Chapter 13: Raven Branwean

A RWBY Fanfic

Raven Branwean, the infamous other half of the Branwean twins, Qrow's older sister, Yang Xiao Long's estranged mother and the notorious head of the Branwean bandit tribe in Anima. She had heard all the fairy tales that everyone else had grown up on as well, but she had a different view of these stories and also a varied response to them.

As a child in the tribe, Raven and Qrow heard all the fairy tales about the maidens of the seasons and the man with two souls, as well as the other stories about the deeds of the hunters and huntresses of Remnant throughout history. They also heard the stories of the tribe's past and how it was the tribe that decided how to act. It was about the power and strength that the tribe held and the problems holding onto that power.

Raven was always taught to be strong, because only through strength is the tribe able to maintain its power! They had to fight to survive and raid to get the things the tribe needed. And there were only two things that thwarted them from growing stronger; those were the Grimm….and hunters and huntresses! The last were the bane of the tribe's existence and a hindrance to their growing!

Finally when they were old enough Raven and Qrow took the entrance tests and passed. They were now students in the prestigious Beacon Academy. And here they were to learn all that they could about being the very people they were taught to hate…. so they could kill hunters and huntresses, and thus protect the tribe.

After initiation Raven and Qrow found themselves on the same team, STRQ (stark), with two others. Summer Rose and Tai Yang Xiao Long, the complete opposite to them. Raven had a hard time getting used to them, but eventually she started to like them and truly become friends. She eventually found herself becoming enamored with Tai and liked to listen to Summer.

One day as the team was relaxing after a training mission, curiosity struck Raven and she just had to figure out what made Summer tick. So Raven asked, "Summer, why are you so driven to be a huntress? What is it that gives you the drive that you have?"

"Well when I was a little kid I was told all the wonder things that huntsmen and huntresses did. As I grew and kept hearing about them and the other stories I decided that I could be one of them and help people," Summer replied.

"But how can you believe the stories they are just that… stories. They aren't all true and they are all one sided." Raven continued, "And fairy tales, they are made up stories. There is no such thing as a man with 2 souls, or maidens granted such great powers from and old wizard."

Summer thought about it for a second. Then she responded, "Well, it doesn't really matter if the stories are completely true, does it? I mean there has to be a grain of truth or else there would be reason to tell a story. And there are numerous stories that tell the same thing from other sides. But, most of all the stories give me a feeling of happiness that we can do things and help everyone."

Raven thought about the things that Summer had said for quite some time. And she was completely perplexed at how she could be so driven by stories that she was always taught were lies and just fabrications. She then started to see how Summer was always driven and happy when they were together and sharing their lives and helping others. Raven started to wonder if the things she and her brother were taught were wrong. But that couldn't be. The tribe was never wrong, her parents would never lie to them. Stories were signs of weak minds and that was unacceptable. But yet two of the strongest people she had met and befriended believed these things.

Her thoughts kept troubling her as time went on. So much so that Tai started to wonder what was wrong. They started off dating and it was tough but eventually they found their way, but as things were on Raven's mind she seemed to be farther away at times. So out of concern Tai brought this up to her. "Raven what's on your mind? You have been very distant at times and I am really beginning to get worried about you."

"It really isn't anything. At least nothing I cannot handle on my own," Raven said sternly. She didn't like that Tai was meddling in this because she thought he saw her as weak.

"But it isn't something you can handle on your own as it is affecting us, and the others at times as well. And just because you need help doesn't make you weak. It actually shows you to be strong." Tai had started to finally get through to her on that point.

Raven still thought it was weak to reveal these thoughts, but reluctantly she did. Knowing Tai wouldn't let this go. He could be very persistent, which is what she had come to love. "I am bothered by how you and Summer seem to be the same in your thoughts. Especially when it comes to the fairy tales and stories that we grew up hearing."

"We were brought up hearing these stories and saw the lessons that people would always need help. Not just from Grimm but also from those that would treat others poorly," he said. "Summer is just a happy person and wants to do the best she can to help everyone. And she pushes me to be just as driven and glad as she is."

"But I just cannot get it. Yes you know how I was raised. The stories were all used to teach Qrow and me that strength was the only way to live. That people were weak because others needed to help them. And that fairy tales were just a way for the weak minded to make themselves feel better," Raven confessed bitterly. "But I cannot deny that you guys are driven and I know that we are helping others. I just have a hard time understanding how these stories can drive people."

Raven still had a hard time understanding how this was, but she accepted it as she grew closer to Tai and Sumer. As their training continued the headmaster, Professor Ozpin, eventually took them aside and asked them about their favorite fairy tales. She was caught off guard by the question. "What does that have to do with the things you have been teaching us and how we are being trained," she asked. The Professor continued again, asking them what they would think if the stories were true. Now all of STRQ were looking at the headmaster rather confused.

"What if I told you that I am the wizard in the tales? I am also the man with two souls," professor Ozpin explained. "You see all the tales have the truth to hide them from those that would seek to do harm to the entire world. And the evil witch that is in these stories is also true."

After the lengthy explanation they got things tended to get more complicated. They understood that Summer was special because of her eyes and that they all worked so well together that they were special to the headmaster's plans. He even used magic to give Raven and her brother the ability to become bids and spy on things so much easier and farther than in human form.

With this freedom now Raven was able to keep track not only of what Ozpin asked of them but she could also check on the tribe and let her parent's know what was happening to them. But in the back of her mind were the stories and the truth. And the more she was out in the world the more she questioned things. But she was in love and that was something she never expected.

No matter what was on her mind she knew that Tai was there and supported her. He would never think bad of her if she chose something that might be wrong as long as the justification and outcome was right and just. But she started to notice some things about the tribe that caused her concern as her parent's got older. There started to be a power struggle and there were threats now coming against her parent's, her brother and herself. If a Branwean could not lead the tribe then the Branwean name would be destroyed.

Qrow didn't really care as he wanted nothing to do with the tribe anymore. They had gotten away from the fact that they had to hurt others and steal and do all the things that would hurt other people. But Raven was worried because she still loved her parent's and she could understand why they did what they did. She was also pregnant with her and Tai's child. What would she do? She thought about things until she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl with golden wisps of hair. She wanted to be a mother in the worst way. She thought about her strength and how she wanted to protect their daughter, Yang. She thought about her parent's and all they did to raise them.

She thought about all of this. She also thought about all the things that she had learned from the world. She thought about what she had learned about the stories and what she had learned from Professor Ozpin. What could she do? What was her reaction and how was she going to respond? She thought and thought and thought some more.

When she finished thinking, she knew how she felt and what she had to do. She needed to protect her family: Her parents, her husband Tai, their daughter…their beautiful baby Yang and yes, even her brother Qrow. She had to be stronger now more than ever because she was scared. Scared of everything she had learned, scared of what she had to do and most of all scared of what she was going to do.

Raven hoped that they would be kind to her, remember her fondly and even be mad if they needed to. She turned one last time to look at her sleeping Tai and looked in to see Yang and give her a mournful kiss and her soft forehead. She stepped quietly out of the front door looking back tearfully over the house that she and Tai had filled with so much love. She walked away. And as she turned into her bird form the last thing she thought sadly as she flew away was….. all this because of those damned stories!