The Turning

hello and welcome to chapter 2 I hope you will enjoy reading it, thank you.

Chapter 2 Rescued

Qrow had been traveling for some time, he was on a mission to spy on salem's movements and operations, though he found little information. As he walked over a hill, he saw a nearby town that was smoking; concerned he wandered over and instantly noticed the destruction. It was abundantly clear as to the cause but what was confusing was the tracks left only went out of the town not in, puzzled he unholstered his weapon and walked in.

As Qrow wandered around the town, it was just a slew of corpses and despair causing even Qrow to wince. Something was wrong here, Qrow's senses were screaming at him that a danger was lurking. He wandered into the main street where he saw a sight that nearly caused him to retch, three young boys gored and mutilated in the main street, upon a quick inspection whatever happened to them was no grimm.

As he passed a house something caught his eye but before he could react something struck his chest knocking him onto the ground. Enveloped in a dust cloud he couldn't see what hit him only that it was heavy, fast and crying. Qrow reached for what was pinning him down only to feel silky hair. The dust settled as Qrow watched a little girl crying into his chest, not sure what to do he coughed before speaking "you all right kid" a sniff came from the ball of sadness "a… are… you… real." The girls voice was so hollow and defeated that it caused Qrow's heart to sink.

Qrow reverted to his semi-cocky attitude in an attempt to calm the child "I was the last time I checked" the girl flinched hearing his words before looking up at the man, her sad blue eyes tugged at Qrow's heart "what's your name kid" the girl sniffed again "Emily".

Qrow managed to pry himself off Emily "what happened exactly".

Emily stood up wiping her tears with her sleeve "the grimm suddenly attacked us…" she trailed off before continuing to sob.

Qrow gave Emily a good look over before noticing the amount of dried blood all over the girl "are you injured".

Emily shook her head "its not my blood, it's my…" she couldn't finish the sentence before falling on her knees crying profusely.

Qrow understood what she meant "do you know if anyone is left".

Emily shrugged "the town stopped screaming an hour ago" she said bluntly.

The sudden shift in Emily's mood threw Qrow off, looking around it was obvious no one was left but that left the question 'how did Emily survive' he turned to the girl "I'm sorry for asking kid, but how is it you are still alive?"

Emily flinched at the question she raised her hands and stared into her palms as if looking for something "I don't know the big one came into my home…" she paused trying her best not to cry "it looked at me then killed my family and left along with the other grimm".

This information startled Qrow to no end the grimm have never spared anyone before, sure they retreat if the tide of a fight changes but never just let someone live, the fact Emily was the only one spared left Qrow with a bad feeling. But he could hardly leave her here, he sighed before looking down at the girl and gesturing his hand towards her "come with me kid, there isn't much I can do about your family but at least I can honour them by keeping you safe".

Emily nodded as much as she was grieving, there was nothing left here, her life in this town had ended. She looked up at Qrow "b… but where will I go I don't have any other family?"

Qrow paused and thought for a moment "how old are you Emily".

"im eleven…" she paused then a single chuckle came out of her mouth "huh I guess im twelve aren't I" she smiled but it wasn't happiness, it was a dreadful realisation.

Qrow raised an eyebrow "what do you mean you 'guess'?"

Emily chuckled creepily "don't you know, today is my birthday" she pulled out the blood-sTained birthday box from her pocket.

Qrow kept getting chills from the girl, something wasn't right with her, but he opted to ignore it on the bases that she is extremely traumatized right now. Aside from that she is the same age as Ruby; suddenly a lightbulb pinged in his head. He whipped out his scroll and phoned Tai.

Emily watched curiously as Qrow was having this call, it was a lot of favour talk and he mentioned her a few times before he sighed with relief and thanked whoever was on the other side of the call. Qrow returned with a small smile "good news kid I have place for you to stay my brother-in-law has a home in patch and has agreed to take you in".

