The morning sun pierced through the white clouds, casting its light over the forest outside. Inside the cozy house. Taiyang Xiao Long moved quietly through the halls, his heavy footsteps deliberate as he approached the children's room.
"Time to get up, kiddos," Tai said gently, pushing the door open. His voice was cheerful as always.
Yang was the first to stir, rubbing her eyes and letting out a loud yawn. "Morning already?" she grumbled, before deciding to go back to sleep.
Ruby, nestled beside Crimson, opened her silver eyes groggily. "Morning…" she mumbled, still clutching her stuffed animal. But she made no additional movements.
Crimson blinked awake, his crimson eyes sharp and alert despite his still body. He had been awake long before Tai entered the room.
Tai looked at his children actions, like usual his daughters struggles to wake up while Crimson woke up without fuss
"Good morning dad" Crimson said with a smile.
Tai gave back a faint smile at Crimson and said "Breakfast is ready," Tai said, clapping his hands lightly as his eyes darted between his daughters. "Come on, before the pancakes get cold."
The mention of pancakes got Ruby moving instantly. She hopped out of bed, dragging her stuffed animal along, and hurried to the kitchen. Yang was slower but she followed Ruby with a spring in her step, while Crimson trailed behind, his movements deliberate and calm.
As they gathered around the kitchen table, Tai served the steaming pancakes with a bright smile. "Eat up, everyone," he said, sliding plates in front of each child.
Ruby tilted her head as she poked at her pancake. "Dad, where's Mom?"
Tai paused for a moment before replying, keeping his tone light. "She had to go on another mission, sweetie. You know how important her work is."
Ruby's shoulders slumped a little, but she nodded. "She just came back" she said quietly, her fork lingering over the syrup-drenched stack.
Yang reached over to pat Ruby's shoulder. "Mom always comes back, Rubes. She's like... unstoppable super mom!"
"Yeah," Ruby said, her voice perking up slightly. "She's the coolest Huntress ever!"
Crimson stayed silent, cutting into his pancake methodically. He could still feel the weight of Summer's embrace from the previous night, her whispered promise replaying in his mind. Though his worry gnawed at him, he kept his face neutral. There was no point in alarming his family so early in the day.
As breakfast ended, the day unfolded in a quiet rhythm. The TV buzzed softly in the living room as the children gathered on the couch. Ruby clutched her stuffed animal tightly, her legs swinging as she watched cartoons. Yang occasionally tossed a pillow at Crimson during commercials, trying to provoke a reaction.
"Come on, lighten up, Crimson!" Yang said after another failed attempt to get him to react.
He smirked faintly and tossed the pillow back at her. "You're predictable," he said, a hint of playfulness in his tone.
Ruby giggled at their back-and-forth, and for a while, the worries of the morning seemed to fade. Crimson even joined in on a game Ruby insisted on playing, his precise and measured movements amusingly contrasting with her wild enthusiasm.
Later, as the sun began to dip behind the horizon, Tai called for Crimson's help in the kitchen. "Come on, chef-in-training," Tai said with a grin. "Let's whip up something special for dinner."
Crimson nodded, appreciating the distraction. Together, they prepared a simple but hearty meal. Tai showed Crimson how to season the meat properly, while Crimson handled the vegetables with deft precision.
"You've got a good hand for this," Tai said, glancing at Crimson's steady chopping.
"Thanks," Crimson replied, his voice even. Cutting was his expertise afterall.. more than anyone could realize
The evening passed in relative peace, but as night fell, unease crept into the atmosphere. The children waited for some sign of Summer's return, but none came. The absence of her familiar knock on the door or the sound of her boots on the porch was a glaring void.
Ruby tried to stay awake on the couch, her eyes fixed on the door, but sleep eventually claimed her. Tai carried her to bed, tucking her in with a tender smile. Yang followed soon after, her usual energy dimmed by the quiet worry that had settled over the house.
Crimson stayed awake the longest, sitting silently by the window. The pale light of the broken moon illuminated the outside, but the dark forest beyond seemed to press closer than usual.
The next morning arrived with the same blue sky, and Tai woke the children again for breakfast. This time, there was no mention of Summer. Ruby didn't ask, but her eyes lingered on the empty seat at the table. Yang tried to distract her with jokes and silly faces, and Ruby managed a few small laughs.
