As per usual this version is cut for the M rating.

By The Hands That Craved Thy & I Am Whole Again

"So this is her?" James stared down at the picture of a rabbit Faunus. The young woman smiled back at him with big doe brown eyes and large ears protruding from the top of her head.

"Yeh and so far I less less clues now then I did when we pulled her half dead from the river." Qrow snapped. After Sun's call about a possible intruder in Miss Valentina's room he had upped her security and asked for all the surveillance cameras in the hospital. Unfortunately that meant he had two feeds and they were both from the main entrance which didn't help if their assailant came through any other door. They also didn't have a very solid time frame since it was late at night and the two sleeping Huntsmen admitted to being asleep longer then they had originally admitted.

Suffice to say they all received a thorough tongue lashing from Qrow the next day. Now it was three days later and they still had no new leads. Qrow worried that the longer this manic was free the more danger Ruby could be in. Which was why this morning after sharing breakfast with Ruby, James and Ozpin. Qrow had invited James to help. He hoped that adding fresh eyes would give a different perspective and maybe reveal something he had missed.

"Has she come round at all since you found her?" James poured over some of the papers looking for something that would help.

"Only for a moment and that was when she gave me what I assume was Ruby's name. Since then nothing."

The sunlight glinted through the window into James' eyes. "Well I can look into it some more. Perhaps . . ." James took hold of the map, running a gloved finger up the line of a river. "You said you found her in the river. How far up the river did you go for clues?"

"All the way to the dam, there was nothing."

"But her medical reports state she suffered from broken bones consistent in a fall. What if someone threw her off the cliff face and into the river. Here!" He pointed to where the lines between the cliff and river were closest. "This spot is very steep, it's practically vertical. If you threw something off from this point wouldn't it land straight into the river."

Qrow leaned over Ironwood's shoulder, their bodies almost pressed together. "And if you follow this line of trees it leads you to the poor Faunus District, not too far away from where Velvet lives!"

"Which means whoever attacked her. . ." James started

"Either had to live in the area or been there enough that they might be recognizable! Brilliant job Jimmy! I could kiss you." Qrow all but bounced on the spot.

"Why don't you?"

No sooner had the words left the General's mouth before Qrow took him up on the offer melding their lips together in a hot and bruising kiss. James had to hold onto the table to keep his hands off the other man as he plundered his mouth.

"Hey QroWOAH!" Sun staggered back from the door quickly shutting the door after him. "Nevermind, I'll come back later!"

Qrow couldn't stop his chuckle at seeing the flustered younger man and had to draw back from James. "Don't think I've ever seen him run so fast before."

"Qrow come on really." James tried to get his breath back under control but was having a hard time with the taste of the thinner man still on his lips.

Qrow's red eyes still laughed as he gave the other man another peck. "Sorry. You okay?" he asked seriously.

"You know what, I am actually. Even though I know the minute I walk out that door there's going to be a dozen people who know what's going on in here I am feeling pretty good about it."

"That's good."

Muffled chatter sounded from the other side of the closed door and raising a brow Qrow tiptoed towards it. Once he heard the chatter again he slammed the door open resulting in the rest of Team SSSN tumbling into the room in a pile of limbs and groans. "You guys would make terrible undercover agents, who know that right."

James only chuckled as the lads tried to explain their actions.

Oz wandered through his big house, wondering when things had changed. Before even when he had every curtain pulled back the place seemed a dark and somber place. Now everywhere he looked, in every corner there was light and what he hoped was the beginning of something he had long since thought he may never have. None of it would have been possible if not for the young woman curled up in his favorite armchair sketching in her pink and black notebook.

Oz himself leaned over the chair to see what had enraptured his mates attention this time, musing at the image of his companion and friend Penny watering flowers in her little greenhouse. "That is a lovely drawing Ruby."

Ruby peeked up at her copper eyed man, smiling softly. "She takes very careful care of those flowers of hers."

"To be honest with you I haven't really seen them."

"Now that is a shame. Come on!" Quickly scooping up her boots Ruby pulled Oz with her through the mansion heading in the direction of the kitchen. When they got there Penny was just putting the clean plates away. "Penny do you know any parts of the garden where we can grow something? Maybe find some seeds."

