Chapter 1: Take Care

Weiss put on her best silver lining white blue dress. Today was the day she'd be purchasing a faunus and she wanted to make a good impression. "Heiress, they're here." One of her servants said. Weiss nodded and went to the front of her estate.

"Ah Young Miss Schnee. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please, choose from our specially selected faunus that we brought you today." One of the sellers greeted.

Weiss nodded in acknowledgement and turned to the line of faunus. A golden lion faunus with pretty ears, a snow leopard faunus, a Siberian tiger faunus, a squirrel faunus, a poodle faunus and a fox faunus.

"And what makes them so special?" Weiss asked.

"These faunus are specially trained and groomed for important people such as yourself, Heiress." The man replied.

"Hmm." Weiss inspected the faunus. They all had serious faces, like they really didn't want to be here, have anything to do with humans. The lion faunus with long golden hair glared at her.

"Is there any other faunus you have?" Weiss asked.

"No miss. I'm afraid that's all." One of the men said. Weiss looked over their shoulders, to the truck, noticing a pair of... silver eyes?

"What about the one in the truck? Is it available?"

The sellers looked confused then went to the back of the truck and pulled out a puppy faunus. "Well looks like we have a little stowaway."

"Ruby!" The lion faunus spoke with panic.

"Sorry about this Schnee. We'll take her away."

"No!"

"Yang! I'm sorry! I should've stayed but I didn't want you to get sold." The puppy faunus, Ruby told the lion faunus.

"You let her go!" Yang ran up to the men, attacking one of them. Ruby managed to squirm free but didn't get very far as one of the sellers pressed a button that shocked both her and Yang.

Ruby fell at Weiss' feet and looked up at her. The Heiress saw the fear and sadness in her eyes and looked back with warm ones. Weiss sat down in front of Ruby and stroked her head gently.

"Weiss please!" Weiss' hired faunus trainer warned. "That one can still bite if startled. It's best you leave it be."

Weiss ignored him and turned to the men, who had pinned Yang to the ground. "Is she available?"

"I doubt you'd want this one, she's a handful."

"No. This one. This pup." Weiss pointed to the shaking puppy faunus in front of her.

"Oh. Well Miss Schnee that's just a runt. We usually sell them to other associates for breeding." The man explained.

Ruby whimpered at that. Yang growled. "I'll never let you do that!"

"Be quiet vile creature! You're in the presence of a Schnee."

"Hell if I care!"

"I want her…" Weiss muttered. Everyone turned quiet.

"Pardon?"

"I'll take this one and I'll pay you my offered price. But I only want her." Weiss turned to Ruby.

"I...see. Yes. We can sell you that one."

"No! You can't! Ruby can't leave—" Yang was interrupted by another shock from her collar.

"Pay no attention to this one Miss. She's very fond of her little sister."

"Yang…? What's going on?" Ruby stood up along with Weiss.

"You're getting adopted." The man said, putting a leash on Ruby.

"But... I'm not supposed to yet…" Ruby shivered, worry in her eyes as she stared down at Yang.

"You did. So behave." The faunus trainer took her leash. "Where should I put her young Schnee?"

"In my room. Leave her some food too, I'll be there in a minute." Weiss replied.

The trainer nodded then tugged at the leash making Ruby stumble away.

"That...that hurts! Stop it…" Ruby whined.

"James! Be gentle with her. She's to be treated as a Schnee from now on."

"Yes of course ma'am. My apologies."

Weiss turned to the men. "May I speak with this one?" They nodded hesitantly and pushed Yang forward. "My name is Weiss Schnee. I'll be adopting your sister."

Yang growled. "You better not hurt her... she wasn't ready to be adopted! I still need to teach her things!"

Weiss nodded and pat Yang's head. "I'll take care of her." She said with a soft tone. "Yang relaxed a bit and looked at Weiss in confusion. "Just please...take care of yourself. I'll make sure she has a good life. Ruby's only worry would be about you. So please...for her sake."

Yang stayed silent. She nodded with sorrow lilac eyes and relaxed her body. "Okay…" The lion faunus whispered.

Weiss smiled gently then faced the sellers. "I'll give you a tip only if you promise she gets a good home."

"... Yeah no problem."

Weiss shook her head and stared at them right into their eyes. "You have to promise."

"We promise…"

Weiss nodded firmly, satisfied with the answer and turned away. "I'll be keeping tabs on you all. If you break the promise, I'll make sure you get the karma you deserve. Yang, farewell." Weiss walked away and made her way to her room.

"You must eat!" James was trying to get the stubborn pup to eat a biscuit.

"No! Yang said it might be poisonous!" Ruby insisted.

"James." Weiss got both their attention.

"Miss, I was just trying to get her to eat. She must be starving living in a common shelter such as—"

"Get out. I'd like to talk to her alone."

"But if I may Miss Weiss, she could still be aggressive—"

"You may not. Get out." Weiss insisted. When the faunus trainer did not oblige, she glared at him. "Did I stutter?!"

"No ma'am! Pardon me." James ran out the room. Weiss closed her door and walked towards Ruby. The pup growled showing teeth and Weiss stopped. "My name's Weiss. And it's Ruby?" She opted to talk from a distance.

Ruby nodded. "Are you my mistress?"

Weiss looked at her confused. "I... suppose I am. I did buy you. Just please call me Weiss."

"Weiss. Why purchase me?"

"I just wanted a faunus. No reason. You…seemed scared." Weiss tried approaching Ruby again and this time Ruby let her. Weiss removed Ruby's leash and collar.

