RWBY: Scars

by Donesses

A girl who dreamed of being a hero, and was forced to face the realities of being one. A girl who was born into everything but found she had nothing. A girl who fought for freedom, and is now tormented by her past. And a girl who fights through life, trying to find her place in the world. ON HIATUS.

71. Bloodflowers

The contents of this chapter are going to be extremely upsetting. The author is aware that the creative decisions taken with STRQ's story will be unpopular with readers and understand those who wish to drop the story as a result of the revelations of this chapter.
The author believes playing Flower Scattering (Yuki Yuna is a Hero OST) during Summer's final battle will enhance the reading experience.

Part i

She stared at the floor, her knees pressed to her chest. The music played from her CD player, the song skipping, the sound distorted. She wrapped her arms around her legs, hearing her aunt make that noise again.

Auntie had one of her friends over, and they always liked to play.

The song skipped again, a large thud against the wall, her aunt crying out. She closed her eyes, focusing on the music as the song resumed. Her stomach growled, twinges of pain in her abdomen. She shook her head; Auntie's friends never liked seeing her when they were here.

Just have to keep listening. The music always helps.

---

He struggled to keep pace, his arms burning as he carried the wood.

"Why do they make us get the firewood, Raven?" he asked. His older sister looked back at him, disapproval in her eyes.

"We all have our part to play, Qrow. If we can't contribute we're better off dead." Qrow grunted, shifting the wood. Raven sighed, and slowed her pace, walking alongside him. "Give me it," she said.

"But you sai-"

"Just give me it. If you can't handle it, I will." Qrow looked down at the logs, before stopping. He set them down, handing half of his bundle to Raven. Raven's arms shook as they resumed their walk back home.

Qrow sighed in relief as the outskirts of their camp came into view. He quickened his pace, struggling to stay at Raven's side, breathing hard as they entered the camp. He kept his eyes on the large woodpile. He felt the disapproving eyes as they walked past.

"-can't even carry a full load,"

"-she should have left him for the Feathered One."

Raven frowned, her lip curling as they walked.

Smoke blew past them, the twilight skies filled with ash. Qrow's stomach growled, the scent of roasted mutton drifting past. He allowed himself to glance aside; dozens upon dozens of tents were crammed next to each other, fires dancing in the hearths before each tent. His clansmen glowered at him, some snorting as he passed, others narrowing their eyes. He swallowed, and looked ahead.

They reached the wood surplus, Raven grunting as they dumped the kindling. Qrow looked at his hands, grimacing at the splinters. He looked up as his sister began to walk off. He followed her, coughing as he walked past the campfires.

Raven paused when she reached their tent, holding open the flap. He hurried in, Raven entering after him. He hung back, watching his mother as she inspected the map hanging on the tent wall.

"Raven." Qrow looked down, their mother's voice was so cold. He heard her turn, and glanced up. His mother looked at them, her eyes red, a few strands of her braided hair falling on her face. She crossed her arms, her feathered cape shifting. "Did you help him carry his bundle?" she asked. Raven hesitated before nodding. Their mother sighed, not looking at him.

"He'll never get stronger if you keep helping him." Their mother looked over at him. "How much did you carry this time, boy?" Qrow didn't answer, kicking at nothing. "Boy. I asked you a question."

"F-four logs." He mumbled. His mother exhaled, shaking her head.

"Don't help him next time," she said. She turned and left, parting the bone curtain that divided the tent.

Raven looked over at him, chewing on her lip before looking away, going to the table in the center of the tent. Raven picked up a piece of mutton and began to gnaw on it. Qrow sighed, his shoulder's slumping, and joined his sister at their table.

---

Her eyes slowly opened; she blinked as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. The CD player was skipping, the only sound to be heard. She exhaled, Auntie's friend must have left by now. She grasped her stomach as it growled, twinges of pain gnawing at her. She got off her mattress, walking quietly to the door. She held a breath as she opened it, the lock clicking open. She peeked out of her room. The hallway was dark, the only light coming from under Auntie's door.

She tiptoed out of her room, silently making her way to the kitchen. She stepped around the garbage bags, putting a hand to her mouth to silence her gags as she walked by them. Auntie kept forgetting to throw them out. She reached the refrigerator, struggling to open it. Her face fell as she looked at the near empty fridge. She picked up a box of Mistralian food Auntie had ordered, and sniffed it. Her nose wrinkled in disgust, and she put it back in the fridge. She closed the fridge, her stomach growling, and looked back.

Auntie's door was open.

"Summer." She stiffened, slowly looking aside, Auntie's voice sing song like. She was in her nightgown, white stains covering it. She was smiling, her silver eyes glowing bright in the darkness. "Did I wake you up again?" she asked, bending over, resting her hands on her knees as she got eye level with her, her black and red hair falling over her face. Summer shook her head.

"N-no, Auntie. I…"

"You? You what?" Summer's stomach growled. Auntie's smile fell, her eyes narrowing. "Did I forget again?" she asked quietly. Summer nodded. Auntie sighed, straightening up. "I'll remember tomorrow. I'll be extra quiet for you, Summer. A growing girl needs her sleep." Summer said nothing, silently nodding. Auntie smiled at her again, and ruffled her hair before heading back to her room, shutting the door behind her.

Auntie promised that last night.

---

Her eyes snapped open, the world around her on fire, smoke choking the tent. She grabbed Qrow's arm, jumping out of bed, Qrow grunting as he woke up.

"R-Raven? What's going on?" She kept a grip on his wrist, running through the smoke, covering her mouth as she ran out of the burning tent flaps. She slid to a halt, her eyes shooting wide.

The camp was aflame, screams and gunfire filling the air. People were running, fighting, sparks leaping as weapons struck. A Branwen cried out, blood spurting into the air as his chest was sliced open, a woman with a gray and black tartan kicking him to the ground. Clan Comhachag. Raven gasped, leading Qrow to a collapsed tent, peeking around the edge.

Screams rang out, a man with a serrated spear ripping his way through a crowd. Raven scowled; a Hunter.

The Hunter ducked under a blade, their spear shooting forward, ripping a Branwen's stomach open. The Hunter grunted, their aura shimmering as gunfire rained on them. The Hunter whirled, hurling their spear, sprinting forward, the spear imbedding in a Branwen. The Hunter leapt, kicking one Branwen, grabbing his spear and ripping it free, spinning, slashing down, the spear ripping a third in half. The Hunter spun, twirling their spear, the bullets sparking against it. The Branwen backed away, their eyes shooting wide as their gun clicked. The Hunter lunged, impaling him on their spear, hefting him into the air, blood raining down. The Hunter grunted, yanking their spear free, the body falling to the dirt.

The Hunter turned, their spear shooting up, catching a sickled sword. Dread shot through Raven as her mother sneered, yanking her sword free. She moved aside, dodging the spear, swinging her sword, hooking the spear, and slamming it down. She slammed her fist into the Hunter's face, making them stagger back, grunting. Their leg shot forward, her mother grunting as she was kicked back. The Hunter yanked their spear free, swinging it with a yell, her mother ducking and charging, slashing her sword across their chest, their aura crackling. She swung with a scream, the Hunter's aura shattering, their head flying off, blood spraying into the air. The Hunter's body collapsed, blood pooling in the dirt.

Her mother screamed, her sword falling from her hand. She fell to her knees, clutching her hand, her teeth gnashed together. Her mother snarled, looking back, struggling to back away. A large Comhachag clansman was smirking, smoke drifting off the barrel of his bayonetted pistol. Her mother's snarl grew, rolling aside as he fired, drawing a knife and charging at him.

Raven ran forward, dodging around flames and fighting clansmen. She heard her mother grunt, the man's fist slamming into her face before stabbing the bayonet into her shoulder. Her mother screamed, grabbing the bayonet and yanking it free, lunging with her knife.

Raven scooped up her mother's sword, her arms shaking as she dragged it in the dirt. The man had his back to her. She hefted the sword up, yelling, swinging it, the man screaming as his hamstrings were sliced open. He fell to his knees, his scream becoming gargled, her mother's knife embedding itself into his neck. Her mother sneered, yanking her knife free, his body slumping to the ground.

Her mother looked at her, fear and approval in her red eyes, before reaching down and taking her sword from her hands. Blood stained her feathered cape, her lip broken. Her mother turned, glaring as the Comhachag's began to flee, their retreat horns blaring throughout the camp. Her mother looked over her shoulder at her.

"Get the boy and help put out these fires," she said. Raven nodded, rushing back to Qrow. That was the least they could do.

---

She bobbed her head to the song, mouthing the lyrics as she walked down the street. The music flowed through her mind, her headphones silencing the outside world. Midnight Thorn was a weight on her back as she walked around people on the sidewalk. Her head throbbed dully, white rose petals fluttering all around her.

"Nothing I am, nothing I dream, nothing is new, nothing I think or believe in or say, nothing is true," she sang quietly.

She grimaced, a sharp pain in her forehead as the rose petals formed a trail before her. She slid her headphones off, beginning to run, shoving past people, ignoring their angry yells. She took a turn, the petals leading down an alleyway. She sprinted, the pain growing with each step.

She followed the roses to a building, ripping open the door and sprinting through the hallway. There! Room 413. She slid to a stop, the trail disappearing, the petals floating in the air around her. She gripped the doorknob, and swung the door open. She stepped in, glancing around. She gasped, whipping her scroll out, rushing forward.

A man lay on the floor, a side of his face drooping.

"Can you raise your arms?" she asked. The man tried to raise them, one of the arms trembling, unable to go as high as the other. Summer nodded, and punched in a number on her scroll. She set it to her ear.

"Vale Emergency Dispatcher, what is your emergency?"

"A man is having a stroke. He's at the Prancing Condo's, room 413, first floor."

"Help is on the way. What is your name, ma'am?"

"Summer Rose," she said. The dispatcher hung up, and Summer pocketed her scroll, turning to the man. She crouched down next to him, holding his hand.

"It's going to be alright, help is coming."

Several moments passed, and she looked up as she heard the EMT's enter the room. They checked the man before hefting him onto the stretcher.

"Is he going to be alright?" Summer asked. One of the EMT's looked at her.

"Can't say for sure until we check him out. But he would have been in a lot worse shape if you hadn't called." Summer smiled, and sighed in relief as they pulled the stretcher out of the room.

She pulled her scroll out, checking the time. The airship for Beacon Academy should be leaving soon. She gasped, a sharp pain shooting through her head, the petals forming a trail, leading out of the room. She grimaced, and looked at the time again before looking at the trail. She pocketed her scroll and started to run, the petals leading her.

She could risk missing the ship if it meant saving another person.

---

"Hello potential students my name is Glynda Goodwitch; I am the Combat Professor at Beacon Academy. I wanted to be the first to greet you and say what a privilege it shall be to teach the future Hunters of Remnant. Each of you have displayed the courage, tenacity, skill, and leadership to be accepted to our prestigious academy. Those of you who survive our rigorous entrance exam shall receive the best education available in Remnant. Good luck."

The ship jolted as it came alive, the hologram dissipating. Taiyang smiled, taking a seat. He tapped his foot, his leg shaking, glancing around. He had spent all his life waiting for this moment, and it was so close to finally coming true. His leg stopped shaking, his head cocking to the side as he saw a girl in a white cloak take a seat on the other side of the ship.

She was short, pale skinned, with heavy bags under her silver eyes, her black hair dyed red at the ends. A huge silver and black sword rested against her back. The girl raised her legs, resting them against her chest, smoothing out her monochromatic dress as she got situated. She grimaced, looking out the window. She chewed on her lip for a moment before sighing, and slipping on a pair of white headphones. The girl closed her eyes, her head moving to an unheard rhythm.

Tai cocked an eyebrow, watching the weird girl as she listened to her music. He shrugged, and looked away.

Hope I don't get stuck with her on my team.

---

Qrow kept his hands in his pockets, following Raven as they went down the gangway. Raven stopped once she stepped off, resting her hand on her sword, her eyebrow raised.

Beacon Academy was large; it's main campus resembling some type of castle, made of gray brick and black tile. A large tower sat in the center, Qrow could make out green windows at the top. Forests and gardens surrounded the bustling courtyard, a large statue of the Hero King slaying Grimm sat in the center of the courtyard. The air was sweet, flowery. Qrow's nose wrinkled in disgust.

"Really? This is where Hunter's train?" he said. Raven watched a brown haired rabbit Faunus walk past them.

"If the training is as soft looking as this campus, Mother would have been better off keeping us back home." Qrow nodded, starting to walk, Raven joining his side. His scythe clinked, shifting against his back as he walked.

"Trip here was a pain in the ass," he said. Raven shrugged.

"Vale doesn't have as many raiders. Mother was right to send us here."

"Doesn't make it any less of a pain to travel to a different Kingdom."

Raven opened her mouth to say something, stopping as a mechanical voice echoed around them.

"Attention potential First Year students. Please meet in the Great Hall to listen to Headmaster Ozpin for the opening ceremony."

Qrow grunted in annoyance, Raven looking ahead. She started to move toward a large building past the statues, the mob of students heading in the same direction.

Qrow cocked an eyebrow, hundreds of seats surrounded a stage, the woman from the hologram on the ship standing on the stage. He hung by the door, Raven leaning against the wall, crossing her arms as the other students funneled past them, taking the seats, filling the room up, chatting loudly. Glynda tapped on the mic, the conversations dying, heads turning to the stage.

"Quite please, Headmaster Ozpin will be speaking momentarily." Glynda said. She stepped away from the mic. An old, feeble looking man in green hobbled up to the microphone, a cane in hand. He looked over the crowd for a brief moment before speaking.

"I do not wish to bore you so I will keep this brief. I see before me close to four hundred bright and smiling youths. Come tomorrow half of you shall be dead," Ozpin took off his glasses to clean them. He put them back and resumed his speech. "You came here to learn how to be Hunters; to fight the monsters that hunt us and to preserve the sanctity of our kingdoms. I will not lie to you, it is a thankless job and often dangerous. Those of you that believe they have what it takes to survive are welcome to stay and take their first steps towards a new life; a life that myself and my instructors will mold you for. Those of you that do not think they can handle this are welcome to leave." He stepped away from the microphone and hobbled off the stage. Glynda stepped from the shadows and back up to the mic.

Qrow rolled his eyes, glancing over at Raven as Glynda spoke. Raven chuckled, shaking her head.

"Do you remember what Mother said?" she asked. Qrow nodded.

"The weak die." He started.

"The strong survive." Raven finished.

---

Summer hummed along to her music, dipping her spoon in her soup. The petals were falling slowly, gently around the other students. She closed her eyes, savoring the mix of vegetables, meat, and broth. She opened her eyes, lowering the spoon back to the bowl. Her shoulder's fell slightly as she looked at the empty seats around her, glancing over at the full tables. At the groups of people laughing and joking with each other, the music replacing their voices. She sighed, shifting in her seat.

She inhaled sharply, pain shooting through her, the petals whirling, aimed at a young woman. She was staring down at her food, her body shaking, her face pale. Summer bolted from her chair, ripping her headphones off.

The girl grabbed her chest, beginning to hyperventilate. Summer slid on her knees, catching the girl as she fell from her chair, the girl's fingers turning white as she clutched her chest. Her eyes were dilated, darting around.

"I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die!"

"You're going to be okay," Summer said. She slid a hand into the girl's free hand, giving it a gently squeeze. "You're going to be okay." The girl shook her head, her hair whipping against Summer's face. Summer inhaled, holding the breath for a moment, before exhaling from her mouth. "Do you feel my breathing?" she asked. The girl was still shaking, her breathing erratic. "Do you have a name?"

"D-Dahlia," she managed between breaths.

"Do you feel how I'm breathing, Dahlia?" Dahlia nodded. Summer gave her hand another squeeze. "I want you to breath with me, okay?"

"I- I-"

"Please," Summer asked. Dahlia said nothing, her breathing beginning to slow. Summer closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, holding the breath, and exhaling through her mouth after a moment. She felt Dahlia repeating the motioning with her. She felt Dahlia's arm shift, the one clutching her chest loosening and falling to the ground.

"Just breath, Dahlia. You're going to be okay. We're going to be okay."

"Ozpin said-!" she gripped Dahlia's other hand, squeezing reassuringly.

"He's wrong. You're going to be okay. You're not going to die. You're safe here."

Dahlia said nothing, her breathing continuing to steady out. She could feel Dahlia's heart rate begin to slow down. She could feel sweat from Dahlia's hand as she ran her thumbs over the back of her hands. After a moment Dahlia sighed, letting go of Summer's hands and shakily getting to her feet, grabbing her chair and leaning against it. Summer rose to her feet, watching the girl.

Sweat coated her face, her eyes downcast.

"I'm sorry, I…I" Summer gently grabbed her shoulder, Dahlia looking up at her. Summer smiled.

