4

Every Rose has Thorns

Her breath crystallized in the air in front of her as she once again entered the clearing she use to train in secret. In all honesty it probably wasn't a secret from Yang but neither her father or sister had been seen here so Ruby considered it one. There was still frost on the ground from the morning making the grass slick beneath her boots. It had taken her a few days but it was finally done, her new weapon was finally ready to be used. Whether it was ready for combat was what she was here to find out.

Ruby looked down at it in her hands, now in it's compact form. It had similar design concept as Crescent Rose where it folded in on itself for easy storage. Unfortunately she hadn't been able to add much in any significant way to it. It was very light in her hands and not much bigger than a scroll when stowed like it was. She thumbed the toggle on the side of the hilt, the katana unfolding out into a segmented blade.

The young girl swung it around a bit, going through various forms that she had to wrack her brain to remember. The forms were actually kind of useless because most relied on a two handed style. Ruby just guessed she had to wing it. Basic weapons training still applied and she would get used to the weapon eventually anyways.

Ruby lowered her torso and bent her legs, bringing the sword down to her opposite hip in a draw stance. Activating her semblance she rushed forwards in a shower of rose petals, appearing at her target in an instant. Keeping with the momentum she slashed diagonally upwards with the blade, cutting through the tree in a single lightning fast slash. By the time she had come to a rest she was several feet beyond the tree and it toppled a moment later.

A smile crested her face as she jumped up and down, waving her new blade around, giddy with success. If she added her semblance to combat a one-handed sword style she could deliver her strikes and fall back, making up for any shortcomings in her style until she grew more experienced with it.

For the next hour or so she swung the weapon around at imaginary enemies, trying to get comfortable with her new weapon, trying to attain what she had once had with Crescent Rose. After a while she was panting heavily from the constant exertion, it had been a fairly long time since she had really exercised. But a satisfied grin would not leave her flushed face as she stared lovingly at her new weapon.

"Hmmm, you need a name too." She leaned against a nearby tree holding the blade before her and letting her eyes wander up and down it, inspecting the various pieces and parts. She went from the segments of the blade to the red spine that served as the back of the blade down to the hilt. "How about Rosepetal?"

Ruby scrunched her face at the name, that one would not do. She spent several more minutes in silence until one name struck her. Her face lit up with an epiphany as she twirled with the sword in her hands.

"I know just what to name you!"

"Rose Thorn!"

The door to the living room slammed open in a rush of cold air and rose petals as Ruby Rose swept excitedly into the house. She appeared in a rush in front of her sister who had been standing in the living room apparently having a conversation with Nora and Ren who sat on the couch. She fidgeted in place, brimming with barely contained excitement. It felt like she would burst at the seams as she vibrated with energy. Yang was taken aback for a second but recovered quickly due to her experience with the young girl.

"Yang! Yang! Ya-" Ruby was silenced as her sister cupped her hand over her mouth.

"Did you even look around you Sis?" Yang smirked at her younger sibling as Ruby blinked and then looked at the four other individuals in the room. Two blondes, a redhead, and a boy with mostly black hair sat in their living room. She froze at the sight of the blonde man in their living room, one who was not their father.

"Jaune!" With a cry she virtually teleported into the surprised boy's chest as she tackled him full force with her semblance, "Jaune you're here! That's so great! We're all together now! Oh! You can meet my dad and we can show you around Patch!" Jaune was gasping for air after having the wind knocking out of him followed by Ruby's death grip of a one armed hug. She continued to ignore his pleas while babbling excitedly about cool stuff she thought they could do now that they were all together.

Yang grabbed the girl by the hood and with effort dragged her off of the other blonde finally granting him a chance to catch his breath, though that did nothing to stem the tide of words spewing forth from her sister's mouth. Finally she once more placed her hand over Ruby's mouthy achieving relative silence as she continued on even muffled. She petered off after a minute when it became clear no one could hear her anymore.

"Hey Ruby, glad to see you're doing alright." Jaune looked her up and down as if to check to see if she was safe. He was her first friend at Beacon and a fellow leader. Them being friends was what had brought their teams together, that and being right across the hall had helped too. As much as the boy would probably deny it, he had helped Ruby just as much as she helped him. Not through anything special that he did but rather what he didn't do.

He treated Ruby normally, just another person. Not a kid, not a woman, and most definitely not like a prodigy. At a time when she had been worried about making friends and what others would think of her skipping grades he approached her and treated her like anyone else. He'd done this for Pyyrha too and it was what had sparked the girl's interest in him in the first place, not that he had noticed.

