RUBY

Ruby Rose had another nightmare. All the red, so much red. It had reminded her of… and of course of all the nights it had to be this one.

Ruby chanced a look at her digital clock and grimaced. It was Midnight. The day had finally come…

And to top it all off, she had that dream again. That nightmare of red in the snow, that woman dressed in white fighting back against the darkness. Until red was all she had…

Summer Rose, it was her birthday today.

Ruby had been a baby when the woman had passed away. But she still remembered the face of her mother. It haunted her in every nightmare.

She supposed it was a sign of sorts. That it meant something special because she had dreamed about her mother on this specific night. Okay maybe she was stretching logic to its boundaries but she had the sudden urge to visit her mother. At least, so she could tell her mother happy birthday.

Ruby knelt over her end table and picked up the familiar weight. She gripped Crescent Rose and held it tight to her night gown. This was her baby, her weapon. It would keep her safe from the darkness.

Ruby opened up several cases of ammunition and preloaded a couple empty magazines. Okay well a couple in Ruby Rose's terms meant a couple dozen. Seriously, where was she going to put all of these things?

Her change was quick with the help of her semblance. One second she was leaping towards her dresser and the next she was a cloud of red rose petals dancing in the still air of her room. When the roses cleared she was standing in her combat uniform. Ruby gave her red cape no time to settle as she got to putting each magazine along her belt. Maybe a couple dust rounds wouldn't hurt…

Ruby was quiet like a mouse sneaking through her own home on the tips of her toes. As she passed her big sister's door she nearly gave everything away with a giggle. She muffled her noises with both hands. It was just so funny. Yang always protested that Remnant would freeze over before she snored. Haha! I should record this moment, evidence!

Ruby continued to snicker to herself as she made it passed her father's room. Like father like daughter, Taiyang Xiao Long was just as loud in his sleep.

Oh well, something's never change.

As Ruby's hand tightened around the doorknob, she threw away all second thoughts on the whims of wanting to see her mother again.

"I'll be back soon," Ruby whispered to the sleeping house as she abandoned the safety of home. "Pinky promise." Ruby shook the doorknob with her pinky before giggling to herself. She could be so silly. Nothing was wrong with being a little silly.

Even on the island of Patch the Creatures of Grimm were prevalent. It made traveling at night a dangerous feat. For even the slightest fear at what could be lurking in the darkness, of the unknown, and the Grimm would be upon you. It's how they hunted, they could smell all negative emotions such as fear, anger, despair, and sadness.

Ruby's own personal feelings after the nightmare and the fact that this morning was her mother's birthday was more than enough ammunition to keep her in low spirits. Almost the perfect prey for the Grimm. Almost…

Ruby patted Crescent Rose as she walked through the silent night. Maybe that's why she wanted to chance an outing early this morning. With the grief in her heart fresh. The Grimm would come to her. And she would avenge her mother, all with the help of Crescent Rose.

She was a huntress after all… Okay well maybe that was a fib and that maybe she wasn't even a huntress in training yet but that was why she was going to a prep school. And in a couple years surely she would be accepted into Beacon Academy and then she would begin her Huntress training officially, not like her old man couldn't give her a couple lessons so maybe that meant she already was a Huntress in training because her Dad as well as her Uncle Qrow were great Huntsmen and they had been teaching her for years at Signal, so yeah! She was technically an unofficial Huntress in training.

Ruby shook her head. That was a lot of thinking and this morning she didn't want to think. All she wanted, needed to do was act.

As Ruby passed through the town on the Island of Patch, she heard strange rumors from the people who were still up and about.

"Big as a house!" Someone had cried. "It was a Beowolf. I know it was!" Another shouted. "Hurry, get a huntsman!"

"A Beowolf?" Another asked. "I've never seen a white Beowolf like that one before."

"Oh pipe it down you bunch of teenagers!" A large man had spoken up. "Don't know what kind of trouble you have been getting yourselves into, but leave it at the mainland. Beowolves never come this close to Signal. Not with the Hunters as close as they are."

Ruby continued on past the commotion. If they really had spotted a Beowolf, then Ruby was more than capable of handling herself. Heck, she was looking forward to it.

Ruby bent her head down low as she stepped into the Cliffside Forest. The broken moon in the midnight sky above lit her way through the snow covered forest. Snow sparkled across Ruby's silver eyes. The trees stood tall and dark, shapes remaining vigil in the dark of night.

She heard the howling then.

She quickened her pace through the winter night. Had her dream been real? Would she find her mother standing over her own grave? Fighting until the inevitable end. That red ending from her nightmares.

Ruby was running now.

There was a chorus of howling in the distance. Their voices bounced from tree to tree. Her blood was spiking with fear. Her heart was yearning to be let free with each heavy and rapid thump.

No, she thought to herself as she spun around a tree. Mother is gone. It was just a dream.

Then Ruby heard the shouting. And she was flying. Her semblance carrying her through the air in a torrent of swarming roses.

The stream of petals separated when passing every forward tree. Always reconnecting in an almost magical way.

