Chapter 9: The Sins of the Father
"Higher, daddy!" Ruby shouted with glee.
Taiyang tossed Ruby higher in the air.
"Me too, daddy!" Yang said as she ran up to Taiyang.
He caught Ruby and set her down. "Come on, daddy!"
"Hey, Yang wants a turn too," Taiyang said.
"But daaad," they both begged.
"Okay, okay. Come here, you two."
He picked up both up his daughters and asked, "Are you ready?"
"Taiyang!"
"Oh darn, mommy's back. Remember shush shush. We'll do this later," he said as he set them down.
Ruby and Yang ran off to greet their mom with Taiyang lumbering behind them.
"Mommy! Can we have some sweets?" Yang asked.
"Maybe later, sweeties. Run along, now. I'll play with you later. I gotta talk to daddy, okay?"
"Hey, honey." Taiyang swept Summer off her feet and into his arms. "How was the mission?"
"It was fine. Simple extermination around the borders."
Summer and Taiyang had built a life in Vale, and they usually kept their missions in Vale. Most of the time, their missions took a day or less. Their missions ranged from simple Grimm extermination, escorting supplies to nearby villages, and missing person cases.
"Is something wrong?" Taiyang asked.
"Nothing," Summer replied.
"Come on, honey."
"It's just that… you know that mission?" Summer started.
"Oh, the one that you canceled last minute? The one outside our comfort zone?" Summer had considered going out on a mission that they didn't normally took. Summer didn't tell him the reasoning behind it, but Taiyang supported her decision regardless.
Now, Summer canceled it last minute and another huntress took her place.
"Yeah. The huntress that went in my stead? She just… disappeared."
Taiyang remained silent. It was a guilty moment in their line of work where they realized their own mortality. That it could have been them that died in the line of duty.
Taiyang hugged Summer. Death had always hit Summer the most but what he loved about Summer was the fact that she never lost her optimism- her hope that the world could be made into a better place.
"What if it was me?" Summer asked. The idea of leaving her family behind must have scared Summer beyond belief.
She couldn't bear to leave them alone. Ruby was just four years old, and Yang six years old. They were still growing. Summer wanted to be a part of their future.
"Shhh. It's alright, honey. You're fine. We're still all here," he reassured her.
"Thanks, Tai," she kissed him on the cheek. "You know, Qrow called and he said he was in Vale so I invited him over for dinner."
"Qrow?" Taiyang asked.
"I'm sure my boys could get along," Summer replied cheekily.
"No, it's not that, you got a call from him? What has he been doing all this time?"
"He wouldn't say, and if he doesn't want to tell, it's fine."
Taiyang grumbled a little.
"Oh, don't be like that Tai," Summer said.
"Well, what mission could keep his attention for so long?"
"Tai, I know what you're thinking, but he does his best to keep in contact."
"You're right, Summer."
While dinner was being made, there was a knock on the door.
Taiyang opened it and greeted the man before him.
"Hello, Qrow."
"Hey, Tai," Qrow said.
"Uncle Qrow!" two tiny voices exclaimed.
Qrow's legs were being tackled by two little kids. "Hey, you trying to sneak attack your uncle?"
"No! I would never attack you," Ruby said.
"I'm just kidding, Ruby. C'mere." He picked up Ruby and seemed to contemplate something as he looked into Ruby's silver eyes.
"Where have you been, Uncle Qrow?" Yang asked, still clinging onto his leg.
Qrow set down Ruby and started making his way to the couch. "Do you really wanna know? It's a long story."
"What are you going to regale them with stories like an old man?" Taiyang joked.
"Don't call me old, old man."
"You're not old!" Ruby cried out.
"Hehe, of course we're not. We're in our prime," Qrow said.
Taiyang laughed and sat down on the chair near the couch. Despite some disagreements, they were still friends.
Qrow set Yang and Ruby on hiss lap. "Now, there I was… tracking down some criminals in Atlas. It was snowing hard and I could barely see five feet in front of me. That didn't deter your Uncle Qrow however."
Taiyang saw that Ruby and Yang were fascinated with his story. The two kids were always keen on their stories of dastardly villains and heroic huntsmen and huntresses.
"They called themselves the Brothers Grimm. And oh boy, did they put up a fight. They were no match for your Uncle Qrow. Lucky for me, the snowstorm managed to knock them off a cliff, leaving your Uncle Qrow victorious."
"Uncle Qrow, can I see your weapon?" Ruby asked.
"Well, maybe if your dad isn't going to be a stick in the mud."
Taiyang crossed his arms. "I'm not a stick in a mud."
"Alrighty then, I'll take that as a yes."
Qrow got up and took out his weapon. "Now keep back, kids. While, having eyepatches are cool but having only one eye is not cool."
Ruby and Yang watched with eager fascination.
Qrow pressed a button and his sword transformed into a scythe.
Ruby started clapping her hands while Yang crossed her arms. "I like daddy's weapon better."
"Are you not impressed, little firecracker?" Qrow asked. "Ruby seemed pretty impressed."
"Again, again!" Ruby said while clapping.
"Dinner's ready!" Summer called out.
They all went into the dinning room. Summer and Qrow gave each other a hug.
"Nice to see you again, Qrow," Summer said.
"Likewise," Qrow said before pulling her hood over her head.
"Qrow!" Summer said with a playful tone. "Now come on, it's time to eat."
Taiyang couldn't help but smile. Team STRQ was mostly back together. Even if Raven couldn't be here. He still didn't know why Raven left, but he made his peace a long time ago.
Thanks to Summer, he didn't break down. He had someone to support and love him and his daughter. Then, he was blessed enough to get a second daughter.
He blinked at the memory. He was such a fool.
A fucking fool.
He was so focused on him mulling over what he lost, that he didn't see what he had. Now, all those memories were tarnished. Hell, he saw how his kids looked at him right before they ran out.
Even if he didn't directly hurt them emotionally or physically, but he wouldn't be surprised if they forgot all about those happy memories, and hated him. It was easy to focus on the negativity than to focus on the happy memories especially for little kids.
His self-loathing cost him his daughters. He would like to blame the alcohol but he had to take responsibility for his actions.
Still, he was having one last drink. He had searched the whole island of Patch, but he found nothing. Weeks!
Maybe… he should just go away.
Some part of him felt the utter despair that he would never find his daughters again, but another part of him knew that there was a chance that his kids were still alive.
He slammed the shot glass down. He was going to find his kids or die trying. Just then, the door to the bar slammed open.
Taiyang had a sinking feeling that he knew who it was.
"Come on, Amber," Qrow said. "We're almost there."
"Could you explain this whole maiden thing to me again?"Amber asked as she trailed behind Qrow with her horse.
"The whole damn thing is complicated and I'm not explaining it for the third time," Qrow said before taking a swig from his flask.
It was empty.
Qrow tried shaking what little drops he could get from the flask into his mouth.
"Oh damn."
"What, you out of your happy water?" Amber asked.
"Yep."
"Wish we could have taken an airship," Amber muttered.
"I told you why we couldn't taken it," Qrow said.
"Low profile, I got it."
"That's the spirit. Now..." Qrow paused. "We got Grimm. Get ready."
Qrow got off his horse and unsheathed his sword. A roar echoed through the dense forest.
"Hm." Qrow pressed a button and his sword transformed into a scythe.
"Amber, get ready."
Amber leapt off her horse and with her inactive weapon. Her staff finally extended, with two Dust crystals at each end.
A large ursa emerged from the forest but Qrow leapt forward and sliced the ursa into two.
More Grimm started to surround the two. There were scores of beowolves and ursas gathering around them. Teeth drawn and claws at the ready, their desire to maul and tear them asunder was visible.
