Alright, another chapter.

The muse left in the middle of negotiations, and now is back on the run. She gave me a parting gift though, so for anyone who follows my profile, you can expect an update to the WIP's there sometime soon.

I'm winding my way through the Amazon this week, and I'm pretty sure she went north... and I think that way is north.

Probably.

Disclaimer: Ah the joys of being a mediocre writer hack with little talent. You think I own RWBY, prepare for disappointment.

"How is it possible that our parents lied to us?"

"Let's see... You're the prettiest kid in school. This won't hurt a bit. Your face will freeze like that…

.

.

.

Everything's going to be alright."

-Brian K. Vaughan

Taiyang threw his scroll down on the bed in anger.

He knew it was childish, but at this point he didn't care. How dare that girl do this to his daughter? Yang may not want her partner around, but that didn't mean that she didn't need her.

Taking a deep breath, the golden-haired man reached for his scroll and again chose the cat faunus from his contacts.

"Attempting to connect. Please wait." His scroll chimed at him. "Please wait."

He understood why Blake had sent him a letter, of course. Her guilt wouldn't let her leave without taking the blame and telling him, but her fear wouldn't let her explain it to him in person. She had taken a calculated risk that he wouldn't receive her letter at all, or would receive it too late for him to contact her while she ran to the western regions.

"Please wait."

Her letter was hardly inspiring reading to an already concerned father, though. Explaining her reasoning for her departure could be forgiven if she hadn't arranged to be out of scroll range when her letter finally arrived at his house.

"Please wai-"

Tai slammed his thumb on the red "end" button. It hadn't connected, just like the last six times. He made his way down to the kitchen where he'd left the letter. A moment later his scroll buzzed. He raced to see who it was, and was surprised to see a message from Yang.

"Did you send Jaune to spy on me?"

"No," he replied quickly. "Why did you think that?"

"He said something to me that sounded like something you would say. I was wondering about it, so I asked."

"What did he say?"

"That's not important. What is important is that I'm going to bed now. Night dad."

"Good night, my sunny little dragon."

Tai sighed and leaned against the kitchen counter, placing his face in his hands. When had his little girl, the same one with two missing teeth and a bright cheery smile who would tell him all about her amazing adventures outside in the garden, become a young woman who locked herself away from everyone? Who was so paranoid that she believed her own father would send a friend to spy on her. He sighed into his hands. He wasn't cut out for this lonely lifestyle.

When Raven had left, at least he'd had Yang, who he'd poured his soul into. Summer had helped, and slowly he had come to feel as though he could have a complete and happy family. When Ruby was born he thought that the dream had become a reality. When Summer died Tai had devoted himself to his daughters. Qrow, bless his soul, had never questioned Tai about his love life, despite Ruby having been born barely a year after Yang. Instead, the other man had trained and taught the children as though they were his own while Ozpin and others helped Tai through the depression he was struggling with.

A depression that had returned full force when he'd had to bury his youngest daughter, just like her mother before her.

Pulling himself out of his memories, Tai began to make dinner. He was halfway done when he remembered who else could tell him what had been said to Yang.

Grabbing his scroll, he chose the contact and waited for it to connect. A moment or two went by, before a voice mired with static came through.

"Taiyang?"

"Jaune."

"Um, how are you doing?"

"Terrible. My daughter isn't speaking to me, but she's clearly upset. She also thinks I sent you to spy on her. Can you explain?" For a moment there was only static on the line, then a loud crackle as Jaune exhaled loudly into the scroll.

"Yeah, so it all started on a boat…"

Yang,

Your dad contacted me last night after you went to bed. Apparently someone sent him a letter that he only recently read; no, it wasn't me.

I'm leaving as soon as the rain lightens up, and I may be out of scroll range for a bit, but I want you to know that I understand what you're going through. Remember Pyrrha? I know it's not exactly the same, but I want you to know that I understand, and that when you're ready to talk, I will be there.

I'll see you again soon.

Jaune

Chapter Title Credit: An old friend of mine, she used to be the 'A' in MAJCK but she moved away.

Hope you enjoyed.

Next chapter is still (tentatively) scheduled for Sunday, but I can't guarantee anything.

R&R