Hunting or Bust: The Journey Continues
Dust 17: Picking Up The Pieces
And here we start with Volume 6! Crazy to think we've finally made it this far!
This should be a pretty short volume. I have most of it already planned out, just need to put it to paper. But I am excited for the drama and setup for it, and I hope you enjoy too!
Let's go!
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Every movement was pain.
Every breath reignited the agony in her body.
The feeling of lighting striking her chest, running through every pore and vein in her body, before bursting against the cave wall behind her was still so vivid in her mind. The sense of stones and slabs raining down around her as she plummeted into the dark abyss below made her almost lose her breath.
She wasn't sure if it was the last dredges of her Aura, some unconscious burst of magic, or just plain luck and chaos that kept her alive as she dropped to the very bottom of the mountainous cavern and crashed into the lake below.
Whichever it was, it couldn't relieve her of the pain and exhaustion she felt as she dragged herself out of the water and gasped for air. With the help of her Grimm arm, she dragged herself onto the bank and further away from the lake, getting closer to the walls of the cavernous depths she fell into. She must have fallen to the bottom of Mistral's mountain - away from the city, the school, and all her enemies.
But she couldn't stay here. If anyone looked down trying to find her, it'd only cause more problems for her recovery.
So Cinder started punching against the wall. Harder and harder each time in hopes of cracking it enough that she could slip through back to the outside world. Each time her Grimm fist slammed against the wall it caused a spike of pain to rush through her body. But instead of shrinking away, each time that spike pierced through she thought of one of her enemies.
Ruby.
Raven.
That blond nobody.
Kushina's bastard.
Ozpin's drunk scout.
The abandoned daughter.
All of them stood in her way. All of them cost her the power and victory she had been so close to achieving. Until she made them pay she would not let anything else stand in her way.
The wall of the cavern finally cracked enough for her to slip through, pushing her aching body past its limits to come out the other side into a forest. Her legs gave out from exhaustion and Cinder found herself falling into the mud and dirt. As she dragged herself through the rain and grime, her anger continued to build and build.
Until a stranger found her. A kind young woman who found a person crawling across the ground and offered her a helping hand.
One Cinder was eager to take…and hold on to for dear life.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Everyone flinched as the metal bat collided with the sword hard enough to cause sparks. The Faunus teen yelled and continued to swing his weapon, trying to break through his opponent's perfect guard to win the sparring match. But no matter what angle or strike he threw his opponent easily withstood it. Until finally he swung too wide, his smaller opponent slipping in and raising his weapon to deliver the final blow.
"Okay, that's enough." Sun clapped to finish the spar as Sasuke stepped back and left the taller Faunus to catch his breath, "That was good, Mata, real nice swings." The bulky sheep Faunus nodded with a small smile before Sun turned to the group watching them train, "Now, Mata's got a few good inches and a whole lotta muscle over Sasuke, but he couldn't get past his defenses. Does anyone know why?"
The other Faunus taking the lesson looked just as befuddled by the question.
"It's footwork." Sasuke said, walking around Sun to stand by Mata's side, "The best way to add strength, speed, and force to your swings isn't going to be standing in one place. You need to be aware of how you move, how your opponent moves, and how you need to change in response." He took a stance with his sword raised, Mata looking down at his feet before mimicking his posture, "It might take some time, but my teacher told me that once you've got your footwork handled, you'll see a great change in how you handle a weapon."
Sun smiled and turned to the group, "Okay guys, watch Sasuke's feet and try to follow along!"
The group of Faunus took up arms and started following along, receiving guidance from the blond monkey and the Uchiha training them.
A few meters away in the courtyard of Haven several other groups of hopeful warriors were training. All of them were led by either Hunters who had returned after the Battle of Haven was over, or Hyūga who had stuck around to make sure the city's transition went smoothly.
"This is amazing." Oscar marveled at the sight before him, "So many new fighters to help us now. We won't have to worry about Mistral's safety for a while."
Ren nodded, "When I was young, my parents used to tell me stories about the nomad tribe moving through Anima. I always noticed that new people were staying in our village before moving on, and some of our supplies disappeared every few months. Looking back…" His eyes lingered over the courtyard, "I can see why my parents wanted to help these people when they could."
"And it's pretty freaking awesome to have two armies on our side now." Nora giggled, her chin resting in the patch of hair under her contently, "I'm glad it all worked out, even if we nearly died in the process."
"Nora?"
"Yes, Kiba?"
"Can you get off me now?"
"Nope!"
As Kiba let out a dreary sigh, Ren and Oscar shared a laugh watching their friend have to carry and support Nora as she clung to his back and nested her chin in his hair. Since they had reunited, the short ginger never passed up the chance to stick around her tattooed buddy. Kiba had rolled his eyes and grumbled the entire time, but it had become obvious that he didn't seem to mind her company at all.
"With the forces from Menagerie assisting in bolstering the forces here as well as the Hyūga and returning Hunters now able to reinforce Mistral's defenses, hopefully, the dire state Leonardo left things in won't be permanent. Although they won't be what they once were for quite a while."
"Ozpin says that with all these people on our side now, Mistral might have a better chance of recovering."
Kiba spared the little freckled boy a look, "I…I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact you're Ozpin."
Nora just patted his head, "You'll get used to it."
