Rwby: Of Guts and Blood

by bankerrtx01

After a defeated battle with the godhand instead of feasting on his corpse the apostle were too terrified of guts and send him to a new universe where he believes he is making a difference but in reality he isn't. Of course Guts is always a struggler… M for Berserk (RubyXGutsXCasca) Rewrite in progress!

15. Arc 1 epilogue

Rwby: of Guts and Blood: Chapter 14: Volume 3.5: Epilogue End of Arc 1:

Hello and welcome to the next chapter enjoy.

This is not the end, just the end of this arc.

Trigger warning Berserk this should not suprise you.

Key

Grimm-Apostle talk

Angry talk

{Text Chat/ phone call}

flashback

Chapter start:

It's been 24 hours Since the attack of Vale. And mostly everything had calmed down

Beacon's Defense's have been activated. Gunning down Grimm before they approach the school

Blue squadron was now posted at all four corners of the city and all the civilians have been moved to the Vale Safe area Some who have Huntsman children or are huntsman themselves stayed at Beacon while others were shuffled to an emergency bunker in Vale

With Huntsman standing ready to defend them.

The fact for the Two bunkers was simple huntsman were heroes.

And seeing any hero injured lowered moral.

Therefore it was all agreed on that no huntsman ever is reported as died In duty…just MIA.

Only other huntsman know the real truth.

.in the city the amount of injuries were finally starting too settle down As the huntsman held the line and escorted others to safty. The Paladin brigade has also been redeployed into the city. As the defenders who were a part of the First responders took a nap while another group worked on clearing another block in the city.

Inside the Safe zone at Beacon it was like a large version of a ER hospital. People groaned and moaned as nurses rushed from patient to patient to help them or at least allow them some comfort as they fade away.

The thing that wasn't announced and never would be was the fact that the casualties for Huntsman Far outweighed the Amount of death for civilians.

A 10:1 ratio even.

Each would get their own service and the family members and close friends would be the only ones permitted to join.

Still the Damage wasn't too bad and could have been much worse had Ruby not used her powers when she did.

Speaking of Guts was laying next to Ruby acting as a silent protector even as she slept.

Guts wasn't asleep he just laid on his cot with his hands behind his head. He looked over to see Ruby sleeping like a baby. He looked up at the ceiling. Another day, more time to rebuild.

Blake and Yang were wanting to go into the city and much to Reason itself so did Weiss. to see if they could find anymore civilians to pull out or at very least kill some Grimm at least to vent their anger.

Unfortunately both were picked quiet clean.

Guts heard footsteps and looked to see Qrow walking over shining a flashlight at everyone.

"Are you trying to wake everyone up?" Guts asked looking at Ruby making sure the light didn't wake her up. This was the longest she's ever been asleep willingly and he wasn't going to tempt fate by waking her.

Qrow looked up "Actually I was looking for you kid. Glynda wants to see you." He said as he turned off the light to Guts relief.

"What about?" Guts looked over to Ruby

Qrow shook his head "let her sleep for now." He said

Guts nodded and got up, grabbed his stuff and followed Qrow.

Outside Glynda Stood next to James as they looked at the dark sky as Qrow and Guts came up behind them.

"Headmistress. General." Guts said

The two turned and nodded before going back

"The Grimm have all but vanished but the population is still very much scared we can expect another attack if we don't boost moral soon." Glynda said

"Unfortunately many are confused about the Silver light. Something we can't reveal." James said before sighing

"And to make matters worse there's been an issue." Ironwood said

"What happened?" Guts asked as the three Adults cringed

"It happened just about 6 hours ago. When we got confirmation that Ozpin was killed." James said

(Ironwood's flagship: 6 hours ago)

The alarms blasted as security teams ran down the hall. Trying to figure out what was going on

They opened the door to see the room empty and that was the problem

It was Amber's chamber. The glass had a hole melted in it and one in the bulkhead leading outside the ship Amber was gone.

"She escaped?" Guts asked

"More like she ran away." Ironwood said

Guts sighed "could be she's dealing with mixed personality disorder." Guts asked Glynda?

"You think she's being controlled by Cinder?" Glynda asked

"It's possible, we fused Cinders Aura into Amber's to give her back her magic. A part of her personality might have traveled with it." Guts said

"If that's the case Amber's own aura is not strong enough to hold Cinder back. We might as well have just given her the Maiden's powers." James hissed

"Which was exactly what we were trying to avoid." Qrow said shaking his head.

Guts sighed looking down "this is a shit show."

Qrow nodded and turned to Guts "so what do we do?" Qrow asked

"There isn't much we can do with so much going on however we have one thing for anyone who Runs into Amber Under no circumstances is she allowed to escape if she is spotted, kill her." Guts said

The others nodded right now Amber was a massive Operational security risk as of now hurting or not… she couldn't be allowed to live.

"Ok…the next order of business is Ozpin's death." Ironwood said

"You said he will return." Guts said

"Yes but we still need to search for him; he could be anywhere, in anybody. And while he's in a like minded individual sometimes that part is repressed and until he returns to us a temporary leader is needed." Ironwood said

"Ok then who, Glynda?" Guts asked

Glynda however shook her head.

"The answer was already chosen for us…it's you Guts." Qrow said

"What-but?!" Guts stumbled shocked

"Think about it, you've given us strategists that have saved Vale. Ozpin trusts you he said so when his death was announced and he put you in charge for the emergency situation something that anyone else would have fumbled but you got us out the otherside relatively unscathed. As well as many of us have other promises we need to uphold, in permanent locations. You're not tied down by that." James said

"At least for right now the war has changed. With Beacon being attacked and all." Qrow said

Guts nodded he could do this he led the Raiders in the Hundred Years' War and that was on the battlefield where it was a lot more chaotic.

"Alright I'll do it. But I need everything we know so far." Guts said

"What we know is it's a shitshow!" Another voice said as everyone turned and Adam Taraus appeared from behind in a bush.

"Adam…" Guts said narrowing his eyes while Adam changed sides last minute, it was very last minute. And while the white fang had been doing exactly as Adam said they would do Guts was still careful as he had no idea if Adam would switch sides again.

Qrow put a hand on Guts's shoulder "it's ok Guts he changed, he helped defend Beacon." He said

Guts nodded "I know I was there." He said

"Oh." Qrow said as he dropped his arm.

Guts turned to Adam "what's up with the white fang?" He asked

"They're wondering what to do there. As well as being fearful…" Adam said

"I mean they have done horrible things…" Glynda said impassively.

"Please don't lead my brothers into it. If anyone has anything to pay for it's me. Lump all the crimes onto me I'll deal with all of them." Adam said

Guts looked over

"That sounds reasonable." James said holding his chin

"But far too counterproductive." Guts said, cutting him off.

"We will release a public statement about you turning yourself in for your crimes. And we will give you community service as a "punishment." To the public." Guts said

James was shocked. "Guts-."

Guts cut him off "he has access to a group we don't. And if anything is actually going to win us this war it's manpower. From what I hear if we get everyone with us against Salem. We might actually be able to win. but we can't risk alienating anyone too soon." Guts said

"What do you know that we don't?" Qrow asked

Guts looked over to Qrow "that's not important right now right now is what Adams next move is going to be and whether it will be advantageous to our position." Guts said

Adam nodded "I'm going to be leaving Vale in a few days to head back to Menagerie, I have a few things to talk to Ghira Belladonna about what Ozpin said, he planned to give talks to pardoning the White fang and making it a union with the huntsman something I was unaware of I'd wish to understand if this was true and possibly make it possible for such a meeting to commence." Adam said

Guts nodded "sounds like a plan. Once I figure out someone to send I'll do just that to oversee the Union." Guts said

Adam nodded and left to attend to his troops.

Qrow sighed "We're running thin as it is. I don't know of anyone who we can count on to handle something like this that's not needed in other places." Qrow said

"Not to mention they only let Fanuas on menagerie without a permit and we don't have time to get one of those." James said

"You probably can't think of anything because your forgetting a large part of the brotherhood but I can…you can come out Blake." Guts called to no one which made everyone confused

Everyone turned to see Blake step out of a bush

"How did you know I was there?" She asked

"I can use stealth too when I need to." Guts answered.

"How much did she hear?" James asked

"Enough. But I'm doubtful of Adam's commitment." Blake said

Guts nodded "Good you're perfect for this mission, get some rest then I want you to head to Menagerie and set up talks with…oh." Guts said as it finally clicked in his head

Blake's bow folded as she looked away out of shame.

"Father?" Guts asked

The other brotherhood members looked shocked but said nothing.

Blake nodded and a tear fell down her face.

"He's probably extremely worried about you but knowing that he will be overjoyed to have you come home to him safely. It's good to spend family time after something like this. Relax but please remember you have a job to do." Glynda said Blake nodded and left.

"Well there's that. But what are we doing?" James asked only to get an alert James sighed as he opened his scroll and answered a call

"Hello this is The general go ahead."

