Chapter #1: The First Few Days

The fall of Beacon was a tragic event. The prestigious school that had trained hundreds, thousands of huntsmen and huntresses over the decades was reduced to a ruined school that had become infested with Grimm. And with all that chaos, the CCT has been rendered useless and all forms of communication with the other kingdoms ceased to work.

The villain Cinder and her accomplices videoed live footage that showed the Grimm, the criminal organisation the White Fang, and even the Atlesian armed forces, fighting in the school and city. The locals had to rely on the students and whatever trained huntsmen and huntresses remained in Vale. There were too few and the death toll was in the hundreds. A few students lost their lives and a single huntsman, while the civilian population made up the majority.

The attack gave many humans a reason to hate the Faunus for being a part of the attack. Innocent Faunus were beaten and bruised in the immediate fallout of Beacon's fall. Police and even Huntsmen had to step in to stop the violence, many of which resulted in violence again, Faunus loving traitors. These 'traitors' were targeted even more so until Professor Goodwitch stepped in and convinced everyone that the real threat was not in Vale, but out there somewhere. While her words were intended to do good, many people began calling for laws to be made about controlling the Faunus population.

Team SSSN and CFVY played big parts in controlling the violence against the Faunus civilians as both had Faunus team members and could easily defend the innocent Faunus from coming to any harm, so long as they were in the right place. And as the days passed with the injured being treated and the dead being laid to rest. Humans and Faunus alike were arrested for excessive violence and some even jailed for extreme cases. It was a dark few days in Vale, and thankfully none of the world could watch because of the CCTs deactivation.

Yang

A certain member of team RWBY woke up in her home on Patch. The pain in her in her right arm, agonising. She reached for the pills given to her by the doctor that monitored her. Her stump had been cleaned and stitched, repaired to the best of the doctor's ability as reattachment was not an option seeing as the rest of her arm was lost on the grounds now controlled by the Grimm.

Taking the pills, Yang struggled to unscrew the cap with only one hand. Pain shooting through the nub at the end of her now shortened arm, Adam having sliced it off in her failed attempt to save Blake. Phantom pain she was informed it was, and told that it would fade, but the phenomenon known as phantom limb would likely plague her for the rest or her life.

Throwing a couple back just as the doctor told her too, she followed them up with some water from the bottle next to where her pills sat. Screwing the lid back on was another challenge, one she figured out quickly though and put the pill bottle between her thighs and use them to hold it while she screwed the lid on. First job of the day done it was time for number two, a shower.

The first few times she'd taken an extremely long time in the shower, more so than her usual twenty minutes when she had both hands on a going out night. Now every shower was like that, longer when she did her hair and always plenty annoying. Washing herself with one arm always led to her not cleaning her left arm. She and Tai had come to the conclusion that once she was done in the shower and changed, he would wash her arm.

It was time consuming, but it worked, Tai washed his daughter's arm and Yang felt clean. And so, once Yang had finished washing herself, hair included, she stepped out, grabbed her towel and began to towel off as best she could. Walking out in her new orange tank top and grey-brown cargo pants, she made her way downstairs. Seeing his daughter up and about brought a smile to Tai's face.

"Time to wash that arm I take it, my Sunny Little Dragon?" Yang rolled her eyes as he called her that. Every day since they got home he'd made that joke, save for three days ago, the day of the funeral.

"Stop it dad. I'm not sunny and I'm not little." Yang countered. I'm angry, agitated, hurt and I'm not a child. She thought in her head. The anger showed as Taiyang remained silent for a while.

Yang knew her dad was just trying to be cheerful and in turn hoping it would rub off on her. But given all that had happened, Beacon, her arm, Blake, Ruby. She didn't feel much above pain, anger and debilitating sadness.

"Right. Sorry Yang." Tai's voice sounded dejected. Like Yang thought though, he'd only been trying to cheer his little girl up.

"It's…. fine. We've both had it rough these past few days." Tai washed her arm with a cloth in the kitchen sink It was easier for him to do it there so her could watch the breakfast he was cooking for the pair.

Porridge was to be the first meal of their day. Ruby would have hated it, or simply doused it with absurd amounts of sugar and cream. She smiled at the thought, Ruby racing into the kitchen and making sickening noises as she realised what Tai had cooked them for breakfast. She still remembered when Ruby first did it after trying the porridge that Summer made. She refused to eat it without some added… sweeteners.

