Chapter 34
The sound of the city grew distant as they walked from the main streets and into a secluded cul de sac. The buildings were all at least two-story, with their own yards and surrounded by trees.
Jaune led Nora and Ren to a house painted a bright ocean blue, passing a mailbox that had Vasilias written on the side in blue letters. They walked up the stone path to the heavy wooden door. They really like their blue. Jaune thought as the group reached it. He grabbed the heavy door knocker, shaped like an anchor, and gave a few loud knocks.
A few moments passed before the door opened. A tall man who looked like a much older Neptune dressed in simple travel attire, coloured in dark blues and blacks, pulled the door back. "Hello? How can I help?"
"Hi. I'm Jaune, these are my teammates Ren and Nora. We're looking for Neptune. Is he in?"
"Nep? Yeah, he's in. You friends from school?" He asked with a raised brow.
"Something like that." Jaune replied.
The man shrugged and let them inside. "Nep! You got visitors!" He yelled up the stairs before walking off into another room. They heard sounds of stomping as Neptune raced down the stairs, stopping at the end.
"You guys!?"
"Hey, Neptune. We've got a lot to talk about."
"I'll bet. Let me grab Sun, he's just upstairs. The living room is just down the hall, take a seat." He pointed to a side room and raced back up. Jaune led his friends into the room and grimaced.
"They really like their ocean theme huh?" He asked the air. The room was like everything else, coloured in shades of blue with ocean-related paraphernalia everywhere. At least the living room had a little more variety, with some green mixed into some of the blues and various nets and the like strewn about.
"It's… something." Nora said, cringing. Ren sighed.
They found seats on the blue couches and waited for about a minute before Sun and Neptune entered the room. "Hey, guys! Long time no see!" Sun announced.
"Yea it's been a while. Now that we finally made it we wanted to update you guys." Jaune replied.
"Update? On what?" Neptune asked.
"Well, we learned about a few more things. Related to the Maidens. Specifically, the person that was backing Cinder." Jaune took a deep breath. "You see…"
Sun and Neptune listened intently as Jaune relayed what they had learned. From Salem to the Relics, from Ozpin and his reincarnation to the purpose of the schools. By the end, Neptune looked horrified while Sun seemed slightly disturbed.
"So a Grimm Queen huh?" Sun whispered, his eyes dark. He inhaled deeply and when he exhaled a smile formed on his face. "Well, I guess we gotta ruin her plans!"
"Problem with that Sun. We have a mission lined up." Neptune shook his head. "Sage and Scarlet really wanted to go."
"Ah. Yeah, forgot about that." Sun said sheepishly.
"Sorry, but we were leaving today. It's search and destroy so we'll be gone for a while. Two or three weeks from the look of it."
"That's alright. We're looking for the Spring Maiden. If you're back when we make our move, we'll take the help." Jaune replied with an easy smile. "The important part is that you guys know. So if anything happens, you can spread the word."
"Don't say that." Sun said. "It's bad luck." His eyes pierced Jaune's.
"Right. Sorry." Jaune broke the eye contact. "Uhhh. Hey Neptune, who was the guy at the door anyway?"
"Huh? Oh, that was my big brother, Jupiter. He just got back from a mission yesterday though he's lining another one up already. Apparently, Huntsmen are pretty busy around here these days." Neptune shrugged.
Jaune nodded. "Well, it was good seeing you guys. We'll catch up more when you get back, alright?"
"Course!" Sun said with a beaming smile. Neptune nodded and the pair saw the trio to the door. They said their goodbyes and separated. The trio headed back to the manor while Neptune and Sun finished their preparations for their mission.
Hopefully, they'll be back by the time we go after Raven. Three weeks max. A good amount of time to train. Ozpin promised to start after Qrow returns with his Huntsmen pals. "Let's hurry back guys. We've gotta prepare that welcome dinner!"
Birds chirped as the bandit Shay led him through the vibrant forest. The bandit was scared, that was pretty apparent and yet Taiyang knew he was planning something.
When they reached a clearing and Shay said he'd go ahead to make sure it was clear Tai laughed in his face. "I'm a Huntsman. If it's dangerous I'm the one that can kill any threat." He replied with a smile.