"What?" He snapped until his face morphed to one of shock

"What?! He's here?" He asked his free hand clenched into a fist

Everyone looked at each other's confused as to what was going on

"Did he explain himself as to why?" James asked

"To take Weiss home? Damn it! Ok…nothing we can do." James said as he hung up

"That was one of my subordinates. Apparently Jacques Schnee has arrived personally to take Weiss back to Atlas." James said

Glynda shook her head as did everyone else but Guts to clenched his fist so hard me nearly broke the glove

"Guts?" James asked

Guts sighed "It's ok James, here's the deal. Weiss will go back to Atlas but you're going to escort them home and for brothers sake don't leave her unattended with him. Please tell Weiss that we are doing what we can to get her out of there as soon as possible." Guts said

James nodded and headed off calling on his scroll to prepare atlas forces to get ready to ship back to Atlas.

"Glynda you're going to stay here and keep the school up and running my apologies but you're going to be running on a skeleton crew for a bit but you can hire those who would have graduated as Temporary staff."

"I also don't know what do with Roman Torchwick but I'll leave that for you to decide."

Guts said

Glynda nodded "no problem."

Guts turned to Qrow

"First we get Ruby to Patch. Then you look for Ozpin. If any one of us receive's a report of Amber, report back to one of us immediately then find, locate and Track if you do not get a reply within 24 hours you have the right to engage." Guts said

Everyone nodded

"We're on a schedule right now, let's go." Guts said

James opened his scroll "calling all Atlas forces prepare to head out. And return to Atlas." He said

{"Sir, what about the arena?"} A some officer at the other end asked

"We're taking it with us." James said

Guts, Qrow, and James headed to the safe area rest area and saw that Jaceques Schnee was already there much to everyone's protest.

"Weiss my daughter Oh lord I was so scared for you!" He said trying to put on the worried parent's look as he hugged Weiss

It might have worked if Weiss didn't look so awkward in the embrace.

"Ummm…" Weiss looked rather startled st the physical contact between the two heck her hands didn't even wrap around him.

Jacques stood up again within a second "oh please daughter let's go we should get out of here, it's not safe and clearly not good for your mental health." He said

"On the contrary Jacques… we are all returning to Atlas with us as your escort." James said

Jacques smiled, "Of course." He turned to Weiss "why don't you go get your stuff dear." He said as Weiss ran off. Although much more for fear than a desire to return home.

Weiss arrived with all her stuff packed as several Robots carried and loaded her stuff onto Jacques ship

Weiss was about to hop on with her father looking at her expectantly when James grabbed her shoulder and pulled her aside

No words were exchanged that were heard but James handed Weiss a piece of paper. One she took with reverence as if she had just won the lottery

She then threw her arms around General Ironwood who stood frozen there for a moment before looking resoundingly sad as Weiss broke the embrace.

And while she stepped back and tried to look more regal there were clear sign of tears on her face which she wiped away as she made her way into the ship.

Very soon they were in the Air with Weiss putting a hand print on the window of the ship as it flew off. James wasn't far behind in his own Gunship flying to meet up with his flagship and fleet which were already on the move to intercept Jacques ship. James knew how much he hated time wasters.

For Ruby she was just asleep when this all went down

This made both Guts and Qrow anxious as these events were not quiet and they decided to move Ruby back home where she could be nursed back to health without fear of another huntsman losing moral. Yang decided to Join them too although she seemed a lot sadder now for some reason.

Guts, Qrow and Yang along with an Asleep Ruby in Yangs arms walked onto a bullhead and flew off back to patch.

Qrow pressed a few buttons and left the seat.

"Ok we've got a course laid in and I made sure the turbulence was as minimal as possible. But to make sure I've boosted the Cabin's Gravity dust so she shouldn't move around too much." Qrow said

Guts nodded as Yang was fully focused on Ruby, her sister laying on her legs as she just brushed her hair.

The bullhead landed on patch and they disembarked they found themselves face to face with the police Chief from before when they were hunting the Grimm-Apostle here

Guts tensed expecting the worse as he came over

Only to see a remorseful look in his eyes as he took off his Sunglasses and hat as he held it to his chest.

"Is she going to be ok?" He asked

Guts looked back to see Qrow carrying Ruby bridal style

Guts nodded "she's too much of a fighter to let this take her out."

The chief nodded "you trained her well." He said

Guts shrugged "I only gave her a nudge she did the rest." Guts said

The chief nodded

"When the Fang started to attack…my daughter was in the Arena along with her friends. She was nursing her newborn child she just had a week ago. And Adam Taraus met her outside the restroom." He said

"It was the most terrified she had ever felt. And upon hearing what Ms Rose did, I…I felt honored and ashamed. Honored that I got to even see her and was ashamed about what happened the last time she was here." He paused as he took a short break to sniffle.

"I just wanted you to let her know. As of this moment I'm officially retiring as Police Chief of Patch. I'm going to spend the rest of the time I can with my family. And if she ever wants to appear for a guest lecture or to help out at the station we'd be honored to support her. We will leave a small room for her to crash in if she needs it." He said before he walked away.

The 3 of them looked to each other before heading back to the Rose-Xiao long Cabin

Unfortunately an untimely storm Impleaded their progress not a lot but enough to slow them down. Yang Used her semblance to act as an Heat shield for Ruby as they made the trek Qrow carrying Ruby and Guts holding up the rear.

It was slow…too slow.

Guts looked over left to see a pack of Beowolf's running left of them in the woods.

They were about to be attacked.

Guts drew Dragonslayer which caused the party to stop and see what was happening

They saw the evidence just as Guts did

Both Yang and Qrow looked at each other

They knew they couldn't hold off the Grimm and defend Ruby at the same time…

That only left one option

Which Guts voiced

"Once they spring the trap I'll keep them occupied while you bring Ruby home. Don't worry about me, I'll be there in a few." Guts said

The 3 kept moving finally they found themselves in a group of Grimm a very large horde

Qrow and Yang looked worried this was the largest conglomeration of Grimm ever seen it would be no problem for a small group to Split off and take Qrow and Yang out also the fact this was unnatural only meant one thing: these were being controlled.

They were going after Ruby. Guts's just looked unfazed he moved past the two of them and said simply

"Go." As he Impaled Dragonslayer on the ground to declare that only once he died would they lay a hand on those behind him.

The Grimm who knew it was useless to argue charged at Guts

Qrow and Yang nodded knowing they would only get in the way of they stayed ran off with Ruby getting home as fast as possible

Yang looked back hoping to the brothers that no Grimm were following

They were not but that didn't mean they wouldn't change their mind later.

Back on the field Guts stood resolute

"Let's see what you can really do?" Guts said as he lifted The Dragonslayer and swung hard at the 3 Grimm that tried to pounce on him.

Down the road a little Yang and Qrow ran for their lives; they were terrified, the amount of Grimm in that horde was astronomical far larger than should have been possible on the island.

There must have been 200 at least.

A large horde of Grimm roughly is about 50 or something; it only took 300 to breach Vale.

To say that patch was overrun was without question, and an issue.

Qrow and Yang were surprised that they hadn't encountered any other Grimm on the road. But we're thankful

They saw the cabin an bolted both looking terrified

Qrow handed Ruby to Yang as he tried to grab the keys

Yang held her sister who, noticing it was warmer started to snuggle up closer to Yang unconsciously.

"Hurry up!" Yang yelled looking behind her to see if any Grimm were approaching. She didn't but they didn't mean there wasn't a chance.

Yang knocked on the door frantically and stepped back when Uncle Qrow had the key in his hand.

As he stepped up to slide the key in Qrow fumbled the keys and dropped them. He cursed his luck as he picked them up from the ground trying to find the key again

After finding the key he was about to stick it in an unlock the door.

When it just swung open

And on the other side of the threshold stood Taiyang looking both Tired, Stressed and confused, he had his bathrobe on and bunny slippers.

"What is going on-?" He asked

"Move dad!" Yang yelled as both charged forward nearly knocking Taiyang down as Qrow slammed the door shut as Yang laid Ruby on the couch then looked frantically out the Window as was Qrow.

"Anything?" She asked

Qrow shook "no but that's not to say there not there." He said

Yang huffed and slid down the wall.

"Fuck." She huffed, clearly exhausted. Yang heard a bump and found her uncle next to her in the same distressed State.

Qrow and Yang panted

Taiyang looked shocked

"What the hell happened?" He asked

Qrow and Yang looked at each other and sighed "that's sure is one way to describe it." Qrow answered.

Outside the horde of Grimm charged at Guts all at once

It didn't matter to Guts because they were at different distance's so Guts could tell which ones to kill first.

He cut them down like nothing taking out 5 in a swing before he flipped around and did it again backhanded.

Guts took a step back as he looked into the horde with a smile he had no illusions of grandeur.

He was being overrun

As he looked around in a sea of black he realized he might have bitten off more than he could chew

From the heads around him he could count at least 500 Grimm

And that's not to mention the 60-70 he had already slain.

Guts sighed he looked in his pouch and found 2 aura boosters.

Guts sighed he never thought he'd use it on small fry like this but-.

A Grimm lunged Guts instantly leveled his gauntlet and fired

Unfortunately the Grimm bit down on the arm before it disintegrated making Guts groan as the pain locked his fingers up. No more use of the Arm cannon.

Guts looked around looking more savage as if this thrilled him

He was back.

Back in that forest that night

Alone.

The only difference was this time he had no limit.

Guts roared savangegly and activated his aura Feeling rejuvenated he lunged into the frey ignoring the amount of blood he was spilling from his wound.

In the Rose-Xiao Long Cabin Tai got Yang and Qrow a cup of tea. Who had moved to the kitchen so they could relax.

