Here we are at chapter 16. It looks like another filler before Volume 2. Time to see Velvet's spy from before. I do not won RWBY or Tales of Berseria. They belong to their respective owners. Here's chapter 16. Enjoy.

Chapter 16: Have a little fun

Velvet races through the trees at night as she tries to track down the mystery figure that was watching her back at Ruby's home. Better judgement suggested that she should've gotten Ruby and Yang to go with her, but there was no time for that. This task, she'll have to take care of by herself. As she runs through the forest, she catches glimpses of the spy ahead of her, using the darkness to mask their appearance. Velvet follows them for a few more minutes until she comes into a large clearing in the forest. The clearing has the light of the moon to bring some light to the area as Velvet looks around for her mystery person. However, she soon here's some light foot steps ahead of her on the other side of the clearing and looks forward to see someone walking out from the shadows. Soon enough, the person steps into the light of the moon, allowing Velvet to get a good look at them.

The person turns out to be a man. He has graying black, spiky hair, red eyes, and slight stubble along his jawline. With a red, tattered cloak, he wears a gray dress shirt with a long tail, black dress pants, and black dress shoes. He also wears a ring on his right index finger, two other rings on his right fourth finger, and a necklace with a crooked cross-shaped pendant. She can also see some large metal object on his back, most likely his weapon in its non-combat form.

"Who are you? Why have you been spying on me?" she demands.

The man chuckles while pulling out a flask, "What, a guy take a stroll through the woods near someone's home without being some kind of scoundrel?" he playfully asks while drinking his flask.

"Not if it makes you look like a potential burglar or worse. I asked you a question. Now tell me why you are here?!" Velvet says, drawing her gauntlet blade for emphasis.

"I could, but where's the fun it that?" he calmly retorts, putting his flask away.

Velvet gets more aggravated, "Tell me now, or I will have no choice but to beat it out of you," she threatens him.

The man chuckles before swiping back his bangs, "Now you're speaking my language," he taunts her.

Velvet charges at him, while the man just stands there, still wearing his smug smirk. When Velvet gets close, she activates her right foot blade and swings it to get the drop on him. However, he easily leans back to avoid the strike. Retracting the foot blade, Velvet then twists around to swing her arm blade at him, but he steps back enough to dodge it. Velvet then fires off a shot at him close up, but he moves his head to the side to evade the shot. Velvet then jumps into the air and thrusts her blade at him again, but the man pulls out the metal object from behind him to block the strike. He hits a switch on it, and a large blade extends from the main body, showing it to be a large sword with a unique hilt with gears in it. The man pushes Velvet back and then swings his sword around before pointing the tip of the blade at her.

"So then, shall we continue this little dance?" he jokes, making Velvet grit her teeth in irritation.

…

Meanwhile, back at the house, Ruby gets worried with Velvet being gone for so long while Taiyang and Yang clean the dishes.

"I'm gonna go check on her," she says and gets up to leave.

Yang turns around, "Are you sure that's okay Ruby? Maybe she just needs some space right now," she says.

"She's been gone for most of dinner. I need to make sure she's okay. I'll be fine. I'll be back in a minute," Ruby says and heads to the front door. When she opens it up to check the porch, however, she finds no trace of Velvet. "Where is she?" she mutters as she looks around a moment before she suddenly hears a gunshot off into the distance. She quickly gets worried, "Velvet!" she yells and runs back into the house. "Guys, quick! Velvet's gone!" she shouts.

This gets her family's attention, "What?! Where is she?!" Yang asks.

"I don't know, but I heard a gunshot out in the forest. I think it might be her. We have to hurry, now!" she says and quickly grabs her weapon.

"We have to hurry. Let's go," Taiyang says as Yang grabs her gauntlets and they leave.

…

Back with Velvet, she backflips away as the man swings at her. When she lands, he is immediately on her and she parries four of his strikes and then activates both her foot blades in a tempest of steel at her opponent. However, the man manages to block every attack before they break off from each other. After that, the man's blade pivots down and he fires off a shotgun blast at Velvet, Velvet rolls out of the way and runs at him again. He fires off another shot, to which she sidesteps out of the way, and then blocks a strike from her arm blade as the two press their blades against one another.

"Heh, not bad, kid. But is that all you've got?" he taunts her, never losing his smirk.

"I'm just getting started, old man," she retorts.

"Old man? Now that hurt my feelings," he jokes.

Velvet deflects his sword to the ground and then kicks him in the chest, making him slide back a few feet. However, he retaliates by swinging his sword downward, sending a crescent wave shaped attack straight at Velvet. Velvet dodges the strike and fires off some more shots at the man, who swings his sword around in front of him to block the shots. The man then jumps into the air, reeling his sword back, and Velvet jumps backwards just as he slams his sword into the ground, creating a large crater in the ground.

