"-and that's the extent of what I managed to learn from Roman and Neo," Violet finished, letting out a quick sigh after her long-winded explanation.

Weiss nodded next to her, the details matching up with what Violet had told them the day prior. She hadn't been surprised when Violet came to her early the next morning, intent on having her fellow team leader accompany her to the Headmaster's office. Weiss was only disappointed that Winter wasn't there with Ironwood.

"This is all rather concerning," Ozpin mused quietly, sitting back in his chair with a hand on his chin. His other hand rested on top of his desk, finger tapping against the wood, subconsciously displaying the trepidation boiling beneath the surface.

"How well do you believe we can trust these criminals? Could this all be a ploy to learn more about our operation while feeding us false information?" Ironwood stood with his arms crossed to the side, only a hint of doubt shining through his stoic appearance.

"Hmmm," Ozpin lowered his hand to his mug, idly raising it back up to his face but not yet drinking, "I don't believe he would have given away as much as he did. The Paladins are real, and sound like an integral part of Cinder's plans," he raised an eyebrow at Violet, "What impression did the pair give you. Do you think we can trust them?"

"Yes. Given their history, it's fair that you wouldn't, but… I believe they're acting in their best interests, and as far as they can tell… that means joining the winning side. I think I managed to prove to them quite handily that we are that side."

"Would you agree, Miss Schnee?" Ironwood asked with a raised brow.

"I uh, wasn't there for it," Weiss confessed, glancing over to Violet who flashed a confident smile in return, "I trust Violet's skill, though. She's one of the most persuasive people I've ever met, and I grew up with my father," Weiss's eyes swiveled back to Ironwood, "If she says they're on our side, then they're on our side."

Ironwood nodded firmly, seemingly glad for the confirmation, "My forces could likely take care of the threat brewing beneath Mountain Glenn," he turned to Ozpin as me made the suggestion, already pulling out his scroll.

"Actually-"

"That's not-"

Violet and Ozpin both began to speak at once, then shared a glance. Violet seemed embarrassed at interrupting the Headmaster, while Ozpin simply gave her an amused smirk before gesturing for her to continue.

Violet straightened once more, shifting her gaze back to Ironwood, expression firming, "It would be better to send in a smaller force. If the White Fang gets wind of an entire army descending on them, they could just as easily leave before you had a chance to stop them. Even if it threw part of Cinder's plans out of order, it would still cause chaos. That's her only real end goal, after all."

"Well said," Ozpin agreed with a nod, turning to eye Ironwood, "Your forces are better left in defense of Vale and its walls."

"Then who would you plan on sending?" Ironwood asked, suppressing a moment of frustration, "Defending the city is all well and good, but I prefer a more… proactive approach, Oz."

"I know you do, James," Ozpin smiled, offsetting the tension that had only then began to mount, "Perhaps Qrow would be a good option? He is certainly the stealthiest of us."

"I don't know if he could take on that many by himself," Violet spoke up. She leaned forward in her chair, "From the way Roman described it, there's a lot of White Fang there."

"All the better for drawing in Grimm before their plans go underway," Ironwood agreed.

Ozpin finally took a sip of his coffee before setting it back down on the desk with a sigh, "Then a team?" his eyes glimmered slightly, looking at Violet, "I don't suppose you were hoping to recommend that team Vibrant take on the task?"

Violet opened her mouth to speak, but Weiss swiftly cut her off, "Unacceptable."

Violet paused, eyes widening in Weiss's direction.

"Did you have something you wished to say, Miss Schnee?"

"It would be too dangerous to send Violet out with only a small team at her side. Who's to say that Cinder isn't out there with an army of White Fang at her disposal?" Weiss avoided looking at Violet as she spoke, sure that she would see hurt or frustration on her friend's face, "I volunteer Siren for the task, and…" she glanced at Ironwood, "Winter, if you'll allow it."

