Of Stowaways and Runaways Pt. II - The Sun and the Moon
-17 years Ago-
"They set their eyes on their prey. They hid in the shadows to watch and follow. Never cross a snake's eyes..." Her father, Ghira Belladonna told a 2-year-old Blake the story as she blinked. Not to scare her, but to beware of the snakes that uses anything to manipulate.
"And the fangs of the viper will seep through your skin." Blake finished the sentence as her father, a little shaken of the Vipers' motto. Ghira comforted her, feeling a bit bad since he already gotten himself in a mess of things.
"Now now, sweetie. It's only a story. There's no such thing as the Black Vipers. But don't worry, your mother and I are always there for you, no matter what, Blake." Ghira assured her.
-Anima, 17 years later-
Cinder watches from above the cliffs. Seeing Blake struggling to get away from the Vipers. No a single sight of Ruby. Anyone Ruby is close to, Cinder follows to find and finish her.
Then she hears a rustle on the friction of feet of not one but two Vipers on the other side of the cliff. To her dismay, it was one of her associates she never wished to see. "Tyler Shepard, Jupiter Vasilias. What do you want?"
"It's not for what we want, it's what we're ordered to do. Salem orders you to stand down." Tyler said. Cinder's words had been caught in her throat, unable to say back. But one thing in her mind, it was what she needs to exact her vengeance. "I can take care of Ruby myself-!"
"Nobody cares about your petty revenge, Cinder. If you don't want us to pipe a word to our queen, better you back off. Remember this, a Viper always eye on their prey." Jupiter said the motto. Being the "loyal" subject Jupiter was, he was always a snitch.
Jupiter gave Tyler a fist bump. "Good one, J. Good one." He chuckled, mischievously. Cinder felt the heat inside her chest. She knew if they say one word for what happened between them. Cinder knew she would not stand a chance.
She knew she had to wait for the right moment to rid the Viper gang, it was once a terrorist empire. But now it was reduced to a gang of vengeful young adults.
"Fine. Any chance you Vipers have messed up, I will be the once taking charge the next time. After all, for what I am seeing, they are more than a couple of students you can scare away." Cinder uses her maiden powers and burst into flames to fly away.
"Think she may be planning something?" Tyler asked. "Cause something that smells did not feel right. Or was it her smoke that irritates my nose?" Tyler asked, sniffing before it twitched in irritation.
"Or rather the latter. Come on, while the others track down Blake Belladonna."
"Why the princess of Menagerie? Surely the White Fang will..." Tyler was cut off when Jupiter gives more of the details. "She's no longer affiliated with the White Fang. But this way we can grab any information if she knows anything about Ozpin. Or anything about the Relic of Choice." Jupiter suspects.
"Wait, wasn't it missing when Cinder messed up the plan for us to retrieve it?" Tyler recounts. Back in the Fall of Beacon, Team ZRVT were about to retrieve the relic, before it was discovered missing.
"True. But Ozpin must've hidden it somewhere. I also heard Winter Schnee was around here on Mistral."
"Again with the Schnees, man? Come on, I know you hated the Schnee Specialist, but how long until you're going to let go of the grudge to complete the mission?" Tyler asked.
"Let me remind you that Winter Schnee is responsible for the death of my older brother! My flesh and blood!" The anguish of Jupiter's anger made the wolf faunus jolt. Tyler was startled by this, and kept his reaction in check. "Geez, okay! I get it, she's a man-killer. Can we just focus for now?!"
"I'm leaving you in charge of this mission for now." Jupiter gives Tyler the binocular for the operation as he walked to a different direction. The wolf faunus nodded as Jupiter left. During their youthful days, Tyler and Jupiter were as thick as thieves, Tyler taught him a thing or two about thievery. They were no better than the White Fang, nor the Black Vipers.
With stolen weapons, it was enough to make ends meet with tuition in Haven Academy. Being Lionheart's former students, their headmaster did see some potential in them, unaware of their inner demons.
Tyler and Jupiter were much like Sun and Neptune. Only the difference is, Neptune would follow Sun as they have trust. While Tyler would mostly follow Jupiter's lead as he trust him for his skills of stealing. Tyler did not have any friends before meeting his team. Now they are the Four Viper Kings.
"Dude keeps getting hotheaded every time." Tyler sighs while also looking through the binoculars to see how the operations goes.
Blake took her stances against the Vipers standing before her. She wondered if this had something to do with her father, or the White Fang. But either way, she won't let them catch her.