"I'm not sure how long the Menagerie forces are going to stay," Ren said, "But their help will be invaluable while the Kingdom is getting back on track."
Nora's chin remained resting in Kiba's hair, casually flicking some of his locks before a pensive expression showed on her face, "Was it…the right move to lie about Professor Lionheart?"
After the battle was over and all the reunions had settled down, it wasn't long before word started to travel about the attack on Haven, those responsible for defending and attacking it, and the death of the headmaster. But the truth about Leonardo's role had been altered to one of valiantly defending the school…instead of betraying it out of cowardice and with tears streaming down what remained of his face.
"For the sake of the Kingdom, I think it was for the best," Ren said when he noticed their dour expressions. Even Oscar who had Ozpin come up with the decision looked a little conflicted, "Even if he wasn't as loyal and trustworthy as we hoped, we can do some good using his name after death. Make him a martyr people can believe in, instead of the man that crippled their Kingdom."
"What do you think, Kiba?" Nora mumbled atop his head, "You didn't like it when all those secrets were being kept in Beacon, right?"
"And I still don't like them now. I think it causes more problems than it starts to keep things hidden from others." Kiba sighed, "But I also know there's a big difference between keeping your past hidden from your friends and keeping treason secret from a Kingdom, so I see the benefit in doing it. If it'll help Mistral recover, then that's all that matters. My question is…" Kiba looked down at Oscar with a partially pleading expression, "Please tell me we have some other choice than heading to Atlas to hide that lamp. Because telling us to go back after all the shit we went through to get here is just cruel."
"Sorry," Oscar looked guilty as he said that and watched Kiba's head roll forward in defeat. After Raven had disappeared and the vault door had faded away, there was nowhere else to put the lamp but into another vault for safekeeping. Between Atlas and Vacuo, Ozpin had reasoned that reaching Ironwood and warning him of their enemies' actions would be the best use of their time, "If it makes you feel any better, it's for a good reason."
"It doesn't. And that big guy we fought in Haven is still missing, along with those two bitches and that masked bull prick. Are we sure things will be fine here without us?"
"Well…I think our enemies' plans will be hidden for long."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
A dark room illuminated by a single overhead light was the scene Dosu woke up in. He wearily blinked his eyes and looked around.
His arms were bound across his chest in a jacket and his legs were tied to the chair he was sitting in.
Flashes of the last few days ran through his mind. Bleary images of people and places after being knocked out by the blond Faunus and abandoned by everyone else.
He had been captured. And they were likely going to interrogate him.
He couldn't allow Elysium's secrets and methods to fall into the enemies' hands. He ran his tongue along his molars-
"If you're trying to find the tablets in your teeth, they've been removed." Dosu's eyes widened as he looked up to see a figure slowly limp into the light. The assassin immediately recognized the old blond man as Inoichi, one of the executive members of Skyggen that he had been tasked with exterminating. And other than a cane he needed to use for his bum leg it looked like the assassination didn't stick, "I'm glad our friends told us about your methods otherwise we'd be talking to a corpse right now."
Dosu struggled and strained, yelling against the cloth stuffed in his mouth to mute him.
"I can tell you're angry and anxious. I'd be too if I was in your situation. Which I was," Inoichi tapped his limp leg, "Even with Aura the damage was too severe that I won't be going to the field anymore. And I hear I have you to blame for that." He stayed reserved and calm while staring at Dosu, "And now you're quite angry being here, aren't you?"
Dosu couldn't say anything but Inoichi could feel the disdain coming off him.
"And I guess you won't want to answer some of the questions we have for you?" The older man stared at the assassin before shrugging, "That's fine. We don't need you to say anything."
A pair of hands latched onto either side of Dosu's head, holding it in place and firmly squeezing it. Dosu couldn't crane his head back to see who was holding him, but the angry female voice that followed made him freeze.
"So you're the guy that tried to kill my dad, huh? Nice to meet you."
"That's my daughter. She's very upset with you. But she's not going to hurt you. She'll just hold your head as I ask these questions." Inoichi opened a folder and Dosu's eyes widened in horror…
The older man pointed to the picture of Orochimaru, "Is this your boss?"
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"Hehe," Ruby giggled with joy as they made their way back from the market with groceries and supplies, "We're gonna eat good~!"
Weiss struggled with all the bags in her arms as she walked beside her partner, "Did we have to buy this much? We're only going to be in that house for another week at best."
"Yeah, but we need to have a big celebration! We're finally all back together!" With a giddy laugh, Ruby jumped with excitement, bumping her shoulder against Weiss' as the former heiress rolled her eyes in response, "All of our friends are back! Team RWBY is together again! And we saved Haven and the lamp!"
"Shh, not so loud." Weiss berated Ruby, even though the younger girl kept smiling. Despite herself, Weiss couldn't help the small smirk that came to her face, "I suppose I can see that there is some room for celebration."
"And we got all this stuff for cheap too." Jaune said beside them while looking over his bags, "Was it okay for them to offer a discount? I feel kinda bad."
"Don't," Jiraiya rounded out the grocery team, having come out with them to get some fresh air after all the stuffy meetings and bodyguarding he had done since the Haven incident had been settled. The old toad was happy to loosen his joints and stretch his legs as he snatched an apple out of his bag and took a bite. He ignored Ruby's indignant whine about not snacking before he spoke, "People know you guys had a hand in helping at Haven and want to show their appreciation. If you're too humble and push that kindness away, they'll think you're conceited."
