RWBY: Moon Reflection

The weak morning sun cast its pale light across the island, but it could not dispel the damp chill lingering in the air as the family gathered at the edge of a cliff overlooking the ocean. The sky was a muted gray, and the waves below crashed rhythmically against the jagged rocks. In the center of the group stood a newly carved gravestone, simple yet poignant, adorned with a small bouquet of wildflowers. The Summer's emblem engraved on it along the words: Summer Rose / Thus Kindly I Scatter.

A small assembly of people from Patch Island surrounded the grave, their faces somber and their postures weighed down by grief. Qrow stood off to the side, his shoulders slumped, his flask conspicuously absent for once. Beside him, Taiyang Xiao Long clutched the hands of his daughters, Ruby and Yang, who looked far too young to be standing at such a solemn place. Crimson stood slightly apart, his crimson eyes fixed on the ground, his face carefully composed in an unreadable calm.

The sound of the waves provided a quiet backdrop as, one by one, people stepped forward to offer their farewells.

An elderly woman was the first to approach. Her hands trembled as she laid a small flower at the base of the gravestone. "Summer Rose," she began, her voice wavering, "you were a beacon of hope in a world so often dark. Your kindness and strength touched us all. You will never be forgotten." With a final lingering glance at the grave, she retreated, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief.

A younger man followed, a huntsman who had once worked alongside Summer. His voice carried both respect and sorrow. "She was a leader," he said firmly. "She faced danger head-on, not because she was fearless, but because she cared about everyone else more than herself. She's the reason many of us are here today." He bowed his head briefly before stepping back into the crowd.

One by one, the villagers shared their thoughts, their words weaving a tapestry of admiration and mourning.

Finally, Qrow approached. His usually sharp and brash demeanor was subdued, his grief evident in every slow step he took. Kneeling before the gravestone, he placed a rose beside the bouquet and spoke, his voice raw and barely above a whisper. "Summer... I don't know how we're going to manage without you. You always knew what to do, always had the answers." He paused, struggling to find the words. "But I promise you, I'll look after them—all of them. You deserved so much more." He bowed his head for a long moment before stepping back.

Ruby, standing next to Yang, looked up at her father with wide, innocent eyes. "Dad," she asked softly, tugging on his sleeve, "when is Mom coming back?"

The words hung in the air, cutting through the quiet. Taiyang closed his eyes, his face crumpling as he knelt to Ruby's level. "Ruby," he said gently, his voice cracking, "Mom… Mom isn't coming back."

Ruby tilted her head, confusion clouding her expression. "Why not? Is she still out hunting?"

Beside her, Yang let out a choked sob, tears streaming freely down her face. She clung to her father's arm, her young shoulders shaking with grief she didn't yet have the words to express. Ruby, still not fully understanding, reached up to pat her sister's arm in a clumsy attempt to comfort her.

Crimson watched silently, his heart aching as he took in the scene. He stayed rooted to his spot, observing the grave and the people. It felt wrong somehow, he who abandoned his family and forgot their names and faces, he who killed his own descendant without a second thought stood there mourning a mother he knew for four years. He wanted to be different this time, to not repeat his past life but somehow it is repeating, his mother passed away when he was young again, even younger than before. [Will time make me forget the face of another mother?] he wondered.

But as the last of the villagers stepped away, leaving the family alone, something stirred within him. He took a deep breath and walked forward with measured steps, Crimson stopped in front of the grave. The weight of everyone's eyes pressed on him, but he ignored it, focusing solely on the name etched into the stone.

"Thank you, I will miss you!" It was short and to the point. His words didn't seem to carry the same weight as others did. However, he spoke internally [I didn't know you for long… but I truly admire you. Rest in peace knowing everything will be okay, I will make sure of it. you have my word]

He turned around to look at everyone present, his face retaining the same calmness before walking back next to the others [I forgot my own mother once, never again. I will always remember you Summer Rose]

When he stepped back, His uncle, Qrow, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his expression one of quiet understanding, a silent gesture of solidarity. Crimson's eyes moved to one tree at the edge of the forest, where a raven perched watching them. For some reason, Crimson didn't like that bird.

___________________________________

Later that evening, the family of four, along with Qrow, sat together in the warmth of their home. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting a gentle glow over the room. Ruby and Yang were curled up on the couch, exhausted from the day's emotions. Tai sat in his armchair, staring silently into the flames, while Qrow leaned against the wall, his flask back in hand but untouched.

Crimson sat at the table, his hands clasped tightly together as he gazed out the window. The quiet was heavy but not unbearable, a shared stillness that wrapped around them like a blanket. Turning his eyes toward his sisters, he frowned slightly before deciding to stand up.

"I'll prepare something to eat" he said softly.

The others watched him silently as he moved toward the kitchen. A few minutes later, he returned with a plate of sandwiches and placed it on the table. He took two and approached Ruby and Yang, offering the food to them.

The girls stared at the sandwiches, unmoving.

"I'm not hungry," Yang muttered.

"This isn't right. You haven't eaten all day," Crimson replied gently, holding the sandwiches closer.

Ruby, without a word, reached out and took one. Yang hesitated but eventually followed her sister's lead. Crimson gave them a faint smile before retreating to the kitchen again.

