The evening sun painted Vale a beautiful shade of amber as Ruby and Weiss began to board the airship headed back to Beacon. Although Weiss came into town regretting that she had given into Ruby's pleas she ended up having a rather splendid time. There were still quite a few things bothering her though. She knew she would have to deal with them sooner or later and she couldn't keep ignoring them, she wanted to tell Ruby earlier but was overwhelmed by her own fear.

'She doesn't need to know, and honestly I'm probably wrong. I have to be. It's just-"

"Ma'am?"

"Huh?"

"I said I can't let you aboard unless I see your school I.D."

Weiss blushed out of embarrassment as she pulled out her Scroll for the boarding guard. "Sorry for keeping you waiting." Weiss said politely as she held out her Scroll for him to examine.

"Yeah well I'm not the only one you've kept waiting." Muttered the guard, now pointing to a few students lined up behind Weiss. Weiss was ushered into the airship before she could give a retort to the guard's fairly rude reply.

'I wasn't trying to hold up the line and he could have actually tried to get my attention. My standing in line shouldn't have slowed him down that badly, and if it did that's because of his own poor work ethic.' Weiss thought to herself as she walked past a few rows of seats.

"Hey, Weiss!" Weiss turned to see Ruby sitting in one of the chairs waving at her. "I saved you a spot!"

"You do realize that we don't have to be seated during the flight, right?" Weiss said, crossing her arms. 'Honestly, it's like she doesn't think sometimes.'

"Well actually they prefer if you sit down during takeoff, because that's really the most dangerous part and they don't want people to lose balance and fall over. And since we've been walking all day I thought you would want to sit down and maybe put the bags on the floor."

'That's actually rather considerate and well thought out…'

"Well we have been walking a lot so I guess we could sit down." Weiss said as she walked over and took the seat to Ruby's left, while trying not to sit too close to her.

Weiss put her elbow on the arm rest and placed her chin in her hand as she waited for takeoff. She had a lot on her mind but didn't really want to think about it so she decided to glance around the cabin instead. When Weiss realized there was nothing eventful or interesting happening she inevitably decided to choose her final resort and start a conversation with Ruby.

Weiss took a deep breath and turned to see Ruby already staring at her. Weiss was taken aback slightly by Ruby's peculiar behavior. When a few, long, awkward seconds of silence passed by Weiss decided it needed to be asked.

"Ruby, why are you staring at me?" Weiss said suddenly, causing Ruby to turn away for a second.

"Oh, I was just wondering if you had a good time today." Ruby said, slightly nervous.

Weiss paused for a second, "Yes, it was… nice."

"Nice?" Ruby said with a faint look of disappointment on her face.

Weiss gave her a little smile, "Yes, nice." Ruby in turn returned a small smile and continued to stare at Weiss. Weiss cleared her throat and looked from side to side before she was able to tell her, "Umm Ruby."

"Yeah Weiss" Ruby said blankly.

"Can you stop staring at me, it's getting kind of creepy." Weiss said trying to be somewhat polite.

"Oh sorry, I was thinking about something." Ruby said turning to face forward, her cheeks a bright shade of red.

'Why is she acting weird all of a sudden?' Weiss thought now looking around the cabin again.

"Soooooooo did you see that guy in the weapons store?" Ruby said, attempting to make a return from her off-putting behavior

"Which one, there were dozens of guys there."

"The one with the goggles and a black and gold scarf."

"I think I saw him over by the ammunition."

"Yeah that sounds right. Well he kept bugging me about what brand of ammo he should choose."

"Why did he think you would know?"

"I don't know, and his weapon wasn't even close to Crescent Roses design. He had some kind of suppressed pistol or something. I think he was trying to make small talk."

"He sounds like an idiot."

"Yeah a little, but he did have a cool weapon so I guess that kind of makes up for that a little. He was also really shy," Ruby chuckled to herself a little "He was kind of cute."

Weiss sat up straight in her chair and tried to remain as nonchalant as possible. "So did he make a move or anything?"

'Make a move? What kind of question is that?'

"Nah he got his ammo and a buddy of his dragged him off when he started flirting with me. At least I think it was flirting, he said he liked how tall I was."

Weiss let out a small sigh of relief, but managed to pass it off as a yawn, "Well it's probably for the better, he sounds abnormal."

Ruby turned to look out the window, "Yeah, you're probably right."

Although the rest of the trip back to Beacon was mostly silent, Weiss couldn't stop thinking about that brief conversation. She ran it through her mind nearly a dozen times, but she couldn't stop thinking of that conversation. The way those words echoed through her head was almost painful. She was grateful that Ruby would try to start up a conversation every now and then, but those five words still lingered.

