The Weight of History Chapter 1: I Wilt As She Scatters, a rwby fanfic

Now wouldn't it be silly? Silly to be thrown into the life of a GIRL with a path chosen for HER?

…

This, of course, can be explained with a few droning sentences, a couple lamenting thoughts, but wouldn't it be better to see the glimpse of HER own life through the eyes of ANOTHER?

…

One thing can be said; a HAPPY ending in the world of dust and Grimm must be earned, and even then, HAPPINESS is not GUARANTEED.

…

Red eyes held amusement as they watched the white cloaked woman throw the screaming two year old with one amber and one red eye into the air, catching her a moment later. Joy was held in the cloaked woman's silver eyes, and she plopped into a nearby chair after cradling the young girl close to her chest, cooing sweetly.

"You're good with her, Summer."

Summer Rose smiled a bit before turning her gaze to her red eyed friend, full and wild ebony hair falling down her back in waves. Summer eyed her friend's protruding stomach, the small smile growing into a large grin.

"Thanks Raven. One day I'm gonna steal this little one from Qrow," Summer joked, poking Phoenix's nose before sighing.

"Oriel might beat you to it," Raven warned, "Oriel loves her like she was her own daughter."

"Well she basically is the poor thing's mother."

Summer couldn't help but feel disgust toward the mystery mother of Phoenix Branwen. Qrow refused to speak her name, which frustrated her to no end, and she had no leads to who she would be. The maternal instinct to protect surged through Summer whenever she came into the presence of Phoenix, and she had the strongest of feelings that the mother of Phoenix would cause much unwanted stress in the future.

"Think harder, Summer. Maybe I'll be able to hear you."

The silver eyed woman sighed, rocking Phoenix in her arms with a wistful look. Why would a mother willingly abandon her child? Qrow didn't talk much of the woman, but Summer learned that she could take care of herself from what little he said. So why would she leave Phoenix like that? Why wouldn't she stay and help Qrow raise her?

Because she was afraid, the reasonable part of Summer's brain whispered. But if she was so afraid, why would she choose to carry the child for nine whole months? If she didn't want Phoenix, why did she go through all that trouble?

Raven came to her mind, drawing her eyes back to her swollen belly. Raven had no intentions of becoming a mother at the time, but she kept the child. Taiyang might've been a large part of that fact, but she still kept it. How is Raven's situation so different from Phoenix's mother's? It's not like Qrow and her weren't well acquainted. They were dating for a reasonable amount of time.

"Hey, Raven… can I ask you something?"

"Sure Summer. What is it?" Raven quirked a brow, a hand gently rubbing across her belly as she kicked her bare feet up onto the ottoman. Summer dropped her eyes to the ground.

"Are you afraid?" Summer asked, eyes now glued to Raven's stomach, "Are you afraid of the little girl you're carrying?"

"…no. Not of Yang," Raven shook her head, smiling a little at the little girl growing in her belly still, "I'm not afraid of her, and I'm not afraid of birthing her. But… I am afraid of how I… how I will deal with being a mother," Raven shook her head, "I mean, really? Having both your father and mother as Huntsmen can't be easy. There's the problem that we won't be around as much as we would like to be, and there's also the constant, highly likely factor that… that one of us may not come back one day…" Her red eyes stared into silver, "I'm afraid that I'll make a decision that… that Yang could never forgive me for. And I would never forgive myself."

"So you're afraid of yourself?"

Raven leaned forward, "Summer, what is this really about?…Is it about Little Bird there?"

"I just don't understand how a mother could abandon her child like that! How could that woman just shove her infant into the arms of some stranger, even if she knew Qrow?! It's just… it disgusts me!" Summer cried, soothing Phoenix as she whined at her sudden raised voice. Then, in a lower voice, Summer continued, "Did the mother even love her child? If I had a child, I would try to raise her with the father, teach her to grow."

"Sometimes things aren't black and white, Summie," Raven shrugged sadly, a faraway look in her eyes, "In this world… love can be a very dangerous thing to let into your heart. Maybe her mother just… didn't think her love for Phoenix was worth the risk."

"Love is always worth the risk. To not have love is… I don't know what the world would be like," Summer shook her head.

Raven smiled, "Even so, sometimes you have to leave those you love behind."

Summer felt an uneasy tremor go through her, but she shook it away. Phoenix gurgled, and Summer held her closer to her bosom.

"So… when are you due?" Summer asked, mostly to change the topic and be rid of that odd feeling in her gut.

"A couple weeks," Raven said airily, "Though if she's anything like her mother, I'm sure she'll come into this world with a… yang."

Summer groaned and hit her palm to her forehead, "I pray that she doesn't gain a love of puns like you, Raven."

…

{'Tis the last rose of summer, left blooming alone}

…

"She's beautiful Raven!"

The small girl's eyes were a soft lilac, a perfect blend of red and blue. Thick, golden tufts of hair already were present on the baby's head, and the girl cooed in giddiness. Yang Xiao Long looked so much like her mother, it was scary.

"Thanks, Summer," Raven sighed tiredly, handing off the baby to Taiyang, who smiled a watery smile and had unshed tears in his eyes, "But can I go on the record and say that giving birth really sucks?"

"By the way you nearly broke my hand I can infer that," Qrow murmured from the side of the bed, his hand still limp in his sister's own and one arm wrapped around a six year old Jay, who kept trying to wiggle out of his father's arms to see Yang.

"She has the same color eyes as me!" Jay exclaimed.

"That's right, kiddo. Dye your hair blonde and you can be her brother," Qrow joked.

Jay scrunched his nose up, "No… I like being Phoenix's brother."

