Chapter 21

Alright guys the last chapter of 2017, man it really feels like it was just yesterday that 2017 has begun… well anyway here's the next chapter.

I was completely right I was woken up at 6:30 by my dad; he's never been light on his feet and with these floor boards, it's almost like a wild beowolf came into your house. As I groggily climbed out of bed, I noticed that Jaune seemed completely undisturbed by my father; I wish I wasn't a light sleeper.

Quickly I put on my cloths that I had taken off the night before, and went straight to the bathroom. Dad had already gone in there allowing me to have it all for myself.

Honestly I didn't really do much, I just grabbed a face cloth put some cold water on it and wiped all the crud out of my eyes. After I quick look to make sure I didn't look like I was a walking corpse, I was out and ready for some breakfast.

When I got to the kitchen dad was already there eating some toast and reading the paper (He has to pay so much extra for them to come out here) and I saw that he was getting some coffee ready which, I personally never cared for but I can certainly appreciate it. I can't count how many times dad and Yang would wake up in the worst moods, and only some coffee would make them feel the slightest bit better.

Dad noticed me walk in and shoot me a quick smile "Mourning sweetie" He said looking back at his paper.

I checked the cupboard to see if we still ha- ah here we are Pumpkin Petes cereal. As luck would have it there was barely enough for a bowl. You know the weird part is despite how much I love milk especially with cookies, I don't like it with my cereal, not sure why, just never have.

I sat down across from my dad and he took one look at my food and just said "You know those are like a month over their expiration date right?" In response I simply took a bite with a shrug. "Don't blame me if you get sick" He said shaking his head.

Honestly would it be so bad if I got sick… yeah actually it would since I work with food, but then again I could just take the day off, it's not like Weiss and Blake can't handle the store without me. I mean they don't seem to hate each other anymore so I think they could do it.

"So" Dad said surprising me as he put his paper down "Since I have you alone there is a question I'd like to ask you" Don't tell me it's about Jaune. "Did anything happen last night?" Of course he's asking about THAT.

"No nothing happened last night" I said annoyed that he'd even ask such a stupid question, even though I'm pretty sure he's just joking.

"It's just I heard the floor creek" He said dismissively but I honestly thought he was being serious for a second. Oh god, if he starts giving me 'the talk' I'm running as fast as I can out of here.

"That was just me…" quick think of something easy to explain, but then again what other than the truth would make any sense? I guess I could… oh crap he's giving that look the 'I know that you're thinking of an excuse' look, oh how I hate it when he does that.

"Ruby if you can't think of a good lie, then just tell the truth" He said sounding impatient. Should I just tell him the truth, would it really matter?

"He was talking about his dad so I…"

"It's fine, you don't have to say anymore" Dad said interrupting me which, for once I was quite thankful that he did.

After that, the only sound that could be heard was of us eating. I was happy that he was done asking about me and Jaune… doing that, but at the same time it was odd to see my dad so non-talkative. Normally he's the kind of guy that doesn't close his mouth, so it's always odd when he is quiet. It usually means that he's abo- "So Ruby" Oh god no.

I swallowed the last of my cereal before saying "Yeah dad?"

"I was wondering, since you never mentioned them, what are your co-workers like?" A week ago, I would have gone a thirty minute rant about Weiss but now I'm not quite sure what to say.

"Oh well I don't know much about them but, I can say that they're good at their job" I answered hoping to buy some time because I know he will want to hear more.

"Well that's good, I'd hate for you to be stuck with incompetent people" He said as he got up to poor himself a cup of coffee.

"Well with how things started, I think they thought I was the incompetent one" I said giggling.

"Oh really, what did you do to cause that?" He asked as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Oh you know on my first day I bumped into one of my co-workers, and caused her to spill powder all over us" I said remembering the terrifying look Weiss gave me that day.

My dad on the other hand, sniggered while shaking his head "Reminds me of when you first started baking"

"Oh please don't bring that up" I said practically begging him because when dad talks about me as a kid he gets kinda weird.

"How could I not? I still have the recording" He said knowing that would set me off.

"You still that recording?" I asked with my voice cracking.

"I haven't deleted any of my recordings of you when you were little Ruby" Dad said matter of factly.

"Does that mean you have..?"

"Yes I do" He said smiling causing me to groan at hit my head on the table. Dad walked over to me laughing, before he put a hand on my shoulder "Don't worry Ruby, no one else will ever see them"

"Really?" I asked hopefully looking up at him, because if anyone ever saw this video besides him, I'd have to kill them.

"Well at least until your wedding" He said shrugging causing me to scream internally and slam my head on the table again.

