I do not own RWBY (sorry for the long wait)

Summer Rose was a hero who was known for her kindness and charismatic personality; she was a light shining even in the darkest times; Ruby didn't know if she could live in the light like her mother had. Summer's strength and power were something that even the grimm feared, yet she still died. Everyone died eventually, Summer was no exception. Ruby knew she looked exactly like her mother; however, she wasn't anything like Summer Rose. The woman was a hero, a symbol of hope, Ruby could never follow in those footsteps; she couldn't be a hero.

She was selfish; saving the world didn't matter to her. Living with her friends and family was the most important thing to her and to get the life she wanted she would destroy everything in her path to protect them. Even if it meant that she tore down governments and traditions along the way. So, she couldn't be like Summer Rose nor could she sit back and allow the world to be torn apart, however, that did not mean she was going to go off fighting the forces of darkness without a plan.

Looking up at the falling red leaves of Forever Fall she wondered if the blood-red color would stain the streets during the fall of Beacon. Could she truly allow the fall to happen? Yes, without hesitation, if she gained profit from it. If she did then would that make her a murderer by association? She wasn't sure. Beacon was a way to train the next generation of humanities protectors, but she didn't quite know if that would be enough. With a woman who could control the grimm wouldn't it be better to go on the offensive and destroy her, yet she couldn't do that. Not when she didn't have all the facts or understand how this supposed shadow war worked.

Perhaps Ozpin would give her the answers she wanted but there was also the possibility that he wouldn't yet the one thing she did know was that she couldn't trust him. People like him kept secrets that hurt people. She wanted to trust him, but he was a liar; a good liar. Sighing she glanced over at where Cardin was training with Jaune. They'd already finished their assignment, Pyrrha was guarding the sap, so the three teams had chosen to use the extra time to train.

Curling up under the tree she'd chosen Ruby glanced up as the branch above her creaked. Blake shifted as she turned the page in her book. Rolling her eyes at her bookworm teammate, Ruby leaned forward her chin resting on her knees. Her ever-growing fondness for her team was also something she hadn't foreseen happening.

Cardin side stepped Jaune's attack with amusement his eyes tracking the other boy's movements even as he cackled. It seemed that the knight wasn't any better at hand-to-hand; although the flexibility he showed was impressive. He doubted the boy would approve of him commenting on that, however he would probably take the comment a lot better if it came from Pyrrha. Their romantic interactions made him sick. Why couldn't they just say what they wanted to say and stop playing around?

Hearing Pyrrha call an end to the spar he chose to turn his attention to Ruby. His little rose had been getting lost in thought more often now; most likely because of the future events she refused to tell him about; much to his growing annoyance. It had to be something bad, but he wasn't quite sure that she even knew what to do about her future knowledge. Sidestepping Pyrrha as the girl rushed to check on Jaune who seemed very embarrassed about her actions; Cardin walked over to Ruby who was pushing herself into a standing position.

Watching his leader joke around with the girl Russel felt nothing but jealousy. Cardin was his leader, yet all the boy cared about was that stupid little girl. He hated feeling as if he was second best to a child. He wanted to hurt her; to make her feel every ounce of rage that he did. It would be so easy to just strangle her until she dropped dead. That's why it was so easy for him to reach down and pick up the jar of sap laying a few feet away.

Tightening his grip on the jar he wondered if he was simply invisible to everyone around when no one noticed him. Sneering he narrowed his eyes his expression darkening as her reared back his arm and tossed the jar at the small girl. Except the jar didn't hit her and shatter or even hit her at all. Instead it impacted his leader's chest and shattered covering Cardin's armor and shirt in sticky purple sap. Suddenly Russel felt as if his life span had shortened by several years as Cardin's indigo eyes narrowed into slits.

Ruby snickered at the dumbfounded expression on his face that was quickly changing to anger. Her amusement was the only thing keeping him from charging over to his teammate and snapping at him. Dove and Sky had already abandoned their foolish teammate in favor of hiding behind Weiss' team; causing the white-haired girl to roll her eyes at their cowardly actions.

Taking a deep breath to try calming himself down Cardin closed his eyes and counted to thirty. He could feel his classmates tensing around him with wary caution as they awaited his meltdown. It would be a shame to disappoint them but tuning into the fear that hung around his partner he felt like an idiot. Was he really such a horrible leader that his teammates were afraid of him? Russel was jealous of Ruby and he'd done nothing to change that because he found the entire situation amusing. Now however his foolish teammate had thrown a jar of grimm baiting sap at him in a forest full of the creatures. Was it wrong that he felt fondness rather than annoyance?

"I think it's time we had a chat," he said opening his eyes to look at his teammate. A teammate that he had neglected for his own amusement.

