Chapter 3
Family Reunions pt. 1
"AGAIN!" Raven's voice boomed out watching Ruby sprint from one end of the training yard to the other. It was now deep into winter, January. Snow was on the ground and that was no excuse to go easy on the young girl. "You will keep going till you think you're gonna puke! Then you will go past that till you do!" Raven's training regime for the girl was hard but it was what Raven went through herself. The only difference? Ruby was starting younger, a lot younger. Raven kept that in mind and would constantly observe the young girl's health.
To be fair Ruby was doing well by all accounts. A few months into the training and the only real fault Ruby was having was well.
"DODGE!" Raven heard Raw shout as a snowball went flying at the red haired girl. Hitting her smack in the face. Raven just sighed. That was Ruby's main hiccup, awareness and being able to dodge attacks. "You'd think after all the bullying and sudden attacks from Vernal, her awareness would be better" was all Raven could think. Raven had given permission to Team Woodpecker, Shay and a few other members of the Nidoto Nai to throw an attack at the young girl to keep her on her toes whenever. Usually this was in the form of a snowball, kick sweeping her feet from under her, a hand grappling and tossing her, or simply using a stick and smacking her back.
Was it too much? Perhaps, but this was how Raven was trained and made to go faster and be more aware than others. Some people swore Raven had a sixth sense but really she just knew better than to not pay attention to things around her.
Raven watched as Ruby had tears beginning to form in her eyes. This wasn't the first time it happened and Raven did start to feel a tinge of pity for the girl but she would not relent on this form of training. Especially when it was getting results.
Ruby went straight back into doing her suicide sprints. Raven was impressed by the young girl's passion and drive when it came to her training. "Hmm her footwork is getting better with her sprinting. No longer over extending each step. Good." Raven observed the workout for a few more minutes before she saw Ruby finally collapse to her knees hurling liquid and chunks of breakfast up.
"Enough, take a fifteen minute rest. Then we'll move on to sparring." Raven stated with a firm voice as Ruby wiped the stomach slime from her face, her eyes beaming with excitement behind her new mask. The sunglasses wouldn't work for training so a mask in the shape of a bird's beak with red lenses was made. The girl loved it as far as Raven could tell. Something else Raven noticed was Ruby's growing love for sparring because she got to use weapons. Ruby no longer cried over the pain from a spar.
Raven walked over to the wall that was filled with a multitude of different training weapons. All of different styles and made from wood. In the old days of the Branwen Tribe era, they just handed whatever weapon to whoever could walk and forced them to learn. Now, in the Nidoto Nai, they started off with training at the age of six and started each student off with a sword. Then if they wanted to move onto a different weapon at a later age, usually around ten years old, they would be allowed to. Typically most stuck with swords just of varying sizes.
Ruby here was an exception due to her eagerness and the willingness to train more than others. All because of her interest in weapons. So Raven allowed the girl from time to time to experiment with a different weapon. She still focused on using the wakizashi bokken, though she had messed around with a polearm. Probably influenced by Raw and her trident. The two girls became friends quickly despite the quite large age gap, something Raven was grateful for.
"Daimyo!"
Raven's head snapped on a quick swivel, the voice that was yelling out in an urgent tone. A man that was in charge of the guard of the outer walls ran up. "There's a horde of Grimm coming from the south east."
"How many?" Her voice came out calm and collected as she gathered her thoughts on the lay out of the land.
"At least fifty. Team Owl and Team Sparrow are already there but there's an Elder Beringel though."
Raven's eyes widened at hearing that. She glanced down to Little Bird. She'd have to leave the girl alone for a bit but that should be fine. "Very well, find Team Vegas and bring them there. Keep them at the wall." She looked over to Team Woodpecker who was already combat ready then down to Little Bird. "Ki, your team is with me. Little Bird I need to go handle this. Practice on some of the training dummies till I return." Ruby just nodded to her and with that Raven waved her hand through the air and a mist of red and black appeared in the air. Team Woodpecker went through urgently as Raven stepped through.
