Posting this early cause I'mma be busy all Saturday. Huge Kudos to KeeltheSwift for helping with betaing and fixing the mess I call writing.
So...this thing has over two thousand followers.
And it's the 9th most followed FSN/RWBY crossover in the website.
...
Screaming externally.
=][=
As the portal vanished behind him, Shirou took stock of his surroundings and waved at Katsanje, pretending as usual to have run into her by coincidence. Why a former Huntress born and raised in the mild climate of Vale would choose to raise a family in a desert filled with fauna that was more dangerous than Grimm, Shirou would never know.
As he wandered around the city of Vacuo he spotted Shade academy and wondered not for the first time if he should try for a Huntsman license; being able to use the Huntsmen job boards would save him a lot of trouble as far as picking up work while searching. His main problem being he'd have to dedicate at least three years and maybe more to attain the license. Which would set back his search for an inexcusable length of time.
There was also the fact that the Branwens needed him to keep the vehicles in working order, driving off-road at speed was, to put it mildly, not good for a vehicle's suspension, and if the fleet failed a lot of the Branwen's rapid response capability would go up in smoke.
Back when they'd started, they used to make do with Raven flying to the location of an attack and teleporting a strike force to the town or village, but that was always exhausting and taxing on her Aura.
There was also the issue that students were expected to board in school, and while he could just ask Raven for a portal, his movements would be severely curtailed by being in a team. There were Lone Wolf students, but those were always the last tenable member of a defunct team and more often than not those were folded into another team that had taken losses, by tradition he'd not be allowed to start as a Lone Wolf.
So not for the first time he turned his back on the academy and set about searching. The city of Vacuo sat at the very center of the desert that comprised the majority of the Kingdom of Vacuo, it served as a hub for representatives of the countless tribes to meet and trade.
Searching in the desert Kingdom represented a special challenge as most tribes tended not to stay in one place for long, or they'd combine into a single larger tribe for as long as it was useful before fracturing back into smaller groups. And often the only way of learning of this would be to run into someone who had been present at the time and ask, running the risk of their information being outdated.
Still, it seemed that the Vytal festival was making things a little easier on him, as the city was even more crowded than the last time he'd been around. People flooding in to charter an airship to Vale or to enjoy the coming tournament in the relative comfort offered by Vacuo.
His side still ached, so it would be better not to brave the desert. As such he set about finding an inn or hotel to use as a base of operations. This took a while as most places were packed to the girders.
He did eventually find lodgings, but it was still vexing to run into such a simple delay. After that he spent the next several days wandering around. He spotted several girls with green eyes, but as had always been the case before, none were who he was looking for.
In the evening of his seventh day, he was sitting in the common room of the inn, the place was rowdier than usual, a large screen showing a match between two groups of trainee Huntsmen.
Going by the shouts and groans, one of the groups was from Shade. He put it out of his mind and concentrated on 'enjoying' a slice of gecko cake. The gecko meat was actually not bad, it had an interesting texture and was surprisingly sweet, but the almost imperceptible dusting of bitter sand on it rather ruined it. As the saying went, 'if you can't handle the local spice you don't belong in Vacuo' and Shirou would be happy to say that no, he most certainly did not.
He really did not mind the sand in most things—quite willing to endure it under almost all circumstances, but in the food? Really? Have some pride.
He idly wondered if he had a sword that could vanish sand, if so it would be extremely useful here. If the green eyed girl was from Vacuo, then she'd probably be amazed at how much better food was without sand in it. He wondered what kind of food she liked, maybe when he found her they could trade recipes?
Or talk about swords?
His scroll beeped and he pulled it out. An update from Raven on the enemy tribe, they had moved out of the Branwen's turf and didn't seem to be on an intercept course with anyone, that was good. Maybe they'd taken Vernal's words to heart.
Either way he should get Raven a thank you gift, problem being he was in Vacuo which last he checked did not have that fancy shampoo and conditioner that she liked. Maybe he could get her a shirt? One of those that said 'Vacuo, terrible place to visit, but you really wouldn't wanna live here' might make her laugh…or punch him.
Either way she'd relieve some stress so it was a win-win.
A man sat down across from him with a heavy sigh, and Shirou's hands instinctively curled around the grips of swords that weren't there yet. He raised his eyes and met the crimson-eyed stare of Qrow Branwen.
