Well, here is chapter 9. This is the last chapter I have in storage for the time being. I've been hoping to get some reviews since I kind of feed off of feedback to get my chapters done. The more reviews I get, the quicker I am able to get a chapter out. But, anyway. Here is chapter 9 for you all.
I actually was not going to upload this tonight since I am trying to stay one chapter ahead, but I saw a review from a Guest called
who was asking for a Ruby chapter and well . . .this chapter is a Ruby chapter! The irony!
So, Moonlight! This chapter's for you, Bud. Thanks for the review, and please drop some more in the future. I read ALL of my reviews, and try to respond to the ones I can.
Chapter 9 - Preparations
"500 feet, 10 degree gradient. No motion."
I nod my head, my thumb flicking the safety.
Relax . . . It's an easy shot . . . I can't miss.
There is a ear ringing silence as I look through my scope. The opaque snowflake emblem that serves as my crosshairs makes me smile. I'm right . . . there's no way I can miss. Not when she's right here helping my aim. My index finger trails along the trigger. Itching the crescent-shaped metal for a final few seconds. My body is still, my breathing is calm, nothing is altering my shot. My next exhale is slow, the pounding in my chest slowing and becoming audible in my eardrums. For all of two seconds I hear my entire body's harmonic music. Those calming sounds followed by an echoing gunshot from Cresent Rose.
I watch through the scope, wincing as I see the impact but the hand that raises with an upraised thumb lets me know that no harm has been done.
"See, what I tell you? No pain against flesh . . . These are your aura draining rounds . . . I'll cook up one more thing for you to tinker with, alright?"
Uncle Qrow is right behind me while he speaks and my dad is far off in the distance, starting to walk away and go about his business after I just took a sneak attack at him from the roof of Schnee Manor. I guess Uncle Qrow told him first. We are overlooking the backyard, and from here I can already make out four landmarks. Two of them are towers on opposite sides of the backyard forest. The third is a small cabin that I can just barely make out the roof of from this distance, and that was with the help of Crescent Rose's new sight . . . I still need to name it. The fourth and final landmark is a large opening in the forest. I can't see what is in it, but there is a massive area that has no trees. If I had to guess I would say it is maybe some sort of court for sports, or maybe a sparring field, but with this being Weiss' home it may have something much much fancier (and probably unnecessarily fancy) sitting in that plot.
I watch as Dad rubs his shoulder. I managed to get a clean shot right on that spot but there is no blood, no bruises, and if anything he just seems annoyed at the shot. Satisfied that the new rounds are non-lethal, I put down Crescent Rose and look over my shoulder at Uncle Qrow to answer him.
"What are the other ones going to be?" I ask out of curiosity.
"Rubber rounds" He states with a grin.
"Why rubber?"
"Something to really hurt and slow someone down if you get a good hit, You don't want to just hit 'em with aura-sapping rounds . . . if you cross Yang she'll muscle through it, no problem. It also provides a good bluff and versatility . . . I COULD design one more . . . but you may not have it until the day of . . ."
Uncle Qrow has that odd gleam in his eyes. That gleam of his when a brilliant idea strikes him and he just wants to take off to go to work. I get my passion for weapons through Uncle Qrow. He could tell if something was wrong with a weapon by holding it and using it for a few seconds. He doesn't need to know any of a weapon's functions to know what could be the problem.
Uncle Qrow has always been oddly gifted, and it is almost disturbing when I think about it. He knows how to control his aura to near perfection, and his knowledge of weaponry is second to none in my eyes, yet Uncle Qrow decided to teach at Signal with gifts and talents like his. He could still be an active Hunter. My dad has his own talents with aura and healing. It is not as flashy or as easily flaunted as Uncle Qrow's talents, but needless to say that my dad is very experienced in his own right and for all I know could be able to stand against Uncle Qrow in a fight.
