Chapter 38
Oh jeez I missed the anniversary. I know no one else really cares but it kinda mattered to me. Anyway here's the next chapter enjoy.
You know it's easy to be confident after a pep talk from Ruby but now that I'm actually here. I want to leave. Only problem is I can't!
It's too late for the ferry to be running and I'd have to stay at the local Inn. While I can easily afford that. The guy who runs the place knows Dad (With a town as small as Tract everyone knows each other) he might alert my Dad I'm here.
Why did I rush here without an idea of what to say? Oh right because I never think stuff like this through, that's Pyrrha's job she's team leader afterall.
Besides if I back out now I won't come back, unless it's kicking and screaming by Ruby.
So how about I just get this over with. I might as well try and PATCH things up… this isn't the time for shitty jokes.
Knocking on the door brought back some old memories. Most of them were surprisingly good. Like when Ruby activated her semblance for the first time. Mom spent over twenty minutes chasing her. Dad's many failed attempts at a garden. Drawing stuff on Qrow's face when he was passed out.
This ain't the time to be nostalgic. Just remember what you practised on the way here.
Dad still hasn't come to the door. I doubt he's asleep since it's not even past nine. Maybe he's having trouble getting down stairs.
I knocked again and began to worry. What if he's not here? I mean, I don't know where he would be on a Tuesday night.
Could be on a date… it's late and Dad would probably be a bit lonely with Ruby out of the house.
Knocking for a third time a bit louder than before. I heard him yell from inside making my heart go into overdrive.
I wanted to run but I grabbed the door knob to hold myself back. Feeling the knob twist I let go and took one final deep breath before I came face to face with my father.
Neither of us said anything. He was too shocked I was too nervous.
"Yang?" He asked like his eyes were playing tricks on him.
Squirming I gave him a wave "Hi dad".
He took a second to process before clearing his throat. "Would you like to come in?".
I gave him a smile and nodded. Stepping inside I looked to see if anything had changed. Aside from that it looks a bit more worn down than before, not much has changed.
"Would you like a drink?" Dad asked.
"Yes please" I said walking towards the living room. Taking a seat on the couch.
Dad was quick to follow with some water. Taking the seat next to me.
Again it was silence. Neither of us had even taken a sip yet.
Time passed the sound of a clock ticking was all that filled the room. Dad was waiting for me to start, I mean I'm the one that showed up unannounced. Just say anything to get the conversation started to end this silence.
"I'M SORRY" I exclaimed, shocking Dad. "I'm so sorry I ran away without even a note to say goodbye" I couldn't even look at him. "I was selfish"
I felt an arm be wrapped around my shoulder. Surprised at how comfortable I was with Dad holding me despite the years it's been since he last.
"You weren't selfish. I was" He said in the calmist I've heard him since Mom died.
"But I-"
"Yes you ran away, but I was in no position to tell you what you could and couldn't do" He said, giving me a smile. "I had no right after neglecting you for four years".
"It wasn't just you but Ruby too"
"Have you seen her since?" I nodded in response making him laugh. "Good, I'd be disappointed if you came to me first"
It wasn't even that funny but laughed anyway.
"I'm sorry I took so long"
"Well you came back sooner than I expected. In fact, I thought Ruby would've had to drag you kicking and screaming" Dad explained.
"Ruby had to convince me to come"
"But you're not kicking and screaming" He said, making me laugh again.
"I guess not" We sat in silence again. Not as uncomfortable as before but still not right. "Why are you forgiving me so easily?"
Dad let out a sigh. "I've been angry for so long. Angry at your Uncle Qrow, angry at Raven but mostly myself. I'm tired of it. You've come back to make things right, why should I be angry at you?" He explained.
I can't believe it. Why does he have to make this so easy? I was expecting him to be a bit angry, maybe yell at me. No he has to be perfectly understanding. Why does that annoy me?
"Question is, are you still angry at me?"
Am I? "I don't want to be"
"But are you?"
Taking a deep breath to think I realized "No" I don't want to be angry at Dad. "I think I was just angry at myself. On how I ended things between us, and Ruby"
"Were you afraid of how I would react to seeing you?" I nodded in response making Dad laugh. "Good, so we're in the same boat" He said, giving me a smile I haven't seen in years. I was quick to return.
I guess I was afraid for nothing. It's kinda funny, so much so I began to chuckle. "I thought you were gonna scream my head off, you know that?" Dad began to laugh too.
"I thought you were gonna gloat about how good your life has been since leaving" He said while taking a drink.
My laughs died. "Dad I wouldn't do that".
He seemed to realize how that sounded "Yang, I know you wouldn't do that. Speaking of how was Beacon" It was clear he wanted to move on. I did too so I went with it.
"It was great. Got my Huntress Licence" I said pulling out the badge. "Fought in the Vytal Festival in Mystral my team even won that year" Pyrrha really won that year but hey I was in the doubles match so I helped.
"Impressive" I know Dad never really cared about the festival; it was something Mom and Ruby loved whenever it came to Vale. We didn't go after Mom passed.
"What about your team and any friends you made, still in touch?"