With a glint in her eye, Ruby chuckled, "More than alright Jaune, look at my new weapon!" With a flourish she drew Rose Thorn and switched it into sword mode. The compact form unfolded into it's weapon form and she held it out proudly. Jaune's mouth hung open as he stared at the red, black, and silver weapon. Nora leaned in closer while making a sound of appreciation and Ren just raised an eyebrow, whatever that meant. Yang didn't looked nearly so impressed.

"Ruby, why did you make a new weapon?" This reminded the young girl of the real reason she had rushed into making the sword in the first place. It reminded her of the plans her sister and friends had made without her and the smile fell from her lips, though not for the reason Yang thought, "Rubes you don't need a new weapon right now, you need to focus on learning to live with your arm. It's not like you're gonna be fighting any grimm in Patch anyways, you don't need that"

Seriously? Ruby fumed at her sister. How could Yang say something like that when she planned to leave her here? She had just as much of a reason as her sister to want to go to Haven and find the one responsible for Beacon's fall. Her sister was overprotective but Ruby knew she could handle herself, she had to.

"Yeah, Yang, I do. Because I'm coming with you." The blonde blinked in surprise at both the words and the fierce look directed at her, "I'm not going to sit by and let you leave me here. I'm going with you to Haven."

That got everyone's attention and a guilty look crossed Jaune's face. Everyone had known about Yang's decision to leave Ruby out of the trip to Haven and all had agreed that losing an arm was a difficult thing to come to terms with for someone their age and for someone who used a fighting style reliant on two hands like Ruby it would be virtually impossible for her to be able to defend herself.

"No." The one word caused the temperature to drop, "You can't go Ruby. Even with a new weapon, I won't let you."

"Why?!"

"Because you'll just get hurt again! Ruby you will be able to be a huntress, even with your arm this way but it's going to take time. This is something we need to do now and if we take you with us right now you are liable to die the next time we face Cinder or someone like her. What then? What do you want me to say to Dad?"

Tears brimming Ruby shouted back, "Well what about you then? What happens to Dad if you never come home Yang? We're sisters. We need to look out for one another." Both girls stood there shaking with pure emotion, the younger sister's face turned pleading while the older one dismissed it with a wave of her hand.

"I'll be fine Ruby. You don't have to worry about me. We'll be back in no time and you can join us then. I just need you to focus on getting better right now."

That wasn't what the young girl wanted to hear. This was not how she thought it would go. Her sister was supposed to be happy to have her along. She felt something ugly churn inside of her, she closed her eyes when she said her next words, "You just want to abandon me because I'm useless now!"

Ruby's cheek stung, her eyes flying open as a wave of heat roiled across her. She brought a shaking hand up to her cheek, touching the spot that stung. Her silver eyes widened as she looked at Yang whose hand had not lowered yet after the slap. Crimson eyes stared back at her and the air shimmered around the girl's golden mane.

"How dare…" Yang could barely choke out the words as her chest heaved and she fought to keep from exploding, both literally and figuratively. Ruby realized only now that she had hurt her sister deeply. She knew about Raven, of course, and she knew the blonde had issues around abandonment. Never in a million years would she think the girl would abandon her. Before she knew it Ruby had not only crossed the line but left it far behind. However, when she opened her mouth to take back those words, Yang wouldn't let her. "So. That's how you feel."

The heat died down and crimson turned to lilac once again, the anger extinguished by anguish that rested visibly upon the strong girl's face. The blonde girl ignored her sister's attempts to apologize and pushed past the girl, slamming the front door as she left the house. Ruby collapsed to her knees, sniffling apologies to the door. Jaune looked from the door to the crying girl in front of him.

"Ruby it'll be fine I'm sure. I know Yang still loves you. I have older and younger sisters so I know how you both feel. Things will be better, you'll see." She didn't say anything other than her mumbled apologies as she turned and clung to him, sobbing on his shoulder. He rubbed a calming hand on her back until she was once again only sniffling before he turned to look at his teammates who nodded their agreement to him.

Nora got up and took his place comforting the young girl while Ren gave him a rare and reassuring smile. With a breath Jaune turned and went out the door.

Yang shivered slightly in the cold evening air. The sun was starting to hang low, edging closer to the horizon. Leaning her head back to rest against the bark of the tree she was perched in she wiped away the last vestiges of her tears. Now she just felt hollow and drained, though the pain was still there. The blond girl loved her sister dearly, she had raised Ruby herself. But the closer you let someone the more they could hurt you and Yang languished in that fact.

