Chapter 23:

Frayed Bonds

Bloodborne is property of Fromsoftware. RWBY is property of Rooster Teeth

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"And…there!" Gehrman said, dropping off the wall and onto the ground, the Earth Dust crystal shining in the morning light.

Ozpin sighed, "It is a shame…I would have liked to study the architecture of this place, at least." Gehrman arched a brow, but before he could say anything, Ozpin held up a hand, "I know, I know. It must be done." His face set into a heavy frown. "We can't risk anyone running into the Amygdala—or anything else that might be hiding in there."

Gehrman nodded, sweeping his arm out. "By all means, then." Ozpin stepped up to the Dust crystal, holding his cane up. He focused his magic on the tip of his cane, and when it had coalesced enough to be visible as a bright green light, tapped the crystal. He stepped back as green energy lanced from the first crystal to the next, and the next and the next, all the way to the large collection of crystals lining the Amygdala's resting place.

They felt the explosions before they heard them, and seconds later, were forced to turn away as tons of stone burst out from the Dust crystals, collapsing the tunnel.

"And that's that!" Ozpin said, brushing some dust off his shoulder.

"Quite," Gehrman nodded. "…You don't have to drop me off at Mantle, you know. I can always just begin my investigation from here."

Ozpin huffed. "Do you know the exact locations of the epicenter of the earthquakes over the last few weeks?" At Gehrman's annoyed silence, Ozpin smirked. "Then I'm afraid your best option will be to go to Mantle and find the information there."

"Oh, very well," Gehrman said with a roll of his eyes. He turned to the Bullhead with a sigh, "…It will give Summer and the rest more time to prepare, I suppose."

Ozpin stared up at the sky, hands twisting upon his cane. "There is that too, yes."

/+/+/+/+/

Summer found Tai staring out the kitchen window at the setting sun and darkening clouds, rubbing a rag against an already immaculate plate. She walked forward, wrapping her arms around him and leaning against his back. "Are you okay?"

Her husband didn't answer immediately. But eventually, he put down the dish and rag, leaning his hands against the counter. "…I don't know. This whole…I mean, I know Gehrman kills criminal Huntsmen, and Raven certainly fits the bill but…"

"You thought she was safe in Anima," Summer concluded.

"For a given definition of the word," Tai groused. He dropped the plate onto the counter, tossing the rag to the side. "Gods," he spat, "she's not even in the same Kingdom and she's screwing with us!" Summer didn't say anything—what was there to say?—she just rubbed circles into his back, letting him work through his anger.

Eventually, he calmed down, asking, "He's still in the air, right?"

She nodded. "Qrow'll call us when he picks Gehrman up." She tilted her head to the side, lips splitting into a smile, "Of course, the girls will demand his attention for a couple hours." Her smile died, "After which they'll exhaust themselves and we can…discuss things."

"Why are we even doing this?" Tai sighed, "You really think we can convince Gehrman to not kill Raven?"

Summer flinched. "I…can hope?"

Tai scoffed. But before Summer could try and defend her (shaky) platform, he cut her off. "Stop. Things are going to be hard enough in a little bit. Let's not add an argument on top of it." Well…that was true, even if Summer didn't like that he called it an argument.

Tai's scroll rang, and he moved past her as he answered it. But before Summer could even think about dealing with that can of worms, a door further in the house slammed open, followed by the scampering of two pairs of feet. Yang and Ruby burst into the living room, panting lightly, Ruby's dress and Yang's blouse a bit wrinkly at the necklines, their hair a mess (well, Ruby's was, Yang's curls just looked a little less defined).

"He's here?!" Ruby chirped, eyes wide.

Summer giggled, squatting down and smoothing out her dress. "That was just Daddy's Scroll ringing, sweetie."

"Told you," Yang said with a roll of her eyes.

Ruby pouted, "Well I'm sorry that I want to see Mr. G more than you."

"Do not!" Yang shouted.

"Do too!" Ruby shouted back, wrenching out of Summer's grip to glare up at her sister.

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

"Girls!" Summer shouted, startling them into stopping. She sighed, smoothing out their hair. She pursed her lips, before an idea sprung to life. She smiled sweetly, "Do you really think yelling at each other is how proper ladies act, much less sisters?"

