Ozpin's Little Rose

Chapter 7: Scheming

Later that night Roman Torchwick was getting a call on his phone. The muffled conversation ends, and Roman angrily slams the phone down, sighing. He holds a cigar to his mouth and puts his lighter to the end, just as a man in a Gray mask and black hood comes with a trolley. Roman holds out a collection of Lien, which he places on the table and the man takes it.

"Open it."

The masked man does so with a crowbar, revealing a large amount of Dust crystals of varying colors. Roman picks up a blue gem in his hand and looks at the loot. He whistles in appreciation.

"We're gonna need more men..."

...

Cinder just hang up her call with Roman and looked at her mother, the Witch queen of the Grimm herself, Salem.

"It is done Mother."

At hearing this Salem smiled at her. "Good my darling... speaking of Roman what happened a few days ago? Tyrian told me he saw on the news that Glynda Goodwitch and a little girl by the name of Ruby Rose. Tell me what does this child look like?"

At hearing this puzzled Cinder as to why Salem would care about the girl. "Well she had a red cloak was wearing a mostly black with red tinted close. She had black hair with red tints, and silver eyes."

She glanced at Cinder. "Did you just say she had black hair with red tints and silver eyes?"

Cinder quickly gave a reply. "Yes and don't worry if she gets in the way again I will end her." She gave a bow to emphasizing her point.

Salem turned back to her all-seeing orb. "You will do no such thing."

The evil Fall Maiden snapped her head up in shock. "What?! But you always had Us kill anyone with silver eyes as soon as we found them." she exclaims

Salem smiles at her adopted daughter, eyebrow up in amusement "Now Is that any way to talk to the one who raised you?" She then continues, bringing up an Image of Ruby's Grandmother and Mother "Besides if she is who I think she is I have plans for her. I'll have Watts looking into her back round. Until I say so she is not to be harmed in any way. We understand each other don't we Cinder?"

Cinder gave a bow with a smile. "Always."

"Of course we do! Make sure that both Roman and the White Fang know of this as well."

"It will be done." She gave another bow before she left the room.

"Excellent." Salem smiled to herself. *If she is the daughter of who I think she is. Then Ozpin's little Rose... you better watch out because I will make you help me make cause that man pain. One way or another Well Even more, so than he does now.*

And at that Salem begins laughing, her laugh echoing throughout her castle.

...

Back at Beacon.

"This must be our room," Ruby said as she opened her team's bedroom door for them.

The team RWBY walked in their room and put their bags by their chosen beds. But unlike the others that were getting ready for bed. Ruby started to head out the door which Yang took notice of. "Hey, sis where you going?"

The new leader looked to her sister. "Oh, I just need some fresh air is all."

The Blonde shrugged. "Well okay, just be back soon, we have a big day ahead of us."

"You got it." And with that and a thumbs up Ruby left the room.

...

Ozpin just got done with his paperwork for the night when Qrow walked in. "Hey, Oz."

Ozpin looked up. "Qrow, when did you get here?"

Qrow started to think about his day. How he was flying over the Emerald forest in his Crow form when all of a sudden Ruby crashed into him. As he was falling he heard Ruby yelling "Birdie, no!"

As Qrow was coming out of his thoughts Ozpin was looking back at the initiation videos. He thought of showing Qrow what Ruby did during the initiation, as well as showing Qrow the Nevermore that Ruby had ridden on. Just so he could give Qrow a piece of his mind.

Then he saw the clip were Ruby crashed into a 'crow'. At that moment he put two and two together.

And fell out of his chair. "Ha, ha, ha, ha!"

At seeing Ozpin fall from his chair in laughter, Qrow was curious at what could make him break his legendary calm. He walked over to see what was on the video.

Only to see Ruby crashing into him and the clip kept looping over and over again. Seeing this made his eyes widen. "Oh no." he almost whimpered.

At hearing Qrow's words, he smirked at him. "So that Crow was you wasn't it?"

He looked away, trying in vain to hide his embarrassment. "No, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Getting his Laughter under control gave a knowing look to the man beside him. "Qrow your semblance is bad luck to those around you and you can turn into a crow." Ozpin got back into his chair with a sigh. "And if I recall correctly for some strange reason, Summer could somehow make your semblance work against you or kept it in check. That was one of the reasons you fell in love with her." The headmaster sighed. "I wouldn't be surprised if it was because of her silver eyes. Which means that since Ruby inherited Summer's silver eyes, then that means..."

