In Professor Goodwitch's class, Ruby's leg was bouncing as she watched a match between Cardin Winchester and Nora.
"Next match is... Ruby Rose versus Jaune Arc." Goodwitch said. Looking to the side, Ruby could taste Jaune's panic. Her gloved claws curled in her lap as she resisted the urge to lick her lips. His fear was intoxicating, she could tell how scared he was of her and it was almost as good as the sap from Forever Fall.
"Stop looking at him like that and quit feeding." Yang hissed in her ear as Ruby passed her sister. Ruby waved a hand dismissively and grabbed Crescent Rose. It made her face break in a grin as Ruby saw just how scared Jaune was of her.
"Begin!" Goodwitch declared. Ruby couldn't help it when she let loose a laugh and slowly paced around Jaune, who kept shifting so he was looking right at him. Both could hear whispers in the stands, calling Ruby a freak and monster.
Finally satisfied with how fearful Jaune was, Ruby let loose a snarl and used her semblance to reach out Crescent Rose. The handle on the scythe hit Jaune in the throat and he was thrown backwards. He didn't stand a chance as Ruby pounced on him and grabbed his face before slamming the back of his head against the floor repeatedly. Ruby paused though when she could smell Yang's anger and Cinder's irritation. The Grimm girl could practically tell what her mentor and sister were thinking: stop playing with him.
Fine, but only because this is boring. She thought and picked him up by the head. His aura was depleted by almost a third already by her first two attacks. She hurled him a distance away from her. "Get up, Arc. Fight." She stated and relaxed her posture. Jaune got up and shook his head, probably it was sore from her slamming it against the ground.
Jaune let loose a battle cry and charged at her. Each sloppy strike she ducked under and he kept backing up as she prowled forward. "You're weak." She hissed into his ear, ducking down and kicking his legs out from under him and shifting Crescent Rose to sniper rifle form. "I could have ended this match long ago, but I won't. Do you know why?" She leaned in, the barrel was a hair away from Jaune's nose.
"Because your fear is delicious. But no matter, I've had my share already." Jaune squirmed and Ruby planted a boot on his chest, pressing down firmly on his ribcage. "Thank you for the entertainment of battering you around." With that, a gunshot rang through the arena and looking up at the display, Jaune had less than a fourth left. Suddenly the scent of fear turned to one of anger, and Ruby was thrown off of Jaune. "So you've got some fight in you after all." She growled, landing in a crouch as she let Crescent Rose slip from her grip when she was flying backwards. "More fun this way." She straightened up and brought a hand up. Jaune froze for a second but Ruby curled her finger in the universal "come at me" signal.
"I am not weak!" Jaune cried out as he ran towards Ruby. She ran at him without using her semblance and as he tried to slash, Ruby ducked under and her arm grabbed his sword arm before squeezing. Jaune yelled in pain as the sword clattered to the ground. Ruby got into his face before swinging him in fast circles. She threw him in the air before kicking off with her semblance to rise up to meet him.
"Yes you are weak." Ruby said before slamming her arms down on Jaune's back. He hit the ground and a buzzer rang out.
Ruby's tail wagged as she watched Jaune struggle to his feet.
"Miss Rose is the victor." Goodwitch announced, but Ruby could smell her unease. "Miss Rose, I suggest perhaps in the future that you do not allow your opponent to attack you or invite them to." She told Ruby before turning to Jaune "In the future you should work on your defense and strategy for fighting less restrained opponents."
Ruby nodded. "Thank you, Professor." She told her and headed back to her seat.
":Ruby, what was that? You were playing with him!:" Yang hissed when Ruby sat down.
":He's weak, Yang. Even Weiss could have beat him.:" Ruby replied.
"Hey!" Said heiress snapped from the other side of Yang. Ruby shrugged.
"It's true." She stated. Her partner glared at her, and the bell rang to signal the end of the period.
As they walked, to dinner, Ruby couldn't help but notice a spike of fear in the school. They were scared of her. But there was also hate, deep hate aimed her way.
Ruby sat at the table, picking at her food. "What's the use of faking it, Yang?" She muttered. "Its been out for a few days now. Everyone knows I'm a demiGrimm." The girl stabbed a carrot with her fork.
"Ruby, I want you to just have a normal life." Yang said, popping a bit of chicken into her mouth.
I just don't want you becoming the monster everyone projects onto you. Her sister's previous words intruded onto her mind.
Ruby sighed and set her fork down before picking up her tray to throw its contents away.
"And where do you think your going?" Weiss accused. Ruby didn't give the heiress the satisfaction of showing she even heard what Weiss said. "Well?" She demanded, standing up.
Ruby was silent and proceeded to walk away. As she started walking, Weiss shrieked after her "Answer me when I talk to you, Ruby Rose!" But she heard Blake's voice speak firmly to the heiress.
"Let her be. Not like your helping." Ruby felt gratitude to the faunus as she exited the cafeteria.
Entering the dorm, she was happy to hear the automatic lock engage, but she wasn't alone.
"Hey kiddo." Crimson met red.
"Uncle Qrow?" Ruby felt a bit happier, as Qrow disagreed with the stricter rules in play.
"Yeah I'm here, Ruby. I heard from Yang you were having fun in Goodwitch's class." Qrow got up from the ground where a video game was pulled up, Grimm Bashers V. Ruby nodded.
"He offered no challenge. He was too scared and I wanted to feed off of him. So I practically milked it for its worth." Ruby stated flippantly. Qrow let loose a low chuckle and ruffled her hair.
"You know Yang isn't happy about it." Qrow said.
"I know. She makes it clear every damn day." Ruby deflated a little.
"Neither is Tai." Qrow added after a pregnant feeling pause.
"What?" Ruby felt a spark of irritation flicker in her chest for a second. "Dad isn't happy about Beacon?" She let her hands curl into fists.
"Not really. Not since everyone found out your a half-Grimm." Qrow took out his flask and took a long drink from it. "Ruby, I wanted to be the bringer of bad news so it doesn't take you by surprise. Tai's gonna visit this weekend. He said something about talking to you, and from how he said it I know its nothing good." He stated.
"Of course he's mad..." Ruby said, tail going limp. Qrow put a hand on her shoulder, lips drawn into a small frown.
"It was bound to happen, Ruby. The whole school finding out, I mean." Ruby could scent a tad of worry on her uncle.
"Uncle Qrow? What's wrong?" Ruby asked automatically.
Qrow blinked, seeming just the tiniest bit startled. "Ah, nothing that's too concerning, squirt." he replied. Ruby's eyes narrowed.
"Stop lying, Uncle Qrow." She said, sensing his nervousness increase.
"As I said, nothing." Qrow said.
Ruby sighed, but decided it wasn't worth it to press him on the matter. Enough people were irritated at her today. She didn't want the only member of her family she really trusted to be mad at her as well.
"Sure." Ruby sighed. "Mind if I join you there?" She waved a hand at the screen.
"Of course. The AI isn't as fun to beat than you." Qrow chuckled.