By Crane and Rose
I do not own RWBY except OCS- Rooster teeth own all copyrights and claims to RWBY
I also don't own legend of the five rings material- Copyrights go to Fantasy flight games
Chapter 1: The mysterious stranger
Many wonder how Remnant would have turned out differently. Many wonder how it would turn out. However, on this Remnant people do not wonder this out of curiosity, but to take their minds off the horrors that caused their world to change and change for the worst. The four kingdoms landmass is a footnote to the massive eastern region known as the Farthest east. Grimm though still dangerous are by no means the only danger, or even the most dangerous thing. Dust is only known about and barely understood by small orders of alchemists that dot the region.
The gods to punish humanity changed the world to truly test them, to see just how far they will go to survive. After the reformatting the four kingdoms continued, though not as high tech or as powerful as they are in other timelines, life was good. They met new peoples and cultures. They traded, signed treaties and fought against the new horrors of the world. However all this changed when they met the Wei people.
The Wei were the descendants of a pantheon of ancestor gods, the equivalent of maidens. Though much more long lived than other humans, they weren't as different as humans and faunus were. However, their civilization took an alternate path to other nations, and their 8 great clans drove them ever further in fields science, engineering, magic and trade. Contact between the two powers was set up, but the two famously disagreed on many things. These disagreements lead both powers to resentment, hatred, and eventually war.
The war, later known by both parties as the war of the Slaughtered, was practically a world war. Battlefields filled to bursting with the bodies of the dead, entire provinces stripped of all humanoid life, and cites wiped off the map. The new alliance created many clans to fight the Wei, but most were lost during this war. The Wei lost 5 of their 8 great clans, and only one imperial family survived by the end. Eventually a ceasefire and peace were called after 100 years of bloody conflict. The Wei took up their northern provinces as the new Wei triumvirate, and the remaining clans and nations in the south took the name Wakano covenant.
For now, an uneasy peace and shaky tensions rock the two powers and few remaining minor powers. Vast tracts of civilized lands are now untamed wilderness filled with Grimm and other horrors, and even the civilized lands aren't safe. Most of the clans and groups on the region have been wiped out, and those that survived have barely recovered. To many this new world is a nightmare made manifest.
A small city in the Wakano covenant, Beacon, was a small trading hub and crossroads. 15-foot walls surrounded it and overlooked farmlands and sparse forests. On a sunny day a black-haired teen girl walked to her job at a tavern in bar maid clothes. She walks into her place of work, a small place called the Giants Alehouse, and began cleaning her tables.
"Sleep well after last night Ruby?" the tavern owner, a middle-aged man asked while cleaning a mug
"No, I didn't. That big group of Sotora's gave me hell last night with their constant reorders" Ruby replied with a tone of frustration
"Todays a new day Ruby Rose. Never forget that." He simply said as he set down the mug
"I know boss… I just wish I could do more to help my family. Ever since my mother died my dad hasn't had the easiest time paying taxes and…" Ruby said before she was cut off
"You're doing everything you can Ruby. Your father and sister don't fault you for anything. One person can only do so much. You work hard and do good work for me and that's all they and I ever expect from you. So, chin up and get ready, we open in 10 minutes." The owner said in a fatherly manner before turning to get another mug
Ruby sighed at this, shook her head, and continued. Every day was the same and she didn't feel like she was doing much for her family at all. Only through Yang falling in love and being in a relationship with a samurai of the Sotora clan was her family's life starting to turn around. The two got along famously. Yang the passionate, fiery, and upbeat blonde complimented the shy, stoic and down to earth samurai Azura. On their off time they could be seen everywhere together, and rumors flew about how intimate their relationship was. The family Azura was part of owned the province beacon is in, and through his connections he ensured Ruby's family were able to pay their burdensome taxes.
As soon they opened Ruby was shocked as Azura walking in and sat at one of her tables. Though short for his age, he was muscular, heavily scarred, and had noticeable azure blue hair. He wore traditional azure blue and black kimono and sandals, indicating he wasn't on active duty. Despite this he still wore his daisho on his belt and had one hand gently around the two swords midpoint.
