"So, how's the arm?" Tai glanced to his friend's bandaged limb.
"Eh, my aura's taking care of the pain, but the doctor's said it would take at least a week before I can take the cast off." The spiky-haired hunter rolled his eyes and moved toward the window.
"By the way, where did Yang and Summer get off to? I thought you wanted me to take the little firecracker so you and our leader could speak in private."
The blonde patient slowly shook his head. "It's difficult really... While I think Summer is thankful for my recuperation, I don't think she really wants to talk to me."
Qrow kept his gaze toward the glass pane but raised a brow. "What are you talking about? She was reaching for the sky when she heard you were in good condition."
Tai smiled. "I know, but I think that's just part of her wonderful personality. Deep down, I don't think she's gotten over what happened... or the choice that I made."
The ravenette rested a hand on the windowsill. "Is this coming from Summer's perspective, or yours?"
The blonde blinked. "What?"
"Me and Summer already had a chat about the whole issue about you and my sister getting married and having a child. To cut a long story short, our red reaper doesn't hate you for choosing Raven over her. Sure, Summer admitted her jealousy and wanted to rip my sibling a new one when she abandoned us, but knowing her, she can't bring herself to blame you for the choices you made. If anything our leader probably thinks the falling of our team happened because of her."
Tai swallowed a heavy lump. "Then what am I supposed to do, Qrow? I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, but I can't help but feel that I put myself in this position."
"I don't think I can answer that question for you." Qrow shrugged. "You might be slow when it comes to romance, but if you actually use that noggin of yours, I think you'll put together a decent resolve."
"Haha, when it's you complimenting my strong points we both know we're in a really bad bind."
The two shared a humble chuckle. However, at the end of the laugh, Tai's expression hardened.
"I'm still not sure what action I should take after all this, but..." The blonde's lips pursed and rubbed his temples. "I think I want to give my daughter a mother she deserves."
His indigo eyes burning with resolve, he began to ramble about ways to patch up with Summer, and somehow scrounge up enough lien for a new engagement ring. Satisfied with his partner's resolve, Qrow bid a polite farewell and headed out the door.
As the steel frame creaked open, his pale red pupils landed on a fidgeting form with reddish hair with a sleeping baby snuggled in her arms. A smirk crossing his features, Qrow rested a hand on the woman's trembling shoulder.
"Well, I think you heard what you wanted to hear, right?"
"Y-Yes."
/-/
"So, when am I going to meet this straw-wielding hunter?" Tai chuckled as he balanced himself into a wheelchair.
It had been a whole three months since the pun-loving hunter had been administered in the hospital, but he was finally awake and ready to be discharged.
"Well, Hawkins is kinda hard to keep track of. He doesn't have a scroll and he tends to ignore anyone that he isn't obligated to talk to." Summer sighed and picked up a backpack that held her partner's belongings.
A giddy smile crossing her face, Summer couldn't help but blush at the memory which transpired only an hour before.
The second Tai came around and locked eyes with the red reaper, he repeatedly apologized for the events at the Mistralian CCT tower as if he was the one responsible for all that transpired.
A surge of heat burned in Summer's chest. Yes, she was angry, but her ire wasn't solely pinned on the blonde of her team. Qrow had been going behind his leader's back to see his sister, and the older Branwen sibling had been the root cause of Tai's condition in the first place!
However, Summer couldn't deny that her ignorance of the situation had led to her team's downfall. While Port had made it clear that she shouldn't harbor all of the blame, she still had responsibilities as a leader to guide her team through thick and thin which she obviously failed.
She snapped at Tai, telling him he shouldn't have rushed blindly into the horde of Grimm. That his actions were careless, and he was lucky that he made it out with all his limbs intact. The pun lover agreed but bit his tongue before he said anything about Raven. However, to his surprise, his leader claimed to already know all the details.
With the guilt of secret meetings and many lies, Qrow finally succumbed to his better nature and spilled the beans about what he'd seen at their last joined mission...
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Raven, her aura low and clothes disheveled, ran across the base of the Mistralian tower with the aim to flee the battlefield. Tai happened to catch a glimpse of his retreating partner and rushed to her aid. Only to find himself surrounded by Grimm too numerous even for a squad of veteran hunters.
