-Souma Uchiha's POV-

(Few Minutes Earlier)

I wipe my tears and regain control over my emotions, Ana who was kind enough to stay by my side when I broke down crying...after a few minutes I clean myself up and get ready for the funeral.

Souma: "I have no idea how to face them..."

I said my thinking about my family that is dealing with this while I ran away.

Ana: "You're weren't in a right state of mind...I'm sure they'll understand."

We walk downstairs and see the rest sitting, while having lunch.

Samantha: "SOUMA!"

Sam screamed while looking excited to see me...she's eating pancakes...for lunch.

Samantha: "I have pancakes! I'll share with you."

Trevor then grin as he looks at Sam.

Trevor: "What's this? You never share your pancakes...lucky you Souma."

Sam got slightly flustered causing me to smile warmly at them. As they saw this, they laugh and I felt a tug on my wrist. I turn to see Lily smiling at me.

Lily: "You look handsome, I'm sure your family will be please to see you."

I nod and proceed to walk to the front door.

Souma: "I'll eat while I'm back home."

Trevor then scratch his head looking confuse.

Trevor: "I mean shouldn't you eat now...the next ship back to your village won't be here in the next hour."

I smile as I look at him with the corner of my eyes.

*Kamui SFX*

The gang then see the space being distorted around me...Sam looks in excitement despite having a pancake hanging in her mouth.

Souma: "I have ways."

I said with a smile then place a cigarette in my mouth. I then teleport to my home, the gang looks at me as I vanish out of thin air. Trevor smile while his arms cross.

Trevor: "...Well...glad to see he still have style."

The other nods in agreement causing them to laugh.

Lily then started crying.

Anna: "Lily?"

Lily: "I'm just glad...he's okay. He looked so lost, I had no idea what to say to him."

Sam while still chewing on her pancakes rubs her head without realizing there were still syrup in her hand.

Sam: "Ah."

Lily: "..."

We then hear a low growl coming from her...oh she's pissed.

*Kamui SFX*

I arrived at my destination...ah...damn..I still need to practice my Kamui. I arrived in the middle of the funeral, the guests looks at me slightly panic as to why a child randomly appear out of thin air. I see dad standing next to the podium about to give his speech...I then see my mother above the pyre...she look so beautiful in her dress.

I look up to feel the rain touch my face...for some reason it feels warm.

The General and Uncle Oz are here as well...for some reason I unknowingly glare at Uncle Oz...he saw this and look down feeling downcast...At the corner of my eye I see Uncle Qrow drinking as he looks at me.

As I was about to walk I see ruby...she looks at me for a brief moment then quickly look away...*sigh* What am I gonna do with her? I then see Yang standing few meters in front of me...she then started running to wards me.

Yang ran at me raising her fist towards me...I see her beautiful lilac eyes turn red.

Yang: "SOUUUMAAAA!"

Souma: "Yang?"

Ah...cookies.

Yang: "HOOORRAAAAA!"

*BAM*

She gave me a mean right hook on my face, I flew and crash landed on the muddy ground on my back.

I can hear the guests gasping as they saw this...I merely look up towards the skies...I'm sure mom is laughing at my situation at this moment.

I felt the rain touch my face..and for moment I close my eyes, enjoying the sensation. I then hear Yang's footsteps coming closer.

Yang: "..."

Souma: "You know...this is the first time I wore this suit...and It didn't even last for 10 minutes."

I said it with a slight smile on my face...she then see me slowly getting up...I brush the mud from my sleeves and pants.

As I was cleaning myself, Yang looks at me in anger and ask.

Yang: "Where were you?"

I look to see her eyes are still red...she must be really furious towards me.

Yang: "When you left, where did you go? We went to Signal City and couldn't find you...we were worried something might have happen to you!"

Ah...she thought I was attacked by the people who killed mom..

Souma: "I went to an unknown location when I left yesterday...I found a cave...and slept through the day."

I look at her as she heard my answer...she doesn't know what to say next...she didn't thought this far as expected.

I then place one hand in my pocket and turn to walk away from her heading towards the house. This cause her to feel slight distraught.

