Chapter 5

"So what business is your family in?" Yosuke asked as Weiss tapped away at a computer, looking through the reports she acquired from the Schnee Dust Company.

"Are you serious?" Weiss snapped back.

"I'm not from around here." Yosuke said. "Assume I've been living in a cave for the last few years."

"If you were living in a cave you'd still know." Weiss said. "I'm the heiress to the Schnee Dust Company." Yosuke gave a blank look. "We mine and refine the dust that powers just about everything."

"That must be a lot of pressure." Yosuke said. "My father runs a department store and it wears us both out." He paused. "You're pretty cool you know."

"What are you talking about?" Weiss asked. She was getting tired of the interruption.

"Well, you're clearly a great fighter." Yosuke said. "You're the heiress of a huge company, but you're still working to make the world a better place. You have great fashion sense and you're absolutely beautiful."

"Well, thank you." Weiss said. She was not used to getting that sort of string of compliments. "Wait. Are you hitting one me?"

"Oh you caught me." Yosuke said. "So, want to do something later? Dinner maybe?"

"Keep dreaming." Weiss shot him down. "You remind me way too much of Jaune." Yosuke was discouraged, but like Jaune, undeterred. He would just have to try again later.

"I don't think anyone at Beacon has the information we're looking for." Pyrrha sighed.

"No one will even talk to me." Jaune said. "It's like I'm invisible. Or maybe contagious."

"People weren't exactly lining up to talk to me either." Pyrrha admitted. "It's like they're intimidated."

"Well, you are pretty cool." Jaune said. "And famous. I still don't understand why that keeps people away though. I would have figured it would draw people to you."

"Yeah, you'd think." Pyrrha frowned. "Maybe it would be better if I was just a normal girl. Without the fighting and the attention, maybe I could have normal friends and normal relationships."

"Stop it." Jaune said. "You're beautiful, smart and talented. You should embrace it. Without all that, you just wouldn't be you. You're perfect just the way you are."

"Jaune…" Pyrrha blushed. "I don't…"

"It'll work out for you one day." Jaune said. "I'm sure of it."

"Oh, yeah, I guess." Pyrrha said, disappointed. She wished he had stopped two sentences earlier. For a moment she thought he might feel the same way about her that she felt about him. "Well, let's go meet up with the others. Hopefully they found something."

After asking around all morning, Blake took Naoto to a café to talk over what they had found. "Your contacts had a surprising degree of knowledge about Adachi, but I don't think it will help much." Naoto sighed and took a sip of her tea. "Without a location, all we can do is wait for him to make a move."

"Are you sure we need to be worried about him?" Blake asked. "He saved a Faunus family. He chased off bullies that were picking on a Faunus. He sounds like a pretty good guy to me."

"I'll admit, it does sound like he's doing good things." Naoto said. "But Adachi's a murderer and a stone-cold psychopath. When Adachi does something, it's solely for his benefit. He could have been doing those things just to feel powerful. I suspect gaining the admiration of those involved was also a factor."

"So you think he's playing hero because it's fun?" Blake asked. "How do you know he hasn't changed? People can change."

"Not psychopaths." Naoto said, looking Blake straight in the eyes. "Don't ever let them fool you. They have a charm about them that can make you want to like them, want to believe them, but it's an act. They live only for themselves." She pushed her tea aside and leaned toward Blake. "I know helping the Faunus makes you want to like him." She whispered. "You can't let your species blind you to reality."

"My species?" Blake asked uneasily. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Oh come one now, I know you're a Faunus." Naoto said. "There's no point hiding it. I don't hold any prejudice."

"But how?" Blake asked.

"I'm a detective." Naoto replied. "First off, in class when the Faunus or White Fang are mentioned, your demeanor changes. You adjust your bow and look nervous. I'd guess your bow hides a set of ears. It was enough to make me suspicious. Today only confirmed it. Every person we talked to was a Faunus, and they all trusted you without reservation. As a minority frequently oppressed by humans, they would not be so open with a human."

"Please don't tell anyone." Blake said. "My friends know, but it would be better if it remained a secret with everyone else."

"I won't." Naoto promised. "I warn you, Yu is at least as smart as I am, so he'll probably figure it out on his own. You might want to cut this one off before it becomes an issue. Besides, hiding who you are isn't healthy."

"You don't understand." Blake said. "The way Faunus are treated, it's better if people think I'm human."

