I do not own RWBY

After dancing with Penny, and several other people including her sister, she was done. Her feet were starting to hurt from the shoes she was wearing which gave her all the confidence she needed to say that she was done with dancing for tonight. Reaching up to tug at the accessory in her hair she moved toward the door hoping to have a nice encounter with a masked terrorist only to be stopped by Ozpin.

"Hello headmaster, I don't suppose you're here to wish me goodnight," she asked as he kept himself between her and her escape.

"I'm afraid I've come to ask for a dance," he said both ruining her hopes and igniting her curiosity at the same time. Still she didn't know what he wanted from her and she had no desire to be a pawn in his game.

"I wonder if you realize the consequences of a professor asking a student to dance," she asked making sure to keep her tone light. It was the same tone she'd used on the day they first met.

"Ah, your fall back sarcasm," he mused. Looking down at her he noticed the tension in her shoulders. It was easy for him to see the defensive expression on her face, even under the open smile she wore. Smiling slightly as she reminded him of both her mother and father he said, "I assure you, Miss. Rose there is no reason for you to feel defensive."

The almost instinctive urge to point out that she wasn't feeling defensive was pushed back. If she argued, then she would be proving his point. Her only option was to accept his outstretched hand or look like a child. For just a second, she wanted to slap away his hand before walking out the door, but she would regret it later. She didn't need to make Ozpin her enemy; not right now. With a sigh she took his hand.

In some ways dancing with Mercury was more comfortable than dancing with Ozpin. She didn't hate the man, but she hated him forcing her to dance with him especially because they were now the center of attention. Keeping a smile on her face, she tried to ignore the stares. Just letting him lead her around the dancefloor was bad enough but the amused glow in his eyes made it worse.

"It's nice to finally get some time to talk to you," he admitted. The hand on her hip felt like iron as he ignored the music entirely. The waltz they danced was a contradiction to the upbeat music.

"Oh… it's not as if I've been ignoring you," she said. If he'd wanted to talk to her then all he'd have to do was call her up to his office.

"True. I've noticed you've settled in well for being younger than your peers," he praised. To most students that would seem a good thing, but she didn't know if gaining his attention was something that she wanted.

"It does seem age isn't the defining feature of a huntress," she said.

Smirking as he remembered a certain red-eyed student saying something similar, he wondered if Qrow would be arriving soon. Glancing at the feather in her hair he knew without a doubt that his suspicion had been correct. The girl in front of him was Summer's daughter and Qrow's. The coming weeks would be interesting especially when it came to the silver-eyed girl dancing with him.

"Skill is the defining feature of a huntress, I look forward to seeing what skill you will show in the future," he said. Catching the spark of annoyance in her eyes, he smiled as she finally grew tired of playing his game.

"You should enjoy yourself, professor, our fates could change at any given moment," she warned as he released her. The cold glare on her face didn't change as she stalked away from him.

"Yes, they could," he whispered in agreement as the girl walked out of the ballroom. One day his children might have to fight in this war, and he knew that Ruby would be at the forefront, he just didn't know whose side she would be on.

Trying to put her dance with Ozpin out of her mind Ruby almost cheered when she saw Cinder's form leap across the rooftops toward the CCT. At least she could take her frustration out on someone who would give her a challenge. Hiding a smirk as she walked toward the CCT tower. She could still feel Ozpin's burning touch on her skin, and she hated it. While she knew he wouldn't do anything to harm her directly there was something about him that caused her instincts to rampage.

She could tell someone about the woman, but she wanted to fight; after her dance with Ozpin she needed to start a fight. The worst part of the situation was that she would rather fight a losing battle against a corrupt Maiden then spend one more moment in the ballroom. Also, she wanted to try drawing attention to the fact someone had hacked the CCT, she doubted it would work.

Seeing the unconscious guards laying on the ground she winced feeling sorry for them. They'd never stood a chance against someone like Cinder. Stepping into the elevator she gently moved the guards, so they were stuffed into one corner instead of letting them be in her way. She might feel for them but that didn't mean she would take the time to check on them. After all, she could tell they were alive, and it wasn't as if she was a doctor.