Using her Shadow to clone herself, shifting away from every Viper coming at her. She breathes as her heart races. Her aura keeps flickering every step in the way. Blake then flips out her katana and glared at her enemies ahead.
"Go on, do your worst. I mean it." Blake hissed. The Vipers were silent, looking at Blake like a prize to catch. Her own cat fangs grew as the more agitated she had become at the Black Vipers' presence.
The Vipers looked at each other as of they have an opportunity when they see one. That was another one of the mottos for the eyes of the Viper.
-Anima-
Kali kept an eye on Team RNJRSS from a distance without notice. Her friends and team are asleep while she was keeping watch. The campfire is lit around them. Yomaru, the muscular young man with silver eyes walked up on Kali to check on her.
"You won't get any sleep tonight if you keep on shift." Yomaru said. Kali turned to him. She shook her head to insist she is alright.
"I am fine, Yomaru. Someone has to keep an eye out tonight." Kali insisted. But by looking at his silver eyes. It relaxes her. Feeling more tamed. Yomaru then sighs. Knowing how stubborn his leader is.
But he resolved to make her tea with hazel nuts he found in the forest. While Tide and Erina are asleep. Then he puts a blanket over Kali's shoulders to keep her warm. "Here. You'll catch a cold."
Kali reluctantly agreed as he gave her tea to drink on. She closed her eyes to relax. And it felt good to hear as she breathes. "It's very good." Kali said to Yomaru.
"Glad you like it. I mean not everyone liked it. But still."
Kali became lost in thought as she already went back in time to save the world before Salem gets her hands on the Relic of Choice. "Are we doing the right thing?"
"Stealing the Relic of Time from the Black Vipers. Hearing Ozpin had been lying to everyone this whole time. I am not so sure. But if this is the path we must take. Maybe this is what we'll have to do."
As Kali looked away a little, her eyes flared like that of a maiden. They were of amber color. "I hope you're right."
"Besides. I was given by Watts a partial DNA of those accursed eyes. Probably for Salem to make a puppet out of me before I escaped from his lab. The more I thought about it. The more I wanted to know more about this biological father of mine. I heard that the DNA Dr. Watts collected to create me was from a man who used to work with Salem after he sought revenge for his sister's death. He also gave me DNA of silver-eyed warriors. But why?"
Kali wanted him to relax, at least for the moment. She isn't going to stop him from finding more about his origins. But she wanted him to rest first. So she leaned onto his shoulder. Like a kitten rubbing her cheek. Yomaru blushed as she lowered her ears at the feeling of mellow for the more he hears her purred.
"Better?" Kali asked. Yomaru finds it hard to admit. But it feels right to him. Momentarily, he can forget. But he cannot stop either. But taking things slow is the first step. "Yeah. Thanks, Kali." He sighs. The two enjoyed the moment by watching the stars. The next day, it will be crazy for the team.
-Atlas-
Weiss was on her way to her father's offices. It was just as it always had been. A home where there is no joy. Just silence, as grey as void. There in the Ballroom, there were galas, full of rich an snobs Weiss had encountered.
No longer she is satisfied with the life of wealth, it was nothing but a symbolism of greed and power.
But in Beacon, it was more color and joy with all the friends she made. Her sister is right, it is the only way to discover more of herself. But without friends, or her sister, there was no point of staying in the manor. The manor once owned by her grandfather.
Her grandfather once said to her that the Schnee Manor was built to protect her family. But advised her that if she builds her own castle, she must build it with the friends she holds dear. To protect them. A domain meant for protection, not dominance.
Though her father badly influenced her with fortune. Nicholas' words remained in Weiss' heart, that is something that kept her light.
People used to tell me I looked like a fairy tale princess. But outside of the domain, I am stronger. I think what Winter and Grandfather Nicholas said to me were true. A domain is not something to feel closed off. But what am I now? Grandfather used to tell me that before the Schnee Dust Company, he was once a son of a dust miner. Why can't Father take examples like him? This palace is no longer all silver and and glory. Just emptiness, black and white. How did I ended up blind?
Her thoughts were interrupted when her younger brother, Whitley spoke to her in front of Weiss. The last thing she wanted was to hear another one of his snooty comments.
"It has been awhile since we last saw each other, sister." He said to her as he was passing by. While she had been trying to endure in the house long, the sight of her so-called family can sometimes be a bit more suffocating. Not so much on her brother.
"Whitley." Weiss said, simply saying his name. The two then passed each other and then stopped to look one another. "I was surprised to see how things have changed since you left."
