Chapter 2:
Once Upon a Time…
A shout and a whimper could be heard outside of Raven's tent before she sighed and stepped outside. What she saw was a young girl with dark red hair, a pair of red sunglasses resting on her nose, and wearing a red yukata that had dark red feathers printed on it. She barely came up to Raven's knees. The young girl was running to Raven then hid behind her. The girl had a few scuff marks and bruises. Then she saw the culprits as they froze up upon seeing Raven.
Raven's eyes focused on the guilty party, four children all six years old. Vernal, a girl that was tan with short black hair, was wearing black shorts with a brown jacket. Annabelle, a blonde haired girl with a bob haircut with blonde fur mouse ears and a tail coiled around her waist. wearing blue jeans and a white shirt with yellow flowers on it. The third was a boy named Gary. He had muddy brown hair that covered his eyes. He was short and stout but was a bit chubby with a fat nose. He wore baggy brown pants with a green long sleeve shirt. The last was another boy named Evan. He had black slick back hair and brown eyes. He was wearing blue jeans with a long coat that was black with no shirt underneath showing his pale skin. They were all older than the girl hiding by Raven's leg by three years.
"Little Bird." Raven spoke in a quiet voice that only the young girl could hear. "Were these the ones that hurt you?" Raven's question came out in a steady tone but Little Bird just shriveled up and hid herself more, putting her face into the back of Raven's knees. It was clear that these four were at it again bullying her. Raven stilled her eyes back on the troublesome four. "SHAY!" Raven's voice came out booming throughout the camp. A bunch of mumbles came from the members of the camp as a scraggly dirty blonde haired man with a missing tooth, ran up. He was wearing mostly brown clothing. Brown shorts with a brown vest that had gray fur on the sleeves.
"Yes Daimyo?" His voice was rough but he had a smile on his face that became a scowl as the four children that Raven had been glaring at came up behind the man bowing as well. The title of Daimyo was meant for the leader of the once bandit tribe. Raven became the Daimyo and saw it fit to change things six years ago. It was a slow process when so many of the people were once raiding, pillaging, murdering raiders. Something Raven could've easily had been, before her time on Team STRQ.
"Your little group that you're in charge of Shay. Team VEGA or was it Vegas you called it? They're causing trouble again." Her eyes stilled on the man. Then the girl with the black buzz cut spoke up.
"That's bullshit! We were just messing around!" The tanned girl had a lot of bark, only to have Shay smack the back of Vernal's head before grabbing it and then shoving her face into the dirt. The girl struggled against his grip trying to break free. Screams muffled by the ground.
"Brat shut the hell up. You don't disrespect the Daimyo." He snarled at her before looking up at Raven. "Sorry about the brat. She's still stuck in the old ways mindset from her parents before they died."
"I see." Raven spoke with no waver in her tone and kept it steady. "Might makes right. Tsk, disgusting. A mind set that will get you killed. Let me make it clear. I do believe the most powerful are meant for greatness but that does not make it right to flaunt your power over those beneath you." Raven's words were sharp as she stared at the tan girl that still had her face in the ground. Raven's eyes then started scanning over the camp. A myriad of tent colors mostly browns, reds, blacks, and grays. Smoke could be seen coming out further away. To call their camp small would be an understatement. The camp was the size of a small village with a little over a hundred people living there. They'd be settling in for the winter soon. The trees that surrounded them would protect them from unwanted visitors. Then when spring hit they would be on the move again. Her eyes settled back to the group that was forming around her and Team Vegas.
"We are a family here in the Nidoto Nai. I will not have us turn back to becoming savages, bandits. Beating up your family just to show you're strong is pointless and does more damage than good, child." She looked over the camp. "Let me make this clear. I've changed things here and it's been for the better. We now have a steady income from the nearby villages. We have a steady source of food coming from the villages we protect. Most importantly we have neighboring towns' trust and respect. Something we didn't have before. Even Mistral itself has lightened up on coming after us because we are needed now." She eyed the team in front of her again. "Ever since we started using our might to help protect the settlement towns." She paused trying to see if anyone had retorts. She was met with silence which made her smile. "Am I understood Team Vegas? You will not harm family members or you will be sent to the wilds for a month on your own with bare supplies."
"YES DAIMYO!" The team shouted with a bit of worry in their eyes. Well all except the girl that had her face in the dirt still.
"Team Vegas you will be set to dish duty and cleaning the outhouses for the rest of the month. That is all." Raven said as she turned to go back into her tent. Little Bird following.
Once the tent flaps closed behind them and she had privacy she looked down to the young girl who was fidgeting with her hands as she looked up to her. Raven sighed and felt a bit of unease not really sure on what to say. The girl was already three now, it had been a year and half roughly since Raven took her.
