Life Without You

Chapter 11

    "Who are you?". The pretty young woman smiled kindly, and knelt down so she was eye-to-eye with the three-year-old Gale. "I'm Dora-Lee, you big sister!" "Where have you been?" "I've been learning how to become a huntress, but I'm back now." "Oh." Gale tilted his little head to the side, closely studying the stranger's face. "So...you're my sister...does that mean we'll be buried in the same place?" "Yeah, why?" "Promise?" "Yes...why?" "'Cause I don't wanna be buried near Dad. He was not nice. He hit Mom." Big, wet tears filled the honey eyes. "Did you see him hit Mom? Did he hit you too?" "Yeah, he did, but he's not here anymore, is he?" "No," Gale whispered, thoughtfully, "no, he isn't...are you going to be here for long?" Dora laughed, and picked Gale up. "For years and years and years!" "Promise?" "I'll help you with homework," "Promise?" "and tuck you in at night," "Promise?" "and dance at your wedding," "Promise! Promise that you'll always be here for me!" Dora laughed again, her dark chocolate eyes shining with mirth. "I promise."

    "Winter!" Weiss ran up in her navy blue Mary-janes and crisp white sundress. "Winter! Come and play with me!" Whitley trotted up behind his sister slowly, sucking on his little thumb. "Com play, Winner!" He said, grinning shyly, showing off his missing front teeth. Winter sighed, and put down her book. "I don't know, guys, I still have a lot of work to do..." Weiss puffed out her now bright pink cheeks and stamped her foot with her hands on her hips, and Whitley tried to imitate her. "But Winter!" "Bu Winner!" "Fine." Immediately Weiss's face lit with satisfaction, and Whitley beamed innocently. "C'mon, Winter!" "Yay! Winner's gonna play, Winner's gonna play wit us!" Winter smiled. She would finish her work some other time.

    Gale lay on the cracked yellow road, stained with his and Volant's blood. He tried to straighten himself, and was glad to find nothing seemed to be broken-his shoulder was sore, but that seemed to be the worst of it. Volant was bleeding from his head, his ear still being held loosely in Gale's hand. Qrow had reclaimed his scythe, and stood above Volant, who gasped "You know what? Fine. I'm done with you." "You'll leave us alone?" Qrow asked, suspiciously. "Yeah. I'll just head straight to Vacuo and take care of that silver-eyed girl." "Can't let you do that either." "Man, you are picky." Volant rolled onto his side, snatching his coat and unfolded his gun. In no time, fire was once again spreading fast. Qrow ran to pick up Gale, to get him away from the danger. "I'm dropping you off at your village, then I'll be on my way-" "I wanna go to Vacuo too." Gale struggled to his feet, a look of cold determination on his face, still so young and innocent. A crack echoed across the flames. Blood trickled in between Gale's eyes.

    "Winter?" Weiss came up slowly to her older sister's desk nervously. "I-I know you're probably busy, and I don't want to bother you, but...well...Ruby, and Blake, and everyone...we're going into town to explore, and...to, y'know, hang out, and, stuff. So, I-I didn't know if, you'd like to-" "I'd love to come." Winter smiled at her sister's bright smile. She stood up from her desk, and passed a small, tin trash can, which had a small, orange container in it. For some reason, she felt something good was heading their way soon.

(I'm waiting for someone to put together the connection between Volant's pyrotechnic addiction with Qrow's inspiration.)