The anger was still there too, smouldering deep down as she attempted to smother it with logic. Her sister didn't understand she only wanted the best for her. She didn't know Yang only wanted to protect her. She understood how her sister felt, even if she had only realized it just minutes ago.

Ruby felt useless now.

It was obvious in hindsight. The small things Ruby would not allow her to do for her. The young girl insisted she do every little thing for herself and not have anyone help. Even if she struggled with one arm the girl was determined to do it on her own. And that was the problem, Yang realized.

Someone called out from below and Yang looked down to find Jaune looking up at her.

"Hey Vomit-boy." She attempted to smirk at him but it ended halfway through and she just let it drop to lean her head back once again closing her eyes.

"Oh still calling me that huh?" He huffed out as she heard the noise of him struggling to climb the tree next to hers. Cracking an eye open she spied him tentatively settling onto a branch a handful of feet away. When he was situated without having to fear falling out of the tree he addressed her again, "You know Ruby didn't mean what she said right."

He continued on through her waving the comment off, "Look I'm not very good at this." He flushed a little when she scoffed that it was obvious, "But I'm also a brother too Yang. Did you know I have seven sisters? Three older sisters, a twin, and three younger siblings, in fact."

She stared at him a little slack jawed at that. Seven sisters? She didn't know what she would do with so many Rubys. No she did, it was a nightmare. He chuckled at her reaction, "Well my older sisters can be a lot like you. Adalaide, the oldest, is super serious as well. She's like a second mom to all of us. I remember one time she chased Emeraude around the house for an hour after she pranked Raissa by replacing all her books with smut. Not that I ever heard Rai complaining.

"I got pretty protective of Sylvie, who's fifteen now, when she got her first boyfriend last year. Not that I'm very intimidating, the boy just laughed at my face but she dumped him on the spot for that." He chuckled as he remembered his family before going quiet and looking at her, "When I came back after Beacon I got the tongue lashing of a lifetime. Even Em was super pissed and Leona wouldn't let me go, she just clung to me like if she let go I'd just disappear."

Yang smiled at that, it sounded like he had a good family. She asked the question that would likely follow in this situation, "So how is it they ended up letting you come here?"

He chuckled with a little embarrassment and scratched the back of his head with a finger, "Well Mom was furious but once she was done it was Dad's turn." He paled a little bit, "He looked me in the eye and said 'Son you can't take back actions. Once you've done something it's done. You ran away from home and even stole Crocea Mors so I only have one question. Was it worth it?'"

"What did you say to him?"

"It was worth it. It was hard but oh so worth it. I found friends and teammates, people I want to be around and protect for the rest of my life. He just sighed at me, called me an idiot and handed me Crocea Mors. Told me it was mine and that I better make sure I didn't have any regrets. It was a pretty unpopular decision. I spent weeks convincing everyone else I had to go but even then, when I left, everyone was crying."

He looked to make sure she was paying attention to him, "The thing is Yang I think it's the same for Ruby. I know you just want to protect her but this is something she's going to regret, even if she can come along later. It might also have to do with your mom. You told me she died on a mission right? Well she probably thinks you might not come back from this one too."

A knife twisted in Yangs chest as she heard him say it. Maybe she had know the whole time and didn't want to acknowledge it but he was right. They were sisters and as much as she wanted to protect Ruby, her sister wanted the same for Yang. However that didn't change everything, "That makes sense Jaune, but I just can't take her if she can't hold her own."

Jaune looked at her, an uncharacteristically sneaky smile played over his face, "So if she proves she can, she can come right? And if she comes you will be able to keep a better eye on her." He added when she made to open her mouth in protest.

He had her and she knew it, she wanted to keep her sister safe but she really couldn't argue with his words, which frustrated her, "When the hell did you get so good at talking Vomit Boy?" Without giving him a chance to reply she leapt down onto the ground where she stretched out, "What's your idea Jaune?"

He landed next to her but not quite so gracefully, barely managing not to kiss the dirt, "Well I was thinking I should spar against her. If she can put up a fight against me, the weakest of those who are going, then she won't be a burden right?

With a curse at his infallible logic Yang started heading back towards the house with the other blonde in tow.

Ruby Rose stood opposite of Jaune Arc in the area outside the back of their house. The match had just begun but instead of rushing at each other the walked around an imaginary perimeter silently studying the other. Jaune was different from the last time they had spar, there was more confidence in his stance and less openings. He obviously hadn't been slacking since Beacon fell. She tightened her grip on Rose Thorn, bringing to her left hip, imitating a draw position.