"As someone who hid herself in the face of prejudice, trust me." Naoto said. "It will only cause problems. At some point, you're going to have to accept who you are and be open about it. It will be difficult and perhaps even painful, but it's necessary."

Blake just stared at Naoto, feeling a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Naoto meant well but it was none of her business and there was no way she could understand. Blake wanted to run away, but what would that accomplish?

"I thought I'd find you here." Sun said, walking up behind Blake. She was startled by his sudden appearance. "Who's your friend?"

"Naoto Shirogane." Naoto introduced herself.

"I'm Sun Wukong." Sun said. "What are you two up to?"

"I was just leaving." Blake said. "I have…some things to think about." She stormed off without another word.

"Was it something I said?" Sun asked.

"No, it was something I said." Naoto replied. "How do you know Blake?"

"I guess you could say I'm her boyfriend." Sun said. "Well, maybe, she's a hard one to read."

"Not so hard if you know what to look for." Naoto said cryptically. "In any case, I should be going as well. I've got business of my own to attend to. It was nice meeting you." She extended a hand to shake Sun's. "One thing before I go. Do you know anything about a man named Adachi? Tall, thin, black hair."

"He's the guy who's been helping the Faunus around here." Sun said. "I heard a rumor he had a meeting with someone from the White Fang."

"The White Fang…" Naoto trailed off. "Thank you, that's quite helpful." She walked off, lost in thought. If Adachi met with the White Fang, he was definitely up to something. That aside, Naoto was worried about Blake. She wanted to help, but Blake was clearly not interested in being helped. Naoto just hoped Blake would work things out before it was too late.

Yang walked into Junior's club, not sure what kind of reception she would receive. She hoping to not have to fight, but she was ready. The doors slid open to reveal a busy club as loud music assaulted her ears. It was open. Nora rushed in, dragging Ren along with her. "This place is…too loud." Ren sighed. Rise followed with a smile on her face as Yang stood in the doorway. This was not at all what she had been expecting. Yang walked over to the bar, looking for Junior.

"Blondie, I'll be with you in a minute." Junior called from the other end of the bar as he handed drinks to a pair of patrons. That taken care of he turned his attention to Yang. "So what brings you here? Please don't blow the place up again, I just got everything back the way I like it."

"I need information." Yang replied. "Unless you want this party to end with a bang, you'll cooperate. Oh, and make sure my friends have a good time."

"Alright." Junior sighed. He was not exactly a legitimate businessman, and he knew a shakedown when he saw one. "Do you mind if we talk in my office? I don't want to alarm the patrons."

"Sure, lead on." Yang said.

Junior called over one of his men. "Make sure her friend have a good time." He ordered.

"What do you mean?" The henchman asked.

"I mean, make sure they have a good time so she doesn't blow up my club again!" Junior shouted. "If you morons weren't so incompetent I wouldn't have to deal with this."

Junior led Yang to a small room with a desk and a single chair. Junior walked behind the desk and sat in the chair, leaving Yang standing at the door. Yang shrugged and sat on the desk as Junior rolled his eyes. "So, I'm looking for information about two men." Yang said. "Sho Minazuki and Tohru Adachi."

"I've never heard of Adachi." Junior shrugged. "Minazuki, isn't that the kid the broke Torchwick out of prison?"

"He is." Yang confirmed. "Know anything about him?"

"I know he's working with Torchwick." Junior replied. "I try to keep well informed when it comes to him. I should never have worked with him in the first place. What a waste of time, money and people."

"Stay on topic." Yang said. "Sho Minazuki, what do you know?"

"There really isn't much." Junior said apologetically. "I know he really impressed a lot of people. He's the talk of the underworld. A lot of people want to employ him, but no one knows how to get in touch with him. Aside from breaking Torchwick out, he hasn't really done anything."

"Are you sure?" Yang pushed. "There's nothing you're hiding from me? You know I get angry when you hide things."

"Don't I know it?" Junior shook his head. "Look, I've been focused on getting this place put back together. Between that, the guys I lost to Torchwick's operation, and the Grimm attack, my network of contacts is in shambles."

"Alright, but if I find out you're hiding anything…" Yang threatened.

"I know, I know." Junior cut her off. "You'll be back to wreck the place."

A bit disappointed by the lack of information, Yang left Junior in his office and returned to the club proper. Apparently her friends had taken over in her absence. Rise was up by the DJ, singing something that did not quite go along with the music being played. Nora was dancing wildly, having the time of her life. Ren's dancing was more subdued and subtle, but beautiful and intricate. Yang hated to pull them away while they were having fun, but they still had investigating to do.

