Voices - Chapter 3: This Will Be The Day

Blake stood at her dresser, brushing out her raven hair with slow, measured strokes. She didn't used to brush her hair this way, usually it only took her a few minutes to get it straight. Yang, though, she had been so proud of her hair, that luxurious blonde mane of hers. Her hair took the longest for her to get ready in the morning.

And while the Faunus girl was conscious of the reasoning behind her change in routine, a part of her wanted Yang to feel a little bit of normalcy. Even if it did earn her odd looks from the others on what was left of her team.

*It's a nice thought, kitten, but you don't need to, really.*

Perhaps I want to.

*Well… then I ain't gonna stop you.*

Thought so.

Yang cheerful laugh brought a soft smile to her face, which she was quick to wipe off as she settled her face back into her customary neutral mask before she turned to face the others.

"Are you sure you want to go off by yourself?" Weiss asked from where she sat next to Ruby on the edge of her bed. "You were supposed to be on bed rest for at least a week if not more."

"I'm fine," Blake tried to reassure them. "Honestly, my aura is feeling stronger than ever."

*That's 'cause it is, you got super-charged, Yang-style.*

It took an effort to suppress the humorous snort that threatened to escape.

"Then perhaps you should return to classes?" Weiss persisted, a pleading look in her ice-blue eyes.

"No, I have this time to myself now, I want to put it to good use."

"But-"

Ruby placed a hand on Weiss' leg, cutting her off as she stood up. The diminutive brunette stood in front of her, staring up with her silver eyes filled with both concern and understanding.

"I'll have my scroll on all day long," Ruby stated calmly. "You run into any trouble, any at all, you call me first, understand?"

Blake nodded solemnly. She's had to grow up once again, hasn't she?

*First Summer, then me… Yeah.* Yang sighed morosely. *Oum, I hate for her to be hurting.*

I do too. Seems like Weiss is stepping in a bit to help, though.

*Wait, what? What do you mean?*

Not now, Yang.

She ignored the irritable grumbling, regrets about not being able to put the 'Ice Queen' in her place, while she gave her teammates a soft smile.

"I'll be fine, really. I'm not going to go looking for trouble, just to ask some questions, carefully."

"And you'll come back for dinner?" Ruby was rather insistent on that point, to be sure that Blake would return to Beacon before nightfall.

"I promise."

"Okay, then. Good luck Blakey."

Blake stepped forward and gave her partner's little sister a tight hug. "Thanks, Rubes."

As she had since Blake had began, quite unintentionally, calling her that name over the past couple of days, Ruby stiffened at first before relaxing into the hug.

I don't mean to keep calling her that.

*Yeah, sorry, that's me, I guess. Still no idea how I can influence you or anything... but don't worry, she'll get used to it. Eventually. I hope.*

She gave another hug to Weiss before heading out the door, neither of her teammates commenting any more on her uncharacteristically increased propensity for physical contact. While Ruby and Weiss walked off towards their classes, Blake headed out the front and towards the airbus platform.

*Okay, so we're gonna go hit some folk up for info. I got a good idea for the first stop.*

Figured you might. And I agree, that would be our best bet to start off. Think he'll be open?

*He's always open, or at least he's always around. And, might I add, I love the way we can now think alike.*

See, when you say it like that, it terrifies me.

*Oh, don't be that way. Besides, on the way there we can discuss important stuff.*

Oh? Like what?

*Exactly what you need to do to Weissicle to keep her paws off my little sister.*

Yang, no…

*Yang, yes. You can't let her get her tiny, manicured little hooks into Rubes, Blakey! You just can't!*

Blake chuckled to herself as she boarded the airbus headed into the town of Vale. Now, Yang… what makes you think it's Weiss initiating things?

Amazingly enough, that managed to shock Yang into silence for the rest of the trip into town.

o o o

Blake stood outside the club, situated in the industrial sector, and tapped her foot on the pavement nervously. I don't know about this, she thought with some hesitation.

*Relax, it'll be fine. Junior and I go way back.*

But he doesn't know me! He knows you!

*Yeah… actually that might be a good thing, you won't get a gun pointed in your face right off the bat.*

"What?" she hissed out loud. "What are you getting me into, Yang?" You better start sharing some memories with me before I take another step forward!