"R-right. Of course." Shay responded with a twitch of his smile. "This way then." He led Tai through the path, passing by his ambush. Tai gave them a wave as they went by, causing the bandits to curse.
As they reached the walled campsite Taiyang took a deep breath and let it out slowly. This wasn't going to be enjoyable.
The tribe watched as he walked through, following Shay into the back of the camp. They stopped in front of the large raised tent. Shay stepped forward and called out. "Boss! Someone's here to see you!" He then quickly stepped to the side.
Tai smiled as he felt Zwei rest against his leg. He'd need the support. The tent flap opened and out stepped the woman he once loved, hidden behind a bone-white helmet. He'd known her long enough to read her body language. She hadn't been expecting him and was now trying to figure out what to say.
"Raven." He called, shocking her into action.
"Tai." She said, removing her helmet and placing it on a nearby crate. "What brings you here? Did you finally realise how futile your fight is?"
"I'm here to ask two things of you. Firstly, I want you to take me to Qrow."
"And if I say no?"
"Then I'll have to force you. I may not win a fight against you, but, there'll definitely be some collateral." He gestured around him at the tribe itself. The bandits all shuffled awkwardly.
"You would threaten my tribe?" Raven's eyes narrowed in anger.
"You were never one to do something out of the kindness of your heart and this tribe is obviously important to you. You did run away to rejoin them after all." Tai folded his arms. Raven's left eye twitched.
"I didn't run away, I-"
"Really? Because from where I'm standing you did. You couldn't handle having a husband and child so you ran away from us, from your responsibilities."
"And you abandoned your feelings for me the moment I left! You shacked up with Summer as if I never existed!" Raven snapped back.
"I married Summer because she was stronger than you, Raven." He calmly replied. Silence descended for a moment as Raven's eyes burned with rage. "She was better than you in so many ways. Maybe you could beat her in a fight, but she was strong enough to pick up the pieces of a broken man! She was strong enough to love Yang as if she was her own daughter! She was strong enough to forgive you!"
"And where is she now!? Because from where I'm standing it seems she was weak! She died! Serving the same man you do!"
"I don't give a crap about Ozpin! You can hate him all you want! I don't care." Tai grit his teeth. "I'm not here to argue about him. All I want is for you to take me to Qrow and to answer one question!"
"Ask it then." Raven said with a snarl.
"Where is she? Where is Yang!? Did you get off your ass and save her, or just pick up her body!? We never found it or her weapons. The only explanation I can think of is you got involved."
Raven looked away and remained silent. Tai growled. "Answer me, Raven! Is my daughter alive!? Or are you hoarding her corpse!?" Tai felt his chest tighten at the lack of an answer. He sneered as she turned and went back into her tent. Tai pushed after her. "Are you just going to run away again!?"
"Enough!" A young woman said, getting in his way with hands reaching for her weapons. He didn't hesitate and reached out, grabbed her by the neck and threw her of to the side. She grunted as she hit the ground.
"Stay out of my way, kid." Tai snapped.
The young woman jumped to her feet and drew her circular blades with a snarl.
"Vernal!" Raven called, still standing at the open tent. "Enough. Let him pass." She then entered, leaving the flap to fall back closed. Vernal snarled but sheathed her blades. Tai ignored her and entered the raised tent.
After living with her for so long he knew her taste in furniture, so the inside wasn't a surprise. She'd always preferred cushions to chairs for example. He could remember how annoyed she got at the classroom seats back at Beacon. Neither she nor Qrow had been used to them, and unlike her brother, she had never gotten used to them.
What drew his attention however was a pair of golden yellow bracelets sitting on a dresser next to an urn. Tai swallowed and stepped over to them, reaching out with shaking hands to pick them up. Tears stung at his eyes.
"You really didn't do it?" He whispered.
"I keep my promises." Raven growled back. He wanted to laugh. Keep her promises? She hadn't even kept their wedding vows.
"Did you try and save her, or did you just pick her up afterwards?"
"Despite what you may think of me, I do care Tai. I couldn't let it stand for her to die minutes after expending her one chance. Sadly her wounds were too great by the time I arrived there."
"By the time you decided it would still count as one time, you mean." He growled. "I'm surprised you didn't hand them off to one of your bandits." He turned to face her.
"I wouldn't just hand over the weapons of a fallen guest." She said, folding her arms. Her face was unreadable.
