Hello all Storm here with a new story! Here is another unique idea that hasn't been done much before, with this being the first time it was done this way, at least to my knowledge. I won't spoil anything, but I hope you all enjoy the story. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
Anima, the second-largest Kingdom in Remnant, along with being home to the Kingdom of Mistral and Haven Academy. Anima is home to a wide variety of ecosystems, including swamplands, wind-carved cliffs, and a plethora of forests. Anima is also known to frequently have pouring rain, especially in areas near Mistral.
In the western part of Anima, there are numerous small settlements, home to people who wish to live outside of the Kingdom. Unfortunately, these settlements lack any good defenses, leaving them open to be attacked and destroyed, either by the Creatures of Grimm or bandit tribes.
One such tribe is the Branwen Tribe, a nomadic tribe of bandits that wander Anima, while surviving by attacking villages and caravans.
Almost seventeen years ago, the previous leader of the tribe passed away, passing on leadership to the strongest member, Raven Branwen. Of course, there were those that did question Raven becoming leader, especially after her brother Qrow had abandoned the tribe, rather than return after the twins graduated from Beacon.
But Raven had made it perfectly clear that her authority wouldn't be questioned, making examples of those that dared to challenge her. After that, no one even thought of questioning Raven's leadership, less they wanted to also suffer the same fate as those before them.
They also didn't want to risk crossing the three tribe members that followed Raven without question, as they wouldn't kill them quickly, like Raven would.
Currently, Raven sat in her tent, looking at her Scroll with a frown.
'So, Salem's lackeys had made an attempt to steal the power of the Fall Maiden, but only got half of it, after Qrow stopped them. It's likely that Ozpin is keeping Amber somewhere in Beacon.' Raven thought.
While Raven had long since left Ozpin's little group, she still kept up to date on what was happening in his and Salem's hidden war.
There was a time, where Raven had actually considered siding with Ozpin and her teammates in the fight against Salem, if only because she was a threat to the tribe and all of Remnant. That is until Raven saw firsthand, just what kind of monster Salem was. After that, she knew going against her was hopeless, and returned to the tribe.
Plus, Raven knew Ozpin well enough, to know that he never gave them the full details of Salem and what she was capable of. After all, the one thing that Raven had always been suspicious of, was why didn't Ozpin ever use the power of the Relics to kill Salem in one of his past lives?
Instead, he kept them locked away under the Huntsmen Academies, with only the Maidens being able to access them. It made Raven suspicious as to why this secret war has lasted as long as it has, when it seemed rather simple to how Ozpin can end it, and yet he doesn't.
She didn't know the exact reason why Ozpin didn't use them, but she had her own theories. The two most likely ones were either, the Relics weren't strong enough to kill Salem or…
Salem can't be killed.
Raven didn't know which was worse. That Salem was too strong for the Relics to kill. Given if the Relics couldn't hurt her, then what could? Or the idea that Salem can't be killed, period.
Either way, Raven had left, not wanting to be caught up in it more than she already was. With the final straw being Summer's disappearance, she wouldn't believe Summer was dead until she saw a body, since despite how she got on her nerves back at Beacon, Raven did value their friendship.
Though Raven soon shook her head, and pushed those thoughts aside, for now. Wanting to getting back to the matter at hand.
With one of Salem's pawns having half the Fall Maiden's power, she knew they'd make a grab for the other half that's now being kept at Beacon; along with a chance to get the Relic hidden there and kill Ozpin. While Ozpin would try and find some unfortunate girl to put the other half of the Fall Maiden's power in, to keep its full power out of Salem's hands.
'Neither of which can happen. Luckily, they aren't the only ones with plans.' Raven thought, smirking, just as the flaps of her tent opened up and three teenage girls entered, getting Raven's attention.
The first was a young woman with tan-colored skin, short brown hair and icy blue eyes. She had a tattoo of a bird rising from flowers on her left arm. She wore a brown vest over a torn white shirt, with a collar that appears to spike up behind her neck. She wore maroon-colored pants, with the right side rolled up to her thigh. She also wore dark brown knee guards that go down to her brown boots.
This was Vernal, a member of the Branwen Tribe, and someone that Raven trusted enough with an important assignment, years ago.