"There's nothing to be sorry for." She hesitated before gingerly wrapping her arms around her. "You're going to be okay. You're not going to die. What just happened is normal, don't feel bad about it." She felt Dalhia return the hug, burying her face in her shoulder.

"Thank you," she said, her voice muffled.

Dalhia broke the hug a moment later, sighing and taking her seat, returning her attention to her food. Summer said nothing, ignoring the stares from the other students as she went back to her seat, slipping her headphones back on.

She groaned in annoyance, realizing she had knocked her spoon to the ground.

---

Tai's hands were sweaty as the airship's door closed, the other students packed in alongside him. The brochure didn't mention a sky drop? His stomach did flips as the ship took off, accelerating quickly, rising higher and higher into the air. He shifted, the parachute awkward on his back. He grimaced as his ears popped, a low red light glowing throughout the ship. He looked up as a screen flickered to life on the ceiling, Ozpin's face coming into focus.

"The objective of this test will be to reach the heart of the forest, where you will find an abandoned temple. The temple contains several Relics. You are to acquire one, and bring it to the hill I am waiting at, on the outskirts of the forest, before nightfall. Those who fail to acquire a relic, or do not reach the hill by nightfall will have failed the test and will be sent home. Along the way to the Relics, you are to gain a partner; the first person you lock eyes with." Ozpin adjusted his half-moon glasses. "Good luck. Brothers be with you."

The screen winked out, the upperclassman barking out orders, moving through the crowd, checking everyone's equipment. Tai gripped the handles of his tekko kagi, Dragon's Fire, and took a breath, anxiety knotting in his stomach. He exhaled, squaring his jaw as the ship door opened, wind ripping around him.

No backing down.

---

She grunted, her parachute catching on a branch. She grit her teeth, squeezing her eyes shut as she fumbled with the harness, crying out as she fell, landing hard on the ground.

Her head throbbed, sweat dripping down her brow. She opened her eyes, the petals stormed around her, trails forming in every direction, screams and gunfire all around her. She gnashed her teeth, staggering to her feet. She screamed, clutching her head and falling to her knees as pain shot through her, several of the trails disappearing, the petals rejoining the storm swirling around her.

She got to her feet, gasping, clutching her head, the petals swirling. She took a few steps, her feet dragging against the dirt, pain pulsating through her.

Have…have to help….

Got to…save…

She grimaced, bearing the pain as another trail disappeared in a flurry of petals. She pressed on, her lips pressed together as she followed one of the paths. She allowed herself to smile despite the pain; none of the other paths were disappearing; the cries of dying Grimm replacing the screams of earlier.

She continued on, following the trail. She gasped, a sharp pain in her head as the path disappearing, rejoining the storm. She sighed, looking at one of the other paths.

"Mind helping me out?"

She looked up, her eyes shooting wide, her cheeks growing hot. A scruffy looking man in gray was stuck in the branches, hanging upside down. Summer covered her eyes with her hands; he wore his kilt in the traditional style.

"Hey, Goth girl, you gonna get me down or not?" he asked.

She kept her eyes closed, grabbing her zweihänder, pulling it free of its sheath. She felt it transform in her hand, hearing the blade shift as the rifle formed, the scope popping into place. She opened her eyes, hefting her sniper rifle up, aiming down the scope.

"Hey, wait a-"

She fired, the parachute cord snapping, the man yelling as he fell to the ground, landing with a thud. He got to his feet, dusting off his shirt and kilt. He bent down, picking up a scythe she hadn't noticed, and holstered it against his back. He cocked an eyebrow at her before grunting.

"Thanks," he said.

"Y-you're welcome." She played with her hands for a moment, looking at the various petalled paths. "I guess this makes us partners," she said. The man nodded. "What's your name?" she asked, looking back at him. He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Qrow," he said. She smiled at him.

"My name is Summer. Nice to meet you." She said. Qrow grunted, rolling his eyes.

---

She kept a hand on her sword handle, tuning out the screams and roars. She arched an eyebrow, stepping over a dead man, his entrails ripped from his belly, his broken crossbow next to him. She held back a gag as the smell hit her.

She marched through the forest, glancing around as she went, her hand not leaving her sword. She reached a clearing, stopping, hanging back. A blonde man in brown stood in the clearing, a pack of Beowolves surrounding him.

---

Tai took a deep breath, Dragon's Fire's claws sliding into place. Four. He took his stance, dust kicking up as he moved his foot.

The wolves lunged. Tai moved, his arm shooting forward, grabbing one wolf by its arm, yanking it to the ground, his claws a blur, slashing open its throat.

He stepped away, his claws retracting, blocking a swing from one, grabbing a hold of the wolf's arm, spinning aside, dodging one of the others. He swung, his claws shooting forth, stabbing into the wolfs head.

He dropped the wolf, ducking under the swings of a pair, his leg kicking back, hurling the wolf away. He lunged forward, swinging his arms up, his claws tearing the wolf's chest open. He spun around, grabbing a hold of the wolf's claws, the wolf growling at him. He kicked forward, the wolf crying out as its leg gave way. He pulled, releasing its claws, grabbing a hold of its neck, twisting it, a sickening crunch coming from it.

He let the wolf fall, black blood dripping from his claws, his hands shaking. He sighed, his claws retracting. He raised his hands, holding them, trying to slop their shaking.

"Not bad."

Tai looked behind him, his lips parting. A woman in black and red stood near the trees, an odachi at her waist. She was beautiful. Tai rubbed the back of his head, smiling sheepishly at her.

"I'm used to fighting a lot of people back at my kwoon. Wasn't too hard." He said. The woman chuckled. She motioned with her head, and turned to leave. Tai smiled, following after her.

---

Qrow kept his hands in his pockets as he followed Summer, watching as she weaved her way through the forest.

"Where are you going, anyway?" he asked. Summer didn't look up as she responded.

"I'm following the path." He arched an eyebrow.

"What path?"

"My semblance. It allows me to sense when other people are in danger, and it shows me a path to them." She turned, stepping around a tree. "Most of the paths lead in this direction, so that must mean that the relics we have to find are that way. And if they're not, we can at least help the people we find."

Qrow said nothing. Summer gasped, wincing before starting to run. Qrow dashed after her, his hands going to his scythe. They sprinted through the forest, weaving in and out of the trees, the trees beginning to thin out. Summer burst through the tree line, halting, her legs shaking. Qrow stopped next to her, grimacing.

Dozens of mutilated bodies lay before them, the smoldering remains of Grimm scattered amongst them. A large ruined temple stood in the clearing, bodies trailing up the stairs and to the ruined doors.

Summer fell to her knees, her hands clasped together.

"Blessed Brothers, please forgive me. Let these souls find peace with you in your lov-"

"What are you doing?" Summer looked over at him, her mouth open, confusion in her eyes.

"P-praying?"

"Why?"

"Because these people… they've died. And I was too slow to get here. I want to at least make sure they get to the Garden okay." Summer said. Qrow chuckled, Summer narrowing her eyes at him.

"They died because they were weak. It wouldn't have made a difference if you were here. The Feathered One will take their bodies, no need for all of that." Summer cocked her head to the side. She looked from him to the bodies. She closed her eyes, bowing her head, and mouthing the rest of her prayer. She stood up after a moment.

"I know that there are many different gods, but, I hope that at least one of them heard me." She said. Qrow said nothing, walking away, stepping around the corpses. Summer followed him, her eyes downcast.

They climbed the stairs, passing the large ruined doors. The inside was overgrown, ripped and half eaten tapestries hanging from the walls. Qrow could see faded writing stitched into them, the language one he didn't recognize. They pressed forward, reaching a large room. He stopped.

"Raven?"

His sister, and a blonde man looked over at him. They were standing on a chess board; gold, silver, and bronze chess pieces set up on the board. Raven smirked at him.

"You're late, brother," she said. Her eyes drifted to Summer, an emotion he couldn't place in her eyes as she looked Summer over. "And you are?"

"Summer." She said. Raven nodded, pocketing the gold knight piece she had in her hand. She motioned with her head to the board.

"Take your pick, Qrow. Taiyang and I already have ours." Qrow looked over at Summer. She caught his gaze, and nodded. She went to the board, inspecting the pieces before settling on the other golden knight. She pocketed it, looking up, smiling at Raven.

"I thought it would be nice if we had matching pieces." She said. Raven's lip twitched, and looked away, her hair obscuring her face as she crossed her arms.

The ground shook, bricks and dust falling from the ceiling. Summer and Taiyang stumbled. The ground shook again, more dust raining down.

"The hell?" Qrow drew his scythe, turning and running out of the room, Summer and the others running out after him.

He ran threw the ruined doors, sliding to a stop, his eyes shooting wide. A giant made of a multitude of twisted trees stood next to the ruins, a bone white face in the center of its body, ghostly orange eyes peering at them. A Gaea Gigas.

"Oh shit," Taiyang said.

The Gigas lumbered forward, groaning as it swung its arm.

"Move!" Summer shouted.

Qrow bolted, running into the grass, Summer following him, Raven leaping over the railing, rolling in the grass as its fist came crashing down. Qrow looked back; Taiyang leaping onto its arm, running up it, claws springing from his gauntlets.

"Go for its legs!" Summer shouted, running to the tree line, her sniper rifle forming.

Qrow looked over at Raven, seeing her smirk. They nodded at each other, sprinting forward, Raven's blade aflame as she drew it. The Gigas groaned, Tai leaping from its arm and to its chest, stabbing into the wood with his claws, bark raining down as he slashed into it with his free claw. The Gigas swung down at them, dirt flying into the air as he and Raven dodged it, slashing into its legs, flames shooting up it as Raven's blade shattered.

Raven skidded in the grass, he sword handled going to its sheath, drawing a new blade, electricity crackling over the yellow blade. There was a crack of thunder, the Gigas screaming as bark and black blood spurted into the air. Qrow looked to the trees, spotting Summer crouching on a branch, aiming down the scope, smoke drifting off the bayoneted barrel.

"Watch it!" Qrow gasped, Raven tackling him to the ground as the Gigas' flaming leg swung over them. Raven rolled off of him, springing to her feet, sneering at the Gigas as it pulled its leg back, leering down at them. It's ghostly eye's drifted down to Taiyang, narrowing as he continued to slash at its woodened body. It swung its arm, Taiyang gasping, backflipping off as its fist came crashing into its body. He landed between them, scowling.

"Bring it to me!" Summer shouted. Qrow glanced at Raven and Taiyang; they nodded at him, starting to run toward the tree line. Qrow sprinted, his scythe collapsing, his shotgun forming, firing behind him as he ran, Raven grunting as she launched Dust blades from her hilt, bark and blood shooting out from the Gigas as it lumbered after them.

Summer stood up, taking several steps back before rushing forward, leaping, firing several shots, launching herself at the Gigas with a scream. She swung her arm, stabbing her rifle into the Gigas, dangling above its face. The Gigas stumbled back, groaning. Taiyang darted forward, slashing and hacking into its legs. Qrow fired at its arms with his shotgun, Raven darting past him, ice encrusting her blade as she joined Tai in attacking its legs. Summer's cape flapped violently, a sneer on her face as her rifle disconnected from its bayonet, grabbing the bayonet's handle as the rifle reformed into a sword. She jabbed forward, the Gigas screaming as Summer's sword stabbed through it's face, black blood spraying out, painting Summer's face in blood.

The Gigas' body went limp, falling to its knees, Tai and Raven scattering. Summer yanked her sword and bayonet free, backflipping off, landing as the Gigas came crashing to the ground.

Summer sighed, the bayonet forming her swords sheath. She sheathed and holstered her weapon against her back, smiling at Raven and Tai as they joined her. Qrow cocked an eyebrow, collapsing his scythe and holstering it as he went over to her.

"I think we should head for the hill the Headmaster told us about," she said. They nodded, Raven smiling slightly as she looked at Summer.

Summer walked forward, her cape fluttering as she led the way.

---

Summer smiled, clapping as the new team left the stage. The Great Hall was packed, the petals drifting peacefully in the air. The screens behind Ozpin changed, her picture and three other's taking up the screen.

"Xiao Long Taiyang, Raven Branwen, Qrow Branwen, Summer Rose. Please step forward." Summer rose from her seat, giddy, smiling as she descended. She saw Qrow, Raven and Tai join her side as she stepped onto the stage, resting her hands behind her back as she stood in front of Ozpin. Ozpin smiled at them. "The four of you recovered the Golden Knights, from this day forward you will work together as Team STRQ. Led by Summer Rose."

Summer's smile grew, politely shaking Ozpin's hand when he held it in front of her. Team leader, holy cow. Ozpin ended the handshake, going to Qrow, then to Raven. Ozpin grimaced as he shook Tai's hand, Tai shaking his entire arm. Summer giggled, the audience bursting out in laughter as Ozpin massaged his hand once free of Tai's grip.

She led her team back into the stands, waving bye to them as she returned to her seat. The laughter quieted down as Ozpin cleared his throat. The screen changed again, four new pictures taking the screen.

"And now for the last team for the evening. Roman Torchwick. Eon Politan. Dahlia Khatri. Dandelion Lusus. Please step forward." Summer cheered, shouting Dahlia's name as she took the stage, a man with bright orange hair leading the way.

"The four of you managed to recover the Bronze Pawn. From this day forward you will work together as Team REDD. Led by Roman Torchwick." Roman held out his hand, Ozpin politely shaking it before moving to shake Eon's hand. Eon embraced Roman, making him gasp in surprise. Summer smiled, the crowd 'awwwing' as Ozpin shook Dahlia and Dandelion's hand.

Dahlia and her team left the stage, Ozpin adjusting his glasses. The pictures on the screens faded, replaced with the spinning emblem of Beacon.

"I am proud to welcome all of you to Beacon; I can tell that you will be making it an interesting year. You will be assigned to your quarters and can unpack and celebrate. Stay safe and be prepared for your classes come morning. Goodnight, future Hunters." The lights on the stage faded out, the screens darkening. The other students began to stand up, Summer doing the same. She followed the crowd to the door, hanging by the door. She smiled at Qrow and Raven when they arrived, Tai showing up a moment later.

"First order as team leader, let's have fun unpacking!" Summer said.

"Heck yeah!" Tai shouted, throwing a fist into the air. Raven and Qrow said nothing, Raven's cheeks a tinge red as she looked at Summer.

Part ii

Tai shifted his duffle bag as Summer unlocked the door to their dorm. The door swung open, Summer entering and flicking on the lights.

The room was decently sized, a bathroom on one end, a closet on the other. Bunk beds with red comforters were against the back wall, an empty bookshelf and window between the beds. Desks where pressed up against the walls, one next to the bathroom door, one next to the closet, and one on either side of the entrance.

He heard Qrow and Raven enter after him, eying the beds, looking around the room. Summer stood in the middle of the room, turning to look back at them. She cocked her head to the side, smiling, her white headphones around her neck.

"Which beds do you want?" she asked.

"I like to be bottom," Raven blurted out.

Qrow burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. Tai rubbed the back of his head, looking away as the color drained from Raven's face. Summer blinked, confusion in her eyes.

"I guess I'll take the top bunk then," she said. Qrow's laughter grew, Raven burying her face in her hands. Tai cleared his throat, Qrow and Summer looking over at him.

"So uh, Summer, what music do you listen to? I saw you back on the airship, and you were listening to something." Raven lifted her head from her hands, Summer putting a finger to her lips.

"Hm. I get headaches a lot, so I listen to really relaxing music. Like this." She pulled her scroll from her pocket, unplugging the headphones, and pressing play.

Odd, melancholy music began to play; gentle guitars, soft drums, and an instrument Tai couldn't place. The singer's voice was delicate, somber.

"The world is neither fair nor unfair. The idea is just a way for us to understand. But the world is neither fair nor unfair. So one survives, the others die, and you always want a reason why."

Summer paused the music, pocketing her scroll again. Tai's lip parted, watching Summer.

"Kinda…dark, doncha think?" he asked. Summer shrugged, playing with the hem of her dress. The bags under her eyes looked heavy.

"I mean, I don't think so." She said. "Remnant is harsh. We have the Grimm. Raider clans out in the wilderness," Tai saw Raven look away, "And… and just bad people inside the Cities. Thing's just happen, and we don't really have any control over anything. But," she let go of her dress, looking up with a smile. "We're here to help people understand the world. That's what the Hunters are, right? We're everyone's 'reason why', yeah?"

Tai didn't answer, crossing his arms. Summer looked over at Raven and Qrow. She frowned.

"Where are your things?" she asked. Qrow shrugged.

"We grew up outside of the Kingdoms. Our weapons, and what we're wearing are all we've got," he said. Summer gasped, placing her hands on her cheeks.

"Really?" she asked. They nodded. Summer shook her head, her hands lowering.