Qrow groaned. "It means that Ruby could effect my luck semblance. Great... so that was why I didn't see her coming?"

At that moment Qrow just realized what he just said. "I didn't just say what I think I said just now did I?"

At that moment Ozpin's smirk got bigger. "Yes you did and I guess I could almost call it even."

The shifter was now confused. "Even? Even for what?"

At that moment Ozpin changed the clip of Ruby hitting Qrow. To when Ruby and Weiss were riding on a Nevermore and showed it to Qrow with a raised brow.

The clip made Qrow's eyes widen. He was shocked to see his little girl and Winter's little sister riding the Nevermore. Soon after Ozpin spoke up. "Ruby thought of the idea after Weiss would not take any of her suggestions. Well at least until Ruby dragged her on the Nevermore. Now if I recall... you had Summer do this as well. So, mind telling me what do you have to say for yourself?"

At that moment Qrow finally spoke up. "Hey don't look at me! I never told either one of them about how my initiation went. One: because I didn't want them to know how teams work. Two: is if you recall as soon as we got off the Nevermore, Summer kissed me for being so happy that she lived through that and then kicked me in the balls. Because it was my idea and that I made her do it."

At hearing about what Summer did to Qrow after they both got off the nevermore, made him smirk again. He still had the video of Summer kicking Qrow. In fact, there was a copy on his scroll and in his pocket watch at his leisure. Which tempted him to just watch it in front of the man.

But Qrow began to speak again. "If either of them ever found out about that kiss, at least one of them would start to ask questions. If that happens they might end up finding out the truth."

Ozpin nods his head to that answer. "I can see why you never told them. I suppose it was just coincidence that they copied you and Summer."

Qrow nods his head. "That's most likely the case."

" Or it was embedded in her DNA." Ozpin said with a look that Qrow knew as 'I'm-going-to-make-you-suffer-right-now.' and even though Ozpin didn't give that look all that much. When he did, Qrow knew to run for it.

He knew that when it came to Summer and Ruby, Ozpin would do anything to keep them safe. Since Summer's death, Ozpin became even more protective of Ruby. Qrow knew that even though Ozpin stayed away from Ruby since Summer died till now. Ozpin did somehow keep an eye on her.

In fact, Ozpin was the one who called him when Yang took Ruby into the woods to find Raven. He still didn't know how Oz did it but he was glad that he did call him on his way back home to warn him.

But right now was not a good time to reminisce. So he ran for it.

"Qrow! Get back here! DAMN YOU!" Ozpin shouted and chasing after him.

...

As soon as they made it down the elevator; which was a very interesting event with Qrow as in his avian form flying around said elevator. While Ozpin was trying to hit Qrow with his cane. But as soon as the elevator doors open Qrow flew out with Ozpin not too far behind. Qrow kept flying only to find Ruby walking towards them. Ozpin noticed the same and tried to hide as well.

But Ruby had already spotted him. "Evening Professor Ozpin, How was your day so far?" She chirped happily.

The headmaster recovered quickly, "Ahem! Ehm... I'm doing fine and you Miss. Rose, what are you doing here? I would think you would be in your room going to bed since school start tomorrow." He had his eye on the spoke Qrow was hiding in.

At hearing that Ruby looked a little sheepish. "Well... you see I just felt like going for a walk and listening to my locket for a bit."

At hearing that Ozpin's heart swelled up with joy that she kept it. "A... locket you say? I don't see why you don't let it play in your room. I would think a locket that plays music would be soft and gentle so your teammates would be fine with you playing it."

Ruby looked around to make sure no one was around. All she saw was Ozpin and a crow. So she thought it was alright to tell Ozpin even though she didn't know Qrow was the crow she saw. "Can you promise you won't tell Yang."

At hearing this confused both Ozpin and Qrow but Ozpin nodded his head. "Of course Miss. Rose, I won't tell your sister or your team. You can tell them if and when you're ready to tell them."

At that moment Ruby opened her rose locket which Ozpin was fine with. But what made his and Qrow's eye's widen was that Ruby didn't let the song play right away. Instead, she was getting it set up on the one where Summer, Lunar, Qrow and Ozpin were the ones singing the song.

A/N [this is for who is singing at the time.]

[Lunar]

Rose of all colors falling from the sky.

Dancing with a silver angel.