Yang: "Where are you going?"

I look at her with the corner of my eye.

Souma: "To the house...to clean myself up, you can't expect me to attend our mother's funeral looking like this."

I then turn to face father who's looking confused how to deal with his children.

Souma: "Carry on with the ceremony father...I'll be back after I'm done cleaning myself."

He nods when he heard me...which is my cue to leave...then I felt a warm hand holding onto my hand...I turn to see Yang who is holding it...

Yang: "I'll help you...since it's my fault."

As I see her beautiful lilac eyes, she quickly look away blushing...I gave her a chuckle and proceed to walk towards the house...I can see Ruby in the corner of my eyes..she wanted to walk towards us but hesitate...she still felt guilty what she had said to me.

Yang then pulls me to not wast time.

When we enter the house...I see foods and pictures being display...the first thing I saw was a portrait of my mother and next it a picture of us...I walk towards it and pick it up.

This was before she left...I remember this...why does it felt like years?

Yang stands next to me with tears in her eyes.

Yang: "You saw it didn't you?...How she died..."

I didn't say anything and place the picture down...I look at her and smile while rubbing her head. She got slightly annoyed that I didn't answer her...it's not that I didn't want to...it's just that I don't remember much after my rampage...or I chose to.

I walk upstairs towards my room to change out my suit into a new one. I takes off my clothes of only to be peeked at by Yang who's blushing...ah we haven't seen each other since the hero ceremony...I've been training my body these past weeks...because of it my physic looks better than most seven year old.

Yang: "I'll wait o-outside."

She leave my room in a hurry when I caught her...I smile knowing I cause her face to turn red.

As I was changing I hear a knock on my door.

Souma: "Yes Yang?"

I turn only to see a different person.

Ruby: "..."

I see Ruby looking down as she stand in front of my door.

Souma: "Ruby..."

Ruby: "Souma...I..."

She's afraid...she can't even look me in the eye...damn what a lousy brother I've become...

(Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood OST 3 - The Alchemist)

Summer: "Protect them."

I walk towards Ruby..when she said this she became flustered and felt confused on what to do next...she see me raise my hand and quickly close her eyes thinking that I might hit her.

*Poke*

I place two of my fingers on her forehead and poke it gently...she open her eyes to see mine...what she saw puts lights in her eyes...she saw her loving brother smiling at her warmly.

Souma: "I'm back."

She started crying..as she hugs me tightly.

Ruby: "We-welco-me...Back!"

-10 minutes later-

I sat in between Ruby and Yang...Ruby fell asleep on my shoulder after all of the crying. I place my arm around her so she would be comfortable.

I then hear dad giving a speech about mom...on her achievements, dreams, family...honestly I didn't listen much on it since I too felt asleep...when it was over I felt Yang shaking my shoulder...I wake up to see it's time to burn the pyre...

Ruby wakes up rubbing her eyes and smile as she looks at me. She then hugs my arm causing me to rub her head gently. Dad beckons us to stand next to him to say our prayers...when we were done...I see dad carrying a torch and burn her body

We see her body covered in flame..as the rain stop pouring, we felt the wind blowing gently towards the sea...The General and Ozpin close their eyes while Qrow stands behind me...I then look towards a tree to see a lone raven perching on a branch it was looking at us then towards my mother...for a moment I thought the raven was crying.

The raven flew away when it saw that I was looking at it...I then turn to see my family crying.

*WhisperWhisperWhisper*

After the ceremony was done... we left to eat, some wanted to speak to me about the incident but I chose to ignore them as I want to spend my time with my family...I can tell dad was mentally exhausted...he's pretending to be strong in front of us.

Souma: "Dad.."

Tai: "Yes son..."

I look at him with a smile.

Souma: "We'll get through this...as a family...I'm sure that what she would have wanted."

He looks at me feeling surprise...he must have felt bad that he needed a child to tell him that...he laughs loudly then place his hand on my head.

Tai: "You're right...we'll get through this. I need to set an example after all, the girls need me...I'm sure even you as well...Souma...it was hard...wasn't it? Out of all of us...what you went through...no child should have went through that."