Ozpin raised an eyebrow to Ironwood, who frowned in thought, "I would feel better having Winter in charge instead of Qrow," he gave Ozpin an apologetic look, "Given his… nature… I would be hesitant to trust him on such a mission with a maiden in tow. We all know how that nearly ended the last time."

"Now hold on," Violet narrowed her eyes, sparing a glare for both Ironwood and Weiss, "That wasn't Qrow's fault in the slightest. We both got ahead of ourselves. It won't happen again, I can assure you of that."

"The fact remains that Qrow was the more experienced huntsman," Ironwood explained lightly, trying to avoid angering Violet any further, "And his semblance, well…"

"Qrow has always been more effective while going on missions by himself," Ozpin stepped in after Ironwood began to trail off, "If this mission calls for more than he's capable of, then we're better off sending in a different team altogether. Given the fact that both team Siren and Winter will work together more seamlessly due to their familiarity…" he smiled consolingly at Violet, "I have no choice but to send them both along with team Vibrant."

Violet sat back in her chair with a sigh of relief, while Weiss opened her mouth to argue. She was silenced by a look from Ozpin however, his gaze revealing that he wouldn't accept any arguments on that front. Weiss sat back and sighed along with Violet, though for completely the opposite reason.

Violet brought a hand over to rest it on Weiss's forearm, rubbing up and down it as if to console her, "It'll be alright, Weiss. Really! We'll take down that train no problem."

"I hope you're right, Violet…"

There was a moment of silence before it was interrupted by Ironwood, "Well, I'll leave it up to you to give Winter the details, Miss Schnee. I expect she'll want to meet with all of you as well, to get an idea for who she's leading," his eyes rested on Violet, "Do you have any plans for this evening?"

Violet shrugged, "For later in the evening? Probably not," she checked the time on her scroll, seeing that they still had an hour before noon, "My team is heading out to Patch to see Tai and Qrow. After that, we should be fairly free aside from seeing team Coffee and Tukson off."

"Good. I'll have Glynda set aside a time for you all to meet in the arena. A demonstration is in order, for Winter, and myself."

"A demonstration…?" Weiss questioned hesitantly.

"We'll need to know what is at our disposal, after all," Ironwood confirmed, sending a glance towards Violet.

The leader of Vibrant nodded offhandedly, "That's fine with me," she eyed Weiss next to her and smirked, "Maybe a little showcase will help get my friends off my back a bit. They seem to think a strong gust of wind is enough to knock me down."

"We're only trying to keep you safe, Violet."

"As you should," Ironwood interjected before either of the other two could, "Miss Regalia, if I might offer some advice?" at a nod from Violet, he continued, "I do not know if it is pride or something else entirely that holds you back from accepting help from others, but I would suggest you take it when offered. Alone, you may be able to accomplish many things, but with others at your side…? Tasks that appeared monumental before may become as easy as snapping your fingers."

Violet chuckled lightly, as if enjoying some personal joke that no one else was privy to, "You might be right, General. I'll have to work on that…" she glanced across the few others in the room, hands moving to her arms rests to prop herself up slightly, "If there's nothing else we needed to discuss…?"

"You are both free to leave," Ozpin nodded with a small smile, "Just be careful you don't burn down my school during your demonstration."

Violet laughed, "I'll try not to," she turned to see the uncertain glance that Ironwood was sending Ozpin and smirked, "No promises, though~"

Violet got up and began walking to the elevator, while Weiss hesitated in place. There was one thing left that she wanted to talk to Professor Ozpin about, but… 'It'll be better if Violet isn't around to hear it…' When Violet turned back to her with a raised eyebrow, Weiss shooed her out with her hand, "I'll catch up downstairs. There's just something I wanted to talk to Ironwood about real quick. Family matters, that's all."

"Ah... alrighty then," Violet replied cheerily, stepping into the elevator and waving minutely as the doors began to close, "I'll be at the entrance when you're done."

Weiss nodded her understanding and waited for the doors to close completely before letting out a small sigh. She wasn't certain if her lie had really slipped by. Violet could be entirely too insightful in many instances. With a small shake of her head, Weiss turned back to see the expectant look on Ironwood's face. However, it was not to him that she directed her attention.

