Darkness…
A void of pain and agony… A lonely emptiness where she sat all alone.
Even in this dimly lit room, as the sun shone through the rose curtains and bathed their house in light penetrated through, she saw no color. The walls were void of color. Portraits and furniture were gray-scaled.
Food was tasteless. She coughed lightly as a heavy, thick smog filled her lungs as she breathed in. It was scentless, and she could not taste it. Everything was drab and hopeless.
Empty… Just like she…
A soft sound caused her to tilt her head in that direction. She looked down the hall as a red light glistened within. It grew ever steadily more prominent as it slowly approached. A silhouette shaded of a brilliant red formed, sniffling. "Mom… It smells…"
Silver eyes flickered as the red light shone, bathing everything in its vivid light. Color bled into her vision. Taste returned, and a foul, burning stench filled her nostrils.
Summer refrained from cursing as she snapped open the oven and pulled out a burn sheet of what used to be cookies she had been baking. Plopping the pan onto the oven top, she frustratingly pulled out a spatula to scrape the burned remnants from the pan. Grimacing as she did, Summer hung her head. It happened again… She blanked out… "Sorry, Ruby… I messed up again. I was supposed to be making breakfast…"
Summer was unable to meet her daughter's curious gaze. This had been so easy at one time… Now…
She struggled to perform the most basic of tasks.
"It's okay," Ruby spoke softly, a flimsy smile on her features. "Could I have cereal this morning instead?"
Unable to repress her pained laugh, Summer reached up and wiped the building tears in her eyes. Even Ruby knew she couldn't be trusted with the most basic tasks. Gazing down at her daughter weakly, she could only nod.
"Yes, sweetie… Let's make you a bowl of cereal."
"Why are you calling me? I no longer work for you. I want nothing to do with you and your fight."
"I know… But I need someone I can rely on for this job…"
"I told you I…"
"The Spring Maiden has disappeared from Haven, and Leo hasn't heard anything back. He doesn't have anyone he can send after her…"
"If she has disappeared, maybe there is another reason? Oum, help us if she has got a hold of her…"
"That is a possibility I am afraid of… But I think there may be more to this story than what Leo told me. Spring is young, and she wants nothing to do with our fight… Just like you. If she thought she was in any kind of danger…"
"She may have run away… Dammit. Oz, I don't want to be dragged into this."
"I know… But there is no one I still trust more than you. I don't care what you do with her… Find her and keep her safe."
"Aunt Summer!"
Everything seemed a little brighter as she felt two small but firm arms wrap around her waist. Looking down into the most brilliant blue eyes she had ever seen, a small chuckle escaped from her mouth as Naruto let her out of his grasp. "It's only been a few days. How's school been?"
"Boring!" Naruto beamed while admitting the truth before scowling and hearing a cough from behind. "But it is! I hate it! Everyone hates me, too! Wish I could just punch 'em in the face…"
"And I'll stand by your decision. Show dominance to those that think they know better." Raven frowned before confidently smirking. "Doesn't matter what your father says. They'll listen and leave you alone if you bust open a few more heads…"
"And I see why he is always confused about what to do…" Summer muttered and exhaled, her eyes shifting over to Ruby. "Not like I've been any better…"
Noticing the scant detail, Raven scowled. "Naruto, Yang… Why don't you take Ruby outside to play?"
"No homework?" A grin spread from ear to ear on Yang's face, buzzing with the same energy as her brother.
"Yes, no homework… For now." Raven exhaled, knowing she would regret this when Tai returned… But she knew her children. They were not gifted at school… Their talents lay elsewhere.
They were already showing interest in…
"Woo-hoo!" Naruto cheered alongside Yang, who rushed over to mild-mannered Ruby, taken aback by Yang's enthusiasm.
"Wanna see the cool moves we've been learning!"
Raven squinted as Ruby followed a bubbly Naruto and Yang before softly smiling as the door clicked behind them. Of course, her children would desire to get strong and want to fight… They were just more energetic about it.
