The wind howled in a frenzy as a small woman dressed in thick heavy furs walked, on her hip a long sword sheathed in black. Her red cloak whipping around as she trudged through the snow, the gale freezing her to the bone. She was deep into the mountains of Vale hunting for a myth, Grimm who thought her weak fell prey to her Silver Eyes and quick blade. They posed no threat to her.

Her father had told her one night of an Huntsman unlike any other, barring a Semblance of Misfortune. This Qrow hid from the world rather than see anyone harmed by his accursed Semblance. Unfortunately Remnant was a vast place with millions of places to hide for those who did not wish to be found.

One would think this woman was seeking him out for training, or to convince him to return to the world at large, but this was not so. Her father had told her to seek him out, that he felt Qrow might help her, what she needed help with Taiyang had refused to say.

Ruby hiked and hiked, using her Aura to help shield her from the cold. Tai had told her all he knew of Qrow and she had been tracking him for months. Whispered rumours of the Reaper of the Mountains, the Crow, bit by bit she narrowed it down, chased him. Now up into the mountains she climbed, following a goat trail. The cold was all encompassing now, her Aura flicked and cracked dying out.

The silver haired woman grunted as the wind gusted so hard to blew her several feet back. Crunch, Crunch, Crunch, the snow under her boots was thick and heavy. Crunch, Crunch, Crunch, the wind blew in from the side and Ruby staggered falling into an embankment. Ice crawled up her cloak, snow stuck to her boots and pants. She forced herself to her feet, wrapping her arms tight around her chest tucking her hands into her armpits.

The silver eyed woman shivered violently, without the protection of her Aura the storm was quickly stealing her strength. It blew her hood back and snow rapidly gathered in her crimson tipped hair. Crunch, Crunch, Crunch, she could barely lift her feet up anymore. Crunch.. Crunch.. Crunch.. she started to sing softly. "One foot, in front of the other foot, in front of the one foot." Her voice had deepened with age, where once it was high borderline annoying, it had settled into a sweet soft soprano. The wind buffed at her from all sides, her words lost to it. Her legs grew heavier and heavier, she reached up and pulled her hood back down over her face, it exposed her fingers but it was so cold.

Black spots dotted her vision. Crunch… "One foot," Crunch… "in front of the other," Crunch… "one." She staggered to the side, her voice so soft her body so tired. "One." Crunch…..


"Hey Dad." Ruby shut the door to the Xiao Long residence behind her, it was an empty place now-a-days, Yang lived with Sun and Blake in Menagerie. Weiss didn't visit anymore, she ran the Schnee Dust company in Atlas with Neptune. Salem was dead, had been for years and the curse upon the soul of Ozpin had finally lifted. She visited his grave and one other every year, hoping that wherever he was, he was happy. One by one team RWBY had split for no reason other then they became, wives, mothers or that their lives called them to different places. That the battle ground against Grimm had lost all appeal to them. This just left Ruby to walk Remnant alone, a sword at her hip and the tattered red cloak wrapped tight around her.

Taiyang had not aged well, but he was settling into retirement well. Grey filled his hair and he had developed a little bit of a pot belly, but his violet eyes still held that same warmth. At her quiet call he came slowly from the kitchen and pulled his daughter into a hug. Pushing her red hood back so he could smile softly at her. There were lines at the corners of her eyes and her long red hair tumbled free. Ruby was aging with far more grace then he. Though he worried for her at twenty five and still roaming alone, no man or woman had managed to catch her eye. "Hello baby girl, it's nice to see you."

Ruby returned to the hug, she had grown tall her head coming up to just under Tai's chin. "Nice to see you too, I just finished up in Mount Glenn it seemed like a good time to come visit."

"You're welcome here anytime." He pulled away. "Would you like some hot chocolate?"

"Yes please." Ruby unbuckled her boots and pulled off her red cloak hanging it up. Her thick tunics and pants were good against the cold while still letting her move freely. She gave up on corsets years ago, they had been cute once but she didn't want to feel cute anymore. She pulled of her gloves and rubbed her dry hands together, now she felt old and alone. Tai would sooth that a bit, but soon she would leave him again. Return to the road, return to hunting, for it was the only thing left to her now. She walked over and sat on the worn out couch, it was the same one and it had been there for her whole life. She ran a hand over the tired fabric, the house was so quiet. Zwei had died years ago and Tai hadn't had the heart to replace him.