"This guy is strong. If I'm going to get him to talk, I'll have to get a little more serious," Velvet thinks and activates her demon claw.

This surprises the man a little bit, "Whoa, nice little trick there. I guess that explains the bandages. Got any other tricks up your sleeve?" he asks, intrigued.

"You'll find out soon enough," Velvet replies at runs at him.

When she gets close, she swings her claw at him, but he jumps back to avoid it. The man counters with a side-swing of his blade, but Velvet parries it with her claw, and then backhands him away, though he blocks the strike. Velvet conjures up a fire arte and fires at him. The attack takes the man by surprise, but he swings his sword downward to slice through the attack. Grabbing a lightning Dust crystal from her pouch, Velvet absorbs it to gain her lightning abilities. Seeing this intrigues the man, but he stays focused as Velvet charges up her arm. He runs at her, and she slams her claw into the ground, sending a large bolt blast his way. The man jumps high into the air to avoid the shot, but then Velvet fires several lightning bolts at him. The man deflects each strike as he falls, but then Velvet jumps at him and manages to grab his skull as they crash into the ground. She starts absorbing his strength, but he has just enough energy to swing his sword around to hit her claw and free himself. Getting up, the man slashes at her side, but she blocks with her claw, then tries to kick her, but she grabs his left leg at the last second. Twisting around, she maneuvers around him to smack him away with her claw. The man slowly gets up as the two eye each other.

The man smirks, "Heh, I haven't been hit like that in a while. You're pretty good kid. Looks like I'll have to get serious," he says, losing the smirk.

This puts Velvet on edge as the man pulls the trigger on his sword, causing the gears in it to turn. Suddenly, the sword segments itself and starts to bend, transforming. The handle extends, and the blade pivots, changing from a sword into a scythe. This surprises Velvet somewhat.

"So, that's your trump card, I take it?" she asks.

"Yep, though I don't use it very much," the man replies.

The two get ready to attack each other again, until they both hear rustling in the bushes and look to Velvet's right to see Ruby suddenly pop out, her sniper-scythe ready to go.

"Velvet, are you alright?!" she shouts.

"Ruby, get back, this guy is-," she begins.

"Hey there, pipsqueak," the man greets her while retracting his weapon.

Looking over at the man, Ruby gasps, quickly puts her weapon away, and then jumps at the man with a huge smile on her face.

"UNCLE QROW!" she yells as she latches onto his left arm. He raises his arm to their eye-level. "Oh, it's so good to see you! Did you miss me? DID YOU MISS ME?!" she shouts excitingly.

"…Huh?" Velvet questions, confused.

"…Nope," the man jokes, smiling while rubbing Ruby's head.

Just then, Yang and Taiyang come out of the forest and while Yang smiles at seeing the man, Taiyang groans a little bit.

"Hey, Uncle Qrow, what are you doing here?" Yang says as she walks up to him and gives him a hug.

"Heh-heh, a guy can't visit his nieces every once in a while?" he jokes.

At this point, Ruby notices Velvet with her claw out, "Wait, Velvet, were you fighting my uncle?" she asks, confused.

"Wait, you mean this DRUNK is your uncle?!" Velvet asks, shocked.

"Believe me, I find it hard to believe sometimes too. And I've known him since we were young," Taiyang notes, crossing his arms with a small smile.

Velvet retracts her blade and claw, "If you were their uncle all along, why didn't you just say so?" Velvet questions Qrow.

Ruby looks at him accusingly, "Uncle Qrow, were you the one that was fighting Velvet?" she asks, pointing a finger at him.

"Maybe," he teases her.

"Why would you do that?!" she shouts.

Qrow laughs, "What, I was just having a little fun. I'm sorry if it upset you, but I gotta admit, your little friend here is pretty good. She certainly has a few tricks up her sleeve," he replies.

Ruby sighs, "Well, at least no one got seriously hurt," she says, and then looks at Velvet. "Velvet, allow me to introduce you to my uncle, Qrow Branwen. He's a teacher at signal, and he was also the one who taught me how to use a scythe," she says.

Velvet walks up to them, "He's the one that taught you? That would explain the scythe he has, though I didn't get the chance to see him use it since you showed up during our fight. Which he started by not answering my questions," she says, glaring at him.

Qrow chuckles, "Ah, come on. I thought it was better if we got to know each other through a fight rather than a boring conversation," he says while taking out his flask and drinking it again.

"I must admit, I'm surprised you could fight like that considering you're drunk right now," Velvet notes.

"He's always drunk," Taiyang corrects her.

"What?" she asks.

