I liked her.

We were inseparable for a given moment of time. We joked and laughed, shared things together, poked fun of each other, and was never afraid to playfully downright insult one another. She became my shining star. I often kept her in my peripheral vision so my restless gaze can wander back to her. Every time my brown eyes laid on her, the accumulated tension and the stress gradually alleviates. There was always that one optimistic person in a guild and she fitted the bill. When the world seemed dark and empty, she finds something positively good, and somehow, the world lights up seeming bright and wonderful again.

It's amazing honestly. There were times that we were polar opposites. Me sometimes being a sarcastic asshole and her being a cunning but yet angelic woman. She was strong, not exactly in terms of aura and physique like me, but her character was something else.

I knew our feelings were mutual. Hell, we even held our gaze longer than we should have. But holding romantic feelings for her was a silly mistake. Not because I was her captain and she was my subordinate, but something far more complicated.

So I stopped and pushed her away.

The Vytal Festival drew near. Banners and all sorts of decorations proudly hung around the city of Vale for display. It was weird to see Vale so colorful and festive. To celebrate the coming of students from different kingdoms and the festival's anniversary, many of the shops offered discounts.

In other words, Weiss wanted to go shopping.

"I hate shopping," I grumbled, attempting to sound bitter and bored. I dragged my feet across the sidewalk in hopes everyone will get my message.

"Oh hush." Weiss strode next to me with bags in tow. We walked side by side with Yang and Blake just following right behind us. "We aren't just shopping for clothes. There are other necessities that we should buy before the tournament."

"Like...?"

"Dust," Blake answered blandly but yet amused. "From all that explosion during your private lesson with Weiss, I'm sure you've depleted her company's stalk."

I raised a finger to make a counter claim, but my ears fell flat and my finger slumped. Weiss and I worked on hand to hand combat during Professor Goodwitch's combat class and then practiced with dust later on the day. I have to admit, there was a few explosions here and there. Blake was probably right even though she exaggerated a bit too much. But I'm positive there was enough dust to go around for Weiss to splurge on. I mean... She is suppose to inherit the dust company after all.

"She's... Improving," Weiss weakly defended. "She has the basics down. It's not difficult to empty a cartridge infused with dust. But with that wild mind she has, she's just currently... Experimenting."

"Ooo," Yang chimed into the conversation. "Is she making melted snow cones? Cause that's all I see when you two come back."

Unfortunately, that was... Somewhat true. There were times some explosions happen and there were some times Weiss unexpectedly got caught in the aftermath. I came out unscathed, but that's because I had my aura up almost at all times. Weiss finally learned her lesson and started following my example.

"Blame your sister that black is impossible to wash off on white," Weiss muttered.

Hence, why we are shopping today.

"Maybe black suits you," I wryly smiled. We turned on the corner of the block and headed straight down. Weiss led the group as she seemed to know where she's going.

"Try yellow," Yang suggested mirthfully. "If I can look fantastic, then maybe you can look just as good but less than me."

"Or red," I butted in to give her a different option.

"No offense to Blake, but gothic and emo?" She batted an eye to Blake before deadpanning back to me. "No thank you." Then she turned to Yang. "I'm not planning to do a color scheme of everyone's ur—"

"Don't finish that sentence," Yang dropped her lips into a frown faster than an anchor in the ocean. Like how a child would do, Weiss motioned to her lips and pretended to zip them while tossing away the imaginary key. "Next thing you know it, you're going to say that red looks like menstruation."

"Eww..." I remarked lamely. "Really Yang?"

I was hoping to go for the romantic sexy look. I never thought I would be the color of... Bleegh...

Yang shrugged back and pointed a blaming finger back at Weiss. "She started it."

"I'm not that crude," Weiss huffed and turned her cheek to the other side.

"You finished it," Blake justified logically to Yang.

"Happy pick on Yang day," Yang dryly announced as she waved her hand back and forth as if she was holding a celebration flag. "When did you get all buddy-buddy with Weiss?"

"When we found out we have something in common," Weiss answered in place of Blake. "Our dry sense of humor."

"By the way Ruby," Blake turned to me seeming more serious than our banters. "What were you experimenting?"

I threw a hand at the back of my neck and started rubbing sheepishly. "Well, I was thinking of trying to infuse dust into my semblance. I thought I could be some hot trailblazer running around. But —" I shrugged a bit in defeat. "Something's not working. Weiss is giving me all the lessons she could too."