The toddler in Summer's arms yelped happily in response, chubby hands outstretched to Jay. Summer laughed.

"Someone's happy, I see."

Phoenix giggled, "W-W-Wang!"

Raven grinned, "That's right, Little Bird, Yang! And who am I?"

"Aunt Wa-Waven!"

"Great job, sweetie," Qrow tickled under Phoenix's chin, setting Jay down to take the little girl in his arms, "Know anyone else?"

"Summie!"

"Summer, right… who else?"

Phoenix poked Qrow's nose, "Da!" She then turned to look at Taiyang, "Unc–… Un…"

"Uncle…?"

"Taiwang!"

"Guess she has most of us down," Taiyang chuckled as Phoenix made a grab for Raven's hand. Qrow lifted her so she sat on the edge of the cot, and Raven wrapped her arm around the two year old.

"Oriel has been teaching her names," Qrow shrugged offhandedly, smirking a bit as Phoenix mimicked Oriel's name right after, "That's right, Lil' Bird, Oriel. She'll be back soon, don't you worry."

"Where'd she run off to this time?" Summer asked with a joking smile.

Qrow's smirk vanished, and he coughed before saying, "She's been obsessed with trying to find Cin— I-I mean, Phoenix's… y'know…"

The air suddenly became heavy as the adults realized what Oriel has attempted to do, while the children merely blinked confusedly. Phoenix, in hearing the start of the name, blurted happily, "Mama!"

Summer looked at the girl in pity, "Oh sweetie…"

Raven pat Phoenix's head before hooking her arm around her brother's neck, but Qrow turned his head away. Taiyang set the now sleeping Yang into the small cradle the hospital had for her and took Jay in his arms.

"Come on buddy, why don't you, Aunt Summer and I go and look at the stuff in the gift shop, hm?"

"Okay Uncle Taiyang!" Jay chirped.

Summer glanced between the two siblings and the two year old for a moment before setting a steady hand on Qrow's shoulder. Taiyang took ahold of her wrist and towed her out so the Branwen's could talk, and Summer couldn't help but linger outside the door with a heavy heart.

…

Summer didn't hear much, but Raven has been on the subject of love for quite some time now. Not just in her talk with her brother, but when she entered her last trimester with little Yang in her belly, she became more and more contemplative. To say Summer was worried for her was an understatement. Raven is her best friend, closer to a sister by now, and for her to be in this semi-depressed state troubled her. Did she have second thoughts on her love towards Taiyang? Or is it something else?

…

"Raven, you want to make a little video for Phoenix and Yang?" Summer asked, waving the recorder in her hand lazily.

Raven rubbed at her eyes, strolling over with Yang tucked safely in her arms. Her hair is disheveled and bags were under her eyes, but Summer never thought she looked more beautiful than she ever did before.

"What're you doing?"

"Just in case we aren't here… I'm making some videos for the little tykes. Leaving some words of wisdom, just in case," Summer shrugged.

"Summie… where'd this come from?" Raven asked as she sat beside her white cloaked friend, rocking Yang gently.

"Well… I thought about what you said. About how it must be hard with parents as Huntsmen. I thought that, if we didn't come back, we could make something for them to remember us by, and give them some advice to help them out in the future."

"…And that is why Ozpin made you team leader," Raven chuckled, but Summer noticed how it felt heavy, burdened, "Always thinking five steps ahead…"

Summer looked at Yang, and then to Phoenix through the window. Taiyang was trying to juggle her in his arm and cook breakfast at the same time, and she could tell he was failing miserably. She turned back to Raven, "So… video?"

"…I'll make one. But please stop Tai from doing whatever he's trying to do, I'm fairly certain he'll either kill himself or set the kitchen on fire at this rate."

Summer burst into full blown laughter, and Raven chuckled along with her, "Will do."

The Huntress and leader of Team STRQ hurriedly ran to the kitchen and, with extreme skill and practice, managed to avoid a kitchen fire set by Taiyang. When she returned, Raven was sound asleep with Yang in her arms, and the recorder beside her on the armrest of the chair. Out of curiosity, Summer played back the tape and felt that uncomfortable feeling again.

Although Raven talked a lot about love lately, she sure did seem to be afraid of the concept.

…

{All her lovely companions are faded and gone}

…

She should have known. She should have known that something was wrong, that Raven was acting strangely. She should have known that this talk of love was something that was unusual and alarming. But she didn't listen to her instincts, because she trusted her best friend with all her heart and she loved her friend with every fiber of her being.

But love wasn't enough to make Raven stay. She once said that sometimes you need to leave those you love behind, and for whatever reason Raven had, Summer felt anger. Raven, her best friend, left her daughter, brother, and the father of her daughter behind, and she hadn't even said goodbye to them. She only left a tattered note for Summer.

Summer,

I am so sorry, but I can't stay. Please take care of Yang for me, and make sure Taiyang and Qrow take care of themselves. I can't explain why… just take care.

And please, don't show Yang or Phoenix the video until I indicate so. You'll know when I contact you.

Goodbye, Summer. You will always be my closest friend,

Raven

And that left her trying to console a broken hearted man as his daughter slept in the other room, in blissful ignorance and under the idea that her mother was still there to comfort her.

…

{No flower of her kindred}

…

Things were rough in the first few months that Raven left. Yang was far too young to realize she was gone, since she was a mere six months into her life when Raven bolted, but Taiyang was left in an unstable state. Summer abandoned many of her Huntress duties for a couple months to get her good friend on his feet, but she still couldn't leave for missions longer than a week or so.

