Ruby never felt so, off, indifferent, so distanced to her sister. Well, she was too young to understand why her sister acted so differently which started a few days ago. No matter how many puppy-eyed looks she gave her sister she just wouldn't budge, she would just laugh it off and tussle Ruby's hair around but Ruby felt it, she felt her sister's pain.

It's a pain you can't hide between siblings or family, that's what their dad told them. But… it made her wonder if that was true. And did that mean their dad feels their pain, and if so, why is he doing nothing to make that pain go away?

She shook her head at the thought, right now she had to get her mind together. It's only been a week and a half since her mother left, but there's a possibility that she could come any moment now, it's just a matter of when.

And when she does, she wants to make sure that her mom has plenty of milk and cookies to eat because being out for so long would make any person tired and hungry, especially if they've been out for more than a week fighting against grimm.

And she knew that her mother loved milk and cookies like she did, so that was a plus in her book. She wouldn't say it but whenever her family ate her batch of cookies she would always become so smug for the next couple of days, thankfully, Yang ended up putting her back in place like the great big sister she is.

"Ruby… I know that look, what are you planning this time?" Yang asked with an unamused tone.

She never was fond of it when Ruby tried to do anything big in the house nowadays, mostly because her father is allergic to a bright atmosphere and always makes the atmosphere gloomy. Whenever Ruby cooked cookies he would always talk about their mother and go on about how Ruby's cookies reminded him of their mom, he talked about their mother like she was already dead.

Of course, she knew this was true, but Ruby still hadn't accepted it, so it always pained her to see Ruby give a look of indifference like everything her father said was a lie. She wanted to believe that too, that everything her dad had said was a lie, but she knew that the last thing her dad would do was lie to them, especially whenever it had to do with family.

"What? I'm not planning anything…" Ruby said as her eyes wandered all over the place like she was lying which she was. It was a big sister's duty to know whether her sibling was lying or not, and it was also her duty to make sure what she wanted to do was safe for her and the family.

"Don't tell me you hear mom calling out to you again…" Yang sighed.

"I did! I swear she's just behind all those trees, somewhere in the forest." Ruby said excitedly.

It wasn't anything new, Ruby began to believe their mom was beyond the tree lines that acted as the entrance to the forest. It sounded enticing, amazing, and pleasing to hear that, but what credibility did Ruby have to prove that's true?

Their mom had been gone for a week and a half now, and this would be the fourth time Ruby had explained that their mom was close. But no matter how long they waited, she never came. At first, she waited along with Ruby, hoping to see her mother cross over from the treeline, but she never came.

Ruby had given her false hope, it pained her, but she continued to love her. She is and forever will be her baby sister.

"That's the fourth time you said that, are you sure she is?" Yang asked, but she already knew the answer she would receive.

"Ya! I'm sure this time." Ruby bled the very emotion of joy. Yang obviously missed this side of Ruby, but it was always at the expense of their well-being, both her and Ruby's mental health could go so far and she already felt like Ruby was nearing that line of no return.

But all she could do was deal with it.

"Ugh, I knew you were going to say that. And get away from the window, the wind might blow your tiny-self out the window." Yang said.

"Yang~ that's not true." Ruby pouted.

"Well, now it is, so get away from the window." Yang commanded.

"I don't wanna." Ruby crossed her arms.

"Ruby…you don't want to make me angry." Yang warned but she wasn't really going to get angry. She just never liked how distant her sister's eyes looked whenever she stared beyond the window in their room, it was like she was waiting for someone… and that someone was their mom, but she'd never return and Ruby would forever be staring out that window.

"I don't- but I'm not moving." Ruby said confidently.

The sound of bed springs found itself in the quiet atmosphere as Yang also found herself looming over her sister.

"Y-yang-" Ruby gave her a wry smile.

Yang wrapped her arms around her sister, giving her a bear hug like their mother used to do with them, "You idiot…"

"I'm not an idiot, mom said if I keep on eating milk and cookies I'll grow up to be big and strong, and smart." Ruby said.

Yang chuckled as she locked eyes with Ruby, "I'm pretty sure you're the one who added the 'and smart' part."

Ruby's cheeks became red as she stuck her tongue out in spite.

