AN: And here is the next chapter. Sorry for the long wait, you can blame Sekiro for most of it. Great game. Best final boss. Thanks for all the reviews and favorites so far.

Chapter 4: Chasing Ashes

It has been over one week since Ruby's near-death encounter and true to her dad's word, she was grounded for most of it. She was stuck inside without much to do. No TV, no video games, and worst of all, the most diabolical thing her dad had ever done—no cookies. No, she was not being over dramatic. There was no reason for her dad to cover the cookie jar lid with wet paint. Honestly, if she heard one more "red handed" pun, she was going to bite someone.

Luckily, she still had her storybooks and comics to help her pass the time. As much as Ruby liked her "X-ray and Vav" comics that Yang recently introduced her to, she found herself rereading her older bedtime stories more often. She especially noticed how she kept revisiting the stories specifically about knights and princesses. She always did love the idea of a hero coming to save the people in their time of need. It's why she loved stories about huntresses; she could easily imagine herself as the hero of the story.

Now though, after her meeting with the... huntsman? Knight? Whatever he was, she found herself returning to those older fairy-tales more and more often. They did not say anything anywhere that a knight cannot be a woman, and she was certain that she would look good in armor.

It was part of the reason she was walking through the forest right now. Her dad and sister were sparring in the clearing between their home and the cliffs. It took a whole lot of begging to get them to allow her to go there alone again. The whole week, her dad and sister used every excuse they could think of to spend time with her. Her dad even took days off from work to look after her, with her uncle, Qrow, filling in for any days he could not.

The first night back home, Yang made her sleep in bed with her. She could not forget how she woke up in the middle of the night with Yang clutching her and crying in her sleep. All the extra attention had been hammering home all the guilt she had been feeling. She did everything she could to apologize to everyone for worrying them.

Now, she had one last person she needed to apologize to; it is the main reason her dad and sister were giving her the privacy to do so. That and the fact that he and Uncle Qrow triple checked the forest around here, so it should be free of Grimm for a while.

When her mother's grave came into view, she could not help but flinch at the memory of that night. Thankfully, there should not be any stray Beowolves to ruin this moment.

"Hi, Mom. Sorry that it has been a while. I know you must have been really worried, considering what happened last time." Ruby took a deep breath as she pushed on with what she needed to say. "I can still sorta remember when dad yelled at Yang after she took me out into the forest. He was so loud back then. He was loud when he grounded me too," she sniffled, "b-but he did look like he was about to cry. I-I messed up really bad a-and I'm sorry!" Ruby fell to her knees, resting her hand on her mother's tombstone. "I'm sorry for scaring you, for scaring everyone."

Ruby let her tears flow freely as she tried her hardest to convey her feelings to her mother's spirit. She released all the feelings she had bottled up over the week. When the tears finally ceased, she found that she felt so much lighter. As she calmed down, she dragged her eyes away from the grave when she found them drawn towards the forest below.

Well, maybe not shinnying.

"Mom, I've mentioned this to Yang and dad before, and now I'm more certain than ever." Ruby stood on her feet, wiping away any remains of her tears. "Mom, I am going to be a huntress," she stated with a conviction that belied her young age, "I'm going to be a huntress just like you were. I want to save people just like I was saved."

I wonder if they still make armor. I hope they do.

Ruby shook the distracting thought aside, a warm smile on her face. Her plans for the future could wait—she still had to update her mom on all the different things that happened this week.

So, for the next hour, Ruby told her mother of all the extra family bonding she went through, how her dad and uncle practically abandoned work to look after her and the severe lack of cookies. She may have ranted about that last part much longer than she intended, if she was being honest. When there was nothing left for her to say, Ruby sat down and enjoyed the peace around them.

All the guilt that had been weighing on her was pretty much gone and left her feeling free, for the lack of a better word.

She knew that she should be getting back to her dad and sister, but she wanted to savor this moment, especially after the suffocating week she had. Her dad told her how this spot was her mother's favorite. How, after she was born, her mom would bring her here to enjoy the view.

With her eyes closed, she could imagine her mother here, standing next to her. The sun on their face, the wind in their hair, the pleasant chirping of—

Caw! Caw!

Whatever happened to the pleasant chirping of birds?

