I'm back! Time for the first chapter of my new fanfic! I've had a lot of fun working on this and I hope people like it so I can create more of this. As always, make sure to review and follow if you like the story. Now, don't let me keep you, get going!
"Ruby" = Talking
"Ruby" = Thinking
Ruby = POV
Chapter 1 - Fairytale vs Reality
Ruby Rose
"Dad! Dad! Dad!" Ruby shouts as she runs into her house from Signal Academy with what seems to be a rectangular contraption.
"Hey sweetheart! How was school?" said Taiyang Xiao Long, Ruby and Yang's father. He notices that his thirteen-year old daughter is more hyperactive than usual.
"It. Was. AWESOME! They had us design our own weapons today before they let us off for New Years!" Ruby said while bouncing up and down, her red hood following suit. She showed her father her weapon and was about to push the button to transform before a fifteen-year old Yang Xiao Long made an appearance at the open door.
"Hey sis, I hope you weren't about to do the big reveal before I got here," Yang teased as she walked next to her adorable baby sister and ruffled her black-red tipped hair, "You know better than anyone that it's best to start the party with a 'Yang.'"
Tai laughed at Yang's so-called "joke" with a sense of pride. "Good one, Yang. That's my girl!" Tai praised while giving his eldest daughter a fist bump. Ruby, however, was not amused…like…at all. Yang was infamous for her awful puns that could make just about anyone with a sense of humor cringe.
Ruby soon managed to shake off her disgust and got back to the original topic of discussion. "Alright Dad, Yang. Let me introduce you to…" Ruby said and then paused for dramatic effect as she revealed her weapon, because why not? The small contraption shifted into a giant red and black mechanical scythe that was at least twice the red hooded girl's size, "My sweetheart, 'Crescent Rose!'"
Tai's jaw dropped down like an anvil at the sight of his daughter's monstrous creation. Ruby was pleased by this. "Heh heh heh. Little does he know, it's also a gun." Ruby thought to herself, satisfied with these results.
Yang, having already seen Ruby's weapon at school, was the first to notice this. "Wow dad, you look like a nutcracker. I have to resist the urge to dance like a ballerina." the blondie teased while mimicking the dance she saw during the well-known play when she was little.
Tai was too shocked to laugh, and Ruby was too caught in the moment to give her sister an annoyed glare. Yang didn't seem pleased with this, "I'll say it again. Wow dad, you lo…"
Yang started again before being interrupted by her dad who had just recovered from the shock. "This is amazing, Rubes!" Tai said to a confident Ruby.
Tai looked proud of Ruby, of course, but his mood seemed to have dimmed a bit for reasons the young future Huntress didn't understand, not completely anyway.
Taiyang Xiao Long
"So, I assume this scythe is based on…" Taiyang started before he was interrupted by Ruby,
"Uncle Qrow's sword/scythe! Exactly! You should've seen his face when he saw what I made, he was so impressed!" Tai was always glad that Ruby had a role model, and he and Uncle Qrow seemed to get along. However, things between the two became iffy after both Ruby and Yang's moms disappeared.
Raven Branwen, Yang's mother and Tai's first lover, was a strong woman with long black hair, red eyes, a red and black dress, red gauntlets and a giant sword named Omen. She was on the same Huntsmen team as Tai, a girl named Summer Rose, and her brother, Qrow Branwen. Together, they formed Team STRQ (Stark), led by Summer. After Yang was born, Raven left Tai and Yang without a single word. Tai and Yang didn't like to talk about it, so Ruby made sure to never pry.
Ruby's own mother, Summer Rose, was a kind and beautiful woman with whom Ruby looked almost identical to. She had black hair with red tips, a hood like Ruby's but white, and silver eyes. She got together with Tai about a year after Raven left and had Ruby. Tai always told Ruby that Summer loved her and Yang more than life itself, and Yang loved her too. It seemed like they would all live together, happily ever after…But life is not a fairytale.
Soon after Ruby was born, Summer was sent on a mission as a Huntress. She never returned.
Her dad did his best to take care of both her and Yang, and Yang made sure to look after her little sister. Despite the tragedy that occured, Tai still had a happy life with his daughters and the three lived together in peace. Uncle Qrow was also there from time to time, he soon became Ruby and Yang's hero. They both admired him. Oh who was he kidding, they basically worshiped him.
"One day, I'm going to become a Huntress and help others like Uncle Qrow and those other heroes in the stories you guys always read to me." Ruby announced, earning genuine smiles from both her dad and big sis. Yang wanted the same thing, of course, even if she's already realized that she can't always protect everyone. The same could be said for Tai.
"When I finally become a Huntress, I'll be sure to make you, Yang, and Uncle Qrow proud!" Ruby said proudly. But then her head moved down a little to look at her baby and her excited smile turned into a sad one. "Mom too." Ruby added a little more quietly.
