Sorry y'all, I haven't had the "spark" as of late. So I'm gonna take whoever's advice from the prequel and just take my time with this story as well. ENJOY!


"Nn…hmm…."

My eyes fluttered open, the sun's rays beating down on my face, albiet barely as it was just rising past the horizon. I blinked, staring up at my ceiling before turning to my alarm clock, reading 5:15 A.M. Meaning I overslept by 15 minutes. Shit.

Making to get up, I suddenly felt something on my left arm, catching me by surprise. I looked in the direction, sighing, then smiling as I watched Ruby's body slowly rising and falling from her breathing. Bringing my other arm over her, I pulled her into an impromptu hug, closing my eyes again as I enjoyed her presence, feeling a sense of security envelope my entire being.

I wish I could hold her like this every morning.

"Hey, Ruby."

Silence.

"Ruuuby."

Still silence.

I began shaking her lightly.

"Ruuubes," I called out, "time to wake up."

"Nnn…," Ruby groaned out, "It's not 7 yet, dad…."

Dad? Oh boy.

"Hehe, Ruby," I replied, "When did you grow a daddy complex?"

With that, Ruby's eyes shot open as I met silver orbs.

"Good morning, beautiful," I greeted, smiling at her.

"D…," Ruby said, "Del…ta…?"

With that, she shot up to a sitting position and said, "G-good morn-!"

Only to fall back down to the bed, groaning as she gripped her head in pain.

"Blood rush to your head?"

"Yes…," Ruby cooed out, her eyes opening to meet mine again as I sat up. I kept my smile as I then leaned over, trapping her between my arms as she flipped onto her back, smiling back at me. I followed up by leaning downward, kissing her.

"Mm…," Ruby moaned out, snaking her arms around my neck as I slowly deepened the kiss, but quickly pulled away, earning a groan of disagreement from her.

"Ruby," I said to her, "I gotta get ready for class."

"Aww," she replied, loosening her arms as I stood up and stretched. Just then, an idea popped into my head. My face heated up from the thought as I heard Ruby shuffling out next to me, right about to walk past me before I grabbed her shirt, stopping her.

"But you know," I said, averting my gaze, "You can join me in the shower…."


I yawned, walking down the hallways with Ruby, who was walking in a slightly awkward manor.

"You didn't have to go so rough on me…," Ruby muttered.

"I'm sorry," I chuckled out, "You're the one whose body matured."

"You now I don't have control over that!"

"I don't have control over my instincts either."

"Uuuu~! Delta!"

I chuckled lightly as Ruby began hammering me lightly with her hands balled up into fists. I gave playful grunts of pain as the hammering quickly ended, catching me by surprise as she suddenly pulled me into a hug. I blinked in surprise, returning the embrace as she mumbled, "…take it easy on me…please."

"Sure thing, Rubes," I replied, smiling.

"Well, you two seem to be getting along well."

We flinched in surprise as I turned around, spotting Sierra walking side by side with Sakura, who was carrying a pile of papers.

"You two as well," I replied as Sakura averted her gaze, a clear blush on her face. Sierra must've sensed it, because she burst out into an uncontrolled laughter, then began explaining something to her. Sakura's face only turned a deeper red, causing me to believe that Sierra was telling her about the times that she nearly walked in on me and Ruby.

Uncensored, much?

"But don't be surprised with the PDA from these two," Sierra finished off. Sakura slowly nodded, the yelped as papers flew everywhere. I cringed, as did Ruby and Sierra, as we looked at Sakura, who was blushing madly in embarrassment.

"I-I'm so sorry, sis!"

Sierra stared at the papers all over the ground, blinking, then laughing as she patted the younger girl on the head and said, "Don't worry about it. Just don't do it again."

Sierra's eyes then glazed red as she asked, "Got it?"

"Y-yes ma'am!"

"Good!"

With that, Sierra snapped her fingers, the papers suddenly back into a neat pile in mid-air, catching Sakura off guard as she reached out and caught it with an "oomph!"


"…Alright guys," I called out, "That's good enough."

The two in the ring stepped back from each other, bowing in respect as the bell rang. I looked up at the clock, whistling in surprise from losing track of time.

"You're all free to go," I said, getting a welcome groan of relief as everyone shuffled out of the room. All except Aubrey's team. Looking up, I watched as Eric made his way down to the arena, albeit somewhat distressed. Blinking, I watched as he stopped in front of me and asked, "…why didn't you answer her…?"

"Huh?"