"She took the idea after she saw us incorporate dust into our semblance, Blake," Weiss further explained. "While I truly believe it's possible to achieve, Ruby just needs more practice."

"Which is probably why we're getting more dust right about now," I added on top of that.

"Wow," Yang whistled with an approving nod. "Instead of burning into flames, you think I can give everyone frostbites? Maybe I should join your sessions."

Weiss snorted. "Ask Blake since she's probably the next best candidate on the list. I have enough on my hands with your sister."

"Maybe we can do some team exer—" My sentence dropped dead in its tracks as well as my legs.

I paused and examined the dust store covered with yellow caution tape around it. There were broken glass all over the floor from the shattered window. From what it looks from where I was standing, everything on the inside was overturned.

What the hell happened? The dust store was fine the other day ago...

Puzzled and shocked, we stayed quiet and picked up the conversation exchanged between the two detectives.

"You think it's that random crook running loose?" One detective mentioned.

I furrowed my eyebrows at his guess. It was a possibility no doubt about it. That Torchwick dude had been running around trying to rob every dust shop in Vale. But there wasn't any evidence to prove it. It could've been anyone adopting his criminal behavior.

"What do you guys think?" I asked the others.

"I'm placing my chips on that criminal Torchwick," Yang put her cents in.

"It could be anyone honestly," Weiss shrugged.

I looked at Blake who was standing still lost in thought. "Blake?"

"I..." She hesitated and lowered her gaze to the corner of her eyes. It seemed like she wanted to say something but she seemed uncertain. "I'm not exactly sure."

"I guess there's one way to find out," I murmured. I strode up towards the store, but I could still pick up the questioning voice from Weiss right behind me.

"How is she planning to figure it out?"

Yang answered her question. "Ruby has a heightened sense of smell. Probably better than most Faunus around here. If you need to track someone, Ruby is the best option you have."

"Excuse me," I made my way to the detectives first before entering the store. Yang, Blake and Weiss followed right behind me. "You think my friends and I can take a look around in the shop?"

The two detectives eyed us like some children trespassing on their turf.

"Sorry kid, this is for the professionals," one detective automatically stated.

"What if we can help out?" I gave him a reason to take into consideration.

The other detective gave a wry laugh and removed his sunglasses. "I doubt it. For all we know, it's probably the White Fang." The way he punctuated his words and the look he gave me, I know all too well. He flicked his eyes at all of us, but they lingered longer towards me — the supposedly only Faunus in our group.

I deeply frowned, almost letting off a low growl

"Yang, let me handle this." Weiss placed a hand on my sister. Yang too was infuriated. Her eyes narrowed and she kept balling and unclenching her fist, fighting off the urge to hurl her fist at the man.

Weiss boldly stepped forward and her 'bitch' face immediately took over. Her eyebrows fell straight flat and her lips pressed firmly in a white thin line.

"Apologize." She didn't ask; she flat out demanded.

The detective raised an eyebrow at Weiss, his eyes becoming more narrow at the standoff they were having. Despite how Weiss was probably a foot shorter than him, the aura circulating around her made her look and feel probably ten feet tall.

"Excuse me?"

"I do not remember stuttering," the heiress placed a hand on her hips and cocked them. Then she proceeded to lift her chin in an impudent manner. "I said apologize. My friends and I do not appreciate what you're implying." She glanced over her shoulders. Blake expression flattened at his offense, and it did not escape any one of us.

"What are you going to do?" He smirked, silently laughing at the little girl. I want to wrung him like a wet towel. "Get me fir—"

Weiss pulled out her Beacon identification card between her fingers, and it was her turn to smirk back. "I can and I will get you fired."

Startled, the detective took a step back after he squinting his eyes at the card. "M-Miss Schnee. I-I..."

"You what?" She remained steadfast.

"I-I..." He stuttered, trying to find the right words.

Irritated and impatient, Weiss tapped her foot.

"I apologize," he quickly lowered his and his cheeks colored red in humiliation. He marginally lifted his chin and barely looked me in the eyes. "I apologize for making such awful implications."

"And to her," Weiss pointed a thumb to Blake, her stern expression did not falter. The detective gave a blank stare as to why he needed to apologize to the girl with the black bow tie.

"Weiss it's ok—"

"I apologize to you as well Miss." The detective flinched before quickly making an apology for something he wasn't quite sure after Weiss impatiently narrowed her eyes down at him.

