Following the aftermath of the battle of Beacon, Professor Ozpin had requested your presence, along with Teams RWBY and JNPR.

"I'm pleased to say that thanks to your efforts the fall of Beacon was prevented." He says once the ten of you had gathered in one of the undamaged classrooms. "Particularly Mr. (L/N)'s and Ms. Nikos'."

"So, what happens now?" Ruby asks.

"Well," Ozpin continues, "the responsible individuals have been apprehended. General Ironwood has assured me that they will be under tight lock and key, 24/7, until the day they die. As for Beacon, we are to close a few weeks early for the remainder of the year while we rebuild. Meanwhile, Professor Goodwitch and the other members of staff are currently overseeing the reconstruction of the damages sustained to Vale."

"And the citizens?" You ask. You feel Blake's gaze shift upon you.

"As of present, there have been no casualties. A few broken bones and perhaps some emotional trauma, but other than that, the Kingdom remains unharmed."

"Do we know why this happened?" Ren asks. "Why the individuals responsible attacked Beacon?"

"Yes, we are aware of their motives." Ozpin says. "And in due time, you all shall know also. There may very well come a time in the near future when the world of Remnant calls upon your courage once again. But that time is not now. I suggest you all relax, enjoy one another's presence while the peace lasts. The battle may have been won, but this war is far from over."

"What did he mean 'this war is far from over'?" Yang asks as you leave the classroom.

"Yeah," Jaune agrees, "didn't we win?"

"I'm sure we'll know in due time." You tell the group. "But for now, I suggest you all listen to Ozpin's words. Rest, relax, enjoy the time you have with each other."

The group continues talking all the way back to their dorm rooms, which were fortunately unharmed during the fight. Bidding farewell to each other for the time being, the group splits as the two teams enter their respective rooms. You on the other hand, turn and begin to make your way back towards the elevator. As the doors are about to close, a hand slides in between the sliding panel causing the them to reopen.

"(F/N)?" Blake asks, entering the elevator. "Can we talk?"

"Always." You answer.

The doors seal shut, and the elevator begins its descent towards the ground floor.

"You know what Ozpin meant, didn't you, when he said, 'the war is far from over'." It isn't a question.

"The people who attacked your school did not do so without purpose." You tell her after careful consideration. "They serve a higher power, or at least, someone more powerful."

"Who?"

"Salem."

"Who's Salem?" She presses.

You sigh. "I wish I could tell you Blake."

The lift stops, and the doors open. You exit the elevator.

Blake runs after you. "Stop keeping secrets (F/N). Why can't you tell me?"

You stop and turn to face her. "Blake, I would never keep secrets from you, not now. And especially not one that concerns your safety. I can't tell you simply because I do not know. I abandoned the White Fang before I ever had the chance to meet her. But I can tell you this, she is responsible for the attack on your school. I know she's powerful, so powerful she frightens even my brother. As for her intentions, I only know she wants the power of the maidens. However, something tells me your headmaster knows more than I."

The two of you resume your walk in silence, exiting the dormitory buildings and towards the cool air of the night. You kick a destroyed Atlesian Knight out of your path, pausing when you realize Blake's footsteps ceased a few feet back.

"Blake?" You ask in confusion as you turn to face her.

Wrapping her arms around her chest, hugging her self, she turns her head down and to the side. "What happens now?"

You close your scarred eyes and enjoy the cool night breeze wash over your face. "I don't know." You tell her truthfully. "Obviously you still have a place here. But as for me? I suppose I'll try to find my brother, make sure he can't..."

"No," she interrupts, "I mean, what about us?" You feel heat radiate from her body as her face grows flushed. "(F/N), the night before the attack, you said that 'everyone you had ever loved had either died or left you, everyone except for me.' And then you kissed me. What did you mean by it?"

"You know me Blake. I have never done or said anything without absolute conviction. That should tell you everything you need to know."

Silence grows between you as she carefully considers your words. You're about to turn and continue down your path alone when you feel her soft hands place themselves timidly upon your shoulders, almost as if she's unsure about her actions. Slowly, she lifts herself up on her toes and places a tender kiss upon your lips. It only lasts a few seconds, but those few seconds seem to last an eternity as you taste the sweetness of her lips, until, all too soon, it ends.

"I think... I think I love you too." She says as she replaces her heels on the ground.

"I don't miss my sight much, but, I do wish I could gaze upon your face."

You feel Blake gently take your hands in her own and slowly guide them up to her face. Softly, you take her face in your hands and swipe the pads of your thumb over her cheeks. Extending your forefinger, you slowly swipe up along her face until reaching her hair line. Determined to remember every detail of her face, you continue your gentle observation painting a figure of her face in your mind. When you finish, you leave your hands resting gently on the side of her face. Tilting your head down towards her, you place a kiss on her forehead before resting your heads together.

"Blake?" You whisper.

"Hmm?"

"Why do you continue to hide yourself?" You ask, gently rubbing her ears underneath her bow. Stepping away from you, she turns her head. "Blake?"

"Because I'm scared." She admits. "I'm scared of how the world will see me if they knew."

"And what do you think the world would do?"

"I don't know. But I'm too afraid to find out."

"You don't have to be afraid." You step towards her and place a hand on her shoulder. "You're stronger than you know. There's no need to hide, you're perfect as you are."

She releases a frightened sigh before reaching up towards the bow resting atop her head. She starts to untie the fabric but pauses. Taking her shaking hands in yours, you help her find the courage to stop hiding. Freeing her cat ears, you take the thin piece of black clothe in your hand and let it get carried away by the wind.

"What do you want to do now?" You ask.

"I think I should go home, let my family know I'm okay."

"Of course. They must be extremely worried about you, only natural of course.

Stepping out of the hug, she holds you at arms-length at looks up at you. "And what about you? What will you do?"

"I'm not sure." You tell her truthfully. "I've never been left to find my own path before."

"Well, you're welcome to come to Menagerie with me."

"Are you sure?" You ask, taking a small step back in surprise. "Ghira may not appreciate my presence."

"Don't be silly (F/N), my dad loves you."

You chortle. "Really? I never got that impression from him."

"Well," she rephrases, "he respects you at the very least."

"So long as you are okay with it, I will follow you, wherever you might lead me."

"No (F/N). I want you to come with me, yes. But I want you to come with me. By my side. Not following behind me."

"Very well then, with you. To Menagerie."