I raised an eyebrow as he suddenly drew a sword on me, stopping just shy of my neck as he yelled, "I won't forgive anyone who hurts Aubrey!"

I kept my eyes on him as he continued, "Even if it's a teacher…!"

"Eric…."

However, he was quick to try to strike me.

Only for a "CLANG" to fill the air.

I blinked in surprise as the rose petals scattered on the ground.

"Ruby?"

"M-Ms. Ruby!"

Ruby was quick to fire a bullet, causing me to duck as Crescent Rose was flung at Eric with blinding speed. The sound of metal smacking against flesh filled the air as Eric went flying towards the wall, causing an explosion. I winced, imagining the pain Eric was probably going through at the moment.

Good thing he has aura….

It was then I took notice of Crescent Rose. The blade was slightly, yet noticeably, longer. There were also visible indents on the shaft, most likely for grip. At the connection area of the shaft and the blade was a visible cross, as well as visible bolts where the blade seemed to have folded in, most likely to aid in weapon storage considering that it was ridiculously bulky last I saw it. However, the scope was no longer in sight, making me wonder if she improved the sniper system at all.

"Ruby…."

Ruby turned to face me as I said, "…I was about to deal with it."

I gripped onto my sword tighter, turning to Eric to see him crawling out of the hole he had made. The sound of Crescent Rose folding up caught my eye as it turned into a literal sniper rifle…well…almost. For the most part, the bottom of the shaft folded into what looked like a square stock, possibly to make a place for extra support for firing a larger caliber. The blade had completely folded up and made what appeared to be the body of the gun, which revealed that the magazine, now holding hefty sized bullets, was now designed to slide into the connection area of the scythe blade and shaft during close range combat. The scope as well also popped out of another internal chamber, causing me to whistle in amazement.

"Wow," I complimented, "Nice work, Rubes!"

"Huh?"

"With Crescent Rose," I continued as she flipped the scythe-sniper rifle onto her back.

"Crescent Rose Mk. II," she corrected as Aubrey suddenly approached me. I raised an eyebrow in surprise as Aubrey then asked, "W…well…? You're…answer…?"

Oh shit.

I already knew what she had asked me. Her question was written all over her face. I looked at Ruby, who was staring daggers into me, causing me to sigh out, "Look Aubrey…."

"You see…."

I could then sense Ruby's obvious distress at the whole situation.

"…I can't."

I could feel my gut wrench as Aubrey's expression quickly turned from hopeful to heart broken. Her gaze dropped from mine as her eyes began to grow watery. I sighed, then put a hand on her shoulder, catching her attention as I said, "Aubrey…you're still a student yet."

"B…but…," Aubrey replied, only to get cut off as I closed my eyes and continued, "A student and a teacher shouldn't be in relationships. And also…."

I looked at Ruby, who was glaring daggers into my very being.

"I wouldn't be able to, anyway."

Just then, I felt someone's fingers intertwine with mine, causing me to open my eyes. Ruby looked up at me, her eyes still narrowed a bit, then turned to face Aubrey. Rose petals fluttered down onto the arena flooring as Aubrey, who was blushing, as well as looking at us in shock, remained silent. There was a silence before Ruby stated, "I know how you feel…but there are others who you should start noticing as well."

"I can concur," I replied, looking at Eric, who was glaring daggers into me as well. I sighed, giving a slight push on Ruby with my free hand, getting her to let go of me. I then walked over to Eric, hearing the other two preparing their weapons to attack. However, I paid no mind to it as I asked, "What's wrong with you?"

"Huh?"

"Why're you hesitating?"

"Why am I-!?"

"Forget it," I sighed out, "Wait any longer and you might just regret it."

"What are you talking about," Eric asked, giving away the signs that he knew what I was talking about.

"Look Eric," I replied, "Don't make the mistake I made."

"Huh?"

"I waited too long as well," I stated, "And karma's a bitch…you'll learn that soon enough…given you wait for her."

Eric slowly nodded in understanding, allowing me to let out a sigh of relief as he immediately walked up to Aubrey, who was still looking down and depressed.

"Aubrey!"

The girl flinched as Eric grabbed her hands and stated, "We're partners! As well as best friends, but that's beyond the point. Anyway, PLEASE BE MY GIRLFRIEND!"

I looked away almost immediately, feeling my face heat up.

I didn't think it was going to be this embarrassing to see someone announce their feelings!


If y'all are wondering what I modeled the gun version of Crescent Rose as, I was actually thinking about the Barret .50 cal sniper rifle. See y'all next time!