THREE MONTHS LATER
"I hereby dub thee, Fort GRY (gray)!" Ruby yelled as she cut a red ribbon being held by Yang and Guts. They all cheered in celebration. In the months following the children's first meeting, Guts had found himself growing attached to Ruby and Yang. he learned that the girls are actually half-sisters, with Yang's mother walking away from them and Ruby's mother passing away a while ago, despite that they still love each other as a family. They would spend most of their time at the training spot, helping Guts with training or playing "Hunters and Huntresses." They liked to think of themselves as team GRY. However, they adopted a new puppy, named Zwei. They became team GRYZ. If they weren't at the training spot or pretending to be hunters, they could be found at the girl's house. They spent most of their time there playing video games. Guts was getting better. He still got wrecked by Yang and Ruby, but he was improving.
Guts later consented to the girls adding their own personalized touches to the treehouse. This included a new area for working on bikes courtesy of Yang, and an away home for Zwei. Guts went ahead and created a new team flag to hang up on the canopy tent
"Now all that's left is the sign," Guts said as he gave Yang a smirk.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it. It's supposed to be ironic," Yang said as she placed a sign in front of a tree that read "Fort GRY. KEEP OUT!"
"Now no one will enter our fort!" Yelled Ruby. Yang chuckled at her sister's excitement.
"Well what're we waiting for? Let's go and settle in already ." Yang said as she made her way to the tent doorway.
"We'll catch up, Guts and I just want to take one more lap around the fort," Ruby said as Guts nodded in agreement. Yang shrugged and made her way in.
"Don't take too long," was all she said. Once she made sure that Yang was out of earshot, Ruby focused her attention on Guts.
"You know the plan right?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah, why?" Guts asked in confusion.
"There's been a slight change. We're going to need you to distract Yang for an hour."
"Alright, it shouldn't be too hard, but why?" Guts said as he tilted his head in confusion.
"The pyrotechnics guy called dad and said he was going to be late. With the time it takes to unload all the equipment, he won't be set up by the time Yang was supposed to be home. That's why we need you to keep her busy until then." Ruby explained with a sigh.
"No big deal. So you only need an hour right?" Guts asked. Ruby nodded. "I guess I could think of something for us to do," Guts said
"No swordplay with yang" Ruby said with an exasperated tone. Guts immediately groaned.
"You're no fun."
"We wouldn't want Yang getting cuts on her birthday would we? Besides, why do you insist on her learning how to use a sword, anyway?"
"I only think it's right to know different fighting styles, and that goes double for you too ," Guts said while pointing at ruby.
"I'm still young and also we have plenty of time to choose our weapon and fighting style ?" Ruby shot back while crossing her arms.
"I say it best to start now rather than later." Guts said. Any further conversation was cut short when Yang appeared.
"What's taking you guys so long? Hurry up!" Yang said as she disappeared into the tent again. Guts and Ruby made their way inside. Before entering, they had a last exchange.
"What time should I show up?" Guts asked.
'"Around five. Don't come back until after six." Ruby said quickly before going inside. Guts followed soon after.
THE NEXT DAY, 05:02
"So, what are we doing again?" Yang asked Guts as they made their way down to a clearing near the fort.
"We're going to spar for a bit." Guts said getting into a fight stance with his arm up in front of him. Since hanging out with the girls, both Yang and Tai helped him with his hand to hand combat. Significantly improving since his time with the merc's
"I really don't want to, maybe if dad was here sure but I'm not in the mood right now." Yang informed the black eyed boy.
"That's fine. that only proves that I'm far better than you in terms of combat..." Guts paused as he looked at Yang, seeing her with a scowling expression as she got into a fighting stance. He smirked as they approached each other ready to trade blows.
BACK AT THE XIAO LONG RESIDENCE
"Dad, how many fireworks did you order?" Ruby asked as she watched the pyrotechnics guy unload box after box of the stuff.
"All of them," Taiyang said with a crazed grin. He enjoyed watching stuff blow up just as much as Yang.
THE FORT, 05:28
There was a rhythm of punches heard out in the woods. Guts and yang are in a session of quick jabs and hay makers. When sparring with each other they don't go hard in the beat down, but they manage to drag on a fight until the point of exhaustion "So you ready to leave?" Guts asked as he shot out two right jabs and a left punch at Yang, only for her to deflect the first two and counter the punch, she nodded in agreement. "Let's go," Guts said as he delivers a push kick to Yang, as she braced herself. she skidded for a bit
"Why do you always get a kick in after every session?" Yang observed in confusion. Guts grinned in amusement.
