Heart Aino was a girl that believed wholeheartedly in the power of love. Whether it be platonic, or romantic, Heart believed that love could triumph even over the most terrible of evils. So when she had heard of the lack of any love between her fellow fighters from the Phantom Field, she knew such a thing could not stand!

This truly came to a head when she had been confronted by Ruby, who was asking for advice that Heart was truly an expert on.

"You want dating advice?" Heart asked.

"Yeah," Ruby replied, rubbing the back of her head, gripping the hem of her hood in the event she had to hide behind it! "I was just thinking... I mean, really, it was just a spontaneous idea."

"Rubes!" Heart said, grabbing Ruby by the shoulders. "I am not one to judge you or anybody for wanting advice on romance! So come on, just tell me! What caused your heart to finally start desiring truly the most powerful emotion mankind has ever spawned!"

"Well," Ruby said, her face still flushing, "I was just reading a romance comic one day, and it got me thinking. I mean, I've got my teammates. Friends that I'd never really had before. People that I can laugh with and fight side by side with. And things have only gotten better now that I've met everyone from the Phantom Field like Hyde, Yu, Orie, Yukiko."

"And me?" Heart asked. "I'm in that list of best friends too, right?"

"Of course you are Heart!" Ruby giggled. "Yay!" Heart said happily.

"But it got me to realize that," Ruby continued, "the one person I'm missing in my life, is a boyfriend."

Heart gasped dramatically! "Oh Rubes, that is so precious!" she said happily, hugging Ruby by the neck! "We must pursue this! Don't you worry Ruby! I shall help you find your soulmate!"

Ruby giggled at Heart's rambunctious behavior. She didn't think it possible, and she was sure that everyone else felt the same, but she was somewhat thankful that she found somebody even more spontaneous and full of blisful optimism than Ruby herself.

"Come on!" Heart said, grabbing Ruby by the hand and running with her to who knows where!


"What the hell are you talking about?" Ragna asked.

Ruby was instantly beginning to regret asking Heart for help, as the first person that the Rare Maiden had taken the Rose Red, was to Ragna the Bloodedge.

"Uh... Heart?" Ruby asked. "Why did you bring me to Ragna?"

"It's obvious!" Heart said. "You both wear red! You both use scythes as weapons! And both of you have really bad luck!"

Ruby crumpled under Heart's comment! "Since when did I have bad luck!?" she asked.

"I ask again," Ragna said, "what the hell are you talking about?"

"We're looking for Rubes's soulmate!" Heart replied happily.

"And why the hell did you come to me?!" Ragna practically screamed.

"Huh?" Heart asked, tilting her head to the side. "You don't like her?"

"Of course I don't like her!" Ragna yelled again, causing Ruby to nearly fall to her knees from the force of the comment! Ragna quickly realized how he just put that, and tried to regain his composure.

"No. What I mean is... guh! Look, the kid's fine. She's sunny and fun to be around, I guess. But trust me when I say, I am the last person that anybody, freaking anybody should be in a relationship with."

"Oh..." Heart said in disappointment.

"Yeah," Ruby agreed. "And Heart, he's also really old."

"I'm not that old goddamnit!" Ragna said defiantly.

"Oh yeah," Heart said, failing to hear Ragna. 'I didn't think about that."

"He reminds me a lot of my uncle Qrow," Ruby added. "So it'd just be really awkward."

"Okie dokie," Heart said. "Well don't worry Rubes! I'm not giving up! Come on! There's still plenty of places to visit!"

Heart took off once again, Ruby having difficulty keeping up, even with her Semblance. Meanwhile, totally left behind them, was a very flabbergasted Ragna. "I feel like I've been totally insulted," he said. "Trucking hell do I need a break."


On their way to their next destination, Ruby and Heart bumped into Team SSSN, chilling outside. Heart brought Ruby to an abrupt halt by pulling on the scythe wielder's cape, and gestured for them to talk to the boys. Ruby wasn't one to turn down the offer, as she was good friends with at least Sun and Neptune.

"Say what?" the guys asked. "You're looking for a boyfriend?" Sun in particular was so surprised he had to reiterate with, "...you?"

"Yup!" Ruby said. "So, do you have any boys you can introduce me too? Particularly a really cute boy like in the romance comics!"

"What is this?" Sage asked. "Some kinda childhood fantasy?"

"From what I hear," Heart said, "Sunny, you and Blakey are an item! How did that come about? How did you two have your hearts go fluttering in unison?"

Sun's face turned as scarlet as... well, Scarlet, totally lost for words! "Wha-who-uh-ugh!" he said. "Well, we're-we're not really an item, per say! Bu-but I mean, we're close, sure! I-it's just that, she - we - y'know!"

"Come on Sun," Ruby said simply. "Just spill it." Sun's teammates were of no help to the Faunus, as all of them were watching with entertained looks at his reactions.

