HOSPITAL

The hospital room was dimly lit, with only the faint glow of the moonlight seeping through the blinds. Ruby sat slouched in a chair beside Yang's bed, her arms crossed and head drooping as she slept. Across from her, Yang lay under a blanket that covered all but her neck and head. Her golden hair spilled over the pillow, but her face was anything but peaceful.

Yang's brow furrowed, her breathing quickening as she began to toss her head back and forth, mumbling incoherently in her sleep. Her movements became more erratic, her grunts turning into soft cries of distress.

Slash.

Yang jolted awake with a loud gasp; her violet eyes wide as they stared at the sterile white ceiling. She clutched her chest, her breaths coming in heavy, uneven gasps. Slowly, she pushed herself up into a seated position, her gaze falling on her right arm—a metallic prosthetic that glinted faintly in the moonlight.

Anger bubbled up inside her, and with a frustrated grunt, she clenched her metal fist and slammed it down on the nearby counter. The impact cracked the surface, sending a sharp, reverberating noise through the room.

Ruby stirred, groggily opening her silver eyes. "Yang?" she murmured, her voice thick with sleep.

Yang glanced at her sister, regret flickering in her eyes before she quickly masked it. "I'm fine, Rubes. Just… a nightmare."

Ruby rubbed her eyes, now fully awake. She looked at Yang with a mixture of concern and sadness. "Adam?"

Yang's jaw tightened. She nodded, her gaze dropping to the floor. "Yeah. Him." Her eyes returned to her robotic arm, the anger returning. "He's the reason I have this. I think it's time I give him a little payback."

Ruby frowned, standing and moving closer to her sister. "Payback… as in hurt him, right?"

"Of course," Yang replied without hesitation. Her voice was firm, but there was a dangerous edge to it. "I'll give him a taste of his own medicine if I ever see him again."

Ruby hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Finally, she said quietly, "Just… don't do it alone, okay? Next time, it won't just be you."

Before Yang could reply, the door creaked open. Both sisters turned to see Blake entering, followed closely by Weiss and Sun. Sun stopped in his tracks the moment he saw Yang's new arm, his jaw dropping.

Blake noticed and smirked, reaching up to gently close his mouth with her hand. "Alright, no drooling. It's just a metal arm."

"Justa metal arm?" Sun repeated, incredulous. "Blake, that's Atlas tech! Top of the line! Weiss said it's—"

"It's advanced, yes," Weiss interrupted, her arms crossed. "And it has a few… special features."

Yang's eyebrows rose in curiosity. "Special features? Like what?"

Weiss's expression became unreadable. "...I'm not at liberty to say."

Yang huffed and leaned back against the bed frame, crossing her arms. "Fine. I'll figure it out on my own."

A loud throat-clearing caught everyone's attention, and they turned to see Taiyang and Qrow standing in the doorway. Taiyang's expression was gentle but concerned, while Qrow leaned casually against the doorframe, a flask already in hand.

"How are you feeling, Firecracker?" Taiyang asked softly.

Yang shrugged, avoiding her father's eyes. "A little sore, but I'm fine."

"Told you," Qrow said with a small grin. "She's tough, just like—"

Taiyang elbowed him sharply, cutting him off. Qrow coughed, muttering something under his breath as Taiyang continued, "Yang, there's something we need to talk about. Something… important." His gaze shifted to Ruby. "And Ruby's the best person to explain it."

Ruby froze, her eyes widening slightly. She glanced nervously at Yang, who was already shaking her head.

"No," Yang said firmly, her voice quieter now. "I don't think I'm ready for that. Not yet."

Ruby hesitated, then placed a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Are you sure? You don't have to face it alone."

Yang looked up at her, her expression conflicted. "It's not the right time, Rubes. I just… I can't hear it right now." She turned to Taiyang. "Can it wait?"

Taiyang studied her for a long moment before finally nodding. "Okay. I understand. Take your time. When you're ready, we'll talk."

"Thanks," Yang murmured. She threw off the blanket and swung her legs over the side of the bed, standing carefully.

"Where are you going?" Blake asked, concern evident in her tone.

Yang stretched her shoulders, her metal arm gleaming. "Taking a walk. The doc said it's fine."

"Yang?" Ruby called as her sister reached the door.

Yang paused, turning back to look at her. Ruby's voice was soft as she said, "I'm just glad you're okay."