Tai returned and gave her a mug of hot chocolate a smile was her thank you. The first little sip told her it was how Ozpin and then Oscar, who they eventually just all called Ozpin again made it. She always felt sorry for him, even as they trained together. Oscar had been cute and Ozpin had always made her feel safe. They had even almost dated, but with Salem and all the rest. There was just never time and by the time Ozpin had finished assimilating Oscar's soul, it was almost to late. For she could never date the two while they were separate entities in one body. Haven had fallen and then it was a mad rush against Salem, they had shared that one night together before the final battle and then he had gone and gotten himself killed. Ruby hadn't even looked for anyone since, but she did not wish for him back. Ozpin's was a very old soul, it had long since earned its rest.

Tai watched his daughter and bit his lip, in moments like this she reminded him of Qrow. Qrow now that was a name he hadn't given to much thought too in over a decade. Not since the war with Salem started and Qrow had been nowhere to be found. When Raven disbanded team STRQ, Qrow had also left them but he had not returned to the tribe or gone to Ozpin. He just disappeared, gone. Rumours still sometimes reached Taiyang's ears, rumors of a Huntsman living alone in the mountains guarding travelers through Vale's mountian ranges. He wondered if Qrow still drank or if age had tempered him like it had himself. Ruby was so very like Qrow, the war had worn away at her honest soul bit by bit, till there was nothing left but the Huntress. Qrow's Semblance had done the same to him, maybe these two souls had something in common. Tai knew Qrow still cared about family, he had appeared just once for the final battle. One minute they had been overwhelmed by Grimm, the next he was there. There scythe in hand, saving the day and when the danger had past. He was gone again not even remaining to say hello or to see if the danger had truly gone, yet somehow he had known it was.

Yes, Ruby and Qrow had a great deal in common now, they both walked through life with eyes dead to the world around them. Tai made a decision, one he hoped would bring his baby girl happiness in her lonely life. He set his cup down, threaded his fingers together and said softly. "I think it's time I told you about Qrow Branwen."


Ruby cracked her eyes open, Crack Crack Pop! The firewood popped and hissed as water evaporated from it. She sat slowly up and found that she had had been stripped down to her under armour. The blanket tucked in tight around her was a quilted wool, very heavy but very warm. The couch she was sitting on very old leather, the red so faded it had been turned brown but it was well cared for the leather still strong. She looked over to the fireplace watching the flames leap and dance, warm orange light in an otherwise dark room. Looking up upon the mantelpiece there were photos, the first she recognized as the one her dad had of team STRQ. Beside it was one of Yang as a baby, beside that was another of Yang as a toddler, then one of Ruby as a baby. The pattern went on, pictures of the whole family together up till Ruby was fifteen, then they stopped altogether.

Look around she saw there was not much furniture, one table before the fire. She could see the leg had broken and was now propped up with books. Her eyes found a bookshelf with one of the shelves broken, books piled to the side of it instead. Above one window a rail for curtain, it was half broken but in the bitter cold night no light shone through. There was another chair by the door, clearly hand made and seemed to serve as a coat rack with her and another cloak upon it. Propped up beside the door was her long sword and another much longer claymore that could only belong to Qrow.

The wind howled around the tiny log cabin, so Ruby did not hear the soft step till her host was standing beside her. She jumped in surprise, but didn't make a sound in his hands were two mugs. She could smell the hot chocolate in them, the firelight made it hard to see his feature but she could make him out. His eyes were a pale red, with wrinkles not unlike her own around in the corners. His hair was black and longer his bangs near falling into his eyes, it looked self cut and styled. It was almost feathered in curls and streaked with grey, his scruff along his jaw thinner but coloured the same way. His skin was pale though she had a feeling it would tan when the sun returned. He was taller than her by a large margin but still very athletic and slim. Something her father had not retained with age. He was wearing a wool grey turtle neck shirt, thick black wool trousers with socks of the same colour and material.

Ruby moved over silently drawing the blanket up with her tucking it tight around her. Qrow offered the mug and Ruby took it having a seat, glancing over at him she saw that his mug had large white cracks from where it had broken once. The mug itself was white with the Beacon coat of arms on it, he must have really liked the mug to take the time to repair it. Ruby sipped the hot chocolate, Ozpin's blend again gracing her tongue. She took a moment to wonder how many people he had taught the recipe to. She bet it was not many, he had always taken pride in his hot chocolate.