"Summer would know what to do in this situation." Was all Raven could think as she kneeled down next to the child. The three year old wincing as Raven grabbed the girl's arm and began looking over the scrapes and bruises.
"Do I like, kiss them to make her feel better? Why is this so difficult?" Raven couldn't help but keep questioning herself and looked over her injuries to make sure they weren't too serious. "Ruby. Did they hit you in the gut or sternum or elsewhere?" Raven's voice came out stern. She didn't know how to sound caring or motherly. She did care but she wasn't sure how to. She hoped using the girl's real name would come off as kind.
Ruby's eyes winced and she mumbled something not able to be heard clearly. Raven sighed and began to get a little frustrated as she then started poking Ruby's stomach and other parts on her torso where vital points are. The young girl didn't wince in pain so it seemed like she was fine.
"Go and sit for a bit while I go get the first aid kit Little Bird." Raven told her as she walked over to a nearby chest and sighed. Her thoughts were all over the place as she opened the chest with its hinges creaking. She didn't know what to feel exactly, being a parent was something she had no experience with. Her mind drifted to the night she made that promise. The words her and Summer exchanged.
"Raven, the only thing I want you to do when raising her is read her bedtime stories. It's what I did every night for her and Yang. I don't expect you to be me. I want you to do things the way you can. The stories… well I just want there to always be a bit of me with her."
"Damn it Summer…" She sighed, opening her eyes as she whispered to herself. "... what is there that I can do?" She asked herself as she finally pulled out the med kit. When she turned around she saw Ruby silver eyes drifting over to Raven's sword that was leaning against the tent post. Raven's eyebrow quirked up noticing this as she walked over to the young girl. "See something that catches your eye Little Bird?"
Raven kept her eyes on the young girl. Ruby's face went flush as she just nodded, bringing her hands up to her face. A smile crept onto Raven's face as she knelt down and began to treat Ruby's scrapes. "That's my sword, I named it Omen ." She was happy to see Ruby finally taking an interest in something.
The girl winced as she felt the alcohol touch her scrapes. Her voice was soft, barely able to be heard as responded. "I- it looks cool." She whispered, another wince coming from the sting of the alcohol wipes. "Like the heroes' swords in the stories you read to me…" Her voice trailed off as Raven finished cleaning the scrapes and put a few small bandages over them. Raven didn't have the heart to tell Ruby that she was nothing like the heroes in those stories.
"Would you like to see it a lot closer?" Weapons. Fighting. That was something Raven could work with. If Ruby was showing interest in it, then she could possibly form a relationship based on that.
Ruby's eyes were sparkling practically as she looked up into Raven's own red eyes. "Would you mom?! " The girl was practically shouting, Raven had never heard her so excited, so emotional. Though what caught Raven off guard the most was being called mom. She froze up, her eyes going wide before she finally closed them at hearing that word, mom .
"I'm not her mom. I ca-" She shook her head from those thoughts. She didn't view herself as Ruby's mother. She didn't view herself as worthy to be one. Those thoughts weren't good. Whether she viewed herself as the girl's mother or not, she was all but in blood was her adopted mother, it still felt wrong. A blush formed on her face though as her eyes slowly opened up and looked down to the young girl. "Sure Little Bird. Just not here. Get your glasses on and we'll go to the training area. There are a lot more swords and other weapons there too."
The girl's eyes were shining with excitement at this point. She quickly put on her red sunglasses. They covered the silver eyes of the young girl. No one could know she was here or who she was. Raven knew contacts would be better, maybe even a mask, for now sunglasses got the job done. Raven smiled at her and placed a hand on her head patting her like a dog. "Parents do this right?" Then she leaned over and grabbed her sword. "Come."
A simple word as Raven opened the tent flaps as Ruby nodded eagerly running after her then grabbing Raven's hand.
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Ruby was excited. She never really got to do much around the camp. She always was trying to hide away from Vernal and her friends. They always tried to beat her up. She didn't understand it. Ruby didn't like it, were they really family? Everyone in the Nidoto Nai is family according to her mother. Is this what family was? Mom never beat her up. None of the other people in the camp did. They were scary looking sure, but they never beat her up though. Why did Vernal and the other's beat her up? Mom says it was because of how they were raised. That seemed dumb.
Ruby's eyes kept glancing around the camp. There were many tents of a variety of colors, red, brown, gray, and black, all around them. She could hear the clanging of steel coming from one tent and the smell of ash and smoke. It made her nose feel funny as she sneezed. It was a nice smell though.