"We asked everybody." Ruby complained. "And we got nothing." She plopped down on a bench and sighed. "I feel bad reporting back to everyone without anything."

"Don't worry about it so much." Yu said, sitting beside her. "This kind of thing happens more than you'd expect."

"But it's so frustrating." Ruby said. "Somebody has to know something."

"Maybe we missed someone." Yu said. "Who knows?"

"Can I take a look at your weapon?" Ruby asked, changing the subject. "I never got a good look at it."

"Sure, here you go." Yu said. He handed his sheathed blade to her. "It's nothing special. I got it right off the shelf."

"It's still pretty cool." Ruby said, transforming the weapon and examining its mechanics. "Where did you get it?"

"I got it…I have an idea!" Yu suddenly shouted. He sprung to his feet, grabbed Ruby by the hand and dragged her down the street.

"Where are we going?" Ruby asked as she gained her footing, fought off Yu's hand, and ran alongside him.

"To the store where I bought it." Yu said. "Sho was there. Maybe he knows something."

The pair rushed to the store and burst through the doors. "Welcome back." The shopkeeper said. "What's the hurry?"

"Remember that red-haired kid that you modified the antique swords for?" Yu asked.

"How can I forget?" The shopkeeper said with a distinct hint of disappointment. "I felt really guilty when I saw him on the news breaking the scumbag out of jail."

"Has he been back?" Yu asked.

"No, I haven't seen him." The shopkeeper said. "If I did, I'd have called the cops, or maybe just shot him myself."

"Oh." Yu said with disappointment. "Well, thanks anyway." The dejected pair exited the shop.

"We may as well buy some dust while we're here." Ruby said, motioning to the dust shop next door. The two entered and grabbed a few boxes of ammunition and took it to the counter. "This is all." Ruby said, sliding the boxes to the clerk. Then she had a thought. "Hey, have you seen a red-haired boy, about our age? He has a big scar on his face."

"Are you talking about the guy from the prison break?" The clerk asked.

"Yeah." Ruby replied.

"No, but a guy who looked kind of like him was here yesterday." The clerk said. "His hair was the same color but it was a different style. I think he had a scar too, but it wasn't as big and prominent. He was dressed way too nicely to be the same guy too."

"Are you sure it wasn't him?" Ruby pressed.

"Well, not 100%." The clerk admitted. "He just didn't seem like that sort of person."

"Did he make any bad jokes?" Yu asked.

"Yes actually." The clerk answered. "He made an absolutely terrible attempt at a pun. He laughed at it but no one else did."

"Thanks, you've been a big help." Yu said. He and Ruby exited the store with renewed excitement. "Now we know he changed his appearance." Yu said. "He purchased dust too. I wonder what it all means."

"We came up empty." Jaune said. "No one at Beacon could tell us anything useful."

"There are no relevant irregularities in Schnee Dust Company records either." Weiss reported.

"I did find out that Sho is definitely working with Torchwick." Yang said. "Unfortunately, I still don't know what they're up to."

"We found out that Sho changed his appearance, but we still don't know why." Ruby added. "I guess he would have to after having his face shown on the news and all."

"Adachi is the talk of the local Faunus community." Blake said. "Beyond that…"

"He met with the White Fang." Naoto cut in.

"The White Fang?" Blake challenged. "Who…?"

"Sun told me after you left." Naoto explained. "It's only a rumor, but it's all we've got."

"It sounds like they're not working together." Rise said. "I'm not sure if that's good or bad."

"That's not a conclusion we should jump to." Weiss said. "Torchwick was working with the White Fang too. They could be working different angles of the same operation."

"I don't think Sho's that clever." Yosuke said. "I think he just found the most high-profile criminal in town and joined up with him. The Grimm attack made Torchwick very visible."

"Adachi is that clever though." Yu added. "Adachi may be playing Sho, Torchwick and everyone to his own advantage. Adachi would only help the Faunus if it benefitted him. Maybe he's been doing it intentionally to make contact with the White Fang. With their backing, he could do a lot of damage."

"That still doesn't help us figure out what they're up to." Yang said. "We haven't even figured out the reason for the Grimm attack yet. None of it makes sense."

"It pains me to say it, but I think we have to wait for them to move." Naoto concluded. "We need to get out ahead of them, but we don't know enough yet."

