Sorry for the scare but had a lot going on and it was difficult to even so much as think about writing, much less sitting down and actually writing. Appreciate everyone's consideration.

As a token of thanks, bit of a longer chapter for you all, hope you enjoy. Not the most action intensive chapter but a lot of things going on now we reaching the Vytal Festival.

Here we go...


By the time Ruby and Yang got back to the wood cabin some would call Home, it was already getting smothered by the blank darkness of night. Through the windows, Ruby could spy visible lights and the odd indistinct shadow behind humble curtains. The front patio also had a electric lamp shining brightly, an clear invitation for anyone to see.

Yang walked up the porch first, knocking twice before opening the door. Ruby followed in her footsteps as the two entered the cabin.

Sitting in the lounge, Blake reclined with a book in her hand, though it was clear her attention was focused on their entrence, but also on the blonde huntsmen and Weiss who sat in the kitchen at a dining table.

Notiably, the man responsible for bringing them all here was absent from any of the visible room, as well as what could be seen on the staircase.

"Hey, we're back!" Yang announced clearly, just in case her uncle happened to be upstairs, at Ruby's guess.

"Glad to see you two are well." Blake replied with a faint smile. Ruby couldn't help but share her own smile one at the faunus girl. After all, not like she had any major stakes unlike everyone else in the room.

Ruby nodded back as she quietly took a seat on the couch, next Blake. Her teammate looked over at her for a split second, before returning to the pages of her book despite her ears clearly being draw behind her.

"So, what happened while we were out?" Yang asked as she stood before her teammate and her father. Weiss raised an appraising eyebrow at Taiyang, the man sighing as he looked off to the side with a frustrated frown.

"After what Qrow said, I may have-" Taiyang paused as Weiss levelled a slight glare at the huntsman, before correcting, "I did attack Qrow and threw him out the window."

Both Yang, Ruby and Blake couldn't help but give unimpressed stares. To Taiyang's credit, he took their condemnations with stoic grace.

"So where's Uncle Qrow now then?" Yang demanded.

"After your teammates put some sense into me, Qrow explained a few things and offered to let me have some time to wrap my head around this." Her father explained as he peacefully raised his hands. As if to prove his trustworthiness, Weiss did nod at Yang. The younger Xiao Long sighed.

"Dad, we're going to have to talk about this, with your doctor if I have too." Yang said with a tone of familiar finality. Even then, Ruby was mildly surprised at how casually Taiyang accepted with a nod and a shrug.

Weiss and Blake shared a quick glance before the heiress turned her gaze upon their team leader.

"Ruby, I think that, even if Yang and Taiyang might know, both Blake and I should be permitted an explaination." Weiss said formally, adopting her usual buisness-like manner when uncertain or surprised.

Blake didn't have anything to add, but she did look down at Ruby with eyes that showed geniune concern.

With a sigh, Ruby looked at her teammates and Taiyang.

"I...was furious when I heard from my own teacher and headmaster that they were asking such personally things to learn my identity." Ruby confessed with a slight frown. "And then, with everything else that has been on my mind, and with all the things so recently, when Qrow just...admitted, that he saw me when I was young and thought it was a drunken haze?" Her fist trembles slightly, but the sheer cold rage from before escaped Ruby this time.

"I see..." Weiss replied simply, eyes wide in shock and an almost disgusting amount of sympathy.

With a small sigh, Ruby continued, "I got mad. I got really mad. So I ran. And I just kept running until I find somewhere nice to sit and just...be...you know?" Yang nodded in understanding, as did Taiyang surprisingly. "And then, Yang found me, we talked about Mom. We just...talked, until it was dark."

No one had a quick response, everyone present however having understanding and contemplative expressions.

Ruby noted a slight shimmer by the front door.

The girl beside her must have also seen it, as one her eyes and hidden ears flickered towards the door way, an yellow eye narrowing slightly in familiar recognition before drifting towards Ruby.

The young women could only nod with a sigh.

"I should tell you something as well...um...Dad?" Ruby asked uncertainly. Yang and Taiyang shared a quick glance.

"You can just call me Tai if it's uncomfortable given things." Tai said with a smile that hid a slightly sad edge, but Ruby couldn't help but feel the relief rush through her.

"Thank you, but like I was saying, we didn't exactly come here alone." Ruby explained with a gesture towards the front door. Tai's face narrowed in confusion that quickly changed to surprise as Neo appeared in shattered glass that disappeared without a trace.

Neo offered a remarkably polite smile and a bow, without their usual sarcastic flair.

Tai looked between Neo and Ruby for a moment with observent eyes.

"I'm guessing you two are close, though I'm not sure how close." Tai said with the hints of a smirk across his face. Even Weiss couldn't help but politely raise a hand to her face, and definately not hiding a smile of her own.

Glancing at Ruby, Neo raised an eyebrow before giving her a sultry stare.

"GAH! NEO, EW, EW, EW, NO WAAAAY!" Ruby shouted in embarrassed shock.