While it was hard to agree with the older Huntsman's shallow reasoning, it was true that they were being recognized here and there around Mistral. Word of the attack on Haven quickly spread through the city, and their part in it was getting them recognition in the streets. As well as the assistance the Hyūga gave and the Menagerie forces that arrived just to protect the school from devastation.
It wasn't hard to see that Faunus opinion had taken a sharp and positive turn in response to Menagerie's assistance in protecting the Kingdom. Some stores and establishments had gone so far as to remove their 'No Faunus' signs in response. Many Faunus made their way through the main streets and markets without as much discomfort or fear as they had just a week ago. It felt like things were taking a turn for the better in Mistral.
Ruby noticed this change and eagerly stepped around Weiss and Jaune to be by Jiraiya's side. Conspicuously she coughed into her fist and tried to draw his attention, "H-Hey, so things are looking up right now! Lots of people admire us for the help we give and will listen to us! We could use that to our advantage, right? Like -I don't know - if we told them that someone helped with our fight and protected this city-"
"Kid, stop." Jiraiya immediately shook his head, "That isn't going to work. They've already come up with a plan. And she's too damn stubborn to take an out like this when she's already prepared herself." The old toad looked down at the apple that still wasn't finished, but realized he had started losing his appetite with the conversation, "If we couldn't convince her before, I doubt anything will change it now."
Somehow Ruby knew that was going to be the answer, yet it was still so disheartening to hear. It just didn't right for everything to have finally come together like this only to have it break apart right at the end.
Jiraiya sighed and tossed the apple away, "Let's hope they make the sacrifice worth it."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"You're not planning to stay in Anima, are you?"
"No. We're staying here only until the matters for the new organization have settled into a manageable position."
"Right, and short of global communications suddenly popping back up tomorrow, we have no way of corresponding with each other except for sending messengers to travel for weeks on end between Mistral and Menagerie just to agree."
"Sienna-"
"Ghira, if you don't want to stick around that's fine, but you can't regulate the leadership and policies without a position."
"Sienna, again, I'm fine with you being in charge, but I have to advise that after what happened you not be the sole leader of the organization. I think it would be for the best that a council or a delegation take up leading what is left of the White Fang now."
"And how long is that going to take, Ghira? Do you have any suggestions or is this something you're dropping on my lap before leaving?"
"Everyone, please! Let's remain civil."
The conference room of Skyggen's main office had been used as neutral ground for the White Fang restructuring project that had been initiated after the Battle of Haven. Ghira and Kali sat at one side of the table while Sienna sat at the other with Yugito flanking her chair. Shukaku and Tsunade sat at the head of the table as mediators, and from the looks on their faces, they had long since grown weary of playing the political angle.
Kali's eyes shifted around the room before she stood up, "Who would like some tea?" Everyone immediately raised their hands, "Okay, going to need more leaves."
Ghira took a deep breath and centered himself, "We have a golden opportunity here. Not since the White Fang's original creation decades ago have we had as strong of a base to build a message and foundation on. If we stand united then we could do great things for the Faunus in the wake of what happened."
"And how long will that good will last, Ghira?" Sienna snapped, "We both know this isn't anything new. Some goodwill or change in opinion comes through and raises public consideration of Faunus before everything goes back to what it was." The conflicted expression on Ghira's face said that while he didn't want to agree with Sienna he couldn't rightly refute her from his own experiences, "I'm sure assisting in protecting a Kingdom will get us a lot of clout, but it's only a matter of time before those 'No Faunus' signs get put back up on the doors. Which is why-"
"No." Ghira resolutely denied her the chance to finish, sitting up in his chair and shaking his head, "Sienna, whatever comes of this new organization, it cannot be found on violence."
"As a last resort." She stressed, "You seemed to have forgotten that I never wanted to start a war or conflict with humans, merely to stand up for ourselves when the need arises." She leaned her elbow onto the table and looked at Ghira critically, "You have to admit that after the years of stalling your old way provided, there were significant changes that occurred with my implementation."
"Up until your dogma gave rise to a sect of supremacists that nearly destroyed the world as we know it."
The air in the conference room seemed to be still. The only one moving was Kali, humming a delightful tune as she walked around the table and delivered tea after her scathing retort.
Sienna's eye twitched, "Why, Kali, I don't remember you ever piping up like this before."
"Yes, well, back then it was hard to argue that a policy change wasn't needed when so many people agreed and followed you. We had no choice but to step aside and let you take charge of the White Fang." Kali said with a pleasant smile as she kept delivering drinks, "But even if you started with the best intentions, Adam and his ilk used your policies to disrupt society to such a degree that we're still trying to recover. And my daughter was traumatized enough by the actions of 'your' White Fang that she still thinks about it even now. And let's not forget that you nearly died at the hands of a man who used your policy to justify a race war with humanity." Kali dropped off the last drink and returned to her seat by her husband's side, "So even though my husband might be too sweet to say it, I'll state it plainly…"
Kali glared at Sienna, "We're not going back to your way of doing things…so accept it and move on."
…
…
Sienna looked down in front of her, "I didn't get a tea."
"Oops."