The second girl has long triple colored hair, being half brown and half pink, with white streaks on the pink side. Her eyes appeared to be heterochromic, with one being pink and the other brown, but each time the girl blinked, they'd either alternate between pink, brown, and white. Her attire consisted of a white tail jacket with a pink interior, buttons and one wide broad tail. While also wearing brown pants, black gloves, as well as black and white boots, with very high heels and multiple buttons on each side. Under her jacket is a brown corset, curved in the middle and at the bottom, exposing her hips. She also wears a multitude of necklaces, which hang haphazardly around her neck.
She was also rather short, just barely reaching Raven's shoulders, while wearing heels. But one shouldn't let her size fool them, as she could be quite sadistic when she wants to be.
This was Neopolitan, or just Neo to those she allows to call her that. She was a relatively new member to the tribe, having been brought in by the third member of the group.
The third and final girl, had long jet black hair, going all the way down to her backside and tied into two ponytails. Along with having pale skin, bright red eyes, three whisker marks on each cheek, and a black fox tail with a red tip emerging from her tailbone; showing the girl was a Faunus, humans with animal features. Her clothing was rather revealing, being black heeled boots that went up to below her knees, with studded dark crimson leather straps wrapped around them, black short shorts, a black sarashi wrapped around her breasts, and black fingerless opera-length gloves, with the same wrapping as her boots. She also had on a red amulet necklace around her neck.
Besides the tail, if one were to see Raven and this girl together, they'd either assume they were sisters, or mother and daughter. But while Raven and the girl did share blood, she wasn't her biological daughter.
This was Naruko Uzumaki Branwen, daughter of Qrow Branwen and Kushina Uzumaki, making her Raven's niece. And as of nine years ago, her adopted daughter.
Honestly, it wasn't a surprise to Raven that one of her brother's drunken one-night stands had finally ended in him getting someone pregnant, despite Qrow having sworn to never have kids with his Semblance. Though that didn't stop Raven from keeping tabs on all the women Qrow has slept with, never knowing when he might slip up.
And it paid off, when she finally found Kushina Uzumaki, a Fox Faunus, who had given birth to Naruko. Ironically a year before Raven had her own daughter, Yang.
Raven made sure to keep an eye on them, while also never telling Qrow, doubting he'd take it well that he has a child. Plus, even if he did know, he'd likely still stay away, not wanting his Semblance to affect them.
Unfortunately, after a few years, Kushina ended up dying from a Grimm attack, with Naruko being able to survive. Raven had found her seven-year-old niece barricaded in her closet, and after getting the girl to calm down and trust her, Raven had taken her to the tribe.
After she had gotten Naruko settled, Raven had been up front with her niece, answering all the questions she asked honestly; from who her father was, to why he was never there for her.
Though one thing Raven never told Naruko, was of her suspicions regarding her mother's death. Perhaps it was just her own paranoia and suspicious nature, but Raven had always wondered if Kushina dying was just a tragic accident, or something else at play.
When Raven had answered all of Naruko's questions, the little girl had then asked her aunt to train her, to make her strong. This was something Raven had been more than happy to do. Teaching Naruko everything she knew, how to protect herself and fight off, or kill, any threats, whether it was Grimm or Huntsmen.
Now after eleven years, where once was a scared little girl, was now a young woman who was calm, cool, collected, and introverted, constantly maintaining an aura of fearlessness. Though while Naruko could be cold and ruthlessness, along with uncaring for those around her, aside from a select few, she was an honorable warrior, maintaining her own set of morals and disciplines.
Naruko also had her own philosophy similar to Raven's belief in survival of the fittest, with Naruko believing that Might controls everything and without strength, you can't protect anything, not even yourself.
This lead Naruko to always be in pursuit of more power to grow stronger, but also never forgetting her morals. It actually impressed Raven how her niece/adoptive daughter could desire power and crush anyone in her way of it, and yet still uphold to her morals.
Though it also made Naruko dangerous, as she only truly cared about three people, her mother, Raven, and her girlfriend, Neo. The latter of whom Naruko had originally brought into the tribe, after they met.
Raven was well aware that the only reason Naruko stayed with the tribe, was because of them.
"You wanted to see us, Raven?" Naruko asked, crossing her arms under her bust, while also snapping Raven out of her thoughts.
"Yes. I've just learned that Salem's pawns made an attempt on stealing the Fall Maiden's power. They managed to steal half of it, before they were stopped…by Qrow." Raven revealed, while looking at Naruko, when she mentioned her father.