What Raven saw was a massive bone armor covered gorilla Grimm the size of a three story house as she unsheathed Omen. This was gonna be a long battle.
[x]
Ruby's eyes followed her mother stepping through the red and black mist after Team Woodpecker. Ruby had heard about a few Grimm and was taught the rankings of them. She was nervous thinking about an Elder Grimm. The third strongest. She thought about it while walking over to the weapons wall and looking over the wooden practice weapons. Her mom just said to practice till she returned and didn't specify which type. She figured that meant with whatever.
As she looked over the weapons she thought about the words her mother taught her about Grimm.
"Little Bird, there is a ranking system for Grimm Breeds. Ranking from 'F' being the weakest, followed by E, D, C, B, A and then S being the strongest. Anima where we are from is known for being a dangerous continent with mostly C through S class Grimm. Then within these different breeds of Grimm there is another system which is to determine the strength of Grimm depending on their life span"
Ruby paused as she tried to remember what each word meant. It was hard for her young mind to process everything. She was getting an education from Raven and even Team Woodpecker. Ruby knew how to write her name in both Common Valeian and Mistralian writing as well as kindergarten level math. Though she still didn't know most words by heart.
Her fingers traced over a wooden arming sword. Trying to decide if she should practice with that instead but her eyes wandered over to a full adult sized bo staff. It was twice the young girl's height. She grabbed it going off balance as she held it for the first time. She got the stance and grip right and looked up and down at it. It felt right. She walked towards the training dummy, remembering the rest of her mother's Grimm lesson.
"There are Grimm Younglings that don't have bone armor. They're usually in packs together with older Grimm. Adult Grimm have some bone armor and stick in packs as well. Although that can change depending on the breed of Grimm. As the Grimm get older they get different bone armor with different markings. White bone armor with yellow markings are Alpha Grimm, typically the leader of a pack. They're strong but not impossible for a young hunter to beat on their own. Then there are Elder Grimm, they have a large amount of bone armor with red markings. They are intelligent Grimm and have been around for a long time though that is nothing compared to the last two Grimm classes."
Ruby paused her train of thought as she stood before the training dummy and stanced up with the bo staff. She did a downward strike and then jumped back. Getting stanced up again as she tried to get used to the size and weight difference of the larger than normal training weapon. She liked the feel in her hands compared to a sword. She liked using a sword but a polearm gave her more reach than she was used to.
She dashed forward and striked low then high on the practice dummy before she jumped back. Not noticing the sounds of someone approaching her as she went deep into thoughts going over her Grimm lessons.
"Leviathan class Grimm are massive Grimm the size of mountains and that's how they are identified. They are mostly dangerous due to that reason. In old Mistralian they were called Kaiju class. Not all Grimm can get to this size and there are specific but rare breeds that are only this size. Leviathans themself, the source of the name, being an example and the most common. Lastly there is Omega class. These Grimm are the most dangerous and are always without exception S in their ranking. They are one of a kind breeds and have markings of red and yellow on their bone plating. They are not publicly known. If you see one well-"
Ruby's thoughts were cut off immediately with her feet being swept from underneath her by a kick. There was no yelling of 'dodge' so she knew this wasn't part of her training instantly. The girl when she was knocked onto her back she immediately rolled, gripping the wooden staff as she got away from her attacker.
"Tsk. Stupid bitch."
Ruby recognized the voice before she laid eyes on her attacker. It was Vernal with two chakrams on her hips, real blades in the shape of a circle. Ruby stood up. She was really confused on why Vernal was here. Team Vegas was called to the wall. "The- There's a Grimm atack! Mo- Mom called your team to the wa-"
"Shut the fuck up brat!" Vernal cut her off swinging at Ruby. Vernal only had half a years worth more training than Ruby so it was a sloppy attack to say the least. Ruby knocked Vernal's fist away with her staff as she jumped back away from the six year old. "Stupid fucking bitch. Raven should be training me!"
Ruby didn't understand why Vernal was acting like this. She wanted to be trained by Ruby's mom? Why didn't she just ask her? She blocked another attack from Vernal but had her feet swept out from under her feeling a low sweeping kick from the tan girl.