"Here, you can have mine." Yugito leaned in and offered her tea from over Sienna's shoulder. The tiger gave a quick nod, "And for the record, I agree with them. I understand what you intended to do with just the necessary amount of violence, and I agreed with it enough that I joined the White Fang. But there's a fine line between necessity and indulgence, and one wrong person leading a group can lead to a mess like this again."
There was a round of nods and hums of agreement with Yugito's words. Sienna took a sip of her tea and sat back resigned in her chair, "This is why I insist that Nii stay with me on the new council."
"And we told you that Yugito Nii is on a probationary period for her involvement in the events at Vale. Fortunately, Sasuke Uchiha gave a strong argument for her rehabilitation so once the period is done she can join the new organization." Shukaku said as Sienna rolled her eyes, "Which is why we've also been floating around a candidacy for our resident medical expert, Tsunade." The older blonde woman beside him nodded, "It's agreed that she would be an excellent addition to your new council during these nascent periods."
"She doesn't have any political experience."
"But I do have experience leading." Tsunade said, "I've been the acting Huntress in charge of Skyggen while our CEO was away and our executives were missing. I took a stand in the Fall of Beacon. And I used to be a member of the White Fang back in the day." She nodded toward Ghira, "Plus I was his senior student learning under Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Yugito looked befuddled by that, swearing that the blonde woman was one of the younger people at the table. But before she could say anything Sienna spoke up, "Does that mean you want to preach pacifism as well?"
"I know how hard he tried to make things better for Faunus everywhere, but I also recognize that his style didn't always work out." Tsunade crossed her arms, "I think we can come to a happy middle ground if we work together."
Sienna scowled, "I don't like it."
"And I don't want to work with you," Tsunade shrugged, "Which means we're already even out the gate. That's good in my book."
Yugito seemed to physically sag with relief as Sienna reluctantly agreed to the conditions. Ghira showed an optimistic smile as Kali gently clapped her hands in joy. Shukaku sighed, "Well, I'm glad things are starting on a good foot. And I'm sure you won't have too much trouble convincing the remaining members of the White Fang that this is the best course of action."
All eyes fell to the folder and photos spread out over the conference table, "Especially after they've heard what their previous High Leader did."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Blake, Tenten, and Ilia grumbled irritably as they pressed their ears into the wall but couldn't make out anything on the other side. After a few futile moments of at most muffles in even Blake's more keen ears, the girls sighed and stepped away, "I can't hear anything."
"Yeah, these doors were built pretty well." Tenten said with a huff before putting her hands on her hips, "If we can't hear them then we'll just have to wait until they're done to know what they said."
"There will be some kind of punishment." Ilia muttered quietly to herself, getting looks from both Blake and Tenten as she gave a solemn nod, "I know there must be. I-I'm not afraid though. Whatever comes of it-"
"Enough of that!" Ilia let out a squeak of surprise as Tenten wrapped an arm around her shoulders, "Stop fretting so much. You took a stand with us in Menagerie. You deactivated Adam's bombs before they could go off. And whatever they decide to do in there," She pointed towards the door before pointing back at Ilia with a grin, "I know they'll need your help at the forefront of it."
Ilia's skin turned a varying shade of pink, flushed with excitement and embarrassment before she noticed Blake's warm smile. The chameleon girl looked aside sheepishly, "Do you think so?"
"I do, Ilia." She nodded, "If they can forgive me for what I did, I know they can forgive you. Besides," With a sober exhale she looked down, "The blame for the White Fang is already being settled, remember?"
It was a dour reminder that quickly put an end to the mix of apprehension and optimism they were feeling. Even Tenten struggled to keep a smile as she looked between Ilia and Blake before inviting them to explore more of Skyggen that they hadn't seen yet. Both girls looked happy for the distraction as they followed her down the halls.
"You sure you don't want to stick around and help with the restructuring?" Ilia asked, looking up between Blake and Tenten, "We'd be happy to have you both around for the help."
"I know, but I trust my parents to be able to handle this." Blake smiled faintly, "Besides, my team is making a move, and it's about time I stood beside them."
"Mine too. Though it's hard saying goodbye to my dad after finally coming back, he understands that I need to be here with the others for this next mission." Tenten snickered as they approached the break room, "Besides, my replacements here seem like they'll be just fine."
"Hot damn! This place is packed!"
"Is it okay for us to eat this stuff if we work here? Like really?!"
They looked in to see Bee and Fū losing their composure at all the benefits they would get while signing up. And while Shikamaru and Chōji watched their new additions with amusement, Shisui was bowing his head for forgiveness towards a chuckling Chōza. He kept saying to pardon their manners and that they wouldn't regret taking this opportunity.
While Tenten just giggled at their antics, Blake and Ilia couldn't help but share an uncertain look, "And you're sure it's okay for them to take positions working here?"
Tenten nodded, "Oh yeah, Sasuke and Kiba gave them sparkling recommendations so they can take up the trainee positions here while they're being trained. Plus we need to bolster our numbers. We lost some of our people in the conspiracy, and now others are out even now trying to thin the Grimm numbers around the city. Plus Kakashi and Anko are still away."
"Those were the two Hunters that came with you to Menagerie, right?"