However, two crimson eyes shifted and bored into quivering silver. She knew why she was here.
"Again, Summer?" Raven mocked her partner. "You're leaving Ruby with us again to go on another mission… No matter how many Grimm you kill, it will not bring him back."
Meekly ducking her head and with a muted expression, Summer exhaled. She knew that… But she enjoyed the sensation… The color, touch, and taste…
She could feel when she went out and still could feel when she came back… It was better for Ruby.
"I apologize…" Summer hung her head, shaking it. "I know I keep burdening you…"
"Ruby is always welcome here. She is never a burden… What you are doing is." Raven scowled at her friend standing in her living room after she let Ruby out into their fenced-in yard.
With the monitors and Zwei out there with the kids, they were fine… The dog had a surprisingly robust Aura and could give the kids a moment if something dangerous showed up…
And people questioned if dogs had souls when there was evident proof…
Summer grimaced and buckled from her friend's intense stare. She gritted her teeth and glanced away, knowing the lecture that was to follow. It was bad enough when Tai did it… But now, her partner? Like she had room to talk… She admitted she nearly left after Yang was born.
"Go, get out of here." Raven bitterly scoffed, rolling her eyes and looking outside and into the yard. "Ruby's here most of the time, anyway. Doesn't change anything… She might as well have her own room with how much time she spends here. This is basically her home. "
Those words stung as they reverberated through her mind. Raven was blunt as always… And nonchalant. Worse was she was correct, and she couldn't muster the words to say anything against it. Summer swallowed a lump in her throat as her distant gaze glanced and turned into a futile stare.
Raven glowered at the weak-willed glare and growled as she took her attention from the children playing outside, crossing under her chest. "What? Say what's on your mind. Weren't you leaving?"
Flinching, nearly unable to gaze into her friend's cold stare, Summer turned her head and stared blankly away after shaking her head. "No… I'll head out…"
Gnashing her teeth and clenched her jaw as Summer turned away from her, Raven's gaze burned heatedly. She then scoffed and turned her attention back to the children. "It's been almost three years, Summer… We all lost something precious that day… I still search for him every chance I get, as a part of me just can't come to terms with losing my twin brother. I know this can't be easy for you, but do you think any of this is easy for me? When my family has long since labeled me as an outsider. Losing Qrow… Changed something in all of us."
"Some, not for the better," Raven whispered before she strode to the side door to end their fenced-in backyard. But as she stopped by the door, prepared to step outside with three hoodlums in the yard, she shot a look at her depressed partner. With an exasperated sigh, her glare softened, but her voice held the same stinging tone. "You are supposed to be our leader, Summer… You know how difficult that was for me to accept. It took time for me to come to terms with that… Knowing that he had made the right choice… You were the strongest of all of us."
Tucking her head, glancing at the three children playing in the backyard, Raven sported a genuine but light smile. "You have a beautiful daughter that already wants to honor her papa without even understanding what it is that we do. You have a nephew who adores you and wants to be a hero just like his hero… Maybe you can't be who you were before… But have the strength to be who they see you as… Who I know you are still somewhere in there."
As Raven opened the door and three voices resonated, the door closed behind her. Summer couldn't hold back her tears. They wracked her body as suppressed gasping sobs.
She knew she needed to be better… For Ruby… But… For these last two years… She felt…
Lost…
The moment she stepped outside, Raven expressed slight amusement while watching her children's enthusiasm.
Naruto was bouncing across the yard at speed beyond what an eight-year-old should have; she smiled as he mimicked sword swings and punches and kicks. Yang was showing Ruby how fast and hard she could throw punches.
Ever since they saw the televised matches in the ongoing Vytal Festival in Mistral, they had been enthralled with the idea of becoming a Huntsman and Huntress…
It warmed her heart.
Morphing into her bird form, she flew forward and landed on Naruto's shoulder, causing her son to stumble. She only clicked her beak and pointed toward the gate. "If you are all so excited about becoming Huntsman… It's time to teach you all a lesson. Show you just what it is we do for a living."