Both girls looked down at that, guilt seeping into the features. Ruby moved first, wrapping her arms around Yang, "Sorry. I know you like Mr. G too."

"It's okay," Yang replied, hugging Ruby back.

Summer took the time to pull out her Scroll, taking a quick picture of the scene. Something nice for the collection.

Tai stepped into the room, and Summer spied him taking a picture of his own just before the girls separated. Summer stood up, asking, "Qrow?"

"They're on their way," Tai replied, a soft frown on his face. Which he swapped with a smile the second the girls smiled up at him. "And look at you two, all dolled up!"

Yang nodded stiffly, affecting a haughty expression and tone of voice. "A Lady should always look her best when expecting company."

Ruby mimicked her sister. "And ensure her guest is well aca—aco—accah—"

"Accommodated," Yang whispered.

"Yes, that," Ruby nodded.

"Well," Tai chuckled, "glad to see you two are putting the computer to good use." The girls just nodded, keeping up their fancy airs. Summer gave it five minutes.

Tai stepped closer to her, and whispered, "We've got parental locks on the computers and Scrolls, right?"

"Of course," Summer hissed. Last thing they needed was Yang or Ruby coming across one of the many, many amateur videos of Gehrman turning in a bounty.

Tai nodded, directing a smile at the girls. "Anyway, Gehrman landed a bit ago. Qrow's driving him over as we speak." His smile widened when the girls giggled excitedly, before falling back into their (well-practiced, apparently) masks. Though they did fidget in place a lot. Eventually, Summer directed them to sit on the couch, and the pair tried not to slouch when they did, backs ramrod straight (she'd have to look at those 'propriety' videos herself soon. Didn't want the girls accidentally hurting themselves).

Tai was quiet throughout the whole wait. Their daughters didn't see anything wrong, but Summer knew he was tensing up by the minute. But he didn't let her comfort him, just drawing further into himself.

Finally, the doorbell rang. Yang and Ruby shot up like bullets, fussing over each other (another picture moment). When the door opened, they stood as straight and tall as possible, only to pout as Qrow entered the room. (Ordinarily, this would make Qrow, at least, crack a joke. But her friend just looked tired—barely even spared the girls a glance as he rested Harbinger against a wall).

But then Gehrman entered the room—not dressed as fancy as when they invited him to dinner weeks ago, but still better dressed than any of them—and the girls lit up like fireworks.

"Mr. G!" the girls shouted, rushing forward a few feet. They stopped before Gehrman and his bemused smile. Yang cleared her throat, and both her and Ruby dipped into curtsies (Yang spreading out her blouse, Ruby, her dress). "Welcome into our home," they said.

Summer's Scroll was going to run out of memory at this rate.

Gehrman, eyes alight with mirth, bowed, tipping his top hat slightly forward. "I am honored to be welcome into your home." He rose. "However, I do have some notes. Make no mistake," the added when the girls' faces fell, "your forms were excellent—especially for novices as young as you." Now, they beamed. "Yang," the older girl nodded, "while your form was on par, you do not need to pull the hem of your blouse. You may simple hold your hands out in the correct position—or bow, if you prefer." He turned to the younger girl, "You, Ruby, need to bend your knees outward more, like such," he demonstrated what he meant, gesturing to his knees, "notice my feet as well—this position will help you maintain balance."

The girls nodded reverently, as if Gehrman had given them the answer to the meaning of life.

Gehrman placed his cloak on the coatrack (he kept his hat on, weirdly enough). "Now, are there any more fruits of your labors you wish to show me?"

"Oh, oh!" Yang started hopping in place. "I've got Aura, now!" To emphasize this, she took several deep breaths, her entire body flashing yellow.

"Ah!" Gehrman clapped. "Most impressive, Yang!" Ruby pouted, sniffling a bit. "Oh, don't be disheartened, Ruby. To be fair, she is older than you. However, you can learn from her experience—perhaps even activate your own Aura earlier than she has, with her help."

Ruby spared a thoughtful look at Yang, before shaking her head, a bright smile once more on her face. "Mr. G, do you have any more cool weapons to show us?!"

