Amusement Park

...

"AHHHH!"

Weiss' scream tore through the air as the roller coaster shot through a sharp turn, the wind whipping her hair wildly behind her.

Beside her, Rinko sat comfortably, one arm resting against the safety bar as he looked ahead with mild amusement. He wasn't screaming. He wasn't even phased. If anything, he was enjoying the view.

Ahead of them, Ruby and Yang had their arms raised high in the air.

"WOOOOO!" Yang whooped, grinning ear to ear, while Ruby was laughing, the sheer thrill of the ride electrifying her.

Weiss, meanwhile, had both hands gripping the harness for dear life.

And then—just when she thought she could relax—the roller coaster came to a sudden halt at its highest peak.

Weiss held her breath.

Her heart pounded as she stole a quick glance at the massive drop ahead. The entire park stretched out below them, the sight beautiful and terrifying all at once.

Beside her, Rinko chuckled. "You good?"

Weiss turned, glaring at him through narrowed eyes. "Never better," she bit out.

"You were screaming."

"I was not screaming," she huffed, trying to maintain what little dignity she had left.

Rinko smirked. "Pretty sure I heard you."

"N-no, I wasn't! I was just—"

Before she could finish her sentence, the roller coaster plunged.

"AHHHHHHHHH!" Weiss screamed again, her voice perfectly in sync with the chorus of cheers from Ruby and Yang.

"WOOOOOOO!" the two sisters yelled, having the time of their lives.

Rinko, meanwhile, simply observed.

Not a scream. Not a flinch. Just a slight smirk as the wind rushed past him.

Weiss, between her screaming, definitely noticed.

As the ride continued to twist and turn, she briefly stole a glance at him, scowling through her adrenaline-fueled panic.

Of course he wasn't affected.

Of course he had to make this look easy.

She would've argued about it—if she weren't currently plummeting down another stomach-churning drop.

Instead, she just screamed again.

And Rinko?

Rinko just enjoyed the ride.

The moment the roller coaster screeched to a halt, Weiss practically launched herself out of the seat. She stumbled slightly as she stepped onto the platform, her knees wobbly and her grip on the railing tighter than necessary.

Rinko, Ruby, and Yang followed shortly after, stepping off with far less urgency. Unlike Weiss—who looked like she had just gone through a life-or-death experience—the three of them were grinning, exhilaration still buzzing in their veins.

Their hair, however, told a different story.

Rinko's silver strands were ruffled beyond repair, Weiss' once-pristine ponytail was a tangled mess, Ruby's hood was barely hanging onto her shoulders, and Yang's wild mane looked even wilder than usual.

"Pfft—" Ruby covered her mouth to stifle a giggle as she looked at Weiss, especially her hair.

"Oh no..." Weiss immediately started smoothing out her hair, fingers working frantically to fix the mess the ride had made of her once-perfect appearance.

Yang stretched her arms above her head, still high on adrenaline. "Man, that was fun!"

"Agreed," Rinko nodded, adjusting his gloves.

"Never again," Weiss muttered under her breath, still slightly pale from the experience.

As they rejoined the group, Blake greeted them with an amused look, holding out four chilled milkshakes in a plastic bag.

"So, did you enjoy the ride?" she asked, handing each of them a cup.

"Sure did!" Ruby beamed, taking a big sip of her drink.

"Best ride yet," Yang added, shaking her hair out with a grin.

Weiss, on the other hand, took her milkshake with a stiff, trembling grip.

"No..." she muttered, voice low, haunted. "That was the worst."

That was the worst ride she had ever been on.

Her legs still felt like jelly. Her heart was still hammering in her chest. She swore she had died at least once during that drop.

Rinko casually sipped his milkshake, looking at her with a knowing smirk. "You screamed."

"I did NOT scream!"

"You totally did," Yang chimed in.

"You guys were yelling too!" Weiss snapped, pointing at Ruby and Yang in mock accusation.

"Yeah, but we were having fun," Ruby giggled.

Rinko merely chuckled, shaking his head. "It's okay, Weiss. We all have our limits."

Weiss groaned "Rgghh... For your information, I was not scared."

"Says the girl who nearly had a heart attack," Yang teased.

The group chuckled as Weiss scowled, stirring her milkshake in a pout. She would get back at them for this.

Team RWBY & Rinko walked through the amusement park for quite sometime now as they sipped their milkshakes.

Yet, as Weiss stood still in front of a particular game stand, everything else seemed distant—just background noise to the weight of her thoughts.

Her gaze lingered on the dartboard, her fingers curling slightly at her sides. She hadn't even realized she had stopped walking.