This slightly shocked Tai and Yang, but it also made them happy to see how determined she was to follow in her mother's footsteps. "I'm sure you will, Rubes. But I'm already proud." Yang said as she once again patted her sister's head.
"Yeah, me too," said Tai as went to give Ruby a hug, "and I'm certain that mommy and Uncle Qrow are too."
Ruby put her Crescent Rose against the nearest wall and returned the hug and it wasn't long before Yang joined in. After a few moments that seemed to last an eternity, Ruby finally broke the silence. "Should I show mom my weapon too?" Ruby asked as she got out of the embrace of her family.
Tai simply smiled at her, "She's your daughter all right, Summer. I'm sure she'll become a great warrior like you." Tai thought as he patted Ruby's head. "I'm sure she'd love that, kiddo. It'll be a nice way to celebrate the New Year." Tai answered. Ruby put on the biggest smile she could muster and ran out the door with the giant scythe that she struggled to get through the door.
Yang called out to her sister, "Hey, Ruby! Why are you running! Why are you running!" She said in a weird accent, referencing a meme that had been dead for years. Yang soon ran after her sister to make sure she stayed safe.
Before they got too far, Tai yelled out, "Hey girls!" Ruby and Yang stopped in their tracks as the sun was starting to set. Tai put on a mischievous grin while looking directly at a confused Yang. "Watch out for demons!" Tai shouted. Yang went pale for a second, noticing that the sun was going down. As Yang completely lost her "too cool for school" attitude while Ruby bursted into laughter.
Whenever Tai read to the girls when they were little about demons, mythical creatures said to be even more terrifying than the Grimm, Yang was scared out of her mind and slept in her sister's room for a week. She claimed that "Ruby was having nightmares" but both Tai and Ruby knew better.
Yang did not appreciate the reminder. Even though Yang knew demons weren't real, she hated when someone used her fear against her. "Hah hah hah. Very funny," said a very sarcastic Yang, regaining her composure, "But everyone knows that demons aren't real, it's just a fairytale." Tai couldn't help but chuckle at her daughter's tough act. He remembered when his own dad made him piss his pants with those same demon stories.
"Well that didn't stop you from crying like a baby." Ruby teased while still laughing.
"What are you talking about, Ruby?! That was you!" Yang accused with a glare as the two half-sisters once again started walking towards their mother's headstone.
"Nuh uh! It was totally you!" The younger sister shot back.
"Oh yeah!? Well come here!" Yang yelled as she pulled in her baby sister to give her a noogie.
"Yang!" Ruby whined. Yang soon let go of her and the two began running again to their destination. Taiyang watched until they were no longer visible.
"You have a noble dream Ruby. Both you and your sister." Tai thought to himself while looking into the distance. His smile soon disappeared as he got lost in his thoughts, "But one day, you'll both find out that life is not a fairytale. Reality is cruel." Taiyang looked into the sun as it started to set. "Very cruel…"
Tai didn't know how right he was. Because on that night, disaster had struck for a certain family living on Mt. Kumotori in western Tokyo, Japan. And the next morning, as Ruby was sleeping like a baby next to her sister (who had more nightmares about demons), A young boy her age had just experienced the cruelty of reality and was now carrying his own injured sister down the mountains.
Tanjiro Kamado
"How did this happen? Why did this happen?" Tanjiro wondered as he hurried down the mountain, trudging through the snowy forests covering it. He had to get to the nearest doctor immediately, he had to save Nezuko. The girl in question was being carried on Tanjiro's back. She was wounded and unconscious due to her severe injuries.
"Just hang in there, Nezuko! We'll be in town soon!" Tanjiro assured the girl in the pink kimono and black hair with orange tips, although it was more for himself since his little sister could not hear him.
"What did my family do to deserve this? We were just living our lives as best as we could," Tanjiro became lost in his thoughts as his body began to run automatically, "Mom, Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru, Rokuta, Nezuko. I'm so sorry." Tears began falling down Tanjiro's eyes as he started to tire and slow down.
"If only I'd been there sooner, maybe this wouldn't have happened." Tanjiro thought. He shook his head and focused on the task ahead. "Now's not the time, Tanjiro!" The boy scolded himself, "Nezuko needs you now, she needs her big brother!"
With a second wind, Tanjiro began running as fast as he could while making sure his sister stayed steady. "Don't worry Nezuko, I won't let you down again," Tanjiro promised his sister, "I swear, your big brother will save you no matter what!"
-Yesterday-
Tanjiro had just finished filling his basket with coal from their family coal reserves and put the basket on his back via the arm straps on it.