"You know, you could use your maiden powers, right?"
"Maybe if you told me how!" Amber yelled. "Is it like using a semblance?"
Qrow sped around, slicing the Grimm into tiny bits of pieces.
"I softened them up for you, now strike them down," Qrow was perched on one of the trees.
"With what? And how?" Amber asked.
Qrow sighed. "You got a whole grab-bag of powers. Fire, lightening, wind, et cetera, et cetera. Frankly, I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous. Although, when you're as cool as me, it doesn't matter a whole lot."
"Don't I need Dust?" Amber asked as she struck down one of the Grimm with her staff.
"Nope. Come on, best experience is field experience. You're doing great, dear!" Qrow called out.
"Why don't I just use my semblance?" Amber asked.
"That's cheating but using your maiden powers is just like using your semblance. Semblances come from the body, but maiden powers come from nature itself. With a semblance, you could summon lightening from your own body, but with this you can summon lightening from the sky itself."
Amber jammed her staff down into a beowolf's skull and used the white Dust crystal to blow back several Grimm.
"I don't think you're trying," Qrow said as he fired several rounds into the Grimm behind Amber, dispelling them into nothingness.
"You wanna see me trying!" Amber yelled out.
Qrow gave a smile as Amber's eyes were surrounded by a fiery glow. The winds grew heavier and lightening struck down from the sky, destroying the remaining Grimm.
Amber started coughing as the fiery glow disappeared.
Qrow started clapping. "Good job. You're a fit for the Fall Maiden if I ever seen one."
"Oh, hush. That took a lot out of me." Amber straightened her back. "You should be a teacher."
Qrow broke out laughing. "I don't see that happening. Now come on."
"Give me a minute to rest."
"Well, I'm sure you could handle a little more walking. We're at the home stretch. Vale's borders are up ahead."
Amber trailed behind Qrow. They were finally in the kingdom of Vale. Getting past the borders were relatively simple once Qrow gave his huntsmen identification code.
She heard that getting into kingdoms required extensive registration especially if they were entering from the borders and not from airship or boat.
She marveled at the sight of the tower. The Beacon Tower even held the Cross Continental Transmit System.
All of it was impressive. In Mistral, she never seen such sights before. It was all swamps and villages to her.
"Let's go Amber." They entered the CCT tower and into the elevator.
"So, I'm finally meeting Ozpin?" Amber asked.
"Yep."
"What's he like?" Amber asked again.
"It would be best to save questions for Ozpin."
The elevator doors open and they found Ozpin getting yelled at by a blonde lady.
"Of course! Secret conspiracies and fairy tales. It all makes so much sense."
They both turned to Qrow and Amber.
"Hello, Glynda," Qrow greeted her.
"Oh, and you're in on it too. Of course."
"Looks like you need to work on you recruitment pitch," Qrow told Ozpin.
"So, are we all up to speed?" Ozpin asked.
Glynda grumbled a 'yes', while Amber and Qrow nodded. Ozpin set down his cane by the desk and walked in front of the group.
"I'm sure you're well aware of what being a Maiden entails, Amber," Ozpin said.
"Mostly. It's… like being a huntress but in secret. But if I may ask… what about the other maidens? If we're so powerful, why aren't we all together?"
"There are four kingdoms, four Maidens. If you four were all in the same place, that would mean three kingdoms unsupervised,"
"I assume I'm the Maiden for Mistral."
"Correct, but we usually have the headmaster of each kingdom inform their respective Maidens but there are several issues with that. The headmaster for Atlas has passed away, and we haven't brought Ironwood yet. Shade's headmaster is busy. And Haven's headmaster… that is a complicated matter. So, for the time being, I have to teach and inform the Maidens of their roles," Ozpin explained.
"The other headmasters are in on this?" Glynda sighed and said, "Of course. How do you even deal with this, Qrow?"
She turned to Qrow who was drinking from his flask again. She just closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You know, any other day I would assume this might be an elaborate hoax, but given how serious you all are, I guess I will have to roll with the punches."
Glydna took a deep breath. Amber admired on how calm Glynda seemed to be.
"Welcome to the club," Qrow said.
"Now, Glynda, are you sure you're ready? It's a full-time job. Not just being a teacher here, but this is a full-time commitment, are you ready?"
"No, but I occasionally do some sub work for some of the teachers. What about you? I suspect you aren't either. You just went from deputy headmaster to headmaster."
Qrow chuckled. "Oz fancies himself a 'chess master' of sorts. Making moves from the background, blah blah. Hell, he even has us use chess terms as code. Going a tad overboard there, Oz."
"I have my reasons," Ozpin defended.
"So, he has been managing the school from the shadows. Let me guess, there was no 'real' headmaster while he was deputy headmaster. No wonder why the students went to you than the headmaster. But why bother becoming headmaster in the first place?"
"There was only so much I could do as deputy headmaster."
Glynda huffed slightly.
"Isn't being part of a shadowy, conspiracy group fun?" Qrow asked.
Amber kept quiet. This seemed so complicated, and it wasn't her business. She was just here to get training so she could go back home to Mistral.
"Well, I guess I gotta pass my case onto another hunter," Glynda muttered.
"What case?" Qrow asked.
"Does it matter?" Glynda asked.
Qrow shrugged. "Now, I'm going to surprise my nieces. Do you have things covered, Oz?"
"Glynda and Amber, can you wait in the lobby? I need to talk to Qrow."
Glynda took out her scroll and began dialing a number as the two of them went into the elevator, leaving Qrow and Ozpin were alone.
"Crimson Neverbloom?" the voice from the scroll called out. She smacked the final bandit down and answered her scroll.
"Oh, Glydna Goodwitch! Haven't heard from you since we worked that missing child case together."
"Yeah, it's been a while. Listen, long story short, I got a job at Beacon-"
"Oh, congratulations! Remember when we were students… god, we are getting old," Crimson said.
"Yeah, but I gotta transfer this current case-" Glynda started.
"And naturally, I was your first choice."
"Uh..."
"Second choice?" Crimson asked.
More silence.
"I was your fourth choice… wasn't I?" Crimson asked again.
"No offense?" Glynda offered.
"No, no. It's fine. What's the case?"
"A pair of murders. I'm sending what I got to your scroll."
Crimson's scroll pinged. "Who are the murderees?"
"One Umber Ethereal and one Felix."
"Wait. Felix?" Crimson asked. "He was killed?"
"Yep."
"Him and his partners were one of the best students in our year until he 'dropped out'. Still can't believe that scraggly blonde turned himself into a professional killer. He was such a klutz during his tenure at Beacon. Wonder who could have offed him?"
Crimson put the scroll on speaker phone and started going through Glynda's notes.
"Presumed fire Dust user, experienced, tracked down Felix to kill him. Aura sensing gave some indication of torture, unknown how long it was drawn out. Willingness to kill civilians. Quite a case you're giving me," Crimson summed up.
"Sure you can handle it?" Glynda asked.
"Do you even have to ask?"
"Well, thank you for taking the case for me."
"No problemo. I'll let you know how this turns out," Crimson said.
"Thank you, Crimson."
Crimson shut the scroll and walked around the ruins of the bandit hideout. Her whip was hanging on her belt.
Fire Dust users. Fire Dust users.
Dust users were often specialized in their skills, not to say they couldn't use other Dust. Anyone with aura could use Dust effectively, being able to pull of spectacular tricks with them. Some were a jack-of-all-trades with all types of Dust. Others, were skilled with a certain type of Dust.
Then there was the very, very slim possibility that someone used processed Dust, but that required a large amount to achieve the same effect.
