Prologue 2: How to Help

Knock knock

Bruce opened the door with a sad sigh, already aware of who it was. Sure enough, at his door was Qrow, his niece Yang, and… Ruby. That was the first thing he noticed when they came into view, she was a spitting image of her mother, only… wrong. Those brilliant silver eyes he was so accustomed to seeing over the years were cold and distant. Bruce hated to admit it, but she looked a lot like him after his… incident. She looked so much like him in fact, that he only turned away when he heard Qrow call his name.

"Bruce?" Qrow asked, his gruff tone snapping him out of his trance.

"Excuse me, I… haven't had any guests over in a while," he clarified. It had been awhile, but he slowly fell back into the role he'd been playing for years now; a kind old man who's best days were long behind him.

"Right..." Qrow said, sounding weary and concerned. Bruce would need to fix that.

"Anyways…" Bruce drawled out, fully opening his door. "This is my home, I hope it's… sufficient," he finished.

Qrow whistled in appreciation. The house may have been old, but it was clearly cleaned and well kept, looking nothing like Summer said it was. He must have done some early spring cleaning. "This place is… large," He said, knowing his statement didn't do the place justice.

Bruce put on a practiced smile. "Thank you, it hasn't looked this nice since Alfred was here." Bruce smiled for real this time. Alfred was a dear friend, a man he saw as a father after his parents died.

Qrow responded with a nod, he had heard about Alfred. Bruce had once shared fond memories of the old butler, where he praised his supportive nature. " So… you sure you can take care of the kids?" He questioned, he had to make sure that he was up for the job. They… were all he had left at this point.

Bruce gave a solemn nod, he knew that Qrow had to go on a mission, and he sure as hell knew that Tai was in no condition to care for them. "I promise Qrow, I'll treat them like they were my own."

Qrow smiled sadly at that, he knew Bruce had adopted several kids in the past, that was another reason he chose to leave them with him. "Thank you," is all he said before kneeling down to the two kids before him. "You two be good for Mr. Wayne okay? I'll be back as soon as I can." He promised with a fake smile, this would be his last mission for a while. His nieces were far more important than a crusade that would probably continue on long after his death.

Yang nodded, giving him a hug before she turned her gaze towards Ruby. Ruby… Qrow didn't know how he would handle that one, she barely did anything after she saw that cape. Yang had to practically do everything for her, the poor kid shouldn't have had to worry about that kind of responsibility at that age. He took a deep exhale, taking one last look at his nieces before departing from Wayne Manor.

It had been a little over an hour since her Uncle Qrow had left them at this stranger's house, and she didn't hesitate to admit that she was out of her depth. The place was HUGE, with all of the giant hallways and interconnected rooms it almost looked like a maze. The stranger in question seemed to be alright, allowing her and her younger sister to eat whatever they wanted. However, Yang didn't have to be a genius to see that she was the only one touching her food.

Ruby, like she had done for the past couple of days, was aimlessly staring off into space, seemingly ignorant to the world around her. Yang frowned at this, she remembered how happy and full of energy her sister used to be. Unfortunately, every last bit of her former self had been whittled away by the mere sight of their mother's bloodied cape. Now, Ruby wouldn't even let go of it, taking the cape with her everywhere she went, she even slept with it! If Yang were being honest, she knew she wasn't doing so hot after the incident either, but she had to stay strong for Ruby. Since her dad wasn't able to raise her, then Yang would fill that void and raise her herself!

,,,

At least that's what she would say if she had any clue on where to start. When Ruby first started acting like this, she had asked her Uncle Qrow what they could do to help. Surprisingly, he didn't seem to know what to do either. When he first realized she was still dragging around that cape, he attempted to forcefully pull it out of her grasp. However, as soon as he tried to take it away, her sister practically growled at him, sending him a harsh glare that she didn't think her cute little sister was capable of. Suffice to say, Yang knew she was out of options.

While Yang was busy trying to help her sister, Bruce had sat himself in his study, contemplating what exactly he should do next. However, his musings were seemingly cut short when he felt a tap on his leg.

