"Why the hell does that look similar to Omen?"

"Because it was built by and gifted by Omen's creator." Tai spat as Qrow held a red-bladed tachi, his eyes squinting as he examined the sword before he cranked his head up at his teammate. "Here, take a look at this. She left a lovely little note."

"Let me see that!" Qrow snatched the note from Tai's hand and snarled as he read it, leaning back in his hospital bed in frustration after sheathing the tachi and handing it back to Tai. "Yeah, that checks out."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Tai exclaimed and gave Qrow a disconcerted stare. "I don't like being kept in the dark! You know that? And this involves my wife and your sister, so what do you know? I know she brought you back, but I feel there is something more you aren't telling me, Qrow!"

Exhaling as he broke eye contact for a moment by looking down, Qrow berated his sister. Of course, she would leave him in this situation. It was so like her.

Nothing ever changed.

Leave all the hard work to him.

"When I first came back drinking, it wasn't because of the Vanille issue, although that spurred it on," Qrow murmured to start before his eyes lifted and met Tai's, his voice quivering as he tried to find the strength. "It was because I had a run-in with Raven right before I talked to them."

"Are you serious? Then that's why…"

"Yeah, that's the real reason I came back hammered. Well, that and I learned she's the head of the tribe. Took our old man's head to do it and prove she was the strongest." Qrow sighed, and Tai was taken aback by that, having heard of some of the tribe's ways of doing things. "Not that I'm surprised she did it… Honestly, I was more shocked it hadn't happened sooner, knowing how volatile the two of them together were…"

"Considering the kindest word either of you spoke about him was that he bedded your mother, I can't say much myself." Tai winced as neither of them ever said anything decent about their father.

"Yeah, he was a real piece of work. The only positive thing that came out of him was that Raven and I were ready for the world because of him." Qrow muttered as a dark shadow hung over his face as his head lowered.

Silence reigned for a few minutes. Tai frowned as he focused on the note, a thought dawned on him. He drew his gaze back to Qrow. "So by running into her when you did, I take it that you were at Signal when you did?"

"Yeah."

Tai sighed at Qrow's nod. His head depressed as an empty void filled his stomach. "I see. So she was watching you there. Which I take it means... She's watching us, isn't she?"

"Yeah." Qrow nodded once more, refusing to meet Tai's gaze. "For her, the connection is still there. She can come to us whenever it benefits her. So she watches from afar whenever she makes time."

"It's her dumb way of staying involved without being direct with us after she fled like a coward and abandoned her family!" Qrow gnashed his teeth while balling his fist. "And now, of all times to mend the fence? All but asking us to return to her as if she wasn't the one to leave in the first place!"

"Thinking her way is the correct path. The gall of that woman! She knows what she's doing!"

After Qrow's rant, the room fell silent yet again, Tai having similar feelings mixed in with the rest of the baggage of her return, in the slightest capacity, in his life. She was there in some capacity, but it didn't feel comforting knowing that the entire reason his daughters found the kid was because Yang was searching for her.

All because he couldn't deal with losing two wives in less than five years.

And the fact she rewarded the kid for protecting her daughter so she wouldn't have to owe him one didn't sit well with him…

But that was in character for her. She never liked being indebted to anyone, so she probably felt this was an equal trade in some way.

Not to mention the way Kali translated Naruto's explanation of what happened was a typical sparring session with her.

Raven didn't know how to take anything lightly. She would likely toss someone off a cliff and expect them to survive the fall and call that training…

"Oum, I'm glad the kid still can't speak very well." Tai sighed dejectedly before gazing up at the roof. "If Yang heard the description of that woman that attacked him, I don't know what I'd be doing right now. She just lost Summer, and I'm only returning to normal. Hearing that…"

Qrow grimaced as that thought hadn't even crossed his mind. Rubbing his leg as the pain was getting to him, he couldn't help but shiver. "Yeah, that's something I don't think we can hide from him. He'll figure it out based on the pictures in the house anyway since she is present in them. So it's wise to be honest and direct with him."

"He's perceptive." Qrow sat up straight and shook his head. "He's got a good eye for figuring things out around him when he puts his mind to it. He's going to be looking for answers after something like that, I'm sure of it. He'll find those pictures and realize who she is."

