AN: I'm sorry this took so long, readers. School started, and I fell so far behind on piano- August was a mess. But I got through it, and I'm hoping September brings a bit more normality soon.

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY. Wish I could, but I also wished that Mercury and Emerald had some actual character to them. Oh well.

Chapter 21: Preparation

"No, you're not dressing for a funeral."

"But you told me to dress my colors!"

"Your colors are red and black, not midnight black and blood red; Ruby, you'll be invisible at night."

A clump of clothes slapped the floor out of frustration. "They're the same thing!"

"They're too dark!" Weiss picked up the discarded clothes and hung them on a nearby rack. "You're much too vibrant for something of that dark of a shade. Here." She thrust another top at Ruby. "Try this one."

Ruby groaned. Thirty minutes is all it took for Ruby to remember why she hated shopping- and why she usually just stuck to one outfit. At least with Yang, Ruby could get a handful of casual clothes or things Yang deemed "cute" for her. In and out, an hour or so of shopping while most of the time was spent for Yang to pick out any new accessory she would need for the month. Even then, Ruby complained about how long her sister was taking every few minutes when the blonde would just stare at a rack of scarfs. Back then, it was boring.

Now, with Weiss, it was torture.

A superior fashion sense also came with it a stricter line of clothes to choose from. And Ruby didn't have an option to choose her comforting clothes as they were shopping for her big day. Weiss took control of what colors Ruby should wear, what type of clothes would be fit for a big occasion- yet not formal, and what kind of patterns or designs. Since they had a day and not a week to Weiss's desire, the last variable was tossed out.

They were down to the last few combinations of shirts, blouses, skirts, and dresses. And when Weiss said a few, Ruby saw half the store. All the while, the heiress was pulling more things off the racks, staring for precious Ruby-seconds, then putting it back with a shake of her head. Ruby tried to chime in, giving her partner a few other pieces of clothes.

Naturally, they were usually shot down.

"You can't pair those with anything you could pull off."

"This is a date- unless you're going to another ball, put it back."

"Too much lace on the sides."

And the ever-so-classic: "No."

Half an hour turned into hours, and Weiss was still trying to combine her own combinations into more sets of outfits. All the while, Ruby was starting to lose her sanity. Not starting, sorry- just losing her sanity as Weiss shook her head again. Really, Ruby thought with a hunched back. How many outfits could someone make out of red and black clothes?

Ruby came out of the changing room yet again, donning a crimson blouse and a plain black pair of pants. In the little booth, Ruby stared at the mirror, admiring her reflection. This should be the one, she thought with a quick twirl. Quite casual, yet nothing too casual. Nothing revealing, and definitely her colors. This was the one.

Weiss put a hand to her chin, examining her creation. The white-haired girl made a small circle with her finger, and Ruby gave her a slow spin. "It's good, right?" Ruby asked hopefully.

"It's good," Weiss affirmed. "You two are going to the movies?" Ruby nodded, and Weiss painted the image in her mind, placing this Ruby in her scenario. "It's good," she said again.

Elated, Ruby started to pump her fists in the air. "It needs something, though," Weiss drawled, tapping a finger to her chin. She blew a breath of concentration, pairing Ruby with some other thing to make the outfit perfect. And Ruby? She actively tried to not bash her head into a wall. "A jacket would go well with this."

"Then pick out a jacket," Ruby growled. That refrainment of hitting a wall failed, and Ruby's forehead felt a bit sore from the wood wall. "Get a red one or even a silver one," Ruby jested with a bit of hysteria in her voice. "One with a lot of sparkles and glitter on it."

Weiss made to berate her teammate's impatience. But, something Ruby said made her stop. The outlandish jacket for someone glamorous- absolutely not.

Something silver, on the other hand…

To Ruby's horror, Weiss dived back in the back of the clothing store, examining the rows with a critical eye. Instead of the bulk of clothes on the benches outside of the changing room, the heiress picked out three pieces of clothes with a hawk's precision. Coming back, Weiss handed Ruby the items, making sure to hang the pants just a bit lower to make a rough silhouette. "That should be it," Weiss insisted.

Oh, if Ruby had a lien for every time Weiss had said that, she'd be able to buy a personal shopper. Though, as Ruby made to grab Weiss's selection, it already looked fashionable to even her. "Can we just say it's it and leave?" Ruby pled.