"Oh yes I can help you with that. Just wait here for one minute." Quickly Penny zoomed off, her bouncy ginger hair as cheerful as she was.

True to her word Penny returned before the minute was up carrying a heavy looking sapling that had a few red blossoms hanging from thin brown branches. "Here you go. I was going to plant this somewhere for next year. It's a cherry blossom tree, I researched its history and its suppose to symbolize love among other things. I thought you might like it. Perhaps you can find a place and plant it together."

"That's a lovely idea Penny thank you." Oz praised the robotic girl, playfully ruffling her hair.

"I'm so happy you like it father. There are tools just outside the greenhouse should you wish to use them." Penny said.

"Thank you Penny." Ruby grabbed Oz's hand and pulled him outside.

Ozpin had to smile as she pulled him out into the garden, she was just so bright and vibrant. The air was sweet and it filled his lungs making everything seem a bit warmer. Ruby let him go as she pilfered the greenhouse and he looked at his garden. Penny put so much time into it and he rarely went out and really enjoyed it. It was even easy to spot the freshly turned grown where the cherry tree would go. Ruby returned and grabbed his hand again. "Come on then, it's your garden you should plant it."

Ozpin laughed as she dragged him along. "If it makes you happy."

"Yes it does." Ruby said and handed him the hand shovel. "At least twenty centimeters deep."

Ozpin walked over to the dirt and knelt starting to dig the hole. How just a mundane action made his heart feel light, he didn't know. Ruby knelt across from him. "It's nice out here, we should make use of it more while the weather is good."

The tall man looked up at her, the hole finished. "With you around, I think I would like that."

Ruby put the thin sapling into the hole and they covered the base together. She smiled sheepishly up at him then leaned forward and they shared a long kiss.

Later when James and Qrow had still not returned Ruby and Oz could be found lounging together in one of his many study's the nice huge couch more then big enough for the two of them. Oz had a book open in his hand reading aloud to Ruby while she took the time to draw him. The picture was just starting to come together when her last pencil snapped. "Damn it."

"Problem?"

"Yeh the change of scenery has been so good for my artistic talents that I've gone through all the supplies I brought with me."

"I could probably find you some more, I'm sure there's bound to be some."

"Hmmm I have another set but they are at home in Patch."

Oz thought about it for a moment. It had been such a long time since he visited the little island and he was also the only one who had yet to see Ruby's home. "Well how about we go pick up some more stuff then." Snapping the book shut he strode over and gave her upturned face a chaste kiss. "While we're there you could grab a few weeks worth of clothes, it would make staying here easier as you only brought one bag."

"Well I wasn't sure how long I'd be staying-"

"Ruby if I may, there isn't a place I would rather be then with you. Whether it's here or at Patch. I know its a little selfish but I hope one day soon you might come to think of this as your home and if not, if you'd rather stay in your fathers home I would not be opposed to moving somewhere closer. Being with you has brightened every day and chased away long looming shadows. What do you think?"

The silence was agony, had he been too pushy? Too demanding? Oz wasn't sure, he just hoped he hadn't frightened her off. Thoughts swirled around his head like aged whiskey until he felt a pair of tender soft lips against his. Ruby's hand curled into his hair as she pulled his head down for a longer, heated kiss. Their breath shared as Ruby peppered kisses along his lips, jaw and chin before pulling back to look up at her Soul mate. "Oz I would like nothing better then to be with you. Patch will always be home in a way only I could understand but you and James and Qrow are a home I can only share and love more. What I'm trying to say is my home is with you, no matter where you are, where you go. You are my home."

()

It took several long moments for them to settle, he lowered both their bodies back to the couch but did not leave her blissful heat. Ozpin pressed his temple to hers and they looked into each others eyes for a long moment before kissing slowly. "So that's what having sex with a bonded is supposed to be like." Ruby said softly her chest heaving.

Ozpin nodded and swallowed though he wasn't winded that had been something else. "Yes, I'll admit it has never felt like that before."

Ruby purred and rocked her hips upon his still hard length. "Well I think we should do it again."

Oz smirk and started to rock with her. "I think that sounds like a fine idea."

"Okay this is it, stop here." Ruby was out of the car before Oz had even turned the engine off.