Dressed in a starlet dress.

Who is this angel dancing?

[Summer]

The angel is you my little rose.

You with a pure heart.

One with an honest soul.

Eye's of silver hope.

[Qrow]

The Queen of Darkness may come.

Trying to destroy all the light in our world.

But your silver light will keep our world strong.

No matter what happens.

[Ozpin]

And if that Queen of Darkness comes.

And tries to take away your light.

Know that the wizard of seasons will keep you safe.

Until his dying breath.

So don't give in and stay strong.

The darkness will never win with you around.

[Lunar and Summer]

Silver angel dance your rose dance.

[Qrow and Ozpin]

With each rose petal that dances with you

Are the lights in every heart.

[Ozpin and Lunar]

All from the times of old.

[Qrow and Summer]

And times of new.

[All 4 of them]

So stay strong and shine your light.

For the four seasons.

For your loved ones.

And for the world!

Because your light will save the world.

The song ended and Ozpin just looked at Ruby. While wondering how long did she know about the switching the singer mode. "Miss. Rose that is a lovely song. But I notice that you seemed to have changed it to that song are there more than one song in there?"

Ruby scuffed her boot against the ground a bit. "Well kind of, it plays the same song but each one is sung by a different person. First ones my mom, then dad, then grandma, and grandpa, and then different combinations of the four of them. But there's just something odd that I found out after I found out about the different singers in my locket."

"Oh? And what is that?" Ozpin asked hoping Ruby wasn't going where he thought she was going Qrow was thinking the same thing.

The hooded girl took a deep breath and continued. "When I first listened to the one where it said that my Dad is the one singing. I was curious as to why dad never sang to Yang and me? I mean you heard the two men singing with my Mom and Grandma both men sounded great. So I asked my dad to sing Mom's song but he told me he didn't remember the song. He would just let the locket do the singing." Ruby tightened her grip on the cloak she wore. "Which that alone is odd to me. Because dad remembers everything that involves his team that he ever learned from or of. Mom was one of them. So I told him that it was fine and to just sing any song he knew."

Ruby winced at the memory. "I still regret asking that, a Grimm could sing better than him. After that, I started to think that, like Yang's real mom left her, my dad left me. But unlike her I have a good idea why, so I don't bother looking for him."

At hearing that both men were scared, shocked, and wanted to give Tai a piece of their minds at that moment. But at the same time, Ozpin wanted to know why Ruby wasn't looking for Qrow when Yang was looking for Raven. "And what is that?"

At that moment Ruby held the locket close to her heart. "I remember my Grandfather on my Mom's side of the family used to visit me a lot and that we were very close. But when Mom died he stopped seeing me altogether. So I think that a Grimm didn't kill my Mom..."

She looked to the broken moon the illuminated Remnant's nights. "Whoever did kill her is after my real Dad and Grandfather. So to keep me safe they asked Tai to take care of me and have me think that he is my Dad. That day I made a promise to myself that I would wait until I turn 21 years old. I will let my Grandfather and my real Dad come to me on their own until then. But after I turn 21 I will start to look for the truth."

Yet again both men were shocked at hearing Ruby's answer. The maturity she showed at that moment was just proof that bumping her up two years ahead was the right choice. But before either one of them could act Ruby smiled at Ozpin. "I better get back to my room and get some rest. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me. I've been wanting to tell somebody that for a while. You have a good night."

And with that Ruby started to head to her room and all Ozpin could do was keep looking at her. As she was walking away and say two words. "You two."

Once Ruby was gone Qrow came down from the tree he was on and change back to his human form, and started to rub the back of his neck. "So… Do we tell her the truth first thing in the morning or what?"

Ozpin closed his eyes and thought for a moment. "No as much as I want to tell her right now it is not the best time."

At hearing that Qrow side and took out his flask and began to take a drink. "What do you mean it is 'not the best time!?' From what I found out, it might be best that we come clean now and help her get ready for when Salem finds out about her!"

At hearing that Ozpin turned to look at Qrow. "What do you mean what you found out?"

"I found out that Salem has pawns. I bet that they saw the news and told her about it. Salem maybe already knows about Ruby or at the very least is already putting the pieces together. I may have taught Ruby how to fight;" He gestured at Oz with his flask. "which my way is the complete opposite to how the silver eye warriors normally fight mind you; it may help Ruby survive better against Salem's pawns. But right now she needs to start learning how Summer and Lunar fight." Qrow closed his eyes with a sigh. "So that she has a better chance at surviving against Salem herself."