*Now, kitten…*

Don't you 'now, kitten' me! I mean it, not another step, Yang!

Yang gave a rueful chuckle inside her head. *Yeah, okay, okay, don't get your tail in a tizzy…*

I don't have a tail, Yang!

*I'm just being... Yeah, okay. Here we go…*

Blake closed her eyes briefly, assaulted by the images of combat inside the club she was standing in front of. A pair of girls, white and red, with matching malachite eyes, a man with a large teddybear head, many fedora-wearing henchmen, and then Junior himself with a baseball bat rocket launcher. Culminating with the large bearded man being flung through the window of his own club.

Well, that was… violent.

*Heh. Yeah, good times…*

And a… rocket launcher bat? Really?

*Hey, it was more effective than you'd think.*

Well, seeing how I didn't bring Gambol Shroud, let's not let it get to that, alright?

*Sure thing, kitten. C'mon, let's go see the wizard.*

...And now you're starting to sound like me, or at least some of the books I've read.

Yang laughed breezily as she started forward. *Oh, yeah, you've got quite the library in here, you don't actually remember all the details from the books but enough for me to not get bored. Some of 'em, though… Wow.*

She froze in her tracks, her eyes wide and incredulous. Yang Xiao Long, you do not get to read those types of books inside my head!

*Aw, why not? They're pretty juicy…*

I am not discussing this with you right now! She continued forward, trying very hard to keep a rather furious blush off of her face.

*Fine, fine… Can you read one later?*

If you're a good girl, maybe. She gave a humorous roll of her eyes.

*Oh, I can be real good, kitten…*

She had to stop again, just outside the door, and closed her eyes, unable to keep the blush off of her face this time. The way Yang said that, sending shivers up and down her spine...

You need to stop that. Please.

*Yeah, okay, you're right. Sorry, Blake.* Her voice was somber and slightly… regretful? *But… maybe we should talk. Later, about… stuff.*

Um, alright. Later.

Blake wasn't sure if she were looking forward to the discussion or dreading it. Mostly the latter.

With renewed confidence she pushed the door open and strode through, her head held high as she approached the fedora-wearing doorman inside.

"Club's closed, little girl," the suited man sneered.

"I need to see Junior," she stated firmly. "Tell him I'm a friend of Yang Xiao Long's."

The man inhaled a shocked breath at the name, but scurried off all the same, muttering over his shoulder for her to stay right there.

*Whelp, good to know they still remember me.*

After that memory you shared… I don't think they'll ever forget you, Yang.

*Heh. True enough.*

Eventually the man came back and curtly gestured Blake to follow him inside the club proper. As the doors slid open, she glanced around, noting the changes that had been done since Yang's rather… destructive renovation.

*I should have gone into business,* Yang snickered cheerfully. *Yang's Renovations an' Demolitions.*

Dammit, Yang, you make me start laughing and I'll begin reciting bad poetry in my head.

*Oohhh, low blow, kitty cat…*

She kept her face, admittedly through sheer willpower, in her customary neutral mask as she approached the bar. The large bear of a man, bearded and wearing red sunglasses, had his hands splayed on the counter as he watched her approach. His own face was imperturbable, but that was to be expected until he found out why she was here.

Blake coolly slid onto a bar stool and propped her chin on her fist, ignoring the cluster of henchmen who cautiously stood about just outside of striking distance.

"Hello, Junior," she murmured, keeping her tone light and friendly. "My name is Blake Belladonna. I'm a friend of Yang's."

"So you mentioned," he rumbled mildly in reply. He leaned back and spread his arms out invitingly. "Can I get you something?"

She smirked slightly. "Strawberry Sunrise. With a little umbrella."

Junior chuckled as he complied, quickly mixing the drink up and slipping one of the cheerfully-colored tiny umbrellas into it. "Well, at least I can confirm you really do know Blondie. Heard a rumor, though…"

Blake quirked an eyebrow curiously.

*It's what he does, he knows just about everyone and everything. Why we're here, right?*

"I heard…" he began, leaning forward again. "That Blondie's dead."

The Cat Faunus stilled, her drink partway to her lips.