Ruby opened her eyes to the sight of numerous birds fleeing the tree line below her. She could also see a faint plume of black smoke rising from the trees. Her sister and dad were behind her, so she knew it could not be Yang.

As if to counter her thoughts, a tree toppled over. Alright, starting to look like Yang's involved. After all, outside of her dad and sister, who else...

Ruby's eyes widened as she shot to her feet. It cannot be, can it? She felt hope flickering in her chest.

Did he come back?

She crept slowly to the cliff edge, unable to forget what happened last time. She shuffled across the floor, flat on her belly, until she could grab the edge and pull her head over the barest minimum needed to see the ground below. She did not want to scare him off, after all. It had nothing to do at all with her newfound fear of heights. Nope.

Her eyes widened in joy as she took in the area below her. She may not have paid much attention to the surroundings last time she was here, but she's certain the clearing wasn't as large as it is now. In fact, it's pretty obvious that someone had cleared away some of the forest, with all the ash on the ground. Her eyes landed on the disused fire pit and trailed up to a second, more established one.

She was barely able to suppress a squeal as hope surged through her chest.

He's back! Ruby thought.

Before she could jump to her feet and dash off, her eyes passed over a certain familiar dark spot on the ground. Her sudden influx of energy drained out of her just as fast. The stain, while greatly faded and smaller, stood out on the pale stone floor and served as a reminder of what happens when she runs off alone. She chewed on her lip as her gaze traveled between her mother's grave and the forest.

"I think he's back, mom, and I want to see him again. What should I do? I don't want to mess up again." Ruby racked her brain for ideas as she gazed back at the clearing.

With the clearing expanded as it was, she would see any Grimm long before they could get close—especially with the generous spacing between the trees. The rest of the forest did not hug the cliff but, rather, kept a few feet distance, so she will have plenty of warning on the ramp down as well. She should be fine if she waits at the base of the ramp. That way, if Grimm do show, she could just run back up and call for her dad. The Grimm would be too fat to follow her anyhow. It is a good plan, right?

Ruby bit her lip as her desire not to do something reckless warred with her desire to see her savior again. Eventually, the greater desire won out.

"I'm going back down," she told her mother. "Don't worry, I promise to be extra careful." She was not sure whom she was trying to convince.

It's funny how many times she had come here with her family, and they never once noticed that there was an outcropping that lead below. Now that she stood at the top, she could really feel the butterflies dancing in her stomach.

She could still back out.

Ruby took a deep breath to calm herself down. It seemed that most of the nearby birds and animals had been scared off, because it was oddly quiet. She couldn't even hear the sound of insects, just the faint clanking of metal.

Wait. Clanking of metal?

Ruby's eyes widened as a smile of pure joy bloomed on her face and ignited in her heart.

It is him!

All of Ruby's nerves were erased as she dashed down the ramp... which soon proved to be a mistake.

The first time up, she was in too much of a rush while the second time down, her dad carried her, so she didn't have a good understanding on just how steep the ramp was. A lesson she was learning as she tried to keep herself from rolling the rest of the way down.

Despite her best efforts, Ruby, further proving her sister's point on how she is a bit of a klutz, managed to trip even though she had reached flat ground and go flying into the cliff wall. She barely had a moment to brace herself before she crashed head first with an audible crack. Luckily, she hit the wall at an angle and her aura took most of the blow.

Ruby opened her eyes just in time to witness the wall vanish into thin air. She scrambled to her feet as she stared wide-eyed at the newly revealed... cave? It could not be a cave—she could see stone bricks on the floor and walls. She barely took a step towards the cave when a voice boomed out behind her.

"What are you doing here?"

Ruby jumped into the air with a shriek. She spun around, a string of excuses and apologies on the tip of her tongue while her heart hammered in her chest. She was unable to get out a word, though. Her breath caught in her throat as her heart froze in place.

It is him... I take back anything bad I said about his armor being dirty.

To say he looked amazing would be an understatement. His armor, while marred with patches of ash, shined under the sun. In his left hand, he carried a large triangular shield and a shining silver sword in his right. She had not noticed it when she first met him, but now she could see the tattered and frayed red cape tied around his shoulders that billowed out behind him in the breeze.