"That won't do." She nodded, giving them a smile. "Second order as team leader, first chance we get, I'm taking you two out to get new clothes, and whatever else you need." Summer looked over at him. "And Tai will help too!" Tai looked between her and the twins.

"I am?" he said. Summer's smile didn't falter.

"You will!" she said.

Raven grunted, shrugging. She turned away from them, setting her odachi on one of the tables.

"If we're done, I would like to get some rest." She said. Summer rubbed the back of her head, laughing nervously. Tai watched her head to the bathroom, the door swinging shut. The door swung back open, Raven's face blank. "How does that thing work," she asked.

---

Raven turned, resting on her back, looking up at Summer's bunk. The room was quiet, moonlight filtering in. Her hair hung limp around her, damp, and floral smelling, Summer having lent her her 'shampoo' after showing how to use the 'shower'. She groaned, resting her hands over her face, rubbing her palms against her eyes.

No one in the tribe had ever caught her attention. Why was this girl she just met doing this to her? Summer was weak, she had to be, she was a goody two shoes, had to go and help that weakling in the food hall. Summer wouldn't be able to survive being a Hunter, with her bright, pretty eyes, her lips, her clear skin, her-

Raven groaned again, her arms flopping down.

It just had to be physical. That was it. No need to get so worked up over a girl she would have to… have to

Remember why you're here

Raven frowned. She turned, and tugged the sheets up to her chin. She needed rest, she had to stop thinking about her. She closed her eyes.

Summer's warm smile filled her dreams.

---

Tai drummed his pencil against his notebook, half listening to Professor Port. He looked aside, watching Raven and the rest of his team. Raven was looking at Summer, a faint smile on her lips, her chin resting in her hand. Summer and Qrow were sitting together, Summer glancing up from her notebook to Professor Port and back to her notes as she furiously tried to keep pace. Qrow was watching Port with half lidded eyes, raising his hand to stifle a yawn. Tai raised an eyebrow; Summer was glancing at Qrow in between looking at her notes and the professor.

Summer's pen stopped, a blush forming as Qrow leaned back, resting his arms behind his head, his toned muscles outlined by his shirt. Tai glanced at Raven, noting the sour look she was giving her brother.

"Ms. Rose!"

Summer let out a noise in surprise, looking over at the Professor. His bushy eyebrows were raised, his hands on his hips.

"Did you not hear the question?" he asked.

"N-no, I heard it. The answer is…um…" Sumer glanced over at them, her eyes begging for help.

Qrow stretched his arms again, yaw- Tai squinted as Qrow mouthed something. Summer smiled.

"The Hydnora Grimm are thought to be a myth. They're extremely tall, with a completely smooth face, and an oddly human like body. They're thought to communicate in clicks and growls, and that when angered or hungry, the smooth face will" she threw up air quotes "'split apart', revealing its mouth."

"Excellent job, Ms. Rose! I hope to someday do battle with such a beast. Many Grimm resembles animals, or creatures of myth, but to face a humanoid Grimm in single combat?" Port shuddered. "A true battle for the ages. Now then-!"

Tai tuned him out, glancing back at Summer and Qrow. Qrow winked at her as he got situated in his chair, the blush returning to Summer's cheek. She offered a tentative smile before looking at Port, going back to taking notes.

Raven frowned and looked away, crossing her arms. Tai slid his notebook into the space between the two of them. Raven looked at the book and then to him, cocking an eyebrow. He waggled his eyebrows seductively; Raven rolled her eyes, moving the book back over to him.

---

Ozpin interlocked his fingers, Qrow standing in front of his desk, an annoyed look on his face.

"You wanted me?" Ozpin nodded, motioning to the chair in front of his desk.

"I did." He said. Qrow took the seat, leaning his arm behind him. "I like to learn a bit about students who catch my attention." Qrow cocked an eyebrow. "Young Ms. Rose is another person of interest, but I felt like talking to you first. I considered your sister but you seem more approachable." Qrow chuckled. Ozpin rested his hands on his desk. "Why did you come to my school, Qrow Branwen?"

Qrow scowled, narrowing his eyes, his body growing tense. Ozpin held up a hand.

"I welcome all walks of life at my school, Qrow. I've been around for a long time, and your Clan has made a name for themselves." Qrow said nothing, continuing to scowl at him. "I just want to know, why you and your sister are here. Ebony Branwen is getting older, I don't see why she would send the future of her Clan away unless it was for a special purpose."

"We were sent to learn how to kill." Qrow smirked. "Hunter of Hunters, is what she called it."

"I see." Ozpin said.

"So what, you gonna kick me and my sister out now?" Qrow asked. Ozpin shook his head.

"I don't have any control over what my students do with the skills that they learn here. But," he leaned back in his chair "I do hope that you will put your skills to a better cause by the time you graduate."

Qrow grunted, looking away.

"How is Ebony? I've heard the stories of her; the Black Bird of Anima." Qrow scratched his chin, at the scruff growing. He wouldn't meet his gaze.

"She's alright," Qrow said.

"Was it hard growing up out there?" Qrow scratched again, still not looking at him.

"Weakness was punished, as it should be."

"I see." Ozpin held up a hand. "No father I take it?" Qrow looked at him. He shook his head. "What happened?"

"Died in a clan war. Sky burial; all Raiders return to the Feathered One one way or another."

"It's not the same pain, but I used to be a father. Four daughters." Qrow cocked his head to the side.

"What happened?"

The flames licking his home, the feel of the ground as he fell to his knees, the screams in his ears, the tears sliding down.

The five piked heads staring back at him.

Ozpin shook his head, looking down at his desk before looking at Qrow.

"They were murdered, along with their mother. My wife she was… she wasn't human." Qrow's eyes softened.

"Sorry to hear that." He said.

Ozpin shifted in his seat, removing his glasses to rub at his eyes, feeling his hand dampen, before resetting his glasses.

"I would very much prefer if you and your sister used the skills we will teach you for the betterment of Remnant, but I can't control you, it's your choice in the end. And if you need someone to talk to," Ozpin smiled. "My office is always open." Qrow said nothing, looking at the floor, his eyes flickered up to meet his for a moment before he sighed and stood up, turning and leaving.

"I'll keep that in mind, Oz." he said.

---

It was quiet in the library, afternoon sunlight filtering through the windows, a golden orange. Raven flipped through the pages of the book in front of her, frowning as she tried to read it; so many of the words hard for her to understand. She sighed, resting her head on the table.

"Why are we reading?" Raven asked. She felt Summer pat her head, her fingers running through her mane of hair.

"Did you not learn how to?" Summer asked. Raven shook her head, lifting her head up. Summer withdrew her hand.

"I learned how to read, my mother taught me, it's just… so many of these words are so big and I don't know what they mean." She closed the book, frowning. "And I don't see the point in this; I'm here to learn how to kill." She looked over as Summer played with her hands, looking down at the table.

"I mean, that's going to be the main part of our job, yeah, but." Summer shrugged. "There's more to life than just that." She traced a finger over her book. "The Hunters are known throughout for their skills in battle and killing Grimm and being the strongest mercenaries, but… why do we focus so much on the death and destruction?" She flipped a page, her finger trailing over the painted image of Hei-bai the Hunter-Scholar. "I think they want us learning how to read these types of things, because there's more to being a Hunter then just that. That we can teach others, we can lead them." She smiled at her. "We can be their heroes."

Raven grunted.

"It doesn't make this reading any less boring," she said. Summer laughed. Raven opened the book back up, resting her head in her hand, struggling to read it.

"Does your brother like to read?" Summer asked.

"No. Grew up same as me."

"Oh." Raven looked over at her, her lips parting at the blush on Summer's cheeks.

"Do you fancy him?" Raven asked. Summer didn't answer, playing with a stray bang, wrapping it around her finger. Raven's stomach dropped. Summer looked away from the hair she was playing with, looking at the book in front of Raven.

"Want me to help?" she asked. Raven nodded, feeling her body grow numb. Summer scooted close, Raven inhaling her scent; the scent they shared, shared through the soap and shampoo. She listened to Summer talk, her voice a beautiful droning in her ears.

She looked down at the book as Summer pointed at Hei-bai. The black in his monochromatic robes stood out to her, Summer's white sleeves brushing against the pages.

---

Summer hummed as she walked down the sidewalk, shopping bags in hand. Qrow and Raven walked on either side of her, Tai trailing behind them; she could hear him grunting as he struggled to carry all of the clothes Qrow and Raven had picked out.

"I think you're going to look good in pants, Qrow!" she said. Qrow looked at the skirt he wore and then at her, shrugging.

"Might take some getting used to." He said. Summer stepped around a group of people on the sidewalk, the petals falling around them. She looked back as she heard Tai grunt again; he was struggling to make it through the crowd of people.

"Would it have killed you two to pick less clothes?" he said. "Seriously, I'm not made of money, do I look like a Schnee to you guys?" Summer giggled.

"I'm covering their scrolls, you're covering their clothes, that's what we agreed on." Tai sighed, his head falling.

"Fine, fine."

They continued on, the scroll store should just be up ahe-

Summer gasped, pain shooting through her head, the bags falling from her hands. The petals formed a trail, cutting down an alley.

She bolted, ignoring the surprised shouts of her team mates. She sprinted down the alley, taking turn after turn, following after the petals, her headache growing with each step. She grit her teeth; have to help, got to save them.

The buildings began to grow shabbier, dingier, garbage littering the streets; the world around her seeming to grow darker and darker, the sun blocked out by the buildings. Dread gnawed at her as she made her way through the alleys, toward the place she hadn't been to in four years.

---

She yelped, feeling him slam her against the wall, his hands around her throat. Ivory clawed at his hands, struggling to breath, her eye stinging. He glowered at her, tightening his grip.

"I told you, cunt, I-" He stopped, looking over at the door.

She fell to the floor, her world spinning, hearing the front door get kicked in. She heard him shout something, grunting, hearing the table break apart. She looked up, seeing a white hooded figure struggling against him, their legs on his arms, their fists pounding into his face. He grabbed the figures arms, hurling them off of him, and staggered to his feet.

Ivory shrunk back, pinning herself against the wall, watching the figure get up, scowling, raising their fists. Her vision blurred, the figure's face cast in shadows from their hood. He charged, the figure dodging, slamming their fists into his back. He turned, swinging at them, the white cloak fluttering as they ducked around his hooks. The figure stepped back, grabbing one of his bottles from the floor, smashing it into his face, the glass shattering.

Ivory covered her ears as he screamed, squeezing her eyes shut, his strained grunts and the figures voice as they yelled still cutting through. She heard thuds, and the slamming of a door.

She lowered her hands, opening her eyes.

The figure was crouched next to her, their silver eyes glowing, peering from the darkness their hood cast.

"S-Summer?" Ivory stammered out. Summer held out her hand, Ivory took it, feeling unsteady. Summer pulled her up, letting go and stepping back as she steadied herself.

"Who was he, Auntie?" Summer looked over at the ruined door. "Another client? One night stand? What?" Ivory played with her hands, looking down, her black and red hair falling on her face.

"He…he was my boyfriend." She looked up as Summer shifted; she was staring at her in shock, her silver eyes wide. "After you left, I… I got lonely. I needed someone here." Summer's face hardened. "I don't like being alone, you know that Summer."

Summer didn't say anything.

"He's a good man, he… he didn't mind my…my"

Addiction

Craving

Forcing the memories down

Burying the sight of the blood stained room

Burying it all with the carnal pleasure

Ivory shook her head, clearing the images from her mind, looking at her niece. Summer exhaled, closing her eyes. She stepped toward her, clasping her shoulders, opening her eyes.

"You need help, Auntie," she said.

Ivory looked at the ground. Summer tightened her grip.

"You know I'm right. You know he's not good for you." Summer pulled her into a hug. "You can't keep doing that, Auntie. What if your next partner is worse? What if I'm not around to sense you're in danger, what then?"

"You could stay with me," Ivory said. She looked up. "Do you really need to be a Hunter to help people? You could stay and help me; it can be like when you were younger." Summer shook her head.

"Auntie…" she ended the hug, looking over at the door. At the splinters around the door knob, the broken hinges. She sighed, fishing out her wallet, pulling out several stacks of lien. "I want you to go to a motel, somewhere far away from here, please." Summer stuffed the money into her hands. "There should be enough for you to find a new apartment, I want you out of this place." Ivory closed her hand, the lien cards digging in. "Promise me, Auntie."

Ivory nodded, Summer sighing in relief. Summer turned to leave, Ivory grabbed her hand as she turned. Summer looked back at her. Ivory chewed on her lip.

"Can you stay for a little bit? Please? I haven't seen you in so long." Summer said nothing, gently pulling her hand free. She shook her head.

"I… I'm out on a mission right now, Auntie." She went over to the kitchen counter, picking up her scroll, pulling out her own. She typed something into it, holding it up, looking at her. "I added my number. If you ever need me, give me a call." Summer said.

Ivory nodded, clutching the money against her chest. Summer turned away from her again, opening the door, and gently closing it as she left.

---

Raven paced back and forth on the street, Tai sighing as he lowered his scroll for the third time, Qrow leaning against the alley, his arms crossed. She stopped, looking down the alley at the sound of footsteps. She smiled, Summer holding up her hand, smiling bashfully as she came up.

"You alright?" Tai asked. Summer nodded, resting her hands behind her back.

"Yeah, just had to help a person. But, uh," she pulled out her wallet, giving Tai an apologetic smile. Raven snickered as the color drained from Tai's face; Summer' wallet was empty, the thousands of lien she had missing. "I kinda had to donate all my money while I was gone. So, uh, you're going to cover their scroll too, right Tai?"

Qrow joined her in her laughter as Tai groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose, Summer rubbing the back of her head, smiling sheepishly.

---

Qrow looked up from his desk; Summer stood behind him, her hands behind her back, a shy smile on her face.

"Need something?" he asked. Summer nodded, a blush beginning to form.

"I wanted to know if you would want to go and spar." Her shy smile grew a tiny bit. "Just you and me."

Qrow closed the book, offering a smile.

"Yeah, sure thing." He stood up, grabbing his scythe and holstering it. He went to the door, opening it, looking back at Tai and Raven, noting the sour look Raven was giving him. Summer followed him, giddy.

"We'll be back!" she called over her shoulder, stepping into the hallway.

He chuckled, following her as she led him out of the dorms, listening to her hum as she power walked.

It was humid out, Qrow glanced up at the darkening skies; a spring thunderstorm was coming. He looked back at Summer, wind beginning to kick up.

"Think this is a good time for this?" he asked. Summer looked back at him, flashing a grin.

"I like the rain; don't worry about me," she said. He shrugged, following her as she took a turn, heading into the gardens and forests around the school plaza.

The rain began to drizzle down, his clothes growing damp; water dripped from the leaves of the trees, down the stems of the flowers and bushes. Summer pulled her hood up, her cloak fluttering behind her as she made her way through the forest. She pushed aside a set of bushes, motioning for Qrow to go through, a smile on her face.

He went through the bushes, his eyebrows raising. A field of white flowers stood before him. The trees encircled them, the skies gray as the rain fell. He looked back as Summer entered the field of flowers. She smiled, and drew her sword, resting the tip of it on the ground.

"You ready?" she asked. Qrow smirked, drawing his scythe.

"Bring it," he said.

Summer charged, water spraying as she swung her sword. Qrow brought his weapon up, catching the blow, smiling at her. She was smiling back, pulling her sword free before jabbing at his chest. He spun aside, his scythe extending as he spun. He beckoned to her with his hands, taking a stance.

Summer laughed, drawing the sheath off of her sword, a confidant glint in her eyes as her bayonet formed. She charged again, swinging at him with each blade, Qrow ducking, dodging around each of her swings.

He gasped, letting out a cry as he slipped in the wet flowers, tumbling to the ground. He rolled aside as Summer slammed her blades down where he had been. He sprang to his feet, spinning his scythe, catching Summer's blades as she jabbed and slashed at him. He shoved forward, Summer stumbling back, and swung his scythe behind him, firing a shot and launching himself forward, twirling in the air, his scythe spinning.

Summer grunted, his blade slashing against her, ripping a part of her cloak as she dodged. He landed on his feet, twisting around, slamming his scythe down, dirt and flowers flying into the air. Summer leapt back, and dashed toward him, swinging her blades. He threw up his scythe, sparks leaping as their weapons collided. They struggled, shoving each other forward, neither making ground. She was still smiling at him, he felt his own smile return as he looked at her.

He yanked his weapon back, stepping away, Summer righting herself. She took a stance, water running down the front of her hood as the rain fell harder. His scythe was slick in his grip as he tightened his grip.

Summer charged, leaping into the air, swinging her blades down.

Her torso was exposed.

