First off I would like to thank everyone who followed or favorited this story I know that last chapter wasn't the best it could be and that I have some things to work on and plan on trying to improve every chapter. I will also be editing previous chapters to improve them as I can. Second I would love more feedback from those that read this I don't care if you tell me I'm the worst writer on the planet and that I should kill myself feedback even negative is how I know what to improve on. On a final note to anyone looking for some good fanfic look up the Dissonance Trilogy by TheLastSonata it's a great series of stories that just got finished up by a damn good writer. On a side note while I'm going to attempt to have regular updates to this story and any others I work on it won't always be possible due to the nature of my occupation so I ask anyone who does read this to bear with me on that I'll try to give everyone a heads up on when disruptions to updates will be.

Chapter 2: Tending to the Garden

"W-what? You mean cancer cancer? Like the kind that kills people? H-how can I have cancer I'm fifteen? I can't have cancer I'm going to become a Huntress they don't get cancer this can't be right."

"Miss Rose please calm down we caught your case incredibly early and with treatment there is a very high probability of you surviving but you are going to want to begin treatment immediately. As for your training to become a Huntress we have taken the liberty to inform Professor Ozpin of you condition so that he could begin to let your family know so that you all could make a combined decision on what will how this will be handled and how it will be paid for because while we want to give you the best chance at survival the costs of treatment are far too high for the hospital to administer for free. Now if you or Miss Schnee have any questions about the types of treatment we offer here I would be more than willing to answer them otherwise I will see you later today when we met with Professor Ozpin and your father to discuss treatment and payment options."

"I actually have a question about Ruby's condition Doctor. How could someone so young develop lung cancer?"

"Well Miss Schnee there is no such thing as being too young for cancer. I've seen children as young as three years old develop the disease however that is normally leukemia not lung cancer. As for how she developed it I would say that prolonged dust exposure could be a cause of this especially given her chosen career field and her rapid advancement into a prestigious academy such as Beacon."

When Weiss heard that Dust exposure may have been a contributing factor towards Ruby contracting cancer her mind instantly drifted back to when she and the younger girl had first met and how she was literally shaking the stuff in her face and how she should have known better given the facts she was forced to remember about Dust and its possible effects of people's health. She silently vowed to help Ruby with her illness an anyway she could and wouldn't rest until she had helped her beat the disease.

"Now unless either of you have any more questions I have another patient to see before we all meet with Professor Ozpin and Ruby's father."

"I don't have any what about you Weiss?"

The older girl just shook her head not trusting herself to speak at the moment. As they walked out of the hospital Weiss couldn't help but look at the young girl and wonder what was going on in her mind or how her sister would react to the news. Then she thought more about how Dust may have been a leading factor to her becoming ill and couldn't take the guilt.

"Ruby I'm sorry."

"Why? It's not like you caused this or anything."

"That's just it Ruby I may have the Doctor said that Dust exposure can lead to your disease and I'm the only one in our group of friends that uses dust on a regular basis. Hell when we first met I literally threw dust into your face and now you're sick and damn it it's all my fault and I can't handle it!"

After hearing this Ruby just stopped grabbed Weiss' hand and looked the white haired girl in the eyes.

"Weiss I don't blame you for this and neither should you for all we know the Dust had nothing to do with this not to mention the fact that you've literally saved my life with it on countless occasions and since it's key to your fighting style I'm sure you'll save my life with it again just know that even if it is the Dust that got me sick that I wouldn't trade it for anything because your ability to use Dust is what got you into Beacon and without it I wouldn't have my best friend or even be alive. Cancer is something I can survive impalement by the stinger of an Adult Deathstalker not so much so don't beat yourself up about this all it means is that I won't refill Myrtenaster for you anymore."

"Not that I'd let you anymore dolt. I suppose we need to get back and let your sister and Blake know about this however can we keep the Dust part of it to ourselves while you may be forgiving about it I doubt Yang will be and I'd rather not get punched through a wall if I can avoid it."

"Haha don't worry I'll keep you safe after all I can't have my partner in the hospital someone has to make sure I make my appointments on time and while Yang is generally good about being a mamabear she isn't great with time management or getting up early."

"Did you just refer to your sister as a mamabear? I won't lie Ruby that's kinda weird."

"Well yeah she's super protective of me and practically raised me. Plus, she has a thing for bears so she always called herself mamabear and I just rolled with it because it was easier then arguing with her. I also think it helped her deal with mom dying a little."

"That's fair I suppose anyway we need to get back so that the 'mamabear' doesn't have a conniption fit about me keeping her little cub out too late."

"You're going to tease her about that aren't you?"

"Oh mercilessly. Unless you have any more embarrassing nicknames for her it never hurts to have too many."

"Oh I'm sure my daddy will use more than one when we meet with him Professor Ozpin and Dr. Forest later today just take it easy with them please I don't want to have to push you in a wheelchair to go to my appointments."