"Alright Yang. All done. Grab a seat at the table and I'll dish it out." Yang obeyed and took a seat at her usual seat. Her across from Ruby's spot and with Tai stuck in the middle at the head of the table. Today there were only two plates, two cups, two spoons and a severing that was only enough for two. "Voila!" Tai sung as he put the bowl down before Yang on her rectangle coaster.

Looking down at the waterlogged oats Yang sighed and smiled. "Thanks dad." She said softly, grabbing some cream and adding just a little to it. Tai did the same, grabbing some cream and pouring it on. Yang had already started eating when she saw his eyes close and his opened hands ball into tight fists.

"Dad?" She asked after finishing her mouthful, hoping to get his attention. He only shook his head. "I know dad… I was thinking the same thing a few minutes ago." Yang put her spoon down and reached out, putting her remaining hand on her father's right fist. She could see the tears running down his cheeks already and it started her up too.

"Why did it have to be her… Why didn't someone save her?" He sobbed. Turning his fist into an open hand to hold Yang's hand with his other going to wipe away the tears. Yang couldn't wipe hers away since she was squeezing her father's hand.

"Dad… stop it, its done. There's nothing we can…"

"Don't! Don't tell me its over! She was my daughter! Your sister!" Tai yelled, the grip on Yang's remaining hand, tightening and hurting the maimed brawler and causing her to try and get away.

"D-Dad stop! You're hurting me!" She squealed, her hand being crushed by the rage that Yang had unintentionally released from inside her father. The reason was still raw and painful, a pain that would lessen over time but never fade. Tai had lost a daughter and Yang had lost a sister. The fall of Beacon had hit the Xiao Long & Rose residence very hard. A death and a maiming, and the resulting anger Tai showed was because of grief.

His grief caused the blindness, the moment where Tai lost his temper. Both Xiao Longs were grieving in their own ways and this simple interaction, this difference in stages of grief triggered him. Tai was still in denial while Yang had moved on recently to acceptance. And accepting that her dear little sister was no longer living of Remnant hurt her even more than the phantom limb pains.

Realising the error of his ways because of seeing the fear Yang had in her eyes, Tai released her hand. "Sorry Yang… I just…. I just…" He started to cry again, this time burying his face in both of his hands. Yang moved to comfort her father in his time of need.

Standing behind him she rested her head on his right shoulder and put her left arm around and onto his chest. He took her hand in both of his and gently massaged it as to silently say he was sorry and ask for forgiveness. Yang who was still tearing up herself shivered and kissed her father's cheek.

"Its ok dad. We'll get through it. You, me… even uncle Qrow. You know how close he and Ruby were." Tai's reaction didn't bode well. He remained still, the mention of his recently deceased daughter and his old friend Qrow sending chills throughout his body. Chills that Yang felt and knew all too well.

That night when Beacon fell was the night where their lives changed forever. When Qrow showed up at the hospital with a red hood in his hands, Tai hadn't believed him even with his grimmer than usual expressions and body language. He went to see it for himself, and what he saw, broke and devastated Tai beyond anything. Ruby's death adding to and surpassing even the pain and loss of her late mother, Summer Rose who died when Ruby was very young.

His youngest daughter, her clothing torn not by monsters but by blades. That angered him, his first thoughts had been to blame the white Fang, and for the first few days until learning it was another human that ended his sweet Ruby's young life, he did blame them.

Yang found out only moments after she'd woken up from surgery. Tai wasn't there, Qrow wasn't there, just herself in a white room, dressed in a white hospital gown, and her thoughts that told her to move and to find Blake. So that's what she did, moved and tried to push the sheets away only…. Her right hand didn't appear. A burning sensation reduced Yang to screams of pain until a nurse arrived and administered some morphine.

What followed was an explanation of the surgery, what the doctors had been told had happened, and what they'd done for Yang since she was a young woman and a huntress in training. The cut was very clean, so it was disinfected, stitched up, covered and wrapped in bandages that would have to be medically replaced every few days, thankfully she was able to have the done at the Patch hospital, a smaller hospital that usually only treated minor injured or other health related matters. Breaks, cuts, the pregnant, and the ill, Vale Hospital was the one anyone wanted for something serious.

