A/N: Guest reviewer, you should log into your account before commenting if you have a question you want me to answer. If you don't want me to know who you are, you can send an anon ask to my tumblr (my url is definitelynotsnakepeople). Yes, each chapter is unconnected to the rest.
Also if anyone wants to see what happened to Cardin in more detail, check out my oneshot "Fixing Fate's Mistake".
~ Starbright ~
Qrow has barely had a chance to sit down before a small red blur pounces on him, shrieking, "Uncle Qrow!"
"Hey, shrimp," he says, reaching out to ruffle his niece's hair.
"I'm not a shrimp," Ruby says, with a pout. "I'm five."
"Yeah, but your age doesn't mean you're not short... shorty."
"You're mean!"
Despite this proclamation, the child doesn't remain upset for very long and climbs into her uncle's lap a few moments later. As always, she seems fascinated by the jewel on his forehead, which is the same silver as her eyes - the same as mother's eyes.
"Hey, Uncle Qrow... how come you're not my dad if you and my mom were soulmates?"
Ah... that question. He's always known it would come someday, although he wasn't expecting it so soon.
"Because things didn't happen that way."
"But you were soulmates!"
"That doesn't always mean that people end up together."
"But-"
"HEY, GUESS WHAT? I brought cookies. Let's go eat them."
"Cookies?!"
Good thing five-year-olds are easy to distract, he thinks to himself. But I'm sure I won't get out of this conversation again so easily later... like, when she's a teenager...
~oOo~