Qrow didn't swing, yelping as Summer slammed into him, knocking Harbinger from his grip, hurling him into the wet flowers. She stood over him, a confidant smirk as she rested the tip of her sword at his chest.

"I win," she said.

Qrow laughed, knocking the tip of the blade aside.

"Yeah, yeah." He said. Summer sheathed her weapon, holstering it behind her. She held out her hand, Qrow took it. Summer tried to pull him up, crying out as her foot slid in the wet grass, falling on top of him.

She looked up at him, her cheeks burning red, her silver eyes so close, so beautiful.

"Want to get up?" Qrow whispered. Summer shook her head, situating herself against him, her body resting on top of his.

"Not really," she whispered back. She slid her hands down his arms, her hands finding his. He closed his hands around hers, squeezing gently.

"I don't think you should do this."

"I want to."

Her voice was breathy, quiet.

"Why me?"

She smiled; a warm, nurturing sight.

"You were lonely growing up, right?" she asked. He grimaced slightly, but nodded. She closed her eyes. "I was too. I didn't have anyone, no siblings, my guardian didn't really look after me." She opened her eyes. "I know you haven't really told us what you and Raven's childhood was like but… I just get the same feeling from you. You know what it's like to be alone. To be an outcast." Summer squeezed his hands. "When I got my semblance, everyone avoided me, they thought I was gonna snap and start doing cpr on them or something. I got used to being alone, alone with my music." She looked at him; silver meeting maroon. "What's your semblance, Qrow? Am I right?"

Qrow's lip trembled. He took a breath, nodding. The rain was falling on them, water drenching them.

"I bring misfortune to myself and everyone around me." He said. He gave her hands a hard squeeze. "I don't think you should do this," he repeated. Summer smiled, shaking her head.

"I've never had the best of luck." She leaned down laying against him, her forehead resting against his, his vision filled with the silver of her eyes, the pink of her lips, the red of her cheeks. She bit her lip. "Do you want to be my bad luck charm?" she whispered.

"Yes." He whispered back.

He closed his eyes, feeling her lips press against his, the rain drenching them both as they lay in the field of flowers.

---

Tai watched her pace, his scroll resting in his lap. The rain pitter pattered against the window.

"What's taking them so long." Raven said. Tai shrugged.

"Summer said they would be back later, " He held up a hand. "They'll be back, no need to worry about them." Raven shot him a look, crossing her arms. He sighed, grabbing his scroll and holding it up. "If you want to kill time, we could watch something. Together." Raven frowned. He offered her a smile. "I'm sure it'll help the time pass by faster. And besides, I'm not that bad." Raven sighed, uncrossing her arms. She went over to his bed, sitting down next to him.

"Alright. What did you want to watch."

"What kind of movies do you like?" Tai asked. Raven gave him a look, tilting her head. "Ah. Right. Forgot." He started swiping through the films on his scroll, humming slightly. He never noticed how many martial arts films he had. Raven wouldn't like that, would she? He pursed his lips, continuing to scroll through his films. He stopped, Raven pointing at one of the films.

"That one. Let's watch that." He gave her a look before shrugging and tapping on it. It was an old movie, not very good, and he'd been meaning to delete it to make space for others. But hey if that's what she wanted, that's what she'll get.

Raven sat next to him, watching the film intently. She smelled of sweat, and smoke; his eyes ran down her figure, her body toned, hard. Raven didn't look away from the screen as she said

"Watch this, not me."

He blushed, his eyes going back to the screen. He looked up as the door rattled, hearing laughter from outside their room.

The door swung open, Summer and Qrow walking in, laughing. They were soaked, dripping water as they entered. Raven got to her feet, Tai sighing as he set the film aside; knew it wouldn't last long.

"Why did you two stay out so late?" she asked. Summer stifled her giggles, Qrow's laughter dying down as well.

"We kinda lost track of time. Sorry if we worried you two." She said. Summer looked up at Qrow. "Do you want to shower first?" He shook his head, motioning toward the bathroom door with his hand. She smiled at him before heading to the door. Raven watched her enter before looking at her brother.

"Why did you let her get soaked?" Qrow smirked.

"I guess it's because… I'm her bad luck." Raven's lips parted before she frowned. She turned, storming over to her bed, and slipping under the covers.

Tai smiled.

---

Ozpin adjusted his glasses, looking at the team before him. STRQ's faces were stern, Taiyang resting his hands behind him.

"I usually keep these sorts of missions for actual Hunters and not second years, but Vale is shorthanded on available Hunters." He leaned back in his chair. "A settlement outside of Vale City is under attack by Grimm. It was initially only a straw Beowolf or Ursa here or there but the attacks have been growing in intensity, and frequency. We need you to go to this town, and exterminate the Grimm present."

Summer nodded, her cloak shifting as she held up a hand.

"How soon do you want us to leave?" she asked.

"Now would be the best time; we don't want to leave those people hanging." Summer nodded again, lowering her hand.

"Come on team, let's head out." Summer said. She turned, Qrow, Raven, and Taiyang following after her as she led them out of his office.

---

Tai grasped his hand, Dragon's Fire cold and heavy on his palms. He felt his hand trembling, he squeezed, forcing it to stop. He exhaled, closing his eyes, hearing Raven pacing through the airship.

His stomach lurched, the ship jolting down. He opened his eyes, standing up, looking at the door to the cockpit.

"LZ is hot, we've got Grimm." The voice filled the cabin.

Tai grimaced, looking at his team. Summer had her eyes closed, grimacing, taking deep, slow breaths. Raven had stopped pacing, her hand on the hilt of her odachi. The ship lurched again, his stomach flipping. The side door opened, wind ripping around them, buffeting his clothes.

Smoke filled the air, the various buildings of the village burning, screams and roars drifting into the cabin.

"We can't land, gonna have to form your own landing strategy. Good luck, Brothers be with you."

Summer ran to the opened doors, her cloak flapping as she leapt from the ship.

---

She landed with a grunt, hearing her team land behind her. She grimaced, her head feeling like it was going to split apart as the petals stormed around her. She drew her sword, running toward the closest wolf.

The beowolf looked up at her, snarling, turning away from the old woman it had cornered. It charged her, leaping forward with a growl. Summer swung, her zweihander cleaving it in two, its blood flying in the air, its separated halves landing behind her. She looked back at her team, her expression hard.

"Help everyone. Kill any Grimm in your way." They nodded, rushing off, their weapons drawn. Summer grimaced, a sharp pain shooting through her head. She turned, rushing after the next trail of petals. She ripped her sheath off her sword, feeling the blade transform in her hand, her sheath forming a bayonet. She raised her rifle, sliding the bayonet in, and hefted it up, peering down the scope.

She fired, a Creep chasing after a family exploding into a black paste, the head of the beowolf aside it disintegrating. She turned, rushing after a new path, down an alley, snatching her bayonet free, her sword reforming, a blade in each hand.

Summer snarled, dashing out of the alley, leaping at an Ursa Major, stabbing her blades into it's armored back. The Ursa roared, rearing up. Summer yanked her bayonet free, her sword embedded in its body, and stabbed it into the side of its head. She yanked it free, smoke rising from the bear's corpse. She slid off its back, yanking her sword free as its body collapsed.

"Are you okay?" she asked the family in front of her. They nodded, their eyes wide, a wet stain and puddle beneath their child. She smiled. "Don't worry. The Hunters are here now; we're here to help you."

She dashed off, another sharp pain in her head, the paths leading to the town center. She gnashed her teeth together, hearing a Nevermore shriek as it flew overhead, heading for the same part of the village.

She rounded a corner, sliding to a stop, her breath hitching, her eyes shooting wide.

Corpses littered the center, the buildings burning, Grimm rampaging, surviving villagers screaming, fleeing. Qrow was cornered by a pack of wolves, his aura crackling. He snarled, spinning his scythe, firing a blast, ripping through two wolves, the shotgun blast blowing apart the body of a third. A wolf lunged, pinning him against the wall of a burning building, Harbinger ripping from his hands. He yelled, his aura shattering, grabbing a hold of the wolf's claws, staring at its gaping maw.

Summer staggered forward, her head throbbing, aching, worse than any of her other migraines; white and silver spots filling her vision.

---

Qrow scrambled away, the wolf releasing him, lifting its head, looking back. Qrow's eyes widened, his jaw dropping.

Summer's teeth were gnashed together, her chest heaving, a guttural growl rumbling from her throat. Silver light flooded her eyes; Summer swung her head back, screaming, silver flames spewing from her eyes, a silver glow radiating from her body. Summer swung her head back down, the fires sputtering, the silver eyes cold and uncaring. The Grimm began to back away, low growls coming from them.

Summer smiled.

She shot forward, a silver blur, the wolf near Qrow screaming, shrieking, black blood splashing onto Qrow as the wolf was ripped in half by Summer's blade. He stared, his mouth agape, unable to turn away. Summer spun, launching herself at the fleeing Grimm, a laugh ripping from her lips as she swung Midnight Thorn.

A wolf howled as Summer cleaved it in two, dashing from it to a Creep, her sword ripping it apart. She ducked under a pair of wolves leaping at her, her smirk growing; she spun, her sheath and sword tearing through the wolves, their entrails spilling out, their blood spraying onto her. She rose up, sprinting after an Ursa, hurling her bayonet, the Ursa roaring as it embedded itself in its back. Sumer leapt, landing on the sheath, burying it into the Ursa's spine, backflipping off, her rifle forming, smiling as she fired, several Grimm slumping to the ground as their heads were blown apart. She landed, ducking under a swing, laughing as she danced around the wolf's claws, leading it back. She ducked low under a swing, grabbing her bayonet, yanking it free and stabbing it into the wolf's arm, the wolf yelping before she ripped the sheath free, spinning with her swing, the wolf's head going flying.

Summer dodged an Ursa's swing, her silver eyes flashing, the flames rising as she looked the bear in its eyes. The Ursa whimpered, bursting aflame, dark ashes falling where it once stood. She dodged a Creep, her bayonet shooting forward, slicing its belly open as it leapt by. There was a screech, Summer's smile growing. A Nevermore swooped down; Summer spun, her sword slicing through its talons, the Nevermore screaming, Midnight Thorn transforming. Summer swung her rifle up, her arm kicking back, a clap of thunder hitting Qrow's ears, the Nevermore's screams cutting off, its brains flying into the air.

The Nevermore fell, Summer standing in the center of the Grimm corpses, black smoke billowing from them, her white clothes drenched in their blood, silver fire burning from her eyes. The Nevermore crashed, the ground shaking, its dark wings behind Summer. Summer's smile fell, the fire dying, the wings crumbling to the ground. The silver glow faded, the fires dissipating.

Summer swayed, her eyes closing as she fell to the ground with a groan, her sword clattering next to her.

Part iii

Ozpin shifted in his seat, his hands clasped before him on his desk. STRQ looked back at him, Summer hanging behind Qrow, her hood pulled up. Raven scowled.

"You seriously expect us to believe that?" she said.

"I do," Ozpin responded. Raven slammed her hands onto his desk.

"It sounds like a load of shite to me!"

"It's hard to accept, I know. But it's all true." Raven chortled, her hand going to her odachi.

"So if I killed you right now, you'd just come back?"

"I would, though, not right away, and not in this form."

"Raven." Raven's face softened, looking back at Summer, letting go of her sword. Summer stepped around Qrow, rubbing the double cross she wore.

"Headmaster… this is all very hard to take in. These Maidens, the Grimm, Salem…" she looked up at him. "You said that you saw God when you and these four warriors entered the Domain… what god was it? Was it the Brothers? Dust? Mother Devi? The Feathered One?"

Ozpin leaned back in his chair, resting his hands on his desk, looking away from them.

We are -, and you… are but cosmic dust.

"I can't say. I couldn't comprehend what I was seeing. None of us could, when God gifted us our abilities." He looked at Summer, her silver eyes glowing in the twilight of his office.

For thine sins, this shall be your punishment.

"As a form of thanks before leaving Remnant, God gifted the Four Warriors, and their bloodlines a special power. This power was stored in their eyes, having changed color as a side effect of entering the Domain. The Four Warriors; Lotus, Camomile, Amaryllis, Rose, were all given the ability to slay Grimm in a supernatural fashion. When triggered by strong emotional stress, they would enter a state that would enhance their reflexes, their strength, and speed, and allow them to vaporize, petrify, or immolate Grimm by making eye contact with it. Although the Trucii were gone as a result of God's purge, the Grimm remained, and so did Salem. These Silver Eyed Warriors were to protect mankind from these lingering threats." He shifted. "These powers came at a cost, however. It's difficult to control this power, and due to the nature of it unlocking, it's not uncommon for Silver Eyed Warriors to lose themselves in their emotions; their hate, their guilt, their anger."

Until you have learned the meaning of suffering, and humility, you will not be able to escape this cycle.

"I was given the task of watching humanity's course; to watch over it and protect it from Salem, the Grimm, and to ensure the safety of the Relics. That is why God gave me the ability to reincarnate."

"I…I see," Summer said. She continued to rub her necklace. Raven crossed her arms.

"Did you send us there on purpose?" she motioned with her head toward Summer. "You said her powers would unlock due to emotional distress," Raven narrowed her eyes. "Did you want one of us to get hurt? For Summer to freak out and go berserk like that?"

Ozpin shifted, all of their eyes on him.

"I… was prepared for that scenario, yes." Taiyang stared at him in disbelief. "But, I did not pick your team just for that reason. You're the best team we have available at Beacon at the moment. Without any professional Hunters, you were naturally my best option to turn to. It was ultimately your choice, as well. You could have refused the mission, and I would have gone to a different team for help."

Raven and Taiyang were glaring at him; Summer and Qrow glanced at each other before looking back at him.

"So… what do we do now? You must have told us all of this for a reason." Summer said. Ozpin nodded.

"I did." His gaze flickered to Taiyang and Raven for a moment before looking back at Summer and Qrow. "When your team has graduated, I would like for you to join my cause. Professor Goodwitch is also a part of it, along with the Headmaster's of the other Academies."

"What would we be doing?" Qrow asked.

"Spying, eliminating Salem's agents, fighting Grimm." Ozpin held up a hand. "It will be your choice, and you still have two years before graduation. But if you do decide to join, your abilities will greatly help us."

Raven and Taiyang looked over at Summer and Qrow. Summer and Qrow looked at them. Summer stopped rubbing her necklace, clasping it in her hands. She turned, leading her team out of his office.

"We'll think about it," she said as they left.

---

Tai gripped his hand, feeling it tremble in his grip. He followed after his team as Summer opened the door to their dorm, going to his bunk and sitting down. He tightened the grip on his hand, trying to stop the trembling. His ears were ringing, his teams voices disappearing.

He looked up from his hands; Raven was swinging her arms, screaming, Qrow shouting back at her. Summer stood next to Qrow, holding his shoulder, talking, reeling back as Raven started shouting at her. Qrow frowned, moving in front of Summer, his eyes narrowing as he shouted at Raven.

Tai closed his eyes, and tightened his grip, both hands trembling.

Normal

Normal; that's all I want.

Go to school. Kill monsters. Meet a pretty girl. Live life with the woman I love protecting people from the monsters.

Normal.

He let go of his hand, gripping the bedsheets, opening his eyes.

Raven had walked away, her hands hanging by her sides, her head drooping, her mane of hair hiding her face. Her hand curled into a fist; Summer was talking to her, motioning with her hand, Qrow standing behind her, his arms crossed. Summer grabbed Raven's shoulder, spinning her around, pleading, looking into the darkness of Raven's face.

Raven sighed, her fist unclenching. Summer embraced Raven, closing her eyes as she said something. Raven's cheeks turned red, and she returned the hug.

Tai tightened his grip on the bedsheets.

Summer ended the hug, laughing sadly, smiling at Raven. She looked back at Qrow, saying something to him. Qrow nodded, resting a hand on his hip, motioning with the other as he spoke.

Don't they want to be normal?

Can't they just pretend nothing happened?

The ringing in his ears began to fade; he loosened his grip on his bedsheets.

"-it's been stressful for all of us. I think we just need to get some rest right now." Summer said.

"Yeah," Qrow said. Raven said nothing, exhaustion in her red eyes. She flopped onto her bed, rolling onto her side. Summer went to the bathroom, Qrow to the closet.

Tai sighed, laying down on his bed, staring up at the bunk above him.

Do they not care about what I think about this?

---

Ivory looked up from the cat in her lap, looking at the nightstand next to her chair; her scroll was vibrating. Her cat moved off her lap as she grabbed her scroll, swiping the screen and putting it to her ear.

"Hello?"

There was silence for a moment.

"H-hey, Auntie," Summer said. Ivory smiled. "I-I'm sorry I haven't called." Summer paused. "Did you move out like I asked you too?" she asked. Ivory nodded.

"I did."

"Did you?"

Ivory's eyes flickered to the multitude of moving boxes in the room.

