"Now, Mr. Arc, I should myself bid you farewell and let the two of you speak. There's still the fallout of this entire incident the school as to deal with, though that is nothing you should worry about at this point. Just get some rest, both of you. We'll be back later."

Nodding to Jaune, the Beacon Headmaster quietly exited the hospital room. Outside the room, waiting impatiently, were the blond and brunette members of Team RWBY. Yang was effectively banned from entering Ruby's room due to her outburst in the operating room waiting area after hearing that the trauma surgeon was still on his way back to the hospital. The ensuing scuffle saw some medicine vials and at least one IV stand getting broken in the process. The hospital offered to let the incident slide for as long as Yang won't be allowed into the room while Ruby recovers. She begrudgingly accepted, knowing that her sister was in good hands.

"Sir… um… how's she doing?"

"She's still unconscious but doing fine. Exactly the same as she was when you asked me 20 minutes ago."

Ozpin was good at hiding sarcasm, so his mild annoyance flew over the usually upfront and in-your-face Yang. Blake however was the type who easily read people and gave Yang a light thud to the side with her elbow. Yang was uncharacteristically mellow.

"Anyway don't fret. Jaune's looking fine, so there's going to be at least 1 person you can trust in that room at all times. I think it's time to let Weiss get some rest."

Just a few minutes ago an exhausted Weiss was being helped by Pyrrha down the hallway and into the elevator. She had been at Ruby and Jaune's bedside since Ruby got out of surgery, probably with little or no sleep. She had been swapping duties with Pyrrha, but she insisted to be there longer than Pyrrha does. Blake had decided to stay out with Yang to keep her calm. Nora and Ren were the ones in charge of ferrying food and information for them to and from the hospital.

"I see… thanks."

"It's okay Yang. Vale's best surgical team did their work. Just give Ruby enough time to rest and heal."

Blake gave a Yang a light pat on the back. Yang felt surprised by this gesture as Blake was never really the touchy-feely type, and usually shied away from physical contact.

"The two of you head back to Beacon and check on Ms. Schnee. When you're done…"

Ozpin looked to his left and right through the empty hospital hallways.

"Meet me in my office. There is… something important we need to discuss."

Yang and Blake could barely blurt out a question when Ozpin shooed them out of the hall and into the elevator. On the way down there was an air of awkward silence between as Blake fiddled with her ribbon and Yang leaned back on the elevator. Both were definitely thinking about what Ozpin wanted to tell them. Reaching the ground they hailed a taxi and headed back to Beacon.

"Blake… you think this is about…"

"Most likely. We were at the center of both incidents and we haven't given our complete debriefings yet. I'm sure he just wants to clarify everything that happened down there."

The usually pokerfaced Blake tried to hide the sense of worry in her voice. Like other Faunus she had heightened hearing and eyesight, as well other "senses" outside of the five. This sense of hers kept biting in the back of her mind, unable to let go of Ozpin's words in the hospital. This sense only got worse when they passed by the site of the first Grimm breakout, when the train they were on crashed through the old unused tunnels snaking under Vale. There was still some rubble being picked up by cleanup crews. Construction was still ongoing on the nearby damaged buildings. The sight of the damage served to increase the sense of foreboding that something was wrong.

And that it involved her.

The ride from the hospital to Beacon took all of about 30 minutes. Being a weekend, there were fewer students about the campus with students either in the city or gone home visiting. It was however strangely quiet, with only very few people around the campus. Much more, Blake noticed that all the people they encountered were humans. She did not notice a single Faunus around. It was strange, as most Faunus tend to congregate during the weekends since most of them stay behind in campus.

Blake and Yang strolled through the grounds towards the dorms, passing in front of the main statue. Blake, eyeing the statue, pauses as Yang continues to walk. Yang eventually notices and looks back at Blake, still standing in front of the statue.

"You… you go on ahead to the room. I'll be there in a minute."

Yang, sensing that Blake wanted to be alone, nodded and headed off alone. Blake stood in front of the statue in silence, looking over the male and female forms standing in triumph. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Things will change. I will change. One day I'll move on and forget."

Blake spoke to herself under her breath. Gathering herself, she continued on towards Team RWBY's dorm room. She could hear voices from behind the door.

"Get back in bed princess!"

"I-I'm not some kid! I'm fine! Get off me!"

Blake enters to a scene involving Yang trying to force Weiss in her bed. Such antics are normally between Weiss and Ruby, but with Ruby out of action, her sister was taking over. Eventually Weiss stopped struggling after Yang started smothering her and she lay back down in bed.

"Just get some rest okay? Look… thanks. Thanks for looking out for my sister after her surgery."