"Just don't go overboard, please. You don't need Cresent Rose, do you?" I ask with a slight hug, holding the long barrel of the scythe to my chest. I hate being separated from my Sweetheart.
"No I won't need your Sweetheart, Ruby. If anything I will just need you to test the ammunition rounds when they are ready." He responds with a chuckle in his voice.
Yes!
I do a small fist pump while I change Cresent Rose into its passive form and place it on my back. Not a moment after I am semblancing passed my uncle to go back to Weiss, but just as I pass him I feel my cape get caught on something and my legs are sent forward while my upper body is tugged back. Needless to say I end up on my behind.
When I look over my shoulder to see what happened I see Uncle Qrow looking at me and shaking his head. My cape held tightly in his hand.
"Don't run, Ruby . . . show some class while you're here." He smiles while releasing my cape.
"Sorry." I blush, scratch the back of my head and stand up. I take Uncle Qrow's advice to heart and walk towards the door that leads to the spiraling stairwell that I take down to the second floor.
Thankfully it is the same staircase we were brought upstairs through earlier. It makes it easy to remember how to get to Weiss' room from here. After exiting the staircase I turn right and walk all the way down the hall, taking note as I pass Yang and Blake's room, labeled by the special emblem Weiss had put on it. When I get to the end of the hall I look at Weiss' door and carefully slip it open. I am not surprised to see she is still out cold. I've only been gone about half an hour so it is no surprise she is still asleep.
I'm back Princess!
I smile, walking towards her bed, being very careful with my steps to not wake her. My combat boots don't want to agree with my desire for silence unfortunately. I decide to stay where I am to undo the laces of my combat boots and slip out of them before continuing towards Weiss. When I reach her large bed I sit at the edge and lay back. It takes me a few pushes of my arms and gentle kicks of my feet, but I manage to 'crab walk' my way to Weiss and lay down next to my sleeping Princess.
She has that sweet, innocent look on her face that she always has when she sleeps. Her inhales are through her nose, and her exhales come out of her slightly puckered lips. It may be just a tiny bit creepy for me to lay so close and watch her sleep, but I don't know the area very well and want Weiss to be the one to show me around. Uncle Qrow is going to be in his 'happy place' with making new rounds for Crescent Rose . . . which is not a bad thing since I am the same way, but he gets angry at even the slightest sound that will break his concentration.
I could always go see what Yang and Blake are up to . . . but I don't want to walk in and see them doing something that will scar me for life, or knock on the door and hear noises that I could go without even catching wind of. I could go check on Shun, but then she may make me do more workouts even though Weiss already made me do the daily workout Shun gives me.
The last option would be my dad, and while I love my dad to death . . . I'm slightly nervous about being alone with him now since he may start to question me more and more about my relationship with Weiss. The last thing I want to tell my dad is that Weiss and I did the deed and I popped her cherry.
Come to think of it . . . I still have my cherry. Wonder if that means I'm still a virgin. Well, if my dad asks me if I'm a virgin I'll say yes! perfectly sound logic and I won't be lying!
I nod my head, glad to have some sort of sound logic should I get questioned at any point. I still don't plan on going to find my dad in that large outdoor property. It is far bigger than the forest behind my house on Patch, and the thought there the entire area may not be pure forest makes me worry that I may get lost because I keep heading towards the same landmarks.
"There is no way in hell I'm losing. Your semblance giving you heat stroke?" There is no doubt in my mind that the voice I just heard is Shun.
I lean over to Weiss, sneaking a little kiss against her lips before I carefully roll away from her and drop to the floor, managing to catch myself on my palms and toes without making much noise. I stand up and go to the open door and pop my head outside to peek down the hall towards Yang's room to see Shun is standing at the door with her arms folded. Yang and Blake are there as well. It looks like the three of them are having a conversation.
"Well, if Uncle Qrow's making you hold back . . . we may as well go after you first in case he changes his mind." Yang shrugs her shoulders. At this distance I shouldn't be able to hear their conversation, but the high ceiling makes it much easier to hear them, and with minimal effort on my part.