At hearing this made Ozpin very worried. "This changes everything but I still think we should at least give her a few weeks before telling her. She is at a new school and she is the leader of her team and knowing Miss. Schnee, she will be trying to find a way to change that so she would be the leader instead."

At hearing that Qrow did a spit take and began to cough uncontrollably. "Ruby is team leader?! Oz! I thought we agreed a long time ago that no matter what it would be best that she never becomes a team leader. Because when Salem starts to go after her we wanted her team leader to help us make plans on how to keep her safe! I know Ruby and if we tried to talking to her about making plans on keeping her safe!" He drug his hand down his face at the mere thought. "She will not listen and say that she is going to fight her own fight. I mean she got that from Summer and you know how hard it was keeping her safe when I was the leader of STRQ! Which people always thought she was team leader since our team name started with her initial."

Qrow then gave Oz an irritated look at her cried. "But still what gave you the bright fucking idea to make her team leader?!"

At that moment Qzpin lost his cool. "Because there was no other choice in her team! If I tried to change the team members around! People would start to ask questions!"

At hearing that Qrow calmed down and looked at Ozpin. "What do you mean no other choice?"

At hearing that Ozpin side. "As you already know Ruby's partner is Weiss Schnee and from what I saw so far. I can tell that she doesn't want to be like her father, but at the same time she is more like him then she knows or will admit." He sighed. "At one point in the initiation before the nevermore incident. Ruby tried to get Weiss to climb up a tree with her to see where the temple was. But Weiss didn't even let Ruby tell her any of her ideas. Because one: Ruby was younger than her and two: because the first time they met. Which was the day before the initiation they met the same way you met Winter."

At hearing that Qrow began to laugh. "Ha, ha, ha okay... so maybe she picked up some of my bad traits. I get the Schnee, but what about her other two teammates?"

At that moment Ozpin gave Qrow a deadpan look. "One of her other teammates is Yang."

At hearing that Qrow froze. "You're joking, you're joking right?"

Ozpin shook his head no. "You gotta fucking be kidding me she's like a Raven and Tai clone." He sighed. "So, who is Yang's partner?"

"Her name is Blake Belladonna-"

"Oh Ghira and Kali's Girl! It's been years! I really should call more often" Qrow says with a warm, reminiscent smile. Ozpin Blinks for a second "Oh yes, the Menagerie job. I take great pains to forget that you know" Ozpin says with a sigh. "You're way too tight Oz, that was Fun! You know that thing people have when they don't have stick up their ass. And deep down you know it" Qrow says with a humongous grin.

Ozpin quickly changes the subject, not wanting to linger on it any longer than he had to. "Yes, well... Back to Blake then. I have every reason to believe that she may have just left the White Fang"

Qrow facepalms "You cannot be serious"

It's Ozpins turn to smile. "Deadly. If she left a few years ago or just last year then she may have been given the role of team leader." He rested his hand on his cane. A nervous tick he never got around kicking. "But from what I observed of her, she's more than likely only left three months ago. I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt by letting her come here as a student. But I will not let a recently renounced member of the White Fang have that kind of power."

Qrow took a swig of his flask. "Great. Fuck me then! So that left Ruby as the leader, I get it. the question now is how are we going to keep her safe with her being the leader?"

Ozpin glanced at the drunken man with a smirk. "Don't worry, I've been making some new plans since I figured out that Ruby was the best choice for team leader." *Although I was kind of hoping she would be her team's leader but I won't tell you that.* "Now let's get you to your room that you'll be staying in."

And with that Ozpin leads Qrow to where he will be staying as the new teacher of Beacon.

...

Ruby finally made it back to her room and Yang was the only one who noticed since the others were asleep. "Hey, Ruby what took you so long?"

Ruby hung up her cloak once she closed the door. "Oh I bumped into professor Ozpin and we had a little chat."

"Nothing I need to worry about right?" Giving her a protective look.

She snorted as she dressed in her pj's "No Yang, nothing to worry about. "She then stealthily jumped onto the bunk. "I'm going to go to bed, night Yang."

The blonde brawler decided to do the same. "Night Ruby."

And with that, the two went to sleep.

Finally, A chapter where I could put some real narrative change and my own personal touch in. There's More to come, that I can guarantee. Gunmaster Out.