"One thing I notice when we train is that you're not that good with kicking, it's only fisticuffs with you," Guts paused as he catch his breath and continued . "As a fighter you have to be ready for unexpected attacks," Guts said as Yang slug him in the arm
"Like that!" she said with a smirk
Guts just let out a breath seeing how he should have seen that come. They both rest for a while before taking off. As they walked, Guts was still lecturing Yang on combat, as he stopped she had a thought that had her wondering for a while "Guts how are you like this?" she asked, prompting Guts to look at her in confusion.
"I mean why are you the way you are? You act like an adult and only seem to care about strength, and you seem to know more about fighting than I do.." she stop and looks at Guts seeing him looking forward not saying anything. Guts has not told anyone about his mercenary life in the past seeing how the people he connected with will shun him away
He looks to Yang before speaking "will I did not always live in the orphanage before you know" Guts said as he looks forward in the path, Yang was surprised by this she thought that Guts life was the orphanage.
"Where were you before the orphanage?" Yang asked, the black eyed boy thought for a second before answering. "I used to hang out with some people but I would rather not get into it" despite being friends Guts has been a total mystery to them. He knows swordsmanship, hand to hand combat and an idea on how the world works despite being the same age as her . Any mention of his past stays quiet, she wishes that he can be more open towards them.
"However just to answer your first question, I guess I see the world for what it is with all it fault... but that does not mean that it should be like that we can change, keep on marching on despite the tributes we faced" Guts answered,as Yang look at Guts , she found his perspective interesting he see the worse of thing but refuses to let that be the norm
"You know, you're oddly perceptive for a seven-year-old." Yang finally said. Guts grunted a little. He looked at the sun and estimated it to be 5:40-50. On an unrelated note, there's no sign of Grimm so he's fine for the rest of the night. Guts quickly estimated the time it would take to walk to Yang's home and decided that it was okay for them to leave.
"Come on Yang, It's getting late. I'll take you home." Guts didn't even give her a chance to complain. He grabbed her wrist and started dragging her home.
"I hope they're all set up," Guts muttered quietly so Yang wouldn't hear him.
XIAO LONG RESIDENCE
"I think it looks pretty good," Taiyang said to no one in particular while he admired the scene before him. He really did a good job on the party decorations. To add to that, the pyrotechnics guy was all set up. What he considered his greatest achievement however was that he had finally found a way to temporarily deal with Ruby's sugar hype.
Sure he had lost hope for the party when he had found Ruby drinking a punch with a disgusting amount of sugar in it. He'll even admit that he cried a little at the thought of Ruby destroying his hard work. That didn't happen though. Before her rampage could begin, she found a ball of yarn. As it turns out, Ruby is a huge fan of balls of yarn when she is on a sugar high, kind of like a cat. When she found it, all her attention went to playing with it. Once her high went down, she quickly lost interest and discarded the yarn. She didn't see Taiyang discreetly take it and put it away for keeping.
Now all he had to do was wait for Guts to bring his daughter home.
OUTSIDE 06:03
"I actually had a good time, Guts. C'mon, let's go inside and play Kung Fu Ultimate Ninja Death Battle. I'll even go easy on you," Yang said with a teasing smile. She didn't see Guts trying to hide a suspicious smirk. When she opened the door, she found that it was all dark. Confused, she turned on the lights.
"SURPRISE!" Taiyang, Ruby, and Guts yelled at the top of their lungs. The fact that Guts had screamed right into her ear had legitimately startled the girl, so she did what was natural. She swung at the nearest person. This just so happened to be Guts .
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Yang kept repeating as she looked at Guts, who was laying on the floor with a deadpan face. Taiyang and Ruby had blank looks on their faces.
"Is this going to be a recurring thing now?" Guts asked himself. Sure the punch hadn't really hurt, but it was still annoying. "Well happy birthday Yang," Guts said as his annoyed look turned into an amused one as he got up.
"Thanks buddy!" Yang said while throwing her arm around his neck. She was quickly glomped by Ruby and Taiyang, each saying their own happy birthday. "You know, in hindsight it was a little strange how none of you congratulated me earlier." Yang said with a smile. What followed was a pleasant evening of games, cake, fun, and a very copious amount of fireworks. So much that a police officer was called in.