Ruby hit the ground hard falling into the dirt as a cloud of the dirt went through the air as Vernal kept up her assault hitting the three year old. It was brutal, Vernal had her aura unlocked so every attack Ruby felt was intense and was bruising almost instantly on her skin. Tears started to form in Ruby's eyes. She brought the wooden bo staff up to hit Vernal which struck the tan girl in her face.
"Fuck!" The vulgar girl shouted. Ruby took the opportunity to roll away and when she stood up she stanced up. The end of the staff a full two meters out from her as she eyed Vernal. Ruby's eyes were shaky. "I'll prove to her that she should train me after she sees how useless a little shit like you use! Spoiled cunt is what you are!" Vernal's belittling continued as she drew her weapons and swung the circular blades at her.
Ruby had the reach on Vernal so was able to keep hitting her blades away. Vernal's attacks were at best stiff and typically sloppy. Vernal was 'skilled' compared to her teammates but she still wasn't much of a fighter quite yet. Ruby on the other hand had been fighting older and more experienced fighters constantly with her training while learning proper form to be drilled into her. She wasn't good, no three year old would be. Ruby was however in a better spot compared to others her age and even to Vernal.
Ruby kept knocking Vernal's slashes away trying to figure out what to do to get out of this situation. Vernal's aura was making it harder to keep this up. Each slash with the metal chakram being empowered. Ruby felt it with every blow. It was gonna give eventually. Unless Ruby could come up with strategy and quick. Even if Vernal wasn't hitting her directly the attacks against the polearm were rippling through and to her arms. Shaking the girl to say the least.
Ruby rolled to the side and tried to take an attack at Vernal's legs with the staff but the six year old just jumped over it. Vernal was a bit of a brute but did know how to fight with speed and aggression. Ruby had to dodge the next attack, which she only got enough away from it to have the blade only to knick her skin. Ruby winced as she saw the blood dripping down her arm. Ruby was starting to fear for her life. Vernal wasn't out to just bruise Ruby like she usually tried to. She was out to hurt Ruby.
Ruby held the cut as she jumped away from Vernal's next attack. The staff dragging on the dirt. She was grimacing as she saw Vernal stand there with a mocking grin on her face. Ruby tried to keep herself calm and steady as she analyzed Vernal. Looking over her weapon and her fighting style. Ruby had an idea come to mind but she wasn't sure it would work. She'd have to try if she wanted to stop this.
[x]
Raven was thrown up into the air by Ki as Omen was drawn. The fight had been going on for a good ten minutes now and they had whittled down the Elder. Raven was now falling back from the sky, her body in a spinning rotation swinging her blade down into the neck of the Beringel. It's head came clean off as she landed. Her eyes focused on the rest of the Grimm around her. The Nidoto Nai were able to handle the last twenty or so left.
Raven's eyes fell upon the teachers of the three teams that were there. All three approached while the rest of their teams still fought off the other Grimm. "Patchouli, Fontaine, Ki, Make sure that any of the injured get to the medical tents. Fontaine, good work with taking charge of the situation. Perhaps it's time to give you a promotion to something more important."
Fontaine, a woman with big white and brown feathered wings, minimal clothing but blue tattoos on her skin, she wore an assortment of red Dust jewelry. She merely bowed. Her face had an alluring smile that was shrouded somewhat by her long white hair that went down to her ample cleavage. "You honor me with your words Daimyo."
Raven nodded to the woman before looking them back over. "When there are only a handful of Grimm left, send Team Vegas in to see how they handle just a few of the lesser Grimm."
"Yes Daimyo!" The three leaders shouted as Raven started back towards the wall. Her mind thinks about how Fontaine would be a good fit to be the Shogun for Higabana. A nice canyon town that was responsible for keeping trade going between western and south east Anima. Something that needed a capable leader of taking charge of controlling Grimm into a manageable level. Fontaine showed that was what she could do.
Raven walked through the gates of the camp and took note of Team Vegas. Shay looked annoyed while three of the members all looked distraught. "Where is Vernal?" Raven's mind wondered about approaching the team. "Shay, where is the leader of Team Vegas?"