"Azura? I didn't expect you here this time of day, and without yang." Ruby said in surprise
"Unfortunately, Yang took someone's shift today, so I was at a lost at what to do. I figured coming in to see my girlfriend's little sister couldn't hurt." He said with a smile
"What would you like to drink then?" She responded curtly
"A bottle of travelers sake. And I think I'll have the salt crusted salmon meal." Azura said after a quick look at the menu
"Excellent choice. Just please no reorders. Your clansmen drove me nuts last night with that…" Ruby said to him bluntly
"I heard about that from Yang. I'm sorry about that, but my kin tend to expect the best, sometimes to a ridiculous degree. There aren't many, but theirs enough and they tend to stick together. Don't worry I would never do that to you Ruby." Azura said sympathetically
"Thank you Azura." Ruby replied with a bow of her head, and then left to put in the order
Azura patiently waited for his sake as slowly people began to trickle into the tavern for lunch. Ruby came back with the high-end sake bottle and sake cup on a tray and set it down in front of Azura. He nods as Ruby pours his cup and then bows. Azura smiles and takes a sip.
"Top notch as always." Azura says with a sigh
"Thank you Azura. Your food should be out soon…" Ruby replied
"Take your time. I'm in no hurry today. Master Yuri gave us all day off from training and I don't have guard duty. Relax Ruby." Azura said, tried to keep her calm
"Azura I can't relax. Everything I do to help doesn't seem to do anything. No matter how much I make, the hours I work, how tired I get after I'm done nothing changes." Ruby says flustered
"I understand Ruby, but my family is a major military institution. Military equipment, salaries, and horses aren't cheap. Until we find a new source of honorable income these taxes stay the same. All you can do is wait. Till then I will help you and your family as much as I can." Azura replies firmly
"I just want to change things with my life. The worst part is I can't…" Ruby said weakly, starting to give into her negative emotions
"Never say that Ruby. I found Yang and she completely changed my life. I don't know what will change your life, but once you find it, nothing's going to stop it." The samurai said in a warmer tone
"Do you really think so? Or are you just trying to cheer me up?" Ruby asked
"I mean it Ruby. I never lie to make people feel better." Azura replied
Ruby would nod and move about her other tables as more people trickled in. Beacon was in a unique strategic position for economic and military affairs. It was at the crossroads for many minor clans and nations trade routes throughout the region and was where several large rivers met. This interconnected point also allowed armies to fan out in almost any direct. As a result, the Sotora's held a tight grip on the city, and patrolled the rivers and roads heavily to keep them secure. However, most of their eyes were turned northwards, ever watchful for any sign of the Wei.
Wei had suffered more harshly than the peoples of Wakano, but they still held a lot of sway in the region. The southern most of their clans was the Crane, a people most known for their courtiers, duelists and artisans. They reside amount the coast to the north, its peasants tending to its fertile field and fishing its vibrant waters. Though more known for their political power, their military might, and guerilla style tactics made the Sotora's keep a watchful eye out.
The Sotora's however didn't realize that the Crane has more of a presence in Beacon than they thought. Their southernmost family, the Yasuki, ran a Ronin merchant group called the Scales of the Carp that funneled massive amounts of Wei goods into the northern provinces every year, and made great profit off of their old enemies. The Scales recruited, supported and trained Ronin of all stripes that had a talent for commerce, in exchange of 70% of their profits to their Yasuki masters.
On that same day a large merchant wagon pulled by two massive draft horse moved from the north towards Beacon. At its helm was a young man in a modest green and yellow kimono. He was thin, black haired, sharp featured, and blue piercing eyes that analyzed everything they looked at. On his belt was a Daisho, indicating his Samurai status to anyone even lightly versed in the ways of the Samurai. Barely poking out of his kimono on his shoulder were a series of carp scale tattoos. The wagon was unmarked and bore no symbol to hide its allegiance to the scales or the Yasuki. Soon the lumbering wagon reached the gates and stopped to address the samurai guards.
