Ruby woke up at the crack of dawn. The sun was almost peaking above the horizon and gave an almost pink glow to the fading night sky. Ruby blinked her eyes a few more times to remove the blur from her vision then rubbed the back of her hand over them. She was about to sit up but suddenly felt the weight across her chest. Looking down all she could see was a thick mane of blonde hair. Clearly Yang rolled about in the night and decided to use Ruby as a pillow. With a sigh Ruby proceeded to push the big sister off of her and back onto her own bedroll, knowing that she would not wake up until her scroll rang its alarm for the seventh time.
Free from her sisterly prison she sat up from her bedroll to see that everyone else was still asleep. Ruby then quickly picked up a change of clothes and got to her feet. She quietly walked across the hall as she looked around. She noticed the black haired girl from yesterday by the wall. She had learnt, thanks to Yang dragging her over to socialize, that her name was Blake. She still didn't know what kind of Faunus Blake was but her best guess was that it was easily concealable or it was underneath the bow on her head, which she still wore while asleep. Before she exited the main hall she then noticed in the far corner of the room with a noticeably large space from the sleeping masses of students, was Weiss Schnee.
It almost looked sad to see Weiss all alone like that, but Ruby couldn't shake the fact that she was a Schnee and after everything they had done to all Faunus. Ruby felt guilty for judging Weiss because of her family name, she didn't even know of Weiss Schnee. As much as Ruby was taught to see people for who they are and not to judge a book by its cover, she still felt the sting of prejudice as she stared at the familiar white hair and snowflake on her luggage. Ruby shook her head and quickly left, she needed to get cleaned up for the day before she took part in the morning ritual.
Ruby walked alone down the halls of Beacon but her thoughts continued to drift back to Weiss. She tried to reason that it was because of Weiss's cruel personality that she pushed people away from sleeping near her. But another voice in her head said that maybe it was the people that openly slept away from her, and that Weiss was really misunderstood and felt alone. She groaned as she scratched her head. Why was she thinking about her so much? Sure with the winter coloured clothing, piercing blue eyes and silky white hair she stood out from a crowd. Could it be that she was apprehensive about being a Wolf Faunus and being in the exact same school as one of the biggest Faunus haters? She didn't know, and would rather stop thinking about it. Today was initiation so she had to focus on showing her skills and why she belonged in this school.
-:-
After taking a shower and getting changed she ran out of Beacon. Her cloak was fluttering behind her as she sprinted down the stone path. The sky was looking pinker and she was running out of time. Ruby made it to the grass and started sprinting as quickly as she could. She spotted a cliff nearby the academy and knew the Sun would be rising in the horizon there. Thinking she wouldn't be able to make it she used her semblance and sped over there. Rose petals were left behind her like a trail of breadcrumbs. Skidding to a halt she stood on the cliffs edge. She heard the forest below her was called Emerald Forest and spanned for hundreds and hundreds of miles. She marvelled at the sheer size it reached below her. Suddenly a blinding light flickered across her eyes as the Sun slowly began to rise above the tree line. Ruby blinked her eyes for a moment until they narrowed. She pulled back her hood and let her ears stand proud, her tail also stretching out from under her cloak. She pulled one foot a step back, leant down taking a very deep breath, and then...
She howled. She pulled back up and howled to the skies. She howled out as loud as she could, letting the cry of her inner wolf echo across the entire forest, letting each and every critter, animal and Grimm know that she was here to stay. She was here to reign over the forest. That she was the alpha now.
She took another deep breath and howled again. Her voice sounding like Ruby's own voice mixed with the animalistic howl of a wolf. It was a morning ritual she always took part in every day, running far from her home town to the farthest corner of the wild. It was a time where she would no longer hide from the world that hated her. It was a time where she would stand tall in Remnant and let the world know that she was still here. She was proud of who she was. She was proud to be a Wolf Faunus.
When she was done she heard the echoes of other howls, from both Beowolves and wolves alike responding to her presence. Ruby smiled happily. It was one of the most beautiful experiences to live in this world. With a blissful sigh she then turned her back to the forest and began to walk back to Beacon. Her ears flattened on her head as she pulled up her hood and curled her tail back under her cloak.
She wished one day that people would accept her for who she was one day, just like nature had.
-:-
Ruby arrived at the cafeteria where there were a few people awake and eating their breakfast. She made her way over to the food stand and filled her plate with a few strips of bacon, two slices of toast and an apple. As she reached the area to make some tea all she did was pick up a glass and fill it with milk. Now with her breakfast in hand she made her way over to one of the empty tables, not feeling comfortable with sitting with other people. As she slowly ate her breakfast more and more people started to come in, including an overly excited ginger girl dressed in white and pink accompanying a calm friend wearing a green tail coat and white trousers. Ruby continued on with her breakfast, not paying attention to anyone walking in, hoping that Yang would eventually come in to keep her company.