"I still see. For you, not so much." Weiss replied to her brother. The thing between siblings, it's always going at each other's throats. To them, it was about competing to get what they want until the other loses as the two walked the other way. Then turned back to look at each other.
Then Whitley felt a bump as he felt coffee spilt on his sleeve. "Ah!" He yelled and turned to see a young "servant" in a red tailor suit with darkened hairband dark blue eyes. Whitley reacted as he scolds the servant. "Watch it, you nitwit! Do you have any idea how much this suit cost?!" Whitley shouted.
"I am very sorry, Mr. Schnee!" Apologized the servant. Whitley then turned to his sister. "Apologies, sister. This idiotic servant was hired by Father, recently." Weiss cannot stand seeing someone her age getting insult to injury as she never again sees servants like collateral damage. They are just as human as she is.
Weiss decided to intervene. "Whitley, he probably didn't mean it. It might be his first time." Weiss, having to change her ways of treating employees, decided to help out clean the coffee spilt on the floor. "Sorry about my brother. He's always like this." Weiss knelt down to use a handkerchief to clean the stains.
Then her knuckles were gently touched by his palm. Weiss looked up to the new servant as she was confused. As of the touch was recognizable. "Please, Miss Schnee. It's me who should apologize. After all, I am at fault for having to bothered this conversation. I'll take care of this and you carry on." As Weiss looked onto his face, she sees his dark blue eyes, and recognized them.
The "servant" winked at Weiss in secret, while Whitley wasn't paying attention, because he was rubbing the coffee off his sleeve. Weiss felt her heart beating again as her body felt warm once more. Although the servant's hair had darkened, those mesmerizing blue eyes are what gave him away.
The servant walked passed the Schnee siblings as Weiss stared at the servant. She knew it was him.
Those dark blue eyes, could he be...?
Weiss remembers and eyes on the chained bracelet she had given him after hearing of his doppelganger cousin. This way she can identify him just in case. Despite the darkened hair he is now wearing. It was the gift her grandfather given her. It was as if it was a good luck charm to put into good use. She hasn't wore it because she did not want her father to take it away from her because he knew Nicholas was the positive light in Weiss' life.
The bracelet Grandfather had given me should come and handy.
-Atlas, 2 Days Ago-
As Weiss kissed Neptune on the cheek, she then whispers to his ear and placed a bracelet around his wrist.
"Take this, it's my grandfather's bracelet. This way, I will find you too." Weiss declares. "Do not lose it. And never tell anyone. This is something Father forbade me to wear."
"Don't worry, I'll keep it safe if it means a lot to you." Neptune vowed gently holding her hand. Her presence is what kept him going. Weiss nodded. "Good. Be careful, you never know someone you trust will betray you the next."
"Can't we contact your sister? Sun told me he saw how much you trusted her." Neptune points out. But Weiss hesitates. Knowing that someone keeping an eye on her would put her older sister in danger as well. "My father would never allow me to see anyone I trust. But for now, it's you I can trust. No take backs."
Weiss hints, Neptune knew what she meant. As Weiss walks out of the alley. Neptune stared at her nonstop. Feeling the fresh peck on the cheek she gave him.
The flustering feeling did not stop there. Something about Weiss made Neptune's heart beat.
Why do I get the feeling I am...no. This will have to wait. Focus, Neptune. For Weiss' sake, the sooner you get her out of Atlas, then I will have time to reflect. Rumor has it that the shipments from SDC were stopped. Then reports say there were dusts that were smuggled to Vale. I'll have to look more into this. What did Jacques Schnee do? More importantly, what dis Jupiter and Zeos had something to do with the Fall of Beacon?
Zeos leaned behind another wall out of sight and saw the two. How it felt to see them embrace, he wanted to take Neptune's place to take Weiss into his arms. He wondered what she sees in him. He never thought Neptune would not only gain friends that trust him, but also love. He never gotten that love, not from the people who made him.
I wasn't supposed to be human to begin with. What does she see in that coward? No matter, I'll be the one to take everything Neptune loves the most. I'll show them all. They will all see that I am more than a mere lab rat.
Zeos would remember being tested in the pod after he was created. Crying from the place he tested to see Watts, and the person he used to call his father, Hyperion.
-19 Years Ago-
An infant Zeos cried as he reached his tiny hands to his "father." Hyperion, Neptune's uncle and Saturn's older brother. It was no hospital, it was a lab. Multiple pods were lined up in between. Watts stood next to Hyperion.