Emily hesitated was she ready for an entirely different family, she just lost hers and even thinking about that was bringing her eyes to water, on the other side she couldn't stay in the blood soaked town and cerTainly not in her house with little option she sighed and took Qrow's hand "alright lets go."

Qrow felt every pain struck letter in her words.

….

The two travelled for a little while as the nearest bullhead station was a fair distance from the town Emily lived in. Emily barely said a word during the journey nor did Qrow spark much of a conversation, only really asking how she was doing and if she was hungry.

Eventually they made it to the bullhead station where Qrow paid for the two to go to patch as they seated Emily raised her head towards Qrow "what is he like?" Qrow raised an eyebrow "you mean Tai?" Emily nodded, Qrow grew a smile "well kid let me first set the record straight, no matter what he says, I'm the better huntsmen" Emily cracked a small smile at the little boast, Qrow continued "but I can say he is one of the most sincerest person I've had the pleasure of knowing, I will also deny that I said that if you bring it up". They talked like this until they set down in patch

As they got off a blonde-haired man was standing nearby, both him and Qrow exchanged a nod before they approached each other, Emily upon seeing the man got kind of shy and poorly hid behind Qrow.

Qrow and Tai shared a manly handshake "good to see you blondie" Tai laughed "same to you bird brain" they broke off and Tai knelt down to the semi cowering Emily with an apologetic smile on his face "so I'm guessing you're Emily Qrow said you need a place to stay" Emily nodded she spoke softly "if its no problem sir" Tai gave her a closed eye smile "such manners" he rubbed her head gently "its no problem at all, my home is your home". Quickly tears formed on Emily's face as she threw herself into Tai for a hug.

Tai let Emily hug him for as long as she needed while looking he looked up at Qrow "do you want to stop by the cabin Qrow the dinner is on" Qrow shrugged "ehh why not I don't have to give my report to Oz till tomorrow anyway, you better have booze" Tai laughed "spoken like a Branwen" Tai felt Emily loosen her grip and let go wiping the last tear of her face "better?" he said looking at Emily, she sniffed and nodded "thank you".

As they approached the cabin Qrow felt like he was being watched, as the three got close a flurry of wind and rose petals collided with Qrow and was sent on the ground again "this feels familiar" he thought to himself as the bundle of red and black started to squeal "its uncle Qrow!, hey!, how are you!, I'm so happy to see you!, did you miss me, did you" Qrow grinned "nope" and pushed her gently off. Dusting himself off again he went to pat the red head "how are you quirt; I see your getting the hang of your semblance" the red head beamed at the compliment before nodding "yes sir hehe"

Tai spoke up "hey Ruby come here a sec I have someone for you to meet" Ruby quickly turned to her dad to see a girl standing next to him, she tilted her head in confusion and walked forward. Tai bent down to Emily "this is energetic ball of petals is Ruby, she is my daughter" Emily nodded at Ruby in acknowledgement, Ruby turned to her dad "who is the girl dad" Tai put on a smile "this is Emily and she will be staying with us, I did mention it earlier" Ruby rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment "must of forgot" she turned to Emily and stuck her hand out "nice to meet to ya' im Ruby" she said while offering a smile. Emily cracked a small smile and shook her hand "nice to meet you Ruby".

Their introduction was cut short when Yang burst the front door open "dad the dinner is burning!" Tai's face went pale he turned to Ruby "think you can garb the dinner real quick" Ruby nodded with a determined smile "watch your f….." was all Tai got out before Ruby was gone followed by a series of pained noises. Tai sighed "im going to have to bandage her hands again" Qrow chuckled as Yang approached making a beeline for Emily.

Emily flinched from the other blonde's approach; suddenly feeling really intimidated she was about to back away before Yang crouched down holding out her hand with a smile "you must be Emily, dad said you were coming my name is Yang, Ruby's older sister". Emily physically relaxed at Yang's greeting, she took her hand and gave her a small smile and a nod Yang chuckled "shy one aint ya? Well don't worry ill keep you safe, think of me as your older sister from now on" Yang flexed her arm.

