RWBY Am I Your Teacher or Mother?

Chapter 10: The Hunt Begins

Goodwitch stood frozen in terror after she dropped her scroll as the news sunk in. Ruby, her adoptive daughter, was just kidnapped! She didn't know what to do in that moment; her huntress and maternal instincts roared at her to spur into action and find her adopted daughter, but she could hardly breath right now as fear for her safety constricted the mother's body like a python.

"H-How could I let this happen? She needed me I-" Glynda thought as she struggled to regain her breath. The guilt she felt was heavy. She had chosen the life of a mother for….what? A couple months, and as soon as an opportunity to teach again arose Glynda didn't hesitate to jump back into the fold and abandoned her other, more important responsibility.

"Miss Goodwitch, my name is Terra-cotta Arc. Now, I was informed ahead of time of your daughters….unfortunate debacle, but I feel confident I can help get back into health.

A babysitter who specialized in counseling troubled or traumatized teens and children was scouted for her by Ozpin, apparently with her brother Jaune Arcs help, who wanted to do his best to help her, she knew and it all seemed too good to be true. Ruby, even stuck in her regressed mental state of 5 years old, really seemed to be taken to her sitter, enjoying the complex games to occupy her energy like a rubix cube or puzzles, then there was the sense of energy brimming from the counselor as she smiled and tenderly spoke encouragement to Ruby.

"Excellent job Ruby. You handled that Jar puzzle like a pro, and look! That strawberry jam is red, like your cloak. Is it your favorite color?" Glynda had smiled when she had seen Ruby light up with joy hearing that question from Terra. Still, she had been uneasy with the thought of leaving Ruby just yet, having only recently adjusted to her current habits and being her mother. Terra had only impressed her more as she easily picked up on her unease, evident by her discomfort plastered on her face from her eyes twitching and her shoulders stiffing.

"Believe me, I get it miss Rose." Terra had said after sparing a quick glance at Ruby nearby, having been made aware of the ruse beforehand by Jaune. "I'm a mother as well." She said, her face brimming with joy as she quickly pulled out her wallet and showcased her son, a small little boy with brown skin in blue striped trousers, Hazel colored eyes, and a set of black hair like Ruby's, drooling as he smiled looking unaware at the camera as he played with a toy truck. It took all of Goodwitch's pride and will to resist fawning over the adorable child.

"I get its tough, leaving them for work or other matters like hunting or trips, but there are times we need to get out there, become more than just mothers. I can see how tense you are here right now, you need a mix of a work and mother life." Terra implored. Glynda's lower lip retracted a bit. She indeed was feeling a bit rusty from spending so much time at home. Weiss was starting her semester and couldn't watch Ruby, and Glynda was exhausting her time off Ozpin had given her. She did need a small change of pace, but she still wasn't sure this was the right thing to do.

"I went through the same dilemma, "whose gonna watch him?" I actually met my wife Sapphron when I trusted him with her for the first time to babysit. Knowing he was in good hands keeps me at ease, and it led to the greatest treasure I got since him. It's what inspired me to become a child counselor. I know I haven't worked with Ruby yet so you need some time to trust me the same, I'm just asking you to look into that ADORABLE wittle face and give me a chance!" She implored gushing over her son's photo as she pat it.

Glynda saw her point, she may not know her personally yet, but she had a good track record. And after glancing over to Ruby likewise playing with toys not befitting her true age reminded her of something. She couldn't let the illusion last. As much as it would pain both mother and step-daughter, Glynda had to let Ruby be eased into remembering her trauma. It was the only way to get her the help she needed by addressing her problems and reclaiming her true personality. Having a child abuse counselor and babysitter nearby for help would be an added assurance, and she should at least give the woman a chance, seeing as how she was also a mother.

Glynda gave off a heavy sigh as she pulled out her scroll.

"Alright, I'll give you a shot. This is a list of activities she likes to do at certain times of the day. Also! Avoid these channels on TV, the trial is going on and she doesn't need to know that yet." Glynda said as she texted Terra a list, emphasizing the last part sternly for good measure.

"Understood, don't worry Miss Rose, little Rosebud here is in safe hands." Terra had assured her.