"This, Doctor. Your creation will become the ultimate weapon for the tribe. Saturn will now see who is now the superior of the Vasilias Tribe." Hyperion boasted as the child cried more.
"The vitals in Subject-5 are becoming abnormal. It was similar to that of the original."
-The East Seas-
On a pirate ship with signature red sails. Yin gathered her crew to regain what was taken from her. Sitting on a chair being lifted by four of her crew-mates. Until she was lend down on the floor.
With her pirate crew standing in front of her. Her glare terrified them all. They kneeled before her as Yin ordered them to stand up.
"My sister and my uncle had been such a disgrace to the Branwen Tribe. As for my mother, she failed to see my potential to hunt the hunted. I could see that those of you who worked with my mother, you may find it hard to fight the members of the Branwen family. Very understandable. But if you refuse to comply to my orders, I won't hesitate to burn you all down. Dismiss." Yin told them.
Then all her men marched away as soon as another one of those bandits report to Yin. "Miss, another one of the vessels are approaching. It would have seem that there are huntsmen aboard."
"Not my problem, Grenger. But let me ask you this, is my mother still having a status as a huntress?"
"It wasn't certain, madame." Said Grenger.
"And should you'd be left as bait. Would Mother think twice before killing one of her former men upfront?" Asked Yin. Grenger looked away for a second before facing back. Yin would care less if any of her men are killed. But knew that once Raven sensed betrayal, anyone in Yin's side would have another thing coming, by blood.
"No, miss."
"Then worry less about Mom, and worry about me. Cause who knows on whether or not I'll spare you. Set coordinates to Patch. I can feel the inferior aura nearby." Yin ordered.
"I'll let the captain know." Said Grenger before leaving her post to inform the captain on where to go. Yin then sees a locket she is holding and opens it with a picture of her as an infant alongside her twin.
My father. Why did you abandoned me? Why didn't you look for me when you had the chance? No, it was all his fault. Their fault.
Yin wants nothing more than revenge on the family that didn't know she existed. But was it enough to release herself from this pain? Was it enough to finally release herself from this anger? Could it be that her mother lied to her about her father and sister not wanting her? Or was it all a ruse to hurt Taiyang more? Those answers she never wanted to answer as long as Yin felt satisfied with finally feel more complete. Her hair glowed blackish-blue, and so does her eyes. Like Yang's hair and eyes.
-17 Years Ago-
In the café of Mistral, Summer and Sai are taking a break from traveling before proceeding on their true goal, to defeat Salem. But to them, it would seem impossible given the details Ozpin never brought up to anyone he cannot trusted.
"I'm surprised you learned magic. People kept saying it never existed. But how it couldn't?" Summer asked, taking a bite of a biscuit. Sai, however seemed silent. Sai herself, is a sorceress, that is something she only brought up to her husband.
Summer stared at Sai looking at her hands, as if something might spread her hand. But it was only out of fear that the magic Salem had taught her would corrupt her. "Yes, but not in a good way."
"You said it like it was a bad thing." Summer sigh.
"You don't get it, Summer. The magic Salem taught me much, it was darkness. The more I use my magic, all I felt was nothing but anger and hate for this world. I don't want that for my son."
"Remember when Professor Ozpin mentioned about soulmates glowing with aura?" Asked Summer. It was the lecture given to the class in the philosophy in Beacon Academy. "The philosophic lecture? Yes, it was rather awkward. Never thought I loved someone, until I met Tamaku. What about you? How is it that you and Taiyang a thing now? Was there ever a spark between him and Raven before that?"
Summer blinked, the mention of Taiyang and her made her startled. And she coughed. Sai was taken aback, and she didn't mean to bring it up. "Summer, you okay?"
"Yeah, I probably swallowed a bit too fast." Summer coughed.
This was the first time she let out some thoughts other than Tamaku, whom she rather confided in whenever she felt troubled. "It's fine if you don't want to..." Sai paused as Summer cuts in.
"Oh, no, it's fine. It's been awhile being a mom, I had no time to get out too often, except on hunting missions." Summer explained. As a mother, she cannot have too much time with her friends, she and Taiyang had been busy parents, from being teachers in combat schools, to being huntsmen to raise a salary for their children. But Yang and Ruby are her world. Nothing will change that.
