RWBY- The Reaper

"We're here. Hey, get up.." Cinder nudged Death with her arm.

She had taken a small nap on Cinder's shoulder during the Bullhead ride to Patch. Death yawned and took the magazine off her face before stretching out.

"Si si estoy despierta.." (Yes yes I'm awake) Death tossed the magazine and stepped off the Bullhead after Cinder.

"Still don't understand that strange language." Cinder rolled her eyes and looked at the pale woman.

"It's old. I knew many who used it. Before my Brother saw fit to erase most of humanity." Death popped her shoulder and pulled her hood up.

It was after four in the afternoon, which meant the Xiao-Long family was very likely at home. Death looked up at the cloudy gray sky and thought it fitting for the news she was about to deliver. Walking into town, she was the object of many curious stares, given the white wolf tail dangling behind her cloak.

-Xiao-Long house-

Qrow had been staying with Tai and his nieces for a while. Summer had taken off, supposedly on Ozpin's mission. Normally, missions given by Ozpin could last anywhere from a week to at least two months. She hadn't been gone long enough to worry them but something just seemed off to Qrow.

He sat on the back porch, looking out at the treeline in the backyard.

*Caw~ Caw~*

Crows flew overhead, perching on the nearby trees. Qrow frowned, an unsettling feeling settled in his stomach.

"Uncle! There's a bunch of birds gathering around." His niece, Yang ran out to the back, having heard the commotion.

"Yeah. Crows.. heh." Qrow snorted at the funny face Yang gave him.

"I'm named after them. A group of them is called a murder. So, we got a murder of crows out here." Qrow explained, still watching their beady red eyed look around.

"Creepy!" Yang said, though she didn't actually seem to mind the birds being there.

"Cweepy. Tell me more!" Ruby, his other Niece had just waddled over with a big smile.

"Oh, sure thing. There's another black bird called a Raven. A group of them is called an Unkindness or Conspiracy. Tell you the truth.. I don't really care for these birds." Qrow sighed.

Crows are often associated with Nevermore, a species of Grimm unlike any other. They never attacked humans, but they were always around when one died. It was hard to distinguish crows from fledgling Nevermores but nobody liked having them around.

"Whyzzat?" Ruby tugged on his shirt questioningly.

Qrow wet his lips, debating internally if he should really say.

"They're seen as.. bad omens. Bad luck. That if you see them, something bad will happen." Qrow explained, taking the kid-friendly approach.

*DING-DONG*

And right on time, they heard the front doorbell ring. Tai, in the kitchen, yelled out to them.

"Hey Qrow, mind getting that? Girls, come help Dad out with supper!" Tai called from inside.

"'Kay!" Yang took her sister's hand and led her inside, eager to help her Father.

"Riiight." Qrow answered, heading to the front door.

His steps felt heavier and heavier as he approached the door. He felt a tight feeling gripping his heart as he touched the doorknob. A type of fear he's felt time and time again overflowed from within him. His gut told him there was no threat, but the sudden coldness he felt envelop him gave him pause.

"No.. That's..." Qrow bit his lip and opened the door.

He saw a familiar, beautiful and pale face. One he dreaded. She reached out to him, but Qrow quickly backpedaled and placed his shaky hand on Harbinger.

"Oh my stupid disciple. You don't change." Death scoffed.

Then she disappeared, as if she were never there. Now behind Qrow in less time than it took to blink. She placed her arms around his neck and hugged him from behind.

Qrow lowered his hand and sighed deeply before asking, "Who died..?"

"I think you know. For what it's worth, I had hoped I would not have to reap her until she was at the end of her lifespan." Death answered, causing Qrow's knees to instantly buckle.

*THUD!*

"Qrow? Hey! What's going on over there? Girls, stay here." Tai ran over from the kitchen, seeing his best friend being held against the chest of a pale-skinned Faunus woman he hadn't recognized.

"Who are you..?" Tai asked cautiously, fists clenching.

"Tai.. Don't. She's.. I know her. But there's some bad news." Qrow looked meaningfully at the blond.

"You should move your children out of earshot before this." Death released Qrow and helped him stand up.

Qrow nodded at him while doing his best to blink away the buildup of tears threatening to leave his eyes.

"Okay.." Tai shakily left for the kitchen, picking up and cradling his daughters while carrying them upstairs to their rooms.

The two curious kids kept asking who Death was, but Tai's mind was running a mile a minute.

"Just stay in your room and play until Daddy comes back, okay?" He pat the both of their heads and gave them his best smile before shutting the door and returning to see Death sit Qrow down on their living room couch.

"Okay.. the girls are upstairs. What happened? Did Summer's mission have any complications? Is she injured..?" Tai hoped he was wrong about his sneaking suspicion, throwing out guesses in hopes his wife was at least alive.

Death sat down next to Qrow and shook her head. Pulling her hood down, she looked Tai in the eyes and folded her hands.