"Good, now excuse us while we take a look in the shop." Weiss fearlessly strode pass the two and the three of us followed behind her in awe of what she was capable of.

"But —" He quickly snapped shut up when Weiss shot a finger in the air to silence him, her back still turned towards him. The distance between us increased as we continued to make our way through what used to be the front entrance of the shop.

"Thank you Weiss," Blake bashfully murmured. In a single filed line, we ducked underneath the yellow caution tape that was specifically labeled 'Do Not Cross.' "That was very nice of you to defend us."

"Of course, that's what teammates do right?" Weiss carefully stepped over a broken table and wooden shards.

"Nice Weiss strikes again!" I casually commented on the side.

"I will make you write me a five page essay when we get back."

"Just kidding..." I nervously murmured.

Weiss rolled her eyes at me with a latent smile and returned back to what she was saying before I interrupted her.

"If you still think I hate Faunus, I really don't. That changed after getting to know you a bit more and spending much of my time with Ruby. You two greatly influenced my opinion. "

"That's actually... Really sweet of you to say." Blake spoke quietly. "I'm glad we were able to."

"But don't get me wrong. I still do harbor a strong dislike towards the White Fangs and anyone still associated with it. But you did informed us that you weren't a part of the organization anymore didn't you?"

Blake nodded her head.

"Then it's settled. Besides, they were making baseless accusations."

"If you haven't stepped in, I would've ended everything with my fists," Yang smiled appreciatively to the heiress. "That would've probably landed me in heaps of trouble. So, you have my thanks."

"I would've joined Yang for the wild ride," I chuckled. "So makes that three thanks."

"W-We didn't come here to thank me did we?" Weiss almost stumbled in her words from the gratitude we were giving her. She quickly turned towards my general direction. "I thought you came in to have this all nicely figured out? Don't tell me I wasted my efforts to get us in here."

"Right right," the corner of my lips quirked up after I got a taste of Weiss's modesty.

I glanced around and took note of our surroundings. It was surprising to see how just a single night can ruin a store entirely. The door was completely knocked down. Literally its hinges were ripped off from the walls itself. Tubes that stored finely powdered dust were drained empty. Shards of glass dangerously sat on the floor from the shattered glass case. Shelves and cabinets were overturned and somewhat damaged. And empty crates scattered around the room.

"Color me impress," Yang said after she drank in the sight of the ransacked store. She retreated to the safest area of the room and kicked back against the wall. "The detective was really afraid of you. More afraid than Ruby threatening Cardin with a fork."

"You're over exaggerating," Weiss shifted her gaze the other way. "Cardin cowered more than he did. Besides, it's the name he's afraid of. Not me."

Staying silent but yet attentive to the conversation, I crouched low and drew in a long sniff. There were multiple odors in the room that collided with each other. They were faint and hard to identify, but at the same time, they were easy to distinguish.

"You should give yourself more credit," Blake insisted while carefully inspecting the store and its damaged furniture.

"Yeah, and have you seen the way you looked?" Yang shot a disbelieving glance.

"And did you not see the smile on his face that lingered until he saw the bolded six letter words? Must I really spell it out to you?" Weiss deadpanned back.

"What's wrong with being a Schnee?" I finally asked, but still focused on my current task. I straightened my knees and carefully trudged around the room, breathing in and homing in on the scent. At the corner of my eyes, I saw Weiss turned to my direction.

"There's nothing exactly wrong with it per se," Weiss sighed. "It's just a name that everyone associates me with."

"You are technically born under the name," Blake stated the obvious. "But that's not all you are. It doesn't accurately define you."

"Wise words from Blake," I agreed after giving a last few more sniffs. My lips pulled into a frown when I placed the pieces together. Blake wasn't going to be happy with what I have to say.

"Oh? What makes you think that?" Weiss seemed unconvinced at Blake's comment. "When people think of Schnee, they think of a powerhouse, a powerful energy supplier to the world. And that's pretty much who I am."

"You're not wrong. That's the first impression they have because that's literally what your family does for a living. But your background shouldn't be the one to define who you are," Blake gave her something to think about. "It's like me being a part of the White Fang. You saw them as an organization that terrorized your family while Ruby saw them as something that stole a part of her life.

Blake's ribbon slumped when she lowered her amber eyes, her voice softening. "But that's not me, and I don't want to be branded with that. I don't want to hurt anyone."

