PATCH

Ruby Rose stood in her bedroom, the room she had known her entire life, quietly packing the last of her belongings. Her red backpack lay open on the bed, half-full with carefully folded clothes and a few personal items she couldn't leave behind: an old photo of her team, a polished Crescent Rose charm Yang had given her, and a small collection of journals she had filled over the years. Beside it, two duffel bags sat packed and zipped, their weight mirroring the heaviness in her heart.

She straightened up, exhaling slowly. The room felt… different now. Almost hollow. Most of her things had already been moved or stored, leaving only the essentials. The once-vibrant walls, covered with posters of heroes and weapon designs, were bare now, except for faint outlines where the sun had bleached the paint. Her shelves, once crammed with trinkets and sketches, now stood empty, save for a layer of dust she hadn't bothered to wipe away.

Ruby's gaze drifted to the bed, where Zwei lay curled up in a tiny ball. The little corgi snored softly, his tail twitching as he dreamed. She smiled, a faint curve of her lips that didn't quite reach her eyes. Walking over, she sat on the edge of the bed, the springs creaking under her weight.

"Hey, buddy," she said quietly, reaching out a hand. As she moved, her silver eyes caught the scars etched into her palm, thin but jagged, pale reminders of all the battles she'd fought. She paused, staring at them. The memories rushed in like a flood: the final battle against Salem, the chaos, the sacrifices. Friends who had stood beside her, now gone.

She clenched her hand into a fist, forcing the memories back into the corner of her mind where they usually stayed. Now wasn't the time to get lost in the past. Taking a breath, she opened her hand and gently scooped up Zwei, cradling him in her lap.

Zwei stirred, yawning before looking up at her with big, trusting eyes. His tail wagged furiously, brushing against her leg. Ruby chuckled softly, the sound light but fragile.

"You always know how to make me feel better," she murmured, scratching behind his ears. Zwei barked quietly, as if he understood. Ruby's smile widened, but it didn't last.

Her eyes drifted toward the window, where the soft golden light of late afternoon filtered through the curtains. Five years had passed since the war ended, but the scars of that time lingered—not just on her body, but in her heart. Nearly all of Vale had been reduced to rubble in the chaos. Atlas and Mantle had fared even worse, left shattered and frozen, their citizens scattered across the world. Some of her closest friends hadn't survived to see the end, their laughter and voices now only memories.

It had taken her and her team years to recover—if they could even call it that. The wounds were too deep to ever fully heal. But they had survived, and for that, Ruby was grateful.

Looking down at Zwei, she whispered, "I've been here too long, haven't I? It's time to move on." She paused, her voice softening. "But I'm gonna miss you, boy."

As if sensing the shift in her tone, Zwei licked her hand, his tail wagging harder. Ruby chuckled again, her fingers ruffling his fur. "Take care of Dad for me, okay? He's gonna need someone to keep him company."

Zwei barked once, hopping off her lap and bounding toward the door. Ruby watched him go, her chest tightening. She couldn't remember a time when he hadn't been there, a constant source of comfort through everything.

The honk of a car horn outside snapped her back to the present. Ruby straightened, brushing her hair back and adjusting her red cloak, which still bore faint patches of wear from battle. She slung her backpack over her shoulder and grabbed the duffel bags, one in each hand.

Before leaving, she turned one last time, taking in the sight of her bedroom. It felt smaller now, or maybe she had just grown. The memories here were a mix of joy and sorrow, triumph and loss. Her fingers brushed against the doorframe as she whispered, "Goodbye, old Room." And with a possible final time, she closes her rolm door and leaves.

Outside

The front door creaked open as Ruby stepped out, her duffel bags slung over her shoulders and her red backpack hugging her back. The cool evening air brushed against her face, carrying the faint scent of salt from the nearby sea. Her boots clicked softly against the porch as she took a deep breath, letting the crisp air fill her lungs.

Standing near the steps was her father, Taiyang, with Zwei sitting dutifully at his feet. Zwei's ears perked up the moment Ruby appeared, his tail wagging so furiously it nearly knocked over a potted plant.

