"*sigh* Tai what is your favorite story?" she said knowing the secret message behind it ' their's a secret truth behind this '
As Tai looks at her shock to this then looks at the story then the wayfinders it quickly clicked in his mind
" you mean that you " as looks at the book that from what he heard from what she was reading the book and from some experience at knowing that their's more to it and that their more then stories and it always holds some form of truth no matter how big or small
As she nods her head in knowing what he was asking
Out of nowhere his legs gave out but Summer caught him just before falling to the ground
"Tai!" She called out to him in Worry
"Im fine, I'm fine it just it's alot to take in, you were sent to another world when we thought you were dead the whole time"
she shook her head and hugs him tightly with all the love "technically i wasn't" she said which confused Tai and gently pushed her back enough to see eye to eye and asked
"What do you mean by that"
She looks saddened by what seems to be a memory of what had happened and he felt conflicted he wants to know what happened to her But by the look at how her eyes look so hurt and saddened he doesn't want to bring back bad memories
As if reading his thoughts "no you deserve to know and I want to talk about it"she said when looking at him with a soft look
She took a deep breath and let out a sigh as the two went and took a seat on the couch
"After I left for my "mission" I really went after Salem and tried to defeat her" she flinched as she saw the angry look that her husband gave her mixed with disapproval
"Yes i know I know I did something really really stupid but I just got so tired of this stupid shadow war and I don't want Yang or Ruby to get roped into this war I just want them to grow up get married with the person they love the most start their own family and grow old is it to much for a mother to ask for their happiness for their children so they don't have to carry something that they should never be apart off is it!!!!!" She yelled and getting emotional and started to tear up
As she started to whimper as the thought of her dieing was in the forefront of her mind
"When she nearly killed me the first thought that came into my mind wasn't you nor Qrow nor Raven" she said honestly which didn't hurt Tai in the least because he understood what she meant
"It was Yang and Ruby wasn't it" Tai said as fact not a question with summer shyly nodded
Tai really doesn't blame her if was in her shoes he'd probably think the same thing
The air in the room was silent and uncomfortable the only thing that can be heard is the crickets outside as Tai was going speak but Summer beat him to it
" the things that were going through my head were mostly are they going to be OK without me, will they be able to talk with me about their first crush, will I be able to see them go to their first prom dance being able to see them at their wedding when becoming beautiful woman I could only beg to oum anyone who could hear me in my desperate time for one simple wish....." she said as she was beginning to cry her heart out with Tai hugging her close her listening to his heart beat in which was calming her
"what was your wish?" He asked already knowing the answer as he looks down with her looking up locking to eachothers eyes
"To come back home" she answered with a small smile
With Tai caressing her cheek lovingly "and dreams can come true love" as he leans softly kissing his wifes soft lips as a bolt of energy coursed through their bodies and separate just cuddling in their embrace
"I miss this" Tai said softly as rest his head on top of hers
"Yeah me too" as they both stayed like that in comfortable silence
"Tai can you tell me what happened with Ruby earlier" she softly asked
Tai let out a tired sigh knowing what is going to happen after this talk
"It's because Ruby's first Friend died to save her when she was 5 " he said sadly
A gasp leaving her mouth and covering her mouth that her daughter had to exprince such a thing at a young age
"whathappend,doyou rememberhisname?" She was quickly asked questions in quick succession in a worried tone
" woah calm down Sum breath" Tai said
As she took deep breaths to calm herself and when she was he asked to continue
"Well it all started"
- 8 Years ago -
A 5 year old Ruby Rose and a 7 year old Yang Xiao Long were standing with their dad waiting for a bullhead to land for their dad's friend as little Ruby was Sneezing up a storm
"Ruby are you ok" asked her sister in a worried tone
"Yeah just a stuffy nose that's all"said Ruby while sniffling
"You may be catching a cold, we're going have to get you a check up" said Tai making little Ruby pale at the thought of going to the doctor they are evil grimm in disguise she just knows it but no one would believe her
But then minutes passed and Yang was getting bored and was getting annoyed at this
"Ugh dad I'm boooooooooorrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddddddd and huuuuuuuuuuuungryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy" she groaned of boredom and hunger
"Ok why don't you go get some snacks to eat with Ruby from the vending machine while I wait here and remember what I Said" Said Tai as he took out some Lien and gave it to his eldest daughter
"Ok dad come on Rubes"as both Yang and Ruby went of to the vending machines
-Few seconds later-
After the short walk to vending machine they were ready to get snacks until they heard a small
Thunk
As they both jump in surprise and turn to see a a blonde boy puke his lunch out in the trash
"Eeeeeewwwwwwwww" they both said in unison
[Pause flash back]
"Wait wait wait that's how they first met when he was puking in the trash can?" She asked confused cause that's an introduction that they probably won't forget