Altogether, he cut an imposing figure that would have intimidated others… but not her. The sheer amount of joy she was feeling wouldn't let her be. She ran towards him, bubbling laughter escaping her, a smile of pure excitement plastered onto her face.

"You're here! You came back! I can't believe I got to see you again," Ruby gushed as she hopped in place. Standing so close to him, she got a better appreciation for how tall he was. Usually, such a height difference would have upset her but here, it only emphasized how impressive he looked.

In all her excitement, she never noticed how he lessened his grip around his sword. She did notice when he slammed it home in its sheath, the noise shocking her out of her excitement.

"Child, what are you doing here?" he asked. Thankfully he did not sound angry, just tired, maybe even a little frustrated. She couldn't help but be reminded of her Uncle Qrow.

"Oh, um... I-ah... I wanted to see you again, so... here I am?" Ruby tapped her fingers together as she shuffled nervously in place. She had the feeling that she may have done something wrong.

"So, you've decided to venture out into a monster infested forest once again by your lonesome." There was no hiding the scolding tone in the knight's voice as he walked away from Ruby to the newly discovered cave.

Ruby followed after him. "I didn't come alone!" For a moment, the knight froze in place before continuing. "My dad and older sister are in the forest on top of the cliff, sparring right now."

The knight knelt in the entrance-way of the cave, examining it. "Do they know you are down here?"

"Ah, no. I was here to visit my mom's grave, then I saw the smoke and came down to meet you," Ruby paused as she tried to peer deeper in the cave. The knight was making vague hand gestures as if he was mentally trying to measure the size of the cave. Despite the abundant sunlight shining into the cave, she couldn't see more than a foot inside. "So, um, what's this place?" She could not help but feel that she stumbled on something she should not have.

"Something that's very important to me," he responded. "I ask that you tell no one of it."

Ruby blinked in surprise. "Why? What's so special about it?"

"...My comrades are entombed inside."

Foot, have you met my mouth?

"I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. You should consider yourself fortunate you had not stepped inside."

"What? Why?"

Instead of answering her, he stood while revealing a shoddy, yellow pick from under his cape. The top of the pick glowed a subdued blue as he waved it in front of him.

Ruby watched, dumbstruck, as a faint curtain of light fell from the ceiling to the floor. It solidified into a stone surface that was indistinguishable from the rest of the cliff. As if to prove that it was no mere trick of the light, the knight leaned on the surface, but did not fall through. Ruby reached out, wide-eyed, mouth gaping like a fish and touched the wall.

It felt just like ordinary rock.

"H-How?"

"We all have our secrets," he stated with a tinge of amusement in his voice, which was quickly replaced with a more serious one. "Back to what I said before—I need you to promise me that you will tell no one of what you've seen today. Understood?"

"B-But why? Wouldn't it be better to let other people know, so no one comes here?"

"I've vowed to protect this place, to slay any who dare trespass, regardless of who they may be," even through the helm Ruby could feel his eyes locked on hers, freezing her in place, "or how old they may be."

Ruby paled as dread gripped her heart.

"Please, understand. I'm not trying to frighten you, child. Throughout my life, I have encountered many a gravesite, only to see it sacked by petty thieves. I'm ashamed to admit that I can consider myself among them from my past acts," he sighed loudly. "I don't want this place to suffer the same fate."

Ruby nodded hesitantly in understanding. She would be upset too if she found someone messing with her mother's grave. That's not to say what her dad and uncle would do when they found said person.

"So, will you promise me to not breathe a word of this place to anyone, even your own family? I do not wish to have my vows tested, so it would be safer for all if this place is kept secret."

Ruby nodded more vigorously, her earlier fear having slipped away.

"Will you swear it on your birth name?" he asked, leaning towards her.

There was no hiding the challenge in his voice. It reminded her of all the times Yang said she couldn't do something and told her to prove it when she said she could. Regardless that she had yet to succeed, she hadn't backed down then and she wasn't going to back down now.

She straightened her back and stood as tall as she could before stating in as strong a voice she could muster, "I swear to keep this place a secret or my name isn't Ruby Rose!"

The knight chuckled as he reached over and ruffled Ruby's hair. He was surprisingly gentle, considering he was wearing a metal glove.

"I'll hold you to your word then," he said as he walked towards the fallen tree serving as a makeshift bench by the campfire. Ruby followed after and joined him. An awkward silence dragged on between them that made Ruby shuffle in place nervously.