"Well, well," Junior murmured, straightening back up. "I guess the rumor's true, then."

She nodded faintly. "Yes, it is," she whispered. Clearing her throat, Blake continued quietly. "That's why I'm here, actually. Yang always told me if I ever needed to find someone, or find out about someone, you're the person to go to. And I want to find the person responsible for my… for Yang."

"And what was Yang to you?" he pressed intently.

What was Yang to her? She was her sun, her warmth, her life… Blake shook her head, irritated with herself for going off on such a tangent, especially with an eavesdropper on board.

She could sense Yang's embarrassed chuckle. *Yeah, sorry kitten… Kinda hard to ignore some things when you're, um… I dunno, broadcasting so loud?*

I'll keep that in mind.

"Yang was my partner," she replied levelly to Junior. "And I need to find the man who killed her and tried to kill me. I need to find… Adam Taurus."

Junior stood all the way upright, his arms crossed. "Do you really know what you're asking, girlie? You know who Adam is, who he runs with?"

She noted another pair of individuals move in, likely with some degree of stealth compared to who they usually dealt with. The red and white twins, one sliding in on either side of her though a few seats away.

With a resolute sigh, Blake reached up and undid her bow. "Yes, I do," she replied softly.

Junior glanced up at her Faunus ears and then back down to her face, nodding thoughtfully. "I'm guessing you used to run with them?"

She simply nodded back slowly.

*Taking a bit of a risk here, Blakey.*

And I'm done hiding right now. This is the only way to get him to open up to me.

"Okay," he rumbled quietly, uncrossing his arms with a sigh. "Suppose it's the least I can do, then. I can respect what you're doing, just as I respected Blondie. Even if she was… a little aggressive."

*Oh, yeah,* Yang snorted. *I was aggressive ALL over his ass.*

I swear to Oum, Yang…

"So, I can't give you his exact location," Junior continued. "But… I can give you an address. Major White Fang communication hub, it's where a lotta mercenaries go to pick up orders or deliver results. Should at least be able to get his location from there." He reached behind the bar to pull out a pad of paper and a pen, quickly writing on it before tearing the sheet off and sliding it to her. "But, you never got this from me. We clear?"

Blake glanced at the paper, memorizing the address even as she finished her fruity drink. She nodded, sliding the paper back over to him. "Crystal."

She rose from her seat, not even glancing at the pair of brawler girls, but paused a few steps away.

"Thank you, Junior. I know Yang would appreciate it."

"Yeah, well… good luck to you, kiddo."

The raven-haired Faunus nodded levelly before striding off and out the door to the club.

o o o

I don't know why you're against this, Blake thought crossly.

*Because we promised.*

I'm not actually going to go invade the place, I don't even have my weapon on me! Just… a little bit of reconnaissance!

*No, Blake.*

She sighed at the firm insistence in Yang's voice. She knew her partner was right, really. It was just…

You know, I never used to be this… impulsive. I blame you.

*And I never used to be the responsible one. Gotta blame you for that, too, y'know.*

Blake chuckled lightly as she sat in the cafe, sipping from her tea. It was nicely warm and with the perfect amount of milk, just the way she liked it.

*Sooo, if we're not gonna hit the place today, and we already got the investigative part over with…*

Yes? she prompted with a bit of trepidation.

*I got a theory about how I'm in here, if you're interested.*

Er, yes. That is… go ahead. Please.

She could sense Yang's hesitation, as if she were unsure of how Blake would take this.

*I think… well, maybe the reason you could… absorb me like you did was because of… um… how I felt about you.*

How you… Pardon?

*Ugh. Okay, look, I know this is gonna be awkward as anything, but… Blakey, you meant the world to me. Still do. Never felt the way I do about you with anyone else. I mean... *

Blake chewed on her lip as she listened to Yang's frustrated groans.

Yang, do you… That is, are you, er…

*I love you, kitten,* Yang finally blurted out. *Always have, ever since… since you gave me that little smirk of yours when we first became partners. Worked your way right into my heart and never left.*

Yang… I…

*No, it's okay, I'm sorry for even bringing it up, I just… I figured you deserved to know, right? I mean-*

Yang Xiao Long will you shut up for five seconds and listen to me?