Qrow became even more isolated, drinking more and more until it was up to Oriel and Summer to raise Phoenix and Jay. Oriel brought the kids to the Xiao Long residence more often than not, and Mount Olympia was usually abandoned. Summer tried not to wonder where Qrow went every day, since he was never home.

Taiyang refused to talk, but Summer always forced her way in somehow. She'd force him to sit at the counter while she whisked herself around the kitchen, preparing a meal with what little Taiyang kept stocked. She reminded herself to pick up groceries for him.

"So, Tai, how's Yang doing?"

Taiyang forced himself up from his slouched position on the counter, rubbing an eye with a tanned hand. Summer hurriedly fixed her attention on something other than the tattoo on his bicep, or his shirtless torso, and she most definitely avoided his toned stomach. She cursed herself, repeating that Taiyang was grieving and a silly lingering crush was not acceptable right now.

"She's… she's okay," Taiyang replied, only to nearly flop on the counter again. He planted an elbow on the counter and propped his chin on his hand, "She…uhm… she called for mom, the other night."

The burning from behind her eyes was so strong, she swallowed hard and squeezed her eyes shut, keeping her back to her blue eyed friend. It never got easy, hearing it. Raven is her friend, her sister, her confident. For her to be gone… Summer has known her for such a long time.

She forced herself to move, to put down the frying pan and to push away her body's rebellious reactions toward the position she was moving towards, and wrapped her arms around Taiyang, her white cloak blanketing his form. He didn't respond, and she couldn't have been more glad to have her hood up to cover her face, so she could hide away from the world.

"Tai… I know nothing I say will make it hurt less. Just know that, despite everything… I will always offer any help I can. I'm here for you if you need to talk."

She didn't expect an answer, and she certainly didn't expect arms to wrap around her and return the embrace, and she felt a pressure on her collarbone, "Just you being here is enough, Summie… I'm lucky to have you as a friend."

A bitter smile formed. Yeah, friend.

Summer kept her thoughts to herself and gave him a final squeeze before releasing him. A leader doesn't have the luxury of thinking for themselves after all.

…

{No rosebud is nigh}

…

It turns out she didn't have to keep wishing for long. By the time Yang turned one, Taiyang had already swept Summer up in his arms one day and kissed her with all that sadness and love and affection that she always wanted, and she was so caught up in the moment that she didn't stop to think that Taiyang may not feel exactly the same.

She didn't once think that maybe she was convenient, a placeholder for the woman that held his heart.

…

{To reflect back her blushes, to give sigh for sigh}

…

A billowing white cape whipped around the corner, restrained fury in sterling silver eyes of a legendary Huntress. Her teeth were gritted, her small lips curled into a snarl, and her red and black hair bounced with each step.

She was going to kill him. She didn't care what he said or what stories he concocts, she is going to kill him.

Her black and white combat skirt swished with every step, shocks of red billowing out into view every once in a while. Her boots thudded against the sidewalk, bullets jangling from a loose belt around her waist. She was pissed. She was headed to a bar, and she was pissed.

Making a sharp turn into the Crow Bar, she snorted at the irony before her lips formed a scowl directed to a white suited man with a tattered red cape. The handle of a dangerous weapon peeked out from behind the cape, and she glared a hole into the back of the man's black haired head. An exaggerated sigh erupted from the man, an empty glass slamming onto the counter with ice cubes clattering at the force.

"Rose."

"Branwen," Summer snarked back, crossing her arms, "I'm only going to ask this once—" She cut herself off before grabbing his shoulder and whirling him around on his stool, leaning toward his face, "What on Remnant are you doing in a bar?!"

Qrow darted his red eyes around, giving the bartender a really look. He then swayed his head back to her, "Uh… drinking?"

"Oh really?" Summer fumed, "Forget anything at home, Qrow?"

She hated how blasé he was acting. He was hardly around anymore. Always in a bar drinking his liver to the point of it being a shriveled peanut, forgetting the existence of Phoenix and Jay and Yang. His children needed him. His niece needed him. Taiyang needed him.

And he kept running away.

She told him that much, screamed at him in the middle of Crow Bar, ignoring the bartender's agitated look and the stares from patrons. She dared the bouncers to try to kick her out. With the fury in her mind, she wouldn't hold back.

"What do you want me to do, huh?!" Qrow stumbled off the barstool, nearly spilling over onto the floor, "What is me being in that damn house going to do?!"

"We would be together!"

"Oh isn't that great!" Qrow threw his arm in the air, chuckling in his drunken stupor, "We can be miserable as a family everyone! Isn't that what everyone wants for the holidays?"

"Stop being a sarcastic ass!" Summer snapped, sterling silver threatening to spill angry, exhausted, and saddened tears all at once, "We used to be inseparable! We used to share everything and band together through thick and thin! What happened to that Qrow?!"

"She left!" Qrow rasped, wiping an arm at his eyes before any trick of the light could commence, and he said in a much weaker voice, "She… Raven… left. And is never coming back."

Qrow began to march out of the bar, and Summer threw some lein onto the counter before trotting after and out into the burning cold night, "So that means you should give up on everyone you love? That is no excuse for you disappearing!"

"Better me to disappear than them, isn't it?" Qrow spat bitterly after turning sharply, the darkened alley he had stormed down shadowing his face so she could barely even see his eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"Look at the trend, Rose," Qrow heaved in exhaustion, pacing slowly back and forth, "Cin— Phoenix's mother. She bolted without any warning, and left an infant on my doorstep nine months later. And now…" He sucked in a breath, "My own sister left six months after little Yang was born."

"Don't you see?" Qrow threw out his arms, "People in my life, in our lives, leave. And I'm not about to let another person I care about vanish."

