MUST READ FIRSTThere will be a flashback, be sure to read that so this chapter will hit you like a truck. Have fun reading! <3HospitalWillow Schnee sat in the sterile, dimly lit waiting hall just outside the emergency room. The hum of fluorescent lights above and the muffled footsteps of nurses passing by filled the silence, but none of it registered to her. Her world had narrowed to a single, desperate plea.She clutched her trembling hands together, her knuckles white as her lips moved in whispered prayers. "Please... please... please... Not my son. Please don't take him away from me. Please... not Rinko..." Her voice cracked, barely audible, as tears streamed down her pale cheeks.Memories flooded her mind—memories of the harsh words she had said to him just hours ago, the rejection she had thrown in his face, and the resentment she had carried for so long. She hadn't apologized. She hadn't told him she loved him. If he didn't make it, she would never forgive herself.Beside her, Selene the head chef of the Schnee staff, sat quietly with her.Selene's arm wrapped firmly around Willow's hunched shoulders. The warmth of her embrace was a stark contrast to the cold terror gripping Willow's heart."Willow," Selene said softly, her voice steady but soothing, "he's strong. He'll make it. He's a Schnee, just like you."Willow let out a shuddering breath, burying her face in her hands. "I don't deserve him. After everything... after the way I treated him... I pushed him away, Selene. And now, now he's lying in there because of me." Her voice broke into a sob.Selene shook her head gently, her hand rubbing circles on Willow's back. "No, Willow. This isn't your fault. Whoever attacked Rinko... they're to blame, not you. Right now, he needs us to be strong. You need to be strong—for him."Willow sniffled, nodding faintly, though her hands remained clasped tightly.The sound of the ER doors swinging open made both women tense. A doctor stepped out, his expression serious but calm, a clipboard in hand."Mrs. Schnee?" the doctor called.Willow shot to her feet, nearly stumbling in her haste. "Yes? Is he... is Rinko okay?" Her voice wavered as she searched the doctor's face for any sign of hope.The doctor offered a small, reassuring smile. "He's stable. The knife missed any vital organs, but the blood loss was significant. He'll need rest and recovery, but he will be okay."Willow's knees buckled, and Selene caught her, holding her upright. Relief washed over her in waves, and she let out a choked sob, her hands covering her mouth. "Thank you... thank you..."The doctor nodded. "He's being moved to a recovery room now. You can see him shortly."As the doctor walked away, Willow turned to Selene, her tear-streaked face showing relief and lingering guilt. "I need to see him. I need to tell him... tell him I'm sorry."Selene smiled gently. "You will. And he'll hear you, Willow. He's not going anywhere."With Selene's steadying presence, Willow straightened herself, wiped her tears, and prepared to face the son who had returned to her despite everything. It wasn't too late—she still had time to make things right.The sterile antiseptic scent filled the air as Rinko's eyes fluttered open. A harsh, white light blinded him momentarily, forcing him to squint and lift a hand to shield his face. His entire body ached, the sharp, dull throb in his back serving as a grim reminder of the attack.As his vision adjusted to the light, he turned his head slowly to the right. There, sitting beside his bed, was a figure. At first, it was blurry, but as the haze cleared, he saw her—his mother, Willow Schnee. Her pale complexion was even more ashen under the hospital lights, her eyes red and swollen, betraying hours of tears. Beside her stood Selene, the new Chief of Staff, a calm yet resolute presence in the room."Mother..." Rinko's voice was hoarse, barely a whisper, but it was enough.Willow's head snapped up at the sound of his voice, her gaze locking onto his. Her hands trembled as they reached for his, grasping it tightly as though afraid to let go. She lowered her head, her tears spilling freely onto their intertwined hands."Rinko..." Her voice cracked, barely holding together under the weight of her emotions. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."Rinko stared at her, his usually sharp eyes softening as he processed the scene before him. The woman who had always seemed distant and cold now looked utterly broken, consumed by guilt and sorrow."Mother... It's okay," he murmured, though his voice faltered. His own emotions churned beneath the surface, threatening to spill over.Willow shook her head fiercely, her grip tightening on his hand. "No, it's not okay! It's not okay, Rinko. I pushed you away. I blamed you for things you had no control over... I was so lost in my own pain that I became blind to yours. And yet..." She choked on a sob, her voice breaking entirely. "And yet you still care.."Selene placed a comforting hand on Willow's shoulder, her voice steady as she said, "Willow, he's awake now. He's here. You still have time to make things right."Rinko's gaze shifted to Selene briefly, appreciating her calm support, before returning to his mother. "Mother... I came back because I wanted to protect you. To fix what's broken... between us. You're my family. And no matter how much we've hurt each other, I'll never stop caring about you."Rinko placed his palm on her mother's palm, "I'm also sorry for the pain I have given you, Mother."Willow let out a shaky breath, her tears falling faster. "I'm sorry too... I never wanna lose you, Rinko."Rinko offered a gentle smile, "But you're still my mother. And I'm not giving up on you." His words were firm.Willow buried her face in his hand, her shoulders shaking as she cried openly. For the first time in years, she felt something beyond despair—a glimmer of hope.Selene watched the exchange in silence, her heart heavy yet uplifted by the raw emotion in the room.Willow nodded faintly, wiping her face with trembling hands. She met Rinko's eyes, her voice steadier now. "I'll try, Rinko. I'll try to be the mother you deserve. I swear it."Rinko's faint smile deepened ever so slightly at his mother's promise, though the exhaustion in his body was becoming harder to ignore. He let his head rest back against the pillow, his eyelids fluttering shut momentarily as he basked in the fragile peace between him and Willow.But that peace was short-lived as the door to the room suddenly flew open, crashing against the wall with a loud bang."RINKO!"The synchronized cry of two familiar voices filled the room, causing Rinko's eyes to snap open. Standing in the doorway were Weiss and Whitley Schnee, both out of breath, their faces pale with worry. Weiss's usual composed demeanor had completely shattered, her sapphire eyes wide with alarm. Whitley looked equally panicked, his hand clutching the doorframe for support as though he had sprinted the entire way."What happened?!" Weiss demanded, her voice high-pitched with anxiety as she hurried to Rinko's side. Whitley followed closely behind her, his gaze scanning Rinko's bandaged form with growing dread.Rinko sighed, a wry smile tugging at his lips despite the situation. "Relax, I'm fine," he said softly, though his hoarse voice betrayed the strain he was under."Fine?" Weiss's voice cracked as she shot him a disbelieving glare. "You call this fine? You were stabbed, Rinko! Do you have any idea how worried we've been?"Whitley chimed in, his tone was less scolding but no less concerned. "We only found out because Selene called us. She didn't even explain everything—just said you were attacked in the manor. The manor, Rinko. How could this happen in our home?"Rinko shifted uncomfortably, the weight of their concern pressing on him. "I let my guard down," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "It was my fault."Weiss's hands balled into fists, her knuckles turning white as she fought to control her emotions. "Don't you dare blame yourself for this! Whoever did this—they're the ones at fault. And I swear they won't get away with it."Rinko glanced between his siblings, their genuine worry cutting deeper than any knife could."Thanks," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "Both of you. Really."Weiss softened slightly at his words, though her worry remained etched across her face. She reached out, hesitating for a moment before gently taking Rinko's hand in hers. "You're our brother, Rinko. No matter what's happened between us in the past, that's never going to change. We're here for you."Whitley nodded in agreement, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a rare seriousness. "We've got your back."Rinko's chest tightened at their words, a warmth spreading through him despite the lingering pain. "I'll hold you to that," he said with a faint smirk, though his voice was laced with gratitude.Selene, who had been quietly observing from the corner of the room, stepped forward, her composed demeanor unwavering. "Perhaps it's best to let him rest now. The doctors have already done their part, but recovery takes time. He'll need all the strength he can muster to face what's ahead."Weiss reluctantly released Rinko's hand, her expression softening further. "Fine. But if you need anything—anything—don't hesitate to call me. Understand?""Loud and clear," Rinko replied, his smirk growing slightly.Whitley gave him a small, reassuring smile. "We'll be back tomorrow to check on you. Don't think you're getting rid of us that easily."As the two siblings made their way toward the door, Weiss glanced back one last time, her gaze lingering on Rinko. "Stay safe," she