Good day all!
Thank you soooooo much to everyone wheo has followed and favourited this story, you have no idea how much that means to me. And Thank you to the people who left reviews, I try to take it in and improve with it but writing Ruby through the different ages is surprisingly difficult for me.
I'm sorry that this chapter took so long but after uploading the first one I realised just how little was in this one and it took a while to come up with everything in a way that it would flow a bit better than it did. This is rather dialog heavy but it is 12,000 words so I hope you enjoy.
Prologue: Part 2
True to his word, Qrow never said a thing when he got back home the next day, and although Ruby was majorly upset with them both, she didn't say anything about what she saw either. That didn't mean that she had to like it, and it certainly didn't mean that she had to be nice to them when she saw them.
Qrow was surprised at the change of attitude when he got back, having gotten used to having a red, child shaped shadow for the first few days after a mission, only to be met with a quick hug at the door before she went back to her corner to sulk.
Nobody knew what was wrong with Ruby and while they all had their guesses, none of them knew why she'd be mad with Qrow. Upset in general? That's normal for a child her age, even if it doesn't happen all that often, but to be mad at Qrow? It's unheard of, and nobody knew how to handle it, Qrow most of all. Having just the day before explained to his lover that the young girl had a crush on him, it was confusing for him to practically be shunned at the door when he arrived home. A short conversation with an equally confused Taiyang didn't help the man any as all the man could say was that she came back from her trip into Vale City like that.
She would still meditate and train with him and always followed his directions but she was almost cold with him. She wouldn't try to hug attack him as she used to and she didn't blush adorably when he'd praise her; she would almost flush with anger before storming off to practice with her Sai's, trying to distract herself.
It didn't work and only made her more upset to think about the other half of the traitorous, heartbreaking pair. She spun and swapped and tried miserable slashes at trees before she would break down crying, not understanding why nobody liked her.
A few weeks passed the same, only really training and eating with him before she would run away again, and it was only a matter of time before another mission would pop up for Qrow to leave on.
Qrow didn't want to leave things the way they were and tried to talk to her before leaving only to be shut out, literally. She shut the door in his face after quickly giving him a goodbye hug; even if she was mad at him, she couldn't let him leave without a goodbye hug.
With a sad sigh, Qrow left on his mission and prayed that it would at least be slightly better when he got back.
After Qrow left, Ruby had taken to following Yang around, hoping that she wouldn't have to be alone. Yang was a little confused to begin with, not used to having Ruby so close to her for so long but decided to use that time to try and get her to make some friends.
Ruby would follow Yang to the park and due to the first time Ruby went to the park and accidentally broke a boy's arm, she stuck very close to her sister.
The first time Yang showed up to the park with a Ruby shaped shadow, her friends immediately found the younger girl to be adorable and promptly adopted her into the group, making her the honorary little sister that a few of them didn't have. It was Ruby's first group of friends, and with her fear of getting lost in crowds – which happened many more times than Taiyang would like to admit – she stuck close to her new-found friends too.
It went well for the first few days she thought, but with her above average intelligence and lack of social experience, Ruby soon found herself not quite liking the group of older kids who thought she was too dumb to know about what they were talking about. That soon turned into a slightly bigger problem when one of her new friends said something about how their Aura was just a fancy force field that hunters use because they don't really know how to fight.
"That's not true. Your Aura is the physical manifestation of your soul. That's why each person's Aura is different, isn't it?" Ruby said, confused at how someone could get that wrong. The older kids laughed at her and shook their heads at the smaller girl.
"Who told you that, Red? They are obviously not very good at their job."
"My Qrow told me. He's been training me and Yang and he's the best hunter out there."
"Your bird told you about Aura? No wonder you have it so wrong."
"No! Qrow is my Uncle. Well, he's Yang's Uncle but that's not the point. Qrow is the greatest hunter out there and he's not wrong."
"Sorry kiddo but your not-uncle is wrong. I would know, my dad is a professional hunter and he's never used his Aura." Hearing all the other kids 'ooooh' at the claim and Ruby just looked on in confusion.
"How did your dad graduate a hunter's school if he never used his Aura?" Ruby asked with a slight tilt of her head, confused on how you can make your way through four years of training to be a hunter without your Aura.
"My dad didn't need to go to a hunter's school like everyone else, those places are lame and he already know everything there is to know about being a hunter, why would he waste time at a hunter school?" Another round of 'ooooh's followed this claim too and it was starting to become clear to Ruby that none of the others had a clue what she was saying either.
"Well that would make sense then, considering all the huntsmen academy's training battles are judged on a person's Aura levels. It makes sense that he managed to reach adulthood without using it. I do wonder though, is your dad still in one piece? Does he fight the Grim too or does he work at one of the guilds?"
"Why you little-" Seeing her verbal opponent leap over the table, Ruby jumped back and hid behind one of the other kids. Missing his target didn't seem to deter the upset boy though, who leaped for her again, not even minding the fact that his attack knocked over another friend of his in his mission to hurt the younger girl. Seeing that he wasn't going to give up, Ruby took one last look at the group before taking off for her home in an explosive bundle of rose petals.
Arriving home, Ruby raced straight up to her room with Yang to hide away hoping that nobody would question why she was home so early. Unfortunately, luck wasn't on her side and just as she raced up the stairs, Taiyang had walked out of the kitchen and saw her go.
Knocking on his daughter's bedroom door, Taiyang stuck his head into the room just in time to see the end of Ruby's cape fall off the edge of the bed as she ducked down to hide under it. Sighing in exasperation, he quietly walked in and sat on Yang's bed and waited for his youngest daughter to come out of hiding.
Ruby, upon realizing that her father wasn't going away anytime soon, sighed and crawled out from under her bed to sit on the floor facing him with a sad and confused face.
"What happened today Ruby? I wasn't expecting you home for another little while, and I thought you were hanging out with those friends you made, what happened?"
"I don't know… I thought it was okay but then they were talking about Aura and I know a lot of stuff about Aura because Qrow has been teaching us and he knows a lot about Aura too, but then I said something and they all laughed at me and then I said something else and made one of them really mad – I think I may have insulted his father – and then he started leaping at me and chasing me around and trying to attack me so I ran home. I didn't know what to do! I thought it was going so well…"
Not looking up at her father, Ruby curled up in a ball and rested her head on her knees and waited for some kind of reaction but flinched at the disappointed sigh he let out, just knowing that she let him down. 'Why couldn't I just be normal?'
Hearing Ruby's vague retelling of her day, Taiyang sighed in disappointment at the realisation that Ruby really wouldn't be having a normal childhood with normal friends and relationships. A quick glance up at his daughters' distraught face made him realise his mistake and rush over to his now crying little girl.
"Oh Ruby, no. Sweetie, I'm sorry, I'm not disappointed in you, never in you."