The inside of Blake's head fell silent, and rather than tell her how she felt… she showed her. Opened her heart and memories up, of how she felt every time Yang had given her a sunny smile or a friendly hug… how much she meant to her, always had, her strength and her courage.

*Blake… Wow. Um. Just… wow.*

So… now what?

*Well, not like it changes our situation any. I'm still stuck like this, and you're still stuck with me.*

This isn't the way it was supposed to be.

*No, I imagine not. Wish I could have kissed you, at least.*

Blake covered up her blush with another sip of tea. Yes, well… That would have been nice.

*So would a lot of other stuff.*

Stop that.

*No, seriously. I'm never getting any of that Bellabooty, am I now?*

Sweet Mother of Oum, Yang… Seriously? You did not just say that to me.

*Oh, don't act all innocent with me. You let me in, all the way in, and I now know the looks you gave me.*

...Not my fault you had such a… magnificent bosom.

Yang's boisterous laughter rang through her head, bringing an unusually wide smile to her lips. She could get used to this, maybe…

*Okay, so here's a thought,* Yang giggled merrily.

Oh, well, this could be dangerous…

*What if you were to, um… pleasure yourself?*

Blake almost dropped her cup in shock. She sputtered incoherently, unable to even form a properly indignant thought.

*What's the matter, cat got your tongue?*

You… are… terrible. I can't believe you… No. Just… no.

*Too soon?* the former blonde asked coyly.

Yes! I mean… no! Not… Argh! And now I can't even do that, can I? That avenue of release is closed to me now!

*Hey, I'm not gonna complain any…*

Yang! You will shut up this very instant or so help me, when I get back to the dorm, I will set Ruby and Weiss up on a date!

*...You wouldn't…*

Watch me!

Yang let out an amused huff. *Well played, kitten. Well played. Alright, I'll drop it.*

THANK you.

*...For now.*

I swear to Oum, Yang…

*Yes?* The voice in her head sounded so innocent it might have come from her sister instead.

Just… nothing. Never mind. Let's get home, alright?

*Fine by me. Though… don't forget your bow, huh?*

Blake pulled out her ribbon, surprised that she'd even left Junior's club without it on her head. She stared at it intently, pulling up all of her memories of past harassment before she'd started to wear it, all of her reasoning at concealment…

"No," she whispered.

*No… what, exactly?*

I'm not putting it back on. I'm done hiding. As she stood, she stuffed the ribbon back into her pocket and began to head towards the airbus.

*Are you sure about this, Blakey?* Yang's voice was filled with concern, but she shook her head resolutely.

Yes, I am. I suddenly don't care overmuch what others think.

*Hmm. Maybe I'm starting to rub off on you in other ways, yeah?*

Perhaps.

And if that was the case, if her newfound confidence was due to the woman now inhabiting her headspace, the woman who… who loved her, well…

Perhaps that wasn't such a bad thing, after all.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the flashback to Junior's club from the Yellow Trailer. And now that they've confessed their feelings to each other, it's going to be clear sailing, right? (Insert maniacal laughter here.)

Jessica: One more chapter, not going to comment on that any further… for now…

growlscout: Thanks! I really kind of put myself out there in trying this, but hey, why be normal, right? Also, holy carp a fellow Dollhouse fan! Squee! (Totally underappreciated series by the master Joss Whedon himself. All hail Joss.)

DustGremlin: Actually I really do appreciate the feedback, looking back I really have gone a little overboard on giving Yang a more unique voice. I might blame my re-reading of my Firefly fanfic, with all the western slang. But yes, thank you so much for pointing that out, I went back through and tried to tone it down a little more. I do tend to stick some of that speech pattern in with both Yang and Ruby, but I'm chilling on it now. Thanks!

TacoKing23: Yeah, sorry about those feels…

Wolfenheart: Thanks! I hadn't heard of any other works done like this, but the one where it was reversed would be interesting as well!

xanothos: Your kind words are much appreciated, oh mighty Herald of the Bellabooty. (Funny enough, I already had the Bellabooty line written into this chapter, but now I shall have to dedicate it to you. Cheers!)

DatScizor: Hope you liked this installment, and glad you're enjoying the ride so far!

Stay shiny!