Yang glanced at her prosthetic, flexing the metal fingers. A flicker of pain crossed her face before she forced a small smile. "Yeah."

The group watched in silence as Yang walked out, her figure disappearing down the hallway. The tension in the room lingered even after she was gone.

"She seems… different," Weiss finally said, breaking the silence.

Qrow took a swig from his flask, his expression somber. "Losing a part of yourself will do that. She just needs time to get used to it."

Taiyang sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I hope it's enough."

The room fell quiet again, the weight of Yang's absence palpable. Ruby glanced toward the doorway, her worry for her sister etched plainly on her face.

HALLWAY

Yang walked slowly down the sterile hospital hallway; her gaze fixed on the floor. The fluorescent lights overhead hummed softly, casting a pale glow that made everything feel colder. As she walked, she lifted her metallic right arm, the smooth surface glinting faintly. Her reflection warped on the polished steel, and she stared at it with a mix of frustration and sorrow.

She was so lost in thought that she didn't notice the figure in front of her until she bumped into them.

"Oh. Sorry," Yang mumbled, stepping back. Then her eyes widened as she recognized the person. "Pyrrha?"

The red-haired warrior smiled gently. "Hello, Yang."

"W-What brings you here?" Yang asked, her voice wavering slightly.

"I heard about what happened in Patch… and to you," Pyrrha said softly, her green eyes full of concern. "I wanted to check on you—to make sure my friend was okay."

Yang's expression tightened as Pyrrha's gaze flickered to her metal arm. The worry in Pyrrha's face was unmistakable. Feeling exposed, Yang quickly brushed past her, heading for the first open door she saw—a small, empty medical room.

"Yang, wait!" Pyrrha called, following her inside.

Yang stopped in the middle of the room, her back to Pyrrha, her head hanging low.

"Close the door," Yang said, her voice strained, barely above a whisper.

Pyrrha hesitated, then complied, gently shutting the door. She turned back to Yang. "Are you alright?"

Yang didn't answer. Instead, she let out a frustrated grunt and slammed her metal fist into the dresser beside her. The wood splintered, a crack spreading through its surface.

"No," Yang spat, her voice shaking. "No, I'm not okay. I'm far from okay."

Pyrrha flinched at the sudden outburst but didn't step back. She watched as Yang turned to face her, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm a wreck," Yang confessed, her voice breaking. "I'm so angry, and I'm so… sad. Every time I look at this—" she raised her prosthetic, her trembling fingers curling into a fist "—it takes me back to that day. The day Adam took my arm. And when he did, it wasn't just my arm he took… he took a part of me. A part I'll never get back."

Pyrrha's heart ached as she listened, her hands balling into fists at her sides. "I can't imagine how hard this must be for you, Yang," she said softly.

Yang let out a bitter laugh, her voice dripping with frustration. "Tough doesn't even begin to describe it. And now? Now I'm hiding. Hiding from my friends, my family… because I don't want them to see me like this. I don't want them to know how much of a mess I really am."

"They probably already know," Pyrrha said, stepping closer. "They just don't know how to bring it up. They're giving you space, thinking it's what you need."

Yang shook her head, her blonde hair falling over her face. "I don't know what I need anymore," she admitted. "Every time I close my eyes, all I see is Adam Taurus. That look in his eyes… the red line of his blade... and my arm. Gone."

Her voice broke, and she gritted her teeth, trying to hold back the sobs that threatened to escape. She clenched her fists tightly, her breathing uneven.

Then she felt a hand on her shoulder, firm but comforting. Yang blinked and looked up, meeting Pyrrha's calm, steady gaze.

"Don't hold it in," Pyrrha said softly. "Just let it out. You don't have to carry this by yourself."

Yang's lip quivered, and for a moment, she tried to resist. But the warmth in Pyrrha's voice and the understanding in her eyes broke through the wall Yang had built around herself. Without another word, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Pyrrha, burying her face in her friend's shoulder.

The tears came in full force, and Yang's shoulders shook as she sobbed, the anguish and anger she'd been holding onto pouring out of her. Pyrrha closed her eyes, hugging Yang tightly, one hand gently rubbing her back in soothing circles.

"I've got you," Pyrrha whispered, her voice steady and reassuring. "It's okay, Yang. Let it all out."