Dad let out a gut busting laugh and I knew he was being serious, he would show those videos at my wedding. Well then… I guess there's only one way to stop that from happening "Then it seems I can never get married" I said spitefully.

"Oh Ruby, we both know you'll get married to Jaune the moment I die" I looked up and gave my dad a deathly glare which only made his smug grin larger, he really needs to stop with this whole 'Me and Jaune are dating' thing.

"For, the last time, HE'S NOT MY-" Dad put a hand up before I had the chance to finish.

"I know Ruby he's not your boyfriend" Good he actually said it "But" wait what's with this but? "I want to ask you a question and, I want you to tell me the truth when you answer this question, okay?" He seemed deadly serious right now, he rarely gets like this, only when me or Yang are in danger does he ever get serious.

"I'll answer it as truthfully as I can" even though I didn't know what he was about to ask, I knew whatever it was I shouldn't lie about my answer.

"Okay good" He took a second letting out a deep breath "Do you like Jaune?" And just like that all the seriousness on his face in his voice was gone, replaced by concern and curiosity.

I was honestly stunned that he just came out and asked that strait up. I took some time to think to think over that question, since it seemed my dad didn't want to rush an answer out of me.

Do I like Jaune? Well I do like him, a lot. I mean he's a great guy; he's helped me out with getting new clothes, he makes me laugh, he talks to me when I need him, listened to my problems and tried his best to give me advice or just made me feel a bit better. Also I have a lot of fun spending time with him, like when we had breakfast at Nora's it was great just hanging out with him, and he's like the only person I've ever talked to about the nerdy stuff I enjoy.

You know speaking of that, I should really ask him more about weapons since he was a huntsman in training like I was. I wonder what his opinion on Crescent Rose will be, will he think it's too big or odd or will he… wait a second, I forget it back at my apartment! Ah no matter, I can just show it to him there.

Now what was I thinking about again… oh yeah Jaune and what I feel about him.

Let's see what else? Oh right, there's the fact that he came with me on this trip just because he thought I needed some help with my father… and also because he would have missed me, which it's actually, really nice to know that I mean something to him.

Well there is no doubt in my mind that I defiantly like him, I mean he's the closest friend I've had in… probably ever. But do I like him in that way?

"No, I just see him as a friend"

Yeah… just as a friend.

xXx

Waking up I found that things were awfully quiet, with what Ruby said last night, I expected to hear the floor creaking but there was nothing. I rubbed my eyes to see that it was about 7:30, and also Ruby was gone.

I guess she woke up earlier I quickly got out of bed and put on the clothes I had taken off last night, before I left the room.

It didn't take long to figure out where Ruby was, since I heard her down stairs talking to her father. I didn't catch a word of their conversation but I didn't really care about what they talking about, it's none of my business.

I decided to not bother them and check out the backyard, I found the door to it last night but didn't want to go outside because it was dark by then.

When I stepped outside I saw a small area of open land surrounded by trees, it would seem when they made this place they either found an odd place with no trees, or more likely cut them all down to make room.

There was a tiny shed near the end of the open area, with a much larger structure right next to it, with a pathway from it leading to the front yard; I'm guessing that was a garage.

Closer to the house there was a beautiful garden, full of Roses (no surprise there) sunflowers, a couple of lilacs, and a few I didn't quite recognize. I kneeled down to get a closer look at them but still couldn't recognize them, they were black looked kinda like an inside out rose with a yellow center.

I'm guessing Tai did this, didn't take him for the gardening sort of guy. Well Ruby did say he was a Huntsman, and with his injury I doubt they'd let him fight, so it does make sense that he'd do something to fill the void that losing your job as a huntsman would create. Then again I could be wrong and Ruby could've planted these for all I know.

"There you are" A voice called out, I turned my head to see Ruby walking over to me. "What'cha you doing out here anyway?" She asked as she stopped right beside me.

"I wanted to check out the backyard" I answered with a shrug.

"Oh ok, I just saw you staring at the garden" Ruby said kneeling down next to me.

"Well, it does look nice" I said looking back to the flowers.

"Yup, my dad did a really good job this year" Ruby said which answered the question on who planted them.

"Your dad doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would do this" I said looking at Ruby who let out a weak chuckle.

"Well he's really not" Ruby said putting her knees on the grass.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked confused.

"The only reason he gardens anymore is because my mom loved to do it, he only did it so they could do something together that wasn't killing grimm" Ruby explained.

"Really?"

"Yeah, he started to get good at it and actually enjoy it, I guess it sorta became there 'thing', if you know what I mean" Ruby looked at me with an unsure expression, like she wanted to explain more but had no idea how to.

