Why?

That three letter word pervaded Weiss' brain. It rose above the fear. Above the mind-numbing fatigue. Above the ache of being rooted to the same seat for hours now. It rose above the toil and muck of her clouded mind to visit and plague her with cheerless musing.

Yang and Blake had both fallen asleep with Yang still clasping Blake's hand. Yang's elaborate makeup that she fretted over hours ago was flaking and her tears left unsightly smudges on her cheeks. Despite this the characteristically hair-conscious blond hasn't bothered fixing it. Blake didn't look much better, her normally silky raven hair now frayed in multiple place. A look of anxiety etched into her face even whilst asleep.

For a fleeting moment Weiss vainly fretted over her own appearance. Vacantly, Weiss eyed the room for the umpteenth time. She had grown to loathe the waiting room and its sterile environment. She hated the tacky plastic chairs that were uncomfortable from any position she tried sitting in. She hated the gaudy safety and health posters plastered on the walls. She hated the artificial smell of disinfectant clung to the quiet room.

The only sound that pierced the stifling silence was the occasional sound of a nurse or doctor bursting through the doors and hustling to another part of the hospital. Every time she heard the sound of a door open Weiss could feel her stomach tighten as she braced herself for the news. Despite her worrying the door situated directly in front of the team's seats has yet to open again.

Why?

Weiss needed out.

The atmosphere was unbearable. It was choking her, drowning her in a toxic concoction of stifling inactivity and torturous anticipation. She rose and walked out of the room onto the veranda of the hospital. Gazing out into the distance as she watched the first rays of sunlight beginning to pierce the grey shroud of the horizon.

How did this happen? Weiss once again asked herself, hoping in vain that this time she could find a satisfactory answer. Why would anyone shoot a fifteen year old girl? Due to Weiss' status she was able to access the initial police reports on the incident. The man was reported to have high concentration of drugs in his blood. He was a police officer of sorts which in itself was bitterly ironic but it explained why he was in the possession of aura penetrating bullets. However the question still remained.

Why?

*Eight Hours Earlier*

Ruby's birthday was in a couple of days and for her present, Weiss decided to buy front row tickets for a concert performed by Ruby's favorite singer: Casey Lee Williams. Although she never admitted it, the amount of shock proceeded by glee that was invoked by informing Ruby of the present had already made it worth the money for Weiss.

The concert started at eight and Weiss being Weiss, made sure that they were at the concert on time. So there they were: a couple of blocks from the ticket booth and still thirty minutes to kill.

"Guys look!" Yang exclaimed in glee as she pointed towards a particular clothing shop they were passing. Her finger pointing to a particularly provocative piece of attire that was on display on a mannequin.

"That pair of underwear and bra matches the color of Pyrrha's hair exactly. We should so get it for her birthday. Not even Jaune could ignore her in that!"

The statement elicited a few smiles and chuckles from the other team members.

"Well? What are we waiting for? Let's check it out!"

Grabbing Ruby's and Blake's hand Yang dragged them towards the shop. The realization that her sister was serious sparked panic in Ruby.

"Wait! I don't want to go into a lingerie shop!" Ruby blurted whilst attempting to pull herself away from Yang's grip.

"Come on Ruby! We're just taking a look." coaxed Yang.

Ruby didn't look convinced.

"I'll even allow you to pick one" Yang coyly added with a playful wink.

"Nope!" Ruby squeaked. She desperately searched for excuses, her eyes darted to different shops until they landed on the perfect one: a bakery.

"Actually, I'm a tad hungry so maybe I'll buy a couple of cookies first." She smiled sheepishly to her sister.

"Come on Ruby!" Yang growled.

"But Yang…cookies" Ruby pleaded with her puppy eyes. That face could never be denied.

"You might as well let her Yang, we don't want her bugging us that she's hungry halfway through the concert" Blake dryly added.

"Hey!" Ruby exclaimed indignantly.

"Fine all right…" Yang conceded. She then turned to the other two girls expectedly.

