So, I'm not dead. Not yet at least.

First off, let me address the obvious elephant in the room.

"Why are you starting this when you have an incomplete BoH2!? You bastard!"

Well, after going to RTX (was amazing) and meeting so many wonderful people such as MurderofBirds, Miles, Kara, Elizabeth (Winter) I came to terms with the fact that some things aren't worth doing if your passion for them is diminishing.

I love RWBY, I love the fandom, but my little "Season 2.5" experiment was just that, an experiment that I used to continue writing, and failed to upkeep. It's embarrassing to admit, but I would like ot think I'm not the first author this has happened to. Now, I will say that BoH2 events are 'canon' on this fic still and will be referenced as well as a couple of other mentions that will possibly fill in the last couple of days that would be missing.

On top of that, I will say that Shun WAS faking her amnesia , as for how that came to light will be mentioned in another chapter. Possibly the next one.

Weiss' prize for winning the bet is mentioned in this chapter as well, so for some of you who have been wondering, don't worry about that.

Also, my passion for writing was restored big time after spending time with a group of Fanfiction writers like myself, although this group is most likely ten times more prestigious than me (If that's the right word).

Not sure if they'll be mad that I gave them a shoutout without their consent, but fuck it. Since when do I give two shits about what other people think, right?

Damn it's good to be an asshole still.

Anyway, the writers I met were Legion 205, authors of the RWBY Fanfic "Room 205"

I'm not sure of this is all of them, but off the top of my head are the names I can recall.

NobleMETA

AngelSixTwoFive

GhostPhoenix113

TheDarkenedRose

Phoenix Commander

TotoTail

SylverLining

These guys are amazing, and if you haven't read Room 205, I would highly prefer if you give it a chance. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites, although The Blackening Rose will always be in my top 3 for sure.

Well . . . Not sure what else to say, I'm sorry for my silence and disappearance. A lot of it was mild depression and personal issues that I refuse to drag around and relay to all of you, but out of respect for the people I write for I should have given some sort of message saying that I'll be slowing down.

Alright, mushy stuff over . . . All of you can go fuck yourselves with Pyrrha's Poles of Polarity!

I hope I'm welcomed back with open arms.

POV: RUBY ROSE

Chapter 1 - The Final Introduction

I haven't been here in awhile. The large snow-peak that I remember is replaced with the beautiful red leaves and petals of the autumn weather. The faint traces of skin-tickling winds make my bangs dance in one direction before settling back down to their default position. The last time I was here was during the snowy season, but now the rich colors of plantlife have given this place a much-needed touch of radiance. It helps lift the depressing emotions when I come.

"Umm . . . Hey, Mom. It's umm . . . well, it's been a while hasn't it? Things have been pretty busy. Oh, Yang's here too. She's y'know . . .Yang. I got into Beacon and everything's been amazing. Yang's there too! Neither of us have gotten kicked out yet . . . Thankfully I keep Yang in line. That was a joke

Weiss and Blake are doing good too. Oh, they're on my team. I'm the awesome leader of Team RWBY . . . Yes, that does cause a lot of confusion, heheh.

I've made new friends, lots of a new friends, actually. Blake, Jaune, Ren, Nora. Pyrrha are just a few of them, but there's someone I've been wanting you to meet for a while now. Dad already met her and so has Uncle Qrow. I know you'll love her . . . just like I do."

I stare at the grave in front of me. Deep in the back of my mind I'm pleading for a response despite knowing that is near impossible. My focused stare is broken when three fingers touch my shoulder to bring me back into the present.

"R-right . . . Mom, this is Weiss." I reach over my shoulder to grasp Weiss' digits and bring my girlfriend next to me. "She's my best friend, tutor, partner, and girlfriend."

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Rose." Weiss speaks up to my surprise. In a situation like this I would have expected her to stay quiet and let me 'do Ruby things' as she would put it. To have her join me in talking to an inanimate object is slightly out of character for her . . . but at the same time it's also exactly how she is with me. As time goes on she makes it a point to at least learn of my hobbies and likes. I think that's something I need to do in return as well.

"I'll take good care of your daughter. You have my word as a Schnee." While Weiss speaks she slides her arm around my waist in a mildly aggressive and possessive manner. Ever since the events at her house she's been a little edgier than normal. She's practically bordering her old Ice Queen mentality along with being the sweet and affectionate Weiss that's peaked out of her outer shell.