Weiss hesitated, knowing that she wouldn't be able to take the words back once she said them. Violet herself hadn't brought the issue to light, but then again… 'She doesn't trust us to help… not really…'

With a long breath, Weiss summoned her confidence to speak.

"Something was off about Violet yesterday."

"Oh?" Ozpin frowned, sharing a worried glance with Ironwood before turning back to Weiss, "What makes you believe that?"

Weiss paused for a moment to collect her thoughts, speaking slowly as she tried to word her question without giving away too much, "I had a chance to speak with Yang a bit more on it, and… It sounds like Violet has had some sort of trauma in the past. When they initially pressed her for information about how she'd saved Yang and Ruby so long ago, Violet was always very evasive. If what Yang says is true… when the rest of her team caught her to demand answers, Violet broke down and avoided telling them the truth. I was just wondering…" she looked to Ironwood as well as Ozpin, now, "I would assume you both looked into her past…? Has Violet ever… lost anyone?"

Ozpin sat forward with a frown and sent a furtive glance in Ironwood's direction. Ozpin brought his hands together in front of himself, steepling his fingers together in thought. After a few moments, he gave a small shrug of resignation, "None that I am aware of, Miss Schnee."

"I haven't read anything in the reports that would suggest as much," Ironwood agreed, "No hospitalizations, no records indicating a death of someone she may have been close to… I don't believe she's ever even attended a funeral."

"What was it about yesterday specifically that brought this line of questioning, Miss Schnee?" Ozpin followed it up, "You said she was acting strange?"

Weiss frowned, "Not strange, exactly. We were... uh," she coughed to try and hide her embarrassment, "talking about whether or not we'd ever liked anyone. When we asked Violet to think on it, she sort of zoned out… I don't think she noticed, but her expression… She looked very confused, and then…"

Both of the older huntsmen waited expectantly for Weiss to finish what she was about to say. She gathered her thoughts once more, trying to piece together how best to explain, "After the first time they made her cry, Yang said that she didn't think Violet could be upset, and yesterday… I understood what she meant. I thought something else had to be at play to leave her like that. She was… she was heartbroken. I could see it in her eyes… My first response was to look for a threat, thinking she was being affected by someone's semblance. It was just Violet, though… and whatever memories seem to haunt her."

Ozpin's expression was deeply troubled, though he tried to hide it behind his steepled hands. His voice came out clipped, carefully withholding his own doubt, "Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Miss Schnee. I assure you that we will look into it... Unfortunately, if you had hoped that I would change my mind about whether or not to send Miss Regalia out on the mission, then you were sorely mistaken."

"I…" Weiss sank in her chair, eyes falling to the floor, "I was hoping it would, but even still... I want what's best for Violet. She's helped a lot of us grow over the last few months. I would hate not being able to return the favor."

"Violet is lucky to have someone like you on her side, Miss Schnee," Ironwood assured her, "I'll have another batch of requests issued to look into the matter."

Weiss perked up slightly, and stood up from her chair to head towards the elevator. She paused a moment longer, looking back over her shoulder to the pair of them, "If it helps, Violet did give a name when she was lying to the rest of her team. Yang mentioned it just incase. It was something like… Jinn?"

"...Thank you, Miss Schnee," Ozpin replied slowly. He waved a hand for her to step into the elevator, who's doors had just then opened, "If you think of anything else, feel free to let me know..."

"Will do," Weiss smiled sadly and stepped into the elevator. She was hardly given a chance for a farewell before the doors closed.

Weiss sighed and let her head fall forward to rest against the doors, letting her shoulders slacken as she did.

'I'm sorry for going behind your back, Violet. We want you to be happy, though. I hope you'll understand that…'

After a few moments spent in silent contemplation, Weiss stood up straight and prepared a smile for when the doors opened.

"You can't tell me you didn't recognize that name, Oz," Ironwood said matter-of-factly, eyes glued to his fellow Headmaster and man of many lives, "Who is it?"