"Bu-but, I'm never doing anything right, and-and keep mucking everything up and-"
"Ruby. You don't muck anything up, just sometimes people don't know how to respond to you. You're a unique girl Ruby, and sometimes others aren't going to be able to understand just how special you are but one day you will find the people that do. You're going to make some really great friends someday and they will love every bit of you that your sister and I do."
"Yeah, but that's going to be ages away. What am I going to do until then? I can't keep annoying Yang and her friends…"
"Well, why don't we try and apologise to the boy you upset and go from there…"
As it turned out, after apologising to the older boy and making slight amends with the group, that the boy's father did in fact lose sight in one of his eyes after battling a Grim and works as a bartender in the local Hunters guild on the island. Unfortunately – or fortunately, depending on how one looks at it – Yang was staying at a different friend's house that day and so her relationship with the group wasn't effected beyond what they all liked to say about the smaller girl when she wasn't around.
From then, Ruby learnt what she could and couldn't say around the other kids and just like her father said, she did actually make some friends that didn't mind how outspoken she was sometimes about the things she likes, and they were only one year older than her, rather than two.
She did sometimes follow Yang to the park when her friends couldn't play, and it was unfortunately one of those days that Ruby saw a bunch of older kids who had probably already started their training at Signal Academy, picking on a poor bunny faunas girl who seemed to be around Yang's age. When she asked the group of slightly older kids if they should do something to help them, Ruby was confused when they all just looked at her funny and started laughing as though she was the funniest thing in the world.
"Little Red, why would we help that animal?" One asked through his laughter. With Yang in the bathroom and unable to help her, Ruby stared up in shock at the still laughing group before her.
"But she's just like you and me, she just has a cute pair of bunny ears too…" She said and was confused when they started laughing harder, saying something about her being just a dumb little girl that didn't know anything and how faunas are just animals.
Not being able to help herself, Ruby shoved past the person who was reaching out to pet her head before racing over to stand in front of the now downed faunas girl.
"Leave her alone! She's done nothing wrong!" Ruby shouted at the much older kids, but whimpered at the angry looks they were all giving her. Acting quick, Ruby turned and helped the girl up and told her to quickly go to the bathrooms and find her sister Yang, the blonde with amethyst eyes.
After giving the description of her sister, Ruby watched as the girl nodded and raced across to the bathroom in search, and only just missed the punch that was thrown at her head. Her next few moments were spent desperately dodging all the punches and kicks they sent her way, and while she had been training at home a lot, her opponents were older had most likely started their formal training. In a moment of distraction, a quick punch slipped through her defences and while she tried to get her bearings back, a more powerful kick hit her in the side and sent her sprawling on the grass a few feet away. Not a moment later, a barrage of kicks was sent at the downed girl, a volley of insults to match.
Coming out of the bathrooms, Yang was suddenly faced with a bruised and desperate looking bunny Faunus asking if she was Yang. Not sure what was going on, Yang slowly nodded and was shocked when the new girl suddenly grabbed her wrist and dragged her to the other side of the park she was normally at, explaining in a rush what was happening.
With a gasp, Yang took off for the group of older kids who were by then circling her younger sister, their kicks and insults not slowing at all. With her fists ready and her Aura burning, Yang dashed forwards and upon seeing Ruby's Aura finally shatter and the kicks starting to leave harsher and darker bruises, Yang lost it. As her eyes changed colour and her hair burned brighter than it ever has before, Yang charged for the now very close and unsuspecting group, knocking out the first two idiots with only one punch before turning and facing the last three with a malicious grin.
Between all the kicking and punching and dodging, the small fight had managed to drift over to a more open area of the park, away from her sister who was being cared for by the Faunus girl who had told her what was happening. One of the kids from Yang's group of friends must have run off in search of her father when the first punch was thrown because when the last of the bullies finally went down and Yang was standing victoriously over her opponents, Taiyang was standing just across the playground, a terrifying glare on his face.
Not caring much for the amount of trouble she was about to get into, Yang took off at a sprint for the two girls now sitting on the ground; Ruby sobbing into the other girl's lap as she gently pet her head, not knowing what else to do for the poor girl in pain.
"YANG XIOA LONG! Don't think you can just run away from me!"
Still not listening to her clearly furious father, Yang skidded to a stop in front of the pair and gently pulled Ruby into her lap, wanting to be as close as possible to her injured sister. Ruby's sobbing slowed down a little at the familiar feel of her sister and although she still hurt a lot, she was relieved to hear that Yang had taken care of the big bullies. She flinched again though at the sounds of heavy, angry footsteps approaching them and curled again to try and protect her possibly fractured ribs.
Seeing her sisters pain and fright, Yang tried to calm her father down before he did something that would hurt Ruby.
"Dad, I know what it looks like but you have to calm down a bit-"
"Calm down?! Really Yang? I just got dragged from my house because apparently you started a fight in the middle of the park! Why the hell should I calm down?!"
"Because you're scaring Ruby!"
Hearing his daughters scream, Taiyang finally took notice of everything else around him and saw that there was now clearly three small girls on the ground instead of one, like he thought.
"Ruby? What the hell happened? Your friends told me you just raced at them and started beating them up."
"Yeah well, apparently all my friends are a giant bag of di-"
"Yang!"
"What? I'm not wrong. I didn't start that fight but I sure as hell ended it but can we please focus on the more important parts here, like my crying sister?!"
Not waiting for her father to think of anything, Yang managed to get Ruby on her back, like a piggy back ride, and started towards her home, inviting the other girl to come with them as she was hurt too.
After getting girls cleaned up and Ruby to bed when she fell asleep, Tai finally got the full story from the remaining two girls, the Faunus girl, after revealing that her name was Velvet and that she was a rabbit Faunus, not bunny, and what truly happened at the park that morning.
Even though she tried to stay as long as possible so that she could say goodbye to Ruby, Velvet had to leave before the younger girl woke up, but promised Yang that she would be in the park again the next day if they wished to meet up again.
Meeting up the next day in the park, Ruby and Velvet became fast friends, despite the gap in age, and the discovery that they both wanted to be Huntresses when they grow up sparked a new conversation about their interest in weapons and how effective each weapon would be in varying fights. Learning that Velvet was only in Patch for a holiday with her family and was set to leave the next day, was almost saddening for the younger girl and Ruby quite enjoyed spending time with the Rabbit Faunus, but with the knowledge that they're both going to get into Beacon when they can, the two girls promised to write to each other before hugging each other goodbye.
As exhausted as the two sisters were, they were excited for their trip into Vale again, glad to be getting off the island and away from all the trouble they've stirred up. Ruby though, was scared to be going up to Beacon alone, and for the first time she asked Yang to come up with her to the academy on the bullhead instead of the two just going their separate ways once they got to the landing pads.