"Excuse me, Mr. Wayne?" Bruce looked down, finding Yang Xiao Long at his feet.

Bruce wrinkled a brow in surprise, not expecting her to come to him anytime soon. "Yes? Do you need anything?"

She nodded, "Do you know how to help my sister? She hasn't been the same since...yeah." She trailed off, not wanting to think about that day anymore then she had to.

Bruce's shoulders dropped at this, of course she'd want to help her sister. If only she knew just what kind of help she'd need to be even remotely stable in the future. He shook his head, nodding to the girl before making his way towards Ruby.

It was just as he feared, she wasn't getting better. Every time he looked at her she only began to look more and more like he did after he began to deal with his own grief. He stopped himself about two or three feet in front of her, hesitating to do something as simple as putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. He briefly sighed, taking his shaking hand away before he could cause her any further damage.

It didn't take long for Bruce to admit he was out of his depth. Watching and feeding the children was simple enough, but when it came to being there for them in situations like this? His last conversation with Summer returned to the front of his mind. Bruce decided, despite his own stubborn nature, that he did indeed need other people. He only hoped they were still willing to hear him out…

"What are we doing here, Barb?"

"Bruce needs our help, Dick."

"Of course he does. That's the only time he's ever called us. So why are we here?"

Barbara Grayson-Gordon was usually fond of her husband's tendency to wear his emotions on his sleeve. But then again, she usually agreed with the sentiment behind them. This was different, and his response had her stopping short and shooting him a glare that she usually reserved for the officers under her charge. "Richard Grayson, that man is practically your father."

"He's a drill sergeant!" Dick argued. "He had years to call us. I understand he's not exactly the type for social calls, but he could have tried."

"I'm not saying he's a perfect man," Barbara clarified, her tone growing softer. "But he's done so much for the both of us. Plus, you're right. He hasn't called us for years. The fact that he is now must mean this is something serious."

"It's always serious…" Dick grumbled, but followed his wife up the driveway nonetheless.

Barbara continued to take charge, knocking on the door to announce their arrival. The door almost immediately opened. Most would think it was because Bruce was expecting them. Barbara knew that he was aware of their arrival since they got to his driveway gate.

"Hello, Bruce," Barbara greeted professionally. She was willing to help him, but that didn't mean she had any better of an opinion than her husband about Bruce's behavior the last few years.

"Barbara, Dick," Bruce returned the greeting just as coldly. "I'm a little surprised you actually came."

"I'm more surprised you called us in the first place," Dick cut in. "What's the situation? You didn't clarify over the phone."

"I didn't know if you'd believe me," Bruce admitted. "I need help with… kids."

Dick knew he heard Bruce correctly. Still, he was surprised enough that he still asked, "come again?"

"Come inside. You'll understand." Bruce stepped aside and allowed the pair into the manor.

Dick was clearly more willing to lend aid, if only out of curiosity. Inside the main sitting room they found the kids Bruce was talking about. Kids that they recognized instantly. Though they had never met them themselves, Summer had gushed about her daughters enough during her frequent visits to Barbara's precinct that it was obvious who they were. They were also quick to notice the building tension in the room.

"Yang? Ruby? What happened?" Barbara's voice was full of motherly concern.

When neither girl responded, Bruce spoke up, "you see what Ruby is holding?"

"The red cape?"

"It shouldn't be red."

The trained detectives caught on quickly. The depressing mood, the dejected gazes, the specks of white barely still visible on the cloth… "Summer's… dead?"

"Ruby got the worst of it," Bruce explained. "The cape was sent to their house. Ruby opened it first. I'll admit I'm not the best at comfort, I was hoping the two of you could help."

Barbara and Dick had to take a moment to themselves first. Summer was a dear friend to them, and a skilled fighter. It was difficult to believe she could lose a spar, let alone her life. Dick began to ask Bruce a number of questions. He slowly gathered the whole story of Summer's visit, it's effect on Bruce, and Taiyang's current condition.

