A/N: Italics=thoughts
Huff
Huff
Huff
Yang was hunched over on her hands and knees. She was gasping heavily. Sweat dripping from her brow and chin. It had been three days since her mother had started teaching her the technique to transforming into a bird. She had actually mastered it in one day. Transforming into her bird form wasn't hard. The hard part was actually staying in the form for any real amount of time. The blonde had not perfected aura control. Her mother said that if she wanted to be able to hold her bird form longer, then she would have to be able to control her aura better and be able to use it more efficiently instead of just letting it bleed out all the time. At this point, there was nothing her mother could do to help her with this. She only needed to practice now.
Once Yang had gotten her breathing back under control, she moved into a seated position. Yang reached over to her right to grab a small towel. Wiping the sweat off her face, she then threw the towel away behind her. "Well, at least I held it longer than last time. She made it look so easy though. Who knew this would be so hard."
Yang pulled her hand through her golden tresses. The blonde then leaned back on her elbows with a bored look. She had nothing to do. No one needed help with anything and Dove did not need anything either. Her mother also didn't want her doing anything that was actually dangerous and could potentially seriously injure her. Raven had said that she wanted Yang to be in tip top condition for when she begins her training...
Yang suddenly shot up. "Training. That's right. My training starts today?" She thought frantically. The blonde gulped. She had actually forgotten about it. Yang thought she would be excited about training with her mother, but she was actually growing very apprehensive. She knew her mother was very powerful. She just didn't know exactly how powerful. Her levels of anxiety began to rise. Yang wrapped her arms around her knees. She began sweating under the constrictive embrace of her own anxiety. "What if she doesn't like what she sees? What if I can't meet her expectations? What if I can't do it? Can I even do this?" Her thoughts of doubt mounting by the second. She began to bite her bottom lip. Eventually, she drew blood from how hard she was biting.
Hearing someone approach her tent, Yang released her knees. She moved into a different position so that she wouldn't be seen as weak.
A moment later, Dove had walked in. She gave Yang a tranquil smile. "Good morning Yang."
"Good morning Dove." Yang greeted back.
Dove narrowed her eyes on the blonde's bottom lip. She calmly walked over to Yang and stood in front of her. The doctor bent down on one knee; fixing her gaze on Yang's eyes. "You're bleeding. Why?" Dove questioned as she pointed at her bottom lip.
Yang lifted her right hand and wiped across her mouth. Pulling her hand away, she looked down at it to see a small smudge of blood. The young half faunus looked up at the doctor. She didn't want to tell her the truth. She was afraid that she would be seen as weak or pathetic. "I don't know. Maybe I bit my lip while I was asleep." Yang lied.
Dove lifted a single brow. She closed her eyes as she gave gentle sigh. The light ash blonde-haired woman fixed her cobalt eyes onto Yang's scarlet ones. "Hmmmm. Really now. Yang.?"
The blonde blinked several times. "Yes?"
"You're a terrible liar." Dove said bluntly.
"Huh?"
"You're a bad liar Yang. You're like an open book. A girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. Your kind of person is easy to read. There is something troubling you. Now, come on. Tell me what it is that troubles you so much little one." Dove's voice was like a mother that was gently comforting a child. Her face fixed with a serene smile.
Yang sighed. There was no lying her way out of this one. It was apparent that Dove was far too observant. "I...I'm just nervous I guess." She said as she twiddled her thumbs together. Her eyes focusing on the ground.
"Nervous? Nervous about what dear?"
Yang looked to her right. "About training with her." Her voice small and meek.
Dove kept her cobalt orbs fixed on Yang's form. "Ah. Still not ready to call her mother." The doctor reached out and gently took the blonde's hand into her own. "Come now Yang. Why would you be so nervous about that? I thought you would be elated that you would be getting stronger."
"I thought that too. It's just that she's so strong and I don't know if I can do this." Yang paused. Shaking her head, Yang brought her eyes up at Dove. "What if I can't do this? What if I can't meet her expectations? What if-"
Dove silenced Yang by placing a single finger on her lips. She then removed her finger. "Yang. Listen to me. Of course your mother is powerful. She has always been one to devote herself to always getting stronger. Raven has always been powerful. Even when she was a child, she was powerful. Little bird, your problem is that you seem to believe that Raven is expecting you to immediately grasp how to use your powers and to be around her level or better. I can assure you Yang that is not the case. You have just healed from serious injury and from what your mother has told me, have not seen any real combat for months now. Raven is expecting you to be rusty and slow. She understands that this will take some time."