Yang snickers, "Yeah, he really knows how to handle his alcohol," she adds.

"Well, now that that is all done and out of the way, why don't we all head back to the house. I saved some of your dinner that you didn't finish from earlier, Velvet," Taiyang says.

At that point, Velvet's stomach growls a little bit, making her blush slightly.

"Y-yeah, that fight made me hungry again," she says.

Taiyang chuckles, "Then let's head back," he says and they all return to the house.

…

After getting back home, Velvet finished her meal, and then the girls took turns taking showers and getting changed for the night. Meanwhile, the adults were downstairs, having their own conversation.

"Must you always fight everyone you meet?" Taiyang asks, sitting on one side of the couch with some tea in hand.

"Come one, I don't fight EVERYONE I meet. Besides, the girl turned out alright," Qrow counters.

"Most likely because you didn't go all out. You're lucky she didn't get injured, or else Ruby and Yang would never let you live it down," Taiyang retorts.

"From where I was standing, it seems like Velvet didn't use quite every ounce of her strength either. I can tell she's got a lot of experience when it comes to fighting. Wonder where she learned all that? That semblance of hers is pretty cool too," he wonders.

"…Well…While Velvet was out, and when you showed up, Ruby and Yang told me that she actually hates her semblance, calling it a curse," he says.

This makes Qrow curious, "Why is that?" he asks, taking a drink out of his flask.

"When she unlocked her semblance, everyone in her village hated her for it and saw her as a monster, except for her family. They told me she had a little brother, but he was killed. I think it's safe to say she hasn't had an easy life," he explains.

This makes Qrow look down, "None of us have had an easy life. For huntsmen like us, that's practically a given," he notes, drinking his flask again.

"Yeah. She was accepted into Beacon two years ago, but had to leave because of some family trouble that she rather not talk about, and has only recently come back to start her training," Taiyang says.

Qrow hums in acknowledgement, "We've been there. I would be a little surprised by Ozpin accepting someone two years late, but then again, Ruby was accepted two years early, so I guess that evens it out," he says.

"They all have a rough road ahead of them. It won't be easy, and there may be times when they will get hurt, if not physically, then emotionally," Taiyang starts.

"Yeah, but if they can move past those harsh times, they'll become stronger for it. We can't stop them from walking down this path, Tai, but we can be there to support them when they do," Qrow finishes.

"Yeah…You're right…That's what family's for," he says.

…

While the adults are talking, the girls were having a little slumber party of sorts…Well, if you call Velvet holding Zwei away while he tries to lick her and the sisters laughing at her expense a slumber party.

"Come on Velvet, he's not that bad. He's just showing that he likes you," she says while trying to stop laughing.

Velvet groans a little, "I know that. I just don't want his drool to get all over my face and in my hair," Velvet says.

"Yang, she has a point. Her hair is longer than yours, and that's saying something," Ruby says while taking Zwei away from Velvet.

"That reminds me. I've noticed how your hair lights up on fire whenever your semblance activates. The same with how your eyes turn red when you get angry. How does that happen without your hair getting burned off?" she asks.

"Well, my semblance allows me to absorb the energy of enemy attacks that hit me, making me stronger and allowing me to dish that damage back twice as hard. The fire on my hair is just excess energy and because it's tied to my semblance, and aura, it doesn't burn me. The eyes turning red though, haven't quite figure that out yet, but it's never been an issue. I think it's pretty cool," Yang explains.

"I see, so it's similar to my demon claw," Velvet notes.

"Yeah, basically. Though, while my hair may not burn me, I 'burn' everyone that messes with me," Yang says with a wink, making Ruby and Velvet groan.

"Anyway…so what do you think of our uncle Qrow?" Ruby asks.

"He's drunk," Velvet deadpans.

"Tell us something we don't know," Yang replies, rolling her eyes.

"Well, I guess he's a really good fighter. Though I didn't like the fact that he was smirking throughout most of our fight. It felt like he was playing with me," Velvet said, looking a little annoyed.

"Yeah, he likes to play games. With his opponents, and with us," Yang says.

"At least your dad seems normal," Velvet says.

"Yeah, though he can be really overprotective sometimes. But, it's just because he loves us," Ruby says.

Velvet then stretches her arms, "Well, I'm gonna head in. That fight with your uncle made me a little tired," she says as she gets up. "Goodnight," she says and leaves.

"Goodnight," the sisters reply.

Velvet sits in the spare bedroom, combing her hair, but a minute later, Ruby walks in and smiles.

"I thought you'd be doing this right now. That's my job, remember," she says.

Velvet hums, "Yeah…I guess it is," she says and hands Ruby the comb.