As they spoke, Barbara stepped forward to try her hand with Ruby. She sat next to the young girl, trying not to be too close and intrude on her space. Though to be fair, it didn't look like Ruby would notice if she did.

"Hello, Ruby."

"..."

"I know you must be going through a lot."

"..."

"Perhaps you would feel better if you talked about it? Got a few things off your chest?"

"..."

Barbara frowned. She didn't really think that would magically work, but it did give her a good gauge of how bad Ruby was. The answer was bad. Perhaps even more than Barbara would be able to handle. The girl didn't even do anything to acknowledge Barbara's attempt to speak with her. She only continued to stare into nothing with her vice-grip on her mother's cape.

That cape…

The bloody cloth had long since dried, as did the blood coating Ruby's hands, chest and neck. There's even some as high up as her cheeks. She clearly hadn't let go since she first found it. If there was any chance of Ruby getting better, getting her away from her mother's blood was the first step.

"Why don't we get you cleaned up?" Barbara began to reach for the cape. "Let me just get this-"

Ruby jerked the cape away from Barbara's grasp. The sudden burst of movement took Barbara by surprise. She recovered quickly and attempted to comfort the young girl, "I promise I'll take good care of it." She managed to close her fingers around the cape. That transgression was met with a hard scowl from Ruby that could give Bruce a run for his money. It was the only time she showed she knew anyone else was there, and the message was clear enough.

"Okay," Barbara conceded, letting go. Something about the look in Ruby's eyes seemed familiar, though Barbara had trouble placing it. The truth was, while she was willing to keep trying, it was clear it would all end the same. It was almost as though Ruby didn't want to be helped. And if Ruby was going to fight any comfort, there was nothing anyone could do. Barbara stood and returned to Dick and Bruce, silently admitting her defeat.

With no other reason to stay, Bruce led Dick and Barbara back to the front door. As he stepped outside, Dick turned back. "Bruce?"

"Hm?" Bruce opened the door back up fully. "What is it?"

"That stuff you told me, about what Summer said. You really should follow her advice. I know it wasn't a happy thing that led you to calling us, but… don't be a stranger this time, okay?"

Bruce's gaze dropped as he contemplated the thought. He turned his eyes back up to Dick to answer, "I'll do my best."

Despite everything else, at least there was something Dick and Barbara could smile about.

"Why is everyone sad?"

Yang considered answering honestly, but such a response died against her little sister's innocent eyes. "It's just a grown-up thing, Rubes. You'll know when you're older."

"But you're not a grown up?" the younger girl pointed out.

Yang almost smiled thanks to her sister's optimism. "Just don't worry about it, sis. Go play a little, okay?" The older sister left for her bedroom.

Ruby was thinking about which toys to grab when she heard a knock at the door. She ignored it, thinking her father or sister would answer first. After a few more minutes, Ruby realized she never heard the door open. She checked on her father on the couch and found him fast asleep once again. She considered going back to her sister, but Ruby was a big girl! She could answer the door herself!

She still opened the door carefully, wary of strangers like her mommy taught her. Waiting on the porch was a dark figure holding a dripping box. "Oh, I guess someone got a delivery?"

Being the good little girl she was, she took the package and brought it inside, every step joined by slosh from the ankle-high pool of red. She was halfway to her father before she remembered he was sleeping. At a loss for what to do next, the young girl's curiosity began to rise. What had daddy bought? Maybe it was for her! Surely, he wouldn't be mad with one little peek… Ruby quickly knelt down and reached for the lid, her excitement rising.

Red cloth burst from the box, wrapping around the girl and dragging her beneath a growing ocean of blood. Waiting for her from below was the dark figure, this time accompanied by glowing red eyes.

"Did you like my present, little petal?" It's voice was genderless and pervasive. "I had so much fun with your mother, I thought I'd share the joy! And I can't wait to do the same with you…"

Ruby struggled and screamed, fighting toward the surface as her lungs burned.

Bruce was already awake when the screaming started, his night-owl tendencies carrying over from his old life. As such, it didn't take him long to investigate. He followed the screaming down the hall to where he had set the girls to sleep. Unsurprisingly the sound came from Ruby's room. Yang was already at the door herself, looking unsurprised as well.

