[#]I won't lie, this chapter was tough to write, at the end of the fic I explain why.
[#] As always, Ko-fi subscribers have access to 5 chapters ahead, plans start at 1 dollar.
COMMENTS:
ThunderBasilisk[questionablequesting]: LoL this was funny. And man Noras gonna powder Rend hips.
AVIP: Surviving the snu snu is the real workout.
Bookeater[questionablequesting]: Telling Yang early will be interesting. She sure will be determined to graduate so she can get that visit. Jaune and Crow budding friendship is fun to watch grow. But not as fun as Nora and Pyrrha thirsting for their teammates. 🤣
AVIP: I got this idea remembering what Ruby said in chapter 4, of how Qrow called Old Jaune "that blonde idiot". At this point, Jaune is a depressed veteran warrior... kind of like Qrow.
I think it makes sense for them to be good friends, especially since Jaune respects the Qrow from the other timeline.
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[Yang]
Professor Luna's video and the mess Pyrrha made at the gym put me in a good mood all through the next day, not even two straight classes with Professor Port could ruin it.
"That girl is thirsty for Arc," I mutter, shaking my head. "I get that he's looking a little more yummy lately, but I still don't get the appeal."
My footsteps echo through Beacon's hallways as the setting sun pours in through tall glass windows, painting everything in an orange hue. Dusk gives things a slightly eerie vibe, but nothing too creepy.
When I reach my destination, I see the name on the door: Professor John Luna.
"Wait a minute…" I say, pulling out my scroll. "That's weird. Wasn't this supposed to be uncle Qrow's office?"
I check my screen just to be sure. Nope, this is definitely where uncle Qrow told me to meet him.
Feeling a bit hesitant, I knock at the door. Thankfully just a few seconds later, Qrow opens the door himself.
"Firecracker!" he says with a tired smile.
Usually, Uncle Qrow does a light cleansing before visiting me and Ruby, so it's strange that the smell of cigarettes and grain alcohol is stronger than usual.
'He must have just recently decided to talk to me,' I think as he pulls me into a hug.
I'm surprised by the act, not because Uncle Qrow doesn't hug us. But this one is stronger and clingier than usual, it seems like he's afraid I'll try to run away from him.
"Come on in, make yourself at home," he says happily.
"This isn't your home, Qrow," Professor Luna grumbles from inside.
He shrugs as I walk in without hesitation. Feeling giddy to see what professor Luna's home is like.
I come into an office, a desk at one end covered in papers but am quickly led to a side door and deeper into Professor Luna's 'home'. The next room is pretty simple, it may have been the living room in the home of a man less focused on teaching but it's got charm, books piled high on a messy desk by some shelves, a couch that's definitely seen better days, and lastly a small stove in the opposite corner next to a sink.
'Everything is very functional and nothing for decoration,' I think, smiling. 'A clear sign of a bachelor living by himself.'
Qrow shuts the door and quickly collapses on the couch, rubbing his face with his hands.
Grinning at the scene of my uncle lying like a bum on the professor's couch while the latter stares at him with disapproving eyes from his kitchen, I tease:
"So the video I got was real, huh?" I grin, holding back a laugh. "You two are really dating? Living together and everything?"
Luna face palms, clearly annoyed as my uncle just chuckles.
"We're not dating," says the professor.
From the couch uncle Qrow laughs.
"So you're just using me for my body?" He says, wiggling his eyebrows.
"I thought you were straight, Qrow," Luna snaps, confused. "You never stop bragging about all the women you've hooked up with in bars all across Remnant."
Qrow just shrugs, smirking.
"I don't limit myself when it comes to fun, my dear Johnny Bear."
"Don't call me that," says the professor in defeat, bringing a hand to his forehead.
"No offence …" I start looking at the teacher. "You would be a very successful bear, if you wanted."
"I know, right!" Agrees Qrow pointing at him.
Luna shakes his head annoyed at the 'complements'.
"Well, that at least explains Clover," he mutters, scratching his neck.
"Clover who?" Qrow asks, frowning.
Before the conversation gets even more off track, I decide to cut in.
"Sorry to interrupt your honeymoon," I say sarcastically smiling, "but I still don't know why I was called here?"
Qrow and Luna exchange a worried glance as the mood shifts, more serious now. Qrow looks down and sighs, like he's carrying the weight of the world.
