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.
'Maybe he went out to get groceries'
There was eggs, butter and some bread. All and all, it wasn't much. I got to cooking scrambled eggs, and making toast. Truly a masterwork of the next MasterChef.... As I was cooking Yang walked into the room, she smiled brightly at me.
Yang: Morning Y/n, your making breakfast?
Y/n: Yeah, Tai's probably out getting groceries so I started on it.
Yangs smile faltered a bit at the mention of her father but she quickly corrected herself.
Yang: It smells good, you want help?
Y/n: Nah, I got it. Its almost done anyway.
Yang: Ok, is Ruby up?
Y/n: Yeah, she's in the shower right now; she'll be done in a bit.... Yang, you doing ok?
I grew concerned as I looked over at Yang. She looked tired, As if she didn't sleep. Not that I had any room to talk since I didn't sleep either. I had heard Tai yelling about something the night before but I couldn't go and see why since Ruby came into my room shortly after it started. She was scared, so I let her sleep with me for the night. Now, I was wishing I could have checked on Yang. I noticed she was holding her arm in a strange way and using her left hand instead of her dominant right hand. She looked at me, nervously. I knew how to read the girls like a book and knew when something was wrong, and something was most certainly wrong.
Y/n: Yang, wh-
Ruby: GOOD MORNING!!!
Ruby burst into the room, energetically and completely oblivious to the tension that had started to build. I wasn't about to have a talk like this in front of Ruby. So I dropped it, but made sure to level a look at Yang that said "We will talk about this later". By now the food was ready but I noticed one tiny problem.
Y/n: Here you go, you two.
I held a smile on my face, hoping they wouldn't notice, but of course, They both did.
Yang: Y/n, where's your food?
Ruby: Yeah, why didn't you make any for you?
The tiny problem was that there wasn't enough for all of us to eat. I guess it was foolish to hope they wouldn't notice the lack of my share of food.
Y/n: U-uh.... I'm not hungry right now....
Ruby thankfully accepted this answer, not picking up on my hesitation. Yang on the other hand saw clean through me. She looked at me the same way mom did when she knew I was lying about something. Ruby ate happily, almost inhaling her food while Yang took bug bites at hers all the while taking glance at me with her eyes narrowed. I knew what was coming and resigned myself to it. After she finished eating, Ruby smiled.
Ruby: That was SOOO good!
She then took a look at Yang, who still had about half of her food left.
Ruby: What's wrong Yang, normally your the first one to finish your food? Are you feeling alright?
Yang: Yeah, I'm good. Hey, Why don't you go set up the video game so I can kick both of your butts at it!
Ruby: No, Your going to be the one with the kicked butt!
Ruby got up and left the room with a smile on her face after depositing her dishes in the sink. The instant she left the room, Yang narrowed her eyes and fixed me with a glare that could kill a man.
Yang: Why didn't you make any food for yourself?
Y/n: I told you I'm not hungry. Besides, you know I don't eat all that much anyway.
At this point, Yangs' eyes turned red, indicating she was pissed. To say I was getting nervous was putting it mildly.
Yang: Y/n, you know when I'm lying and I know when you are. Now why?
Y/n: ....There wasn't enough for us all to eat so I made sure you two could. But its ok, I'm really am not hungry. Ill just have to make sure to have a big lunch to make up for it.
I put on a grin and hoped that she would take it. In truth, I WAS hungry, but it was bad enough that Yang caught on that I was going without eating so they could. I couldn't make her feel guilty about it too. Yangs' eyes softened and went back to her original lilac eyes. she then took one last bite of her food and pushed the rest over to me. Now I felt guilt because I got caught in that lie too, and Yang was giving me the last of her food. I wanted to say no, but the look she gave me with her bright smile made me clam up.
Yang: You may be our older brother, but that doesn't mean that you don't need your little sisters to help take care of you every once and a while.
Y/n: ....Thank you.
Yang then went to leave but I stopped her. I still wanted to check on her after seeing her favor her left hand over her right, not to mention the flinch from when I mentioned Tai.
Y/n: That goes both ways sis. What's wrong, and don't say nothing. The blind old man in town could see there's something wrong with you.
