RWBYond Hope

AN: So this is the last of the happy slice of life chapters in this. The next five after this is one five-chapter arc and then a differently toned slice of life story for the last ten chapters. I can't wait to get this story done and get started on RWBYond War.

Chapter 10: Happy Vytal Festival

Yang sat on her father's lap and watched the pre-tournament coverage. It was good to have everyone home. It had been so long since all five of them were in the house at the same time. Whether Qrow and Summer, or Summer and Tai, or just any one of them, it seemed like they were always on missions. But now was different. Right now they were all watching the festivities of the Vytal Festival.

Ruby was bouncing on Qrow's lap in a chair. Summer was sewing away at the cape she was making for Ruby's fifth birthday that was coming up. On the other side of the couch, Yang sat at her father's feet. When the fight started Tai started watching in feigned interest. Qrow looked like he could care less. Ruby squealed with excitement and jumped down from his lap so she could go face first against the TV.

"Ruby sit back." Tai said. "You'll ruin your eyes."

"Wouldn't want that to happen." Qrow said.

The fight was between a team from Shade, the hosts of this year's Vytal Festival, and a team from Atlas, the least liked school right now. Everyone was cheering for Shade. Not many people put a lot of emotional stock into the tournament. It was something that people just stopped doing after the Mountain Glenn crisis decades ago. So now people had learned to control their emotions during the game.

"Wow!" Ruby said gawking at one of the Shade fighter's weapon. "How is it doing that?" She looked back at Qrow.

"Hmm…Headmaster Null Mu told me about him when I was in Vacuo." Qrow said. "I'm not sure how it happens. But I know Jade's put a lot of stock in him."

"Yeah, this is a good fight." Tai said. "This is better than a lot of other team battles of the last few tournaments."

"Please this fight is still a mess." Qrow took a drink from his flask. "All the sportsmanship rules they've put in has sucked all the energy out of team fights."

"I feel like we're to blame about that." Tai said. "I mean; they did implement a lot of the rules after our stab at the tournament."

"You fought in the Vytal Tournament?" Ruby asked.

"Of course we did." Tai said. "We won too." Ruby's eyes went wide at the revelation.

"It was actually our teammate." Qrow said. "The one who's not here."

"Aunt Raven?" Yang asked.

"Yeah…Aunt Raven." Qrow narrowed his eyes and took another drink of his flask.

"That's so awesome." Ruby said. "I wonder when I'll meet her." She looked to her mother for an answer.

"Who knows?" Summer said as she set down the cloth.

At that moment everyone's attention was brought back to the fight. It ended in spectacular fashion as the Vacuo kid knocked out the last two Atlas fighters with a swing of his staff. The announcers concurred and the crowd at Amity went nuts.

"Good fight." Tai said.

"It was still a mess." Qrow said. "The real world doesn't wait for you to react before playing its next move."

"You're no fun."

"You're grading them compared to the kids at Signal." Qrow took another sip. "Still, it was cathartic to see Atlas humiliated like that."

"Come now Qrow." Summer said. "Atlas isn't as bad as it was a few years ago. I think James has done a fine job since he took over five years ago."

"I've talked with Jimmy a lot more than you have." Qrow said. "He's a bull headed, reactionary buffoon."

"But look at who he replaced. Lorimar Hellsing was the worst person to ever have the title of headmaster."

"At least we knew where we stood with him."

"He literally let Mordred Draco get away from murder!" Summer raised her voice. "No matter what he does, James has the people's interest at heart. That puts him miles ahead of Lorimar."

"Enough with the politics." Tai said. "They're interviewing that Shade kid."

"Mr. Striter, you come here as a Faunas and as a leader, what does it mean to you that you managed to pull out such a victory against Atlas?" The reporter asked.

"Well, the first thing we have to remember is that no matter what happens here, we're all brothers in arms. We're all in the fight against the Grimm together. Those Atlas guts, they were tough, we were tougher, that's why we won. But after we go home here, we're all going to be working together and become huntsmen together. That's all that matters. It's not about who's stronger than who; it's about showing the people that we are all strong, and that we can fight a little bit without having anykind of ill will."

"Those are wise words for someone so young." The reporter noted.

"Well, I spent the majority of my life with a wise man." Felix said.

"Sadly that's all the time we have. Hope to see more of you in the future rounds."

"You can bet on it."

"He's so cool." Ruby swooned. "And his weapon…I want it so bad."

"You'll have your own weapon someday." Summer said.

"I know." She walked over to her mother and tried climbing up her leg.

"Sweetie, I'm trying to make you your present." Summer said.

"I want to wear it now." Ruby said.

"Ruby, let's go get some jelly beans while we ait for the next match." Yang said.

"Yay!" Ruby cheered.

Yang led Ruby into the kitchen to grab the bag of jelly beans on the counter. She and Ruby both took a handful and started stuffing their faces. They both made giggling noises as they inhaled the sweets. Eventually they heard the next match was coming on so they ran into the living room and reclaimed their positions.

"Ruby, you have something on your face." Summer said.

"I've got it." Qrow took a tissue and wiped the drool from her face.

"Thank you Qrow." Summer said.

"Anytime Summer." He returned.

"Ruby, what do you say to your uncle?"

"Can I see your weapon?" Ruby said innocently.

"No, not that, what do you say to people who help you?" Summer led her on.

"Um…thank you Uncle Qrow."

"Your welcome kid." He rubbed her hair.

"I love you." She gave him a hug.

"I…me too." Qrow rubbed her back for a second until she parted the hug. Yang looked over to Summer who looked like she was going to die of cuteness overload. So much so, she set her knitting equipment down and motioned for Ruby to come to her.

"Come here Ruby." Ruby looked at Qrow for confirmation. After Qrow nodded she ran over to Summer. "Oh my precious adorable baby girl." Summer said through her teeth as she rocked her back and forth while tickling her.

"What about me?" Yang moved closer to Summer.

"You're my little firecracker." Summer picked her up and held both girls close. "You two are the most important things in my world." She held Yang up a little higher. "You came into my life at a dark time to light up my life ever since." She held Ruby up. "And you are my reason to keep getting better. You remind me every day of why I get out of bed and fight monsters. You came in and made everything from good into better." She kissed them both on the cheek. Yang couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Sure, lightning up her mother's life is cool and all, but she always seemed happier when Ruby did something good. Maybe it was just the age thing. Anything Ruby did, Yang had already been doing for two years. So, maybe she just didn't remember Summer acting like that. Still, she had used that line on Yang countless times before. Yang never even thought to ask what was so bad before she was born. Too bad her seven-year-old mind didn't have the attention span required to ever ask that question.

"Happy Vytal Festival." Tai said as he kissed the three of them.

"Happy Vytal Festival they all said."

An: Another chapter done. Man, yesterday this story and my profile sky rocketed in views. I like this release schedule, except the fact that I have to wake up early to post it. Be sure to review, follow and favorite.