"But what about Salem? We don't exactly have all the time in the world."
"That's true. You are on a time limit, but you shouldn't worry about that. You're stronger than you think you are. Raven will get you up to speed and where you need to be. It's true, the training she intends to put you through will be harsh and she is a strict teacher, but she won't make you do anything you aren't ready for.
Yang closed her eyes and sighed. Even though Dove's words made sense. It did little to alleviate the tingly feeling that was floating around in her stomach. Her confidence had left her back at Beacon. Well, more like it was stolen from her. Adam Taurus had done more than just disfigure her, he took her confidence and courage. He had broken her spirit.
If what Dove said was true, then did that mean that her mother was going to give her back everything that he took? Yang did not know, but she sure hoped so. The blonde really hoped that her mother would be able to help her out of her funk.
Dove broke the awkward silence with her gentle voice."Now enough about that hmmm? Let's do this check up to make sure you are indeed up for this training."
Yang brought her gaze up to meet her doctor's. "Alright. However, something tells me I'm gonna be seeing you a lot." Her somber voice carried throughout the tent. Doubt still lingering in her mind.
Dove smiled sadly at her. "Oh I have no doubt about that. I'm expecting you to be coming back covered in bruises and cuts."
Frowning, Yang couldn't help but wonder where exactly her mother was. Normally, Raven would come in to tell her that breakfast was ready, but not today. Her curiosity peaked, Yang shifted eyes onto Dove who was now pressing down on her rib cage with her hands. "Do you know where she is? I haven't seen her all morning."
"Raven went out with a raid party. They found a White Fang camp nearby and are probably attacking it now. They will be back soon. The White Fang are usually easily defeated. The villagers we use to raid always fought a lot harder since they were fighting to defend their homes." Dove said with a matter-of-factly voice. The doctor did not even spare Yang a glance as she was concentrating on her work.
Yang blinked several times. "Oh. I see." The blonde couldn't help the small smile that came to her face. She was happy that Raven had kept her promise.
Dove did not miss the smile that formed on the huntress-in-training's face. The peaceful doctor smiled herself. "You'll be fine young bird. As for your mother, you will soon come to realize the great weight of guilt that hangs around her heart."
The sounds clanging metal and strained grunts reverberated throughout the camp. Yang was sitting on the ground about ten meters from where the fighting was taking place. She had learned from a few of the surrounding spectators that Eagle and Hawk were fighting about one of them accidentally stepping on the others foot. Yang had thought it was stupid and a waste of energy.
Part of the crowd split. A moment later, Dove came out from the opening. She calmly made her way to the two combatants. Once she had gotten close, both fighters instantly froze. They, fearfully, turned their heads to look at the doctor. Dove folded her hands together. She started moving her eyes between the two. Then the white clad woman smiled. "Boys. You two are the ones responsible for making all this noise correct?" Both Eagle and Hawk nodded hastily. "I see. Now, you two wouldn't happen to be fighting would you? I would think not. After all, you two could seriously injure yourselves and I would be forced to waste valuable medical supplies on healing you when I wouldn't need to if the both of you would actually act like reasonable adults and not like petulant children." Dove then released some of her aura. The hairs on both Eagle and Hawk stood on end. Sweat began traveling down both of their faces as they made loud audible gulps. Even though her aura wasn't directed at Yang, even she couldn't help the shiver of terror that went down her spine. Dove, while keeping her smile, narrowed her cobalt eyes into a pointed, heated glare. "You boys know I really don't like wasting my precious supplies don't you? So there is no possible way that the both of you were fighting each other. Right?" Her voice honey sweet. It belied how she was truly feeling.
Both men immediately stood at attention. "No ma'am. We weren't fighting. We would never risk forcing you to use your medical supplies. That would be rude and inconsiderate to you. " Both Eagle and Hawk said in unison.
The doctor closed her eyes and made an even bigger smile as she tilted her head to the side. "Really? Well, that's good. It really puts my mind at ease to know that you two weren't fighting. It brings me joy to see you two be such gentlemen and take into consideration my feelings. Truly, I am blessed."
Yang watched as Dove started walking back to her tent. A moment later, she disappeared into the crowd. "Holy shit. I didn't know she could be so scary. Best no to get on her bad side."