"I guess you can say it was a small crush when I met Taiyang. I was a bit shy when we first got to Beacon. But when we got into the same team, nobody believed I would be the leader the team needs. I thought I was a fool. But Taiyang, he cheered me up, and not only that, but he told me that I was the leader they may not want, but needed, not because Ozpin chose me to lead Team STRQ, but it's because it was to help believe myself more. And him believing in me was enough to lift my doubts. It was then that a small spark between us. But before, he liked Raven, but I think she only got with him because it was to deal with her loneliness. But after Raven left, the only thing that came to me was that I have to be there for him, and his daughter. It was selfish, but I don't want Tai to feel doubtful about himself. Then the spark came back, before we knew it, our auras became one. Tai's mom, she is nice, loved me like I was a daughter. Never had any parents since I was left with my great-uncle."
Sai felt the story was rather warm. How Summer's love for Taiyang had changed for the better, and she gave Yang a sister Raven had never given her since she left. Sai then had thoughts about her visions, a glimpse of the future she never thought she can bring up.
"Needless to say, my guess was that it was meant to be. For Raven, it was another story. There was this vision I had when I was young. I was at the orphanage, scared and alone. I had no one to comfort me. No one to embrace me. But in my dreams, it was my only escape before I became the witch's apprentice. I never brought this up to anyone, but there was something else. In my dreams, there was a man, who will one day save me from the darkness, his words are rather comforting, and his arms, safe and warm, letting me cry on his shoulder. And he listens to me. When I transferred to Beacon, it was then that the man in my dream was Tamaku. When we were alone in the Emerald Forest, my aura ignited with his. Back then, he was my destiny. The light to my darkness."
Summer cannot help but let a tear fell from her eye as the story had gotten to her emotions. Her heart felt hurt in a good way cause she was glad that Sai had found love to keep her darkness at bay.
"Not only Tamaku loved me, but he saved me from the path of evil. One that my mentor wanted me to go through cause I didn't have anywhere else to walk to." Sai concluded.
Sai smiled at those thoughts, it was the trail of memories she wants to walk through forever. Life of short, even for the two huntresses.
"There is something else." Sai adds. Summer peeked with curiosity to hear what she will say next. Sai took a moment to breathe. Lifting the mug of coffee to her lips as she slurped at sich a taste. And placed it back on the saucer. "Ooh, tell me about it."
"My son, for when he is older, he will meet some people. Ones he will find solace in the friends he will make, but later on, he will have to fight the fate of Remnant alongside with them." Sai said. That was it, but the rest is up to time itself. She wondered if this is something that is going to happen in the future, or it was just wishful thinking. "Then a girl, something familiar about her. I cannot see her face. But something extraordinary about her feels...Not sure what to say."
Summer found it interesting for the way people saw visions either from the past, future, or just an illusion trying to send a message. She even had some conversations with her former headmaster, letting her know that those visions have a meaning to it.
"It's like the Professor says, it was up to time itself. We can't just find out on a whim." Summer points out. Sai chuckled, but then Summer gasped for joy.
"Sai..." Summer began. Sai then stopped to look at Summer as her reaction was strange for why she is pointing. "What?"
"You should've seen your face, you're smiling!" Sai blushed as she was never seen smiling in her life. "Huh?!"
"And you're laughing too, this is great!" Summer cheered for joy in a childish manner. Sai felt nothing more then wanting to hide her expression. Usually, she was seen as the angry type of person you wouldn't want to cross. The next thing, Summer then tried to get Sai to smile again, only this time trying to tell a pun Taiyang thought it was funny.
"Summer, I was just..."
"Atatata! No! We're not leaving till you laugh! Oh, I know! There's a pun Tai made up and it was funny. Here let me..." Summer then became persistent to tell a pun. Jokes that were not funny at all.
"No, not another pun! You know Tai is terrible at it!" Sai shouted.
"You sure you don't want to "beer" me out?! Get it?!" Summer told the pun. Sai grew annoyed of the puns Taiyang made up. And groaned as she slammed her head on the table out of annoyance. Even worse when it adds up to Summer's childish antics.
"Such as child as always, Summer." Sai sighs.
-Anima, Present-
Qrow, Saturn, Mai and Tamaku took a in the same café Summer and Sai went. Tamaku used to go there with Sai since they were both teenagers when going out on dates. But now she isn't around. How he missed those days were very deep. The minute he looked at the vanilla chai he was drinking, it was Sai's favorite.
"Sai and I loved coming here. Now it's just me." Tamaku sighed. "Sometimes, I wish I have those days back, but also with Sage." He said, somberly, but in a calm manner. Taking a sip of his chai.