"Yeah I do know what you mean" I said making her look at me in surprise "My parents had a 'thing' that they'd do" I couldn't help but chuckle at the memory.

"They did, what was it?" Ruby asked while scooting a bit closer to me.

I smile crept up on my face as I let a sigh to stop myself from laughing "They'd… they would watch a crappy movie together and just, make fun of it" Ruby looked a tad unimpressed by what I just said so I quickly mumbled out "Trust me, it's a lot more fun than it sounds"

"Hmmmh… maybe we could try it sometime" Ruby said giving me a hopeful look.

"Yeah, that sounds nice" I mumbled looking back to the flowers.

For a long while neither of us said anything, oddly enough though it didn't feel weird at all. After about a minute of silence I stood up and my knees almost gave out on me but causing me to stumble, but I fine after a second or two.

"I think I'll head inside" I said as I began to talk back to the cabin, I'm feeling quite hungry and I would love piece of toast right now.

"Ummm Jaune…" Ruby called out causing me to stop. I turned back to face her and she looked very nervous and unsure.

"What is it?"

Ruby began to fidget nervously "There is something I've wanted to ask you since last night but I wasn't sure how to ask you" Ruby explained unable to meet my eyes.

"Why's that?" I asked curiously. If she's wanted to ask me since last night, I can only think it has something to do with my parents. If that's the case, than I can understand why she's so nervous.

"Well… I think it would be better if I showed you, but I'm not sure if I want to" Ruby said with her face turning bright red.

I have honestly no idea she could be talking about anymore, but whatever it is she wants to show me it can't be that bad. "Why don't you want to show me?"

"Because..!" Ruby exclaimed before stopping herself at her outburst, she let out a sigh and began again "Because… what I'll show you is very personal, and I'm afraid to of what you'll think about it" Ruby explained fearfully.

That it? I mean I can understand that but does she really think, that I'd think any less of her for some embarrassing thing that she wants to show me? Do I really have to say this? I let out a sigh before I began to walk back to Ruby.

"Listen Ruby, it's obvious that whatever this thing is you're afraid of me seeing, you think that if I saw it I'd think of less of you or something" I said now standing in front of Ruby. "I'd just like to tell you, we all got stupid things we're embarrassed about" I put my hands on her shoulder and looked her dead in the eye "and that's just what they are things we're embarrassed about, most of the time other people don't care" I finished taking my hands off Ruby. She seemed to think over what I just said and began to smile.

"You're right Jaune" She said letting out a laugh. "I guess I was just over thinking things" She shrugged looking up at me.

"When it comes to things like this, most of the time you probably are" I said making her laugh.

I began to turn around back to cabin but a tug on my sleeve stopped me. "Come on" Ruby said gesturing me to follow.

I simply smiled while shaking my head; I guess food can wait a little. "Where are we going?" I asked as I began to follow her.

"Don't worry it's not too far"

You know, when people say that it usually means it's far away.

xXx

We had been walking for about twenty minutes, and I followed Ruby on a path that was clear she had taken many times. Never once did she have to stop to remember where she was going, or even check some kind of land mark to make sure we were in the right place.

Also I could tell she had walked this path so often, because of how little amount of foliage was in are way on the path.

We hadn't spoken much since we started walking, and while I didn't find it uncomfortable or anything, I was getting a bit bored so I decided to start up a conversation. "Does your dad know we're out here?" Really out of everything you could have possibly said, you decided to talk about her father? Great job Jaune.

"Nope" She said popping the P.

"Oh… then I can't wait to hear what he has to say when we come back" I said sarcastically.

Ruby let out a sigh of annoyance "Yeah, I can imagine what stupid thing he'll say now"

"We'd walk in and he'd say 'where were you two?'" I said trying my best to impersonate Tai but it turned out horrible.

At any rate it made Ruby chuckle "Then I would tell him that we went on a walk"

"And then he'd say something along the lines of 'You went on a romantic walk together in the forest, I'm gonna have to kill you Jaune'" Ruby and I burst out in a fit of laughter, with us both stopping so we didn't fall over.

After we calmed down Ruby said "Okay I'm not sure if he'd say that" After last I'm pretty sure he would.

"Well at any rate he'd have to make some comment about us being a couple" I said with a shrug.

"Yeah, I'm really getting tired of that" Took the words right out of my mouth.

I mean Ruby's a fine woman but…

But what?

Well you know.

Know what?

It wouldn't work.

Why is that?

You know what, I don't have to tell you that.

Well I already know the answer, and let me just say you're an idiot for thinking that.

Thanks a lot buddy.

Anytime.

"I mean just because I brought you here and you're a guy that automatically means were dating" Ruby companied and while I shared her feeling, I could understand why Tai would think that. My problem is that he keeps doing it.