The tension broke much like Neo's semblence as the room erupted into honest, simple laughter. Even the quiet faunus amongst them chuckled along at her leader's reaction.

While Ruby chastised her sister's actions despite the crowd present, Yang turned her head towards her father, who, for the first time in while, seemed locked in geniune happiness. Rather than having an ever-present sense of self-depreciation that he tried his best to hide.

"Don't worry Dad, she's just hurting. Family seems to mean a lot to Ruby, just give her time." Yang said reassuringly. Tai just looked up with a bright smile at his eldest daughter and gave a small nod. Satisfied by his answer, Yang turned her gaze back onto her sister, well, sisters. Ruby had finally calmed down and was staring at Neo with a bright red face. The mute girl just smirked lovingly at Ruby while holding her in a hug from behind.

Seemingly only just remembering her audience, Ruby's face turned an even brighter shade of red that made everyone's smiles grow wider.

"I-I, uh, this is Neo and-ohgodwhyNeowhy-she's been with me since I-I can remember. K-Kinda like sisters you know?" Ruby quickly stuttered out as explaination. Neo released her sister from her embarrassing hug and walked over to Taiyang with a smile and an appraising look.

The huntsmen merely stood to his feet casually and raised his hand outwardly. Neo looked down at the hand, before shaking it nicely. The assassin was caught by surprise when the much taller man pulled her into a shockingly tight hug.

"Thank you, for being there for Ruby. Regardless of what happens, you are always welcome here." The man whispered quietly in her ear before letting her go free.

Ruby and her team watched in, well, at least for Ruby, vindictive glee as the normally unphased mute's face went slightly pink, before tinting red. Neo nodded frantically before quickly walking back to Ruby and sitting on the couch next to her sister, her eyes looking at anything else. Ruby started to giggle.

"Aww, Neo, looking a little red there, finally find something that even makes you pause?" Ruby asked in a sickeningly sweet voice. The older girl just scowled at Ruby, before her eyes widened slightly as her face went slightly darker. Reaching around, Neo pulled Ruby's cape over her sister's head before turning her whole body to face away imperiously, regardless of the renewed laughter echoing thoughout the wooden cabin and the forest around it.


It had gone late into the night before most of those staying at the Xiao Long residence decided to turn in for the evening.

Unsurprisingly, Blake was the first to call it. With the help of Yang's directions, Team RWBY stretched a pair of mattresses across the floor of Yang's rooms, much like a sleepover, for Weiss and Blake to use, despite the Heiress' clear uncertainty much to her friend's amusement. Meanwhile, Taiyang found himself opposite of the girl Ruby called sister, Neo.

The mute girl was as sharply dressed as Ruby was, though in clearly differing styles, it was clear where Ruby got her taste in clothing from. He offered the girl a mug of hot chocolate and recieved an appreciative smirk as she sipped at the hot beverage.

The two sat quietly, alone for the first time, sipping at their drinks before Tai spoke.

"I meant what I said before, you know?" He said reassuringly. Neo looked up at him with a raised eyebrow, and much to Tai's reluctant amusement, as her face took on a slightly pink tone. With a relaxed smile, he continued, "I'm serious, even if things...don't go well here, if you ever need something, you just need to ask. Being there for Ruby when no one else was?" Tai shrugged. "That's a debt I can't even hope to pay back, for good reason."

With slightly narrowed eyes, Neo looked over the man with a geninuely puzzled expression, before turning slightly to a frown as she tilted her head towards a window and mimed throwing something in her hand.

"Qrow?" Neo nodded in confirmation. "What about Qrow?" Tai asked with a slight hint of anger that Tai was quick to set aside for the moment.

Raising a finger, the mute pointed at herself.

"You have something about Qrow?" He asked with a frown of his own. Neo lowered her finger, her hands idly gripping onto her mug tightly. Tai watched Neo's eyes flicker back and forth between seemingly random objects in her vision. Finally, she let out a low sigh before nodding. Neo pointed at herself, then raised a flat hand and slowly lowered it.

Tai looked at her in confusion. Her, but pushed down...? No...wait, what if she meant little?

"Do you mean you knew Qrow when you were younger?" He asked experimentally, and thankfully Neo nodded twice. Tai leaned back in his chair a moment. "Were you in their tribe before they left for Beacon?" Neo shook her head, but did point at him when he said Beacon. "So, not a tribesmen, but before Beacon?" She nodded. "You ran into them before they got to Beacon, I'm guessing?" Another nod, this time with slightly narrowed eyes, though Tai had a feeling it wasn't directed at him. "So you ran into Qrow before he went to Beacon. Probably Raven as well?" Three times the charm, though this time her eyes took on a weary edge at the mention of Raven.

It didn't surprise him that Raven might have invoked that kind of reaction in some.

"Okay, I think I get the picture." Tai said with a nod after a moment, Neo glancing at him with a tilt of her head. "You ran into them when you were young, and something went wrong between you and them?" A slow nod confirmed his theory, Tai just shrugged before looking at Neo with friendly eyes. "If you're worried about them, don't. Even if Qrow isn't quite there yet, those two won't be having a say in who I support." Neo's eyes took on a shocked appearence as she quickly sipped at her mug.