She paused as she stared at the game stand. 'Rinko and I used to play a lot of darts when we were a kid..' she thought.

She wasn't just looking at a game.

She was looking at a memory.

A memory of another time, another place—one where she and her Rinko would spend hours perfecting their aim, competing against each other, betting things as simple as who got the last muffins Klein baked or who had to carry the other's books after lessons.

She could still hear his laugh whenever he won, could still recall his determined expression whenever he didn't.

She could almost feel the nostalgia settle in her chest like a dull ache.

Rinko halted as he turned to Weiss. Ruby, Blake, and Yang noticed it, too. They exchanged looks before shifting their attention to Rinko.

Yang sighed, reaching over to slap Rinko's shoulder before leaning in.

"Go talk to her," she whispered.

"Yang, I—"

"Yoink."

Before he could protest, Yang shoved him straight toward Weiss with enough force to make him stumble.

He barely caught his footing, shooting her a dry look. Yang just smirked and winked, already pulling Ruby and Blake ahead with her.

With a resigned sigh, Rinko turned to Weiss.

She was still lost in thought, her fingers lightly brushing against her arm, her expression distant—until she finally registered his presence beside her.

Her head turned slightly, her blue eyes shifting between him and the now-distant group. She blinked.

"They left," she muttered, half to herself.

"Mm," Rinko hummed. "Guess it's just us now."

Weiss exhaled through her nose, shaking her head slightly before glancing at the game stand once more.

"You've been staring at the darts for a while now," Rinko said casually, easing into the silence.

Weiss hesitated for a moment before answering. "It's nothing." She waved a hand dismissively. "Rinko and I used to play darts a lot when we were kids. I just happened to recall it."

Rinko—Kakashi—hummed in thought, his gaze flickering to the game.

For a moment, he said nothing, simply observing her. Then, before Weiss could react, he walked toward the game stand and placed some lien on the counter.

"A game for two," he declared.

The vendor, a middle-aged man with a friendly smile, took the money and handed over the darts. "Enjoy your time, sir!"

Weiss sighed. She made her way towards Rinko—Kakashi as she raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "What do you think you're doing?"

Rinko turned to her, twirling a dart between his fingers before holding one out toward her.

"Are you gonna stand there, or are you gonna play with me?"

Weiss hesitated, her lips parting slightly.

It was so similar.

The way he said it, the way he stood there, challenging her—not as Rinko Schnee, not as the brother she had lost—but as Kakashi.

A different person. And yet...

She could almost hear her Rinko saying the exact same thing.

For a moment, the ache in her chest threatened to rise.

But then—

A small smirk tugged at her lips.

"I'm not planning on losing either, Kakashi," she said, taking the dart from his hand.

His eye crinkled with amusement. "Then let's see if you've still got it, Princess."

Weiss scoffed, rolling the dart between her fingers. "Please. If anything, I should be asking you that."

Kakashi chuckled as he stepped up to the line. "We'll see."

They both took their positions—the challenge was set. And just for a little while... just for this moment... Weiss wasn't thinking about the past.

She was here.

With Kakashi.

And for now, that was enough.

The Rest of Team RWBY

The amusement park was still alive with color and laughter, the air buzzing with the excited chatter of families and friends enjoying their day. The scent of fried food, cotton candy, and popcorn blended into an intoxicating mix of nostalgia.

But for Ruby, Yang, and Blake, the moment felt a little heavier.

Having finished their milkshakes, they made their way toward a nearby trash bin, tossing their empty cups away. Ruby adjusted her cloak slightly, exhaling as her silver eyes flickered toward the direction where Weiss and Rinko had wandered off.

"I really wish Weiss would get better," Ruby murmured, a faint crease forming between her brows.

Blake, standing beside her, folded her arms. "She will, Ruby. In time, she will."

Yang nodded, though she remained silent, her lilac gaze shifting toward the sky for a moment. She wanted to believe that. Really, she did. But seeing Weiss struggling, even if she tried to hide it, hurt.

Just as they were about to move on, someone turned the corner—

A man with messy black hair, red eyes dull and clouded, his signature tattered cape hanging loosely off his shoulders.

And, in his hand, a half-empty bottle of alcohol.

Yang's eyes narrowed slightly. Ruby's breath hitched.

Blake's ears twitched.

"U-Uncle Qrow?!" Ruby muttered, voice laced with both shock and concern.

Qrow blinked slowly, his head tilting lazily as he registered the familiar voice. His movements were sluggish, and when he focused on Ruby, it was clear it took him a moment to really process who she was.