Now Glynda was left trembling in her office as her legs shook, hearing otherwise right now. As she glanced down at her fallen scroll, her teeth grinded as she furiously picked up the device, seeing the woman she trusted still on the other line.

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!?" She roared. On the other end she heard a frightened gasp, but she cared not for the fright.

"I…I was-" Terra meekly said on the other line but was cut off.

"I trusted you! You said Ruby would be in safe hands! How could you let her be taken!?" Goodwitch demanded to know.

"It was the black bird GAH!" Terra yelled in panic, instantly regretting as she winced in pain. Her pain made Goodwitch recoil, instantly recognizing from her sounds she was hurt. A wave of guilt overtook her parental rage, her huntress instincts to counsel rose up.

"I..I'm sorry. What happened, did a Nevermore attack you?" Goodwitch asked concerned, remembering her description.

"He struck my head, gashed it really bad." Terra groaned, applying a cloth to her forehead oozing blood right now.

"Wait…."he"? Whose he?" Glynda darkly asked. Her fist was trembling as it shook with rage, wanting to smash the teeth in of whoever dared take her child from her.

"S-Somehow that Grimm bird turned into some red-eyed man that stunk of booze. H-He had some giant scythe and slashed me, then he grabbed Ruby and ran out the door after I passed out." Terra tearfully explained.

Glynda felt her blood freeze, as her skin grew pale in fright hearing that description. She knew all too well who it was.

"Qrow you….you'd really go that far to get back your niece?!" Glynda though shocked. She knew he was a crazy drunk most of the time, but she always assumed Raven was the irrational of the two, ruled by her fear and anger. She winced as she realized her foolishness that came at the expense of her sitter. Qrow was Ruby's honorary uncle, she could see the way he looked at her lovingly, if mixed with sadness and regret for what she endured without him around to help her. If there's one thing her father taught her painfully, it's that a loving man can do some incredibly dangerous and foolish things when a relative was hurt or in danger. She wouldn't put it past Qrow to say "screw it!" after getting too drunk and decide to just take Ruby for his own selfish desire to protect her himself, knowing he'd never win custody from her in the courts. It was at that thought that Glynda sighed heavily, knowing what her next course of action should be. As much as she hated it, she was going to have to get her involved, knowing what Ruby meant to the girl. But first….

"Miss Arc, do you need an ambulance before I go?" She asked with stern concern.

"N-No I, I called one already, they just got here. I'll be fine." Terra said weakly.

"Good. Now I-" Glynda said deadpanned but as she was about to push the button to hang up Terra cut her off.

"Miss Goodwitch!"

"Yes?"

"I-I'm so sorry I couldn't keep my promise." Terra sniffled.

Glynda closed her eyes tightly as she took in a big inhale. She knew it wasn't really this woman's fault, Qrow was a powerful huntsmen after all, if anything her anger was more at herself for putting her in that situation. But she was still there, she was still Ruby's sole protector, whom she felt disappointment towards for failing. Glynda almost chuckled as she thought how illogical her feelings on that were.

"Guess I'm really taking to this mother shit after all." Glynda thought to herself with a smirk.

"It's fine." She lied. "Your lucky it was a huntsmen I know who took her." She said coldly before hanging up.

Sighing heavily, Glynda smashed her fist on her desk, getting her frustrations out before she dialed up the next person she needed to speak with. If she was to face Qrow, she couldn't do it alone.

After a minute, which felt like eternity, of ringing, the beeping suddenly stopped, almost like her heart as she waited with anticipation.

"Weiss?" She asked, hoping it wasn't an answering machine at this hour.

Author Notes

Short chapter I know, but I didn't get much time to write today, as I went and saw a baptism at church today and my Niece right after. Those adorable babies who inspired this chapter, as I couldn't fathom how hard it would be to be separated from them, made me rush to write this but I felt this was a good ending point, a prelude to the manhunt for Qrow and Ruby. Next chapter, we explore the trial side of Yang and Blake and Nora vs the iron clad justice system with Marrow their lawyers help. But with the news of Ruby being kidnapped from Weiss, how will the trio who risked their freedom for her react? Find out next time in chapter 11: Unlock