Knowing that what happened the few days before had really scared Ruby, Yang agreed and rode up to the academy with her, going straight back down into the city when she saw a familiar teacher start guiding her away.
Upon seeing Professor Peach waiting at the landing pad for her, Ruby was both glad to see a familiar face and slightly disappointed to know that she wouldn't be seeing Ozpin that day. One look at Ruby's face though, and the Professor explained that she had only come down because she heard what happened on Patch and thought she'd like an escort to the Headmaster.
Peach laughed silently when Ruby brightened and quickly pulled her hood up – it had become a running joke among the staff that knew of Ruby's visits, that the headmaster was the only person who hadn't seen her whole face. Although, the list of people at Beacon who knew of Ruby was very short, even Goodwitch didn't know about the small girl.
Once they reached the main building, Peach left her young companion at the elevator and went back to her workshop to look over some of those ideas little Ruby had brought up; she's a smart cookie that one…
The ride up to Ozpins office was longer than usual, or at least, that's what it felt like for Ruby. She was fidgeting and bouncing and although she was still very upset with him at the time, she also really just wanted a hug from one of the people who made her feel safe.
Ruby's visit that month was a little different to what usually happened. Even on days when they didn't train, they would still sit and talk; Ruby was always excited to what had happened at the academy over the month, but not that day. After getting off the elevator to Ozpin on a call, Ruby silently walked over to him and climbed up onto his lap.
With his chair facing the windows, Ozpin didn't see or hear her come in, so when she suddenly appeared in front of him, he was a little surprised. Letting out a small 'hmmm' to the person on the call, Ozpin nodded to the girl in greeting and was about to hang up when she started to his chair and sat herself down on his lap, her forehead resting against his chest.
Quickly ending his call, Ozpin put his scroll on his desk before gently wrapping his arms around Ruby, not quite sure why she was suddenly so tactile. Ruby had always been a rather physical person, hugging him and always being as close as she could but she had never just come in and sat in his lap without a word. Knowing that if she wanted to talk, she would, Ozpin just held the small girl close. After a while when she still hadn't moved, Ozpin went back to his paperwork, understanding that she just needed to be close to someone she trusts.
They spent the whole day like that, Ruby relishing in the warmth and safety she felt with him and Ozpin quietly working through the piles of paperwork that had built up throughout the last week or two. At some point Ruby had fallen asleep, but Ozpin didn't have the heart to move her, so he continued on with his Headmasterly duties, finally getting ahead on all that was needed. Thankfully, she woke up before she had to leave; Ozpin didn't know if her could really wake her up just to tell her to leave. After waking up, Ruby just snuggled closer until she had to go, leaving with a quiet 'goodbye' before she made her way back to Vale and her sister.
Although neither of them spoke of what happened that day, Ozpin was secretly very glad that she thought he was someone she felt safe with.
After her quiet day with Ozpin, Ruby came to the realisation that the reason she was so upset with both of them wasn't because one was stealing away the other from her, but that they had both been taken away from her, and she loved them both just as much as each other – or, as much as a child could.
Realising that, Ruby came to the decision that, just because they didn't love her, didn't mean that she couldn't still love them. So, Ruby, having come to this agreement with herself to love them just as she always has, because she knows that she's not going to have them forever. And so, when Qrow finally got back from his mission a week later, all was back to normal; the hug attacks and the three day shadowing mission she would set herself to make sure that he wasn't hurt too badly, like he said.
Nobody really knew what changed again but they were all glad for it, especially Qrow, who missed the bright little girl who clung to him.
It wasn't for another couple of years that something major happened in the family, with Yang having started at Signal Academy, Ruby didn't go out much anymore, only going out if it was with her family or her few older friends who were starting to prepare for Signals entrance exams and requirements as they would be starting at the academy the next year. When she wasn't out with friends, Ruby preferred to stay home, writing letters and talking with Velvet on their scrolls and training more and more with her Sai's and staff, hoping to become good enough to get her Qrow to start training her with a scythe.
Although, after almost being caught a couple of times around the house, Ruby had taken to meditating with them in field she found in the forest behind her home. It was there that a little ten-year-old Ruby was practicing the slashes and stabs while trying to be 'spatially aware' of her surroundings when Qrow found her.
Having gotten back from his mission early, Qrow was almost excited at the prospect of being able to surprise Ruby as she somehow always knows exactly when he would walk through the door. He was disappointed though, at the knowledge that Ruby had gone out for a walk. Asking where she was didn't help as Tai didn't have a clue, saying that she took a different path each time, though after asking Yang, he got a different story.
"She goes into the woods to explore and find places to meditate and practice. I'm fairly certain she has a field somewhere in there that she's claimed, don't tell Dad though, he doesn't like it when we go into the forest by ourselves, although Ruby does it all the time…"
"Thanks Yang, I'll go looking for her, see if I can finally surprise her."
"She'd like that, she misses you a lot when you're on missions."
"Yeah, I miss the pipsqueak too."
"Not like that, but I guess you'll find out eventually. Now go away, I'm trying to listen to my music here; your killing my vibe, old man."
"Whatever Firecracker, I'll see you later."
Having got what he wanted, Qrow walked out of the house and took to the skies as a bird, searching for the youngest member of their family from above. After flying in large sweeping arcs over the forest, Qrow finally spotted the familiar red cape in an otherwise empty field, although she was not meditating or practicing with her staff like Yang thought.
Coming down on the opposite side of the field to her, Qrow perched on a low hanging tree branch, curious to see what she was doing.
Ruby, at the time, was practicing her slashes and more complex hand grips that she'd learnt, practicing at the air before moving on to the trees surrounding her field. At the same time, she was trying to be 'spatially aware' of her surroundings, keeping her eyes closed and other senses sharp, as she was well aware how much trouble she'd get into if she were caught.
After having torn up a couple of trees with her slashes, Ruby felt an odd presence at the other side of the field. Thinking it wise to make sure that it wasn't her dad, she reached out with her Aura and found that it was just a bird; a bird with an unusual amount of Aura but a bird none the less. She was just about to focus back on her task at hand when the Aura around the strange bird shifted into that of a man and watched as he jumped down from the tree.
Shocked and more than a little freaked out, Ruby spun and – without opening her eyes – threw her Sai's at the sides of the mystery man's head; shock pinning him in place.
Ruby opened her eyes to see who was sneaking up on her, but was shocked to see someone familiar. Her Qrow was pale faced and staring at her Sai's sticking out of the tree beside his head.
"Ahhh Qrow! What the hick heck? Since when could you turn into a bird? I almost killed you! What-"
"You weren't even looking…" Ruby was cut off by his mumble.
"What?"