"Really?" Naruto's eyes shone with exuberance, and Yang bounced alongside, brimming with energy, with Ruby staring awkwardly at her. Her eyes widened in shock.
Raven winced. Ruby hadn't seen her transform before. And never really got to see Qrow transform. So, she clicked her tongue and sighed. "This is a transformation your father and I have, little Rose. It's a magic we were… Given."
Internally, Raven cringed. Mentioning anything about her brother to Ruby was a coin flip. She was still too young to remember Qrow very much, but given her mother's state…
"Magic?" Ruby's eyes gleamed with infectious intrigue.
Blinking repeatedly, Raven sighed as her feathers fluffed. Of course, she was more enthusiastic about magic. When Summer wasn't down on herself, she constantly read fairy tales full of whims and wonder to Ruby… And she loved the stories.
"Yes. Magic just like in many of the story books." Raven sighed, seeing Ruby's glistening gaze.
"Cool…"
Internally smiling at the simplicity of a child, Raven was glad she was in corvid form, so her emotions weren't expressed as much. If only she could go back to a simpler time…
"Open the gate." Raven pecked at Naruto, causing him to glare at her. "We're going on a hike. Show you a little about what your father's and my job entails."
"Ah, um, don't know how? I don't know the code…" Naruto nervously laughed before scowling at being pecked again. "Alright, alright… I'll put it in and open it…"
Raven's beak bent into a scowl as she glowered at her son. Of all the things he could focus and pay attention to, she repressed the caw building in her throat as she watched him walk over to the gate and input the code…
The little brat had to pay attention and be sneaky around them to figure out the code! Tai called a favor to a few friends in Atlas for their sensors for their yard. After the incident at the cabin nearby, negative energy was drawing the Grimm to it… Precaution was necessary.
Only for the sensors to quickly alert them that Naruto and Yang loved to jump the fence! She knew they could get past it if they wanted to, but there was a reason they set up the fence! Yang understood and stopped doing it… But Naruto…
No matter how much they tried to imprint onto Naruto about the dangers of the Grimm… He had in his head he wanted to see one. He held no fear of the Grimm.
So it was time to show him exactly why he shouldn't seek them out… For now.
Anything to keep it from announcing its presence to the world.
"And what should you do if you run into a Grimm?"
"Run away." Naruto, Ruby, and Yang chimed in unison as they walked through the trail through the forest, heading to the nearby cabin. Zwei whined as he followed behind the children, looking ahead.
Raven's eyes scanned the pup, and shook her head as she rested on Naruto's shoulder, guiding the children forward. It was understandable why the corgi was upset. This was the path to his old home… But this was a perfect place to teach the lesson.
His old home was charged with negative energy after the incident. And if there was a large amount of negative energy… Grimm would come.
Yet she was proud of how all three were handling themselves. They were nervous. Wondering where she was taking them as she explained what Grimm were carefully to the child. Ensuring they knew the dangers.
But with each step, they bravely marched ahead with little hesitancy. Perhaps they were soaking in her confidence? Or maybe, just maybe… They were more confident because of the little fear Naruto showed.
She had to beat it into his head that Grimm were dangerous and not cool. He simply had no fear of them… And Raven had a feeling there was a reason why… An influence within.
Hiding her satisfaction from their answer and their courage, Raven fluffed her feathers. Gazing ahead, carefully watching, the old cabin came into her view. It was almost time… She could see them.
"Correct. Grimm are always a threat." Raven stated, her voice holding an edge to it as she prepared herself to act. "It doesn't matter who you are… Whether you are young or old. Whether or not you are a trained Huntsman or not, they are always dangerous. …Stop."
All three children jumped at the sound of a growl ahead. A cabin had slowly come into view, and as it did, red eyes glowed from the shadows within. Lumps formed in all three of their throats, and while Ruby and Yang trembled as the figure of a Beowolf stepped out of the shadows, Naruto stood before them, anchored in front.