"Y-yes. I didn't forget, Summer." Summer exhaled, relieved.

"Did you get help like I asked?"

She glanced at the coffee table in front of her; at the pill bottles and dildos.

"Yes. I'm seeing a therapist. They've really been helping."

"I'm glad, Auntie," Summer said. She was quiet again for a moment. "Auntie… is there anything special about our eyes?"

The feel of the door knob in her hand, the weight of the infant in her arms. The creaking of the door as it opened. The scent of metal, the fish eyed stares. The red walls.

Ivory yelped, her cat purring as it landed in her lap, kneading her with its claws.

"Auntie? You okay?"

"Y-yes, I'm fine, Desert."

"Desert?"

"I-I meant, Summer. I'm sorry." Ivory said. Summer grew silent.

"Do you remember my question? About our eyes? You said my mom had them too right? Was there anything special about them?"

The empty sockets and opened womb of her sister.

"Of course not," Ivory said. Summer sighed.

"Right." She heard something shift on Summer's end. "I've gotta go, Auntie. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"Summer-" The line went dead, Ivory's expression falling as she held her scroll in front of her, looking at Summer's picture before the screen faded to black. She set her scroll on the night stand, her cat mewing as it situated itself.

---

Raven paced, clenching and unclenching her hand. She needed to be outside for this, needed the fresh air, the sweet scents of the flowers. She stopped, looking over at the flower bushes, her heart hammering in her chest, her cheeks growing hot as Summer pushed through the yellow and white carnations.

"Summer," she said. Summer tugged her cloak free of the yellow flowers.

"Yes, Raven? Why did you call me out here? Is everything okay?"

"Yes. It's just…" Raven clenched her hand, Summer cocking her head aside.

"Just…?" Raven took a breath, holding it before exhaling. She looked into Summer's eyes, the glowing silver.

"Do you love him?" she asked. Summer's eyes widened, her cheeks turning pink.

"L-love? You mean, Qrow?"

"Aye, him." She stepped toward Summer. "I know this is wrong to ask now, that I should have said it sooner, but…" she took a breath again. "I want to know…could we ever be like that?" She closed the space between them, grasping Summer's hands, holding them between them. "Would you look at me that way?"

Summer looked away, gently pulling her hands free. Raven's stomach felt sick, anxiety eating it. Summer opened and closed her mouth several times before sighing.

"Raven, I… I'm sorry. I won't ever look at you like that. There's nothing wrong with your feelings, and I'm flattered you have an interest in me, but…" Summer smiled sadly, a knife wedging in Raven's heart. "I'm straight."

Straight.

Raven's stomach went numb; she stepped back, her vision blurring.

"I-I see," she said.

Summer winced, a hand going to her head. She forced a smile.

"I'm really, really sorry, Raven." She hesitated before taking a step toward her. Raven sniffed, her vision blurring more, feeling the tears drip down. Summer embraced her, running a hand through her hair. Raven closed her eyes, resting her head on Summer's shoulder. "I know you're in pain. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Her fingers were so soft, so gentle. "You're strong, Raven. I know it hurts right now. But it will be okay." Summer tightened the hug. "You'll be okay without me."

Raven sniffled, opening her eyes. The white and yellow carnations looked back at her, Summer's finger's trailing through her hair.

---

Summer leaned against her sword, gasping for air, silver fire pouring from her eyes. Sweat stung her eyes, the Grimm growling as it circled her.

"Think back on the feelings that unlocked this power; that broke your chains. Remember your hate for the Grimm, and use it."

Summer grunted, straightening herself out. The Grimm snarled, leaping toward her. She screamed, locking eyes with it, the flames shooting forth, the Grimm catching fire. Black ashes wafted past as she fell to her knees, sucking in air. She looked back at Ozpin. He stood next to a tree, red leaves and white petals floating past him.

Ozpin hobbled over, leaning against his cane as he walked.

"Excellent job, Summer." He offered his hand, she took it, grunting as he pulled her to her feet. "Would you like to have more aura conditioning classes? I know that these training sessions are rather taxing."

Summer nodded, slinging her sword over her back.

"Yes, Headmaster." She looked away, at the petrified Grimm, and the black ashes blowing in the wind. At the white tress, red leaves, and grass. "This power. It'll really help, right? To protect people?" She looked back at Ozpin. He nodded.

"Of course, Summer."

She smiled, wiping the sweat off her brow. Ozpin began to hobble away, motioning for her to follow him. She glanced back at the stone Grimm one last time before following after him.

---

Qrow rested his leg on his knee, leaning back in the seat. Ozpin sat across from him, the setting sun and shadows from his chair casting him in a green haze.

"Graduation is approaching soon. Does your team have a consensus about what you will do afterword's?" Ozpin asked.

"Shouldn't you ask Summer that?"

"I could, yes, but it might look like I'm trying to sway her opinion." Ozpin interlocked his fingers. "You and Summer are close, Raven is your sister, and you are, I assume, a friend to young Taiyang. You would know what they're thinking, and what I should expect." He said. Qrow scratched at his chin.

"Summer's been training with you for a long time. She wants to help people; she wants to be a hero. I think she'll say yes. Raven… Raven will go wherever Summer goes."

"And Tai?" Qrow stopped scratching, shifting, looking into the green shadows.

"I can't say," He said. "He's got the hots for my sister. Whether or not that will be enough to get him to join your fight, I don't know. He just kinda tunes out when we talk about this stuff. It's like he's not even in the room."

"I see," Ozpin said. He untangled his fingers, adjusting his glasses. "And what about you, Qrow?" he asked.

Qrow looked away from the shadows, opening and closing his hand.

"My mother raised my sister and I the way all Raiders are. That the weak are undeserving of life. That we all come from a great seraphim creature, and that when we die, it sends its messengers to pick us clean and return us to them. We kill, we steal, we survive. Simple."

"This isn't simple. Gods other than my own? Grimm people? Ancient weapons?" He chortled. "I don't know what to think about all of it," He said.

"Do you still want to return to your Clan? To kill other Hunters?"

Qrow shook his head, scratching at his chin again.

"No. I'd rather not. That life was simple, but it's not one I think I want to go back to. If I didn't see fire coming from Summer's eyes, I wouldn't have believed any of this stuff. But since it's true, all of it… I guess I can't turn my back on it."

He looked back at the shadows, Ozpin looking at him.

"I'll join your fight."

Ozpin smiled.

---

Summer smiled as she took the stage, the amphitheater clapping and cheering. Ozpin, Glynda, and the rest of the Beacon staff all stood in a line, smiling back at her. She approached Ozpin, holding out her hand. He shook it before turning to the stand next to him, grabbing a card. He turned back to Summer, holding out the card.

Summer's smile grew looking at her Hunter license. It finally happened, she was a Hunter. She would be able to help so many people now.

She looked up as Ozpin cleared his throat.

"Have you and your team given any thought to my question?" he asked. Summer looked behind her, at her team. Qrow nodded, Raven sighed before nodding her head as well. Tai wouldn't meet her gaze, shrugging as he nodded.

Summer turned back to Ozpin.

"Our answer is yes."

---

Raven crossed her arms, looking at her brother out of the corner of her eye. Ozpin sat at his desk, his cane sitting in front of him.

"You said you wanted to see us?" Qrow asked. Ozpin nodded.

"I'm very glad your team has agreed to help me. But, there is something I need to ask from you two specifically." He said.

"And that is?" Raven asked. Ozpin motioned to his cane, Raven cocked an eyebrow at him.

"I still have a small amount of magic left. I wanted to gift it to you two. To help in your tasks."

"Why us?" Raven asked. Ozpin shrugged.

"Summer already has the powers of the Silver Eyed Warriors."

"Why not Tai?" Another shrug.

"I think these powers would fit better with your more subtle methods," he said. Raven grunted, looking away.

"What did you have in mind for us?" Qrow asked. Raven looked back as she heard Ozpin get up, grabbing his cane and hobbling toward them.

"For you, Qrow, I need you to serve as an informant." He stopped in front of Qrow, leaning against his cane. "Get close to Salem, learn her plans, the plans of her inner circle, and relay them back to us so we can counter them. Do whatever it takes to keep your cover." Qrow nodded. Ozpin looked over at her.

"As for you, Raven, you will be working with your team. This ability will help you in scouting, and reconnaissance." He said. Raven uncrossed her arms.

"So, what is it? This ability?" Ozpin smiled at her.

"What's your favorite type of bird?"

---

Tai sighed, shifting in his saddle. Summer and Raven rode in front of him.

"Anything?" Tai called out. Summer looked back at him, shaking her head.

"Nothing. I don't sense anything." She called back. He flicked the reigns, catching up to them.

"We're going the right way, right? Qrow said it was a small village at the border."

Summer pulled her scroll out, pursing her lips as she looked at it.

"We're on the right path, the coordinates Qrow sent us are right." She said.

"He said we had to get their asap, shouldn't you be sensing them if they were in danger?" he said. Summer said nothing, closing her scroll. She looked over at Raven. She nodded at her, Raven nodded back.

Raven's horse whinnied as Raven transformed, cawing as she took flight. Tai pulled on his reigns, his horse coming to a stop. They waited, hours passing before Raven returned, landing on the dirt road before transforming back. She shook her hair, feathers falling from it, something in her hand.

"Anything?" Summer asked. Raven shook her head.

"We're on the right path, the village is up ahead, but…"

"But?"

Raven looked behind her, down the path.

"Something isn't right. The town is empty. But it doesn't look abandoned. I found these," she held up a pendant. Tai cocked his head; it looked like a weird eye. "In some of the homes." She lowered the pendant. "And there's a building in the villages center; it looked…like some type of church? It had that same symbol painted over the entrance." She shook her head. "It didn't look like any type of church I've seen in Vale. And the windows were all boarded up, the chimney blocked off, and the doors wouldn't budge. I couldn't get inside, but… I could hear voices inside." Raven frowned. "Praise be to the Mother. She brings us salvation."

Tai tightened the grip on his reigns, his hands beginning to shake. Raven looked at them.

"Does that mean anything to you two? I'm not familiar with the other gods of Remnant." Raven asked, her voice quiet. Summer shook her head.

"No. I've never heard of that." She looked down the road, flicking her reigns, her horse moving forward. "Come on," she said.

Raven stood for a moment before moving to her horse, getting on and following after Summer. Tai swallowed, his hands shaking as he flicked the reigns, following them.

---

Dread grew in Raven's belly as they drew closer to the village. The sun was beginning to set, the skies a dull orange; the shadows from the trees growing longer and longer. She saw the outline of the wall surrounding the village through the tree branches, a murder resting on it.

Raven yelped as her horse starting screaming, rearing up. She yanked on her reigns, gnashing her teeth, struggling to calm it. She heard Tai and Summer yell, their horses beginning to buck and scream.

Raven let go of the reigns, leaping out of the saddle, grunting as she dodged her horse's stomping hooves. Her horse bolted, sprinting past her, kicking up dust as it fled down the trail. Two other horses ran past her, joining her own in sprinting down the road.

Raven looked back; Summer was dusting herself off, Tai groaning as he lifted himself off the dirt.

"Why'd they do that?" Tai groaned. Summer held out her hand, pulling him up.

"I don't know. Are there Grimm nearby?"

Raven looked down the path, at the wall surrounding the village. The murder was gone. Raven gripped the hilt of her sword.

"It's not the Grimm," she said.

---

He gripped his hands as they walked through the village entrance. The sky was darkening, the air still, the only sound their footsteps. He moved his hand, gripping Dragon's Fire, the familiar cold steel comforting. He glanced around as they slowly walked through the village; Raven kept her hand on her odachi, Summer gripped her cross.

It was empty, not a single person in sight, not even a stray dog or cat could be seen. The buildings were lit up, the doors wide open, casting light in the darkness of the twilight. He watched the windows of the buildings, the sight of so many hanging Eyes staring back at him making his stomach twist.

"Do-" he squeezed his weapon "do you sense anybody?" he whispered. He looked over at Summer to see her shake her head. She stopped, grasping her cross with both hands, her silver eyes glowing in the darkness. Her eyes drifted over the buildings, Raven glancing back at them, her knuckles white against her sword hilt.

"There's nothing. It's… it's empty here," she whispered. Raven looked at the ground, and at the various buildings.

"I noticed it when I was here earlier as well." She motioned with her head to the ground, her hand not leaving her sword. "There aren't any signs of an attack. No blood. No claw marks. No fires." Her red eyes darted to the windows and opened doors. "No bodies. I searched the buildings, and they don't look like the people left to form a new settlement. Clothes left in drawers, food left in fridges, scrolls left on chargers." Tai swallowed, a breeze drifting by, the doors swaying with it, creaking. "We should search that church." Raven said. "It's where I heard those voices."

---

Raven swallowed, drumming her fingers against the handle of her blade. They stood before the church door, the Eye staring down at them. It was silent.

Summer rested her head against the door, narrowing her eyes. She pulled her head back after a moment.

"I don't hear anything," she whispered.

"They were in there earlier. I heard them," Raven whispered back.

"Did they leave?" Tai whispered. Raven shook her head.

"We would have noticed them."

Summer gripped her cross before putting her hand on the door, pushing it open. Raven's eyes widened as the door creaked open.

Corpses filled the church, the veins on their faces blackened, their skin paled, blood and black ichor drooling from their open mouths. Summer entered, holding her cross, looking at the bodies in growing horror. Raven followed her, her nose wrinkling as the smell hit her.

Their eyes had shriveled up and turned red, she could see the veins on their arms had darkened as well. She swallowed the bile in her throat as the floor grew slicker, her boots squishing against the blood and vomit covered floors. She stopped when she heard humming, her skin crawling, goosebumps forming.

"Have you come to take part in communion?" a voice asked. Raven blinked, looking to the front of the church, noticing a hunched figure before a small body of dark liquid. The figure chuckled, cupping the liquid and splashing it against their face, drops falling to the floor. "Our Mother is a kind one. She freely gives the Lifeblood that helped create her kind, and lets her Children drink from it, to better join her. To be more like her." Another splash, more drops falling. "But alas, not every Child can be what their Mother wants. We cannot all be holy in Her eyes, and those who fail to pass judgement are struck down, drowning in Her gift of life."

"It is a sad day indeed, for this shepherd to lose her flock. For none of them to be worthy of becoming Children. That none of them will truly get to experience a mother's love." Raven's hair stood on ends as the Figure stood, straightening up. "You are not here for communion, are you?" the Figure shook her head, clicking her tongue against her teeth. "No. No, no, no. I know why you are here." The Figure looked back. An old woman peered at them, her hood drawn around her face, her eyes red, the veins in her face black. Raven swallowed as she watched the veins fade, the eyes turning brown.

Raven's eyes widened as the pool of liquid behind the Figure rose up, inky tendrils forming behind her. Drops of blood, vomit, and ichor began to rise in the air around her.

"You are here to try and stop Mother Sable."

Part iv

Tai gripped his arms around his torso, watching Raven shove Qrow, fury in her red eyes.

"What the absolute fuck, Qrow!" she yelled. He frowned, shoving her back.

"I told you all that I could! My life is on the line in that hellscape!" he yelled. Raven snarled.

"You knew that woman could do all of that, didn't you! You nearly got us all killed!"

Tai squeezed his eyes shut, his ears ringing.

He raised his fists, Dragon's Fire's claws springing out. Mother Sable smirked, the inky black tendrils shooting past her. Tia leapt out of the way, wood and blood spraying as the tendrils smashed into the floor. He gasped, the tendril swinging, slamming into him, hurling him across the room. Stars exploded in his vision as he slammed against the wall, sliding down. He shook his head, looking up.

Summer swung Midnight Thorn, slicing the tendril in two, rushing forward, sneering. Raven leapt out of the path of another, drawing her sword, fire dancing along the blade, chasing after Summer.

Summer lunged at Mother Sable, yelling. Raven leapt forward, swinging her sword down.

Mother Sable smirked.

She dodged Raven's blade, slamming her leg into Raven, hurling her away, and spun around, ducking under Summer's lunge, moving her hands, tendrils shooting from the pool, slamming into Summer.

Tai grit his teeth, getting to his feet and charging. Mother Sable turned, the tendrils floating around her. He threw a punch, gasping as Sable blocked it, slamming a fist into his chest, twirling, and kicking the side of his head. He hit the ground, groaning, looking up. His eyes shot open, and he rolled to the side, feeling splinters and blood fly past him. He sprang to his feet; Sable was pulling her fist from the hole in the ground.

The ringing in his ears faded; Tai shook his head, looking at his teammates. Summer got between Raven and Qrow, a hand on each of their chests.

"Stop it! Please, stop fighting!" Raven smacked Summer's hand away, snarling.

"No! We should have known more about what we were fighting! Ozpin never told us it would be like that! You didn't tell us anything!"

