A/N: So, this isn't my usual fandom, but I've been a fan of RWBY for a long time and I thought I'd dip my foot in and test the waters. This takes place between Volume 1-2 and leads into 3, though the order of certain events might get mixed around. Forget everything you know about Salem and her Council of Creeps, along with the Maidens and whatnot; Cinder is the ultimate enemy here - no myths or legends, just good 'ol fashion good vs bad, and the lines between.

I'll most likely write another chapter or two, and depending on how well its received, decide whether or not this is worth continuing. It's really just something I wanted to get out of my system for a long time, so we'll see how this goes!

"One… two… three… four…"

CLAP!

"One… two… three… four…"

CLAP!

"One… two… three… fo-"

CLAP!

Thunder comes like the prelude to a song, a deep rumbling of the percussionist that builds in tempo, rolling through the darkened sky like the sharp crack of a snare. A storm readies itself on the horizon, marching to the beat of its drummers' call, summoning to its aid its allies of wind and rain. A nervous energy seems to crackle through the air in anticipation of what is to come, a cacophony of chaos in the otherwise peaceful land of Vale.

Sheltered from the weather - but no less a casualty to its cruelty - Ruby sits atop her bed, shrouded in what little moonlight remains, breaking its way through the heavy cover of clouds to bathe her in its glow. Silver eyes are transfixed on the world outside their window, voice breathy as she quietly counts the seconds between each clap of thunder.

"One… two… th-"

"Oh, for goodness sake! What are you doing?" a voice interjects, as sharp and as biting as the lightning that fractures its ways through the sky above.

Ruby's lips tug into a frown, a defeated grumble disguised in a sigh as she whines, "Weiss! You made me lose count!"

"Four," the heiress scoffs beneath her. "You were counting to four over, and over, and over again."

Ruby kicks off her sheets and rolls over onto her stomach, ducking her head towards the bunk below. "I was counting thunder!" she defends, a crevice forming between her brows as she narrows them in frustration.

"I'm sorry, you were what now?" Weiss asks, her earlier annoyance giving way to mild curiosity.

"Counting thunder," Ruby repeats, as though it's the most obvious thing in the world. "You know… counting the seconds between every clap?"

"I don't even know what to say to that."

"Oh, c'mon!" the scythe wielder crows, dropping down to stand beside Weiss's bed. "Don't tell me you've never done it!"

A single brow, perfectly plucked and shaped, lifts as though to say, 'Do I look like I know what you're talking about?'

Clicking her tongue, Ruby sits at the foot of her bed and explains, "It's really simple! All you have to do is count the seconds between thunder. If the numbers increase, it means the storm is going away, but if it decreases, the storm is coming closer. I mean, you gotta count it out a few times to be accurate, but it's literally as easy as one, two, three!"

"That is honestly one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard," says Weiss, sounding less than impressed. "I mean, seriously? You can't tell the distance of a storm by timing thunder claps! There is nothing scientific in that method at all!"

"Well, I guess when you put it that way…" Ruby mumbles shyly, ears going red. "But… my mom taught it to me when I was a little kid. When the weather got really bad, and I couldn't sleep at night, she'd lay with me in bed and we'd count thunder. It was a game we used to play, and… i-it's kind of one of the only memories I have left of her…"

Whatever dignified response Weiss may have held lives and dies by the tip of her tongue, swallowed into the graveyard of her throat as she takes in the sorrowful expression of her teammate. Brief and fleeting, her eyes darken like dull steel, only to be replaced a second later by their usual effervescence. The action, to Weiss's dismay, does not sit well with her, sending a pang of guilt jolting through her body.

"I didn't mean to make it sound stupid," she murmurs, her own cheeks flushed pink with shame. "I'm sorry…"

"Don't be," Ruby replies, offering a melancholy grin, "It's not your fault she's dead. I mean… I was very young when she died, and I don't remember a whole lot about her to begin with. Her voice, the way she smells… it's been so long, and the older I get the less I can recall. But I know I loved her, and she loved me, and… that's enough."

The words are soft and barely spoken, bitter yet resigned, and for all the vocabulary in the world, Weiss can't find a single word to say. So she stares instead, bewildered by this child who was suddenly so much older than her age allowed, wondering if Ruby's naivety and childlike nature was mere compensation for being forced to grow up too fast. Shaking away the thought, Weiss shuffles towards the end of her bed and, in an uncharacteristic display of affection, pulls the younger girl into a hug.

"...uh, whaaat are you doing?" she inquires, taken aback by the unexpected - but certainly not unpleasant - embrace.

"Hugging you," Weiss states plainly.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Ruby teases, much to the heiress's chagrin.

"Shut up and hug me back, or never, ever hope to receive one again," she growls, squeezing the team leader in lieu of hitting her head.

Ruby laughs and returns the gesture, wrapping her arms around Weiss in a far more gentle manner than her partner. "Thanks," she says, after pulling away. "That was surprisingly nice."

"Yes, well… don't expect it too often," Weiss sniffs, smoothing out the crinkles in her nightgown, as though to appear indifferent. "I don't just hand them out like candy, you know."

"I know, I know," Ruby replies, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation.

"Now, if you're quite done, you should return to your bed and sleep," Weiss commands, shooing her back from whence she came. "We have class with Professor Oobleck at 9AM sharp, and I will not have my partner falling asleep during the middle of a lecture."

"Okay, fine - I'm going!" she replies, crawling back into her own bunk, creaking as it sways beneath her weight. "Night, bestie!" she calls, accompanied by the rustling of blankets and pillows as she makes herself comfortable.

Releasing a tired sigh, Weiss settles into her own bed, relishing in the lingering warmth of her sheets as she lays back and nestles into her previous position. Silence permeates the room, punctuated only by the sound of Yang's snores and the weather outside, the pitter patter of rain lashing against the roof in a building crescendo. Absentmindedly, she begins to count the seconds in her head…

'One… two… three…'

CLAP!

'One… two… th-'

CLAP!

'One… two… th-'

CLAP!

She continues to count until her eyes grow heavy and her mind descends, falling asleep to the tune of the approaching storm.

Reviews are appreciated!