"Ruby... please, don't do this to me..." Raven pleaded, despite being the one keeping the child in her embrace. She hated feeling so vulnerable, and she hated that she had let herself get attached to the young Ruby. The child held on to the woman, not uttering as much as a whimper or a sob. All Raven had to do was let go, but all the memories, every evening they sneaked out to watch sunset, every Grimm she thought the child to kill, every secret places Raven took the child to, and every night the child held onto her while asleep, they held her down like rusty chains.

For all it's worth, she could just take Ruby with her, but she wasn't sure she was prepared for the consequences of her greed. She needed someone to take care of Yang, and she knew she couldn't rely on Tai, or her brother Qrow, who's still in search of Summer. Not to mention, she was sure that Tai will hunt her down himself if he finds his Summer's child missing. She didn't want him to hate her any more than he was about to.

"Don't go..." Ruby whispered. For a child who was too innocent to understand Raven's departure, she still somehow followed her gut and held on ever so tightly. Raven was there when Summer left, and the young Ruby wasn't bothered by it thanks to her childish innocence, but it wasn't so easy with Raven.

"Please, Ruby," Raven begged again, as tears pooled at the corners of her eyes.

"I will... one day..." She wanted to promise that she would come back for her, but she didn't want to hurt the child any more than she already had.

"Mommy..." Raven's eyes widened, as she placed a hand over her mouth. This was the first time Ruby had called her that. Her resolve almost crumbled. She wanted to stay, so that she could hear the child call her that way some more.

She heard whimpers and sobs, and noticed it wasn't Ruby who was crying.

It was the weakest she's ever felt, as her mind raced to find excuses. But she wouldn't let it, steeling her resolve, she leaned down, kissed the child's forehead. Looking into those innocent silver eyes, she said:

"I love you, Ruby..."

"Mommy..."

"I'm sorry. Take care of your dad and sister..."

Little did she know, those innocent and bright silver eyes she once felt welcomed in, she wouldn't see them so easily again. For what stood in front of her wasn't the same naive child, instead, it was a girl whose depths mirrored an entire Grimm.

"Ruby, I-" A burst of petals, and Raven's danger instinct kicked in. As she held onto the hilt of her katana, she tried to predict from where Ruby would pounce on her.

A cold shiver burst into her psyche, and she felt a predatory bloodlust looming calmly behind her. Turning around in sheer panic, Raven drew the red blade and cut the wind, as the airborne Ruby elegantly stepped on the blade. Before the tribe woman could comprehend the situation, she saw Ruby take a single step, before disappearing at an extreme velocity.

Now having a lock on Ruby's slaughterous instinct, Raven was quick to react, as she turned around again, but she wasn't as quick as Ruby, thus, she was met with Ruby's fist - which stopped just an inch close to her face.

"I give up." Raven sighed with a smirk, as she sheathed her katana. She took a moment to calm down the goosebumps in her arms, and let her beating heart relax.

"You've grown stronger, Ruby..." But she couldn't believe how strong. Ruby was a monster, who caused Raven's body to react defensively even before her mind could register it.

"Strong... yeah, right..." Ruby muttered as she withdrew her hand, and took a proper look at Raven.

Raven hadn't aged much, except for the look in her eyes. She looked the same she did all those years ago. A strong, but the loving mother that she was. She didn't know why Yang never got the same treatment from Raven, but a part of her felt happy that she was the only 'daughter' in Raven's eyes. She felt horrible for thinking that way, but for what Yang did, she didn't do anything worth feeling guilty about. At least, that's what she told herself.

The wind on the terrace started to pick up, brushing past both of their hairs. Ruby wished she had worn a ponytail. However, her 'mother' seemed the least bothered by it even though she possessed much more hair mass.

"Ruby..." Raven called, her crimson eyes holding a warm tone behind it. The woman smiled longingly, like she did every time she held her in her arms. Ruby may have had a little anger towards Raven for showing up after all this time, only to see her in such a miserable state. But, she just couldn't help the smile spreading on her face.

"Mommy..." Ruby called, not bothering to hide her smile, as she started walking towards Raven. The woman just spread her arms invitingly, and held down the urge to tackle her daughter. It was just too childish for her to do-

"Mommy!" Ironically, she felt a ton of muscle hit her, as Ruby leapt off the floor and used her entire body to tackle Raven. The woman felt Ruby's enthusiasm knock the wind out of her lungs, as her legs left the concrete for a second before she fell back on the ground- with Ruby still on her.

"I can't believe it- wow! You're really really back!" Ruby exclaimed, blinded by the excitement, embracing her mother way tighter than she should. As uncomfortable Raven was in her position- on the hot concrete floor, with no luxury of oxygen, and her spine probably about to snap- she still smiled heartily. For a moment, she was worried if Ruby harboured any resentment towards her, for leaving her as a child, to take care of the rest all by herself. But she was glad that she was wrong. Even with eyes that could tear someone a new one with just a glare, a body strong enough to break a bone with a tap if needed, and herself being powerful enough to eliminate even a veteran huntsman- she still had a heart of gold, and after all these years, she was glad that Ruby still loved her just as much as the day she left.