"Come on Ruby… it doesn't matter how big, strong, or smart you get, you'll always be my baby sister." Yang teased, "But I'll always be stronger, so stay short, alright shorty?" Yang laughed quietly to herself.

"Ugh, you wish." Ruby retorted.

Yang felt afraid. She was confident, that with the way their family was progressing, she had lost all hope in repairing this broken family. She always told herself that with time their family would repair itself, like in those hero books that she'd read to Ruby before. There was always a wise character that gave the hero wisdom and reassurance and one of those lines read, "Time mends all wounds." But how long will it take to mend our wound, our missing mother?

So, instead what if she brought back her old mother, she could act as their new mother, maybe that's what this family was missing. She knew it wouldn't be the same without Summer, even if her mother Raven did replace her as their mother, her memories of their old mother, Summer, would forever be ingrained in her mind.

A core memory for all the kind things she's done for us. Whenever a scary-looking grimm attacked me and Ruby while we played tag, Mom was always there to protect us… and also play as 'it' in the game of tag.

And whenever we played anything she was also there, playing with us… and beating us in every game. Actually, now that Yang thinks about it, how come their mother used to play every single game with them and always won?

Yang put the thought aside with the explanation that her mother had a competitive side, even if it was against literal kids.

"Are you sure about this?" Ruby asked hesitantly. She was scared, her dad and mom told her not to leave the house by night or else all the scary grimm will kidnap her and eat her for dinner.

But how could she leave her sister out in the dark if she did stay behind, even though she was scared, Ruby wasn't going to allow Yang to venture out alone.

"Do you want dad to be happy again, we have no other choice, Ruby." Yang said, uncertainty in her voice.

"But- can't we just wait till mom comes back?" Ruby said.

Yang held back her anger, it wasn't Ruby's fault for holding onto hope, but it did make her question herself if Summer really was still alive. When she overheard her dad and uncle's conversation all they said was that Summer was 'M.I.A' she didn't know what that meant before but now she did and her search history is all you need to verify that.

Summer was missing in action, so there was a slim chance, a very slim chance, that their mother was still alive. But She couldn't wait any longer, she felt like the sound of a dropped paper clip could destroy their family in an instant, so before it was too late, she would find her biological mother and hope she would fix their family, and if she says no then she would force her, no matter how hard it would be.

"No!" Yang shouted unintentionally causing Ruby to jolt in surprise, a scared look formed on Ruby's face. Seeing this made Yang feel horrible, she didn't want to end up like her dad. Right now Ruby's world only consisted of her and herself, so what if she was out of the picture, Ruby would be alone, only the thought of when her mom is coming back as her only peace of mind.

Yang knew she herself was strong but, within a matter of time, she would break from being alone. She wouldn't show it, she always presented herself to be strong, but she knew she wouldn't be able to fix whatever breaks in the inside.

"I-i'm sorry, Ruby." Yang said as she tightened her grip around Ruby's hand.

"It's fine, Yang… I'm starting to think she won't ever come back too-" Ruby said, her eyes having life in them for once, but if nobody did anything to comfort her now, she wouldn't ever be the same from this point on forward.

So, Yang did what she did best, comfort her sister.

She wrapped her arms around Ruby, close to her chest.

And finally, Ruby cried and so did Yang.

Yang didn't cry for their mother, she already shed all the tears she had for her, or that's what she believed.

She cried for Ruby because Yang believed that Ruby already had lost her humanity, to see how happy and cheery she had been with their situation for the past week and a half made her question if Ruby had already gone insane, it made her feel so distant to her family like she was the only sane one left or maybe she went insane a long while ago and they were the sane ones.

But, to see Ruby accept that their mother is gone, just made her heart burn in pain, but it also made her happy because that meant her sister was still there, she hadn't crossed the point of no return.

The night was filled with cries be it humans or animals, but eventually that sorrow goes to a place far away, nowhere to be found again.

Yang released her hug from Ruby. She pushed Ruby's bang to the side as she kissed her on the forehead, "Come on, let's go." Yang said sweetly as she held hands with Ruby.

Ruby nodded and followed beside Yang, entering the forest as the broken moon loomed over them, but what were they searching for?

Living a lavish life without worry about shelter, food, water, and all the small things in life. Like keeping your nails clean and smooth, cut them if they grow too long. Like your eyebrows being too thick or too thin or maybe too long, making you self-conscious.