Qrow gave him a cocky smirk. "You know, it's funny, I staked out that camp seemingly every other month, investigated every confirmed sighting, tracked down Raven a few times to try and wrangle some answers out of her.
"And of all times, I meet you in a little hole-in-the-wall tavern where I went to drink." His chuckle was loose gravel grinding together. "My luck isn't usually this good."
Shirou's scowl deepened. Qrow shouldn't be aware of who he actually was. Shirou was fairly confident that nobody had ever gotten a glimpse of his face. His clothes and armor, if anything, helped camouflage him; that style of armor and clothing was surprisingly popular for some reason.
That meant Qrow was fishing for information, looking for tells. Well, Shirou was no longer small and weak, so he was fairly certain he didn't need to worry about Qrow kidnapping him. But he didn't want to deal with Qrow; if he was as good as Raven then Shirou would not be able to beat him without severely maiming or killing him.
And that would make most of the women he cared about sad.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" Qrow groused and raised a hip flask to his lips.
There was nothing in his room that Shirou needed to retrieve. He'd paid for several more days but that would simply be a loss now that Qrow was here…or could he bluff the older man by pretending not to know him and simply staying in his room?
"Look kid, this conversation will advance faster if you respond," Qrow said flatly.
Shirou made up his mind; he'd play it safe and simply leave. According to Raven, Qrow was as crafty as he was alcoholic, so losing him in a crowd might be difficult, but Shirou only needed to break line of sight and bring out Carnwennan.
He stood up from the table, dropped enough lien to cover his tab and started to walk away.
He got three steps past Qrow when the man spoke.
"My boss can help you find that girl you're looking for."
Shirou froze.
That was a lie, it had to be; as Raven so elegantly put it, Ozpin had his hand so far up Qrow's ass the manipulator could move Qrow's lips for him. It was a ploy to get him to do as Ozpin wanted.
But what if it wasn't?
Slowly, almost against his will, he looked over his shoulder at Qrow who smirked back at him.
"Oh, so you do care."
=][=
Weiss Schnee walked next to her sister, her hands clasped demurely in front of her.
"Stand up straight!" Winter snapped. "How many times must I remind you about your posture!?"
"Right!" Weiss said standing straighter.
"Walk with more confidence! You're not a delicate little flower!"
"Sorry!"
"And stop apologizing!"
"Of course."
She could all but feel Winter's stare as she regarded her. "An improvement. So, tell me more about your team. Have you been getting along? How is the food at Beacon? Are you sleeping well? Have you acclimatized to the weather?"
Weiss felt her chest swell with pride. That had almost been a compliment! She also thoroughly ignored Ruby's confused and teasing grin. She opened her mouth to respond.
"Hey!" Weiss turned around at the shout and immediately spotted a disheveled man as he lazily tossed the severed head of an AK-200 in her direction. "Yeah! I'm talkin' to you, Ice Queen!"
Weiss stopped herself from grumbling, it would not do to act undignified in front of her sister. She saw Ruby standing stock still out of the corner of her eye and made her way to the miscreant.
She stood in front of him and stretched to her full height, and realized she shouldn't have gotten quite so close as he was able to loom over her without effort, but no matter!
"Excuse you!?" she demanded in her most imperious tone. "Have you any idea who you're speaking to!?"
"Shuuuush sh sh shhhh," the man hushed, his breath stank so strongly of alcohol that a spark could have ignited it. "Not you."
He then unceremoniously shoved her aside. She stumbled a few steps as she regained her balance, and he stepped forward and glared at Winter. "You."
Weiss gathered her indignation as the scruffy man and her sister traded barbed words, and for the first time spotted a redheaded man standing behind scruffy. He like many others in his age group copied the Sword Hunter's utilitarian style, he stood with his arms crossed and tapped a foot impatiently against the ground.
As the argument between her sister and the drunkard escalated, the Huntsman behind the drunk rolled his eyes, and, in the blink of an eye, he was behind the drunk and hit him on the back of the head so hard that Scruffy was almost driven to the floor.
"You can flirt later," the Huntsman said exasperatedly. "You're wasting time."
"How dare you!?" Winter snarled as the drunk straightened and growled. "Now you listen here-!"
Whatever else he said was lost to her as the world suddenly blurred into a confusing mélange of colors, when the world made sense again she was on the grass outside school grounds and the landing pads were far away.