"No." Ruby groaned again as she turned back to occupy the same stall. "I just need to see if I picked the right shades," she heard Weiss explain behind her.

"Not the tint?" Ruby joked. Who knew colors had to be so precise? The heiress could tell obsidian black from grease black to pitch black, while Ruby just saw black. And then the different tints and tones and whatever Weiss kept muttering about- Ruby tried to hate the words instead of her partner. It wasn't Weiss's fault the fashion industry invaded her mind.

A minute later, Ruby came back out. The tired, angry frown was permanent on her face at this point. She was cursing and scowling silently, hating anyone that decided one shade of red was so different from one of the exact same color. Before the moping reaper could curse any more fashionistas, Weiss's triple clap knocked Ruby out of her stupor. "Yes," Weiss exclaimed. "We found it!"

Ruby's feet felt like lead like she ran a marathon and a sprint, yet she was still in the same spot as she started. And when those words hit her ears, Ruby threw her head back and laughed. Both fists were in the air, and the girl was ready to collapse back on the spot. "Can we go now?" Ruby asked, finally her voice with genuine hope instead of half-believing her words.

Weiss nodded, and Ruby wanted to whoop for joy- or cry in relief, one or the other. Weiss's remaining outfits went on the small rack outside the changing rooms, piled high by the other outfits Weiss envisioned. As Ruby helped, she couldn't hold back a small remark: "Remind me to never bring you shopping, please."

Weiss continued to hang the last few items, leaving Ruby to think her jab went unheard. Ruby shrugged, turning to change into her regular skirt and cape- at least those she knew Weiss wouldn't criticize. With her back turned, Weiss thought of a new way to torture Ruby. "I wonder if a headband would work well with it," she teased.

Behind the stall door, Weiss heard Ruby shout a curse at the top of her lungs. That got a chuckle out of Weiss as she stood back, waiting for the girl to come out. Ruby came out, scowling as she threw the winning outfit into Weiss's arms before storming past. "You're paying for this."

Stifling a laugh, Weiss adjusted the clothes in her hands so they wouldn't wrinkle on the flight back to Beacon. Finally looking up, she watched as Ruby pushed open the exit doors, and only then did Ruby's words ring true in her mind. "Wait, it's your clothes for your date!"

"Serves you right!" Ruby yelled back, storming out of the store.

Right now, Weiss didn't know whether to sigh, chuckle, or curse herself. She really should have seen that coming.

-xXxX-Line Break-XxXx-

"Ruby's still not talking to you?" Blake asked.

A day had passed, and still, Yang had one eye constantly trained on her sister. Throughout the following day, up until the last class, Ruby had gone without a word exchanged with Yang other than the brief, single-word answers Ruby muttered with her head bowed. Yang knew she screwed up at the ball but did Ruby really keep a grudge over that?

"I know," Yang sighed. She made to say more to her partner, but a red blur shot between them, the sound of heels clicking on the floor at a running pace. "Ruby wait!" And her sister was already out of earshot, still sprinting away before turning into another hall. A groan escaped Yang as she threw her head back, exasperated. "Why is she still mad at me?"

"Have you apologized yet?" Blake inquired.

"She won't give me the chance." The blonde stared down the hall, looking after the vivid red petals floating along Ruby's trail. "I didn't think she'd still be mad after this long."

"Oh, she isn't mad at you."

Yang turned to stare at Weiss whose words were news to the blonde. Come to think of it, she couldn't remember Weiss ever speaking today either. Just what did she know… "Then why isn't she speaking to me?" Yang demanded.

"It's because-." Weiss made to answer, mouth halfway open before her eyes widened just the slightest bit. "I- it's… Actually, forget it. She's still mad at you."

"Weiss. Spill it."

Vehemently, Weiss shook her head. "I promised Ruby I wouldn't tell you."

"Specifically, me, or just tell no one at all?"

"Specifically, you."

And Detective Yang stared at Weiss like she was a scientist scrutinizing a bug. "So, just me." The girl put a hand to her chin, eyes squinting in thought. "That means she either has a secret against me or one she wants to keep from me."

It was unnerving for Weiss, under the gaze of Yang's piercing look. The brawler saved that amount of concentration for fights or for those that angered her. Hours seemed to pass as Weiss fidgeted, trying to keep moving along back to their dorm while Yang stalked her. But the sun was still stuck where it was, casting long shadows as it sank halfway in the sky. Only a few seconds had passed- maybe a minute- as Weiss sighed. "Protective sister" didn't do Yang's role justice, and Weiss was learning why.