Yang titled her head up slightly, Her sensitive ears picking up the sound of many footsteps off in the distance to the east. The young teen stood up on her feet. She noticed the rest of the tribe had also noticed the sounds. They all began walking in the direction of the sounds. Yang followed after them. She was rather curious to see if it was her mother returning.
Yang reached the edge of the camp to see Raven walking toward her with a small group following close behind her. With her keen vision, she could see most of the group were carrying large wooden boxes and metal crates. Yang watched as a few of the tribe members break off from the crowd to aid in carrying the group's spoils.
Once Raven reached the camp, she removed her frightful mask. Shaking her head to get the hair out of her eyes. The bandit queen turned to her fellow tribe members. "Take those to the normal place. Separate the contents like usual." Her voice carried an air of authority. One that was not meant to be disobeyed. She then turned to look down at her daughter. "Your training starts today. I will be coming for you in one hour."
Yang was actually quiet startled with her mother. She never realized just how tall the older woman was. Raven towered over her. Yang estimated that her mother was at least an inch or two taller than Qrow. Yang looked up at her mother. "Alright."
Raven nodded. The obsidian-haired woman walked past her and disappeared into the camp. Yang sighed. She definitely didn't feel ready for this at all. She guessed that maybe she was just mostly nervous about spending so much time with her mother for the first time in...well, ever really. Either that or what Dove had told her.
Yang had started to make her way back to her tent. She would have to mentally prepare herself for the upcoming hell that was awaiting her. The teen only hopped that she didn't prove to be such a massive disappointment.
An hour had come and gone. True to Raven's word, she had came to retrieve her in the appointed time. Her mother had taken her some ways away from the camp. Yang was currently walking close behind her mother. Raven's wild black mane was the only thing she could see of her mother. She also notice that the older woman was carrying two wooden objects in her right hand. Yang struggled to remember what they were. The blonde definitely recalled seeing them in her basic weapons class at Signal.
All of a sudden, Yang collided into her mother. She staggered backwards a few inches while rubbing her face. It was then that Yang began to take in her surroundings. She noticed that they were in the middle of a flat plains with soft rolling hills. It was sparsely populated with small trees here and there. The sun was high in the sky signifying that it was midday. A flock of birds flew by. The soft sounds of their chirping only serving to make the area around mother and daughter more serene.
"This will be a good place for your training. Nice and open with little distractions." Raven's voice cut through the silence. She turned to her daughter. If the tribe leader knew that Yang had bumped into her, she made no indication of it. "Here. Catch." Raven threw one of the wooden objects at her daughter.
Yang reached out with a single hand and caught the object. Upon closer examination, Yang had finally recognized that her mother had been carrying a pair of bokken. The young teen frowned. She looked up at her mother with a perplexed look on her face. "But I don't use a sword."
"That's true, but Adam Taurus does."
Raising a single brow, Yang asked "So what does that have to do with my training exactly? How's this suppose to help me?"
An exasperated sigh flowed from the older woman's mouth. "Yang, come now. It's really not that complicated." The tone of the bandit queen was condescending and full of sarcasm. She saw her daughter frown at her. Apparently not being a fan of her how she spoke to her. When it was clear to Raven that her daughter still wasn't catching on, she rolled her blood red eyes. "It's simple really. Since he uses a sword, then it would make sense to train in you swordsmanship. Not to replace your style of combat, but so you can have a better understanding of how your opponent thinks and moves. So you can better anticipate his attacks and stay a few steps ahead of him."
Yang blinked several times. She looked down at her bokken and then back up at her mothers tall,form. "Oh. I see. I guess that makes sense. So do we start now?"
"No. Not just yet. I need to ascertain what level you're at right exactly before we proceed."
"How will you do that?"
"Easy. You will come at me with everything you have. Come. Try to strike me with that." Raven said as she pulled out her bokken. Keeping herself in a relaxed state. Merely letting her arms sit at her sides comfortably.
Yang gawked at her mother. She couldn't believe that the method would be that simple. She frowned as she looked down at the bokken she was given. "But...I don't know the first thing about using a sword." Thoughts of doubt already beginning to creep into her mind.
The older woman sighed. "Yes, but you have been around people who do know how to use a sword. Qrow, the Schnee girl, and your partner Belladonna. Just do your best imitation of what they did and then just attack me. You will never learn if you don't do anything."