"Oh... Ruby..." he muttered, his words slightly slurred. He paused, swaying just a little on his feet. "What are you doing here?"

Ruby took a cautious step closer, concern evident in her expression. "Uncle Qrow... are you drunk?"

Qrow scoffed, lifting his bottle to his lips for another swig. "Pfft. No... 'm fine. Completely sober—" He hiccupped, then gestured vaguely. "Here, look! I can prove it to you. Hold up two fingers, and I'll see two fingers!"

Yang pinched the bridge of her nose, already predicting where this was going.

Ruby hesitated, then lifted her hand, holding up two fingers.

Qrow squinted.

Then squinted harder.

His red eyes glazed over as he tried to focus, his vision doubling. His face scrunched up.

He saw four fingers.

'Shit.'

"... Y'know what? I think my eyesight's gettin' worse," he muttered under his breath.

"Uncle Qrow..." Ruby's voice softened. "Are you okay?"

"You've been drinking a lot lately," Yang added, her voice quieter than usual.

Qrow waved them off, attempting to brush past the conversation. "I'm fine. I'm—"

His legs gave out.

Before anyone could react, he collapsed onto the ground, face-first.

And just like that, the sound of light snoring followed.

The three girls stood there for a moment, staring down at their unconscious uncle sprawled out on the pavement.

A heavy silence.

Then—

"Oh, come on!" Yang groaned, running a hand through her hair. "We are NOT carrying him all the way back."

Ruby sighed, already crouching down. "We have to."

Blake crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Why don't we just leave him here? He's already asleep."

Yang snorted. "We could put a hat next to him and let people toss lien at him."

Ruby gave her an exasperated look. "Yang."

"What? It'd be hilarious." Yang shrugged, clearly enjoying trolling Ruby.

"He's our uncle!"

"He's also a drunk who just passed out in the middle of a theme park," Blake pointed out.

Ruby groaned, rubbing her temples. "Can we just—help me already?"

Yang and Blake exchanged glances.

Then, with an exaggerated sigh, Yang crouched down beside Ruby, hoisting one of Qrow's arms over her shoulder. Blake reluctantly grabbed his other side.

"He's heavier than he looks," Blake muttered as they began dragging him away.

"Yeah, well," Yang grumbled, shifting his weight, "deadweight will do that."

As they struggled to carry him, Qrow muttered something incoherent in his sleep.

Ruby sighed again. "Uncle Qrow... what are we gonna do with you?"

Back to Weiss & Rinko

The game of darts had stretched out longer than expected. Weiss and Rinko had been playing for nearly an hour, and despite the competitive atmosphere, it was clear they were enjoying themselves.

A few empty cups of soda sat at the game stand's counter, and the vendor—who had originally been watching them with mild amusement—was now fully invested in the match.

Weiss was focused, her eyes locked onto the dartboard. She twirled a dart between her fingers before raising it, her stance confident.

Rinko leaned slightly against the counter, arms crossed, a relaxed smirk on his face. "Feeling the pressure?"

Weiss scoffed. "Please. If anything, you should be nervous."

She took her shot.

The dart hit just shy of the bullseye.

Weiss huffed, crossing her arms as Rinko stepped up.

"Not bad," he admitted, spinning a dart between his fingers. "But let me show you how it's done."

He threw his dart with ease.

It landed just next to Weiss'—a little closer to the center, but not quite a bullseye either. It was on purpose.

Weiss smirked. "Hah!"

Rinko clicked his tongue. "Tch. Close."

The vendor chuckled, shaking his head. "You two are real competitors, huh?"

Weiss and Rinko exchanged glances before smirking.

It had been a long time since Weiss had felt like this—just having fun, free of heavy thoughts. There was no Atlas, no Schnee name weighing on her shoulders. Just the familiar thrill of competition, the sharp focus of the game, and the presence of someone who—despite everything—felt like family.

"Yeah, you could say that," Rinko replied, casually flipping another dart between his fingers.

Weiss adjusted her grip on her next dart, her sapphire eyes gleaming with renewed determination. "Still, I won't back down just yet!"

She grinned, the fire of competition sparking in her gaze.

Rinko chuckled, raising a brow. "Oh? Those are big words. You sure you can back them up?"

"Watch me," Weiss shot back, stepping forward.

She took a breath, steadied her aim, and threw.

Thwack.

The dart landed—just a hair's breadth closer to the bullseye than Rinko's last shot. Weiss turned her head slightly, her expression smug.

Rinko blinked. Then, a slow smirk crept onto his face. "Well, well, someone's getting cocky."