"...So as you can see, we had it all under control." Taiyang and the pyrotechnics guy explained to the police officer. Guts, Yang, and Ruby were in the kitchen polishing off the rest of the ice cream and waiting for Taiyang to return so they could continue their session of Remnant the Game.
"What is taking so long?" Guts said as he got up and walked towards the door. "Hey Taiyang you okay he-" Guts stopped mid-sentence when he got a look at the officer. The officer's face lit up . Judging from the expression the officer was giving him, it seemed that the feeling was mutual.
"Guts?"
"...sir." Guts said. Taiyang looks between the two of them .
"Do you know Guts? " Taiyang asked. The unnerving silence got the attention of Yang and Ruby, which caused them to come outside,
"... yes we met a while ago he was the one that escorted me to the orphanage " Guts said, he was slightly nervous. Taiyang tilted his head in confusion.
"The boy seems to be on edge, " the pyrotechnics guy said. "Though based on the tone of voice there's no ill will between them" , the Pyrotechnics guy astutely observed, Taiyang looked at him in surprise.
"You sure seem to know a lot about this, pyrotechnics guy," Taiyang said, turning his attention to him forgetting Guts and the cop. Pyrotechnics guy looked annoyed at what Taiyang had called him.
"I have a name you know. It's Barry, and the reason I know about this stuff is that I have a degree in rhetoric and logic," the now named Barry said. Taiyang was tempted to ask Barry how he got stuck working as a pyrotechnics entertainer at children's parties, but he refrained as he was pretty sure that would open up a can of worms he didn't need opened at the moment.
"It's good to see you doing well... is this your new family?" he asked Guts.
"No, I'm a friend of the family just here to celebrate a birthday." Guts said with a monotone voice. Taiyang looks at the boy. Was this kid afraid of the police? The cop could tell he making Guts feel uncomfortable
"Well that's good to hear, I'll just leave you be, enjoy the rest of your night " he said, as he turned away from them, having decided to get out of there before he did something he might regret. Guts let out a relief breath
"Yeah you sir " Guts said before going back inside the house. Taiyang raised his brow in curiosity. He composed himself as best as he could before going after Guts . Yang and Ruby followed their dad.
"Guts?" Taiyang said, with a hint of worry. Guts was sitting on the couch while eating another slice of cake.
"Yeah?"
"What was that about?" Taiyang asked
"The thing with the cop? He and a caseworker helped me out getting settled in the orphanage, a kid like me in a police station can be a tad nervous. it's nothing to worry about, he's one of the good ones, " Guts explained. Taiyang calmed down a little when he heard Guts' motives only to hear the last part .
"What do you mean the good ones?'" Taiyang asked.
"Only five officers. Patch has a really honest and nice police force for the most part," Guts said. It was true. When compared to places like Atlas, Patch had a very considerate and respectable police force. "And the rest"
"The rest are pieces of shits mistreating Faunus! some cops had arrested a Faunus for no reason. They weren't gentle when apprehending him either. After that, I made a note and kept that in mind if they came for me." Guts said without batting an eye on his opinion. Taiyang sighed, even if he wasn't the boy's father, he didn't like the idea of having to tell his daughters that Guts had been arrested, or worse, killed. He knows that there more to the boy that meets the eye and knows what he's capable
"Listen Guts, I know that you... have good reason, you can't be looking for trouble." Guts was about to protest when Taiyang held his hand up. "If you push things too far one day you get worse" Taiyang said with a sigh. Yang and Ruby stood awkwardly to the side, unsure of what to do.
"Should we leave?" Ruby whispered to her sister.
"No, I feel like this is important." Yang whispered back. For those wondering, Barry had decided to go around the house to pack up his stuff when he heard the direction the conversation had taken.
"I'm not going to look for trouble but I'm not going to let them have their way without a struggle?" Guts shot back,
"There are better ways to get back at them. Listen to me Guts, right now you're a child. You can get away with a lot of stuff and get off with nothing more than a slap on the wrist. But what about when you're older? What then? They'll be able to do bad things to you. How do you think Yang and Ruby would feel?" Taiyang said as he pointed to the two sisters. Guts seemed conflicted. He didn't like the idea, but he also didn't want to make the two sisters worried for his well being. Finally, he let out a sigh.