Ozpin raised a hand to sweep it back and forth through his hair, finally resting his fingers on the bridge of his nose while his eyes grew clouded. A storm of doubt roiled behind them. After a handful of seconds, he finally replied in a low, unsettled tone.

"Not someone that Violet Regalia has any right to know…"

"Guys, seriously. What is this all about?" Yang demanded, staring from one teammate to the next as they all refused to answer. Blake and Ruby both avoided her gaze, while Violet only smiled lightly.

"Told you, Yang. It isn't for us to say," Violet stepped forward to wrap an arm around her shoulder and turn her back towards the slowly approaching form of Patch, "Besides, you should never ask for spoilers~"

"I think I'd appreciate them when its about my own life," Yang shot back with a glare. She crossed her arms in a huff, but let Violet's hand remain around her shoulders, "Maybe I should start telling everyone at school about how bad you snore."

Violet laughed, "You aren't going to threaten me into giving away this one, Yang. Sorry~"

Yang jerked her head away to look out across the water, hiding the pure frustrated grimace that broke out across her lips. She muttered quietly, certain that Violet would still hear it, "You do snore, though. You should work on that."

"What!?" Yang could feel Violet's eyes on her, the arm wrapped around her shoulders tensing slightly before shifting. Violet turned to look back at the other two, "Is that true!? Do I snore!?"

"Ummm," Blake's ears twitched wildly before she coughed into her hand, "It's uhh, charming…?"

Violet hung her head, chin falling against her chest in despair, "Why didn't anyone tell me? I would've..."

"Would have what? Stopped?" Yang laughed to show how much she thought of that. Taiyang was a notoriously loud snorer as well, and from what few stories she'd heard, both Raven and Summer had given up trying to fix that small flaw.

Violet smiled weakly and gave a small shrug, letting her hand fall off Yang's shoulder as the ferry arrived at the dock along the shore of Patch. The group had chosen to head out to the small town in their combat outfits, weapons in their rightful places. The way that Violet hadn't allowed Penny to come along with them had only furthered Yang's suspicions. Violet had been nothing but accommodating to any request the odd Atlesian girl had made since her arrival.

Ruby zipped off the ship in a semblance infused dash and reformed on the docks, raising her arms high and stretching, "Oh~ It's good to be back!"

Blake used the gangplank carefully, walking exactly down the center while eyeing the open sides that led to the ocean water below, "I'll admit, I'm excited to see where you two grew up."

"Or how much it's changed since I was here last," Violet admitted with a dry chuckle, "We weren't here for very long last time. Me running off with you two kind of put my parents in a… let's say, 'non-vacation' kind of mood."

"Yeah, near death experiences have a tendency to do that," Yang smirked, walking off the ship ahead of Violet who took up the rear, "You're going to be disappointed, though. Patch is a pretty quiet town. Not much has changed, really."

"There's that new comic book store!" Ruby chipped in, eyes brightening as she put a finger to her chin in thought, "Ooh! And that bakery!"

Yang shook her head, "I mean anything substantial, Rubes. It's still just a few streets connecting to one main road in the middle of town. Even the arcade hasn't been updated in years."

"Really?" Violet raised an eyebrow, seeming to be thinking back on something in particular, "We'll have to hit up the arcade on the way back into Vale, then. I'm curious whether or not something is still there…"

"Well, let's get whatever this is about over with then," Yang sighed, striding up the docks and into the treelines. Ruby fell in line next to her while Blake and Violet walked closely behind. Yang's trepidation only grew as she felt the tension in the air, the other three stealing nervous glances in her direction that she felt more than saw.

"If you all keep looking at me like that, I'm going to start throwing punches," Yang warned, shooting a glare at each of them in turn, "It's bad enough that you won't tell me what this is all about."

"Sorry…" Ruby and Blake both mumbled quietly. Their eyes fell to the dirt road beneath their feet, hesitant to raise beyond that incase they might incur Yang's wrath.

