"Ughhhhh, Weiss, we've been this way already! It's getting darker by the minute, why can't you just admit that you have no idea where we're going?"

Weiss was getting more and more frustrated each time Ruby spoke.

"Shut up and let me concentrate! Gosh, all you ever do is talk, talk, and talk! And to think that you're supposed to be a prodigy!" Weiss shot back, rubbing her temples as a headache began.

Ruby was starting to regret her decision on making her first bond with Weiss.

"Maybe it's this way? No wait…it's definitely this way. Beacon is this way."

Not only was Ruby regretting forming her first bond with Weiss, she was getting really short with her. The arrogance that Weiss has really starts to throw Ruby over the edge. Ruby wonders how such a big ego can fit in a tiny body like Weiss'.

"You know what? I give up! I'll find Beacon by myself because Miss Perfect doesn't know her way!" Ruby stormed away.

Weiss crossed her arms in frustration. "Fine with me!"

She watched as Ruby disappeared into the sea of trees. Focusing back onto what she was doing, she tried to reevaluate the situation. The lack of that annoying, squeaky voice made Weiss uncomfortable somehow. Only the gentle breeze and the chirping of crickets filled the silence. Something didn't feel quite right.

"Okay, think Weiss. I'm lost, it's almost dark, and…and that girl…" Weiss trailed off into worry.

Even if Ruby was an insufferable and annoying girl, Weiss couldn't help but worry for her. She's never had anyone else to work with, or anyone to even talk to for that matter.

"Ugh, that insufferable little Red," Weiss began following after Ruby, hoping she hasn't gone off too far. "Ruby! Where did you go?! Ruby!"

Why was she worried about her? She could handle herself, proven by how she took down that Grimm earlier. But then again, what if she was in danger? Weiss didn't want a little girl's death to be her fault. Having the weight of her last name already burdened her, why add more to it?

After moving a few yards out from her initial position, Weiss found Ruby entangled in a deadly situation with two Grimm. A Nevermore and a Death Stalker. Ruby's cape was pinned down by the Nevermore's feathers, keeping her trapped within the Death Stalker's attacking range. Just as the giant stinger was about to strike, Weiss jumped in and stabbed the ground with her rapier, summoning ice spikes that stopped the stinger before it could harm Ruby.

"You really are a dolt! So reckless and rash! One second you're fine, the next second you're caught up with Grimm!" Weiss jumped on top of the Death Stalker, stabbing it deeply, ensuring a flawless defeat.

Ruby tried to unpin the feather to free herself, but couldn't manage. Instead, she ran quickly to rip herself out from the grasp of the large feather, resulting in a ripped cape.

She sighed as she lifted the red garment up. "Well, it was bound to get a bigger rip at some point. Not like this was the first time…"

The Nevermore that flew overhead screeched loudly, causing both Ruby and Weiss to cover their ears. Ruby suddenly got an idea that could help them get back to Beacon quickly.

"Weiss, I've got an idea, but you have to trust me."

Weiss looked at the Nevermore, starting to get the gist of Ruby's vision. She shook her head frantically, refusing to do what Ruby wants. "No way, we're not doing that, no thank you."

"It's the only way we can get out of here quickly before the curfew. Weiss, I don't know if we'll be partners or not, but please. Just trust me."

She hesitated to answer, but considering she really had no choice, she nodded in response. "What's your plan?"

"You can summon ice, right?"

"Glyphs, technically, but yes."

"Great. Hold on tight to me and don't let go. As soon as I tell you to, I'm gonna need you to propel us off of the ground so we can reach that Nevermore. When you do, I'll handle the rest from there."

Ruby took out her scythe and fired a few rounds at the Nevermore, drawing it a little closer so that it was within her reach. Weiss held tight to Ruby as she had commanded, waiting for Ruby to give her the signal.

"Now, Weiss!"

Weiss stabbed the ground, summoning ice pillars to launch them high into the air. They weren't high enough to reach the Nevermore, and that's where Ruby takes over. She fired towards the ground, using the propulsion to give them more momentum. Using her scythe, she hooked onto the Nevermore's neck and swung them around, careful not to decapitate it. They were now riding the Nevermore, and they could see Beacon in the distance.

