So, this is my very first RWBY fanfic, so I'm a bit nervous with how it'll turn out. A few things I'm going to mention is this mainly takes place between Volume 1 and 2. In Volume 1 we see the characters become teams and while there are a few squabbles here and there, they disappeared when Volume 2 started. So I'm mainly going to focus on the development between the two volumes, as well as the clashing of different personalities besides just Ruby and Weiss. Of course, this isn't meant to be an interpretation of what I think transpired between the two volumes, but it's more so explaining why some characters may seem a bit different or out of character. No one gets along right away, especially when forced to be on a team together, so that'll be one of the main focuses in this story, but the over all plot is explained in the summary and that will be the main focus of course.

I'm sorry for the shortness of the introduction, as it is just that. I also didn't want to keep jumping around, and I felt it right to leave off where I did. But the rest of the chapters will be longer.

Thank you and enjoy!

When It Crumples

"Wake up, you dunce!" The famous, unforgettable shriek of Weiss Schnee rang in her ears. A pair of silver eyes flew open as Ruby Rose jumped out of bed. "You're going to be late!"

Ruby looked over to see her three team mates already dressed and waiting. She looked down at her bed, which was cluttered with notes and a couple text books from the previous night. "W-Weiss! I'm sorry! I was studying last night 'cuz I know we have that test today and I must've lost track of time and-"

"Be quiet!" Weiss yelled, knowing if she didn't the girl would ramble on forever. "It's good you're studying so seriously but it won't mean anything if you sleep through class and miss the test anyway. It's 8:45 if you hurry you might-" With the whooshing sound of the wind Weiss found herself covered in red rose petals.

Yang couldn't help but giggle at the heiress. "At least it's her petals and not the thorns."

Blake rolled her eyes. "We should get going. It won't be good if all of us are late, and I'm sure Ruby's semblance will help her get there on time." She walked over and knocked on the bathroom door.

"Ruby," Blake's voice called out from the other side. "We're heading off to class now. See you there, alright?"

"Yeah!" Ruby called back with a smile on her face. A smile which quickly faded when she heard Weiss' farewell.

"You'd better not be late!"

Ruby sighed as she heard her team mates leave. She leaned against the shower wall in defeat. Her efforts the previous night had been for nothing. Try as she might to get the heiress to give her a break, she always fell short.

She stepped out of the shower and saw it was 8:50. By the time she was dressed it was 8:53. Activating her semblance, the young girl took off, ignoring the rose petals she left behind. She knew Ms. Goodwitch would scold her later, but she'd rather that than another scolding from her team. I'm going to be the best leader this school has seen, just you watch.

Ruby made it to class with seconds to spare. Pleased with herself, she seated herself besides her team, throwing them a thumbs up at her accomplishment.

"Fine, you made it. Just don't make it a habit." Ruby waved her off.

"AHEM!" The students perked up and Professor Port's entrance. "Good Morning! I love seeing all your faces shining with enthusiasm at the beginning of everyday. Why, it reminds me so much of myself! My father used to always say, "Peter-""

The classroom groaned as the teacher began one of his stories.

Yang planted her head on her desk. "Please just give us the test already."

Ruby knew how Professor Port got wrapped up in his stories, and pulled out some drawing paper while he went on. Let's see... what to draw...? She drew Yang all the time, so this time she wanted a new subject. She'd draw Weiss, but she didn't have enough of a mental image of the girl without a scowl on her face, so she avoided that for the time being. She thought about Blake, and realized she didn't know much about her final team mate to be able to draw her in a setting. Sure she could draw her in a battle stance but she liked her subjects to look more relaxed. The only thing I really know about Blake at this point is her being a faunus... Ooooh! I'll draw her as a kitty, of course! Ruby's pencil took off as the picture in her mind became clear. "Blake is gonna love this." She whispered, practically bouncing in her seat with excitement.

Weiss rolled her eyes at her partner. While she couldn't be mad because there was no point in listening to Port's stories, and she did pay attention the rest of the time, something just irked her about Ruby's carefree attitude. I promised to be nicer... I just don't know why it's so difficult.

Yang sighed as she sprawled out on the lunch table. "You know it says something when taking the test was my favorite part of class today."

"At least he remembered that we had a test today and didn't skip it because he kept talking." Blake pointed out with a shudder. "Not like last time."

"Come on guys, Professor Port's just..." Ruby racked her brain for a term that wouldn't sound like an insult to their teacher. "...very enthusiastic about his job, just like he said... for 45 minutes..."

Weiss shrugged. "I guess if you really, really...really looked at it, we do learn about different kinds of grimm through his stories."

Yang glared at the heiress and slammed a book down on the table. The Book of Grimm: All Kinds and Every Way To Kill It.

Weiss chuckled before lowering her head with a loud groan.

Ruby smiled. "Well, at least we don't have anymore of his classes this week. That's something to be happy about." She had nothing against the professor, none of them did, but it just got so boring when he starts talking, even more so when he started to repeat himself without realizing it. "Anyway, Blake. I have something to show you~!" Ruby said in a little sing-song voice. The faunus looked up, genuinely curious as to what her leader had for her. "Tah-dahhh!" Ruby showed off her drawing like it was first prize, a big grin stretched across her face.

It was a picture of Blake, curled up like a cat on the ground. While she only had cat ears in real life, Ruby had exaggerated her features and included a tail, which curled around her while she slept, and long, thin whiskers.

Yang smiled and her sister's work. She was proud of the talent her sister had, and was just about to comment on it until Blake beat her to it.

But it wasn't a reaction they'd been expecting.

Blake tore the picture from Ruby's grasp and crumpled it into a ball. "What are you doing?!" she demanded. "Are you trying to out me or something? Is this some kind of joke? What if someone else saw that?" She'd put too much effort into staying hidden, and she had such a close call last week at the docks; she wasn't about to let it all be for nothing.

"W-Wha..?" Ruby stuttered, her heart had shattered when Blake destroyed the drawing, and now the faunus girl was angry with her. "I-I wasn't.. I thought..."

"If someone had seen that they would've instantly figured it out with my bow!" Blake hissed, glaring at the girl. "Seriously, how could you have been so stupid?!"

"Hey!" Yang yelled, standing up and glaring down at her partner with red eyes. "Don't talk to my sister that way!" By now the team had gained the attention of everyone in the cafeteria. Yang lowered her voice. "It's just a damn drawing Blake. Something she put her heart and soul in for you! And you ruined it!"

"My personal safety means a whole lot more than this piece of paper!" Blake emphasized her point by tearing the paper to pieces.

Ruby had had it. She disappeared in a whirlwind of rose petals that led out the swinging doors of the cafeteria.

"Ruby!" Yang called out, but it was too late. She knew her sister was far gone by now. She turned and threw a harsh glare at Blake before storming off. Blake met her glare before turning in the opposite direction and stomping off as well. Weiss sat alone with all eyes on her. Her Schnee heritage kicked in and she kept her head held high. She got up, making sure to keep proper posture, disposed of her trash and made her own exit.