"And who would that be?" Summer asked in exasperation.

"You."

Summer blinked, "M-Me?"

"I know that you and Tai are playing house right now. I figure it's a matter of time until you two become a thing, marry, then fast forward two years later and you have a kid named Ruby or whatever and all the sudden, zoom! A pile of white rose petals left behind."

"Uhm…" Summer but her lip and played with her fingers, "About that…"

Qrow stopped, eyes widening, "No…"

"Yeah… but it's not… not Taiyang's," Summer sniffed as water built behind her eyes, and she placed a hand over her stomach before racing over, grasping his shoulders with her hands, "Qrow… I have no intentions on leaving. All the Grimm on Remnant couldn't keep me from you, Tai, or the girls. You should know that," And then, Summer hooked an arm around his shoulder, winking, "You're my partner."

Qrow looked startled, a whirlwind of emotions behind red eyes, and he untangled his neck from Summer's grasp, "Not… not Taiyang's?"

Summer shook her head, "Qrow…"

She remembered the exact day, the exact situation. Taiyang and her had gotten into a disagreement, something that happened often the more Taiyang pulled out of his depression, and Summer ran out in a flurry of rose petals. Qrow had been drinking, as he usually did, and had always held feelings for her, she knew. But she was blinded by her sight on Taiyang, and after living with him for some time, she started to see Qrow as well.

One guess on what happened in the end.

"So… this is my kid?" Qrow asked as he pointed at her belly, a grin threatening to burst across his face.

Summer smiled, "Yes… and if you want… you can live with Taiyang and I? I don't know how this'll work, what with Yang and Phoenix and Jay… not to mention Tai is still… fragile, but…" Summer looked at Qrow timidly, "We could make it work."

"I can't just leave Mount Olympia… but I can always visit," Qrow replied, tugging on Summer's belt and wrapping his arms around her, "Does Tai know?"

"I… I don't know how to tell him."

"He might not take it well," Qrow mused.

"But… Tai and I aren't really together anymore."

"But Tai is a family guy," Qrow explained, cupping her cheek, "If he thinks you're carrying his kid, and he finds out it's… well…" Qrow gestured to himself, "He'll have a fit."

Summer closed her eyes and pressed her cheek to his palm, sighing inwardly. This situation she landed herself in was not one that she expected, and she just wanted to vanish into thin air… or melt into Qrow's arms, whichever way was easier.

"So what do you suggest?"

"…I always did like playing the cool Uncle Qrow for Yang."

"You would hand off your child to Tai… to save his heartbreak?"

"That and I don't think I can handle a third kid," Qrow grumbled a little, pressing a kiss to Summer's forehead as she chuckled.

"You have to stop knocking girls up."

"Hey!… the first one was an adoption."

Summer giggled, cupping his cheeks and pressing a firm kiss to his lips, "Excuses, excuses…"

As they both laughed, the harmonic chorus they created put Summer at ease. Somehow, in that moment, Summer knew things would work out how they should. And Qrow would be by her side the whole way.

"Let's go home," Summer said softly as she rested her head on Qrow's chest.

They vanished in a whirlwind of white rose petals.

…

"Silver eyes, huh?"

"Yeah… she's quite the cutie pie, isn't she?"

"Of course. She's your daughter, Summer."

"Well, that is true," A giggle, "Where'd Tai go off to?"

"He was falling asleep in his chair so I sent him home. Told him I'd look after you and the little one."

"Oh… I suppose that's for the best. So, I was thinking of naming her…"

Qrow looked up, raising a brow.

"…Ruby."

Qrow snorted, "How did I know you were going to say that?"

"Well it was your idea to spout that name in the first place," Summer laughed, clasping his hand in her own, "And I named her that to say… I'm not leaving, Qrow. I will fight tooth and nail to come back to you, and to her."

The look of elation and love in Qrow's eyes was nothing short of breathtaking for her, and when Qrow took Ruby in his arms, Summer saw the deep love in his eyes, she knew then that their daughter would be safe even if she wasn't there.

Because no matter what she promised, the world decides everyone's fate.

…

{I'll never leave thee, thou lone one! To pine on the stem}

…

Summer began to visit Mount Olympia more often than not.

After the years went by and seasons changed, a rift had grown between Taiyang and Summer. She realized, midst a screaming match over some trivial matters, that Taiyang and her's relationship just wasn't to be in the first place, and she wondered why she even attempted it in the first place. Raven is his obsession, his first love, and when he looked at Yang he felt pain, that Summer knew. She internally praised herself for escaping Taiyang and finding refuge in Qrow's arms.

His obsession rubbed off on Yang. She's desperate to find her mother, and Summer cannot fill the sudden void in the little sun dragon's heart. Yang may call her mother, but she cannot replace flesh and blood.

So she occupied herself in jumping between her daughter, her adoptive daughter, and the Branwen children. Oriel is gone more often than not now, the demands of the Maiden's too much to ignore, so she took it upon herself to ensure that Phoenix and Jay are well.

One day, when Phoenix turned over her ninth year, Summer found her niece with a companion surrounded by a pack of prowling Beowolves.

Without question her silver eyes shown bright, the lesser Grimm disintegrating in black smoke, others turning to ice. She sped forward in a blur of white rose petals and slammed her feet into one of the Beowolves, watching the ice shards scatter like glittering stars.

Soon enough, all the Grimm fell, and Summer reformed, rose petals floating to create her body yet again. Her white cape billowed in the wind, and her silver eyes peered from underneath her hood to the boy keeping Phoenix behind him, wariness in his eyes.