"He told us all that he-"

"Stop coddling him just because you fuck him!" Raven screamed. Summer was taken back, her silver eyes widening in shock. She sneered at Raven,

"I'm not the bad guy in this, Raven! None of us are!"

Tai's ears started to ring, watching Summer and Qrow and Raven yell.

Mother Sable skid against the ground, sneering, sweat dripping down her wrinkled face. Tai shifted, changing his stance as Raven drew a new Dust Blade.

Mother Sable's sneer turned to a smile. She slammed her hands to the ground with a yell, the blood and vomit and black pool rising into the air before rushing past them. Tai threw up his hands, feeling the various liquids rush past. He lowered his arms, Mother Sable beginning to laugh. He spun around as Summer screamed, his eyes shooting wide in horror.

The corpses around them staggered to their feet, their eyes glazed over, staring at them, their bodies twitching. Blood, vomit, and black ichor dripped from their mouths, noses, and eyes as they rose up, shambling towards them

The ringing stopped.

"I don't give a fuck if this is what Ozpin wants!"

Tai unwrapped his arms, clearing his throat. They looked over at him. He swallowed as he looked at the silver and red.

"I'm leaving," he said. Summer's jaw fell, Qrow blinked in surprise.

"L-leaving?" Summer asked. He nodded. He gripped his hand, looking at Raven.

"I quit. I went to Beacon to be a normal Hunter, maybe retire and teach or something. I didn't want to be a part of all this shit. I only joined because I thought I had to, because it was what the rest of you wanted to do." He shook his head. "You all can keep fighting Salem and her allies. But what we saw in that village, what that woman, Sable, could do?" He squeezed his hand. "That's too much for me."

Summer closed her mouth, looking down and chewing her lip. Qrow frowned, resting his hands on his hips. Raven gave Qrow a cold look, before looking at Summer. Tai saw indecision swim in her eyes for a brief moment before she sighed.

"I quit too," she said. She griped the handle of her sword as she turned, walking away from them. She stopped next to Tai, nodding at him. He nodded back, turning and walking alongside her.

---

Qrow stared out at the barren wasteland, at the maroon skies, and shattered moon. He shifted his legs, feeling the thorns scratch against his pants. The smell of white roses wafted around him, the only comforting scent in this hell.

"Are you troubled, young Qrow?"

Qrow looked behind him; Mother Sable stood in the field of roses. He grunted, looking back at the horizon.

"And if I am?" he asked. He heard Sable walking through the flowers, and saw her sit down out of the corner of his eye.

"I would ask what troubles you."

"It's personal. I can handle it on my own." He said. Sable shifted, tugging at her robe.

"You're a part of Her coven now, Qrow. You're concerns are not just your own. If it could hamper the tasks given to us, we need to know about it." Sable said. Qrow sighed.

"Had a fight with my family. I'll get over it. No need to concern yourself or our Goddess with it." Sable said nothing. He looked at her; she was looking out over the horizon.

"That is unfortunate." She said. "I don't remember my family very well." She laughed darkly. "My parents were around before your great grandparents, probably." She lifted the pendant she wore up with her hand, gently running a finger over the Eye. "Our Goddess is the closest thing I have to a mother." She said. Qrow raised an eyebrow.

"Really?" he asked. Sable nodded.

"It was a long, long time ago when I met our Goddess. I was born a little after the Great War ended, and the Hunters were still new." Venom dripped at the word 'hunter'. "I was a young girl when a clan of raiders came through my village, a team of Hunters with them." Sable scowled. "They slaughtered us, every single one. My mother, my sister, my father. All butchered, right before my eyes." Sable stopped running a finger over the pendant. "I was only saved when the Grimm arrived. They brought forth a righteous justice to those savages, those monsters, killing the Hunters as the raiders fled like the cravens they are." Sable smiled. "The Grimm didn't bother me. And I took that time to flee. I wandered and I wandered until I collapsed from exhaustion and hunger." Sable's smile took a nurturing light. "And that's when She found me."

"She must have seen something in me. She took me in, introduced me to the coven she had at the time." Sable dropped the pendant. "She raised me, helping me unlock my semblance, teaching me the history of this world. And in turn, I helped our Goddess. I hunted the Silver Eyed Demons. I hunted the Rose's, and helped an old friend find the Grimm Reaper. I formed the structure of our faith; I spread the good word to the villages, in hopes they will see the same truth that I have."

"That the Hunters are vile, despicable worms. That the Grimm need not be feared. That our Mother is the path to salvation. That she will reform this world, and make it atone for its centuries of sin." Sable looked at the roses around them. She caressed one, her fingernails black. "None but I have been able to drink the Grimm Lifeblood and come out unscathed. I am her only Child, but I know I can succeed. That I can make others become more like her like I have."

Qrow said nothing, watching Sable caress the roses. Sable looked up at him.

"Do you know why this field exists here?" she asked. He shook his head. She motioned with her arm, at the multitude of white roses around them. "Our Goddess planted them. She told me that each flower is a memory."

"Of?"

"Of every friend she lost to those Demons. Every member of her coven who is no longer with us. Every person who she has cared about that she has lost to Ozpin and his monsters." Qrow looked down at the roses, feeling their thorns cutting into his clothes.

"I see," he said. Sable exhaled, looking back at the horizon.

"My last missionary outing was a failure, but it wasn't an entire waste." She said. Sable smiled. "I learned that my task with the Rose's was not completed. There is still one left." Sable touched her pendant. "And I can't wait, to get to kill her like all the others."

---

Tai stumbled into their bedroom, leaning against Raven. She reeked of beer. Or was that him? He laughed as Raven set him on his bed, the world around him spinning, Raven the only stationary thing in the room.

"Coome on, you said you would," he said. Raven rolled her eyes as she started to undress, her red and black shirt falling to the floor. He smiled at the sight of her breasts.

"You're not to get any in my hair, understand?" she said. He nodded, spreading his legs as Raven got to her knees. She took his pants off, looking at his member before shrugging and taking it into her mouth. He moaned, running a hand through her hair. Raven looked up at him, growling. He let go of her hair, smiling sheepishly. Raven closed her eyes; he watched her as her head bobbed up and down, moaning again. Raven's eyes opened, narrowed in annoyance at him.

He closed his mouth, resisting the urge to moan as Raven's tongue wrapped around him; her mouth so warm and wet.

Raven raised her head with an audible pop, drool running from her mouth, a bored look in her eyes. She took off her skirt, letting it fall. He grew harder at the sight of her. She got onto the bed, laying her head on the pillows, her legs spread, open to him, waiting.

He climbed on top, sliding in. She was dry. Raven closed her eyes as he started thrusting. He nibbled at her neck, trailing kisses down. He felt her growing wet, hearing her moan slightly. She gripped the sheets, keeping her eyes closed, her cheeks burning red.

"S-S," she moaned. He lifted his head from her neck, looking at her in confusion as he kept thrusting. Raven's eyes peaked open, looking at him. "T-Tai," she panted.

---

She watched the stick, waiting to see the single bar to appear. Her period was late but that didn't mean she was pregnant. Right?

She started to pace, watching the stick. She smiled as one bar appeared.

And her smile fell as a second bar appeared.

"…shit," Raven said.

---

Tai wrapped an arm around Raven, smiling at the house they had bought. It was a modest wooden building, little out of the ways compared to the other homes on Patch, but Raven always did prefer the woods. He looked down at her, his smile growing at the sight of the yellow ribbon tied in her mane of hair. At the red ribbon tied around his arm.

Raven shifted their daughter, Yang, as she looked at their new home.

Normal. This is normal; woman I love, house, job, and kid.

"Are we just going to stand here or are you going to take me inside?" she asked, annoyed.

He laughed sheepishly, unwrapping his arm from around her, and led her to their new home. Their new, normal, life.

---

She growled as Yang pulled at her hair. She gingerly pulled Yang's hand free, giving her daughter a stern look. Yang gurgled, laughing, swinging her arms. Raven felt a smile form, chuckling.

"You're rather strong you know," she said. "You shouldn't be pulling your mother's hair."

Yang reached for her hair again, grabbing a handful of it. Raven grimaced as Yang tugged, smiling and laughing.

"What am I going to do with you," Raven laughed. She pulled Yang's hand free, smiling at her. She kissed her forehead, hearing Yang gurgle happily. She shifted, looking down at Yang, holding out a hand, letting Yang grab it. Raven cooed as Yang tugged at her finger, laughing.

---

Summer pinned him against the door, pressing her lips against his. He moaned into her mouth, his hands finding her breasts. He broke the kiss, sucking at her neck.

"I missed you," she breathed.

"I know."

Summer felt him grab her, lifting her into the air. She wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing him as he walked to their kitchen, setting her on the counter. She unwrapped her legs, running her hands over his chest, a fire in her belly, her underwear uncomfortably damp. He broke the kiss, giving her a wink before getting to his knees, his head going up her skirt.

She gasped, biting her finger as he parted her underwear, his tongue finding her clit. She moaned, electricity shooting down her spine with each lick and suck.

"Q-Qro-AH!"

She screamed as the countertop snapped, falling to the floor, Qrow yelling as he was knocked to the ground. She groaned, rolling off of him, hearing him groan in pain. He got up, looking at the shattered countertop, and then to her.

"Sorry," he said. Summer shook her head, offering a reassuring smile.

"You're fine, Qrow. That countertop wasn't sturdy anyway." She laughed. Qrow said nothing, glancing up at it again. Summer lifted her skirt up, biting her lip, giving him a coy look. "So how about you stop worrying about that counter, and fuck me instead?"

Qrow smirked at her, unbuckling his belt as he leaned toward her, his lips finding hers.

---

Qrow opened the door to their apartment, his body sore, his eyes heavy. His exhaustion disappeared as he saw Summer sitting at their table, tears dripping down.

"Summer?" She looked over at him, smiling, the tears still running. She got up from her seat, going to him, and embracing him. He wrapped his arms around her, gripping her cloak.

"Qrow. Oh Brothers, Qrow." She said.

"What's wrong? Are you okay? Are Tai and Raven okay?" he asked. Summer nodded.

"It's more than okay," she said. She pulled back from him, her arms still around him. She looked up into his eyes, so much love in her silver eyes. "I'm pregnant."

Qrow felt the color drain from his face, ice forming in his gut. Summer furrowed her brow, her smile wavering.

"I-is it safe? I mean, for me to…" he looked away. The electrical outlets, kitchen knives looked back at him. His scythe was a heavy weight on his back. He felt Summer's gentle touch against his chin, and looked down at her. She smiled reassuringly.

"Don't worry about that." She stood on her toes, kissing his cheek. "You've always been my bad luck charm. Whatever you're worried about happening, we can handle it." She rested her head against his chest. "Together."

Qrow rested his head on hers, closing his eyes.

He saw Mother Sable's sickening smile, her words ringing through his mind.

---

Summer hummed as she looked at her scroll. Qrow sat next to her on their couch, rubbing a hand over her stomach.

"What do you think of Silk?" she asked. Qrow pursed his lip before shaking his head.

"Nah." He said. He thought for a moment before speaking. "How about Ivory?"

She shot him a look, scowling. He looked back at her in confusion.

"What? Not like that name?"

"I don't. At all."

"Alright. Sorry."

She sighed, and looked back at her scroll. She stopped, looking over the names.

"How about, Crimson for a boy, and Ruby if we have a girl?" she suggested. Qrow mulled them over for a moment before nodding, smiling at her.

"Crimson. Ruby. I like it." He said.

---

Raven sat down at the kitchen table, her eyes half lidded as she flipped through the mail. Her eyes widened at one of the letters; an envelope made of thick paper, her name written on the front, the back sealed with black wax. She looked up from the mail pile, craning her head to peek out the kitchen.

Tai was watching tv, smiling at whatever stupid show was on.

Raven looked back at the envelope, swallowing as she broke the wax seal, pulling the letter out.

I've fallen ill, and by the time this reaches you, I will have been taken away by the Feathered One. Clan Branwen awaits you. Don't disappoint me, daughter.

Raven lowered the letter. She looked around the kitchen, at the furnishings that Tai they had picked out. She peeked out the kitchen again, at the man she tolerated loved. She sighed, crumpling the letter up, tossing it into the garbage. She rested her head in her hands, closing her eyes.

Remember why you came to Vale.

Raven sighed, opening her eyes.

She got up from the chair, going to the couch, sitting next to Tai. He smiled as she sat down.

"Kiss me," she said. Tai's smile grew. He closed his eyes, leaning over to her, pressing his lips against hers. They tasted like nothing, his lips sticky and gross against her own. He broke the kiss, pulling back, smirking.

"If you're in a mood, we can head upstairs," he said. Raven shook her head.

"I'm not. I just felt like being kissed. Nothing more, nothing less." Tai seemed disappointed but didn't push it, turning back to the tv. Raven crossed her arms, the tv white noise in her ears as she watched the drivel.

She strapped her sword to her waist, the rain pounding against their window, lightning illuminating the room, thunder booming. She left their bedroom, shutting the door behind her, not looking at him.

She made her way through the house, stopping in front of her room. She opened the door quietly, peering in.

Lightning flashed, the crib outlined in the darkness. Raven shut the door behind her, walking over to the crib. She smiled as she looked into it, at her daughter. At Yang.

She gingerly lifted her out of the crib, holding her in her arms. Yang's breathing was steady, gentle. The lightning flashed again, Yang's eyes snapping open. She smiled at her, raising a hand. Raven smiled, shifting Yang, holding a finger out for her to grab. Yang gripped her finger, gnawing on it, saliva drooling down. Raven chuckled.

The portal materialized next to her. Raven sighed, turning to it, Yang in her arms. She looked down at Yang; Yang let go of her finger, looking at the portal.

Raven looked down, at the sword at her waist, the pattern of her clan's tartan on her clothes. She looked back at Yang, at her golden blonde tufts of hair. The same color as Tai's.

She sighed, going back to the crib, lowering Yang back into it. She kissed Yang's forehead, smiling sadly at her daughter.

"I love you. Remember that, Yang."

She stood up, thunder shaking the house. Yang started to cry. Raven sighed, pulling out a slip of paper and pen.

Be strong. I know you can be.

- Raven

She set the slip of paper next to the crib, her heart aching as Yang's crying grew louder. She closed her eyes, and stepped into the portal.

---

Tai bolted upright, the house shaking, Yang crying. Lightning flashed, illuminating his bedroom.

"Raven-?"

Her spot in the bed was empty, he looked up, his eyes widening; the spot Raven kept her sword was empty.

"Raven?" he called out. He stumbled out of bed, fumbling in the darkness, grabbing the door to his room and throwing it open. The house shook again, light flashing through the windows, the rain pouring down.

He ran down the hall, his blood growing colder as he got closer to Yang's room.

"Raven!" he shouted. He threw open Yang's door, rushing to her crib. She was wailing, a scrap of paper next to her. He grabbed the paper, his body numb as he read it. He tossed it aside, running from the room.

"Raven! Raven!" he yelled. He sprinted down the stairs, bursting through the front door. The rain splattered against him, drenching his clothes. He spun, cupping his hands around his mouth.

"RAVEN!" he screamed.

The rain kept falling, his screams lost with the thunder.

---

Raven stood at the base of the hill, the rain a gentle mist. Fog wafted around her, her family standing behind her. She looked to her side, her feathered cape shifting. She nodded at the Shaman. They closed their eyes, lighting the incense and beginning to chant. She heard her family part, a Branwen walking past her, carrying a black bag. He climbed the hill, looking up to the skies, at the vultures circling, and at the crows sitting in the nearby trees.

The Branwen reached the top of the hill, opening the bag and dumping it's contents out. Raven's lip twitched as she watched her mother's body fall to the grass, hearing the crows caw. The Branwen came down the hill, stopping before her. He kept his gaze on the grass as he unhooked a Nevermore mask from his belt, holding it up to her. She took it, holding it in her hands, looking at it. She inhaled, and set the mask over her face.

The birds began to descend, obscuring her mother's corpse with their dark feathers. Raven lifted her chin, the rain pitter pattering against her mask, watching as the birds began to feed.

She looked away from the birds, frowning as a man in a Nevermore mask, and black and gray tartan approached, a group following behind him. She grabbed the hilt of her sword, watching as the group stopped, the man still approaching her.

He stopped in front of her, his tan feathered cloak slick in the mist, his white braided hair falling past his shoulders. He took off his mask, giving her a confidant smirk.

"Chief Raven," he said.

"Aye," she responded. She didn't move her hand from her sword. "I don't recognize you. Why is Clan Comhachag here?" the man chuckled.