Ruby had been moved up to her bed sleeping, Yang looked at her hands on the table with a dead look in her eyes.

"What happened?" Tai said looking from Yang to Qrow he could tell from Yang she was traumatized but he couldn't do anything until he learned more.

"A Shit storm, that's what Tai." Qrow growled as he explained it for a second time.

"That doesn't tell me anything Qrow, why is my daughter- both my girls! Like this?!" Tai asked

"The festival." Yang said hollow

Tai looked over as Qrow looked down

"What happened sweetheart?" Tai asked smoothly trying to calm her down.

"It was attacked." Qrow said

"The White fang…held Amity above the city for ransom. Planned on wiping out the entire city in one huge Dust explosion." Yang said

"Tell me everyone is ok?" Tai asked

Qrow shook his head "the numbers are not confirmed but it's believed over 200 Huntsmen have died." Qrow said

Tai sighed

He looked over at Yang and tried to reach out to her but she shoved him off, stood up and headed upstairs not looking up from her feet the entire time.

"This is a mess." He said

Back outside Guts was breathing heavy he had cleaved so many Grimm his arms were feeling numb

Yet the numbers kept coming the sea was never ending

Guts growled, it pissed him off.

Guts leveled Dragonslayer and surprisingly a grimm landed on his sword.

Guts spun around and the Grimm body hit another Grimm as he disappeared into the fray once more.

If he needed to he'd use the berserker Armor.

Not a single Grimm was going to leave this field alive…

He'd make sure of it…

(Play Metallica one )

Guts threw himself into the Frey cutting at anything that lived

He wasn't even sure he was seeing anything anymore he just moved

A monster of fury. Still the monsters kept coming.

And like pigs to a slaughterhouse Guts accepted all of them. Swinging just as maniacally as the Grimm in some instant's

Guts lunged over one Beowolf to reach another

But he didn't use his sword to kill it

No

He just punched it

Again and again and again.

The anger. The hate. The rage,

How he was helpless to Save Casca. How he couldn't kill Griffith when he returned. How he could do absolutely nothing to save Ruby.

It turned him mad. As he roared to the sky another Beowolf lunged at him knocking in on his back and about to maul him

However Guts's hand clamped around the beasts neck and held it far enough away it couldn't reach

And with a tensing of his arm he snapped the Beowolf's neck as he faded Guts stood up and he looked around

Too many

Far too many…

Guts had to use his semblance it was the only way he could and die in the process. As he activated it he felt his pain ebb away and he charged with twice as much ferocity.

Back at the Rose- Xiao Long cabin Taiyang and Qrow talked this time more about Ruby.

"So the festival was attacked as mentioned but what does that have to do with Ruby being in a coma for 2 days?"

"Well, she participated in the battle and saved a lot of lives by doing so." Qrow said

"And?" TaiYang asked not seeing the point.

Qrow sighed this was the tightrope part "She might have used her eyes a bit too much in the end, that's all she'll be fine." He said

TaiYang growled "she wasn't supposed to know they existed at all!" He said

Qrow sighed 'yep tightrope.' He countered

"And we weren't supposed to condone her extreme Training methods either. 24 hour training courses is insane and it barely takes a dip into her stamina and yet you the overbearing father did nothing." Qrow snapped

"That's different." Tai argued. Trying to change the subject.

"Tai Those eyes saved Vale, you can't coddle her forever!" Qrow said

Tai sank down, defeated he knew she was a fighter just like her mother. But that was the exact reason she was killed. He didn't want to lose his baby girl yet.

"This is bad, Qrow." Tai said sadly

"Yeah, this is bad." Qrow said as he held up a teacup to Tai

Tai and Qrow clicked teacups and drank, they might not like each other that much but when it gets too thick and thin They can be known to stand by each other.

Guts had found a limit to his semblance

He wasn't looking for it and it wasn't the best time for it but he had found it

He was unable to Feel pain so long as he had Aura.

The suit would still be on him

But at that point it's just armor

Very heavy armor.

Guts dragged his body onwards he had injected himself with an aura booster not to increase his aura that was already shattered beyond belief and wasn't reforming until at least 3 days of full rest.

No he used it to supercharge his aura so his muscles wouldn't decide to shear in two on him.

An extreme measure but a necessary one. He was almost done.

Guts counted as much as he could. He probably had fifty or so to go. But with much of his vision fading he couldn't be so sure

Guts wobbled he never felt this weak. Even after the 100 man fight or the eclipse Guts was able to get back up.

Heck he wanted to get back up then.

Here Guts knew it was different.

'If I keep this up I will die here.' Guts though as he looked around.

Yet as the monsters charged for another assault Guts let out an inhuman roar and another swing.

He felt the resistance on the blade and 10 half's fell on the ground before dissolving.

He had done it and all of them were killed.

Guts panted he used Dragonslayer as a support as his knees gave out from under him.

Followed by everything else as he laid on his back.

Guts looked around exhausted but he was alone

Wait no…there were 3 more

Guts tried to stand up but he couldn't

He lifted his gauntlet hand and fired at one in a desperate measure not caring his fingers might be in the way.

The Grimm was killed however The other two lunged as well.

Guts was able to stab one with his dagger in the neck as the other one bit off his hand.

Guts roared now fully away as he stabbed the last one with his dagger killing it

Unfortunately at the last second the Grimm got his right eye.

Now Guts was alone. His left arm gone. His right eye now bleeding. But he was alive.

Guts laid on his back as the Night sky showed off the peak moon.

'Oh shit…' guts hissed as he forced himself up

He had to get out of here.

Guts started to walk dragging the Dragonslayer behind him.

In the Rose Xiao Long cabin

Yang sat in her room on her bed looking out the window. She was confused

Sad and confused

Weiss left them although not by choice it was clear she didn't want to go with her father but she was incapable of doing anything.

And Blake…

She just…left no I'm going I'll keep in touch. No see you Yang take care of Ruby. Not even a simple Goodbye

And that hurt.

All over the year Ruby Weiss and Yang had tried to hammer home to Blake that they were her firends she could trust them talk to them.

Yet when the chips fell down on the table Blake went back to being Blake.

She ran…

And Yang in some part of herself liked that about Blake.

After acting as an older sister for most of your life then watch as your ward grow up before you. outpace you and by the end of the year he Heralded as the greatest Huntress of a generation if not all time. Was a proud moment for Yang.

But in the end it ment that Yang wasn't an older sister anymore. Ruby didn't need to have nighttime snuggles to get rid of nightmares. She didn't need Yang to read her bedtime stories till she falls asleep like she use to.

Heck she didn't even need Yang to defend her. On several occasions Yang needed Ruby to defend Her.

The shoe was on the other foot. And for Yang that felt different

Not good or bad but just weird.

Yang knew this was naturally going to happen. Once she saw Ruby first pick up a weapon (which happened to be Uncle Qrow's scythe by the way) and she folded her hood down to be "extra kool!" Yang knew that Ruby wasn't a kid trying to play huntress.

She was a huntress trying to play child…

And now Ruby has grown into her dream.

And yet Yang just like that day so many moons ago.

Was relegated to the sidelines…

It's probably why she felt a kindred soul to Blake.

It was the status quo, it was easy. She didn't have to confront her religance, she just had to make Blake feel better.

But now, when became clear that Blake was hurting. Instead of talking or trying to find a solution that they can all do…

Blake ran…

And forced Yang to make the hard decision…

The uncomfortable decision.

Sense day 1 at beacon Yang had become the mother of the team Sure Ruby was leader but even then she asked Yang for help and status updates on others.

Something that Yang accepted

But in the end it felt like Ruby was trying to help give Yang a jumping off point. As it went on Yang noticed Ruby ask about the stuff less and less

Yang realized now Ruby was trying to give her the slow decent. Slowly take her off life support. And have her walk without handrails. Or crunches or even a hand.

And yet Yang missed that only hiding herself into what was comfortable.

Now she had to confront it all at once.

And what's worse there was no Weiss, no Blake or even Ruby as of right now to help her…

She had to confront this herself, Now.

Yang heard a knock on the door which Yang responded

"It's open…" she said

She didn't look back but from the small creak the door made showing it was only open a sliver she could tell it was her father.

"Yang?" He asked

"Hi dad." Yang said despondently

Tai stepped in the room

"Is everything ok?" He asked

For once Yang was honest with herself as she replied

"No…it's not."

Tai wilted sadly as he looked up hopeful

"Is there anything I can do to help?" He asked

Yang sighed "no I don't think so…" Yang said

"Oh ok…" Tai said as he started to leave "I'll let you know when Supper is ready." He said

"It's ok dad I'm not hungry right now." Yang said

Tai slumped down again "oh um ok…" he said as he left.

Yang just went back to watching the window thinking about her role what her actual role to team RWBY was.

Not the combat roles of Leader. Support, etc.

But as like Leader, the friend, the mother hen, the book worm,

Right now Yang felt like none of these.

She only felt like a third wheel.

Team RWBY wasn't team RWBY but more RWB. Yang was, well she could have been anyone.

Anyone could have fit into the dynamic of team RWBY and be a perfect fit to replace Yang. Fuck even Jaune right now would be a better fit then her.

And that stung.

Yang didn't even realize it but night had fallen.