"Oh! Yang has someone special too . . . and this one's lasted more than a month!" I shout.

"I heard that, Rubes!"

A couple of meters away is Yang, resting on one of the many branches that house the reddest of red leaves. In her arms is Blake, but Blake makes no comment to either myself or Yang and instead chooses to remain cuddled up to her girlfriend.

At Weiss' house I saw a completely different side of Blake. Apparently Shun pulled a prank on Yang and Blake which went a little too far . . . for the next eight hours or so she ran for her life to avoid the angry cat Faunus and my flaming sister who practically ignited the carpet of the Manor when she was trying to chase down the Cheetah Faunus.

Shun was forced to leave early with the help of Uncle Qrow. Whatever she did had Yang and Blake completely silent through dinner, and breakfast the following morning. They spent their time next to each other and doing cutesy things like feeding each other and holding each other's hand wherever they went. I've never seen either of them that way, but it was really cute.

"Ruby, I think we should go . . . the tournament starts in a couple of hours. We still need to test one more dust type with Crescent Rose . . . plus I need to stop in Vale for something as well." Weiss pulls my head onto her shoulder. She's wearing her usual heels, so our slight height difference is expanded by another two inches or so, making it easy for my head to tilt and rest on her.

"Yeah." I nod my head, then lower down to a knee to get as close to the gravestone as possible. "It was nice talking with you, Mom. Wish me luck in the tournament! It was good to talk"

I didn't get to know my mother much. I'm not sure if I should consider that a blessing or a curse. If I knew her more would it have been harder for me to deal with it? I lost her at an age where I didn't really understand death, I just understood the fact that she wasn't coming back to tuck me in at night, or make me her cookies, or kiss my hurts away. All of that was gone, but Yang, Dad, and Uncle Qrow were always there for me. I had people to help me cope.

Weiss takes a step forward and places a hand on top of the gravestone. I look up to her and notice that her eyes are closed. I figure she's offering a small prayer and take the time to do the same. When both of us are done I move to my feet and begin to follow Weiss back through the small forest towards the large clearing that we were left at.

"We're done, you two. Let's get moving." Weiss shouts ass we pass by the tree Yang and Blake are relaxing in.

"Sucks you two couldn't meet her . . . Summer was a super mom." Yang calls down while Blake takes the chance to drop down first with Yang following once a landing point is cleared off.

"She'll always be a super mom, Yang." Blake corrects. I wish I could say there are millions and millions of awesome memories I have of my mom . . . but my time with her was pretty limited. I want to help people just like she did. I know that'll make her proud.

Shortly after I feel a couple of fingers dig into my shoulder. I assume it to be Weiss, but when I'm pulled backwards and see Weiss is still walking in front of me I turn my head to see that it wasn't Weiss, but Blake instead.

"Blake?" I question the Faunus girl who stares into my eyes with that predatory gaze she has.

"You don't have to do that, Ruby."

"Huh? What am I-"

"There's nothing you could do."

"Blake, what are you talking about?" I try to hide it, but her words just opened up a valve of emotions that begin to run through my body. A simple sentence brings me to the realization that this is something I'll never get over. Not for a long time, at least.

"It's not your fault." Another dagger shoves itself into me.

"Blake, that's not helping me . . ."

"It's not your fault."

"Blake, what are you doing?" Yang questions, but Weiss is quick to call Yang and make my sister leave me and Blake alone for a few moments.

"You don't need to shoulder your emotions, Ruby. You've always been easy to read . . . It wasn't your fault."

A simple phrase that can be used in any situation practically rips my heart open and slowly brings me to tears. What starts as a sniffle eventually evolves into a low whine that grows louder the more I try to hold it back.

"This is the place to let it out. Let's head back with your emotions relieved." Blake whispers while holding me to her shoulder. Her left arm is wrapped around my waist to keep me close while her right hand gently caresses the back of my head, making it easy for me to keep myself muffled against her shirt.

"You've grown up to be a polite, kind, and helpful young lady. I doubt a mother could ask for anything more. You've gotten through the tough years wonderfully. From here on out it's just a matter of remembering your roots." Blake speaks up after a couple minutes when my whines lower to sobs and then back to sniffles.