It wasn't much longer until the airship arrived at Beacon and to Weiss' surprise the school grounds were almost completely deserted. There were usually a few people walking through the courtyards, but the cold winter air had begun to deter students from wandering the grounds. Weiss didn't mind the cold air too much and the clear sky and lack of students made for a peaceful evening stroll back to their dorm.

The unyielding silence that covered the campus could have been called chilling if Weiss didn't find it so relaxing. Weiss wasn't really one for unnecessary noise, all it really did was distract her from enjoying herself or relaxing. She did enjoy music though, it just required the right ambiance and although parties weren't exactly her cup of tea she managed to find solace in good conversation. When they finally got to their dorms the only real difference from the ominous void outside was that the dorm building was warm.

"So," Ruby said as they began to climb the stairs, "Do you think you'll want to head into town next weekend?"

'Say no! I shouldn't have even gone today. Just say no. Just say no.' Weiss looked over her shoulder to better telegraph her message, and was met with an innocent smile and Ruby eagerly awaiting her reply.

Weiss looked forward, "Maybe." Weiss kept a calm demeanor, but on the inside she was screaming 'What the hell! Maybe?! What part of "no" do you not comprehend?'

"Alright, well I'll start planning things we can do and maybe Blake and Yang can come and it'll be like old times." Ruby said cheerfully, now swinging her bags back and forth as she skipped up the stairs.

Weiss forced some fake laughter, "Yeah just like the old times." She said halfheartedly as she reminisced memories from a few weeks ago.

When they arrived back at their room the first thing Weiss did was walk over to her bed and sit down. Although her walk through Vale was somewhat enjoyable, Weiss concluded it was tiring above all else.

"Hi Weiss, Ruby, did you two have a nice day?" Blake asked, now closing a light purple book and placing it under her pillow.

"Yep," Ruby said, now completely ecstatic, "we got my boots fixed, I got some more ammo for Crescent Rose, I got the new "Hunters Elite Arsenal" magazine, picked up your book, and Weiss and I got coffee at some snooty café." Ruby placed her bags on one of the desks and pulled out Blake's book.

"Snooty?! The Amber Glass was by no means snooty." Weiss said, giving Ruby an offended glare.

"You took her to The Amber Glass?" Blake said, raising an eyebrow.

"I thought a little culture would do her some good." Weiss said crossing her arms.

An unsettling growl arose from Yang's bunk which caused Ruby and Weiss to look up at Yang's bed, confused and slightly startled. Blake didn't pay Yang any attention though and tried to keep the conversation flowing like Yang wasn't there.

"So, are you feeling better after your stay in the Infirmary?" Blake asked out of the blue.

"Yes, the nurse was nice and she did more than enough to help me recuperate quickly." Weiss said, slightly distracted by the blonde brawler.

"I'm sorry I didn't come visit you, I was busy helping Yang study for a test."

"It's alright, I enjoyed some time to myself."

Weiss' statement was followed by Yang muttering something unintelligible in a low tone. Weiss had had enough of just ignoring the elephant in the room and thought it was about time to bring Yang into this.

"I'm sorry what was that, Yang?" Weiss said, in a slightly frustrated tone.

The room went dead silent. Yang sat up in her bunk and swung her legs over the side. "I said I think everyone benefited from having some time away from you and your bitch fits."

"Excuse me?!" Weiss said caught completely off guard by Yang's outburst.

"You heard me." Yang jumped down from her bunk, "You go around like your Miss High and Mighty who just talks down to everyone and acts like they should prove themselves to you just so they can be your friend."

Ruby was obviously the most unsettled by Yang's rant, "Yang, you don't-"

Yang held a hand up for Ruby to be quiet. "It may be all fine and dandy with you Ruby, because you two made up or something, but you weren't the only one getting treated like crap. I deserve an apology, and we're not going out for a coffee. I want one right now."

'Who does she think she is?' Weiss thought her patience now completely exhausted.

"So what am I apologizing for? If it was about that comment I made the other day about you being loose I don't think you deserve an apology. Because really, who apologizes for the truth?"

Ruby gasped and the room fell dead silent.

'Okay that was a little much, but I think she got the message.'

"We put up with your bullshit everyday and I'm just supposed to put up with this? Where do you get off you arrogant self-absorbed-"

"Stop this!" Blake shouted, "Both of you should apologize to each other and-"

"Both of us!" Yang interrupted, "Why should I have to apologize, we would all be A-ok if Her Royal Pain in the Ass hasn't been startin' crap for the last couple weeks."