Having no more answers to her questions she turned off the lights and went to bed. Maybe her dreams would help sort them out.

Tai had returned downstairs to see Qrow on his scroll

"How's Yang?" He asked

"Not great…she won't open up…" Tai said

"Yangs always been like that." Qrow said putting his scroll down

"Yeah but not like this. I just…I'm feeling more and more like a failure here Qrow I mean Summer was the one for this not me. I'm just a shit father." Tai said

*Slap!*

Tai felt his face move fast and harsh

Tai straighten his head on and found Qrow glairing at him his arm still outstretched from the slap.

"Ow Qrow what the hell?!" Tai asked

"You are not a shit father, understand me." Qrow said

Tai looked shocked but before he could Qrow turned to face him in his chair

"Did you ever abuse Yang?" Qrow asked

Tai looked shocked

"Wha-Qrow I would never?!" He argued but Qrow kept going

"Did you ever take sexual advances on Ruby because she was in need and begging for help?" He asked

Tai looked desgusted "No Qrow where is this going?" He asked

But Qrow did not stop

"Did you ever not listen to their pleas? Held them when they asked?, gave them a special toy they wanted when they were good? Did you ever not confront Ruby when she was screaming for her mother despite the fact looking like an exact copy of her?" Qrow asked leaning forward

Tai punched Qrow in the face

Hard.

"Low blow Qrow!" Tai growled standing up ready to go a few rounds with his teammates, heck he was willing to throw him out of the house on those grounds alone.

Qrow sat on the ground legs crossed looking up at Tai not in anger but pride

"And that…is why you're not a shit father." He said

Tai finally realized what Qrow did and let himself relax.

"I fucking hate your therapy session Qrow." Tai said

"Summer did them the same way yet you loved them then." Qrow said

Tai sighed "that's because She and I afterwards would."

Qrow cut him off looking away waving his hands

"Woah, woah, woah ok Tai I get it, I get it. No need to go there." Qrow said

Tai smiled at his firends reaction

"Payback." He simply said

Qrow sighed "yeah I deserve that." He said as both rejoined at the table

"Do you want me to have a crack at her?" Qrow asked

"Maybe tomorrow…it's getting late as it is." Tai said

Qrow looked shocked before looking to the Sky

It was pitch black

Qrow narrowed his eyes, Guts had been gone too long.

Still nothing he could do right now.

Qrow sighed as the two went to bed.

The next day

Qrow got up that morning as soon as the Sun was high enough he went out looking for Guts.

He didn't find a single trace.

Qrow returned empty handed

Tai looked up

"Any luck?" He asked

Qrow shook his head.

Tai sighed

"This is shit Qrow. With Ruby out of commission for who knows when people will lose Moral. And we can't declare a manhunt for Guts because that will cause the same thing." Tai said

Quiet nodded "I know Tai."

"What are we going to do, Qrow?" Tai asked

"Make due with what we can." Qrow said

Tai sighed hands behind his head "Damn, of all the times Guts had to die on us."

Suddenly there was the sound of shattered glass

Both adults turned to see Yang looking at the table like a deer in the headlights.

"Yang…" Tai said

"Is it true?" Yang asked Qrow.

"It's unconfirmed but I didn't see him this morning when I went out to look for him." Qrow said

Yang's face shifted from shock to horror to pure dread. As she turned and Ran back up the stairs.

"Yang!" Tai called after his daughter.

He reached the base of the stairs when Yang fled into her room and slammed the door shut.

Tai sighed, he messed up

Qrow put a hand on Tai's shoulder as he made his way upstairs.

Qrow reached the door and knocked "Firecracker?" Qrow asked

He got no response

"Kiddo?" He tried again

"Go away!" Yang said although Qrow could hear she was crying on the other end.

In her room Yang sat against her door hugging her knees

"Why- why did it have to be this way?!" She asked

Qrow said nothing as he slowly pressed his back against the other side of the door.

"All I've tried to do…is be a good role model! Someone to live up to…someone who no matter what the issue is, they can come to me and talk. But then! Everytime something happens…everyone just- leaves!" Yang cried

Qrow laid his head back on the doorframe.

(Play Jeff Williams Gold: ( acoustic))

"You have a good heart Yang… and no matter what happens, all you try to do is look out for the best of people. Even at your own detriment. It's something not everyone is good at. And yet you fit it like it was made for you.

"That is something that you share with your mother." Qrow said Almost sadly as he rested his arm on one propped leg.

"M-my mother?" Yang asked this was the first time she heard Qrow bring up her mother it was a hard topic in the family.

"Summer was a beautiful woman. Always outgoing. Caring and no matter what happened no matter how angry she got at you. If you were hurt she'd nurse you back to health whether you'd like it or not…even if I just meant she could beat you up herself. " Qrow chuckled

"Oh…" Yang said Clearly they were thinking of different people.

Qrow sighed

"I know what you meant Yang…but listen…don't try to look after Raven…my sister…she's…she isn't a good role model…nor is she mother material. That's one spot where you surpass her everyday." Qrow said

Yang looked at the door slightly angry

"Only one?" She asked

Qrow scoffed "course not kiddo…unlike her, you stick to your commitment's. You're loyal beyond belief, and no matter what happens how slighted you are toward others. You will always try to help them."

Qrow sighed

"While Ruby might physically look like Summer…you have everything else that made her summer. Don't get confused about who your mother is Yang… Raven wasn't a mother…she was just the woman who birthed you…" Qrow said as he went to stand up

He found the door Click and open a crack

Yangs eyes were puffy and she looked mentally distraught.

Qrow sighed "come here." He said as he wrapped his arms in an embrace.

Yang threw herself at Qrow. And started to let out all her repressed feelings

Qrow sighed

"If you need to have a talk both myself and your father are here."

Yang nodded "please." She said.

Qrow nodded as he stepped inside.

From there Yang tells Qrow everything. How she's feeling. How she feels she lacks cohesion.

How Blake ran from her.

How the fact Ruby changed so quickly means to Yang.

Qrow sighed

"Ok listen Kiddo, one you've got nothing to worry about, Ruby isn't going to abandon you. Your father or I will not abandon you. Nothing will change that ok?" Qrow asked

Yang nodded

Suddenly there was a loud banging on the front door

Qrow and Yang looked at each other and started to sprint downstairs.

Qrow and Yang were at the base of the stairs as Tai reached to open the door.

All three of them gasped when they saw who was on the otherside.

It was Guts he was swaying like a drunkard, his right eye was missing and bleeding leaving a Red streak running down his face. and his left arm was a nub from the base of the elbow.

"May I…come in?" He asked as he pitched forward

Tai was lucky to have caught him

"Woah!" Tai said as he held Guts who had passed out.

"I'll get a bed ready for him." Qrow said as he ran up the stairs

"Give him my room I'll move in the room across Ruby." Yang said

"You sure?" Qrow asked

"Yes." Yang nodded

Qrow nodded back and ran off.

Everything was happening so fast.

Once they got Guts in the bed Tai then went to take care of Ruby.

He stayed there the rest of the night falling asleep in his chair.

As Ruby wakes up in an unfamiliar bed, wearing gray pajamas. Birds are tweeting and sunlight is streaming onto the wall behind the bed's headboard. After a few seconds, she wakes up and looks over to see her father asleep in a chair. She sits up and sighs quietly, causing Taiyang to stir awake.

"Ruby!" He gets up and runs to kneel by her bed "You're awake!"

Ruby groaned "Ugh... what happened?"

Taiyang spoke worried "Your uncle Qrow found you, unconscious. He got you out of there, though, and brought you home safe."

Ruby Looks down in thought for a split second, then looks at Taiyang. "Wait! Guts! Where is Guts? Is he alright!?"

TaiYang paused "Uh... it's uh... it's kinda hard to explain he's gonna be alright. I think it's just... I think it's just gonna take some time for him to get used to it. He's

too strong to let this stop him." He stands up and covers his eyes for a moment, sniffling, then looks up, smiling "I'm just glad to have my girls back at home."

Ruby shook her head "What happened to the school?! And Vale?! Were they able to clear out the Grimm?"

TaiYang sighed. "Things at Vale are under control, but the school... It's... it's not that simple. A lot of huntsmen are dead and the city is worse, there are too many civilians missing or stuff broken to go back to daily life for right now. But thanks to what you did, you got rid of the Grimm. But still."

Ruby tilts her head "I did... what?"

Taiyang looks up "Hmm?"

Ruby was more confused "You said I got rid of the Grimm but that's a huge number. What do you mean?"

Taiyang sighed "I... Look, that's not important right now. We can talk about it later. Things are just... kind of a mess."

Qrow stepped into the room "It's always a mess."

Ruby and Taiyang look to see Qrow suddenly standing in the room, near the door. He finishes off the contents of his flask before continuing.

"Mind if we have a minute?" He asked

TaiYang looked insulted. "What, I can't stay here?!"

Qrow looked at him sadly "Tai. Please."

Taiyang stands up, sighs, and then leans in to kiss Ruby on the forehead.

"I'm glad you're alright." He starts walking away. "I'll go make us some tea."

Taiyang glares at Qrow on the way out, but the latter doesn't appear to care. As Qrow approaches Ruby's bed, he grabs the chair and drags it with him. He then spins it around to face the bed and sits in it with a significant slouch, crossing one leg over the other.

