Chapter 24 - Back to Normal

Ruby woke up feeling more well rested than she had in ages. It was another regular day for the sixteen-year-old. Yang was getting the two of them ready for school, packing two small lunches with a few extra goodies in Ruby's bag. Ruby changed and ran downstairs, shouting her good morning wishes to her big sister as she popped a slice of bread into the toaster.

It was not very often that both Ruby and Yang were wide awake in the morning. It had often been a strange and awkward cycle of one of them waking the other or both waking up angry at their alarms. Pulling out a few important ingredients from the fridge, including a banana and chocolate sauce, she got herself ready at the kitchen table, mouth already watering in preparation for her food.

"You look to be in a pretty good mood," Yang said as she folded up the tops of the lunch bags and placing them in the fridge.

Ruby could only smile, "Yup! Last night was great. Well, all of yesterday was great. Like a real dream come true. I never knew I could be so happy."

Ruby sighed, leaning her chin into her awaiting palms, staring into the room with unfocused dreamy eyes.

"It almost looks like you have a crush, Rubes."

"I do!"

Ruby's enthusiastic response nearly made Yang drop her mug. It did however, leave her choking and coughing.

"That sword I made for Weiss. Ugh, there is nothing quite like making something so amazing. But there were also so many super cool weapons there too! It was awesome Yang. I think I fell deeper in love with weapon-smithing. I didn't think that was possible!"

Yang chuckled, shaking her head in dismay. "Not exactly what I meant, Ruby."

"Huh?"

"I'll tell you when you're older."

"But I am older!" Ruby crossed her arms and gave Yang the best pout she could muster. The face was immediately dropped once she heard the telltale pop of her finished toast.

"Do you think we're going to get those scholarships?" Yang asked, steering the conversation in a more productive route.

Ruby hummed into her food. "I hope so," she said with a mouthful of toast and chocolate. Swallowing, she continued. "Like, I'm super scared that I won't get the full scholarship. I know you said not to worry about it, because I'll get to go to school no matter what, but I can't help it! You achieving your own ream rests solely on me achieving mine. It's… a lot of pressure."

Yang leaned in, giving her sister a one-armed hug. "I know it is. And I am sorry that that was how things had to be. You should have shared some of your smarty-pants genes. Maybe then I could have shared some of my hotness-genes."

Ruby stuck out her tongue, "I think I prefer my adorable ones, thank you very much. Maybe sharing some of your height would be nice."

"Don't worry Rubes. You'll grow into your own. And I'm still so sorry with how everything has to go. Just know that me achieving my dream doesn't rest on you, yours. If it doesn't work out, then I can still reach my dream. It might just take a few more years. And when I'm in school and you're a world-famous weapon-smith, you'll help me pay my way through, right?"

"Of course!"

"But let's not talk about those what-ifs. Because we all know you're too smart to not get anything other than a full ride. And I am just smart enough to get a scholarship too!"

"Maybe the circumstances one," Ruby said with a giggle.

"Hey! I can totally get the extra-curriculars one as well… maybe. Does work count as extracurriculars?"

"Maybe. I think it would have to be related to your major though. So, weapon-smithing for me and… huntressing? Huntsmaning? Yang, what's the word for doing a huntsman?"

"Se-"

"No, not that word!" Ruby quickly interrupted with a loud shout, annoyed with herself at having belatedly realized what she had asked.

"Hunting, Rubiroo," Yang laughed out.

Ruby rolled her eyes. She hated that feeling of having the correct word on the tip of her tongue, just not ever really remembering what it was exactly. Doing a huntsman. How much worse can you get in place of calling it hunting? Especially when being near Yang's sense of humour.

"But I think I get it. No hunting means no extracurricular scholarships. That sucks. But at least we know you're a shoo-in for it, little miss 'I'm going to build a giant sniper scythe that's heavier than I am just to see if I can' Rose."

"My sweetheart isn't that heavy! And I knew I could make her since I was seven. I'm just still… working out the kinks."

"And what sort of kinks would those be?"

"How to reduce the weight…" Ruby said with an overly dramatic sigh.

"And I bet the sword you made yesterday was just as heavy."

