Clink.

Clink.

Clink.

I absentmindedly pushed my food around and the tine of my fork raked the glass plate. My lips refused to open and my eyes watched a cherry tomato uncontrollably roll around in circles. Only the cringing friction between my fork and my plate washed the golden silence, and Dad and Yang looked at me worriedly. Ever since we came back from the cliff top, I kept silently to myself. I was constantly lost in thought, and I still am. To put it simply, my mind was like spaghetti. Thoughts were chaotically everywhere, needlessly bouncing back and forth with a sense of unease.

"Ruby?" Dad cleared his throat. The scraping stopped.

"I'm sorry," I sighed. I placed my fork down onto the table. "I need some fresh air."

My chair scooted far back as I stood from the dining table. Without uttering another word, I left the kitchen and excused myself out of the house. It was already late. The sun had already set a long time ago, only to leave darkness behind. I jerked the hood of my cloak over my head, and strolled around the house.

My combat boots trampled over the grass and I scoured the yard in search of something. It wasn't hard to find what I was looking for considering my Faunus trait. My head perked up once I caught a sight of it, and my knees bent low to the garden.

Roses.

The small patch of roses that I started at a young age was still alive. I remembered it was a side hobby that I did to bring life to the dull outskirts of the house. It was a symbol for myself, a representation of my new life. And it seems like dad and Yang have been taking good care of it.

I kept a careful mind of the prickling thorns while my hands reached out and carefully separated the roses from its bush. Once I was done, I left the premises and sauntered out to the wilderness. The silver moon hung at its highest peak and illuminated the starless sky. Even though it wasn't necessary, streams of radiant light chased away the shadows and lightened my path like a guiding lamppost. The wind blew against my hood, and scattered leaves quickly drifted by. It was cold, but not as cold as the nipping frozen air of Atlas.

I trudged through the forest path and made my way to the top of the cliff. Autumn's chilly gale picked up and its rush of air pulled my hood down from obscuring my face in front of the stone.

"Hey mom," I spoke in front of Summer's grave. Anticipated silence answered me back. I let out a breath and knelt down, placing the freshly picked roses before the stone. I sat down and drew my knees comfortably against my chest.

"I'm terrible aren't I?" I continued speaking to no one except to the lone memorial stone. "I told myself like a mantra that I wouldn't forget about you — that you deeply engraved yourself into my memory and into my heart, almost like a silent promise." I then let out a sad wry laugh. "But in the end, I did blatantly forget and I kind of hate myself for that."

"Hell, I even forgot about everyone. I mean, what kind of person forgets her own family? It feels... Disappointing — I'm disappointing. I'm disappointed in myself that I forgot about Dad, Qrow, Yang, and especially you. You... You don't deserve to be forgotten." That last sentence drifted into the wind like a dying whisper.

'You're the greatest mom to me, and great mothers should never be forgotten. You juggled missions, read us stories, baked cookies, and gave us the unconditional love we needed. You've treated me better than —" My teeth gnawed my lower lips and my boots shuffled against the grass until I could find the words.

"Better than my biological parents."

I took a deep breath and my mouth opened again.

"If I told you, you probably wouldn't believe me at first." A wistful sigh brush against my lips. "If only I had a chance to tell you." My eyes then averted from the grave. "I don't... I don't belong here. Not in Remnant. I belong to somewhere far away like another world."

Then a small chuckle escaped.

"Strange right? Sounds impossible. I don't know how it happened, but here I am, a living proof of it. A soul in another body one might say. A dark secret that no one knows except me — well and you now."

My head leaned back and my gaze softened under the black sky. Traces of clouds were scattering about, barely obstructing the vast moon. My eyelids slowly shut and my chest rose and fell, moving along to the rhythmic intervals of my breathing.

"Would you believe me if I told you there's no such thing as semblance in my world? And that we have something called magic, a supernatural power that gives us the ability to cast different elements? Rather than using dust crystals or powders to channel the elements, it requires verbal chants and draws energy from our pool of aura, physically turning it into power."

I chuckled again.

"Sounds like a fairytale doesn't it? Being able to freely cast any type of element without a physical catalyst."