"So, I never introduced myself. My name's Ruby, Ruby Rose."

"I know. You told me it but a moment ago."

"Oh! Um, right... ahaha... So, what's your name?"

"Ashen One."

"Ashen One? What kind of name is that?" Ruby blurted out before she could slap a hand over her mouth. She just insulted the man who saved her life.

Instead of taking any offense, he laughed. "It was a title placed upon me. It is the closest thing I have to a name, since I've long forgotten my own."

"How?" Ruby exclaimed. "You don't just forget your own name. It's like, like a part of you. How could you forget it?"

"You'll be surprised," he said ruefully. "Let me ask you a question, then. Does the term 'Undead' mean anything to you?"

"You mean, like a zombie?" Ruby asked with a confused tilt of her head.

"No. It's-It's..." he trailed off as if he did not know what to say. Before she could ask him what the matter was, he continued, "It is a term used where I am from. It refers to those marred by extended stays on the battlefield. I, myself, have taken more than my fair share of near fatal blows and head wounds. It is not uncommon for things to slip away after so many experiences."

"B-But isn't there anyone else who knows your name? Couldn't they just tell you it?"

"By the time I realized, anyone who ever knew me was long gone. My village has been razed long ago and my family slaughtered. I cannot remember the name of my home, much less my parents' faces. I spent most of my exist— life wandering by my lonesome, offering my sword wherever it could do good."

Ruby wasn't sure what to say—she wasn't sure if there was anything she could say. No one should have gone through that. She couldn't imagine what it must be like to not remember who you are, much less forgetting your own family. Her thoughts must have shown on her face because the next moment, he was rubbing the top of her head. She could feel a strange heat soaking her skull. It felt so warm and gentle.

It reminded her of the warmth from that night.

"You do not have to feel sorry for me. I have long accepted the price I've had to pay to survive this long. Maybe, one day, I will remember who I was, or maybe I never will. None of it changes who I am now or diminishes any of the feats I've accomplished."

Ruby stared at him in awe. He was just like the knights in her stories. They are always pushing forward, never letting anything stop them or hold them back, and eventually overcoming all challenges in their path. Like a real hero.

"You're so cool."

"I'm flattered." Ruby flushed red as she realized she spoke her thoughts aloud. "Though, I hope you do not aspire to be like me. I may have accomplished many things, but I have failed just as much. You should aspire to be something better."

Ruby nodded, a small smile on her face. She blinked in surprise as she realized they had forgotten one important detail.

"So, what should I call you, then?" she asked.

"Ashen One will have to suffice—it's one of the more pleasant titles I've been saddled with."

"Ashen One," Ruby tried to roll the words on her tongue. "It's a bit of a mouthful. How about Ash?"

"Ashen."

Ruby could not help but giggle at the offense he had over a simple shortening of his name. In the end though, it was his name, so she would call him whatever he wanted to be called.

"Ashen it is, then!" Ruby was glad that she finally had a name she could place on her hero. She must have been too obvious because Ashen started suddenly chuckling next to her.

"I honestly cannot fathom why you are interested in someone such as me. I am still amazed that you sought me out. Why?"

"Ah, oh, I actually wasn't here to see you," Ruby awkwardly laughed. "I came here to visit my mom's grave."

She could not help but sweat a little as she felt Ashen's gaze bear down on her while he shifted his body to face her fully.

"Pray, tell me, where exactly was your mother buried?" he asked.

She pointed to the top of the cliff.

"Here?" he said incredulously.

"Y-Yeah. This area was one of her favorite places to come to. She would come here all the time. Not sure why—I think she must have just liked the view."

"It's as if she was drawn here," he murmured. "Tell me, was your mother a warrior of some sort, perchance?"

"Yeah! She was a huntress." Ruby could not help the pride she felt whenever she told others about her mother.

"I assume she hunted beasts, like the ones in this forest."

"Yep!" she nodded, unable to keep a proud smile from her face. "She hunted Grimm, saved villages from them, and would catch bad guys. She was a real hero—my hero."

"Then there is no more fitting place for her to be buried," Ashen chuckled. "Do you know what this place was originally?"

"No. What was it?" Ruby titled her head as Ashen gestured to the area around them.