"You think I'm going down that easily!? You have another thing coming, Sunflower! You better hope this thing doesn't last until sunset!" Shun shouts and begins walking far down the hall towards her room. Blake and Yang end up going back into their room soon after, leaving me staring into an empty hallway.
With Weiss still asleep I decide it won't hurt to go check on Yang and Blake to see what just happened. I leave the room and close Weiss' door, but leave it just a crack open. While I walk down the hall I begin to really admire the soft fluffiness of the carpet below.
Wait, how am I feeling the carpet?
I blink and look down to see that I'm not in my combat boots and instead just a pair of red socks.
Smart, Ruby. Real smart.
I shake my head and continue down the hall. When I come up to Blake and Yang's door I realize it is open and I decide to wait there to hear what is going on.
"Think that'll get her to talk to my uncle?"
"She's prideful . . . You want her to go all out, and that may have pissed her off enough to do it."
"Yup, that's exactly what I wanted. I want to see how far she's gotten. I don't want anyone to be holding back."
"It may not end well for either one of us, Yang. Weiss' semblance is much stronger, Ruby's skill with Crescent Rose is amazing . . . and now she has some ability without it. Now Shun who neither one of us know what her true potential is will join the fray. I am not sure either one of us will make it . . . even if we team up."
"You three aren't the only ones who've been getting stronger. My aura training with Uncle Qrow taught me a new trick."
"Oh? and what might that be?"
"Now why would I tell you, Kittycat? We haven't even agreed we'd team up . . . Besides, we don't even know the prizes yet. We may end up stabbing each other in the back. All in the name of friendly competition of course."
I take a slow step backwards, moving away from the door. I keep backtracking until I am more than halfway down the hall then turn around to enter a small jog to go back into Weiss room.
Blake and Yang teaming up? That be good . . . I wonder if Weiss would want to team up after hearing that.
I take a deep breath and sigh. The supposed Free-for-all that was supposed to take place in two days was starting to become a team affair with Shun standing alone in the middle. It makes me wonder of Uncle Qrow took us teaming up into consideration, but then why not just make it Weiss and me against Blake and Yang? Why would he add Shun into the mix? I doubt he'd put her in if he thought any of us were teaming up. It's not logical in any sense. Shun is strong, but without being able to trigger her aura in a defensive manner . . . she'll get destroyed.
I walk back into Weiss' room, letting out a massive groan of frustration without realizing the actual volume of it. The husky groan makes Weiss groan in return, but it is far cuter than anything I have heard from her before.
"Ugh . . . Dolt . . . Why can't I ever get sleep with you around." Weiss tries to scold me, but that tone is more of a whine.
"Sorry." I walk towards the bed and sit down next to her with a big smile on my face. She opens her left eye and stares at me. The right side of her face is smooshed against her pillow, and her hair is a mild mess of slight bedhead.
"Did you at least find out if Blake and Yang want to go out to eat or not?" Weiss sighs. She rolls onto her back and sits up. She begins to rub her eyes as she usually does when she wakes up and gives me that absent 'what are you looking at' stare.
"I'll take care of that now. Be right back!" I smile and start to walk towards the door. On my way I can hear Weiss mumbling.
"Ugh . . . Your semblance may be speed, but you still excel at wasting time."
Yup, that's my Princess.
I smile, walking down the same hallway to the cracked door and give a few hard knocks before pushing it open.
"Yang, Blake! Weiss wants to know if you two want to go to town-" I pause mid-step in the doorway. My left foot is frozen in mid air, and the balance of my body is slightly forward since I was just about to finish my step into the room.
In front of me is Yang pinned down to the bed by Blake who is right on top of her. That is not something that would bother me . . . but with Blake's knee between Yang's legs, and Yang's hands grabbing Blake's behind, it is hardly a sight I want to stay with.