A moment later, he returned with a tray of tea, which he set down in the center of the room. Pouring a cup, he moved toward his father.

"Dad…" Crimson began, his voice quiet.

Tai interrupted him sharply, his voice trembling with grief. "How can you be like this? She was your mother!"

The outburst startled everyone, including Crimson, who stared at his father in silence.

"Tai, calm down," Qrow interjected, stepping forward.

But Tai's anger only flared. "You see it too, Qrow! He doesn't care that Summer is gone. He's not sad. And now he's acting like this is just another day—making food and tea as if nothing happened!"

Qrow placed a firm hand on Tai's shoulder. "What the heck are you saying? Calm down, Tai."

Tai shook him off, his eyes red and brimming with tears. "He knew something was wrong with Summer's mission. If he had just told me earlier…"

At this, Qrow froze, turning to look at Crimson. The boy's expression had returned to its usual calm.

"I didn't want to cause unnecessary worry," Crimson said evenly. "I'm just trying to help instead of wallowing in grief."

The measured tone of his voice seemed to push Tai further over the edge. "Unnecessary worry?" Tai repeated, his voice rising. "The unnecessary worry killed her? Your silence killed her!"

Before anyone could react, Tai raised his hand and slapped Crimson hard across the face.

The impact sent Crimson stumbling, the teacup he had been holding clattering to the floor. For a few moments, his head buzzed, and the voices around him became indistinct noise. As clarity returned, anger began to bubble within him. Instinctively, his hand moved toward his waist, where his katana would have been. 

When he realized what he was doing, a cold chill passed down his spine and cooled his fury. [If I had my sword, I would have attacked him?] Crimson felt a wave of self-disgust and self-disappointment. His dad was young and grieving and it is normal to have emotional bursts, but what about him? He wanted to retaliate.

A sudden hug pulled him back to reality. Ruby clung to him, crying into his chest. Yang's trembling voice joined from behind. Crimson looked up to see Tai staring at him, his earlier anger replaced by a look of profound guilt.

"I... I'm sorry," Tai stammered, his voice breaking. "I didn't mean to..."

"Tai, go wash your face and calm down," Qrow said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

Tai hesitated, casting another remorseful glance at his children before mumbling, "I'm sorry," and retreating to the bathroom.

"Dad is bad. He hurt you!" Ruby wailed, still clutching Crimson tightly.

Crimson placed a gentle hand on Ruby's head, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "It's fine, Ruby. Dad is sad. And besides, it didn't hurt."

Qrow frowned as he observed Crimson's swollen, reddened cheek. There was no way it didn't hurt.

As if sensing Qrow's thoughts, Crimson subtly raised his hand to cover his cheek. Then, turning to his uncle, he said, "Uncle Qrow, can you take Ruby and Yang to their room?"

Qrow studied him for a moment before nodding. "Kiddos, let's go."

"No!" Ruby cried, refusing to let go of Crimson.

"Ruby... please," Crimson said softly. "I'll come soon after."

Ruby looked up at him, searching his face. "You're not leaving like Mom?"

Crimson smiled gently. "I'm not."

"Pinky promise?" she asked, holding out her little finger.

"Yes," Crimson replied, linking his finger with hers.

Yang continued to watch them, her quiet sobs breaking the stillness. Qrow sighed heavily, glancing at the two girls before motioning for them to follow him upstairs. Ruby and Yang obeyed silently, their steps heavy with the weight of the evening's events.

Meanwhile, Crimson surveyed the mess around him—the tea soaking his clothes and the puddle on the floor. With a weary sigh, he fetched a mop from the kitchen and began cleaning up. The rhythmic swishing of the mop was the only sound in the room.

A few minutes later, as Crimson finished, Qrow returned. Noticing the spotless floor, Qrow raised an eyebrow. "Seriously? You cleaned the floor?"

"It won't clean itself," Crimson replied evenly, his voice calm despite the swelling on his cheek.

Qrow studied him for a moment, then softened. "Listen, kiddo, about Tai... He didn't mean what he said. He's just... in a lot of pain."

Crimson paused, resting the mop against the wall. After a moment, he replied, "I know. He's like Ruby and Yang—throwing a tantrum when he's upset or sad. His is just... bigger."

[Tai's outburst, a tantrum?] Qrow thought, staring at Crimson's earnest expression.

"It's fine," Crimson continued. "He's not completely wrong. I am different from them." He trailed off, his words hanging in the air.

Qrow's frown deepened. "How are you different? Don't you feel anything for your mom?"

Crimson's gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing at Qrow's question. Though his expression was impassive, his voice carried an undercurrent of resolve. "The last time I talked to Mom, she promised she'd come back no matter what. And I made her a promise of my own—to make sure everything here would be okay." He paused, his breath steady despite the weight of his words. "She broke hers. She died out there. If I grieve in front of them, I'll be breaking mine. I'll keep my last promise to her."

Qrow fell silent, the boy's words cutting through the quiet. He felt their weight, the burden Crimson had taken upon himself.

Unbeknownst to them, Tai stood just beyond the kitchen wall, his back against the wall. He had overheard everything. Closing his eyes, he raised a trembling hand to cover his face, overwhelmed by guilt and grief.