Chapter 27

…

Tai's heart was racing. And so was Yang's, as well as Jaune's.

They all stared at the letter with a wide range of emotions bubbling inside.

"Just open it, dad," She said, and put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it.

He blinked. Then blinked again, several times, and then swallowed hard, and meekly nodded.

"Yes…Yes, we should," He uttered, and after taking a deep breath, he unfolded the letter. After taking in another deep breath, he started to read it.

'My dear sister, dad and Jaune.

I'll start with you, dad.

And first thing I want to say is that I'm sorry. I'm really, from the bottom of my heart, sorry for hurting you. I know it couldn't have been easy to accept that I left. And I know that me apologizing doesn't solve anything, but even so, I want you to know that I really am sorry for hurting you like that. However, I just couldn't sit around doing nothing. I had to do something, or at least try to do something.

I'm a huntress, after all. And huntsmen always try to make things better, and that's exactly what me and my friends are trying to do. We're trying to make things better. And we're trying our hardest, and it isn't easy, and sometimes, we wish there was something else we could do. That someone else could do what we have to.

We have many regrets, and me hurting you, dad, is my personal one I regret the most. And yet, even in spite of all that, I still want to move forward. And so, do my friends, and we will because no matter how many doubts and regrets we have to bear, we know one thing for sure. As long as there is something, anything at all we can do to make things better. Opportunities to save lives and help those who need it, evil which needs to be defeated, it is our responsibility to take that action.

Because being huntsmen isn't one of the many regrets we have. It is our blessing, even as painful as it can be at times. That's why, I hope that you'll understand why I did what I did. And if you don't, hopefully my, our, actions will speak louder than words.'

He finished reading, and then handed the letter to Yang.

"Next part is addressed to you," He said with a voice quieter than usual.

She accepted it without uttering a word, but not until after giving him a glance.

He didn't glance back.

'…

My dear sister, Yang.

First of all, and most importantly, I hope that you're doing better than you did before. I hope you're recovering, and I hope that one day, I will see again that courageous, confident and at times, irritating grin that you used to have.

In many ways, you were my role model, and in many different ways, you were like a mother to me. You looked after me, you cared for me, you taught me things, and honestly, I couldn't have asked for a better sister than you.

Hopefully, when the day will come when we'll see each other again, you'll be proud of the things that I've done. And you'll be happy for your dorky, quirky, gun-loving little sister. And you'll be happy for yourself as well.

I know that you're going through tough times, but I know even better that you're above all that. You've always been stronger than any hardship you've ever faced, and I won't accept that this time, it's any different from that.

"I can do this, sis! Believe me! I know I can!"

You used to say that a lot when were little. Do you remember?'

She read it, and then passed the letter to Jaune.

"Next part is meant for you to read it," She said, and her tone didn't betray anything at the moment. Perhaps, there wasn't anything to betray just yet.

"Okay," He said just that, and accepted the letter, and then started to read it.

'…

Jaune.

Hi, Jaune!

I hope that you're doing better as well. I know it isn't easy to deal with all the burden, regret and that sorta stuff, but I know even better that you can get through it! I know you can! I…I always believed you could do awesome stuff.

Huh. You know, I can still remember all the pep-talks we had back in Beacon. I mean, you yourself never shied away from reminding me how much I've helped you. But funnily enough, you always seemed to forget of all the times when I was the one who needed your help.

I mean, remember that time I was crying because I wasn't doing so well in a combat class? It's a such a silly, stupid thing to spill your tears over, yet you didn't laugh at me. You took my distress seriously, and then you helped me to get over it. And I can still remember how grateful I felt to have such a wonderful friend like you by my side. Best friend, in fact. And you still are my best friend, and I hope that I am yours too.

That's why, even though we're not together right now, I think it's fair to make a promise we both will have to keep no matter what.

And that promise is, that we'll do our best in our lives! With our lives! You'll do your best. I'll do my best, and whoever breaks that promise, will have to…I don't know, buy the other person chocolate chip cookies for the rest of their life! No backing out, now! It's all set the moment you'll read this letter! Ha!

So please, Jaune, make yourself stronger again. And I mean it in more ways than just one.

Honestly, one of the things that I miss the most is your laughter. You always had such a contagious, bright one.

And I also miss the way we could be quirky together. Like standing behind a table, sipping a punch when everyone else was dancing.'

He read it, and then pursed his lips for some moments.

I remember that, yea.

He did, and then noted the next part was still addressed to him. It just wasn't from Ruby.

'…

From Nora and Ren.

First of all, we miss you, Jaune.

It's been a couple of months at this point since we've last seen each other, but we think about you every single day. And we worry. A lot. And we often wish we were together right now, but, well, it is what it is, and hopefully, this is the way it should be. Even as worrisome and painful as it can be at times.

We still have faith in you, Jaune. Faith in you as the person, our dearest friend, and the great leader you used to be. And we also still have faith in the things you can do, and not only for yourself, but those around you. Yes, we do! And that means that even though we're not together right now, it is still your responsibility to live up to that faith that we have.

I will be super mad if you don't! I won't break your legs, but I will twist your ankles! Hard!

…Ahem. We love you, Jaune. We do from the bottom of our hearts, and that is just one of the reasons we wish you'd stop blaming yourself for what happened to Pyrrha. It wasn't your fault at all.

It was her choice. She knew the risks, but she also knew that she was the only one who stood a chance at all. And so, she tried, and it ended the way that it did. It's painful for all of us, but we also know that we have to move past it. And we know that you know it as well.

So please, learn to accept it. Live past it. We won't stop pestering you till you do. Seriously, we won't!

Lots of love, Nora and Ren.'

He offered the letter back to Tai.

He accepted it.

'…

Back to Ruby.

Well, I guess this is it for now. A farewell, I suppose. Me and my friends will continue our difficult mission, and as for you, I'm sure that you'll do what you can, with what you have, from where you are.

We'll meet again, I just know it. And when we do, I'll probably have lots more to say.

I miss all of you.

With love, Ruby Rose.'

Tai finished the letter. And none of them said a word for quite some time.

They needed some time to fully grasp the words which were written down by the people they missed dearly. And they needed some time to themselves as well.