"I'm still talking to one of my team regularly. We even team up on some tougher missions" Those are always a treat.
"What about the other two?"
I groaned just thinking about it."Shortly after we graduated. I was told they had a special assignment, and until they're done I have no way of contacting them"
"Do you know what it is?"
"No! I just know they're still on this mission cause whenever I ask about them, that's what I'm told"
"Are you worried about them?"
"Of course I'm worried about them" It felt like an insult he'd even ask. "All the time I worry that I'm gonna get the call they were killed, and I wasn't allowed to help them"
"What about when they're done?"
"Would I even recognize them? I mean would they even want me back?" So many nights I stay up thinking about them and if whatever they're doing changes them too much. That they don't want me back or have replaced me.
"They'll want you back" How can he be so confident when he doesn't even know them!?
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Yang, a Huntsman team is more than just a team. It's more than four people randomly pair together through ridiculous ways" Ain't that the truth, the first person you make eye contact with, and the two pairs who grab the same chess piece? What was Ozpin thinking?
"You're more than just friends, you become a family"
"Wasn't expecting you to get all cheesy on me"
He rolled his eyes "I'm serious. My team became my family for fifteen years. Then I had you and started a new family, but I held onto my team family as best as I could" His face turned somber. "Hold onto your team Yang, don't let what happened to my team happen to yours" He laughed it was weak and clearly forced. "Course you don't have anyone like Raven so I think you'll be mostly fine" He said getting up for another drink.
"I'll get you a drink dad" I said knowing it isn't easy for him to move.
"Ah thanks" He flopped back into his seat with relief.
"Anything in particular?" I asked as I took his cup.
"A beer it's-"
"In the back of the fridge. I remember" I said, giving him a smile which he returned. More genuine than before.
Should I tell him about Qrow? Should I ask him about Mom? I mean Qrow could be lying about… her murder. Would he even tell me if I asked? Would it kill the mood?
Sitting back down I thought best how to ask. "So Dad" Start it off casually, don't blow your load too quickly.
"What?"
"About the day mom-"
"Do you think this is the time to ask?" He didn't seem offended, just confused.
"It's just I heard some things about that night"
"What things? From who?"
Should I reveal Qrow? No that could ruin everything. "Ozpin talked to me about it"
"You talk to Ozpin?"
I shrugged "Occasionally yeah". Alright now or never "Was Raven involved?"
Dad's eyes burst open "Don't. Don't do this".
"Do what?"
"Do what your Uncle did" Does he think I'm gonna hunt her down? "Is that why you came here? To find out the truth?"
"No! I didn't know until a few days ago!"
"Then what's the point in me telling you?"
"Because I need to know if it's true!"
"Sounds like you already got it figured it out"
"Just tell me if it was Raven!"
"Why!? Why do you need to know?"
He really does think that. "I'm not gonna go on some crusade to hunt her down like Qrow" Oh shit, I let it split.
"How do you know that?" Silence was all I answered with. "He's the one that told you" He sighed as he began to panic. "He's recruited you into some vengeance quest against Raven. I won't be there to protect you just like your mo-"
"DAD!" I said grabbing his shoulders. "He didn't recruit me into anything. He did the opposite"
"What?"
"I wanted to join him. I didn't even know about what she did to mom, then. He told me not to, that it would only lead to despair" I explained which seemed to calm him down.
"Then what are you going to do?"
"I'm gonna keep Ruby safe"
Dad began to panic again and I don't blame him. "Why is she in danger?"
"Raven knows about Ruby"
"WHAT!?" He began hyperventilating "But she's not even a Huntress"
"That wouldn't stop her from using Ruby"
"Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods" He fell back to the wall sliding down it. "She not even a Huntress"
"Dad-"
"She can't even protect herself! I can't protect her"
"I can protect her! I'll keep her safe"
"You can't watch her all the time Yang. Who will protect her when you're not there? I sure as hell can't" He said pointing to his leg.
"Qrow and I will take care-"
"Qrow's not here, he's hunting Raven down right?" I could see he was holding back tears. "And you're wasting time with me stuck on this island for the night"
Oh shit. How did I not even consider that?
"So who's gonna keep her safe tonight Yang? Who?"
xXx
I really hope things are going well between Yang and Dad. Considering how last time they spoke it was a shouting contest.
And before those thoughts go any further trapping me in what ifs? Making me ruin this dinner I'm just gonna shut them down and focus.
This'll be the first time I cooked something for Jaune since we became a couple. In fact this'll be the first time I cooked him anything since I 'accidentally' made too much food.
Still can't believe that worked, but if I didn't do that then maybe I wouldn't be here today.
A quick knock on the door. Gotta be Jaune he had to work a bit later today.
Opening the door I was met with the dazzling sight of my tall, scraggly blo- black haired... Uncle.
"Qrow?"
Bet you were expecting something bad to happen. Nope not this time. Just a cliffhanger muhahaha.
This CHAPTER was hard to write. Every bit of it was changed and I mean every bit. Thankfully it's done now and I can move on.
Anyway, thanks for reading, hope you've enjoyed, review if you wish, and have a great day.