Turning to face her, Qrow pulled both Sai's from the tree before stalking to the confused girl. "You weren't even looking in my direction and had perfect control, you knew exactly where they were going to go, you were never going to kill me and I would ask how but I have something more important to ask. Where did you get these?"
Looking up at him as he walked over, Ruby was getting more and more apprehensive with each step he took. At his final question, Ruby looked away and tried to think of an answer, not wanting to remember the night she got them. "Uhhh, well…. Ummm, I-I got them from…"
"Ruby."
Ruby had never heard Qrow growl like that at her before and couldn't stop herself from looking up at his face, and she really wished she hadn't. He looked angry and sad and worst of all, he looked disappointed. She couldn't handle it if he was disappointed in her and all she could think about was her Mummy, lying in red snow and the Grim and soon she was crying, silent tears rolling down her face.
With a sigh, Qrow crouched down and gently pulled her face up to look at him.
"Ruby, I'm not mad at you, I just want to know where you got them from. You do know who's these were right?"
With a small nod and a sniffle, Rub looked up at her favourite person with a small smile. "They were Mummy's. I think they were called RoseBud but I'm not too sure, it's what I've been calling them."
"Where did you get them from Ruby? How long have you had these?"
When all she did was shudder out a choked sob, Qrow grew confused and concerned, even more so by the answer he got. "Mummy gave them to me."
"What? Ruby, Summer was out on a mission when she died, she had her weapons on her, how did she give them to you if- No…" One look at her face was all the confirmation he needed.
"You were there…" He breathed out, his heart breaking and his mind racing as she nodded her head. "How…?" Qrow could only watch as she broke down in his arms.
"I had a bad dream about this big bad man coming to hurt Mummy so I went out to look for her. I was walking for ages and fell in a bush when I saw her trip and fall and I think she called you but then the big scary man from my dream came and he stabbed her and then he was saying mean stuff and then when he left I crawled over and there was a lot of blood and she said some stuff about me being special and how my eyes were special and that she loves me and not to trust anyone with my eyes and then she gave me RoseBud and then she wouldn't wake up and then there were grim and I was so scared so I screamed and then there was this light and then they were all frozen and I didn't know what to do so I went back home to get Daddy but I was tired and cold and everything hurt and I fell asleep on the swing and then I woke up and Mummy was gone and I failed! I was supposed to get Daddy and I couldn't and I – I…."
"No, Ruby, no shhhh sweetie, shhhh. You did everything perfectly Ruby, but that was a long way for you to run and you were on the swing when I got there and that wasn't too long after the flash- oh god. That was you. That wasn't Summer, that was you, Fuck!"
Hearing her whimper in fright, Qrow calmed down and looked at the tiny bundle of red in front of him. Seeing her distraught silver eyes, Qrow picked her up and started to walk back to the house.
"Come on, let's get you home. We have a long talk with Tai ahead of us." He sighed, and looked down when she whimpered and clutched RoseBud to her chest, retracting them and almost hiding them as she curled. "Shhhh, it's okay. We're not going to take them away, but you have to tell your father, okay?" Feeling her nod, Qrow speed walked the rest of the way back to the house, trying to calm her down as she sobbed and cried out for Summer; calling out for Tai as soon as they were close enough.
"What's up?" He called, walking out the door, but upon seeing Ruby still sobbing into Qrows chest, moved out of the way and followed them into the living area.
"What happened? Is she hurt? Did you just come out of the forest? Ruby, what have I told you about going into the forest alone-"
"Tai, stop. She's not hurt but what I'm about to say is going to be hard to hear okay? You have to calm down and stay calm. Promise me."
"Okay, I'm calm, starting to get very worried but calm. I promise. What happened?"
Not knowing how to start, Qrow just grabbed the Sai's from Ruby's hands, quietly reassuring her that he'll give them back before holding them out and opening them, watching as the polished metal folded into shape.
Before he could react, Tai had leant across and snatched them out of his hands with a shocked gasp. Immediately, Ruby started thrashing and crying, reaching out for her stolen weapons but shrunk back under her father's glare.
"Where. Did. You. Get. These?"
"Mummy-"
"I know that they were Summer's. Where did you get them from?"
"They were- Mummy-"
"I know that! But where-"
"Tai!"
Snapping his head to look over at Qrow, his initial anger faded at his teammates murderous expression. Looking at the hand he was holding out, Tai places the Sai's in them and watches as he quickly retracts then and gently passes them back to Ruby, apologising for getting them snatched. As soon as they were back in her hands, Ruby curled around the handles, a small 'my RoseBud' whimpered out as she moved to protect them.
"Outside. Now." Qrow orders as he cuddles Ruby to sleep.
Once the door had closed, Qrow punched him right in the throat and watched as he bent over sputtering and holding it, not giving in to the shocked and almost betrayed expression on his face.
"I told you to stay calm, like a god damn adult, you bastard. I know it's shocking to see them, especially in her hands but that was uncalled for."
Hearing Tai try and talk but choking, Qrow whips around and pins him to the wall by his already sore throat. "No, you've said enough, now you listen and you listen well. The reason she's so upset now is because she told me after pining me to a tree from across a field with her eyes closed. She's had those since Summer died and she's been training with them for who knows how long. Those Sai's are hers now, and you will not be taking them away from her again, am I clear?"
Receiving a small nod, Qrow steps away to let his friend breath. Hearing a scratching 'how?', Qrow sighed and sat down on the steps, pulling out his flask and gesturing for Tai to sit.
"You won't want to be standing for this…"
Ruby woke up to Yang petting her hair, her head resting on her sister's lap.
"Yang? What are you doing down here? I thought you went out with your friends?"
"I was back before Qrow and told him that you were in the forest. He really wanted to surprise you, I think he got something for us but that's not important right now. I saw what happened when you got back, and I've been listening to Qrow tell Dad what you did."
"Oh…. everything?"
"Yes, everything, and I am so sorry Ruby, that you had to go through all of that and that you couldn't share any of it with me and-"
"Yang no!" Jumping from her position, Ruby tackled Yang in an emotional hug. "I've always had you and Qrow and – sometimes – Dad but I'm never alone Yang, never alone. Even if I'm kind of lonely."
"So, you could have come to us if you wanted to?" Yang asked, tears in her eyes.
"Yes Yang, anytime – Ow!"
"Then why didn't you! You dumby!"
Ow! Ow – Yang – sto- Yang!"
"You should have said something then!" She yelled, beating Ruby around the head with a sofa cushion. It went on for a few minutes until Yang paused in thought, "Wait, you pinned Uncle Qrow to a tree from across a field with your eyes closed? How did you even know how to use Mum's weapons?"
"I may have been taking lessons with my friend at Beacon…?"
"Is that a question? Wait, I thought your friend was just a weird student. He's not a teacher, is he?"