Non-awakened had to use processed Dust. It was slightly less effective than unprocessed Dust, but it was more limited in it's uses. All types of unprocessed Dust could be used with semblances given enough skill. Processed Dust took less effort to wield, and less likely to overheat or destroy the weapon in the process unlike unprocessed Dust.
Unprocessed Dust was stronger but more unwieldy and could be used in any number of ways. Combining into their bodies, sewing into clothes, forming into Dust weapons, and more.
She started to ponder on the possible identities of the murderer. She knew several fire Dust users throughout her career.
Could it have been them? Or was it someone completely new?
It was best not to rule out any possibilities.
Perhaps it was even her own partner.
Gasp! It wasn't like they have been married for several years. Maybe he was faking his naive outlook on life, it wasn't like he was one of the few people that actually kept the outfit he designed as a kid. Unlike emblems which remained unchanging, outfits could be changed. So who did that except the very pure?
Crimson chuckled before seriously started going through some suspects.
There was Pyre Suttee, but he disappeared several months before. Most of the time, disappearing meant certain death.
Flare Melange? The former bandit was doing her time in prison. Hell, she was even showing a genuine effort at rehabilitation.
Tinder Farrago? She was pretty sure she broke his back the last time they met. He might not even walk again. Aura could heal a lot but broken backs? That was a stretch.
Those were the few fire Dust using criminals she could think off.
Okay, now she had to scrape the bottom of the barrel.
She took a deep breath to calm her mind. Huntsmen and huntresses were expected to keep a calm state of mind.
A frustrated hunter was a reckless hunter. A reckless hunter was a dead hunter. The bandits may have been defeated but a wandering Grimm could come and catch her off guard.
Hmm. She had met a few fire Dust trainees during her journeys to other kingdoms. They were often in villages often outside the kingdoms, but they could have easily entered into another kingdom.
Some were training for protecting their villages, others for more insidious purposes. Combat academy enrollment applied inside the kingdom whereas villages did not.
Fumar Wither? Nah. He was a good kid. Brave and fiercely loyal to his little village.
She thought harder.
Years back, there was a budding fire Dust user that she traveled with for a couple of weeks. They were both seeking the same person, a fire Dust expert. Due to the nature of her mission, Crimson couldn't tell the girl that she was a huntress.
Crimson was almost certain that if the girl knew that, she would see it as a betrayal of trust. The girl was driven, skilled but combative… almost bordering on cruel.
It was a long trek and they were forced to travel together. The girl was young, brash, and angry.
A tad manipulative now that she thought about it. Every action she did had some undercurrent of rage beneath it. Hell, even when she 'flirted' with someone for information, it was controlling and aggressive.
Still, she was an ambitious girl but she wasn't all that bad when she lighted up… which happened as often as a blue moon. The girl didn't trust anyone to open up too. Crimson hoped that one day maybe the girl could find someone to confide in.
Although, Crimson suspected that the girl would only open up to someone that she could love and clearly the girl was paranoid and untrusting as a kooky old bat. Still she could remember that one moment when the girl wasn't so mean. It was when Crimson gave up the last of her rations for her.
The girl actually smiled… then there was nothing.
Yet, Crimson could tell that the girl preferred to repress everything. But people could change or... maybe she was faking everything. Crimson had absolutely no idea if the girl was behind the killings. It did seem like a long shot.
What was the girl's name again?
Crimson took out her journal, she flipped through the pages. Some hunters kept journals, often coded, to keep track of their adventures and certain classified things. Crimson liked to keep doodles of her adventures. She didn't need code, she just needed pictures to refresh her memories on key events.
Ah.
Mistral.
She had a small sketch of the girl when she sleeping. It was one of the few times the girl didn't have a mean look or a smirk on her face. It was even made even rarer because the girl often tossed and turned in her sleep.
She looked at the doodle. She made sure to get all the details to savor this rare moment. The sketch contained a look of peace on the girl's face.
Underneath the picture was the girl's name.
Cinder Fall.
"What is it, Oz?" Qrow asked.
"I don't know how to tell you this Qrow," Ozpin said slowly.
"Just spit it out."
"A lot of has happened in the months during your mission to find the Fall Maiden..." Ozpin started.
"Summer..." Ozpin couldn't quite finish the sentence.
"What about Summer?" Qrow asked.
"She… passed away on a mission." Ozpin's voice was quiet.
Qrow turned away. He ran his hands through hair and his breathing was quiet. He inhaled and exhaled, his breath barely audible.
He wiped something away from his eyes.
"I have to..." Qrow's voice quivered, he exhaled more loudly this time.
"How are my nieces holding up?" Qrow voice cracked.
Ozpin remained silent.
"What. Happened?" Qrow asked.
"There have been reports that Taiyang… he may have lost your nieces and is trying to find them."
"He what?!" Qrow shouted. It was easier to latch onto that one point of anger. It was better than breaking down, right?
Qrow clinched his fists and brought them to his head.
He wanted to yell at Ozpin for not telling him sooner, but he knew better. Business first, personal stuff second. Especially if the business stuff included saving the world.
"I have to go," Qrow said as he gritted his teeth. Ozpin said nothing but merely nodded his head.
Chew Taiyang out, find the kids.
A simple plan.
This… would be a distraction. At the back of his mind, he protested that Summer couldn't be dead. She was a skilled huntress- a loving mother- a loyal friend.
He couldn't break down now.
Qrow went to one of the windows and shattered it with his fist. In the corner of his eye, Ozpin raised his arm to protest before putting it down.
He dove out the window and transformed into a crow.
Making his way to Patch, he started to reminiscence about the past.
"When did you take up drinking?" Summer asked with a hint of disappointment.
"Oh, don't be like that Summer," Qrow protested.
"Then why?" Taiyang added in.
Qrow screwed the cap back on his flask. "It's just the missions I've been on."
"Then you should settle down. Or slow down," Summer said quietly.
"Summer. Come on, don't be like that. I'm fine. I can hold my liquor unlike lightweight over there," Qrow joked.
"Hey, I resent that," Taiyang said.
"More like resemble," Qrow muttered.
"Boys. Boys. No need to fight," Summer said before taking a deep sigh. "Qrow is an adult capable of making his own decisions. I just ask you that you don't do it in front of the kids."
"Perish the thought. I know how influential little kids are," Qrow said.
"Thanks Qrow."
"Now, I best be going. Duty calls," Qrow said before making his way toward the door.
"Qrow wait," Taiyang said and grabbed Qrow's shoulder.
"Yeah, Tai?"
"This… it was nice. We should do this more often."
Qrow smiled.
There was nobody in the house which greatly worriedQrow. Upon further investigation, he found scores of empty bottles.
An onslaught of worries and fears hit Qrow. Taiyang wasn't normally a drinker. Qrow knew that he would never intentionally hurt his kids.
Hell, Taiyang would rather face fifty nevermores than lay a hand on his kids. That still didn't dispel his fears. Something must have happened. Taiyang was always the self-loathing type, and perhaps he might have neglected them.
Being a single parent was an enormous strain and Qrow knew Taiyang's track record. He needed someone to set him straight because he seemed incapable of doing that on his own.
He was a wonderful father but… Qrow had no idea how Taiyang reacted to Summer's death. He lost Raven and now Summer?
Asking around Patch yielded something bad. Arnica Sparks was a parent of one of Yang's schoolmates. According to him, Yang was hostile and fighting all the time. She even fought Arnica's kid, Basuco.
Asking more and more parents revealed the same results. True, the kids were being little shits to his nieces but they mentioned that Ruby wouldn't stop crying. Bad home life? He got the impression that Yang did her best to keep things together, and perhaps fighting was an outlet.