Jaune noticed and raised his shield, holding his sword poised above it, point towards her. Ruby lowered her stance in preparation like a coiled spring. With a sudden burst of movement she released the spring and activated her semblance. Disappearing in a burst of petals she appeared in a moment behind and to his left. His eyes widened having barely followed her movement as she slashed from her maintained position towards his shoulder.

A clang sounded as he managed to bring the shield around in time to block the speedy slash. With the shield he batted her sword arm away and brought his blade in as a thrust. Ruby ducked low and spun around for an attack at his legs. With a yelp Jaune jumped back to avoid it, creating a few feet of distance between them. The young girl wouldn't let him maintain his advantage in reach so she rushed in to pressure him. Showering him with fast slashes he barely managed to block them but the speed at which they came prevented him from counter attacking with his own.

He made a quick decision to charge forward while taking most hits with his shield but a few on his unguarded legs. He relied on his massive aura to tank the blows but still winced at the contact with his shins as he knocked aside Ruby's guard with his shield and struck out with Crocea Mors. The girl brought her other arm up to block he face but was rewarded with a sharp crack as her head was whipped to the side from Jaune's strike. She had tried to block with her non existent arm and cursed as she was the one who put distance between them this time.

Jaune had definitely improved a lot and Ruby could feel how much she wasn't used to fighting like this. The stinging on her cheek reminded that she had unconscious habits she would need to break but for the short term she needed to at least beat Jaune. Sparing a quick glance to the sidelines her sister stood imperiously next to Ren and Nore with her arms cross and a neutral expression on her face.

Yang had come back and though Ruby had tried to apologize yet again her sister would have none of it. Instead she said she would bring her along but only if she could beat Jaune in a spar. The younger sister had quickly agreed and thanked the boy for talking Yang into it in the first place.

Now Ruby was faced against Jaune with a severe handicap and an unfamiliar weapon in hand. Not to mention he had been improving himself since they had parted and this wasn't going to be an easy fight for her. The only advantages she actually had right now were her speed and that he was used to facing her with her scythe.

Ruby once again entered her draw stance and sped forward at him but instead of trying to get into his blindspot again she jumped upwards straight at him. Landing on his shield as he brought it up to block sped up again instead of striking. Now she was behind him once again but his shield was wildly out of position as she drew into a slash again. She caught him across his chest when he turned trying to bring his guard into position. He stumbled back at the blow and she rained more upon that spot until he fell down with a cry.

"Enough." Yang called out from the sidelines. She strode forward to help pull Jaune up. Ruby checked her scroll and their auras were both still in the green. She looked at her sister curiously, why did she stop the spar early?

Both of them were panting from the exchanges and what felt like forever had really only been several minutes. The only thing that stopped her from asking what Yang was going to say was the mood her sister was in. She was still upset. That dulled everything quite a bit but she was still hopeful.

Yang spared Ruby a glance, "Dad comes home from his trip to Vale tomorrow. We're leaving tonight. Do what you want."

She walked back into the house without another glance and Ruby watched her go. She had gotten what she wanted but why was she so uneasy about it?

A/N: Okay here you guys go, this one took a little longer because it ended up being longer, I originally planned the spar to be in the next chapter but it felt a little flat like that so I added it on which took some extra time. Things are dying down at work so I should be able to get the chapters up every Saturday like I said I would.

So with that I have a serious question pertaining to this fic to you guys. Do you want to see Weiss and Blake's side? I mean honestly what is happening to them isn't really changing so I was planning on leaving it out but if you guys want I can include snippets her and there from their PoV to try and cement things in this timeline. HYonestly RT is just so vague with the timeline that it can be kind of frustrating to write.

I think my next fic is gonna have to be some kind of AU where I can get way more control over everything. I like the challenge of writing within confines but I want more freedom too.

Now to my question, who do you want my next fic to be centered around? I have a few ideas but I would like some input honestly.

STRQ Raving Mad - The adventures of team STRQ at Beacon

A Penny for your Thoughts - Jaune never made it into Beacon and instead a student from Atlas, Penny Polendina, becomes a part of team JNPR

(Name undecide) - Cinder Fall trapped in her own body after being approached by a mysterious man. Forced to live through the atrocities commited by her own hand her only hope of rescue are Emerald, Mercury, and team RNJR

Let me know what you think of my ideas.