After breakfast, Crimson decided to fish for information subtly. As Tai cleaned the dishes, Crimson approached him, his voice casual. "Dad, has Mom sent any messages yet?"
Tai hesitated, his hands pausing briefly in the soapy water. "Not yet," he admitted, keeping his tone light. "But you know how these missions go. Sometimes it's hard to get a signal out there."
Crimson narrowed his eyes slightly, studying Tai's expression. The faint crease in his father's brow betrayed his words. "You're worried," Crimson said, his voice quieter but firm.
Tai turned to face his son, his cheerful mask slipping slightly. "It's nothing serious," he said. "Your mom's tough. She'll be fine."
Crimson didn't break eye contact, his sharp gaze unwavering. "Dad," he said, his tone carrying more weight. "Did you lose contact with her?"
Tai's shoulders stiffened, and he looked away briefly before sighing. "Yes," he admitted. "We haven't heard from her since she left."
Crimson's heart sank, but he kept his composure. "I need to tell you something," he said, his voice steady.
Tai turned back to him, confusion flickering in his eyes. "What is it, son?"
Crimson recounted his conversation with Summer the previous night, his words measured and precise. He described her unease, the fear he sensed, and her resolve to see the mission through despite the risks. Tai listened intently, his expression growing more serious with each detail.
"The mission is too dangerous and she hid that from me?" Tai asked, his voice low.
Crimson nodded. "But I could tell. She was prepared for something… significant."
Tai ran a hand through his hair, his face lined with worry. "Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"
"I didn't want to worry everyone without reason," Crimson replied. "But now that she's out of contact…"
Tai sighed heavily, placing a hand on Crimson's shoulder. "Thank you for telling me. I will figure something out. Don't let your sisters know."
Crimson nodded, he would not let his sisters face this uncertainty, they are too young.
As the day progressed, Tai spent more time with the communication device, he contacted Ozpin to ask about the mission details and if he could contact Summer on his side. But the old man didn't share any useful information besides being on a grim hunting mission. The response irked Tai but he couldn't do anything. He also attempted to contact Qrow but he didn't know anything about any mission.
Crimson could sense Tai increasing tension while the girls were blissfully unaware of anything, their usual playful energy was at full display. Crimson kept close to Ruby and Yang, distracting them with games and stories, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside him.
When night fell once more, Crimson laid awake in his bed, his thoughts consumed by the image of his mother walking into the forest.
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Four more days passed without any word from Summer. The girls, perceptive in their own ways, began to notice that something was amiss. Their father's forced cheerfulness faltered more often, and the absence of their mother's voice weighed heavily on the household. Ruby, in particular, grew more insistent, asking about Summer with wide, worried eyes. She clung to her stuffed animal as if it could anchor her in the uncertainty.
Crimson, ever observant, did his best to distract his sisters. He played games with Ruby, sparred verbally with Yang, and maintained a steady calm to offset the growing tension. Yet, as the days dragged on, even his efforts began to fall short. Tai's unease was no longer hidden; it seeped into his every movement, his every word.
On the seventh day of Summer's leave, the quiet was broken by the sound of the doorbell ringing in the afternoon. The sudden noise startled everyone. Tai moved swiftly to the door, his children trailing behind him with curiosity and trepidation.
When Tai opened the door, Qrow stood on the threshold. His usual sardonic smirk was absent, replaced by an expression of somber gravity.
"Qrow? Did you hear anything about Summer?" Tai's voice carried urgency, his body tense as he searched his old friend's face for hope. Qrow, never one for seriousness, looked like a man carrying a heavy burden, and that alone sent a chill through Tai.
"I'm so sorry, Tai," Qrow said, his voice low and rough. Slowly, he extended his hand. In it lay Summer's silver rose emblem, streaked with dried blood.
Tai stared at the symbol, his breath catching in his throat. His hands trembled as he took it, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "No…" he whispered, his voice breaking as he bowed his head in grief.
Behind him, Crimson's sharp gaze fell on the bloodstained rose. He closed his eyes, understanding the silent message that accompanied it. He remained still, his heart heavy but his composure unshaken.
Yang and Ruby, however, were still too young to grasp the full weight of the moment. Ruby's voice broke the silence. "What's that, Dad? Where's Mom?"
Tai didn't respond immediately. The lump in his throat made words impossible. As Qrow placed a steadying hand on his friend's shoulder, the children stood frozen, the world around them teetering on the edge of change.