"Tanjiro?" Someone called. Tanjiro turned around to see his mother, Kie Kamado, in front of their house. "Your face is all covered in soot," she said as she took the hanging part of the white kappōgi and prepared to clean her eldest son's face, "Come here, I'll clean you."
She was right, Tanjiro had soot on his face from collecting charcoal. Tanjiro went to his mother as she knelt down and used her kappōgi to wipe the dirt off of his face.
"You're pushing yourself too hard, you know," His mother said as she wiped his face, "You don't have to go down the mountain today, the trail is covered in snow and it might be dangerous." She finished and put her hand on his right cheek.
"Don't worry about me, mom. I'll be just fine." Tanjiro said. "Besides, I want everyone to have a nice New Year's feast. That's why I'm going to sell as much charcoal as I can so we can get as much food as possible for everyone." The thirteen-year old boy then put on his signature smile which could brighten just about anyone's day.
Kie couldn't help but smile at the selflessness of her son. "Thank you," She said as she put her other hand on his other cheek, touched their foreheads together and both closed their eyes, "You have a kind heart, Tanjiro. Promise me that no matter what happens to you in life, you will never change that about yourself, okay?" Kie said before letting her son go.
"Of course. I promise, mom." Tanjiro replied.
"Big Bro!" Shouted a young voice, gaining the attention of Tanjiro and his mother. They looked to the source of the voice which turned out to be Tanjiro's second youngest brother, Shigeru Kamado, running to him alongside Hanako Kamado, his youngest sister.
"Are you going down the mountain?" Shigeru asked. Before he could ask to come with his brother, Hanako beat him to it.
"I'm coming with you!" She said, demanding that she go with her older brother.
Tanjiro's eldest little brother, Takeo Kamado, had just turned the corner of their house with an ax. He had a shocked look on his face after spotting Tanjiro about to leave.
"Absolutely not. You know you can't walk as fast as Tanjiro." Said their mother, denying her children's request.
"Awww, but Mommy!" Shigeru complained.
"But nothing," The mother scolded calmly, "Because of the snow, Tanjiro can't use the cart today. Which means he can't give you rides when you get tired."
Both of the kids pouted, and then both ran up to Tanjiro. "Big Bro!" Shigeru whined as he tackled his older brother in a small hug.
"Please take me with you," Hanako pleaded with puppy dog eyes, "I promise I'll help! I won't be a burden!"
Tanjiro simply smiled and patted Hanako's head. "Thank you Hanako," He said, leaving his sister with a hopeful look on her face, "But mom's right, you should stay home today." He added.
"Ehhhh!?" Hanako cried, all of her hope had just been murdered by her brother's golden heart.
Tanjiro then took Shigeru by the shoulders and gently pushed him off. Getting down on one knee, he addressed him as well. "You too, Shigeru. But I promise to bring back lots of goodies, okay?"
"Really?!" Said Shigeru, now sporting a big smile on his face.
"Really," Tanjiro confirmed. This was enough to satisfy his little brother, next was Hanako. "And Hanako. I'll read to you as soon as I come back, deal?"
Hanako also smiled, "Really, deal! I want to hear more stories about those brave Huntresses!" Hanako said. She had always looked up to the Huntresses, ever since their father used to read her books when she was just a toddler.
As Tanjiro began reading to her, Hanako wanted to be a Huntress too. Shigeru and Takeo also wanted to become Huntsmen. After all, it's a dream that most kids have when they're little.
Tanjiro nodded, "You got it. I'll see if I can buy some more books in town." Tanjiro promised as he stood up.
"Thank you, Tanjiro." Kie said. "You sure know how to calm them down. You're becoming more like your father everyday." She said.
"It's nothing, really." Tanjiro denied the praise, "Well, I'm off now."
He turned to Takeo, "Hey Takeo, I'll make sure to bring goodies for you too," Tanjiro promised his brother, "In the meantime, please chop as much wood as you can, okay?"
Takeo responded, "Uh, sure, I was gonna do that anyway," Takeo then turned his head away, "Although I was hoping we could do it together." The second eldest son muttered.
Shigeru then spoke up, "Hey, Tanjiro. Hanako just reminded me of something," He announced, "You're old enough to go to Signal Academy in Vale, right? Why don't you become a Huntsman, big bro?" Shigeru asked, shocking Tanjiro.
"Yeah, yeah!" Agreed Hanako. "He's right, you would make an awesome Huntsman!"
Tanjiro chuckled nervously and scratched the back of his head. "Oh, you guys. It's way too expensive for me to even travel to Vale, let alone attend Signal." Tanjiro said. "Besides, I'm not really that strong."
This confused Shigeru and Hanako. "Huh? What are you talking about, Big Bro," Shigeru questioned, "You're totally strong."