"Ruby..." Raven called, as she slowly sat up. Ruby just hummed in response, still not willing to let go of her mother. She used an arm to wrap around Ruby, and the other to pat Ruby's head. It felt weird, compared to how it was when she held Ruby when was much smaller. But, it was just as comforting to Raven as it was back in the day.

"I missed you so much, Ruby." She couldn't believe it, she had no desire to say that out loud. Her eyes twitched, annoyed that her mouth betrayed her so easily.

"Me too me too! I kept waiting! but-" Ruby pulled back, holding onto Raven by her shoulders and looking directly into her mother's eyes. As Raven felt entranced by Ruby's metallic pools, the redhead continued saying:

"But I knew it! I knew you'd come back!"

Raven felt guilty, as she knew Ruby was hiding a lot of pain behind her cheery expression. And she was surprised, that Ruby had matured so much at just a young age... much better than her real daughter for sure. If Raven had to guess, Yang would have bombarded her with annoying questions and a sassy attitude.

That is why:

"Ruby... I'm sorry, for leaving you..." She knew Ruby deserved an apology. Weighed down by a very deep bond that they shared, the child had taken care of her other daughter and her good for nothing husband.

She's seen it, from the branches of a tree, or the roof of the patch house. She's seen Ruby train what Raven had thought her religiously, she's seen her comforting Yang every time she was distraught by Raven's absence, she's seen her hide alcohol bottles out of Tai's reach, just to keep him from being anymore miserable, she's seen Ruby burn her hands many times, trying to learn cooking all by herself- and eventually succeeding. She's seen the child fend off smaller Grimm from time to time, nearly losing her life on many occasions...

And she's also seen how all that broke the poor kid's mind. How it made her snap with anger, and how it made her crave that fight, driving her towards the further areas just to hunt down bigger Grimms... all while managing to stay as kind as she could.

As Ruby grew up on this dangerous lifestyle, she wanted to intervene many times, to fly in and scoop away the child, but she couldn't.

Guilt.

Every time she saw the child suffer a bit more because of her, she lost a bit more courage to approach her. Be it the bones she broke, or the scars she sustained, it wouldn't have been strange in the slightest if Ruby decided to lose her taste for compassion.

However.

"Hehe, it's okay mommy." Ruby only smiled brightly.

"huh?"

"You left for a reason, I'm sure."

Raven never felt so happy before... no, she did. Her happiest days were the ones she spent secretly raising Ruby, and naturally, those happy days have come back to her.

And that is why, it was now her turn to make her daughter happy.

"But I'm here for you now, Ruby. And I'll never leave you again, I promise..."

Ruby's eyes widened, realising what her mother was saying. She was just so happy to see her back, that she never considered the why.

"Mommy... are you..." Ruby wanted to hear it again. Hoping that she heard it right.

She didn't want to get her hopes up.

"Ruby..." Raven took a deep breath, putting on a more serious tone. Ruby felt a bit nervous under her gaze, but she didn't ponder on it much. She wanted to hear what Raven was about to say.

"Come with me. Live with me. We are often moving places, and our works aren't that pleasant, but, I just-"

"Okay!"

Raven sat shocked for moments, considering how enthusiastic Ruby was to reunite with someone that abandoned her once.

But then...

Well, she is Ruby after all...

" Very well, then, Ruby-"

"But wait!"

"Cardin! Hey!" Ruby called out from one end of the cafetaria, sitting with a bowl of chocolate cookies on her table.

Team CRDL stopped on there tracks as they saw Ruby waving at them.

"Oh hey, its Red." Russel stated the obvious, as they started walking towards Ruby's table. While, on the way, Sky commented:

"She looks happy, its almost strange seeing her that way."

"Yeah man, it's my first time seeing her like that. Wonder if something happened." Dove wondered.

"Maybe she finally punched the Schnee bitch." Cardin said, making the rest of the team chuckle. While he was curious, he was still worried if it was a trap. He wasn't a fan of Ruby when she catches them skipping classes, like right now.

"Hey Red, sup?" He asked, hiding his nervousness as he and his team sat down around Ruby's table.

"Relax, I won't scold you for skipping." Ruby chuckled, hiding her smile behind her fingers.

"Oh shoot, I almost forgot!" Sky realised, making the rest of the team shake their heads.

"Idiot... anyway, what is it Red, do you want to hang out or something?" Cardin asked.

"Then come with us this evening! We're hitting the movies." Russel stated, the team turning their heads from him to Ruby, looking expectantly.