Shay snapped around and faced her before bowing. "Daimyo, it seems these three couldn't find her in the midst of the attack happening. So they came here without her." His voice was shaky with anger. The blonde man was clearly displeased.
Raven's mind wandered wondering where the girl could be. Then the answer was clear. "Little Bird." Was all Raven said and she watched the rest of the team wince as Shay's eyes went wide. Raven turned and started sprinting off towards the training grounds. Worry growing inside of her as she hoped she wasn't too late.
She couldn't use her portals due to the cooldown on using it. So as Raven ran past a tent what came by it was a literal Raven flying into the sky. Flying towards the training field. There it could see Vernal attacking Ruby relentlessly. The bird flew towards the ground and past another tent. Raven the woman herself walking now where the bird should've been as she started to draw her sword as she walked into the training grounds. Her mouth began to open up as she saw the attacks from Vernal's chakrams getting closer to Ruby who was using a full adult sized Bo Staff.
Raven's eyes then went wide as she watched Ruby slide the staff into the inner ring of Vernal's chakrams. Ruby then kicked back with her back landing onto the ground then pushing her feet into Vernal's chest launching the tan girl. It wasn't enough to win the fight as Vernal rolled onto the dirt before getting up. Raven was impressed at Ruby's resolve as she saw her disarm the more trained child. Vernal however was more pissed and now running blindly at Ruby. Raven had seen plenty.
"ENOUGH!" Raven's voice boomed out as she heard footsteps run up behind her. Everyone was silent as the scene was taken in.
On one end of the training field was a tan girl with a few scuffs at most without her weapon with a look of anger. On the other end was a younger pale girl with her clothes and skin cut up. Blood running down the girl's arms. In her hands was a staff and two chakrams around it that had blood dripping from the blades.
"Little Bird, I told you to train." Raven's words paused. "Explain to me what happened and why you are not." To others it might seem Raven was upset with Ruby. That was far from it. Even as she saw Vernal with a smug expression on her face.
"I- I was training against the practice dummies like you told me." Ruby's words came out with a squeak but still loud enough to be heard. "Then while I practiced I was attacked by Vernal here…" Her voice trailed off. "So then I had to train against a different kind of dummy." Ruby had a faint smile on her face.
Raven's eyes were firm like steel as she looked at the girl. Raven took note of how Ruby justified her actions with an insult to the bully. Raven was actually proud of how Ruby was being influenced by Team Woodpecker, able to smart off when she knew she wasn't in the wrong.
Vernal however didn't take kindly to this. Snarling at Ruby before a glare from Raven put a stop to this. "Vernal, would you mind telling me why you weren't at the wall like I had ordered when there was a Grimm attack happening?" Raven's words were cold as ice.
"I- I didn't hear about that order! I was just coming here to train and decided to spa-" Vernal was cut off by Raven's hand being held up.
"Then how come the rest of your team was there but not you? It would seem like they heard it but not the leader of the team. Perhaps I gave you too much responsibility." Raven's words were spoken with a voice of wonder. As if she was in thought.
"N- No! That's not the case! I can be a lea-" Vernal started to speak out once more but only to be cut off once more.
"Hmm no, if you could be a leader you would own up to your mistakes. Would be able to understand the importance of taking orders. More importantly, take warnings of punishment seriously." Raven said, looking back to Shay. No longer looking at Vernal. "Tell me Shay, since it was not your full team of charges you were responsible for that broke the rules. How should we go about punishing the unruly child?"
Shay had a shaky look in his eyes as he looked back and forth. Then finally he closed his eyes. "I believe spankings or chores would simply not be enough. She only respects strength." Shay stated then opened his eyes to look at the tan child. "I'd say we should give her one hundred floggings as she hurt a member of our family."
Raven's eyes were steady at the determined punishment then nodded. "Take her chakrams from her for the next half a year. Each member of the team is responsible for twenty five floggings. Give her cut rations for food. Only half of the normal. Lastly, Annabelle is put into temporary leadership of Team Vegas till Vernal proves to be capable of following orders."