"Well there's that, now we can talk blatantly." Qrow said

"He doesn't approve?" Ruby asked

"Not so much. He agreed the Grimm are a threat but he still think Ozpin's the reason for your mothers death and blames him somewhat." Qrow explained

Ruby nodded

"What happened to Guts…dad made it seem like he was injured."

Qrow nodded "he was but not in the battle. It was here on patch." He said

"What happened?" Ruby asked

Qrow shook his head "he won't say all he did say is that he got cocky but he saved you again we got ambushed when we arrived Guts stayed behind allowing me to get you here I didn't hear from him for two days then he just showed up Beaten, bruises but Alive he's getting bed rest. But he seems fine in fact he seems more than fine. He's still a fighter. I know he will take care of you." Qrow said

"What's going to happen now?" Ruby asked

"Well first you're going to get better. I have a few things I need to do. What's the last thing you remember?" Qrow asked

"I was with Guts he shattered the windows in Ozpin's office so I didn't reflect the eyes back on myself then I got fuzzy and passed out…wait Ozpin is he?" Ruby said

Qrow nodded

Ruby sighed "so what's up now?" Ruby asked

"Well with Ozpin and Beacon gone everything is a mess. But Guts has given me orders to look for Oz." Qrow said

"Wait Guts really?" Ruby asked

Qrow smirked

"Your boyfriend has helped Ozpin our quiet a lot and he earned his trust. He's been promoted to temporary leader of the brotherhood until Ozpin is found." He said

Ruby nodded

"When do you leave?" Ruby asked

"Very soon but not yet." He said as he got up "get some rest Kiddo." Qrow said

"I'm up now, I'm not sure I can sleep." She said As she tried to stand up much to Qrow's chargin who tried to push her back down as her feet which were covered in Socks hit the ground

Qrow sighed and leaned back "fine but don't push yourself too much kid. Your father will kill me." He said

"Dad will just have to learn. I assume he didn't hear any of my interviews during the tournament." Ruby said

Qrow shook his head "apparently he just got back or something." He said

Ruby nodded "alright where is Yang?" She asked

"In her room but…listen, Rubes Yang has…changed…just be careful when you talk to her ok?"

Ruby nodded

Ruby got up to talk to Yang

Yang sits alone in a spare bedroom, staring out a window. Her gauntlets sit on the bedside stands in the doorway.

Ruby peers in "Yang?"

She waits for a moment, but when she receives no response from Yang, she turns to leave.

"Ruby." She finally responds

Ruby turns back around, and Yang turns her head to look at her younger sister, tears now in her eyes. Ruby runs over and hugs her.

"I'm so glad you're okay!"

Yang sighed "But I'm not."

Ruby frowns and releases the hug.

"It's gone - the school, Ozpin, and...so much destruction…" Yang said

Ruby looked at Yang "Yang, where are Weiss and Blake?"

Yang sighed "Weiss' father... came for her."

Ruby was shocked "What? What do you mean?"

Yang sighed "No one outside of Vale knows what happened here. After the Atlas stopped Amity from falling, the last thing people saw was the white fang attacking innocent people and Grimm destroying the city they didn't see the white fang helping. Or Torchwick being a hero.. Everyone's scared. No one knows who to trust. So, Weiss' father came to take her back to Atlas, where he thinks it's safe. She's gone."

Ruby was shocked. "Well, what about-."

Yang growled and punched the bed "And Blake ran! Sun saw her go. After we got to the city, she just... ran!"

Ruby gasped "But... why!?"

Yang turned away "I don't know... and I don't care."

Ruby shook her head "There has to be a reason she-."

Yang turned to her "No, there doesn't! Sometimes bad things just happen, Ruby!"

"Only because you don't know the whole story." A low voice said across the hall.

"Guts…" Ruby said as she ran over to him Yang got up too to see him. She him injured but not sure the amount of healing he had done to him overnight.

Needs less to say not very much.

Ruby gasped in the hall, a hand flew to her mouth as Yang ran up behind her sister to see what had her react that like.

Yang looked like she saw a ghost.

Guts was covered in Bandages. His right eye was missing and had an eyepatch bandage and his left arm was a stump.

"Holy shit!" Yang gasped

"G-guts what happened?" Ruby asked tentatively walking into the threshold.

"I just got cocky." Guts said trying to push it off

Ruby wasn't having it and sat down on his bed on his chest which made him groan and sit up Ruby ignored him and pointed at him

"No you use that excuse when your trying to push it away, you promise me you're not going to do that to me, others yes but not to me." Ruby said

"R-ruby…" Guts moaned

"What would Casca say if she saw you like this huh?!" Ruby yelled

Guts froze as his memories flooded back to the post eclipse.

He laid back down and sighed "fine but get off my chest at least and I'll tell you."

Ruby nodded and pulled up a chair as did Yang TaiYang who was outside the door coming to inspect the commotion to make sure everything was ok.

He grimaced he didn't like Guts talking to Ruby not especially after what Just happened to her. But it appears he had no choice in the matter as he looked down the hall and saw Qrow smiling across the way

Tai scowled he was supposed to be the father yet every time he tried to put his foot down he was overruled.

"You got filled in when you woke up?" Guts asked Ruby

Ruby nodded "a few moments are a bit fuzzy but I think I'm getting a clear picture." She said

"Alright now think of everything you know of what happened there that other people have told you and get rid of it." Guts said

"Wait?" Ruby asked

"All of it." Guts said

Ruby nodded as did Yang.

Guts sighed.

"The battle of Beacon was a shitshow from the start. They knocked us off balance with hijacking Amity and it spiraled out of control from there. I bet you were told everything is under control in vale?" Guts asked

Yang and Ruby nodded

"Its Not even close to a militarized zone. Huntsman and White fang patrol the streets. And there are still pockets of Grimm in the city too. Beacon is close to opening again but Glynda is in charge and she's running with a skeleton crew." Guts said

Ruby nodded

"So who are the teachers?" Yang asked

"Port, Oobleck, Peach, and any fourth year that wants to further their education but doesn't want to travel outside the kingdom are being hired as staff." Guts said

"What about Weiss and Blake?" Ruby asked Yang sighed

"Weiss was taken away by her father Yang was right there, however I'm told Ironwood is there and is making frequent visits to her to make sure she's ok." Guts said

Ruby nodded

"And Blake?"

Yang looked at Ruby sadly, not wanting to break her heart.

"Blake heard afterward the battle Members talking to Adam about a peace agreement with the White fang and went back home to talk with the possibilities." Guts said

"Oh…" Yang said clearly not knowing this.

"It was under my orders too which means as of now consider them as if it's Ozpin." Guts said

Ruby looked at him

"Why you?" She asked

"In all honesty I don't know, I'm Thinking the old man might have had brain problems, But he trusts me so I'll do my job the best I can." Guts said

"What about JNPR?" Yang asked

"They're fine there spending time at Jaunes place for now before they meet us up here." Guts said

Ruby nodded, "Now that I'm fully caught up, what about your injury?"

Guts sighed "like I said I got cocky. I was fighting a pack of Beowolf who tried to attack you while you were injured on the way here.

"Wow the Blackswordsmen defeated by five Beowolf's." Yang said trying to hide the actual number of how many he killed.

"Eh it's not so bad besides as I said I got cocky. And in all honesty this is the way I'm used to." Guts said

"Oh yea now that you mentioned it this does kinda look like how you described yourself back then." Ruby said

"So you're not too angry about it?" Yang asked

Guts shook his head "not really I'm getting a replacement arm from Atlas in a few weeks or so as I ordered one when I got up, which will have more features then my old arm. And moveable fingers." Guts said

"Dang that's awesome so you'll be good as new." Yang said

"Basically." Guts said

"Oh yea I noticed usually when you fight us or someone else you close your right eye is that just muscle memory from your time post eclipse?" Ruby asked

Guts shrugged "pretty much."

"Anyways you girls better get back to bed. I have a lot of resting to do before I'm able to go back on the road." Guts said as he laid down

Ruby smiled and was about to kiss Guts until he let out a snore.

Ruby leaves and see Tai standing outside

"You know I didn't want you to talk to him yet." Tai said

Ruby narrowed her eyes at him

"You can't stop me seeing who I want to see Dad." Ruby said

Tai tried to argue "I didn't mean it like that I-." He sighed he didn't want to isolate Ruby any more "follow me." He said

Ruby looked back to Yang who didn't say anything but smiled

Ruby narrowed her eyes clearly and there was something she was missing here. And she would get to the bottom of it.

Ruby joined her father who was standing outside of a locked room

The room she herself had been trying to get into for so long.

Tai smiled

"I promised myself that when you were old enough to understand I'd show you what was in here. I've locked this room up not because I didn't trust you…but I didn't trust myself how I would react." He said

Tai reached for the lock

"This lock is a one of a kind lock and it will only fit this door I've designed it myself for this purpose.

Ruby thought he'd just unlock it and put it somewhere later.

Instead to her surprise with a large tug he snapped off the Shackle from the housing. As both dropped to the ground with a clang

"It's time to show you Ruby…how proud you make me." Tai said as he walked in.

Ruby stood frozen before she entered as well.

She looked around and noticed all the memorabilia around the room

Her mothers cloak.