Looking down, Ruby mumbled out a response, knowing her sister won't understand.
"Ruby."
"He may~…. Be the headmaster…"
Grabbing Ruby's face in her hands, Yang pulled the two together. "Did you just say the Headmaster?"
Ruby nodded slightly, her face squished and beginning to get a little worried at her sister reaction.
"As in, Professor Ozpin?"
"Is there another Headmaster?"
"Don't get smart with me missy. You have apparently been getting private training sessions with the most powerful Hunter in Vale."
"I have?"
"Yes! Oh my god I thought you were the smart one!"
"What? He doesn't like talking about himself, we just train and talk about random stuff mostly. Although that does make sense, he really does know a lot about everything and he's actually really awesome."
"Oh my god…" Yang sighed, letting Ruby pull away and sit back on her own seat.
The two sisters talked for a little while longer, the conversation followed much the same; Yang remembering something she heard and thwacking Ruby over the head for it.
They both enjoyed sitting with each other like that, finally connecting with each other in a way they couldn't before with such a big secret between them, but it was then that they promised each other that they would share everything with each other. From boys to petty friends and make up and all the hard feelings, Yang and Ruby made a pact to always be the best sisters to each other, ever.
After sitting with each other for a while, Yang decided to head back up to their room to listen to her music again, telling Ruby that maybe she should go and talk to their Father.
Watching her sister walk back up the stairs, Ruby tiredly stood up and went to look for her Qrow. Apprehensive about her Father, but with the knowledge that she'll always have Yang and Qrow, she went to the back door just in time to see him storm off into the woods.
"He really does hate me now, doesn't he?" she asked the now alone Qrow.
Snapping his head up at her question, Qrow took in the sight of her, eyes still red from crying and still a little sleepy, RoseBud still clutched in her too small hands at her side. Shaking his heads sadly at her timing, Qrow reached out and sat her in his lap, cuddling her close and trying not to let her see him crying, hiding his face in her hair.
"You know it's okay to cry, right? I know I look a lot like Mummy and that you really miss her and I'm sorry that I hurt you sometimes when you look at me-"
"That's not- I don't-"
"Yes, you do, not very often but sometimes I'll look up at you and you get this sad look and go up to your bedroom. I see a lot, I'm perceptive~."
Hearing Ruby's teasing tone, Qrow took her invitation to change the subject and asked, "Where did you hear that word, I doubt it was from around here."
"Your boyfriend~" Watching him sputter and choke on the mouthful of alcohol was kind of funny and she couldn't help but giggle at his distressed face.
Qrow swallowed his mouthful and looked down at the giggling bundle of red on his lap, glad that she didn't seem as upset anymore.
"I don't not have a boyfriend, thank you very much."
"Oh sorry, I guess I got it wrong again." Ruby said trying to think of the right word.
Satisfied that she didn't know anything, Qrow took another swig from his flask, only to choke on it with her next words,
"Oh, that's it. Lover. He's your Lover than? I don't really understand the difference…"
"Where in the world did you hear that word?!"
"I think I saw it in a book or something. Is it just like boyfriends and girlfriends but for adults, because adults have a lot of weird words…"
"Yeah kind of, just don't let your father hear you say that, okay? Think he'd have a heart attack."
"So, Professor Ozpin is your Lover, got it."
"And again, what? Where did you get that idea?"
"I saw you one time I went to visit him. I really, really wanted to show him some of the new moves that you had taught me so I searched for his Aura and found you two together. Also, I do not have a crush on you, that is absurd."
"Oh~, big words there little red. So, if it isn't a crush, what is it?"
"Love you dumby. I lo~ve you. And Ozpin." She said in finality.
Not quite sure how to process what she said, Qrow just looked at her in shock, his silence making her lose her confident air as the seconds passed.
"What? I do. It's a fact." She mumbled down into her hands as they played with the edges of her cape.
"H-how would you know that? How do you know it's not some hero crush thing or something?"
Not understanding where he was coming from, Ruby tilted her head in confusion. "Because it used to be a hero crush." She explained softly, "But it hasn't been like that for a while. I know what I'm feeling Qrow, I love you and I think I will forever, though the feelings for Ozpin were unexpected but he's really nice and he's been training me with my Sai's and doesn't baby me as much as you do. And he makes me feel safe, like you do. I may be ten Qrow but we all know I don't act like it."
"Yeah, I know, but you are still only ten. You have your entire life ahead of you, why would you waste it loving me? Or Ozpin for that matter – and where did that even come from anyway? We are both way older than you –"
"Really not a good enough argument, I've seen your team photo and you haven't aged much since it was taken; dad has, but you haven't and we both know that Ozpin doesn't age so I'm assuming that he's helping you. I figured it out the first day I met him, I really liked his hair."
"Well damn, okay. But still, why me? What do you see in me that you could possibly love?"
"I have a lot of reasons, I could list it if you want. You're kind and amazing and you're always supportive and protective and an amazing teacher and you always hug me when I need it – actually, you always know what I need. You make me feel safe; that's why I have my cape, so that I will always have you with me, even when I become a huntress and go off on my own."
"What makes you think that you'll be alone when you become a huntress? You're in a team at the Academy's."
"Well yeah, but you do secret solo missions so I can't go with you and your going to be with Ozpin when you get back because you won't have to look after me and Yang anymore so I can't annoy you then and I'm not very good at interacting with people so I don't think I'm going to make many friends and what friends I do make won't be able to stay with me because there are still people out there that want to hurt me because of my eyes just like Mummy said and I still don't know who that Hazel man was or who 'Salem' is, and as long as we're both alive, my friends won't be safe."
Again, not knowing what to do, Qrow went through his thoughts slowly.
"Okay, you need to listen to me carefully Ruby. Firstly, just because you and Yang will be older doesn't mean that I won't have time for the two of you-"
"But why would you want to spend time with us when you don't need to?"
"Hey, don't interrupt me. And I do it because I want to, not because I need to-"
"But you could be spending so much more time with Ozpin if it weren't or me…"
"What did I just say about interrupting, huh? Shush now, anyway, Ozpin knows that I need to be here – no, you shush – and we are both okay with what we have. I also enjoy spending time with you and your sister, it's nice to spend time with my family – oh stop that, you. I know that I'm not your uncle but the world doesn't and we're going to keep it that way. Onto other things though, Hazel and Salem are far bigger than you could ever imagine, and there are people fighting that battle already. If you live your life constantly afraid, you're not going to lead a very happy life."
"Like you?"
"What?"
"You don't live a very happy life."
"What makes you say that? I have all you guys, that makes me happy."
Ruby said nothing but lifted the flask she had grabbed from his hands when he wasn't looking and waved it in front of his face. Sighing, Qrow snatched it back and put it away, grumbling.
"Perceptive alright."