"OhmygoshWeissisMrSwordHunterwhaddoidoIshouldawornmyotherskirthowsmyhair!?" Ruby exclaimed in a series of sounds that approximated human speech.
Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose. "Ruby! Calm down!"
"Weiss! How can I calm down it's Mr. Sword Hunter and he came back oh my gosh!" Ruby continued, the unceasing babbling the only thing that gave her a break from hyperventilating.
"Deep breaths!"
"R-Right!" Ruby said, forcing herself to slow her breathing. "The guy! The guy behind my uncle Qrow!"
"Scruffy is your uncle?"
"Scruffy? Yes! He's my uncle Qrow! Taught me to fight! Unimportant! He brought Mr. Sword Hunter!"
Weiss rolled her eyes. "Ruby, we've never seen what the Sword Hunter looks like, and remember how hard he fought not to meet with Ozpin? He'd not come willingly, he's probably just a Huntsman here to talk to the Headmaster."
"But we have met him Weiss! In the docks! When he punched Sun!"
Weiss blinked. "The guy with the angry bird pet?"
"Yes!" Ruby shouted and all but vibrated in excitement. "He's Mr. Sword Hunter! He had red hair, and his eyes shined gold in the light!"
"Ruby we met that guy once and it was, what? Five months ago? Six? I don't remember what he looked like!"
"Not important! It's Mr. Sword Hunter! How's my hair? Do you think it's red enough?"
"I-?"
"Oh I knew I shouldn't have let you guys talk me out of dying my hair!"
"Ruby-"
"Oh my gosh you're right! We're wasting time!" Ruby exclaimed and was gone in a puff of rose petals.
Weiss pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed, Ruby appeared next to her, grabbed her and said, "Weiss it's an emergency!"
The world once more became a sickening whirlpool for an instant and she was suddenly on the floor in a bush by the path to the Headmaster's tower.
"Ruby," Weiss grumbled, swallowing her bile. "If you drag me one more time-"
"Look!" Ruby whisper-yelled.
Weiss followed Ruby's trembling finger and saw the man that had punched Scruffy standing in front of Penny, using a finger on her chin to tilt her head up and look into the strange girl's eyes. He said something too softly for Weiss to hear.
"Well of course I'm nothing like her!" Penny answered with a radiant smile. "I'm like me!"
The two of them stared into each other's eyes for several seconds before he muttered something else, whatever it was, it caused Penny to gasp.
"I would love to talk about swords!" she said excitedly.
"No fair!" Ruby grumbled trembling with fury. "I want to talk with him about swords!"
"You could always tell Penny to introduce you," Weiss said as the man (who she absolutely refused to believe was the Sword Hunter) followed Scruffy towards the CCT tower with Winter behind him. She noticed her sister had a hand a little too casually on the grip of her sword.
He was going to cut into her time with Winter, who seemed to have forgotten all about Weiss. Yay.
Her scroll buzzed, she pulled it out and looked at it, and saw that Ruby had posted on the group chat their team used.
'Emergency meeting! TO THE RWBY CAVE!'
Weiss felt the overwhelming need to sigh.
'Ruby,' posted Blake, 'you can't call our dorm room the RWBY cave.'
'Yes I can!' Ruby responded. 'And the sooner you call it that the sooner it'll stick!'
'What's the CAVEat? I take it it's a STICKY situation? Eh? Eh? Man I'm on fire today.' Yang as was her wont, ruined everything.
'You're horrible and you should be ashamed of yourself.' Weiss answered, then put away her scroll. She looked up just in time to see Ruby's hand moving toward her.
"Ruby don't you da-!"
=][=
"So!" Ruby said, excitedly hopping about the dorm room after having explained to both her team and JNPR about Mr. Sword Hunter being in Beacon. "Those are the facts! The question is, where do we go from here!?"
There was a rather poignant silence. Jaune shifted awkwardly and snuck a few glances at Pyrrha, who gave Ruby a nervous smile as she scratched her cheek. Ren remained utterly inscrutable, while Nora looked worried.
Yang rested her chin on her hand and sighed exasperatedly, Weiss was pinching the bridge of her nose, and Blake was reading.
"Ruby," Yang said slowly. "There is no way that's the Sword Hunter."
"Yang! Trust me it's totally him!" Ruby answered indignantly. "I can feel it!"
"Ruby, you didn't stop tackle-hugging people wearing his outfit until a few months ago." Yang said.