Ruby combs through Velvet's hair slowly and methodically, something Velvet takes comfort in as she breathes a relaxed sigh. For the next few minutes, the two girls just enjoy the quiet atmosphere and each other's company, until Ruby decides to break that silence.

"Hey, Velvet," Ruby says. Velvet hums in response. "Tomorrow after breakfast, can you come with me on a little trip? There's someone I want you to meet," she asks.

"Sure. Who?" Velvet asks.

"I…You'll have to wait until we get there," she replies.

"Okay. Tomorrow then," Velvet agrees. "She must be talking about her mother. After all, I met her when I died," Velvet mentally notes.

Soon, Ruby ends her treatment of Velvet's hair and the two bid each other goodnight before going to bed.

…

The next day, after breakfast, Ruby and Velvet leave the house, with Ruby carrying some flowers in her arms and her hood up. Velvet decides to keep things quiet and just follow Ruby, sensing some sadness, yet joy in Ruby right now. They traverse through the forest for a while, not really seeing any Grimm coming out to attack them. After a while, the two end up near a cliff overlooking more of Patch. Velvet walks beside Ruby as they walk up to a tombstone on the edge of the cliff. The stone has Ruby's emblem on it, with the words "Summer Rose, Thus kindly I scatter" engraved under it. Her mother's grave.

"Ruby…Is this…" Velvet asks, already knowing the answer.

"Yeah…This is my mom. Summer Rose," Ruby replies while placing her flowers in front of the grave. "She died when I was just a little girl, though I don't really know the details. She was one of the main reasons I wanted to be a huntress. She was 'supermom', baker of cookies and slayer of monster," she says before kneeling before the grave and clasping her hands together in a prayer.

While she wasn't really religious, she didn't want to be rude, so Velvet kneeled down as well to pray alongside Ruby. After a moment, Ruby removes her hood and looks at the grave.

"Hey mom…Sorry it's been a while since I last talked. I've been busy at Beacon. Yeah, I got in two years early thanks to Professor Ozpin. I've learned a lot of things there, and I'm having a great time. I think being on a team with Yang helps. I keep her in line…That was a joke. She's actually a really great fighter, you can tell she's learned a lot from Dad. Well, so are Weiss, Blake, and Velvet. Oh, they're my teammates. Together, we form Team RVWBY. And yes, before you ask, that does cause a lot of confusion. We're the first team to have five members. Speaking of which…There's someone I want you to meet," she says and gestures for Velvet to sit closer, which she does. "Mom, this is Velvet. She's a friend of mine and one of my teammates," Ruby introduces Velvet.

"I'm not very good at this," Velvet thinks. "Um…Hello, Miss Rose. My name's Velvet…It's nice to meet you. Um…*sigh* your daughter has proven to be a really good leader. She's helped me out a number of times. I can tell you raised her well. She's a strong fighter, and an even better person. Though, I'm sure you've known that all along," Velvet says. The two remain quiet for a moment, until Velvet notices Ruby shedding a few tears. Instinctively, she pulls Ruby into a one-armed embrace and brushes the tears away. "Ruby, what's wrong?" she asks, concerned.

"…I miss her. I miss Mom. Sometimes I wonder if she's proud of me. If I'm doing the right things in her eyes," Ruby cries.

Velvet holds her closer, brushing away more tears. "Ruby, I don't know your mother, but you know what?" she begins.

Ruby looks at her, "What?" she asks.

"I don't have to. I know, for a fact, that your mother is proud of you. You are someone I don't see too often; someone whose only desire is to help others. You possess a light in your heart that can shine through any darkness. And I'm sure your mother is watching you every step of the way, and smiling at all you've accomplished," Velvet encourages her.

Her words make Ruby smile again and lose the rest of her tears, "Thanks Velvet. I feel much better now," she says.

"Good," she replies, before out of nowhere, she places a chaste kiss on Ruby's forehead, surprising her. "Besides, I think you look better with a smile on your face than with tears in your eyes," she says, making Ruby blush.

The two remain quiet for a few more minutes, sitting in front of Summer's grave before deciding to head back. However, Velvet keeps her arm around Ruby the whole time, something the scythe wielder has no objections to. Velvet glances back at the grave one last time before looking back ahead.

"I know you're watching her, Summer Rose. Your daughter is strong, and I'll be there for her every step of the way. I made a promise to you, but now it's more than just that. I want to protect Ruby, not just because of a promise, but of my own free will now. And I WILL, no matter what."

I couldn't resist having a little fun with Qrow, I love that old drunk. I also needed to do some more bonding with Ruby and Velvet. Now Velvet has met the family, at least the ones that give a damn about family (except for Raven). What awaits Velvet and her team in the future? Until then, please Read and Review.