Her weapon

All sorts of photos of them as a team

Then of Tai and Her mother alone as a couple…

"Oh…" Ruby said looking around.

Tai walked over to a desk and sat down as he unlocked a drawer and pulled out a Whiskey bottle.

"Sit down Ruby." Tai said as he got out two glasses

Ruby did so as Tai poured two glasses one larger for himself and one for Ruby.

"I know your uncle let you sample some of his stuff from his flask." Tai said not upset but letting her know she didn't have to hide it.

Ruby didn't deny it.

"Once… it was terrible." Ruby admitted

Tai nodded "it's an acquired taste." Tai said

"Now normally you would be having this at 17 after your first year at Beacon but you happened to get in early. But this is a tradition that me and Summer knew you would have." Tai said as he slid the glass over to Ruby.

"This is what Separates Huntsman from kids pretending and killing Grimm." Tai said

"This is our family rite to accept new Huntsman." Tai said

Ruby smiled as Tai and Ruby sipped the whisky.

"Tai looked at the label.

"This was your mothers Favorite whisky. She always had it after a mission." Tai said as he put the bottle down

"A toast to a job well done." Tai said

Ruby smiled as they clinked glasses

"Qrow left just a while ago he has a mission he was given that's supposed to start tomorrow but he left early. He said "he had no right to interfere with this ceremony…" Tai said sadly.

"But it's not true…Qrow and Summer were nearly inseparable from their time at Beacon. I was just a freeloader… Qrow deserved to tell you this story more than me… and I hate that." He said

Ruby looked at her father sadly.

"If just a few things had been Different Ruby, you wouldn't have seen me as your father…but Qrow instead…" Tai said

He threw his head and the drink back

"Maybe I deserve this guilt I feel, I never know, but no matter what I still love her." Tai said

Ruby looked around

"Did she make the choice?" She asked

Tai looked up

"Huh?" He asked

"Did…did mom ever get a say…of who she got to marry?" Ruby asked

Tai sighed "yeah she did but I-." He said

Ruby cut him off

"Then you got nothing to worry about." Ruby said

Tai sighed

"You are so much like your mother." Tai said

Ruby smiled

"Summer loved you so much…saying that out of everything that happened all the goodness in her life. You were the thing that brought the biggest smile to her face." Tai said

Ruby smiled tears falling down her face as she felt how proud her father was.

Ruby tilted the glass back and finished the whiskey

"Summer would be amazing at how much you have grown at Beacon."

Tai looked around the room.

"All of this stuff is your Ruby. I mean it. In summer's will she left all of this to you. I'm just holding onto it for you." Tai said

Ruby smiled as she stood up

"Keep it for now. I can't carry all of this around with me but thanks dad." Ruby said

Tai nodded

"If you want to know anything about your mother. Don't be afraid to ask." Tai said

Ruby nodded

"Does Yang know about this room?"

Tai nodded "she does, she helped me organize it when Summer died. That's why it's as clean as it is now." Tai said

Ruby nodded "thank you dad…for showing me this…" Ruby said

Tai smiled "of course sweetheart." He said

Ruby left the room and sighed before she walked across the hall and went to bed herself.

Outside Qrow sat on a branch overlooking the Rose-Xiao Long household in bird form before he decided to fly off into the night.

The next day. Ruby got up at noon. Not because she was lazy but that's actually when she got up.

Ruby yawned as she looked around and realized what time it was. She got up and dressed and headed down stairs to see her father over the Stove.

"Morning Dad." Ruby said

"Afternoon Ruby." Tai said as he put brunch out for Ruby who started to dig in

"Yeah I don't know what happened. I'm usually up way before this." Ruby said

Tai smiled "it doesn't matter. With the school closed they basically declared Holiday early so you are able to sleep in." Tai said

Ruby nodded

Tai started to clean the dishes

"Yang went into Vale for the day. Didn't say when she'd be back." Tai said

Ruby nodded

"So dad I'm wondering if."

"If you can have your sister team over?" He asked

Ruby looked up shocked

Tai smiled and held up Ruby's scroll

"Your friend Jaune called earlier and asked if it was ok for him to show up you were asleep so I answered." Tai said

Ruby sighed

"I was going to ask before but with everything going on I wanted stuff to calm down first." She said

"I agreed they could stay. But we need to move a few things around and get some more sleeping arrangements set up." Tai said

Ruby nodded "they can just lay in the living room honestly that's all they really need." Ruby said

Tai nodded "I kinda figured." Will you help me get the stuff out?" He asked

The rest of the day the two worked making the house presentable for Team JNPR to arrive.

They rolled out four sleeping bags.

They moved the couch.

They vacuumed.

Ruby sighed as they finished and they realized it was getting dark out.

Tai looked out the window.

"Yangs not back yet." He said

Ruby nodded "do you want me to go look for her?" She asked

Tai sighed "Yang is old enough to do stuff on her own but at the same time." Tai said

Ruby nodded "she's not in the right mental state right now."

Tai nodded "if you don't mind Ruby just be careful with." Tai started As Ruby Hooked Crescent Rose on her back

"I got it Dad, I know how to handle Yang." Ruby said

"I'll be back as soon as I can if you don't mind I'd like to make a request for dinner." Ruby said

Tai looked up confused

"Um ok." He said

Ruby smiled, "make Yang's favorite meal." She said as she walked out

Tai chuckled as he looked down

"Summer…that girl of yours… she's going on so well." He said.

Ruby walked the countryside of patch to get to the shore of Patch which was only a few miles off the coast of Vale proper. Perfect for Ruby to test her semblance

Ruby smiled as she concentrated and vanished into rose petals which carried themselves into Vale proper using the breeze.

In Vale Ruby landed her hood up the cool Autumn wind enough to show Ruby her breath.

Ruby opened her eyes and started walking

If Ruby knew Yang she knew exactly where She was.

In the Dark Side of Vale's street in Junior's nightclub the air was tense. There wasn't anyone at the bar say for one woman.

There were dancers. music and coustomers were happy

But the place was tense. As much of the staff was looking at the bar.

Many of the bouncers stood around the bar as if waiting for the lone woman to attack them or smash the place up.

Even the bartender at the bar who was wiping a glass looked at the women in concern.

Yang for her part looked unphased at the attention she was receiving. She just sat at the bar. Stirring her drink.

Yang just looked defeated.

Junior sighed

"Look blondie, you've been in here all day. It's long past closing. I'm packing up, you've got your drink now leave." He said

Yang said nothing and kept Stirring.

Junior growled and said "look! I don't know what to tell you I'm tired! But I can't do anything-." He was cut off by a slamming of the door.

"Junior we've got a problem!" One of the guys said

Junior sighed "what?! What is it now?" He asked

"We've got a big issue. She is scary and on a mission we can't- AHH!" The bouncers yelled as the door was pushed open

And Ruby rose stood in the doorway.

Immediately the Atmosphere of the bar fell from tense to near murderous.

Many of the dancers froze, getting a glimpse of the Legendary Huntress herself. As she looked around scanning the room.

Finally she landed her eyes on the bar seeing the Bright yellow hair she was looking for and started to walk towards it.

Many of the guests parted for Ruby getting out of her way while many of the bouncers got forward. Not knowing what Ruby had in mind. They knew she was the one who stopped the Robbery at the beginning of the year. And they didn't know if she came back to finish the job.

Ruby ignored the bouncers and got up to Yang.

"It's time to go home." She said simply

Yang scoffed "yeah sure. Why are you here?" Yang asked

"I already told you." Ruby said

Yang threw a glare at Ruby

"No you came here as Dad's messenger girl, I don't want to go back now! I can't think in that damn house alone." Yang said

Ruby stood frozen as Yang seeing her sister didn't refute turned back to her drink.

Ruby looked at Junior

"How many has she had?" She asked

Junior just shook his head signaling that's been her first drink.

Ruby sighed

"I don't want to do this Yang, but your coming home with me. And I don't care if I have to drag you out of here to do it." Ruby said laying down Crescent Rose on the bar as a threat.

Yang scoffed

"Think you can do this to your sister?" Yang asked

"As a sister no…but as a teammate, as your leader." Ruby said

"Well what if I don't want to be your teammate!" Yang growled

Ruby sighed now they were at the heart of the issue.

Yang kept going

"How am I supposed to do anything if I keep falling into this role I've made for myself? How can I do that when I'm not made for it!" Yang said

Ruby sighed and looked to Junior

"Can we have some space please?" She asked

Junior nodded and started to walk down to another part of the bar, the Bouncers splitting up and going there separate ways as well.

Life returned to normal at the bar. As the Music began to drown out the conversation.

Ruby sat down at the bar.

"I know how your feeling." Ruby said

Yang scoffed and turned away.

"Yeah right." She said

"You've always known what you wanted to do, you always had the dream of being an amazing huntress. I'm just not a cut above the others. Blake is deep natured with a tragic past. Weiss is heiress of a multinational company. And what am I? Just the nanna, the emotional support of the team. The cast away." Yang said

"No you're not Yang!" Ruby argued

"You can't tell me I'm not Ruby! I'm nothing special! The only reason I went to Beacon was to find more evidence of my mother! I had no place on the team, I just happened to be your sister." Yang said

Ruby wrapped a hand around Yang

"You are much more than that. You're not Team RWBY's manna, you're our Emotional guide, they look to me for orders but I look to you to see what's right." Ruby said

Yang threw her off "that's the exact thing and you know it…besides. Over the last year you've been relying less and less on me. I'm just being relegated to the wayside."

