6A/N: hey guys long time no see. Work got in the way and as much as I'd love to spend most of my time writing and posting fanfic, rl takes priority. So now y'all know the reason I've been quiet for the last five months. I haven't abandoned you. Promise.
All dialogue is straight from 4x11 'Taking Control'. Everything else is my own creation. Enjoy and don't forget to review! I may continue this little mini-series in another installment but it's gonna read and feel a lot different from 'Scattered' and 'Rekindled'. Since V5 was (in my mind a complete, utter cluster fail and the worst volume to date of the series) Yang's POV will be handled slightly different. I'm still working out the details, but it'll probably read as a series of snapshots from critical moments of the volume.
With that out of the way, enjoy the chapter and don't forget to let me know what you think! Love ya guys!
Special thx to fellow loyals RWBYSTRQ and KnightSpark for their support and kind words! :) This fic wouldn't have been completed without you showing it love!
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Today is the day. No more excuses. I've gotta get back in the game.
Yang stooped over her robotic arm and her remaining Ember Celica gauntlet placed on a brown drip cloth in the middle of the grassy yard, spray paint in hand. She'd spent the entire morning debating on what to do next and now that she was somewhat back into fighting shape, her natural restlessness returned. Ruby was out there and she needed help. It was time for her to rejoin the outside world.
She knew she wasn't fully 100 but there was no more time to mope. I've rested long enough, the blonde bruiser thought as she concentrated on adding pizzazz to her robotic limb and her left Celica gauntlet. After a few minutes more getting the colors exactly how she wanted them she stood up and wiped her forehead with her left arm. Lilac eyes beamed with pride. Her metal arm and gauntlet gleamed under the midday sun, fresh black and gold paint revitalizing her most prized possessions. Adam, I hope you're ready to dance, Yang thought darkly as an accomplished smile stole across her face. That stupid bull should've killed her when he had the chance. Because now…now she was determined to make him pay.
For her arm.
For her sanity.
For rendering her temporarily useless.
For separating her from her baby sister.
Satisfied with her work, she gingerly picked up the freshly painted robotic arm and smoothly clicked it into place over the round, metal plate she'd painted gold attached to her bandaged stump. Much better. She felt less vulnerable, less useless with it on. Why had she resisted it again?
Oh right. Fear.
Well no more. Today, she was going to put her big girl panties back on and woman up. Like she always did. She wasn't going to find Ruby wasting away in the guest room feeling sorry for herself.
She walked over to the shed at the edge of the property where Taiyang kept all his tools and the parking spot for her beloved Bumblebee. Opening the door, she walked over and removed the burlap tarp covering her bike. Ever since the loss of her arm, her father had wheeled it into the shed and covered it up. She had no use for it. Driving a motorcycle required two arms and in her depressed state, she allowed the love of riding wash out of her for a while.
But now with her new arm and her spark rekindled into a controlled burn thanks to Tai's training and hard-fought wisdom, her love of adventure resurfaced. She felt reborn.
"I don't remember saying you were ready." Taiyang's admonishing voice broke through her reverie. Instantly her fond smile turned challenging even though he couldn't see it.
"Oh yeah? You gonna try and stop me?"
Much to her surprise, her dad began chuckling. Huh. He's not mad.
"No." The elder Xiao Long rolled his shoulder feeling the lingering joint pain. She really put me through my paces. I'm so proud of her. "I think I'm still too sore after our last fight." He folded his arms, a serious tone seeping into his voice. "I just wanted a better goodbye than a letter. And I also have a question for you."
Yang braced herself. Oh boy. Here it comes. She recalled how her old man had rushed out of the house in a panic-dropping the tray of soup and water in his wake, to pursue his youngest (favorite) daughter-leaving her unattended in the guest room after he discovered Ruby's hastily scribbled note left on her empty bed. It took Qrow bodily intervening to convince the blonde to leave everything to him and return to care for his oldest daughter. He would keep a sharp eye on the kid.
With these thoughts running through her head, Yang turned to face her dad.
"Where are you going?"
Uhh…is he serious? Do I really need to spell it out?
"What do ya mean?"
Tai pushed off where he'd been slouched in the doorframe to explain his reasoning.
