"Kira, please come out. Your dinner is getting cold." Kira's mother called from outside her room. However, Kira ignored her mother pleas and curled up tighter in her bed. It had been a week since Ion was destroyed. Since Cinder and Kira had parted ways. Since she last saw Minato.

You killed him.

Upon their return to Ion, Cinder and Kira had warned most of the town of Scorch's imminent danger. A call to Vale was made requesting hunters be sent and the girls were sent home. Unfortunately, the night did not end there. Howls and screams ripped through the town as the Grimm began to invade drawn there from the distress of the citizens. Kira's mother had grabbed her and fled, hoping to escape. Whether by luck or by grace they avoided the attack. They hid out in the woods until the Huntsmen came and cleared out the Grimm. The next day, Kira had begged her mother to allow her to wait in the forest. After a brief argument, her mother relented and the pair traveled to the spot where she always met Minato. Cinder was already waiting there by the time they arrived. Her dress was dirty and the circles around her eyes suggested she hadn't slept the previous night. Upon asking it turned out she had been there since the attack on Ion.

By the time the sun was steadily ascending into the sky Kira began to truly worry. Minato would have been here by now. He was never here later than eleven.

"Should we look for him?" Cinder asked quietly. The question was only met with silence as the group exchanged looks with each other. Slowly Kira faced the way Minato would always turn towards as he left. The way to Scorch. As she began to walk she heard Cinder rise to follow her and eventually her mother as well. The trio marched grimly through the burned forest, keeping an ear out for sounds of Grimm. Four miles later they were met the scene of a completely obliterated town. Nothing was left standing and everything was charred black. It wasn't hard to imagine the outcome. It was then that Cinder said the words that haunted her.

"You killed him." It was barely above a whisper, but Kira still felt the stab to her heart as if Cinder had shouted it. Kira turned to her friend only to see tears in her eyes. "If only you didn't throw that fireball and wake up that Death Stalker. He would have- he wouldn't be…"

"No, I didn't- I didn't mean to-" Kira's throat closed as she choked back a sob. Those words were echoing in her head, bouncing back and forth. She couldn't have kill her best friend…her first friend. The feeling rose in her throat again and she hiccupped unable to force the cry down into. Tears flooded Kira's eyes, spilling hot streaks down her face. A small whimper turned in to a small cry and finally Kira fell to the ground sobbing. Her mother's arms were around her instantly soothing her, but Kira silently wished for another pair to hold her. By the time her crying had ceased, Cinder was gone, having left with tears on her face.

It had been a week since then. Kira and her mother had been able to hitch a ride to a relative's who lived in the far off town of Northstar.

"Kira, can we talk?" Her mother's voice once again filtered through the door. A few moments later, the door creaked open, her mother taking her silence as permission. The bed creaked slightly as she sat down beside Kira's curled up form. "You thinking about him again?" Although it was phrased as a question, there was no real need to answer. Her mother sighed and wrapped Kira up into another embrace. "Do you think he would hate you?" The question threw her off guard. Would Minato hate her? Almost certainly, but… Minato was strict yet kind. Her mistakes had always been met with a firm, but forgiving hand. Minato would forgive her and tell her to do better like the countless of other times she made a mistake. At least she hoped he would.

"No, he would forgive me… he would tell me to keep my head up and try harder." Kira responded after a few moments of thought. Even as the words left her lips she could fell an invisible weight being lifted from her chest. Her ears perked up ever so slightly and her tail swished across the bed. A smile spread across her mother's lips as she watched the changes occur.

"So what do you think you should be doing?" Her mother's voice filled with relief. Kira's response was to slide out of bed and give her mother a weak smile.

"I guess I will have to try harder." She would never forget him, the boy who changed her world. Maybe he would never forgive her, even in the afterlife. She could try to make it up to him though. One day at a time.

-Ω-

Minato grimaced as Qrow's sword impacted his own shadow sword. When Ozpin said he wanted to test Minato's abilities he was not expecting this. His shadow lashed out like a whip, but Qrow dodged, leaping out of its range. Glynda stood by watching along with Ozpin and his ever present coffee cup.

"He is doing quite well for his age. Considering his opponent." Glynda commented taking down a few more notes. Opzin nodded in agreement as Minato raised a shield to block an incoming hail of bullets.

"Not only is his semblance adaptable, but he uses it to the fullest extent." Ozpin praised as Minato's shadows morphed into boxing gloves. "He can use swords, knives, rapiers, spears, boxing gloves, and even a bow with infinite ammo. He can also use his shadow as a claw and a shield. His shadow literally weighs nothing so he does not tire under the weight. It is infinitesimally thin so it can slice through most objects. An added bonus is that he will never need to perform maintenance as it is only made of shadow." Ozpin shook his head at Minato's unbelievable ability. "If not for the obvious drawback, I would say he could defeat some of the best hunters."