Ruby sighed

"I don't know what to do. I can't help anyone that way, everytime I try they just throw me off, they get past it without my help. I'm just weighing the team down." Yang said

Ruby sighed she looked up and chose a different approach.

"Do you know what my life was like at Signal?" Ruby asked

Yang looked over

"Of course I do, I was with you every day." Yang said

Ruby shook her head

"No you weren't, you were there for my lunch but that's it." Ruby said

"You told me what happened every single day." Yang said

Ruby shook her head "I lied Yang." Ruby said

Yangs eyes slid open at that reveal.

You weren't there for the entrance exam of Signal. Here's the truth. when I took it I was excited here I was about to stand against professional huntsmen. And they would judge me as to how skilled I was. I wanted to prove to them I could be here. So I did." Ruby said

Yang blinked

"What happened?" Yang asked

Ruby looked down and swallowed as she shut her eyes

"I lost control of my semblance." She said

Yang froze.

"I was unstoppable. No one could stop me, not any teachers, not Qrow, nor dad… Not even the Headmaster.

I had them all defeated in the span of Five minute's, they had their Aura's shattered. So much so they had to postpone the rest of the entrance exams so the teachers could heal.

The signal final test was just a simple rehash of what happened my first day. And all the teachers knew it. Everyone at Signal knew it.

"I wasn't ostracized in Signal because I was socially awkward.

I was ostracized because I was too powerful. That the strongest huntsman on patch couldn't. touch. me.

I terrified them. It terrified me. So I hid everything. I slowed myself down. Vowed to not use my semblance. And just let the incident go. But in the back of my mind I knew I was a threat. So I kept hiding it But as I hid. I created a larger problem."

Yang gasped

"The libido buildup." She said

Ruby nodded

"I needed to vent the built up semblance somehow. I couldn't just use it so my body filtered it someplace else. And I hid that too until it threatened to spill over." Ruby said

Yang nodded.

"It lasted for the two years I was there. I only made friends with Angel because of pure luck…And now cause of me she's gone." Ruby said

Yang jumped back

"What what do you mean?" She asked

"The vacation between classes when I went Apostle hunting. The monster got into the city…it killed Angel, she died in my arms… I just…I just snapped. I butchered the monster. Not just killed it, but I showed it terror. And I used my semblance to do it. I had gotten better at Beacon. Ozpin gave me a prep talk about how Guts saw me. And it helped. But still my fear of my semblance held me back. It still does. I don't know what I can do but I'm just as lost. You're not a burden on the team Yang. You're one of the most important members. You keep me in line."

I need you Yang. I don't know what I'm capable of if I lost you. There is a reason I trained all of you to the peak level you are and all of you know my fighting style just as well as your own. And it's not because I wanted you to be able to interchangeably be able to hold Crescent Rose just as well as I do." Ruby said

"We're a kill switch." Yang said in horror.

Ruby nodded

"If I ever lose control I need to know that there are people there that can pick up the pieces I left behind and finish the job. As well as make sure I don't become the next great evil." Ruby said

Yang looked at Ruby in a new light as she saw her sister not as she was before as a sister Not as a legendary huntress. But as Ruby. And Yang was a light for her.

Yang smiled as she stood up

"Alright Ruby…let's go home." She said

Ruby nodded as she stood up and they walked out of the bar hand in hand.

Behind the bar Junior sighed he knew he just dodged a massive bullet.

Junior went to get Yangs unfinished drink and toss it out when he saw a stack of lien and a note

"If you tell anyone of what you heard tonight I will butcher your bar and make what Yang did to you look like childsplay."

-Rose

Junior gulped he now knew why Ruby was feared.

Ruby and Yang got back to the cabin and had an Amazing supper which Yang enjoyed

Tai smiled Ruby had done the impossible again while both himself and Qrow failed to do

She made Yang better.

Yang and Ruby got ready for bed that night as Ruby finished putting on her Pjs a knock was on the door

"Come in." Ruby said

The door opened and Yang stood in the door

"May I come in?" She asked

Ruby smiled

"Of course." She said

Yang stepped in and shut the door.

Yang sighed looking at the handle

"Thank you Ruby." She said

Ruby tilted her head

"I don't know what-?"

"For confiding in me. Letting me know that no matter what I am a part of this team. But now it's time I do the same." Yang said

Ruby gulped herself going very still

Yang pointed to the bed. Ruby climbed in and Yang covered her up. Before she sat on the side

"What you spoke about there at junior's tonight, I want your promise right now that you never think like that again." Yang said

Ruby was in Shock

"Yang I-."

Yang grabbed her shoulders

"Listen Ruby I know you're scared I know you're terrified of what happens if you lose control especially with this new threat mounting. But no matter what I don't want you to become a defeatist. I can not and will not listen to an order you say telling me to kill you." Yang said seriously.

Ruby gulped as she started to cry

"Yang I don't know if I can-." Ruby started only for Yang to hug her.

"I don't care if you believe you can or cannot. I don't want you to. We won't let you. I myself and I sure the others will not listen to such an order. We will find another way for you to deal with this." Yang said

Ruby gulped and choked back a sob

"And I, as an older sister, promise you. That no matter what happens. I will always be there to save you." Yang said

Ruby just cried as she embraced her sister. For the first time she let herself feel vulnerable. And she just cried.

Eventually both girls go to bed. And tomorrow was a new day.

By the end of the week Team JNPR arrived at the Rose-Xiao Long cabin. And they spent the time training all as one.

Guts watched from the window as they trained

Eventually leaves start to fall from the tree outside Gut's window and slowly drifts to the ground. Over time, the ground becomes covered in snow.

Ruby steps outside, wearing a backpack, and quietly shuts the front door. Yang standing there with a long tan jacket with orange lining and gold edging, unzipped halfway to show an orange crop top. The coat has darker brown short sleeves, a thick collar that completely encircles her neck, and two long gold-trimmed rectangular tails that are detachable, She also wears fitted black pants,

Around her hips and over the tails of her coat is a brown belt, which has two pieces of dark brown material trimmed in gold attached to it. The first covers from her left hip to the back of the belt and is folded over the belt, and the second is attached from the right hip and almost around to the other piece of material. She wears knee-high brown boots with gold caps on the heel and toe, with the heel cap attaching to a gold strap across the front of her ankle, and a gold zipper on the upper half of the front of the boots. A single small buckled strap is on the upper outside of her boots, and a purple bandanna tied around her left knee. A pair of black fingerless gloves with long brown cuffs reaching to mid-forearm complete the outfit.

along with JNPR in there regular outfit's

Jaune nods at Ruby "Hey."

Ruby smiled "Hey, Jaune. Haven's a long way to go."

Jaune smiled "I know. It's the only way we have."

"From what Guts says it is the most likely to be attacked next." Pyrrha said

Ruby nods "and are you sure you want to come along?"

Ren steps forward "The journey will be perilous, and whether we'll find answers at the end is entirely uncertain."

Nora steps up next to Ren "But we wouldn't be here if we weren't up for it."

"Besides I'm not leaving you to put on your own." Yang said

Ruby nods "Then let's get started."

The five begin their long trek, down the road leading away from The Rose-Xiao Long cabin.

Taiyang is bringing breakfast to Ruby's bedroom, but suddenly drops it when he sees she's not there. The concerned father then runs out of the room, unaware of the note Ruby left behind on her bed. As Taiyang runs past Guts's bedroom, he notices a raven perched on a branch, before watching it fly off.

"A smaller, more honest soul... It's true that a simple spark can ignite hope, breathe fire into the hearts of the weary. The ability to derive strength from hope is undoubtedly mankind's greatest attribute. Which is why I will focus all of my power... to snuff it out."

"How does it feel, knowing that all of your time and effort has been for nothing? That your guardians have failed you? That everything you've built will be torn down before your very eyes? Your faith in mankind was not misplaced. When banded together, unified by a common enemy, they are a noticeable threat. But divide them, place doubt into their minds, and any semblance of power they once had will wash away."

Of course, they won't realize it at first. Like you, they'll cling to their fleeting hope, their aspirations. But this is merely the first move.

So you send your guardians, your Huntsmen and Huntresses, and when they fail and you turn to your smaller soul, know that you send her to the same pitiful demise.

This is the beginning of the end, Ozpin…" the women turns her head behind "And I can't wait to watch you burn."

The woman. Salem's eyes glowed ominously as she maked an evil grin, before she headed inside.

In a forest in Mistral's silence is cut off to the sound of footsteps on a dirt road. An image fades in revealing a pair of booted feet and a red cloak that's frayed along the edges.

A red-hooded figure walks on a road between trees and grass. From above, tree branches frame her as she moves forward. The silver broach on the lower front corner of the hood is barely visible until a profile angle shows the detailed emblem of Ruby Rose, her hair and face partially obscured by the hood.

She moves to the edge of a rock precipice. Within view far below is a settlement of buildings that are burning, three large pillars of smoke rising into the air. Beyond the village are mountains, and above it all the broken moon shines fully.

Screams can be heard coming from the village, even from where Ruby stands.

In the village two people run down a cobbled road as a building next to them crumbles. A wide shot shows three people running between burning buildings and two Beowolves chasing after them.