"State your name and purpose." The Sotora said bluntly after a slight bow of respect to his unknown peer
"My name is Cao. I come from the Hare clan lands with intent to sell these goods in market. I assume that the markets are open today?" Cao said politely and respectfully, bowing in respect to them
"The market is still open. However, your wagon must be checked for contraband." The same Sotora replied to him
"I understand. I have heard rumors of contraband being smuggled in this region, but I was unable to verify such lurid claims." Cao said, feigning ignorance with surprising grace
"Indeed, we have brother. Now I would kindly have to ask you to leave the cart for a few minutes while we check." The other Sotora said sternly, yet politely to his fellow samurai
"Of course, Sotora-san." Cao said and gently got off his wagon and moved several paces away
The two veteran guards then looked over the wagon carefully for anything out of the ordinary. Even the smallest inconsistency could indicate a secret compartment. After around 10 minutes the two samurai noticed nothing out of the ordinary and let him through. Cao thanked them and climbed back on wagon, then drove his horses into the city. He chuckled a bit out of earshot as he did have contraband in that immense wagon. The Scales of the Carp dabbled in all kinds of goods and worked with smugglers and pirates alongside their agents to gain profit. He then drove it into a space made for him by his people and began to set up shop. Soon other Ronin of the scales showed up to help him.
"Glad to see you didn't get caught rookie." One said as he directed the men helping Cao
"Thank the wagon, not me." Cao replied bluntly as he got off and lead the horses to stalls nearby
"Sell this stuff off and your going to be rich. Even though the boys up north take the lion share." The leader chuckled
"That's my job. Get it in, sell it, and return back to base to repeat the process." Cao said as he gave his horses hay and water after a long day of travel
"We'll handle setting things up for you. Go get some food. Put some meat on those bone kid." The leader said
"Are you sure?" Cao ask, turning to face him
"Of course. Can't do commerce on an empty stomach." The Leader replied with a smile
Cao was about to object when his stomach cut him off with a fierce growl. He hadn't eaten anything all day and woke up at first light to get to Beacon as fast as possible. With that he bowed to the leader of the ground and went to find something to eat. Though Beacon wasn't the biggest city, he was still surprised at the sheer variety of options for eateries. He then looked keenly for establishments that had a significant amount of samurai going in and out of them. Through this filter, he finally decided on the Giants Alehouse.
Walking inside he wasn't impressed by the surroundings. It was fair sized, boasting almost two dozen tables and a fair-sized bar, but was very simple and rustic feeling to him. It wasn't fancy and didn't seem to stand out to him. However, there were a good amount of samurai in the place, allowing him to blend in and not look disreputable. He sat himself at a small two-person table and began to look at the menu. Soon however his gaze was force elsewhere by a sweet and cheerful voice that resonated through his soul.
"Hello samurai-san. How may I help you?" The voice said sweetly, forcing Cao to look
Before him was a woman around his age, shorter than him and even thinner. She wore simple grey and white bar maid clothes. Her features were smooth and soft, despite working in such a hard job. Her hair was mostly coal black with ruby red highlights, whether they were natural or dyed in he couldn't tell. Finally, he looked into her grey eyes that shown like the moon with determination, and a kind of longing for something she did not have. This left Cao sitting their speechless, and for the first time in his life he didn't know what to say. And with a feeling he didn't understand.
Ladies and gentlemen, after a long absence this is my return. Until they get updated, all other stories are on hiatus till I get confident enough to continue them, but this is my focus. Please review and tell me what you think, what you liked or disliked, what you'd like to see, any questions, anything that's on your mind about it leave a review. If you don't want to, don't feel pressured.
Also shout out to my mate Uzumaki Ricky for hearing me talk about this for the past month or two and giving feedback. Head over to his profile and check him out, he will be coming out at some point with his own return story that also will be a RWBY fic, so keep an eye out. See you all next time.