"My comrades are not the only ones entombed here. This place here is the site of an ancient shrine—a cemetery. From the top of the cliff, down to where we are standing right now and the forest around us, hundreds of graves surround us. The graves of warriors, champions, heroes, and lords. There is no better place for a warrior's final rest."

Ruby gazed at the environment around her in disbelief.

"All of this?" she whispered.

"All and more. The forest may have reclaimed the land, and time eroded the foundation and stone markers, but it does nothing to erase the countless souls laid to rest here. All those who answered the call, those who succeeded... and those who failed."

"You're saying my mother belongs here, among them."

"The heart of Firelink Shrine rests in the cliffs. The Shrine itself would draw warriors from all over. Men and women of different faiths, creeds, and duties sought this place. Even a petty rat or a two-faced thief can find a greater purpose here," Ashen sighed longingly. When he continued, his voice had taken a soft, gentle tone. "The calling that brought so many warriors here is probably what drew your mother here. A calling that promises respite, shelter, and peace—a temporary home till one's return to the battlefield. A calling that is only answered by great champions—by heroes."

Ruby could not stop the tears from coming. She never knew how someone could cry tears of joy, but here she was, doing the same, a smile so wide her face hurt. She would always see her mom as a hero. However, to have proof, validation that her mom was as great as she believes she was—there were no words to describe the pride she was feeling.

"Thank you," she said as she wiped away her tears. Ashen patted her back. "It means so much. Thank you." A comfortable silence settled between the two as she finished drying her tears.

"I want to be a hero just like her."

"Don't be." Ruby's head spun as she stared at Ashen in surprise over his clipped tone. "Heed this advice from a warrior as old as me. Do not chase the battlefield. Live a life of peace and quiet. Raise a family and surround yourself with loved ones. You'll live far longer."

"I know I could," Ruby said as she kicked at the ground. "My dad and sister don't like the idea of me becoming a huntress. I want to help people. I want to save people just like how you saved me." She could feel his gaze on her, but did not want to meet it. Now, an uncomfortable silence stretched between them before he broke it.

"I have walked the path you dream of. I have spent my entire existence going from one battlefield to the next. There have been many moments where I questioned if there was a point to it all, if I was truly saving anyone, if it would be worth the suffering I have endured. This is not a path you want to walk, little one," he sighed dejectedly. "But in the end, your decisions are your own. You may heed my advice or ignore it. The choice is yours."

Ruby wasn't sure what to say. She never expected that her hero, Ashen, would also be against her dream.

"I assume it has been quite some time since you have decided to come here?"

She was thrown off by the sudden change of topic and could only manage a nod in response.

"You should get going before your family worries about you."

Was he trying to get rid of her? The thought hurt her more than she liked to admit.

"If-If that's what you want," she stuttered, disappointed. "Will you be here tomorrow?" she asked hopefully.

"The beasts are drawn here, so someone has to keep them away," Ashen stated.

Ruby gasped as inspiration struck her. "Do you want me to tell my dad and uncle? They could help you!"

"I would prefer it if you did not."

She deflated at his immediate response. "But why?"

When he spoke next, Ruby was reminded of her dad and uncle and those moments when they tried to hide something from her and Yang—those moments of weakness.

There were the few times she had caught one or both of them drinking late at night. She remembered how tired and exhausted they sounded, more so Uncle Qrow than her dad. Yet compared to Ashen, Uncle Qrow might as well have stolen the entire cookie jar. She did not think there were any words that could describe the level of exhaustion and raw pain in his voice.

"I am old, child. I have lived longer than I have any right to. I've fought in more battles than you can count, battles you cannot even fathom, battles that no man should have ever suffered through. I've seen the rise and fall of so many kingdoms. I've lost so many comrades that, to my eternal shame, I cannot remember them all. And now, all I can think about are his parting words to me—how he said that I alone would remain among the accursed. And he was right," Ashen chuckled grimly. "Everything I have ever known is gone and I am all that is left. I have sacrificed all that I am and more for the sake of humanity, and I desire to do so no longer. I want to remain by my lonesome. Away from the conflicts of man, away from the problems that plague humanity and its civilizations. Let me have my peace that I've so rightfully earned. Do not take that away from me. Please."