Emily was thrown off by Yang's declaration so soon after her family was taken, she wasn't ready for another family so soon, but she didn't want to be rude either, so she weakly said "sure".

After Yang's introduction everyone headed inside, the warmth of the cabin hit Emily it was different from her previous home although she was never cold in her house it sometimes felt empty mostly because of her parent's circumstance but it still bothered her deep down. This place however there was an air to it that just screamed family, the atmosphere around this family was intoxicating to the point Emily couldn't help but smile whilst also cry at the same time.

Emily felt an arm on her shoulder, she turned her head to see Qrow looking at her "you holding up kid?" Emily sniffed then pulled out a smile "yeah". "alright everyone dinner is served" Tai's voiced announced around the cabin. Emily converged to the kitchen where she saw Ruby with blowing on her hands, even Emily could tell they were red with pain but not a tear sTained her cheek. Tai turned around with a large turkey and placed it on the table, the smell caused Emily's stomach to wail in pain, she hadn't really eaten since…

As Tai was carving it, Emily's eyes were drawn to the knife, the way it effortlessly cut through the meat brought back the horrid memories, she started to hyperventilate, followed by a deafening tinnitus she clutched her head, covering her ears in a failed attempt to supress the sound but it only grew louder and louder the sound coming very close to making her head explode…

suddenly everything stopped the screaming in her ears was reduced to little more than faint static, she opened her eyes to see Ruby clutching her shoulder with the deathly concerned expression. Emily just stood in silence utterly paralyzed by this girl's silver eyes which seemed to calm her soul but also agitate it a small amount.

In a moment that seemed to last hours Emily finally snapped back, she look past Ruby to see everyone with the same concerned expression, even Qrow could not help but show concern. Emily avoided all their gazes before landing on Tai's "where is my room sir" Emily said in an extremely poor attempt at a normal expression.

Tai pointed upsTairs "last room on the right" Emily nodded and headed immediately she turned her head back before coming out of view "thank you". Ruby was about to follow before Tai grabbed Ruby gently "leave her Ruby she has had a worse experience than anyone should have to see in their life". Ruby began to sob "but I want to help her" Tai smiled warmly at her "I know you do sweety but give her time and space ok kid" Ruby sadly nodded.

Everyone ate in silence that night.

Emily stared into up into the ceiling; sleep was nowhere to be found, the memories of what happened sought to that the memories played back like an old-fashioned movie reel one moment she was picking flowers, the next she saw Jack smirking, the next Jacks smirking face growing further and further away as she descended into the murky pool the next few slides however were blacked out as if those memories weren't meant for her.

The final memory approached, the one she was dreading which played out in three parts; the first was the beowolfs claw through her dads chest Emily began crying, the second was watching the beowolf clutching his heart Emily was screaming at this point "No!... stop!... please!" begging her memories not to continue, she knew the next one, but the memory forced its way in and played it back in full colour. The beowolf standing over Emily as it held her dads' heart before crushing It, Emily stopped crying and screaming immediately as she recalled the last of the memory.

The main reason she begged for the memory to cease was not because of her father's death but because how beautiful the world looked in red.

Emily began quietly giggling to herself she was about to burst into hysterics before a gentle knock wrapped on her door, followed by the door opening. Emily just watched in silence as Ruby walked in, not saying a word she approached Emily's bed lifted her covers and climbed into bed with Emily. Emily was stunned "R-Ruby what are yo- "was all she got out before Ruby wrapped her arms around her in a warm, gentle embrace. Ruby looked up at Emily with comforting eyes "I thought you could use a hug". Emily did not know how to respond except hug her back "thank you Ruby" she choked out before gently crying into Ruby.

The two held each other all night, it was the first night in a while that Emily managed to actually sleep.

That I the end of chapter two I hope you liked, I have so many ideas for this story and I cant wait to share them with you all, thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the next chapter.