Remnant of Dreams

Here is another chapter of Remnant of Dream, managed to complete chapter thirteen yesterday, that's note book one done, four more to go... Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter as we move closer into the plots I setup. Expect the unexpected, until next time.

Chapter 4 – Questions

Qrow was pale white, his body shook uncontrollably. How long has it been? Minutes? Hours? Days? Months? Since he last drank the holy nectar known as liqueur. His breath were becoming shorter and shorter, his heart hammering within his chest. He gazed longingly at the last remnant of the setting sun as it slowly disappeared into the horizon. At long last, it was gone.

Mami sighed in exasperation as she threw his flask of potent liqueur towards him. Qrow almost cried as he took a swig from the flask. Even thought it tasted like horse piss, it never tasted so good. Mami was obviously annoyed. "Honestly. I thought you would have fixed your drinking problem by now. Instead you've gotten worse."

Qrow glared at Mami. "Kid! What I do with my life is my business. You should be grateful I didn't take the flask back by force!"

Mami smiled innocently. "Now now Qrow. You and I both know what would have happen to the flask if we got into a fight. Also I wonder what Ruby and Yang will say if you attack a sweet innocent girl like myself in the middle of nowhere."

Sweet and innocent was not the picture Qrow had for Mami, not after she took his flask hostage. Both of them stopped on the side of the road and set up camp. Mami pitched a tent up while Qrow got a fire going. Qrow sat down by the fire, Mami sat down opposite of him with the small fire between them. Qrow said after he took another swig of his flask. "So mind telling me why you're here and what is it that you, Sayaka and Kyoko doing?"

Mami smiled. "What ever do you mean? You know why we left. We're..."

"Kid. Don't bullshit me. Me and Taiyang let you three go, because we thought you deserve closure or maybe, by some miracle! Reunite with your family. That's why even thought we were against you three going, we knew you would've been safe with the caravan... But now I wonder how much you told us is even true." Qrow was rightly upset with Mami. She was travelling alone, doing God knows what. There were worst things out there then the Grimm.

Mami looked down into the fire. "You're upset."

"Damn right I'm upset!" Qrow growled. There was silent between the two as they sat around the fire. Qrow was both upset and had little idea where to start.

"I'm sorry." Mami said with a sad smile. Qrow glared at her. Mami continued. "But we stand by what we did. There are more at stake then you could possibly understand."

"What could possibly be at stake for three ten year old children!? If it's so important, why not tell us the truth! Does Ruby and Yang know about this? Does Madoka know about this?" Frankly Qrow was feeling lost at the moment.

"No they don't. As to why we didn't say anything... You won't believe us even if I told you the whole story." Mami said while looking into Qrow's eyes. He could see conflicting emotion within her eyes.

Qrow sighed. "You're not going to tell me. Are you?"

"You will think I'm crazy if I did... It would be better if you saw some proof yourself. Then decide afterwards." Mami said as Bebe nestled up to her.

"Mami don't be sad. Bebe share cheese." Bebe said as she took out a slice of cheese.

"It's ok Bebe. I'm alright." Mami said reassuringly.

Qrow said while pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don't think I will ever get use to her."

"So what about you. I don't think we met by chance." Mami said while she watch Bebe ate her cheese.

Qrow thought for a moment then said with a serious tone. "Kid... Mami. I want you to be honest with me. No more lies. Have you ever met one of the maidens?"

Mami looked up. "I'm sorry Qrow. I met a lot of people in my travel. I have no idea who or what a maiden is."

Qrow looked deeper into Mami eyes as he tried to read her motive and thoughts. "The person who gave you your power. I've seen a lot of powerful semblance before, but they are nothing compare to what you can do during your fight against..." Qrow trying to find words for the person she fought. He didn't want to reveal Salem's existence, at least not yet.

"Qrow... I know this might seem like pot calling kettle black, but shouldn't you be honest with me as well." Mami smiled at Qrow's hesitation.