"We can't just sit here and wait!" Blake protested. "Torchwick, the White Fang, they're capable of doing catastrophic harm. If we let them start moving it's already too late. So many people died in the Grimm attack. What if it's just the beginning? How many more people will die because we can't figure it out?"

"We're not the only ones working on this." Ruby assured her. "The police and Ironwood's soldiers are too. In the end we're just students. We have to trust that they'll take care of it."

"But what if they don't?" Blake started. "Are we supposed to just watch the kingdom burn?"

Yang put a hand on Blake's shoulder. "I promise we'll stop them." She said. "But right now there's nothing we can do. The most important thing now is to be ready. When they show themselves that'll be our moment to strike."

"Hey Sho, nice place you've got here." Adachi said sarcastically as Sho opened the door to the dank apartment that was Torchwick's hideout. Sho was back to his normal appearance, his suit messily tossed across a couch. "I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this is five stars all the way."

"You're lucky Torchwick isn't here." Sho growled, his fists clenched at his sides. "He told me not to kill anyone without his permission."

"Oh lighten up." Adachi said. "So the boss isn't here. That's a shame." He gestured toward the girl sitting on one of the couches. "So, are you going to introduce me?"

"That's Neo." Sho said. "She's not much for conversation."

Neo smiled and stared at Adachi. It was slightly unnerving. "So shorty, is Torchwick your dad or something?" Adachi asked. Neo sat silently, her smile shifting slightly in a way that made Adachi even more uncomfortable. "Are you his girlfriend? What is it?"

"Watch it around her; she'll kill you without hesitation." Sho warned. "Not that I'd mind, but carrying your body out of here sounds like a lot of work."

"She won't be killing me." Adachi laughed. "I'm here to kill her."

"You're joking." Sho said. "And you say I have a terrible sense of humor."

"Oh, it's no joke." Adachi said. He reached into his suit and retrieved his revolver. "It's nothing personal. It's a shame I can't get to know you a little. You seem like my kind of girl. Unfortunately I've got orders and the people I'm working with expect results." Neo leapt to her feet as Adachi leveled his gun. He fired three shots, each of which Neo blocked with her umbrella. "Oh please." He sighed. "It'll be a lot less painful if you don't resist."

"Adachi stop." Sho said. It was too late already. Neo's smile changed again. She was thinking about how she would kill Adachi, how she would make him suffer.

Adachi fired another shot and this time Neo shattered like glass. "What the?" Adachi said. Neo appeared behind him and kicked him in the back. He stumbled forward, flipped over one of the couches and landed on the floor. Neo drew a blade out of her umbrella and jumped after him, slamming the blade down just as Adachi rolled out of the way and to his feet. Neo stood with her blade at the ready and stabbed at Adachi.

Adachi simply stretched out his arm as Neo charged. A bolt of lightning shot from his hand and struck her. Neo writhed and fell to the ground, her face twisted in pain, the look of a scream without the sound. "That's enough Adachi." Sho said, stepping between the combatants.

"I'll kill you too if I have to." Adachi raged. He blasted Sho with electricity, but Sho used one of his swords to channel the charge away. To Sho's surprise, Adachi rushed at him with inhuman speed. He grabbed Sho by the collar and swung him around, throwing him into the broken TV. The screen flashed white as Sho flew through the screen and into another universe. "Idiot." Adachi grunted. "We could have worked together." He turned his attention back to Neo. She stared at him from her knees, a look of rage and fear in her eyes. "Not going to beg huh?" Adachi punched her in the face with super-human strength and she tumbled across the room, slamming into a wall hard enough the crash through the wood and sheetrock. Adachi followed her through the breach into the apartment's kitchen. Her face was bloody and her clothes were torn. For Adachi, it was a turn-on. She dragged herself over to a cabinet and used it to pull herself into a sitting position. "You see, if you just let me kill you, you wouldn't have had to suffer through all this." He pressed his revolver to her forehead. "Instead, you had to be a bitch and resist." Neo blinked and the color of her eyes changed. Adachi pulled the trigger and Neo shattered like glass. "Damn it! Of course!"

Adachi searched the apartment but Neo was nowhere to be found. The White Fang would not be happy about her escape. Still, Adachi was confident. He may not have gotten rid of Neo, but he had taken care of another of Torchwick's associates. He hoped the White Fang would accept the consolation prize. It was not a total loss either. There was a lot of dust to steal from the apartment. Adachi would need all he could get if he was going to stay strong. He could already feel the last injection beginning to wear off.