I recalled scene where I butchered and slaughtered Clark's men...including himself...no child huh? I guess it would be strange that a child like myself is capable of such destruction.

Clark: "Monster."

...

I then see the General and Uncle Oz walking towards me.

James: "Souma...I'm glad that your safe, I'm sorry about your mother."

Ozpin: "Indeed...I felt that it was partly my fault that she died."

I look at Uncle Oz...there are times where I notice that he burdens himself heavily as if he's shouldering years of griefs and regrets.

Souma: "No...mother knew the danger yet she chose to accept it because that was who she was...a Huntress. She died protecting someone she loved."

I said it without hesitation nor sadness but pride. Mother had always lived her life the way she wanted...I won't blame her nor hate her for it.

They smile when they heard me.

Ozpin: "You've grown strong...Souma, I'm sure Summer would have been proud of you."

James: "When you're free we need discuss in the near future to what had happen in the Black Forest. I'll contact Tai to set the date once your ready."

I nod and left them to talk while I go look for my sisters...I went upstairs to find them in their room talking. I listened in to what they say before I enter.

Yang: "Well...I'm glad that you and Souma made up, I was worried that the two of you would no longer speak to one another."

She said with her arms cross, Ruby smiles and nod.

Ruby: "Me too...I was worried as well...I didn't know how to talk to him..also.."

She begins blushing.

Yang: "Huh?...What is it?"

Ruby: "Is it me...or did Souma look different than usual."

She place her hand on her chin while contemplating.

Yang: "Well...he's beginning to look like a hunk."

Her words nearly cause me to collapse.

Ruby: "Oh yeah I notice that too! WAIT! Not that!...He's more..calmer than usual like...he slowly reminds me of mother."

Did I?...I didn't really notice.

Yang: "Oh that, yeah I can totally see Souma being like mom...including the yelling."

I lightly chuckle when I heard her and decided to step in.

Souma: "I'll skip yelling, instead I'll immediately punish you by not making dinner."

The girls jump when they saw me enter their room.

Yang: "You wouldn't!"

I smirk causing her to plop onto the floor causing Ruby to laugh.

Yang: "So what's up?"

I use Kamui and bring out the package mom sent to me.

Ruby: "THAT'S SO COOOOOL! HOW DID YOU DO THAT?"

They then see my Mangekyō Sharingan...causing them to look at me in silent.

Yang: "Your eyes..."

Souma: "I'll explain later...for now I bear gifts that mom had sent before she passed."

I passed Yang a pair of black gloves...it fits her hands perfectly.

Souma: "Mom said that you always were rough with your hands...and she said as a girl you should take good care of your body otherwise the boy you like would only see you as a tomboy...I never knew you like a boy..who is it? Is it that farmer boy?"

Yang begins blushing as she looks away...I tilt my head feeling confuse...until, Ah...right, well I do see her as a tomboy..but there are times I see her girly side which was cute.

I then take out Ruby's gift...it was a red cloak, the design resembles mother's white cloak...I walk up towards her and place it over her shoulder...and tie it for her. She smile widely and begins to twirl while looking at her new cloak.

Souma: "Mother said that when you grow up don't change a single thing...be true to yourself and fight like a true Huntress...also...she loves you both."

They stop and looks at me with tears in their eyes...I smile and went towards them and hug them tightly.

Just the three of us.

-Tai Xiao Long's POV-

(Muse - Starlight) (Ending Theme For Volume 0)

After saying farewell and seeing guests off, I walked around and stretch my body...I never felt so exhausted..reminded me of the time when I had to take care of Ruby when she was still a baby...good times.

Speaking of which...I didn't see my children after we had lunch...I went upstairs and see a door partially open..I went to see if the kids were in there..

I open the door slightly and smile.

I see the three kids sleeping in the bed hugging each other.

I think...the kids are gonna be fine..I watch over them from the shadows since Souma is their anchor.

Summer...we raised our children right hahaha. I close the door leaving them to their slumber.

End Of Volume 0

To Be Continue In Volume 1