"What's the hurry, we still have hours before the last ferry!"

Ruby bounded back to the car, leaning her head in to give Oz a quick peck on the cheek."I want to get back so I can enjoy more time with you, is that so wrong?"

"Certainly not. Come on two are faster then one and you can show me your workshop, I would very much like to see some of your finished pieces." Oz looked at the two story cabin. It was very homely, the kind of place you'd go to to get away from the city and relax. Maybe he should build a summer house around here.

Keys jingling in her pockets Ruby shifted the backpack so she could unlock the front door. "Sure just don't get too distracted."

Just as the door opened a letter that had been crammed into the side of the door fell to the floor. Ruby bent down to retrieve it almost missing the quiet giggling behind her. As it was she heard a second noise that sounded like a boot going through mud and turned, everything seeming to happen in slow motion.

Oz felt something cold and hard touch his back but as distracted as he was he had been too slow to pull up his Aura and let out a pained sob. Looking down his vision blurred, was that a blade? No not a blade, it was brown and twitched when he moved. Something purple leaked from the tip and dripped down his front and when a hot mouth whispered in his ear his whole world dropped. "You shouldn't touch what isn't yours!"

Ruby barely had time to move from her spot before Oz was tumbling onto the ground. She screamed, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. "Oz!"

Before she could reach out to him a pair of arms banded around her and she was pulled to the side where her eyes met a pair of bright yellow orbs staring back at her. "My Rose!"

His grip was so strong Ruby couldn't wiggle free of him but she tried. Kicking and shouting at the top of her lungs. "Let me go! What have you done to Oz. Let GO!" The man holding her snapped his teeth together as a thick tail with a stinger on the end coiled around her arms.

Tyrian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small very damp cloth, gently pressing it to Ruby's face. The stench made her gag as she tried to turn her head away but the tail only coiled tighter causing her to gasp as it squeezed her torso. The Faunus took the momentary distraction to cup the cloth over the young woman's mouth his smile widening as her eyes slowly began to shut.

Ruby made one last attempt at freedom, lifting her freest foot in the direction of this man's crotch. Sadly she had not the strength to do it and could only miserably stand by and watch as blood pooled around Oz's body. Oz . . . .

Oz felt the coldness seep around his body, the telltale signs that it was shutting down again. No Ruby needs my help. I can't die here! He tried to move his limbs, to pull up his Aura but whatever poison he had been stabbed with was paralyzing his ability to use Aura. Through fading eyes he was helpless to watch Ruby attempt to fight off their attacker, then he was horrified when she stopped moving all together NOOOO!

Their assailant gathered a limp Ruby in his arms turning one last time to the man he left dying on the ground. A tail wrapped around his waist and the pair of glowing yellow eyes changed into a deep vibrant purple. The sound of his laughter echoed in Oz's mind as he lost the last dregs of his consciousness slipping into the void.

Sometimes when Ruby was a little girl she liked to believe that she was an adventurer. Patch was the land of dreams and castles and she was the knight in shining armor, protector of the weak just like her mummy. She even had a red cape, since it was her favorite colour. Sometimes she and Yang played together but mostly she played alone since Blake and Yang like to spend time together. Yet when they did play together it was always the sounds of their laughter that could be heard as they ran and jumped and just plain had fun.

But today wasn't a day for playing. Mummy was gone and daddy was crying. Ruby had gone to see if Yang would play with her but found her sister curled up in Blake's lap while the Faunus girl stroked Yang's long golden hair. Yang never let her play with her hair, she got very mad whenever someone touched it but it was okay for Blake for some reason Ruby didn't understand.

It was fine, she could go out and play by herself! Dragging on her little black wellies and her red hood Ruby stepped outside and almost immediately wanted to go back in. It was raining and not the faint drizzly rain but big loud splashes that would no doubt get her so wet. Still she 'was' wearing her wellies and daddy always said a little rain never hurt nobody. So long as she came back early it would be okay then!

Pumped Ruby jumped into the first puddle she could find, making a game of jumping into everyone she could see. One after the other she went deeper into the surrounding forest playing. It wasn't until the thunder struck that she stopped and shivered. "I don't like storms!" Turning she tried to make her way back but as far as she had gotten it was difficult to see which way she was suppose to go. Still she couldn't stand in the rain all day and picked a direction before making her way through the rain.