Yang muttered under her breath, piecing together what secret Ruby was keeping. "Does she know something embarrassing about me?"

Weiss snorted, but her indifference was undermined by the uncomfortable look of being the center of attention. "Considering you two are sisters, it seems very likely."

"No blackmail or embarrassing stories, then. Did she pick up a new habit that I don't want to know about?"

"No."

"Something embarrassing that happened to Ruby?"

"…That's not too far off, in all honesty."

Hoping the interrogation would end soon, Weiss reached for their dorm's doorknob, ready to collapse after a long day of classes. But as she pushed down, another girl on the other side shouldered through the door, not knowing there was someone in her way. Weiss and Ruby let out yelps as they ran into each other.

"Weiss!" Yang exclaimed in surprise, backing away as Weiss stumbled back, falling while she held her spinning head in her hands. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," the girl in white grumbled.

From beyond the door, another voice moaned in pain. "Ow…"

With Weiss on the floor and Yang helping her onto her feet, Blake peered through the doorway, curious. There was only one other person that should be in their room, and they'd seen her dash off minutes ago. "Ruby?" Blake asked the girl, cradling her head as she rolled on the ground moaning. "Where were you going in a hurry?"

"Out," Ruby mumbled between her fingers.

"Ruby," Weiss spoke with a sharp tone. Her head was no longer ringing from the impact, though the upset attitude didn't disappear as quickly as the ringing. "It's barely four. You said it didn't start for another half hour."

"I know," the girl in question whined. Ruby peeled herself off the ground to sit up, legs crossed. "I just didn't want to… you know… explain to Yang."

Weiss could see the reason in Ruby's words, but she sighed as she replied, "Understandable. But you are not leaving me to explain it to your sister."

"Time out." Yang held out her hands in a pause sign. "What are you two hiding? Answers. Now." As an afterthought, staring at her sister, she had to ask, "Also, what are you wearing?"

Hoping to find help, Ruby looked up to Weiss with pleading eyes, but she merely received an apologetic look without all of the sincerity behind it. A look that said, "Sorry, you're on your own."

Truly, Ruby's best friend.

Ruby sighed as she turned to face Yang. "We went shopping yesterday?" Ruby squeaked out with a forced smile.

"Need more, sis'."

The girl on the ground sighed again. "I'm going on a date."

Might as well rip off that bandage as fast as possible.

"What?" Yang exploded.

Ruby expected a lecture, a complete denial, or even- if the worst came- Yang forcing her to stay back. She didn't picture her protective sister squealing in excitement, wrapping her small frame in a massive hug as Yang twirled Ruby around. "Oh," Yang cooed, completely missing her sister's pleas for air. "I can't believe it- you actually found someone!"

"Yang, let go. You're wrinkling her outfit." Leave it to Weiss to care about her fashion sense than her partner, but the heiress still smiled at the sisters' antics.

Or maybe, Weiss said that as a quicker way to let Ruby breathe since Yang loosened her grip. Ruby gasped for breath, sitting in a nearby chair while Yang continued to fuss over her younger sister. Ruby battled away Yang's attempts to fix her hair as Weiss and Blake sat back, watching the two with amused expressions. "Very nice outfit," Blake commented from her bed. "Really brings out her colors."

"Thank you," Weiss accepted while she examined her own work. "It could've used a headband to tie back the hair, but-."

"Ruby ran off?"

"Exactly." The two girls shared a laugh at Ruby's expense who continued to argue with her sister.

Yang had to know. "Who are you going out with?" Finally, she gave in to the fact that Ruby looked ready for her big day, but it didn't mean she was satisfied with the lack of answers. "Is it someone we know? That guy you were talking to in Port's class?"

"We're working on a project," Ruby blanked. "That's literally it."

"Jaune?"

"No." There was a hint of venom in Ruby's voice, and Yang immediately avoided that lane of topic.

"Who is it then?" Yang implored.

"It's Ash!" Ruby threw her hands up in frustration.

Yang blinked. "Ash from the ball? I thought I chased him off." She winced just a bit, shooting her sister an apologetic look.

"You did, and I'm still mad about that." The lack of conviction didn't back up Ruby's words, nor did the forgiving smile. "He told me yesterday."

"What are you guys doing?"