"Don't do that again, please . . ." I mumble when I finally gather myself.

"Don't make me have to. Next time just talk about whatever memories you have to Weiss . . . I'm sure she'll be happy to hear about your mom." Blake helps me stand upright before leading me in the direction of Weiss and Yang.

"I know Weiss would listen, but . . . I don't know, I feel like there's still a little bit of awkwardness between us. I'd feel weird just talking about my family for hours just for her not to share anything about hers . . . Am I wrong to think that way?"

"I'd say so . . . although I may just be a bit bias." Blake answers without hesitation. "I haven't told Yang a thing about my family, but I'm more than happy to hear her stories with her father and uncle. It makes me feel closer to her and to them as well."

"Ugh . . . why do you need to make so much sense?" Ruby groans before we get into earshot of Weiss and Yang. Surprisingly the airship isn't here yet, which is pretty odd since it's practically circling the area, waiting to be called to pick us up.

"About time you two got here." Weiss announces with slight annoyance, yet also has a smile on her face. "Ruby, would you mind calling the airship?"

That's right . . . Of course she'd wait to make me do it.

"Weiss, I don't feel comfortable doing that. I don't want your dad hating me more than he already does." I protest.

"Ruby Rose, I did not jump into a bet between your uncle and my father for you to turn down what was agreed upon if I win. Your scroll has access to all the Schnee utilities that I do, and your credit card will be at Beacon by the time we're done with our first match. Father hates everyone to a degree, he'll get over his emotions on his own time."

Yeah . . . there's no arguing my way out of this.

I nod my head and accept my defeat. I take a moment to fish into my pocket for my scroll. Under a completely separate list of contacts are all of the Schnee utilities that Weiss has access to. Ranging from speedy dust deliveries to transportation, and even a personal brigade of seven bodyguards that remain scattered throughout Vale. Those seven take care of any shopping requests and local deliveries that Weiss may have. I continue to scroll through the contact list until I find the 'personal transport' contact and quickly start the call.

"ETA 30 seconds, Miss Rose." Comes a voice from the scroll the moment it's answered.

"R-Ruby's just fine!" I answer back before hanging up. As expected, the airship is above us in no more than fifteen seconds and is settled on the ground within another ten.

Once it touches the ground we all board and disappear into two separate booths out of the four that are available. Yang and Blake go their own way while me and Weiss head into our own. Just like the airship that brought us to her Mansion, this one has the same setup with wooden bunkbeds that come out of the wall with pearly white bedsheets coating them.

Weiss is the first to take a seat. She stands with her back towards the beds, carefully smoothens out her skirt, and finally seats herself at the edge of the bed. The moment she's seated, she pats her lap for me to join her.

I decide to have a little bit of fun and make an attempt to jump onto her lap for a satisfying impact, but mid-fall I feel something catch and hold me in mid-air. I look to Weiss to see that both of her hands are in view and not the cause of stopping me, but I take note of a small glyph being displayed on her left hand that is pointed directly at my torso. I follow the direction of her palm, only to see one of her glyphs wrapped around my torso. I shift my gaze to Weiss who looks at me with complete amusement while I remain suspended in air.

"Weiss! Put me down!" I plead, but she denies my request and chooses to begin twirling me like a baton.

"I don't appreciate you trying to break my lap. Besides, you have some explaining to do." Weiss says in one of her more serious tones.

"What I do?" I whine, trying to focus on Weiss while she continues to spin in my perspective thanks to constantly being flipped right-side up and upside down.

"I've been very open and understanding towards you, haven't I?" Weiss asks. For the moment she stops twirling me but when she stops she leaves me upside down, making my combat skirt fall and reveal the black underskirt along with minor sightings of the red underwear beneath.

"Umm, yeah? . . . Where is this going?" I ask, realizing the question may be a trap in its own right.

"I guess it's my own fault for not prodding earlier, but I don't appreciate the fact that you'd let your emotions stack up to the point that Blake was able to draw them out with a few simple words. I'm always here to listen to you. To see Blake take an initiative I imagined you'd take on your own with me left me a little . . ."