"Alright, alright," Violet raised her hands placatingly, "Let's just hurry up then, shall we?"

Yang rolled her eyes and chose to stew in silence as they began the lengthy journey back to the Xiao Long cabin. She marched ahead, ignoring the quiet conversation that picked up behind her between the other three. They spoke of nothing consequential, and Yang gave it just as little mind.

Soon enough the cabin came into view, their steps winding along the dirt trail until it had long since come into sight through the treeline. Yang paused in her approach, feet slowing down as she saw her father and uncle standing outside the home, both appearing apprehensive when their eyes fell on Yang's own.

Blake's comforting hand on her shoulder urged her to continue forward, and Yang was glad for the support, 'Even if I don't know what this is all about…' She picked her pace back up and looked more closely, spotting the way her father's eyes darted away from her own on closer inspection.

Tai opened the door and gestured for them to enter. Yang frowned as she stepped inside first and the smell of something cooking hit her nose. Her suspicions only grew when she noticed that the living room furniture had been rearranged. The couch and recliners had been arranged so that both recliners faced the couch, set next to each other in a way that didn't even face the monitor.

Qrow gestured for her to sit down on the couch as he followed in after, then moved to sit in one of the recliners. He was joined soon enough by Tai in the other. Yang took the wordless suggestion and sat down near the middle of one of the couches, shuffling awkwardly when Ruby and Blake sat down close to either side of her. Violet hesitated a moment, then chose to stand behind her instead of sitting as well.

"So?" Yang demanded sharply, crossing her arms once more to stare down her father and Qrow, "Nobody wanted to tell me what this was about until we were here," her eyes glanced around the room, "Sure doesn't look like a surprise party."

Tai and Qrow exchanged a glance before Qrow sighed audibly, placing his elbows against his knees while he leaned forward, "Don't be mad at them, Firecracker. Your father and I… we wanted to be the ones that told you the truth. Your friends were nice enough to agree to it, despite… their own feelings on the issue…"

Yang opened her mouth for a retort, but was interrupted by her father, who finally managed to get his vocal cords working properly, "It's about your mother, Yang."

Yang's eyes narrowed, confusion and doubt beginning to mount, "What? After all these years, now you want to talk about her? Why the change of heart?"

Tai closed his eyes, struggling to continue, so Qrow picked up the slack with a grimace, "Because they," he nodded his chin towards her teammates as he said it, "found out the truth."

"And what truth is that?"

"Your mother… Raven," Qrow rubbed his face for a moment, ending up with his chin resting against them, "We know why you want to become a huntress, Yang. You want to find her, right? Just to be sure… what were you hoping you'd find?"

Yang balked, having her own secret revealed so blatantly in front of her team. She hadn't told any of them yet, and hadn't really planned on doing so until… well… 'They didn't have to know…'

"What did I want to find?" Yang's anger grew at the way the question had been phrased, voice now dripping with acidity, "I didn't expect to find out she was a great mother all along, if that's what you mean. All I wanted was a damn apology, and some answers. Things that neither of you ever felt like giving me!"

"Nothing would come of it, Yang," Tai spoke up, placing a hand on Qrow's forearm to request his silence, "Raven doesn't care about you, or me. She never did."

Yang sat back, a dismal hope that she had kept hidden from herself surging to the forefront, desperately grasping for any hint that what her father had said was a lie, "She married you. How could she not care!?"

Her father sighed, "Raven tried, Yang. That's all I can say in her favor. After we graduated from Beacon and had a few years under our belts as a real team, it really seemed like she'd made a full turn recovery from her time in the tribe. Raven was never the most modest or humble person, but she was our teammate, and we… I learned to love her."

"Then what changed? Why'd she leave?"

"She was afraid, Yang. Deep down underneath it all, Raven's tough attitude was only a way to hide her own insecurities. Once you were born, and she realized how much responsibility was on her shoulders because of it… she ran."

Yang had always known her mother had left abruptly, but to hear that she had ditched her own daughter so soon? A lifetime of suppressed anger began to rear its head.