"Drawback?" Glynda questioned as she watched Minato land a hit on Qrow. She was unable to hide a smile as the punch sent Qrow stumbling back. Qrow's aura would have protected him so the only thing that could have been hurt was his pride, which made the attack all the sweeter. Taking a chance, Minato shifted his shadows into a bow and he fired an arrow with stunning accuracy.

"His range," Ozpin revealed as he watched the arrow dissipate into dust. Qrow had grasped Minato's drawback as well and instead of closing the distance between them he fired bullets forcing Minato onto the defensive. "He has a limited distance of about seven or so meters till his shadows dissipate." Ozpin continued. "If he can't keep his opponent in that threshold then he is unable to hit his target." A few minutes later Glynda called the fight as Qrow simply avoided Minato's range and fired shots keeping him at bay.

"Nice try kid, maybe next time you can get a second hit in." Qrow joked attempting to ruffle the boy's hair. The gesture was swatted off in moments by Minato who glared daggers into Qrow.

"You wouldn't have such an advantage if I had a weapon of my own." Minato commented, brushing off the dust from their battle.

"I would disagree," Ozpin cut in. "If you had a weapon you would have been placed at a major disadvantage." At the group's confused looks, he continued. "The reason you could keep up with an experienced hunter several times your age is because your weapons had no weight. Before you receive a physical weapon you will need to gain some muscle."

"I will start on that tomorrow then." Minato responded. Glynda exchanged a glance with Ozpin. Minato had been like this since the 'adoption.' He threw his entire effort into every task, never asking to slow down. Others would have praised him for his self-motivation, but they saw it differently. The poor boy worked himself to exhaustion, his mind shutting down every night as he attempted to recover. It was almost as if he was intentionally trying to avoid thinking about certain things. He needed an outlet aside from training or he would be feeling the after effects.

"No, you will be taking a break," Ozpin corrected. "You can't believe I would work you to the bone without giving you time to recover. You will be accompanying Qrow tomorrow." He continued gesturing to the still smirking Qrow. Taking it as a sign to explain, Qrow stepped forward.

"I will be visiting my nieces in Patch tomorrow. They don't have too many friends cause their home in secluded in the woods. I thought it would be nice of you to come along. Get to know some kids your age." Minato frowned and opened his mouth to decline the invitation until Qrow continued. "Their mother passed away not too long ago as well. I thought maybe you could give them support." Minato's voice died in his throat. To be fair he had lost two pairs of parents, but he had also lived much longer.

"All right I suppose it couldn't hurt." Minato muttered.

"Then that settles it." Qrow smiled. "Be sure to get to bed, we leave early."

-Ω-

Minato watched as the scenery passed by from the car window. The grand school of Signal slowly crawled closer.

"Sorry about leaving you, but like I said I have business." Qrow said again. "I have to talk with a few of the professors."

"I am just surprised that you're a teacher here." Minato shot back. "Do they usually let drunks teach at children's schools?" Minato received a sharp jab for his humor.

"I am not on the normal roster for teachers. I am called in from time to time to help students train or if there is a special case." Qrow informed. "My niece's father, or brother in law, is one of the teachers I need to speak to." The car slowed to a stop in front of the academy and Qrow popped open his door. "The driver will drop you off at their house and come back for me. I called ahead and the girls should have been informed that you are coming. The meetings will take a couple of hours or so. I will be there once they are over."

"All right I will see you there then." Minato nodded. Qrow move to close his door, but opened it wide once more.

"One last thing," Qrow said as he poked his head back in with narrowed eyes. "If you lay a finger on either of my nieces, no shadow on Remnant will be able to stop my blade from coming to you. Do I make myself clear?" Minato cocked an eyebrow not really threatened by Qrow's demeanor. While he was mentally mature for such thoughts, he was sure that a five-year-old girl wouldn't catch his interests.

"You do realize I am five, right?" Minato questioned as Qrow drew back slightly.

"Yeah, but you still knew what I was talking about, didn't you?" With one last look Qrow shut the door and watched the vehicle drive away until it was out of sight. A smirk broke out onto his face, he loved messing with the kid. Except for that part about his nieces. If so much as a hair was touched, he would be having some words with Minato. Qrow strolled into the academy taking in the familiar sights and sounds. He had come around noon, so the school was rather active. He slipped past a group of students as he made his way to the teacher's lounge. Cracking open the door he was met with stares of several teachers including Taiyang Xiao Long.

