Chapter 1: From Past…
The vast scenery that stretched out before her seemed so spectacular. As Ruby treaded along the narrow, dirt path, she couldn't help but keep turning her head in nearly every possible direction it would go. With eyes shining silver, she took in every little detail that she could. The cloudless blue sky overhead, the hardy oak trees that towered above her, and the lush, green grass that seemingly radiated with vitality as it rustled in the warm wind. As she walked, Ruby found herself particularly drawn to the latter, and upon finding a particularly thick patch of grass, proceeded to fall flat on her back with no hesitation.
[Ruby: "Mmmmmm, It's so fluffy. I want this to be my new bed for sure."]
As Ruby laid there, she felt relaxed by the cool temperature of the ground and the feeling of the grass was as soft as a pillow against her pale skin. Spring was definitely in the air.
[?: "Ruby, what kind of game are you playing now?"]
While Ruby rolled her tiny body around on the ground with a gleeful smile on her face, the man who had been walking next to her suddenly stopped to observe. Then, with a grin on his face, he spoke out loud once again.
[?: "Is this an improvised attempt at hide and seek or are you just practicing your fire safety rules?"]
Ruby, upon hearing this, looked up and chuckled at the humorous remark.
[Ruby: "Hahaha. No daddy, the grass just looked comfy. Look, I'm a real rose now!"]
As Ruby said this, she lifted both of her arms and legs playfully into the air.
[Taiyang: "Is that so? Well, if you want to be a real flower, you should at least wait until we get to the picnic area birthday girl. There are all kinds of pretty flowers over there. Besides, we don't want to stay here too long and make your mother feel lonely right?"]
As her father said this, the voice of another small girl rang out ahead of them on the path.
[?: "Yeah, come on Ruby! Mom's waiting on us. If we don't hurry up, she'll probably eat your whole cake without us."]
Ruby turned her head to see her one and only older sister, wearing a yellow t-shirt with purple shorts and matching tennis shoes, waiting and tapping her foot impatiently. Her twin, golden pigtails swaying gently along with the breeze.
[Ruby: "N-no she won't! Momma would never do something mean like that."]
[Taiyang: "Yang, you shouldn't tease your sister like that on her birthday."]
Their father, hearing the hurt in Ruby's voice, jumped to her defense with his remark.
[Yang: "Hahaha. Yeah, I know. Sorry sis. I just want to get their so we can chow down already. Mom only bakes cakes on special days like today."]
She wasn't wrong. Their mother's skill at cooking was unrivaled by anyone Ruby and Yang knew on the island of Patch, especially when it came to sweets. When the people of Patch all gathered together for the annual harvest feast last winter, it was their mother's own homemade chocolate chip cookies that quickly became the talk of the town. Although, due to her work as a huntress, she had become a local celebrity long before then.
[Ruby: "Yeah. Alright, let's go."]
Ruby lifted herself off the ground and proceeded back along the path they were traveling on. Ruby was certainly as eager as her sister to enjoy their mother's baking, but even more than that, Ruby didn't want to keep her mother waiting. After all, she had woken up extra early to prepare all the food and bring it to the picnic sight while their father made sure to get the girls ready. Today was definitely a special day for Ruby. Not because it was her birthday. Her 5th birthday to be exact. No, it was because her whole family was here to celebrate something together. Since both her parents were huntsman, they often had to take turns between going on missions and staying at home. Sometimes, Ruby and Yang wouldn't see their mother or father for weeks at a time. But today was an exception. Both of them had taken some leave time for the occasion and Ruby was determined to make the most of it.
[Taiyang: "Come on you two, it's not much farther."]
The group of three continued down the forest's winding path until they finally reached a clearing. What Ruby saw next amazed her. Ahead of her was a vast field of grass covered in a multitude of colorful wildflowers that seemed to turn the very ground into a bright rainbow. From right to left, they were surrounded by numerous trees that seemingly danced in the wind and directly in front of her was a small hill that provided a perfect view of the ocean's roaring waves in the horizon. And finally, in the distance, at the top of the hill, Ruby could see a familiar figure standing in wait. A women dressed in a long cloak, white as winter snow. The lone blank space in a sea of color. Her posture looking so sharply distinct in the background that Ruby couldn't help but have her eyes drawn to this seemingly unusual presence. Yet at the same time, the way the woman smiled in expectance while staring back at Ruby, gave off the impression that her being there was only natural, that she was always meant to be here. Suddenly, Ruby was running forward as fast as her legs could take her. Across the field of flowers, up the hill. The woman's figure grew larger and larger and as Ruby approached her, the woman kneeled down and stretched out her arms. Ruby threw herself into this warm embrace, holding on to her tightly.
[Ruby: "I'm here momma! I'm finally here!"]
[Summer: "That's right my dear, you certainly are."]