Though confused with Raven's fading form, Tai fought valiantly, to the point that his knuckles bled from a lack of aura and stamina.
Yet despite his noble efforts, the durable hides of the incoming Deathstalker horde proved too much for a weary and bleeding man.
Qrow, who'd positioned himself on a platform that extended off the middle of the Mistralian tower, took notice of the flashing red indicator that beeped in a blaring tune.
His pale red eyes scoured the Grimm-infested battlefield and spotted a battered Tai fighting alone with a group of Deathstalkers eager to tear him apart.
Qrow turned to Summer who shared the platform. Her short swords collapsed and combined to form their stationary sniper rifle alteration, she let out consecutive volleys of explosive dust rounds at the hulking Nevermore that flew overhead.
"She's got her hands full." Qrow cursed. Chopping off the head of what felt like his hundredth Beowolf, the spiky-haired man holstered his weapon and activated the gift he'd received from Beacon's headmaster.
The hairs along his body blooming into sleek ebony feathers, Qrow took to the sky then dived abruptly to the lower levels.
"Tai!"
Craning his neck, the blonde pun lover furiously wiped the blood off his face and squinted upward. There, atop the back of a Nevermore was Qrow blasting away at the Grimm that surrounded his friend.
These dust rounds weren't enough to obliterate the malevolent horde, but it did allow Tai an open pathway back to the tower.
Though his muscles ached and his aura long depleted, the blonde took note of another clearing that followed in the direction of Raven. Gritting his teeth, Tai lunged forward and charged past the injured Grimm with a mighty roar.
Qrow's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets. Slapping his pocket, the call function of his scroll was clicked as the spiky-haired hunter shouted.
"What the hell is that idiot doing?! Summer, Raven, are you there? Tai needs help on the ground floor, he's gonna die if we don't get him back to the tower!"
His leader returned the call immediately, blitzing down levels two and one in a blizzard of rose petals, she screamed frantically for her teammate but all she got were the snarls of hungry Grimm. In her hurry, a sharp claw grazed her hip, she winced but ignored the pain, and called to Qrow to join her at the tower base.
"Shit this is bad!" Qrow grimaced and collapsed his weapon into its scythe form. Polished pieces of refined steel sectioned into a curved saw, Qrow hooked the Nevermore by the throat and jerked back.
The severed head and limp obsidian body spiraled to the dirt below. In an explosion of Grimm guts and splintered bones, Qrow jumped clear of the landing seconds before the Nevermore touched the ground.
"Qrow!" Summer wailed. "I can't find Tai!"
"I can't get in touch with my sister either," his breaths heavy, he looked to his superior for guidance.
"The emergency airships won't be here for another half-hour. We need to regroup and make sure the CCT connection stays online."
A new direction set, Qrow followed his leader's footsteps as they tore through Grimm in search of their missing teammates.
/-/
Trudging through the thickets of trees, a huntress limped behind a fallen log and rested a hand on the crunchy bark.
"Things weren't supposed to turn out like this..." She hissed as she used her other hand to apply pressure on the deep gash in her side.
Blood seeped through her skirt and down her bruised leg. "We were supposed to part ways here. Why didn't you leave Summer after I sent you the message?!"
This wasn't the predicament Raven had anticipated. Left at the mercy of the incoming Grimm hordes, the bandit fought valiantly in respect to her former leader and blonde idiot. However, when the situation turned for the worse and Summer called for an emergency evacuation, she didn't expect her younger sibling to abandon their plans to return to the tribe in favor of protecting his temporary partners.
"This is all your fault, Qrow," Raven grunted as she tore the bottom of her shirt and used the severed cloth as a sponge for her wound.
The ravenette squinted out the tears and bit her lower lip. She despised weakness, even more so when it was her as the example. Still, Raven had preserved enough strength and aura to activate her semblance if need be, but how many times she could do so was in the air.
"Raven!" Shaking the tree branches and ruffling their leaves, a familiar head of scraggly blonde hair made itself known.
The woman in question felt her blood freeze. There's no way that idiot would... but why would he...