"Ain't the truth. The kid is skilled at putting things together when he wants to," Tai exhaled in agreement, rolling his eyes at his ex. " That is the best, but why does Raven have to complicate things? Family tradition mostly."

"It's a tradition?"

"Far back as I can recall. Father was an asshole, so we carried it on in different ways." Qrow shrugged before grinning. "Sis carries on his legacy the old fashion way with her cold demeanor and distant attitude. I do it every day my way. It's called my Semblance."

Tai scoffed and rolled his eyes but said nothing in response. He wasn't wrong, per se…

He couldn't count how often things went wrong because Qrow was around. His superstition about his Semblance wasn't far from the truth as frequently it worked against him too…

Especially when he and Raven had their rows.

"I hope that traditions dies with Yang…" Tai mutters before he narrowed his eyes. "But given she's already good at it… I have a bad feeling she's going to continue…"

"Expecting someone?" Tai sat up straight as their attention shot to the door before gazing over at the room's occupant. "I know Oz, Glynda, and a few professors and teachers from Beacon and Signal have come out to visit…"

"Not sure myself." Qrow frowned, watching the door open, and he and Tai were further surprised at who entered. "Oh, I wasn't expecting you for a few more days… But let's be crystal clear here. You're not taking my leg, James. You said you thought you could at least let me keep it, so I don't give a damn if you have to augment it in some way…"

"I'm glad to see you too, old friend," James said with a rare softness in his voice as he stood in his room before his eyes trailed to Tai and his face sombered. "It has been quite some time since we last spoke, my friend. It is a pleasure to see you. I am terribly sorry I haven't been in touch. I can't imagine how difficult it has been for you."

"If you need anything, do let me know. You were there for me when I needed it most. It is the least I can do for you." James added, a tenderness in his voice as he gazed at Tai before shifting his attention to the bedridden Qrow. "As for your request… Consider it done. I have no intention of going against your will, my friend."

"Now, if you don't mind, I brought a few experts from Atlas. Shall we begin?"

No.

This did not suit her. She did not belong here!

These snobbish people staring at her. Judging her…

All while she was fitted for a dress her mother desired to customize!

Did they think they were better than her? Why? Was it because she was so short for her size? It couldn't be for her eyes, for right now, they were both brown, thanks to her parents' meddling nature.

She wished for nothing more than to prove them wrong! But how…

Argh! Her right eye was on fire, and she desperately wanted to claw out the offending contact! It did not belong!

No!

It was coming out! She couldn't stand it anymore! If she had to hide…

She would do it her way!

Shards of glass sputtered around her eyes as Trivia rubbed her eyes viciously, taking out the offending object before they formed and covered her eye. Becoming an extension of her body.

And she still had two brown eyes, just like her mother wanted.

But done her way.

"Trivia…" Carmel hissed, catching her daughter's actions, her eyes disapproving of her actions. "What have I told you about…"

"Well, at least that is a creative way to use them, I suppose." Carmel frowned as she noted no change after seeing her daughter's actions. "I never realized you could use it to alter your appearance. I thought it was only for those deviant little tricks of yours…"

Trivia rolled her eyes, and mouthed off. Of course, her mother didn't. She detested her abilities and found them abnormal. Only recently did her father seem genuinely interested in her progress and abilities, which made him more redeemable. Although, it was for selfish gain as everything was with him…

"Honey, have you ever thought about using your powers so you wouldn't stand out?" Carmel asked, giving her daughter an inquisitive expression. "I mean, with the party coming up. Wouldn't it be wonderful not to stand out?"

Trivia stepped back, startled and alarmed by her mother's words. What was she saying? Was she suggesting that…

"You're perfect as you are, but I just fear what others would say…" Carmel hung her head dejectedly and bemoaned. "I am so fearful, and I don't think Jim realizes how much sway the other's opinions have. That's why I didn't want to host an event like this, but he insisted… So if you could ease that burden for me in some way, I would be grateful."

"Oh, she's back!" Carmel chirped as the seamstress returned with several types of cloth and color variations. "That is a difficult decision."