She didn't see Team Vegas anywhere as they walked, so at least she wasn't that worried about them for now. The mother and daughter continued walking only for Ruby to stop. Her mind wandered as she heard the sound of something nice. Sounds being played in a pattern, it caused her to stop walking as she listened to it. Then there was the sound of banging that went along with it in a rhythm. It was nice. Her eyes closed as she took it all in. "Pretty…" was all she whispered before she heard a cough. Her eyes snapped open as she saw her mother standing in front of her.
"Are you coming, Little Bird?" She asked before Ruby went flush with red before nodding her head and running back up to grab her hand.
"The noises… it was pretty…" She spoke a bit nervously to her mother. She didn't really know how to describe what she was feeling. It was just nice to listen to the sounds that were getting more distant.
"That is called music Little Bird." Her mother spoke with a bit of softness Ruby hadn't ever heard before. "If you're interested in hearing more then perhaps." Her voice paused. "I can show you later at the bonfire the camp has. There will be dancing and music along with food." Her mother looked down at her. "Would you like that?"
Ruby wasn't really sure. She liked the sound of this music thing but people scared her. She typically ate in the tent with her mom. Which she seemed to be fine with. Although, maybe it wouldn't hurt to go and check it out. "Ma- Maybe for a little bit…" Ruby's voice trailed off as she felt a bit nervous but excited.
Her mom patted her head again which made Ruby smile. She kept walking along the dirt paths of the camp. Winding in between multiple tents. Different smells coming from each that she didn't recognize. Eventually the tents became fewer and far between with more open space as the sound of metal could be heard clashing against each other. Some yelling and shouting were heard alongside the sound in the distance.
"WOO! Go Ame!"
"Kick her butt Nino!"
Ruby could feel her anxiety building as the voices got closer and eventually she could see it. The training field. There she saw a bunch of people fighting each other. The two stand out ones were two girls that looked fairly older than her. There was a blonde haired girl with two guns in her hands that had blades attached to them. Ruby didn't really recognize the kind. Just that they were tiny. The blonde haired girl was short and wearing a brown hat, white shirt with red ribbon, and brown skirt. She was pretty.
The other girl that was in the fight had a lot more going on. She had purple hair with a gold bangle and a black dress with pale white skin. Her weapon was a steel parasoul. That wasn't what caught her off guard the most however. It was this girl's TENTACLES! There were so many coming out from her back. Five? Seven? Eight!? Ruby was losing track and she could only count so high for her age.
A few shots rang out, aimed at the tentacle girl that just blocked them with her parasoul. "WHOOP WHOOP! Good block Nino!" Ruby's eyes drifted over to the one who just shouted out, it was a woman that had long wild ginger hair with green feathers hanging from it. She was wearing an orange hat. Her outfit was an orange jacket with blue jeans for pants. Her shirt was green. "Look, look Amatsu! Isn't Ame doing her best dealing with Nino!" The orange haired woman was hanging on a girl that looked the same age as the two fighting.
Ruby was bewildered by the appearance of the girl she presumed was Amatsu. She had short pink hair. She was wearing a black kimono with golden flowers on it. Her sash was white and hanging from them were two curved looking blades. What was so bewildering was the girl had a long lizard tail that flicked back and forth and on her head were two black horns that came to a sharp point. The girl's eyes were a deep pink color with black slits for pupils. She was scary looking. Then she saw the fist fly and hit the ginger woman's face. "Off me Ki. Sheesh" Amatsu's face was a bit pink.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Three more shots rang out from Ame's guns. They were loud, but they didn't scare Ruby. What did scare her was the one shot that hit Nino's knee causing her to kneel. Her steel parasoul blocked the next two shots that ricocheted off straight towards Ruby.
Ruby screamed harder than she ever did before as she saw them approaching until her mom stepped in front of her, Ruby's eyes went wide as she saw her mother's black hair flutter in the wind as the red blade of her sword glimmered in the sunlight as it was drawn. Ruby was in awe as she saw her knock the shots away. Her mom standing tall and full of confidence with her hair bellowing in the wind. At this moment Ruby didn't see her as just her mom, she was her super-mom. Her hero.
"Ah shit…" She heard Ki speak though Ruby couldn't hear her. Eventually everyone in the training field stopped moving. The area was quiet. "Hiii R- Ray Ray. Ehehe. Nice weather today, right?"
Her mother was deathly quiet. Ruby may not know what tension was but she could feel whatever it was that was in the air. "So, does anyone want to explain why we're using live ammunition on the training field?" Her mom's words finally came out. They were angry and Ruby felt like she could get yelled at any second. "You all know the rules. Not everyone in the camp has their aura unlocked. Live ammo is dangerous. Someone gets hit and we drain resources patching that person up. That's on a good day." Her mother paused then looked down to Ruby. "At worst someone dies."
