposed skin, "Um…it's not a tan."
"Should I look in a mirror?" She shook her head and Tenten sighed, "Alright, well, I'll deal with that after." The ponytailed girl turned and faced the White Fang duo, "Can you get somewhere safe, Ms. Kali?"
"Can do!"
As Kali rushed out of sight, Tenten squared up with the two Faunus and raised her hands in the air. She twisted her wrists and smiled, "Sorry I won't be tied and bound this time. If you know what's good for you, you'll turn around and walk away."
"If you knew what was good for you, you'd have abandoned this place and run when you had the chance." Trifa mockingly snarked as her knife twirled around her finger, "Now what we're gonna do to you is all your fault."
"You shouldn't have picked a fight you can't win, human." Yuma's wings spread out, "You'll regret ever coming to this island."
"The only part I regret is having to deal with you jerks all the time. And another thing…"
Tenten's hands raised as a sudden crash echoed over their heads. And from over the second-floor railing, Calad and Bolg spun through the air before landing in her hands. The Huntress held her fighting sticks in a stance and grinned…
"You think this is a fight I can't win? Heh, please."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Done
Man, this chapter just came to my mind so much faster than I expected. Some chapters are a struggle to form and put to words and then some just demand to get put out without a break. It was so much I had to split this chapter in two to accommodate.
And right now I'm working on the finale, so between that and juggling the others stories at the moment, there's a lot of fun to be had!
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Thank You and Bye