"I do have a preference for browns, but I think my dear Trivia should choose."

Gnarling her teeth, her eyes staring directly at her mother, she shivered as she visibly seethed and felt conflicted.

What was her mother trying to accomplish? What should she do?

This was all too much for her to handle! She wanted to be away from it all! To live a life away from this…

To not be judged by strangers like this seamstress who gave her a nasty stink-eye!

Why was it that the only people that didn't judge her were Naruto and the stupid girls? Oum, help her, she'd take those demons over these people…

Selecting the tan brown as it suited her, Trivia held her inner turmoil and kept her composure. She wanted her freedoms back, and this was the way to earn them back…

All she could do was bear it for now.

"Just who are you?" Naruto narrowed his eyes as he glared at the pictures in the house, frowning as he recognized the red-eyed woman.

After dealing with her last night, he recognized her in the pictures. He wanted to study them more to see if he could figure out who she was. He didn't want to ask Pops or Crow Summoner, as that would be awkward…

That would involve bringing Meow-sensei into this mess. Naruto didn't want to involve her as he figured it was a personal issue if she was someone that was featured in the house. He believed in the end that inevitably what was going to happen…

Wait a second…

She had the same eyes as the Crow Summoner. Hers were brighter and more vivid, but…

Huh, they seemed to share a few facial features now that he compared the two.

Wait? Was Crow Summoner and the Mad Sword Lady related?

Why did that check? Why did that honestly make sense?

"Okay, so maybe their brother and sister or niece and nephew. Something like that?" Naruto mumbled as he threw back his head and leaned on the couch, staring at the picture he had procured. "So then what was her deal…"

"What that?"

"Little Red!" Naruto nearly jumped out of his seat, his heart racing at one million beats per minute as Ruby snuck up on him for what felt like the hundredth time. "How do you do that?"

"Are you secretly a ninja prodigy or something?" He muttered before his heart suddenly leapt out of his chest again

"Oh? Our family's team picture!" Yang's voice came from beside him as the cushion bounced, grinning wildly as Naruto snapped toward her, and he gave her a startled expression. "Team STRQ! Best Hunter team ever.…"

"That's Dad there, obviously. And that's Uncle Qrow." Yang smirked as Ruby climbed onto the couch to look at the picture too.

Naruto frowned as he listened to Yang speak. He was thankful for his lessons with Meow-sensei as he could keep up with her and understand her well enough. His communication level was almost on par with a six-year-old…

One who struggled with studying like he did.

It confirmed they were connected, as he had thought. At the very least, they were a team like he was with Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi. So then…

Yang then pointed to the woman who confronted him last night, her face with a nasty scowl. "That's Qrow's sis… And my mom. Raven."

Naruto's head jerked away from the picture, his eyes wide as saucers.

Did he hear Yang correctly?

Her mother!

That woman was Yang's mother!

Alright! He was proven correct that she was related to the Crow Summoner. But his sister? And then she happened to be the mother of this adorable troublemaker!

There were so many more questions now! He didn't even know where to start!

"Mom!" Ruby happily pointed at the picture, Naruto jerked his attention back to the image.

And he found it curious that she wasn't pointing at Yang's mother. Instead, she pointed at the final team member...

"Yes, that's our mom." Yang brightly smiled and nodded, drawing Naruto's attention back to her as a forlorn expression crossed her features and tears built up in her eyes. "That's Summer… The best Huntress there was."

"Mom." Ruby stared at the picture, her happy exterior dropping as her silver eyes dimmed, and she reached out and traced a metal rose emblem she wore like a necklace. "I love you…"

Those words were haunting, and Naruto felt his chest tighten as he watched Yang barely keep herself together and Ruby withdraw into herself.

The best there was? Did that mean…

He hadn't thought about it, but this entire time it was only their father and uncle. It was odd now that he had thought about it. But shinobi often leave on a mission and be absent for months at a time.