"Why do you both underestimate my imagination so much?"
"Huh?"
"You and Ozpin. You've both assumed that I can't imagine what it is you're hiding but I'll have you know that I have a very large imagination. I can in fact imagine a war, not between the Human and Faunas – although I'm sure that's coming again – and not just against the Grim either. I don't know who 'Salem' is but I know she's bigger and scarier than anything you've ever met."
"And what makes you say that?"
"The look in your eyes every time I say her name."
"Well damn, you are good, but you're still young; even if you're a little special."
With that, Ruby just snuggled into Qrows chest, resting her head right over his heart and just rested there thinking about everything else she's been trying in the woods.
"Qrow, what do you know about the silver eyed warriors?"
"Only the stories, do you want to hear them?"
"No thank you, I've already read them all, I just wanted to know if you could help with some of my tests but that's okay."
"Ruby." Gulping at his tone, ruby realised her mistake. "What tests?"
Pulling away from the hug, Ruby went back to fidgeting with her cape while she tried to think of an answer. "Funny thing that… I, uh, may have been playing with my powers a bit…?"
"What! How? Even Summer couldn't manage to really test her power without it blowing out of control. How has nobody noticed yet?"
"Uhhhh, because I have a lot of spare time, a forest and a lot of training in Aura?" Ruby tried to guess, but the bland stare he was giving her made her cringe and start babbling as she usually does when nervous. "I don't know! I just know that Mummy said not to trust anyone with my power so I thought that meant I had to learn to control it but then I thought that, you know, it's not very secretive if I keep bursting light out of my eyes so I thought that if maybe I could channel it through something else it would look less obvious but I was wondering if you knew anything else about it to help-"
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait." He cut off her ramblings with a hand covering her mouth. "You figured out how to channel your power through something else? By yourself?" At her hesitant nod, he continued, "What through?" At her confused look, elaborated. "You channel your power through something. What are you channelling it through to release the power?" She shakily held up the retracted Sai's with a hopeful look. "Oh, so that's why you've been getting Ozpin to teach you how to use them, huh?" At another hopeful nod, Qrow sighed and pulled his hand away. "So, how's that been going for you so far? Anything work?"
"Well, I can channel it easily enough, it's just like moving your Aura around with a bit more of a push-"
"Which is not something that many Hunters know how to do-"
"Shush-"
"Ha ha."
"-but it still looks like raw silver power when I releases, which is going to be a problem because that's not normal and I already have a semblance so I was just starting to think about using dust crystals to both enhance and disguise it, as I can make a related glyph to match when I use the dust and the power combined."
"You are far too smart for a ten-year-old, you know that?"
"Yes, I do. It's why I don't have many friends, but that's okay, I won't need many when I start going to Signal."
"That's still two years away Ruby, what are you going to do until then?"
"Train with you dumby, you're gonna teach me how to fight with a scythe like you!"
"Oh, really know? And what's wrong with RoseBud and a staff. That's two whole options right there." Qrow tried to convince, knowing that Taiyang would likely kill him if he started to teach her how to wield a scythe. A terrifying image of a slightly older Ruby tearing through a pack of Beowolves with a scythe appeared in his mind, making the man shudder in freight. No scythe for Ruby; much too dangerous.
"Nope, that's only one. I've been planning with Professor Peach how to make them fold up and connect at the base to make a staff. I also want to try for Dual Blades too but I'll have to wait and see."
'Crap.' "Ambitious of you-"
"I know what that means!"
"-quit interrupting me pipsqueak-"
"Hey!"
"-and can I ask why you want to add Dual Blades? You haven't tried anything to do with them yet – that I know of – so I can't see where this is coming from."
"Oh, I saw one of the student fights at Beacon and one of them had Dual Blades and they just looked so co~ol!"
"Finally, a normal childlike reaction-"
"And it would give a longer reach with a blade that the Sai's can't do-"
"And back to logic, weird child-"
"IT WOULD ALSO make the whole weapon heavier too, which would be good for if I had to transition between RoseBud; a lighter weapon, and a scythe; a not so light weapon. It would be easier to adapt-"
"Big word there Red-"
"-to a scythe from the Sai's and back if they were closer in weight." Ruby finally finished with a glare.
"You really have your heart set on a scythe, don't you?" Qrow sighed, realising that maybe he won't actually have a choice in the matter.
"Yep! They're so big and cool and have an even longer reach and then I can be just like you."
"Heh, you're too cute sometimes kid but fine, I'll teach you how to wield a scythe-"
"Yay!"
"But you are not getting your own until you get into Signal."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. I am not having a ten-year-old walking around with a scythe! You can wait like everyone else to make your weapon in school. You're already ahead with the Sai's and Staff, no more advantages." Chuckling at her pout, Qrow just pulled her in for another hug, sighing happily when she snuggled closer.
"But Ruby, seriously, are you okay? You've been through so much already and I still cannot believe that you unlocked your Aura, Semblance and eyes in one night and are still alright."
"I'm not though, am I? I'm not like the other kids, I don't know how to play normally. I like reading my stuff by myself…"
"And that's fine Ruby-"
"It would be if I didn't remember everything I read and saw and felt…"
"Ruby, what-"
"It's called Eidetic Memory, I searched it up one time. I can remember the exact dates you left and returned on all your previous missions and what injuries you had. I can remember just how red Mummy's cape was in the snow that should have been as white as her hood but it wasn't."
"Jeez Ruby…"
"I can even remember how amazing it was to see your cape flutter in a wind that wasn't there when you saved us when I was little and I can remember how you beat up Daddy when you thought we were sleeping when we all got home and how much he cried when he said he couldn't look at me…"
"I knew you saw that but Ruby, that was years ago!"
"I know! The only thing I don't remember is how I ran back to the house that night, I don't remember how I got there, or into my bed or-"
"You unlocked your Semblance Ruby. I saw that flash that night on my way to the house, there was no other way that you could have made it to the swing and pass out before I could even see it without your Semblance, I'm just sorry that I didn't see it before."
"Oh."
"Yeah, oh. Now come on, off to bed early for you I think. We've had quite the day, haven't we?" Qrow said as he stood, still holding Ruby and walked back into the house.
"Does Daddy hate me now? Knowing that I left Mummy like that… I left her alone and then she-"
"No Ruby, he doesn't and you didn't leave her to die and you know it. I know it's painful Ruby, but you watched your mother die and you couldn't have done anything to stop it. Stop lying and blaming yourself for everything, I'm just amazed that you're still alive after all that happened that night."
Helping the now silent Ruby into her pyjamas, Qrow watched as she put her cape back on and curled up in her bed, cape and blanket covering her and both her hands holding RoseBud close to her chest. Thinking she was asleep, Qrow was just about to leave when she called out in a sleepy voice,
"Hey Qrow?"