Yang started biting her bottom lip. Shifting her eyes back and forth between the bokken in her hands and her mother. The blonde racked her mind. She decided to imitate her partner. After all, she was more familiar with her techniques with a sword than anybody else since she constantly spared with her. Yang then positioned herself in a stance that she thought Blake would. Even going so far as to hold her wooden training sword the same way she had seen her onyx-haired partner held her weapon. Once Yang had set her feet, she raised her red orbs to gaze at her mother's face. It was devoid of emotion. She couldn't tell if her mother was judging how sloppy her form was or not.
"Hurry up! Come! We don't have all day!"
The harsh, steel cutting edge of the tribe leader's voice caused Yang to flinch. Closing her eyes, Yang took a deep breath and then exhaled. "Well, might as well do this thing. Isn't like I can get out of this." The blonde thought forlornly Doubt and fear still lingering in her mind, Yang pushed off with her right foot. Raising the bokken in a similar fashion that Blake raised the katana version of Gambol Shroud. Closer and closer she came to the bandit queen. Yang noticed that Raven did not assume a stance of any kind. She stood still in a relaxed manner with her wooden practice sword being held loosely in her hand.
When Yang came within three feet of Raven, she began to prepare for a swing. At two feet, Yang then swung her bokken horizontally to her right. Then, all of a sudden, the blonde was face first in the grass. She blinked several times trying to comprehend what had just happened. A moment later, she felt a searing head splitting pain pulse from the crown of her head. Yang immediately threw her hands on top of her head as she sat up. Her face contorting in pain. The teen began to let out whimpering sounds as tears started to form at the corners of her eyes.
She looked up at Raven. Yang noted that the older woman didn't even move a single inch. The blonde swore she didn't move while she was charging her.
Raven sighed. She looked down to her right to gaze into her daughter's eyes. "We have a lot of work to do Yang."
Raven entered the camp with her daughter's beaten and bruised form in her arms. Yang lasted about three and half hours before passing out. She felt her daughter shift in her arms. Making pained groans as she did so. The tribe leader came to Yang's tent and simply walked through the entrance to find Dove standing off to the side of Yang's resting place.
"I see you have anticipated my arrival." Raven moved passed the doctor and placed her daughter under the fur covers; gently laying her head onto the pillow.
Dove shrugged. "I just made an educated guess on how long she would last." She moved over to the left of her leader. She eyed the young blonde critically. Assessing the damage Yang had sustained. "So. How was she? How did she perform?"
"Honestly." Raven paused as she looked down at her daughter. "She did a bit better than I had originally thought she would. However, there is a problem."
Dove looked over to Raven. She gave her questioning look. "Really? What is it?"
"Fear. Yang is unable to truly fight because she is being held back by her own fear. The fear that Adam Taurus had instilled in her. The fear of having her arm cut off again. And from this fear comes doubt. The entire time I was training with her, I could see the lack of confidence in her attacks and her footwork." Raven closed her eyes as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "This may take some time Dove."
"Raven. Of course she is afraid. Not only was her whole world shattered, but she also learns that she is to bear some great burden. A burden that could break her back if she's not careful. That's not everything though Raven. Her doubts also come from her constantly comparing herself to you. Yang seems to believe that if she does not understand how to use her powers right away, then you would discard her or think she was useless. She thinks you are expecting her to be able to perform at your level right away."
Raven raised a single brow. "Really? That's rather irrational. There is no reason for me to discard her so she shouldn't think that."
"But she does Raven. If you recall, no matter what the reason was, you did abandon her once before. To her, she thinks you will do it again when you deem her useless. That's what's going through her mind. Among other things. She hasn't told you because she believes you will think less of her. So she hides it to look strong in front of you."
Raven looked down at her daughter. The obsidian-haired woman knew that Yang had issues of self worth and was afraid. She knew that her daughter was secretly scared out of her mind and that she was just putting her mask up just like she always had done in her life. Raven even knew that her leaving had also contributed to her daughter's problems of self worth. She just didn't know about what Dove had told her. This information only added to the great amount of guilt that already sat in her heart.
Even though Raven was not showing physically showing it, Dove could feel how melancholy she was. The woman in white sighed. "Raven. Perhaps it would help if you talked to her. Let her know that she shouldn't be afraid to talk to you. Maybe also quell some of her doubts and misunderstandings."