"Raven, are you okay?! If you can hear me, make sure you stay hidden and head back to the tower, there's a bunch of Grimm on my ass and I don't want to attract any more attention!" Tai shouted as he clubbed an Ursa's jaw right off its face.
Though the cut in her side stung, Raven forced herself to peek over her log. Blood-colored eyes locked on a familiar figure, it was clear the blonde idiot was way over his head. His aura depleted, Tai worked with brute strength and noble courage alone. He coughed out blood but continued to distract the surrounding Grimm and lure them toward a more open space.
Was he... acting as a decoy? He probably knew that Raven wasn't stupid enough to hide in a clearing, so maybe he was luring those hulking monstrosities away so she could escape? Was Tai... really that stupid?! He'd die if he kept fighting like this! Didn't Raven's and Qrow's constant nagging about knowing his limits not sink in that thick skull of his?!
"Why..." A tear, this one not of pain but of bewildered emotion, drew a moist line from the corner of her eye that trailed under her shirt and over her left breast. This tingly sensation that warped her mind and fastened her beating heart, why did it affect her so?
Tai was always viewed as a joker, while praised as a competent hand-to-hand combatant, it was deemed by Beacon's staff and classmates alike that Tai's fists were all he could offer. Granted, it was this singular trait that made Raven think twice about the blonde, his dependency on his body as a weapon instead of constructed steel intrigued her.
All those nights Tai would spend alone in the training rooms and gym, honing his skills and strengthening his muscles, it amused Raven to see someone so weak commit themselves to a goal they'd never reach. After all, life was survival of the fittest. You were either born lucky with talent and power, or you scavenged under the heels of the environment and your fellow humans to get by. Raven never considered herself a part of the latter.
However, time would prove a patient teacher. His curiosity getting the better of him, Qrow decided to follow his blonde teammate into the training rooms one night. Set upon the rounded stone stage, the pun lover and booze-loving members of STRQ duked it out to test their mettle.
The results were most unsettling given Raven's views of the world.
Through sheer willpower and determination, Tai had managed to trade evenly with Qrow. However, this exchange lasted for only a few minutes after her younger sibling decided to get serious.
From Qrow's description, there was a lot more to the blonde brawler than a pun-loving attitude and pearly smile.
In contrast to his easy-going attitude, Tai preferred to stay on the defensive and only lashed out when he thought he found a decent opportunity.
This annoyed Qrow in the beginning, forcing him to be the aggressor in the fight and initiate most of the exchanges. "He's surprisingly calm," the younger Branwen explained. "Even with that carefree grin on his face, I could tell that he didn't take our sparring match for granted. Soon enough, I had to whip out my weapon to beat him."
"This just shows that you haven't been training enough. Our tribe leader won't be happy to hear that you lost to a happy-go-lucky doofus." Raven huffed.
"Hey, I didn't lose, last I checked my aura was still in the orange zone when the match ended," Qrow grumbled.
"And how long did it take for you to win? I warned you about playing around on a battlefield, but you continue to indulge in flashy tactics that don't have much payoff. If it were me on that arena platform, Tai would've been dead once the bell went off. Don't tell me you've forgotten the combat basics of our tribe?"
"I haven't forgotten." Qrow frowned. "But we aren't in Vacuo at the moment, are we? Also, we were instructed to keep a low profile while we attend Beacon."
His older sibling rolled her eyes. "You say that but I heard you, Oobleck, and Port had an incident with a misfired firework which got you a two-week detention."
Qrow's lips spread to a wide smirk. "Aw come on, don't act like you didn't want to try it. Besides, we've perfected the art of dazzling dust explosives. You'll see later today that's for sure."
"We can take to the sky whenever we want... why do you insist on using inferior means to travel?" Raven snapped.
"Because the shit Oobleck and Port come up with is ingenious. Man, I can't wait to show you what we planned out for Glynda's birthday." The smile on Qrow's face could rival the sun.
"You mean that snooty bitch? Why would anyone want to give her a present?" The older Branwen hissed.
She'd never gotten along with the rigid and stern-minded witch of Beacon, but to Raven's ire, the other members of STRQ didn't share her opinion on the matter.