said softly before following Wheatley out of the room.The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Rinko alone with Willow and Selene once more. The room felt heavy with the lingering tension of the day's events. Rinko exhaled deeply, the weight of his injuries and the attacks pressing down on him.For a moment, his eyes fluttered shut, and his breathing steadied. To Willow and Selene, it seemed he had finally succumbed to much-needed rest. But inside, Rinko's mind remained sharp, his instincts refusing to yield to fatigue.A shinobi never lets their guard down.A phrase he once OverlookedInstead of surrendering to sleep, Rinko silently began fortifying his body with Aura. The familiar flow of energy coursed through him, enhancing his natural healing and wrapping his injured frame in a protective shield. If the war had taught Rinko anything, it was that the enemy always strikes hardest when you're at your weakest. He couldn't afford to be caught off guard—not again. The battlefield might have changed, but the rules remained the same: vigilance, calculation, and survival.And the main reason for his guardedness... was Selene.He no longer trusted her—not fully. Ever since the discovery of the robot, pieces of the puzzle had begun falling into place in ways that pointed back to her. The timing of her actions, her involvement in leading him to the robot's hiding place—it all felt too deliberate. As much as he hated admitting it, the possibility that she was connected to the machine lingered like a dark cloud over his thoughts.But speculation alone wasn't enough. He needed proof—solid, undeniable proof.Until then, he would watch. He would wait.He needed to see if she would make her move... or if she already had.Selene, meanwhile, watched Willow with quiet empathy. Her hand rested on the older woman's trembling shoulder as Willow struggled to steady her breathing. Tear-streaked cheeks betrayed her exhaustion, yet her eyes shone with stubborn determination."Miss Willow," Selene said softly, her voice calm but resolute, "you've done everything you can for him. You've been here from the moment he was brought in, and it's clear how much you care. But if you push yourself any further, you'll only harm yourself—and that won't help him." She leaned forward slightly, her tone firm but compassionate. "Trust me to look after him tonight. He'll be safe."Willow's lips quivered as she looked toward Rinko's still form. "But... what if the attacker comes back? What if something happens, and I'm not here? Selene, I can't lose him. I can't." Her voice cracked as the emotional toll of the day overwhelmed her.Selene knelt beside Willow's chair, her steady gaze meeting Willow's fragile one. "Rinko is strong. He survived because he's a fighter. But he needs time, and so do you. The hospital is secure, and I will personally ensure he's safe. You're his mother, Miss Willow, and your strength will be the foundation of his recovery. But you need to rest to be strong for him."Willow hesitated, her hands twisting nervously. "I... I still have a lot to tell him once he wakes up. What if I never get the chance?"Selene's expression softened. "You'll get your chance. Rinko didn't fight this hard to give up now. He's still here because he believes there's more for him to do—for you, for your family. But you can't help him if you collapse. Rest. Trust me to protect him."Willow's gaze lingered on her son. Seeing his chest rise and fall steadily brought both relief and guilt. She hesitated, but Selene's words began to take root."You'll stay with him?" Willow asked faintly."I'll stay," Selene replied with unwavering assurance. "If anything happens, you'll be the first to know."Slowly, Willow rose from her chair, Selene helping her to her feet. "Thank you," Willow murmured, her voice frail but sincere."It's my honor," Selene said with a gentle smile. "Go home and rest. I'll take care of him."Willow took one last glance at Rinko before walking toward the door. Her steps were hesitant, her heart heavy, but her exhaustion finally won out. At the doorway, she turned back."Please... take good care of him."Selene gave a nod, her voice steady. "You have my word."When the door finally closed, Selene turned to face Rinko. Her calm demeanor melted away as a sinister smile curled her lips. She waited, her piercing gaze fixed on the sleeping figure.Time passed—ten minutes, twenty, thirty. Selene's patience never wavered. When she was satisfied that Rinko was completely unconscious, she finally spoke, her voice venomous."Well, well, well," she drawled, her tone dripping with malice. "You're so lucky you survived. It would've been such a disappointment if you died back there. Though, I still want you dead... but what's the fun in killing you without making you suffer first?"Her words hung in the