"Yep, everyone thought something happened to them but they had been trying to correspond with the company just for Lionheart to block their messages. They've had to stick around in Vacuo for a bit helping with some trouble there. Something about a Crown or bandits I think?" She shrugged, "They're two of the best in Skyggen so I don't think we have to worry about them."
"We're back!" Blake's ears twitched when she heard Ruby's voice carry through the halls. A moment later she, Weiss, Jaune, and Jiraiya came walking over with grocery bags in tow, "We got some of the things you guys asked for! Is Yang back yet?"
"No, but I think she'll be at the house for dinner." Tenten stepped up, "I'll help you carry the rest of this over."
As her teammates and friends appeared in front of her, Blake couldn't help but feel blessed that she got to see this sight again. For a time she truly believed that she might never see her friends again or be part of the team she had grown to love. But now here it was – still a little fragile and beaten but just as wonderful as it had been before.
Now all that mattered…was making sure to protect it from whatever threatened them next.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
He walked through the halls of the White Fang stronghold like a man possessed. He didn't say a word. He didn't raise an argument. The man continued to trudge forward without aim or purpose.
That didn't protect the former subordinates that stood in front of him though.
After he had returned to the stronghold following the humiliating defeat of his forces at Haven, his followers immediately turned on him. They spat insults and derided him for retreating from the fight, leaving their forces behind to be captured and arrested. They didn't understand. They weren't there. They didn't see the numbers they were up against or the traitors that undermined everything.
And then one of them went too far. Said that he had run away in fear…because the Belladonna girl had scorned him.
It was a blur after that.
When he regained his focus he realized he was standing over a small heap of bodies. All of them were White Fang members that had renounced him and demanded he step down. And who stood against him, however futile it may have been.
They were all too weak. There was no hope of the future he aimed to create with these fools at his side.
The longer he walked through the halls, the more of his former subordinates rushed to attack him. And with little effort, he cut them down and kept walking.
He still had to fight. He still had work to do. He had the future of the Faunus to create and hell for their human suppressors to manifest.
But Blake had ruined it all. Her and all her damn allies. The spiteful humans and traitorous Faunus that had wasted all the progress he had made. They had stomped on every victory he had secured and made it all pointless.
His leadership. His position. Even his subordinates. They were all worthless now.
"What have you done?! You maniac!"
When he looked back it was to see Rōshi having emerged from the hall and seen the carnage his blade had caused. The damn Noble Guard that had sat back and schemed everything while leaving him and his forces to flounder out on the battlefield.
More proof that he was surrounded by incompetent fools and traitors.
"I knew this had to happen." The old coward started covering himself in his Aura, "I knew the day had to come when we take the seat from you, but I didn't think you were this far gone! Your people! You're a traitor to your race!"
No. No, all they wanted was safety and power and position. They didn't have what it took to realize the goal they said they were all striving to see complete. They were tainted. They were poisoned. They were nothing more than weights dragging everything down.
Without hesitation he made his move, rushing forward and closing the distance to Rōshi with his hand on the hilt of his katana. The old Faunus yelled and dug his hands into the ground, pushing through them like liquid as lava started to spread from where he touched. Molten rock sprouted up like a geyser in front of him but he easily dodged it to try and reach the traitorous Noble Guard.
Rōshi had moved, putting more distance between them as his hands dragged on the wall and carved a molten line through it. Cracks were spreading up the wall from the damage and they started to slide in before they broke apart and started raining concrete down over him. Rōshi was going to escape and kill him even if it meant bringing the stronghold down on his head.
It didn't matter. This building and its position were lost to him so their worth was lost as well.
All he wanted to do was end the man in front of him at all costs.
Taking a deep stance with one hand on his sheath and the other on his hilt, he lowered his body and concentrated his Aura. This fool might have been a Noble Guard with a powerful Aura and remarkable ability…
But it was wasted on a fool who didn't know how to use it.
Like a bloody blur, he rushed forward, leaving copies of himself in his wake as he rushed forward. He sliced through the falling debris and leaped over the cracks of lava forming in the ground. In just a few seconds he had closed the distance and rushed at Rōshi, drawing his sword as the old man yelled in a mix of fright and fury.
It wasn't long before his blade cut through and the old fool laid lifeless at his feet.
Another Noble Guard…another pinnacle of the Faunus myths and lore rendered meaningless.
There was so much he needed to fix. So much he needed to do. But he couldn't…
Not while Blake Belladonna still lingered in his mind.
He made a mistake trying to set her back on the right path. It was a fool's errand to make that girl see the light and come back to the good fight. She was tainted and twisted. She poisoned everything and everyone she touched with her weakness and it was too late to stop it.
All he could do was cut it off and finish what he had set out to do.
Adam had promised he was going to destroy everything she loved. But it was no longer about getting her back.
Blake had to die…and so did everyone who stood beside her.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
"I-I mean I don't know what to do! I still feel tense and awkward around her! We have a hard time speaking when we're in the same room and she has to sleep with Ruby because I don't know what might happen if we share a room! I mean am I being crazy or what?"
Naruto stared at Yang in silence after she had finished with her frantic rant. The other blonde had come to his family home and asked if they could talk in private. So now here they were, sitting across from each other in his room with Yang feeling stressed and Naruto listening to her. After a moment his ears twitched on his head and he sighed, "Man, you two are peas in a pod."
"What?"