Knowing what and who was waiting on her she didn't hesitate in drawing Thorn, before she stepped out of the elevator. Seeing no one she held the dagger in a reverse grip and said, "seeing as there are knocked out guards everywhere hiding isn't really a good way to go here."

Cinder's lips twitched up at the sarcastic tone despite the girl interfering she had to admit Ruby reminded her of a more moral Mercury. The girl's sarcasm was most likely a defense mechanism, but she knew Ruby was more than willing to fight her. After watching the girl spar with Mercury, she was more than confident that she would be able to beat the child. Even without using the Maiden powers she was sure that Ruby would never be able to beat her.

Standing she held a bottle of dust taking a moment to wave it in the girl's direction. Ruby raised an eyebrow and waited causing Cinder to smirk. She didn't have to wait long until the woman threw the dust into the air and formed ice sickles; Cinder's skill with dust was slightly worrying. Ruby herself was horrible with using dust. The most she could do with the elemental substance was shoot at the enemy. If it hadn't been for Nic beating it into her head, she wouldn't even be able to use her jacket or this dress.

Flipping back, she dodged in a clean motion despite the heels on her feet. The graceful movement was enough to avoid the testing attack much to Cinder's amusement. Landing Ruby channeled aura into her dress and grinned when it lit up with bright white lines of dust; lightning dust to improve her speed. Lightning sparked a violent red along Thorn's blade, and she activated her semblance before lunging toward the woman.

Cinder blocked the dagger with her glass blade before jumping back as it shattered on impact. Raising an eyebrow, she avoided a thrust from Ruby's blade almost on instinct. The girl had been fast when fighting Mercury, but it was nothing compared to the speed she displayed now. She supposed that was the lightning dust embedded in the redhead's dress. Briefly she wondered if Ruby had prepared for the possibility of fighting tonight but disregarded it.

As soon as the girl landed, she was moving again, like a tornado of red she twisted around Cinder's attacks. Her speed combined with the dust made her almost invisible, yet the woman managed to keep up with her. The deadly dance took a playful edge as Ruby let slip a laugh causing Cinder to notice her wild grin. Shaking her head in slight exasperation, the woman allowed a small smirk to appear on her face.

After the girl shattered several more of her blades Cinder decided to end the battle before they got interrupted by someone more dangerous than Ruby. Jumping into the air she formed her bow and shot at the ground in order to stop the girl's circling. Ruby stumbled back from the explosion the arrows infused with fire dust made and Cinder took that chance to escape leaving behind nothing but a shattered window. At that same moment, a confused General walked in.

Sheathing Thorn, she deactivated the dust in her dress while hiding her pout. She'd been having fun and Ironwood just had to ruin it, didn't he? Oh well, it wasn't as if she could blame him for interrupting a fight with a terrorist. Now at least she knew where she stood compared to Cinder. Despite the woman holding back so that they'd be on equal terms, she knew that Cinder was stronger than her.

Ironwood looked around for a second before taking out his scroll to call reinforcements. He didn't even entertain the idea that Ruby had broken into the CCT herself, Ruby was many things, but she wasn't a terrorist. There were also signs of a battle that one person couldn't make on their own. Ozpin might also try to kill him if he accused his student of working for Salem.

She watched the general sound the alarm and pulled out a chair as the adrenaline started to fade. Having never fought in heels before she had no idea that it would hurt so much; how Weiss fought in these was a mystery. Sitting she reached down pulling off her heels as she considered throwing them out the window in return for the pain they caused her. She had a feeling that her team was going to be more than annoyed when she told them about this adventure.

"Miss Rose if you could follow me to Ozpin's office," James said before looking down at her now bare feet. Coughing slightly, he looked away from her annoyed glare before saying, "or I can have him come here."

"That would be better," she said. Gaining a nod, she watched as he pulled out his scroll again. Rubbing her feet, she cursed herself for trying to fight in heels but knew that taking them off would have been worse. Looking at the general she decided that now would be the best time to try and raise the alarm. Making her voice as innocent as possible she asked, "is it possible for the CCT to be hacked?"

"It shouldn't be," he said sounding offended at the very idea. Watching his eyes light up with pride she barely kept herself from rolling her eyes as he said, "they were made to be un-hackable."