"Well, despite his numerous claims not to," he started waving his hand for emphasis. "I know that Qrow's told you where your mother's been at these days."
Ah. There it is. The elephant in the room.
"I know how much you want to see her," he continued distaste for his brother-in-law dropping hints in spite of his wishes for his little girl to NOT get involved with Raven. But she was no longer a child. It was far past time she found out the truth for herself. She was a young adult. He could no longer play papa bear and prevent her from meeting her estranged mother. "I've stopped you in the past, but I won't anymore."
Yang blinked at her father's words. Now that she finally got her father's blessing (not like she needed it before) to pursue her heart's biggest question it no longer felt like she had to keep her decade long quest a secret.
"On another note," Tai said. "We know your sister's headed to Mistral."
Yang turned her head slightly away from her dad to gaze at the sleek lines of her motorcycle. Yeah. I already knew that. Old news pops. But she remained silent, letting Tai finish his thought.
"So. Where are you going?"
A few heartbeats passed.
Yang turned to face her father, determination narrowing her eyes.
"I'm going to Mistral. More specifically Haven Academy. That's where Ruby's headed." Yang trailed off getting lost in thought. "But it's gonna take time to get there. Too long for my taste. I don't even know where to start."
Tai nodded, relief of getting a straight answer washing through his tense frame. "I can help you with that."
"How?"
He took a deep breath, gathering courage that had long ago deserted him when his team fell apart and Raven abandoned him and her only child and lost Summer to the cruel grasp of death.
"I haven't told you about Raven's Semblance yet, have I?" When she shook her head no he pursed his lips. Guess I've got no choice. He thought. I'm not getting in the middle of this. I stopped getting involved with Ozpin's affairs after Raven left and Summer died. I've lost too much to the Old Man already.
"That's cause you never liked talking about her in the first place," Yang rejoined, arching a slender brow. "So. Tell me everything."
Tai rubbed his chin blue eyes seeking fortitude from the sanded shed floor. "Er, well it's…quite a unique power."
Yang's eyes widened. A distant memory prodded her brain. She was back on the bomb-rigged train, fighting a petite tri-colored midget who had no problem pushing her around. Neo. That was her name. She recalled getting flung into the metal ceiling of the train car and waking up to catching a glimpse of her mother right before she walked into strange pulsating black and red portal.
"You mean…?"
Tai nodded. "Yep. That was it. Back during our Beacon days when Team STRQ was whole, I recall Raven being an extremely tough nut to crack. It took a while for her to warm up to us. But when she finally did, it came with a special perk."
Yang folded her arms, inclining her head to let her dad know he had her full, undivided attention.
"See, Raven's Semblance is portal creation. But there was a catch. She could only create a portal if she was emotionally bonded to someone else. Came in handy if you were in a pinch. She simply swooped in to save the day."
Yang nodded. "Like she did on the train. She drove that midget girl away."
"Yes. But knowing your Mom, that was a one-time deal. Which is why I'm asking you to exercise caution sweetheart. She's not going to bail you out if you're in trouble again. That's the reason I kept harping on limiting your Semblance unless you absolutely need it and pull from your own power. I know you've got that in spades." He smiled at her and she couldn't help but return the favor. "Anyway, back to what I was saying. Since Raven was a cool, detached person who trusted no one except Qrow, it took her time to open up to the rest of the team. It was only after a particularly dangerous training mission that some of us almost didn't make it back to school alive did she relent and bond to Summer and I. But…when Summer died, her portal went with her. Now there's only three known individuals she's connected to. Qrow, me and obviously, you."
"Not Ruby?"
He shook his head.
"No sweetheart. She left before Ruby was born. Portals are earned. Not inherited. You only have one because you're her child. But please. Try to control yourself when you meet her. For me. She's quite unpredictable and she does have the power to turn you down should you push her the wrong way."
Yang shrugged turning her attention back to Bumblebee. She'd heard enough. "I can handle it."
"I hope so my Sunny Little Dragon. For your sister's sake."
She waited until Tai left the shed to head back to the house, leaving her alone with her thoughts and all the brand-new information she'd just learned about her mother.
She started polishing Bumblebee's orange-yellow surface lilac eyes gleaming with resolve.
I'm coming lil sis. I promised I'd have your back. I won't leave you again.
-end