Ruby's eyes shift, taking in the village, before narrowing with determination. She looks up at the sound of a Nevermore's cry.

Two Nevermores fly over Ruby, heading toward the besieged village. Ruby turns around on the rocky precipice, her left arm raising Crescent Rose. It expands itself upward. She releases her grip on a lever in the handle and the blade from the bottom of the shaft extends out as the scythe in the main body of the weapon fully unfolds.

Ruby leaps straight up into the air by several feet, leaving a column of falling rose petals. She turns as she descends and brings Crescent Rose down so that the scythe hooks into another Nevermore passing just beneath her. The Nevermore cries out, but continues it's path toward the village, leaving rose petals in its wake.

The Grimm in the village move about, a Beowolf raising its head up to the sky and growling. Black smoke unfurls from around its head as it turns to watch the flight path of Ruby and the Nevermore.

Ruby watches for the right moment, and then pulls the trigger on Crescent Rose. The Nevermore screams as its wing is cut off. Ruby descends toward the village while the bisected Nevermore drifts apart. She lands on a statue of a hooded woman, demolishing it.

Ruby's hood falls back as she straightens. Eyes closed, she holds still where the statue once stood. A Beowolf approaches her while she is focused inwardly. It licks its teeth and moves closer, attracting the attention of other Beowolves. They all move to surround her, their red eyes leaving glowing trails. Ruby remains posed, Crescent Rose in her left hand.

Abruptly, Ruby's eyes narrow and there's a beat before they open, a dangerous look in them. Her head moves forward and she crouches. Her cloaks arches upward toward her body and Ruby transforms into a swirl of rose petals. The swirl propels itself forward through the air. As it reaches the first Beowolf, Ruby is shown in slow motion, petals behind her, swinging her scythe at the Grimm. Within a blink of an eye it is dead as she l swings at the next Grimm.

She lands on her feet as she knocks it back. She bounds up again, taking out a second and turns to take out a third. Moving into the circle of beowolves behind her she slashes at them, taking out a total of eight before running to attack the ninth. As it goes down, two more put themselves in front of Ruby. The one in the foreground roars at her, but she is unfazed. As it leaps on her, she takes out it, the other one to its left, and yet two more who approach her from behind in different directions.

When that one is gone, Ruby turns and is nearly hit in the face with stoneworks but she spins her scythe to shatter it into rubble as her eyes hone in on where the projectile came from. She looks up and dodges out of the way as a Beowolf on the roof hurls more pieces of broken buildings at her.

Ruby moves swiftly between three different spots on the ground. She then propels herself into the air toward the Beowolf in rose petal form. She splits into three streams around it until coming together just above its head. She aims Crescent Rose and fires a Dust round into it.

The recoil sends her up into the sky, where she cuts apart a Nevermore before using her Pull gravity Rounds to sling her back into the village and lands in the middle of the village with enough force to damage the cobblestone road and send up a cloud of dirt.

Ruby looks around no one has attacked her yet perhaps no Grimm were left? No that can't be the town is too panicked for that.

Not only that but She can hear heavy footsteps and looks around, but doesn't see anything through the cloud. A black fist punches through the cloud and into Ruby, sending her flying into the wooden door of the church she originally landed next to.

Ruby stands, holding her shoulder, 'damn that hurt.' She looks up with an frustrated growl as she catches sight of what hit her. A Beringel postures, beating its chest before roaring and charging forward toward Ruby. At the top of the church steps, Ruby flips over its head and lands back in the town center, sliding around in a circle on her feet until she faces the Beringel again and propels herself toward it. She sinks the tip of Crescent Rose into its hip, but doesn't get it any further through the Grimm's body.

The Beringel turns to look at her as Ruby backs up with a gasp. It grabs her and lifts her off the ground, her entire head fitting in its fist and her legs dangling in the air. The Grimm uses its other hand to punch her and Ruby is launched across the village center. She lands on the broken wooden canopy of a building opposite and easily gains her footing.

'Fine from a distance then.' Ruby though

She switches Crescent Rose to rifle mode and leaps onto the roof of another building. Running across rooftops, Ruby fires down at the Beringel. It is unhurt and when it is joined by two Beowolves, the gorilla Grimm grabs one and throws it at Ruby.

Ruby gives a squeak of alarm as she sees it coming. It tries to take a swipe at her, but she quickly destroys it with her scythe. The Beringel takes advantage of the distraction and lands on the roof as soon as the Beowolf is killed. Ruby gets out of the way in time. The two face off briefly before rushing each other. Ruby positions herself to be a target, and when the Beringel lifts its arm to bring its fist down on her she leaps above it. Its fist lands on the roof while she shoots at its back. It stands up, unhurt while Ruby lands on another part of the roof.

She rushes the Beringel, dodging its fist again and swinging her scythe into the back of its leg. She proceeds to swirl in a circle around it, attacking with the scythe repeatedly, but doing no damage. The Grimm tries to hit her, but she moves too quickly. It adapts to her speed and Ruby is forced to stop moving in order to use Crescent Rose to block the hits.

Ruby turns into rose petals again and sails into the air above, gaining momentum on her descent. With a cry she attacks the Beringel again, delivering small hits around its body and transforming whenever it tries to hit her. After another failed attempt to make contact has the Beringel's fist landing on the roof, it jumps forward in that direction, driving Ruby back. It slams both its fists deliberately against the roof, causing it to collapse under her. Ruby falls with a cry into the black abyss.

The Beringel jumps from the roof back to the village center. It beats its chest and roars triumphantly. As it grunts, it senses something is off and turns toward the church. The front door is still broken and all is unusually quiet. It moves closer, grunting and sniffing.

Rose petals drift down and out the open door. They float around the Beringel's head and it grunts and turns its head, watching them. Then it postures at the church and roars, unhappy. Through the open door and windows of the front steeple, we see a stream of rose petals rise and swirl.

The topmost window is an artistic circular design. Three concentric circles are encircled with outwardly extended beams that overlay with interwoven lines at the outermost circle's edge. There's just long enough to register the image before Ruby bursts through the glass, Crescent Rose at the ready and rose petals behind her.

The Beringel stands upright and attempts to swat at her, but misses. Crescent Rose lands on the ground and Ruby fires a shot to propel herself toward her opponent. She goes above its head and lands on her feet, the two of them back to back. Ruby turns, hooks the scythe around its legs and pulls as she fires, using the recoil to give her blade more force to damage the Grimm. It rears and starts to fall forward, but Ruby transforms to swirl around its body, her Semblance creating a tornado-like force that lifts it into the air.

Aloft, she transforms again and sinks the pointed end of her scythe into the Beringel's body, driving it toward the ground. The force of the descent allows the blade to pierce it. Once landed, Ruby in a victory stance on the Grimm's body, her long, swirling cloak retreats back toward her and regains its usual size.

The Beringel lifts its head and roars at Ruby, but she drives the blade in further to silence it. Ruby cocks the rifle to slide the next Dust bullet into place and then finishes the creature off with a point-blank headshot. Its body jerks once and then dissolves around her. She slowly sinks onto the street.

Ruby stabs the base of Crescent Rose into the ground and reaches behind her for her Scroll. It slides open in her hand with two motions instead of the customary single one. Across the top it reads: BROADCASTING/RECEIVING. In the middle are profile pictures of Jaune Arc, Nora Valkyrie, and Lie Ren. Across the bottom is Yang Xiao Long. Profile photo and name.

Below each profile image is an icon of a circle containing the side view of an old technology handheld phone with ear and mouth piece and three rows of signal coming out of it. Jaune's is lit up along with the border of his profile.

Jaune sounded worried "Ruby! We saw smoke!"

Ren's icon and profile light up next. As he spoke "Heading your way."

The light moves to Nora's icon and profile. Nora Valkyrie cheered. "Don't start without us!"

"Or ar least save some for us." Yang said

Ruby looks up from her Scroll. "You better hurry." She said as she closed her scroll

In front of Ruby five Beowolves crawl and three Nevermores fly toward her. Ruby puts Crescent Rose at the ready position over her shoulder and runs toward the Grimm.

(Unknown land)

Salem sat on her throne, Watts. Tryian and Hazel sat in their respective seats Emerald And Mercury were off the side fearful. They had just arrived by thanks of Watts but they never saw this before this was all new Cinder never explained this to them.

Watts looked up and checked the tube "Ah, it looks like the little girl Cinder is running a bit late." Watts said

"Ohhh does that mean she gets a punishment?" Tryian asked Psychotically

Salem waved her hand to sush them when suddenly the door opened and Amber walked in looking tired and rugged

"Who are you?!" Watts jumped up.

Emerald gasped as Mercury looked at her in horror "c-can't be." Emerald said

Salem smiled and spoke evenly.

"Cinder…please take a seat." She said calmly which stunned the rest of the people there… they didn't know this woman yet she found their hideout. And their mistress Spoke to her like she was Cinder…

Amber nodded and followed along pulling out a Seat and sitting down.

Once she was comfy Salem stood up and spoke.

"Now please explain to me Cinder about your failure at Beacon?" She asked

Amber raised her head and her mouth started to move.

(Eoc)

Here we go another chapter and the end of the First arc hope you liked it .

This chapter is done. Keep reading. Bankerrtx01