"That is bullshi-" Vernal shouted out until she was cut off by a pain in her stomach that was delivered by a spin kick to her gut from Raven.
"Vernal, you will listen carefully to my words child. Your punishment is very light. Typically throughout history if you harmed the child of the Daimyo you would lose your life. Since you are young we are not doing that." Raven placed her foot against Vernal's chest and glared at the girl. Murderous intent radiated off of Raven.
"You respect the strong, correct? Well it would seem my Little Bird was able to disarm you. Someone without aura was able to beat you. That means you are weaker than them. Seeing as such you are now more beneath her." Raven twisted her foot against the child. The sinister feeling of the once Bandit woman coming out. "You are beneath me and I'm not below killing a child unwilling to learn."
Raven then turned and kicked Vernal like a soccer ball at Shay. "Deliver her punishment and make sure she shouts out each number of lashes. If she doesn't then it doesn't count. She will say what she did wrong every lashing as well. Understood?"
"Ye- Yes Daimyo I apologize for what happened to your daughter." Shay's voice was shaky as he gripped the back of Vernal's shirt, hoisting the young girl up.
Raven turned and walked through the snow towards Ruby. Whether Shay or any of Team Vegas spoke did not matter. She kneeled down to look over Ruby. A cut on her left shoulder, bleeding all over her sleeve. Ruby looked in pain. Raven smiled at the girl however. "You did good. I saw the ending of the fight and you did a good job disarming Vernal."
Ruby's eyes brightened up. "Tha- Thank you mom." tears formed in her eyes as she hugged Raven. Ruby sniffled and cried as Raven held her.
"We need to take care of that cut. Then if you wish to you can relax the rest of the da-"
"No! I- I want to train!" Ruby shouted through her tears looking up at Raven. Raven herself froze as she saw Ruby's face. It looked similar to Summer's the night she was forced to make the promise to the girl's mother.
"Su- Sure Little Bird…" Raven's voice stammered out quietly. A rarity for the Daimyo. "...My Ruby"
[x]
Raven was inside her tent holding Ruby's arm as she sterilized the young girl's shoulder wound. Then a thread and needle puncturing the skin as she stitched it shut. A fire burning bright in the center of the tent kept the two warm. Ruby squirmed slightly as Raven pierced the girl's skin as she threaded the needle. "It's fine Little Bird. At worst it will scar. We'll have to go easy on your training for a while now."
She watched Ruby nod sheepishly until the last of the stitching was put in. Raven let out a sigh as she snipped the thread and then put the equipment away. "Next time a cut like this happens I'll teach you how to do this yourself. Now get dressed in some clean clothes for the rest of your training for the day."
"Yes mom." Ruby spoke as she ran over to her clothing chest and rummaged through it. Raven would let out a breath as her mind began to wander.
"I couldn't protect her damn it." Raven thought as she looked over Ruby. She had a few bruises and scratches. She luckily only had one deep cut and it wasn't somewhere fatal. Raven thought back too how the young girl was able to disarm Vernal. It was honestly impressive how she got the drop on her. "She protected herself well enough though. She'll get a treat later tonight for doing so well. Perhaps a muffin? Maybe a cookie or brownie even."
Raven pondered this as she heard footsteps approach her tent. "Daimyo." Raven's attention turned to the tent flap. Hearing the masculine voice of Patchouli.
"Yes, what is it?" Raven asked simply but not giving permission to enter.
"The traitor Qrow is at the gate to the camp."
Raven's brow furrowed as she felt for the bond with the man with her Semblance. Sure enough she could feel his presence rather close by. A sigh escaped her lips. "Escort the man to the front of my tent but do not let him into it." Raven stated as she turned to face Ruby.
"Yes Daimyo." Patchouli acknowledged with footsteps of theirs growing distant.
Raven's eyes fell upon Ruby and traced over the clothing the girl had put on. A black yukata with red feathers and a white sash. Raven's eyes fell upon Ruby's silver eyes. "Mask on Little Bird we have an unwelcome guest we must speak to." Ruby nodded as she followed Raven out.