"Nothing," He deflected before turning to her, "So what's the problem here? You're worried that if you talk to her you'll explode?"
"Yes? N-No? I don't know which would be worse." Yang got out of her chair and started pacing around his room, "I mean I was angry. So freaking angry. I talked with Ruby and Weiss and it eased up a bit but for a while I…I genuinely didn't think I could forgive her. And I felt like I was never going to see her again so that feeling was justified. But-"
"She came back."
"She came back!" Throwing her arms up, Yang looked like she was in some terrible limbo between exhausted and overstimulated, "I mean right when we were at our lowest point she swooped in and saved us! Plus she brought an army of Faunus from Menagerie to hold off the White Fang!"
"And she kept my parents together." Naruto shrugged, "Can't thank her enough for that."
"Exactly! She came back! She helped! She did what the others said she was going to do and came back! A-And I'm still surprised by it!" Yang grumbled and ran her hands through her hair, "So shouldn't I just let it go? I mean she's back. She's part of the team again. There's nothing else she should have to do. I…" Yang plopped down on his bed exhausted. All the energy seemed to drain from her body before she looked over at Naruto, "What should I do?"
He shrugged, "Your options are to forgive her or stay angry."
The was an empty pause in the room as his unhelpful advice hung in the air. Yang's eye twitched, "Yeah, I figured. I was just hoping for maybe some more profound and useful advice!"
"Why would you expect it from me?" Naruto said indignantly, "I am the dumbest person in our friend group! A group that includes Kiba, Jaune, Nora, and Ruby - on off days." He quickly prefaced after he saw Yang's eyes narrow, "Why not go to a psychiatrist or a therapist or Qrow when he's passed out drunk on the couch?"
"I don't know!" Yang threw her arms up exasperated, "I-I mean I feel like if I went to Ruby or Weiss with this, they'd hit me with perfect logic and emotional reasoning and I'd have no choice but to agree. But," She rubbed her hands through her hair frustratingly, "But what about you? How do you feel about her being back after everything?"
"I feel completely different than you because my experience was different." He said blatantly, "She thought I was dead. Everyone thought I was dead. And for a long time I just kinda believed that everyone was gone too. So when I see you guys again I can't help but be relieved."
That was a good point. For Naruto, these reunions were chances to affirm he was alive to the people who thought he'd lost his life and reconnect with them properly. It was a different kind of beast to the feelings Yang was dealing with.
"Look," Naruto stood out of his chair, walking over and plopping down on his bed beside her, "I know you have all these conflicting feelings about Blake right now, but do you want her to leave? Will you tell her to go away?" Yang shook her head, "Then just take your time. You don't need to accept or get over how you feel at anyone else's pace. And Blake's not gonna go anywhere anytime soon. So you can ease into things however you want."
Yang took a deep breath, remembering her father's advice and teachings about calming down and finding her center. A tentative smile came to her face, "Thanks for this, Naruto."
"Anytime," He grinned, bumping his shoulder against hers, "We promised we'd be better, remember? Anything to help that happen."
"Heh, yeah, but still I shouldn't have bothered you with this. Not when you're home with your parents. And today's-"
"No problem. They could use the time together."
Yang wasn't sure if he said that because he meant it or he just wanted to change the subject. But she decided to go along with it and switch topics, "But man, we've got a lot of work ahead of us. After we make it back to Atlas we're gonna have to make a plan for Salem." She coyly smirked, "Hey, you wanna talk shit to her again and get her riled up?"
"That was just the one time!"
The blondes shared a laugh before Yang punched his shoulder, "Way to go, you crazy bastard! Not everyone can say they talked to a big bad through a murderous Grimm and threatened to kill her!" He just rolled his eyes in response as Yang leaned back on the bed, "So seriously, what was she like? Because based on the illusion we saw she's a shrieking banshee of a monster."
"Seemed just like every other smug asshole that wants to hurt others for whatever reason they've got." Naruto stood up, turning back to Yang with a grin as he punched his pal,m "And whatever she tries to throw at us, we'll be ready!"
((((((((Hunting))))))))
As Salem walked out of the castle and strode across the Grimm-infested lands surrounding it, she heard anxious caws and strange growls of the beasts that filled this land. While she walked she spotted a large grouping of the monsters surrounding close to a pool of the essence they emerged from.
But more important was the pale-skinned boy they were calmly sitting with. With a small Nevermore perched on his shoulder and a Beowolf resting its head on his lap, Jūgo seemed to mindlessly scratch its head while staring down into the pool.
Since finally emerging from the black ichor, Jūgo had been in a state of shock and unresponsiveness. Kimimaro had led him back to a room and tucked him in, hoping to help him rest and recover. Orochimaru and Kabuto approached not long after, asking questions he didn't have answers to and not getting any kind of response. But at night when everyone else had gone to sleep, he'd sneak out and come here to stare at his pool. The Grimm had approached him, first wary of his appearance before calming and settling around him after a while.
"I control them but for some reason, they feel naturally at ease with you."
Jūgo flinched and looked back to see Salem approach so casually. He froze and lowered his gaze, partially bowing his head before he simply froze midway.
"Nothing to say?" She inquired, "Can't you speak now?"
"I…can."
"Then speak."
