The Cheshire Cat
The trees grew denser the further Ruby and Ozpin walked, the path the flowers had pointed them towards had started out wide and brick layered, with the occasional brick missing but the more they walked the thinner the path became.
"Well this is creepy." Ruby mumbled to herself hugging herself with an arm.
Professor Ozpin couldn't help but agree, the atmosphere of this world seemed to change very rapidly. They went from sunny and bright, to oppressive and dreary in the space of a few minutes. He still believed that this was all a dream but couldn't quite put his finger on what was picking at his mind. There was no possible way that any of this was real, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't change anything in his surroundings. Ozpin had practiced lucid dreaming before and found that it was easy to manipulate his dreams but this, this was something different.
"Where do you suppose it is that we need to go Professor?" Ruby asked her Headmaster, he had been almost silent since their departure from the fields his brow furrowed in only what she could assume was concentration.
"Well they weren't a fountain of information that's for sure." Ozpin almost winced at the sound of his own bitterness. He didn't mean to be so short with his student, even the dream ones so he plastered a smile on and turned to Ruby. "I suppose we will know it when we see it Miss Rose."
Ruby hummed her agreement and pressed on. "Do you think those flowers were telling the truth Professor Ozpin?"
"I don't believe anyone can tell only the truth at all times, so it is possible they were lying to get rid of us or for another motive that we do not know." His dream version of Ruby made a face and he revised his statement a more genuine smile gracing his face. "With exception of you Miss Rose."
"But you believe this is a dream right?" Ruby didn't think that this place was a dream, at least not completely, there was something about it that rang true and real to her. Then again as far as she was aware, flowers couldn't actually speak and people didn't fall down a hole and end up in the sky and yet she had.
"Well I suppose that is debatable, depending on who is dreaming Miss Rose." Ozpin responded, his attention on the now near non-existing path, the trees pressed in closer and the two were forced to walk almost shoulder to shoulder.
Ruby bumped her Professors arm and tried to move away slightly to give the man space but in doing so tripped on a stray brick and fell forward. A hand gripped her bicep and held her upright. "Thanks." She huffed out.
"That's alright Miss Rose, we all stumble but try to be more aware of your footing." He let go of the younger woman and waited for her to straighten up, even in his dreams those silver eyes twinkled like stars on a cloudless night.
"Sorry anyway Professor." Came the meek response as Ruby grinned and scratched her head, this just wasn't her day. They continued for a few minutes, the path now non-existent, knee high bushes and twigs stuck to their clothes and had to be brushed away. The silence grew between the pair and Ruby sought out some conversation "Soooo~ what was the plan back there," she gestured behind them. "Just sit in the grass till you woke up?"
"I hadn't really given it much thought, what would you have done on such a nice day like today Miss Rose?" Ozpin questioned.
"Can you stop calling me Miss Rose for a start, if we are going somewhere together you could just call me Ruby, would be a lot easier." Ruby crossed her arms and faced ahead, a slightly annoyed tone to her voice.
"Very well Ruby." Ozpin smirked at the woman besides him and readjusted his glasses.
"Then maybe I could call you Prof or Sir?" Ruby innocently asked, she didn't see the taller man falter. Ozpin fought back the shudder of excitement at being called Sir, no this was his student, student, student. He kept repeating it in his head, just trying to remember that he was her Headmaster. Master also had a nice ring to it-No. Ruby was his student and he would adhere to his responsibilities as an educator and, wait a minute, this is a dream he reminded himself before shaking his head. No its thoughts like those that would effect him once he woke up from this dream. Calmer and composed again he turned his attention back to Ruby and realized that the two of them had stopped dead in the path, Ruby looking up at him in confusion and him staring into space.
Ozpin quickly schooled his features and addressed the crimsonette, "Sorry about that Ruby. Why don't you just call me Ozpin." he really hoped he hadn't done or said any of that out loud and was relieved when Ruby just smiled and nodded.