"I wish I could show you." I flicked my wrist, hoping to materialized one of my many weapons. As expected, nothing occurred. "But I can't. And I doubt anyone would believe me if I were to tell them the truth. It'll probably just add to my growing collection of 'less desirable traits'. I'll just be one of those crazy Faunus spewing out fairytale dreams."

My ears wiggled then flattened against my head, and my tail wrapped around my waist.

"You must've had it hard for being a Faunus. I mean I kind of had it hard, and I could only imagine you experience the same. It wasn't until I learned the hard way that Faunus were not kindly accept around the world."

"I thought people would be accepting of each other's races, but wow was I naive. People didn't treat me well because I was just y'know... Physically different. But now, I guess things have gotten a lot better. I'm doing well, and I met new friends to make sure of that."

I finally stood from the ground and stretched my legs.

"I miss you, and I wish you were here. I wish that I could've cherished more of our moments together. And... I wished I had never forgotten."

My hands grasped my hood and I pulled it over my head.

"I'm sorry mom. I'll see you later."

I turned my back towards the grave and left. Soft prints pressed onto the dirt and the soles of my boots flattened the grass as I continued to trek out of the forest. The night's miniscule gust seeped between my cloak and my body, and I shivered from gradual lost of warmth. I kept my head hung down and I pulled the sides of my cloak closer, hoping to recover the heat I just lost.

Talking to her made me felt slightly better, but it still hurts.

There's a thorn still sitting in my heart that stabbed me every single time to remind me of my shameful disappointment. What if I never recovered my lost memory? What if I completely lost all those wonderful moments with her? What if I forget about the rest of my family. What if... What if...

My thoughts stopped.

I can't think about it anymore; I can't dwell on the what ifs.

But I don't know if I could forgive myself that I almost forgot. She was probably cutting close to disappearing from my life forever. The precious memories of the moments we shared together could've vanished. And if they vanished, I wouldn't make any new ones with her ever.

Stop.

Just stop thinking.

But I'm angry at myself. How can I break a promise? I told myself I wouldn't forget about her, and I hate going back on my words. Promises aren't meant to be broken, they're suppose to be kept forever.

Stop.

But I can't stop thinking.

How can I forget someone so important like her? Why can't I forget about my struggling childhood back in my world? Why can't I forget about my biological parents who abandoned me on the streets? Why her? Why them?

Stop.

Soft growls snapped me completely from my trance. My breath hitched suddenly and I quickly glimpsed up to see a handful of beowolves prowling closer to me. I'm out of the forest? How long was I walking for? I instinctively reached out to Crescent Rose behind me, but my hand only grasped empty air. My eyes widened and I could feel a cold sweat slithering down my forehead. Where's my weapon?

I patted myself down and my palm tapped against the hard lump under my corset. I let out a breath of relief and freed the hidden dagger concealed under my combat skirt. The dagger twirled on the palm of my hand, and stopped once I reversely gripped its handle. Its blade pointed down to the ground and its cutting edge faced towards my enemies.

The grimm pranced around in their numbers and howled as they crawled closer. Their glowing red eyes narrowed down at me and squeezed out low vicious snarls from their chest. As expected, they galloped on all four beastly legs and lunged towards me.

And likewise, I lunged back. The sharp tip of my dagger impaled the side of one grimm, and its blade cleanly sliced through its side as I ripped it across its body. I mercilessly strike back and forth, leaving short incisions until the grimm dissipated into particles. In that moment, a number of beowolves surrounded me with its pack and pounced altogether. However, their claws strike nothing but rose petals drifting in the air.

I was faster than them.

Swinging a short blade was faster than swinging Crescent Rose, despite the first unable to deliver consecutive fatal blows. The rate at which I swung my scythe around couldn't keep up with my semblance, thus restricted me from maximizing my speed to its fullest potential.

But now, the shackles broke free and my emotions fueled my strength.