Jūgo swallowed nervously before looking up at Salem, in more of his right mind now than when he had first met her and still shocked by her appearance. However, now he shared that appearance so it didn't seem right to be intimidated by hers, "I'm sorry…it's…been so long since I could talk. It feels strange being able to do it again." He reached up and rubbed his throat and mouth, "It feels strange to feel like I did before."
"But not exactly, right?" The sounds of the Grimm around them filled the empty silence as Salem walked over to stand over him, "You remember everything that happened, didn't you?" He continued to pet the Grimm without answering but Salem continued, "What do you remember?"
"The feeling of my skin and bones changing to fit in with Grimm. The urges that popped up when I was around people for too long." Jūgo's hand tensed in the Beowolf's fur, "The taste of people as I quelled those urges."
"Do you have them now?" He glumly shook his head as Salem scoffed, "Good. The only offers we have here are the people useful to the plan."
"How am I alive?" He looked up at her, "I kept passing out and waking up in that ooze, but it was torture. I shouldn't have lived. I know I shouldn't have. But I did. How?"
"Part of it was your Semblance's ability to adapt to dangers and stimuli. It's what pushed you past that pseudo-Grimm form and kept you growing. But you're right. You would have died even then." Salem knelt by Jūgo's side and took his hand, "So I gave you a little piece of my power."
She poked her finger against his palm and easily pierced through the flesh and bone. It was shocking how simple the movement was, but what was just as surprising was that Jūgo gave almost no reaction to it. Salem pulled her finger out, the digit covered in black ichor as it started to spill out of Jūgo's hand and onto the ground. It continued to run for several seconds before it stilled over the hole and solidified before healing over completely.
"I gave you a chance in that pool by giving you the power to heal." She stood back up and looked down while Jūgo opened and closed his hand in wonder, surprised that the hole in his hand opened and closed so quickly, "That helped keep your body together while in the pool. Your soul's power fixing you, my power keeping your body together, and your mind and will keeping you alive. These were all factors in what helped you crawl out of the pool." Her eyes panned down, "With a bonus, it would seem."
Jūgo looked down and saw the small puddle of black that had dripped out of his wound. It trembled and bubbled before something started to crawl out of it. A Sulfur Fish emerged, twitching and bobbing around before scuttling away across the ground.
"What a remarkable new ability." Jūgo continued to stare at his hand as Salem nodded, "I'm sure we can make a lot of use of it in the battles to come."
"Why?''
"Why what, dear?"
"Why did you do this?" In the light of the broken moon, he looked up at Salem with pure curiosity on his face, "Why did you push me into this pool? Why did you turn me into this? Just - just why?"
He was probably waiting for some clear and profound answer. That it was his destiny to become her spear. That he was part of some greater design that had not yet come to pass. Something to quell the confusion and uncertainty he was feeling now that he had the memories of a monster and a body, unlike any other human he'd met.
But instead, she gave him the truth.
"If you survived, I believed you would become an invaluable weapon for our fight. And if not…" She started to walk away, "Then at least you'd find peace no longer having to be the experiment and plaything of others. At least one of us could avoid the fate others had forced on us."
Salem walked away and Jūgo was left still surrounded by the placated Grimm. The white-haired man looked back down at the pool's eerie depths before his gaze moved up to the broken moon. His mind still racing and nowhere closer to finding a measure of peace.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
The living room was bustling with movement, sounds, laughter, and eating. Most of the reunited group of RWBY, NKTS, and JNPR were gathered with Oscar and Qrow as well, dining on giant plates that they already filled with seconds and even thirds. All the while they shared stories of their mishaps and adventures since separating.
"W-Whoa," Jaune stopped eating as he and Oscar stared at Tenten in shock, "You jumped into the raging water while chained up?"
"Yep!" The ponytailed brunette said with a grin as she spun her fork around her fingers, "I was desperate and had to make a move. But lucky that I did because I discovered a new angle to my Semblance."
"You did? What is it?"
"I'll show you guys later."
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby called out to her uncle with her cheeks filled with food, "Did you enjoy your day off?"
"Pfft, day off. Call it what it is, Squirt - guard duty." Qrow spun the Relic on the table with a groan, "Next time I get to spend the day walking around while young guys are stuck staring at the glowing blue ornament." The judgmental looks he got from the others for his whining put him on the defensive, "I'm serious! It sucks! You'll see when you're guarding it tomorrow!"
Nora and Weiss shared a look over Ruby's head as they instantly recognized that the professional Huntsman was just whingeing about having to work for a day. They rolled their eyes and took another bite of their food.
"Hey!" Kiba called out from the kitchen, "If anyone's done with their plates can you bring them over? We've got a big wash going and need the ones no one's using."
"Coming!"
Blake watched Yang walk around the table and pick up some dirty dishes. Her ears twitched on her head as she immediately shot up and came to her side, "H-Here, I can take some of that."
"Uh, okay."
"I can grab those too." Blake picked some more dirty plates, urgently piling them up in her arms, "You can put those on top and I can take them if you-"
"Blake." The Faunus girl clammed up, her ears dropping in her hair when Yang said her name so sternly. But the frown on the blonde's face was quickly replaced with a small, apprehensive small. She chuckled, pulling off some of the plates Blake had stacked in her arms for herself, "How about you take that much and I'll take the rest? Better if we do this together instead of just one of us, right?"