Qrow raised his hands defensively. "Easy there sis, sure Glynda can be a little petty and over the top, but it's not like she doesn't have a sense of humor."
The spiky-haired student laughed.
"Hehe, I'm still trying to prod the information from Thumbelina about the time her studious leader got drunk. I don't know how Glynda acted or what she did, but by the thousand-watt smile on Thumbelina's face whenever she mentions the memory, it's gotta be a real piece of juicy gossip."
"Really?" Raven curled a single brow.
"What's this? Has my spiteful sister's tongue finally loosened a little and is willing to indulge her ears in some much-needed banter?"
A smack on the back of the head ringing Qrow's senses, the laughing hunter swung back with a playful punch to the arm which was returned by a sharp heel to the foot.
"Ah, is that our fellow prankster I see?" Called a boisterous man with a thick gray mustache.
Port, while considered magnanimous, was viewed as a blowhard who told wacky stories whenever he could. Why just the other day he was rambling about how he managed to subdue an army of Boarbatusks with nothing but a banana peel and a shoelace.
"Right on time, Port!" Qrow strutted to his friend while fetching a few lien bills from his chest pocket.
"Are the preparations complete?" Port whispered in a surprisingly quiet tone.
"Hehe, this is a party Glynda won't forget that's for sure."
"Very well then, Oobleck has positioned himself atop the roof, all we have to do is join him then lure Glynda to the courtyard..." The mustached gentleman grinned.
Let it be known to all future students of the proud institution of Beacon, that three brave men flew across campus with the aid of a makeshift hand glider with sails fabricated from stolen underwear from their fellow male students. With a few taps on Qrow's scroll, their classmates caught wind of their stolen goods and roared in anger while giving chase to the three men across the rooftop.
Stripping off their uniforms and leaving only their boxers, the prankster trio of Beacon leaped off the tower as a strong wind picked up.
Meanwhile, a studious Glynda who'd been lured to the location by Summer, Tai, and Thumbelina who also dragged Raven along for the ride, watched in disbelief as Port, Oobleck, and Qrow called her name through a megaphone.
With two large baskets filled with fireworks that spelled out 'Happy Birthday Goodwitch!.' These men were also committing the good deed in nothing but their underwear. Why do you ask? Because it wouldn't be as memorable if they were fully clothed of course!
Tai, Thumbelina, and Summer burst into tears filled with laughter. Raven and Glynda did their best not to join in on their schoolmate's embarrassing display but broke into a giggling fit once Port started reciting the traditional birthday song with flamboyant gusto.
/-/
"Summer?" Qrow nudged his partner in the ribs.
"H-Huh?"
"You're spacing out on us, are you okay?" Qrow tilted his head as Tai furrowed his brows.
"O-Oh, I was just thinking of the places Hawkins could be right now. While he is hard to keep track of, once he finds a comfortable spot he doesn't tend to leave it unless he's hungry or annoyed!" Summer squeaked in a pitch a tad too high.
"Right, well before we go on the hunt for this card man, we still have to meet with Ozpin in half an hour. Are you sure you'll be alright getting to the docks on your own, Tai?" The spiky-haired hunter shifted over to help stabilize the blonde's posture.
"Don't worry you guys, I can manage. Oobleck and Thumbelina said they'd stop by and help me with my luggage. Besides, I've got this little sun dragon to keep me company." Tai grinned as he cradled his new baby in his arms.
"Abu~ Abu~" Yang giggled with a drop of drool dangling from the corner of her mouth.
Her lilac eyes wide with wonder, the little baby chewed on the hem of her yellow shirt with a toothy smile.
"She's so precious." Summer sighed, but an uncomfortable sensation tugged at her subconscious. She didn't know what the feeling was, but whenever she looked at Yang...
"Hey, Summer, we've gotta go." Qrow's concern grew by the second. He didn't know what his leader was thinking, but he'd seen that inquisitive look on Summer's face before. Something wasn't right, but there wasn't any time to elaborate on the matter. They had a meeting with Ozpin and the headmaster did not appreciate poor punctuality.