A sound of a shrieking cry resounded through the area as I reappeared and dug my dagger through the grimm's back. It shredded down its spine and I followed it with a round house kick, sending it crashing to its adjacent kin. The cutting edge of my blade found its way to the next victim, and it cruelly tore its throat open. Then my ears twitched, and I spun my blade pointing upwards. In anticipation, I hurled it directly at a beowolf storming behind me.

It staggered a few steps back with my short blade impaled in its chest, and I promptly bolted and planted my left foot onto its body. In one slick motion, my hand tightly gripped the handle and I simultaneously dragged the sharp edge vertically across its chest while I pushed off its body and turned over in the air.

Taking their chance, more grimm sought after me and wildly launched their swiping claws as I seem helpless in the air. Once again, rose petals were shredded from their assault and each grimm slowly fell one by one. Throughout the night, a sea of red roses constantly fluttered everywhere and painted the bleak sky red.

I looked around again, and every beowolf was mercilessly slaughtered. I was standing alone with only traces of rose petals surrounding me. My legs throbbed from pushing over my limits and from overusing my semblance. I released a satisfied breath and I collapsed down, sprawling against the floor on my back. My arm trembled as I brought my dagger to my eye level and watched its silver blade with small crimson tinges gleam under the moon's radiance. Compared to Crescent Rose, my dagger were like slight pricks, almost like the prickles on a rose's stem.

"I think I'll call you... Thorn," I murmured.

Thorn slipped from my grasp and fell onto the grass. My arm fell flatly down to the ground as I no longer have the strength to hold it up. I could feel a fire burning in my lungs as my chest frantically heaved up and down. Short rapid breaths escaped from my dry throat, trying to draw in as much oxygen I possibly could.

"Ruuby!"

"Ruuuby!"

"Where are you?"

"Ruby!"

I turned my head slowly to follow the voice, and I could see Yang running towards me.

"Hey Yang." A small smile crept on my lips as I continued to lay on the floor.

"Jeez, don't worry us like that!" She knelt down before sitting beside me, crossing her legs in the process.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to get some stuff off my chest to mom."

"I know... We were just worried because you left Crescent Rose back at home and you didn't come back for awhile. But I can now see you're fine." She beamed a smile and her arm reached out to pick up the dagger laying haphazardly on the ground.

"Kind of?" I let out a weak chuckle. "I don't know if I can move."

"Here let me help you," she spoke softly. Yang carefully lifted me to my feet and held me steady from my wobbling legs. She then carried me on her back and proceeded to walk towards the general direction of our home.

"Hey Yang?" I broke the silence. My chin rested against her shoulder and my arms wrapped around her neck.

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry for not remembering before."

"Don't be. It was never your fault to begin with."

As we got closer to the house, she left me down from her back. My legs were still exhausted, but still operable to walk a flight of stairs to my room.

"I call dibs on showering first," Yang said as she pointed a finger gun at me before opening the door.

"Yaang, I feel so gross."

"Too bad, I called dibs."

If I could lightly punch her, I would. As we strode up the stairs, my ears picked up dad's voice in the kitchen and I paused in the middle of the stairs.

"Not yet. It's not time to tell her now. I know, I know. She just barely got here! Soon, I swear. Just not now. Yeah don't worry, I'll hand her one when I get the chance."

"Ruby?" Yang called out to me from the top of the stairs.

"Qrow, I'll call you back later. If you can, come visit Ruby. She'll love to see you again."

I snapped back and continued to walk up the stairs. Yang had already gathered her things to go shower while I strode into my room. Crescent Rose laid against the wall, and my sister already placed my short blade on top of the table. I sat on the edge of my bed before my door resounded with a knock.

"Come in," I spoke up.

The door opened, and dad came waltzing in the room.

"Hey sweetie," he said. Dad walked towards me with a worried look on his face. His eyes were trailing the mess I made all over my clothes and skin. "You know you shouldn't go out without your weapon. Especially at night." He ran his thumb against the dried blood splotches on my face. "You had us worried."

"I know, I'm sorry. Yang came and told me."

He sat down next to me on the edge of the bed and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, giving me a side hug.

"Your mom would be proud you know."