"If this is still about your defiled sanctity you should give it a rest, because you're not convincing anyone especially with the way you dress. I mean seriously even your hair makes you look like a tramp." Yang clenched her fist tightly. "What does every inch just represent another guy that s-"

The rest of Weiss' sentence was drowned out by a deafening scream from Yang who was now running towards Weiss with her fists clenched.

'Well I'm dead.'

But before Yang could separate Weiss' head from her body rose petals streaked through the air and Ruby was standing in front of Weiss with her arms outstretched.

Yang stopped dead in her tracks, her fists shaking slightly. Yang's eyes began to water, "Ruby move!"

"No!"

Yang's whole body was trembling as tears began to flood her eyes. "Move, Ruby!" But Ruby just shook her head furiously in disobedience. Yang ran for the door and bolted down the hall, tears flowing down her face.

Weiss tried to articulate words, but couldn't create anything sensible. The room remained as silent as a graveyard until Weiss forced herself to say something.

"R-ruby I-" But before Weiss could finish her sentence Ruby spun around and slapped Weiss across the face. Tears and a miserable tortured expression was all Weiss saw before Ruby ran out the door after Yang.

Weiss stumbled backwards and fell onto her bed, shocked at what had just happened. There were a few footsteps and the door to the room was closed. Blake walked back to her bed and sat down parallel from Weiss.

"We need to talk." Blake said glaring at Weiss, fury present in her yellow eyes.

Weiss just sat there unaware as to what was happening, "Talk about what?"

Blake gave an irritated sigh, "We're going to talk about your poor behavior over the last couple weeks and about what just happened. So let's start with what you just did."

"I-I had every right to respond the way I did."

"No, you didn't." Blake said, trying to repress her own emotions.

"Didn't you hear how she was talking to me?"

"I did and you do deserve an apology for that, but you started all of this and Yang also deserves an apology." Blake said calmly, her eyes fixated on Weiss.

"Yang can handle a few insults."

"Is that why she ran off crying?"

"I thought…" Weiss thought about what exactly she just did and let out a little sigh, "I didn't think she would be that offended."

'You weren't thinking. It was just an insult here, and an insult there, and they all leave you alone.'

"Of course you didn't, it's just second nature now isn't it? Insulting and disrespecting everyone you can just so you can push Ruby away."

Weiss' eyes widened and she crossed her arms to close herself off. "W-where would you get such an absurd idea?"

"For someone who's trying to keep a secret you've been doing a very poor job."

Weiss slouched slightly and tried to avoid eye contact with the raven haired interrogator, "What are-"

"I've seen the way you look at her, you're constantly watching her."

"No I-"

"You hang on her every word, don't you?"

Weiss remembered back to those first few days. She couldn't help but stare at her and listen to everything she said, even if it was stupid.

"You're obsessed with her and you don't want to be."

"No, you're wrong!" Weiss muttered, her blood now boiling as she tried to repress all those thoughts, all those emotions, all those dreams.

"Admit it Weiss, you like-"

Weiss couldn't take it, "I AM NOT A LESBIAN!" Weiss shouted, now standing with her fists clenched and breathing heavily. Blake was wrong. Her emotions were wrong. They had to be.

Blake just stared at Weiss, the anger in her eyes was gone and all that remained was pity.

"Weiss, I'm not going to bring that into question, but all I know is that this team is in trouble and you need to do something." Blake stood up and went to the dresser. She began to silently change into her night gown as Weiss stood next to her bed still fuming. "I'm going to get some sleep, I suggest you do some thinking, and Weiss… be honest with yourself."

Weiss wanted to make some kind of rebuttal, but Blake's final words smothered her rage.

'I've been honest… Haven't I?' Weiss fell backwards onto her bed. 'If by honest you mean trying to think of excuses and explanations while irritating everyone around you then sure you've been completely honest.' Sheer exhaustion began to set in as Weiss slowly closed her eyes, 'But I can't tell them… Especially her… But she needs to know… I can't lose her."

Hey everyone, sorry this one's a little late. My editor and I have been a tad busy lately. Hope you guys and gals enjoyed it and don't worry, more is on the way. Also check out my editor, NinjaSlayer4x's RWBY fanfic "Crossing Swords". I'm also in collaboration with him for his newest work, "Team TEAL: A Tale of Grimm Adventure" By NinjaSlayer4x. Well hope ya'll enjoyed the chapter, if you have any questions message me and if you like or dislike the story leave a review. I love hearing your opinions, your support keeps me up in tough times. Peace out.-CS

P.S. And for all the people leaving reviews and sending messages about me using Dust instead of God, I have my reasons why I use it and I'm not changing it. So, if you have a problem with that take a guess as to how I feel.