And the interrogation went on for too long, with Ruby growing more and more annoyed with each question and Yang only pressing question after question. Minutes passed, and Yang kept the questions coming. "Can I please just go?" Ruby begged with her leg bouncing, her eyes shooting up at the clock every few seconds.

"When are you coming back?"

"Yang!"

Yang sighed as she sat back. "Just be safe," she warned. "Don't-."

"Yang," Ruby sighed with a roll of her eyes. "We went to the same assemblies in Signal. I know all about that stuff."

The blonde's cheeks heated a bit- maybe she was being a bit too oppressive of her sister. "You can go, then."

Ruby leaped out of her chair, giving her sister a one-second hug before she sprinted out of the room. "Byeguys!" she slurred, too excited to form real words.

"Be back by eleven!" Yang yelled after the red petals, not knowing if Ruby heard her or not. She stared after her sister's trail, having a silent debate with herself as her teammates watched. After a few moments, Yang turned towards the other girls, only to receive knowing looks- mixed with a hint of disapproval.

"You are not chasing after her," Weiss commanded.

"What?" Yang drawled, scratching her cheek in embarrassment. "Why would you think-?"

"It's your sister, on a date with a guy you haven't met properly," Blake explained like it was common knowledge. Which, for the three of them, it was. "There is almost no other thought that would go through your head."

Yang blew out a huff of air, slumping back in her seat. Now all they could do was wait.

-xXxX-Line Break-XxXx-

"You're way too nervous."

"Well, she is fifteen minutes late."

"Too nervous."

Farayan sighed internally- if only he could punch that annoying voice in his head. "Ash, please," he exasperated. "You're really not helping."

"Fine, fine." He could feel the psychotic voice recede from his mind as Ash decided to sit back and watch. "Go do whatever human teens do. Actually, what do they do?"

Really, was he having this conversation right now? "You studied the students at Beacon," Farayan remarked. "Shouldn't you be an expert of something now?"

"Careful with that tone," Ash warned with a playful tone. "I might just- incoming."

Farayan looked at what interrupted his voice's train of thought. And his jaw dropped. The girl in front of him- he barely recognized her if not for the mop of black hair. "And the silver eyes," Ash sang in his mind.

"Ruby," Farayan exclaimed while he promptly ignored the quip. "You… uh…"

"I'm sorry!" Ruby gasped. She was bent backward, hands on her hips as she took deep breaths to refill her expended lungs. "My sister held me up," she huffed out. "And I couldn't find an airship for forever."

It took a moment for Farayan to respond, his brain shutting down and slowly rebooting. "It- it's fine," he stammered. "Ruby… um, you look…"

"Tired?"

"No, you look… really pretty. You didn't- you never wore anything besides that hood all the time."

Ruby's face was already red from sprinting, and it deepened to a crimson as she giggled. "Thanks?" She gave her outfit a quick twirl. "My friend helped me pick this out."

Farayan laughed in disbelief. "She did a really great job, then." He could barely form sentences. A silver shirt that brought out her eyes, lust-red pants and a black jacket transformed her… eccentric look into a regular teenager's. With her hair pushed aside, the tomboyish look was put aside for a rather pretty girl. "You look great."

Finally catching her breath, Ruby was still left with a red face- not from running, though. Despite that, she laughed as she strolled up, hands behind her back. "So," she quipped. "You ready to go?"

He really couldn't help it- Ash burst out laughing in Farayan's mind. "You really are- what's the phrase? Head over heels? This is going to be more fun than I imagined."

AN: I'm so sorry this took so long. I hate like 2/3s of this done around August 16, and I just… I'm sorry. It feels a bit weird to write about dates- I think this is exactly how I dragged my feet for Wilting Rose. So I'll apologize again.

Anyway, thank you, everyone, for sticking with this story. Also, I'll apologize for another thing. I totally forgot that I put up a poll for Ruby and Farayan's relationship like 4 months back. The sibling-love was supposed to be the winner, with close friends in second. And. I did this. So, whoops.

As for the date, I'm going to hate writing this. Never been on one- honest confession. So I have no idea what's good or bad. If you guys have any tips on writing it (or I dunno, actually having one), I'd be happy to listen.

So that's the end of that chapter. Hope you enjoyed. I'll give myself a strict deadline next chapter and see how that works. September 16. Maybe September 15 if I'm lucky. I'll see you guys again then.

Signing off, Flames of Fire.