"What are you doing? Why are you taking off my controls?" Ruby asked.

"Controls?"

"Humans use collars to control faunus. Why'd you take it off? I just met you so you shouldn't trust me to be free like this." Ruby tilted her head.

Weiss smiled warmly and embraced Ruby. "Ruby. I'm sorry for all the trouble humans have given you. I'm going to make sure you get a good life and no one will hurt you ever again."

"You-You mean it? You're not lying? You have to be…" Ruby teared up. Weiss stroked her pup ears.

"I promise you…you're going to be happy here. Just stay with me at all times. If anyone bothers you, run to me. I'll make sure you're okay."

Ruby clung to Weiss. "I... I'm hungry, Weiss. I'm tired and I hurt a lot and I...I really want someone." Ruby confessed.

"It's okay. I'll take care of you." Weiss looked into Ruby's silver eyes. They were scared, lonely and sad. But now there was something else.

Ruby felt hope.

Weiss took Ruby to the kitchen where her chefs gave her some cookies and chicken. The Schnee showed the faunus the estate and introduced her to some of the butlers and maids. Weiss decided Ruby would sleep beside her each and every night for comfort. Now all that was left to do was…

"Bath time!" Weiss announced, showing Ruby the living room sized bathroom.

"Wah! So big!" Ruby marveled.

"Yes. Here are the robes and towels. We change into those after we get out of the tub." Weiss nodded towards the attire.

"Um... Weiss?"

"What's wrong Ruby?"

"I... I don't know how to bathe alone. Can you go in with me?" Ruby asked, a bit embarrassed.

"Oh. That's fine Ruby. I'll go in with you." Weiss said, proceeding to undress herself then Ruby.

"Can you also...wash me?" Ruby turned red.

"Oh….Kay…. That's fine too." Weiss turned a bit red as well but chose to ignore the fact.

Ruby stood in the tub made for two people and Weiss followed after. The Schnee proceeded to dowse the faunus with water, noticing her bruises and scratches. 'She must've been through a lot.' Weiss lamented and began washing Ruby with a cloth. She noticed Ruby looking down avoiding Weiss' gaze.

"Ruby, I know we're both embarrassed but could you please look at me? I can't stand seeing you look sad."

"Huh? Oh sorry. It's just that I was always told what to do by humans so when I ask you something that I want and you do it it's weird. Are you embarrassed because of that too?" Ruby asked. Weiss gave her a look. 'That's why she's embarrassed?! It's not because we're bathing together? Just how innocent is she?'

"Ruby... that's not exactly why you should be embarrassed here…" Weiss said.

"Oh. Okay! Why should I be embarrassed?" Ruby asked.

"Uh, I'll tell you some other time." Weiss replied. No use making things more awkward. They got ready for bed–Weiss gave Ruby a loose red nightgown and a stuffed squirrel toy. Ruby was delighted and nomed on it while Weiss put some late night pastries and warm milk on her desk. "Here Ruby!" Weiss beckoned her new faunus and she ran over immediately.

"Yes Weiss?" Ruby asked.

"Do you have any allergies?"

"No."

"Okay, here." Weiss held a little strawberry buttercream frosting cake in her hand. Ruby looked at it and proceeded to eat it from Weiss' palm.

"Om nom nom. Num num. Nom." Ruby's eating was messy but cute. Weiss found herself smiling at the redhead. She wiped her hands on a towel and rubbed a napkin on Ruby's face.

"I'll have to teach you how to eat calmly." She commented.

"S-sorry Weiss…" Ruby's ears drooped and so did her tail.

"It's not your fault. Cheer up. You'll sleep in a comfy bed tonight. You'll be warm." Weiss petted her faunus.

Ruby's tail wagged. "Really?! Warm bed?" The silver eyed girl perked up. Weiss nodded. "Yay!" Ruby hugged Weiss happily before freezing up.

Weiss hugged back. " It's okay–You can hug me anytime. Don't feel afraid around me."

Ruby snuggled up to her owner and licked her cheek. Weiss, while surprised, kept securely hugging her. "Okay. We should head to bed. I'll wake you up in the morning and we'll go somewhere." Weiss sat down on her bed.

"Weiss? I trust you." Ruby sat down next to her.

"Um...thank you. That means a lot." Weiss smiled.

"So…I want you to pet me!" Ruby said.

"Oh. Okay." Weiss put a hand on Ruby's head. Ruby shook her head.

"No, I mean faunus have special beliefs and things we do. When we trust someone we allow them to pet our hearts because that person means something to us. That person is very important and they care about us." Ruby explained. She pointed to her chest. "You have to pet here."

"I see. Well, if you really want me to…" Weiss put her hand below Ruby's collarbone and pet her slowly. Ruby closed her eyes and relaxed, whining and humming, enjoying Weiss' touch. Weiss moved closer, putting her other arm around Ruby's back and letting Ruby's head rest on her shoulder. Ruby's tail swished behind them, a sign to Weiss that she liked this. Maybe it should be a routine…

"Weiss…" Ruby whispered. Weiss retrieved her hands. She wasn't sure how long she should've done that but she figured that was enough. Ruby opened her eyes. "Thanks for that!" She smiled for the umpteenth time that day, that pure smile. It was sad that Weiss knew Ruby probably smiled more times today then she ever did before she was adopted.

"No problem. Now let me cover you." Weiss put Ruby on her fluffy pillow and tucked her in with a soft white blanket.

"Goodnight Weiss." Ruby sighed, asleep within seconds.

"Goodnight Ruby." Weiss laid down next to her, pulling up another blanket above her body. "Sleep well."