"Aunt Summer!"

The boy looked in confusion to Phoenix as she wrenched free and engulfed Summer in a hug, to which the redhead returned with a fond smile. She gave the boy an analytical look, scanning him critically.

Messy silver hair half covered one of his dark grey eyes, and a grey and black jacket covered his torso. His arms were bare, and fingerless gloves covered his hands. On his feet were boots with combat greaves attached.

Cautiously, Summer spoke, "And who is this?"

"Oh, this is Mercury! He's my friend!" Phoenix bounced back over to the boy and threw her arms around him, smiling the whole time, "We were just coming back from the city!"

"The city where your father is looking for you?" Summer quirked a brow knowingly, seeing Phoenix flush. Mercury didn't react, but he didn't seem to mind Phoenix's embrace.

"Never mind that… since you protected my niece, Mercury," Summer began, capturing his attention, "I owe you my gratitude. Would you like to come to the Branwen residence for some dinner?"

Mercury looked unsure, but a hopeful look from Phoenix and he caved, "Lead the way."

…

{Since the lovely are sleeping}

…

The cottage on top of Mount Olympia has smoke billowing out of the chimney, a warm yellow glow emitting from the windows. The sun has begun to set, and Summer ushered the children inside, smiling fondly at their backs. She had overheard their talk on the way up the mountain, and she couldn't help but feel a bloom of motherly instinct overcome her when she looked at Mercury now. Phoenix, being the perceptive girl she is, managed to weasel Mercury's home life out of him it seems, and unbeknownst to them both, Summer kept her ears open as she trudged on ahead of them.

"You live here?" Mercury asked, a stoic mask on his face.

"Yeah. Dad wanted us to have a quiet place to practice training," Phoenix replied with a bitter undertone, one that Summer had to wince at. Qrow meant well with his rigorous training routines for Phoenix and Jay, but the problem, Summer knew, was that Phoenix didn't want her path to be set for her.

It's a shame what Ozpin's circle had in store for her.

"Hurry now, Phoenix. Someone wishes to see you," Summer hinted with a smile, hoping to bring the girl out of her wallowing.

It worked, her mismatched eyes widening as she gasped, "RUBY!"

As she sprinted to the cottage she and her brother shared with her black cloak flying behind her, Summer fell in step with the nine year old boy, "So, how did you meet Phoenix?"

Mercury blinked in surprise at being addressed, and answered with underlying suspicion, "She went exploring and found the shack I live in. It's not far from here."

That immediately put Summer on edge. The closest city in Mistral was a good hike away, and she only knew of one place that was close enough to be a brisk walk. It overlooked the city from a distance, and she had ran into the owner of a shack atop a large hill once.

Her empathy for the boy multiplied by ten.

"You are Marcus Black's son," Summer stated, sterling silver watching stormy grey widen and refuse to meet her gaze. She sighed, placing a delicate hand on the boy's shoulder, feeling him repress a wince, "Don't worry child. Your secret is safe with me."

The surprise on his face would be comical if it wasn't for the dark undercurrent of distrust, "Why are you helping me? Being nice to me?"

Summer, keeping a careful expression as she let no emotion show, stopped before the door to the cottage and turned to Mercury. Despite his age, she noted, he was still slightly taller than her. She wasn't surprised, considering her unnaturally short height, and responded with sincerity.

"Because you deserve it. Your heritage doesn't define you, Mercury," And then, she turned to the door and opened it, stepping half inside before turning, "Remember that."

She stepped inside, greeted by Phoenix hugging Ruby with all her might, and Mercury followed a moment after.

…

Summer watched as Phoenix introduced little Ruby to Mercury, and suppressed a chuckle as the six year old greeted him with childish energy. She watched as Mercury stood, frozen, while Phoenix giggled and Ruby climbed onto his back.

For a minute Summer was worried. For a minute her thoughts betrayed what she knew and for a moment, she thought Mercury would do something… rash. Marcus is infamous for a reason, and despite Mercury not being his father, the possibility is always there if Mercury let it be so.

But Mercury didn't attack. Instead he smiled, and pat Ruby's hair affectionately.

Summer's grin was fit to burst.

…

{Go, sleep thou with them}

…

Summer didn't know what to think.

The mission she has been presented is impossible to refuse, but she found that her heart was screaming for her to stay. She has already told Taiyang of her departure, and gave a quick goodbye to Yang. The girl was preoccupied with homework, and the little sun dragon gave her a bone crunching hug before grinning widely, sounding out the syllables of I love you in her sweet melodic tune. But she hesitated at the front door to her own home, knowing fully well that the Branwen family is on the other side.

Saying goodbye to Qrow before departing on this specific mission left a curdling in her gut, and her eyes watered with extreme worry and sadness. She trusted Ozpin wholeheartedly, but… something was very wrong with how little he told her of the mission, stating merely that he needed the power of the silver eyed warrior to succeed.

Stealing herself, she opened the front door to find Jay sitting alone at the kitchen counter, reading one of his comics. Summer felt that feeling increase, and she made the split second decision to give advice should she not return for a while.

"Jay? Can I talk with you for a moment?"

Lilac eyes met her silver ones and the sixteen year old replied, "Sure Aunt Summer. What is it?"

"I wanted to pass on some advice… just in case," Summer glided seamlessly into the seat opposite of him, pulling down her white hood and smiling, though it was strained, "Your sister and Ruby… they have powerful destinies. Fated to be legendary Huntresses. But with my paranoia, I fear that they might not be able to fulfill them should I… should someone not be there to guide them through the shock of discovery."