"Yeah!" Yang nodded. "Something else made from a meteor?!"

"Or maybe forged in a volcano?!" Ruby excitedly chirped.

"Carved from the bones of Grimm?!"

"Blessed by fairies?!"

Gehrman held up his hands with a chuckle. "I believe that we should ask your par—"

"It's fine with us!" Summer hurriedly said. Gehrman arched a brow, but nodded, gesturing for the couch.

The girls sat down, leaving a large gap for Gehrman. "Now," he snapped his fingers as he sat down, as some sort of metallic cane rose up from the ground. "This, is the Threaded Cane—something I designed and had forged at Beacon. It has two forms; the one you see before you, in which it can be swung like a sword, and," he held his arm out, flicking his wrist. The cane's head twisted, and the cane's shaft shifted, revealing it to actually be dozens of sharp blade connected by steel cables, "a whip."

Ruby gasped, stars in her eyes. Yang, though less enamored with weaponry than her sister, was no less impressed.

Summer herself was actually intrigued by the weapon, but Tai pulled her into the kitchen with Qrow, and she was once again brought back to reality.

"Did you ask Gehrman to do that?" Tai directed at Qrow.

"On the way over, assuming you'd give the okay. Figured it'd be the quickest way to tire the girls out." Qrow said, pulling out his flask. Only to glare at Tai when he plucked it out of his hands.

"You're not drinking your way out of this one." Qrow scoffed, but only made one feeble swipe for his liquor.

"Did you two…" Summer trailed off for a bit, "…talk about anything else?"

Qrow shrugged. "Asked about the rumors that him and Ozpin are having an affair."

Summer and Tai stared blankly at their teammate. "…What?"

Qrow shrugged, reaching into the fridge and grabbing a bottle of juice. "Gods, I forget how far out into the boonies you guys are. So, apparently Gehrman and some Atlesian General—Iron-something—got themselves stuck in a cave. Ozpin, upon hearing this, dropped everything and hopped onto the first Bullhead to Atlas."

Tai waved a hand, "That's nothing! I'd do that for you two!"

"Sure. But would you also secretly meet me outside a hotel and disappear with me, only to show up in an entirely different city the next day?"

"…Well, maybe not for you," Tai gestured to Qrow. Summer just stared blankly ahead. Ozpin and…Gehrman? No, impossible! Ozpin was way too old for Gehrman. Or…was he? How old was Ozpin anyway? How old was Gehrman?

Summer shook her head—now wasn't the time for that. She looked between Qrow and Tai. "So, how are we approaching this whole…thing?"

"I planned on just waiting for him to drop of Raven's head at some government office," Qrow replied, chugging on his juice.

"Be serious!" Summer hissed slapping his arm.

"I am!" Qrow spat. But his anger quickly faded, a haunted look overtaking his features. "…I followed the guy throughout Vacuo, remember? I saw him at…work." He shuddered, hunching over and hugging his arms. "…He's a fucking monster, guys. One time, one of his…bounties unloaded a full clip into him."

Tai shivered. "That's never fun." Summer nodded—she remembered, back at Beacon, when Tai asked her to fire rubber bullets at him until his Aura broke, and keep firing, so he could, if needed, learn to power through the shock.

It took weeks to for him to get back to normal. They never tried again after that first session.

Qrow shook his head, breath shaky. "The man didn't even flinch. He just stood there and…he smiled—a like a wolf eyeing its dinner." He shuddered. "The other guy fell on his ass, scrambling away and pleading for his life…Gehrman just cut off his head and dropped the body in his portal."

Tai had steadily grown green as Qrow spoke. Summer herself started to tremble. She gulped. "…It's weird, isn't it?" Tai and Qrow stared at her. "I mean…look at how he is with the girls." They all peeked into the living room, where Gehrman had pulled the coffee table over to them, gesturing at what appeared to be a dismantled grenade. He had a slight smile on his face as he explained what each part did, the girls hanging on his every word. "I have a really hard time believe someone like this can do…that."

She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "But we never thought Raven would…you know."

"To be fair," Tai huffed, "Gehrman's been pretty open about everything that he is."