Ruby felt her cheeks heating. "I-!"
"Wait," Jaune interrupted. "I was wearing an outfit like his when we first met, and I didn't get tackle-hugged."
"I…Jaune," Ruby said slowly. "That's because…you know…your, umm, Jauneness made it obvious you weren't Mr. Sword Hunter."
"My what in the how?"
"You know, your Jauneness…Your Jaunehood?" With every word his shoulders sagged a little further.
"His Jauneocity?" Blake put in, causing him to twitch as if he'd been stung.
"His Jaundice?" Nora proposed.
"How do you even know that word!?" Jaune demanded.
Pyrrha gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, he looked at her hopefully.
"It's fine! I like your Jauneity!" Pyrrha said with a warm smile, sending her team leader to his knees with a strangled gasp.
"Damn," Yang muttered as Pyrrha apologized and tried to cheer Jaune up. "Wish I would have thought of that one."
"We're not here to discuss Jaune's Jauneousness!" Ruby exclaimed.
"We're still doing that!?" he cried out from the floor.
"Mr. Sword Hunter is here!" Ruby continued, ignoring her fellow team leader. "I-We can apologize! And after he forgives m-us I can bake him some cookies, we can chat, he can tell m-us all about his swords and hang out and spar and maybe invite him to the team and he'll pat my head and talk about swords and I'll meet his sisters and save towns together and talk about swords!"
Ruby took a very deep breath as she was feeling a little light-headed.
"Ruby," Yang said gently. "The Sword Hunter wouldn't come here, not after he fought so hard to escape. This is a false positive on your Sword Hunter-dar."
"He is too! And I'll prove it!" Ruby shouted.
"I am rather curious as to how you plan to prove it," Ren admitted slowly.
Ruby smiled.
=][=
It had taken them a couple of hours skulking near the CCT tower, but Mr. Sword Hunter eventually left his meeting with the Headmaster. The problem being Ruby couldn't put her genius plan in effect because he was following Miss Goodwitch.
She was glad to see they had made up, until she had the thought that maybe he preferred older and curvier women, and then she fervently hoped they didn't particularly like one another.
Teams RWBY and JNPR followed stealthily after them, meaning Blake followed after them and relayed instructions while Ruby tried to keep Weiss and Yang quiet. Jaune, Ren and Pyrrha did the same with Nora.
They followed them to the room he was assigned, which happened to be right next to team CRDL, which was totally unfair but a little understandable what with the Incident. After that it was only a matter of hiding from Miss Goodwitch. The moment she was gone, Ruby put her flawless plan in motion!
Flawless plan A: knock on his door and ask! She gave everyone her best smug look, walked to his door, took a deep breath and knocked. Now! After all this time! She'd get to hang out with her hero for real! And they'll talk about swords, and he'll pat her head and tell her she's cute. They'll play Kung-Fu Ninja Slayer Ultimate Death Battle, and she'll bake him cookies, and the way to a man's heart was through his stomach which made perfect sense because with a long curved weapon like Crescent Rose the lower angle would allow her to bypass the ribs. And he'll introduce her to his parents and they'll hit it off great and they'll spar and maybe go to a weapon's shop holding hands…
Huh, why was her heart hammering against her chest hard enough that she could almost feel it vibrating her ribs? And had someone turned the heater up?
"Excuse me? Hello?"
Ruby jumped with a squeak, when had the door opened!? Stealthy little portals those doors! How dare they open sneakily on silent hinges!
"Can I help you?" asked the man that was totally Mr. Sword Hunter.
Ruby blinked, her face felt really hot, she forgot to change to her other skirt! Too late! The foolish plans of mice and Huntresses to be! She looked at his face, with his chiseled chin and strong cheekbones and manly furrowed brow, and his concerned amber eyes with those unfairly long eyelashes, and his artfully messy hair, and his lips…
What was she doing again? Why was looking at him without the mask so difficult?
"Are…are you feeling unwell?" he asked with clear concern in his voice. "You're awfully red…"
In truth, Ruby was feeling a little itsy bitsy dizzy. She opened her mouth, closed it, opened it again, closed it, raised a finger, opened her mouth, blinked twice, and managed to squeak. "Eep."
And escaped in a burst of rose petals. She collapsed somewhere and tried to inhale, but her lungs were already full, and she realized for the first time she had been holding her breath the entire time.