With a chuckle, Tai just pat the girl comfortingly on her shoulder, who winced slightly at his touch.

"Relax, Neo. It's only an offer and one you can accept or refuse at your leisure. Gods know I'd do more just to keep seeing Ruby..." Tai explained with a slightly wishful expression.

Neo glanced at the man, before looking away.

There was a single tap at the door, interrupting the moment between the two. Tai's eyes narrowed slightly in recognition, but Neo was the one to stand and walk towards the front door, Tai quickly following in her footsteps. The diminutive girl quickly opened the door, one hand lowering to the umbrella at her side that Ruby had informed them was in fact, her weapon.

As expected, Qrow was standing out the front, hands raised peacefully. Tai clenched a fist, but nothing else as he looked at his teammate.

"Qrow." He said simply.

"Tai." Qrow responded in the same tone.

Neo just glared up at Qrow.

With a sigh, Tai relaxed his fist.

"You're back quick." Tai noted, eyes never leaving his friend. Qrow just nodded before glancing down at Neo.

"Yeah. But I was hoping to sort out me and Neo's problems without forcing anyone else into it as well." Qrow explained while Neo's grip tightened on her weapon. Looking at the shorter girl, Tai shrugged and nodded to her.

Neo did nothing as she glared up at Qrow for a short moment.

Before, finally, she nodded once and pointed out into the shadowy woods around them. Qrow just nodded and the two of them began walking slowly away, towards the woods.

With a reluctant sigh, Tai raised his voice, "Yang! Me and Neo are going outside for a moment!"

There was a pause in the indistinct chatter above him, before Yang came quickly walking down the stairs, concern on her face.

"Why? Is everything okay?" She asked quickly, but Tai gave her a reassuring smile.

"Everything is fine between me and Neo. It's Qrow she's dealing with." He explained with only a slight hint of something in his voice. Yang's eyes narrowed but Tai continued, "They have their own issues to sort out. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them." Yang's eyes took on a suspecious edge, but Tai held no lie in his voice.

If he was going to have another go at Qrow, he wouldn't do it in the dark like this.

"Okay then...but if we hear anything..." Yang said warningly before going back upstairs. With a small chuckle, Tai turned and closed the door behind him, walking out into the woods. Thankfully, he could make out Qrow through what light was visible and quickly caught up to the two, standing and watching each other quietly. Tai respected their silence as he leaned against a tree, wet dew soaking slightly into his vest.

Nobody spoke as Qrow withdrew Harbinger from his back, planting the greatsword into the ground next to him. Before him, Neo's hand clenched on her umbrella, it's thin blade shining omniously in the moonlight flickering through the leaves above the duo. Neither man nor woman moved an inch, however.

Another moment of silence echoed around them, soon cut through by the sound of a sigh coming from the tired scythe master.

"I've been thinking about those days, and what I should say of my actions." Qrow finally spoke, a haggard voice, dry and sober for a change. "When I realised, with all the bullshit going on these days? I'm not going to say nothing, but I think I already I told you all I have to say." Neo's head tilted for a moment, before changing sides suddenly as if in recognition. The strange mute girl raised an eyebrow, as her weapon swayed slightly as a cold breeze flew through air around them. Tai felt the wet specks on his back chill suddenly, as if his spine had a shiver run down it.

With a hesitant step, Neo edged slightly towards Qrow, leaning forward as her head drew in front of the taller man's chest. Her eyes were hard, a glare meeting Qrow's eyes that spoke volumes of her suspecions, before she closed her eyes. The only sign of her previous mood the slight frown set in her mouth. Tai watched as his old friend remained perfectly still, his own gaze having previously met Neo's without so much as a flinch.

Suddenly, Neo leaned back, eyes wide once more as the blade tipped from her umbrella swiftly flicked back, disappearing into it's curious sheath. Qrow let out a sigh that ended in a faint smile. With a point in the direction of Tai's house, the girl Ruby called family gave Qrow a pointed look, one that invoked an understanding nod from the caped huntsmen.

Straightening himself from the tree he had been resting on, Tai finally spoke for the first time.

"I take it this means you're giving him a shot for Ruby's sake?" He asked the mute, who flicked her gaze over to him casually, meeting his question with a confirming nod. At this point, Neo had slowly began walking towards Tai as Qrow pulled his weapon from the ground and slung it behind his back. "Look, Qrow. Even if we are going to have to talk about this, you're still Yang's uncle before all that."

The man's gaze quickly drew to Tai, but Qrow shook his head politely.

"I understand Tai. But it's not wrong that I did bring this on myself, what with the timing. But it's best to give you all some space and time to think everything out." Qrow explained with a stretch.

"Maybe your right." Tai admitted.

"I'll just be at my place in town." Qrow promised, "I'll come by sometime next week, or when the girls need to head back to Beacon, but if you need me I'll be there."

Tai raised an eyebrow at Qrow.