'This isn't like him,' I think. 'Uncle Qrow is always so… himself most of the time. Sarcastic, cocky, a bit of a jerk. But this serious, heavy mood? This is new.'
Luna sits beside him, placing a firm hand on Qrow's shoulder.
"Come on, Qrow. It's the right thing to do."
Luna's voice is gentle but firm, leaving no room for argument. Qrow lifts his eyes and meets mine. There's fear there, something I've never seen in him before.
This is making me feel… uneasy.
"What's going on?" I ask, nervous. "You guys are acting weird."
Qrow takes a deep breath, running a hand through his messy hair. He looks to Luna once again, who nods at him encouragingly. Qrow turns back to me, red eyes shining with something I don't quite understand.
"Yang, I need to tell you something." He finally speaks tired, like the subject is draining his strength. "Something important."
He pauses, trying to find the right words while I wait, heart pounding.
"What could be this serious?" I wonder out loud.
"You know I've always tried to do what is right for you and your sister, right?"
I nod, confused about where this is heading. He gives me a sad smile that doesn't reach his eyes, then finally gets to the point.
"It's about your mother."
My heart lurches. Just the thought of her sends a storm of emotions crashing over me. Anger, shock, sadness and confusion, all hitting me at once.
There's a tight knot in my chest, a mix of anxiety, and fear. But somewhere deep down, a spark of hope. Maybe I'll finally learn the truth about the woman who gave birth to me… and then disappeared.
"Are you sure Firecracker?" Qrow asks, looking at me seriously. "Do you want to know about her?"
Even with my head a whirlwind of emotions, I manage to calm down and answer the question.
"I want to know." My voice is firm, even though my heart aches. "Tell me everything."
Qrow nods, sighing. But before he can go on, my eyes flick back to the professor with us. His presence starts to bother me, especially during something so personal.
"No offense, professor Luna. But why are you here?" I ask, gesturing at him.
Qrow lets out a humorless laugh.
"Because I'm a coward, Yang," he admits, shaking his head. "I couldn't do this alone."
That catches me off guard.
"But… he's a stranger," I argue, doing my best to not offend the professor. "And this is our family business."
Qrow looks at Luna, then back at me.
"You're absolutely right to feel that way, Firecracker. But John does have a bit of a say in this," Qrow says with an awkward smile. "After all, he's the one who arrested your mother."
"He arrested my mom?" I blink, stunned as my mind spins. "What? Why did he do it? What did she do? Where is she?"
More and more questions pile up, but I can't force any of them out as anger crashes into the storm of emotions inside me.
Luna doesn't flinch, just holds my gaze with calm, unreadable eyes.
'Is that why I was never able to find her?' I think as my fists clench and my vision burns red. 'He arrested her and hid my mom from me?'
My body shakes with rage as my breath intensifies.. And still, Luna doesn't move.
"Why?" I growl, voice low but furious. "Why did you take my mom from me?"
He doesn't answer, just stares coldly. A calm look that only fuels my anger.
Furious, I take step closer to him.
"ANSWER ME, YOU BASTARD!" I yell. "WHY?"
Before I can do anything else, Qrow steps between us, his hands raised in an attempt to stop me.
"Yang, calm down." His voice is firm but pleading. "It's not what you think."
"Not what I think?" I repeat, my voice drenched in hate and sorrow. "He arrested my mom, Qrow! He took her from me and didn't say anything!"
Qrow shakes his head, his face serious.
"No, Yang. John didn't take Raven from you. She left you," my uncle says. "She abandoned you and Tai… because Raven Branwen is a broken person with no morals."
"What?" I whisper, stunned.
He's never said that before.
"But… why?" My voice is barely audible. "What do you mean by that?"
Qrow sighs, running a hand through his hair. He looks to Luna again, who just nods. Qrow faces me, eyes heavy with sorrow.
"Raven's always been… complicated, Yang. She had her demons, her own battles. And when you were born, something inside her snapped, and sadly she chose to run."
"Run?" I echo, disbelief flooding through me. "She ran from me? From her own daughter?"
Qrow just nods grimly, leaving me even more stunned.
I take a deep breath, trying to rein in the whirlwind inside me. All that fury I felt is fading, replaced by something more painful, confusion, grief. I look at Professor Luna. He meets my eyes with compassion and fondness.
"I'm sorry, Professor," I whisper, truly regretful as a tear of shame runs down my cheek. "I shouldn't have threatened you… or called you a bastard."