Yang looked like she wanted to be anywhere else but here but she slowly exhaled and sat down, wincing as she accidently bumps her arm on the table. That only added to the list of growing concerns.
Y/n: What's wrong with your arm?
Yang: Its nothing, perfectly fine. See!
She flexes her arm but immediately brings it back and cradled it. I simply raise a eyebrow at her.
Y/n: Really now?
Yang: *sighs* Y/n, please.... don't get mad....
My eyes grew wide, I had never heard her sound so frightened. It was as if a façade had cracked and fallen away. This was the same girl who was always the first to jump into trouble. The girl who picked a fight with a group of bullies after they decided it would be a good idea to start making fun of Ruby at school. The very same girl who was so determined to find her mother and mine that she convinced me to help, loaded Ruby in the back of a cart, and walked for hours across the island before finally reaching our destination. Even if that then led to disaster, and brings us to this moment.
Yang pulled up the sleeve on her pajama shirt and exposed some nasty bruising on her upper arm. It looked as if someone had gripped onto her with a vice-grip. I stared at the bruise; astonished. It all clicked with me. The downright malicious look Tai gave me in the hospital. Ruby looking terrified while they got me from the hospital a few days ago. Yang being defensive when Tai was around or so much as mentioned. Ruby coming to spend the night with me after the yelling started last night. Finally, Yang nursing her arm. It made me feel like a fool for not recognizing.
Hell, even I got a taste of Tais' anger while in the hospital. Dad had to step in and calm him down. Seeing Yangs' arm black and blue and the scared look she was giving me made my blood boil. I felt like something was rising to the surface as Yangs' lilac eyes stared into my silver eyes. I felt like a fool for not seeing it sooner, but then again, how could I have possibly suspected something like this about a man as "kind" as Tai. Ruby must have heard what was said and decided she should come in and talk.
Ruby: Y/n....
The look in her eyes only added fuel to the ever raging fire. She looked almost sad, if she wasn't so fearful of what was happening around here.
Y/n: Did he lay a hand on you, too?
Ruby: No, but he was screaming mean thing at me and Yang almost the entire time you were gone....
I raised a eyebrow, I knew this was going to only get worse.
Ruby: He said that we all should have died to that grimm, so he wouldn't have to deal with a bunch of useless children.
And there it was.... My jaw dropped as Ruby continued rattling off about what Tai said to them. Both she and Yang had tears in there eyes after a minute or two; and me? I WAS FURIOUS! How could anyone say this vile crap to a child? Their child, no less. Suddenly the front door opened and quickly slammed. The girls froze up, looking like deer in headlights. I on the other hand told them to go to my room and lock the door and stood up quickly and marched into the living room where Tai was holding groceries.
'Guess I was right about that, not that it matters!!!'
The girls came up behind me only to see Tai there. A scowl present on his face as he stared me in the eyes, I stared back unflinching.
Tai: What are you staring at boy.
My eyes narrowed, I knew I was poking a bear with a sharp stick but put bluntly, I didn't give a damn.
Y/n: I'm looking at someone who thinks he's a "big man" for hurting my sisters!
Tai: WHAT WAS THAT YOU LITTLE FUCKER!?
Y/n: YOU HEARD ME, ASSHOLE!
Ruby and Yang quickly ran up the stairs to seek refuge away from the storm that just arrived. Tai dropped the bags and marched up to me and reeled a fist back. Idly, I thought about how he wasn't even hiding how much of a douche he was now. I guess this was going to happen today one way or another. He sent a straight punch at my face but I weaved to the side on instinct. Fear was starting to set in. I only just realized how bad of a idea this was but I sure as hell wasn't about to let him hurt my sisters. I sent a quick jab at his face but he didn't even flinch as it connected. He then sent a back hand at me, nailing me in the nose. A burst of stars came into my vision as I was flung back into the wall. My aura was shattered upon impact with the wall. I felt dizzy and weak, and my nose was pouring out blood. I knew it was broken, the first time was a accident with Yang when she unlocked her semblance. I tried to stand up straight but Tai then grabbed me by the hair and began slamming my head into the wall, over and over again. The pain was only amplified when the wall caved in where my skull was making contact.