"And he's always asked about what we are and aren't comfortable with him sharing with the girls."

"Yes, yes," Qrow rolled his eyes. "Despite his various shortcomings he's a much better person than my sister—not that's a very high bar to begin with." He shrugged, "Who he's, let's be honest, probably going to kill."

"I know," Tai said. Which broke Summer's heart a little—she didn't like the resigned tone of his voice. That he'd given up before they'd even tried.

Summer wet her lips, looking at Qrow. "If…this doesn't end how we—I—want it, do you think you could, maybe, fly over and—"

"The last time I met Raven she made it very clear she wants nothing more to do with me," Qrow cut her off with a glare.

"Fine!" she spat, throwing her hands in the air. "Might as well just send the man on his way, then, right?"

"I wish," Qrow replied. "But Ozpin asked us to tell him the truth." He ran a hand through his hair, "Gods know why."

Tai groaned, shoulders slumping. "Let's just wait until the girls get tired and put an end to this charade." Summer hummed, moving over to hug Tai. He relaxed but didn't hug back.

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Gehrman, truly, had an absurd number of weapons stored…wherever he stored everything. He'd even pulled out a gatling gun, tore it apart, and explained how each part worked as he slowly put it back together. In all honesty, he'd make a decent teacher.

But eventually the girls started to nod off, and Summer and Tai tucked them both into bed, kissing them goodnight, before returning to Qrow and Gehrman with heavy hearts.

Qrow was looking everywhere but Gehrman, and the man himself was…drinking tea? Yes. He'd summoned up an ornate tea set and was drinking something that smelled very bitter.

He looked up when they entered the room, gesturing to the teacups and teapot on the coffee table. "Would either of you care for any?"

"No thanks," Tai said, sitting down in one of the chairs opposite him. Summer took the other.

She made to speak but paused. After which Tai made to pick up the slack, but fell further into his seat, a scowl on his face.

"Please," Gehrman said, "take your time." In any other person, it might have been mocking. "I can understand that this is a difficult topic. Gather your thoughts—leave for another room to collaborate if needed." He grinned, "I'm not going anywhere."

A strangled giggle burst past Summer's lips. She couldn't help it; Gehrman could be so weird sometimes! But it did lighten the mood—hers, at least.

They sat in silence for a few more minutes, Gehrman moving onto his second cup of tea before Tai and Qrow seemed to come to some sort of agreement.

"So," Qrow began, "what's Ozpin told you about Raven?"

"That's she was once your teammate," he nodded, setting his teacup down. "And your sister, who returned to your native land of Anima to run the bandit tribe you were both born under." He narrowed his eyes, "But I suspect there is more to her."

"That's one way of putting it," Tai sighed. Summer reached over, clasping her hand over his own. He looked at her with a smile, before turning to Gehrman with a heavy frown. "Look, back when we were all at Beacon, during our last year me and Raven…entered a relationship."

Gehrman took a breath, leaning back into the couch, "Yang."

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"Psst…Psst…Pssssst!"

Yang groaned, rubbing her eyes and sitting up from her bed. "What, Ruby?"

Her sister stared up at her, her silver eyes gleaming in the dark. "I'm thirsty."

"Then get some water," Yang huffed, dropped her head back on her pillow.

But Ruby leaned closer, lifting some stray hair from Yang's face to stare into her eyes. "Mommy and Daddy are having a serious grown-up talk with Qrow and Mr. G. I don't want to mess with them."

Yang swatted her sister's hand away. "And I can?"

"You're sneaky when you want to be."

Yang grinned at the compliment. "True."

"Please!" Ruby pleaded, clasping her hands together. "You'll be my favorite sister ever!"

"I'm your only sister, Ruby."

The younger girl faltered. "Uh…then you'll be the best sister ever!"

"Better," Yang teased. Ruby groaned, looking at her with bright, puppy-dog eyes. "Oh, alright." Yang got up from bed, tweaking her nose. "I'll be back in a second."

"Thank you!" Ruby chirped as Yang slipped on her slippers, exiting their room.