Qrow glanced over at the woman beside him, she was a huntress. That much he could see right away though she looked to be in her mid twenties and his mind gave him a name. Ruby Rose , what was she doing here? Why was she hiking through a blizzard in his mountains? She was taller than Summer, her hair a lighter red, he tried to remember her from the brief glimpse he had gotten of her when he saved Tai as she fought Salem. The Ruby in his memory looked so much more alive than this one, this one had a dead look in her eye he knew all too well. He saw it in the mirror every morning.

"Why are you here?" He asked softly, no one had ever come to him before.

"Taiyang said you may be able to help me." Ruby said then sipped her drink, she frowned and confessed. "Though he didn't say with what."

"And you came?" Qrow raised a brow at her, why would Tai send her to him?

"He had never talked about you before, then one night he told me everything and said I should meet you." Ruby sipped her hot chocolate and bit her lip. "Thank you, for rescuing me. I had been looking for you for months now, I didn't want to risk missing you."

Qrow didn't understand, why would Tai tell her about him? Qrow had asked to be forgotten, he was just a bad luck charm, lost to history where he belonged. This wasn't the first time someone had hunted down his legend for he had created one over the decades defending the passes against Grimm. He looked her over, petite as she was, she had to be very skilled to have found him or even gotten as close as she had.

Ruby blushed at his silence and looked to the mantle again. "I like your pictures, did dad send them?"

Qrow nodded, Tai had sent them in the hope that one day they would bring Qrow home. They were his most prized possessions but instead of calling him home, they were a reminder why he had to stay away. "Tai sent them." Why? Why had Tai sent his daughter to him?

Ruby drank her hot chocolate, he sure wasn't easy to make small talk with. Again she wondered why Tai set her to him why her father thought this was important. Though from his demeanor and that Qrow was so quiet he didn't seem too pleased to have a guest. "Does anyone live here with you?"

"No." Qrow had even stopped visiting the towns to find lovers, one could only endure so many hollow one night stands. They watched the fire dance, listened to the pops and cracks, the silence like a great void between them. Both wondering the same thing, why had Tai sent Ruby to Qrow? Ruby finished her hot chocolate and set the cup on the table. With a soft crack another leg broke sending the cup sliding down towards Qrow.

The red eyed man caught it with a long deep sigh. "Sorry." He said mutely, already his Semblance had struck again.

Ruby shrugged and smiled sadly. "I don't mind, stuff happens, we can only deal with it as it comes."

Qrow set the cup down, traced his thumbs over the lip of his own. He listened to the wind howl outside, she wouldn't be able to leave till it past. He swallowed looking into his mug, he couldn't remember the last time he had company for any length of time, or if he ever had. Loneliness welled up in his chest, he tried to smother it before it could get far. "Thank you, after the first few cases of my Semblance showing most aren't so forgiving."

"I've learned that pointing fingers and casting blame only leads to more pain." The Silver eyed woman said, looking over at the table, she was fairly sure it was oak. "I imagine it's the most taxing on you, getting angry over it is pointless."

Qrow couldn't completely keep the smile off his lips, he bowed his head. "Taiyang has raised you well." He set both mugs on the ground and shifted to sit on the couch, curled up and perched in one worn leather corner.

"Well I've had a lot of time to think about how such a Semblance would work while I was looking for you. I decided I could just as sooner blame a black cat for something going wrong as you." Ruby also snuggled back into the couch her back against the armrest as she pulled the blanket up around her shoulders.

"I am the black cat." The red eyed man shivered wrapping his arms around his calves, he gave her his blanket and sure he had more bedding but it was on his bed. Wind battered the small log cabin again and Qrow could feel its icy fingers reach inside his home. Even with the fire there always seemed to be a draft in his house, like somewhere something had slipped and he could never find the spot.

Ruby smiled sadly at him wondering about the life he had lead, how lonely he must be. She had her team and family, this man appeared to have nothing. Though it seemed to be of his own choice for the safety of those around him, it still made her heart ache with sadness. "Well we can only do the best we can, with the hand we're dealt."