The muffled sound of Yang's crying filled the small room, mingling with the quiet hum of the hospital around them. Pyrrha stood firm, her presence like an anchor in the storm of Yang's emotions.

For the first time since that fateful day, Yang allowed herself to truly grieve. And for the first time, she didn't feel completely alone.

BEACON - OZPIN'S OFFICE

Ozpin sat at his desk, the dim light from the screen illuminating his calm features. The news of the attack in Patch played silently—a montage of destruction caused by Cinder Fall and Adam Taurus, survivors being pulled from rubble, and a harrowing clip of Yang Xiao Long being escorted to an ambulance. He sighed, lifting his coffee mug to his lips, when the soft chime of the elevator broke the silence.

"I wondered when you'd come, James," Ozpin said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing General James Ironwood. His stern expression betrayed the storm of emotions simmering beneath his otherwise composed exterior. He entered alone, his footsteps echoing on the polished floor.

"Ozpin," Ironwood said curtly. "I assume you know why I'm here."

Ozpin rose, cradling his coffee mug in one hand. "I can hazard a guess. But if it's about Winter, I'm afraid I don't know her exact whereabouts. She didn't share her plans with me."

Ironwood's glare hardened. "I would hope, Oz, that you're aware of the crime she committed when she left Atlas."

Ozpin raised an eyebrow, feigning mild surprise. "A crime? I was under the impression that her visit to Vale was entirely legitimate. Perhaps you could enlighten me?"

"She stole a prototype," Ironwood said, his tone sharp and accusing. "A highly advanced piece of Atlesian technology destined for testing by my superiors. By the time we realized what she'd done, she was already halfway to Vale. Theft of classified technology is a grave offense, Ozpin, and Winter must answer for it. She will face arrest and trial."

Ozpin tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing as he sipped his coffee. "Arrested? Tried? James, don't you think that's a bit excessive for one piece of technology? Surely your engineers could replicate it without much trouble."

"This isn't about replication!" Ironwood snapped, his voice rising. "It's about discipline, accountability. Winter violated military law and stole from Atlas. That kind of betrayal cannot be ignored."

Ozpin's expression shifted, his calm demeanor taking on a harder edge. "I see. Discipline, then. But, James, the moment Winter left Atlas, she ceased to fall under your jurisdiction. And when you decided to distance yourself from our cause, you created a vacancy in my Inner Circle. A vacancy that Winter has now filled."

Ironwood's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "You brought her into your Inner Circle?"

"I did," Ozpin confirmed, his voice steady but firm. "Winter Schnee has proven herself to be trustworthy and dedicated to the greater good. As a member of my Inner Circle, she is under my protection. No one—not even you—may lay a hand on her."

Ironwood took a step closer, his tone low and simmering with anger. "You're making a mistake, Ozpin. Are you really willing to risk an alliance between Vale and Atlas over one soldier?"

Ozpin remained unmoving, meeting Ironwood's intense gaze with unwavering resolve. "I'm willing to protect those who fight for the right cause, no matter the cost. Winter is more than a soldier—she's an ally, and I won't abandon her because of your misplaced sense of control."

Ironwood's nostrils flared as he turned sharply, storming toward the elevator. Just before stepping inside, he paused, looking back over his shoulder.

"You may have won this round, Oz," he said darkly. "But every decision has consequences. Don't think you're untouchable."

The elevator doors slid shut with a cold finality.

Ozpin let out a long, measured sigh and returned to his desk, setting his coffee down as the tension in the room began to dissipate.

"That was… unsettling," came a voice from behind him.

Ozpin turned to see Winter Schnee stepping out from behind a bookshelf, her normally composed expression marred by a hint of unease.

"I've known James Ironwood for years," she said, her voice soft but steady. "But I've never seen him like that before."

"It'll pass, Miss Schnee," Ozpin replied, offering a reassuring tone. "General Ironwood is not a man who handles unpredictability well. Give him time to cool down. But in the meantime, there's something we need to discuss."

Winter sighed, her shoulders tensing. "I know—I should've told you about the stolen tech."

"Precisely," Ozpin said. "This is a dangerous game you're playing, Winter. Ironwood is relentless, and if he discovers where you sent that prototype, he won't hesitate to come after you—or worse."

Winter hesitated for a moment before replying. "It's not about where he'll find me. It's about who I entrusted the arm to."