It wasn't odd, so he didn't think much about it. It was commonplace in his time, and given that this world had missions where they traveled all around the world, he figured it wouldn't be too different. Crow Summoner was absent for quite a bit before returning in the state he was…

But now, the distance in Pop's demeanor made way more sense. The strain and difficulty he was dealing with the girls…

It explained why they didn't entirely feel right either. Yang always felt like she was posing and showing a strong front. Ruby was just being happy, as if that was expected of her…

Nothing was explained about Yang's mother, but that issue had come earlier. Ruby was younger. That meant he got together with her mother sometime after. This meant many things could have happened between him and Yang's mother.

But none of that mattered right now.

All that mattered was that he had two chibi girls in front of him on the verge of tears.

"Hey, what the…" Yang was caught off guard as Naruto wrapped his arm around her shoulder in a soft embrace.

"It okay." Naruto tapped on his heart before motioning to his face, a soft, comforting smile adorning his lips as his cerulean gaze filled with understanding and caring pierced into hers. "Strong to show. Not weak."

Her lithe body trembled, but the dam that had been overflowing finally snapped. Tears poured from her lilac eyes as Yang let out a pained wail, diving into and latching onto Naruto's chest. "Why did Summer have to go?"

"It's not fair! I want my mom back!" Yang bellowed as Ruby's cries echoed alongside her, pouring her heart alongside her.

So Naruto drew extra space, letting Little Red sit in his lap, and snuggled into him, wailing too as she cried while clutching her emblem on her necklace.

"Girls!" Kali's worried voice echoed from the stairs, coming out of the girl's room where she had been with Blake and hurried down the steps. "What's wrong…"

"Naruto?" Kali surveyed the scene as she reached the bottom of the stairs, still alarmed at hearing the two young children cry in such a manner. "What happened?"

"Miss Mom…" Ruby hiccupped in Naruto's grasp as she clutched her emblem tightly, rocking back and forth.

"Want my real mom." Yang sniffled as she looked at the picture and sneered slightly at the image. "I want Summer…"

"Oh…" Kali's ears curled downwards, and her heart sank as she had a distinct feeling of what had happened as she quickly pieced everything together.

Without hesitation, she swept over toward their shivering forms. With the lightest touch, Kali's hands gently brushed and stroked through their hair in a calming, soothing manner. "Dears, would you like some hot cocoa? It's getting rather cold."

"Uh-huh."

"Yes, peas."

Kali smiled, her ears perking, seeing the two liven up in Naruto's embrace ever so much. "Okay. I'll go make some."

Moving toward the kitchen as she allowed Naruto to continue, as he comforted the two young girls, Kali paused. And turned back around and gazed at the scene for a moment before speaking. "Naruto…"

"How did you celebrate the Rinne Festival?"

A bizarre scent wafted in the air as he entered his home—a burning odor.

Not an awful one. But strong.

Incense?

Tai blinked.

What was this scene before him?

Ruby, Yang, the two Belladonnas, and Naruto all knelt before his coffee table, each with half-drunk coffee mugs with what he could only assume was cocoa. But they were trying to follow his lead, which he didn't seem to be directed very well.

He seemed flustered. Almost like he didn't know what he was doing. It seemed almost like a prayer…

A prayer?

"Um, what did I walk into?" Tai scratched his head as he looked befuddled at what he came upon.

"Come!" Ruby excitedly leapt up and gripped her father's wrist, leading him to the table. "We celebrating!"

"Okay, okay!" Tai could only shake his head at his daughter's enthusiasm. "But what are we celebrating?"

"Festival for Mom!"

"What?" Tai looked incredulously at his youngest daughter as he knelt like everyone else.

"That's not what it is, honey." Kali bit her lip to avoid giggling and shook her head. "No, we're tying out one of Naruto's customs. He came across one of your old photos with the girls, and they began to cry. So we thought it might help bring some closure by having a ceremony…"

"Oh…" Tai winced as his conversation with Qrow came to fruition, and something he had not anticipated was instead brought up. "I see… Was not ready for that…"

"Was expecting something else to happen," Tai muttered as he gently put the tachi aside, his face becoming crestfallen. "Not sure if I'm prepared for something like this."

"I know," Kali replied softly, her voice low and her ears dipping slightly. "But when I came downstairs, I heard the girls sobbing and heard what they were crying about and saw Naruto doing what he could to help them. I thought about what he said yesterday about this time of year being meant to represent a way to commemorate life in a celebratory manner, so I wanted to try it."

