Chereads / The Strength Needed: A RWBY Tale / Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: Reunion

Chapter 9 - Chapter 9: Reunion

Walking up to the familiar door, Qrow knocks firmly on the door three times. After a few moments the door opens to reveal Summer, whose eyes are full of curiosity as to who is at the door. Seeing its Qrow she smiles and welcomes him.

Summer: "Qrow, it's good to see you. What brings you here?"

Qrow: "Hey Summer, I'm actually here to deliver something very important."

Summer: "What is it?!"

Topaz choses this moment to step out from behind Qrow, with a smile wave and a nervous smile he does the only thing he can think of, and walks up to her and gives her a hug.

Topaz: "I'm back Summer, I missed you guys."

Summer: "Topaz! Is it really you?"

Topaz: "Yeah, it's really me. Is everyone else home?"

Summer: "Yes, they're all inside, come on in. They will be so happy to see you again."

Following Summer inside, Topaz can't help but look around the house, taking in all of the things that have changed since he was last there. Walking into the living room, Topaz sees the usual interaction between the family.

Tai: "Ruby slow down, you're going to choke. Yang stop playing with your food."

Ruby: "But daa~ad you said when I finished my food, I could have a cookie. And I want a cookie."

Yang: "I wouldn't play with my food if it was what I suggested we have for dinner." (A/N insert childish pouty voice and face)

Taking a deep breathe Topaz prepares himself for what he knows is about to come.

Topaz: "H-Hello everyone, it's really good to see you all. I missed you so much."

The entire family aside from Summer, who is watching from the side, turn to stare at the familiar voice they hadn't heard in so long. When they realize who it is Ruby and Yang launch themselves into Topaz's chest and Tai stands up and makes his way over to him.

Ruby and Yang: "Topaz! You're back! We missed you."

Tai: "Welcome home kiddo. It's good to see you back home safe and sound."

Topaz and the girls stand back up but are quickly enveloped by Summer and Tai in a warm group hug. Yang is a sobbing mess, Summer and Tai have tears threatening to fall, and Ruby is smiling brighter than she ever had prior. Separating from the hug, Tai turns to Qrow.

Tai: "Qrow, where in Remnant did you find him?"

Qrow: *Sigh* "It's a long story Tai. One that will be better off told by the kid himself. After the girls head to bed."

Tai turns towards Topaz, and can't help but wonder what had happened to him since they spoke that fateful day at Signal. Later in the day, after Ruby and Yang had fallen sleep and were carried to bed by Tai and Summer, the adults and Topaz gather up in the living room.

Qrow: "Ok kid, now's the time to tell Tai and Summer what you've been through."

Topaz begins explaining how he woke up in an unknown room with a note saying he was property of the Schnee Dust Company. Upon hearing that Tai and Summer were furious, but realized just how difficult it would be to do anything about that. Topaz continues and tells them about the fight he had, and how he found a weapon he was comfortable with and planned to design his own further down the line. He then explains that Jacques Schnee wanted to use him as "faunus friendly" propaganda, so he took him to a run-down town for a gala, where Qrow recognized him and took him away. Topaz then told of how he and Qrow made their way back here on foot, helping different villages as they'd go, and how they discovered his skin was able to prevent a dangerous injury. Tai and Summer had only a minor freak out when they found out how they figured it out, lecturing Qrow on how they could let him do something so reckless. When Topaz explained that Qrow wasn't to blame their gaze's softened and turned proud at what he had done. Topaz finally explained the boat ride home, and the potentially new grimm they had discovered and fought. Qrow showed the picture that was taken and once again Tai and Summer could only feel proud for what Topaz had done.

Tai: "It sure sounds like you've been through a lot Topaz. I know I speak both Summer and myself, but we are proud of all the good you've done since Qrow managed to get you out of there, and we couldn't be happier to have you home. Now go get some sleep, I'm sure you could use it after a long trip."

Topaz walks up to Tai and Summer and gives then a hug before making his way up the staircase to where his room is. Opening the door, and taking in the familiar room, Topaz can't help but smile.

Topaz: "I'm home."

Making his way to his bed, he quickly found himself drifting off to sleep. Waking up the next morning, Topaz makes his way to the backyard and goes through the morning routine Qrow had burned into him. An hour into the routine, Topaz can hear the grass crunch as someone steps on it. Turning to see who it is, Topaz sees Tai making his way over.

Topaz: "Good morning."

Tai: "Good morning Topaz, you're up rather early."

Topaz: "Yeah, since that day, I haven't really slept very much, so when Qrow suggested using that extra time to train a little more I kind of jumped on that opportunity."

Tai: "Training is good and all, but please don't push yourself too hard."

Topaz: "I'll try not to. I just want to get stronger so I can protect those I care about."

Tai smiles at his comment. Pointing back towards the house.

Tai: "Come on, breakfast will be ready shortly, go get yourself cleaned up."

Topaz nods his head and makes his way inside, taking a quick shower and changing clothes. He then makes his way into the dining room only to be tackled by an overzealous bundle of petals.

Ruby: "It wasn't a dream! You're really home."

Topaz: "Yeah, I'm home Ruby. Now let's eat, I'm starving."

Summer walks in from the kitchen carrying a large plate of fluffy pancakes. Topaz can see that she went all out to celebrate his return home. There were blueberry, strawberry, and chocolate chip pancakes stacked high on everyone's plates. Topaz can only laugh as he can see stars in Ruby's eyes and a bright smile on Yang's face.

Yang: "Topaz, you and me are going to spar later. Let's see how much you've improved since last time."

Topaz: "Sure thing Yang, just don't cry when I kick your butt."

Yang sticks out her tongue and the adults laugh at the interaction. Qrow walks into the house at that moment and waves hello to everyone.

Summer: "Qrow, right on time for breakfast. Grab a plate and a seat and join us."

Qrow: "I think I'll pass, a bit too much sugar for my liking."

Topaz: "Worried it'll take away that bitter edge you seem to enjoy so much?"

Qrow: "Not at all, I just know that I'm too sweet as it is. Anything more and it'll ruin my perfection."

Topaz: "Keep telling yourself that old man."

Qrow: "I've told you many times before, I am not old. And you've heard some of the inappropriate stories I have to back that up."

The air grows cold at Qrow's last comment.

Summer: "And what do you mean by that Qrow?"

Qrow: "N-Nothing at all Summer. J-Just the tales of me fighting some powerful grimm, yeah that's it."

Summer: "That had better be all, or else."

Tai and Topaz snicker at the interaction while Ruby and Yang are curious as to what Summer and Qrow are referring to. The confusion evident on their faces. After breakfast Yang and Topaz change into clothing more suiting for sparring and make their way to the backyard. Tai stands between them to act as an official for the spar, while the rest of the family watches from the sidelines.

Tai: "Ready... fight!"