THIS WILL BE THE DAY

CHAPTER 1

That night, Qrow held Winter tight as she slept. He watched her as she nursed Ethan. It was the kind of normal life that he wanted but could never have. He thought to himself, this will never last. He thought to himself, if every night was like this, I could be happy. He thought to himself, if this was my last day to live, I would want it to be just like this. He decided to be happy for this one night and wait to see what tomorrow would bring.

When tomorrow came, it brought the battle everyone had been waiting for. This was the day they had all been waiting for....

The day started out like any other. Qrow and Winter were so happy. Qrow had never been so happy before, not even with Summer. Despite the dangers, they were full of hope. Ethan had changed everything. He had brought hope, not only to Qrow and Winter, but to the whole team. Everyone was excited. They were preparing for this battle with every confidence that they could end the war.

That morning Weiss and Ruby came down early for breakfast and found Winter and Qrow putting Ethan back to sleep after his feeding.

Weiss: Oh, can I see him? Please! Let me hold him.

Winter: He's just going back to sleep.

Weiss: I won't wake him; I can rock him.

Ruby: And I'll help! I just love this little guy.

Qrow: You two keep it down. You'll wake everyone. To Winter: Leave Ethan with the girls; we can use a break. Come on back to bed.

Winter: Ok. Thanks girls.

Qrow and Winter go back to their room.

Weiss: What do you think about them? Could you ever imagine?

Ruby: No, (giggles) it was a complete surprise to me. Uncle Qrow has always been really secretative.

Weiss: Yeah, Winter is always so formal and proper. (both laugh)

Ruby: I think she is good for him. He stopped drinking and I have never seen him look happy, EVER!

Weiss: I've never seen Winter look so relaxed. (both laugh again)

Both together: They're perfect for each other! (both laughing loudly)

Weiss: Shhh, don't wake him.

Ruby: I won't; he is ssoooo cute.

Weiss: I know. I think he looks like my brother when he was a baby.

Ruby: He has Uncle Qrow's eyes.

Qrow and Winter are awake but comfortably cuddled together.

Winter: We never really decided what we do now.

Qrow: We could go stay at your place if you want. You can join team RWBY and help us prepare for the battle. I don't want you to fight. Don't get me wrong, I know you are an excellent fighter, but I don't want to lose you and you have to think of Ethan.

Winter: If it comes down to it, I will fight. I don't want to lose you either but, if we are going to do this, then we have to stick together. I'm not Summer and I won't stay home while a man does all the fighting for me. This is what I was trained to do. I want to fight so that our children won't have to.

Qrow: Just as long as Ethan always has you. He needs you and so do I.

Winter: You will always have me; both of you will.

Qrow: You could get your job back if you want.

Winter: I think I'm through with all of that. All I want is to end this war; then we will all be free.

Qrow: Not me; I'm always going to have misfortune hanging over me. I don't want it to hurt anyone else.

Winter: We fought together before.

Qrow: And you were injured.

Winter: You didn't cause that. Sometimes bad things happen. You were there and you saved me. You don't curse me with bad luck. It was good luck, that I had you.

Qrow: Maybe but .....

Winter: But nothing. I am going to prove it to you.

Qrow: I'd like that. (both giggling)

Winter: Yeah, me too. They kiss. I missed you!

Qrow: I was miserable!

Winter: Raven said that.

Qrow: She came to me asking about the Fall maiden. I knew it was her.

Winter: Do you think she will help us? I was hoping she would come with me when she sent me back. I had wanted all of us to talk.

Qrow: She can sense me and I can sense her too. That's how I knew she was lying about the maiden powers. She will be here but ....I'm not sure we can count on her being part of our team. She has already done her own thing. She doesn't trust Ozpin.

Winter: Do you still trust him completely? There is so much that we don't know.

Qrow: This much I'm sure of, Salem is the one we have to destroy.

Winter: Agreed. You know, when I said we hadn't talked about what we do next, I was referring to us...

Qrow: Yeah, and I've decided.

Winter: Yeah, what's that?

Qrow: That I'm not letting you out of my sight again.

Winter: Good, because I'm not letting you get rid of me that easy this time either.

After Raven left Winter, she took Marta to join the other bandits. Then she decided to pay a visit to an old friend. She flew off immediately and didn't stop until she reached her destination. Raven landed on a branch just outside the house and watched for him to come outside. Taiyang would come out about the same time every morning. In fact, Raven had watched him many times from the same branch but this morning, she decided to do something she hadn't done since she left so many years ago. Taiyang came out just as Raven knew he would and she swooped down and transformed before him.

Tai: Well, to what do I owe this ...pleasure?

Raven: Are you going to Atlas? Or are you going to let the girls fight for you while you hide out here?

Tai: Nice to see you too. I've been busy. What about you? Are you going to Atlas?