Tai remained silent, a look of resignation on his face as he sighed. Looking at Ruby beside him before gazing at Yang as she tried to follow every tiny thing Naruto was trying to do. He sighed and nodded numbly.

Maybe something like this was necessary, especially for them.

Hell, even for him.

"Alright…" Naruto muttered as he tried to settle back into a prayer stance that he remembered. "How'd the old man Hokage use to do this when he would bring me over for them… Gah! I wish I had paid more attention as a kid!"

"Relax." Kali gently placed a hand on his back and rubbed soothing circles. "It doesn't have to be perfect. Just remember what you felt. It will come to you. I'll follow."

Gazing into Kali's golden eyes for a moment and gaining confidence, Naruto took a breath. Settling down into his prayer as he closed his eyes and placed his hands together. Recalling his memories of the old man, all the times he helped him in his youth on his way to where he was, Naruto let out a soft sigh as he felt a tug from within.

Visions of all his friends filled his mind. If this was indeed the future, they had moved on. He was alone. He had nothing left of them but memories. The time he spent with them.

Arguing with Sasuke.

Asking Sakura on dates.

Heckling Kakashi for training.

Begging Teuchi for free Ramen.

Chatting with Ayame after meals.

Mentoring Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon.

Playing and losing Shogi to Shikamaru.

Joining Choji for barbeque.

Annoying Ino at the flower shop.

Playing pranks with Kiba when they skipped class.

Trying to help Hinata build her confidence.

Asking Shino why Hinata fainted so much…

His fight with Neji and telling the boy off.

His confrontation with Gaara that apparently changed the boy's life…

And finally…

A memory came of him sitting with the old man and his family. One where the Hokage brought him in during the Rinne Festival.

Treating him like he was part of his family.

He remembered his words from that day. They slowly left his lips as he quoted him word for word.

"We gather here to celebrate this passing year in honor of all that have sacrificed for us. Our hearts yearn for those that have moved on to Pure World and find it difficult to proceed forward. But carry on we must and move forward. Today we celebrate the lives of the fallen because we live and rejoice in the marks left upon us."

"From the protective fathers to the dotting and loving mothers. From our brothers and sisters gone too soon. To our friends lost in arms. To those that lost that we do not know the names of, we honor your bravery, your courage. Your loyalty. Your love. Your compassion. Your indomitable spirit."

"We will follow by your example and celebrate life this coming year joyously in your honor."

Letting his breath out slowly as he finished, his eyes still closed, Naruto bowed. He could still hear Kali translating his prayer behind him for the others.

He felt almost otherworldly as he let those words flow through him. They felt almost…

Natural to say. As if…

"What's that?" Yang's voice caught his attention as she gently grasped his right wrist, snapping Naruto out of his thoughts.

His eyes opened and trailed straight to where she was curiously staring—his eyes widened as he noticed a strange phenomenon around his right hand that he could not fathom.

A few flickers of golden sparkles faded from his right hand.

And for the briefest moment, he swore he had seen the strange marking of a sun on his palm.

"Look! I glow too!" Naruto's eyes snapped upon hearing the giggle, and his gaze was fixated on one thing.

Ruby's left hand had the same glow.

And there was a crescent on her hand for the briefest moment.

Chapter 20 Preview:

Neo's eyes flashed and sparkled vividly, seeing Naruto pull out a scroll and knew what it meant, clapping in glee upon seeing it. She then pranced around him with splendor in her step, spinning in circles around him, all while laughing with boisterous bravado.

It all left Naruto bewildered by the sight before him. He then took a breath, exhaled, and shook his head. This still wasn't the oddest encounter he had experienced. One of the more bizarre ones for sure, but…

But he had dealt with stranger from his personal friend group…

Yes.

Ruby is exactly what you think she is.

Was debating on whether or not to reveal it here and went for it.

Have fun knowing what Ruby is in the grand scheme of the story.

Got hurt at work this week, so I've had time to work on a few things.

Got another story off the ground.

A Naruto/Yang story if you want to check it out.

So with that, hope you enjoyed that chapter.

Thank you for your support.

See you next time.

Peace out.