"I-"

"Go ahead just don't go to far," Ruby said before turning her attention to Weiss who for a moment looked like a skittish deer. The expression was mirrored on Yang's face as the blonde realized just what her sister was about to do.

Waving off her warning he grabbed Russel's arm before he began dragging his teammate behind him. there was no way he would have this conversation around the others especially since he knew the exact reason behind Russel's emotions. He wasn't blind to the jealousy and anger running through his partners veins.

Taking the opportunity to bolt; Weiss and Yang wondered away from the area while saying something about taking the sap to Glynda. Raising an eyebrow Ruby wondered just how often people would run away from her; it made it hard to tease others when they continued to flee. She'd only wanted to comment on their growing relationship.

Watching them go, Ruby rolled her eyes as she sat back down beside the tree. Cardin should have dealt with his team a week ago before it became this bad. Well, it wasn't really his team that was causing the issues but his partner. At least her own team was getting along with each other. Although there were still upcoming issues that would have to be dealt with. Like the White Fang, Weiss, Mt. Glen, and Jaune's weapons. All of which were looking to be both annoying and trying.

The most obvious upcoming issue was the reaction Weiss would have had to learning Blake was a faunus and former member of the White Fang. Without the heiress knowing that it would be difficult to stop the dust robbery at the docks from happening; unless she went and stopped it herself. But that would bring up the issue of explaining how she knew about it in the first place; plus, if Blake never met Sun then her second favorite ship would never happen. Or she could just have them meet once Sun and his team came to Beacon, and deal with Roman herself. She doubted her team would approve but she had promised Cardin they would spend bonding time together soon.

"You okay," Blake asked as she tapped her teammate on the head. Blinking Ruby glanced upward her eyes meeting concerned gold. Her feline teammate looked really worried and suddenly she felt cold for thinking of using the raven-haired girl. Standing slowly Ruby gave Blake a clearly false smile before reaching back to tap her fingers on the metal of her weapon.

"Yes," she said her eyes sliding away from her teammate to where Jaune and Pyrrha were whispering with each other. It was amusing how quickly the two had became attached to each other although that was what Ruby had wanted in the first place. It was funny how easily it was for her to manipulate the people she cared about. Did that make her a horrible person?

"Liar," the faunus whispered as she slid off the branch. Landing gently, she smirked at the surprised expression her leader sent in her direction. It was times like this that Ruby reminded her of Adam; she really hoped that the two of them would one day meet, just to see his reaction when he realized he was like a human girl. Shifting on her heels at the thought of how a battle between them would turn out the faunus decided to put the idea to the back of her mind, instead she asked, "You're not a very good liar Ruby."

For a moment the silver eyed girl just stared at her, then she sighed. A flash of pain sparked across the girl's eyes before she smiled warmth invading her eyes. Blake tilted her head knowing that the girl would speak when she wanted to. It was all too easy to read her leader; mainly because the girl had never truly bothered to hide her true emotions. In all the ways Ruby reminded her of Adam it was the pride that Blake noticed the most.

"Will you accompany me to Vale this weekend," Ruby asked an uncharacteristic sad smile forming on her face. Tilting her head in question Blake nodded slowly.

(Cardin)

"Let go of me," Russel snapped jerking his arm away from his grip. Stumbling as he did so the green haired boy put distance between them. Anger burned under his skin so hot that he was barely keeping himself from lashing out again.

"Sure," Cardin agreed. The contrast between Russel's hot fury and Cardin's cold amusement was apparent as he simply watched his teammate simmer in anger. Smirking he asked, "Why don't you tell me why your so angry?"

"Screw you," Russel snapped crossing his arms.

Raising an eyebrow Cardin drifted his gaze down his teammate's body for a moment before reminding himself that it wasn't an offer. Running a hand though his hair he watched the boy shift nervously under his gaze; it was easy to see the smaller boy was uncomfortable. Any other time he would totally milk the situation in order to gain more amusement from it but somehow that didn't seem to be the right choice; the entire situation made him feel a bit guilty. Finally letting his smirk fade to a more serious expression he hoped that this little team drama wouldn't last to long.

"Russel i-"

"No, the only person you care about is that little bitch," he snapped taking a step forward in anger. He didn't notice the way Cardin's eyes darkened for a moment as the boy's hands twitched. Instead he narrowed his eyes and said, "you don't even notice your team when she's around and your supposed to be our leader!"

"Don't call her that."

"Right that's the only part you listened to," Russel mumbled ignoring the warning look Cardin sent in his direction. He wasn't afraid of his leader; he was however very annoyed. Tilting his head back he said, "it's obvious that your team doesn't even matter to you."