The professor steps closer, towering over me. Though I feel intimidated at first, his affectionate features and smile make him seem like a gentle giant.
"It's okay, Yang," he says, putting his firm hand on my shoulder. "This is a lot to take in."
A comforting warmth fills my chest as I wipe away my tears and smile at the teacher, as an unfamiliar flutter stirring quietly within me.
But before I could understand what I am feeling, Qrow clears his throat, pulling our attention back.
"Now that we've started to rip off the band-aid," he says with a weak chuckle, "what else do you wanna know about your mom, Firecracker?"
I swallow hard. So many questions… but one burns brighter than the rest.
"Why was she arrested, Qrow?" My voice wavers. "What was her crime?"
Qrow sighs, rubbing his face. He looks to Luna, who nods again. Qrow leans back, groaning.
"Oh boy…" he mutters in pain.
He pauses, collecting his thoughts.
"She was leading a bandit group," he says, catching me by surprise. "They used to raid villages, robbing and killing civilians."
"What?" I gasp in horror.
"Nasty stuff, Firecracker. The survivors would usually attract Grimm with all their pain and fear," Qrow explains darkly. "After the Grimm showed up, nothing was left. With no witnesses to report their movements, she evaded prison for a long time."
I clasp my hands over my mouth. My thoughts spiral.
"How… how could my own mom…?" My voice cracks. "Why would she do that?"
Qrow swallows, looking away in shame, then back at me.
"Raven believes the strong should rule. That they have the right to take whatever they want. No matter the cost."
The words cut deep. Part of me knew my mother wasn't a good person for abandoning me, but she is… she is a monster.
"That's… horrible," I say, my voice thick with disgust. "How could she even think that? How could she justify something so cruel?"
Qrow sighs again. Luna watches quietly. Qrow looks back at me, eyes filled with sorrow.
"Raven and I were raised to believe the world is cruel, and that only the strong survive. I abandoned that belief over time, but your mother… she didn't, and so she was driven by that belief to ensure she would become the strongest."
I shake my head. Still having a hard time believing all this.
"But… what about Dad?" I ask. "Did he know?"
"No." he says, waving his hand. "Tai didn't know… at least not at first."
My brow furrows as he keeps going.
"What you need to know is that Raven and I didn't come to Beacon to protect people," Qrow admits, ashamed. "We were sent to learn how Huntsmen and Huntresses fight, so we could kill them easier."
'My mom, a killer. And my uncle…?' My stomach twists.
"But… you changed, Qrow," I say softly. "You left all that behind… right?"
Qrow nods, a sad prideful smile on his lips.
"Yeah, I changed. Eventually, I saw how wrong our path was. I left the tribe and chose a new life. My only mistake was believing Raven had changed too."
He pauses again as I wait, heart pounding.
"When you were born, Yang, I really believed Raven had put the past behind her. That she'd raise you with love."
My world crumbles, It felt like the ground was pulled from under me.
"So… it's all my fault." My voice trembles. "She left because of me. She went back to that life because I was born. She killed so many people… because of me."
Qrow opens his mouth, but before he can say anything Luna jumps in, rising suddenly, with fire in his eyes.
"No!" he shouts, his powerful voice reverberating throughout the room.
With tears streaming down my face, I can feel an unbearable ache in my chest.
"How can I be wrong? The moment I was born, she started killing. I'm the reason for all this suffering."
Luna steps closer, eyes locked on mine as both of his hands reach for my shoulders.
"Listen to me." His voice is firm. "You are not responsible for Raven's actions. She made her own choices. This isn't on you."
"But I… I am the reason…" I sob.
Luna cuts me off, loud and clear.
"If you blame yourself for her crimes, I swear I'll drag you into an arena and knock some sense into you myself."
I stare, shocked. His eyes burn with fierce determination. Qrow watches in silence, seriously.
"Know this," Luna says gently, his voice laced with warmth and unwavering conviction. "Your mother made her own dark, and painful choices. They were hers alone, not yours. They came from her own pain, her own flaws, her own brokenness... not from you."
He squeeze softly over my shoulders and keep talking
"You are not her shadow. You're your own light. Whatever she did, it doesn't define you, not even for a second. The sins of the parent are not the chains of the child."
"How can you be so sure?" I plead.
"She came to Beacon. She made friends, fell in love, and had a wonderful daughter."