Mr. Sword Hunter you sly fox! She should have known that he'd be too formidable an opponent to oust so easily! Time to move on to flawless plan A-2.0!
Step one, come up with plan B!
She became aware of people around her, and looked up to see Yang.
"Okay, not gonna lie," her traitor of a sister said with the biggest grin. "I'm so glad you dragged me out here."
Ruby got to her feet on shaky legs. "Plans do not survive contact with the first arrow is loosed!"
"I think you got a few proverbs mixed up, Ruby." Weiss said, clearly trying and failing to suppress a smirk.
"Doesn't matter!" Ruby groused. "Assemble the army! We must move on to plan B!"
"Yeah sure, what's plan B?"
Ruby grinned.
=][=
Ruby and company skulked along after Mr. Sword Hunter as he walked through the school grounds. He drew more than a few stares but so far nobody had gone up to him, probably because he was arguing with someone on the phone. In Ruby's expert opinion, she'd put her lien on it being one of his sisters, he had the distinct look of being nagged at by an older sibling.
"Look yes, I…yes I…Will you let m…" He sighed dejectedly. "Yes…mmhmm…yes. Look I know-! I-! But-! Look all I ask is that you brew her favorite tea!"
Looks like even Mr. Sword Hunter had it hard.
"Yes I know she'll be livid! That's why I want you to make her favorite tea! That way she'll be a little more relaxed!" He stopped to lean against a tree and waited for a few seconds. "Hmm…you're right she might be even more angry thanks to having been in a good mood…Still I think the benefits outwei-Yes I'm counting on you to help!
"…If you help me I'll let you dictate the menu for a whole week." He absently caught a baseball that flew at his head and tossed it back ignoring the shouted apology of the boys that were playing, then continued his conversation as if nothing had happened. "You hesitated."
Whoever he was talking to got surprisingly loud. She turned to Yang who was carrying a cage, only a pair of evil red eyes visible from within it.
"You know," Pyrrha said quietly. "I can't help but think that maybe this is going a bit far."
"It'll be fine!" Ruby said. "Mr. Sword Hunter will just shoot it with swords!"
"Actually Ruby," Weiss said. "I'm with Pyrrha on this one, we really shouldn-"
Ruby removed the lock on the cage, and Yang tossed the contents out and they retreated, dragging the two teams with them.
The Boarbatusk that had been trapped in the cage picked itself up from the ground where it had fallen, shook itself, and concentrated on the nearest source of negative emotion. Which, to Ruby's horror, did not seem to be Mr. Sword Hunter, but a student who was staring at the floor on a nearby bench and had failed to even notice the Grimm that had just been released onto the cobblestone path.
On second thought, this second plan was not nearly as well thought out as she had at first assumed. She readied her 'Flawless Plan A-2.0-B Emergency Abort.' Otherwise known as Rosethorn.
The Boarbatusk took a single step forward but before Ruby could put a 10 gauge shotgun slug through the Grimm's head, a baseball rebounded off its bony carapace, and it turned its four malevolent eyes toward the one who attacked it. Which was none other than Mr. Sword Hunter who continued his conversation with whoever was on the other side of the scroll. "So we agree? Two weeks where you dictate the menu and I'll do your chores for you for a whole week."
The Boarbatusk grunted and charged. Yes! This was it! Mr. Sword Hunter would summon a sword and kill the Grimm!
"Now you are just being greedy," he admonished, seemingly paying no attention to the charging Grimm as it bore down on him. "If you want me to do your chores for two whole weeks then you'll have to be present when I explain to her where I am."
An instant before the Boarbatusk gored him, he took a single step to the side and the Grimm slammed full force against the tree, where it got stuck fast. It roared and threw its body from side to side, but no matter how hard it struggled it was unable to free itself. "Okay I agree that two weeks is not enough for my last demand."
He cocked his leg close to his hip before driving it into the side of the Grimm's head with a palpable shockwave. The Grimm's tusks snapped with a loud report as it was sent careening off.
"Well, it's your fault for being greedy!" As he admonished whoever he was speaking to, he took hold of one of the Grimm's tusks and yanked it out of the tree, strode forward, and drove it point-first through the Boarbatusk's forehead as it tried to rise. The pig Grimm fell back to the ground and began to dissipate immediately.