"Hey, Dad," Ruby said softly, setting her bags down for a moment.

Taiyang gave her a small, wistful smile, his hands resting on his hips. "There she is, all grown up and ready to take on the world."

Ruby chuckled faintly, stepping forward to ruffle Zwei's ears. "Well, maybe just Remnant for now."

In the driveway, the familiar sound of Yang's voice floated over. She was standing on top of the van—a beaten-up, rust-colored relic that looked like it had rolled straight out of the last century. She was securing a massive duffel bag with a bungee cord, grinning as Weiss scrutinized her handiwork.

"Yang," Weiss said sharply, crossing her arms and pointing at the van's side door. "There's duct tape over what looks suspiciously like bullet holes. You're sure this… thing isn't going to fall apart on us?"

Yang scoffed, waving her hand dismissively. "Come on, Weiss. Don't you appreciate the classics? This baby's got soul!"

Weiss raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "This 'baby' looks like it belongs in a scrapyard."

From inside the van, Blake's amused voice chimed in. "I think the duct tape adds character."

Weiss turned to Blake, aghast. "Character? Blake, this van is one strong breeze away from falling apart."

Blake smirked as she leaned out the side door, casually tossing a bag into the back. "Exactly. It's got personality."

Yang laughed, hopping down from the roof with an exaggerated flourish. "See? Blake gets it. This van is a survivor—just like us."

Ruby watched the exchange, smiling softly. It was moments like this that reminded her of better times, before everything had gone so horribly wrong. But her smile faltered as she turned back to her dad.

Taiyang stepped closer, his expression shifting into something more serious. "Ruby, are you sure about this? I know you've been planning it for a while, but… a road trip like this? It's not exactly a vacation."

Ruby nodded, her silver eyes meeting his. "I know, Dad. That's why we need to do it. We've been stuck here, in the same place, trying to move on but not really going anywhere. I think… I think we need this. To heal. To figure out what's next."

Taiyang studied her for a moment, then let out a slow breath. "I get it. I do. But I want you to promise me something."

Ruby tilted her head. "What's that?"

"Promise me you'll at least check in every now and then," Taiyang said, his voice soft but firm. "Call me, send a message, anything. I know you're all adults now, but… you'll always be my little girls."

Ruby smiled, stepping forward to hug him tightly. "I promise, Dad. We'll visit, too. You won't get rid of us that easily."

Taiyang hugged her back, holding on just a moment longer than usual. "Good. And if you're ever in a pinch—if you're struggling to find a place to settle—there's someone I can put you in touch with. A friend of mine in Argus. He's got connections, and he owes me a favor."

"Really?" Ruby pulled back, looking up at him.

Taiyang nodded. "His name's Marcus. I'll send you his info later. If things get rough, reach out to him. He'll help."

Ruby swallowed, her chest tightening. "Thanks, Dad."

Taiyang smiled, resting a hand on her shoulder. "And one more thing. I want you to remember something. Both of you."

He glanced toward Yang, who had just walked up with her hands in her jacket pockets, grinning at the tail end of the conversation. "Yeah, yeah, I'm listening," she said.

Taiyang's expression softened. "Life's not a straight line. You're gonna hit roadblocks, take detours, and maybe even crash a few times. That's okay. What matters is that you keep moving forward. Lean on each other when things get tough—because they will get tough—and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it."

Yang smirked, though her eyes glistened slightly. "You've been hanging out with Uncle Qrow too much. That was almost poetic."

Taiyang chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm serious, Yang. You two have been through more than anyone should ever have to deal with. Don't carry it all on your own."

Ruby nodded, her throat tightening. "We won't. I promise."

Yang gave Taiyang a quick, one-armed hug. "We'll make you proud, old man."

"You already have," Taiyang said quietly, his voice thick with emotion.

Zwei barked, cutting through the moment, and Ruby laughed as she knelt to hug him one last time. "You take care of Dad for me, okay?"