"You'd be in the room too if you didn't try punching that nurse in the gut."

Blake quipped as she entered the room. Yang got up off Weiss and sat down on her bed as Weiss positioned herself under her sheets.

"You doing okay Weiss? Need anything?"

"I'm fine Blake. I can take care of myself."

Weiss let out a loud yawn as soon as she finished that sentence. Her pale white face grew red as she hid herself under the sheets. Yang and Blake broke into laughter for a few seconds.

"Well whatever you want princess. Just get some rest. We'll be in the headmaster's office. Probably about the last few operations. We'll be back in a while."

Blake and Yang headed for the door as Weiss spoke from underneath the sheets.

"Thanks… guys."

Yang looked back and flashed a smile at Weiss as she closed the door behind her. Both girls walked through the dorm towards the main administration building. Getting on the elevator, Blake still couldn't help but feel some worry in the back of her mind, and this finally showed enough on her face for Yang to notice.

"Blake, I'm sure were not being called up here to get chewed out."

"I'm not worried about that. It's just… remember how I used to say that sometimes I just get this feeling that something wrong's about to happen? Well this is one of those times, and it feels..."

The air between them got heavy pretty quick as the elevator finally reached the top floor where the headmaster's office was. On entering the office, they saw Ozpin on his chair, facing out the windows, with a mug in his left hand. He spoke without turning around.

"Good morning again, Ms. Xiao Long and Ms. Belladonna. Please, have a seat."

The two quickly took a seat in front of his desk. In contrast to their usual demeanor, Yang was calmly seated while Blake looked visibly uncomfortable. Ozpin turned around, put his mug down, and pulled out some papers from his desk.

"I'm going to be blunt. I'm sure you noticed that there are relatively fewer students on campus right now. You've also noticed that there are almost no Faunus around the grounds."

Ozpin made a quick passing glance at Blake, enough for her to notice but not Yang. Blake felt a heartbeat jump into her throat.

"While the recent Grimm incident in which the two of you were part of was miniscule for a Grimm attack, it greatly shook the confidence people have in Vale's ability to secure the city."

Team RWBY had long suspected that the White Fang's attempt was simply too small to really succeed, and that they had other goals in mind. Ozpin's words confirmed their suspicions.

"The attack fueled paranoia in some parts in the city, especially in the more politically affluent sectors. With the White Fang confirmed to be behind the attack, there has been… increased suspicion around the city regarding the Faunus."

Blake clenched her fist in anger and frustration. As usual, she simply held her emotions in. At this point had started to notice just what was going on with her.

"That's not all… Coffee?"

Ozpin took out 2 cups from under her desk and poured for the two girls. Yang quickly chugged down the steaming hot drink while Blake took a few sips before setting her cup down."

"You remember that other incident regarding the central communications tower right? The night of your school party where Ruby chased down someone who broke into the central hub on the top floor?"

Ozpin took a big sip of coffee as he worked his way to his point.

"At about the time the rescue operation was ongoing, copies of the school registry were being leaked in certain forums of the Vale city intranet. They were being leaked on sites known to be frequented by those with… radical views regarding Vale citizenship…"

The light from Blake's eyes nearly emptied as she connected the dots of Ozpin's story. It was obvious enough for both Ozpin and Yang to notice as Blake nearly slumped on her chair.

"The list, specifically, was of all the Faunus who are currently enrolled in Beacon. Suffice to say… the school is now receiving backlash from these radical humanist groups and concerned citizens that we are somehow… involved in this debacle."

"THAT'S A LIE!"

Blake stood up and banged her fists on Ozpin's table, surprising Yang who stood up to try and calm her down. Ozpin however remained unfazed.

"I know it is Ms. Belladonna. I know."

"Calm down Blake! If anyone should be running wild in this room it's me."

"I… I know. Sorry."

Yang helped Blake sit back down as Ozpin continued.

"I've decided to let the Faunus students take the next few days off while the school tries to do some public relations control over this. Eventually when they find that our students are no way involved, this issue should all blow over. In your case however, Ms. Belladonna… as to the reason I called you here."

Ozpin put his hands together, rested his elbows on his desk and placed in face firmly between them. Blake already knew what he was going to say.

"Rumors are circulating that you were once a member of the White Fang, rumors that members of the staff know to be true and that you have confirmed yourself. However for the rest of the populace…"

"I'm no longer with those… people."

"Yes I know, but others won't be as forgiving. Some people outside the school already know and we're trying to limit the spread of this information. So for the time being…"

Ozpin turned around on his chair and faced the window to the outside.

