A/N: This story was also posted on AO3 under the same name. It deals with some things, and puts Taiyang in a bit of a bad light but... there are reasons for it, I promise.


Moving was a hassle.

The boxes in the back, labelled by Ruby specifically as she wouldn't allow anyone to touch her things when she packed them up, were packed up tightly in a way that only Taiyang knew how to unpack. Ruby didn't know how, and she didn't want to know. Curled up in her seat as best as she could be, she stared out the window at the trees as they started to thin out and get replaced by the familiar look of the town. Ruby hated this town. It was nothing but a bad memory for her. Days of getting bullied relentlessly, especially during the day when Yang had lost her arm, still plagued her mind. Even after this move, she'd be returning to the same high school just to get bullied more. How Taiyang had ever convinced her uncle to take her was beyond Ruby's understanding. From what she remembered, her uncle lived in a small 1-bedroom apartment. There wouldn't be any room for her or her things.

"I know this'll be hard, sweetheart, but I just can't deal with this right now. Yang needs my attention."

Ruby felt her eyes tearing up and wiped them hastily with the sleeve of her over-sized sweater. It had always been like this, for as long as she could remember. If Yang was hurting first, Ruby would be shafted. It just wasn't fair to her. She needed Taiyang, too. But instead of being helped, the moment she'd gotten home, Taiyang had told her she'd be living with her uncle due to him being unable to support them both during these trying times.

It was enough to make Ruby wish she hadn't fallen for that one student's sweet words. They were empty, as were the promises she'd been made so long ago. Subconsciously, Ruby started scratching at her arm as if it had an itch but stopped once she realized what she was doing. As she watched the stores pass by, Taiyang took a left turn and headed down an unfamiliar road. Stopping at a house not even a few minutes away from the city hall, Ruby unbuckled her belt and opened the door, getting out and standing on the side of the van. She closed the door and waited for Taiyang to ring the doorbell.

"I've gotta start unpacking the van. Go tell your uncle we're here." Taiyang said. Ruby bit her lower lip, chewing on it a bit before slowly walking towards the door and ringing the doorbell. She stared at it for a minute until she was able to hear footsteps and the door slowly opened. It was well-lit inside from what Ruby could see before someone blocked the way. And she looked up to see her uncle, Qrow, staring at her. Moving out of his way, pulling down on her sleeves, she looked to Taiyang, who had gotten a few boxes out and was making his way to the porch. Once he was there and had set the boxes down, the two of them exchanged a look before Qrow sighed.

"Come on, kid. Let me show you where you're gonna sleep."

Ruby followed him at a ten-foot distance. Qrow had somehow gotten a house, and it made Ruby wonder what kind of money he was pulling in to afford it. He lead her down a hall, opening the door about fifteen steps into the hallway. Stepping aside to let her in, Qrow only lingered at the door as Ruby walked in, looking around. Nothing much except for a bed, a desk and a dresser. She was bringing the rest of the things to decorate this room with.

"It's not much, I know. But I didn't want to overwhelm you with a fully decked out room. This way, you can decorate it like you want." Qrow said, slightly spooking Ruby. She looked behind her, her heart having jumped to her throat for a moment. "Sorry, pipsqueak. Forgot you were a bit jumpy lately. Don't worry, you're safe here."

Ruby nodded, looking back at the bed. Qrow let her be, going to help Taiyang bring in the boxes. About twenty minutes later, her new room was filled with boxes. Taiyang hugged Ruby before leaving, but she didn't see him off. The next few hours, Ruby spent it unpacking and setting up her room. Her bed was made up, her clothes put away and everything was put in its place. The only thing besides her blankets and pillow on her bed was also a stuffed animal that she'd had for ten years. Taking off her shoes and setting them near her door. Sitting on her bed, she pulled off the sweater and set it next to her. Today was what began her stay with her uncle, and she wasn't too certain that she could handle it. Memories of waking up to find him drunk and sleeping on the couch weren't fond ones.

She started to subconsciously scratch at her arm again, looking at her feet. Biting her lip, she moved to lay on the bed, pulling her stuffed animal into her arms and fighting back tears. She didn't understand why Taiyang was being so distant with her nor why he decided to just dump her on Qrow. Curling up in bed, hugging her stuffed animal close, Ruby tried her hardest not to cry. It was just like all the bullies said. Taiyang didn't love her. She was just a convenient toy.

"And it's better off for all of us if you just died!"

It hurt to actually take their words seriously. But, ever since Taiyang had said he couldn't deal with her on top of dealing with Yang's problems, Ruby had to think that there was some truth to the bullies' words. Maybe it was true… Taiyang probably didn't care or love her like she'd thought he did. Ruby sniffled, trying not to cry. It wasn't fair. Why did Taiyang favour Yang over her? Was something wrong with her that made Taiyang hate her very being?

A knock came to her door. Ruby slowly opened her eyes, not remembering falling asleep and sat up as the door opened, rubbing her eyes tiredly. It opened and Qrow came in with a tray of food. She stared for a moment before setting her stuffed animal aside carefully and finding her sweater, pulling it back on. Pulling the sleeves over her hands, which made her feel a bit more comfortable, she held up her hands up to accept the tray. Qrow could only hand it over before sitting next to her as she started munching on the cinnamon toast, which was the only thing he knew that she liked. Taking the juice after she finished a piece, Ruby downed it almost immediately.

"I usually only order takeout, since I can't cook worth shit," Qrow explained, leaning forward. Looking to Ruby, he continued. "But I remembered that you liked it when I made that. Hopefully it's not too… sugary. It's been several years since I've made it."

Mouth full of toast, Ruby looked to Qrow and swallowed. "It's actually as good as back then… Thanks, Uncle Qrow…. For remembering."

He chuckled, putting a hand on her head and ruffling her hair. "No problem, kid."