"Well," Sun began, "I mean, if you're looking for how we became close, then... I don't know. I just sort of, you know, was there for her. She was in a rough spot, you know that, and I was just... there. I didn't press her for anything, I was just there to listen when she was, you know, ready to talk..."

"I see..." Heart said, rubbing her chin. "So an emotional attachment helps the process along. Rubes, is there any boy that you're already somewhat close too?"

"Well," Ruby replied, "there is Jaune. He's been a good friend."

"Perfect!" Heart said. "Away we go!"

Once more, the two of them were off, Team SSSN watching them go.

"What the heck was that all about?" Neptune asked.


Team JNPR was more than willing to welcome Ruby and Heart to their dorm room, the four team members simply spending time to themselves reading comics. "So, what's up you two?" Jaune asked happily.

"Hmm..." Heart said. "I don't know Ruby, there doesn't seem to be any prospects on this team. I've become so integral with love I can practically smell it a mile away. Has this team already paired up with each other?"

"I... uh..." Ruby said. "Well, it's kind of ambiguous."

"What are they talking about?" Pyrrha wondered, unable to hear Heart and Ruby's whispering.

Suddenly, Heart gasped in shock! "Oh no!" she said. "If you get involved with that, that could create a love triangle!"

Now it was Ruby's turn to gasp! "That means I would have to choose between friendship and love!"

"Uh..." Jaune said. "What exactly are you two on about?"

A lightbulb now appeared over Heart's head! "Say you four," she said, "how did you all pair up?"

The four of them all exclaimed in shock and embarrassment, each and every one of them flushing furiously!

"What-?! We're not-! I mean, it's not like I wouldn't like-!" Pyrrha stammered.

"I-it's not like that!" Jaune said, his face pure red!

"No no!" Nora added. "I mean, Ren and I we're together, but not together-together!"

"I-I have no real... romantic feelings for her!" Ren added.

"Let's go Heart," Ruby said. "They're too flustered to admit it."

"I see," Heart said. "That leaves us with more difficulties. But, oh well. Next stop - ho!"


The next stop that Heart and Ruby went on, was to the boys of the Investigation Team. They also managed to find Naoto Kurogane with them too. Score!

"Huh?" Yosuke said in surprise. "Y-you're asking about dating? You?"

"Is it really that hard for everyone to believe?" Ruby asked. "Yes! I'm looking for a boyfriend!"

"What do you think Kanji?" Teddie asked. "She's about your body type?" "What the hell are you getting at?!" Kanji said, his face flushing.

"I mean..." Yosuke said, rubbing his head. "I don't know. I mean, you're cool Ruby. But I kinda like you... more like as a sister."

"Yeah," Ruby said. "I get what you're saying Yosuke. I don't see you that way either."

"Phooey!" Heart said. "Well, what about Nao-Nao?"

"Nao-Nao?" Naoto said. "Uh... well, it's nothing against you Ruby, but I'm kinda looking for somebody else right now."

"Ooh! Really?" Heart said, looking significantly eager! "What's her name?"

Naoto's face was bright red, as he cleared his throat. "H-Haruka," he replied.

"Ooh! That's lovely!" Heart said happily. "How did you two get together!? Tell us!"

Naoto's blush began becoming more and more fierce!

"Come on Heart," Yosuke replied, "leave him be. It's clearly too personal."

"Okay then," Heart said. "How about Yu-Yu? Do you like Ruby?"

"Yu-Yu?" Yosuke chuckled.

Yu looked sternly at Ruby for a few moments. "I don't know," he said.

Ruby began blushing a bit, her heartrate picking up. Good news? He was being honest. Bad news? He was being honest!

"What's going on here?" Naoto (Shirogane not Kurogane) said. She and the girls of the Investigation Team returned from wherever they had gone off to.

"We're trying to help find me a boyfriend," Ruby replied. "And it's ending in tears."

"Oh really?" Yukiko asked. "You've been rejected by everyone you asked?"

Ruby's self-esteem crumpled! "I-it's not like I've been rejected! It's just nobody's really been the right pick so far!"

"What about Naoto?" Heart asked.

"Huh?" Ruby replied. "We just asked Naoto. He says he's already in a relationship."

"N-not in a relationship!" Naoto replied. "It's just... there's a girl who's got my eye, okay?"

"No, not that Naoto!" Heart said. "That Naoto!" She pointed to the Detective Prince of the Investigation Team. Both Naoto and Ruby were dead silent for a moment, before the both of them began blushing and released shocked beyond shocked, "Huuuuh?!"

"Heart! That's not-! Naoto-!" Ruby said.

"Huh?" Heart asked. "Is there something wrong?"

"Damn straight there is!" Kanji said. "Naoto-kun is a girl!"

"Oh my!" Heart said. "She is? I couldn't tell!"

Naoto crumpled under the weight of Heart's words. True, her outfit choices were intentional, but the fact that she was more open about her gender now certainly lead to some crushing blows to her self-esteem when something like this occurs!