"It totally wasn't! It was perfectly balanced and light. Like, I could balance it perfectly on my finger. Okay, maybe not that light, but it was just a bit more than two pounds! Can you imagine that, Yang? That thing can probably slice through a brick wall like butter made from swiss cheese without a problem. Gosh I love that Myrtenaster. A rapier-revolver hybrid weapon, because-"

"It's always better with a gun," Yang interrupted with a sigh.

"It's always better with a gun," Ruby confirmed happily.

As Yang prepared to ask her little sister another question, there was a careful knock on the door.

"Wonder who that could be-oh." Yang's attitude immediately dropped as she opened the door. Awaiting, was Cinder Fall, dressed as elegantly as ever.

"Good morning, Miss Xiao Long. Little Miss Rose." Her voice was as silky and confident as ever. Even as Yang's grip on the door turned her fingers white.

"Cinder," Yang growled. "What do you want."

Cinder could only smile, quirking an eyebrow and running a finger through her thick black hair. "What ever could you mean by that? My loving tenants. I was just in the neighbourhood, hoping to see how my two favourite girls are doing this morning. And please remember what you are allowed to call me."

"We want nothing to do with you, Miss Fall. Now get off our property before I do something you'll regret."

Cinder's smile widened. "Now, now, Xiao Long. We both know that you would never risk your parents' house by attacking someone without provocation. Or was it your ability to join a university and become a… what was it again? Oh, right. A martyr."

"The word is Huntress, you overgrown pile of-"

"Yang!" Ruby squeaked, rushing over to her sister to hold her back, yet simultaneously using her for cover from Cinder.

"Hello there, Miss Rose. I hope you enjoyed your time off from work. I have been ever so generous, haven't I?"

"Ruby's not going back to work for you. Not if I have anything to say about it," Yang said through gritted teeth. Cinder could almost feel the rage in her voice, let alone what looked to be a flicker of red in her lilac eyes.

"Ruby?" Cinder turned her gaze away from Yang to look straight at the younger girl, who hid herself even further behind her big sister.

"I-I don't want to work for you anymore, Ci-Ci- Miss Fall."

"You heard the girl. Now back off."

Cinder took a step back and began walking away. That alluring smile still touching her lips, "I know when I'm not wanted. But do think it over, Miss Rose. I would hate to impose more on you in a time like this. Not when so much is at stake. I would hate to see your prospects burn to a crisp."

"Wait!" Ruby called out, darting in front of Yang, hand held up to stop their landlord.

"I-I'll do it."

"Like hell you will-"

"No Yang. I-I need to. She can make things so much harder. For the both of us. Just, please. Let me do this."

"Are you sure?" Yang knelt down, looking straight into Ruby's silver eyes, seeing them sparkle with unshed tears and fear.

"I am," Ruby replied, mustering up as much courage as possible. "I don't want her to do anything more to hurt us. And I got through this long while doing her chores. I think now that you know, I can get through it a little better."

"That's the Rose spunk I knew you had," Cinder giggled out.

Yang held her gaze with Ruby for one last second before marching up to Cinder. "Look here, Miss Fall. I know what you did to Ruby before and I know all about the deal you had with her. That's not going to play this time. You're going to reduce our rent like you had promised her before. And keep your lackeys on a tight leash. Because if you don't, I will. Got that?"

"Of course, of course," Cinder waved it off.

"No. This time, it'll be in writing. I learn from my mistakes," Yang smirked.

"I will have one of my… lackeys, as you so delicately put it, come by with a written agreement."

"I'll be sure to read through it with a finely picked comb. Now get out."

Yang stomped back inside, leading Ruby back in as well by the shoulder. The porch shook from the loud smack of the front door slamming into its frame.

Even so, Cinder just looked on at the Rose-Xiao Long household with a smile. "A rapier-revolver hybrid, you say?"

Sorry for the late posting! This is what happens when you forget what day of the week it is, and spend your time looking up courses to take for next semester. But here it is, a little late but no worse for wear.

iamking - Thank you!

Darknight2124 - For sure. No matter what fic I read/write, I know Ozpin will be a blast. There is just something so entertaining about reading/writing an old, all-knowing (or seemingly all-knowing) character.

Dragonqueen1993 - Thanks!

Read and Stayed - Was it terrible? I like to think it was a bit of a give and take sort of day. :)

Psiah - Now for my next fic: All RWBY characters are literal animals. Except for Blake, she's still a faunus.