"Okay, Ozpin. Tell me something." She looked at him in earnest, standing on her toes hands together, "How did you get those flowers back there to like you? They were so rude to me."
"I guess I'm just the likable sort." Ozpin grinned watching Ruby's face fall into a pout before adding. "What's the matter, are you jealous of my sayve conversational skills?"
"No!" Ruby squeaked a blush painting her cheeks, she hadn't been jealous of Ozpin she realized she had been jealous of the flowers receiving his attention. The tilted grin and warm eyes he had displayed was incredibly attractive. If only she knew how to get guys to look at her like that. But who would she want that kind of attention from? There was Jaune, nah, maybe Sun, he was fit but imagining him towering above her with those eyes and smile didn't make her heart pound or her brain freeze. Ruby couldn't quite put her finger on the reason why. "I just thought that while we were walking we could talk some."
"And you wanted to know something in particular?" Ozpin pushed a high branch away ensuring it wouldn't hit Ruby when he let go.
"Yes! Maybe you could give me some advice on interacting with people like you did before. In one sentence you had all of them eating out of your hand." Ruby walked ahead and turned round effectively halting their progress.
"Oh I wouldn't go that far Ruby. However if you really want to improve your conversation skills, perhaps we could schedule a time after classes to practice some role playing, how does that sound?" Ozpin said.
"But you believe this is a dream right? So when whoever is sleeping wakes up it won't matter." Ruby pouted, the logic of his deal was flawed and she still wasn't completely convinced all of this was a dream.
"Alright now, I will make a deal with you Ruby. If this isn't a dream and we both come to and remember this conversation I promise to help you with whatever subject you need assistance with. Does that seem fair to you?" Ozpin held out his right hand waiting for his student to call his bluff again.
"Okay, a promise is a promise." Ruby gripped his hand and shook it enthusiastically. Even if this was all a dream she would lose nothing from it, let Ozpin believe what he wanted.
"Okay, we have a deal, now let's carry on." He charged ahead of Ruby, mostly to hide his own red cheeks, he hadn't thought dream Ruby would agree but nevertheless it would be fine.
Ruby bit her lip and smiled, she'd seen the blush. "Wait up Ozpin! The path's gone! Do you even know where you are going?!" Ruby raced off after him.
Ozpin paused and glanced around, she was right the path was gone now they were surrounded by oppressive gnarled trees and the light was fading rapidly. Shadows and grey fog started rolling in around their feet making a kind trek in the woods seem more like wandering in a nightmare fuelled forest. Very slowly he lowered the weight of his body into a more defensible position and listened closely
Ruby noticed the shift in Ozpin's stance, and reached behind her for Crescent Rose, where her hand met empty air and hooded fabric she gave a slight tremble. Where was her weapon, she never went anywhere without it after all the trouble they had with Torchwick she'd learnt to take it everywhere with her. Now finding it gone while she stood in an unfamiliar place terrified her. She looked over to her her side where Ozpin stood. "Ozpin, I'm not sure how but somewhere I seem to have lost Crescent Rose." For the first time Ruby took stock of her headmasters appearance, particularly his mutual lack of weapon.
"It's alright, part of my aura allows me to create a shield, I shall throw one up until we discover what it is that is stalking us." Ozpin closed his eyes and called for his aura to protect them. Looking deep inside himself to where his aura lay he discovered it empty. There was no aura, this was alarming. "Ruby can you call up your semblance?"
"Sure," When she tried to use her semblance to run she realised that she too couldn't find the part of her soul her aura resided in. "Errrrr Ozpin, what are we going to do?"
No aura, no semblance, no weapons, Ruby and Ozpin looked at one another both thinking the same thing, that they were in big trouble. Sudden low growls had the pair shifting attention and Ruby grabbed Ozpin's hand, "We need to hide." pulling him along they broke into a run, the growls behind them grew louder and more frequent indicating there was now more than one threat heading in their direction. Ozpin thanks to his longer legs kept pace with Ruby easily, but stopped after they past a particularly large tree.