She could feel him quiver, but he did not move. He stayed in front of his sister and niece…
Raven couldn't hide her joy. Her eyes gleamed with excitement. If she hadn't been banished from the tribe… This child would undoubtedly be considered for chieftain.
He was strong.
But now was the time to show him what power was.
With a glow, as she flew out in front, Raven stood before the children, her hand clasped around the tsuka of Omen. The Grimm snarled at her appearance and lunged at her.
It was too slow.
A burning vapor trail followed the streak of her blade that had been previously as she sheathed Omen. Turning her head back, Raven stared at the Grimm as it crumpled to the ground, and a misty smoke began to rise from its body. The deed was done.
Turning back to the three stunned children, she looked down upon all three. Mixtures of horror, fear, and a tad of excitement ran through each of them as they looked back up at her. Schooling her features, Raven spoke with a stoic tone. "This is the job of a Huntsman. There is no glory in it. It's not as exciting as you see on the Holovision. No. This is the reality of the life of Huntsman."
"We kill Grimm to protect and safeguard humanity and Faunuskind. Our job is to maintain that order."
"Could you have waited a day, Raven?" Tai grumbled after waiting for Naruto, Ruby, and Yang to finish their dinners and head into the living room. "I understand the reasoning… But you took three children on your own to show them that lesson? …Or at least waited for me to get home? Something could have gone wrong."
"I am confident in my skills. There was no worry from the rabble that are drawn to the area. The Grimm in this region aren't anything exceedingly dangerous." Raven responded, watching Tai as he loaded the dishwasher. "There was no danger at any time. This is how I was taught and learned how threatening the Grimm are… And they did exceptionally well. They are ready."
"That's not the point, and you know it." Tai scrunched his brow and glared at Raven. "Any number of things could have gone wrong, and you know that. We have no idea how it will react to danger around Naruto. It's already shown it will act if it feels something will be harmful to him…"
"I considered that… And it was why I felt safe taking them on my own." Raven scowled, keeping her gaze steady with her husband. "It is oddly protective of him and his mental well-being, so if something were to go wrong, as unlikely as that is, it would intervene as it has already shown it is willing to do."
Tai glowered as he closed the dishwasher and activated it. Crossing his arms, he sat on the counter and stared at his wife. "You still should have waited. We already have to deal with Summer's recklessness… Don't add yours to it."
Raven bit back a retort and winced. His statement stung, but she conceded his point. The last thing she wanted to be compared to right now was Summer… With how often she left to take on the most hazardous missions available…
"Yeah! Kick her butt!"
"No! Beat that guy up! Punch him in the face!"
"I want both to win…"
Biting back a laugh, Raven's eyes glistened in amusement as Tai rolled his eyes. "I told you there was nothing to worry about. They handled it well. They're still interested in becoming Huntsman."
"It's time we started guiding them on this journey."
What… What happened? What was that silver light?
Hesitantly glancing around her, a harmful black mist oozed from the petrified statues of the Grimm that had been attacking her moments earlier. Hazel eyes flickered as she placed her hand on one, and it crumbled to dust at a single touch.
"Is this magic?" A young woman with vivid sakura-tinted hair looked mystified at what she saw. Then, with a frown, she glanced at all the other statues of Grimm in the area. "That shouldn't be possible… I thought only we Maidens could… No!"
"Enough running." A hand clasped around the right wrist of the woman with sakura hair. "I am here to bring you back…"
"No!" She shrilly screamed at the top of her lungs, turning to meet his capture. Hazel eyes fearfully bored into silver as she struggled to break her grasp. "You don't understand! If I go back…"
"Then tell me what the problem is." Silver wings faded from the corner of Summer's eyes as she released the Spring Maiden from his grasp. "I don't work for any of them. I could care less about their plans… I am here to ensure your safety."
"So why did you run from Lionheart?"
R & R. Follow on Ao3 for more consistent updates.