The moment the Fox Faunus heard her father's name, her gaze turned ice cold and she clenched her fists.
'So, he can be there to save some girl, but not be there for his own daughter.' Naruko thought, her resentment for her father shining through.
Naruko had become resentful, even hateful, to her father for never being there for her and her mother. Granted, Naruko was informed that it was just a drunken one night stand, but he never bothered to find out if that same one night stand had resulted in Kushina getting pregnant.
Though Naruko later learned that Raven had also found her mother's journal, where she wrote down that she chose to keep Naruko hidden from Qrow, after learning he worked closely with Ozpin. While Kushina didn't know the exact specifics, she didn't want Naruko getting caught up in her father's work, or worse, being targeted by anyone that wanted to hurt him.
But regardless of that, Qrow still should have at least checked after he slept with her. That way, her parents could have at least come to a compromise of what to do, rather than Kushina making her own assumptions on what would happen if Naruko ever met her father as a child, or if Qrow found out, himself.
'And he could have been there to save my mom!' Thought Naruko, feeling her anger rise.
Raven could practically feel Naruko's anger rising by the second, before noticing objects starting to rattle around her.
"Naruko! Calm down!" Raven said with a warning tone, knowing her anger wouldn't only attract Grimm, but other unwanted attention.
Neo placed a hand on her girlfriend's arm, looking at her in concern. Naruko took a deep breath as she calmed, while putting her hand over Neo's, with a small smile.
"Anyway, I'm sending you three to Beacon Academy under the guise of students. Do everything you can to make sure Salem's Pseudo-Fall Maiden doesn't get the rest of the Maiden's power." Raven said, after seeing her niece/adopted daughter's temper has cooled down.
"We'll get it done. Is there anything else?" Asked Naruko, with Raven nodding as she crossed her arms.
"If any of you get the chance, get all of the Fall Maiden's power for yourselves, and make sure they don't know it's you, if possible." Raven said, knowing it'd be good to have the Fall Maiden in the tribe.
After all, why only have one Maiden, when they could have two.
Nodding in confirmation, Naruko, Neo and Vernal left to get packed and head to Beacon.
*Timeskip – Two Days*
"So, this is Beacon." Vernal stated as the three exited.
"It's too crowded and noisy." "Said" Neo, as she created a sign with her Semblance, while being annoyed at all the chattering around her.
She was half tempted to poke some holes in their throats with Hush.
Naruko, meanwhile, looked around the campus of their soon to be school, before her eyes fell on two figures in particular.
'Ruby Rose and Yang Xiao Long.' Naruko thought at seeing her cousins, while noticing the strong similarities they both had with their respective mother's, having seen Raven's old picture of Team STRQ, when she showed it to her, so she can see what her father looked like.
Personally, Naruko wasn't sure what to think of her cousins. As on one hand, they were innocent and never did anything to her. Hell, Yang even knew what it was like to have an absentee parent, with Raven having knowingly left her behind! But on the other hand, it didn't make the fact that Qrow had been part of their lives growing up, and not hers, any easier.
Though Naruko soon growled lowly, when she saw Yang rushing off with a group of students, leaving her sister behind.
"She really is the drunk's niece." Naruko muttered bitterly, seeing how quick Yang was to leave her younger and socially awkward sister to fend for herself.
Well, at least Naruko knew that Yang inherited the Branwen family's ability to abandon their loved ones.
Seeing Ruby spin around in confusion at her sister's sudden disappearance, Naruko sighed, before looking at Neo and Vernal.
"You two go on ahead, I'll catch up after I look around some more." Said Naruko, with Neo and Vernal nodding, but also giving Naruko knowing looks, both aware that she would do more than just "look around", with Neo also smirking
"Just make sure to let me know if any ladies catch your eye, I'd be more than happy to help." Neo "said", while making kissing motions at her girlfriend.
While Naruko and Neo loved each other dearly, they also have an open relationship, with neither minding if the other has a harem, as long as they shared.
This made Naruko glare at the two as they walked away, before her eyes drifted down to Neo's swaying hips.
'I swear she get's on my nerves constantly, but damn, I love that little sadist.' Naruko thought, while licking her lips at how Neo was teasing her.
Once the two were out of sight, Naruko turned back to Ruby and began approaching her. Though she soon picked up her speed, when she saw Ruby getting shouted at by someone, who Naruko recognized as Weiss Schnee. Who was currently shaking a clearly damaged bottle of Dust in Ruby's face, who looked ready to sneeze.