Bruce put more weight into his steps to announce his presence calmly. He waited for Yang to look up to him before addressing things. "I'm guessing this isn't new."

"Every night since…" Yang answered, not needing to elaborate.

The screaming suddenly stopped. Bruce carefully entered the room and saw Ruby sitting up in the bed, clearly awake and still holding her mother's cape close. Things finally began to click into place for Bruce. He made his way to the bed and sat down next to the girl.

"Did you know that I lost my parents when I was only a little older than you are?"

Ruby didn't react, but Bruce now knew that it didn't mean she wasn't listening.

"They were killed in front of my eyes. It gave me nightmares. Nightmares that I imagine are very similar to what you're going through now."

Ruby maintained her blank stare, though after a few moments she did move. Bruce felt her shimmy next to him. She opened her mouth to speak but was clearly struggling. Thankfully, Bruce didn't need to hear her question. To him, it was plain on her face. "They won't stop. That's not what you want to hear, but it is the truth. To this day, I still have mine from time to time."

Most would expect Ruby's expression to change. To fall further into sadness. But it didn't change at all. "Everyone has been trying to cheer you up, or at least lessen your sadness. What they don't understand is that you're not sad at all are you?"

That finally elicited a true response. Ruby finally turned away from the endless abyss she had been staring into to look up at Bruce's eyes. Eyes that mirrored her own.

"You're angry. Angry at a world that took Summer away. Angry at the unnamed, faceless assailant that stole her away from you. Angry at your own fear."

The connection had been formed. They could both feel it. Ruby barely hesitated to throw her arms around Bruce. She cried into his chest, but Bruce now knew they were not tears of sorrow, but of fear and frustration. And now that he knew that, he knew how he might actually help the young Rose.

"I can train you," he told her. "Like the nightmares, the anger will never really go away. But I can teach you to control it, to focus it, and act in spite of your fear. But I won't force you. Think on it, as long as you need."

Bruce finally stood to leave and was halfway to the door before he realized something. He was holding Summer's cape. Somehow it ended up in his hand, but more than that Ruby let him take it. He had an idea, and continued out of the room to let Ruby try to sleep again.

Morning came, and Ruby woke up to a small gift in her room. Something square shaped underneath a sheet that wasn't there the night before. She got up and took the sheet off. Underneath was her mother's still-bloody cape, preserved in a sturdy wall frame. Ruby wondered if the thought behind the gift would make her smile if she was still capable. Regardless, she believed she already had her answer.

Eventually, the time came for them to leave. It had been a little over a month since they began their stay in Wayne Manor. Yang's feelings were mixed, however. While she was happy to see her father and Uncle Qrow again, she had a feeling that Ruby wouldn't be joining them.

Ever since that night, Ruby had been firmly attached to Bruce's hip, never straying too far away from his presence. Yang understood, she had overheard the talk Bruce and her sister shared that night, and she knew that he was possibly the only person capable of understanding her.

Which is why, when her Uncle Qrow came to pick them up, she wrapped her sister in a fierce hug. Qrow was justifiably confused by this. "What's wrong kiddo? You look like you're saying goodbye to your sister."

Yang only sniffled in response. She was about to respond when Ruby beat her to it, "I wanna stay with Bruce." She and Qrow both flinched back in response. This had been the first thing she's heard her say since that fateful night.

Qrow turned to Bruce, clearly signaling him to elaborate on the matter. "Ruby's acting very similar to how I acted when my parents died. If you'll allow me, I'd like to act as her legal guardian until she… recovers."

Qrow's eyes briefly widened, before he looked to Bruce with a rare seriousness in his eyes. "Can you really help her?" he asked, wanting to be absolutely certain that Bruce can actually help his youngest niece.

Bruce had been unsure about several things in his life, but this wasn't one of them. "Yes," he answered short and succinctly, his tone firm, absolute.

Qrow nodded at this, "then I trust you." With that, he turned his gaze over to his other niece, "how about you firecracker? Ready to go home?"