"All right, I'll... calm down on that." He glumly said. Taiyang nodded in satisfaction. He then turned around and walked to the kitchen.
"I do believe we were in the middle of an intense session of Remnant the game." He said. The three kids followed soon after.
"I swear corruption is a pain in the ass" Guts said himself. They spent the last couple hours they had having fun, the earlier conversation having been largely forgotten. The highlight of the evening was probably Yang and Ruby trying to get Guts to dance to various songs in order to get a high score on their dancing simulator game. It took awhile, but they did get the high score.
Yang was grinning like an idiot throughout the entire thing.
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2 MONTH LATER
The next couple of months had a few noteworthy events. Qrow had come back from his mission, Guts had turned eight years old , and Ruby had turned six. However, these events were overshadowed by something very important. Something that forever changed the life of a child named Guts.
XIAO LONG RESIDENCE
Qrow had come by to visit the girls and give Taiyang some very important news. So important that the girls had to go to their rooms. Yang, being the mischievous child that she is, did not listen and pressed her ear against the door to Taiyang's room. She could hear what Qrow, and her father were talking about.
"... so, she was here recently?" Taiyang asked, his voice taking on an uncharacteristically grim tone.
"What I found seems to confirm that Raven was here." Qrow said in a serious voice. In front of him was a small box full of papers. They didn't see the shocked yet determined look on Yang's face. Not bothering to hear the rest of the conversation, Yang left to go pack supplies. Had she stayed just a few seconds longer, she could have avoided making one of the biggest mistakes of her life.
"I already checked it out though, It's a dead end." Qrow said. Taiyang nodded, not very surprised.
"Yeah, will for what I could tell it seems she was looking for someone or something" the dusty huntsman said as he pulls out his flask
Taiyang furrowed his brow " any idea what it could be?" Qrow took a swig of his flask before answering "I might have an idea on the latter, it been in my head for a while"
he thinks over on what Qrow said. ".... Guts?" Taiyang said worrying what Raven would want with the boy, however his worries went away as Qrow shook his head. He takes in the rest of the contents in his mouth before speaking "~ah- no but his appearance here is too much of a coincidence" he leaves it at that wanting to continue his drink
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EARLY MORNING
Yang quietly entered the guest bedroom Qrow was staying in. She made sure to avoid several bottles of alcohol he and Taiyang had partaken in following their conversation. Yang saw it. There on the desk were the clues to find their mother. Before now, she had never paid much attention to finding her. She was realistic about it. Where would an eight year old even start?
Now though, the clues were right in front of her. She could take them, find her mother, and be back before Qrow or her dad would wake up. Judging from the amount of bottles on the floor, they wouldn't be waking up for a while. She looked through the contents of the box and found a map. She saw a spot marked far into the woods, farther than even Guts had claimed he ever went. That didn't bother her though. Nothing would stand before her and her mother now.
She took the map and made her way outside. Ruby was there waiting for her next to a red wagon of supplies. Wordlessly, Yang pulled the cart down the road, Ruby following. The sun hadn't even risen when they made it out of town and onto one of the trails going through the woods.
They couldn't have been walking for more than half an hour when they ran into Guts, he was adoring his armor
A/N: NO HELMET
"What're you girls doing so early?" He questioned as he walked toward them looking at the wagon behind Yang. She absentmindedly noticed that he had his sword on his back.
"I could ask you the same thing," Yang shot back. Was it just Guts or was Yang being a bit more abrasive than usual. He decided it was just him.
"I always wake up early. Visiting hours start at 6:30. I decided to do some training but wanted to get some supplies. So I went to get my wagon from your place" Guts explained, pointing at the cart behind her. "What about you?" Yang cursed herself for not getting the right wagon, but seemed torn. Guts was one of her best friends. She knew she could trust him with almost anything. This was different though, she was going to dangerous lengths to find her mother. Finally, friendship won out over caution and Yang explained everything. She showed him the map too.
"None of us have ever gone out that far before Yang," Guts informed them. "It could be very dangerous. Are you sure you want to go?" Guts asked, a hint of concern in his voice.
"Yes I'm sure," Yang snapped back, her patience finally running out. "If all you're gonna do is tell me I shouldn't go, then move," she said as she shoved past Guts. Ruby looked at him apologetically before following her sister. Guts watched them walk, who was he to stop her if this is what she desired then let her. He continues to watch them before sighing.
