(Raven)

Part one - Summer Beacon

Raven watched from a distance, always from a distance. Her scaret eyes following her daughter as she played fetched with the little black dog Zwei along with her team, with Summer's daughter. Yang grinned playfully throwing a small white ball as far as she could. The scene was so innocent, so sincere compared to what Raven saw everyday. Different from the Grimm filled forests and harsh battles. Something old stirred inside of the huntress. Watching Yang smile, slinging an arm around her little sister's shoulder. Ruby smiling, her silver eyes shining, just like Summer's. Raven recalled days long since passed where she enjoyed the days with team QRST. Days full of peace, happiness, sometimes bickering and danger, but Raven never remembered happier days than those she sent at Beacon. She leaned against the wall, she hid behind, taking in how much her daughter, Taiyang's daughter, had grown. A smile, bittersweet and full of longing appeared on Raven's lips. She had watched over Yang all her life, even if only from a distance. Raven stepped back into the shadows. Vanishing away into a world of memories and battles.

I

"I'm not even sure why Tai hasn't asked you yet ?" Qrow said deflating his twin's katana with his scythe. Raven scowled.

"I wouldn't even know how to respond if he asked?" She said nimbly dodging a slash of his black scythe.

"You wouldn't say yes if he proposed ?" Qrow asked.

"Why are you so interested in my relationship? " Raven demanded stabbing her katana into the ground.

"I am your twin" Qrow smiled at her, "and I'm just curious"

Raven let out a frustrated breath, crossing her arms.

"I really have no clue how I'd respond Qrow" She told him. Qrow spun his scythe allowing it to fold up.

"Can I ask why?" He said in a gentle tone. Raven leaned against the nearest pillar.

"I think I'm just afraid that I'll mess it up somehow"

Qrow walked over to his sister, "Raven, you're overthinking this" He said "Tai loves you, we all know that"

Raven sighed uncrossing her arms.

"I mean, it's still completely incomprehensible, why you two are so good as a couple" He teased. Raven grinned knocking Qrow in the shoulder with her fist.

"It doesn't matter what I'll say if Taiyang doesn't work up the courage to ask me anyway" She said.

Qrow smiled running a hand through his black hair.

"He will, Rav" He reassured, "Trust me"

II

Taiyang sat on a bench staring at a small black box in his hands. He went over what he wanted to say, when he presented the box to Raven.

"Hey." a feminine voice greeted tapping him lightly on the back. Taiayng jerked around, the box nearly tumbling from his grasp. He caught it before it fell, sighing in relief.

"Jumpy today, Tai" Summer noted smiling at her friend.

"Hey, Summer" He said looking up at her grinning. Summer's eyes rested on the small box in his hands.

"Tai, pleas tell me that what's I think it is ?" She asked sliding onto the bench next to him.

"Yeah, I picked it up yesterday in town" Taiyang answered, opening it up. The ring was a golden band, with a beautiful red diamond.

"Tai, she'll love it" Summer said admiring the lovely ring. Taiyang beamed happily, cradling the box in his callused hands.

"You think so?" He asked.

"Of course" She replied, "To be honest I think she'd love any ring if it was involved with you proposing" Summer and Qrow had be waiting for months now to see when their two teammates and friends would take the next step in their relationship.

"I hope so" Taiyang said sounding uncharacteristically uncertain.

"Tai" Summer said sternly, waiting until he looked at her. "Raven loves you, anyone with eyes can see that" He looked at her with a hopeful gleam in his violet eyes.

"The best thing you can do now is for you to just ask her" She said pattering his shoulder, standing up. Her cloak billowing out around her. "Raven isn't the easiest person to get close to, but you did" She said, "Have more confidence in yourself, Tai" Tai bowed his head, smiling to himself.

"Thanks, Summer" He said standing up, from the bench.

"Anytime." She said smiling like the sun.

III

Summer stood besides Raven as they tracked the group of Grimms through the abandoned streets. They only had a few more tests before becoming official hunters. Qrow and Tai kneeled across from them on top of an old shop. Their leader had his scythe turned into a large sword. Raven gripped her katana tightly, as she and Summer prepared to strike the Grimms. Summer, had her hood up, and nodded towards the Grimm. Raven, rushed forward slashing her blade with at the closest Ursa. It fell to the ground, the others halted. Baring their fangs at Raven. She jumped back, and Summer leapt at the Grimms. Stabbing at them with her sword. Two fell to the ground. The remaining two roared, charging at them. Taiyang ran over the rooftops, jumping down. His fists clad in armored gloves, and two tomahawks grasped in his hands. He took out the last two Grimms. He smiled at the girls.

"Pieces of cake" He said, Raven sighed but smiled at her boyfriend. Summer looked around, something still felt off.

"We should still be cautious" She said aloud, Raven nodded.

"Come on Summer," Taiyang said, "We handled these small fry"

"Tai" Raven said.

Qrow stood on top of the building still. He also sensed something was amiss. He scanned the area, and noticed a large shadow dashing towards his team.

"Look out!" He called. Taiyang turned just in time to see the massive Grimm crash towards him. He raised his tomahawks, as the monsters bulk slammed into him.