The way you smell, how long your hair is or how short should it be to make you look pretty or handsome, be it the small things like how much chest hair or how much facial hair you have, to how your breath smells or if you should start brushing more.

Adam didn't have a single worry; hatred and revenge foreign to him. He didn't think he was perfect but he couldn't deny the gods had created him in the image of God, so he was supposed to be perfect.

But he's human. He sat in silence wondering if his children had won the battle against the gods or have they lost.

He wondered if his loved one, Eve, also made it here along with his two sons he had helped create with Eve. Of course, he loved every single child equally, he never played favorites, but he spent more time with Cain and Abel than every single one of his children.

"Adam."

Adam glanced at the one who called him out.

"Hm..?"

Ruby didn't feel scared, she felt safe, and that feeling came from her sister, Yang, who was holding her hand as they ventured deeper into the forest.

She didn't ask why they were heading into the forest, she just knew that Yang had something that she wanted her to see. But what was it?

Ruby thought her mother was just sitting on the very edge of this very forest, or somewhere in it, but she didn't understand why she wasn't coming any closer, why she wasn't coming back to her and her family.

She didn't understand a lot of things, and this was a new addition to the list of things she didn't understand about adults.

"Ruby, we're almost there, look." Yang spoke up suddenly, this shook Ruby and honestly caused her to tense up, she didn't want to let Yang know that she scared her just now, so she quickly tried to reply.

"Wh- ow," Ruby winced, "ay jost bit mai tongue.(I just bit my tongue)" Ruby said.

"Pfft-" Yang wanted to laugh but caught herself as she coughed, she was supposed to be cool and serious, and it wasn't safe to be inside the forest at this time, a grimm could pop out any moment and snatch both of them and their dad would be none the wiser.

"Yang, it's cold, can't we do this in the morning?" Ruby asked as she rubbed her cheek trying to soothe the pain in her mouth.

Yang felt cold too, she cursed herself mentally for not bringing a jacket or sweater, but heading out here in the morning was a no-go. Her dad would be awake and he was always in the living room where the front door was, and if they tried leaving through the back he would see them, question them, and then punish them for trying to leave without his permission.

"We're almost there, come on." Yang dragged Ruby by the hand. She willfully followed. Ruby's eyes looked ahead, and there it was, the thing Yang wanted Ruby to see or maybe bring her to.

It was a dusty old run-down building, it didn't look like much in its current condition and she wouldn't be surprised if any small animals called it their home. However, it did make her wonder why Yang brought her all this way, was it to just show her a run-down building?

If she wanted to show her at any other time of the day she would be fine with it, but it was dark and cold outside, their only light being the moonlight.

"It's just an old building." Ruby looked at Yang with a confused look.

"No, it's where my mom used to live." Yang said as she scrunched her eyes in anticipation.

"Wait, mom?" Ruby asked.

"No, my mom and your mom are two different people…" Yang's grip loosened from Ruby's hand, "We're not actually sisters…" Yang said with hesitation. Of course, Yang didn't actually believe this, she still believed Ruby was and still is her baby sister.

She knew they were half-sisters, only because of their dad, but she didn't how Ruby would react to this, would she hate her, would she not want to talk to her anymore, would she not trust her anymore, would she look at her differently, would Ruby want her fake 'big sister' out of her life forever?

Ruby's grip tightened around Yang's hand, "So? That doesn't matter to me, you'll always be my big sister, Yang. Who else would I have as a gaming partner, definitely not Zwei, he has paws, not hands." Ruby said with a bright smile.

That's when the distance between her and Ruby closed, the ice that was forming ever so slightly around her heart melted.

"Thanks, Ruby, I mean it." Yang said with a small smile.

"Of course you would, there's no point to saying thanks if you don't mean it." Ruby said with a dumb-founded look like she thought her big sister was dumb.

Yang clenched her teeth, "Oh yea? Don't start getting fresh with me." Yang said as she rubbed her fist against Ruby's head.

"O-ow, I'm sorry~" Ruby cried.

Yang let out a sigh as she released Ruby from her hold, "You better be. Now let's head inside." Yang said.

"Why?" Ruby asked as she rubbed her head.