The people in the field all looked full of guilt as they knew what she was implying with that look at her followed by those blunt words. Ruby stood up and grabbed her mom's legs. "I- It's ok… I did want to come here to see your sword." Her mom's eyes went down to her. "Pl- Please mom…" Ruby heard her mom sigh.
"Everyone here except for Team Woodpecker leaves." She spoke, her voice still commanding though the words softer than before.
"YES DAIMYO!" An echo of voices rang out addressing Ruby's mom.
Ruby watched as everyone but five people were left. The girls from the fight came over to them. They all looked nervous. There was one that Ruby didn't take note of yet but maybe it was because she was almost as short as Ruby was. She had white hair with blue streaks in it. Her skin was pale but with odd slits in it. The girl had a blue tail with fins on the end that came out to a point. She wore a robe, a yukata to be precise, not that different from Ruby's own. Although this girl's was blue with a fish pattern on it that was white. The sash she wore was red. On her back was a blue trident that shimmered with a red gem towards the top.
"So Team Woodpecker. What do you have to say for almost harming Little Bird." Her mom's voice came out sharp. Ruby was then pushed forward in front of them by her mom. She squeaked out a noise as she looked back at her mom. Her hands went and covered her mouth. She looked at the team and finally the woman named Ki stepped forward.
"Aaah I'm sorry Little Bird. Is that your name? Ray Ray what kind of name is that?" The woman sounded nervous but was still playful as she leaned down and brought a hand that ruffled Ruby's dark red hair.
"That's how you will address her." Her mother spoke with a firm resolve. "She will be given a title in a few years. For now she is Little Bird." Ruby knew the truth on why she was called that. Even if it was really confusing. She was told not to ever give her real name to anyone.
"Well that's just silly. But fine. Little Bird you're adorable and really brave for coming here." The woman smiled with a bright vibrant smile. "How old are you?"
"I- I'm uh three." Ruby quietly stated. She wasn't used to this much attention as all eyes were on her.
"Wow! You're really brave. You know that Little Bird? Most people don't want to come here till they're older!" Ki had a pleasant voice that was soft, it was nice which made Ruby smile a bit as a blush came over her face as she nodded to the woman. "Especially without Aura. "
She heard a cough come from behind her. Ruby looked over her shoulder to see her mother looking down to Ki. "She doesn't know what that is Ki. Besides, you have introductions to give first."
"Right right" Ki spoke, waving her hand dismissively as she stood up and smiled as she stepped off to the side. "Well Little Bird. I'm Taka Ki! Captain, teacher, whatever you want to call me of Team Woodpecker. Most just call me Ki." She smiled as she gestured to the four other girls.
The first to step forward was the pink haired one. She bowed "I'm Amatsu Calli. A pleasure to meet you. I'm the Leader of the team. When Ki" Amatsu paused, her eyes moved over towards Ki, Lingering on the ginger. "is missing…" Her words trailed off as if there was animosity. Ki just chuckled nervously. "... I apologize for you almost getting hurt. On behalf of the whole team."
"I- It's fine. Your team is so cool." Ruby spoke nervously out. Amatsu just gave a friendly smile as her lizard tail flicked back and forth. "Your tail… Can I touch it?"
"Oooh I saw you looking. Sure you can if you want." The tail stretched out towards her. Ruby reached nervously as she touched the tip of it. "Guh.." Amatsu made a funny noise as Ruby's hand pet it. "It's a bit sensitive, sorry." she pulled the tail back away.
"It's cool." Ruby said with sparkling eyes of admiration. Amatsu just blushed as she stepped back as the blonde one stepped forward.
"I- I'm um Ame Watso. Sorry I almost hurt you, Daughter of the Daimyo." She bowed to the girl. Ruby didn't know how to react to that and before she could speak up Ame stepped back into the line only to hide behind Amatsu. Then the girl with many tentacles stepped forward.
"I'm Nino Ina. I'm sorry I couldn't protect those shots better." She smiled as she extended a tentacle forward to Ruby. "You can touch it if you'd like." Ruby's finger extended and poked at the tentacle; she didn't know what to think of it. It was so spongy and squishy. When she pulled her hand away there was a bit of slime on her fingers.
"Ewww" She grimaced as she started to rub her fingers on the dirt. There were some chuckles coming from the group as Nino pouted.
The last girl walked forward. Ruby was almost eye level with her. Was she as young as Ruby? The girl pounded her chest and smiled wide eyed with a toothy grin that revealed her sharp teeth. "I'm Raw Guray! I did nothing wrong. Though my teammates are dunces and don't know how to follow the rules. BUT stick by me and I'll show you the ropes!" The girl wrapped her arm around Ruby's shoulder as she held her hand out to the sky. "We'll take on the world. MUHAHAHA!" She laughed out as Ruby just kind of giggled at her confidence. So maybe Raw was as young as Ruby.