[x]
Ruby stood in the cold, still feeling the sting of the cut on her shoulder. She was told not to touch it so she kept her hands clenched by her sides as her brow furrowed. Trying to ignore the pain from the fight with Vernal. According to her mom she won that fight, although Ruby didn't feel like a winner. Still she found some pride in being able to succeed with her plan.
Ruby's eyes pierced through the red lenses of her mask as she saw the guest approach. A man with graying black hair, a silver coat with a red cape, black slacks, and a giant sword on the back of his waist. There was one question Ruby thought as she watched him walk in the snow. "Isn't he cold?"
[x]
Qrow was freezing. Why the hell did Ozpin feel the need to send him after Raven, his sister, in the dead of winter? Apparently Ozpin thought that Raven would have some kind of idea on where Ruby would be. Qrow remembered how the last meeting about Ruby turned out with Raven. Lots of shouting, it was a pain and in the end it was clear Raven knew nothing.
Qrow's eyes landed on Raven's form but then the older man noticed something or rather someone close to Raven. A girl that looked rather concerningly similar to Raven. Even dressed similarly to his sister. Black yukata with red feathers printed on it, sandals and a white sash, His eyes narrowed onto the girl's bird mask that had red lenses. "Who is this girl?" Went through the older man's mind as he reached for his flask and took a deep sip. Enjoying the burning feeling going down his throat.
His feet eventually brought him in front of the pair. Stopping a mere ten feet away. The crunching of the snow went silent as the brother and sister stared each other down. Sizing one another up. Eventually the sister breaks the silence. Raven's words pierced the air around them. "Qrow, to what do I have the displeasure of you visiting?"
A scoff came from Qrow. "So that's how she wants to do this. Fine." He cleared his throat once by coughing into his hand. "What?" His voice was gruff like gravel. "Your dear brother can't come check up on his baby sis?"
"Remember I'm still stronger than you, and last I checked we were twins." Her words were like iron that came out. No play to her tone. "So is that why you're here? If so then I'm doing fine and alive clearly. You can go ahead and leave."
Qrow's eyes narrowed. He'd been hearing rumors the past few years about the Branwen Tribe. How it had 'reformed' and had all but started defending and leading some villages and towns in west central Mistral. He didn't know what to make of that.
"Awww and miss out on family bonding. Speaking of…" His eyes drifted over to the masked girl. "... Who's the kid? Don't tell me you had an accident and actually decided to raise this one?"
Those were apparently the wrong choice of words and Qrow could feel the murderous intent that came off Raven as he watched the young girl run behind Raven gripping at her legs. Qrow could hear mumbles coming from the girl, hushed whispers from Raven back to the girl.
"This is Little Bird." Raven spoke with her eyes not leaving the Qrow. "She is to say my protege." Well that told Qrow very little and he scowled at that. "Go ahead and say hi to my idiotic brother Little Bird." Raven pushed the girl forward. Her eyes behind red lenses that stared at the man with uncertainty.
"He- Hello. I'm Li- Little Bird. It's nice to meet you Uncle." The girl's words were shaky and soft but had a hint of the tone Raven usually spoke with. Although it seemed to catch Raven off guard just as much as it did Qrow when the girl called him uncle.
"Uh hi? Nice to meet you. I'm Qrow Branwen, kid." This was awkward for Qrow beyond belief. His eyes turned up to Raven's own. "So should I start visiting for the holidays?" Seemed like he was right about this girl being Raven's child. Why did the girl feel familiar though? "Should I get her a mask for her next birthday or whatever? Why does she wear that anyway?"
"I- uh… my eyes…" The girl spoke out. "Plu- Plus it keeps my face warm." Qrow wasn't sure what to make of that response. Raven just nodded to the girl's words.
"Her eyes?" Qrow tilted his head.
"Sensitive to the sunlight. The mask is because she needs something that can stay on her face easier than sunglasses for training." Raven explained easily enough. Qrow's eyes narrowed at that.