"Right! What was I thinking?" a loud voice spoke opposite Ruby as the ginger girl slammed her tray down on the table, giving Ruby a heart attack. The overly happy girl sat down opposite her, the boy in the green tailcoat also sitting down next to her. "So anyway! Did you also hear the howling in the morning?" Ruby froze up; she didn't think she was still close enough to be heard by everyone else that was still sleeping.
"Yes Nora, after you woke me up," he looked tired. It was still early in the morning and the initiation didn't start for another three hours.
"It sounded like a wolf didn't it Ren? Oooo I hope I get to see it so I can smash it into the ground and pound it into a bloody pulp! I'll show it who the boss is!" Nora exclaimed as she punched a fist into her hand. Ruby felt the blood run from her face. Where was Yang when she needed her? Why did she have to be such a heavy sleeper? Ruby tried to eat her breakfast as quickly as she could so she could avoid speaking to this girl.
"Nora, don't forget to eat your breakfast," Ren said calm, pointing his spoon to Nora's plate as he scooped up a spoonful of cereal to eat.
"Oh! I also heard a rumour that for the initiation we're all going to have partners and be put in a team for the four years we'll be training here. I wonder what team we'll be in! We should try and be in a team Ren. Maybe we can bribe Professor Ozpin? No wait that won't work he owns the school," Nora somehow managed to continue her rambling while also shoving pancakes into her mouth and practically inhaling them down her throat. Ruby stared at Nora for a while trying to figure out how that was possible. Although Ruby did manage to do just that with cookies, but pancakes were much bigger than cookies so it puzzled Ruby.
Then Ruby realised what Nora just said. She was going to be partnered with someone? And put on a team? That can't happen! She expected to have her own personal dorm, not share it with three other people! This had to be a mistake! A rumour spread for the fun of it! The thought of being in a room for four years with three people while trying to hide her Faunus features? It would be almost impossible! Where the heck was Yang? Why are her ears and tail now feeling the need to stretch out now? Ruby quickly stood up, leaving what was left of her lunch and making a quick march away from the table.
"Hey, what's with her?" she could hear Nora say behind her but she wouldn't stop to apologise or put her tray away. She had to find Yang. She needed to be reassured that everything was going to be okay. She pushed the doors open and left the cafeteria. The halls had more future students walking them, causing Ruby to quickly weave in-between them as she kept her quick pace up. Sure she wanted to come to Beacon to show that she was different from their views of Faunus and Wolf Faunus. But she wanted to start slow and at her own pace. But being stuck in a room with three other people that she is expected to be teamed up with for four years was the equivalent of being tossed into the deep end of a pool. If Ruby took a moment to stop and think she would accept it's a rumour and probably not true, but now she was too worked up and needed her sister to set her straight.
In her rush she quickly turned the corner, not bothering to look where she was going and ended up crashing into someone on the other side. She fell backwards on her bum but also on her tail, causing her to yelp out in pain and with both hands reach down behind her cloak to hold it. Feeling the hood start to slip from her head she quickly rolled to her knee, letting it fall back over her head. That was too close. She needed to take a deep breath and calm down. Otherwise another accident could happen and reveal her secret.
"Hey watch where you're going you..." That familiar shrill voice shouted at her. Oh no. Not her...
"YOU AGAIN!" Yes. It was Weiss Schnee. "Are you making it your personal goal to just ruin my day?" Ruby had eased the pain in her tail and slowly got up to her feet again. "No, actually are you making it your personal goal to just ruin my entire time at Beacon? Every time I see you you're causing problems for me! And now you are proving to be a hazard to my health!" Ruby looked around to see other people stop and stare at the scene. This was just what she needed, more attention. Ruby pulled her hood further forward to cover her eyes from embarrassment. "This is a school meant for future Huntsmen and Huntresses to help defend the world from the Grimm! If you can't even pay attention in walking without bumping into someone then you'll stand no chance of staying in this school. Besides aren't you a little too young to be here anyway? And also it's incredibly rude to not look at someone when their speaking to you!" It was then Ruby felt a hand grab onto her hood. NO!
"So take off that..." Weiss didn't get to finish when suddenly she felt two hands slam into her chest and abdomen with such a force that she was sent flying backwards onto the ground, even skidding a few feet.
"DON'T TOUCH MY HOOD!" A loud almost animalistic roar echoed the hallway. Weiss looked up in complete surprise in the turn of events. No one had ever just outright shoved her away like that before. She was ready to grab her Myrtenaster and deal with the insolent brat who dared to attack a Schnee, until she saw the eyes under the hooded girl. The soft silver eyes that once were wide and innocent were now narrowed and piercing, like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.
"DON'T EVER TOUCH MY HOOD! NO ONE TOUCHES MY HOOD!" Ruby roared down at Weiss with a rage that the dust user never thought was possible from the girl. Before anything else was said or roared a door in the hallway slammed open. Walking out of the door was a girl wearing what looked to be sleep ware. A black tank top with dark brown short shorts. She had short dark brown hair that had clear signs of someone that had just woken up, although the long wavy locks on the right side of her face dyed caramel from the tips seemed unaffected. Despite the sunglasses the girl wore it was obvious she was not happy.