Weiss sighs and waves her other hand dismissively. I play around with a couple of words in my head, finding one that may end the sentence properly. The moment my mind grasps the word I find myself blurting it out rather than keeping it to myself like I intended.

"Jealous?"

I wish I had the sense to keep that one word to myself. The look of shock, then rage in Weiss' eyes makes me cower under my cape.

"J-jealous!? W-Why would I ever be jealous of Blake?" Weiss almost shouts but manages to keep her voice leveled. "Ruby, it's not jealousy. It's more the fact that you had all these emotions bottled up and didn't come to me. I know I don't like it when you prod about my family so I avoid doing the same to you, but if you're suffering from anything emotionally I'd rather you come to me than someone else force those emotions out of you."

"I didn't want to bother you with that, Weiss. They were just silly thoughts . . ." I defend then hold my arms out so hopefully she'll acknowledge my gesture and bring me in for a hug.

"I don't care if they're the silliest thoughts in the world. If you're hurt, you tell me about it. I'm not going to laugh or dismiss your feelings." Weiss answers back immediately. In response to my extended arms she places her hands on my cheeks and pulls me towards her, still using the glyph to hold me in the air.

"I'm not Blake . . . I can't decide to force your emotions out just from a glance . . . Our relationship is different than the friendship and understanding Blake has towards you. It's safe to say that I can possibly bring up certain things to Yang that Blake hasn't even spoken about with her, but that's how relationships are I assume. We walk on eggshells and respect certain boundaries despite the fact that we've torn down countless other walls between each other. I don't want anything to be kept from each other, got it?"

She's always so sweet, but expresses it in the wierdest way . . . 'Heiress' Weiss will always control her way of talking, but that's one of the things I love about her.

"Only if I get a kiss to seal the deal." I counter while I look into the eyes of upside down Weiss.

Obviously she poses no objection to it, but decides to keep me held by her glyph instead of tilting me right-side up. Within seconds she's within my breathing space, gazing into my eyes, building up painful suspense to the simple lip-to-lip contact I've grown addicted to.

Her snow white hair cascades down her shoulders while her bangs rest partially over one of her eyes. I love when Weiss lets her hair down. It makes something so simple look stunning, beautiful, and unique.

"I don't know what I'll do with you sometimes." Weiss mutters before meeting my lips with a gentle press of hers. It's a little weird to kiss her while upside down, but it makes things a little easier since both of us have a tendency to favor kissing the lower lip, and thanks to having me upside down it makes both of us able to do that without having to switch every once in awhile.

The longer our kiss progresses, the more I feel myself begin to drift lower and lower from Weiss' lips until the top of my head touches her lap. I make an attempt to curl up my body, finding out that her glyph is offering diminishing resistance to me which makes it easy for me to lay myself on her lap just before her glyph disappears.

"Weiss?" I whisper her name after our kiss ends. My arms wrap around her neck, allowing me to keep my head nestled against her breasts while she cradles me against her body.

"Hm?"

"Why did you fall in love with me?" I ask. I make sure to meet the look of shock she gives with one of love and adoration to disarm any misunderstandings the question may have caused.

"The correction word is how, not why. Anyway, I couldn't tell you. It wasn't love at first sight, but everything you've done for me began to pile up. Before I knew it I realized that I had a true friend who let me into her life despite the cold demeanor I'm known for. I'll need to think about that to give you a better answer . . . but I promise you I'll have a more well-organized answer soon. Why do you ask?"

"I dunno . . . I'm trying to think how feelings work and stuff . . . I mean, you've met my dad and Uncle Qrow. Now you gave me a thingy that makes me 'Weiss 2'. I guess-"

"That 'thingy' isn't for you to be 'Weiss 2', Ruby. It's my way of welcoming you to my family . . . You and your family consider me a Rose. Well Winter and I consider you a Schnee. Father will come to terms with it in time." Weiss whispers to me, but seconds later she raises her voice to her usual stern tone. "However, don't think I will be giving Yang the same treatment . . . she's not responsible enough to handle those courtesies."

She's not wrong.

I nod my head at Weiss and decide to bring up an old question from when we were back at my house. I'm sure it'll have her flustered or angry, but messing with Weiss is always fun in moderation.

"So . . . is it going to be Ruby Schnee or Weiss Rose?"