"Tai!" His teammates cried. Taiyang grunted as his body crashed through the crumbling wall of the building behind him. The Grimm's red eyes blazed through the dust in the air. Taiyang forced his body upright. Blood trickled down his forehead. He slashed at the Grimm, but it leapt back with an alarming speed. The others were waiting for it to strike at the Grimm. It stood on two slender but lean hind legs. It's arms were bony but ended with sharp claws. The Grimm's white mask, had two antlers.

"A Berserker" Qrow growled raising his blade at it, "Ready," The girls stood on either side of it.

"Gemini" He called slashing at, Raven charged at the same time. The Berserker leapt in to the air. "Rose."

A chain wrapped around the Grimm's ankle, it turned its red eyes down at Summer. The chain was connected to a second shorter blade in her hands. Dust reenforced the steel of the chain links as it restrained the Grimm. It twisted in the air, dropping back down towards Summer. It's claws ready to tear into her. Raven jumped to meet it, slashing at it, sending a red wave at it. It tumbled to the ground. One of the Grimm's arm crashing down near Summer. Qrow ran at it, transforming his sword into a scythe. He bought the scythe down at it in a tight arc. The Berserker, tried to head butt him. Qrow's scythe grazed the bone mask of it's head. Sending him off balance.

"Qrow!" Summer yelled as the Grimm's claws were inches from her partner. Taiyang slammed into it's side. He gritted his teeth as his head throbbed.

"Now" Raven stabbed her katana into the Grimm's neck, and Summer sank her swords into it's heart. It let out a final roar before collapsing onto the ground.

"That was exciting" Taiyang said breathily as he kneeled on the ground.

"Tai," Raven sheathed her sword and hurried over to him, "Are you alright?"

He grinned at her, blood dripping down his forehead. Raven looked so beautiful in the light that broke through the clouds.

"Raven" He said his hand going into his pocket, "I suck with knowing what the right timing is for things" Raven's scarlet eyes flickered with uncertainly.

"Raven Branwen, you are the most amazing, beautiful, brilliant, stubborn and powerful woman I've ever had the honor of knowing" Taiyang smiled, as he took out the box, "Will you marry me ?" He opened the box and Raven saw the ring, heard the words. Her heart beat happily, and tears began to blur her vision. She dropped down to her knees and hugged him.

"Of course, I'll marry you, Lumber boy" She said. Taiyang picked her up, laughing with joy.

"I love you" He said, She giggled and kissing the top of his head.

"I love you, too" She told him.

"About time," Qrow's voice crept into their bubble of happiness. Qrow and Summer stood smiling brilliantly at them.

"Congratulations" Summer cheered. Taiyang sent Raven down and the four, despite the bleak surroundings, and the grimms, exchanged hugs. They lived in their own little bubble of joy for a precious little time.

IV

"It feels weird" Taiyang said looking around the nearly empty room. The one he and shared with his three best friends for the past four years. Raven nodded, leaning on the window stile. Four years had past by quickly yet slowly. Endlessly exciting yet, blissfully peaceful. Taiyang had found the love of his life, his fiancee. He grinned as he saw the ring on her finger.

"I'm going to miss it" He said, walking over to her, "But I am looking forward to what comes next."

Raven smiled at him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"You mean, fighting grimms and keeping the peace for Remnant" She said, Tai grinned.

"Not quite, what I have in mind" He said kissing her slowly.

"Oh, I'm not looking" Summer said apologetically. Raven pulled away and her lips quivered as she held down laughter at the sight of her best friend. Summer had one hand covering her eyes, as she used her other hand to try to reached something at her bed.

"I'm just trying to find my cloak" She said.

"Summer," Raven said sliding off the window sill. "You can open your eyes"

"Can I say, it will be nice to move out actually" Qrow said as Summer dropped her hands, "It means I won't have to walk in on my sister and best friend making out." He winked at them entering the room.

"You'll miss us" Taiyang said grinning at his future brother in law. Qrow just shook his head and smiled.

"What are two up anyway ?" Raven asked.

"I'm off to have lunch with Oz before, the ceremony tonight" Summer replied clasping her cape on.

"The ceremony" Taiyang said leaning on the desk. Team QRST fell quiet as they looked at the room and remembered. Raven thought of her first night with them. She thought Taiyang had been a brute, and lament being his partner. Summer had been a ball of sunshine, one that Raven had feared to get near. Yet, that changed, she saw Tai to be brave, and loyal. He cared about others, and enjoyed each moment of his life. Summer was full of energy and love, selfless to a fault. Raven smiled, she really couldn't ask for a better, fiancee or for a better best friend. She looked over at her twin. He had been the only constant in her life. They had come into the Academy as orphans, and now they had something more than each other.

"It was amazing four year" Qrow said, his eyes going a little misty, "I couldn't have asked for a better team"

"We couldn't have asked a better leader" Taiyang said.

"Or a better partner" Summer added.

"We'll still be together after this" Raven said wiping her own misty eyes.

"A team, and a family for the rest of our lives" Qrow said. The other agreed.

V

Raven walked out from Beacon the next say with her love and friends. The sky was a clear blue, and the sun high in the sky. Raven felt a joy in her heart as she walked towards a hopeful future.

Now

Raven Branwen walked in the dark forest, full of Grimm and people ready to kill her. She pulled down her mask, and rested her hand on her katana. Those days of light seemed so far away. She closed her eyes and tried to recall them, but the images were blurred with the darkness and blood. Raven kept her distance from them. She had learned to keep everything at a distance.