"Yeah! Remember when you saved us and Takeo from that bear" Hanako argued. Takeo looked down, remembering how scared and weak he was in front of his younger siblings.
"I doubt a bear could compare to a Beowolf, and I haven't even unlocked my Aura," Tanjiro reasoned, "Besides, if I left for Vale, you guys wouldn't see me for a while."
Both Shigeru and Hanako gasped, while Takeo looked up from the ground to stare at Tanjiro. "Oh no! That's right!" Shigeru and Hanako yell out at the same time, and they run to hug Tanjiro, "Please don't go, Big Bro!" They pleaded.
Tanjiro chuckled and patted their heads, "Don't worry, I'd never leave you guys behind." He said as he looked at Takeo who looked nervous at the thought of Tanjiro leaving for good, Tanjiro smiled even wider.
Takeo noticed this, "Hey, what's that look for?" Takeo asked defensively. "It's not like I care if you leave or whatever."
Tanjiro walks up to Takeo and rubs his head, "There, there." Tanjiro says, teasing his brother.
Takeo pushes Tanjiro's hand off. "Hey! I don't need comfort, all right!?" Takeo shouts as his face becomes red
"Take, you're blushing." Shigeru points out to Takeo's embarrassment.
"Sh-Shut up!" Takeo yells at Shigeru, turning even more red.
Tanjiro makes it worse by patting Takeo's head with both hands this time. "There, there." He repeated.
Takeo pushed Tanjiro's hands away once again. "I said cut it out!" Takeo yelled.
That's when Kie, Shigeru, and Hanako started laughing together. They were soon joined by Tanjiro who was always happy to spend more time with his family. But it was time to go.
After saying farewell, Tanjiro started walking down the path while waving back at his family. They waved back.
"Hurry back, okay?!" Shigeru called out through his hands.
"Stay safe!" Hanako shouted.
"Don't worry, everyone. I'll be back soon and with plenty of goodies like I promised. I won't let you down." Tanjiro thought to himself as he turned and made his way down the mountain. But not before running into another familiar face, one wearing a white cloth over a pink kimono with a asanoha (hemp leaf) pattern, and carrying a small boy.
"Hey Tanjiro." Said the twelve-year old Nezuko Kamado, the eldest daughter smiling at her older brother.
"Hello Nezuko, what are you doing?" Tanjiro asked.
"I was just putting Rokuta down for a nap," Nezuko said, looking at the toddler on her back, "Otherwise, I'm certain he would've made a scene if he found out you were leaving."
As Tanjiro walks up to the two and pats the head of Rokuta Kamado, the youngest child in the family, Nezuko continues. "People tend to want to follow you wherever you go, huh?" Asked Nezuko.
"Yeah, I guess," Tanjiro said as he put his hand down and looked at Nezuko, "Not sure why though?" Tanjiro said this with the straightest face.
Nezuko didn't seem amused, "You can't be serious." Said Nezuko.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Asked a clearly confused Tanjiro.
Seeing her brother's cluelessness, Nezuko sighed. "Never mind, just forget it." She said as her smile returned, although it seemed partly forced.
Tanjiro didn't know this however and said farewell to his little sister. As he walked on, Nezuko called out from behind him. "See you later!" She said, smiling more genuinely.
"Yeah! See ya!" Tanjiro returned with a smile of his own, as he went down the mountain, expecting to come home to a happy family like always.
The Kamado family did not have an easy life, but they were happy. But life can change, as suddenly as the weather. It constantly shifts and moves on, and the sun doesn't shine forever. But the cold rain must stop at some point as well.
Unfortunately, the fairytale must end eventually in order to make way for reality. In reality, the light will eventually flicker and die, and happiness will be destroyed.
When the light dies, darkness will return. And when happiness is destroyed…
It is always followed by the smell of blood.
And that's chapter 1. I hope you guys enjoyed it, despite that it's basically a repeat of the beginning of Demon Slayer.
The first part with Ruby was original and likely isn't canon to the original story, I don't think it was really too good. I just needed some way for RWBY to be relevant in the beginning of this story instead of this being a retelling of Demon Slayer for the first four or three chapters.
Sorry if the dialogue was cringe, I'm still new at this. Although I did mean for it to be cringe with Yang. Alas, I have not mastered the art of telling crappy jokes. I tried my best to recreate the characters' personalities and I personally think I did a better job with the DS characters. But let me know what you think and how I should improve.
I am so happy that people are already showing interest in my ideas! I have read all two reviews and I will make sure to keep them in mind. Thank you, and I hope you will continue to support me! I also hope you'll be pleased to know that Chapter 2 is already in production. Until then, as Shinobu Kocho once said, "Ara Ara, Sayonara!"
Next time: Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Storm
