Ruby Rose knelt in front of her mother's grave. She pulled her hood down. The young teenage girl made sure to visit her mother often.
"Hi mom. I'm back, and I have good news to share. Yang and I are attending Beacon academy. Yeah, it's cool. Guess what?! I'm the leader of my team. Our team is team RWBY. There's I, Weiss Schnee, Blake Belladonna and Yang is also apart of it too," Ruby let her gaze travel to the edge of the cliff, looking out to the horizon.
"I promise you that I'm going to do my best. I'll slay all the creatures of Grimm and give everyone the fairy-tale ending they deserve. I won't let you down mom." Ruby smiled standing up. She was determined to become a huntress; Ruby would do whatever it takes. If only she realized the effects that would come along with a price to pay.
After the fall of Beacon, Ruby found it harder to manage day to day life. As she continued, the past events refused to detach from her memory. They continued to haunt her. Ruby met up with Jaune, Nora and Ren. Their next journey was for them to head to Mistral.
The team decided to set up camp for the night. Later it was only Jaune and Ruby who were still awake. Ruby watched as Jaune got up. He grabbed his equipment then headed into the forest. Ruby followed him hiding behind trees, brush etc.
'Is he going to fight Grimm alone?' Ruby wondered. That didn't make any sense if that's what he was doing.
"Alright Jaune. Let's go over the moves again," Pyrrha instructed. Ruby could see Jaunes scroll, a recording of Pyrrha was playing. Ruby felt her throat choke up. Jaune re-watched the recordings determined to hone his fighting skills, unaware that he had a spectator.
"That was kind of Pyrrha to do," Ruby emerged out into the open. Jaune spun around startled.
"Ruby! What are you-"
"I couldn't fall asleep."
"Worrying getting the best of you?"
"I can't sleep, not peacefully. My nights have been plagued with nightmares. Re-experiencing what we've been through so far," Ruby sat down on the log, Jaune rested beside her, setting his weapons down on the ground.
"This is what we signed up for," Jaune shrugged not knowing what else to say.
"I'm already sick of it Jaune. We've already been through so much, a-and we're still kids," Ruby choked out, her voice breaking. She couldn't hold it in any longer and let the dam burst. If she trusted anyone right now, it'd be Jaune Arc. Jaune looked at her painfully.
"I've always wanted to be the heroine from fairy-tales. That's why I came to Beacon in order to become a huntress. I was so ignorant though. Not fully realizing the terror the characters face, whether it's death of loved ones or monsters they faced. The impact of the negativity is barely shown, only how they manage to defeat it in the end." Ruby drew in a shaky breath.
"I've killed countless Grimm and it's terrifying. We've only just begun, and I've seen two of my friends killed. I'm fed up with all of this Jaune, I'm trying to stay strong when honestly I just want to end it all," Ruby hid her face in her hands as sobs overtook her. Jaune wrapped his arms around the crying girl pulling her into him. Her body was tense. Jaune was concerned for his friend, it pained him to see her in this state. He wanted to help Ruby.
"Is there more you want to tell me?" Jaune asked, a bad feeling in his stomach that Ruby wasn't done yet.
"I'm so sorry Jaune! I have thought about it since the fall of Beacon. I have no intention of killing myself. I do wish for all this pain to go away," Ruby sobbed. She clutched Jaunes shirt in her grip. Jaune continued to hug her, tears falling down his cheeks.
"Ruby Rose! No, please don't ever go there. Do you have any idea how selfish suicide is? You may be ending your own misery except your causing more pain to the people who were around you that cared for you," Jaune said.
"Have you been hurting yourself?" Jaune asked. Ruby shook her head and Jaune pulled away to look at her in the face.
"We're going through all of this hell also Ruby. I never want you to feel alone, if you feel like this is overwhelming you, please speak up. I know PTSD is awful Ruby. I know it is trust me. The feeling of reassurance that I have family and friends to help me when I need them is what is helping me go through this. Don't forget that Ruby. If you need anyone know that I'm here for you." Ruby wiped her eyes giving Jaune another hug burying her face into his shoulder.
"You're a huntress Ruby Rose. You'll defeat all evil, even the demons that you're fighting with daily," Jaune helped the girl to her feet. She sniffled and looked away before back at him.
"Thank you for understanding Jaune."