When the roses neared the clearing there was a legion of Beowolves turning in her direction. Ruby burst outward from the petals and opened Crescent Rose for some quick work. The mechashift scythe carved one Beowolf in half.

She was spinning on her heel reaching behind her with Crescent Rose.

"Always be aware of your surroundings," her Uncle Qrow had taught her. "A scythe is an unconventional weapon with an unconventional range. Use that to your advantage. Consider your enemy. What are his goals? What are his tools? How can you beat your enemy?"

Ruby finished her backwards spin and caught a Beowolf across the neck with the blade of Crescent Rose. The monster's blackened fur lined neck opened.

These are creatures of Grimm, Ruby rationalized. They care only about killing and suffering draws them like boys to Yang. They have short claws meant for ripping and shredding. Their arms are longer than what seems natural for an animal. Giving them an extended reach. Ruby twirled Crescent Rose in an arc, driving the blade into another Beowolf's skull. But I have an even longer reach the all of them.

Ruby danced her way past the growing crowd of monsters. Carving and splitting all that she could until she reached an open space. Ruby planted the blade into the ground before crouching low, pressing Crescent Rose's handle into her shoulder. She undid the safety of her mechashift weapon and soon enough the scope slid into view. Ruby swapped one of her magazines from her belt and loaded Crescent Rose.

Her finger was quick on the trigger. The first round tore through a Beowolf whom had caught up with her and was just about to tear her in two.

Ruby swiveled Crescent Rose a couple degrees to the right and fired again. And again.

Something was off about the Beowolves. There was that suspicion she fostered on her trek through the forest. She's dead.

But the Creatures of Grimm were only giving half of their attention to Ruby. The other half were farther over towards the cliffs. There were a bunch of them. All swarming and pouncing at something. Someone.

Ruby slid the empty cartridge out and locked a new one into place. She felt the pressure of the situation weighing her down and she did not like it one bit. Someone was in danger. And it was up to Ruby to save them.

"What do you want, Ruby?" Her big sis had asked then.

"I want to grow up big and strong, so I can help people. I want to be a hero!"

"Then you need to eat your greens, eat enough of them and you'll be big and strong like me!"

Ruby had eaten her greens. She would save this person. She was an unofficial huntress in training. She would be a hero.

Ruby dropped another empty magazine and replaced it with another one. This one with the dark shape of a lighting bolt printed on the side.

Ruby pulled the trigger and watched as the lighting trailed from the barrel of Crescent Rose. The lightning found a home in its target's eye. Blue light flashed in rapid succession before the Grimm toppled over.

Blue lightning arced across the white snow. Electrocuting Beowolf after Beowolf.

When she had finished the Beowolves number was dwindling.

She could now make out a man fighting amongst what Beowolves remained. His dark sword splitting one of the monster's in half.

Woah! Ruby blinked at the man's strength. Must be a Huntsman. Then she saw it.

It lunged and tore at the neck of a Beowolf. Red eyes that could be mistaken for one of the Grimm. Fur as white as the snow they battled over. And as tall as Ruby herself! It wasn't a Creature of Grimm. It was a wolf. No. It was too big to be a wolf. Ruby had heard stories. Stories from her Uncle Qrow about the things he had encountered out in the wild. Imaginary things told to scare a pair of little sisters. This thing was not imaginary. This was real. This was a Direwolf…

They fought in what seemed like Ruby to be choreographed synergy. They moved as one. Man and Direwolf. Sword and teeth.

Ruby felt her grip on Crescent Rose tighten. She spun the mechashift scythe one hundred and eighty degrees before pulling the trigger. With the help of her semblance and the recoil of the rifle, Ruby soared through the air towards her next foe.

Crescent Rose beheaded a snarling Beowolf.

She hadn't meant to but she had soon fallen into form.

"Uncle Qrow?" A young Ruby had asked.

"Yeah, Squirt?"

The child clad in red shifted uncomfortably holding the wooden pole in her tiny arms. "I think I'm too small for a scythe."

Her Uncle had towered over her in comparison. His violet eyes were narrowed playfully. "Is that so?" He had asked, leaning over her small form.

"It's too big and it doesn't even have the sharp thing on the end," she had complained.

"A blade?"

"A blade!" The child had beamed. Then frowned once more. "And it's not even a mechashift. It's just a stick."

Her Uncle was laughing at her. "This is perfect. You can name a mechashift and forget what a blade is?"

Ruby puffed out her little cheeks rosey red with embarrassment. "I know what a blade is!"

Uncle Qrow just kept on laughing. "I'm sure you do, Kiddo! Oh, Tai. What are you teaching these girls? I've got another one over your head!"

"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby had shouted.

Her Uncles laughter had died down to a small chuckle. He rubbed her head and kept messing with her hair even after she protested. "You are just like your mother, you know that."

Ruby's smile had been as bright as her pride.

"Here, put that thing down would you? I've got a story to tell."

Ruby had tossed the stick immediately. Dropping onto her butt and crossing her legs. Dirt had clouded around her but she had paid no mind. "Story!"

Her Uncle Qrow's laugh had returned. "Someone sure is eager? It's not like your Uncle Qrow tells good stories or anything."