"Well you know how most people are, they think a man and woman being together can only mean one thing" I said with a shrug.

Ruby let out a sigh before saying "I just wish my dad wasn't one of them" She crossed her arms looking quite annoyed before her eyes opened wide "Oh we're here" She said.

Turning to face where Ruby was looking I saw that we were at Cliffside, as we walked closer to the edge I took a look at the view and saw an absolutely stunning landscape. There was a waterfall that dropped down to a small lake that with the rising sun shining of it made a truly wonderful sight. That wasn't all though the trees leaves down there were an odd shade of blue, I've never seen a tree with blue leaves I didn't think it was possible. I looked back to the trees we had been walking under and none of them had blue leaves so I guess it's just the trees down there.

Ruby seemed amused by my amazement giggling to herself "I come here so often I kinda got used to how this place was… it does look amazing"

"You can say that again" I said still gawking at the sights.

"But that's not why I brought you here" Ruby said tugging on my sleeve to get me out of my trance. I'm really glad she wasn't afraid of me seeing that because if she was, I'd be scared for her mental health.

Ruby led me along the Cliffside to a spot that went farther out then the rest, she let go of me and walked close to the edge before stopping and kneeling down. I couldn't see what she was kneeling in front of, but I saw that she brushed some leaves out of the way.

After swaying the leaves away she stood up allowing me to see what she was hiding. It was a rectangular stone dug into the ground with words engraved on it, I took a closer look to clearly read them and it said.

Summer Rose
Thus kindly I scatter

Ruby's mother's grave? Why would she take me here? I mean sure we talked about my parents last night, but I didn't it would lead to this.

"Sssso, you might be wondering why I brought you here" Ruby said awkwardly while shuffling.

"The thought, had crossed my mind" I said nodding my head.

Ruby began to fidget with her hands again and she let out a sigh "My mom died close to ten years ago" She began looking down "I didn't take it very well" I doubt any child would take the death of their parent very well. "But my dad took it even worse" Ruby stopped to take a deep breath; it was quite obvious she wasn't having the easiest time saying all of this. "He wasn't the most helpful, when it came to moving past my mother's death, so my sister Yang had to pick up a lot of the slack" She smiled looking off into the distance, but that smile quickly dissipated as she looked back at me. "But sometimes Yang wasn't able to help me when I needed her; she had plenty of problems of her own… so when that happened, I would come here" Ruby said gesturing to the grave. "And I would just… talk" She stated simply turning to face her mother's grave. "I'd tell my mom how things were going in life, the good and the bad" Ruby wiped her face of the tears that I had no doubt were in her eyes. "When I was young, it was my way of feeling like my mom was still around, my way of talking to her even though she was gone, and I guess it still is" She said turning back to me and I could see her eyes were wet with former tears. "I haven't come here in a while, and I wanted to tell her something, but I wanted to make sure you were ok with it" Ruby finished giving me hopeful smile.

Well ok that was a lot to take in to say the least. I mean she just told me all about her all of that and instead of wanting to talk about, she brought me here to make sure I was ok with something she wanted to say to her mom? Ok I'm not gonna call Ruby crazy, but this is defiantly very odd.

"Why do I need to be ok with it?" I asked extremely confused.

"Well I wanted to tell her about you" Ruby said trying her best to make that not sound awkward (it didn't work).

"Ruby, I honestly don't care what you say about me" I answered maybe not telling the entire truth there.

"You wouldn't care if I said you're a vile human who I wish nothing more than for them to die?" Ruby asked teasingly.

"…Ok maybe I would care a little if you said that" I said no doubt having my cheeks light up.

Ruby gave me a smile and stood right beside me, I could tell she was about to 'talk' with her mom, and I was going to give her some space, but she held my arm before I had the chance to walk away. She took a deep breath before she began "Hey mom, I know I haven't been here for a while" She still hasn't let go of my arm. "In fact it's been almost a year now hasn't it?" She asked and even waited a bit for an answer that never came. "It's weird that as you get older time seems to go by faster… well anyway I graduated from school, and got a job baking in Vale" She began to nervously shuffle and her grip on me grew tighter. "Thing didn't start off well, my co-workers didn't seem to like me very much but, thankfully I was able to patch things up with them"

Ruby didn't say anything after that; she simply smiled off into the distance. "But most importantly, I have to tell you about the guy who's standing right next to me" She said looking up at me with a warm smile that I returned albeit mine was a bit uncomfortable. "This is Jaune, he's my neighbor" Ruby stated gesturing to me. "And he's been a big help to me ever since I moved in" Ruby said before chuckling to herself "In fact I would never have been able to open my door without him" Ruby took a deep breath again before she spoke again now she sounded less cheery and more somber "Honestly he's probably the best friend I've ever had, and if it wasn't for him I'd would hate living in my apartment" Did she really just say that? Do I really mean that much to her? I didn't even think for a second that, that could possibly be the case. "So yeah that, kinda what's happened in the last year" Ruby said finally letting me go "It was good to 'talk'" She said before she began to walk away.