"Oh please I'm sure I can handle anything that brute can throw at me besides she can't hurt what she can't catch."

"Weiss she knows where you sleep."

"Touché."

The two continued making small talk until they arrived back at the academy where Yang met the at the docks and told them that Professor Ozpin wanted to meet them in one of the conference rooms in about an hour. They all took the time to go eat dinner (Weiss making Ruby actually eat healthy so she could keep her strength up) before heading off to the conference room. When they walked in they saw Professor Ozpin and Doctor Forest already talking with Ruby and Yang's dad who barely had time to register the doors open before a red blur was jumping in his arms yelling "Daddy" at the top of its lungs.

"Good to see you too Lil Red I see you brought Goldilocks with you."

"Ugh Dad you know I hate when you call me Goldilocks."

"Calm down there Firecracker you know it's a father's job to try and embarrass his daughters in front of their friends who by the way you have yet me introduce me to."

"Hello sir my Name is Weiss Schnee Ruby's partner. I would like to thank you for giving me more names to tease your oldest daughter with and for allowing Ruby to attend Beacon early despite being slightly immature and extremely hyper active she has proven to be a very loyal friend and talented fighter."

"I'm Blake Belladona Yang's partner and I would like to say that while Yang maybe loud and snores louder than a Bullhead she is also a very caring and protective friend who always tries to put a smile on all our faces. Even if it interrupts us trying to read."

"Well I'm glad that you both have such wonderful things to say about my daughters. I suppose I should introduce myself now I am Taiyang Xiao Long. Huntsman as well as Combat Arms instructor at Signal Academy."

"Yes well now that that's out of the way let me introduce myself so we may get started. I am Doctor Gerald Forest of the Vale Kingdom Hospital and I will be Miss Rose's resident physician during her treatments now I assume everyone here has been made aware of her condition?"

Upon seeing the puzzled looks on Tai's, Yang's, and Blake's faces he sighed and continued.

"Well the let me start from the beginning here. Yesterday Miss Rose was admitted into the hospital upon falling unconscious during a routine combat exercise during which time her sister Miss Xiao Long reported that she had been looking off for a few days and she had planned on forcing Miss Rose to come see a doctor at the end of class that day. Miss Schnee also said that she had been looking out of breath earlier in the day which was unusual given Miss Rose's semblance as well as advanced training. As such I decided to run both blood tests to look for antibodies as well as signs of viral infection and have her get her lungs x-rayed to look for signs of TB or Bronchitis. The results we got back showed that her blood had increased levels of tumor markers and that her lungs showed tumor like spots in them all of which pointed me to the rather severe and unfortunate diagnosis that Miss Rose has lung cancer. We are here in this room to discuss Miss Rose's future at Beacon as well as how we will go about treating her and how said treatment will be paid for. Now for her being at Beacon I would advise against it just because her being in close proximity to so many people while having a lowered immune system will only cause her further problems that being said she will need to be somewhere in the kingdom so that she can more easily get to her appointments."

"NO! I want to stay at Beacon with my friends I don't care about getting sick from other people I'm sick already besides Daddy doesn't live in Vale he lives on Patch so there isn't anywhere else for me to stay in the kingdom."

"Sweetie I understand you want to stay with your friends but if it will help you to leave Beacon then I'll do everything I can to get you a hotel near the hospital and I'll take time off of work to take you to your appointments."

"No dad if Ruby leaves Beacon then so do I. I won't let anyone even you take my baby sister away from me."

"Yang this isn't about what any of us want this is about what is best for your sister's health. I understand you want to keep her safe but at the same time I won't let you sacrifice your dream to do so."

"Then let me stay in Beacon. You won't have to take off of work Yang won't have to leave Beacon and I'll have my friends here to support me. I've wanted to come to this school since I was a little girl hearing about you and Mama going here and all the crazy adventures you had don't make me leave it all behind for this. If things get really bad, then I'll leave but while I can still somewhat manage this let me stay Beacon's my home now and I have my sister and two best friends to help me."

"Sweetie this isn't just our choice we need to let Ozpin speak as well."

"Tai I see no reason to pull your daughter out of class just yet especially if she is so adamant against doing so. I believe that she should be where she is comfortable and if that means a dorm room with three other students then so be it."

After hearing the professor speak Ruby turned towards her father and proceeded to put on her best puppy dog face.

"See daddy even Professor Ozpin says it's a good idea. Please daddy?"

Looking into his daughter's eyes he found only defeat and so Tai quickly submitted.

"Alright fine you can stay here for now. But at the first sign of things getting worse or the first time you miss an appointment I'm pulling you out and getting us a hotel near the hospital understand."

"Yes daddy and don't worry about me missing appointments I was made team leader for a reason I can manage a schedule. Plus, I have Weiss here to remind me in case I forget right Weiss?