Ruby had no idea what she should say, so she did what came instinctively to her. She could feel his surprise as she wrapped her arms around him. It did not matter that his armor was in the way or that her arms were too short to wrap completely around him, because if there was anyone who needed a hug, it was he.

"You deserve to have a happy ending," she murmured. For the longest time, he did not say anything, and then she felt the heat from his hand that rested on the back of her head.

"You are far too kind. As much as I would want us all to have a "happy ending", the world is too cruel to allow it." Ruby did not resist when he gently pried her from his body. "It is time for you to go. You do not want to make your family worry again."

"Do you not want me to come back?"

"I won't deprive you of your right to visit your mother's grave." Ruby waited for Ashen to say more, but he did not.

"Well... goodbye. Maybe I'll see you again?" she asked timidly. She received a simple shrug in response before she once more began her trek back home. As she climbed the ramp back up, she took one last glance back. The first time she saw him, he cut such an imposing and awe-inspiring visage. Now, as he sat hunched over on the tree, staring into the empty campfire, he reminded her of her dad during those early days; so broken and alone.

What could she say? She may have lost her mother, but she at least still had her dad and sister. He had no one. No family, no friends, no home to return to. What do you say to someone who lost everything?

These thoughts plagued Ruby so much she did not realize that she had made it all the way back to her mother's grave. It was the sudden calling of her name that finally snapped her out of her thoughts. She turned around to see her dad and Yang standing by the tree line. Her dad looked none the worse for wear, while her sister's shirt collar was drenched in sweat.

Ruby jogged over to join them. If the smile she gave them seemed a little forced, they did not comment on it.

"You ready to go home?" her dad asked.

"Yeah, cause I could really use a shower about now," Yang commented, smelling her shirt to emphasize before scrunching her nose in distaste.

"Yep," she responded, as her smile grew more genuine from Yang's antics.

"Did you say everything you needed to?" Tai asked in that familiar, caring tone of his. When Ruby nodded, he reached out and ruffled her hair. "Then it's time to head back home."

The walk back was a silent affair for the most part. Ruby hung back behind the two as she tried to organize her thoughts. She jumped in surprise when Yang spoke up next to her.

"You doing ok, sis?" Though she tried to act nonchalantly, Ruby could still pick up the concern in her voice.

"I'm fine Yang. I was just... thinking about stuff." Before Yang could push further, she changed the subject. "What about you? Land a hit on dad yet?"

"No," Yang growled in frustration, "but don't worry—one of these days, I'll finally land a hit on the old man."

"Not unless you work on your form, you won't," their dad laughed. Ruby let herself slip out of the conversation as the two fell into their usual banter.

The rest of the day would go on without any more excitement. If she was quieter than usual, no one would mention it.

When she climbed into her bed for the night, she found herself unable to sleep. Ruby ended up staring out the window at the shattered moon in the sky. She wondered if Ashen was still sitting there by himself. The image brought a frown to her face. Finally, after half a day's contemplation, she made her decision.

Every hero should get a happy ending.

Her course of action decided, sleep came a little bit easier.

Ruby spent most of her morning trying to figure out how she was going to implement her newfound plan. Then, her dad gave her the perfect opportunity.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

Her dad and sister were heading into town to pick something up, which gave Ruby the perfect chance to slip away. She claimed that she was still tired and mentally exhausted from yesterday and did not want to deal with any crowds. Surprisingly, her dad and Yang did not push her to come with—rather, they seemed almost happy that she didn't want to go. She was not sure what that was about, but she wasn't about to risk her current opportunity over it.

"I'm having Yang leave her scroll behind. You remember the rules, right?"

"Lock the door, don't answer for strangers. If it's Uncle Qrow, don't let him in unless he can speak properly and to leave him outside if he's passed out on the porch again."

"And if one of the Grimm comes by?"

"Hide in my room, lock the door, call you, and sic Zwei on it if it gets inside."

"Good girl," he praised before he turned to Zwei. "Zwei, you're in charge."

"Hey!" she squawked indigently. "Why is he in charge?"

"Are you able to fight a Grimm?"

"Arf!"

Ruby pouted, but was unable to dispute the point. Zwei wagged his tail happily.

"Try not to burn the house down while we're gone," Yang teased. Ruby stuck her tongue out in response.