"Ruby over here!" He gestured the young woman over before climbing up a large oak tree, Ruby peered into the darkness behind them and scrambled up the tree behind Ozpin who had fit himself into a large crevice dug into the trunk of the tree. When Ruby pushed in she discovered that while it was a generous space it clearly wasn't meant for two people. Ozpin was finding it difficult to keep his body from pressing against Ruby in the tight gap and just gave up when the growls were increased in volume, instead focusing on what was hunting them.
Several large Beowulf's crawled around under the tree they sat in, for a moment Ozpin was convinced they were going to pass them and leave but before they got a few feet away they seem to turn back heading towards their hiding place. Why aren't they leaving? Ozpin thought. The Grimm circled towards the tree again and Ozpin leaned back inside out of sight, when he faced his companion he realised the reason why the Grimm hadn't gone past.
Ruby tried hard to stop her body from shaking. She was attempting to remain calm but the lack of her beloved weapon and aura kept her fearing for their safety. She couldn't stop peeking out the hole but seeing the creatures of Grimm so close and her without a way to defend herself increased her fear unfortunately keeping the Grimm near their position.
If Ruby didn't calm down soon they were going to be discovered and that Ozpin thought would be the end of them. He needed to say or do something to make Ruby forget her fear and negative feelings. This may be a dream but he wasn't willing to test his theory by getting torn apart by a pack of Beowolves.
Of course, this was a dream and so long as there were no negative emotions the Grimm would carry on away from them. With the fact that this was a dream and not real he took Ruby's chin delicately in hand he and leaned close to her ear letting his breath whisper over the sensitive skin. "Shhhh Ruby." His mouth left the ear but instead brushed over her lips drawing the smallest of moans from Ruby before she managed to silence herself and allowed Ozpin to kiss her more deeply.
Ozpin gave himself over to the kiss working as quietly as possible to help rid Ruby of her fear, thinking it was his duty to help ease her into this. Which was a complete lie at this point, the moment he touched her soft lips all thought and reason flew away from his mind. He wasn't thinking of the Grimm circling underneath them and he wasn't wondering anymore if this was a dream or not. No, he was too focused on Ruby and her willing mouth, he pressed his lips firmer pulling her bottom lip with his teeth slowly, pushing Ruby further into the tree bruising her lips with his own.
The Grimm, no longer drawn by negative emotions began to slink away into the bush, they moved further away their grunts and growling growing distant until the only sounds left came from Ruby and Ozpin, their breaths becoming more labored, bodies pressed close together.
Ruby was the first to notice the lack of enemies and tried to untangle herself slightly from her partner."We should get going." Ruby said a little breathless, no one had ever kissed her like this before, she tingled all over. They really probably get going, but she couldn't find the will to move hoping for more kisses.
"We." Another kiss. "Really." Oz titled his head for a better angle. "Should." Ruby moaned, parting her lips, letting him plunder her mouth. They stayed like that for a while, going back and forth Ozpin growing more bold letting his lips travel over her cheeks, moving lower down to her slender neck sucking hard, marking it before grazing his teeth along that beautiful column of pale skin. Ruby moaned letting her head falling back giving Oz unfettered access to her neck, it hurt a little but the pain only served to raise her higher. The heat grew under her skin as it flushed as her body grew excited, her hands grabbed his shoulders as she sought some grounding in the sensations.
"Oh dear and here I was thinking who would be hiding in my tree," Ruby squawked releasing Ozpin, the older man jumped slightly smacking his head against the bark. "but a pair of humans, effectively kissing each other into oblivion." Both occupants turned to where what appeared to be a very large cat floated in the air by the tree.
"I'm so sorry." Ruby blurted out, what on earth was going on here, first talking flowers now floating giant cats.