"Going to be staying sober?" He asked simply. Qrow nodded. "That's a good start."

With another nod and a wave, Qrow disappeared behind a tree as a bird flew away. Tai watched it leave for a few seconds, before turning around. Fortunately, a few metres away awaited Neo with a bored expression.

As he walked up to the far shorter girl, he gestured towards his cabin as the two began walking back.

"I might not get exactly what happened between you two, but I appreciate your willingness to set it aside for now." Tai said truthfully. Neo's face turned to a slight frown but she sighed frustratedly with a nod. "I know how bad he could be back then, even if I only met him a few years later." To that, Neo did admit an amused eyeroll. Tai smiled.

The two quickly strolled back through the forest, quickly returning to the shining lights of Tai's cabin. As the two opened the door, they were met by the curious sight of Weiss sitting at the table, idly reading from a textbook at the kitchen table. The Schnee heiress lifted her tired gaze to meet the two.

"Oh Mr Xiao Long, Neo." Weiss said as she got up from the chair and primly closed her textbook. "My apologises, just doing a little study before going to bed." Tai waved the girl down casually.

"I don't mind, if you want somewhere private, you can use the spare room. The curtains are thick enough to keep the breeze out while I fix the window." Tai offered as he pointed upstairs. Weiss gave him a thankful smile and a bow before she walked upstairs quietly. Neo shared a intrigued look with Tai as the two retook their seats by the table.

"So, given what everyone is up to, I might also go to sleep, are you okay with the couch?" Tai asked apologetically. His house was not that large. But Neo just smile and nodded. Tai got up and walked to storeroom under the stairs, pulled out some clean blankets and offered them to Neo. The girl nodded appreciatively as she took them off his hands and took a reclining seat on the couch. Tai offered her a wave as he walked off, switch the lights off and hiding the girl from his vision.

As he made his way upstairs, Tai couldn't help but think about how long the day had been...


The room was dark when Weiss opened the door to Mr Xiao Long's spare room.

The heiress walked in slowly, careful to make little noise given the house's owner was across the hall.

Then again, considering the laughter of Yang, it probably wasn't needed, but Weiss had respect for others.

It was only as she went to close the door when she heard a small voice echo through the crack between the doorframe.

"Weiss?" The sound of her par-of Ruby's voice quietly whispered. An involuntary shiver came over Weiss, her mind being brought back to the events of their dorm not even two day ago now, but she quickly dispelled the warning in her mind to open the door, revealing a still dressed Ruby with a concerned and, if Weiss was honest with herself, a slightly fearful expression. Despite that, the nagging thoughts at the back of her mind forced Weiss to cautiously look behind the younger girl, as if to spot the faint shimmer that hid her terrifying sister and accompliace.

Weiss couldn't help but be disappointed in herself when Ruby clearly noticed and her eyes drew low.

"Yes, Ruby?" Weiss replied, a desperate attempt to try and divert Ruby's attention.

"Can...can we talk?" The red haired girl asked in a soft voice. A scared voice.

Opening the door, Weiss turned around and made her way to the desk in the room, placing the book on Dust Theory to the side. It wasn't exactly a lie to say she had been studying, technically it was a course students had to complete, but one given her upbringing, Weiss had already been well ahead of every other student in her year.

But it was familiar and something to take comfort in, even just temporarily.

Ruby closed the door behind her, before slowly moving to sit on the bed also in the room. A slight chill flew through the air, the broken window from the day's earlier arguement streaming in faint moonlight before Weiss flicked a switch for the room's light to turn on. Taking a seat at the desk, Weiss turned to Ruby.

And waiting.

The scythe wielder's hands were tightly gripping at her skirt, her face down low, likely trying to find the right thing to say.

Weiss continued to wait in silence. Even as paranoia had her eyes slowly tracking across the room, searching, and praying, that she would not spot that shimmer.

Finally, Ruby looked up with that same concerned and scared expression.

"Weiss...do you hate me?"

Weiss felt her eyes widen, and she opened her mouth to respond...

But no words came out. Ruby wilted slightly, as if expecting her silence to be answer enough.

"I.." Weiss trailed off. For all her lessons and all her time at social functions, nothing could give her an answer on what to say.

Ruby, however, continued despite Weiss' lack of an answer.

"I wouldn't blame you." She said quietly, almost defeatedly, "Even if we weren't involved, we have and still would steal from your company. It's not like you'd want to forgive that..."

Blinking twice, Weiss just stared at Ruby.

The girl continued, "And now here we are, with all this." Ruby loosely shook her head. "Like I'm trying to convince you with a show of sympathy and empathy for me, even if it wasn't like I planned this." Pausing for a second, Ruby let out a soft sigh before getting up and walking towards the door. Not even turning around, she said quietly, as if to herself. "I didn't want to put anyone in this kind of spot..."

As Ruby slowly went to open the door, Weiss finally found something to say.

"Ruby..." The girl's hand paused on the doornob. "I don't...I don't hate you. I just don't know what to think." Weiss said quietly, even to herself she could hear the uncertainty in her words.