The vendor whistled, clearly impressed. "She's got some skill, kid. You sure you can keep up?"

Rinko exhaled through his nose in amusement before picking up another dart. "Guess there's only one way to find out."

He lined up his shot, taking a moment to roll his shoulders as if he were shaking off some imaginary tension.

Weiss crossed her arms, watching intently. "No pressure," she teased.

Rinko just smiled. "Oh, none at all."

With a flick of his wrist, the dart soared through the air—

Thwack.

Right next to Weiss' shot.

Neither of them moved for a moment, their eyes locked on the dartboard. The crowd that had subtly gathered around the stall let out an impressed murmur.

Rinko leaned slightly toward Weiss, lowering his voice just enough for only her to hear.

"Looks like we're tied."

Weiss tilted her chin up defiantly. "Not for long."

The vendor clapped his hands together. "Alright, folks! Last shot—let's see who takes home the title!"

A small crowd had formed around them at this point—passersby who had stopped to watch the unexpected rivalry unfold. Even some of the other game stand owners were glancing over, intrigued by the competitive energy radiating between the two.

Weiss took her position.

The world around her faded slightly, the voices of the crowd dimming as she focused.

This was just like the games she used to play with him.

With a steady breath, she raised her arm, fingers tight around the dart. The weight was familiar. The rhythm, second nature.

She threw.

Thwack.

A hair closer to the bullseye.

The crowd let out a small cheer, and Weiss smirked, stepping back confidently. "Beat that."

Rinko sighed, shaking his head. "Man. You really don't make this easy, do you?"

Weiss shrugged. "Of course not."

Rinko picked up his final dart, spinning it between his fingers before setting his stance. He took a breath.

Steady. Smooth.

This wasn't a fight.

This wasn't war.

This was just... fun.

And for the first time in a long while, he let himself enjoy it.

With an easy flick of his wrist, the dart sailed through the air—

Thwack.

A perfect bullseye.

The crowd let out a small uproar, a few people clapping.

Rinko turned his head, his expression relaxed but victorious. "I believe that's game, Weiss."

Weiss narrowed her eyes at the dartboard, arms crossed. For a second, Rinko thought she might actually argue.

But then, after a moment of silence—

A soft chuckle.

Weiss shook her head, smiling despite herself.

"Fine. You win this round," she admitted, though her voice was lined with mock reluctance. "But next time? I will win."

Rinko smirked. "Looking forward to it."

The vendor laughed, shaking his head as he reached for a prize from behind the counter. "That was one of the best matches I've seen in a long time! Here, kid—you earned it."

He handed Rinko a stuffed toy—a small, plush Beowolf with comically oversized eyes.

Rinko blinked at it.

Weiss stared at the ridiculous-looking Grimm plush.

Then, at the same time, they both burst into laughter.

"That... has got to be the ugliest plush I've ever seen," Weiss wheezed, trying to catch her breath.

Rinko snickered, turning it in his hands. "Y'know, I think it suits you."

Weiss smacked his arm.

"Ow. Fine, fine," Rinko chuckled before suddenly tossing it toward her.

Weiss fumbled slightly, caught off guard. "Wait—why are you giving it to me?"

Rinko grinned. "Call it a consolation prize."

Weiss huffed but hugged the plush against her chest. "I will get my rematch."

"And I'll be waiting," Rinko said, hands in his pockets, as both of them walked together. The afternoon soon became Evening.

Amusement Park, Overlooking Tower

The cool night breeze carried the scent of the sea, mingling with the distant aroma of fried food and cotton candy from below. The Overlooking Tower was the tallest structure in the amusement park, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of Argus.

From this height, the city stretched out beneath them, glowing with the warm, golden lights of streetlamps and bustling shops. The Atlas base stood out in the distance, a stark contrast to the lively city—a reminder of what lay beyond their moment of peace.

Weiss stood at the railing, the small Beowolf plush tucked securely in her arms. Its ridiculous, oversized eyes almost seemed to stare back at her, and despite herself, she smiled. She wasn't sure why she hadn't just stuffed it into her bag. Maybe it was because it felt... familiar. A memento of the day. Of a rare moment of lightheartedness amidst the chaos.

Rinko stood beside her, hands tucked into his pockets, his silver hair gently tousled by the wind. He wasn't saying much, but then again, he didn't need to. The silence between them wasn't awkward—it never was. It was comfortable. A quiet understanding.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Weiss' gaze lingered on the sea, where the dark waves shimmered under the moonlight. The ocean always reminded her of Atlas. Of home. Of expectations.