"Shoot, at this rate, we'll never get back on time! Weiss, are you able to summon a path of glyphs that I can run on?"

"I can try, but—"

"That's good enough! Summon them now!"

It was tiresome, but Weiss managed to do it. A path of bright glyphs led them all the way to Beacon. Ruby folded her scythe and set it on her back, sweeping Weiss off of her feet in a bridal hold.

"W-what are you doing?!"

"Hold on tight!"

Using the semblance that was granted to her at birth, Ruby bursted with speed, her cape and rose petals billowing behind her as she ran down the path. Beacon was so close at this point, she had no time to stop. When her feet hit the concrete, she came to a screeching halt, right before she collided.

Before she collided with Professor Ozpin.

"Well, isn't this a surprise? Looks like you both don't need the assessment to decide on partners."

Ruby set Weiss down quickly, both of them straightening up awkwardly in front of the headmaster.

"From this day on, you both are partners. I've watched your battle performance in the forest earlier, and you two seem to work tougher very well. I will decide what team you will be put on."

Weiss widened her eyes in shock. "Wait, Professor Ozpin, you can't be serious!"

"Oh, I assure you, Miss Schnee, that I am very serious about this. If there are problems with this, you two need to work it out. A huntress works over their problems and make compromises. Now you both should go to the main hall. Curfew is in a few minutes."

Without another word, Ozpin walked off, leaving the two girls in shock.

Ruby thought that she should make a move now before the moment ends. Now was her chance at making her first friend. She couldn't let this go to waste.

"Listen, Weiss, we really got off on the wrong foot, and I just want to say…I'm really sorry about earlier when we arrived, and I know I'm not the ideal partner, but I promise that I'll do my best. You're illustrious and elegant, so I'll try my best to keep up with you and all."

Weiss sighed and shook her head. "You can be a dolt and really childish, but I don't see why you should be apologizing when in reality, it was my fault for snapping at you. I barely even know you, and my temper got the best of me. Don't change yourself for me, Ruby. Instead, let me do my best to be…nicer. And—and as your partner, I promise to do my best to protect you."

They both awkwardly stared at each other, the silence being deafening for the both of them, until Weiss spoke up again.

"Ruby, because we're partners now, can we…be friends?"

Ruby smiled, but shook her head. She held out her hand and said, "Not just friends. We'll be best friends. Forever."

Weiss smiled back and took her hand. "I'd like that."

The two girls walked back hand in hand to the main hall just before the curfew. Yang ran up to them in a frantic panic, seeming relieved upon seeing Ruby.

"Ruby, where on Remnant have you been? And why are you holding hands with Sassy? Are you two dating all of a sudden? Rubes, why didn't you tell me sooner? Just wait until Dad hears thi—"

"Yang! I'm not dating anyone."

Yang paused and looked blankly at her sister. "You aren't? Then why were you two holding hands?"

Ruby let go of Weiss' hand quickly and looked away. "N-no reason."

"Uh-huh. Ruby, do you mind telling me what's really going on here?"

"She's my partner now."

Widened eyes meant Yang was surprised. She isn't often surprised, so this was really new to Ruby. "Sassy, mind telling me your real name since we'll be on the same team from now on?"

"Weiss Schnee; how do you know we'll be on the same team?" Weiss asked skeptically.

"Your partner is my little sister. Our dad asked Ozpin to put me on her team for her sake. Hey Ruby, can I talk to your partner for a second?"

Ruby arched an eyebrow momentarily. "Sure, I guess."

Yang took Weiss out of earshot of Ruby.

"Weiss, was it? Now I'll have you know that Ruby is the most important person in my life. I trust that you'll protect her. She's different from many people, if you haven't noticed already. Take care of her, will ya?"

Although Weiss was happy to have her first friend, she didn't want anyone to know of her joy.