My face turns red. Not because I'm shy, but I have never been praised like this, by those outside my family.
"But she left it all behind. Went back to a life of crime out of fear. Because Raven Branwen is a coward, nothing else."
"The blondie's right," Qrow adds. "Raven might be one of the strongest fighters out there, but inside she's a coward through and through."
"You're everything she isn't, Yang," Professor Luna says, his voice soft but sure. "You're kind, cheerful, friendly, gentle, brave, loyal, optimistic, resilient, honest and mature."
"Ok, please stop!" I wave my hands caught off guard.
My cheeks grow warm. There's something in the way he's looking at me as his words hit me deep in my heart. He clears his throat getting my attention and continues, more gently now.
"That's too much!" I say, embarrassed.
"I agree with Yang," Qrow smirks. "Compared to Raven, she might be mature, but I wouldn't go that far."
"Wow, thanks for the support, old man," I shoot back sarcastically.
We all laugh, real, deep laughter. It lifts the heavy weight off our shoulders.
"That was a lot. But… thanks, uncle Qrow," I admit hugging my uncle. "I know it wasn't easy talking to me about this, I really appreciate you for it."
Qrow shrugs, tired but smiling.
"Credit goes to the blonde idiot over here," he says, pointing at Luna, who rolls his eyes. "He convinced me it was the right thing to do."
I glance at Professor Luna, heart swelling with gratitude… and a little guilt.
"Thanks, professor. And… sorry again for threatening you."
He chuckles, waving it off like it's nothing.
"No big deal, Yang. I threatened you too, remember?"
A mischievous smile tugs at my lips. I take a slow step closer, letting the moment stretch.
"So that means you owe me one, huh?" I say, my voice dipping into a playful purr. "After all, how can a big strong teacher like you threaten a poor little student like me."
"I-uh-well…" Luna freezes, blinking rapidly before shooting back. "What are you talking about? You are one of the strongest first years."
Behind us, Qrow groans in a mocking tone.
"Seriously? You're flirting with my niece, John?"
"I'm not flirting!" Luna blurts, already turning red.
"Do I mean nothing to you now?" Qrow asks in a dramatic tone.
"You are a pain in my ass!" Luna shoots back, exasperated.
Qrow clutches his chest in mock heartbreak.
"Ouch. After everything we've been through?"
I grin wider, stepping in until we're just inches apart. He's taller, but right now, I feel like I've got the high ground.
"So, professor…" I say sweetly, tilting my head. "How about some private lessons?Like the ones you give Arc to… y'know, help me improve my skills?"
He gulps, his Adam's apple bobbing. There's a flicker in his eyes, worry, panic… and something else he's trying hard to bury.
"Yang, I really don't think that's a good idea," he says, voice tight. "You are a great fighter, and Jaune is still in basic training."
I smirk, lowering my tone to a whisper.
"Then I guess I'll just have to report you to Professor Ozpin."
His eyes go wide in horror. Qrow bursts out laughing behind us.
"Fine… you win, Yang," Luna mutters in defeat.
"Yay!" I exclaim, throwing my arms around him, pulling into a hug before he can back away.
"This is highly inappropriate," he mumbles into my hair. "I'm your teacher… and I'm way older than you."
"You're thirty," Qrow snorts. "That's barely old."
"Shut up, Qrow!" Luna groans.
I inhale deeply, smiling as his cologne fills my nose with cedar, citrus… and pine?
Mmm.. nice.
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E ai gurizada…
[#] Why was this chapter hard to write and I'm not 100% sure how it turned out in the end?
When I stopped to reflect on Yang, I realized she's a much more complex character than how she's portrayed in the original series.
Beyond the obvious trauma of being abandoned by Raven and having to grow up fast to help raise Ruby (which, in my opinion, wasn't handled well in the show), there are other layers to her.
-At the start of the show, Yang gives off a strong "daddy's girl" vibe, likely intensified by her mother's absence. -She seems to agree with Ruby in thinking of Summer as a great mom, "Supermom". But at the same time, she keeps calling Raven "mom" and talks about being left behind, which makes me wonder how much she really connected with Summer as a maternal figure.
-After Summer's death, Yang took Ruby on a quest to find Raven. That makes me think, how hard must it have been for Yang to see her father completely shattered by grief. Depression is brutal. For a little girl who saw her dad as the strongest, most dependable person in the world, watching him break like that must have left a mark.