Then snickers came from the rest of Team Woodpecker. "HEY! What's so funny!?" Raw exclaimed with a glare back to her team.
"No- Nothing," Amatsu laughed. "I'm just so happy you found someone that you can look down at!" Amatsu couldn't contain her laughter anymore.
"Even if it took the girl being thirteen years younger!" Nino laughed out next. Even Ame was laughing as Ki just snickered.
"Ah! You all are jerks!" Raw shouted as she pulled off her trident and began stabbing it at her teammates who all began to lazily dodge it.
Ruby turned back to her mom and couldn't help but smile as she ran up and hugged her. "I- I like them. They're funny." She felt comfortable around them, which was strange because she normally only felt comfortable with her mom.
"Good. Cause when I'm not training you." Ruby watched her mother's eyes drift over to the team of five. "Team Woodpecker will be. For now I will be your main teacher, until you feel comfortable enough with them that I think I can leave you alone with them." Her mother's words were stern but Ruby could tell she meant them with some kind of care. She simply nodded to her.
"Ohoho! Daimyo is actually training someone!?" Ruby flinched as she heard Taka Ki boom out with a curious tone. "Oh shall I unlock her Aura for you?"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Ruby flinched hard as her mother's voice rang in her ears, loud and strong. There was no hesitation or weakness in her mother's voice. Ruby buried her face into her mom's knees. Then her eyes glanced up to her.
"Mo- mom… what's Aura ?" Ruby asked a bit hesitantly. She wasn't paying mind to Team Woodpecker who all sat down on the ground behind her.
She listened to her mother sigh before she gestured to the ground. Ruby immediately sat down only to find Ki had scooted forward and pulled Ruby into her lap. Ruby's face went flush. Then the clearing of her mother's throat brought Ruby's attention back to her mom.
"Aura is the manifestation of one's soul. It represents us and it's a tool that all Hunters use to fight the monsters called Grimm . Do not let others tell you otherwise. It is only a tool. NOT a necessity like others would make it seem." Her mother's eyes were focused on the older girls.
"Wha- What are Grimm? " Ruby asked and her mom's eyes closed.
"Grimm are the manifestation of negative emotions in the world. Monsters of the dark and shadow. They typically only come from shadowy areas or nighttime as they can't stand the light. Which is why unlike humans, animals, and plants. Grimm can't have Aura. Aura is the light of one's soul." Her mother explained, Ruby's eyes went wide with fear before Ki patted her head then pulled her closer. The actions calmed Ruby.
"Aura manifests as a form of energy, one that can be used to protect us." Her mother continued her explanation on Aura. Something Ruby was grateful for.
"IT'S LIKE A FORCE FIELD!" Ki shouted out interrupting Ruby's mom, who scowled in response. Ruby looked at Ki who held out her hand that had an orange glow shimmering across her skin.
"Yes, in some ways it can be used just like that. However, it is so much more." She sighed then held out her own hand and it began to shimmer red. Then she looked at Amatsu and nodded her head towards a set of weights. Amatsu immediately rushed up and over to them. "It can be used to strengthen yourself for one." Ruby watched as Amatsu lifted up a barbell with two hundred pounds on it with little effort. "This happens when your Aura is unlocked. It doubles your physical abilities. So say Amatsu didn't have Aura. She wouldn't be able to do that as easily. She might be able to do one hundred pounds at most with one arm."
Ruby nodded with understanding. Then her mother continued. "You can train it of course but unlocking it too soon can make it more difficult later down the line in your training. Which is why you are not allowed to have it unlocked until you are thirteen. Am I understood, Little Bird? Don't let anyone unlock it." Her words were absolute.
"Understood mother." Ruby said solidly. Which got a smile from her mom.
"Good, now do understand Aura can be unlocked from one of two ways, the normal way is from someone else using their own Aura to unlock it for you. The second way is from traumatic events so if that happens there is nothing we can do about it." Ruby nodded in response to her mom's words. "There are more uses of Aura but we'll get to that throughout your training. If you are still interested. It won't be easy Little Bird"
"I- I want to…" Ruby's voice went quiet. She began to think about it all. Her mind was processing things slowly. She just wanted to see her mom's cool sword now there were talks of training.
"Do you want to train Little Bird?" Her mom asked and Ruby met her eyes. "It will not be easy and there will be days that will be tougher than all those bullies roughed you up." Ruby winced at that. "However, you will learn how to defend yourself from them. With me helping you I can even teach you how to fight all four of them on your own and win."