Raven grunted. "You know I'm not good with that kind of stuff."
"At least try Raven. You never know. It could help." Dove gently laid her hand on top of Raven's shoulder. "You have been here doing your best to protect the Spring Maiden and lead the tribe. Now your daughter is here. I think it's time you start to develop some sort of healthy relationship with her or some kind of connection." The doctor advised with a sagely voice.
A pained groan grabbed both women's attention. They looked down to see Yang was rolling over onto her side.
Raven looked in awe as she watched the bruises that covered her daughter's began to recede. She watched as Yang's body started to stitch up the cuts that she had given her.
"Fascinating" Dove breathed out.
"Isn't it? The power of the Phoenix is truly marvelous. It seems her healing factor has become stronger. This is good. It makes things much easier. Just as her accelerated healing has gotten stronger, I could feel Yang growing stronger as we fought." Raven couldn't help the small amount of pride that came out in her voice.
Dove smiled. She was happy that Raven was filled with pride in her own daughter. The doctor was truly hoping that mother and daughter would become close with one another. She truly wanted Raven to be happy for once in her adult life. Ever since the darker-haired woman's mother died, Dove had taken to becoming the mother figure in her life. The older woman looked over to Yang. Most of her injuries were gone. "So, how long do you think it will take for her to be ready?"
Raven started stroking her chin. "Hmmmm. Hard to say right now. I'll need another couple of days to get a real good idea. However, right now, I'd say about three weeks."
"Well, given the time limit we have, that seems awfully long." Dove responded with some concern.
"That maybe true, but it is what it is and it's what we have to work with... For now." Raven said matter-of-factly, her uninterested tone coming back.
The sound of flapping cloth grabbed the attention of the two older women. They both looked towards the entrance to see a girl who was about the same age as Yang. Perhaps even a year younger. She had jet black eyes. Her hair filled with feathers that were spotted with brown and white, with patches of orange gradually appearing.
"Ah. Robin. What is it that you need?" Raven questioned.
"Flamingo wanted me to tell you that he needs your help with the provisions that we procured from the White Fang camp. Apparently, we have gotten some pretty high grade Atlesian military equipment. He just wants to discuss how best to use it." Robin replied swiftly.
"I see. Well, I suppose I should go to him then." Raven paused briefly. She turned to Dove. "Perhaps you should take a look at what we got Dove. From what I can tell, the White Fang keept some very nice medical equipment. We also took a fair amount of antibiotics."
Smilingly gently, Dove slightly bowed her head forward. "Then I shall take a look. The antibiotics will be especially useful."
Robin looked down at the older teen that was sleeping. She frowned. Even though this girl had the golden wing, she was still a touch skeptical that a girl who was so weak was the Phoenix. "Is she really the Phoenix? She seems so...fragile." Robin said carefully. She didn't want to risk incurring Raven's wrath.
Raven turned towards Robin. Folding her arms under her chest. "Careful little one. Yang may not seem like much now, but she holds limitless potential. She holds a power deep within her that completely transcends your Maiden powers. Do not take her lightly."
The Spring Maiden sighed. She still remained a bit skeptical, but she would take her leader's word for it. "Very well. If you say so Raven."
The bandit queen nodded. She walked up to the entrance of her daughter's tent and looked over her right shoulder. "Dove, could you please check my daughter just to make sure she is completely fine." Dove nodded. Raven moved her eyes over to Robin. "Make sure you do the rest of your duties." Raven ordered. Robing herself nodded. The tribe leader then left.
Robin followed suit shortly afterwards.
Dove shook her head at the tribe's resident Spring Maiden. She turned her attention to Yang. "Right. Let's make sure nothing is broken on you"
"Hey Blake."
One of the cat faunus's ears twitched at the sound of her name. The onyx-haired woman was dressed in her dark yukata. She was currently reclined against her pillows as she was reading her newest book that she had just checked out of the school's library. "Yes Yang." Blake answered as she gently turned a page. Her eyes never leaving her book.
"I got something I want to give you."
Blake raised her left brow. "Something for me?" The feline faunus grabbed a thin red colored string that was attached to her book and placed it in the middle of the page. After bookmarking her spot, she gently placed her book down off to the side of her bed. Blake looked up at her rambunctious partner. "Really? What is it?"