Something must have happened after school ended. Everything must have had come crashing down after Yang lost her outlet. Taiyang should have supported his kids but...
Something horrible must have happened.
His heart wrenched.
His fears were becoming more and more real. He managed to find out where Taiyang was. He was drinking. Was he drinking his sorrows away? Or the guilt? Whatever the case, it didn't matter.
He was going to do more than chew out Taiyang.
"Official huntsman business! Out! Scram!" Qrow yelled into the bar. Everyone fled the bar except Taiyang.
"Hey, Qrow," Taiyang said before saying.
"Where are the kids, Tai?" Qrow spat.
Taiyang gave a small, hollow chuckle before wiping away his tears. "I searched the island twenty times. And I haven't found anything. No bodies, no trace of them."
Taiyang got up from the stool and faced Qrow.
It was one of the few times that Taiyang has actually seen Qrow angry. In fact, he looked downright murderous.
Qrow stuck his sword into the ground.
"What did you do to them? What happened?" Qrow asked.
Taiyang said nothing, as he felt the guilt piled upon him. Only then did he realized what a neglectful father he had been.
He had been so wrapped up in his pain- his grief that he didn't see that his kids were affected too.
Qrow growing angry at Taiyang's lack of response, charged at him. In a blink of an eye, he slammed Taiyang's face into the bar before throwing him to the floor. Taiyang didn't bother fighting back, this was only a sliver of the penance he deserved.
"Did you hurt them?!" Qrow yelled. "Did scream at them?! Did you abuse them?! Did you beat them?! What the fuck did you do?!"
Taiyang managed to get up. "I'm a horrible father. Too wrapped in my self-loathing to give a damn."
Qrow's fist began shaking before smacking Taiyang.
"You think that's what Summer would have wanted?!" Qrow picked up Taiyang by his collar and threw him over the counter. Taiyang smashed into the bottles into the back, and he was showered in broken bottles.
"So what the hell did you do?" Qrow yelled before picking up a chair and throwing it at Taiyang. He stumbled back into the wall as the chair broke in several pieces.
"Nothing. I did nothing for them," Taiyang muttered. Qrow grabbed Taiyang and threw him into his embedded sword. Taiyang's aura shattered as he slammed into it.
Taiyang didn't bother getting up. "They… took my self-loathing to heart. All my drunken ramblings and self-pity. I should have known better. They must think- know that I'm a horrible father."
He struggled to get up and when he did, he picked up Qrow's sword and held it out to him.
"If you really think that I deserve it-" Both of their eyes gazed upon his sword. "Then do it."
He shoved the sword into Qrow's hands.
Taiyang got onto his knee and bowed his head, waiting for Qrow's decision. There was a brief moment of hesitation.
"Get up," Qrow said before putting away his sword.
Taiyang got up and opened his mouth to say something before Qrow held up his hand.
"I don't know if I'll ever forgive you. But Ruby and Yang lost... their mom, and I don't what them to lose their dad either. We're going to find them… then we'll figure out something from there. You're not a horrible person, but I don't know if you should have custody of the kids… but we'll cross that road when we get there."
Taiyang opened his mouth again.
"Don't thank me yet. But we're going to find them."
Qrow said with such conviction, that Taiyang believed him.
And he felt something he hasn't felt in a long while.
Hope.
"Hey Summer. It's been a long while hasn't it?" Qrow tried chuckling but he couldn't.
"I'm sorry for not being there, Summer. You know how it is. Important missions to save the world."
Qrow placed a bouquet of roses at the gravestone.
"Are you okay with me giving roses?" Qrow asked. "I'm sure you would have loved them."
Qrow opened his mouth to say something but he paused for a moment before finally saying what he wanted to say.
"I'd know what you say right now. That I shouldn't worry as much or that I need my rest. You would even tell me everything will work out. And I'd believe you. I do believe you."
Qrow ran his hands through his hair, obviously stressed out.
"You'll even say that I should forgive Taiyang. And..." Qrow's eyes got watery and he took a gulp. "I'd even be inclined to do so. But I don't think I could until I… we find them."
Qrow looked off into the distance. "I don't think the kids are on Patch. Hel… heck… I even double-checked. But no… bodies either. That's gotta mean something. I have a gut feeling that they are still out there."
He clinched his fists. "I should have been there!"
Qrow took a deep breath.
"Even if I couldn't have… saved you. If I was here, maybe I would have prevented all of this. You know how Tai is. Remember when my sister just left him with Yang? He was struggling before you came."
Qrow paused. "No, I'm not implying anything about Tai. Perish… perish the thought. Tai is good man… and a good father, even after all his mistakes. It's just that... the man needs his friends to help him. If I was here… none of this would have happened. And I'm sorry for fighting Tai. Just reassured that we will find them."
Qrow knelt down on his knee as a sign of respect.
"I..." Qrow gulped down what he was about to say. But he got up and left the cliff in silence to rejoin the search.
Qrow and Taiyang were getting desperate. They couldn't search the entirety of Vale. Even when they were united in the cause of finding Yang and Ruby, they still had nothing.
It got to the point where he had to offer a reward to help find them. It was slightly humiliating to ask for help. They were huntsmen and they couldn't find them.
Qrow had to deal with some arrogant news anchor named Cyril Ian in order to send his message across.
Still nothing.
Taiyang and Qrow were searching Vale in quadrants, yet it almost seemed hopeless. But despite that, they wouldn't stop- couldn't stop.
Qrow was just combing through the agricultural district when he heard a familiar sound. He turned around and saw Raven, his sister.
"Qrow," she said with her voice devoid of feeling.
"Raven," he said with his voice on edge. He didn't know what to think or feel. It has been awhile since he actually seen Raven. They did occasionally send messages to one another.
There was an awkward silence between the two siblings before Qrow finally spoke up.
"So, what is it Raven? What is important enough to warrant your 'royal' presence?"
"It's about your nieces."
"Our niece and your daughter," Qrow tried correcting her.
"Your nieces are alive."
Qrow felt a surge of hope course through him.
"Where are they?" Qrow asked with renewed vigor.
Raven remained silent.
"You do know where they are, right?"
"I don't know where Ruby is exactly, but she is safe. Some stranger saved her."
Qrow realized what Raven was saying.
"So you were there?" Qrow accused.
"They're fine, are they not? Ruby ran off with the stranger. You have to ask yourself did they want to go back?"
"You could have saved them!" Qrow nearly shouted.
"Did they want to be saved? If-"
"I swear if you go on some tripe about fate and destiny…" Qrow sighed. "Then where is Yang?"
Raven said nothing.
"Tell me, Raven or so help me-"
"I like her where she is. It will help mold her into something greater."
"She is your daughter!"
"And blood isn't always thicker than water," Raven retorted.
"What… that doesn't even make any sense."
"Yes it does," Raven interrupted.
"Just tell me where Yang is. For my sake?"
Raven tilted her head side to side, thinking what to say.
"She's with one of the three gangs. You should consider that maybe they're better than Taiyang. They aren't in any immediate danger, Qrow."
"How could you say that? He's still a good man." Even after all that Taiyang did… didn't do, he still wanted to make amends unlike Raven. Taiyang cared enough to try and save his kids. Sometimes, he wondered about Raven. She changed so much over the years.
"Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. But he isn't the man I fell in love with."
"Is that really why you left?" Qrow asked.
"A small factor. Speaking of which… I have to go. Until we meet again, brother."
Raven pulled out a white mask with red eyes and put it on.
"Nice fashion sense," Qrow said.
Raven said nothing and hopped off the roof they were on.