"Qrow, you came!" Taiyang stood and greeted him with a firm handshake. Other professors called out their own greetings and Qrow responded in turn. He relaxed in a seat next to Taiyang, who offered him coffee.

"Hopefully these meeting don't take too long." Qrow grumbled taking the cup from Taiyang. "I hope Minato doesn't screw anything up with Yang and Ruby."

"Who?" Taiyang asked hearing his daughters' names.

"Minato," Qrow repeated. "You know the kid I told you was coming with me to visit. I sent him ahead because there would be no point for him to wait through these meetings." As Qrow finished his statement Taiyang snapped his fingers.

"That's right, I forgot about him. I told the girls you were going to visit later but I forgot to tell them about the new boy."

"It's not that big of a deal. I am sure he will be able to convince Yang to let him in if he mentions my name." Qrow shrugged. Really what was the worst that could happen?

-Ω-

"Hello?" Minato called out, but he received no response. The driver had dropped him off near a cabin in the woods and left several minutes ago. He had tried the doorbell a few times, but no one had responded. "Hello?!" He called out with more volume, but only his echo answered him. They had been informed he was coming right? The lights were all out when he tried to peek into the windows and he didn't hear any movement within the house. Odd, if Qrow's nieces were his age they would certainly be awake by now. He moved to knock on the door and was surprised as it swung inward without resistance.

"Hello?" Minato called a third time, but still no greeting was heard. He slowly walked into the dark house. He felt the wall and soon flipped on the switch. As the light flicked on it revealed a relatively normal home. Pictures line the walls with smiling face and the counters were filled with knickknacks and other treasured items. Minato noticed that the corner was filled with miscellaneous toys and dolls. The only question was where the girls were. It was only then that Minato noticed the paper on the table. He quickly picked it up, reading the messy scrawl of words across the paper.

OuT fOr a BiT

-yAnG

That would explain why they weren't here, but told Minato nothing of where they went and for how long. Beside the message was another picture. It seemed to be of a building and Minato picked it up out of curiosity. Maybe they had gone there? He flipped over the picture and was surprised to see an address written on the back. A few minutes of searching for a map later gave the location of said building. The location was nowhere near the house. It would take hours to reach it especially by walking. After a quick look around the house, Minato confirmed that he was the only one within the house. If the girls had simply left for somewhere close by and came back, they would wonder where he was. If they had gone out to this place, they would be getting into more trouble than they bargained for. Grimm were always a constant threat after all. Thus he was stuck with a decision. Wait here and hope they returned or see if he could find them. He sighed to himself as he slipped out the door. He would feel embarrassed if he went on a wild goose chase, but he would regret it far more if he had sat by and did nothing when the two were in danger.

-Ω-

It had been hours since she had left her home behind. Yang sighed as the wagon got stuck in another pot hole on the dirt road. She grunted and pulled the wagon free. Her arms felt like lead weights and her legs felt like putty. She felt hot and sticky from the day's heat and the blisters on her feet weren't helping. Ruby had woken up about an hour ago but drifted back off to sleep after being convinced that Yang was taking her on a field trip. Still this was to see her mother, her real mother. Forcing one foot in front of the other Yang ventured on. Nothing would stop her now. She had hoped to be back long before her uncle showed up, but she had greatly underestimated the distance. How was she supposed to know that twenty miles was this long? The wagon wheel awkwardly bumped over a rock and Ruby awoke.

"Yang… where are we?" Ruby asked voice slurred with sleep.

"Go back to sleep," Yang panted. "We are almost there." The last thing she needed was to waste her breath lying to her younger sister.

"Does dad know where we are?" Ruby questioned looking around at the dreary scenery.

"Don't worry I left behind a note." Yang assured as she dragged the wagon ever closer to their destination. Just one more turn and it should be in sight.

"I want to go home," Ruby's voice wavered. "I don't like it here, it's scary." She made a move and leapt out of the wagon, but Yang rushed to her side.

"Just stay in there for a minute. We just need to get to the end and we can turn around, all right?" Yang coerced giving Ruby a small smile. The young girl gave her sister a confused look, but got back into the wagon.

"Ok, but let's not stay for too long." Ruby begged as Yang began to move forward again. The pair slowly made their way around a corner and their destination came into sight. The decrypt house loomed before them. Yang used the last of her energy and heaved the wagon forward. They stopped a few steps before the building and gazed upon it.

"We- we made it." Yang exclaimed hands on her knees. She was breathing hard but they had made it.

