I do not own RWBY or the characters
The wind blew the long bangs of her hair as Ruby exited the airship behind Yang. Frowning Ruby reached back to adjust the long silver hair pin holding her hair in a bun. She wasn't actually used to her new hairstyle yet. Shivering in the cold Atlas air she was suddenly happy about wearing three layers of shirts, but mainly for the turtle neck sleeveless shirt. Atlas seemed very stale and pristine. Straightening her jacket and zipping it up she wondered how her sister could walk around without jackets.
"How can you not be cold," she asked the blonde. Yang laughed.
"It's not that bad kid," Qrow said looking around for their escourt. Ironwood was supposed to be meeting them soon. Rolling her eyes Ruby looked around the courtyard. There was snow everywhere. How did these people stand to be cold all the time and why were they obsessed with blue and white?
"When's Ironwood getting here," Ruby asked softly. When he shrugged she felt her eye twitch. She was here to check on her friends not wait around for Ironwood to remember they were here, frowning she said, "I'm not waiting for James."
Spotting Cardin, she stalked over ignoring Qrow's attempt to pull her back. Yang trotted after her sister while Qrow considered what he should do now. If Tai was here he would drag her back and give a speech about not splitting up. Finally, he shrugged again and followed. It wouldn't do for Ruby to destroy Atlas Academy.
Indigo met silver as they stared at each other. Reaching up Ruby touched his scar gently. Cardin leaned into her hand trusting her completely. Tears stung her eyes as she looked up at him and said, "this is my fault."
Cardin frowned at her words and shook his head speaking softly, "It was my recklessness."
"On my orders," she protested, "if I hadn't given you the order then you wouldn't have gotten hurt."
"And your kitten would be dead," he countered stepping back to look at her. It seemed he wasn't the only one who'd gotten a new weapon. He doubted the hair pin was just for show and although he missed his old mace, the silver mace on his waist had a revolving dust chamber. Staring at him she had to agree with his words. Biting her lip she let it go. She wouldn't get to spend long in Atlas before she headed out again and she didn't want to spend all her time arguing with him.
"Fine," she said looking behind her as her family caught up to her. Qrow wanted to glare at the boy but settled for watching his every move. Smiling Ruby and asked, "Yang do you want to see your team first?"
When the blonde shook her head Ruby turned back to Cardin and ordered, "take me to my team."
"As you command," he said giving a mocking bow. Yang's lips twitched slightly but she didn't speak. He led them through a large building attached to the right side of the Academy. Ruby's heart began to pound the longer they walked. Would Jaune even forgive her for not being there? Qrow noticed her attitude change immediately. Glancing over at Yang who was looking around in wonder he deemed it safe enough to speak.
"You okay kid," he asked. Cardin pretended not to hear them and for that Qrow could respect the boy a little. Just a little though he still didn't like the boy.
"I'm worried," she said softly. He could guess why Summer was always blaming herself when one of them got hurt.
"No one blames you for what happened," he told her. Honestly, Qrow didn't know who to blame. Ruby nodded but didn't believe him. She couldn't until she saw her team safe and sound. Cardin stopped outside a plain white door and glanced back at her.
"Thank you," she said softly. Cardin pulled the girl into a one sided hug for a second before pulling the door she faltered at the sight of Jaune. His blonde hair was messier than usual and she could see his slumped form from here. Laying on the bed hooked up to so many wires was Pyrrha. Ruby gasped in shock at how weak her partner looked. Hearing her Jaune stood from his chair and turned. Hollow blue eyes stared at her weakly. Heartbreaking Ruby stared not sure what to do. Blinking Jaune crossed the distance and pulled the girl into a hug. Shoulders shaking Ruby wrapped her arms around him tightly. Glancing over at Cardin who was leaning into the room Jaune nodded in respect.
Cardin sighed this was the most emotional he'd seen the blonde boy in weeks. Seeing the same doctor who'd broken the news to him about his eye about to walk over he glared over at the man. Freezing the man suddenly noticed three things. One the redhead had visitors, two one of them was the scary boy who almost killed him, and three Ironwood wasn't here to protect him. Gulping he stepped back hopping none of the others had spotted him. Qrow, however, had a different Idea. maybe they could get answers about Pyrrha.
"Hey doc," he said causing Ruby to pull away from Jaune and look over at the man. Slinging an arm around the man's shoulder Qrow led him over to the group. Ruby studied the brown eyed and black haired doctor while she wiped away her tears. Stepping forward she smiled innocently. Yang smirked as her sister was either planning on charming the man or scaring him half to death.
"Hello, My name's Ruby Rose," she said offering him her hand. Shaking her hand he winced slightly when he saw Cardin's smirk and Jaune's narrowed eyes. Releasing his hand Ruby said, "I'm sure you can tell us something about my teammate's condition."
"T-that's clas-classified," he said stuttering slightly. Blinking at his answer Ruby twitched her hand subtly. Cardins amused smirk turned deadly at the silent order. Amplifying the man's fear was easy when there was so much of it.
"Maybe you should try again," Ruby said her smile widening when he began shaking. Brown eyes widened in fear and Qrow's grip turned from casual to iron clad. Tilting her head Ruby continued, "you see we're very worried about Pyrrha's condition and I would be very happy if you would tell me what you know."
"Miss. Rose, please release my doctor," Ironwood ordered although he sounded more amused than angry. He'd been looking everywhere for them. Glancing over at him she considered his request. Humming she nodded. Qrow released the terrified man while Cardin pulled back his semblance. Stumbling back the man practically ran out of the room.
"I suspect you'll be answering my questions then," she said her smile and innocent attitude gone. Nodding the general motioned for them to follow.
"You know Jimmy messing with the doctor was more fun," Qrow stated while Ruby turned to Yang.
"Can you two say here with Pyrrha along with Cardin, I don't want to leave her unguarded," she asked softly. Jaune blinked at not being included but didn't question it. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to speak anymore. What right did he have to an opinion when he couldn't even save Pyrrha?
Ironwood watched her take command of the room. It seemed he was right to assume she was in control of the emotional torture of his doctor. Leading the three to his office he noticed how Qrow walked between him and the two kids and how Ruby did the same except with Jaune. They were both aware of the weakest member of their group and took steps to ensure Ironwood was as far as possible from him. It was a type of mentality he'd usually seen in soldiers and wolf packs.
When he entered the office he made sure to keep his back to them showing vulnerability. Qrow knew exactly what he was doing and so did Ruby. Scoffing Qrow collapsed into one of the chairs in front of Ironwood's desk.
"Tell me what happened to my teammate," Ruby ordered not bothering to play nice. Jaune stood at her back watching him closely. Ironwood sighed.
"When Ozpin placed her into the chamber her aura rejected Ambers violently," he said softly sounding ashamed of his friend's actions, meeting Ruby's eyes he finished, "her aura attacked her own soul in its struggle to defend itself from the outside invader."
Staring at him in shock she tried to process his words. The man who was supposed to protect them hurt one of his own students. It was made worse by the fact the tech came from Atlas meaning Ironwood knew about it. Growling Ruby vanished in a burst of rose petals. Cold steel touched his neck. Turning slowly he shivered to see the slight glow in her slightly shinning silver eyes. Ruby wasn't angry, no, she was far beyond that point. Qrow blinked before leaning back. He knew she wouldn't kill the general.
"Ruby let him go," Jaune said softly speaking for the first time. Glancing over at the blonde she didn't move. Sighing Jaune continued, "right now we need him."
Considering his words Ruby stepped back refolding Crescent Rose onto her back. Meeting the generals gaze she smirked and said, "anything else we need to know?"