She tiptoed into the kitchen, careful not to make any noise. She didn't know why, but her parents had been acting all weird ever since they said Mr. G would be visiting again. She assumed it was, as Ruby said, grown-up stuff. Boring grown-up stuff, most likely. No sense in bothering them.

She made it to the kitchen, and slowly opened the fridge to grab some juice. Now all she had to do was get back.

"So," Yang stilled at Uncle Qrow's voice, "what's Ozpin told you about Raven?"

Yang gulped, hurrying back to her room. Raven…she was pretty sure that was the name of the other lady from the photos, the missing member of her family's old Beacon team. But she didn't need to know about that. The lady was gone, so what did she care? She just kept creeping back to her room.

Only to stop as Mr. G said, "That's she was once your teammate. And your sister, who, returned to your native land of Anima to run the bandit tribe you were both born under."

Yang froze, eyes widening. Uncle Qrow was from Anima? And a bandit? Well, Raven may have meant nothing to her, but Uncle Qrow was one of the most important people in her life. That he would hide something so cool about himself was insane!

She missed the next bits of conversation but did hear her dad sigh. "Look, back when we were all at Beacon, during our last year me and Raven…entered a relationship." Yang wrinkled her nose—what was Dad doing dating someone other than Mom?

Mr. G gasped. "Yang." The young girl frowned; what about her?

Mom chuckled—but it was softer and weaker than what Yang had grown used to. "That obvious, huh?"

Mr. G huffed, "If it were simply lingering romantic affection, I doubt all three of you would wish to speak with me."

"If only," Dad spat. He was silent for a minute, and Yang had to resist the urge to peek into the room. "…A little before we graduated, Raven got pregnant."

Yang clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a gasp. Pregnant? That's how babies were made! She had another sister? But…no, that wasn't right. Why would Mr. G have said her name, then?

Mr. G hummed. "She fled to Anima sometime after giving birth, then?"

"Try a few days," Uncle Qrow snarled (Yang flinched—she'd never heard him sound so angry before).

"…What?" Mr. G replied, shocked beyond all reason.

Dad slammed his arm against something with a grunt. "You heard right! Yang wasn't even a week old before Raven abandoned us—her—to play criminal!"

Yang's blood ran cold. Raven was…no, no that was wrong! Summer was her mom!

Mr. G must've agreed, because he said, "I'm sorry…I'm just…I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this." She felt vindicated—finally, someone speaking sense! But his next words dashed all hope. "Raven abandoned Yang—her firstborn child—a week after giving birth to her?"

No! No, stop saying that!

"It's true," Mom—or was it just Summer?—sighed. "It was a shock to us all. At first we thought she'd, well, died. But then Qrow went looking and found her in Anima."

"…And she's never come back?" Mr. G sounded as shocked as Yang felt.

"Said she wanted nothing to do with any of us anymore," Uncle Qrow said with a sneer.

Yang started to hyperventilate—was her entire life a lie? Her Mom wasn't her mom, but some lady that just…threw her away?

She dropped the juice, stumbling backwards towards her room.

/+/+/+/+/

Ruby, previously rocking on her bed, humming a wordless tune, sprang up when Yang came back to their room. But her sister ignored Ruby, standing in front of her bed and clutching her head.

Ruby frowned, sliding onto the floor and walking up to her sister. "Yang?" She saw tears streaming down her sister's face. Ruby gasped, bringing Yang into a hug. "It's okay, don't cry! I don't need anything to drink, it's fine!"

Yang didn't respond—other than shoving her away. But before Ruby could even begin to process what just happened, Yang opened their bedroom window, jumping out and sprinting into the woods.

"Yang!" Ruby hissed. "What are you doing?!" But her sister didn't stop, disappearing into the trees.

Ruby bit her lower lip, staring outside. It was really late, and the clouds looked really angry. Yang could get hurt.

She thought about grabbing their parents, but, ultimately, reasoned they wouldn't want to be disturbed from their grown-up talk…She'd just go out and find Yang herself. Like a big girl!

A plan in mind, Ruby slipped on her shoes and pulled her coat out of the closet, as well as Yang's, and followed her sister outside.

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A/N: Writing from the POV of children is mindnumbing.