"Where is she now?"

Tai glanced over to Qrow, who took the gesture as a sign to take things from there, "I manage to keep in touch. Not much, and only when she wants to talk, but… Raven took over the Branwen Tribe on Mistral. They're bandits, Yang. Raiders that attack villages and don't care about the casualties they leave behind."

"That's…" 'awful…'

However, some small shred of hope remained, 'If she's all the way in Mistral, then maybe…?'

"It isn't as if she could have visited, then. How do you know she hasn't changed her mind after all these years?"

"Raven could have visited any time she wanted to."

"But-"

"No, Yang," Qrow shook his head firmly, "You don't understand. I don't mean packing up her bags and coming over for a trip to visit. Your mother…"

Tai noticed Qrow faltering and jumped in, though he appeared just as anxious as the man next to him, "It's because of Raven's semblance, Yang. That's how we know."

"What… What is her semblance?" Yang asked the question with a hint of worry in her own voice, incapable of holding back her fear of the answers she was about to receive.

'Surely it isn't that big of a deal…?'

Qrow raised his eyes, giving Yang a pained look that spoke volumes of the torment he was currently undergoing, the sorrow he felt for his niece, "...Raven can create portals. She can travel from anywhere to the people she's close to. I… I don't want you to get the wrong idea. Being Raven's kid… of course she'd have a portal to you. What mother wouldn't feel even the slightest bit of attachment to their own kid? But even with her semblance… she never came back, Yang. She chose herself over you."

'But…' Yang's eyes glossed over, the tears beginning to come unbidden. She held them back as well as she could, looking to her father for confirmation, voice cracking, "I-Is that true...?"

Her father could only nod.

Yang broke.

For as long as she could remember, it had been her mission, her secret desire, to find her mother. After Summer had died, and they'd been left with only a withdrawn Tai and depressed Qrow to look after them, Yang had promised Ruby that she would find them another mother, 'My mother,' to replace what they'd lost.

Yang's shoulders racked with heavy sobs as she dropped her head into her hands, golden hair falling to the sides to obscure her face from both Ruby and Blake. Tears wet her eyes, dripping free to roll down her cheeks and across her palms. She hardly felt the warmth of her teammates pressing up against her, hands moving to her back in an attempt to soothe her. She was locked in her own small world, overcome by despair.

'All this time, all the training I went through… and for what!? Nothing!' Her mother didn't care. She'd never cared. Raven could have stepped back into her life at any point in time. Yang's body shook, seething with a newfound outrage that fought in equal parts with her anguish.

In only a few short moments, her father had moved across the intervening space to fall to his knees in front of her. Yang felt her arms get pushed to the side as Tai wrapped his own around her, thick muscles pulling her against his chest. Despite the anger she felt, her arms wrapped around him in kind, pulling him in as tightly as she could to feel some modicum of the love he was trying to show her.

"I'm sorry, Yang. This… this is why we didn't want to tell you. I don't know if you'll ever forgive us, but…" her father's voice cracked, choking on his own emotions as well, "I only ever wanted you to be happy."

"I-I don't…" Yang turned her head to the side so that she wasn't muffling herself nearly as much, voice coming out in a strained whisper regardless, "I don't blame you…"

Her father raised his hand, running it slowly through the length of her golden hair. Yang could feel it tugging ever so lightly against her head, the motion somehow soothing despite the fact that she never let anyone touch it. After what felt like an eternity, the sad spasms that racked her body began to die down, her tears drying up over time. Yang let herself be lulled by that feeling, and firmly pressed the side of her face against his burly chest.

She felt the twin hands of both Ruby and Blake rubbing against her back in smooth, circular motions. Eventually, her breathing returned to a steady rhythm, and she sniffled one final time before pulling back to wipe off her cheeks. Yang shared a sad smile with her sister and Blake, then turned around to face Violet's consoling eyes.

"I'm sorry, Yang. We wanted to tell you sooner, but… I didn't think it would be fair to your father or Qrow if they didn't get the chance to explain themselves. I thought you'd be more upset at them, if we'd been the ones to tell you… I hope you don't think I was just keeping secrets again."