"Hey wait up," Guts called. Yang stopped and looked back at Guts . "If I can't keep you from doing dangerous things, then I can at least make sure you're as safe as possible," Guts said and took the lead heading to the general area. Yang smiled a little before waking on, this time with Guts in tow.
The journey was long and arduous, taking several hours for the children to reach their destination. Unknown to the group of children was that a certain visitor had decided to wake up a few minutes beforehand.
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"I'm never drinking again," Qrow said to himself as he reentered his room. He had gotten up for a glass of water and a couple of aspirin. He halted when he saw his box on its side with all the papers scattered over the desk. He quickly looked through them and found that the map was missing. He ran out of his bedroom to the one that was the girl's. He opened it and saw that the beds were empty.
"Shit," was all he said as he ran to his room and grabbed his weapon. His hangover was forgotten as he went as fast as he could after the girls. He didn't need the map as he had already memorized it.
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While walking Guts was alert, checking their surroundings for any danger. He knows there is more to worry about besides grim. They might have a run in with the Branwen bandits, a few months ago Yang revealed that not only her mother was Raven Branwen but her brother was Qrow. At first he was on edge, he knew that Qrow had been suspicious of him, as a huntsman, but the fact he's part of the Branwen tribe got him on alert of anything shady he might do to him and the Xiao long's. But that all went away when I got to know the man. He might have been a bit of a drunk but Guts could sense that he is a good man and cares for his family. He never put them in danger so he doubts that he is in association with the tribe but it is all speculation. However the fact that they are after the leader of the bandit tribe does not sit well with him. She left her own family for a reason, good or bad there will be conflict. So he has to be at the ready if she hostile, that being said he doubts that his skills would be on par with her however there's no time to worry about that they get there when they get there
However one thing is bothering him, he only caught half way but, the landscape is familiar. Despite the time spent with the girls he knows where they're going or at least the general direction, there heading near the camp. At first it was unrecognizable, the reason was it was the time guts left the camp and Martino. At the time he was just wandering so he did not take note of the surroundings , but going deeper and deeper into the woods he recognized the landscape, the camp was stationed away from the large population. What trouble him is that Raven was near here and so was the camp, after some thinking he come to conclusion that raven was most likely investigating the sudden disappearance of the mercenary, although there not as well know like the bandit they were in the general knowledge of the people especially to those the merc have done business with. The camp and the bandit always had bad blood with each other with the bandit raiding groups of mercenaries and with the mercenaries' eliminating bandits from villages they raided. Guts has never faced bandits during his time at the camp, he was always placed doing Grimm missions. She must want to know what happened to them, just to disappear out thin air would put people on edge. However, is there more she wants to know? I have returned to get all the basic weapons and necessities . Have they seen me? Before he continues his thought he realizes that Yang stopped pulling the wagon and pulls out the map, frantically looking at it.
"So what are we looking at?" Guts asked as they stared at the old rickety cabin that was at the end of their journey. Ruby was just as confused as Guts, he knows that there is not too far off from the camp, he figures that this is properly the last known location she was spotted. Yang was more hurt than surprised.
"But... Uncle Qrow said..." Yang stuttered. Seeing that her sister was hurting, Ruby hugged her. Guts was about to place his hand on her shoulder when a very familiar sensation hits him in the neck only this time it hurt like hell. He clutched his neck in pain before the girls could ask what was wrong. They heard a familiar noise, one that none of them had wanted to hear for a long time. It was the low, guttural growl of Grim. Several Beowolves emerged from the tree lines, these ones radically different from the one Guts had killed. Small Ones but a large mass of them.
These grimms vary from sizes but are young with either the lack of bone armor or barely any bone armor coming out. Guts thinks that it was a combination of his "gift" and Yang sadness that lure them out, it was also the fact of them getting near the camp which caused Guts to get subconsciously angry. Either way Guts got in front of the girls, unsheathing his sword
"Stay behind me," he growled as the Grimm came closer. Ruby and Yang were wide eyed with fear. They knew Guts was strong, but they also knew he couldn't take on a large pack of Grimm. Guts weighed his options. He couldn't win, he knew that much, but maybe he could stall them long enough for Yang and Ruby to get a good head start at running away.
"Yang, Ruby, when I say go, run away." Guts finally said. Ruby looked at him in confusion.
"What about you?"
"I don't run from fights," Guts said with grim determination. Yang realized what Guts was implying.