"My name is Bán, son of Dearg, and the new Chief of Clan Comhachag." He held up his hands, his cloak parting, his sheaths empty. "I didn't come bearing ill will. I was there for that battle all those years ago. I saw the way Ebony killed that Hunter my father hired." He motioned with his head to the swarm of feathers at the top of the hill. "I came to pay my respects to the Black Bird; to watch a warrior such as herself be taken back to the Feathered One."

Raven let go of her sword, and pulled her mask free.

"I thank you." She said. Bán bowed his head, looking back at his clan, and motioning them forward. The Comhachag's joined her family, standing together and watching the hill. Bán stood next to her before looking back at his clan, motioning with his hand. Raven looked back, her brow furrowing as a small girl came walking up. Bán smiled at her before gently pushing her toward Raven.

"Consider her a peace offering. She was one of my own, and I give her now to you." He said. Raven frowned, but held her hand out for the child, feeling her small hand slip into her own. "Her name is Vernal. She'll serve you well."

Raven grunted, not looking at the child, staring up at the hill.

---

Qrow laughed, tears sliding down his face, holding his son in his arms. He looked back at Summer, at how exhausted she looked. He gingerly handed him back to her, stepping away from them.

Summer cradled him in her arms, closing her eyes.

Qrow wiped at his eyes, stepping further away from them. Summer smiled.

"You don't have to worry about your semblance right now," she said. "He's out, he's breathing, you can relax and be near me." She opened her eyes. "I want you with me." She said.

Qrow hesitated for a moment before going back to her side, crouching down, looking at their son. He smiled, wrapping an arm around Summer, feeling her rest her head on his shoulder.

---

Raven flicked the blood off her sword, stalking through the flaming streets. She saw her family breaking down the doors, dragging out loot, others dragging the dead to the burning pile. Better to be ash then to be defiled as Grimm food.

She stopped, cocking her head to the side at the sound of whimpering. She approached the burning building nearest to her, narrowing her eyes.

A girl was stuck under ruble, the flames licking the building around her. Burns and blisters covered her body. She had lilac eyes, and hair of spring. She knelt down next to the girl, the girls whimpering growing louder, her lilac eyes widening in fear. Raven took off her mask, the heat washing over her face. She gave the girl a comforting smile.

And ran the blade through her chest.

---

She frowned as she looked through her closet.

"Qrow? Have you seen my cloak?" she called out.

"Crimson has it," Qrow called back. Summer sighed in annoyance, leaving their bedroom. She narrowed her eyes at Qrow. He was sitting on the couch, Crimson bundled up in her cloak, resting on his leg. An open bottle of whiskey sat on the coffee table, an ice filled glass next to it.

"What is that?" she asked. Qrow shrugged.

"Just a drink. What's the big deal?" he said. Summer went over to the couch, her nose wrinkling as she picked Crimson up; she could smell the whiskey on him.

"The big deal is, I don't want you drinking in front of our son. The big deal is, knowing your luck, 'just a drink' is going to end up being something else." She said. Qrow scowled, getting to his feet.

"That's not called for," he said. He pointed at the glass. "I just got back from dealing with Salem and that hell, I think I can have a glass of whiskey and relax with my kid. You and him are the only things that keep me going when I'm out there."

Summer sighed, setting Crimson down on the couch and undoing her cloak from around him. He reached for the cloak, starting to cry as she put it on. Qrow grimaced, and picked Crimson up, patting his back as he cried.

"I'm sorry. I'm just… it's very tense out there. There's a lot more Grimm missions, and… it's just hard on me," she said. She kissed Qrow's cheek, resting her hand on his other cheek. "I shouldn't have said that."

"I forgive you," he said. Summer smiled, giving him a peck on the cheek, and light kiss to Crimson's forehead before heading for the door, grabbing her sword off the counter.

---

Qrow drummed his hand on the couch, Summer next to him, Crimson in her arms. The tv was white noise to him.

I can't wait, to get to kill her like all the others.

Summer's screams as the countertop broke.

Knowing your luck…

He stopped drumming his fingers, clenching his hand, closing his eyes.

"I want you to leave," he said.

There was silence for a moment. He opened his eyes, Summer was looking at him, confused.

"What?"

"I said, I want you to leave." Summer's eyes darted to their bedroom door, to the tv, back to him, confused.

"Wha-what are you saying?"

"I don't want you living here anymore. I don't want you living with me." He said. Summer looked taken back, her lip quivering.

"W-why? D-did something happen? Are we in danger?"

you'll always be in danger

"Do you know why I got with you that day back at Beacon?" he asked.

"B-because you loved me? Because we both knew what it was like to truly be alone?"

yes, feathered one, yes

He chuckled, faking a smirk.

"I thought your ass looked good in that dress you wore. That was it. I didn't care about you, I just wanted to fuck you."

Summer's jaw dropped, tears welling in her eyes. She frowned at him, standing up.

"What the fuck? Why are you telling me this? Why are you lying to me, Qrow?! Did I do something to upset you, why are you saying that!"

He stood up as well, praying the smirk held its place.

"That's the first time I've ever been honest with you," he said. He motioned to the door. "Now get the fuck out of my apartment, and take that brat with you too." Anger flashed through Summer's eyes, her lip turning to a snarl.

"Who do you think you are! You think we can be together for seven years, have a kid together, and just now decide to drop a bombshell like that! Why did you stay with me then, huh? Why stay with me for so long?!"

because i love you

"Because you're the best sex I've ever had. And now you're just nagging me all the time. About how 'hard' it is to be a Hunter, how I 'shouldn't drink in front of our son'." Summer's breathing was uneven, the tears sliding down. "You used to be fun but now you're just a drag."

Summer's hand shot out, slapping the side of his face. He grunted, his cheek stinging. Crimson started to cry, his wails cutting Qrow's heart.

i'm so sorry

Summer's voice broke.

"You're a real asshole, you know that." She said.

"Of course I do, it's why the ladies love me." Summer said nothing, fresh tears running down. She turned, her cloak smacking his face, and marched toward the door. "Don't let it hit ya on the way out!"

Summer opened the door, flicking him off before slamming it shut behind her.

---

Ivory looked up from her scroll; someone was banging at her door. She hesitantly made her way over to it, grabbing the baseball bat she kept next to the door. She undid the multiple locks on her door, cracking it open.

"Summer?"

She opened the door, her breath hitching. Summer's eyes were red and puffy, a sleeping baby was in her arms, wrapped in a red blanket.

"Auntie, I need you to look after him for a few hours." Summer held out the baby, Ivory's hands shook as she took them from Summer, cradling them.

"Is he yours?" she asked. Summer nodded.

"His name is Crimson. His dad just…" Summer sniffed, and wiped at her eyes. "I don't have a home at the moment. Just look after him, I'll be back soon."

"You could stay wi-" Ivory's mouth closed at the look Summer gave her. She sighed, looking down at Crimson. "I understand." She said.

"Thank you, Auntie," Summer said.

Summer turned, and left. Ivory closed the door, setting the bat aside before locking the door. She went back to her chair, her cat mewing at her. She cradled Crimson, smiling at him, at her great nephew.

Crimson opened his eyes, Ivory's smile wavering. He had silver eyes. She looked at the small tufts of his black hair, noticing the red tips. The same as her own. The same as Summer's.

---

Tai opened the door, cocking his head to the side.

"Summer? What are you doing here?"

Summer shifted, rubbing her arm.

"Qrow and I… we broke up. I don't really have anywhere to stay." She said. Tai stepped toward her, grasping her shoulder.

"You can stay as long as you want." Summer placed her hand over his, looking up at him with a smile.

"Thank you, Tai." She slid his hand off her shoulder. "I'll be back in a bit; I need to pick up Crimson, and get my stuff out of our apartment."

---

Ivory smiled, cradling Crimson in her arms. He smiled, gurgling at her. She laughed, cooing at him.

"You look so much like your mother did," she said.

She looked up at the knocking at her door. She went to it, unlocking it and peeking out. Summer stood in the hallway.

Ivory opened the door, stepping out of the way as Summer entered.

"Did you find a new place? You haven't been gone for very long?" she said. Summer nodded, taking Crimson from her arms.

"I did. Thank you for watching him." Summer turned to leave, Ivory grabbed her shoulder. Summer looked back at her, cocking an eyebrow. Ivory pulled her hand back, playing with her hands.

"You don't have to leave right away. You can stay. I can make some tea or something. Order some Mistralian food for us, like when you were little." Ivory said. Summer narrowed her eyes, looking past her, at the hallway connecting the rooms.

"The person I'm moving in with is waiting for me. I need to go," Summer said. Ivory chewed on her lip. She reached around her neck, pulling her necklace free. She held it out to Summer, the silver rose glinting in the light.

"C-can you take this with you? It's a family heirloom." She said. Summer eyed it for a moment before nodding, bowing her head. Ivory slipped it around her neck. Summer raised her head, the rose resting alongside her cross. "Y-you'll visit at least, right?" Ivory asked. "It's lonely out here, Summer. I miss you. I can babysit Crimson for you if you're busy on a mission; I really won't mind taking care of him." Summer exhaled, looking away, down at her son. "Please?" Ivory whispered.

Summer turned away, her back to her.

"I'll try to visit when I can," she said. She grabbed the door as she left, closing it behind her.

Ivory wrapped her arms around her torso, watching the door. She fell to her knees, resting her head on the door. She felt her cat rub against her legs, hearing it meow.

---

Summer brought the tray of cookies out from the oven, setting them on the counter. Crimson and Yang sat at the table, watching her.

"They need to cool for a little bit," she said. Yang groaned, rolling her eyes. Summer giggled, slipping off the oven mitts. She gingerly lifted two of the cookies off the tray, ignoring the burning sensation as she pulled them free. She went to the table, handing one cookie to Yang and the other to Crimson. "But those two don't, I made them special," she said.

"Thanks mom!" Yang said, biting into it.

"Thank you mama!" Crimson said, practically inhaling the cookie.

Summer giggled, ruffling their hair before leaving the kitchen. The tv was on, the news playing. She frowned at the news feed; a burned out village in the top right of the screen as a news anchor talked.

"Despite the arrival of several Hunters, Surrey village was unable to combat the Grimm threatening it. Many of the villagers were able to flee their homes, and are expected to be arriving in Vale City shortly. The Vale Council is expected to make a statement later this week about the growing immigration issue, and the increasingly high number of villages destroyed by Grimm."

Summer crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes as various images of Grimm replaced the burned out remains of Surrey.

---

Ozpin looked at his scroll; Qrow's last message had been several months ago. He sighed, collapsing his scroll, and pocketing it.

He's not dead, he's just taking his time. Don't worry about him.

He perked up as the door to his office swung open. His eyebrows rose in surprise as Summer strode in.

"Headmaster," she said. He nodded at her. "Salem is the Grimm Queen, right? The Grimm answer to her?" she asked. He nodded. Summer's face darkened. "Tell me where she is."

"Why?"

"I'm going to kill her. I'm going to put an end to the Grimm." Ozpin interlocked his fingers.

"You make it sound so simple. The issue that has been plaguing mankind since the dawn of time." He said. Summer shook her head.

"You said the Silver Eyed Warriors were special, that we are touched by God. I can deal with the Grimm in ways other cant. If I get a chance to fight Salem, I can put an end to all of this. All this secrecy, all this plotting, all these senseless deaths."

"And if Salem's inner circle are there? What then? They're not Grimm." Summer didn't waver.

"Then I'll fight them. And I'll win. Because I can't afford to lose." She said.

"Su-"

"I don't want my children to have to fight this battle." She said sternly. Her gaze was cold. "I know the risk. I know I will probably die. But if I can kill Salem, and put an end to all of this; to end the Grimm and bring peace to Remnant… I'm willing to risk it."

He stared at her for a moment before sighing, pulling out his scroll.

"That will be your choice, then." He said.

---

She wrapped her arms around Yang and Crimson, nuzzling her face against theirs. She pulled her head back, smiling at them.

"Be good while I'm gone, okay?" she asked. They nodded at her, Crimson smiling.

"We'we going to do that puzzle when you get back, wight?" he asked. Summer nodded. She rustled his hair before standing up, her cloak covering her body.

"Once I'm back, we can do as many puzzles as you want." Summer said.

She smiled at her children, engraining they're beaming faces into her mind for the long trek ahead. Yang's crooked smirk, Crimson's pure smile. She turned away, walking down the long path, Midnight Thorn a weight against her back.

Part v

The wind whipped around her, her cloak flapping violently behind her, silver fire spraying from her eyes. She jerked her sword, the Nevermore screaming as it veered toward the fortress. It was built of purple Dust crystals, pools of black tar surrounding the cliff it was built into. Summer sneered, narrowing her eyes as she looked at it.

She jerked her sword again, the Nevermore screeching, diving down toward the stained glass windows of one of the rooms. She yanked her sword free, leaping from the Nevermore, glass spraying as she crashed through the window, rolling against the hard stone floor.

She got to her feet, scowling at the Grimm in the room. Their bone white faces were smooth, their bodies tall and humanoid. Hydnora's.

The Hydnora's faces split open, hissing, spittle flying from their teeth covered mandibles. The first one charged, the second hanging back.

The Hydnora swung at her, Summer ducking, its claws swiping over her head. She sneered, launching forward, black blood spurting onto her face as she ran it through. She yanked her sword free, the Hydnora falling to the floor, smoke rising from its corpse. The second Hydnora hissed, its mouth reforming, before it turned and fled. Summer yanked her sword from its sheath, raising it up as it formed a rifle. She fired, her ears ringing, the Hydnora's head disintegrating, it's body slumping to the floor.

She exhaled, the fire around her eyes dying. She sheathed her sword, flicking the blood off the sheath, and slung it over her back.

She exited the room, yelping as something slammed into her side, hurling her off her feet. She groaned, looking up, gasping. A giant of a woman toward before her.

"I do not wish to fight you. Go back home," she said. Summer sneered, shaking her head as she got to her feet, drawing her sheathed sword.

"You work for Salem?" She pointed the sword at the woman, narrowing her eyes. "I have no choice but to fight." She said. The woman sighed before raising her fists, taking a stance.

"Then so be it."

The woman charged, swinging a fist. Summer ducked under it, swinging her sword up, the woman grunting as her sword raked over her arm. The woman spun, her foot shooting out, slamming into Summer's chest, throwing her back. She skidded against the stone before slamming her hands against the ground, spinning up onto her feet, raising her sword.

She screamed as something slashed against her shoulder. She grimaced, looking at her slashed open sleeve, her eyes widening as she looked behind her.

Mother Sable waltzed toward her, her palms bloody, the end of her pendant dripping. Small red blobs floated around her. Mother Sable smirked, her brown eyes glinting.

"You saved us the trouble of finding you, Demon."

Summer gasped, leaping out of the way as the Woman crashed down on where she had been, dust and stone kicking up as her fists slammed into the floor. Summer spun, swinging her sword, slicing through a red spike hurling toward her. She screamed as the spike halves shot at her, her aura flickering.

She heard Mother Sable laugh as she ran, the Woman chasing after her. She burst through a door, sprinting down a dark hallway. Red spikes shot around her, slamming into the walls and floors around her.

Summer's eyes shot open as red liquid shot past her feet, a red wall forming in front of her, solidifying, spiked jutting out at her. She skid to a stop, spinning around. The Woman lunged at her, slamming her fist into her face. Summer grunted, swinging her sword as she dodged another punch. The Woman caught her sword, yelling as she spun, Summer screaming as she was hurled through the stone wall. She threw her hands over her face, slamming into the ground, thorns scratching at her, tugging at her clothes. She heard her sword thud as it landed next to her. She groaned, looking up.

Summer froze. In a field of white roses, Qrow stood across from her.

---

Qrow stared in shock, his eyes darting from Summer to the shattered wall. Mother Sable and Hazel appeared in the hole, staring down at them.

"What are you waiting for? Kill her!" Sable shouted.

He looked at Summer, seeing the fear in her silver eyes, the pleading.

"Why are you just standing there! Kill the Demon! Have you turned traitor?!"

Summer's mouth parted, mouthing 'please'. Qrow felt himself trembling, his throat dry as he looked at Summer, Sable's screaming in his ears.

Do whatever it takes to keep your cover

Qrow swallowed.

And drew his scythe.

He took his stance as Summer grasped her sword, scrambling to her feet, her eyes wide in disbelief.

He ran forward, dragging his scythe through the flowers. Summer's lip quivered, tears welling as she ran to him. He swung his scythe down, Summer swinging her sword up, sparks flying as their blades met. He stared into her silver eyes, at the confusion, and sorrow in them.

He yanked his scythe free, swinging it at Summer's side. Summer leapt up, somersaulting over him, pain shooting up his back as her sword slashed down his body. He spun around, hissing as Summer jabbed at him, her sword raking over his chest. He backed up, twirling his scythe, blocking Summer's stabs and thrusts.