Mr. Sword Hunter started to walk away, seemingly unaware of the incredulous looks of all who had witnessed the near-instant defeat of the Boarbatusk. "Then we're agreed, just spoil her a little. Make sure she's in a good mood, and I'll deal with the consequences of my incredibly stupid actions when I give her a call and tell her where I am, we good?"
Ruby closed her mouth, just why was it that Mr. Sword Hunter was refusing to use swords!?
"Okay, he is definitely a Huntsman," Blake whispered, which coming from her was high praise indeed. "But I still don't think he's the Sword Hunter."
"Yeah, he's not even carrying a sword!" Weiss grumbled.
Ruby puffed her cheeks in anger. "Of course he's not carrying a sword, silly! He makes swords! Now come on! We need to prepare the next plan!"
"Hey, do you guys think Professor Port will realize he's missing a Boarbatusk?" Ren asked.
"Not important!"
=][=
To think it had come to this. To think he would force Ruby's hand to this extent. To think she would be forced to abandon all honor purely to prove he is who he is!
Mr. Sword Hunter had walked around Beacon for an hour before coming back to the dorms. He was currently sitting in the kitchen of the common's area scowling down at his scroll. Darn him but he cut quite the figure just sitting there with that scowl. He gave off an aura of…the dark and mysterious Huntsman who brooded over the streets of Vale as he contemplated the nature of the evil he sought to stop.
Thinking of which, was the latest issue out? With all the excitement of the Vytal festival she'd kind of forgotten to keep track of The Huntsman's release schedule.
"Ruby, why are we here?" Weiss asked.
"Well…that's one of life's great mysteries, isn't it, Weiss?" Ruby said in her best The Huntsman growl. "Why are we here? Are we the result of some great comic coincidence? Or is there a greater Destiny dictating our actions?"
"Okay, what." Weiss stated in a shocked tone.
"Did…you mean to say 'cosmic'?" Ren asked.
"But anyways!" Ruby continued in her usual cheerful tone. "Behold, the Fool Proof Plan A-3.0-B-2.0-C!"
"Why does the plan have so many suffixes?" Jaune asked and was promptly ignored.
"Blake," Ruby whispered holding out her hand, "give me the test."
She felt the weight of the Pickle Jar settle in her palm. "Now, watch the master actress at work!"
She took a few moments to psyche herself up, took a deep breath, and strode confidently into the kitchen.
"Ooooh nooooooo!" she said as dramatically as she could. "I'm so hungry! But the lid of the Pickle Jar is so tight!"
She tried to open it and twirled in place. "If only someone could cut it open with a swooooooord?"
"There is no way this will work," Weiss whispered from the door, stupid Weiss!
"I mean, you never know?" Pyrrha muttered, good job Pyrrha! Ruby knew she liked the redhead for a reason! Wait, Mr. Sword Hunter liked redheads right? Was Pyrrha too dangerous to keep around?
Mr. Sword Hunter looked in her direction, his scowl easing slightly as he blinked at her in confusion. Ruby felt her cheeks heating so she did another twirl and gave the lid another twist, and failed to open it.
"Big sister senses…tingling!" Yang mumbled from the door. "Gah! Why do you do this to me, Ruby!?"
Mr. Sword Hunter stood up, yes! He was going to help! He was going to do the thing!
He walked over to her and held his hand out. Oh right, everyone tried to open the Pickle Jar at first. But nobody ever succeeded. Ruby had to slash it open with Crescent Rose, her dad usually had to get a wrench and drop kick it, and Yang used Ember Celica to blast it open.
He gripped the jar with one hand and the lid with the other.
Mr. Sword Hunter was obviously super strong, but not even Sun with his super abs was strong enough to defeat the mighty Pickle Jar!
The tendons of his hand stood starkly against his skin.
Yes! He'd unfortunately fail but there would be no shame in that! And then since he didn't have a sword, he'd have to make one in order to slash the jar open! And she'd finally get a good look at one of his swords!
The jar opened with a loud 'pop!'
Ruby blinked.
The jar was open.
She blinked again.
Mr. Sword Hunter held the jar out to her, and she absently took it. He nodded at her, walked back to his chair, and sat down and scowled at his scroll again.
In a daze, Ruby left the kitchen looking down at the jar, she absently took out a pickle. "Huh…not what I expected would happen. He has really strong hands."
"That's inhuman," Yang said, her voice full of anger, shame, and envy. "Inhuman!"