Qrow didn't hear her feet hitting the ground.
But that didn't matter, he had a lead. He regrouped with Taiyang to inform him of what had transpired. Qrow had to omit certain parts of his story.
Taiyang was both of overjoyed and horrified at the news. They finally had something to work off.
"Alright, how do we approach this?" Taiyang said while pacing. He smashed his fist into the palm of his hand. "Divide and conquer."
"Right. This is our chance to find Yang. Once we find Yang, we could work from there and find Ruby."
"You know, I gotta thank that contact of yours."
Qrow took a swig from his flask, avoiding the question. Qrow needed Taiyang's head screwed on right. Him thinking about Raven wasn't going to help anyone. Luckily, Taiyang decided not to push it.
"So what gang do you wanna investigate?" Qrow asked. "There's Hei's crew, the Predators, and the Brown Ursas."
"I'll investigate the Predators," Taiyang decided.
"Then, I'll do the Brown Ursas. If we don't find anything, we report back and investigate Hei together. Sound good?"
Taiyang nodded. He went to jump off the roof before Qrow stopped him.
"Where's your weapon Tai?" Qrow asked.
"It needed repairs, so I left it back on Patch. Why you worried?"
The mood between the two had lightened significantly. They both believed that they were on the cusp of finding Yang and Ruby.
"Please, you're a grown man."
Taiyang then leapt off the roof and into the streets. Qrow looked over the intel on his scroll. The Brown Ursas had fractured significantly and there was violence in the streets.
Thankfully, they managed to keep the violence relatively contained in less populated areas. However this meant more work for him. Basically, there was two groups he had to investigate. But he could deal with it.
He flew off into the night sky.
Chloe considered herself a patient woman.
She had to be. Her… late husband and son were brash and reckless. Hell, the whole gang was reckless. It allowed sociopaths like Red Ripper to thrive. In truth, she was glad he was gone.
Gangs always had attracted the violent and the dangerous. Her husband wasn't an idiot, but he had let the gang fester a bit too much. The Brown Ursas had the reputation of being the most violent gang out there. It wasn't his fault. Family time did take precedence over gang time.
Still, he had respect. When he needed to be eloquent with his words, he was one of the greatest. Oh, the things he whispered in her ear.
She chuckled sadly.
No time for mourning. He had gone down swinging. That's how the story ended for most of them. But she wanted- hoped- pleaded that her son wouldn't have to suffer that fate.
It was a horrible fear that she had ever since she was blessed enough to give birth to her precious joy in the world. Kuma assured her that he would always be there to protect their son.
But of course, their son wanted to be in this life. He was only sixteen! He didn't stand a chance! It wasn't fair! Kuma was going to unlock his aura at his seventeenth birthday and start training him.
It wasn't the best way to train but there was some stories of success.
The future seemed bright, their paths clear. But it all came crashing down. Just like the guards in her house. She could tell that they were getting their asses handed to them. Tying back her turquoise hair in a pony tail, she readied herself for a fight.
She cocked and loaded her husband's weapons. Usually taking someone else's personal weapon was a sign of tremendous disrespect and almost considered taboo. Only a close friend, family member, or lover could take their weapons as their own.
Turning around with the guns drawn, she faced a man with a giant sword in hand and a tattered red cloak.
"Who are you? Freelancer? Drop-out?"
The man gave a dark chuckle. "Huntsman."
Chloe holstered her guns. It was futile to fight against a trained hunter. He looked rugged but dangerous.
She should have expected this. The authorities were going to crack down on them eventually. If the status quo was broken, then the repercussions were high.
"So what do you want?" Chloe asked.
"Just wanted to ask three questions."
"All of this for three questions?"
"Have you seen the news lately?" the huntsman asked.
Chloe thought about it for a moment before snapping her fingers. "You're that huntsman, Qrow. You're looking for your missing nieces."
The man nodded.
Ah. Chloe understood now. A child was precious. She felt sympathy for the man.
"Second question, have you taken them?" Qrow asked, his voice hard. He probably searched all the conceivable places and just wanted confirmation from her.
"Why would have I taken them? Who the hell brings kids into this? We all know what happens to people who even remotely lay a finger on a kid."
People like Red Ripper. Personally after Kuma heard the rumors, the man was going to be castrated and his limbs chopped off. He was lucky enough to get killed before Kuma enacted retribution on the man.
Gangs had a sense of honor, no matter how twisted.
Hell, even Gilbert for all his arrogance and hubris knew better to hurt a kid.
"If you had to suspect a gang that would take my niece, who would you think it might be?" Qrow asked his final question.
"Gil Covenant," she responded.
"You trying to get me to thin out his little group. You ain't that clever sweetheart, but you're lucky I was on my way there anyway. It's been a blast."
The man left her home.
Maybe if she was lucky, Gilbert would be taken care of.
Pfft. As if.
Gilbert considered himself a man of action. Gilbert considered himself very good at what he does. After all, he made in this far in the gang. He survived many skirmishes with the law.
So when he charged at the intruder with his weapons, he wasn't expecting the man to move faster than a blink of an eye. He was clearly trained well… a bit too well.
It almost seemed like the man wasn't even trying. With one slash, Gilbert was disarmed.
That's when he knew to concede. Especially when his nailguns were on the floor, and he was pinned to the wall.
"So, what do you want?" Gil asked.
It was just a matter of time he supposed.
The kingdom of Vale rarely had more than a handful of huntsmen and huntresses. Most of their duties were outside the kingdom.
The ones that were in Vale were usually either on break or on assignment.
"Just want some information," the man said.
"Do you now?" he replied.
The man went through the usual spiel of interrogation. Turned out that Qrow was searching for his nieces. Gil didn't know where he got the idea that a gang would take in, but he didn't care. The huntsman seemed agitated that Gil had nothing to yield.
When the huntsman dropped him, Gil questioned everything. The choices and paths that he took in his life that ultimately led to this moment. He had shed blood and tears to make it this far. He had lost good friends like Red, kissed Kuma's ass, and did any number of immoral things. Yet, all of that seemed meaningless.
What got to him was the insignificance of everything.
A lone huntsman could take on the lot of them and win. The only reason why they didn't and left them to the cops was because they had bigger and better things to do. The gangs as a whole thought they were tough, but when in reality, only a handful could actually remotely stand a chance.
Gil, even if he could win this power struggle, would still have nothing. He would be nothing, just another gang leader in a long line of gang leaders. Before all of this, he strived to be the best. Rising through the Brown Ursa ranks, he made sure that he stayed in the good graces of Kuma.
When all the other lieutenants fell, he remained. Survival didn't mean anything to him… not anymore. Surviving wasn't living.
He picked up the nailguns off the floor. Weapons were only as dangerous as the wielder. The nailguns had two small rows of refined and processed Dust crystals, serving both as spiked brass knuckles and a way to fire the Dust crystals.
They were his weapons and they had served him well, but right now he felt helpless even when he held them in his hands. He had to change that.
Gilbert Covenant was going to cement his legacy into this kingdom.
Even if he had to burn it all down on the ground.
"Called it," Dian's voice woke up Yang.
She groggily rubbed her eyes and turned to find that she was in the twin's bed. After a brief note of embarrassment, she made her way to the door.
"Fine, fine. But things couldn't possibly get worse," Acid's muffled voice said.
"And you jinxed it again," Dian paused for a second before continuing, "You weren't followed, were you?"
"Oh, shit."
"Shit!" Dian's voice yelled out.
A loud explosion rang in Yang's ears and she stumbled a little bit.
"Wha..." one of the twins muttered.
Yang turned around and put a finger to her lips.
"Go hide!" Yang said in a hushed tone while pointing to the closet.
