I do not own RWBY or the characters

Cardin's hands gripped her waist and she reacted on instinct. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she pulled him closer. Cardin pulled away reluctantly. Looking down at the girl he smirked, "sorry."

He let go of her waist as she stepped back releasing his hair. Looking up at him she rolled her eyes, "no your not. And that was my first kiss too."

"Well at least now you know what to do," he said.

Guilt flooded her. He was in love with her but she just couldn't feel the same. Looking down at the floor she tried to hide her tears.

"I'll be fine," he stated resting his hand on the top of her head, "you already love someone right?"

"Jerk," she mumbled and hugged him. Wrapping his arms around the younger girl he forced back the pain he felt. She was more important than he was. Smirking he stepped out of her arms.

"You better get going if you want to dance with your crush," he told her. Reaching up she wiped away her tears.

"What about you," she asked making no move to leave.

"I think I'll soak up the starlight for awhile," he said looking up at the sky. He wondered if it was possible to have his heart torn out and still live. Then again he did know what he was getting into when he kissed her. It was obvious to anyone with a brain how she felt. Ruby nodded walking to the door. She had to leave soon if she wanted to catch Cinder in the act. She stalked back into the ballroom and bumped into the headmaster.

"Are you alright Miss Rose," he asked seeing the redness in her eyes. Ruby smiled at the headmaster's concern.

"Of course I was just having a conversation with a friend and found out that he was transferring after the festival," she stated simply telling him a half lie, "it was quite an unexpected conversation."

"I see," Ozpin said not knowing what he could say. He knew what she was talking about because he was the one who made the decision, "I hope you can understand why such a choice was made."

"I think he'll do better at Atlas," she said and started to walk past him, "you should enjoy yourself, professor, our fates could change at any given moment."

"Yes they could," he whispered as the girl walked out of the ballroom. He knew fate was fickle and had to wonder if he'd made the right choices leading up to this moment. Looking over at Glynda he smiled when James pulled the woman out onto the dance floor. Life was short but for someone like him, he wondered if there was ever such a thing as happiness. He'd made so many mistakes that ate away at his soul.

Ruby saw Cinder's form leap across the rooftops and hid a smirk as she walked toward the CCT tower. She could tell someone about the woman, but she wanted to fight. To see how she measured up against the woman. The worst part of the situation was that she would rather fight a losing battle against a corrupt maiden then spend one more moment in the ballroom.

Seeing the unconscious guards she winced feeling sorry for them. Stepping into the elevator she gently moved the guards so they were stuffed into one corner. She might feel for them but that didn't mean she would take the time to check on them. After all, she could tell they were alive.

Drawing Thorn, she stepped out of the elevator. Seeing no one she held the dagger in a reverse grip and said, "seeing as there are knocked out guards everywhere hiding isn't really a good way to go here."

Cinder's lips twitched up at the sarcastic tone despite the girl interfering she had to admit Ruby reminded her of a more moral Mercury. Standing she held a bottle of dust. Ruby raised an eyebrow and waited. She didn't have to wait long until the woman threw the dust into the air and formed ice sickles. Flipping back she dodged. Landing Ruby channeled aura into her dress and grinned when it lit up with bright white lines of dust. Lightning sparked along Thorn's blade and she activated her semblance.

Cinder blocked the dagger with her glass blade before jumping back as it shattered. As soon as the girl landed she was gone again. Her speed combined with the dust made her almost invisible. After the girl shattered several more of her blades Cinder decided to end the battle. Jumping into the air she formed her bow and shot at the ground. Ruby stumbled back from the explosion the arrows infused with fire dust made and Cinder took that chance to escape. At that same moment, a confused general walked in.

Sheathing Thorn, she deactivated the dust in her dress. Ironwood looked around for a second before taking out his scroll. She watched the general sound the alarm and pulled out a chair. Sitting she reached down pulling off her heels. She had a feeling that her team was going to be more than annoyed when she told them about this adventure.

"Miss Rose if you could follow me to Ozpin's office," James said before looking down at her now bare feet, "or I can have him come here."

"That would be better," she said and he pulled out his scroll again. Rubbing her feet she cursed herself for trying to fight in heels. It was not a pleasant experience. Looking at the general she asked, "is it possible for the CCT to be hacked?"

"It shouldn't be," he said, "they were made to be unhackable."

"Or maybe the right hacker hadn't come along yet," she said causing him to stop and think. If she was right then the whole system could be compromised. And if they found out about Penny it could lead to a war.

"James why have you detained one of my students," Ozpin asked exiting the elevator. Ruby heard the warning in his voice. The man sounded dangerous.

"Sorry headmaster," Ruby said getting his attention. When the man looked over at her she held up her shoes, "I tried to fight in heels, and now my feet hurt."

His guard dropped faster than ever. They both stared at the reaper dumbfounded at her bluntness. Slipping back on her shoes reluctantly she stood, "now just so you don't drag me into your office in the early hours of tomorrow morning, it seemed like the same woman that was with Torchwick the night we met. She also said something about a hideout in the southeast."

"Is that all Miss Rose," Ozpin asked looking down at the girl.

"Yep, now I'm going to bed," she told him and started walking to the elevator.

"Actually I would head back to the dance," he suggested holding up his hand to stop Ironwoods response, "your team is looking for you."

"Oz, you can't be serious-" she heard the general say just before the doors to the elevator slid closed. Shaking her head she leaned back against the wall and sighed. She hadn't changed anything but at the same time, she didn't really want to. If she changed too much she might not know what was coming next.

Blake's ears twitched as Ruby walked back into the ballroom. Walking to her leader's side she asked, "is there a reason why your smirking?"

"I was just wondering if I could have this dance," she stated extending her hand to the older girl. Cardin watched the two dance from his chair. He was glad to see her happy. Ignoring the feeling of loss he stood and walked to his dorm. He had to wonder why it felt like he'd lost something he never knew he had.