Ren pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, Jaune looked confused, Blake and Weiss bored, Pyrrha surprised, and Nora…
"Can I have a pickle?"
=][=
Ruby slowly climbed the stairs to the roof of the dorms, the light of the moon streaming in through the open door at the top. All of her masterfully wrought plans had failed. The good news was that the cats would eventually regrow most of their fur. Eventually. Probably.
Everyone had abandoned her, her army routed, citing such treasonous reasons as 'studying' and 'preparing for their upcoming match,' but no matter! Ruby was still strong in her conviction!
As she was about to step outside, she heard his voice float in through the door. She rushed to hide beside the door and peeked through it.
He stood there with his back to her, his outline contrasted starkly against the moon, a cool breeze ruffled his hair and combat skirt (because no matter what Jaune said that was not a waist cape that's a combat skirt!). He held his scroll to his ear as whoever was on the other end of the call spoke so loudly that her voice could be heard as an angry buzzing, not unlike a rapierwasp's. Could this be another of his sisters?
"I already said I'm sorry!" he whined, it was very strange for her to hear her Hero whine. "…No being sorry does not mean I would change what I did given the chance.
"No! Not changing what I did doesn't mean I'm not sorry! It means I'm unrepentant!" He began to pace back and forth. "Look I'll make it up to you!... I don't know, somehow…I do not need you nagging at me right now!"
Definitely his mom.
He stopped pacing and sighed. "Look, I'm sorry but I've never had the chance to look around in Beacon before, what if…" He was interrupted by angry buzzing and seemed to deflate. "No, I haven't…No…No…yeah…look I know, alright!? You don't have to tell me!"
Not had a chance to look around Beacon? Had Mr. Sword Hunter wanted to come study to Beacon and been stopped? Well, Ruby would have to fix that!...Somehow.
"No, I don't need you to come get me!" Mr. Sword Hunter shrieked in a most manly and mature fashion, Ruby convinced herself that he most certainly did not sound like he'd been caught with his hand in the cookie jar again after dad told him not to ruin his appetite and got punished with no more cookies until the weekend which was two whole days away. "I have everything under control! I can leave whenever I want to!…No, I don't sound like Flaxen!"
Ruby did not know what a Flaxen was, but it sounded just like uncle Qrow.
The voice on the other end of the call began to nag, and Mr. Sword Hunter began to nod, answer yes, and deflate all at the same time. By the time the nagging finished he was on his knees trailing his finger in a circle on the ground. The voice on the call paused then buzzed amusedly.
"'M not sulking," he muttered sulkily, causing Ruby's heart to nearly burst.
The voice nagged for a while longer before he chuckled and said, "Love you too, mom."
Out of nowhere a cushion flew into the side of his head hard enough to send him reeling.
"Really!?" he grumbled into his scroll as he tossed the cushion in the direction it came from. "Really? You could have knocked me off the roof!... No, that doesn't sound like a personal problem!"
He grumbled some more before saying his goodbyes and ending the call. He put away his scroll and sighed. Running a hand through his hair, he tensed momentarily before muttering something about paying attention, then turned and looked right at Ruby, who squeaked and ducked back through the door.
"Might as well come on out, Ruby," he invited with a chuckle. She stepped out with a nervous laugh and waved. He gave her a reassuring smile and turned back around to stare into the moon.
She stepped up to him, her heart thundering in her chest. How had he known she was there? Well he was Mr. Sword Hunter, of course he knew she was there. She took a deep breath and had to try three times before her voice would work.
"E-Excuse me?" she began tentatively, and he turned to look at her. She gulped and continued, trying and failing to keep her voice from cracking, "I…I l-lost my magic knife, can I have another?"
He tilted his head a little to the side, raised a hand and with a flash of light a wooden toy knife flashed into being in his hand.
"Mr. Sword Hunter!" she squealed and tackle-hugged him hard enough to make him stagger back a few steps. "Please tell me your name!"
"Hey Ruby, " he said with a good natured chuckle as he gently patted her head. The combination of his voice vibrating his chest and his strokes of her hair making her brain feel like it was melting. "I told you I'm not important."
"Tell me anyway, " she demanded into his chest.
He sighed. "My name is Shirou."
She tightened her hold so much that he grunted as she squeezed the air out of his lungs. After ten years she finally knew his face and had a name to put to that face.
She decided then and there, that those two things were far better than an autograph.