air, dark and foreboding. Then, in a single motion, Selene activated her Semblance.The room was plunged into darkness. The hum of electricity vanished, leaving the hospital eerily silent. No lights, no signals, and no functioning scrolls. Selene thrived in this void—her Semblance rendered all technology useless within its radius."Rinko, Rinko, Rinko..." Selene stepped closer to the bed, her knife glinting faintly in the moonlight filtering through the window. "I apologize, but your time has come. Don't worry—once you're dead, your father will see you there soon."Her hands clenched the knife's handle tightly as she raised it, her gaze fixed on Rinko's chest. Her lips twisted into a deranged grin as she prepared to strike—And then, Rinko's voice cut through the silence."You should've been more patient."Her grin faltered as her eyes darted to Rinko's face. His eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with an unsettling intensity. A smirk tugged at his lips as he pushed himself up, his Aura shimmering faintly around him."I wasn't asleep," Rinko said, his voice low and deadly. "And now, you've made a mistake."Selene froze for a split second, but her shock quickly turned to fury. With a snarl, she lunged forward, driving her knife down toward Rinko—but he rolled off the bed just in time, the blade sinking into the mattress instead."Tch—" Selene hissed, yanking the knife free.Rinko landed on his feet, though the movement sent a jolt of pain through his body. He took a fighting stance, his arms steady despite the dull ache radiating from his injuries.Selene wasted no time. She leaped from the bed, her movements swift and precise, and lunged at him again. Her knife slashed through the air in a deadly arc, forcing Rinko to duck and weave to avoid the blows.Despite his training, Rinko could feel the strain on his body. The injuries he'd sustained earlier slowed his reflexes, and each movement came with a sharp reminder of his weakened state.Selene's persistence paid off as the edge of her blade grazed him. Rinko's Aura absorbed the impact, but the force sent him stumbling backward into the wall. He winced, his breath hitching as the pain flared up again.In the dim room, illuminated only by the faint moonlight streaming through the window, Rinko's eyes landed on a flower vase perched on a nearby table. Its glossy surface shimmered faintly, catching the light.'It'll do.'As Selene advanced, her knife poised for another strike, Rinko grabbed the vase with a swift motion.CRACK!The vase shattered against Selene's head, shards flying as she staggered back, momentarily disoriented.Rinko didn't hesitate. Summoning what strength he could muster, he surged forward and delivered a brutal headbutt square to Selene's forehead.THUD!The impact sent a jarring pain through Rinko's skull, but the effect on Selene was immediate. She stumbled, clutching her head as she fought to regain her footing.Rinko's sharp gaze locked onto her, his breathing steady despite his injuries. A question burned in his mind, and he couldn't hold it back any longer."Why...?" he asked, his voice cold but tinged with genuine curiosity. "Why are you doing this, Selene?"Selene froze for a moment, her knife poised mid-air. But instead of answering, she lunged again, her movements wild and desperate.Rinko sidestepped her attack, narrowly avoiding the blade, then ducked under another wild slash. Taking advantage of her overextended position, he delivered a sharp kick to her abdomen, sending her stumbling backward.Rising from his defensive stance, Rinko faced her again, his voice cutting through the tension.
"My mother trusted you. My family trusted you. Even Klein—he trusted you."
He paused, "..I too. Trusted you..""Shut up!" Selene snarled, her voice cracking with raw emotion. She charged at him again, her attacks gaining in ferocity.This time, she managed to sweep Rinko's leg with a kick to his knee, making him stumble. Seizing the moment, she drove her knife toward his chest. The blade struck, but his Aura absorbed the blow, sending a shimmer of light across his body as he was forced back into the wall.Rinko gritted his teeth, his body screaming in protest. He steadied himself, his patience wearing thin.As Selene came at him once more, he shifted with precision, catching her wrist mid-swing. With a sharp twist, the knife fell from her grasp, clattering to the ground. Without hesitation, Rinko delivered a devastating gut punch, the force of the blow hurling her across the room and into the wall."Ugh!" Selene grunted as she crumpled to the floor, clutching her stomach.Rinko stood over her, his silhouette imposing in the faint moonlight. His voice dropped to a softer, but no less commanding tone."Why?" he asked again. "Just.. Why?"Selene's head hung low, her breath ragged. She clutched at something around