"Or maybe the right hacker hadn't come along yet," she said causing him to stop and think.

If she was right, then the whole system could be compromised and if they found out about Penny it could lead to war. Knowing that Atlas had an android disguised as a sweet little girl would frighten people; many would call for her to be dismantled. He would go to war before allowing anything to happen to Penny. Gritting his teeth, he decided that looking into this incident would be his priority. After of course he moved all the most important files, like those on Penny to a private server.

"James why have you detained one of my students," Ozpin asked exiting the elevator. Ruby heard the warning in his voice. The man sounded dangerous. It was nice to know that he cared about her enough to try starting a fight. Smirking she glanced between the two men before deciding watching them fight for her own entertainment wasn't a good idea.

"Sorry headmaster," Ruby said. Despite her words he gave a final glare at Ironwood who seemed to shrink under the heat, before turning his attention to her. When the man looked over at her she held up her shoes as evidence as she said, "I tried to fight in heels, and now my feet hurt."

His guard dropped faster than ever as he chuckled. Glynda had been in a similar situation when she started learning how to fight in heels. Watching the girl closely he relaxed even further when he saw no injuries on her body. Smiling slightly, he ignored the startled stare from Ironwood who was shocked at her bluntness. Her attitude was just another difference between the stoic Atlas Academy and Beacon's own hectic atmosphere.

Slipping back on her shoes reluctantly; she actually felt the urge to burn the things but that would be a waste. Standing she said, "now just so you don't drag me into your office in the early hours of tomorrow morning, it seemed like the same woman that was with Torchwick the night we met. She also said something about a hideout in the southeast."

"Is that all Miss Rose," Ozpin asked looking down at the girl with concern. The smirk on her face didn't change as she stretched.

"Yep, now I'm going to bed," she told him and started walking to the elevator much to Ironwood's worry.

"Actually, I would head back to the dance," he suggested holding up his hand to stop Ironwoods response. He knew that his old friend would argue but Ruby was his student not Ironwoods. Offering her a gentle smile he said, "your team is looking for you."

Waving to let him know she was listening the girl entered the elevator before reaching up to touch the feather in her hair. Her father could never find out that she went and danced with a terrorist. He would worry far too much. Besides it wasn't as if she was ever in any danger from Cinder. At most the woman would have burned her a little bit; she couldn't exactly kill a student without raising the alarm.

"Oz, you can't be serious-"

Was all she heard the general say before the doors to the elevator slid closed cutting him off. Personally, she was a little happy that she couldn't hear him anymore. Shaking her head, she leaned back against the wall and sighed in slight exhaustion. Tonight, was fun, more fun than she'd thought it would be. Grinning she couldn't keep the bounce from her step as she walked back to the ballroom.

Humming softly, she caught sight of Cinder dancing with Mercury and made a choice that might get her in trouble later. Keeping an innocent smile on her face she walked over to the pair before tapping Mercury on the shoulder. Meeting the heated gaze Cinder sent in her direction she felt her smile widen. The boy seemed confused, but Ruby didn't really care to pay attention to him.

"Mind if I cut in," she asked keeping her eyes on Cinder. Amusement lit up the woman's gaze as the two stepped away from one another.

"We-"

"Not you Merc," Cinder said cutting him off before he could refuse. Sizing up the smaller girl with her gaze, she didn't notice the glance Mercury and Emerald exchanged. How cruel of the girl to demand another dance so soon after their last. Still…

"I guess it would be a bit rude to refuse."

Taking the woman's hand, Ruby felt their aura clash as they both tested one another. Closing her eyes as Cinder tugged her close, she felt safe comparing the woman's aura to a burning flame. However, that flame was more of a comforting one than being any danger. It was just for a moment but the bitter feeling she'd had since the dance was announced seemed to fade away.

Hey guys; this is the conclusion to the dance. I didn't change too much; anyway what did you guys think. Also the first chapter of one of my original stories will be out tomorrow, I'll post a link or something in my profile.

Next chapter is the start of Mt. Glen. Yay.

As always stay safe and have a good day

-Shyla