"Honestly, you're just as rash as she is, aren't you? I'll take care of her as you say, but I have one condition. As a younger sister myself, I know what it's like to be patronized. Don't patronize your sister. She's a very capable girl who can handle many things on her own. I know you want the best for her, but she's going to grow up eventually."

Weiss walked away from Yang, walking past Ruby, and off on her own. Ruby walked to Yang, confused by the look on Yang's face. She seemed confused and defeated, but shocked at the same time.

"What did you two talk about?"

Yang didn't respond, spacing out completely. Usually, Ruby would punch Yang to bring her back to reality, but in this case, it didn't feel like she'd need to.

"Rubes, be strong for me. Be strong for Mom. And most importantly, be strong for her. She's your partner, so take care of her. Protect her. Even if you're only fifteen, you can be strong for her."

Ruby sighed. "But where would I start? How do I even do that?"

With a smile, Yang patted Ruby's shoulder and ruffled her hair. "In time, you'll know."

"So Yang, how did the coffee date go with…what was her name?"

"Her name is Blake, and it went pretty well. She's really sweet and quiet."

As Ruby sat down on her sleeping mat, she tucked herself in under the covers. "Do you still believe she's the one?"

Yang couldn't keep her eyes off of that girl. She smiled with firm belief that she was the one.

"More than anything, Ruby. Ruby, what if I told you that fate has aligned someone for you?"

"Ugh, Yang, not this again. I told you, I don't believe in soulmates and such. Coincidences happen, it's not set up by the universe or anything."

"But just hear me out: what if the universe did set it up? What if it wasn't just coincidence that you happened to meet your soulmate?"

The young girl thought about it. "If that were true—and since you look like you know already—who would it be?"

Yang tittered quietly as she shook her head. "I won't say. It's for you to find out. Your fate is not mine, Ruby."

Ruby was now intrigued. She wanted to know more than anything. She wanted to know that if she could be loved by anyone, who that person would be.

But regardless of who, Ruby knew that deep inside, there was a soulmate waiting to be discovered. Keeping these thoughts in mind, she fell asleep, ready for whatever tomorrow has in store for her.

Everybody was awakened by Ozpin's voice over the intercom.

"Good morning hunters and huntresses! You're first order of business is to pack up all of your things and proceed to the locker halls. Prepare your weapons and your combat attire and meet up outside by the cliff. Further instructions will be explained there."

Students started waking up, some more reluctant than others. Ruby rose up in excitement while Yang didn't even move. Her sleeping habits have always been terrible, no matter how much Ruby tries to correct them. But at least she was starting to stir now.

"Yang, wake up. We need to get ready," Ruby said, nudging Yang until she sat up.

Weiss walked over and rolled her eyes as she watched the two sisters struggle to get up.

"Dust, if I'm living with you two for the next for years, you'll at least need to change your morning habits," she said, walking to the locker halls to prepare.

Today was the day that her final teammate would be revealed. Weiss was already aware that Yang and Ruby were now on her team, despite her hopes in joining forces with some "alternatives". She had hoped to be in a team with strong, capable, and intellectual people. This wasn't the case, seeing that her team composed of a child and a numbskull. If her final teammate ends up being as bad as them, she could at least hope to be leader of the team.

While preparing for the event about to take place, feeling a hand suddenly grab her shoulder made her jump and squeal loudly.

"Hey Weiss, can I ask you something?" It was Yang.

"What the hell did you do that for?!"

"Do you believe in destiny?"

Weiss didn't answer immediately. In fact, she didn't know how to answer that. Yang took her silence as a sign that she didn't.

"I take it that you don't. I'll just say this: you don't have to search any longer. I don't know if you know what I'm talking about—"

"In which I don't," Weiss retorted.

"—but you'll know when the time comes."

Yang walked off with a grin, continuing whatever she was discussing with Ruby. Weiss stood there, not only confused, but shocked as well. More than anything, she wanted to yell out "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" But even if she did blurt that, she felt like she already didn't understand how or why, but what Yang said had somehow struck a nerve. Weiss asked herself:

"What am I searching for?"