Yang nodded, sending one last tearful gaze towards Ruby before leaving with her Uncle Qrow.

Once the door was closed, Bruce focused his gaze on the little girl in front of him. "I see you've made your choice then," he observed.

Ruby nodded, her face showing nothing, but the same cold scowl Bruce had grown so accustomed to seeing in the mirror over the years.

Unlike their previous encounter, Dick was actually looking forward to seeing Bruce this time around.

Of course, his wife of many years noticed, "you seem happy." Her husband's personality had done a complete 180 since their previous interaction with his surrogate father.

Dick smiled, looking over to his wife he said, "what can I say? Bruce is actually talking to us again! Not to mention our little ride along." He sunk his eyes below to see their four-year-old grandson, James Grayson, looking around the manor's exterior in absolute wonder.

Barbara chuckled; she too appreciated her grandson's company. She and Dick would always jump at the chance to babysit James while his father went on whatever mission his huntsman duties required of him.

Soon enough, they had once again walked up the manor's driveway, giving the door a quick knock before Bruce opened it shortly after. "Dick, Barbara," he greeted, his eyes trailing down to their 'ride along'. "James," he said with a nod, the child giving him a short little wave in response.

For once, Dick was the one who began the business talk, "so, why did you call us here this time? Qrow should have finished his mission by now."

Bruce once again nodded in response, leaving them with a short "you'll see," before leading them into the living room.

To their confusion, they saw a noticeably cape less Ruby. Although, unlike their first meeting, she fixed them all that same emotionless scowl that they saw every day while they were under Bruce's 'tutelage'. A frightened James hid behind the legs of his more concerned grandparents. Barbara was the first to recover, fixing Bruce a questioning stare. "What's going on Bruce?"

Bruce looked at them with a fire in his eyes they hadn't seen in years, "Ruby has decided to stay with me. I want you to help train her."

Both of them felt their jaws drop, "If you think for one second, I'll -" Dick began to respond, only to pause when Bruce held up his hand in a 'quiet' motion.

"I want you to train her the same way I trained you, but that's all. I'm not going to give her a suit, this is supposed to be therapy for her." Bruce clarified, not wanting his former proteges to get the wrong idea.

Dick noticeably calmed down at this while Barbara analyzed his expression. "How is training her therapy?" Barbara asked.

Bruce sighed, "On the night you left she had a nightmare, it was then that I realized her thought process. She isn't sad, she never was. She's angry, and she needs a way to hone that anger into something helpful. Usually I'd train her myself, but as you know my body isn't what it used to be."

"An outlet?" Barbara summarized, "and that's all?"

"Yes."

Barbara and Dick took another look at Ruby. With Bruce's words in mind, they could see where his thoughts were coming from. Barbara was ready to agree, but she wanted to make sure her husband was on the same page. "Dick?"

"It'll help her, right? Like it helped me. For all your faults, I am grateful for that, Bruce." Dick ended his statement with a nod.

Barbara smiled. "It looks like we're helping."

While Ruby's scowl never lessened, listening to the adult's conversation had smoothed James's mood enough to take a few careful steps toward her. He forced his best smile onto his face and held out his hand, like he had seen adults do. "Hiya! My name's James!"

Ruby looked between James's face and his hand, unsure of how to react. She slowly accepted the handshake, returning the introduction. "Ruby." The harsh tone had James flinching away again, though only slightly.

Ruby paid it no mind. Her thoughts were occupied with more important things, namely her coming training. It sounded like Dick and Barbara were going to be her teachers. Well, I'm ready, Ruby steeled her resolve. I'm ready for whatever my future holds.

Hey guys! I bet your surprised I uploaded again so soon huh? Well, I have a little over a month before school starts back up, so hopefully I can have a semi consistent upload schedule this time around. For this chapter, about half of it was written by me and the other half by my co writer Vengfulfate. Go check him out if you haven't already, he's made some seriously awesome stories. Anyways though, I hope you enjoy. As always, reviews are welcomed!