Jay looked as if he held on to every word, immersed in Summer's speech over his sister and cousin. The possibility that they could be in trouble somehow boiled the blood in his veins, and he resisted running and taking Sawdust Ravager and mowing down whatever wished to cause them harm.

"I need you to promise to help them through the dark times. The confusing times, should I not be there."

"But Aunt Summer… Phoenix doesn't want to be a Huntress," Jay objected, a frown marring his face.

Summer sighed, "I know, Bluebird. Sometimes though, we aren't given a choice."

The truth in that hit her to the core despite her uttering the very phrase, and she swallowed back any fear towards the mission she faced. She would not back out of this, not now, when Ozpin needed her most.

…

{Thus kindly I scatter thy leaves o'er the bed}

…

"Oh, hey Mom!"

Summer smiled at the duo sitting on the queen sized bed, taking note that Ruby had her fairytale collection in front of her while Phoenix lay sprawled across the foot of the bed, watching the silver eyed girl in amusement.

Their proximity reminded Summer of the blatant lie she fed to Taiyang long ago, and felt remorse build in her chest. The Xiao Long's and Ruby may never learn of Ruby's true father and siblings, but something always held Summer back from spouting the truth. The secret was shared between Qrow, Phoenix, and herself, and it seemed as if it would stay that way. Phoenix didn't seem to mind either, considering Yang and Ruby have already adopted her as an unofficial sister anyway.

"Ruby, Phoenix. What are you two doing?" Summer asked as she let the door click shut behind her, moving to sit beside her daughter on the bed, "You're not boring your cousin, are you Ruby?"

The girl spluttered in indignation before she replied, "I am not! I'm reading Phoenix the fairytale of the… well, of The Phoenix!"

"Sounds like fun," Summer admitted.

"While The Phoenix is my favorite, I do like Cinderella as well," Phoenix chimed in, a slight smile twitching at the corners of her mouth, "Reading these with Ruby just makes me want to torture Mercury with this stuff."

"Hey! They're not that bad!"

"Rubes, Mercury hardly tolerates anything. That includes fairytales."

"He tolerates you."

Phoenix blushed then, and Summer couldn't help but raise a brow. Interesting.

"Is our little Firebird developing a crush, Ruby?"

"I think she is," Ruby giggled in response.

"Guuuuuys!"

Summer laughed along with her daughter, patting Phoenix's head affectionately as she pouted and narrowed her mismatched eyes. The lighthearted joking refreshed her, and it gave her a more serene mindset to address her daughter and niece.

"Now, you two know I have to go out on a mission early in the morning, correct?"

Ruby seemed to immediately deflate upon hearing that bit of information, and their silver eyes clashed for a brief moment, "Do you have to go? I don't want you to leave for such a long time!"

"It'll be a few weeks at most, sweetheart," Summer assured, but that inkling of doubt threatened to bubble up again, "Just be a good little gem for your father, okay? I'll be back before you know it."

At least, that's what she hoped. She didn't let her doubt show, and in return she received two smiles from Ruby and Phoenix. She wanted to commit this moment to her memory forever, and she took a moment to just study every inch of Ruby's face, down to the angle of her jaw and shape of her eyes.

"Love you, Mom."

"I love you too. With all my heart."

…

{Where thy mates of the garden lie scentless and dead}

…

"Ozpin say what exactly this mission entailed?"

Summer halted midstep down the stairs and turned to see Qrow at the top, looking down at her before descending to reach out to her. She eased into his embrace with a hungry greed, relishing the warmth he radiated for a moment.

"Vaguely… but it is strictly classified. I can't say much as to what the mission is."

She couldn't see his eyes, but she could sense the agitation within his stance, "Summer…"

"Qrow, please don't start. I don't want to fight right before I leave," Summer pleaded, leading Qrow down the stairs, "Trust Ozpin's judgement. He hasn't steered us wrong yet."

"I know. But even Oz can make mistakes sometimes," Qrow replied swiftly, sighing at Summer's determined and unwavering look, "Just be careful, okay Summer?"

"I will," Summer replied, leaning up to capture his lips in a kiss. Her hand cupped his cheek while Qrow's arm snaked around Summer's waist to pull her closer, a hand tangling in her hair. A moment later and they parted, foreheads pressing together.

"You know I love you, right?" Qrow whispered.

Summer smiled, "Love you too."

…

{So soon may I follow}

…

"Miss Rose! I'm glad you could make it."

Ozpin's office within the Beacon tower sent rolling waves of nostalgia through Summer, the familiar sound of clockwork just above comforting to her. Glynda Goodwitch stood quiet in a corner, arms crossed with her riding crop in one hand, though her eyes held no stern gaze or strict observation. Summer thought the look was far too similar to what she could label as sadness, along with trepidation.

"Well I couldn't exactly refuse, Professor," Summer replied, taking a seat in front of his desk, "What exactly is this mission?"

"That… is a rather hard question to answer without a full explanation," Ozpin stood from his chair, turning and looking out of the window showing Vale expanding upon them, "Do you know what we fight, Miss Rose?"

"Uhm… the creatures of Grimm is the most telling threat we fight, sir," Summer replied with some uncertainty. It was an odd question, one, with all her years as a Huntress, seemed silly to ask.

"Yes. Grimm," Ozpin heaved a sigh, "Mindless creatures that lack a soul. Creatures that wish only to exterminate humanity and all that it has created. When looking at the Grimm, they seem rather simplistic in structure, technique, and… well, nearly everything."

Summer agreed, but the way Ozpin spouted this had her pausing. Where was he going with this?

Ozpin turned to face her, his cane in his hand, "But what if I told you there was something more to the Grimm, something not even the Council knows of?"