her neck—a small necklace—her fingers trembling. Finally, she spoke, her voice thick with anger and pain. "It's your fault," she spat, her tone laced with venom. "You and your father... You're the reason my parents are dead!"The weight of her words struck Rinko like a blow. He instinctively took a step back, his mind spinning. "What...?" he muttered, his confusion palpable. "What are you talking about—?"Selene didn't let him finish. With trembling hands, she pulled off her maid's headband, revealing a secret she'd hidden all along. A single, jagged half-horn protruded from the side of her head, the other half severed.Rinko froze, his breath catching in his throat. Selene was a Faunus. A goat Faunus, pretending to be human.FlashbackSelene Marbol was born into a family of Faunus miners who toiled under the oppressive rule of the Schnee Dust Company.The mines were a dark, suffocating labyrinth where the air tasted of dust and despair. Her parents, like countless other Faunus laborers, worked tirelessly to extract Dust that enriched the Schnee family while leaving their own lives broken and impoverished. The luxury of the Schnee Manor above seemed like another world—one Selene and her family could only dream of.By the time Selene was in her early teens, she began accompanying her parents to the mines. They couldn't afford a babysitter, and it wasn't long before she went from an observer to a worker herself, her small hands forced to carry loads of unrefined Dust.Despite the hardships, her family tried to preserve a sense of hope. On her birthday, in the dim warmth of their modest home, Selene's mother baked a simple cake.Selene leaned over the single flickering candle and closed her eyes to make a wish. As she blew out the flame, she looked up at her mother, her face serious beyond her years."Mom... Why do we work for the Schnee Dust Company when you know they pay us so little?" she asked. Her mother exchanged a glance with her father, their smiles weary but kind.Her mother sighed before replying, "You don't have to worry about that, munchkin. Just eat your cake. As long as we're together and you're healthy, that's all that matters to us."But Selene's growing awareness wouldn't let the questions go. On payday, she noticed the stark difference in pay between Faunus and human workers. She turned to her father."Dad... Why do humans get more money than us? Don't we all do the same job?"Her father hesitated, his eyes shadowed with a pain he tried to hide. "It's... complicated, munchkin," he said."Is it because they hate us Faunus?" Selene pressed, her voice tinged with both anger and confusion.Her father knelt beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Look, Selene, you don't need to worry about money. That's our burden to bear. You just focus on growing up strong and healthy, okay?"Selene's lip quivered, but she nodded. "O-okay, Dad."Her father smiled warmly, his voice steady despite the cracks in his resolve. "I love you, Selene. One day, we'll make sure you have a bright future. Trust me."Selene clung to his words, finding comfort in his promise. "I trust you, Dad. I love you too."One fateful day, everything changed.The miners discovered a hidden cavern while excavating—a previously unexplored cave glittering with impure Dust that was rumored to be worth a fortune. Jacques Schnee himself, accompanied by guards and a young Rinko, arrived to oversee the operation.A decree was made: those who volunteered to mine the cave would receive ten times their usual pay. For Selene's parents, it was a chance to secure a better future for their daughter. Despite Selene's protests, they volunteered, their hope outweighing their fear.Selene watched as her parents were lowered into the dark abyss, their figures disappearing into the shadows. The rest of the miners worked the ropes and machinery, their expressions a mix of hope and unease.Beside the pit, Jacques Schnee stood tall, his cold gaze fixed on the operation. Rinko, then a boy, stood at his side, his expression curious but detached.As the volunteers descended, a sudden, earth-shattering explosion echoed from the depths of the cave. Panic spread among the miners as the radios crackled with frantic voices."Grimm! There's Grimm down here! Please, pull us up!"The workers turned to Jacques, their faces pale with terror. But Jacques's expression remained impassive."No," Jacques said coldly, his voice slicing through the chaos. "You've only just begun. Hide if you must, but keep mining. Anyone who returns empty-handed will not be allowed back up."Selene's heart shattered as her parents' desperate pleas crackled over the radio, drowned out by the encroaching sounds of Grimm. The workers above hesitated, their hands gripping the ropes that could pull the volunteers back to safety. But Jacques's icy command kept them