Yang didn't care to listen, all she knew was that her arm was gone, her dreams of being a huntress had shattered, and no one in the world even cared. Blake, her partner and best friend wasn't by her side, even her caring sister Ruby wasn't there. She was alone and wounded, sinking into a pit of despair when Tai finally showed up. He didn't help at all, didn't seem to care that Yang had lost and arm. This angered her to the point where her eyes shone a ferocious red. That was until he mumbled three words that shattered Yang and caused the brawler to faint.

That was five days ago and the funeral for Ruby was held two days ago. Many from Beacon came to her funeral. All the professors took time to attend and honour Ruby. Teams CFVY, SSSN, and JNPR all attended the funeral. Save for Pyrrha who was still recovering from her own injuries at that hands of the person who masterminded the downfall of the school.

Qrow was also there, lurking in the back so his semblance didn't threaten to interrupt what was already a sad occasion. Weiss had been there but had to leave quickly following the funeral, taken back to Atlas by her father. The students mostly avoided Tai, while many came up to and hugged Yang.

She was brought to tears, sobbing on each of her friend's shoulders. Nora gave the longest and hardest hug. Squeezing her tightly and lifting her off the ground slightly. She gave Yang a small punch to her good shoulder and reminded her that her friends would always be there. All she needed to do was reach out.

"Dad, come on. You need to get ready to go to work." Yang said, trying to push her father's mind in a different direction. He let her hand go and grabbed for his spoon, slowly eating the porridge he'd cooked up. Yang was happy that he was functioning again, he was doing much better than when Summer died, at least on the surface anyway.

Once breakfast was done, Tai got up to grab his school gear. He'd only allowed himself a few days off to grieve for his daughter before going back to teach. The teachers were needed more than ever apparently, and Tai was willing to answer the call. Perhaps it was because it was needed, or that someone told him he had to. Maybe it was just a way to distract himself from everything. It didn't matter to Yang, it hurt her to see him leave the house only a few minutes later with not even a goodbye.

Alone yet again, silence filled the house and left Yang alone with nothing but her mind to keep her busy. And these days all her mind did was work her into a depressed state. She slumped into the couch grabbing the television remote and hit the power button.

The news. Of course it's on the fricking news channel. Yang thought. Tai had been watching it every day to try and find out what exactly happened, more information about those who caused it. The news anchor spoke softly, her voice didn't waver yet there was no emotion in her voice either. It annoyed Yang that she could talk so calmly about it. Had she not lost anyone? Was the tragedy not tragic enough? Did she just not care?

Feeling herself getting worked up she switched the channels, flicking through several of them before coming to a cartoon. She let it play, watching with no interest at all. She tried to let the dull show fill her head with mushy kids' stuff, but her mind always went back to her pain and loss. She punched her thigh and focused on the cartoon.

"I'll just entertain myself this way… I don't need anyone… This show is all I need…I'm meant to be alone… I… I…" The TV pictures flickered by, the screen and room turned blurry and she felt heat trickling down her cheeks.

She wiped her eyes and then cheeks, seeing the TV clear once more and the tears on her hand. Why do I always cry, I never used to cry… I'm so fucking pathetic. She thought as her emotions rose again. Her loss of limb and therefore the loss dream to be a huntress, to travel Remnant and rack stories and experiences like so many huntresses before her.

Yang continued to sink in her pit of self-loathing. Ugly, useless, cripple, deformed, worthless. She thought, doing herself no favours in labelling herself as everything negative she could think of. She began to think of Ruby, how at least she didn't have to go through any pain being gone, resting in piece and never having to worry about how others would view her. They'd all remember Ruby for who she was, a happy, energetic, lover of sweet things, and slayer of Grimm so that the civilians didn't have to worry. Their team would always remember her as the leader, awkward and a bit annoying at times, but always loving and understanding. Always willing to help the team or close friend.

But how would people view Yang. An unsightly and lame young woman. A former hot head who was powerful sure, but thrown into a grinder call war, a war between the White Fang and Beacon. Formerly beautiful with golden locks that flowed and lilac eyes that were nowadays usually a deep blue with all the misery she was filled with.