"Guts you can't!" Yang exclaimed as she tried to hold back her own tears. Ruby finally understood what Guts was going to do. Unlike Yang, she openly cried. Guts made them take a couple more steps backward as the Grimm got closer.
"We don't have time to argue Yang." Guts warned as the Grimm had closed the distance to barely ten meters. Guts glared at them; he sees that they are becoming more savage by the second. If they break off the Grimm will still go for the girls. So he lets his anger and hate seethe out to get their attention. The Grimm seemed to be unsure of how to proceed. Instead of rushing the humans, they decided to send one of their own to test them. The chosen one snarled and broke into a run.
"Go! GGGGRRRAAAHHH!!!!!" Guts yelled as he charged, not bothering to look back at Yang and Ruby. Though she loathed to do it, Yang had to grab Ruby and run. Otherwise his sacrifice would be in vain.
"Come on Ruby," Yang said through gritted teeth as she picked Ruby up and started running.
"We're just gonna leave Guts!?" Ruby yelled as she tried to fight her sister's grip. Yang tried so hard to keep her voice steady.
"We have to." Yang said,
"Guts we'll come back with help until then... DON'T DIE!" unable to keep her voice from choking up. She dared not look back. She was too afraid of seeing Guts mauled to death. The surrounding Grimm started running but not to the girls, but to guts. A moment of confusion and yang start running.
Guts meanwhile was fighting for his life. His sword is actively slicing the Grimms. He is fine taking on a few, the pack must be at least a hundred. As he saw the girls were out of sight, he started moving the fight so that he wouldn't be rushed. He cut down two Grimm and pierce through one's head, however the trouble of him pulling the blade resulted in him getting clawed on the side. He yelled in pain before he cutting off its claw and its head. He dodges a few that lunged at before kicking one away that was biting at him three came from behind as he turned around to slice them killing. He charges at one using it as a springboard to launch himself across the Batte, landing on one as he stabs it and jerks the blade off leaving it hanging from what remains of flesh there was. He faces the horde ready to fight
Yang is running as fast as she can with Ruby still balling in tears. she can't believe she left guts all to himself facing death. She only hopes that he escapes and hides for the time being don't die, don't die, don't die, don't die.
Guts is on the move slicing every passing Grimm he comes across, putting all of his power on every swing as he jumps off a ledge and lands rolling on the ground. The result gets him running again, cutting down some only to get rammed by a Grimm. As he recovers a beowolf bite on his left forearm only to get its throat slit. Guts gets up and shakes his in pain he sees that its teeth pierce through the arm guard as blood starts leaking. The only appropriate response for Guts is to grin "well now this will be interesting" he says as he faces the Grimm. He let out a breath of exhaustion see that the beowolf are repositioning themselves
A little while has passed and Yang is still moving. Ruby has continued to weep, as Yang is moving through the wood, she did not notice a log causing her to trip and fall resulting in dropping ruby. The rolled a little until ruby picks herself up and starts running back . Yang scurry's up and tackles her. "NO!!! Guts needs help!! We can't leave him behind!!!" she demanded as she struggled to be free from her sister's grapple. Tears are pouring out of Yang "NO- WE HAVE TO GO, WE CAN'T FIGHT THOSE BEOWOLVES, WE HAVE TO GET HELP!!!" This gets Ruby to wail again as Yang picks up her limp body and starts running, unbeknownst to her there yelling caught the attention of a flying bird nearby. Yang continues to sprint off hoping to find some help, as she's weaving through the tree she slams into something causing her to fall before they can react. Something picks them up and squeezes them.