Ruby's head nodded, still looking at the door.

As the door opened, Weiss watched as a faint but hopeful smile drew across Ruby's face as the redhead left the room.

"Thank you..." Ruby whispered as she closed the door behind her.

Letting out the breath she didn't notice she had been holding, Weiss' head fell into her hands.


A Two Week Later...

It had been unusual, but ultimately enlightening pair of weeks.

Yang watched fondly as her Dad and Ruby talked by Summer's gravestone, talking about her obsession with making the best cookies for Yang and her. She smiled when Ruby laughed at a particular amusing story, while her partner and Weiss looked on with amused smiles of their own.

Some distance away, Neo and Uncle Qrow were, surprisingly, crossing swords, though without too much aggression on her Uncle's part, content to play the part of rightful practise dumby for the short woman.

It had been a bit touch and go the first few days. Ruby was clearly out of her depth, and uncertain of what she should do, but Yang and her father had taken it in stride, telling stories about each other and Summer, simple tales like how Yang found her semblance or how Tai had accidently lost Zwei at Signal only to find thee corgi wandering between classes like a student. Weiss and Blake had played their own parts, filling conversations with questions or amusing comments where Ruby would have been left lost on what to say.

It had taken time for Ruby to start being more open with them, and even now she was still more content to be silent and listen, they were making progress. Even when Qrow had came back to check in, at her request, a few teasing stories at her Uncle's expense had quickly kept Ruby's thoughts from drifting towards the man's own failings.

It had been rather shocking, and hilerious, when Neo of all people had Ruby translate how Uncle Qrow had once almost be arrested stealing a purse that had just been stolen by another thief.

There was still a tense air between the short girl and the former bandit, but whatever conversation that had been had between them and Tai must have done something, if not simply for Ruby's sake.

Yang shook her head pleasantly, ignoring the unneeded thought.

Looking over at Ruby, Yang smirked as Ruby started to tell a tale of how Neo once somehow managed to burn noodles, the multicoloured hair of Neo spinning around with a warning glare, even as Ruby continued, much to her team's and father's amusement.

She wasn't all the way there yet, Yang could tell. The scythe girl clearly still uncomfortable to call Tai her father or Yang her sister, but to be honest, Yang could get that. It was still hard to believe herself that her teammate and leader was now also her sister.

"...So I came back, arms filled with parts and a few other things, and Neo was just standing there, glaring at the flaming pot. She turns to me and gives me a look of sheer confusion to the point I nearly drop everything because I'm laughing so hard." Ruby said cheerfully. Tai gave her a hearty chuckle while Weiss rolled her eyes amusedly.

Beside her, Blake withdrew her scroll for a moment before looking over at them with a nod.

"We should probably get ready to head back, our flight in a few hours." Blake announced. Ruby and Tai blinked before looking at Blake, an understanding nod from her Dad while a faintly disappointed one from Ruby followed.

"She's right, you girls have Beacon to get back to, even if the weekend will be free." Tai said with a small smile aimed at Ruby. Even if no one else could see, Yang could see that her father was just as thrilled about it as Ruby was. But, Ruby nodded and she and Weiss began picking themselves up while Uncle Qrow and Neo started making their way over.

Pulling herself to her feet as well, Yang got up, as did Blake, and the small group started to casually make their way back. As they did, Qrow's scroll suddenly went off with an unfamiliar ringtone. Yang gave her uncle a curious look as he walked off to the side for a moment, even as her dad and Ruby started to walk slightly faster, probably so the two could share some private words before leaving.

While she couldn't hear who her Uncle was talking to, it was clear he wasn't happy with whoever was talking to him.

"Any idea what that's about? It's not the Headmaster, is it?" Yang quietly asked Blake, who shook her head in confusion.

"No idea, did you think I could I hear it?" Blake said with rolled eyes at Yang's apologetic smirk. Meanwhile, Weiss just watched in faint curiousity, but otherwise said nothing. A moment later, the call finished and Uncle Qrow walked back over, a dark expression on his face.

"I gotta run off somewhere. I'll catch up with you at the terminal but make sure you get everything and get their as soon as you are done. Keep an eye on everyone just in case." He said simply and quickly. Yang's eyes narrowed suspeciously, as did Weiss' for some reason.

"Why? Whats wrong?" She asked directly. Qrow just waved her off before walking away, disappearing behind trees within moments. Looking back at her equally confused teammates, Yang asked, "Any ideas?"

To her surprise, Weiss went to say something, but quickly shook her head.

"No, I had a thought but I doubt it's the case." The heiress confessed, while Blake shook her head.

"Should we follow him?" The former terrorist asked, but Yang shook her own head in response and made to walk after her family. That came first.

"Uncle Qrow said keep an eye on everyone, so that's what we do."


It took him a few minutes to make what Qrow could call a safe distance from the house, and by extension, the girls.