The TV went black as Yang ripped the power cord from the wall. She kicked her door shut, the sound of it slamming hurting her ears. Just what I need more pain, more frustration. Slipping into her bed just like the days since she returned from hospital, Yang sat there staring out the window. She slowly felt herself growing cold, not from the temperature, but from the emotions that were slowly eating away at her, slowly pulling her further and further into the depths.

Taiyang

The students at Signal Academy didn't know why Tai was truly away. Simply that he'd been ill and was recovering which wasn't a complete lie. Class went on as per usual. Different age groups coming and going and Tai imparting the required teachings to them along with his own opinions and wisdom. Some kids weren't all there, wouldn't make it through to Beacon as he had a fair idea of which would fail in the trials.

Not that the trials held much weight now with Beacon out of action and a Grimm nest of sorts. A place of great sorrow that would remain marred for years, decades even. He was sure that once enough time had passed and once order was restored, perhaps with outside aid from the other Huntsman Academies, Beacon would be retaken. But until then, those who were already fully trained and even those on their third or fourth year at Beacon would be asked to assist in many manners.

Yet none of that mattered to Tai at the moment. His attention was torn between teaching the class of which he was still doing a respectable job of, only that he seemed less enthusiastic. And the losses his family had suffered. With the end quarter of each class he was asked many questions. Was he there at the time of the attack? Did he know anyone involved? What was being done to retake the school? They all were curious just like him, and through him knowing the headmaster, now former since his disappearance and assumed death, the students thought they could get some insight into what happened and how.

Thankfully the day came to an end, and Tai felt rather refreshed. A return to routine seemed to have improved his mentality greatly. Now, I wonder if Yang would like something good for dinner… Hell, of course she would, poor baby. He chuckled to himself because that's exactly what she'd always be to him, not matter how old, beautiful, or injured she got. Yang was his one and only family in Remnant now, and he'd treat her right.

Being on an island meant seafood was abundant, and Tai figured out what he'd be cooking that night on his way home. Stopping in at the local supermarket he bought some fresh shrimp, some lime and he had the other ingredients at home. The locals knew him by name, his family too, it being the local huntsmen and huntresses in the past. Tai and Raven, Then Tai and Summer, with Qrow as a regular guest. But since Summer passed away and Raven wasn't a part of any of their lives, Qrow stopped showing up as regularly.

He struggled raising two kids by himself, thankfully Yang had been more than happy to step up and help take care of her little sister. Still it was never the same, Tai had never taken another partner, and for years hadn't been sexually active. Relieving himself in other ways had become normal and preferred. He'd worried about what his girls would think if he suddenly announced one day that he was seeing someone.

He knew what his closer friends would think, they'd all jump aboard the train and ask when he would be having another child. That was another reason he had remained single. Sure, he'd tried a few dates over the years, but none of the women caught his attention for long enough that he considered them anything more than, at the very most, friends.

So he'd remained a lone bachelor, even when some of his colleagues would mention a friend or other single parent had an attraction to him. And so, he returned home to a silent house. Nothing out of the usual. "Yang I'm home!" He called out, not getting an answer in response. Still wallowing I suppose. He ended up going to the kitchen and prepared dinner.

Of course, he only did the setup, first there was the matter of getting back into the routine of his own personal training. Everyday after work, after teaching kids from nine till three he'd arrive home and train. There was a reason he'd stayed in good shape, training alone and pushing himself allowed him to retain his strong physique while allowing him to also complete missions as a huntsman from time to time.

Of course he took preference in teaching since Summer's death, that way he could always be home for his daughters. Now daughter being Yang, he felt a need to be there even more. But it was hard with the wounds still so fresh. Every interaction ran the risk of angering either of them. Yang had Raven's fire and Tai's brute strength. He wasn't worried about her physically though, it was the mental strain on both of them that concerned him.

For an hour he trained by himself, unaware that Yang was watching him front the window in her room. Or that and old Qrow was watching from a nearby branch. "Thanks Zwei." He spoke, taking the towel the little corgi had in its mouth and patting him. Wiping his face off he headed inside. A quick shower and he was into cooking the meal he'd imagined earlier.