She exhaled softly, her fingers absentmindedly squeezing the plush.

"I wonder what Rinko would think if he saw me like this?" she mused aloud.

Rinko—Kakashi—turned at the sound of her voice, his gaze resting on her thoughtfully. He watched as she traced her fingers over the plush toy, her grip tightening slightly.

"What would he say after he saw everything we've been through?" Weiss continued, chuckling softly. "He would probably just rant at me. Complain that I didn't listen, that I took too many risks."

A small, fond smile tugged at her lips, though there was a heaviness beneath it. "He always had something to say about everything. Never knew when to shut up."

Rinko remained silent, watching her carefully. The way her voice wavered ever so slightly... the way her grip on the plush betrayed her emotions.

He could see it.

Even now, she still longed for the presence of the brother she had lost.

And maybe... maybe she ready to know.

Rinko exhaled, his fingers tapping against the cool metal of the railing. His mind drifted back to the dream—the moment when he stood face-to-face with the real Rinko Schnee.

His hesitation didn't last long.

"Weiss," he called her name, his voice softer than usual.

She turned to him, raising an eyebrow at his sudden seriousness.

He took a slow breath before speaking again.

"I met him."

Weiss blinked. "What?"

"Rinko," he clarified, finally turning to face her. "After the Fall of Beacon, when we were escaping on the Atlas airship... I fell asleep. And in that dream, I met him."

Weiss's breath caught. She turned to him fully now, her expression a mix of shock and cautious curiosity. "You... met my brother?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

A breeze rustled through the tower, stirring Weiss's hair. She swallowed, waiting.

"It wasn't like meeting a ghost," Rinko—explained, leaning against the railing. "It felt real. We were in the Schnee Manor, everything exactly as I remembered it. He was sitting there, watching TV, eating cereal like nothing had changed. But we both knew it wasn't real. And we both knew why I was there."

Weiss barely breathed, her knuckles whitening as she clutched the plushie. "What did he say to you?"

A small, nostalgic smile tugged at Rinko's lips. "He called me a faker."

Weiss blinked before letting out a soft laugh, almost on instinct. "That... sounds like him."

Rinko chuckled as well, though his amusement faded quickly.

"But he wasn't angry," he continued. "Not like I thought he'd be. He watched everything—every fight, every decision I made. And instead of demanding his body back... he thanked me."

Weiss's lips parted slightly, her breath hitching.

"He told me I had done more with his life than he ever could. That I protected his family, his sister." Rinko met her gaze then, his voice softer. "That he trusted me to keep going."

Weiss turned away slightly, pressing her lips together.

She had always wondered—if Rinko could see them now, if he could see her, what would he think? Would he be proud? Disappointed? Angry? But to hear this, from the very person who carried his name now...

"Before he left," Rinko added, his tone quieter now, almost hesitant. "He asked me for one last thing."

Weiss forced herself to look at him, heart pounding. "What was it?"

Rinko held her gaze, his words gentle yet firm.

"He told me to take care of you."

Weiss sucked in a quiet breath, her chest tightening.

For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, slowly, she exhaled, a small, shaky smile tugging at her lips.

Weiss' breath hitched.

Rinko turned toward the cityscape again, letting the words settle between them.

A breeze passed by, ruffling Weiss' hair.

For a long moment, she said nothing.

Then, finally, she exhaled softly.

"That idiot..." she murmured, a faint tremble in her voice.

Rinko didn't respond, giving her the space to process it all.

Weiss tightened her grip on the plush, her fingers digging into the soft fabric.

"Even after death... he still finds a way to nag me," she whispered, chuckling shakily.

But despite the teasing words, Rinko could hear the emotion beneath them.

A quiet grief.

A quiet relief.

A piece of closure she never knew she needed.

She wiped at her eyes quickly, before turning to him. Her expression was unreadable for a moment—before softening into something vulnerable.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Rinko blinked, slightly surprised.

"For what?"

"For telling me." She looked back toward the horizon, her grip on the plush finally loosening. "For doing this.. for me.. and for everyone else. You've done so much for us.. So thank you, Rinko."

Rinko stared at her for a moment.

She calls him Rinko once again.

He sighed as he reached up, ruffling her hair lightly.

"I guess I can't help it," he admitted. "Also, you Schnee twins are stubborn."

Weiss let out a soft laugh at that. "What can I say? It runs in the blood."

And for the first time in a long while, She leaned closer to Rinko as they stood there overlooking Argus, she felt just a little bit lighter.

[End]

Weiss would be calling Rinko as Rinko again because she felt he earned it.