Qrow sighed. "'Her' minions. They are our enemies."

"Salem. Is that who you are referring to?" Mami said casually. Qrow almost fell over while sitting.

"How did you..." Qrow was once again caught off guard.

"Tyrian. The man I fought, was quite talkative. He also mentioned the maidens... How they already killed three of them and the only one left are currently crippled and near death." Mami said with a sad smile.

This time Qrow did fall out of his seating position. A look of pure horror on his face. "Oh no. We have failed them. How did they find the four maidens and their guardians? Mami... are you sure that's what you heard... they must be lying? This can't be happening!"

Qrow felt Mami place her hand on his shoulder, as she tried to calm him down. He didn't even notice she had moved from her seated position. "Tyrian said I was an anomaly, because he also concluded I possess power similar to those maidens of your... He has no reason to lie to me, since he thought he could kill me."

Deep down Qrow knew Mami was telling the truth. They lost contact with the rest of the maidens a long time ago, It would've made sense if they were killed. That just leave the question... 'What is Mami Tomoe?'

"If you're not a maiden... then what are you?" Qrow asked as he took out the flask to calm his nerve.

Mami gave him a beaming smile. "I'm a magical girl."

Qrow took a massive swig from his flask then gave Mami a deadpan stare. "A magical girl..." Qrow said with scepticism. "You're right. You are crazy. You been watching too much Mistral cartoon."

Just as Qrow was about to take another swig from his flask, a ribbon snatched it out of his hand. To his horror Mami was about to pour the rest of his life sustaining liquid called liqueur into the camp fire, and Mami was about to do it with an angry smile on her face.

Qrow shouted in panic. "OK! OK! I'm sorry! I believe you! I believe you!"

Qrow breathed a sigh of relief when Mami threw his precious booze back. She glare at him angrily. "That was really rude. You believe in the power of those maiden, but you mock me when I told you I'm a..."

Qrow interrupted. "Magical girl... You have to admit. Magical girl is WAY out there! I mean can't you come up with something better? Guardian, Paladin, something along those lines." Qrow clutched his booze tightly against his chest, no way he was letting it go.

Mami sighed. "I think the best way to deal with this is question for a question. There are something I like to know as well."

Qrow took a quick drink then said. "Then I will start. Beside you, who else are magical girls." Qrow had his suspicion, since Ozpin told him there was more then one sighting.

"Sayaka Miki and Kyoko Sakura." Mami said without hesitation.

"You left out Madoka Kaname." Qrow said while narrowing his eyes.

"Madoka is not a magical girl. I can assure you of that." Mami said with defiance. "Now it's my turn. What are the maidens, I want details."

Qrow blink at that. He honestly thought Mami would ask, 'Who are you working for?' or 'Who are you? Really.' Qrow thought he might as well be honest with her. "Do you know the fairy tale of the Four Maidens."

Mami smiled at that. "How could I not. It was and still is Ruby's favourite fairy tale."

"Well. The story is real. The four maidens. Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall exist. Each of them hold immense power that exceeded anything know to Man and Faunus. All without the use of dust. Well, that was until I met you." Qrow said with interest. "Now my turn. How did you get your power?"

Qrow almost flinched when he saw a flash of pain in Mami's eyes. Mami said with reluctance. "It's not something I want to talk about. It will only lead to more questions."

Qrow decided to push on. "That's not how it works. If you don't tell me, I'm not going to answer your next question." Qrow wanted to let this go, but can't. Whatever caused Mami's hesitation must be important.

Mami seemed to mule over her answer. "I... I made a wish." Qrow was confused, he was about to push for an answer when Mami replied. "I made a wish to live. You see, once upon a time I was a normal girl. That was until me and my family got into an accident... The crash killed my parents and left me on the verge of death."

Bebe leaped onto Mami's lap. "Mami sad... Bebe don't like Mami sad."