Walking quickly up to them, Naruko pulled Ruby away, before she could sneeze from the Dust, before glaring at Weiss.
"What the hell are doing?! Can't you even see that bottle is damaged, and you're just spraying Dust everywhere?! Hmph, and here I thought you of all people would know that, princess." Naruko taunted, with Weiss's jaw dropping in indignation, that she was being yelled at and taunted by someone, especially a Faunus of all people.
Even worse, Weiss's face burned in embarrassment, when she saw the bottle was in fact damaged, with Dust leaking out.
"It's heiress, actually. Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company, one of the largest producers of energy propellant in the world." Said a black-haired girl, walking up after hearing the commotion, while giving a quick glance at Naruko's tail, surprised to see another Faunus.
Though it made Blake feel a little jealous of how Naruko was being open of who she is, rather than hiding.
"Gee, thank you Captain Obvious, I so wouldn't have figured that out. I mean, it's not like she has the Schnee logo on her luggage or her jacket, or you know, the fact she looks a Schnee." Naruko said sarcastically.
This made the secret Faunus blush in embarrassment, while seeing the fact that it should have been obvious who Weiss was, but she just assumed Naruko didn't know.
"The same company infamous for its controversial labor forces, and questionable business partners." Said Blake, after regaining her composure, and to Weiss's further chagrin, in addition to Naruko's previous comments.
"The nerve of... Ugh!" Weiss said, before marching off with a huff, after not being able to come up with a retort, at least one that wouldn't only make her seem more childish.
Blake, meanwhile, also slipped away, heading for the Amphitheater.
"Are you alright?" Naruko asked, while looking at Ruby, who had remained silent during the altercation, having been surprised by Naruko's initial appearance and then not being able to get a word in after.
"Ye-yeah. Thanks for the help." Said Ruby, with Naruko offering a half smirk.
"Don't worry about it. Though you seem a bit lost, if you want, I can show you where the Amphitheater is." Naruko offered, much to Ruby's relief, as she didn't know where it was.
"Yeah, that'd be great, thank you." Said Ruby, smiling in thanks.
"Don't worry about it, you needed help and I offered. By the way, I'm Naruko Namikaze." Naruko introduced, while using a fake last name.
Given if she used Branwen, that'd be a dead give away of her connection to Raven and the Branwen Tribe. It might even make people assume that she's Raven's daughter, as well. And Naruko didn't want to risk the off chance her father finding out that she's Kushina's daughter, and his by default, given her appearance, by using Uzumaki.
"Nice to meet ya, Naruko, I'm Ruby Rose!" Said Ruby as she introduced herself with a wide smile, as they shook hands.
"So... I got this thing!" Said Ruby, after a moment, and pulled out Crescent Rose as it unfolded and stabbed it into the ground.
She didn't really know what else to say, so she decided to start with something she was both familiar and confident with, her baby.
"Wow, that is… a big scythe for such a tiny girl." Naruko stated, surprised that Ruby was using a scythe that big, and was able to swing it around like that, but it also made her feel jealous, knowing Ruby likely learned how to use it from Qrow.
Ruby pouted at the tiny part, before changing Crescent Rose into its gun mode.
"It's also a customizable high-impact sniper rifle!" Ruby said, smiling proudly as she cocked it, with Naruko nodding, knowing it was definitely a powerful weapon.
"What about you, Naruko? What weapon do you have?" Asked Ruby, eager to see a new weapon.
Seeing the girls eager expression, Naruko smirked before reaching behind her and grabbed her weapon. At first Ruby was confused when Naruko only pulled out, what looked like a large sword hilt with demonic skulls on either side of the hilt, along with part of a sword. Though looking at it, Ruby was reminded of her Uncle Qrow's weapon, Harbinger, when he's just carrying it around.
Then, to Ruby's surprise a massive black broadsword extended out of the segment she could see, until it was nearly as big as she was. Then to her further surprise and excitement, sections of the blade began splitting apart and folding backwards, while the handle extended. Ruby knew exactly what it was, and she beyond excited to see another scythe user!
Once it finished transforming, the completed form of the blade gained red sharpened edges on the inside, while the outer edge took on a serrated appearance due to the folding. The hilt telescoped in two places, which then curved like a traditional scythe.