I quickly followed after her wanting to say something, but I couldn't find the right thing to say. "I'm sorry about that Jaune, that must have been weird for you" Ruby said stopping to look at me.

Yeah it was pretty weird, downright odd for me to see her do that, but I can kinda understand why she does it. "No need to apologize for anything" I said hoping she would just drop it at that, but one thing did linger in my mind. "Why did you bring me here?"

Ruby seemed taken aback, and began to think for an answer "Well… ok remember yesterday when you asked me why I brought you on this trip?" Ruby asked nervously.

"Yeah, I do" where is she going with this?

"Well after you said that you came with me because you would have missed me, and that I was your closest friend" Oh god did she have to bring that up again? I could feel that my face was beat red. "That meant a lot to me, and I wanted to tell you how much you mean to me" Ruby explained with her cheeks lighting up. "But I couldn't find the right time to tell you" She exclaimed.

I don't know why she needed the 'right time' to tell me all of that but whatever "So you brought me out here, to tell me that I'm your best friend" I summed up causing Ruby face to turn even redder than her namesake and she started stammering out incomprehensive babble. The whole thing was pretty funny and kinda cute, but after a minute she was able to regain her composure.

"When you say it like that I sound like an idiot" Ruby said with a pout.

"Well-"

"Don't even say it" Ruby interrupted me putting her finder on my lip. I couldn't help but smile.

"Well at any rate, thanks for telling me all of that" I said causing Ruby to once again be taken aback. "I didn't think, I meant that much to you"

"Why would you think that you didn't?" Ruby asked and I was going to say 'because no one has cared about in about 3 years' but I decided against that.

"I don't know… I just… I don't know" Great answer idiot.

Ruby seemed to expect it with a simple shrug, before she began to walk back to the cabin.

As we walked my stomach growled "I guess someone's hungry" Ruby said giving me a smile.

"Well I haven't had anything to eat today" I stated as I began to walk a little faster.

"Well when we get back to the cabin we can have some lunch" Ruby said now matching my pace. "And then I think we should head home" Ruby said and I couldn't help but agree with her so I gave her a nod. "I just have to get the parts for my weapon"

"You mean Crescent Rose?" I asked teasingly.

"Oh you figured that out?" Ruby asked.

"Wasn't hard after what your dad said yesterday" I said with a cheesy grin and for that I got a punch to the shoulder, then again this was one of Ruby's punches so it was more like a light tap.

"Can you not mention that?" Ruby asked practically begging. I simply answered with a smile that told her 'no', she let out a sigh before a reluctant smile grew on her face. "Anyway I think we should take the bridge home" She stated.

"I didn't know there was a bridge that went from Vale to Patch near here"

"There isn't it'll take an extra two hours for us to go that way, but it's worth it so you don't spew out your lunch" Ruby explained and I agreed wholeheartedly.

After that it was silence, which I wasn't opposed to. These past two days have been really weird but I'm really glad that they happened.

"I'm glad you invited me to come with you Ruby" I said breaking the silence.

"Well, I'm glad you came" She said back making us both laugh.

After I was done laughing I looked at Ruby and couldn't help but smile. Ever since she moved in things have been a lot better for me, well not at my job but in every other area things have gotten better. Ruby really is a wonderful woman, and I'm real lucky to have her as a friend.

I guess maybe you could say that you-

Don't even think that for a second.

I was just going to say that you care about her a lot.

You know what… I think we finally agree on something.

And there we have it the end of the 'Go to Taiyang's house arc' if you can even call it that so this chapter is important for two reasons one it solidifies Ruby and Jaune's friendship as something more than just a simple friendship and two… Jaune finally agreed with his brain.

Ok so actual little update, the next couple of chapter will have little to nothing to do with Ruby and Jaune. The reason for this is because I don't want to use up all the big moments for Ruby and Jaune I had planned out too early, and also I want to expand on some of the other characters so that means Qrow, which I love doing and I think you guys love those chapters too considering all of them have such high view counts, but I'm also going to do some stuff with a certain kitty cat, and blonde brawler so I look forward to all of that and I hope you guys do as well.

And with that as always say, thanks for reading, I hope you have enjoyed, review if you wish, and have a great day.