"Where are we?" Ruby asked her exhausted sister, but Yang ignored her in favor of looking at their accomplishment. Maybe this had some sort of clue, some hint of her mother. She would need a bit of time to get her strength back but then she could explore the building. Her plans were derailed from the growl that emanated from the doorway. She looked up as Ruby gave a sharp cry. Red eyes pierced the darkness from inside the building. First one pair then another and finally a third pair came into view. Yang could barely move much less run away from the looming threat.

"Ruby, you need to run." Yang whispered. "I will distract them." Although she said that, her legs stood still locked in place by the burning gazed of the Grimm.

"Yang," Ruby whimpered. "What do we do?" Yang wished she could have answered her. To convince her that they were safe and happy, like the days when their mother was still alive. But even Ruby at her young age was well aware of the truth of the matter. They were going to die and not matter how loudly they cried, their mother would not save them. The first of the Grimm emerged into the light, revealing it to be a beowolf. It howled and charged, crossing the distance between them at a frightening speed. Yang squeezed her eyes shut waiting for the incoming claws and teeth. She felt a flurry of wind as something passed her and a howl from the Grimm. She assumed it had attacked Ruby instead of her, but Ruby's crying was still quite audible. Taking a chance, she peeked through her eyes and saw a boy with blue hair before her. In his hand he held what seemed to be a black sword. The Grimm that had charged was on the ground, growling in pain before the boy brought his sword down and struck the beast.

"Are you both all right?" The boy sent a look back, his piercing silver eyes focusing on each of them before facing the Grimm again. "Relax, I will take care of them." Black particles rose from the ground and swirled around like an angry horde of bees, before converging into the shape of another blade. Without another word, the boy charged at the Grimm who responded in kind. Yang wanted to yell to him, but her exhaustion prevented her. He was going to kill himself if he attacked two Grimm at once. However, her previous predictions fell through as the two beasts crashed into a wall of black particles. Using the momentary distraction to his advantage, the boy dropped the wall and sliced both swords into one beowolf. It howled and fell, disintegrating moments later. The other beowolf changed plans and decided to switch its focus onto Yang. It tore off, but was far too slow. A claw grasped its form and dragged it back to the boy. With a single motion the claw crushed the beowolf into dust. Yang stared in disbelief as the boy looked around for more enemies before returning to her.

"Are there anymore?" he asked head tilted to the side. Instead of responding Yang fainted, physical exhaustion catching up with her. Minato leap forward and caught her and grunted at her weight. Maybe the old wives' tale about unconscious people being heavier was true. He dragged her to the wagon where the girl he recognized as Ruby was still crying. He began to stroke her hair in attempt to quiet her cries.

"W-who are you?" Ruby sniffled. The tears still trickling down her cheeks.

"I am Minato, a…friend of your uncle." Minato responded in what he hoped a calming tone was. Ruby looked unconvinced, but her attention was drawn to her sister on Minato's back.

"Yang! Is she ok?" Ruby panicked but Minato held up his hand.

"She is just exhausted," Minato assured her. "Can you help me place her in the wagon? She is pretty heavy." Working together the two managed to place the unconscious girl into the wagon. Ruby looked back to Minato clearly concerned.

"How are we going to get back home in time? Isn't it almost dark?" Her words held true as the sun dipped below the horizon. The dark was much more dangerous and Minato was unsure if he could defend the two as well as walk the twenty miles back dragging a wagon behind him. Maybe it would be safer to spend the night in the broken house than walk back. Minato's silence only provided Ruby with more distress and she broke down into another fit of cries. She crashed into him then, looking for comfort. His arm encircled her and he tried to best to calm her despite his own worries.

"I thought I told you not to lay a finger on them, but I guess I can let this one slide." Minato had never been so thankful to hear Qrow's annoyingly smug voice as then. Upon seeing her uncle, Ruby rushed from Minato's arms into her uncle's embrace. A few minutes later a car came speeding down the path and out hopped a blond man Minato had seen in the pictures around the house. He assumed it to be Taiyang Xiao Long, Yang and Ruby's father. He rushed to the wagon and checked over Yang before moving to Qrow and snatching up his other daughter into a crushing hug.

"Looks like I owe you one." Minato's attention was drawn from the heartwarming scene to Qrow who sauntered up next to him. "The meeting dragged on for longer than we anticipated. If it hadn't been for you…" He trailed off starting at both of his nieces.

"I am just glad they are safe." Minato responded. "If I had hesitated any longer at the house, it wouldn't have ended well." Qrow gave a small laugh.