"I-… I don't understand what you are saying, Professor."

Ozpin's expression was grim, "I know you don't, Summer. I just hope that you will believe what I am about to say."

…

{When friendships decay}

…

Summer couldn't say no.

She had never thought something so corrupted and evil could exist in Remnant. Yes, the Grimm are an embodiment of evil, but the leader, the Lord Grimm as Ozpin had named it, is the embodiment of all the Grimm. Lord Grimm is the leader, the strategist, the corrupted magic. The Grimm heed to his every order.

But even with the threat of a powerful corruption of magic, this Summer knew; cut off the head, and the rest of the body will wilt.

So this has brought her here. To this black and red plain of sharp crystals and tainted sky. Ozpin stood beside her, strong and composed, and she could sense the hum of his magic. The wizard glanced at her, pushing his glasses further up on his nose, and nodded once to her.

Summer didn't like this place at all. The evil laid heavy in the air, trying to suffocate her down to her very soul. But she forced her aura to shine bright, a beam of silver among an ashy haze.

The numerous amounts of dead Huntsman and Huntresses that Ozpin entrusted to assist them in this mission put a heavy weight on her heart. Before she and Ozpin departed to face the Lord Grimm, she remembered that Glynda had been forced to destroy an entire chunk of land due to the large mass of Grimm, killing any Hunters that were unable to escape in time.

This mission would leave many scars.

A tower made of darkened brick and thorny vines surrounding it stood at the end of the patch of dreary, burning land, and she could see a silhouette up upon the very top, looking down at them. Her blood boiled. Lord Grimm.

She couldn't even begin to describe what she felt when Lord Grimm descended from the tower to face them. Her mind was in such a frenzied state she couldn't even clearly focus on his face, what he wore, what corruption had overtaken him. She merely remembered him staring into her silver eyes, completely ignoring the powerful wizard by her side, and he roared.

This is for Ruby. This is so her daughter can live in a world not plagued by nightmares and corruption. This is so everyone she loves can have a chance to live without fear of death, without fear of evil. Even if she wasn't there to see the result of her actions, just knowing she succeeded would be a triumph in its own.

She chanted this in her mind as she let her power be unleashed, silver streams pouring from her eyes as she dissolved into a whirlwind of white petals. She danced around Lord Grimm as Ozpin unleashed his strongest magic ever produced, green streams of light pounding into Lord Grimm. The fight lasted for what Summer could only label as forever and she could feel herself tiring, but she refused to fall. She will not fall.

Ruby. Qrow. Yang. Phoenix. Jay. Taiyang. Raven.

Summer knocked Lord Grimm to the ground.

Ruby.

Ozpin created a green platform underneath Summer's feet, launching her in the air.

Ruby.

Summer came plummeting down to the charred ground, her feet smashing into Lord Grimm's head.

RUBY.

She curled in on herself as the Lord Grimm pushed her away, and she reached a speed she never imagined of reaching as she propelled herself toward the embodiment of evil, a silver stream so powerful it made her head pound erupting from her eyes. She felt a wave of heat envelop her before she flung herself backwards, skidding across hot ground. Slowly, she lifted her torso from the ground, breathing heavy in exertion as her wounds ached. She blinked slowly, silver eyes seeking out the enemy before she let out an exhausted breath of joy.

There, lying in a smoldering heap, was the body of Lord Grimm, slow moving black smoke rising from his body.

Summer stumbled as she stood, and, with her combat skirt torn and her pure white cloak singed at the ends, turned to Ozpin, who himself looked quite battered a ways behind her, "We… we did it Ozpin!"

A slow smile overcame the wizard's face, "Yes… yes Miss Rose, we indeed di—" his face drained of color.

Summer frowned, wiping some ash from her forehead, "Ozpin?"

"Summer, run!" Ozpin howled as he began sprinting toward her, terrified at something behind her. Quickly, she turned, seeing a ball of… of magic floating out from Lord Grimm's corpse and curling into a black ball, tendrils of red fanning out from it.

"Wha—"

The corrupted magic began speeding right towards her, and there was nothing she could do.

"No!"

The magic collided with her, forcing its way into her aura and Summer screamed, screamed at the feeling of being pulled apart at the seams and screamed at the negativity and pure evil that she felt inside her. Her eyes grew wide, thoughts that were not her own screeching in her mind. Ozpin's yell caused her to turn again, seeing that he was within a few meters of her, jaw unhinged and a look of horror in his eyes.

Kill him. He's trying to take the power.

"What? N-No—"

Do it, our Queen. Kill for us as we kill for you. Show us your power.

"S-Stop—"

SHOW US YOUR POWER. SHOW US THAT YOU ARE OUR NEW LORD.

"STOP IT!" Summer screamed, tears rolling down her cheeks as she focused on Ozpin, "O-Ozpin, get out of here!"

"But Summer—"

"Go! They want me to kill you, I… I…" Summer closed her eyes, calling back to a fond memory.

Ruby. Ruby. Ruby. RUBY!

The corruption inside her repelled at the happiness, and she knew then, then, that no matter what Ozpin did, she could not be saved.

"You can't save me…" Summer whispered, "Just tell my daughter I love her."

She remembers blasting Ozpin with a dark magic that propelled him away from her. She remembers turning and running towards the tower, letting her white cloak dissolve into white petals once more, sending them to the one place she called home. If anything, she would half-keep her promise to her daughter.

At one point, she collapsed in the tower, trying desperately to fight the corrupted magic overtaking her. She clung desperately to memories of love, memories of elation, memories of tearful joy. She resisted for hours, days, or maybe even weeks. Time became an inconvenient aspect of life to focus on to her when battling for her very soul.