/-/
With the calm hum of massive gears grinding overhead, Summer and Qrow found themselves in the office of their good friend and former headmaster.
"I don't mind that you want to take a temporary leave, but why so sudden, Summer?" A tall gentleman with tousled silver hair and thin brown eyes sipped his morning coffee with a smile.
Shaded glass spectacles rested on his straight nose with a green cowl bearing a purple cross wrapped around his neck. His outfit consisting of an unzipped black suit over dark green, buttoned vest, and green shirt, he also wore black trouser shoes and long, dark-green pants.
"It's a funny story really," the red reaper giggled. "I think I became a mother overnight..."
His jaw slacked, the headmaster put down his mug on his glass desk and tapped his cane. "The years are already catching up to me, aren't they? I've been so busy with papers and documents that I missed such an important event! Please forgive me, and congratulations, Summer."
The huntress rolled her eyes with a toothy smile. "Don't be too hard on yourself, Ozpin, I didn't realize it myself until Qrow literally walked into the hospital with a baby."
Qrow rubbed his neck and sheepishly smiled. He still had bandages around his right arm and forehead, but he could at least perform at a decent combat level if need be.
Dumbfounded, Ozpin pushed up his glasses and coughed. "May I ask what name you've bestowed upon your little one?"
"Yang Xiao Long." Summer said proudly with her hands on her hips. "She's a fighter alright, it took us three wooden spoons but we finally got the little firecracker to eat her mashed carrots."
"I wanted to call her Goldilocks, but both Summer and Tai were against the idea," Qrow joked which got him a playful punch on the shoulder.
"I see, and it's because of that little bundle of joy that you want time off?" Ozpin asked.
The leader of STQ nodded. "Qrow and I are willing to do a few simple missions around Vale, but I don't want to take any jobs outside the kingdom. I have the role of a mother now, so there's plenty more responsibility that I need to pick up!"
Qrow stepped forward. "My schedule is gonna be a tad more lenient, I can't spend too much time around my new niece in case my semblance acts outta line. So if you've got an odd job lying around I'm the man you wanna ask."
"Your offer will be noted, Qrow," Ozpin's grip tightened around his cane at Summer's stern pout. "However, I think it's best that you take this time to create new memories with your family. After all, you both will need to adjust with the new lineup that I've assembled for you."
Summer and Qrow tilted their heads.
"After you contacted me a week ago, I saw to it that the empty spot on your team was filled. I have a list of recognizable hunters here who all share the same goal of protecting the people whether they're human or Faunus." The headmaster moved behind his desk to retrieve a thick folder of documents.
"First we have..."
"U-Um, excuse me, but I think I already have a candidate in mind..." Summer traced small circles on the ground with her boot.
Both men cupped their chins.
"H-His name is Hawkins, don't you remember the card reader I told you about, Qrow?"
"Wait, you mean the rude mercenary who helped you on that one mission? Didn't he take seventy percent of the profit after the job was done? And I thought his involvement with you was a one-time gig." The spiky-haired hunter frowned.
"A mercenary?" Ozpin's lips pursed. He wasn't against the idea of STQ's leader choosing her new addition, but by the poor opinion of her partner and the overall view of mercenaries in the hunter field, it was natural that the headmaster would have his doubts.
"He's pretty reserved and keeps to himself, but he helped me out through the will of his own heart!" Summer defended.
"Yeah, but it sounds to me like his heart was moved by the temptation of easy profit." Qrow scoffed.
Ozpin schooled his features and regained a neutral visage. "While the wisdom you've gathered over the years as a leader is invaluable, this recommendation is not only mine but from two trusted headmasters."
His gaze toward the elevator, the metal doors dinged open and a tall, slim, muscular man walked in with a pointed chin and approached his future partners.
A thin jacket over a white ensemble with matching leather vambraces and knee-high combat boots, his golden eyes narrowed on Summer for a moment, but he quickly diverted his gaze to the headmaster and laughed.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Qrow stepped forward, watching every move of the odd man as he positioned himself next to Ozpin.
The stranger performed a humble bow and spoke in a giddy and childish tone.
"My name is Tyrian Callows, it's an honor to be on your team!"