Yang had always loved the way Blake's voice rolled out of her mouth. Soft, smooth and cool. It drove shivers up her spine. The blonde never quite understood what it was that she was feeling exactly, but she knew it felt nice. "I...uh." Yang stuttered for a moment. "I wanted t...to give you this." The firecracker moved her hands from her behind her back to in front of her. Holding out a small, gift wrapped box with a purple colored ribbon on top of it.
Blake reached out and took the gift into her hands. She took a moment to gaze at her partner's face. Blake was honestly surprised to see that Yang was acting so shy and fidgety. She was even more surprised to see a very faint color of pink on her cheeks. The cat faunus was always use to seeing her rowdy partner so full of confidence. There wasn't a moment where Yang wasn't sure about herself or about what she was doing. "Hehehe. Looks like the sisters aren't too different from each other."
Blake looked down at her gift and gingerly removed the ribbon. Once that was done, the black-haired teen then removed the lid and placed it on a small end table. Blake then looked inside of the box. Her eyes widened. She pulled out a lilac colored bow. Setting the box down, Blake held the bow in both of her hands.
Yang gulped. "I...I thought you could use another one since you only have one bow." The blonde started to become more nervous as her partner just sat on her bed, silently staring at her gift. Yang began to sweat as she bit her bottom lip. "I mean I didn't get it to replace your original one! Of course that one is probably really important to you so I would never think about trying to replace it. Oh you probably hate it right now. I shouldn't have done this. I'm sorry. I'll just-"
Blake held a single finger against Yang's lips. Effectively silencing her. Blake looked up at her partner. She gave her a soft smile. Her golden honey eyes shining with happiness. "Yang. You're starting to ramble." Blake removed her finger from the blonde's lips. "Besides." The feline faunus paused for moment. Looking at her new bow, then looking back up at Yang. "I love it. It's wonderful Yang. Thank you."
Yang's face broke out into a massive grin. All of her anxiety and nervousness instantly melted away. Then, a mischievous gleam shone through her eyes. "Would you say that it's 'Purrrrfect'?"
Blake groaned at her partner's pun. She lifted her right hand in front of Yang's face. Causing the blonde to go cross-eyed. She then lightly flicked the fiery girl's nose, making her flinch. "You just couldn't help yourself, could you?"
Yang dropped right next her partner. "Aww c'mon. You know you love it." The blonde said innocently in a sing song voice.
Blake rolled her eyes. "You're lucky I like you." The faunus looked at her new bow. She smiled to herself. "You know what? I think I will this tomorrow for class."
Yang instantly turned her head. Her yellow mane flowing wildly as she did so. "Really?"
"Hmmm" Blake hummed out. "But first. Come here."
Yang went wide eyed as her partner grabbed her by the shoulders. "Wha!?"
The cat faunus placed her partner against the wall. She then grabbed her book and opened it to where she left off. Afterwards, she pulled up her covers to her waist and began reading at the exact spot she left off at.
The blonde blinked a few times in confusion. She then settled her eyes down at her partner, finally realizing why her partner did what she did. "Really kitten? Really?"
"Yes. I'm cold and I don't like being cold. You're practically a walking, talking heater. Besides, you make for a comfy pillow as well." Blake responded without looking up from her book.
Yang chuckled. "So I'm your personal heater now am I?"
Blake smiled. "Yes. Yes you are."
"Heh. I can live with that." The fiery girl said while wrapping her arms gently around her partner's stomach. A small blush of spreading across her face. Yang still didn't quite know or understand what she was feeling, but it felt great and she felt happy. Truly happy.
Yang groaned as she was waking from her slumber. Opening her eyes, she sat up. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she noticed that she was back in her tent. The half faunus then put on a somber expression. "It was just a dream. No. A memory. Kinda wish I could just stay there." Sighing, Yang stretched her arms over her head. The next thing she knew, there was a horrendous growling sound coming from her stomach. The muscles in her stomach and small intestines contracting painfully. She looked down, holding her stomach. "Guess I'm really hungry." She looked up at the entrance of her tent. Yang could already tell it was night. The flickering light of fire outside told her this much.
Yang looked upon her arm. "Huh? That's weird. Last time I remember, this was covered in bruises and cuts." She stood up out of her covers. The blonde began to survey the rest of her body. Looking for any cuts or bruises that she had remembered sustaining during her training with her mother. "Wow. This accelerated healing thing is really handy."
"Indeed." Came a smooth emotionless voice.