But she could not fight against pure evil forever. And when the last of her had given in, succumbed to the magic, Summer Rose was no more.

…

{And from Love's shining circle the gems drop away}

…

Ruby Rose awoke with a large stretch and a soft yawn, rubbing at her eyes tiredly. As she began to rise from her bed, she noticed that white rose petals rested right on her heart, the delicate flower petals soft to the touch. A knot formed in her stomach, and she took the petals gently in her hand before rising and walking slowly to the window beside her bed, praying to every deity out there that it wasn't going to be there, Mom would be fine, and all would be well.

But her prayers were not answered. Her eyes immediately welled with tears, and she yanked the white cloak from its place upon the window sill and hugged it to her chest, and cried.

Her mother's words years ago told her what this meant, and Ruby could not deny it. Her mother was dead.

…

{When true hearts lie withered…}

…

Ruby was fixated on the stone at the edge of the cliff. Yang stayed by her side while Uncle Qrow chugged from his flask with little sign of stopping. Jay kept his eyes wound tight around Phoenix's abdomen, while the girl herself had a fire in her eyes, rage toward whichever force took such a pure soul from the world. Taiyang stood back, eyes cast downward as he clenched his fists.

"You said you'd come back," Ruby whispered, ignoring the look of concern from Yang as she walked closer to the stone, kneeling before it. The white petals were clutched in her left hand, and she felt the burn of tears in her eyes as she felt anger build in her heart.

Her fist hit the stone with as much force as she dared, ignoring the sting and the blood that scraped from her knuckles to the engraved letters, "You said you would come back!"

Her vision became a blur as a strong hand stopped her from punching the stone again, the smell of dust and alcohol filling her nostrils as she was yanked into an embrace. She sobbed into Qrow's chest and tangled her hands in his shirt, and just held on.

It was all she could do at this point.

…

{And fond ones are flown…}

…

One year turned to two which turned to seven. Like clockwork, Ruby woke up on this important day and slipped into her combat skirt and cloak, pinning instead of her Rose emblem, a white cross on her belt. Crescent Rose was clipped to the small of her back, and she shuffled downstairs with a grim expression. While her visits were for the most part sporadic, this date will always be one where she would go to see her mother by the cliff edge.

She passed by her father and Uncle Qrow and smiled a little, though it was forced. Qrow smiled back sadly, while her father refused to meet her eyes. It hurt, but Ruby knew better than to take it personally.

"I'll be back."

"Okay, Rubes… happy birthday," Qrow replied softly.

With a heavy heart Ruby used her semblance once out the door to speed away from the cottage, down the cobblestone path until she met the edge of the forest. There, she slowed to a steady walk, taking in the fluffy snow falling from the sky and the crunch of it underneath her boots. As she drew closer, her mind became enveloped in a zen-like peace, and her silver eyes caught sight of the grey stone by the cliff side.

Her hood still up, she walked up to the stone and kneeled before it, hands running over her mother's name. The emblem that was an exact replica of her own was ingrained proudly into the stone above her mother's name, and she smiled a little.

"Hey Mom."

Ruby never knew how long she would stay, but today felt different than any other day. Yang was about to be shipped off to Beacon, Phoenix and Jay were running around like crazy making sure Beacon was ready for the new wave of students, Qrow was about to set out on a mission, and her Father would be back to teaching at Signal.

She felt so alone.

But then white petals passed by her eyes. She looked up, seeing a phantom in a white cape floating right by the cliff edge, staring up at the moon. Ruby gasped, wishing for it so badly to be real.

"…Mom?"

"I love you, Ruby. Always remember that," The phantom turned, seeing silver eyes stare back at her, "Please don't make the same mistake I did."

Ruby searched her dead mother's face, tears threatening to spill at the corners of her eyes, "But what mistake did you make?"

Summer Rose merely smiled, and slowly, her form dissolved into white rose petals before her, swirling in the moonlight and surrounding her.

Ruby stood, huffing a breath as she watched the moon seemingly dissolve into rose petals, and took the white petals she had kept since her mother's death from her pouch. She opened her palm, and watched as the petals joined the swarm, and they disappeared after caressing her face.

Wordlessly, Ruby turned and stomped back through the forest, feeling as if the petals watched her from afar. It was comforting, and when she reached a clearing filled with a pack of Beowulf's, she felt no fear.

She knew that somewhere out there, Summer was watching.

…

{Oh! Who would inhabit this bleak world alone?}

…

But you see, a SIMPLE SOUL is never ALONE when fueled by a GHOST

…

So, I feel sad now. This is what I get for writing about Summer! Tears of agony ;–;

This is pretty headcanon heavy, considering we know basically nothing of Team STRQ and how exactly Summer met her demise. Not to mention my OC's, Phoenix and Jay. I just couldn't resist.

So I based Summer's fate off of the theory that Salem is Summer Rose, or at least was. For the most part, Summer Rose is gone, with the corrupted magic in her place using her body as a host. Pretty freaky, but eh.

The lines in between the blocks of the story are from the poem 'The Last Rose of Summer'. Summer Rose is based off of this poem according to wiki.

Also, Ruby is eight when Summer dies, so she's a bit older than she was in the series. I didn't plan it that way, it just kind of ended up like that. And in case the ages messed you up at all, Phoenix is two years older than Yang, and Jay is four years older than Phoenix.

I might make this a full blown multi-chapter story, but I have something else ongoing.

You guys are curious as to why Qrow almost said Cinder's name a couple of times, right? ;)

Lonessa out!