Looking up, he spotted a bird sitting in a tree, peering down at him. Without hesitantion, Qrow drew Harbinger from his back and fired a buckshot of dust at the branch it was perched on. The bird, a Raven, flew up, sqwacking indigantly at him for a moment before flying off. Behind him he heard a woman chuckle.

"Even if that wasn't me, still a rude way to say hello, don't you think Brother?"

With a deep scowl, Qrow turned around and aimed his weapon at the woman leaning against a tree, hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

"The hell do you want, Raven?" Qrow demanded, aim unwavering.

Raven smirked condecendingly.

"I mean, it's ways been a bit of bad luck for you, but still, could you at least recognise your own sister?" Raven continued, a false expression of hurt on her face that fooled no one, even if she already knew it.

Harbinger clicked ominously as it shifted into a scythe.

"Sheesh, that eager to get your ass kicked?" Raven asked with a roll of her eyes, even as her grip never left her sword.

"You got one chance to explain why, of all the times you could have, you decided to come here now." Qrow explained, twisting his weapon in his grip into a ready stance. Raven sighed and closed her eyes with a frustrated look on her face.

"You really think I need to answer that question? You know why." She replied, slowly opening her eyes to level a glare at Qrow.

Yeah, he could guess, Qrow knew, but he wanted an answer. He slowly levelled Harbinger at Raven, who rolled her eyes again before standing up from the tree she'd been leaning on.

"Yes, it's the girl. Why is she here and not dead in a ditch for daring to show her cowardly face?" Raven demanded, a scowl beginning to come to her own face.

Qrow just scoffed, "Why do you care? Not like you care about anyone else on this island? What? You afraid of her?"

Raven's grip tightened on her sword as her glare grew. If there was one thing he knew she hated, it was being accused of weakness.

"We promised to kill the little bitch if we ever saw her again. You remember that, don't think for a moment I'd believe you forgot." Raven continued, her voice barely above a furious whisper. "And instead of her being in a shallow grave, you brought her here of all places, to what? Make peace?"

Qrow remained unmoved as he responded.

"Maybe once I did, and would have killed her, but that is a long time ago now. We were kids, looking after a kid the only way we knew, and she made a mistake." Qrow replied, his own anger leaking into his voice. "And even then, she still hates us, but I'm willing to put up with that for Ruby's sake."

Raven, shockingly, widened her eyes in surprise.

"Wait, you saying that short brat is actually Summer's brat?" Raven asked, for once, honest confusion clear in her voice. Enough that even Qrow had to pause.

Didn't she realise...?

Raven's expression suddenly became concerning, as it took a thoughtful edge to it.

"Whatever you are thinking, you do anything to her and, brother or not, I WILL kill you." Qrow warned. Raven scoffed in response.

"You couldn't kill me if you tried, but relax, I'm not doing anything. I guess she found Summer's kid after she died..." Raven said, quietly finishing her statment as if talking to herself.

Qrow's eyes narrowed but he nodded. Raven closed her eyes again, he could see the gears turning in her mind.

After a moment of silence between them, Raven simply shook her head and slowly, unthreateningly, drew Omen and swung in widely, a crimson tear cutting through the open space. Before stepping through it, she looked back at Qrow.

"If you want to think you can get her on side, be my guess, but when it backfires don't expect me to waste Yang's save to deal with her permanently. This will be all on you and you'll have to deal with it." Raven declared, moving to enter her portal.

Qrow couldn't help but add one more comment.

"Strange way to say you care about Yang." He snarked. Raven paused, before entering the portal, not even looking back.

Qrow sighed but reverted Harbinger back to it's compact form.

"Bitch..."


It was late by the time Team RWBY arrived back in Vale, and by extension, Beacon. Qrow had reappeared, as he had promised, looking concerned about something and quickly making his way to Ozpin's office, but Ruby couldn't hope to guess what came up.

If someone had found out about her, she doubted, despite her conflicting feeling about Qrow, that he would have been leading her into a trap purposefully.

Team JNPR and, surprisingly, Penny, had been waiting for them to arrive, even as the sun was going down and Remnant's shattered moon rose.

"TEAAAAAAAAAAAM RWBY!" Came the energetic voice of Nora, who quickly rushed forward with a bright smile full of teeth. "Youuuuuu're back! And you forgot to take us with you!" The ginger girl quickly wrapped Ruby and Blake into a boneshattering hug, both of them desperate to escape Nora's deadly grip. Thankfully, salvation came in the form of Ren.

"Nora, please don't suffocate them. It was a private affair so it would have been rude to insist on us going." The quiet man explained to his partner, who groaned exaggeratedly but dropped the two girls.

"Fiiiine Ren. But next time you guys disappear, remember to tell your besties and superior team!" Nora said, her tone clearly joking but also polite.

Well, by her standards at least.

"I'm glad to see you're back, hope you enjoyed your break." Jaune smiled as he, his partner and Penny walked up next to Ren.

Yang smirked, "Yeah it was good to get back to Patch, see Dad. How about you lot? Finally manage to bag a lil something in the break, Pyrrha?" The champion fighter's face went red as she looked away, embarrassed, while Jaune just looked at Yang with a confused frown. "Eh, you'll get eventually, Vomit Boy."