Ruby's eyes went wide. Could she really do that? She didn't know if she had the ability to do something like that. She wasn't fully sure of herself. She always got beat up and now her mom was confident she could. "D- do you think I can mom?" She asked with uncertainty in her voice.
"Little Bird." Her mother's voice came out in a tone that sounded almost caring. "I can not decide what you can and can't do. What I can tell you is that no matter your decision I will support you and guide you to what you want." Her mom's features softened with a smile.
Ruby took a deep breath and began pouring over the words she heard. Then she opened her eyes and looked through her sunglasses at her mother's gaze. Ruby was a bit unsure but she looked at the training field and saw many of the weapons around her. They were beautiful. She remembered the fight between Nino and Ame. It was intense, but also so cool to watch. She took another deep breath, closed her eyes and re-opened them. She felt like she could do this. "Mom. Please train me"
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Raven gave a broad smile to Ruby. Raven could feel Ruby start to beam with more confidence than ever. "Very well. Stand up." Raven's eyes glanced over to Ki. "Go grab seven wakizashi bokken."
"Sure thing Ray Ray." The ginger woman got up with Raven sighing. The woman annoyed her but she was skilled enough to be kept around. Raven's eyes went back to team Woodpecker and Ruby.
"We're gonna go over the basics. Stuff like stances and terminology. If I forget something or if you're confused Little Bird, one of them can help."
"Ya, so don't be afraid to ask us." Amatsu patted Ruby's head which made the shy girl nod her head.
"Ri- Right."
"Everyone, partner up. Little Bird you're with me." Raven spoke sternly with her thumb gesturing to herself. Only to have the moment interrupted from Ki falling to the ground as a bunch of wooden practice swords spilled out over the dirt. A sigh coming from Raven. She didn't even bother to watch who was paired up with who as she picked up two of the swords. "Little Bird, this is called a Bokken . Specifically of a Wakizashi . A Wakizashi is the back up blade of old Mistralian warriors. Something that the Nidoto Nai have taken the mantle of in some manners."
"Bo- Bokken. Waki- Wah is ak sho?" Ruby tried speaking the words which got a chuckle from Raven.
"Wah kee zah she" Raven gave an example of the word once more, speaking a lot slower. "Try it again."
"Wakizashi." Ruby spoke with more certainty. Getting the word right.
"Good." Raven tossed the wooden sword to Ruby who fumbled when she caught it but didn't drop it. "Little Bird. What is a weapon?" Raven asked curiously on how Ruby would respond to the question.
"It's um" The young girl paused. "It's what heroes use! To save and protect people." She exclaimed proudly. The teen girls of Team Woodpecker chuckled which made Ruby blush. Raven just offered a smile back to the girl.
"A weapon is an extension of ourselves. Some people say it's a tool that we use like farming equipment. However, the weapons we use" She paused looking among the other girls and their weapons. "we form bonds with. They can reveal who a person really is."
"So they're like Aura?" Raven heard the question as Ruby tilted her head.
"In a way I suppose weapons and aura are similar, yes. However a weapon is something someone can choose and make themselves if they so wish." Raven expressed to her.
"Oh! They're so cool!" Raven was taken aback once again by the young girl getting loud once again.
"She's never been this expressive before. Seems like this was the right thing to do." Raven started to feel a tinge in confidence towards raising Ruby now. Like she could finally find some kind of common ground. Raven actually chuckled at the excitement irradiating off of Ruby. "Yes, they are cool. Though you must treat them with respect. Weapons are dangerous. Remember that."
Ruby nodded which was enough for Raven to continue. "Good. Now then mimic what I do" Raven instructed the three year old. Only to find the girl giving a puzzled look.
"Mimic?" Ruby questioned and Raven frowned, frustrated with herself.
"Erm it means imitate," Raven explained, only to see Ruby's face get more confused. Raven just scowled in frustration with herself. "Just… Do what I do Little Bird." Raven explained in even simpler terms, finally getting a nod from Ruby with all confusion leaving the young girl's face. Raven was a bit embarrassed and she could hear Ki snicker off to the side.
With a sigh Raven looked at Ruby. "Remember to do as I do Little Bird." she instructed her. Raven knew Ruby wouldn't get it right immediately but it would help seeing what the girl does first.
Raven stanced up in a proper stance with her bokken of a wakizashi. She adjusted her feet naturally and then did one downward swing. Her eyes followed Ruby's first attempt and she almost wanted to laugh as the young girl stumbled a little. Eventually a chuckle did escape her lips as she walked over to her. "Here Little Bird." Raven spoke and the girl gave a pouty face that Raven felt could rival Summer's.