"That is a very… positive way to look at it." Qrow rested his cheek against his knee, it was so strange to talk with someone. Most of his talking consisted of. 'You're welcome', 'Thank you', 'Excuse me' and 'Is that bounty still up?' Having an actual conversation was strange, he found himself wracking his brain for any manners or mannerisms he'd have to remember now that he had this unexpected company.

"Well with everything that has happened, taking everything negatively..." The fire cracked as she glanced at the stone floor now seeing the stained rugs that seemed to cover near all of the floor. She guessed it must get very cold and rugs were easier to clean than carpet. "There is just no point to it, especially when we have no control."

Qrow looked over to her, she spoke like she'd seen blame cast pointlessly more than enough. "Well thank you all the same." He glanced at the sofa again, there was no way he was letting her sleep out here again, he'd changed the bedding on his bed while she had been sleeping. He glanced over and noted her nose was still a little red, it was a stroke of good luck to have found her at all. He didn't know what compelled him to go for a walk in a blizzard but he was glad he had. He watched as she pulled the blanket tighter around herself. "I'll be uh right back."

Qrow returned from the small cupboard carrying a red flannel sheet. "The bed is for you, I will sleep on the couch." It was so strange having someone here, in his personal space. He glanced around, a blush dusted his cheeks, it was a bit nerve wracking.

At once Ruby stood up so Qrow could start making the couch as comfortable for himself as possible. Qrow unfolded the sheet but when he lifted it up his hand lost its slack grip, the flannel slipping from his hand and landing on his head. With a gruff he tried to remove it from his head but only succeeded in somehow wrapping it around his body. Ruby controlled her smirk, it wouldn't do to laugh at the older man. Again he tried to untangle himself from the blanket but it had wrapped around his foot now, tripping Qrow at the same time.

Ruby felt something bubble inside her. It had been a long time since she found something so amusing, as Qrow's head became visible the silver eyed clamped her mouth shut. It was too much, seeing the way his hair flopped over his eyes as he tangled with the sheet. He looked like he was trying to fight a Geist Grimm that had possessed the material. Her shoulders shuddered with the laugh she was desperately trying to hold in but as Qrow tried to stand the sheet tied around his legs tripped him up again and Ruby couldn't help bursting into laughter.

The sound filled the cabin, it seemed to echo off the walls and bounce into his ears as he looked up from the floor at Tai's daughter. When was the last time he ever heard a woman's laugh? Had he ever heard something so beautiful in his whole life? Qrow could almost see the silvery notes dance from her unpainted mouth and found himself smiling along with her. It was enthralling to listen too.

Tears of laughter welled up in her eyes as Ruby clutched at her stomach trying hard to stop the laughter. Oh dear! It had been so long, Ruby couldn't help herself. Somewhere in the back of her mind she tried to remember when the last time she laughed so honestly was and couldn't come up with anything. Not since team RWBY did its slow unofficial disband, not since Yang left her to join Blake and Sun.

Ruby finally felt the tremors of laughter begin to die down and swiped her hand across her eyes, wiping away at the stray tears. When she opened them the first thing she noticed were Qrow's red eyes staring back at her. He was still lay on the floor a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips and a glint in his eyes. Ruby felt the heat from the fire colour her cheeks slightly as she bent down to help Qrow back up off the floor.

"Thanks." Qrow wouldn't admit it but he really wanted to hear that sound again. It had lightened something in his chest but thankfully the storm banging against his windows pulled both their attentions back to the present. He wasn't sure what to say so he nodded over to the doorway. "Bedroom is over there, bathroom just through the door on the right."

Understanding the moment was over, Ruby's eyes calmed, some of the blankness reforming over the sparkly silver. Nodding she left the warmth of the fire and looked over her shoulder at Qrow. He was no longer looking at her as he finally got the blanket onto the obviously uncomfortable couch. "Goodnight Qrow."

Qrow held her gaze for a moment before giving her a distant smile. "Goodnight Ruby."

The room was like the rest of the cabin, small and basic. It held a double bed and one single wooden chest. The curtains were dark and heavy keeping most of the cold from seeping through the windows. Ruby leaned on the sill, looking out at the storm. It was going to be a long one and who knew when she would be able to make her way back down the mountain. Not that she had any intention of leaving until she figured out why her father had sent her to find Qrow and what he meant by Qrow helping her.