Raven: I asked you first.

Tai: I've thought about it.

Raven: So have I. Don't look so shocked. Yang is my daughter too. I have just as much stake in whatever happens as you all do.

Tai: That never seemed to matter to you before. Why do you show up here all the time dropping feathers and not saying a word, huh? What good does that do anyone? If you want to know what's going on, you could have shown your face before now and you could talk. You don't have to fly around spying on us.

Raven: I'm here now. It has been suggested that we all come to Atlas and fight together. With all that has happened, it might be the right time. I just wanted to know, if you're in or you're out.

Tai: Is that the only reason you're here?

Raven: What other reason could there be? Is there something else you want from me?

Tai: No. I learned a long time ago not to expect much from you.

Raven: So, are you in or are you out?

Tai: I'm in! You?

Raven: I will see you in Atlas. She starts to leave but Tai grabs her arm.

Tai: No, wait! You don't get off that easy.

Raven: What do you want?

Tai: In all this time, you never revealed yourself or spoken to me at all. Why now, what's different?

Raven: Nothing!

Tai: You're lying! I could always tell when you were lying.

Raven: Maybe....I have hope....that something could be different this time. I haven't felt hopeful since Summer died.

Tai: You could have been part of her life. You could have come back any time.

Raven: I'm not coming back. The tribe is my family; they always have been.

Tai: What about ME!? I was never family to you? And Yang? And even Qrow? We are your family and you abandoned us.

Raven: You wanted me to change! You wanted me to be someone I wasn't. Qrow changed. He isn't the brother I remember growing up with. He is the one who changed and now, he acts like he is too good for the family he came from. He acts like he is better than us. But, he isn't. You aren't. Why should I change? You could have joined me.

Tai: What?! And raise my daughter to steal and kill? You know me better than that.

Raven: You don't know me at all!

Tai: No, I guess not. Go ahead, go. I guess there is nothing more to talk about.

Raven: You're right. I lied. I wanted to see you. We never talked .... about what happened. I was watching. I never wanted... to interfere.

Tai: You should have ... interfered...it would have been better...better than remaining silent for so long. Maybe... maybe we can talk....later... sometime. Maybe it isn't too late for things to change.

Raven smiled a bit and then turned serious again: If you're in, you better come now. There's no time to waste. It's happening very soon. With that Raven transformed and flew away.

Taiyang stood watching as Raven disappeared. He paused a moment before going back in the house. He looked at the bags piled by the door. He had already packed. He was ready to go. He picked up his bags to headed straight out.

Sun was staring at his phone. He and Blake hadn't seen each other since the battle in Haven but they had been talking. He knew that team RWBY was going to need all the help they could get. Sun hadn't told Blake, but he and the other fawnists were all prepared to stand with them and defend Atlas. They had finally arrived.

Sun dialed his phone: Blake? Hey, it's me. Where exactly are you?

Blake: We are staying with Dr. Watson here in Atlas. Where are you?

Sun: I'm here. I brought a few friends. We're here to help.

Blake: Are you serious!? Everyone, everyone! Sun is here! In Atlas! He's brought others to help. Blake quickly tells Sun where to meet her. She runs to tell everyone.

With all the screaming, Everyone came running downstairs wondering what was happening. The commotion woke Ethan and he was crying. Everyone gathered in the living area.

Blake: Oh, I'm so sorry! I forgot about the little guy. We have to go meet Sun. He and some friends have all come to help us.

Dr. Watson: How many people are we talking about?

Blake: I really don't know but we would never ask you to put everyone up if that's what...

Dr. Watson: No, I would be glad to help find places everyone can stay. I'll call and get all the rooms I can.

Qrow: I'll go with Blake to meet them.

Yang: I'll go.

Ruby: Me too.

Weiss: I'll stay and help Winter with Ethan.

Winter: Thank you Weiss but I'm ok.

Weiss: I want to.

Oscar, Jaune, Ren and Nora all went along to meet Sun as well.

Unfortunately, while team RWBY and all of their friends were preparing for the battle, Salem and her forces were ready to strike. They had located Raven and her tribe again. Tyrian, Hazel and Watts were all with Salem.

Salem: And you are certain of the location?

Dr. Watts: Yes. It is confirmed. Raven herself was spotted.

Tyrian: So when can I go?

Salem: Patience! And the Silver-eyed girl?

Dr. Watts: Is in Atlas with her uncle.

Hazel: So what are we waiting for?

Salem: Tonight, we begin. I want you to bring the girl to me! Kill her uncle.

Dr. Watts: Killing him will not be that easy.

Tyrian: Leave him to me.

Salem: Tyrian will handle Qrow. Hazel, kill the boy! Ozpin won't be able to help them if you kill his host body.

Dr. Watts: What do you want us to do about Raven?

Salem: Leave her to me. I have plans for her.