"Because we're here to find clues on my missing mom," Yang said.

Ruby made an o-shape with her mouth, now fully understanding why Yang brought her here. Now the only thing Ruby was wondering was how long would that take and if Yang knew that this old building was sitting here then why didn't she ever go explore it by herself?

That's when Ruby came to a conclusion, and that was because she was scared to be alone which made Ruby feel smug and tough, "Don't worry Yang, I'll protect you while you search the building." Ruby said with a cocky tone.

And all she received was a weird look from her sister, "Um, we're both going inside, you know that, right?" Yang said.

"Plus, you can't even protect yourself, so what makes you think you can protect me." Yang said as she waved her hand, dismissing Ruby's statement.

"H-hey!" Ruby pouted.

The sound of shoes tapping against wood echoed in the old building as the light barely seeped into the building, allowing them to barely see the contents.

There wasn't much to the building, a couple of chairs set next to a large couch that faced a wall, Ruby was sure there was supposed to be a TV where the couch and chairs were facing but there was nothing there except a slightly broken down wall with peeled off bits of the wallpaper.

"Um, are you sure we'll find anything here?" Ruby asked Yang.

"Of course not, we first have to find the room where my mom used to sleep in, and I think all the rooms are upstairs because I don't see anything except the living room and another room that probably leads to the kitchen, so… let's go upstairs." Yang informed Ruby.

Ruby followed behind Yang, it took a minute or two before they found the staircase but when they did they were faced with one problem, the entire staircase collapsed in on itself.

"Great, how are we supposed to get upstairs now." Yang released a huff as her shoulders sagged. Yang hated when she came across problems she couldn't fix with a punch or kick, well, it's not like all her problems could be fixed with a punch or kick but she very much preferred that it did.

"We could always come back later…" Ruby suggested.

Yang stared at the ground, she hated the thought of going back home, going back to her broken dad who couldn't bother to take care of the both of them. She never thought she would get butterflies in her stomach just thinking of going back home, but here she was with those butterflies swirling inside her stomach. And the more she thought about it, the worse it got.

She just wanted to find a clue of where her mother is and then follow it, leaving behind her old life, but now that's not a possibility. In the end, there was nothing she could do. She did believe she could just take Ruby and run off, but Patch is an island surrounded by a large body of water and she doubted a bullhead would allow two lone kids to get on for a ride without a guardian.

"Y-yang, that hurts…" Ruby cried out. Yang's eyes widened as she looked back to Ruby, confusion etched on her face before she looked down at her hand that was locked with Ruby.

She was squeezing Ruby's hand unknowingly, "S-sorry, I was…" Yang couldn't find the right words to explain what she was planning or maybe the right words to apologize to her sister for hurting her.

Before Yang could come up with an explanation Ruby placed both her hands on Yang's hand, "It's alright, I know how you feel, let's just go back home, okay?" Yang felt the butterflies in her stomach increase, the moonlight reflected off Ruby's silver eyes. It reminded Yang of her mother which made her bite her lip in regret.

What if she begged her mother to stay like she always did when her mom went out for missions, she thought if she tried a little harder maybe her mom would still be alive right now.

"Yea, let's go back home, Ruby." Yang said with a smile, but uncertainty found itself in her tone.

But Ruby didn't notice it, she's caring and she knows when people are hurting, but Yang lived with Ruby for years now, she knew how to hide her emotions from her pretty well, not that it's a good thing.

Yang left with Ruby, hands interlocked as they began their small journey back home. Unease settled in Yang's heart along with hope, that she and her sister would survive to see their family pieced back together, like how it was supposed to be.

A powerful gust of wind blew against the trees, shaking their leaves, branches, and their shaft, almost tearing them from their roots.

"My little bird friends told me… you wanted to take the life of two of my children."

Adam's fist balled up, and on the ground laid a grimm, a beowolf, dead on the ground. To Adam these 'animals' weren't sane, they were not friendly to mankind and had no thoughts of their own, the destruction of mankind their only goal. He didn't like hurting animals or anything resembling one but if it meant that it was to protect his children then he would have to make that decision.

Adam turned towards the two lone girls walking beside each other, holding hands as they left the forest.

"Your pain… does not fall on deaf ears… my children."