Mami smiled. "It's ok Bebe. I will be fine." Mami turned to Qrow. "There was a creature that can grant wishes. It approached me with a deal, become a magical girl and it will grant me one wish. And I made my wish."

Qrow digested this. 'What kind of creature could give such power and a wish to boot. Something isn't right here.' Qrow said to Mami. "Sound like a good deal. You get to live and gain power beyond anything imaginable." Qrow filed away her parents' death for later.

Qrow almost flinched when Mami glared angrily at him. "There is a saying Qrow. Be careful what you wish for. I wish I learned that sooner. I regretted my wish."

Qrow was not used to seeing the ever cheerful Mami looking so down. "Why? Why did you regret your wish?"

"Isn't it obvious? I should have also wish for my parents to be alive." Now Qrow understood. At that moment of life or death. Mami wanted to live, but forgotten about her parents. "And that's not all. The 'wish giver' had a plan of it's own. You didn't think it was all for 'our' benefit. Did you?"

Qrow did not like the sound of that. He had lived in the dark underbellies of the world long enough, he saw dark and terrible things. He should have known. You never get something for nothing. "What is this 'wish giver'? What..."

Mami interrupted. "That's were things gets complicated. Besides that's another question... Now it's my turn." Qrow didn't like how Mami deflected the question, could it be that complicated?

"Do you think Aura, Dust and Grimm are natural occurrence. Do you think they are normal?" Mami asked. The question caught Qrow completely off guard. They were very strange questions.

"That's three questions you're asking me. Does that mean I get to ask three question next?" Qrow said with amusement.

"For me those three things are one and the same. And you already answered my question. To you all three are... normal." Mami said with a strange tone that Qrow found... disquiet. Why would he think Aura, Dust and Grimm to be abnormal? He lived with those three all his life.

"OK. My next question..." Mami raised a hand and stopped him from continuing.

"It's getting late. And I like to get some sleep before continuing my journey tomorrow." Mami said with a small smile.

Qrow didn't like how Mami decided to end their discussion. He said with a sigh. "I'm suppose to take you to my 'employer'. Can't you continue your journey after you met him?"

"I'm afraid not. I got one more place to go, then my journey is done. Besides, your 'employer' can wait. Can he not?" Mami replied.

Qrow sighed. "You're not making this easy for me you know. Then I better stick with you until you're done with your 'journey'."

Mami pouted. "Oh my. Not only are you a drunk, now you're a stalker as well. You're going to make Ruby cry, you know." A teasing smile appeared on Mami's face.

Qrow groaned. "God dammit kid! Stop making me out to be some pervert! Will you!" Although Qrow was glad Mami was smiling again. Before he got side tracked. "So where are you going anyway? Wonder what great tourist attraction is in this part of nowhere."

"The village of Kuroyuri. That's my last destination." Mami said as she looked in the direction of the village.

(Line break)

"Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!" Ruby squealed in joy, she also jumped up and down like a kid on sugar high, and the reason for her over the top joy was... Madoka in a nurse uniform. A pink and white combo that brought out every adorable aspect of Madoka.

Madoka fidget nervously as Ruby ran circles around her, taking picture at every angle. "Muuu... Ruby. This is so embarrassing! It's bad enough I have to greet patients like this. It's even worse you taking so many pictures."

"You look great Madoka. You look really good!" Ruby squealed again.

A boy of fourteen with orange hair walked in. "You should listen to your friend Madoka. The old goat's business is booming because of you. You're the main attraction of the clinic."

"Not you too Kyo! I'm... nothing special." Madoka pouted, but in her uniform. It only made her even cuter.

Another boy walked in, he had black hair with light tint of grey and he also wore glasses. He was reading a medical journal. "As much an idiot Kyo is. I agree with him. With all the customer, the old goat don't have time to attack Kyo or our sister... And you should have more confidence in yourself, you look very beautiful."

Madoka turned bright red. "Muuu. Don't say that."