"Oh no!" Heart said, seeing how she effected Naoto! "I-I'm sorry Nao-Nao! I didn't know! Please don't be mad!"

"I... I'm not mad," Naoto replied. "I just... have nobody but myself to blame."


As Ruby and Heart continued their mission, they bumped into Seth and Carmine outside. Carmine was certainly not a favorite patron to be sure, as the boy was constantly causing fights and getting blood everywhere! Seth meanwhile was always drifting by with a deadpan look on his face.

"What the hell are you two looking at?" Carmine asked bitterly. Seth could only look with minor interest.

"Nope," Heart and Ruby said.

Suffice to say, Ruby and Heart's mission of love had come up short. The both of them were sitting outside, releasing heavy-hearted sighs.

"Hey you two!" Makoto said happily, grabbing a seat beside the two of them, with Noel and Mai walking up behind her. "What's with the long faces?"

"Oh, hi Makoto," Ruby replied. "Heart and I were trying to find a boyfriend for me, but the two of us have come up empty."

"I'm sorry Ruby," Heart said. "I failed in my mission. I cannot truly trust myself as a love master anymore after this."

"It's okay Heart," Ruby replied. "You did great. I guess the right guy just wasn't here."

"Oh," Noel cooed, "Ruby is trying to find romance? That's adorable!"

"Well," Mai said, "the best advice I can give is, just don't give up. You'll find somebody eventually. But, if push comes to shove, you might just not be ready for romance yet."

"No!" Heart said, hopping to her feet! "I cannot stand for this! Everybody deserves romance! And Ruby doubly deserves it for being humble enough to admit that she wants romance! I will not give up!"

"Why not ask those Investigation Team boys?" Makoto asked.

"Huh?" Ruby and Heart asked. "We already did," Ruby replied. "They weren't interested."

"Not for that," Makoto said. "I mean for finding the right guy. I thought I heard from Yosuke they did this... 'group date' thingy."

"Really!?" Heart asked in shock. "And he didn't tell me!? I must hear about this! The secret might be there!"

Giggling happily, Heart raced off to go and find the Investigation Team once again. Ruby could only giggle to herself at her friend's antics, sitting further back on the bench.

"What's up Ruby?" Hyde asked, walking over to her next, and taking the now empty seat.

"Oh, hey Hyde," Ruby replied. "I've been looking for a boyfriend, so I had Heart try and help me look, but right now I've come up with nothing."

Hyde felt his face flush a bit at the prospect of just how bluntly honest Ruby was being. He did not have the best track record when it came to girls, so her way in handling the situation was definitely not relatable to him.

"Well," Hyde said, "I'm sure you'll find somebody."

"Really? You think so?" Ruby asked.

"Yeah," Hyde replied. "I mean, I'm not really the best person to ask advice from. Trust me, if you've seen my past relationships with girls you'll wonder how I'm even still alive. But, all I can say is, the best thing you can do for yourself is just be honest. Find somebody that will like you for who you are, without worrying about things like how you look or stuff like that."

"I've learned the hard way, that the best thing you can do in any relationship, not just romance, is being true to yourself. Live life with the prospect of, 'this is who I am.' So far, it hasn't lead me astray, and I am a good person because of it."

Ruby looked enviously at Hyde. Envious of how confident he was with himself. The way that he carried himself with every word he said.

"Thanks Hyde," Ruby said. "You know, I think that really was good advice. And you know, I realize now that, I am already doing that. So if nobody is that interested in me despite this, that must really mean that he isn't here."

"You'll find him one day," Hyde said. "I'm sure of it."

Ruby giggled happily, as she took Hyde's hand. "Yeah," she said. "One day. Thanks again Hyde."

"No problem," Hyde replied. "What are friends for?"

Standing just off to the side, Makoto, Noel, and Mai were all looking with totally dumbstruck looks. How are they both this oblivious!? they asked silently.


Author's Note: This little chapter is based on a story from the first volume of the RWBY Manga Anthology. If you haven't checked it out yet, please do yourself a favor and snag it!

Anywho, this is based on the story, "Little Red Riding Hood Seeks the Fruits of Love" by Kaogeimoai. I knew the moment I read that, I wanted to do something like it in here. And with the addition of Heart, that little desire was only cemented.

It's just such a fun and goofy idea. Ruby Rose, of all characters, pursuing romance. It was too precious to avoid. And like I said, with Heart Aino added to the cast, it only made things that much more perfect!

This will be far from the last we see of this little "quest" between Ruby and Heart, don't you worry! And yes, for those of you fellow shippers of Ruby and Hyde, I did intentionally tease you all. I am a proud shipper of these two, so might as well get that out of the way now!

Anyways, you probably know where things are going to be heading next. But we may or may not have one stop or two along the way. In any case, thank you for reading! Be sure to leave any suggestions you have, and I'll see you next time!