"That's quite alright my dear, I don't get much company in these parts, at least not as very entertaining ones." The giant cat smiled in glee showing rows of very sharp white teeth. "Who would you be and what are you two doing in this tree?"
"We were hiding from the creatures of Grimm." Ozpin spoke to the giant cat the way he had with the flowers, charm oozing from his words. "They followed us, feeding on fear and other negative emotions so when I saw this hiding spot we climbed up here until they left." It seemed perfectly natural to answer the cat's questions, "My name is Ozpin and this," he gestured to the young woman besides him. "is Ruby Rose."
The cat rolled in the air, his tail swishing around. His grey fur faded out slightly almost transparently before solidifying again. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance and although I go by many names please call me Cheshire." He grinned again widely his green cat eyes bulging as they focused on the pair.
"Nice to meet you Cheshire." Ruby nodded before she started easing her way out of the crevice, mindful of how she was pressed up against Oz and climbing down. "How is it you can float in the air like that?" She questioned curious, she had never read about a floating cat in any of her books.
"How is that you cannot float in the air?" Cheshire focused his attention on the small crimsonette.
"Because my body isn't built to." Ruby dropped to the ground and brushed her skirt down, she was thankful her cloak had protected her from the rough bark of the tree. She hoped the blush from her cheeks would fade soon, her legs were a little weak, the effects of Oz's kisses were slow to dwindle.
"Clever! You've just answered your own question." Cheshire vanished only to reappear inches from Ruby's face. She hadn't realised how big he actually was, his head was massive and his whiskers tickled her cheeks.
Up this close she could hear the faint vibrations of his purring. Ruby had the very sudden urge to pet his furry grey ears. A light huff from behind her signaled Ozpin's descent and she quickly schooled her expression, she still couldn't believe she had kissed her headmaster AND liked it so much. His voice seemed normal as he addressed Cheshire. "Well it has been a pleasure Cheshire but we really must be going."
"For someone who appears so wise, you are actually rather rash, don't you think? These woods are not safe to travel at night." Cheshire rolled his large body around floating closer to the man. "Unless you intend to meet your demise through those Grimm."
"What do you suggest, the idea of sitting here for the night doesn't bode well for our safety." Ozpin fixed his glasses straight watching the large cat creature float in front of him. Cheshire's eyes lingered on the young woman behind him before he responded.
"There is a cabin not so far from here, spend the night there and in the morning I shall guide you to your destination." Cheshire stretched, his tail faded in and out veiling in the rolling fog.
"How is it that you would know our destination when even 'we' don't know." Something about this was very suspicious and Ozpin was suddenly questioning the reality that this may not in fact be a dream, it just didn't make sense NOT to be a dream though.
"Well somebody has to. It's just that simple." Cheshire started floating again leading away from the pair before he turned back around. "Are you coming or not?"
Ruby and Ozpin looked at one another and Ruby just shrugged. They couldn't stay out here all night and the chances of running into the Grimm was too high. At least they would have some form of shelter. The pair followed Cheshire, they walked for a few minutes before coming to a stop in front of a old log cabin. It appeared pretty run down but it had walls and windows however grimey. The door swung open with ease and the two with Cheshire took stock of their humble lodgings.
It was a lot smaller on the inside then they had thought, nothing more than a corner kitchenette, wooden table and two rickety chairs. There was a couch but it seemed a bit too dangerous to sit on with its springs poking out and the fluff from the cushions littered everywhere.
"Sorry, that's my scratching post." Cheshire smiled again before settling on the messy couch, using his talon-like claws to rip the material more. "But there should be a bed and a bathroom through there." He nodded towards the adjacent door.
Ruby dashed through the door and into the bathroom to wash her face and to hide a bit from Ozpin. Who would have thought he be such a great kisser, then again with age came experience so she shouldn't have been so surprised. Sure it hadn't been her first kiss but it was the first time she ever felt like she'd been kissed off her feet, was it because this was a dream?