"This is my weapon; I call it Rebellion." Naruko said, smirking as she rested Rebellion on her shoulder.
"It. Is. So. COOL!" Ruby squealed, excited that she was seeing someone else use a scythe, besides her and her uncle.
"That's not all." Said Naruko, returning Rebellion to its sword form and sheathing it on her back.
Turning around, Naruko let Ruby see as the handle split into two and she pulled them out, revealing two katana blades, one being black with a red edge and the other being red with a black edge.
Ruby gasped in amazement at seeing she also had two katana's in her sword. Her amazement only increased as Naruko attached them at the hilts and they extended, before curving inward and outward, forming a bow, while Hard-Light Dust extended from the ends, forming the string.
"Now, I can attack more quickly with my katanas, along with being able to attack from range, with my bow and Dust arrows." Naruko said, while a compartment on her broadsword opened up, revealing several tiny arrows, with the arrowheads being filled with different types of Dust.
At first, Ruby was confused as to why they so tiny, until Naruko grabbed one and hooked it into the bow, before pulling it back, revealing the arrows could extend to full length.
Having finished showing Ruby her weapon, Naruko returned the katanas to the main body, and the arrow to the compartment. Naruko had been proud of herself, upon completing her weapon. Even more so when she successfully mastered using it, in all its forms.
'And the best part, I didn't need the drunk's help in mastering the scythe. I did it all on my own.' Thought Naruko, having added in Rebellion's Scythe Mode simply to spite her father, to show him she not only mastered his signature weapon, but did so without his help.
"So, what do you think?" Naruko asked, while seeing Ruby's starstruck expression.
"Marry me." Said Ruby, still in awe at seeing Naruko's weapon.
Only for her eyes to widen as she blushed brightly, realizing what she just said. It didn't help when Naruko giggled lightly and traced a finger along her jawline.
"Aah, we just met and you're already asking for my hand. At least take me out on a date first." Naruko cooed, with Ruby sputtering as her face burned red in embarrassment.
"I-I didn't mean it seriously! I mean that's not to say you aren't pretty, you are! I just was amazed at seeing your weapon, and I didn't know what I was saying, and I-" Ruby stuttered, only to stop, when Naruko began laughing lightly.
"Relax, I'm only teasing, I know you weren't being serious. And I just can't help but tease such an adorable girl." Said Naruko, patting Ruby's head, making the younger girl swat her hand away, and pout,
Though Ruby then remembered how much Naruko's weapon resembled her uncle's, at least with the broadsword and scythe forms.
"Hey Naruko, your weapon's scythe reminded me of my uncle Qrow's own weapon. In fact, you…kind of look like him, when you had it out." Ruby said, now looking more intently at Naruko and starting to see a resemblance between them.
Having noticed how similar Naruko looked to Qrow, when she had her scythe out. Not to mention, they had the same hair and eye color, too.
This made Naruko flinch and mentally curse herself, realizing she just unintentionally exposed herself. The fact that she shares a lot of the same traits as Qrow and Raven, minus the tail and whiskers, the former of which her mother had, she might as well just shout it from the top of the tower, who she is.
"That's…that's a bit of a sore spot and personal for me." Naruko said, while looking away and rubbing her arm, with Ruby wincing slightly at bringing up a sensitive subject.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to bring up painful memories!" Ruby apologized, with Naruko waving it off.
"It's fine, we just met, so you couldn't have known. Now come on, we should get going before we're late." Said Naruko, putting a comforting hand on Ruby's shoulder, letting her know it was alright, before gesturing in the direction of the Amphitheater at the end.
Nodding in agreement, the two girls continued on to the Amphitheater.
So, what did you think, good. Yep Naruko is in Remnant and is the daughter of none other than Qrow Branwen! Not only that but after her mother's death, she was taken in by Raven and made her adoptive daughter, Naruko also brought Neo into the tribe before Torchwick found her, with everyone's favorite ice cream sadist also being Naruko's girlfriend. Finally Naruko, Neo, and Vernal have been sent to Beacon Academy to make sure Salem doesn't gain the full power of the Fall Maiden, along with if they have the chance to take the Fall Maiden's power for themselves. And when the trio arrives at Beacon, Naruko gets her first look of her cousins along with meeting Ruby as well and showing off her weapon, Rebellion, which combined with her looks, it won't be long until someone puts the pieces together of who she is. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out