"No!" Ruby had protested, pointing at her Uncle. "You always tell the best stories!"

Uncle Qrow laughed again. "Better than your old man?" His eyes were shining.

Ruby's eyes had too. "Always!"

The two of them had laughed on the ground together, rolling in the dirt.

"All right then." Her Uncle Qrow had fixed himself a comfortable spot on the ground. "So, you think you are too small for a scythe, huh? Well this is a story about one of the most legendary Huntresses of all time. We call her, The Grimm Reaper..."

Ruby came to a complete halt in front of her mother's stone. Despite the chill of the wintery night, Ruby was hot with sweat. "Happy Birthday, Mom." Ruby glanced over her shoulder at the carnage she had left behind.

She had done it. The clearing was free of Grimm. She had a little help of course.

"I'm sorry I can't stay longer. There is someone who needs my help. I'm sure you understand. I'll be back."

Ruby stopped and stared at the massive creature in front of her. The Direwolf's red eyes were watching her, observing her. For as big as the Direwolf was, it made little sound as it moved through the snow.

Ruby broke eye contact with the thing and glanced over at it's back. When the fighting had been done she had been quick to greet the man. Only it wasn't a man. It was a boy who had collapsed into the snow with his sword in hand. Ruby had been wary of the Direwolf at first. But the creature only watched her. Him. Them. Like it was allowing Ruby to check on the boy.

Ruby flipped him over so he wouldn't suffocate in the snow. He is around my age. Dark curls fell away from his face and Ruby sighed as she felt his breathing. He was still alive. Only exhausted.

Ruby looked from the teenager and then to the Direwolf and asked, "is he your friend?"

The Direwolf did not respond. It was silent.

Ruby glanced down at the teen in her arms. What had she been thinking? Of course the Direwolf wouldn't answer her. It was an animal. Although, Zwei seemed to know what she was talking about sometimes.

Ruby looked back towards the Direwolf and felt her heart still. There was only an inch of space between herself and it's massive head. It's mouth opened and shut giving Ruby a front row seat to it's sharp and gory teeth. It could open it's mouth and…

"I've seen things that could swallow you whole, Kiddo."

Ruby flexed her fingers around Crescent Rose. With the teenager in her arms it would be hard. But if she moved fast enough she could kill it.

"A fight is easy to understand. It's always about putting your opponent down before he puts you down."

Ruby braced at her Uncle's words.

Then the Direwolf sniffed at her head. It's wet nostrils combing through her ruby colored hair. Ruby was stiffer than a tree. She would not buckle under her fear.

Then the creature retreated. Ruby looked up into it's red eyes and felt that something was there. Intelligence.

The white Direwolf bowed it's head low before prodding the teen in her arms.

Ruby's heart melted when the Direwolf let out a soft whimper. Ruby wasn't thinking when she reached her hand out. The Direwolf leaned into her touch and Ruby giggled. "Who's a big softie?" Who's a big softie? You are. Yes you are."

The Direwolf enjoyed her touch but it's eyes never left the unconcious form of the teen. She remembered how well they fought together. Like partners.

"He'll be okay." Ruby struggled to pull both of them to their feet. "Help me home will you?"

The Direwolf lowered himself enough for Ruby to slide the teenager over his back.

She made sure to pick up the guy's sword. Ruby had seen swords before. But this steel was new to her. The way the dark steel seemed to move in the light of the moon was mesmerizing. Ruby ran a finger along the hilt and stared at the pommel. It was a white wolf's head with painted beady red eyes.

Partners, Ruby thought.

Ruby was careful not to cut herself or the teen on the blade as she slid the blade back into it's sheath.

This night was unlike anything she could have predicted. Ruby gave a silent prayer for her mother.

Now that the night had been getting on, Ruby looked from her mother's grave and back to the silent pair. "Folow me," she spoke into the night air.

By the time Ruby and the silent duo arrived at the village all the villagers had gone back inside their homes. A few lights still cast their beacons in the dark. As if that light would ward off the darkness from their homes. They heard the howls, Ruby considered. They were frightened.

Ruby found her path amongst the split trees and let a yawn come free from her lips. She was tired. She had woken up in the middle of the night. Fought with a horde of Grimm and she was ready for sleep once more.

When her house came into view Ruby would have skipped if she wasn't so tired. Home. Home sweet home where her father and sister lay. Where her bed called for her sleep.

Ruby smiled as she shook her pinky with the door knob once more. "Kept my promise."

She led the Direwolf into her house. If she hadn't been half a sleep already she may have thought through all the implications of letting a stranger into her home as well as a literal Direwolf. She would just deal with that come morning.

For now, Ruby led the Direwolf over to the couch in the living room and helped the teen onto the cushions. She crept up the stairs to grab a spare blanket. By the time she returned with a spare she found the Direwolf asleep beside the couch.

That's so adorable!

Ruby draped the blanket over their guest and made her way back towards her room. It seemed the nightmares were done with her for tonight. Ruby Rose dreamed of a beautiful woman standing over the cliffs of Patch. The setting sun glowing in her ruby like hair.