A/N: Chapter 3 everyone! Another one down and many more to go. I enjoyed writing this chapter and I hope you guys enjoy!

Chapter 3

Sleeping at the Rose/Xiao-Long house was an interesting experience. For one, Ruby was very insistent that we have what she called a 'slumber party'. She brought out all the blankets and pillows she could find and said that we were making a pillow fort. Though I didn't know what a pillow fort was, I agreed to help. It must have been obvious that I wasn't getting anywhere because the rest of Ruby's family joined in.

When the last blanket was laid in position, Tai went into the kitchen to get snacks. When he returned Summer had turned on what she called a 'television'. A machine that plays moving pictures. She placed a small disc inside a small box next to the television. The machine whirred to life and the screen lit up and noises began playing from it.

Ruby laughed a little when I jumped in surprise.

"Alex, haven't you ever seen a TV before?"

"Not really no. Why?"

Ruby simply shrugged and went back to making a nest of pillows for her and Yang to sit in. When Tai came back Summer started the movie. It was a cute little movie about a boy who wanted to help his family by becoming a huntsman. Throughout the movie he unlocked his aura, discovered his semblance, and became great friends with his team. The movie ended on a high note with the boy's team defeating the main antagonist and him returning home a hero.

It did make me think. I don't know if my aura had been unlocked, and I didn't have any more flashes of memories to help. I figured that I would ask Summer about it tomorrow seeing that Ruby and Yang were close to falling asleep sitting up.

"Well, I suppose this means that it's time to head to bed," Tai picked the girls up with little resistance.

He continued to carry them up the stairs and disappeared into their room. Qrow and Summer cleaned up the pillow fort and snacks. When Summer sat down next to me on the couch, I knew that now was my chance to ask a very important question.

"I take it I'm crashing on the couch then?"

"Hmm? Oh, no, of course not! Qrow doesn't live here. He lives closer to Signal. Says it's more convenient," She said. "We have a guest bedroom you can stay in. We don't mind you staying for a few days."

Tai walked back down the stairs and nodded at what Summer said. "Yeah, it's fine by me. We have plenty of space and the girls enjoy having you around."

They showed me where the guest bedroom after Qrow said his goodbyes and he promised he would be back again tomorrow. It was a small bedroom with a double bed and a modest closet at the opposite end of the room. A night table with a lamp stood to the right of the bed and there were a few books stacked on top of it.

"Restroom is the last door down the hall on the left. Let us know if you need anything and feel free to make yourself at home," Summer said.

She and Tai said goodnight when I assured them that I had everything I needed. Once I closed the door, I took off the outer layers of my armor. The leather was scuffed from use but was taken good care of. The cloak I wore was folded and placed on top of the pile.

Summer thankfully had lended me a pair of pajamas. I put those on and climbed under the soft covers. Sleep fell over me soon after, but I didn't have a good night's rest. I was plagued by the feeling of intense pain, screaming, darkness and flashed of hate filled red. I jolted awake and was relieved to see that the sun had risen.

I flung the sweaty covers off of me and got dressed as quickly as I could. My nightmares had instilled a great sense of panic in me and I felt the need to move before the feeling drowned me. I opened the door to my room and walked silently down the stairs. I made my way to the kitchen to see Summer cooking breakfast with Tai.

"Good morning, Alexis. Sleep well?" Tai said glancing up from the stove.

"No not particularly. Had some bad dreams," I replied.

"I'm sorry to hear that. The best thing I can think to help is a good breakfast," Summer said, placing pancakes on a plate.

I helped her and Tai plate food and carry it to the table. Once we finished, we sat at the table and waited for Ruby and Yang to wake up. From what Summer and Tai told me, it wouldn't be long. They seemed to have an uncanny sense of when breakfast was ready.

"Summer, Tai, there's something I wanted to ask."

"Sure, what's on your mind," Tai said.

"In the movie last night, the main character had his aura unlocked. Does everyone have their aura unlocked?"

They looked at each other in confusion.

"Typically yes. Some people choose not to have their aura unlocked due to them not wanting to be hunters. The majority have theirs unlocked for safety purposes or they want to be hunters. You do have yours unlocked right?" Summer asked.

I shook my head, "No, I never had the opportunity to."

"Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any. We'll work through it after breakfast," Tai said.

Not soon after, Ruby and Yang came barreling down the stairs and sliding into the kitchen. They pulled their chairs back and sat at the table. Breakfast was good and Summer told them that she was going to unlock my aura.

The girls asked me a few questions about why I didn't have my aura unlocked. My response was the same one I gave Summer. I didn't have the opportunity.

Once breakfast was finished and the dishes were clean, Summer had me sit on the living room couch.

"You'll want to be comfortable. People react differently to having their aura unlocked, and we don't want you getting hurt in case you collapse," she said.

I got into position as she placed a hand on my shoulder and told me to focus on the feeling deep in my chest. The feeling of a small ball of warmth and comfort.

"For it is in passing that we achieve immortality. Through this, we become a paragon of virtue and glory to rise above all. Infinite in distance and unbound by death, I release your soul, and by my shoulder, protect thee," she finished the mantra by releasing my shoulder.

The ball of warmth that I felt exploded in my chest and seemed to wrap around my body. It was so incredibly warm, but soon was replaced with a chilling cold. It flickered back and forth quickly between the comforting warmth and the grasping cold. Unsurprisingly, my body couldn't handle the internal conflict my aura was having and I collapsed. The last thing I saw before my vision faded was the worried faces of Ruby and Yang.

A/N: That's it for Chapter 3, hope to see you guys next week!