Melanie tried voicing her disagreement but Yang just glared at her. She was going to protect them, because she was the only one with the means to.
Melanie dragged her sister into the closet, shooting daggers at Yang along the way. It was for the best. Yang was the strongest out of three.
Besides, if all attention was on her, they would be safe.
Once they were safely tucked away, Yang cracked open the door and saw a shattered window, with a lady in a duster coat and a shaven head holding Dian by the throat. Acid was nowhere to be seen.
"You bitch!"
"Tsk tsk. Dian, Dian, Dian. You should have saw this coming. When you regroup with Acid, I'll be waiting."
The lady threw Dian out the window and Yang screamed.
Yang did the only thing she could do and that was charge at the lady. The lady had an amused grin on her face and caught Yang's fist in her hand.
"How about you just give up?" the lady taunted.
Yang tried throwing another punch, but again… the lady caught it.
The lady tilted her head and gave a smug smile, exposing sharpened teeth. All Yang could feel was the creeping sense of panic and powerlessness. Yang was better than this! Wasn't she?
The lady lifted up Yang and all she could see was beady, black eyes.
"And who are you?" the lady asked.
Yang tried spitting in her face, but she dodged the glop of spit.
"Nice try, but if you won't tell me, then you are going to be my leverage. How would you like being a damsel in distress?" the lady mocked.
"Although, you got spark. I'll give you that, kid. But… I'm better."
She whistled. Then two men came out and threw a sack over her head.
Yang tried screaming, to no avail. She tried kicking and punching but to no effect. Being dragged away only reminded her that despite everything she had learned… she was still a kid. Everything up to that point, almost meaningless. But… she rejected that notion. It would lead her nowhere because she still hoped.
She hoped that her friends were safe.
She hoped that Acid and Dian were alright.
And she wished that someone would save her- both from this lady and this feeling of powerlessness.
Taiyang observed the warehouse down below. He was about to jump down, until he saw a van pull up. He decided to wait and see what was going on.
A group of thugs dragged out a little kid with a sack over her face and brought her into the warehouse. Taiyang hoped that it was Yang.
Even if the girl wasn't Yang, he still had a duty- both morally and as a huntsman, to save the kid. Dropping down, he snuck up and took cover. He heard the van drive off.
Eavesdropping, he heard several of the thugs talking.
"Don't know why Novocaine wants this kid."
"Does it really matter? You don't question the boss."
"You really aren't curious? First it was sending a message, next it's a trap."
"Look you're new, but don't question the boss. Just trust in her."
Taiyang heard enough and quickly emerged from behind the car. He quickly surveyed the thugs guarding the entrance. Two of them were standing side by side. They were wearing what looked like grey army fatigues.
Faster than a blink of an eye, he was in-between the two of them. He smacked one of them down to the floor and roundhouse kicked the other man to the floor.
The men had two short-swords on them. They were just plain weapons but Taiyang could make do with them.
Channeling his aura into them, he made sure it significantly dulled the edge of the blade. Just as one could channel their aura for more powerful attacks, they could make sure their attacks were non-lethal.
As soon as he stepped into the warehouse, he was bombarded with blinding lights and exploding yellow Dust crystals.
His aura immediately tanked and to prevent himself from being attacked further, he jumped into the air, and charged one of the short-swords with his aura.
The sword spun into one of the spotlights and into another before finally knocking out one of the thugs. As the sword clattered on the ground, Taiyang took note. Five thugs, three of which had short-swords and the rest of them had pistols.
The moment Taiyang landed, he charged into the thugs with the pistols. One of shot at Taiyang's head but he merely tilted his head, avoiding the shot.
Slashing across the gut, the thug flew into the wall. Turning around, he saw the other armed thug aiming his pistol at Taiyang.
Taiyang quickly smashed the man into the wall with his shoulder, knocking the man out.
The other three thugs charged at him, but Taiyang dodged the first swing and grabbed the man's arm. Taiyang broke the man's arm, forcing him to drop the sword into Taiyang's hands.
One of the other thugs tried tackling Taiyang but he sidestepped and kicked the man in the ass, launching him into one of the warehouse walls.
The final man turned to run, but Taiyang knocked him out by throwing the sword at him. The handle smacked the back of the thug's head, skidding the man across the floor.
He spun around, checking that everyone was still down.
There was a lone door at the end of the warehouse. Taiyang quickly rushed over to the door and found Yang tied up.
She had a defeated look in her… red eyes. He briefly bore into those red eyes.
"Hey, Tai," Raven whispered into Taiyang's ear as she walked past him. Her hand traced over Taiyang's shoulder.
She took her place next to Summer who was giving a speech about strategy.
"So Tai and Raven flank from the back-"
Summer's voice faded into the background as Taiyang looked into Raven's red eyes. Those beautiful red eyes.
"-and then me and Qrow will establish a baseline-"
Eyes that gazed into his eyes as well.
Taiyang swore he would never forget those eyes. Eyes as beautiful as a red rose.
"Yang?" he said, his voice cracked.
"Dad?" Yang's voice was disbelieving and felt like it was full of guilt.
"I'm here, sweetie."
Taiyang rushed over and untied Yang. She stumbled back and backed away from Taiyang.
His heart was crushed… but maybe it was for the best.
"Look… Yang. I know..." His voice cracked and his eyes began to water. "I know… I'm a horrible father… but let me save you this once. And then… you won't ever have to see me again."
Yang had a confused and sad look her face. "Don't… don't you hate me?"
"Yang… I knew I'm a bad father, but I could never hate you. Why would I ever hate you?" Taiyang asked, with a heavy heart.
"Because… I… I..." Yang tried finishing her sentence, but couldn't.
"Yang… whatever it is… I won't hate you for it. I love you too much for that."
"I KILLED RUBY!" Yang broke down and started crying. "I killed her! I'm no big sister!"
Taiyang rushed over to Yang and embraced her.
"Yang," Taiyang said quietly and his voice was solemn. "Ruby is alive."
"Wha..." Yang said in disbelief. "Ruby… is alive?"
"Yes.. Ruby is alive… and you're not a horrible sister! She's alive!"
Yang looked into his eyes… and Taiyang bore into those familiar red eyes. Yang started crying… both out of a combination of happiness and sorrow.
For the first time in a long while, Yang hugged Taiyang. There was a nice silence between father and daughter.
"Where's Ruby?" Yang finally asked between the sobs.
"We'll find her together. And then you won't ever have to see me again."
"Why?" Yang asked, dumbfounded.
"I'm a horr-"
Yang coughed awkwardly before gaining a resolve. "En.. enough whining. What… what is done is done. What matters is that we're together again."
Taiyang gave a small smile through the tears.
"I don't suppose… you could ever forgive me?"
Yang hugged him tighter. "Of course. I couldn't hate you. But let's find Ruby."
Taiyang picked up Yang in his arms.
"We're going to find Ruby and then..."
"We could be a family together again," Yang said optimistically.
Taiyang let himself smile. This was the first strike at reclaiming normalcy. He wanted nothing more than his daughters to be together again. He wanted his daughters to be a family again, but he didn't know if he had a place in that family.
He learned his lesson. His suffering didn't matter, but their suffering took priority over his. Every parent knew that, but when faced with that dilemma, he faltered. But no longer. His daughters came first.
Taking out his scroll, he started dialing a number as he walked in the darkened streets.
"Who are you calling?" Yang asked.
"I'm calling Qrow," Taiyang replied.
"Uncle Qrow?" Yang replied, almost happily.
"Yeah… he has been helping me find you two."
Taiyang stopped in front of a cafe. "Let's go inside. And I need to talk to Uncle Qrow, okay?"