It was starting to get dark by the time Ruby began getting really scared. Nothing seemed familiar and she wasn't even sure which way she was going anymore. She was about to start crying when she heard sobs coming from up ahead. Thinking it was her dad Ruby ran towards the sounds almost falling in the mud in her haste but who she found was definitely not her father.

This man knelt on the soggy ground, uncaring that he was almost covered in mud. He had a short brown ponytail that sat at the nape of his neck and he was crying loudly. It reminded Ruby of how everyone at home was, they were all sad when the news mummy wasn't coming back came. Had this man lost his mummy too? Careful so as to not scare the grown up Ruby patted his wet shoulder. "It's okay, its okay."

"Huh?" The man turned to Ruby, showing her a pair of very bright purple eyes, they were puffy and red from his crying and with the streaks of mud down his face she couldn't see much else. "Who are you?"

"My name is Ruby! There there." She petted him again. "I heard you crying. My mummy is gone and everyone is crying. Is that why you're crying. Is your mummy gone too."

Tyrian stared at the little girl for a moment, she couldn't have been more then five and she was trying to comfort him. "No Ruby, not my mummy. My . . . wife."

"Oh I'm sorry. Daddy says mummy isn't in pain anymore but I don't think she was in pain with us. Is your wife in pain any more?"

"No, no I don't think she is."

"Oh no, your flowers are squished!" Ruby exclaimed rushing over to straighten the blooms. Tyrain didn't even remember picking them but seeing this tiny human child being so kind to him, it warmed something in his cold dead heart.

"There, good as new!"

"You are very kind Ruby." The man smiled, his tears drying up.

"Thank you! I have to go now, daddy will be worried. Bye bye!" The moment Ruby brushed past him Tyrian's hand reached out and pulled her to a stop.

"Ruby would-would . . . I." He stuttered, unable to form words. "I would like it if you remember, to maybe bring some more flowers to my wife. Is that okay?"

"Okay! I'll bring roses and sunflowers! They are what daddy grows in his garden. Are they okay?"

"That would be lovely Ruby, thank you."

"You're welcome! Bye bye now."

Ruby skipped away from the Faunus none the wiser while Tyrian, concerned for the little girls well-being in reaching home followed her at a far away pace. After a few more detours Ruby was lucky to find her way home just as the doors burst open and Taiyang came skidding to a halt at the sight of his daughter, wet but safe. "RUBY!" He gathered the child in his arms, tears and cries shaking up his body. "Oh my Goodness, don't you ever do that to me again!"

"I'm sorry daddy I was just playing adventurers like mummy use to."

"Oh my dear baby girl, please." Tai knelt on the wet ground, pulling his youngest into a tight hug. "Please no more adventurers. Promise me."

Suddenly the thought of going out into the woods wasn't very appealing anymore and the sight of her father's worry and scared reaction made her sad. "I promise."

Tai let out a shaking breath, gathering Ruby in his arms as he turned back to the house. Ruby's eyes sought out the playground of her childhood, catching sight of a lounging figure that was mostly hidden by the shadows of the trees. Recognizing the man she waved to him and smiled. Though the door shut before she could see a his response and she went back to playing with her colouring.

Tai was getting home later and later these days. It made him want to rethink his choice of location, then he shook his head. No, Patch was always going to be his home. He wasn't like Yang who thrived around people or Qrow who traveled so much. He was a homebody who enjoyed tending to his gardens in his spare time and listening to the nature around him.

Yang had arrived the day before asking to borrow Zwei for the weekend, apparently Weiss was really missing the little corgi so Tai had the house to himself for another day. He was just pulling up when he saw the front door wide open. Even when one lived on a quiet and mostly peaceful island, it was still stupid to leave your door unlocked and Tai was certain he had locked it before going out earlier.

With a humm he looked the ground over and noticed a new set of footprints leading around the house. With another humm he followed them around and looked up… "SHIT!" Taiyang raced across the yard, skidding to the ground beside Oz. He grabbed the limp man and turned him over. His lips were blue with death.