Outside, it was raining in the night. Though it may be late for coffee, they needed as much energy as possible to keep up with the young huntsmen. "Coming here may be a pain, Taku. But let's just remember we need to find the assassin. He could be anyone, be on guard at all times."
A passerby in a hood walked passed the group. Then his eyes turned to them. While they did not glanced back, they kept an eye on him, suspected to be a spy for the Black Vipers.
"Sai and Summer were last spotted here. Probably for a last meal before heading to the Grimm lands." Saturn marked a map in front of him recording the last sightings of Summer. The friend who disappeared. X marks the spot they are at now. They even made sure they reprimanded Qrow from drinking wine or alcohol for the night, otherwise he would pass out the next time. Instead, they forced him to have coffee to keep his energy up. Much to his dismay.
"Sorry, Qrow. But you might want to save yourself from an element of surprise if the Vipers were gonna take advantage of your drunken state." Mai said.
"Haha, very funny, Mai." Qrow sighed.
"Does it look like I am laughing?" Mai glanced. With her eye closed and her hands held together in a poise. Graceful as the lotus. She is not the kind for certain jokes. Saturn tried to contact Neptune again, but to no avail as he wasn't answering. Then he received a call from his wife, Lydia.
"Huh, Lydia?" Saturn turned to his team. "It's my wife. I have to take this." Not only Lydia is his wife, but also his sweetheart since youth. He got up and took the call while the others let him take the time.
"Lydia? Honey, what is it?" Asked Saturn. As he listens, he hears something he did not want to hear, or to believe. It shocked him badly that he dropped his scroll. The sound caught Qrow and the others' attention. "Sat?"
Saturn froze, not sure how to respond. But shortly recovered from the freeze response. And turned back to his team. "My son... he's gone missing..." He stopped.
"What?" Tamaku started.
"No..." Qrow gasped.
"How is this possible? The assailant has yet to make a move. Unless..." Mai paused. Now thinking someone is targeting the huntsmen's children. Especially the students from huntsmen academies. Either to use as bait, or to kill to repress those who are next in line.
"Salem has crossed the line this time." Qrow placing his hands on the table.
"We need to keep moving. Before anything happens to the kids." Saturn says. The others nodded. But then a waitress carrying a tray with a glass of wine. Placing it on their table, even if they did not order it.
Mai then snapped her eyes open to sense aura in her presence. "A bandit." She gasped softly. Then they turned to the waitress. Qrow then speaks to the waitress. "No, thank you, ma'am. I am done for tonight." Qrow waved it off.
"Actually, a woman in red upstairs asked me to give this to you might as well make most of it." The waitress winked at Qrow. He does have luck with the ladies. Dusty old Qrow as always. Tamaku looked at the woman the waitress spike about and saw a familiar face. Raven hair and red eyes. Outline features similar to Yang's, but older. The woman looked at him and smirked.
"Great, look what the cat dragged in." Tamaku sighed, not wanting to see the familiar face. "I think I'm gonna be sick."
"Raven." Mai said, knowing the name they did not want to hear again. "I don't get why she was in the same team as Summer."
"Wait, let's just leave it as it is for now. We don't know what will happen if we approach her irrationally." Saturn reprimands his group from approaching her, not wanting anger to get the better of them. Mai is not ignorant enough to let her anger get in the way. Tamaku would only back down if Saturn orders to, even though it was too tempting to confront his wife's rival for not only being a dead-beat mother to her daughter, but for also suspecting her for Sai's "death."
"Qrow-!" Tamaku tried to stop Qrow before he was also stopped by Saturn. "No, this is something Qrow wanted to handle on his own." Saturn said.
"It doesn't matter whether she's the enemy or not, Tamaku. But we might need her for leads...eventually." Mai points out.
"I'd rather be dead than let her make a move on me. Raven is just as insane as always." Tamaku remembered how Raven used to be infatuated with him. But he never liked her due to her vicious nature. And she still made a smirk towards him since Sai disappeared. But he reminded himself that Sai is the woman he loves most. And he is already focused on his family.
Author's note: Sorry about the long wait for the chapter. Part 3 about Of Stowaways and Runaways will come up. We get more of Qrow and his friends, and more flashbacks of Summer and Sai. We'll get to more on Ren's backstory, including that of his father, Li.
Also when Zeos mentioned that he was a mere lab rat under Watts, there's more to the dark secret of his father Hyperion.
And who are those mysterious warriors following Team RNJRSS in secrecy? Find out more in later volumes.