"N-No… you were right to let them tell me, Vi…" Yang acknowledged sadly, giving her father and Qrow a faint smile. A thought came to her, and she turned back with a weakly raised eyebrow, "How did you find out in the first place?"

Violet scratched her cheek, shame partially hidden, "I… I hate to give her credit for anything, Yang… but, she made up for Qrow's and my failure, the night of the explosion…"

Yang's brow furrowed in confusion, and she turned back to Qrow, a silent question plain across her features.

"Raven… she's the only reason I survived that night, Firecracker. My sister forms bonds with people in order to use her semblance. Through them, she can feel their emotions… She probably felt that something was off about me, and showed up in time to save me."

"She… saved you?" Yang shook her head, confusion mounting, "Why would she do that if she only cares about herself?"

"It's her rule. Everybody gets 'one'… Honestly, I think she uses that as an excuse, but…" Qrow shrugged weakly.

"One? One what?" Yang frowned, eyes growing distant and voice lowering, "She'll show up to save someone's she close to only once!?" her eyes darted back up to her father's, a horrific idea coming to realization, "So what, Summer had already used hers!?"

Tai and Qrow's eyes widened, giving Yang all the confirmation she needed. 'That… what kind of person…!' With her sadness forgotten, Yang's rage began to return with a vengeance. She could sense the world around her going red as her eyes flashed crimson, a dull glow beginning to emanate from her golden hair, "That… that bitch!"

'Summer was the best mom we could have ever had!'

"She just let her die!?"

Yang heard Ruby let out a choked gasp next to her and stood, an idea firmly planting itself in her mind while her rage seethed uncontrollably. 'So, she'll show up once, will she?' Yang's hands clenched into tight fists, and she ignored the voices of those around her as she strode out of the cabin, slamming the door behind her so hard she heard the frame crack.

'Well, I guess I'll just have to make her show herself!'

"Yang, wait!" Violet called out, making it only a few steps towards the door before Tai stepped in front of her, holding his hands up.

"Hold on. Let us talk to her," Tai spoke with a hitch in his throat, eyeing Violet with a pleading gaze, "She can't go far. We'll try and calm her down before she does anything rash."

"You saw that look in her eyes, Tai," Violet said harshly, knowing that something 'rash' was exactly what Yang was about to go do, "I can help calm her down, too."

Qrow stepped up next to Tai and looked between them, indecision eating away at him for a moment. He finally sighed heavily, and looked to Violet before shaking his head, "We've got this, kid," he glanced past, hearing the sniffling sobs of Ruby on the couch, "...there's someone else that needs you right now."

Violet grimaced, caught between her desire to help both of her teammates simultaneously and eyes darting between Ruby and the door. After a few seconds, she gave in, "You'd better fix this…"

"Hey, we've lived with Yang her entire life," Qrow chuckled, placing his hand on Tai's shoulder and pulling him towards the door, "We got this."

Violet had begun to turn around back towards Ruby and Blake while Qrow was reaching out for the door when the loud rumble of a motorcycle broke the momentary silence. Violet whipped her eyes back around, and Qrow's own widened before he ripped the door open in a rush.

The doors to the shed slammed apart as Yang crashed through them, snapping the lock on the large double doors while plowing through on Bumblebee. She skidded to a halt for a moment, burning red eyes glancing back over her shoulder towards the figures in the doorway. With an angry curl of her lips, she twisted the handle to open the throttle wide. The back tire spit out dirt, then caught well enough to launch her forward.

In only a few seconds, Yang and her motorcycle were lost to sight through the trees, and Violet was left with a burning hole in her stomach.

'Yang… what are you doing…?'

How do you know that name, Violet? Looks like Ozpin has gained another seed of doubt. How will he choose to follow up on it?

Meanwhile, Yang is off to meet her mother. What terrible plan is she about to put into motion?

Thanks for reading,

- Sybaen