"Of course I won't let you be late for class I'm not about to let you miss an appointment that could save your life."

"See? I won't miss an appointment cause Weiss wouldn't let me!"

"Anyway now that we have Miss Rose's living situation settled there is still the treatment to discuss. Now since it is in her lungs we can't remove the tumors via surgery and given the proximity to the heart and digestive system I don't recommend using radiation either. This generally just leaves Chemotherapy as the only traditional treatment method. As for how we would go about administering the Chemotherapy I would recommend doing four three week cycles with four weeks in between cycles."

"What does that exactly mean Doc? Like what is this gonna do to my baby sister?"

"Well Miss Xiao Long your sister will come in every three days to receive a dose of a drug called Methotrexate LPF via IV for three weeks then after the three weeks she will receive four weeks to recover. This will repeat four times unless she either enters remission during that time or we see that her condition worsens to be clear even during we recovery periods she will still need to come in for weekly check ups. I am recommending this particular drug for the reason of it is less damaging than other chemotherapy drugs making it a good starting point for her to begin treatments with."

"What kind of side effects can we expect from these treatments just so I know what to look for since I sleep right under her?"

"Well Miss Schnee she will be more tired and will frequently be nauseous especially on days she has received treatments there is also the common side effect of her losing her which can be a cause for distress among a lot of patients. I will be providing a suggested meal plan for the treatments however given that she will be staying in a school and won't always be able to follow the meal plan I would recommend that she eat as healthy as possible and get plenty of rest. I would also recommend she stop all combat related activities as the Chemo will lower her immune system as well as her aura levels."

"Alright I can arrange for her to be exempt for combat class as well as one of her teammates to accompany her during her appointments. I will leave them in charge of who should go with her and for the two remaining team members to inform the Professors of their absence on those days. Now is there anymore we need to discuss?"

"Yes Professor we need to discuss how this will all be paid for. Not to sound heartless but these treatments aren't cheap and the hospital won't give them out for free."

"We understand Doctor. Oz is there any way you can throw me some missions preferably safe high paying ones?"

"No need sir I am the Heiress of the largest Dust corporation on Remnant paying for this shouldn't be difficult."

"While I'm sure Tai appreciates the sentiment I doubt your father would be willing to pay for some girl he's never met's cancer treatments out of the kindness of his heart. If I know Siliber Schnee and unfortunately I do he would require a very large amount of leverage in order to pay for this. However just because he won't doesn't mean I won't consider the treatments paid for as a gift from Beacon Academy to one of its most promising first years as well as one last gift to the best student to ever leave these halls."

"Oz I can't thank you enough for not only allowing Ruby to attend Beacon early of all things but then being so accommodating of her with her illness but then to pay for it as well… Summer was right to let you take over as Headmaster instead of her."

"Yes well it is the least I can do need I remind you of all the times she saved my life. Anyway I believe that we were in the middle of something is there anything else you need from us Doctor?"

"No this should be all. I'll contact you as well as Miss Rose about the time and date of her first treatment if any of you come up with any questions or notice any severe reactions our worsening of symptoms here is my number don't hesitate to call me now I wish you all a lovely day."

And with that Doctor Forest walked out of the conference room and headed to his home.

"Ahh yes now I believe you girls should be heading to your room now some of you still have homework to do isn't that right Miss Xiao Long?"

"Wait how did? Ugh yeah ok let's go."

"I suppose you want me to hang around Oz?"

"If only for a moment I have a couple things I wish to discuss with you about a mission I may have for you. You would be working with Qrow."

"Say no more if it involves Qrow I know it's important. I'll do it just send me the details oh and keep me informed with Ruby I know this is important and all but I still have to at least appear like a responsible father."

"Of course old friend."

Ok so holy shit I never thought I'd do this much research into cancer for anything let alone a fanfic. Also if I fuck anything up and you know better call me the fuck out on it please. Anyway yeah review please positive or negative I don't care I just want some feedback. If you don't wanna drop a review so you could always shoot me a message trust me I won't be upset. As for anyone wondering about where I got mamabear from no it wasn't a Goldilocks and the three bears thing it's what I always called my pseudo adoptive mama cause she always referred to me as her young cub. I just figured it kinda fit here and it gives Weiss some ammo against Yang which is fun.

First I would like to thank those that continue to give this a chance. Second I would like to apologize for my delay in getting new chapters out on this story but in my defense my life has been kind of hectic recently for instance shortly after last chapter I began a two week train up for EIB (Expert Infantryman Badge) then had the week long EIB Testing followed up with a two week long School of the Gun session to teach me how machine gun marksmanship then this week I had to go out and help with training drivers for our vehicles stacked up with live fire exercises all next week and then I'll be headed home for a brief visit for Thanksgiving and then more live fires when I get back leading into Christmas Leave. Somewhere in the next few weeks I do plan on getting another chapter out for this story and possibly the beginning of another one if time allows.