"Yeah Ruby?"
"Can we please not tell Ozpin about this?"
"Why?"
"Because I really like him as he is, I don't want him to change just because of this, I was fine before, I'll be fine after too."
"Okay Ruby, it is your life after all, we won't tell Ozpin until you want to."
"Thanks." Thinking that was it, Qrow leaned down and kissed her forehead and was just at the door when she spoke again. "And Qrow? You should totally spend more time with him, have like a sleepover or something… ooh sleepovers sound like fun…"
Chuckling at her sleepy mumblings, Qrow bid her goodnight and closed the door, heading back for his perch on the outside stairs to wait for his teammate to return, only to find him sitting there already. Pulling his flask out again, Qrow takes a long sip before sitting again.
"This entire family has horrible timing."
"Hmm?"
"Ruby came out as you stormed off."
"Oh."
"Yeah, and I just put her to bed. Again, horrible timing."
"Yeah, we do, always too early or too late we are… I still can't believe it. She saw everything – how did she even get out of the house, Yang and I were sitting on the sofa-"
"I know what you two can be like, nothing short of a Grim attack would have pulled you away from the screen."
"And that just makes it worse, doesn't it-"
"No, it makes her smart. Did you know she has Eidetic Memory? I didn't, she just told me. Her eyes must have triggered something because she can remember everything from that night onwards and we haven't noticed. She's smart Tai, far smarter than we've been giving her credit for…"
"Geez… what are we going to do?"
"She wants to be a Huntress, so I'll teach her how to be a Huntress. She's got her heart set on a scythe though so that's going to be fun..." At his teammates slight glare, Qrow held his hands up in surrender, "I tried to talk her out of it, I swear."
"What about the Sai's and the Staff, haven't you been training her in those?"
"Yep, and I said that too. Apparently she wants to make the Sai's fold up and connect to make a staff and she wants to add Dual Blades too."
"Shit."
"Yep, and she still wants to learn how to wield a scythe, came up with some pretty good reasoning too. She's annoyingly smart."
They both sighed and looked at each other before taking a swig of Qrows flask each, setting it down in the step between them. With another long sigh, Tai just looks up at the ceiling before glancing out at the starry sky.
"Of course, she wants to be just like you. You know she loves you, right? As in Lo~ve Love."
"What are you, twelve? And where did you get that idea? I thought it was just a hero crush thing that'll fade!"
"I may be a sucky father but I do still notice these things, like my little girl falling in love. And I think it was a hero crush to start but then the awed looks turned into adorably fond smiles and little blushes when you'd pet her head. I think she honestly loves you with all her little heart, just try not to break it."
"I think I have already a little but she seems fine. And she was just telling me that she loves me. Didn't want to believe her, though she is far too smart for her own good. You know she thinks she's going to be alone when she becomes a Huntress? No me, no you, no Yang, no friends, no team, just her against the world. She thinks we won't want to be around her if we don't need to be. The world has done a number on her and I don't think it's going to stop anytime soon…"
"And I don't think I've been helping any either." Tai sighed, stealing another sip from Qrows flask.
"She's also been playing with her power too, don't know for how long or when but apparently she's started to use dust crystals to disguise the raw power when it releases. She's got a lot of brains that one…"
"Yeah, one got the brains, the other got the brawn."
"How is Yang doing at Signal by the way? Started many fights?"
"Started three, ended five; the other two was because one looked like a Rabbit faunas they made friends with and the other looked like Ruby, both were getting bullied when Yang came upon then and ended it real quick. She got detentions for those but I don't like to count them, especially if the kids were so weak they went down with just a couple of hits, they deserved it."
"Heh, you're right about that. Firecrackers got a protective streak, shoulda seen that one coming. Lord have mercy when Ruby starts, that place is going to be a nightmare." Qrow chuckled, thinking about all the trouble they're gonna get into.
"Hey, at the rate you're going, you might be teaching there too."
"What makes you say that?"
"That scythe that she's going to be walking around with without someone to teach her how to use it."
"Well damn, shoulda thought that one through."
"Yep, she's got you trapped; Hook, line and sinker."
With a little push from Velvet, who was getting the brunt of just how bored Ruby was starting to get at home with nothing but training and reading as, by then, all her friends were deep in their training for the entrance exams into Signal, Ruby too applied for the exams into Signal for the next year. Velvet had found in her academy that if you can pass all the exams and physical tests that all the other future students do, the admin will give you a few additional tests to make sure that you can keep up with the workload. If you can pass those, you're in, and can start with the rest of the year level.
Unfortunately for everyone else involved, Ruby applied and sat all the normal and additional tests they required and surpassed everyone's expectations. Apparently, she was intellectually on her sister's level as a second-year student but Ruby declined and explained that what few friends she had were going to be in that level and that she wanted to start at the beginning, just like everyone else.
It wasn't until the end that Qrow and her father found out, much too their charging and the sisters delight. Tai had actually only found out when he opened the letter to him from the Academy, congratulating him on Ruby's early acceptance.
"Ruby!" He called into the house.
"Yes Daddy?" He heard as she came running down the stairs.
"What is this?" He asked, holding out the letter for her to read.
"Ummm, well, it says congratulations so-" She cut off with a gasp and tore the letter from his hand, quickly reading it over before squealing in delight. "I did it! I did it! I made it in! Yes! Ah my god! Yay, yay, yay! I'm going to school and starting my training properly! Yes!" She yelled, bouncing around the lounge before stopping suddenly and taking off for her bedroom she still shared with Yang.
Tai quickly followed after her with a small smile, she hadn't been that excited in a very long time. "YANG! I made it! I'm going to Signal too!"
Jumping up from her bed, Yang raced over to meet her sister and read the letter too before squealing in delight, tackling her sister in a tight bear hug. "Oh my god! We did it! Yes, go Ruby!"
Tai watched from the doorway as they hugged and squealed and shouted, jumping around the bedroom and over the furniture. He was glad that they were both so happy but soon his brain caught up with what his ears were hearing.
"Wait WHAT!" He shouted, and watched as the two girls looked over to their father, his angry expression a clear sign of how much trouble they were in.
"Oh, oh." The sighed together.
Sitting on the couch with her sister, Ruby mindlessly pulled out RoseBud and started spinning the handles idly – much like she would with a pen – looking over at her sister with a worried face and jumped when the door opened and Qrow walked through. She was about to jump up and run to him but a swift glare from her father kept her in place.
Stepping through the door, Qrow expected to hug attacked by Ruby but was confused by the lack of red anywhere. Walking through the doorway and into the lounge was even more confusing; Ruby and Yang sitting on one side of the lounge, Taiyang on the other side, holding a letter and glaring at them.
"Well this is tense… he drawled and watched as the two girls flinched, huddling towards each other.