"I'll wait for her outside." Weiss decided. Not too keen on visiting a lingerie shop either, even if it was just for fun.

"Sorry Blake." Weiss added with an apologetic smile. Blake just rolled her eyes good naturedly as she was pulled into the shop by the blonde. When Weiss turned back, Ruby was already several meters down the road on her quest for ordering cookies.

A couple of minutes later she exited with a white paper bag which evidently contained her beloved confectionary. Already starting on her second cookie as she strolled down the street to Weiss. Weiss smiled as she watched Ruby wolf down the baked treat with ravenous vigor.

That's when Weiss saw him.

A man, probably in mid 20s came staggering out of the door of an apartment block not several meters away from Weiss and started walking in Ruby's direction. Something didn't look right. He looked jittery, his head darted from side to side with one of his hands awkwardly tucked into his jacket.

Weiss' smile faded. She felt uneasy. However, her unease although instinctive, was unfounded. As such she just stood there in uncomfortable silence.

After a few moments, Ruby and the man crossed paths. The man stopped and turned back to Ruby. Ruby, oblivious to anything but her cookie, continued walking towards Weiss. Suddenly he whipped his left hand out of his pocket, aiming straight at Ruby's back with murderous intent in his eyes.

"Bitch!" he screamed at the top of his voice while firing.

There are no words that could convey what Weiss felt when she saw Ruby jerk as the bullet tore through her clothes and ripped into her flesh. Even though Ruby was still a few meters away, Weiss could still see her face with vivid clarity. Ruby's eyes widened in surprise and her mouth began to move as if to say something. Instead, Ruby collapsed.

The man tried to fire again but by then Weiss had Myrtnester out and using her glyphs was next to him in an instant; easily disarming him whilst knocking him unconscious.

Her heart froze when she turned back and saw Ruby still on the floor. The few pedestrians on the street had all froze. Staring wide eyed and gaping in shock.

"What the fuck are you doing!? Call an ambulance!" Weiss screamed at the dumb struck passersby.

She then turned her attention to her fallen friend and knelt down to Ruby. Ruby's mouth was parted and she was breathing in short labored gasps. Blood already beginning to trickle out of her mouth.

"Weiss it hurts" She whispered feebly, her voice laced with pain.

Weiss heard the tremble in her voice as she tried to speak. "Shh, don't worry Ruby, you'll be fine. Try not to move."

The blood was beginning to pool on the floor. To Weiss' horror, every moment that passed the pool grew larger.

"I think I'm dying Weiss."

Ruby's voice sounded fainter than before. Ruby's eyes that characteristically shimmered with mischief and playfulness were now replaced with fear and pain.

"Ruby…" Weiss could hear her voice breaking.

Being unable to help Ruby and seeing her lie there was leagues beyond any physical pain Weiss had ever endured. Tears were welling in Weiss' eyes. She wanted to say something. A retort, a comforting comment, anything. But the characteristically verbose heiress was at a loss of words.

"I love you Weiss. I love all of you. I couldn't have asked for a better team. Tell them will you." Ruby's voice barely a whisper.

Weiss finally found her voice.

"You are not going to die you dunce. You can't go. After all we've been through as partners and as a team. You're my best friend and I-We love you. You're going to make it." Weiss blurted out.

A ghost of a smile graced Ruby's lips. Weiss clasped Ruby's hand with one of her own whilst her other went to gently stroking her face. Weiss couldn't remember when Blake and Yang came rushing out of the store, there just seemed to be a point when she vaguely acknowledged their presence.

Those ten minutes before the ambulance arrived was a torturous eternity for all of them. Each second limped past and they could feel Ruby's aura ebb away. It felt like fate was cruelly mocking the team. These huntresses that have battled world class criminals and hordes of Grimm were reduced to helplessly standing by and waiting.

Hey Guys! This is the first chapter of a three part story. The next chapter is currently being edited and will be released within a week. Hope you enjoyed the story so far!