Ozpin's eyes narrowed slightly. "You gave it to Miss Xiao Long."

Winter nodded. "She needed it more than Atlas ever would."

Ozpin leaned back in his chair, his expression softening slightly. "Qrow is with her. She'll be safe, at least for now. But this situation will require careful management."

Winter sat down across from him, her composure returning as she drew a folder from her coat. "Speaking of careful management, I've uncovered something about Cinder Fall. Something that leads back to her… superior."

Ozpin's eyebrows rose, his interest piqued. "You have my full attention, Miss Schnee. What have you found?"

STREET

The limousine glides smoothly down the road, leaving the hospital behind. Inside, the atmosphere is lively but slightly tense. Ruby, fascinated, repeatedly presses the button to open and close the ceiling window.

"Wow, this is so cool!" Ruby exclaims, practically bouncing in her seat.

Yang watches her for a moment before gently grabbing her sister's arm, pulling it away from the button. "Rubes, come on. That's not a toy."

Ruby pouts, her enthusiasm undeterred. "But Yang, I've never been in a limo before! This is amazing!"

"Yang's right," Weiss chimes in, adjusting her posture primly. "You're behaving like a child."

Ruby turns to Weiss with a gasp of indignation. "I am not a child!"

Yang raises her hands in mock surrender, suppressing a grin. "Alright, alright, let's all just take it easy. Ruby, just try not to press every button, okay?"

Ruby grumbles, crossing her arms and leaning back with a dramatic huff. Jaune, sitting a few seats away, chuckles at her reaction, shaking his head.

"She's like a kid who's had way too much sugar," he teases, earning a glare from Ruby.

Pyrrha, seated beside Jaune, notices his lighthearted tone but also the lingering tension in the air. Clearing her throat gently, she catches his attention.

"Something on your mind, Pyrrha?" Jaune asks, turning toward her.

"Not really," Pyrrha replies, though her voice carries curiosity. "I was just wondering—how was your break going before, well... everything happened?"

Jaune sighs, leaning back in his seat. "It started great. Quiet, peaceful. No Grimm attacks, no drama." He pauses, smirking. "And then Nora happened."

"Hey!" Nora exclaims, looking offended. "That's not fair!"

"Fair? Nora, you punched a hole in my wall!" Jaune retorts.

Everyone in the limo turns to Nora, who suddenly looks very sheepish.

"Wait, wait. She what?" Sun asks from the far side of the limo, leaning forward with wide eyes.

"You heard him," Jaune says, shaking his head. "She punched a hole in my wall. Care to explain, Nora?"

Nora crosses her arms and huffs. "First of all, that was self-defense."

Jaune raises an eyebrow. "Self-defense? Against what? My wall wasn't attacking you."

"No, but your sisters were!" Nora declares dramatically, pointing a finger at Jaune.

The group blinks in confusion, and Ruby tilts her head. "Your sisters?"

Jaune groans, rubbing his temples. "Oh no. What did they do this time?"

"They were teasing Ren!" Nora says, her voice rising indignantly. "They wouldn't stop crowding him, asking him a million questions. Poor Ren looked like he was about to explode! So, naturally, I stepped in to defend his honor."

"By punching the wall?" Weiss asks incredulously.

"Well," Nora admits, fidgeting, "I might have been aiming for a very dramatic pose to scare them off, but I, uh... misjudged the distance a little."

Ren, seated beside her, shakes his head with a fond sigh. "She scared them off, alright. But at the cost of Jaune's living room."

"'Scared' is an understatement," Jaune mutters. "You sent them running and left me with a hole to patch up."

Nora grins sheepishly. "I said I'd fix it!"

"With duct tape, Nora! Duct tape!" Jaune exclaims, earning a round of laughter from everyone except Nora, who crosses her arms with a pout.

Yang, watching the banter, smiles faintly before turning her gaze out the window. The cityscape blurs past as she loses herself in thought, her expression softening, then growing somber.

The laughter begins to fade as Ruby notices Yang's silence. "Yang? Are you okay?"

Yang blinks, snapping out of her thoughts, and offers a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... thinking."

Ruby leans closer, her concern evident. "You sure?"

Yang ruffles her hair gently. "Don't worry about me, Rubes. I'm just tired."

