I do not own RWBY or the characters

Ruby ducked around the boy's staff the screams of the audience ringing in the background. Bolin growled as the girl danced around him as if she could read his every move. As the end of his staff slammed into the icy ground, Ruby kicked him in the chest sending him stumbling back. Grabbing the end of his staff she pulled him in her direction and stabbed Thorn at his face.

With wide eyes, the boy tilted his head to the side. Seeing something red from the corner of her eye Ruby released his staff and jumped back. As his green haired teammate landed in front of him, Ruby looked over at Jaune who winced under her glare. He'd been supposed to keep her occupied, while she took out the staff wielder.

"Really Jaune," she scolded causing their opponents to smirk, they thought she was angry about Reese getting away, but really she was annoyed at having her plan ruined. Shaking her head Ruby sighed and said "whatever it doesn't matter. Just stay back."

Jaune nodded but he knew she was more amused than annoyed. Sheathing her dagger Ruby unfolded her scythe. As she took off with a grin he shook his head fondly. The first round of the tournament had pitted them against the team from Haven and Jaune had been ordered by Ruby to look like the weak link in their team. Tightening his grip on his sword he looked over to where Blake was dodging gunfire wondering if he should help. Then she literally diced the boy's aura to pieces. Yeah, he wasn't needed there.

"Jaune," Ruby screamed as Bolin got past her and charged the blonde. Reacting on instinct Jaune blocked the strike with his shield before kicking the boy's legs out from under him. As the shocked staff wielder fell Jaune slammed the hilt of his sword into the boys head. When he looked up and saw Ruby's exasperated look he shrugged.

"What," he questioned and she rolled her eyes. Seeing Reese charge at her back he pointed behind her and said, "there's still the one behind you."

Ruby sighed and spun, catching the other girl in the stomach with her scythe she pulled. Reese yelped as she was thrown from her hoverboard and sent rolling across the ground. Coming to a stop in front of Jaune she winced. Reaching down Jaune grabbed the girls arm and drained her aura until it came into the red.

"Sorry," he told the girl while Port announced that Arslan was the only one from her team left. Ruby smiled looking over to where Pyrrha was fighting the other girl. Raising an eyebrow she watched the redhead throw her shield then get in close with her spear. Hearing a groan she looked over at the black haired boy she'd been fighting and offered him her hand.

Bolin considered the girl for a second before taking her hand. When he was on his feet he said, "you guys did good, but don't think you'll win so easily next time."

"Don't think Arslan can beat us all," Ruby asked amused. He scoffed looking over at his leader sadly.

"Pyrrha's beat Arslan several times," he said referring to the two girls lives fighting in minstrel, "Arslan's never won and I doubt today will be the day she does."

"That sucks," Ruby said pouting. When he looked over at her curiously she smiled and explained, "I really wanted to fight some more."

"Battle junkie," Blake teased coming to stand at her leader side. Jaune coughed to cover up his laugh. It was true that Ruby was more likely to spend her time fighting than doing anything else unless it was cuddling. As Arslan's aura went into the red, Ruby sighed.

"Let's have a rematch before you go back to Haven," she offered while leading her team from the stage.

"Sure kid," Bolin said wanting another chance to fight the girl. Skipping onto the fairgrounds Ruby headed for the cotton candy stand. Seeing her direction Pyrrha grabbed the small girl by her jacket.

"Ruby your hyper enough without sugar," she said while the reaper pouted, "we came for food, not sweets."

Mumbling Ruby followed her team slowly annoyed. It wasn't like she acted like Nora or anything when she ate sweets. Ruby frowned wondering when Qrow was going to get to the school. He said he'd be here either today or tomorrow. She just hopped he didn't destroy the courtyard like in the original timeline.

"Might be hard to eat without your wallet," Emerald pointed out as she came up to them. While Pyrrha and the others spun around and started talking to the girl, Ruby made her way over to Mercury.

"That's not weird at all," she said sarcastically as he sniffed the boot he was holding. Looking at the girl he grinned.

"Just testing the leather," he stated putting the shoe back.

"Well I guess I should be glad you didn't test it by biting the leather," she teased before becoming serious, "you and Emerald are going to the doubles round right?"

"Oh no how did you guess our master plan," he cried dramatically and she fell over giggling. Emerald looked back amused while Blake sighed and went to collect her leader. Honestly, she wasn't even surprised by Ruby anymore.

"Sorry about Ruby," the cat fanus stated helping the girl up. Mercury waved her off the grin never leaving his face.

"She's fine, although if you could make her stop hunting me down for sparring matches that'd be great," he stated. The girl was amusing and honestly, he didn't mind having her around for short amounts of time.

When Blake looked down at her with a glare Ruby stopped giggling and defended herself, "it was only twice and that was before our team trip."

"So who's going to the next round," Emerald asked Pyrrha and was surprised when the girl pointed at Ruby and Blake.

"They work well together and Ruby loves fighting," Jaune said at the same time an arm was slung over his shoulder by Cardin.

"Our little rose is going through," he asked smirking at the annoyance that crossed Pyrrha's face. The girl still didn't like him although he could see why. She especially didn't like him around Jaune. Looking at the two people of the group he didn't know he introduced himself, "I'm Cardin Winchester a friend of Ruby's."

"This is Emerald and Mercury," Ruby said slipping away from Blakes hold, "how'd your team do?"

"We didn't enter," he said much to her disbelief. Seeing her curious look he rolled his eyes and told her, "it's punishment for what they did."

"They've already been forgiven," she protested but he shook his head. She may have given them a second chance but he wouldn't. Not yet at least.

"That's nice and all but Cardin could you lean on something else," Jaune said catching his attention.