Raven pulled Ruby up to her feet and then began to adjust her stance. "Right foot slightly forward. Left foot back. Good." Ruby listened to her instructions. "Widen your stance. Feet shoulder width apart." Raven tapped the girl's legs with her bokken to help adjust her stance. "Little more now." Ruby's legs adjusted too much. "No, too much." She tapped the knees and the girl jerked in response but eventually she got it right.
"Good good. If you can master the basics you'll be a great fighter Little Bird." Raven complimented the girl whose eyes were practically shining. "Now then watch how I swing and we'll go from there."
The training session over the basics went from there. Going on for a few hours, eventually Raven stepped back and let Ruby practice the downward swing on her own while Raven watched from afar. She watched as Team Woodpecker would occasionally step in and give their own pointers to her. Raven wasn't sure what she was feeling as she watched the young girl. It reminded her of when she first started training and was getting things right. "This is…" her words were quiet as she spoke to herself "... a new feeling…" Raven's eyes were steady on the girl, a smile creeping onto Raven's face as she saw Raw pat Ruby on the back causing Ruby to fumble and giggle. "... Pride in someone else."
Raven felt warm for the first time in a long time. "Awww that's great Ray Ray!" Raven's thoughts being cut off by the ginger woman.
"Yes. Unfortunately it was interrupted by an orange chicken!" Raven then swung her own Bokken at Ki. The woman dodged with a backstep with a smile on her face.
"I concede, I concede!" The ginger woman shouted with a chuckle. "You know I'd love to spar with you Ray Ray but me and the girls got to go prepare for tonight!" Raven tilted her head.
"Tonight?"
"Uh you know the five year anniversary since the Nidoto Nai came under your command." Raven's eyes blinked as she heard Taka Ki explain the night.
"Huh. Very well, perhaps we'll join tonight." Raven said as she looked at Ruby who was playing with Raw. You wouldn't even know that there was an age gap between the two girls.
"Ight, later Ray Ray! Come on Team, it's time to go and prep for tonight!" The ginger shouted out as the girls gathered up their things.
"Later Little Bird!"
"Bye bye!"
"Goodbye, Daughter of Daimyo"
"We'll conquer the world another day Birdie!"
The girls sounded out as they all left. Ruby ran up to Raven. "Are we still training mom ?" Raven heard her and for once didn't feel a tinge of regret from being called that. It didn't feel right but she didn't feel as uneased by it as she usually did.
"No, we're done for today. Let's put our bokken away and then head back" Raven said as she led Ruby over to the area where the bokken were stored. "Remember to always put anything you use away." Raven instructed as she helped Ruby put away the wooden swords. Once they were stored properly Raven picked Ruby up and put her on her shoulders.
"Let's go see how the people are celebrating the night" Raven said, grabbing Ruby's bare feet to help brace her. Ruby just smiled. Raven was happy to finally see the young girl coming out of her shell.
[/]
The night went on as the pair had finished washing up from the training from the afternoon. Raven was wearing a more casual outfit for herself. Ruby was wearing a clean black and red yukata. Raven had Ruby up on her shoulders again as she tried to gauge the young girl's interests.
All around them the camp seemed to be holding some sort of festival. Raven hardly ever noticed things like this herself ever since she took Ruby in. Truth be told she hadn't interacted a whole lot with the camp. Ruby was always too scared to go out and Raven couldn't leave her alone long before Vernal's group would start their bullying.
Raven saw a stall that had an assortment of candy and baked goods sitting out. "Hmm Little Bird, would you like to have some sweets?"
"Sweets?" Ruby sounded almost confused. Raven sighed.
"I never did give her any sweets or anything like that. It always was just the necessities." Raven chastised herself for the blunder. Ruby probably would've been eating cookies and cake on the regular if Summer was still around. Raven walked up to the stand and smiled at the baker.
"A- Ah! Daimyo it's good to see you." The woman spoke nervously.
"Thank you, it's a beautiful night. Tell me, what do you think is your best sweet here?" Raven asked, her poker face did not falter as she looked at the snacks on the table.
"Well uh people really love my cookies. Then there are the suckers…" The baker's voice trailed off.
"Ah, how much for a bag of each?" Raven asked as she pulled out her wallet.
"AH! Daimyo I could never ask you to pay." The woman scrambled, grabbing a bag of cookies and handing them to her. Raven scowled as she pulled out twenty Lien . "Er what flavor suckers would you like?"
Raven sat down the Lien and then looked up to Ruby on her shoulders. The girl just looked confused. "two of each flavor you have would be fine." Raven watched as the woman scrounged up a bunch of suckers of different colors and flavors. Then handing them to her. "Thank you, what's your name?"
"I- My name is Barb Norm. Most just call me Babs" The woman paused. Daimyo. It's an honor to serve you." The baker spoke bowing. Raven simply just nodded as she walked away from the stall. Ruby on her shoulder still looking out and around.