Tai nodded and smiled at the memories but then that smile fell "can I continue with the story" he asked as she nod for him to continue
"well after that little dissaster Ruby and the kid had a bit of an arguement and started to call eachother by little nicknames wanna guess what call eachother" Tai asked his wife with a cheseire cat smile on her face getting the idea where it's going
"go on tell me"
"sniffles" he said with her trying to push down her laughter but faillling
"&....Pucky" with that it just broke the metaphorical damn for Summer but she had enough strength to laugh silently to not wake up his daughters
with Tai also chuckling at the memory of the two using those little nicknames
"believe it or not they kept those nicknames even well after he got into signal and I got to say till this day their has been no one other in my class that was a scarly fast learner i mean seriously if he wasn't auraless then the students would have thought that he had a semblance that could make him learn quickly or slow down time for cause like wow i would even go as far and call A prodigy among prodigies" said Tai with a lot praise which surprised Summer Tai is a nice guy sure but when it comes to fighting he is pretty serious about it but when he's prassing someone then the kid must have really impressed him
"wow is the infamous picky fighter Tai Xioalong actually prassing someone on their fighting style well I wish I could've met the kid"
'yeah you probably would've liked the kid' he thought
"But then THAT day happend" he said with a sour look on his features
[flash back change ]
-6 years ago-
"i'm so bored" whined little Ruby laying on the couch
"so what do you want me to do about it" said the blonde boy while reading some comic
then out of no where she jumped on his back " Hey what are you doing!"he yelled in surprise
"Ride my fathful steed off to adventure!" she said while dramaticly pointing to the distance
"yeah not happening and you do know I seven sisters that do that to me 24/7 right "he said while still reading the comic with Ruby pouting then goes infront of him pushes the comic book down and was doing the most dasterdly dangerous weapon that any child (manly girls) have up their arsenal... puppy dog eyes
but luckily it didn't have any affect on him, for what reason you may ask well when you have 7 sisters and they do that to you 24/7 you start to build an immunity for it so he just went back to reading his comics
she pouted again but then saw his pumpkin pete sweater and a mischeaveous smile appeared (think of the smile yang has when she has a bad Idea)
"well then i guess i'll go and see what Yang's up to" and she quickly took the sweater without him noticing
"yeah ok" he said but then noticed no more like felt something off and started to feel for something then looked around and noticed that something was missing something precious
"MY HOODIE!? RUBY!!!!" he ran after her yelling in the process and you would have thought that his semblence was speed by how fast he was going
when she turned around she saw something that would probably stay in her nightmares heer friend glaring daggers at her
As she went slitly pale for a second and started to run for her life
"Ruby where do you think your going" jaune asked in a too sweet tone
which made Ruby get a chill down her spine and started to think this was bad idea for a harmless prank she was gonna return it she swears
but then when Jaune was close enough to her, he takled her to the ground and with a yelp they were tumbling on the dirt and when it ended
Ruby sucked in a breath for her being hurt but then looks down to see Jaune inches away from eachothers face few seconds later their faces blow up into an atomic red color and quickly got off eachother
"um sorry about that here" she apologized while giving back his hoodie while not lookin at his direction
"um yeah no it's good and um...thanks" he said as he took back the sweater while his face is extermely red
an awkward silence passes between the two neither breaking the ice the jaune tride breaking the silence but then they looked down to see shadows moving around somehow instinctivly Ruby went for her training pistol but it wasn't there then an image came to the front of her mind
both the pistol and the pistol holder were left back at home
"Ruby do you have your gun?" he asked her as he unsheeths Crocea "Ruby?"
"um don't be mad but I may or may not have left it back at the house"she said shyly
A groan escaped his lips
"hey how was I suppose to know that we would run into Grimm" she tried defending herself
with the boy just giving her an "are you serious" look
but then the figure rised to show
these little guys
Ruby being ruby thought it was cute but the blonde thought otherwise and he was correct into being cautious
cause it jumped towards them to attack she was pulled away from the creature and told go but she wouldn't leave him on his own to fight but she would get in the way
'what can I do i can't fight and protect Ruby at the same time' he thought looking around to see what he could do
as he sees that those things can jump pretty high but not high enough for to reach a branch of a tall tree (just for the stories sake pls pretend they can't jump that high)
that's when realization struck him "Ruby climb the tree behind me now go go"he hurried her as she followed his orders as they went to the tree as Ruby was climbing the tree first as she was climbing the tree and when
she got to the top of the tree but then an even bigger shadow went to attack the boy on the bottom of the tree but he didn't notice it
" . . . Watch out!"she yelled she was shocked as she mumbled to herself " " her mouth moved to say his name but nothing came as if it didn't exist in the first place while in her mind thinking she heard him scream
"GAH!"