rooted in place, fear of reprisal outweighing their compassion."D-dad... shouldn't we...?" The young Rinko hesitated, his voice trembling as he tugged at Jacques's sleeve.The response was swift and harsh—a sharp slap across Rinko's face that echoed through the mine."This is a fortune, Rinko," Jacques hissed, his tone devoid of warmth. "If you let emotions control you, you'll never succeed. You'll fail. Just like them."Rinko's head bowed, his cheek stinging from the blow. His young eyes brimmed with unshed tears, not from the slap, but from the helplessness he felt."BRING MY PARENTS BACK!"The piercing scream came from behind them. Jacques turned slightly as Selene, barely a teenager, rushed forward. Her small hands balled into fists as she lunged toward him, her face twisted with rage and grief.Before she could reach Jacques, the guards intercepted her. One grabbed her by the arm, twisting it painfully, while the other shoved her backward. She stumbled to the ground, the impact jarring her but failing to quiet her cries."LET THEM GO!" she screamed, tears streaming down her face. "PLEASE! THEY'RE GOING TO DIE!"Jacques didn't even spare her a glance. His cold, calculating eyes remained fixed on the dark abyss where her parents and the other miners had disappeared."Hold her back," he said to the guards with a dismissive wave.Selene clawed at the dirt, her voice breaking as she cried out again, "Please... they're all I have..."The radio fell silent. No more pleas. No more screams. Just an oppressive, unbearable silence."What a waste of money..." Jacques muttered, his voice as unfeeling as ever. He turned and walked away from the pit without a second thought, leaving the broken girl behind.Young Rinko lingered for a moment, his small fists clenched tightly at his sides. He wanted to speak, to argue, to do something—but the fear of his father's wrath held him back. As he turned to follow Jacques, he couldn't help but steal one last glance at Selene, her figure trembling as she knelt on the ground, clutching the dirt where her parents had once stood.Her cries echoed in his ears, and though he was too young to act, the weight of that moment would follow him for the rest of his life.Present Time"My parents..." Selene whispered, her voice trembling, thick with grief and fury. "They were slaughtered because of people like you. Your father... He built those mines. He treated us like toys, like we were disposable!" Her hands trembled as they clutched at the necklace around her neck, her voice rising with each word. "And you... you carry his name, his legacy. Every time I look at you, I see him. It's because of you that I've had to hide, to pretend, to scrape by just to survive!"Her words hit like a physical blow.Rinko—Kakashi—staggered back a step. He clutched his chest as if her accusations had pierced something deep inside him. He had no memory of the event, no recollection of the cruelty she described, but the sheer weight of her pain made his heart ache as if it was his burden too."Selene..." he began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I—""You don't even remember, do you?" she spat, cutting him off. Her eyes blazed with unshed tears, her body trembling with suppressed rage. "You were there. Standing next to that monster. You watched as he left us to die. You did nothing!""I was just a child," he said finally, his voice hollow. "If I was there... I didn't understand—""You didn't understand?!" Selene's voice cracked with raw emotion. "You didn't understand what it was like to hear your parents scream for their lives while you were dragged away! To know that the people with the power to save them... chose not to!"Her hand flew to the necklace she wore, the one piece of her parents she had left. Her fingers gripped it tightly, as though drawing strength from its presence."They weren't just miners," Selene said, her voice quieter now, the pain in her words cutting deep. "They were everything to me. They worked themselves to the bone, day in and day out, with nothing to show for it but dirt and blood. They sacrificed everything so that I could have a chance— a life outside those cursed mines. And for what? So your family could sit on thrones made of Dust? So you could grow up in luxury while people like me... like them, suffered?"Rinko felt his fists tighten, the guilt gnawing at his insides. He didn't have the memories of Rinko, the person who had lived through all this, but the overwhelming weight of his father's cruelty pressed down on him. He hadn't known how deep the wound ran. He hadn't known how far Jacques' greed stretched."I didn't know," he admitted, his voice hoarse, thick with regret. His heart felt like it was tearing itself apart. "Selene, I didn't know. And if I had..." He faltered, unsure how to finish that thought. The words felt