Taiyang sat down at a booth with his daughter while he talked to Qrow.
As he heard the scroll ring, old instincts began to kick in. He started looking for any potential threats for him or his daughter.
There was only one person besides the cashier. A lady with long hair and a purple trench coat walked into the ladies' restroom.
She gave a wink toward him. Taiyang didn't know what to feel about that.
"Dad..." Yang started, "I have to use the restroom."
"Go ahead," Taiyang said while covering the scroll.
He kept his eyes on the bathroom.
"Yeah, Tai?" Qrow answered.
"I found Yang," Taiyang replied enthusiastically.
"Really?! Is Ruby with her?"
"Sadly no. But we'll get there."
"Where are you?" Qrow asked.
"I'm at the Camp Camp Cafe."
"I'll be there in a flash."
Taiyang watched as the lady left the restroom with Yang following a minute behind.
Yang sat down in front of Taiyang.
Eyes as red like roses.
"Yang, I don't want to pry… but what happened to your eyes?"
"I..." Yang started happily before turning somber. "I don't know."
Taiyang didn't want to pry. He didn't want to lose Yang. If Yang had something important to tell him, then she would.
Qrow popped into cafe, and immediately went for Yang.
"Uncle Qrow!"
Qrow hugged Yang.
"Heya, firecracker. Missed ya." Qrow's tone betrayed him. His voice was quiet and full of relief. He slide into the booth next to Yang.
"So… when can we find Ruby?!" Yang asked excitedly.
"When the time comes, we will find her," both of them reassured the young girl.
"So what now then?" Yang asked slightly dejected.
Taiyang and Qrow shared a look.
"Perhaps on Patch..." Qrow started.
Both father and daughter shook their heads. Patch held too many bad memories. Perhaps one day, they could return, but today... they needed a fresh start.
"Maybe… we could live at Vale… just for a bit?" Yang asked.
Taiyang was about to voice his approval before remembering what Qrow said.
"We should let Qrow decide."
Qrow closed his eyes and inhaled before exhaling.
"I'm… sure Tai has things covered," Qrow finally said.
Taiyang mouthed his thanks as Qrow's scroll buzzed.
"Now… I'll keep up the search for Ruby while you take care of Yang."
"Qrow..." Yang interrupted. "When you find Ruby… can you tell her that I'm sorry?"
"Of course, Yang."
"Oh fucking shit balls!" Dian screamed as the ground began to rapidly approach her before a huge gust of wind picked her up and carried her to a rooftop.
Acid reformed from the wind and she looked pale.
"Oh god..." Acid muttered before puking.
"We gotta get back up there, save the kids, and burn the place," Dian said to herself. "Launch me up!"
Dian turned to Acid, who was still puking and holding up a middle finger.
"Hurry up, bitch-ass! We're losing Yang!" That snapped Acid out of her hurling session.
Acid began to swirl into a miniature tornado and Dian allowed herself to be sucked into it.
She began spinning round and round until the tornado launched her at the broken window. Landing inside, she found the place lifeless.
Through her eyes, she saw the twins in the closet.
Opening the closet door, she was almost attacked by the twins.
The twins after realizing that it was her, quickly hugged her. Dian felt uncomfortable, she didn't deserve it.
"Where's Yang?" Miltia asked.
"She's gone but we'll find her," Dian assured her.
"That… that idiot," Melanie said quietly. Her tone full of concern.
"We will find her. But right now, enact emergency plan alpha," Dian said.
"Which one is that again?" Miltia asked.
"The one where you pack up your shit and we burn the place."
Dian watched as the kids pack up their stuff- and Yang's… before quickly waiting out the room. Both Acid and Dian came up with a plan just in case if they had to bail on this place. Dian just liked blowing things up while Acid was more practical in it's application.
Acid was waiting in the lobby and Dian gave her the twins.
"Listen… after I get Yang, we're going to have a talk with Junior about keeping this kids in a less obvious place. The gang wars are going to tear these kids limb to limb. And don't give me any snappy one-liners about irony, bitch-ass."
"Where the hell am I suppose to take the kids?" Acid asked.
Dian sighed loudly. Would she? Could she?
"My… family home is in the remote part of Vale. It's on the fifteenth and eighteenth. Now go!" Dian said almost angrily. Her temper flared.
"Thanks, Dian."
The two of them went their separate ways.
Dian managed to see where they took Yang. But she arrived too late. Her dad saved her. The two reunited in a tender display of family love and devotion, something she never had and would never have.
But she still kept watching them. Hei would say it was because they invested too much time into Yang. Acid would say it was because they wanted to make sure Yang was safe.
Dian didn't know. That… tugged on something in her.
When the dad and daughter enter the cafe, she entered and went into the bathroom, signaling Yang to come and talk to her.
The moment Yang entered, Dian felt like she should hug the kid and so she did.
"Are..." Dian started, "… are you alright? Is he treating you alright?"
"Yeah! And my sister is alive! It… was all a misunderstanding."
"Oh… are you leaving us?" Dian asked.
Yang seemed conflicted. "I want to stay and help..."
"But family should be more important, right..."
"Dian! I still want to be with you but… I can't leave my dad again."
"It's fine… it's fine… but if you ever change your mind my house is on the fifteenth and eighteenth. It's in the… peaceful part of Vale. But can you do me a favor?" Dian asked.
"Anything, Dian!" Yang exclaimed.
"Can you keep all of our times together a secret? And your aura too? You remember your aura hiding trick?"
Yang had a slight look of confusion before she nodded. "But can you do me a favor?"
"What is it 'lil killer?"
"Can you still help me find my mom and my sister?" Yang asked, with those red eyes pleading at Dian.
"Anything for you, Yang. Now I gotta go. I hope everything works out for you."
Two days passed and they quickly found a small, quaint house to live in for the time being. Yang wanted to live in a more remote area, so Taiyang spent the rest of his lien to purchasing this home although he kept their home on Patch as he refused to sell it.
Qrow had slept on the couch while Taiyang slept in front of Yang's room.
The house had been plain and barren, a place to begin anew. It wasn't a home for him.
But he could never truly begin anew without Ruby. Yet… he was going to do his damnedest to make sure that it was a home for Yang… and when the time comes… a home for Ruby.
When the sun dawned into the house, Taiyang got up and went to Qrow.
"Come on, up!" Taiyang said quietly.
"Wha… five more minutes," Qrow muttered.
"Qrow… get up, we need to talk."
"Ugh. Fine."
Qrow got up and cracked his back.
"Where's my damn flask?" Qrow asked before finding his flask in his back pocket. After recent events, Taiyang found himself… a bit repulsed by alcohol. At least Qrow could take it and not turn into a horrible human being. But for Taiyang, he was never touching the stuff again.
"A bit early for a drink, isn't it Qrow?" Taiyang asked.
"What? I'm thirsty," Qrow retorted.
"Whatever works. But we need to discuss on how we find Ruby."
Qrow set down the flask.
"Agreed."
"Has your contact said anything else about Ruby?" Taiyang asked.
Qrow stiffed up. "No."
"Then how are we suppose to find her?" Taiyang asked with frustration in his voice. He needed to find Yang… not just for his sake but for Yang's and Ruby's sake. The two daughters needed to make amends.
"Tai… we're going to find her."
Qrow checked the time on his scroll. "Holy… it's the afternoon already?"
Taiyang rubbed the back of his head.
"Qrow, I need to discuss the long-term with you."
"What about it?" Qrow asked.
"Me and you both know that you can't stay much longer."
Qrow's face grimaced. "Unfortunately, I have to leave later today. Off to Mistral once more."