"I-I – yeah," Blake gave a hesitant nod, her ears meekly raising from her hair as she looked down guiltily, "S-Sorry."
"It's okay. I know you were just trying to help."
"Yes, but I…" Blake's eyes were lowered in shame before she forced them up to look at Yang, "I'm sorry."
Yang stared at her for a moment, the overlapping voices drowning out their close conversation. She gave her partner a stiff nod, "I know. Just…give me time, okay? I think that's all I need." Blake's ears lowered again but she gave a small and tentative nod. Yang did as well before she took a breath and charged into the kitchen, "We've got plates! How's the cleanup crew doing?"
"Swamped!" Kiba exclaimed, helping clear the kitchen with Ren and Sasuke making an efficient line of washing and drying the dishes.
Ruby smiled when she looked up and saw Yang and Blake make their way to help the others. To the side, she could see Tenten recounting pieces of her adventures to a starry-eyed Jaune and Oscar. On either side of her were a blissful Nora shoveling down her meal and Weiss trying to compose a solid course of action with Qrow while he waved her off and said everything would be fine.
Again, Ruby couldn't help but brim with joy and relief that her friends were back together again after so long. After the Fall of Beacon, she had a hard time imagining them all like this. And even if they did, she was afraid that everyone had been so badly hurt by what happened that these moments of joy and laughter were lost to them. But despite everything that had happened, they had persevered and now were enjoying the fruits of their efforts.
She didn't realize how much she had missed this scene.
"And what's with you?" Weiss said, a suspicious look on her face when she saw the content smile on Ruby's face, "What's going on through that head of yours?"
"Oh nothing~," She giggled, "Just thinking that we should get some dessert to make this night perfect!"
"I hardly think-"
"Oh!" Nora piped in from the other side completely interrupting Weiss, "We should get some of those green mochi cakes they sell down the straight!"
"Hang on, I was-"
"And ice cream too!"
"Now don't-"
"Rum raisin for me."
"I want rocky road!"
Everyone around the room started piping up with their choice of dessert. And when Ruby saw the indignant pout on Weiss' face she couldn't help but giggle before the former heiress rolled her eyes, "Chocolate parfait for me."
"You got it!" Ruby got up and made her way to the door, "I'll be back with some dessert in a…"
"Ruby?" They called to the hooded girl when she stopped in place barely out the door and stood there in silence. Some of the others stepped up to her side to see what had made her stop. And recognized why the moment they saw the person sitting on the first step of the porch.
Ruby let out a small sigh, stepping outside and looking down with a sad expression at her friend, "Naruto?"
His ears snapped to attention atop his head, and the whiskered blond looked away from the moon to see the others looking at him, "Oh, hey guys!" He smiled, "Sorry to drop by so late. I was just walking around the city and stopped by here."
"Yeah, it's no problem buddy." Jaune said.
"But why are you here?" Nora asked, "I thought you'd be home."
"I was, but tonight's the last night and I thought I should let them have it alone." A shudder ran through his body, "I didn't want to stick around for that so I thought I should leave." He turned to look up at the moon again, "I probably should have called ahead."
There was a lull of silence as they tried to figure out what they could say to Naruto during this situation. Something to reassure him or lift his spirits. Sadly, no one could find the proper words to put him at ease.
Instead, Tenten stepped out as well, kneeling and nudging his shoulder with a smile, "Wanna come in? Get something to eat?"
"I mean I'll be back tomorrow. There's no-"
"You might as well," Weiss cut him off before he could give an excuse, "We still have a blasphemous amount of food piled up that we need to get through and we need all the help we can get."
Naruto looked between his friends as Ruby stepped up and offered her hand. With a faint smile, he took it and got pulled into the house properly.
Oscar beamed a smile when he saw him enter and Qrow gave a lazy wave of his hand. Ruby pointed to the kitchen to let him know all the plates and meals were there for the taking. When he walked in, the rest of his friends greeted him with laughs and jokes. They forced a plate into his hands and stacked it high with all kinds of food. He would have denied the pile but he did feel the need to stuff his face.
The rest of the evening was filled with jokes, stories, and laughter. A genuine smile popped up on Naruto's face as he spent the night with his friends, reunited at last.
And he was eternally grateful none of them addressed the tears in his eyes.
((((((((Hunting))))))))
With a groan, she sat back in the wooden chair and tried to catch her breath. Despite taking the time to recover she still wasn't at full strength yet. As she leaned back and nudged the dirty dish she had just emptied of food she looked down at her bandaged arm.
The gauze was frayed and some of the black flesh was peeking out.
With a snarl, she reached over for the roll and started reapplying it.
Her stomach was full, she had new clothes, and thanks to her generous benefactor she had life savings to use however she saw fit.
Cinder's eye narrowed spitefully as she continued to closely apply the bandages over her arms, "Just a little longer, you wretched bitch."
The image of Ruby Rose dying in her head was so vivid it felt real.
She and all of her friends…one way or another…
"When I get my hands on you…" Her eye lit up with magic, "You'll never be in the way again."
((((((((Hunting))))))))
Done
Friends old and new are getting back together. Plans for the future are being set. All the while Jūgo, Cinder, and Adam are trying to deal with their new ways in life.
And in case anyone was wondering about the lack of Naruto this chapter, that will be answered in the next one.
Next one is…it's a doozy.
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