The limo grows quieter, the mood shifting as everyone reflects on recent events. Outside, the streets continue to roll by a stark contrast to the mix of emotions inside.

NIGHT – PATCH

The house is silent, the soft sounds of breathing and faint creaks the only signs of life. Inside, everyone sleeps, sprawled across beds or the living room floor. Upstairs, Yang sits by her bedroom window, staring out at the stars. Her eyes are heavy with sadness, her thoughts distant.

As she stares, the faint sound of a door opening reaches her ears. She turns her head, listening intently. Footsteps echo softly in the stillness, growing fainter as they descend. Moments later, another door creaks open, and Yang catches a glimpse of movement outside her window.

Her brows knit together as she leans closer, spotting Ruby walking outside, a red blur in the moonlight. Yang stands, grabbing her coat before quietly slipping out of her room. Moving carefully down the stairs, she avoids stepping on JNPR or Sun, all sleeping soundly in the living room. Reaching the front door, she pauses, then steps outside into the cool night air.

Ruby is already a small figure in the distance, her red hood just barely visible. Yang follows, keeping her pace light and quiet.

After several minutes, Ruby's path leads them to a graveyard. Yang stops near a tree stump, watching as her sister weaves through the rows of gravestones. Ruby pauses in front of one, her posture softening as she kneels. She sets a small bouquet of flowers on the grave, brushing her fingers over the name etched into the stone:

Jupiter Mason

Ruby sits down, pulling her hood back to reveal a bittersweet smile on her face. "Hi, Jupiter," she whispers. "It's been a while since I visited. A lot's happened since then—crazy stuff."

Yang stays hidden, observing silently from the shadows.

Ruby continues, her voice trembling slightly. "Yang and I got accepted to Beacon. We've been there for months now, and it's been amazing. I even made a team—Team RWBY. They're incredible. Weiss can be a little... Weiss-y, but she's great. Blake's super smart, and Yang... well, you already know Yang." Ruby chuckles softly, then sighs. "There's so much I want to tell you about them. But it'd take all night."

Her smile falters. "Things haven't been so great lately. The Patch Unity Parade was attacked. People got hurt." Her voice lowers. "Yang lost her arm."

Yang's breath catches, but she stays rooted in place, listening.

"She's okay," Ruby adds quickly, though her tone wavers. "At least, physically. But I can see it—she's hurting inside. I try not to let her see how much it's hurting me, too. I want her to heal without my worries weighing her down."

Tears begin to roll down Ruby's cheeks as she places a trembling hand on the gravestone. "I miss you so much. I wish you were here. You'd know what to say... what to do."

Her voice cracks, and she lowers her head, her body shaking with quiet sobs.

Yang, unable to watch any longer, steps closer. But before she can reach Ruby, her sister raises a hand, signaling her to stop. Surprised, Yang halts, watching as Ruby steadies herself with deep breaths.

Ruby stands, pulling her hood back over her head. She turns, walking past Yang without a word. Yang hesitates, then glances at the gravestone for a moment before following Ruby, falling into step beside her.

After a few moments of silence, Ruby speaks softly, her voice barely audible. "I always knew, you know."

Yang frowns. "Knew what?"

"That you followed me," Ruby answers. "Whenever I'd leave the house. Or the dorm room."

Yang blinks, startled. "You knew? And you didn't say anything?"

Ruby shrugs. "Figured you wanted to keep an eye on me. I didn't mind... especially after everything. I felt safer knowing you'd protect me if anything happened."

"You're lucky nothing did," Yang mutters, her voice firm. "Ruby, stop."

Ruby stops walking, turning to face her sister.

"What you've been doing—wandering around alone at night—is reckless. It's dangerous," Yang says, her tone laced with worry and frustration.

Ruby narrows her eyes. "You don't think I know that? You think I want to sneak out alone? I didn't have a choice when I started. I never told Dad about me and Jupiter. I was scared of what he'd say."

Yang exhales deeply, her voice softening. "He would've understood. You and Jupiter were great together. Heck, I was happy for you."

"Try telling that to Dad," Ruby mutters, crossing her arms.

Yang shakes her head. "Ruby, you have to tell him. Eventually, he'll find out—and it's better if he hears it from you."

Ruby's eyes widen in shock. "You wouldn't!"