Qrow sidestepped one of Summer's stabs, slamming the base of scythe into her stomach. Summer screamed, Qrow squeezing his eyes shut as the sound cut into his soul. He grunted, staggering forward as he felt Summer's sword smack the side of his head, his aura breaking.

He opened his eyes, ducking under as Summer swung at him. His aura crackled crimson around him as fired a shot into Summer's gut.

Summer grit her teeth, sliding through the flowers, her aura crackling around her. She hiccupped, unsheathing her sword, a blade in each hand. Qrow gripped his scythe as Summer looked at him, tears streaming down her face.

She rushed forward with a yell, hacking slashing at him, twirling with her blades. Qrow grunted as he spun his scythe, catching her blows. He dodged her blades, slamming the staff of his scythe against her get, knocking her off her feet and into the white roses. He slammed his scythe down, Summer dashing away, dirt flying into the air as it embedded into the ground. He yanked his scythe free, Summer's zweihander forming a rifle as she ran away from him.

He ran after her, dashing to the side as Summer fired at him, rose petals drifting through the air with each shot. He swung his scythe behind him, leaping up, firing a shot, shooting forward. Summer's eyes widened as he slammed into her, knocking her weapons out of her hand, slamming her into the ground.

He skidded, struggling to keep his balance, and turned to see Summer grabbing her rifle, the zweihander forming. Tears, sweat, and dirt coated her face as she stood up, her lip quivering.

Summer charged, leaping into the air, swinging her blade down.

Her torso was exposed.

He heard her gasp, Midnight Thorn falling. She looked up at him, her lip quivering, blood starting to drool down her chin, her white dress turning crimson. Her voice was so quiet, a dagger in his heart.

"Q-Qrow-?"

He jerked his scythe, Summer screaming as the blade ripped free, her blood spraying onto the roses. She fell forward, landing against his chest, staring up at him, tears running down. Harbinger fell from his hands, his hands shaking, his body trembling as he held her, watching the life drain from her eyes. She coughed, blood splattering against his face, her hand trembling as she raised it. She caressed his face, her fingers like ice.

"P-protect…him…"

Her finger's fell, her eyes growing dull, her body a weight in his arms. His lip trembled, his fingers digging into her cloaked body.

don't show it

He heard Her approaching, Mother Sable and Hazel trailing her.

don't show it

"Did you know this girl?" Salem asked. Qrow nodded, Summer's dead eyes staring at him.

"She was my sister's lover; a member of my old team" he said. He looked over at them. Hazel had her eyes closed, her head lowered. Mother Sable was smirking, her hands wrapped around her pendant. Salem cocked her head to the side.

"You knew about a Siler Eyed Warrior? And you didn't inform me?"

Don't. Show it.

"I… I didn't think she would try this. I thought she was just happy being a raider in Mistral." He looked into Salem's eyes, the deep bloody pools. "I am loyal to you and you alone, my Goddess, I didn't think of her as a threat to you or our coven."

Salem stared at him for a moment, unblinking, her gaze prying.

"Did she have any children? A family?"

Do. Not. Show.

He shook his head.

"No, my Goddess." He said. Salem was quiet for a moment.

"Very well," she said. A small smile grew. "You have done our coven a great service, Qrow. The last Silver Eyed Warrior is dead." Salem looked back. "Hazel." Hazel opened her eyes, looking at Salem. Salem motioned with her head to Summer's body. "Take her remains to my study."

"Wait." Qrow said. They all looked at him, Salem narrowing her eyes. "Let me take her back. Please," he said. Salem shook her head.

"I can't allow that." She said. Salem looked over Summer's body before sighing. "You can take back her trinkets, and give them to your sister. But that Demon's body will stay with me." Qrow bowed his head.

"Thank you, my Goddess."

Qrow lowered Summer into the white and red roses, her eyes staring at him. He undid her white and red cloak, tugging it free, setting it next to him. He reached for her throat, pulling her cross and rose necklace free, the metal cold in his hand.

"That's enough," Salem said. Qrow bowed his head, closing his eyes as he stood up. He heard Hazel lumber past him, grunting as she lifted Summer's corpse up. He opened his eyes, looking at Hazel as she left, Salem and Sable following. Summer was slung over her shoulder, staring at him, her silver eyes dull.

Sable opened the door, Hazel ducking her head as she entered, Salem following. Sable looked at him before entering. The door closed behind them, the silence deafening.

He lifted up the blood-stained cloak, looking at the necklaces in his grasp, at the sword to his side.

His body trembled, the world becoming fuzzy, warm tears sliding down. He fell to his knees, the red roses stabbing into him. He clasped the cloak to his chest, his cries soundless.

---

Yang looked up from the book in her hands, a knocking at the door. Crimson looked away from the book, standing up, peaking over the top of the couch. She saw her dad leave the kitchen, going to the door, opening it.

"Qrow? Why are you…here…" She heard a thud, and got off the couch, running around it, Crimson following her. Her father was on his knees, staring up at Uncle Qrow. Uncle Qrow's eyes were squeezed shut, looking away. She went to her dad's side, grabbing his shoulder, looking up at her uncle. Her eyes widened; he had mama's sword, her white cape wrapped around it, her silver rose necklace dangling from the handle. She heard Crimson appear next to her, leaning against their dad.

"What's wrong, daddy?" Crimson asked. Crimson looked over at Uncle Qrow. "Why is Uncle Qwow here? Where's mommy?"

Dad trembled, a choked cry coming from him, a hand going to his face. Uncle Qrow shifted the sword, tears welling in Yang's eyes as she saw the crimson stains in the cloak. Crimson frowned, shaking their dad's side.

"Why are you crying, daddy? What's wrong?" Uncle Qrow opened his eyes, not looking at them as he unwrapped the bloody cloak and grabbed the rose necklace.

"This… this is all I could recover," Qrow said. Dad's trembling worsened, his cries turning to sobs. Qrow set the cloak in front of dad, bending down. He wouldn't look at her, his lip trembling as he looked at Crimson, the necklace dangling from his hand.

"Uncle Qwow?" Qrow's hands were unsteady, tears beginning to drip down his cheeks as he put the necklace around Crimson's throat. It hanged from his neck, Crimson cocked his head to the side. "This was mama's? When is she going to be home? She said she'd be home." Qrow's chest shook, resting his hands on Crimson's shoulders.

"Mama… mama isn't coming home." Crimson blinked, confusion in his silver eyes.

"Why? Is she mad at me? Did I do something bad?"

Qrow embraced him, his body trembling, tears dripping onto the floor. Yang embraced her brother, feeling the tears run down. She closed her eyes, hearing her Uncle and Dad sobbing, the image of the white and red cloak in her mind.

---

She hurled him to the ground, mud splashing onto him. The icy rain pelted down; Raven's lip twitched as he coughed, getting to his knees. She kicked his gut, Qrow crying out as he was thrown to his side. He coughed, grabbing his stomach. She snarled, slamming her boot into his chest, kicking again and again, the warm rain running down her cheeks.

"You! You-!"

Qrow coughed again, rolling onto his back, grasping his ribs. Raven scowled, her eyes flickering to where Her sword lay.

"Do it…" She looked back at her bro- at Qrow. His red eyes were dull, lifeless. He raised his hand, pointing at Midnight Thorn. Raven's scowl deepened, her foot smashing down on his hand, Qrow hissing. She dug her heel into his hand, burying it in the mud.

"You would throw her life away over your stupid loyalty?" She stepped off of his hand, stepping away. She went to the sword, hefting it up, resting it over her shoulder. She looked back at that pathetic creature as he staggered to his feet.

"Raven… I… I didn't have a choice," he said. Raven sneered.

"You had a choice. You chose to follow him."

"Raven, please."

She grabbed her mask off her belt, putting it on, the rain pitter pattering against it, the warm rain still running down her cheeks.

"Leave. You and your son are dead to me."

"Crimson has nothing to do with this." he said. Raven snarled.

"You had everything I could have ever wanted with her. And you threw it all away. That pathetic son of yours, he has your blood in his veins. He's going to turn out exactly like you. A traitorous, backstabbing low life." She sniffed, her vision blurry, the warm rain falling harder. Her voice broke. "I want nothing to do with him. Now leave."

He opened his mouth before closing it, his empty gaze going to the ground. He turned, and began to limp away, his shoulder's sagging, his clothes drenched in mud.

---

Twilight filtered through the green glass of his office, Qrow's face shrouded in green shadows. Ozpin took off his glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose, exhaling.

"You had no other option, correct?" he asked. Qrow didn't respond, his shoulders sagging, staring at the floor. His voice was quiet, dead, when he spoke.

"Yeah." Ozpin released the bridge of his nose, putting his glasses back on, resting his hands on his desk.

"And Salem… she doesn't suspect you at all?" he asked. Qrow's head barely moved as he shook it 'no'. "You and Summer… she had a child, didn't she? A son named Crimson?" Qrow's head barely moved; yes. "He is a Silver Eyed Warrior as well, isn't he?" Qrow looked up, his red eyes dull. "Is he or is he not a Silver Eyed Warrior." Qrow blinked before looking away, down at the floor.

"He is," he said.

Ozpin smiled.

"Then that means that this Order has not failed. As long as Crimson lives, we have a chance against Salem."

"What if…" Ozpin cocked an eyebrow. Qrow clenched and unclenched his hand. "What if Crimson doesn't want to fight? What then?" Ozpin chuckled, Qrow's hand clenching into a fist.

"He is his mother's son. He was born to fight the Grimm." He leaned back in his chair. "I won't force him into joining us, if that's what you think, Qrow. If he joins us, it will be by his own choice. Just like you, and the others."

Qrow said nothing, his fist unclenching.

"Qrow," he said. Qrow wouldn't look at him. "Summer's death will not be in vain. With you in her inner circle, we will be able to stop her. We'll be able to save countless lives." Qrow finally looked at him. "We just need to be patient. We have a chance against her now."

Qrow pulled out a flask, Ozpin's eyebrows raising in surprise as Qrow took a long swig from it. Qrow lowered the flask, whiskey dripping down his chin.

"If I tried to help her… if I tried to fight Salem…" he looked at him, the end of his question in his eyes. Ozpin shook his head.

"You would have died," Ozpin said. "Summer i-was a talented Huntress, and a powerful Silver Eyed Warrior, but." Ozpin adjusted his spectacles. "She would not have been strong enough to defeat her." Qrow said nothing, taking another drain from his flask. He wiped his lips with the back of his hand.

"I trust ya, Oz."

Ozpin folded his hands together, resting his chin on them, smiling at Qrow.

"Thank you, Qrow."

---

The whiskey burned, coating his throat in spiced fire. He yanked the bottle free of his lips, coughing, the empty bottle falling from his hand.

summer… summer….

He rested his hand over his face, his cheeks wet, the apartment spinning, blurring. Thunder boomed, the rain pounding at the window.

you're a failure of a father

He hiccupped, his other hand fumbling as he tried to find the other bottle.

she deserved better than you

He ripped off the lid, starting to chug, the whiskey running down his chin and chest.

---

Crimson was crying, holding onto her hand, the umbrella in her other hand. Dad stood next to her, his blue eyes unfocused, starring at the stone marker the priest stood in front of. His suit stuck to him, the rain pouring down, running down his face.

Yang looked up, listening to the Priest as he motioned with his hands over the empty grave.

"Blessed Brothers, we ask you to accept this young mother's soul; forgive her for her sins and cherish her virtues. Accept her into your arms, and-"

"Why?" Yang mumbled. The Priest stopped, looking over at her, water dripping down the front of his hood.

"Did you say something, my child?"

Yang let go of her brother's hand, the hand holding the umbrella turning white as she gripped it. She felt hot; embers falling from her hair.

"Why." She said, staring at the Priest. He fidgeted, swallowing as he looked at her eyes.

"Why what, my child?" Yang snarled, hurling the umbrella aside.

"If the Gods are real, why is Mom dead!" she screamed. She felt Dad try to grab her arm.

"Yang, -" She snatched her arm back, scowling, Crimson's crying growing louder.

"What kind of a god does this?! What kind of god would make Mom a liar!"

Dad lowered his hand, looking away. She inhaled, looking behind her, the heat in her dying. Crimson was holding onto her hand, sniffling, looking up at her.

Yang's lip quivered, closing her eyes, and hugging him. She shifted, shielding him from the rain.

---

The rain. Summer had always liked the rain.

Ivory sat in her chair, staring out her apartment window, watching the rain pitter patter against the window, watching it slide down.

She looked to her coffee table, at the pictures on it. Of Summer's terrified smiling face, of how miserable happy she looked.

she's never going to come back to you

Ivory shifted in her seat, looking down at her hands. At the wrinkles beginning to form.

She's raising her son, she's a full time Hunter, she's just busy. She'll visit someday, she said she would.

Ivory sighed, looking back out the window. Light flashed through the gray clouds, thunder booming a moment later. Ivory watched the rain, counting the drops sliding down the glass.

Summer had loved the rain. It would be so nice to have her visit. At least once.

---

Qrow stood in front of the altar, looking up at the stained glass depictions of the Brothers of Light and Darkness. He closed his hand, Summer's cross biting into his palm.

"They say that you two forgive us of our deeds, no matter how vile or evil," Qrow said. His voice echoed through the empty cathedral. He bowed his head, the black and white stone floor looking back at him. "I'm a curse, Brothers. My very existence was a mistake; I bring nothing but misery and heartache to everyone around me." The flask in his coat pocket was a weight against his chest. "I'm a murderer. I left my own son to be raised by another man." He lifted his head, light filtering through the windows, illuminating the darkness of the cathedral. "I've done things that I know cannot be forgiven by the people here," he said.

Qrow raised the cross, tying it around his neck, feeling it rest against his chest.

"Summer always believed in the love and forgiveness you two were capable of." He ran a finger over the cross. "Maybe you two can be the ones to forgive me."

---

The noon sun filtered through his window. He stared at the window, unable to move, his body cold lead. Tai's eyes flickered to his nightstand, his scroll vibrating. He reached for it, bringing it to his face.

BEACON ACADEMY

He swiped the screen, resting it against his ear.

"Hello?"

"This is Professor Xiao Long, correct?" Tai didn't recognize the voice.

"This is he."

"I'm calling to inform you that Headmaster Ozpin has terminated your position as the Survival Training instructor. Your substitute, Flavescent Bobadilla, has taken the position. The Headmaster wanted me to tell you that he understands you are going through a difficult time but that your months of absence has had a negative impact upon the school. You will be given a severance pay, and that the Headmaster is welcome to providing moral support if you so require it."

"I…Oz is firing me?"

"Yes, sir."

The scroll fell from his hands, thudding against his bed.

"Mr. Xiao Long? Hello?"

He buried his head in his pillow, his body growing colder and colder, heavier and heavier as he heard her voice. She hung up after a moment, the room filled with silence, the cold sunlight falling on him.

---

The wind blew gently, his cape shifting with the breeze. White butterflies crawled over her grave marker. 'Thus kindly I scatter' was etched into the stone, her emblem resting above it. He pulled out his flask, taking a long swig from it. He lowered the flask, pocketing it with a sigh.

"Hey there," he said. The butterflies stopped, their antenna's shifting, some seeming to look over at him. "It's been a while. I…" he paused. "I'm sorry for not coming sooner. I figured that I was the last person you would want to have visit."

The breeze blew again, white rose petals drifting past him. He felt arms wrap around him, a chin resting on his shoulder. Qrow turned, tears welling.

"Summer-" his voice died. There was no one behind him, the white rose petals having disappeared. He looked at the grave, the white butterflies missing. His legs felt weak, unable to hold him as he fell to his knees, the tears beginning to run down.

---

She swallowed as she looked in the mirror, gripping the hems of her dress. She took a deep breath, exhaling, smiling at herself. This looked right, this felt right. She gasped, spinning around as she heard a knocking on her door.

"Crimson? You there?" She hesitated, playing with her hands.

"Y-yeah," she said. The door to her room opened, her uncle standing in the doorway. He cocked his head to the side as he came in, closing the door.

"You wearing a dress?"

"Y-yeah." Her uncle chuckled, she bit her lip, holding back the tears. Of course he'd laugh, she couldn't expect others to accept it. He shook his head.

"Man, that takes me back. I used to wear a skirt back when I went to Beacon." He smiled at her. "You look good in it."

She looked down, gripping the hem of her skirt, feeling something warm go down her cheeks.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Uncle Qrow would…. Would you be okay if my name was Ruby?"

"Of course. This a nickname?" She shook her head, feeling herself start to tremble. Yang was okay with it. Dad didn't know yet. Uncle Qrow would… he'd… She took a breath.

"Uncle Qrow… would you be okay if… if I wasn't a boy?" She looked up, sniffing. His lip parted, realization dawning. She gasped as he embraced her. She closed her eyes, hugging him.

"Ruby, huh? I like it."