Taiyang was slightly frustrated at Qrow… because he always went on these 'secret' missions. One of these days, he was going to figure out what took up Qrow's time.
"And I need a way to support me and Yang. I could probably do a simple extermination missions three or four days a week, but I would need someone to watch over Yang."
"And I'll be gone."
Qrow scratched his chin.
"Perhaps hire a sitter?"
They heard someone whooping loudly outside.
"You have weird neighbors," Qrow commented.
"Eh, I have had weirder."
"We still need to discuss Yang," Qrow said.
"If she wants to talk, then she'll talk. I'm not going to push the issue, but I made sure that she tell me if certain stuff happened. As far as I could tell, the worst that happened was that she was stabbed in the leg for not cooperating. I swear I will wring that bastard by his intestines."
"Me and you both, but do you think she… you know," Qrow said quietly. "Because of the eyes."
"If Yang decided to tell, then she would. Besides, eye changing color at a certain age isn't that uncommon. Especially if her eye color changed into… Raven's."
"Dad… Uncle Qrow?" Yang said while shuffling into the living room.
"Yeah, Yang?" Taiyang asked.
"I'm hungry."
Taiyang glanced over to the kitchen. It was empty, just like the house.
"I'll go over to the market and get some food," Taiyang said. "Try not to give Uncle Qrow too much trouble."
"Ha!" Qrow laughed.
He went out the door.
"So… how are you holding up Yang?" Qrow asked as Yang joined him on the couch.
"A bit better," Yang admitted.
"That's good. Listen… we're going to find Ruby… I could feel it in my bones, you know?"
Yang gave a small smile and rested her head on Qrow. She closed her eyes and asked a question that Qrow was dreading.
"Did you know my mom?"
Qrow took a very deep sigh. "Yang… are you sure you're ready?"
"I am!" Yang said defensively and huffed.
Qrow chose his words carefully. This was a delicate subject especially for Yang. She was just a kid… a kid forced into extreme circumstances for the past few week.
"Raven- your mom, is my sister. And when you were born, she left you with your dad."
"But why?" Yang asked. Something shattered inside the little girl.
"I don't know. She must have her reasons." Something going deeper and deeper into a void. An illusion gone. A fantasy undone.
"So..." Yang started, her voice barely audible, "is there no chance with her?"
Qrow thought back to the message his sister sent to his scroll when they found Yang.
'Maybe, I was wrong.'
Was there even a remote chance with Raven? He would like to say without a doubt. But her sister had changed. Yet… if there was even a sliver of the girl he knew while they were growing up…
And he still hoped that Raven would come back. Her admitting that she was wrong was a huge step. Perhaps one day, she could still what she was missing out. Yang was her daughter and soon or later, she would have to face that fact.
Raven was a still a good person, right?
"I'm sure if you find her, everything would work out."
He saw something in Yang. Hope was kindled inside Yang's heart.
"Hey, Uncle Qrow? Are you leaving us today?"
Qrow nodded his head. "I have to go on a mission but..."
His scroll pinged several times. He had set up several priority alerts for any number of situations.
"One second, Yang."
Checking his scroll, there was good news and bad news.
Besides a high-speed robbery, there was an incident at a docks that left a huntress dead… which was a thing not to be taken lightly.
Then… there was the good news. At the dead of night, a girl that matched Ruby's description was found boarding a ship to Mistral.
He felt his heart leap in joy. A lead!
It was almost like…
Then his scroll pinged again.
Amber was done with her training by Ozpin and was at the front door. The door bell had been broken when Taiyang bought the house.
He never understood why they couldn't just live on Patch. The housing there was much cheaper but perhaps a change of scenery was best for Yang.
"Give me a second, Yang. I have a friend at the door."
Getting up, he opened the door to find Amber with her usual getup except she had her hood down.
"Hey, Amber."
"Qrow. Are we leaving soon?"
"Yeah, but we gotta wait for Tai to come back. Why don't you come in while you wait?"
"I… I don't want to be imposing..."
"Psst," Qrow said while leaning in, "It's not my house."
Amber gave him a look before stepping inside.
"Who is that Uncle Qrow? Is that your girlfriend?" Yang asked.
Amber coughed awkwardly while Qrow laughed.
"Nothing official yet, Yang-" Amber coughed again. "- but she's a friend."
Amber sat next down to Yang who saw her weapon.
"Is she a huntress friend?" Yang asked.
"Something like that, but how about we do something else?" Amber asked. "Liiike… how about I read you a story?"
Yang had a weird look on her face.
Amber noticed it too, and decided to change course.
"How about I tell you stories about Mistral?"
"Mistral?" Yang asked, her curious red eyes widened. Qrow decided to respect both Tai and Yang's decision in the matter.
Perhaps it was nothing.
Or maybe it was more. But he shouldn't pine over that… he had a lead! And he was going to be chasing it as soon as they got into Mistral.
"Yeah, Mistral is a very interesting kingdom… very different from Vale. You'd like it. Right Qrow?"
Qrow thought back on the kingdom of Mistral and the things he seen.
"Yep."
Dian had been assigned the task of watching the twins at her… house. At least she could stomach sleeping in this house.
Junior had realized the folly of his mistake of playing his cards too close to his chest despite the fact that the gang wars were dying down, he still made the reasonable precaution.
Acid was teaching the kids upstairs. This place was perfect and out of the way.
It was imperfect in so many other ways though. The walls hid dark secrets and the floorboards creaked and ached with every step.
Turning her attention away from this sickening house, she saw them. She had been watching them ever since they moved in.
Would some call that stalking? Yes.
Was it stalking? Probably.
Junior had chalked up Yang as a lost cause. He respected Yang's choice. Acid didn't care so long as Yang was happy. But her? She was stubborn to the end.
As she watched, she thanked her lucky stars that she could read lips. Her hearing was horrid but so long as she could see, it didn't matter.
When they said that they needed a sitter, a plan formed in Dian's head and she whooped loudly at her brilliance.
She quickly covered her mouth. Then she saw Yang's father leave the home and off to the market.
This was her chance!
She sped into her backyard and began hopping fences, in a desperate dash to get to the market before Yang's dad did.
Luckily for her, she managed to achieve that feat.
Once there, she pretended to examine a pair of watermelons. In the corner of her eye, she saw the man picking up some cereal.
Casually approaching him, she greeted him.
"Hey! Aren't you my new neighbor?" Dian asked, with a half-hearted tone.
"Oh?" the man said surprised.
"Name's Dian," she said and offered her hand.
"Taiyang." He slowly shook her hand.
"Sorry, I didn't welcome you as soon as you moved in. Been busy."
"Oh, it's fine. I understand," Taiyang said and they started moving down the aisle.
"So what do you do?" Dian asked, trying to steer the conversation to the question she wanted to ask.
"I'm a licensed huntsman."
"Oh, the hours must be rough," Dian said, 'sympathetically'.
"Yep."
"I don't want to impose, but don't you have a daughter?"
"Yeah. She's my pride and joy."
"Ah, so the missus takes care of you while you go on daring missions," she said in fake awe.
"My… wife passed away."
"Oh… I'm sorry," Dian said in faux-sadness.
"No, no. It's fine you didn't know."
She should avoid that avenue of conversation. She needed to make sure Taiyang didn't hate her. Especially if things were to go as planned.
Taiyang sighed. "I gotta find a sitter."
Score!
Dian thanked her lucky stars that Taiyang finally said it.
"You know, I could always watch your kid. I live right across the street."
"Are you sure? I don't want to force this on you," Taiyang said.
"It's no problem. No problem at all."
Next Chapter: The First of the Forgotten Days