Qrow Branwen huh. She had been expecting some bitter old hermit, well at least she got one right. His home was a cold and empty place and while it wasn't dirty, Ruby lifted her hands from the window sill and wiped the dust off, he didn't do much deep cleaning. She wondered for a moment how far his Semblance reached and shook her head, it really didn't have anything to do with her.

Ruby felt her eyes drift slightly, reminding her that she'd had little sleep as of late but pulled out the tattered scroll. Thankfully the storm and snow hadn't damaged it as she quickly typed up a message for her father. :Found Qrow.:

:Did you have any problems?: Tai's message came almost right after she sent hers, he must have been waiting for it. He had made her promise that once she found Qrow she was the let him know.

:No, the storm was challenging to navigate through but I'm here safe and sound.: She left out the part about her getting stuck on the mountain and collapsing during the storm, knowing she would likely be seeing Tai race up the mountain if he found out.

:Okay, good. I love you Ruby.:

:I love you too dad.: Once the message was sent successfully after a few failures. It was probably due to the storm, she sat on the bed and ran a hand over the the soft material.

Qrow's bed was made in red and dark grey linens and looked comfy enough. Being so far up the mountains the air was rather cool but as Ruby slipped into the large bed she curled under the warm layers. They were soft and when she breathed deeply she could detect the light scent of Qrow. It was like sitting in a forest, somewhere between pine and the freshest of air. It was so comforting that Ruby's eyes drifted shut with ease and she smiled into a dreamless sleep.


Qrow stared up at the ceiling, for sitting his couch was fine, for sleeping on… Not so much. What on Remnant was he going to do? Why had Tai sent her here? To him of all people? He huffed and got up heading over to the door and pulled a backpack from where it had been hidden by behind their cloaks. He dug his scroll out and booted it up, his cabin didn't have power so he used his scroll sparingly. He walked back over to the sofa and sat with a flop, the opened up Tai's text channel, guilt poked at him. The last one was simply :Help: with a set of coordinates, Qrow had never flown so fast in his life. His fingers hovered over the screen, he took a deep breath and typed his first message in a very long time. :Hey: There short to the point, a good first step in his first conversation with Tai in over a decade… two? Well it had been a long time.

:She found you then.: Came the prompt reply, like he already had his scroll out.

:Yeah.: Qrow texted back, damn it felt weird to text.

:That's good.:

:Why? Why did you send her?: Small talk was something Qrow had never mastered.

:I thought that she'd benefit from your company.:

:We've barely talked in…:

:And you've done the same thing in all that time. Just because we weren't talking doesn't mean I haven't been keeping an eye on you.:

Qrow felt like a kid getting caught with his hand in the cookie jar. : Fair enough. :

:Do you like her?:

:She is,: Qrow paused, cute? Pretty? Understanding? Tolerante? :nice.: He settled on, that wasn't too hard to put in.

:Only nice?:

Qrow could practically hear Tai's smile. :What am I supposed to say?: He didn't have any idea what he was doing and the feeling that he was being lead around by his nose was starting to creep up on him.

:What you think of course, I did send her to find you and I know you pretty well.:

The red eyed man struggled to find words. :She's… kind. She didn't fault me for my Semblance at all. Even laughed when it had me get all twisted up in a sheet.:

:She has a very nice laugh.:

:Yeah she does.: Qrow typed without thinking so ready to agree with Tai, as he pressed on the message to delete it Tai replied.

:I'm glad you noticed.:

Qrow blinked twice, say what? His brain stalled, what the heck did that mean? :Care to explain?:

:I was getting a bit worried that you'd fallen into melancholy. I had hoped she'd snap you out of it, though it's good to see I worried for nothing.:

:So is that why you sent her? To cheer me up?: Qrow did not like that idea, he was fine with his lot in life.

:I sent her because I thought it would benefit you both.:

:Can you cut with the cryptic bull shit?: Qrow huffed annoyed he got up and put another log on the fire while he waited for the message.

:Na, this is fun. I'm going to bed, sleep well my old friend. Have pleasant dreams.:

Qrow huffed and turned off his scroll, flopping back onto the couch with a groan. Well that had been totally not helpful! He grabbed the blanket and pulled it tight around him, punched his pillow into better shape. Have pleasant dreams, what was Tai playing at?