The van rolled to a stop in front of Taiyang's house in Patch. The gentle warmth of the evening sun contrasted with the tension that settled over Team RWBY as they each stepped out of the van, one by one. The familiar, peaceful surroundings of Patch might have been comforting on any other day, but now they served as a stark reminder of how complicated things had become.

Yang was the last to exit, carefully helping Neo out. Neo's hands were bound, and her eyes were covered by a blindfold that Yang had secured before they set off from Mistral. Neo's head was tilted downward, her jaw set, though the blindfold kept any hint of expression concealed. She held herself still, unwilling to resist openly, but her reluctance was evident.

Ruby took a deep breath, looking at the house that had once been a safe haven. She forced herself to focus on the practical. "Dad won't be back for a couple of days," she reminded the others, her voice steady but low. "So… we'll have some time to figure things out."

With a nod of agreement, they moved toward the house. The silence between them was thick, a contrast to the times they'd returned here filled with chatter and laughter. This return was different—somber and charged.

As they entered, Zwei's bark echoed from inside, and in an instant, a blur of fur and excitement launched itself into Ruby's arms. Zwei's enthusiasm temporarily lifted the weight that had settled on her chest, his wagging tail a small reminder of the simpler days before all this—before the betrayals, the scars, and the need to face unresolved pain.

After the brief reunion, Yang guided Neo to an armchair in the living room, keeping a careful eye on her as the rest of the team spread out. Blake headed into the kitchen to make tea, filling the kettle and arranging cups on the counter with quiet efficiency. Meanwhile, Weiss sank down onto the couch, visibly drained. She'd pushed her Semblance to its limits during their journey, and the strain was finally showing.

Weiss leaned back, closing her eyes for a moment. "It'll probably take me a few more hours to feel normal again," she murmured, a trace of weariness in her voice.

Ruby busied herself by drawing the curtains, casting the room in a soft, muted light. She stole a glance at Neo, a flicker of anger sparking within her. Despite everything, Neo's defiant stance and quiet disdain still remained. It stirred something raw within Ruby, emotions she wasn't entirely ready to face.

After a few moments, Weiss broke the silence. "What are we going to do with her?"

Ruby's eyes hardened as she glanced back at Neo. "For now, she stays here. Tomorrow, we'll figure it out."

Blake returned, distributing mugs of tea before settling into a chair herself. She watched Neo carefully, her eyes as guarded as ever. Weiss sipped her tea, her gaze moving thoughtfully between Neo and Ruby.

After a stretch of silence, Weiss reached into her bag and pulled out something small and familiar—Neo's mask. She turned it over in her hands, running her fingers over its surface before looking up. "Is it time?" Her voice was soft but resolute.

Yang moved behind Neo, removing her blindfold with a practiced, cautious movement. Neo blinked, her eyes adjusting to the light, her gaze darting around the room as she took in her surroundings. Despite her circumstances, a spark of defiance flickered in her eyes as she looked from Ruby to the others.

Ruby took the mask from Weiss and stepped closer, holding it up so Neo could see. "Yes. It's time."

She placed the mask carefully on Neo's face, securing it in position. A few small beeps echoed in the silence, followed by a single chime.

Blake raised an eyebrow and glanced at Weiss. "Really?"

Weiss gave a small sigh. "It's a design flaw, yeah."

Neo's mask glowed softly, and her voice came through with a biting edge. "What do you want, Ruby? Haven't you done enough already?"

Ruby's hand shot out, slapping Neo hard enough to silence her. "You will answer all my questions," Ruby said, her tone cold and commanding. "And you'll tell the truth. Because if you don't…" She tilted her head toward Yang, who, standing a few feet away, cracked her knuckles deliberately, the sound carrying a clear warning through the room.

Neo's confidence wavered for a brief moment, her gaze shifting away as she swallowed visibly.

Ruby steadied herself, her voice firm as she began. "Why were you trying to kill us?"

Neo's voice held an edge of bitterness as it filtered through the mask. "I wasn't trying to kill you. Maybe hurt you, badly… but not kill you."

Ruby's expression tightened, anger simmering beneath the surface. "Why?"

Neo glared at her, eyes hard. "Because all of you exiled me. You threw me away, without a second thought."

A flare of rage crossed Ruby's face. "You deserved it. After everything you did—"

Neo's voice grew louder, defiant. "I didn't do anything!" Her voice reverberated through the room, the rawness of it catching even her off guard.

Ruby's fists clenched, her patience wearing thin. "Say that again. I dare you."

Neo lifted her chin defiantly. "I didn't. Do. Anything."

In a flash, Ruby grabbed Neo by the collar, her grip iron-strong as she slammed her down onto the coffee table. The anger and hurt in Ruby's eyes burned bright as she leaned over her, her voice breaking with unrestrained fury.

"You killed our friends, Neo! Jaune, Winter, Qrow…" She trailed off, the names sticking in her throat. The words seemed to echo through the room, each one heavy with grief. "QUIT DENYING IT!"

Neo cried out, struggling beneath Ruby's hold. "I swear! I didn't kill them!"

Ruby's grip tightened, her voice thick with pain. "I saw you, Neo. I saw you fighting Jaune. And because of you… he fell." Her voice dropped to a choked whisper. "He fell off that cliff because of you."

A deep silence settled over the room as Ruby's words lingered, the weight of them heavy. She blinked, her gaze distant, the hurt and loss etched deeply into her expression. "Do you even understand what you took from me?"

For a brief moment, something softened in Neo's gaze, a flicker of understanding—however small—at the raw pain that Ruby was exposing.

"We were going to have a future together," Ruby continued, her voice barely more than a whisper. "We were going to start a family. And you destroyed it."

Before Neo could respond, a loud knock sounded at the front door, breaking the tension and startling them all. Everyone exchanged wary glances, each of them poised, unsure of what to expect. Ruby loosened her grip on Neo and looked toward Yang.

"Hide her," Ruby ordered, her voice steady and controlled, though her heart hammered in her chest.

As Yang hurried Neo out of sight, Blake and Weiss moved to stand by the doorway, their weapons drawn as they prepared for whatever—or whoever—was waiting on the other side. Ruby took a steadying breath, her gaze fixed on the door as she approached, her fingers brushing against the handle.

"Ruby?" a familiar voice called from outside, calm and composed. "May I come in? I'd like to talk."

Her breath caught. She knew that voice.

Swallowing hard, she opened the door, her eyes widening as she took in the sight before her. The familiar face, the slight, knowing smile—just as she remembered.

"Ozpin?"