"So, did someone die or…" Tai just held out the letter he was holding and waited for Qrows reaction.
"Congratulations on Ruby Rose's advanced admission to Signal Academy – wait what?"
"It came in today. Apparently, she has already taken all the tests and done the interview and got everything signed off. She starts at the beginning of the new school year with all the other students; a level below Yang and a year younger than all her soon to be classmates. Apparently with the help of a certain someone to sign off all the paperwork in my name."
"Well damn girls, I'm impressed-"
"Qrow."
"-and so deeply disappointed that you would go behind our backs and do such a thing, truly terrible." He ended with a wink and chuckled at the resigned sigh from Tai.
"You were no help at all."
"What did you want me to do, it's already done. She's enrolled and going, you can't just pull her out just to make her wait a year. She's already bored now, what else am I going to teach her now that the academy won't?"
"Yeah but I just wanted her to with her own age group-"
"So I can be picked on for being smarter than them all? I know I'm not going to be making a lot of friends with everyone a year older but I already have some that are starting next year too, plus I'll be able to fit in better with us being closer developmentally wise. Also, holding me back will not do anything good, at least this way I can start my formal training with proper teachers and lessons and curriculums."
"Yeah, yeah kid, don't use too many big words in one go, you'll fry his brain. And we both know you want to start early so you can finally get your own scythe." Qrow grinned as she flushed in embarrassment and folded out Rose and pointed the tip at his throat.
"Shush you, I'm trying to sound smart here."
"Ruby, put it away. I'm not going to pull you out, you make a good point, I just wish you had told me…"
"You would have stopped me and I really, really want to go."
"Yeah fine…" he sighed and gave her the acceptance letter, smiling softly when she squealed again quietly.
"Now you," He said, glaring at Yang, who tried to look confident but her grin faltered. "How long have you been forging my signature on official documents?"
"Hehe, well you see, ummm…"
"Yang."
"A while. But only on the good stuff I swear, and Ruby knew too!"
"Oh geez, lord have mercy on Signal and my career with you both going – hey don't you laugh, your teaching too now. I'll have you know that someone has to teach Ruby."
"Ruby." He groaned, flopping down onto a seat.
"Sorry!" she squeaked.
The next 4 years were a mess of Ruby outsmarting her classmates and Yang beating up anyone who spoke bad about her sister. They had somehow gained the name 'The Sinister Sisters'; whenever one sister was hurt that wasn't in class, the other would be right around the corner, ready to wipe out whoever brought harm to their only sister. No one ever figured out how they always knew when one was hurt, but they did and everyone soon learnt no to mess with them; Yang's malicious grin and Ruby's bright red hood that was always somehow up and her scythe out being the last thing any of their victims saw before they were inevitably knocked out.
And if there was one thing that everyone also had to know about the pair before doing anything in the school, it was that they don't like bullies. They somehow managed to end so many fights with bullies and made such a reputation among so many of the victims that a small club was formed, in which they would all help each other train and defend each other from any more potential bullies. Yang would sometimes go and help them from time to time but Ruby chose not to, not liking all the attention she would get and not liking the socialising aspect of each meeting.
Ruby would still go up and see Ozpin on one day each month, sometimes even sneaking up twice or three times a month if she was bored or upset about her friends or other kids at school as she got older and was allowed to venture into the city more and more. Though she kept her hood up each time she went, mostly just because she found it funny how he would sigh in exasperation every time she would show up with her hood covering her eyes. Surprisingly, besides a few of the admin and Professor Peach, nobody else had found out about her trips and she decided that she wanted to keep it that way, practicing with her Semblance and how sneaky she can be and her infiltration skills.
Professor Peach helped her in all her adventures to update and transform RoseBud into something more, all the while growing closer to the teacher as they spent for time together, the Professor turning into something of a step mum to the younger girl as they would sometimes sit and have lunch together when they didn't want to work on the weapons.
In her last year, Ruby learnt that Velvet had made it into Beacon and had an amazing team, so on the days when she wasn't usually up in the city, Ruby got to meet the rather famous first year team; Team CFVY. It tuned out that Team Coffee was amazing in every way and made great friends, even if things were a little awkward to begin with. Coco and Velvet would go shopping with her and Yatsuhashi and Fox would train with her and on occasion when the team needed to study for an upcoming exam, Ruby would chill in their room and help them study, getting a slight head start on the content.
Ruby had also started to go out into the forest for small hunting missions with Qrow. When they first started, Qrow would fight with her, allowing Ruby to experience what fighting a Grim would be like but making sure that she was protected from the others in the pack. As she got older though, it turned into Qrow scouting from above and Ruby facing the small hoards head on.
Although Taiyang didn't entirely approve of their hunting trips into the forest, he couldn't exactly do much to stop them and it was that attitude that allowed Ruby to go out even without Qrow sometimes, which lead to the large pack of Beowolves ahead of slightly older girl, taking up all the space in her favourite field. Hearing a crow cry not too far from where she was, Ruby smiled slightly at the return of her favourite person before shooting off in a flurry of motion at the now raging pack of Grim.
From his new perch on a branch looking over the field, Qrow sat silently and watched as Ruby ripped through Grim after Grim with deadly aim, utilising every aspect of her weapon in the fight, and grinned to himself when she was thrown back and stood on her dug in scythe. After that moment it was difficult to keep track of her movements, the trail of limbs and rose petals being some of the only clues as to where she had been when she suddenly took off through the pack in a burst of red rose petals.
Looking at Ruby as she stands at the opposite end of the field she started, bullet casings and Grim limbs raining down around her, Qrow is suddenly reminded of that image that ran through his head when he first thought about training her with a scythe. Scary Ruby.
Those trips didn't happen very often; having a Hunters Academy on an island limited the amount of Grim one could find, but when they did, it was always a good test of how much she had improved and what she still needed to work on. Sometimes though, she would use those hoards to test her powers on, experimenting with what they could and couldn't do to both the Grim and the surrounding forest. Those attacks only happened during the holidays, when most of the families left the island to go stay somewhere else while they have the time before returning back to the academy.
While Ruby excelled in all her combat classes, it turned out, Ruby powered through her year levels school work in half the time as well, and started working on the next levels work too in each subject she approached. While they offered again to move her up a level, Ruby just wasn't comfortable with all the trouble it would make for her and the few friends she did have. So, Ruby would do both lots of work studying with her friends for her year level and then with her sister for the next. The system worked perfectly as she went through her school years until the end of her fourth year, at which point she had learned everything that the school had to offer and neither party knowing what to do with the situation.
That was all solved when one night at the beginning of the next year, when Ruby stopped a robbery in her favourite dust shop and finally met the infamous Glynda Goodwitch and Ozpin finally got to look Ruby in eye…