The Wilted Rose

Chapter 1: One tiny problem

Island of Patch

8:00 am

11 years before the fall

Y/n Pov

*Beep* *Beep* *Bee--*

I clicked the off button on my alarm and leaned myself up in bed. Truth was I didn't sleep. Moms disappearance hit me hard. Ruby, thankfully was not old enough to fully comprehend what was going on. I had told her that mom was out on a mission and it was running long, hoping that would placate Ruby's growing anxiety. But again, the truth was that I didn't know. 

'Mom, wherever you are, please be safe. And get back soon...'

I felt movement beside me, and turned to focus on the young girl who was crawling up from under the covers. My sister Ruby was always with me, we are near inseparable, and add Yang to the mix and we're a recipe for disaster. Ruby, having been saddened by how long mom was gone had only gotten more dependent on me. It was appalling that this girl, who seemed so fragile, wanted to be a huntress like mom. 

Ruby: *yawn*  Good morning Y/n.

She rubbed her eyes sleepily.

Y/n: Morning to you too, Rubes. Sleep well?

Ruby: Y-Yeah....

It didn't take a genius to know she was lying. Not to mention that I was up all night. She tossed and turned all throughout the night, whimpering sadly. It hurt so see this normally cheerful girl so upset. I couldn't help but to think of dad, Qrow. It had been two weeks since mom dropped of the map, and yeah, finding her was absolutely what needed to happen, I couldn't help but feel a growing resentment towards dad. He was never around to begin with but now, when we needed him.... when I Needed him, he's off in some corner of the world. Why did HE have to be the one to go looking? Yeah, they were together for years, so he would know what makes her tick. But that being said, there where any number of huntsmen in Vale at any given time. Why couldn't anyone else do this? Maybe I'm being to quick to judge, but the point stands that dad was needed.... and absent.

Ruby: Are you ok....? You're kinda staring off into space.

Y/n: Yeah, I'm fine. Come on, lets clean up and get breakfast. I'm sure Yang will be up by then.

I stood from the bed and made my way to the the bathroom. As I was unclothing, I stopped and stared at my chest. A fresh scar running the length of my torso, from my left side collar to my right side midsection, ending just below the ribs. I had gotten it curtesy of a Beowulf, when Yang, Ruby and I left the house hoping to find either Aunt Raven or mom, whoever we found first, about a week ago now. The scar was nasty, and it was shocking that I didn't die outright since it cut through my aura like it was nothing but what hurt more was after being saved by Qrow and getting medical aid. Tai looked at me as the girls surrounded my hospital bed, the look on his face scared me more than the overgrown mutt that landed me in the hospital to begin with. It was chilling to see, especially since Tai was normally so kind. I figured it was due to stress but when I got out of the hospital, Ruby looked terrified and Yang shaken. I wasn't able to get answers out of either of them but since then, Ruby stuck to me like glue and Yang was defensive when Tai was around. Something clearly happened but I don't know what to have cause that. I don't know how dad knew where we were but I wasn't in a state to really question that.

I finished my shower and got dressed, going straight to the kitchen. Tai was nowhere to be seen. Normally he was in the kitchen. A smile on his face as he playfully teased us as he made breakfast. But that wasn't the case today. I decided that I would make breakfast, that was until I opened the refrigerator and saw that it was mostly empty.