"And the urn? You cremated her?"
"I… I didn't think she would want to be buried here is all."
Tai hummed in response. It was a nice enough urn, a simple light brown thing with no engravings. "Did she die in pain?"
"I'm no monster, Tai. I made sure it didn't hurt. She…" Raven hesitated for a moment before she sighed. "She kept asking if her sister had made it out. I told her she had."
"There's the woman I fell in love with." Tai muttered. "Too bad she's hidden under everything else." Raven must have heard him for she almost seemed to flinch. He sighed and clipped Ember Celica onto his belt. "Raven… Thank you for trying. I'll take that portal now."
Raven nodded and summoned it with a flick of her blade. Tai placed the urn into his bag and stepped through. "Goodbye, Ray."
He heard her mumbled response as he walked through and was sent across the land in a single step. "Goodbye, Tai…"
"Raven!" Qrow yelled, reaching for his weapon before halting and smiling. "Tai!"
"Hey, Qrow. Sorry I'm late."
"Woof!" Zwei announced as he jumped through, mouth open and tail wagging.
"You're a sight for sore eyes Tai."
"As are you." Tai looked around and sighed. "So you really were in Mistral? Damn. Guess I didn't need the Branwen Express after all." He said with a smile.
Qrow chuckled. "Surprised you did all things considered. Come on, I bet you want to see Ruby. She's inside."
"Yeah…" Tai took in a deep breath and mentally prepared himself as they walked through the dojo and up the stairs into the house proper.
"Ruby! You're gonna wanna come see this!" Qrow shouted as he opened the door.
"Coming!" She yelled back from the kitchen area. A few moments later she walked out with an annoyed frown. It morphed into shock when she saw him.
"Hey, Ruby."
"D-Dad… you're here…" She stepped back, hand reaching for her weapon. Tai raised his hands up.
"Easy there, I'm not here to take you back. I couldn't convince you to stay. You'll just run away again. I'm here to help you. To keep you safe." Tai spoke as softly and calmly as he could.
"You… want to help?"
"Yes. You're my daughter. I can't lose you. Not like…" He looked down. "Not like we lost Yang. I-" He was cut off by a bundle of petals hitting him as Ruby rushed across the room and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.
"Thank you, Dad." Tai smiled and returned the gesture.
"I could never let you face this alone."
Zwei whined and snuggled against their legs. Ruby smiled and picked him up. "And thank you for coming, Zwei."
"Woof!" Zwei replied.
Tai cleared his throat. "There's something you'll want to see." He said and walked over to the nearby table. Reaching into his bag he pulled out the urn and placed it down. The bracelets soon followed.
"Is that?..." Ruby whispered.
"Yes. Yang. Raven had tried to save her, but she was too late. She gave me the remains."
Ruby sucked in a breath that hitched and reached out for the urn. She held it tight for some time. Qrow gave a sad smile and left the father and daughter alone. Eventually Ruby spoke again. "What are we going to do with them?"
"I think I'll send the urn home. I want to bury her next to Summer and it's likely it would be damaged travelling with us."
"And Ember Celica?"
"I'm not sure. Not yet at least." Tai admitted, taking a seat on the couch.
"You could always use them."
"I… I could yes." He responded hesitantly.
"You don't want to?" Ruby asked with a quirked brow.
"It would feel awkward is all. Using her weapons. I've always just used my bare hands. I'll think about it."
Ruby nodded and stood. "Well, I'm glad you're here Dad. Want to join us for dinner?"
Tai stood with a smile. "I'd love to."
A/N: Hello Again! Sorry about the delay but Christmas prep was more hectic than planned. Didn't get it to my beta on time and didn't want to post it without his look over. I hope you all had a good Christmas!
So we got to see Nep and Sun again! They're off doing things and keeping busy. And we get to see Jupiter too! Only the best brother who threw their four-year-old brother into the ocean to try and get him over his fear of water! Oh wait, that's not good. Damn. Oh well. At least Tai got to yell at Raven! That was a long time coming. Sadly Raven is such a coward she took too long to break her rules and try to save Yang, leading to failure. Real mum of the year, huh? But Tai's joined up now. We shall have to wait and see how this affects the coming events, won't we?
I hope you all enjoyed and I'll see you next time!