Meanwhile, Penny walked up and eagerly hugged Ruby, thankfully less bonecrushingly then Nora.

"Friend Ruby! I'm pleased to see you are in full operational condition!" The robot girl exclaimed, as eagerly as her fellow ginger had. Ruby smiled at her, even if there was always the constant reminder that she had totally tried to hack an experimental synthetic human, regardless if Penny knew or not.

"Yeah, we are fine, thank you Penny. Did you come to see us as well?" Ruby asked curiously.

Before Penny could respond, Ren, surprisingly, answered.

"She came down with us when we heard you were on your way back. She and Nora became friends shortly after you left for break. She told us she had been looking for your team after the Breach." Ren explained with his usual patience.

Penny smiled at Ren before turning back towards Ruby.

"That is correct, Friend Ren. After Friend Nora ran into me, we talked and decided to test our combat readiness, and since then Team JNPR have agreed to also be my friends. Isn't that amazing?" Penny asked with an innocent but bright smile, every inch the human despite her nature.

Ruby smiled back, comfortable in the simple honesty that was Penny Polendina. Next to her, she saw Weiss open her scroll with a confused frown that quickly shifted into surprise. Ruby looked back at her partner, concern and even slight paranoia coming to mind but hidden behind a curious tilt of the head.

"Is everything okay, Weiss?" She asked, hoping her concern wouldn't be too obvious. Even if Weiss had said she didn't hate her, they hadn't talked much over the break. Which Ruby understood, she really did, but it was concerning none the less.

Weiss, for her part, blinked twice at Ruby, before shaking her head.

"I have to meet with someone, I'll be back shortly, I promise." Weiss said simply, though her eyes did flicker briefly towards the bullhead. It made Ruby saddened to see Weiss still be concerned that Neo might be watching her.

Even if it was completely justified at times.

But instead, Ruby aimed for a smile and nodded at her partner.

"Okay, do you need me to take your bags back to the dorm?" Ruby offered hopefully. Weiss looked down at her scroll briefly, then back at her with a short nod.

"I'd appreciate that, thank you Ruby." The heiress said with a small smile, before walking off in the direction of the staff rooms. Penny gave Ruby a perplexed expression.

"Are you and Friend Weiss experiencing personal relation difficulties?" She asked innocently. Thankfully, it seemed Ren was now the straight man for two gingers as he sighed and looked at her.

"Penny, it's probably something personal between them. It's not polite to ask if they don't first." He explained quietly, thankfully it seemed Yang was too busy teasing a blushing Pyrrha and an utterly lost Jaune, while Nora pested Blake about the book she was reading.

Penny, however, gave Ren a thoughtful expression with a nod.

"Oh? I see. I shall remember this for future reference material Friend Ren." Penny said with a thankful smile. Ren just gave his typical "I apologise for Nora" nod to Ruby.

Shaking her head, Ruby smiled at Penny.

"So, what have you guys been getting up to while we were going?"


"Sir, Professor Polendina sent through a report about his assigned task. He'd like to inform that he's managed to put some safeguards in place for our Knight and Paladin units in time for the festival. He also reported that Penny has made contact with Team RWBY, who arrived this evening."

James Ironwood nodded his head in understanding, his adjunct scrolling down a pad a few more times before, closing the device. James nodded, allowing for the man to be dismissed. With a salute, the reliable man made his way out the room.

It was good to have trustworthy aides and soldiers by his side.

With a few taps at his computer, he sent a thankful message to Pietro for his work, and another to Penny to congradulate the girl on having a chance to interact with her friends.

Team RWBY. It was quite the curious team. A former White Fang member, Qrow's niece, the Schnee heiress and a mysterious scythe wielding girl from the streets of Vale.

James sighed.

As much as he hated his paranoia, and Ozpin's insistance the matter was a private one, he had been vindicated yet again. Opening a file on his computer, he sighed and looked at what limited information they had on Belladonna and Roslinen. The techs hadn't managed to locate the owner of the bugs placed around Beacon, but they had managed to learn in the past few days whoever had been in control of them was from the First Year wing of the school.

Combined with the fact that apparently Raven Branwen saw fit to suddenly appear and spoke with her brother? He had a lot of matters to make contingencies for now and the last thing he wanted to deal with was a potential rogue student.

And frankly, if he had to put his money on a suspect, the only one's that brought any suspecion were the Faunus girl and Miss Roslinen. Taking another deep sigh, he reached for his desk, and the whiskey kept within.

It was going to be a long night. He just hoped Winter had it easier than he did.


Sipping from a teacup, Winter slowly read through information being displayed on her scroll.

Truly, Ruby Roslinen was quite the engima.

Native to Vale, the city to be precise, no known family, few known associates and no records of any kind in regards to her training. She had seen from Beacon's own records the girl was a capable fighter, which wouldn't be unsurprising considering she passed initiation, she seemed uniquely more experienced against human opponents rather then Grimm.