"C'mon Red, I think you'll love that movie, I'm sure," Dove added in.

"Okay okay! I hope it's not romantic?" Ruby asked, reminding Cardin how much she hates those.

"Nah, this is action-packed and amazing." The team leader replied.

"Cool! I'm coming then!"

"Alright, it's settled then-"

"But wait." Ruby interrupted, cutting off the final decision.

"Can we be back within 10 pm?" Ruby asked, hoping it wasn't too big of a request.

"Uh... yeah, I guess, why?"

"Coz I'll be leaving by 10."

.

.

.

.

There was a moment of uninterrupted silence at the table, the members of CRDL looking back and forth between each other and Ruby...

"Um, what do you mean, leave?" Cardin broke the silence, the rest of his team listening carefully.

"My mom will come to pick me up at 10, and I'll be leaving with her."

"Your mom? And to where are you leaving, a mission or something?" Sky asked.

"No, I'll be leaving Beacon. I'm going to go stay with mom."

"Whoa... really?" Cardin questioned, wondering if it was a prank. Though, Ruby wasn't the one for pranks.

"Really," Ruby confirmed, still keeping a faint smile present on her face.

"I... damn..." Sky and the rest of the team didn't know what to say.

"Like, we'll never see you again?" Cardin asked. He knew Ruby was here with a painful obligation, and he also knew Ruby was better off Beacon. But still, the news was too surprising even for him. Ruby did a lot for him and his team, and now the fact that she was leaving without even asking for anything, it just didn't sit right with him.

"I'll visit during the Vytal Festival, and we can still be in contact," Ruby suggested.

"That's better, I guess..." Russel muttered.

Team CRDL used to be known as a good for nothing team, a team that was usually used as a stepping stone for the betterment of others. But with Ruby's guidance, each of them was able to recognise their individual talents and were soon climbing up the ranks. Now they are a respected team, with a reputation that they once only dreamt of.

It just didn't feel right, to let their mentor, and a good friend, be sent off in such a sudden and gloomy fashion. That's why:

"Okay, listen!" Sky slammed his hands on the table and stood up, an uncharacteristically determined look on his face.

"Change of plans, after the movie, we're holding a huge send-off party for Ruby!" He announced loudly.

"Wait, it's fine-"

"Agreed!" Russel and Dove cut off Ruby's compromise in unison, and almost immediately, Cardin stood up and:

"K then, I'll go book a party hall, you morons call for your friends too." Without giving Ruby any time to argue, he started walking away while engaging in his scroll.

"Roger!" Russel and Dove stood up and started walking away, while already busy making calls. All that's left was Sky, to whom Ruby tried to say:

"Sky, there's no need-"

"No" Only to be cut off.

"We'll pick you up at 6, you just enjoy yourself." He demanded as he walked away, ignoring her calls of protest.

"Seriously, these guys..." Ruby sighed.

They were being a bit excessive, but she was happy nonetheless. After a long time, she was having a good day, which was only getting better by the moment.

That's why, she held off on informing her team, and saved it for the last. She didn't want to ruin the mood by confronting them.

"Let's see..." taking a look at the time, she noticed that there are a few hours left before 6.

"Cinder..." She decided to take this time to say goodbye to that woman. Even if it's only been a day, she wanted to see her once more before leaving. She wished she could've spent more time with her, but...

Cinder heard a knock on the dorm room door, as she took her eyes off her scroll. Closing the student database on the screen, she got up to open the door.

She stopped, and looked around her dorm. After making sure there wasn't anything that appeared suspicious, she put on a fake smile, and turned around and open the door.

For an unknown reason, Cinder felt her cheeks heat up when she saw Ruby on the other side, looking at her with a wide smile.

Before she could wonder if her powers were acting up, Ruby pressed her puffy lips against Cinders. Her eyes widened and her entire face heated up, as Ruby wrapped an arm around her and kicked the door close, using the other to lock it.

"Rose, wait-" Cinder gasped for air, also wondering why she was feeling so weird. But Ruby didn't let her, as she kissed her again. However this time, she pushed Cinder on the bed and got on top of her.

"Ruby..." Cinder took deep breaths, as she looked up to see Ruby's prurient gaze.

"Cinder." Ruby cooed, cupping a side of the woman's face, looking into her flamy eyes.

"Let's do it. As much as we can." Ruby suggested, tainting Cinder's cheek permanently pink.

She hated going along with others demands.

She hated when someone thought they could have her whenever they needed.

And, she would hate to give in to a younger girl's needs.

And she would hate it if that girl pressed her soft, puffy lips against hers again...

"Kiss me again, Ruby." That's why, she had no idea what was happening to her.

"Yes."

But Cinder liked it.

If you got any suggestions feel free to leave em. Dark ones are fine too. its fine, reading them really helps me avoid author blocks.