Paper lanterns were strung up between the many tents as the music got louder the deeper into the camp they walked. The sound of many instruments playing together. Raven pulled out a chocolate chip cooking from the bag and held it up to Ruby. "Try this Little Bird."
Ruby took a bite out of the cookie and her eyes lit up as she devoured it quickly. Raven couldn't help herself as she chuckled at the young girl's eagerness to devour the sweet. "You can have more later," Raven assured Ruby as they continued through the tents.
"WOO! Baby that's what I'm talking about!" Raven heard a familiar voice echo out through the crowds of people as eventually she walked into the epicenter of the crowd where a big bonfire burned brightly in front of a massive stage. Raven heard Ruby gasp on her shoulders.
What the pair saw was Team Woodpecker up on the stage playing instruments together with Amatsu singing into a microphone. "Listen well, guys and gals. Money, fame, fortune, talent, you can't dance around it. They'll just slow you down!" The song was upbeat and fast.
Raven found herself nodding along to the words herself as the girls all played their instruments. Ruby herself was speechless as she listened to the lyrics and the way that the sounds mixed together. Ruby saw the others in the crowd headbanging and throwing their hands in the air to the music and eventually she found herself doing the same.
Raven looked at the team on the stage and eyed what each was playing. Her analytical mind did not pause, even in moments of relaxation. Ki was playing a electric keytar, Raw was playing a ukulele, Nino was on a drum set using her multitude of tentacles to play at once, Ame was playing a guitar, and lastly was Amatsu who was the lead singer and also had her own instrument in hand, a bass.
Raven enjoyed the music as she walked closer to the stage, the eyes of many wandering to the Daimyo. However Team Woodpecker wasn't fazed seeing the woman and the girl on her shoulders. Eventually, the song the team was singing would end and another one would start.
Ki was leading this one in and the song was notably slower. Raw had taken Amatsu's bass and was playing it. A funny look with how short the teen shark girl the rest of the girls but Amatsu had joined in. The melody of the song was calming. Raven felt Ruby swaying back and forth on her shoulders. Then the first words of the song came out.
"Nevermore." Amatsu's voice stretched out and it sounded ethereal to the ears. "Nevermore" she repeated in the same tone before. "Will we be afraid? Nor will we run away? It's behind us, Justice is finally here!" The last word had it's note held out. "Once we were monsters, making things worse than before. We wont be like that now, no more." Amatsu's eyes closed. "Not now and nevermore" The not hung in the air before Amatsu's new instrument was whipped around as the tempo of the song picked up. Then it was visible and heard. Amatsu's Shamisen was played out loud and strong with quickness. The three stringed instrument. It had a twang to it and it seemed Ruby was in love with it instantly.
Raven was enraptured by the lyrics of the song. Talking about the Nidoto Nai's past as a bandit tribe and how they weren't that anymore and would never go back to it. Raven felt pride at how many people seemed to take that with honor. She was wondering if she was having a positive impact on those around her. Then before she realized it Ruby was pulled off her shoulders by Amatsu during a pause when Ame had a duet in the song with Ki.
Raven was about to jump up to grab the girl back. Ruby wasn't ready to be the center of attention like that. Then Raven froze in amazement as she saw the girl smiling and having fun on the stage with Amatsu. Then only to have Raw pull the girl in her direction dancing with her. Raven didn't know how to react to that. It gave her a bit of hope for the future. Raven didn't even notice how Vernal was glaring from a distance in the crowd.
Raven felt less concerned for how she was raising the girl. Her mind going to how the training regime for Ruby would be and what to get the girl.
AN:
Holy crap this chapter took forever to type but i'm proud of it. One of my goals with writing this chapter was to show how different the Branwen Tribe, now called the Nidoto Nai, is from the canon show. That they have an actual culture that isn't just fighting and madmax.
I also wanted to explain a bit of Aura in my universe. It will get expanded and explained deeper and further along as the story progresses. The next chapter will have a bit more of three year old Ruby for a bit but then have another time jump to six year old Ruby.
The biggest goal of mine though was showing what Raven and Ruby's relationship has been like since she was taken. Raven clearly doesn't know how to be a normal mother. BUT she is gonna find her own way to be a mom.
Yes, Team Woodpecker takes inspiration from something. I wont say what and let you guys piece it together. I do eventually want to get art of all the OCs and characters in my AU done and have a place where it's cataloged. I might comm Schrwby on twitter for it. They did the cover for the story which you can view on their twitter or ff . net
Special thanks to my Beta Scott D. He did a lot of the grammar corrections.
Next chapter will release
October 27th Chapter 2 - Family Reunion.
Thank you for all the love and support!
~ Cawme