"The other Faunus students are instructed to remain in their dorms for the next few days. In your case, due to your previous affiliations… I'm going to have to ask you to take greater measures to keep out of the public eye. That is to say… I'm going to have to ask you to leave the city for a while."

Yang and Blake just stared at Ozpin with dumbfounded looks as he turned around to face them again. Ozpin actually smiled at them.

"You're not expelled mind you. Vale is currently dealing with the Grimm and White Fang scare and we're trying to keep our Faunus students safe. As long as you're in the city there will be those who will try to find you and expose your secret. It would be safer for you to leave Vale for a while before these people find out where you are."

"But… but where will I go?"

"Don't worry. We will provide the transportation and travelling expenses. You are free to go anywhere and do anything you want, as long as it is outside the city. It's the least we can do."

"I… I understand…"

Blake's dejected look stayed with her all the way back from the headmaster's office to their dorm room. Back inside they found Weiss sound asleep with the lights still on. Blake climbed back on her bed to lie down and think.

"Blake… you okay?"

"Yes… no… I don't know."

Blake sighed under her breath as she tried to comprehend everything that had just transpired. She stared blankly at the ceiling, thinking about Ozpin's words and instructions.

"He's doing this for your sake, you know."

"Yes I know. I just… what am I supposed to do? Go around travelling? I don't exactly have anywhere I want to go."

"Well he's actually providing you with a car. A Krytia 450, of all things. Top of the line car, that one. The road's your own so do what you want!"

"That would be nice, if I knew how to drive."

"In that case you're lucky your partner's just as good behind the wheel of a car as with her bike!"

It took a few moments for Blake to realize what Yang meant. She immediately jumped down from her bed and confronted Yang.

"Wait what? You're coming too? But what about-"

"It's fine, it's fine. You're my partner and I can't exactly leave you alone with this. Plus…"

Yang looked over a soundly sleeping Weiss, who was likely too tired to be woken by the commotion these two were making. Weiss almost purred like a cat while she slept, having a smile on her face.

"Weiss is with her, so at least for what it's worth… she'll be in good hands. Anyway we should probably start packing. We leave tomorrow morning."

"I appreciate your concern but I really don't want to drag you into-"

"Like I said you're my partner. And besides…"

Yang looked back at Blake with a smile, as she piled some clothes rather haphazardly into one of her suitcases

"Ruby and Weiss would have done the same for you."

Blake smiled and sighed as Yang continued to stuff clothes into her suitcase. Getting irritated at the messy way she was packing, Blake ended up helping Yang pack her bags properly before she packed her own things. When they were done packing, Yang called the hospital and asked that they inform Jaune that they'd be out of town for a few days, and to tell Ruby if she wakes up before they get back. Blake called Ozpin's office and informed him that they've decided to leave early the next morning.

That evening at dinner, when Weiss woke up, they told her about what Ozpin had told them both. Weiss was initially apprehensive about the entire plan Ozpin came up with, but her resistance eventually faded when Yang unexpectedly asked her to take care of Ruby while she was gone. Yang was the overprotective sister type, so her request genuinely surprised Weiss. Weiss agreed to the plan and demanded that they be sure to check in at least twice a day everyday while they were out there.

As the evening came and went and the sun had again shone in the early morning, both girls went down to the Beacon underground parking garage. Their car was parked near the exit, a sleek black sedan with unassuming decals and a low profile height. Perfect for driving inconspicuously in the countryside. Yang revved the engine with the sweet sound of its 450 horsepower engine roaring and ready to go. With their bags and other gear packed in the trunk, it was time to leave.

"So Ms. Belladonna, where we off to?"

"Hmm… you've got the fast car. Right now… anywhere is fine."

With those words Yang and Blake rolled out of the garage. On the way out they could see the Beacon nearly empty, with only the human students up and about. Heading towards the main plaza they passed by the statue.

"Yang… pull over. Give me a moment."

Ever since she arrived at Beacon, Blake had the habit of standing in front of the statue at night whenever she had something on her mind. She was never the type who liked to talk about her past or feelings a lot, and looking at the statue alone always helped her calm down and think. Today was no exception.

"Things will change. I will change. I… need to decide."

Blake sat back in the car with a bit more resolve than she had since the talk with Ozpin.

"Yang, forget what I said."

Blake searched through the glove compartment and took out a map. Looking at it carefully she circled a few places around Vale. A few towns and villages and some in the middle of the wilderness.

"There are… a few places I want to visit."

"Sightseeing?"

"More like a trip… down memory lane."

After showing Yang all the places she wanted to go to, she folded up the map and programmed their next destination on her scroll.

"So Blake… ready to go?"

"You're the driver, let's roll."