In less than an hour he had dinner ready and on the table. Chipotle Beer-&-Butter shrimp, sitting in a tinfoil pack to contain the liquid with a bowl of rice in the centre of the table with two smaller bowls for him and Yang to eat. With the addition of some orange juices for their beverages, he went up to Yang's room. Knocking on the door he waited a few seconds before entering.

'Yang, dinner's ready. I think you'll enjoy it." He stood by the door smiling. A stale smell filling his nostrils and making him wriggle his nose a little. He knew the smell all to well from when Summer passed. He'd remained in his room for a time. Wallowing and rotting away, and that's exactly what Yang was doing.

"I'll eat later… thanks dad." Was all that the golden-haired brawler said. It hurt Tai more than angered him, and he wouldn't accept it. He couldn't for Yang's sake.

"Oh no you don't young lady. Come on now, get up and walk or I'll carry you down the stairs." The two exchanged a challenging glance before yang sighed and threw her blankets back. Fuck Yang, put some clothes on at least. He found himself thinking as she stepped out, her deep blue panties easily visible as her orange tank to didn't come close to covering them.

"Yang, clothes… now." Tai said in a flat voice.

"Come on dad, we're family. Besides, it's such a pain to put them on." She groaned in response. Tai just folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. "Fine." She whined. "But you're helping me if I struggle." Tai nodded and waited, watching as Yang struggled into some shorts.

His eyes fell to her rear end, force of habit when he saw a hot woman. Hot? Woman? Eyes up Xiao Long. He told himself, successfully tearing himself away from his daughter's backside. But her pale thighs, the back of them called his eyes back. Thin, but very masculine. Her gluts firm but also round perfect for… Get a hold of yourself Taiyang! He screamed internally.

Thank fully Yang had her shorts up in a few more seconds, giving Tai the peace he needed. "Right, come on then." He said, leaving almost in a hurry. By the time Yang walked into the dining room with her hand covering a yawn, Tai was in his seat and had already dished out a serving of rice for them both. He needed the distraction after what just happened.

Yang looked over the food and showed a soft smile. The looked made his heart flutter as he enjoyed it when a woman liked the look of his food. Girl! She's your little girl Taiyang. "Want me to serve you some Yang?" He asked.

"Please, bit hard being all left." She tried to smile at the shot at herself, but it quickly fell into a frown. Tai mirrored her expression and put a hand on hers.

"You'll get through it sweetie. You're strong, just like your old man… only I'm not that old." He gave her a wink that brought a gentle smile back.

"You're definitely old saying crap like that… but thanks." Yang waited until the main ingredients were added to the rice before digging in. Tai watched patiently for her response. He always wanted to see if his daughters enjoyed certain meals, the ones they did he added to Summer's recipe book.

Tai follow Yang's example and ate. He'd tasted it during cooking and found it nice, but there was something different about adding it to the rice and having the company of family. Family, was not the first thing that Tai thought in that moment but chose to ignore it. Yang seemed to be enjoying it and even tried to help herself to seconds… until she couldn't quite manage.

Tai once again stepped in happily and dished Yang up a smaller portion this time. Sure he loved seeing her enjoying his home cooked meal, but she wasn't active. Perhaps I'm being too hard. I mean we lost Ruby, and she lost her arm. He bit the inside of his lip while he though about it and ended up concluding if she asked for a third helping, he'd give her a bigger portion.

It didn't come to that as once Yang finished that second bowl she patted her stomach. "One for the book, don't you think dad?" He smiled and nodded.

"If that's your way of saying thanks for dinner and you enjoyed it, then yes. I'll add it to the book." He sent Yang off to have a shower as he cleared the table. He first went to her room and opened the window, giving the room at least a little time to air out.

Returning to the dishes with a smile on his face, Tai could go to sleep tonight feeling proud about how the day ended. Sure it was a little rough in the beginning, but now Yang was happier and showering. He was happier and going to clean up afterwards. The only things that plagued him then were the less than proper thoughts that involved his daughter. Her legs, her ass, that thin blue fabric that earlier was the only thing covering… Come on you old fool. How about you go out this weekend and, find yourself a woman for the night. Can't be that hard.

With his weekend planned he had his mind refocused on what he should wear out. That was until he heard the shower turn off and began to blush. Thinking about the clothing that Yang was currently lacking. Groaning he figured he have to get off, that'd fix everything. Right?