when she turned to him he was slowly draged down in a small dark inky puddle
" " she tried screaming out but jumped down and started running towards him
"Ruby don't, don't get any closer" he reached out his hand as to tell the to stay away
as she stops at the edge of the puddle as she frantically looks around to see what she can do to save him she then sees the hoodie on the floor and an idea struck her as she sprinted towards the sweater but as if the shadows knew what she was thinking of the ly blocked her way toward's the sweater
As the sounds of her friend struggling were in the background stress building within as her silver eyes emits a light but then went back to normal but then they attacked her
There are moments that Ruby has to admit that when she maybe fun off because of her height but at that moment she was grateful that she has fast reactions and she's small cause kept dodging the shadows while running towards the the hoodie when she stretched to grab the hoodie but then
"Ruby watch out!" Yelled out the boy as she turns to her right to see
One with a look of a knight as it was inches away from her and time went and slowed down and seeing slowly her demise as the claw coming down at her and in instinct she closes her eyes waiting for the hit to make contact but it never did so she slowly opened her eyes to see that a sword was deep in the things chest to where it falls and hits the floor and merges with the shadows once moreand turns around and sees her friend withm his hand strecht out foward it didn't take a genius to know that he through the sword at the weird grimm thing and june waas now at waist deep
And Ruby quickly yoinked the hoodie towards her as she turned around she came to see that she was surronded as her eyes kept flickering on and off she grabbed the only weapon that was close to her and now was holding on to Crocea and now regrets not taking her training seriously because the sword is a little heavy for her and when she swung the sword it showed alot of openings
but the creature easily dodged her attack but then heard him
"Ruby forget about me just run and get out of here!!" he yelled at her to get out for her safety
Ruby at the young age she was having difficulty on what she should do and felt something snapped and her silver eyes
glowed brightly and all the creatures turned into little dark particles and flew off but her friend was still stuck in the puddle she took one step foward her head was hurting so much she couldn't help but scream in pain
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"
Then she falls into unconsciousness
As the boy screams her name in concern "RUBY!" Worried about Ruby he fights with the puddle as he tries to get out and move but it feels like multiple arms are holding an iron grip on him from getting out but nothing will stop him from getting to her
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH" AS HE SCREAMS WITH A FIERCE LOOK OF DETERMINATION AS HE MOVES AROUND TO TRY AND FREE HIMSELF FROM THE HOLD OF THE DARK PUDDLE HOLDS TO HIM AS THE DARK GOOP LOOSENS ITS HOLD SLIGHTLY HE KEPT ON MOVING NOT STOPPING BUT THEN A SHADOW LIKE HAND GRABBED HIS SHOULDER AKEPT THE HOLD ON HIM PULLING HIM DOWN
As Jaune turned to see the hand multiple shadow hands start to appear grabbing parts of his body his arms his torso his legs he looked frantically to think of a way to get out of this situation but then saw a reflection of light and tuners to see
His shield just out of arms reach as he stretches out his hand it was quickly pulled back by the hands but now the puddle was now at the height of his chest but he stay as calm as he much he can but desperately reaches out
just few inches out of reach
"Come on, Come on, come ooooooonnnnnnn" he mutters under his breath
The dark water now at his shoulders hand centimeters away
"COME OOOOOOOOOONNNNNNN" he muttered even louder
And grabbed hold of it
"YES!" he cheered But was quikly submerged under the dark water with the shield
The forest leaves rustling and the soft wind can be heard
Nothing happeneds
-few seconds later-
Still nothing happened the silence the only things that were heard were the wildlife
But instantly and arm reaches out with the shield in sheath form was slammed to the ground in being held onto and another hand reaches at the sheath and with great difficulty he pulls himself out of the puddle with the hands still having a strong hold of him and bieng streched completly towrds their limit as the were beginning to be ripped apart
seeing the uncouncions infront of him with his sword a look of determination was on his face he kept moving foward even if they kept trying to hold them back he would keep moving no matter what happens he made a promise and he tends to keep it
as he hears a snap it only motivates him to keep going as more snaps are heard the easier it go foward until he made it to where Ruby was and his sword he grabbed his sword and turned to see only one hand is left the stretched arm look like it was ready to snap at any moment as he swiftly grabbed his sword and twisted he slashes the but instead of turning into particles it retreated back into the pool and as seconds pass with nothing happening as he letout a breath he didn't know he was holding and falls on his butt with looking at ruby behinede him as she looks like she is peacefully sleepin like no weird monster was trying to kidnap
but just lets out a sigh and put away Crocea and picks up Ruby bridal style and begins too walk away as Ruby groans awake and sees her best friend ok and he smiles brightly at her
"morning sniffles" he said teasingly as she returns the smile but tiredly and leans back into arms with a smile on her face and sleeps peacfully
"I did say i'll keep my promise didn't I, i'm coming back home i promise" as he gentelly lais her down under the shadow of a tree with the warmth of the rays of sun slghtly hitting her face
"see you later sniffles" he said as he lightly kissed her in the forehead and was turning into particles of light
Then Ruby wakes up in her room grogly and she was wearing a pumkin pete hoodie that had a stitch on the sleeve for it seems it was ripped and zwei was sleeping next to her and as he was rolling around he fell of the bed
which woke him up and made Ruby chuckle a little bit and looks at the window putting her and over her heart remembering what the words from what the dream said " I'm coming back home" she reapeted the words he said and in remebering those exact words she felt a warmth within her chest that she thought that she wouldn't feel again it was hope but with a something more than that but she couldn't figure out what and with the events of yesterday night returning that hope became stronger than before
as she goes in through the sweater looking for something she takes out a necklace that looks like a small version of the kite shield but with the emblem of two arcs with pink on her cheeks easily seen
"hope you back home yo me" she said as she holds the necklace close to her heart
"My knight" she said alongside a smile that held something of beauty