"I don't know dad..." I sighed, dropping my shoulders slightly. His soft, but yet strong arms still remained around me while my eyes hung low to the ground. "Even I'm not proud of myself. How can she be proud of me?"

"Hey hey hey," dad murmured softly. "Don't say that sweetie. Your mom would be absolutely proud to see her little girl all grown up. Even I'm proud of you. What's there not to be proud about?"

"How easily I forgot about everyone."

"Listen sweetie," dad cupped around my cheeks and turned my head to face him. "You shouldn't beat yourself on this."

"But —"

"You didn't forget on purpose. I know for the fact that it is the last thing you wanted, and I'm absolutely positive your mom would also think the same."

"I still broke a promise."

"But you didn't intentionally break it."

"Then what if I lose my memories again?" My voice inadvertently raised and I sputtered solemnly. "What if I forget everyone? What if it keeps happening? What if I end up losing my memories forever? Dad, there's so many what ifs and I'm afraid. Afraid that I'll experience the same thing over and over again."

He ran his fingers through the fringes of my hair and brushed them back. "No matter what happens, I swear I'll coming looking for you. But this time I won't stop. I'll quit my job at Signal and find you if I have to," he comfortingly smiled at me. "But just as preventive measures, I think you should have this."

He placed a small notebook on my lap and I glanced at it.

"What's this?"

"When your uncle and I were talking on the phone earlier, we thought you should keep a diary at all times."

"A diary?" I cracked it open and flipped through it, looking briefly at its empty pages.

"Yeah! Keep it on yourself at all times," he repeated again. "You can write down everything just in case."

A smile lifted up from the corner of my lips.

Huh, I guess this could work. I can write down about everyone and everything.

"Thanks dad," I smiled up at him, holding the small book tightly in my hands.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning. Goodnight Ruby." He kissed the top of my head and got up to the door. Before he exited my room, he stood for a couple of seconds to leave another set of reassuring words. "We will love you regardless if anything were to happen. And if your mother was here, I know she'll say the same. I promise."

With that, he gently shut the door behind him.

I transitioned from my bed to the table, and took out a pen before opening the book. The tip of the pen pressed onto the first line, and my hand began moving on its own.

Data Log 1

My name is Ruby Rose, and I came from a small island called Patch. I never written in a diary before, or let alone owned one, but today is a first. It's something I'm suppose to have with me at all times as a preventive measures just in case I forget again.

Out of the 15 years of my life, today was the most emotionally unsettling. It was a turbulence of various emotions that bombarded me constantly. I reunited with dad but I also remembered who I had also lost. My mother. It was hard to accept it, but I had to. It felt like someone tore my heart out of my chest and crushed it with their heels.

I guess you can say it was a bit traumatic and really depressing. Perhaps both could be an understatement of what I felt. But talking with Yang and Dad made me feel a lot better, especially talking with dad. He's the kind of person who knew what to say, and knew what to do.

But a part of me feels bad for keeping away the truth. I already told mom when I was alone at her grave, but I don't know if my secret should ever be revealed. Everyone here calls me Ruby Rose, but little did they know I hail from another world. And from that world, everyone calls me the Sword Angel.

But really, my name is...

I swear I am not dead! I'm just extremely busy now that school already started. This story and the rest of my others have not been abandoned. If you don't see me updating for awhile, don't freak out. I'm focusing on school first.

When you feel sad, depress, or feel some sort of unhappiness, you tend to think a lot. Normally these are overwhelming negative thoughts. You know it's not good for you, but for some reason, you just can't help but to continue to dwell on it. That's what Ruby was facing earlier. Negative thoughts plague her mind despite it being unnecessary. No matter how many times she tells herself not to think about it, she does think about it. It's easier said than done.

Also I'm sure I made it obviously clear a long time ago, but to those who didn't notice, Ruby is half OC. You don't know her race and you don't know her name. Sword Angel is not her name, it is her nick name. The only things you do know are what's her world like, the kind of powers she holds, and a part of her childhood.

And I apologize if there are some mistakes in this chapter. It's hard to proofread at like 2:30 AM when normal sleeping time is around 12 AM.

I'll see you next chapter!