I was dazed and confused. I didn't even remember what day it was. Tai only got angrier as he saw the wall busted up. He dragged me by the hair, up the stairs and to my room. blood trailing behind me as I stumbled behind him. Tai reached for the door and found that it was locked. I wasn't in any shape to do deductive reasoning but I guessed that Yang and Ruby was in there like I told them to. That was a decision that I have come to regret immensely. Seeing as the door wasn't opening and the muffled sobs of Ruby could be heard behind the door, Tai did the most sensible thing a man like him would do.... He sent me through the fucking door.
Ruby Pov
My eyes widened in complete terror as I heard the crash, followed by the thump of a body hitting the floor. Yang held onto me even tighter as if to keep me from being snatched away. She was clearly scared too but she tried to hide it, I wished I could be like her someday. Y/n laid there motionless and leaking blood from his nose, head and a few cuts from where the door had cut him on the way through. Tai was staring at us now, fury and wrath burning in his eyes.
Tai: YOU THOUGHT YOUR BROTHER COULD HELP YOU, YOU LITTLE WHORES? HE'S JUST AS MUCH OF A WASTE OF SPACE AS YOU TWO! YOU SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN BORN!
I was wailing at this point, which he only seemed to take pleasure in. Yang was just as scared but saw that she needed to be strong. Yang then quickly spoke up.
Yang: W-we're sorry, sir. W-w-we didnt mean to make you angry.
Yang apologizing seemed to calm him down a little, But he still took a few steps towards us until he was towering over us. The fear I felt in this moment was paralyzing.
Tai: you had better be sorry, I work to damn hard for you three to disrespect me in my own house! Next time I'll-
He didn't finish his sentence and looked down at his right leg. Y/n had a iron grip on his leg, He then turned to look at Y/n. Yang and I watched in horror as Y/n looked up at Tai defiantly. He was hurt so bad already but he was still trying to protect us. Tai looked amused that Y/n still had fight in him. He took a look at us and grinned wide, and what he said next has come to haunted me.
Tai: I never had any siblings so I'm a bit envious of you three. Seeing as you would do all this for them, I suppose I can let you have your way.
Tais' grin only widened as he yanked his foot out of Y/n's grasp and slammed his foot down on Y/ns' hand. A sickening crunch could be heard through out the room and Y/n began to scream in pain.
Y/n: F-FUCK YOU!!! AAAAHHHHH!!!!
Tai grinded his foot on his hand. Eventually Tai reared his leg back and kicked Y/n in the mouth, knocking both teeth, and him out. He then turned back to us.
Tai: Let this be a lesson to you girls. I. OWN. YOU.
Tai then walked out of the room with a satisfied smile on his face. Yang and I scrambled to get to Y/n. He was out cold and bleeding. I began to panic, not knowing what to do, until Yang grabbed my arm.
Yang: Go get the first aid kit from the bathroom! Hurry!
And with that I sprinted to find it and hoped that Y/n would be ok....
Timeskip
Y/n Pov
I awakened to a dull pain. My head was aching and I was having trouble remembering exactly what happened. I turned my head, Which hurt like hell by the way, and saw both Yang and Ruby at the bedside. Both had clearly been crying if the red puffy eyes where any indication. I started to have flashes as to what happened. The pain in my hand then snapped me out of my trip down memory lane. It was heavily bandaged, so I couldn't see how bad the damage was but from what it felt like, it was going to be a long recovery. I thanked Oum that mom taught Yang and I first aid. Said it was a skill that everyone should have, especially if they wanted to be huntsmen. Good thing too, Though it is regrettable that a bunch of kids needed it so soon after learning. Yang and Ruby didn't look harmed physically, but I was more concerned about the quickly accumulating mental scars the two were racking up. I knew I couldn't protect them the way I needed to, but I vowed that if I did anything. It would be taking the heat for anything that happens. My little stunt put a nice big target on my back and Tai was more than willing to take aim if my current condition is any indication.
'Yang.... Ruby.... I promise that as long as I'm around, I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.'
Unfortunately, just like with breakfast; There was one tiny problem that would make this a impossible task....