"She is dead." The words hit Tai like a sledgehammer.

For a few moments, he forgot to breathe. His mind blanked while it processed what she had said. Then, the dam broke. Tai started to hyperventilate as tears escaped his eyes.

"No.. No.. Not Summer. Ozpin wouldn't... She wouldn't.." Tai held his face in his hands, the reality of Summer's death weighing extremely heavy on him.

"Tai, I'm here. I'm here, man." Qrow got up, putting his hand on his shoulder.

Death sat there and watched the two close friends support each other. Brothers in all but blood, she knew Qrow would help Summer's family. Being that he was considered a part of their family as well, this was natural. After a period of panick, sobbing and anger, they both turned their attention back on Death, who had been waiting there patiently.

"..Who are you? How could you know about her Death? Qrow vouches for you but I need to know.." Tai composed himself long enough to ask.

"I know, because I reaped her." The words instantly set Tai off. He jumped out of his seat and aimed to throw a punch at her, only to be held back by Qrow.

"TAI, STOP IT!! You're misunderstanding!" Qrow screamed in fear, in concern for his best friend.

"I reaped her soul. She was dying when I found her. I should have worded that better. I forget how normal mortals perceive my duty.." Death gestured Qrow to release Tai.

The blond calmed down, but still looked incredibly confused.

"You.. 'Reaped' her? What does that even mean?" Tai asked, his anger still evident.

"She's Death, Tai. Literally." Qrow answered, taking a shaky breath as he sat next to her.

"Straight up. I personally reap the souls of my nieces and nephews. I made a promise a long time ago. And I always keep my promises." Death explained, leaning back on the couch.

Tai looked to Qrow for an explanation but he just shook his head. She hadn't told him exactly how the Silver Eyed warriors were related to her. He refocused back on Death and felt his shoulders tense in preparation for his next question.

"What.. happened?"

"I felt her life fading. She was very injured when I found her. No chance of recovery. Tyrian Callows was particularly cruel to her. When I introduced myself, she was worried about you all. You, Qrow, Raven and the children. She pleaded with me. Not to let Salem harm her daughter, Ruby. To protect her from Salem." Death explained, seeing the anger and sadness overwhelm Taiyang again.

"Fuck... Fuck..!" He slammed his fist on his knee and covered his eyes.

"What happened to Tyrian?" Qrow growled.

Death gave him a sidelong glance that pretty much gave him his answer.

"I killed him and sent his head to Salem. I'm tired of this war she's been waging. I have a plan but.." Death looked at Tai, who nodded for her to continue while wiping away the stream of tears flowing down his face.

"I gave Summer my word to help Ruby. I intend to keep it. If she desires revenge against Salem, I can make her strong enough to achieve it. If she desires a peaceful life, nobody will ever bother her. I intend to help her in whatever way she wishes. To an.. extent, of course." Death stated, earning Qrow's attention immediately.

"Then if she asked you to kill Salem..?" He asked, hopefully as Tai looked at him strangely.

"I could do so. But I will not. That isn't helping her. That is making her dependant on me. Should I exterminate all Grimm if she asks me? Perhaps all criminals? No. If she wants to kill Salem, regardless of her reasons, she will need to do it herself. I am no tool, my foolish disciple." Her words were a lot to take in. Tai wondered if she could truly do everything she mentioned. But then he focused on the last part.

"Disciple...?" He gave Qrow a look.

"Yeah. She found me.. years ago. When I was in the tribe." Qrow gave him a half-answer, not looking to go into depth about their time together.

Tai nodded and stared at Death with a difficult expression. It was all a little overwhelming. There was some comfort knowing that Summer wasn't alone when she passed. But then he felt sick, knowing she had suffered like that before she died. The despair of losing his love again, the dread of having to tell his kids and be a single Father and the promise that Death herself was going to look after his little girl was too much to deal with all at once.

"I... I need.. a drink.." Tai mumbled, his voice devoid of strength.

"I'll call a sitter. We can go to a bar nearby. I don't want you drinking alone, Tai." Qrow pat his friend's back.

"Thank you. I just.. need to process all of this somehow.." Tai ran his hands down his face and looked back at Death, who had just stood up.

"I have a daughter to return to. I'll be back tomorrow with her. Being alone right now is not what you need, so we'll be visiting often." Death stated, seeing no argument from Qrow or Tai.

"Glad we're agreed. Stay strong. Your children need you." Death added before walking out, disappearing from sight.

Qrow sighed. Seeing his teacher again was something he was dreading. He avoided calling out to her for so long, he felt guilty. And their reunion wasn't a happy occasion, as he'd hoped.

"..Guess I shouldn't have expected different. Not after what I did.." Qrow mumbled as he picked up the phone and dialed the babysitter.

[AN: And that's 3rd chap. Lemme know your thoughts.]