"I would," Yang says firmly. "You're hurting, Ruby. I get it. But keeping it bottled up is only going to make things worse. And as your big sister, I can't let you keep going like this."

"That's not fair!" Ruby yells.

"NOTHING'S EVER FAIR!" Yang shouts back, her eyes flaring red as her anger boils over, scaring Ruby.

Yang's voice lowers, steady but laced with frustration, as she lifts her metal arm slightly. "Do you think I wanted this, Ruby? To lose my arm? To wake up every day and feel like a part of me is gone? It's not fair. None of it is. I made the choice to charge at Adam, and this is the price I paid for it."

Ruby looks at her sister, guilt flickering in her eyes.

Yang shakes her head, her lilac eyes softening but still resolute. "And you know what? I've thought about it every day since it happened. Maybe I could've fought smarter or waited for backup. But I didn't. I ran in because I thought I could end it, stop him before he hurt anyone else. And instead, I got hurt. That's not fair, Ruby. It's not fair that I made that choice, and now I have to live with it."

Her voice trembles slightly as she clenches her metal fist. "But that's the thing about choices—you can't undo them. You can only face the consequences and keep moving forward."

Yang steps closer, her expression soft but firm. "You don't get to run away from the hard stuff, Ruby. I know how much this hurts you. I know how unfair it feels. But if you keep bottling this up, it's going to drag you down. You have to let it out. You have to talk to Dad. Otherwise, it's just going to haunt you."

Ruby hesitates, her head lowering. "But what if he doesn't understand?"

Yang smiles faintly, wrapping her arm around Ruby's shoulders. "He will. He's our dad, Ruby. And even if he doesn't get it right away, at least you'll have gotten it off your chest. Trust me, you'll feel better."

Ruby sighs, nodding slowly. "Okay. I'll tell him tomorrow."

"Good," Yang says, her voice gentler now. "Because life's already unfair enough without adding regrets to it."

The sisters walk back toward the house, side by side, the cool night air brushing past them as Yang pulls Ruby closer.

THE NEXT MORNING

Ruby sits at the dining table, her head resting on her hand as she idly pokes at her scrambled eggs with her fork. Across the table, Weiss, Blake, and Yang are eating quietly, occasionally glancing at her. At another table, Team JNPR and Sun are chatting over breakfast, Nora happily demolishing a towering stack of pancakes.

Ruby lifts her eyes briefly, noticing the concerned looks from her teammates. She sighs, her appetite nonexistent as she stares down at her barely-touched plate.

"Ruby?"

She looks up to see her father, Taiyang, standing nearby with a worried expression.

"You okay?" he asks, his voice gentle but laced with concern.

Ruby glances around, seeing everyone's attention slowly shift toward her. Her teammates, her friends—they're all watching her now, waiting.

"I…" Ruby hesitates before letting out a deep breath. "Dad, there's something I need to talk to you about. And…" She fidgets with her fork before looking up, her voice firming slightly. "I'd prefer if everyone else could give us a minute."

Weiss, Blake, and Yang exchange glances before nodding silently and standing. Jaune, Pyrrha, Ren, Nora, and Sun follow suit, filing out of the room one by one. Yang lingers for a moment, her hand brushing Ruby's shoulder as she passes, offering a small, supportive squeeze.

When the door closes and the room is quiet, Taiyang pulls out a chair and sits beside Ruby.

"Is something wrong?" he asks, leaning forward, his forearms resting on the table.

Ruby swallows hard, gripping her fork tightly. "Yes… no…" She shakes her head, frustrated with herself. "Actually, yeah, there is. And I feel like… I need to tell you."

Taiyang's brow furrows, his worry deepening. "Okay," he says carefully, his voice steady and patient. "What's going on?"

Ruby hesitates again, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. She opens her mouth to speak but falters, her gaze dropping to her plate.

"It's about Jupiter," she finally says, her voice barely above a whisper.

Taiyang blinks, his expression shifting slightly as the name registers. His mouth opens as if to say something, but he stops himself, waiting for Ruby to continue.

She looks up at him, her silver eyes shimmering with unspoken emotion. "I've been keeping it to myself for so long, and… I just can't anymore. I need you to know."

Taiyang nods slowly, his face softening with a mixture of concern and understanding. "Take your time, Ruby. I'm here. Just tell me what you need to."

Ruby takes a shaky breath, bracing herself as she begins to speak.