The Unexpected Loss (a RWBY fanfiction)

One After Another

"You didn't tell me you were dating Weiss Schnee!!!" Neon hissed after they were escorted from the building. "That seems like import information for me to have!!"

"It doesn't matter..." Ruby whispered as they walked, heart feeling like it was shattered all over again.

"Yes it matters!!!" She snapped. "First of all, she's rich enough to buy out every part of your life and burn it to the ground!! Pissing her off is a bad idea!!" Neon explained quickly. "Second of all, you know how I feel about Schnee Industries and you didn't think it was important to mention that you were dating part of the royal fucking family?!"

"No actually, I didn't think it was!" Ruby finally shouted, whipping towards Neon. "I didn't think you needed to know every little bit about my ex! I didn't know you needed to watch me break down trying to explain to you how the woman I loved tore my heart out!!! I didn't realize that you needed me to describe just how much I hate my life right now or how much I actually needed Weiss in it!!!"

Neon tensed in frustration. "You have me."

"I don't want you!!"

They both stood in a rigid anger, each burning with emotion and rage.

"Fine then." Neon snapped, turning away to leave. "Don't call me again. I don't need anymore of your shit."

Ruby walked home in silence. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She didn't want to deal with anyone. She was done with everything.

The night was restless, laying in bed but not even close to sleeping.

"Fuck. Everything." She finally decided, getting up to watch TV until the sun came up.

When the phone finally rang, Ruby didn't even bother hiding how awful she felt when she answered.

"You sound like shit, kid." Qrow commented, seeming concerned.

"Feel like it too, Uncle Qrow." She whispered. "How are you doing though? Anything fun happening?"

"Well actually, I wanted to go out to lunch or something today. Just hang out a bit." He told her, careful not to seem nervous or too eager. "Thought we'd have a chat."

"I'd love that right now, I really need some normal time." Ruby laughed, feeling slightly better just being able to hear her uncle. "Kinda wish you told me you were in Vale."

"Wanted to make it a surprise. Can I pick you up around noon?"

"That sounds great, Qrow. Thank you." She whispered gratefully.

The brunette went to take a shower, a very long one, making sure she felt awake before she finished getting ready for the day in black jeans and a red blouse.

She was just tying her shoes when the laces snapped on one of them. "Great..."

Now wearing her favorite pair of combat boots, Ruby grabbed her wallet and went downstairs to wait for her uncle. And Qrow didn't disappoint, pulling up in an old gray mustang, smiling at her through the lightly tinted glass.

"Hop in, kid."

The drive was comforting, Qrow just making jokes and taking Ruby's mind of the last few weeks. He pulled into a parking garage and smiled over at the girl.

"Up for pizza?" He asked with a smirk, already knowing the answer.

Within the next ten minutes they were seated and ordering, ready to eat and sipping on their water glasses.

"It's really good to see you. Being blunt, I needed the pick me up." Ruby chuckled, the bags under her eyes dark and obvious.

Qrow frowned slightly, looking down and thinking to himself. "Hey, so... I promised a friend of mine that I'd talk to you about something."

The brunette was suddenly angry, eyes narrowed in hate. "If it has anything to do anything Schnee, I don't want to~"

"It's got nothing to do with Weiss." He interrupted, Ruby shivering at her name. "Umm... So you know that our family's really messed up, right?"

"Duh." Ruby deadpanned. "Not a lot that could make that more obvious."

"Don't speak too soon..."

The girl raised a brow in confusion. "What do you mean? Am I gonna learn that I'm related to Zwei or something?"

"The dog? No no, nothing like that..."

"Then spit it out, it can't be that bad." Ruby laughed.

Qrow looked down, feeling shame and self loathing in his gut. "So... Your mom and I were really close until she passed away."

"Yeah, you were best friends." The girl replied, stating that she already knew.

"But... So your dad and Summer were never very 'lovey dovey', you know?" He continued. "He was protective of here, but it wasn't in a romantic way."

"Umm... I'm not sure where you're going with this..."

"Ruby, I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner, I was freaking out and wasn't ready for my life to change and..." Qrow hesitated for another second. "Summer wanted a kid."

Ruby frowned over at the raven haired man across the table. "Uncle Qrow, I'm really getting confused here..."

"I'm not your uncle, Rubes..." He told her honestly. "Tai had split from Raven and was a complete mess. He needed more help taking care of Yang and Summer was pregnant and knew I couldn't help her..."

"Qrow..?"

"Ruby, Tai isn't your dad." The man whispered, the sick feeling of shame eating away at him. "I was with your mom and I wasn't ready for a kid. Tai always had space for Summer and he couldn't be alone like he was..."

Ruby's eyes widened and she started shaking her head in disbelief.

"I'm your dad, Ruby..."