"Ozpin told me you didn't take praise well. Still for what it's worth…Thanks." Minato only nodded and turned his attention back to the father and his two daughters. The ride home was relatively quiet as they did not want to wake the sleeping girls. This of course did not save Minato from the onslaught of thanks that Taiyang passed his way. The man truly worried for his daughters and Minato assured him he was just happy to help. By the time they returned to the house, the sun had set and the last boat back to Vale had long set sail. Taiyang urged them to stay the night and after a small argument Qrow was forced to take the floor allowing Minato to take the couch. Dinner was served to the guests which Minato had been extremely thankful for as he has not eaten all day. Minato had fallen asleep instantly after that but awoke in the middle of the night due to some noise. He opened his eyes to find Qrow sitting in front of the fire place. He watched the firelight flicker across his face for a moment before Qrow turned to him noticing the boy had woken up.

"Thanks again." Minato rolled his eyes at the gesture.

"I have already said that I don't need any more thanks." Minato muttered back. "If you give me too much, I will begin to think that you don't mean it." Qrow's gaze shifted back to the fire before he began to speak.

"If you saw any of the pictures around the house you saw their family. Tailong and his wife Summer with Yang and Ruby. However… it doesn't take a genius to notice the differences between Yang and Summer." Minato's eyes glanced to a nearby photo. While Summer's hair was short and smooth much like Ruby's, Yang's came down in long messy locks. "Taiyang had another woman as his wife before Summer," Qrow continued withdrawing an old photo from his wallet. There a stunning woman with black tresses stood beside Qrow and Taiyang. "Her name was Raven, and she is my sister." Qrow stopped here looking for the words to say.

"What happened to her?" Minato asked filling the silence. It was quite clear that she was not part of the family anymore.

"She disappeared. She was here one day and gone the next." Qrow responded with a rough undertone. "Taiyang almost fell apart from that, but Summer was there to help him through it. They eventually got together and had Ruby. Then… well you know the rest." Minato nodded in silent agreement. No need to repeat the tragedy. "His children are all that Taiyang has left. He is doing everything he can to keep them safe. If he had lost them here today… I don't know what would have happened." Qrow looked deep into Minato eyes. "I am not only thanking you for saving my nieces, but for my teammate as well." He stood up and gave Minato one last smile. "Get some sleep kid, we are headed back to the main land tomorrow."

-Ω-

Breakfast was a quiet affair as the only ones awake were Qrow, Taiyang and Minato. Ruby and Yang were apparently sleeping off yesterday's fatigue. Breakfast ended peacefully and Minato and Qrow prepared to leave.

"Sorry you couldn't really spend time with my daughters." Taiyang apologized. "I guess the idea of getting them a new friend kind of fell through."

"I am sorry too. They seem like nice girls. Hopefully I will have a chance to meet them properly." Minato responded. They exchanged their final farewells and they turned to the waiting car.

"Wait!" A call from the doorway stopped them from leaving. A young girl holding a hood rushed out from the house. She stopped before the two men staring at them imploringly. "You just got here, why are you leaving so soon?"

"What can I say squirt? Duty calls." Qrow laughed ruffling Ruby's hair. "I will be back when I get another break." Ruby just nodded in understanding, but to Minato's surprise looked to him with the same pleading eyes.

"Can you stay at least?" Minato shook his head and winced at the pure sadness that entered her expression at his response.

"I have to get back to Vale. I can't fall behind on my training." Ruby seemed to accept his answer for a moment before speaking again.

"You'll come back to visit?" Ruby asked holding her cape tightly in her arms. Minato glanced to Taiyang who gave a wide smile and nod urging him to accept her invitation. He gave her a small smile.

"Yeah, the next time I have the chance I will be sure to swing by." The smile that Ruby gave him could have lit up a room. With that the young girl returned to her father's side and joined him in seeing them off. As the two piled into the vehicle, Qrow leaned over to Minato.

"Did you really mean that you would visit them the next chance you got?" he questioned as the car pulled away.

"I wouldn't mind it." Minato confirmed. "It will be nice have some friends that I can meet every now and then.

"Good, then I will talk with Ozpin. Maybe I can get you a week of vacation. It would certainly put my mind at ease having you keep an eye on them." Minato only shrugged and returned his view to the scenery outside as it scrolled past. Although it was not the most relaxing break it had been a fulfilling one. Hopefully his next one would be a lot more relaxing.

-Ω-

I decided to celebrate the release of RWBY Season 4 with a chapter of my own. Don't get used to it though as I will be moving back to my normal schedule. If any one is wondering about where I got the names of the towns Scorch, Ion and NorthStar, they are all Titan names from upcoming game Titanfall 2.

A huge thank you to my beta Mingyu for his last second read of this as well as my other editors who read these at the last second.

Thank you to everyone who favorited, followed or reviewed. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave a review or send me a private message. I will answer them as soon as I can.