"Ruby?" Ozpin knocked on the bathroom door that she had left opened, she watched him in the mirror as he walked in and stood behind her. "Are you alright?"
Ruby felt her cheeks warm with the memories. "Yep, I'm fine."
"Well in that case, let us both get some rest so we can continue in the morning." Ozpin smiled and let Ruby pass as she left the bathroom and turned the tap to freshen himself as well. When he joined Ruby he addressed the elephant in the room, namely a small double bed and little else. "I don't think we have much choice but to share."
"Yep." Ruby popped the p before sighing and pulling back the red and black checkered duvet before climbing and moving over to the edge of the bed. She had already removed her corset and leggings while Ozpin was in the bathroom but decided to leave her undershirt and skirt on, her shoes and such lay on top of the old dresser.
Ozpin chuckled to himself before hanging up his coat and dress shirt, he debated removing his trousers and then decided to take them off, so long as he and Ruby slept on opposite sides of the bed it would be fine. Leaving his glasses on the side table by the bed and laid down his back to the woman besides him.
They lay like that for a some time while the night surrounded them and the room grew darker. Ruby unable to sleep shuffled around the bed before giving in and turning back to Ozpin, "Hey Ozpin you awake." she whispered.
Ozpin turned over, "Yeah." the moon outside lent enough light to see Ruby's silver eyes shine in the darkness. "What is the matter?"
Ruby squirmed a little before asking what had been on her mind all evening. "Why did you kiss me? Back in the tree."
Ozpin was silent for a while, thinking it over. "Your fear was drawing the Grimm, I had to do something to distract you or we would have been caught."
"I know that bit," she blushed so hard her cheeks glowed in the dark." I mean afterwards. They did leave but you carried on, even when I said about us leaving you continued to kiss me."
"Did you not like it?" Ozpin teased her with a slight grin.
"Well erm…." Ruby felt her hair fall over part of her face hiding her from his piercing gaze.
"Ruby, was what I did so wrong really?" He asked gently hoping and praying that she was offended, even in a dream he wanted Ruby to say it.
"I liked it." She mumbled, looking down between them, really anywhere but at him.
"So did I. That's why I did it Ruby, because it was something I wanted to do." He lifted a hand over her bangs and brushed away the hair that had fallen, uncovering those shining pools of silver. "I still believe that this is a dream Ruby and things done here shouldn't affect us when we awaken. Then again if it really bothers you I promise that next time I will wait until you kiss me first."
"Really? So we want to kiss again, I have to start it." Ruby let that roll in her mind, could she initiate a kiss like this afternoon.
"That is right." Ozpin smiled, he could guess where her thoughts were heading.
"Okay." Ruby shuffled forward until she lay close enough to Ozpin that she could reach out and pressed her lips to his, closing her eyes and letting her emotions guide her. Ozpin immediately returned the kiss, hand reaching over to hold the back of her head so he could gain more control over their heated exchange.
Ruby moaned into Ozpin's mouth and let herself be swept away by pleasure seeping into her brain. He really was an incredible kisser, it made her wonder about what other talents he had hidden away but soon thoughts like that blurred away when Ozpin's tongue touched hers and she danced hers with his.
Ruby felt heat gather up inside her but all too soon Ozpin drew away kissing her nose. "We really need to sleep and if this carries on we won't be getting any tonight."
"Even in a dream we need to sleep, isn't that like dream-ception." Ruby didn't want it to end and tried to take his lips again but Ozpin was faster pressing his finger to those sweet swollen lips.
"Yes even then, now," He gave her one final lingering kiss "go to sleep Ruby."
Ruby sighed and turned back to her side of the bed hoping the heat inside her would die down long enough for her to get some sleep. "Okay, goodnight Ozpin."
"Good night Ruby." Ozpin smiled letting his own eyes close.
Thank you too: 8NekoFrau8 (We have big plans for this story and its sequel, we'll be at this series for a long while.)