Eyes flashing Cardin said nothing as he stared at his partner. Was that truly what Russel thought? It was true that he cared about his team, but he had no idea how to actually show that he cared without it being seen as weakness. He didn't truly understand what it meant to care about someone other than Ruby who knew him inside and out.

"Your wrong," he stated softly. Running a hand through his hair he sighed before saying, "Besides I don't see why my relationship with Ruby bothers you so much."

"Liar, you're a cocky bastard but you're not stupid," Russel snapped. True, Cardin was all too aware of the jealousy and the reason his green haired teammate felt it.

"Maybe I just want to hear you say it," he said stepping closer to his partner. Indigo eyes narrowed without heat as his eyes met Russel's.

"Say what? That you're my leader and that I'm your partner and that you should care about our team rather than about that little runt."

The words hung in the air for a moment, but Russel couldn't ignore how close the other boy was to him. The sudden urge to take a step back was almost overwhelming. Neither of them noticed the red eyes watching them from the trees.

"Is that really the reason why you're so angry," he asked the soft tone of the question sending shivers down Russel's spine. Eyes darting down his partner's body again Cardin didn't hesitate to move closer asking, "or do I have to voice your reasons for you?"

"T-those are my reasons," Russel snapped. He hated how all it took was a glance to turn him into a stuttering mess. Shifting on his feet when he noticed just how close they were to each other.

"Now whose the liar, you know I never th-"

The words faded when Russel saw the grimm closing in. Cardin didn't see the creatures approaching. For a single moment he wanted to flee but he shoved that urge down. Cardin was an arrogant jerk, but he was his partner. Tensing he felt his feet move before his mind could catch up with his actions.

"MOVE!"

Shoving the taller boy out of the way Russel unsheathed his dagger cutting though the grimm's neck in one smooth motion. Landing he winced as another clawed paw slammed into his body. Crashing to the ground he barely noticed his daggers go flying away from him or the way Cardin swore. Pushing himself off the ground his eyes found Cardin's form as the boy tightened his grip on his mace.

A dark smile formed on the taller boy's face as he stepped between his teammate and the approaching pack of grimm. At least it was only Beowolves and Ursa. Sliding a hand into his pocket he pulled out his scroll and sent a quick message to Ruby before taking a small step back. At least the day wasn't boring. Spinning his mace in his hand he smirked before slamming his mace into the ground and pressing a button on the handle at the same time. A shockwave of flames rushed toward the creatures and he followed it.

The sharpened metal of his mace dug into an Ursa as it stumbled backward from the fire. Ducking under a clawed swipe he used the momentum to roll forward before kicking at the back of the Beowolf's legs. Watching it fall he didn't hesitate to crush its skull before blocking the attack coming from the left. Backing away from the grimm slowly he glanced at his teammate for a moment before catching sight of a blur of red.

Determining that he'd put enough distance between them he pulled his mace over his head uncaring of the charging grimm. Twisting the handle as he brought the weapon down, he smirked. The scent of roses and gunpowder reached his nose. Slamming his mace down on the ground sent a shockwave of earth at the pack of Beowolves and Ursa that had surrounded them. Feeling Ruby's foot bounce off his shoulder he glanced upward seeing her spin in a spiral of petals before stabbing her scythe into the ground. A blade of petals carved through the grimm as she landed gently.

Pulling her weapon from the ground she raised an eyebrow in silent question. When his eyes flickered to Russel, she made an amused sound as she casually blocked a swipe from a beowolf. Kicking it away she cut upward carving the grimm in half. Spinning with her weapon she reached behind her allowing Cardin to grab her arm. Swinging her into the air he chuckled at her exclamation of excitement. Crashing onto an Ursa she stabbed the bladed pummel through its skull.

Dropping to the ground she relaxed and allowed herself to fight on auto pilot. Both she and Cardin had fought like this together since they'd met. It was a style they were good at and knowing that he was here with her meant she was safe. Noting the others watching them she smirked. There was also the fact that fighting like this was more for show than anything else.

Ruby noticed something was wrong the moment she felt Cardin's aura flare. Tightening her grip on the metal of her weapon she almost hissed. Her eyes cut to where Cardin had crashed into a tree after defending his teammate; Russel was fending off an alpha Beowolf with his daggers and was struggling far more than a Beacon student should be. Rolling her eyes at the green haired boy's uselessness she kicked off the ground just as he crumbled.

Russel didn't hate Ruby Rose, he hated that his leader cared about her more than he did his own team, yet as the clawed paw came crashing down on his chest all he saw was red. Petals fell to the ground as the girl stood over him blocking the attack. Watching her twist her weapon and disembowel the grimm he suddenly realized that she could have destroyed him at any moment. Somehow realizing that made him feel worse than before.