"Okay you young...hip...upcoming students of Beacon... there are a few... important things that you need to know before you start," Everyone felt uneasy, fear slowly building up in their stomachs. The awoken girl stepped out into the hallway, carrying a handbag for some reason. "Firstly... this area of the school is in fact dormitories to your elders... Secondly... our classes do not start until ten a.m..." The way she slowly spoke didn't help ease everyone's stomachs, nor the way that she held her handbag. "And the time is... oh... six thirty... which brings me to the third... and oh so most important rule." With a jolt of her wrist her handbag suddenly opened up into a massive Gatling gun, causing everyone to quickly jump back in fear. Normally Ruby would be freaking out in glee over her future seniors weapon but the urge to do that was subdued from the fear of getting shot with it.
"Wake Miss Coco Adel up early... and I'll rip you apart with my bullets!" She shouted. The cylinder of her gun started to rotate. This was enough for everybody to quickly run for their lives in any direction that wasn't here. Ruby however jumped forward to the ground in front of the Gatling gun and bowed down as low as she could.
"I'm so sorry! It was my fault I... I didn't know this was your dormitories. I was inconsiderate to other people's feelings. I didn't mean to wake you I... I was just scared and... I'm so sorry!" Ruby pleaded to her elder, she could almost feel the heat from the long rotating cylinder of Coco's weapon. A long tension filled pause engulfed the hallway, unknowing how Coco was going to react.
"Well... you know now. So I can let you guys off with a warning," Coco said as she lowered her gun. But then she quickly pointed the gun back up, aiming at Weiss who tried to flee the hall. "AFTER... you apologise too."
Weiss looked left and right, not knowing what to do, knowing that she wouldn't be able to outrun the fire while the cylinder was still rotating. She didn't want to start a fight against her seniors either. Left with no choice she bottled up her pride and turned to face Coco. Standing up straight she slowly bent forward in a bow to Coco. "I'm... sorry I woke you up."
"Better," Coco stopped the rotation of her Gatling gun and with a flick of her wrist it shrunk back into a handbag. "Now then you run along now and remember to keep a lid on it while in the dorm areas. I'm going back to sleep." Coco then turned around and shut the door. Both Ruby and Weiss let out a sigh of relief, happy that they dodged a violent confrontation with the tired senior. Then both their eyes locked with each other. Ruby's eyes were back to their original wide eyed innocent look, but that didn't stop her from glaring angrily at Weiss, nor did it stop Weiss from angrily glaring at Ruby. It was clear to both of them that they were never going to get along. With a huff Weiss turned around and marched on her way, heading towards the cafeteria. Ruby turned and marched the opposite way, heading for the main hall to hopefully find a sleeping Yang.
As Ruby entered the hall she could already hear rumours being spread about the group of hopefuls huddled in groups. On one side she heard the rumour that they were all going to be partnered up and put in teams for the four years in Beacon. On the other however was the rumour of a massive fight involving the Schnee heiress, a red cloaked girl and a monstrous demon armed with a handbag. Ruby groaned in miserable frustration. She did not want to be the centre of attention. She did not want to be part of a rumour going about the school. She just wanted to blend in like a normal girl with normal knee. Not any bee's knees.
Ruby made her way back to her sleeping mat and found her sister where she left her, still sleeping like a rock.
"Yang... it's time to wake up..." Ruby shook her sister's shoulder. The blonde groaning in response and waving one hand to shoo away the pest of her sleep.
"Yang! Wake up!" Ruby spoke a tad louder as she kept shaking Yang's shoulder. Still the blonde would not budge. So Ruby had to rely on a tactic that she really didn't want to abuse, although partially now was a good time to use it.
"Y-yang... please... I need my big sister..." Ruby spoke with a quivering voice, adding a sniffle to the end of it. Instantly Yang quickly shook herself awake and looked around to see Ruby sitting next to her.
"R-Ruby! What's wrong? Someone hurt you? Do I need to punch someone in the balls?" Yang quickly questioned. Yang's unfocused eyes and her complete dishevelled blonde mane was such a humorous sight that Ruby couldn't help but chuckle, despite everything she had been through earlier.
"Oh Yang... where do I begin..."
Hello there readers, this is Monty Ozpin.
I thought that I would like to remind you all that you were not mistaken when you saw that this story had a White Rose ship. Despite what this chapter implies this is indeed a White Rose story. Any other ships however I'm going to let them happen naturally as I type so who knows what other ships end up coming about.
I would also like to thank you all for your follows, your favourites, and your reviews, especially those that pointed out how I misspelled Faunus the entire time. I just couldn't believe how I let that huge mistake happen after following the show for years. I knew it was spelled Faunus but somehow the mistake happened. None the less thank you for your support and excitement for where this story will go.
Keep moving forward,
Monty Ozpin.
