_Sixteen weeks after Yang was born, nine days after Raven left to chief her tribe._
Raven was idly watching the tribe pack, having already packed her own tent and possessions, when she had a bad feeling. She immediately sought out one of the higher ups for a status check, the response was less than satisfactory but nothing a little motivation couldn't fix.
Before Raven could dish out motivation, Branwen style, the sound of wing-flapping drew her attention. A quick twirl revealed her brother, Qrow, in all his drunken grace. "Raven."
Ah, still coherent. No quick escape from this chat then.
"Qrow. I'm assuming that you remembered the old camp rotation system as well then?"
She'd have to scramble that system asap. Wouldn't do for the tribe to wander into an ambush, especially when she's only just returned. So much work to return the tribe to its former glory.
"Cut the shit Raven, why'd you run?"
Run? How dare he?
"I didn't run Qrow, I left to run the tribe, our tribe. The tribe needs a strong leader, strength begets strength."
"Would someone strong run from her family?!"
Of course he'd miss the point. Qrow always was weak, especially compared to her.
"There is no family Qrow, only the tribe. And the tribe only accepts strength. If Yang wants to be a part of my life then she can find me when she's strong."
Qrow just gawks at her. She can already guess his rebuttal, and counter it, "I would train her myself, Branwen style, but I'm busy leading the tribe", fear and anger cross his face, "so how about you train her, if you care so much about us being together one day."
Aaaaaaaand there's the relief. Argument won, job done. She has time for a quick sandwich, maybe even a cup of tea if Qrow pisses off right now - or he could hug her.
"Hu-what?" This was not an expected outcome.
"I always knew you couldn't an entirely heartless bitch. This whole "might is right" shit is a good cover Raven, but it still shows you care."
He thinks it's an act?! That she's weak?!
Before Qrow can even react he's being thrown into a portal, right into Summer's arms. "And the next time you underestimate me I'll burn your cape and take your flask!" Raven can feel her face burning with anger. Qrows' laughter, and Summers utter confusal, don't help at all. "And Summer, don't fuck my husband." Before the portal closes she can see Summers confusion morph into a smile, beaming like her name-sake.
_Three years after Raven left, the day Summer Rose almost died_
Raven was in the medical tent, taking stock, when she had a bad feeling. Poking her head out of the tent she does a quick search... No Qrow. Huh.
Back in the tent she returns to taking stock of the medical supplies. It was someone else's turn today, but she had a feeling that someone competent, someone who could count, should be doing this today. After all, what if the tribe was raided by Grimm or another bandit tribe? It wouldn't do for her tribe to be left without ample medical aid. She'll need to post a high alert to look for medical supplies on the next few raids, can never have too much.
And she especially can't have too many of these aura booster shots. Life-savers they are. Can bring a person back to life from the brink. Yes indeed they can. Wondrous technology. She is just so interested in them, she's been re-reading the instructions over and over again, she can't even bring herself to not keep one on hand.
That bad feeling has been hounding her since she first noticed it. In fact, that bad feeling has just upgraded itself to a horrible feeling as Raven finally places it – one of her bonds are in trouble. Something that she hasn't felt in years, the strong don't get into near-death situations often, and her team is the strongest.
A tug on her semblance reveals that it's Summer who is in trouble.
Meh, she'll be fine. Summer is strong, almost as strong as Raven. She'll survive. And if she does die, then clearly she was too weak for this world.
Raven, booster shot in hand, can feel her free hand's grip tighten on her sword.
Summer will be fine.
(_The feeling worsens, weakens._)
If she's strong, she'll survive. Its Summer.
(_That pull from her semblance, her very soul, again weakens. Summer is dying._)
A swish can be heard. "Raven, what's wrong?" Oh, Qrow's here now, she hadn't even noticed the portal.
(_That grip is slipping. The bond is snapping._ _HURRY_)
Another portal opens with the swing of her sword. Summer can be seen on the ground, face up, a sword at its zenith above her. Before Qrow can open his stupid mouth, Raven dives through.
She doesn't feel a sword hit her back, a twang of metal on metal can be heard, but she does feel the booster penetrate bare skin with no resistance.
(_The grip stops slipping, but it's not getting better._)
Raven assumes her stance, and fights. She doesn't need to think for this part. Just protect Summer.
Grimm after Grimm, foe after foe. All fall before her blade.
(_The bond is weak._ _HURRY_)
Raven tugs on her bonds. A portal opens and Qrow is at her side, carrying summer like a princess.
The moment they step through she does a head-check;
Tall raven, twin brother.
Tall red head, sister-in-law. (_HURRY_)
Tall blonde, husband.
Short blond with a majestic mane, daughter.
Even shorter red head, niece.
Box on the wall, soon to be empty medkit. (_HURRY_)
/
Final Author's Note;
For those who don't know, I have another fic about childhood training. I should be posting another chapter to that soon – to do with Raven and Qrow as children/teens and how they trained.
There's already one chapter about Mercury Black.
Some trivia;
This turned out extremely different to my original plan. Summer was supposed to die and Raven was going to go into a guilt-driven protection frenzy for the next 11 years. I might write that version at some point, probably not.