She shooed the two out the door, much to their amusement. She watched them leave through the window, until they were out of sight. She could not suppress a small cheer, as she was now free to enact her plan. Only, she forgot about one last obstacle in her path, Zwei, who was watching her intently with a grin on his face. How to get past Zwei?

Ruby stared intensely at the small corgi, who stared back with a curious tilt of his head. Inspiration hit her like a freight train.

When in doubt, do as Yang would do.

She dashed into the kitchen, while Zwei remained in place, content with his spot on the floor.

"Oh, nooo!" Ruby cried dramatically. Zwei's ears perked up and he dashed into the kitchen. He skidded to a stop and stared at the box of dog treats that balanced precariously on Ruby's hand. Not a moment later, it toppled over and spilled treats all over the floor.

"I'm so clumsy! How will I ever clean this mess?" Ruby cried. She needed to say no more as Zwei dove face first towards the treats, woofing down all he could get his paws on. While he was distracted, Ruby snuck away with a satisfied smile on her face.

After sneaking out the front door, she pressed her head against it. When she did not hear the pitter-patter of tiny paws after her, she nodded in triumph. Operation Happy Ending is a go. She dashed off into the forest in a dead sprint, though halfway, she realized that she forgot to grab Yang's scroll.

For a moment, she contemplated going back for it but decided otherwise. Knowing how her dad and Yang could get when shopping, she should have more than enough time to find Ashen, help him, and make it back home.

Okay, so maybe her plan was not the most detailed, but it was better than nothing. She didn't know a lot when it came to dealing with loss and depression. Her family was still dealing with their own, as much as they tried to be strong and pretend otherwise.

One thing she did know was that you should never leave someone to deal with it alone. She learned that from watching Uncle Qrow help her dad. He would pester and prod him, or sit next to him in complete silence where he would offer a sip from his flask. Her dad would always end up finishing it. Qrow may not have really known what to do or be the best at what he did do, but he never left them to deal with it alone.

Right now, Ashen didn't have anyone that could help him, so Ruby was going to be that person. And, hopefully, during her stay with him, she will learn more about him to better help him. With any luck, she'll be able to convince him to reconnect with people and maybe meet her family. He saved her, so now it was her turn to save him.

Wasn't that what heroes did, after all?

Ruby waved good morning as she passed her mother's grave on the way down. She was a bit disheartened to see that Ashen was nowhere to be seen, but she didn't give up just yet. He said that Grimm tended to come by, so maybe he was out looking for any that may end up heading this way.

Now that she thought about it, if he spent all this time around here hunting Grimm, how come her dad and uncle never managed to find him?

Maybe they were just unlucky. She knew that bad luck tended to follow Uncle Qrow around—so, that was a given—but her dad? Maybe some of Qrow's bad luck is starting to rub off on them. Might explain why everyone loses at video games against him.

Ruby sat at the same spot on the log from yesterday. She kicked her feet back and forth as she waited. It did not matter that she was starting to sweat from the afternoon sun—she knew he would show up eventually.

As time dragged on and the sun shifted positions in the sky, she stubbornly refused to give up hope. He would come. Ashen would show up any minute now.

But he never did.

AN: I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter hopefully the next won't take nearly as long. Just to clarify a few things here: The conversation between Ashen and Ruby is supposed to be a bit awkward, hopefully it doesn't come off as too awkward. Ashen is wear full plate mail so Ruby can't see his face or read his body language very well. She only has his tone of voice to go off of which is why her emotions tend to jump to nervousness and fear.

As for the poor description of his armor, that intentional. Ruby is still young and doesn't know all the different names and pieces that make up armor. This will not be the only time I describe his armor. You'll find me doing so again a few more times later in the story, in much greater detail. Those moments will serve to show how others in the story perceive him. For those who want to know right away, his armor is a variant of the Lothric knight armor where the helm looks like the Elite Knight helm. What do I mean by variant? That's a spoiler.

As for why Ashen and not Ash, I based that off my interpretation on the title. So why the offense at Ash but not Ashen? That comes from a line one of the characters in DS3 says to us that help me establish this interpretation. Maybe one of you guys can guess what the meanings are behind the two words.

Thanks for reading. Leave a review or shoot me a pm. Till next time.