"You're training her? After how the last child you trained went? Not to mention she can't be even four." Qrow's voice was annoyed.
"Hmmm" Raven hummed at his words. "Well, this girl is different. And she's three. Already able to fight off six year olds after hmm. Three months of training? Four actually now that I think on it." Raven's hand went down and pat Little Bird's head. "We still have to finish up the rest of your training later. Go ahead and find Team Woodpecker. They'll help you get started, Little Bird."
"Ye- Yes mom." The girl spoke before running off past Qrow. He held up a hand and stopped her. Then held up a fist.
"What not gonna give your Uncle Qrow a fist bump before running off?" This was awkward even for him. He didn't expect the girl to flinch.
"Fist bump?" She asked sheepishly and Qrow noticed the flinch and Raven's glare coming from her.
"Ya, you bump knuckles together. It's a form of greeting. Think of it like a handshake." He explained and half expected the girl to run off. Instead she just hit his knuckles as hard as she could and that shocked Qrow. "What has Raven been training this girl like?"
"Hehe. Good job squirt." Qrow didn't know how he felt about his new niece yet. Especially when one was still missing out there. She nodded to Qrow and then ran off towards somewhere else in the camp.
"Now, let's get onto why you're really here brother." Raven's words came out harsh and he just scowled at her. She turned around and walked back into her tent. Qrow followed inside.
When he entered he took note of the surroundings inside and noticed the two cots. One clearly for Raven and the other for the Little Bird. "Cute kid." Was all Qrow said as he continued surveying the room.
"She is well mannered and a good fighter for her age." Raven said dismissively as Qrow's eyes fell onto something in the corner of the room. His eyes going wide as he saw the white cloth wrapped around something. Pinned shut with a familiar silver rose.
"WHY DO YOU HAVE THAT!?" Qrow's voice boomed out in anger taking a step forward only to be cut off by Raven stepping in front of him.
"Take one more step and this won't be pretty, brother." Her voice was steady and showed no sign of weakness.
His brow furrowed as his hand landed on the grip of his sword. "Why do you have Summer's cloak and emblem?!" He snarled out.
[x]
Author's Notes:
This chapter was a doozy to write. I won't lie. I won't even have a beta for it because it took me so long to get it how I wanted it to be. I'm a bit hesitant to have it end like how it does but… I think this is the most natural ending I can give it. A lot happened in the 5k words here. Plus I try to write each chapter as if it's an episode for a show. Where there is a problem of the chapter and then the protag finds a solution.
I want to apologize to anyone that might be triggered by the violence between Ruby and Vernal but the kids gloves are off here. I tried not to go into detail about the blood and other gruesome details as it's not needed for the story to have the impact for the fight.
originally this chapter and the next chapter were gonna be together. Hell chapter 5 may be part of this little mini story arc as well. So it could be a three parter. All I will say is that… Ruby is gonna be a fighter and weapon expert. You'll see. Think Ten Ten from Naruto mixed with Zach Hazard from youtube as well as the Jonathon Ferguson and just idk… be a monster. There is already a hint at what one of the weapon transformation's with Ruby's weapon will be in the future. She won't have a scythe is all I will say.
With that being said I hope I gave enough details on how Grimm are in this chapter and how the rankings work. I intentionally cut off Omega Grimm. Can't reveal all the secrets quite yet.
I will say im not sure how I want each story arc to plan out quite yet… I know vague stuff as I do want Ruby to mostly fly solo for a few years doing her duty in the Nidoto Nai. Want to build up her legend and show the culture of the Nidoto Nai as well but I worry about it dragging on too much.
Child Arc: 2-7 (family arc ending on chapter 5)
The Legend of the Red Death Arc: 8-1?
These are the initial plans but im not 100% set on it yet. I'm worried about pacing if I focus too much on Ruby's life growing up in the Nidoto Nai. There are a few people that I want Ruby to meet as her time as the Red Death. Not to mention I do want her to build up her team and meet those people while she is young. With that being said you all can let me know what you want to see in the comments/reviews and please leave a kudos/subscribe/follow/favorite depending on what site you read this on!
~Cawme