hollow, inadequate in the face of all that had happened. "If I had known..."What could he say to undo the years of pain? What words could ever take back the suffering that her family had endured, that she herself had carried all this time? How could he erase the damage that had been done?Selene's gaze burned with fury, but there was something else there, something raw, fragile. "Don't you dare pity me," she snapped, her voice like a whip, lashing out. "You don't get to play the victim here. You don't get to wash your hands of all this just because you didn't know."The words struck him like a physical blow. He could feel the heat of her anger, the weight of everything she had been through, everything she had lost. And yet, as her tears finally spilled over, streaking down her cheeks, Rinko's own throat tightened. She wasn't angry at him in the way he'd thought. She was angry at everything he represented, everything his family had done."Your father is still alive," Selene said, her voice thick with a mixture of hatred and sorrow. "Still sitting in his palace, surrounded by riches. Counting his gold and Dust while we're out here, struggling to survive the very legacy he built. Every time I see him on the news, smiling, surrounded by luxury, I wonder how the world lets him keep breathing. How does he get to keep living while people like me—people like my parents—are forgotten? And you—his son—you've done nothing to stop him."The weight of her words sank deep into Rinko, pressing down on him until he felt like he couldn't breathe. She was right. He couldn't deny it. His father was alive, thriving, untouched by the pain he had caused. And Rinko had been blind to it all. He'd stood by, unaware, disconnected, while people like Selene paid the price.The silence that followed was suffocating, thick with the grief and regret hanging in the air. Rinko opened his mouth, but no words came out. How could he apologize for something so vast, so unforgivable? What could he say to heal the years of pain?"I'm sorry," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. It was all he could manage, but it felt so empty, so small in the face of everything she had said, everything she had lost. "I'm sorry. I didn't know. I never knew..."Selene didn't respond immediately, her tears falling in quiet rivulets. She didn't need to say anything—her silence spoke volumes.Rinko could only stand there, paralyzed by the truth of it all, by the weight of the legacy he carried. He didn't know what to do with this guilt, with the knowledge of all the suffering his father had caused, and the fact that it was now his burden to bear.Before he could process any more of his emotions, Selene moved. Furious, broken, and filled with years of pain, she charged at him.Rinko barely had time to react before she tackled him to the ground. Her fists rained down on him, striking him with relentless force, each punch filled with years of anger, grief, and hopelessness. Her tears mingled with the fury in her eyes, falling in hot streaks down her face as she cried out in rage."You—you—" She gasped, between punches. "You have no idea what we went through! What you put us through!"Her fists collided with his chest, his face, her movements wild and unrestrained. Each blow sent shockwaves through his body, but he couldn't bring himself to fight back. He didn't deserve to. Not after what his family had done.Her breath came in ragged gasps, her punches growing more desperate, faster, as if she could somehow beat away the pain. The world seemed to blur around them, the sound of her fists hitting him filling the silence that had fallen between them.And still, Rinko remained motionless beneath her. He didn't stop her. He didn't even try."I didn't ask for this!" Selene screamed, her voice breaking as she finally collapsed onto him, her tears soaking into his clothes. "I didn't ask for any of this!"The weight of her grief, her anger, pressed down on him, suffocating him with its raw intensity. It was only then that Rinko realized—he could never undo the past, but he could at least show her that he understood. That he would stand there and take it. That he wouldn't run."I'm sorry," he whispered again, his voice trembling, as he let her cry, let her vent all the pain he couldn't fix. "I'm so sorry."Selene didn't answer, her sobs the only sound that filled the room. The storm of rage slowly ebbed, leaving only the raw remnants of grief that she had carried for so long.The silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating, until a voice broke through, sharp and sudden."Selene...?!"Her head snapped up, her tear-streaked face turning toward the doorway. The moonlight from outside bathed the figure standing on the threshold, casting long shadows across the room.There, illuminated by the pale light, stood Willow Schnee.[End]