Chapter 7

Ruby ran through the forest the others trying their best to keep up. She had studied the geography of the surrounding area and knew there was a some old ruins and cliffs nearby. This area would allow the most opportunities to dispatch the nevermore. It also offered the most risks, but she was sure she would survive and that's all that really matters to her. Well her and the Weiss girl since she is necessary for Ruby to achieve her goals. The nevermore screeched. It was gaining on them Ruby was also acutely aware of the pursuing deathstalker. Though she would let the redhead and the guy with the pink strip in his hair take care of it. The orange haired girl seemed strong, but obviously unstable and the blond… well he was obviously useless. The ruins were coming into view now. The crumbling remains of bridges and buildings standing above an abyss. Using her speed Ruby launches across the bridge in a blink of an eye. She twirled herself to map out her surroundings. The crumbling bridge if fully broken would easily stop the deathstalker and the buildings climbed high enough to allow vantage points to attack the nevermore.

Blake followed Ruby to the ruins along with the others close behind. Blake lungs were on fire just trying to keep up with the younger girl. She was also pretty sure she inhaled a rose petal or two on the way, but at the moment she was more concerned for her life. Blake made her way into the building Ruby was.

"Where are the others?" Ruby asked

"There…" Blake breathed heavily. "still catching up."

"Tch. Taking their time." Ruby looked clearly irritated.

Blake looked at the girl. How was she perfectly fine after sprinting that far? And Blake thought she was in good shape. The others came rushing into the ruins breathing heavily faces red from exertion.

Weiss stepped forward "What's your plan to do here little Ms. Genius." She said sarcastically.

Ruby walked forward past Weiss towards the red haired who Blake was pretty sure was Pyrrha Nikos.

"Take orange, pink stripe, and blond and fight the deathstalker on the bridge. If you're unable to kill it destroy the bridge to stop it." Again before anyone could respond Ruby was already on her way. "The rest of you are with me we're killing the nevermore."

"What!" Weiss yelled "Who put you in charge!"

"Necessity." Ruby says without looking back.

Blake and Yang both shrugged and followed the young girl and with an exasperated sigh Weiss did as well.

Four girls each a different color stood on top of a ruined building to face down a giant bird of darkness. Yang couldn't help but laugh. It was like something from a cartoon.

"So what's the plan!?" Yang yelled in between gauntlet shots.

"Just follow my lead and don't think too much."

Yang sighed as she tied the black ribbon to the pillar. She had to hand it to Ruby one for the crazy plan and two for manipulating her. She watched as the plan was already in motion her little sister about to be launched like a bullet at a giant nevermore. If Ruby had said it outright Yang would have never let it happen. So Ruby gave them as little information as possible on her plan. Yang was going to have to be more careful in the future if she was going to try and get closer to the little master mind.

Blam!

Ruby shot forward towards the giant nevermore at top speed her scythe hooking around its neck like a hangman's noose. Weiss's glyphs appeared beneath her feet as she dragged the nevermore up the cliff with brutal speed. The nevermore gave out one last screech as the cliff pushed on the back of its neck allowing the scythe to slice through.

Blake watched the young girl flying up the cliff the nevermore in tow. Blake thought it looked poetic as if the young girl was fighting a messenger from the heavens themselves. The nevermore's last solemn call echoing through the ruins in a mournful melody. With that the battle was over, but with the battle ended something new came to Blake and the others. A curious fascination with the quiet antisocial girl. Blake smiled to herself. This was going to be an interesting adventure.

"Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna, Yang Xiao Long, and their leader Ruby Rose to form team RWBY." Ozpin announced to the students in the auditorium. The sound of cheers and clapping resounded through the auditorium as per usual with each announcement of a new team. Ozpin looked back at the girls of team RWBY and sighed. He had a feeling this team was going to be giving him a lot of trouble.

Weiss Schnee stomped down the corridor.

"I can't believe… little girl… leader… stupid…" Weiss was muttering to herself darkly fuming at the fact that she was not chosen as team leader. What had that child done to earn that title!? So what she had one lucky plan! She was still a quite, ignorant, and infuriating child! Weiss was about to go storming to Professor Ozpin's office when a strong arm hooked itself around her shoulder.

"What's wrong ice queen! Are you mad that you weren't chosen for team leader?" Yang asked in a mockingly innocent voice.

"Tch." Weiss said prying herself away from the yellow brawler.

"Oh! You're being so cold to your favorite team mate!" Yang said with a large grin.

"For your infor…" Weiss was cut off as Yang threw her arm around her again.

"Hey! There's no use worrying about it. Let's go check out our dorms!"

Before Weiss could respond Yang was practically dragging her towards the dormitory.

The four girls walked into their dorm the simple room laid out in front of them. The room had the basic amenities such as a desk for each as well as a bed for each and a connected bathroom. The girls split up to unpack their belongings and enjoy idle talk… well three of them. As the others unpacked each took stealing glances at their young leader. It seemed she had already unpacked, but even so it was clear she had a meager amount possessions. To the point it seemed she only had one or two outfits and basic amenities.

Yang frowned at the thought of her little sister having so little. Weren't the teachers at Beacon supposed be taking care of her?

"Ruby?" Yang called to her sister.

No response.

Yang turned to look at the young girl who seemed lost in thought. Yang followed Ruby's gaze that was resting on… Blake? Ruby's eyes seemed to be scanning Blake in a frenzy looking for something. What exactly? Yang couldn't tell. She couldn't tell if it was suspicion or interest, but either way it seemed Ruby was to deep in thought to hold a conversation. Yang let out a sigh she had her work cut out for her with Ruby.

Blake felt her gaze burn across her body like judge gazes at a criminal. As if looking for one's guilt Ruby's eyes seemed to burn into Blake's soul. Blake tried to go about her business in a normal matter, yet she could feel the small beads of sweat condensing on her skin. Could she tell? Did she know she was hiding her heritage?

Weiss glanced at Ruby who seemed to be starring Blake down with a death glare. Weiss had to suppress a groan. Didn't that girl have at least basic manners? Weiss sighed putting away the last of her things and thought why she didn't go to Atlus.

Ruby studied her team as they unpacked their possessions. There was Yang her step sister that seemed to be a powerful brawler, but seemed a little too keen on getting close to Ruby. Next was the heiress Weiss. She seemed skilled with glyphs, but was to cocky in her abilities which caused her to be reckless. Finally there was Blake who was skilled like the rest, but there was something about her that unnerved her. Ruby felt anxious and nervous around Blake like there was something hiding beneath Blake's skin waiting to jump out at her. Ruby sighed what was she going to do with this team?