Again, to be expected if she in fact grew up an orphan on the streets of Vale. Atlas had plenty of Specialists with similar upbringings.

But just who was this girl? That was the question in General Ironwood's mind, and given Weiss' desire to speak with her, it had become a question to Winter.

A faint smile came to her lips, hopefully, her dear sister was still succeeding well at Beacon, regardless of her...other concerns regarding her partner.

It was a sister's right to wonder after all, it's not like Weiss would mind if she checked her academics. Especially when she was performing acceptablely regardless.

Dispelling the thought from her mind, Winter looked back at her scroll. Miss Roslinen's face being displayed clearly before her. Certainly someone that would draw eyes, what with her distinct apparel and hair rather than any particular interest due to her age. It had a certain charm that seemed familar to Winter, though not one she could place a name on.

It mattered not, for she would learn one way or another.

There was a short, polite knock at her rooms, generously offered to her by Headmaster Ozpin, and Winter got up, a moment later opening the door and revealing Weiss had gotten her message and arrived.

"Good Evening, Sister. I hope your trip pleasant if you'll excuse my request to speak with you." Winter said warmly to Weiss, who seemed uncertain and distinctly uncomfortable, drawing a sharp but concerned looked from Winter.

Noticing her clear expression, Weiss shook her head slightly before adopting a more formal expression on her face, as if thinking Winter disapproved of her lack of decorum.

"Apologises, Winter. I know I asked to speak with you but I was unaware you would be here in person." Weiss responded, her hands kept politely before her in a practised motion. Winter closed her eyes for a moment before giving her sister a kind smile.

"I understand, Weiss. Please, come inside so we may speak privately." Winter offered, earning a thankful smile as Weiss entered the room, looking around with faint curiousity.

Winter returned to the small table she had been sitting at, offering the chair opposite of her to Weiss.

"The staff quarters are rather more furnished and spacious then the dorms, as you can see." Winter said indulgently, Weiss looking over at her with a surprised expression at Winter's comment. "Professor Ozpin was gracious enough to show me where your own dorms were located, for future reference should we desire it." She elaborated as Weiss' face took on an embarrassed blush.

"O-Oh, I, um, I see. Winter." Weiss quietly said, embarrassment clear in her tone much to Winter's disguised amusement.

"Regardless, while I do hope to speak with you in regards to your education, I believe you did have something else you wished to speak with me about?" Winter suggested lightly, letting Weiss set the pace.

A familiar role, if not usually between her and Weiss.

Weiss, however, looked down to her lap, uncertainly that, if seen in public, would have been never accepted by their father.

"Yes...it's...it's about Ruby..." Weiss began.


It was rather late, Blake knew that, even if the CCT wasn't due to close for another hour it was an unusual time to make long distance calls.

Well, it was her own aim to have as few people present as possible, so it's not like she would complain.

As the screen before her remained blank as it tried to connect, Blake was wondering if she was doing the wrong thing.

Before she could bow out and run, yet again, it finished connecting.

"Hello? Who is this?" Came the curious, yet sleepy voice of a woman from the terminal, the screen dark and not displaying an image. Briefly wondering if she should hang up, Blake shook her head.

"Uh...Hi...Mom...?" Blake said uncertainly.

A bang came from the call, making Blake flinch out of reflex, before the screen reveal a most terrifying sight.

Her mother, Kali Belladonna.

"Blake! Oh my goodness, it's been so long! How are you? Are you safe? Have you been eating well? Did you finally realise your dear mother was right about a certain boy?" Kali quickly exclaimed before turning around with a wildly swung arm. "Ghira, get up! Blake called!" She added cheerfully.

Blake groaned as she covered her eyes behind a hand. A moment later, the sound of her father came through.

"Blake, I hope you are doing well?" He asked comfortingly, kindly. Much like he always was.

"Yes, I am Dad. Thank you." Blake replied with a small, embarrassed smile. "I...should have called you already but..." She trailed off uncertainly.

However, her father just shook his head.

"So long as you remain safe, we can live with not hearing from you for some time." He explained kindly, before looking around at her surroundings curiously. "I'm surprised you are calling from a CCT. Is that Vale?" He asked with a perplexed tone.

Oh. Right. White Fang.

"Uh, yeah, it is. Um, it's a bit complicated but...I left the White Fang and enrolled at Beacon." Blake explained cautiously. Ghira's eyes went wide in surprise, but a smile quickly came over his face.

"I'm glad to hear that yo-" Whatever else he had to say was quickly lost as the scroll was pulled away and revealed Kali.

"Oh Blake, I'm so proud of you! How is Beacon? Are you learning a lot? Please tell me you aren't still with a certain man that shall go unnamed?" Kali's sweet voice came through, making Blake wince but nod. "Oh that's amazing to hear. Trust me, you could do so much better. So how..." Blake let her mother trail off, even an embrassed smile came across her face.

It was good to see them well.


And with that, we will call it. A lot of set up, but next chapter will be Vytal and then we really hit the stride hopefully.

Any reviews are always appreciated.