Ruby zipped in front of the black hair boy with narrow eyes. "Don't get all chummy with Madoka. I will decided if you're good enough to be her boy..."

Madoka hit Ruby on the head with her clip board. Her face red as Ruby's cloak. "That's not for you to decide either. Ruby."

The black hair boy laughed softly at the two before him. Ruby straightened herself up. "And who are you anyway? You look younger then me and Madoka."

Madoka sighed. "Now you decided to find out who they are."

The black hair boy said in amusement. "Yuki Black. You must be Ruby Rose. Madoka said a lot about you."

"She... she did!?" Ruby squeaked in embarrassment.

Kyo took over. "Yep. She did. Oh... By the way. Name is Kyo Black, Yuki's twin brother."

"It's depressing to even think about it, that such brute is even related to me." Yuki said with a sigh.

"You want a piece of me! Punk!" Kyo shouted angrily.

It's then Iris appeared beside them, she smashed their heads together. Eliciting a groan of pain from the two boys. "Enough horsing around you two. If you two have nothing to do, then help me clean the place up." Iris looked over to Madoka. "Nurse Kaname. I need to show you how to sterilize the medical equipments soon, so keep your break short. I expect you in five minutes."

Madoka said with a stutter. "Y-Yes! Doctor Iris!"

Iris nodded, then walked out. Madoka said sheepishly. "I have to get back to work Ruby. I will see you again soon... Meep!" Madoka was surprised when Ruby hugged her.

"See you soon Madoka. Let's both do our best. OK." Ruby said while she held Madoka close.

Kyo wolf whistled. "You sure you two are just friends?" While Yuki just gave them a fond smile.

"You guys! It's not like that!" Madoka turned bright red along with Ruby.

A demonic voice sounded from the slight opening of the door. "Kyo... Yuki... Didn't I just say I need the place cleaned."

Both boys yelp. "Coming sis!"

After the boys left, Madoka said to Ruby. "I have to go now. Doctor Iris can be REALLY scary when she's angry. I will see you soon. ok."

"Yep! See you soon, Madoka. Come to Beacon when you can. We will have a blast!"

(Line break)

Ruby came back to her dorm room when it was well into the night. She was immediately ambushed by her sister Yang. "Where have you been sis?" Yang was well within Ruby's personal space.

"No... Nowhere! Really! Just taking a stroll and stuff." Ruby didn't want Yang to know about Madoka in nurse's uniform. Ruby had a pretty good idea what Yang's reaction would be.

"Really... Then I guess you won't mind if I look through this." Yang said as she had Ruby's scroll in her hands. Yang took it without Ruby even realized it was gone.

Ruby said in panic. "Yang! NOOO!" But it was too late.

Yang's eyes widened to epic proportion, a small trickle of blood began to ran down her nose as she saw a picture of Madoka in nurse uniform. Within the next moment Yang was out the door like a bullet train. In the distance Ruby could hear Yang shouting. "Out of my way! YANG train coming through!"

Ruby quickly ran out and chased after Yang. "YANG! You can't see Madoka NOW! It's late and she's got work in the morning!"

Ruby completely failed to see a grey hair man and his green hair companion plastered into the Beacon dorm's wall, due to a certain blond wrecking train.

The man know as Mercury groaned. "I... Hate... blonds!"

"For once... I agree with you." His companion Emerald also said with a groan.

Cinder was untouched as she watched Ruby ran after her sister. However she ruled it as unimportant, there was much more important things to worry about then children running around.

AN: And done. Also not too many reviews to go through. Which is nice in it's own way. Let's reply to some of the very few review I got.

Zero kami no mu: Lets not spoil everything at once, we will get there eventually. Beside I actually thought you missed Bebe, a genuine mistake on my part.

ultima-owner: Don't pity him yet, this is only the beginning.

Echo0100: You are going to love what I got setup in this fic. And I shall say no more.