"Goddamnit, you girls' ' the words that sounded off caused them to look up to see their uncle pressing himself onto them tight. This prompted Yang to squirm a little and push her uncle off, Ruby is still clutching onto her uncle. "Uncle Qrow!?" the red eye huntsman look to her teary eye niece "yeah it me- WHAT were you think go off alone like that it dangerous damnit" he exclaim releasing his grieve, this gets Yang to start crying again " I-I just w-w-wanted to see my-my mom!" Qrow winces at the sight before of course she would want to see her mother she is not at fault for that, he lets out a breath and pulls in yang for a hug " I'm sorry it just ... it's just I don't want lose you" they embrace as yang starts to calm down her eyes widen as she remembers something important " Uncle Qrow!! Guts, he fighting a bunch of Grimm at the cabin"
"He stayed behind so we could run away. Please uncle Qrow you got to help him" Ruby pleaded as well, remember too the Guts was not safe. Without missing a beat he take off running "stay there you dad not too far off " he yelled as made a sharp turn to a tree and disappear " wait, what about dad" before yang can respond the sound of a revving engine can be heard they turn to see their family car driving up to them. It stopped and shifted to park, Taiyang steps out and runs to the girls embracing them "Yang! Ruby! Thank god you're alright right"
"Dad your squeezing us too tight " yang barely voice out as her face was press against her fathers chest, sorry" he pulled away taking a look at the girls well being before turning his attention to yang, who felt the pressure "What were you thinking going here dragging your sister with you"
"I just wanted to meet mom," Yang said, starting to get teary eyes. Taiyang let out a sigh, thinking about what he should say " it's fine we'll continue to talk when we get home." As he was about to take the girls, Yang spoke out "no we cant we have to help Guts"
"Guts?"
"He came along with us, and he stayed behind to fight a pack of beowolfs so that we can escape" Yang start to think of the state that guts is in right possibly mauled or torn apart "We have to help him" Taiyang wonder why Qrow would leave to girls like, but now he knows. He knows that Guts can fight a Grimm but from the sound of things it sounded like it was a lot. He never questions his old teammate skill so he is capable of facing a horde of Grimm, but it is the fact that Guts life might be in peril. He closes his eyes for a moment before opening them. "Fine we go and save Guts back nothing else alright " the sisters nodded in response "alright let go" they all rushed in the car with the girls in the back seat. Ruby then thought, ''Wait, how do we get there?" the color of Yang's face drain when she realized that she was running aimlessly and the map she had drop when the Grimm first appear "Don't worry I've been following Qrow by his scroll"
"Wait why is he on foot and not with you" Ruby questions, this too gets Yang to quarry the question. "Trust me when I say this, I'll hold your uncle back if he was with me" before they can ask what he meant by that Taiyang already shifted gears to drive and took off. They prayed that when they get there that Guts is not worse for wear
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Guts is being dragged on the ground by beowolf with his foot in its mouth , then it flung Guts to the air as another one jumped up and spike him down. Before guts could recover another Grimm came from behind and bit into his shoulder rag dolling Guts for a while until it too flung him to another Grimm, guts had enough and used the throw to slash at the Grimm. He picked himself up and looked toward his opponents. He lost count on how many he cut down but noticed their numbers to dwindle a little. However after a while the Grimm started to change not physically but their behavior , they are acting more malicious, cruel even as though they want to inflict as much pain as possible. One thing that also concerns him, his "gift ". It's no longer a sharp stabbing pain but a burning sensation it's hard to ignore but it is there.
His breath is haggard, and his vision is blurry. His left arm has become weak unable to grip his sword or even lifting it. As he slices an incoming Grimm his mind began to drift away. this is a since of familiarity? he's done many missions but this, it feels specific.
What the hell am I doing here....?
In a stupid place like this...ricking my life... for what exactly he starts to run changing the field of battel as some beowolves start running alongside him taking action he cuts them down as another leap on him, the only thing that was his saving grace was raising his blade and using his arm to brace the Grimm they struggle to push each other off. Am I fighting for Yang and Ruby.... He spins his whole body diverting the Grimm and lofting of it head in tannin.
No that can't be it there's more to it... something personal... he then cleaves one in the head, pulls his sword and rests it on his shoulder this isn't the time for thinking... I should only be thinking about wielding my sword...and how I kill them... nothing more.
He stood his ground looking at the Grimm who began to circle around him. Seeing that he's done for, they charged at him. Everything slowed down for guts as he collects his thought closing his eyes seamlessly accepting his fate only for him to grit his teeth and snap his eyes open with determination "RRRRAAAAHHHH!!!!" he cries out as slashes an in coming only to circle round and slice into another he is effortlessly able to fend off the Grimm coming toward him as they come near. He then charges at a section of Grimm this result then to halt on their tracks being caught off guard by the sudden change. Guts took this moment and slash the passing Grimm. One of them tries to swipe at him only to get his claws cut off, he then drives his sword under its jaw piercing it through. Guts was grunting and screaming as he killed off the Grimm, his vision begins to change in and out he could have sworn he was killing humans instead of Grimm and have a sense of daja vu , but it's no matter this battle will have a clear winner, it will be an absolute victory.