Zwei barked again, his tail wagging furiously, and Ruby scratched behind his ears before standing.

Taiyang stepped back, crossing his arms as he watched his daughters head toward the van. "Remember, call me if you need anything—and come back to visit every now and then!"

"We will!" Ruby called over her shoulder, waving as she climbed into the passenger seat.

Yang fired up the engine, which sputtered dramatically before roaring to life. Blake and Weiss were already settled in the back, and as the van pulled out of the driveway, Ruby leaned out the window to give her dad one last wave.

Taiyang stood in the driveway, watching as the van disappeared down the road. "Take care, girls," he murmured to himself.

The van rumbled down the road, the Xiao Long house shrinking into the distance until it disappeared entirely behind the trees. Ruby sat quietly in the passenger seat, her silver eyes fixed on the passing forest. The faint hum of the engine filled the silence, broken only by the occasional rattle from somewhere in the van.

Her smile, which had lingered since they'd said goodbye to Taiyang, slowly faded. She lowered her head, resting her hands in her lap as the forest blurred by. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her cloak, the weight of leaving home settling in her chest.

Yang glanced at Ruby from the driver's seat, her amber eyes flicking between the road and her sister. She could tell something was bothering her, the way her shoulders slumped and her gaze stayed fixed on the floor. Keeping one hand steady on the wheel, Yang carefully reached over and placed her other hand on Ruby's shoulder.

"Hey," Yang said gently, her voice warm and steady. "It's gonna be alright. This is just the beginning."

Ruby turned her head and met Yang's eyes, the faintest smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah," she said softly. "It is."

Yang gave her shoulder a light squeeze before returning her hand to the wheel. "You've got me, Weiss, and Blake. Whatever comes next, we'll figure it out together."

Ruby nodded, her smile lingering a little longer this time. "Thanks, Yang."

The van rolled on, the thick trees of Patch slowly giving way to open fields. In the distance, the faint sound of the ocean grew louder, mingling with the cool evening breeze. As they approached the docks, the sharp smell of saltwater filled the air, and the outline of the ferry came into view.

Yang guided the van into the line of vehicles waiting to board and turned off the engine. Blake and Weiss climbed out to stretch their legs, but Ruby stayed in her seat, her gaze fixed on the horizon.

Across the water, she could see the remains of Vale. The city she once called home was barely recognizable, its skyline marred by destruction. Entire districts had been reduced to rubble during the war, leaving only fragments of its former glory. The parts that were still habitable had become a haven for returning citizens, many struggling to rebuild their lives.

Ruby shifted in her seat, nerves knotting in her stomach. She had seen Vale many times from a distance, standing at the cliffside near her mother's grave in Patch, but this was different. Now, she was actually going back, and the reality of it felt heavier than she had expected.

"Ruby?" Weiss's voice broke through her thoughts. She turned to see Weiss standing beside the open passenger door, her pale blue eyes soft with concern.

"Yeah?" Ruby asked, forcing a smile.

"Are you alright?" Weiss tilted her head, studying her carefully.

Ruby hesitated, her gaze flickering back toward the distant city. "I think so. I'm just… nervous, I guess."

Blake joined them, leaning casually against the doorframe. "It's okay to be nervous. It's going to be rough, but you're not going through this alone."

Ruby looked between Weiss and Blake, her heart warming at their quiet reassurance. "Thanks, guys. Really."

Yang leaned out the driver's side window, her signature grin already in place. "Hey, don't leave me out of this! Come on, Rubes, it's just an old ferry ride and some broken buildings. We've faced way worse."

Ruby laughed softly, shaking her head. "You're right. We've got this."

The ferry horn blared, and Yang started the engine. Following the line of cars, she carefully drove the van onto the deck. As they parked and climbed out, Ruby stepped to the railing, gazing out at the shimmering ocean stretching behind them.

Her grip on the railing tightened slightly as the van disappeared into the background noise of the ferry. The horizon ahead held something uncertain, but also the chance for something new.