"I think Yang was just about ready to go to town, Ruby." Blake looks over her shoulder at me. Her comment and play on my unfinished question makes Yang snicker and sit up, causing Blake to hold onto a now upright Yang who is looking over her girlfriend's shoulder to see me.
"Sorry, Sis. I'll lock the door next time . . . and put the red ribbon. Anyway, what's up?"
How are they so nonchalant about this?
"Weiss wants to know if you two want to go into the city for dinner . . . and if you want to take a limo or not."
"Of course we're taking a limo! Come on! The last time I rode in a limo was well . . . today!"
"I'll second that . . . They are very spacious and comfortable. I'd prefer to enjoy them while the luxury is available." Blake answers in a much calmer and quieter voice than Yang.
"Alrighty. Limo it is." I nod my head and leave the room as quick as possible. Mainly to get that image that has been melted into my mind to fade.
When I get back to Weiss' room she is sitting up at the edge of her bed and looking into the mirror that is her closet door. She's currently brushing out her hair, dealing with the several tangles that were created while she was sleeping.
"Let me guess. Yang wanted to enjoy the limo?" Weiss asks, although it came off as a statement almost.
"Yup. Blake actually had the same reason." I add.
"Not surprising . . . Hopefully we don't bump into any of my suitors." Weiss raises her shoulders and lets out a deep high when she drops them.
"Yang will take care of them." I walk over to the bed and crawl onto it so I can slide myself to sit behind Weiss with my legs on either side of her and my chest against her back. "Yang may not act like it much . . . but you're part of OUR family. Uncle Qrow, Dad, Yang, me . . . and Blake is part of the family now too."
"Are you implying that I will be losing my maiden name?" Weiss jokes.
"Just say the word, Weiss Rose." I shoot back without much of a second thought.
"Dolt."
"Your dolt."
". . . My dolt."
I rest my hands on Weiss' hips, keeping my head resting on her left shoulder. She has her long hair held over her right shoulder so she can look at it while she combs it out.
"So, when are we leaving?" I ask.
"About four hours . . . For now I need to spar with Yang." Weiss says it so calmly, but that immediately makes me think back to what happened when her and Yang sparred for the first time.
"Weiss, why do you want to spar with Yang?" There's audible worry in my voice.
"It's nothing serious, Ruby. Just semblance practice. It may not seem like much, but my glyphs have increased two inches in radius. That's almost 1.5 times the size I have been capable of doing. If I can keep that pace up then I will be able to create something much larger by the time the Vytal Festival comes by. You should probably work on your marksmanship with Crescent Rose . . . I don't think you've practiced much with the sight I bought you.
"Where am I going to practice?"
"Well, from the roof you can see two towers off in the distance . . . Hmmm . . ." Weiss pauses and begins to think. ". . . Sebastian."
She calls out the name, but in a normal tone, making me raise an eyebrow in confusion.
"Weiss, he isn't-"
"Yes, Weiss?"
I jump as I look up to the mirror to see that over my shoulder is the tall, devilish butler standing there with his arms behind his back and that same creepy smile across his face.
"Would you mind setting up a few targets on the lookouts for Ruby? She wants to use her sniper for target practice." Weiss doesn't even seem slightly creeped out by how quick he appeared.
"Very well. They will be set by the time Miss Rose is prepared."
"R-ruby's fine." I jump in.
". . . Ruby it is." He smiles at me through the mirror before walking around the bed and out the door.
"I'll go with you for your target practice. Then you can come down and watch Yang and I spar. Is that alright" Weiss looks straight ahead of her to meet my eyes from the mirror. I am quick to nod my head and cling onto her slender, chilled form.
"That sounds good. Do you have a pair of binoculars?" I question.
"Of course I do. There's always a pair on the roof." Weiss smiles at me and stands up from the bed. At the same time she reaches behind herself to grasp my hands and pull me up with her. "Also . . . you may want to put your combat boots on first."
It's good to see she is still relaxed around me.