Yang jumped. She turned to see her mother standing at the entrance. The teen frowned at her. "Would really appreciate it if didn't sneak up on me like that."
Raven rolled her eyes. "You should pay more attention to your surroundings. I made no effort to 'sneak up' on you. As a matter of fact, I thought I was being kind of loud."
Gawking at her mother with an incredulous look. "Really? What the hell? You call that being loud?"
"Hmph. Maybe you shouldn't be so stuck inside your own thoughts. If you weren't, then maybe you would have heard me coming. After all, you do have a faunus' sense of hearing. You just don't pay attention enough." Raven remarked snidely. She didn't even bother to hide the snarky undertone in her voice.
Yang rolled her eyes. "Oh gee. Thanks for that insightful bit of critique." Sarcasm thick in her voice.
"Raven narrowed her eyes. "You have learned too much from Qrow." The black-haired woman turned around to the entrance of the tent.
There was a small, but awkward moment of silence between mother and daughter. Eventually, It was Raven who broke the uncomfortable silence that hang in the air. "I came here to...check on you. See if you were awake."
Yang looked at her mother in surprise. Was that...genuine concern she heard from her mother. It was small and faint, but Yang could have swore she heard it. It would be the first time that she had ever heard concern form her own mother. Raven was usually very stoic. While her mother did show emotions, it wasn't very often. Well, at least not to her anyway. "Um. Thanks." The blonde rubbed her arm. "For checking up on me that is."
Raven hummed in response. "I also cam here to tell you that dinner will be ready soon. I'm sure you are very hungry."
"I am. Thanks."
"Then I'll see you when the food is done." Raven started making her way out of the her daughter's tent. She stopped halfway out. The older woman then looked over shoulder at Yang. "You did better than I thought you would Yang." Raven then left Yang by herself.
The blonde blinked several times. This was a first for her. As far as she knows, her mother had never given her a compliment. Especially during her training where Raven would usually bark orders at her and harshly, almost cruelly, criticize her every movement and action. Yang smiled to herself. She thought it was a bit strange that she would feel any kind of warmth from her usually stoic mother. It was strange, but not at all unwelcoming. The blonde thought that maybe there was more to her mother than meets the eye.
Sighing, Yang felt her stomach rumble. "Ugh. Fine. Just stop annoying me stomach. Sheesh." She went over by her boots and shoved her feet in them. She then left her tent. Her mouth began to drool from the heavenly scent of food being prepared. Yang then took off into a sprint. She wanted to be the first one to get her food. The girl was now just hopelessly following her stomach and nose. She just wanted to get some food in her stomach.
When she got to where the food was, there was already a small line. She groaned. "Oh well. Looks like I'll just have to be faster next time."
While waiting in line, her thoughts began to drift to her partner. Yang really wanted to see Blake again. She wondered how her cat eared crush was doing. The more she thought of her, the more she worried. Yang couldn't help but worry for her partner though. "Guess you can't help but worry about those you love." Yang looked up at the night sky. It was filled with a sea of stars. Truly, it was a sight to behold. Bringing her attention to the shattered moon. Memories of her and Blake watching the moon from the roof of the dormitory came flooding back. The blonde sighed. "I really hope you're doing okay Blake. I really just want to see you again. Someday. Someday we will see each other again. I just know it. So you better not die Belladonna or I'm going to rip your soul out of whatever afterlife that may or may not exist and force it back in your body."
A/N: Hey guys! Sorry I didn't upload last week. Just wanted to spend some time with my family. Here I finally introduce the Spring Maiden. I gave her the name Robin because Robins are usually considered to be a sign of spring. Also, if you noticed, the color of Robin's feathers are the colors of a juvenile European Robin. Since she is 16, that makes her a juvenile and not an adult. Those who are might be asking for Salem or something like that, don't worry. I'll be bringing her in soon. Either next chapter or the one after that.
So Yang's training begins. Yang will still be using her punches and kicks, but Raven is teaching her how to use a sword so she can have much better idea of how Adam fights. Also, I got so plans for how I'm going to use some of Yang's powers. So stay tuned for that one.
I'm attempting to strike some sort of middle ground for Raven. Not too nice, but too caring either. Also, will touch up on her "guilt" sometime down the road. But I think some of you already know what contributes to that guilt.
Thank you for all the support of this story guys. I really appreciate it. Until next time folks. BYE!