The room remained silent at Blake's confession. She was similar to Weiss, concerned over what people thought about her. Her past background could've changed many people's opinion easily. As for Weiss, she wasn't far much different. She carried the Schnee's name and that's what people saw her as. Whether it was stained with sins or not, she had to carry that burden.

"You're not," I placed a reassuring hand on Blake's shoulders. I watch her bow flicker when her ears perked. "You're different. We're all different here." My eyes made its way to every single one of them. "Our past doesn't always define who you are. What matters the most is the present."

"So..." I gestured Yang to come towards to the middle. She removed herself from the wall and made her way over. "Both of you should give yourself some credit. I'm certain that every one of us in here can agree that our impression now was different than the previous."

My team gave me a satisfied smile as they seemed content with what we had to share altogether.

"Found anything Ruby?" Yang asked me once it was appropriate to get back to the topic of why we were in here in the first place.

"Yeah..." I nodded my head. "As anyone could've guessed, there are three things that could've been in here. One, Grimm. Two, humans. And three, Faunus. Obviously Grimm is out of the option considering there was no wide spread panic in the town. So what does that leave us?"

"Humans and Faunus," Weiss easily deducted.

"Bingo. I picked up two scents: humans and Faunus."

"But they could be customers or maybe the shopkeeper itself," Blake tried to defend as she seemed a little panicked at what she was about to hear.

I shook my head. "The smell is overrun by Faunus. It's difficult to believe that most of these customers were Faunus. I'm sorry Blake."

Blake face fell as her fears came true. "The White Fang..."

"How many other people can you pick up?" Yang asked when she realized I said two scents.

"Hard to tell." I gave her a clueless shrug. "It could've been the shopkeeper or maybe someone else. It's really mixed in there."

"Then can you track them?"

I shook my head once more to Yang's question.

"The scent is pretty faded. It's distinguishable but faint. Most likely it wouldn't lead me anywhere because the track is almost dead."

"Well... This is a pretty much a cold case," Weiss sighed. She cocked her hips and frowned when her blue eyes glazed around the mess once more.

"Blake," I turned to the other Faunus. "When you were back in the White Fang, why did they needed dust?"

It was her turn to sigh when she scavenged through her memories. "Like all projects need: power and money. Selling dust help aid future projects while it enhanced their manpower. Kills two birds with one stone."

"But..." I motioned my hands in circles for her to continue. I knew she wanted to say more but she was hesitating.

"But... I don't get why target this small shop," she answered truthfully. "They usually target large shipments like freight trains and ships. That was the last time I remember —"

"What?" Weiss deadpanned at Blake. "You were part of that raid?"

"Sorry..." Blake guiltily shrunk her head.

"Ladies," Yang snapped her fingers to get back onto topic. "Let's not kill each other now that some of us are atoning."

"The past is the past," Weiss murmured as she rubbed her temples.

"Then this case is pretty easy to crack," I justified. "Find a White Fang and ask what they're doing."

"Seriously?" Weiss raised her eyebrows. "You think you can frolic into their rooms, have tea, and ask what kind of activities they'll be doing next?"

I mean... Technically it's possible considering Blake and I are Faunus. I'm sure we can bond over something unless I murder them.

"I think what she meant is find their next target site, grab a few hostages, and interrogate for information," Blake explained as she caught on what I mean.

"There's still a lot of dust stores..." Yang trailed off, believing it was impossible to hunt them.

"Or you can think bigger," Weiss took out her scroll and began going through it in search for information. "There's a large Schnee shipment coming in today and it should arrive sometime around evening."

"So it's settled," I smiled proudly when we came to a conclusion. "We camp at the docks. If White Fang or someone comes through, we give them a run for their money. If not, then Weiss can pick up some dust from a few crates."

"I am not stealing from my own company," Weiss huffed as she folded her arms.

"Is it really stealing though..." I retorted back. "It's technically yours."

"W-Well..." The heiress's expression faltered.

I held a chuckle when even she couldn't answer it and became more confused at the thought.

"Alright so let's head out then," Yang said.

We followed her right out of the store and made our way to the docks. I glanced up to the bright sky and squinted my eyes when it got closer to the sun. I blocked its shining rays until it casted a shadow over my eyes.

I watched as a flock of crows flew by.

*Throws graduation cap*

Exactly one month since I officially finished college and now I have a bit of free time... Ish. You can go into my profile to get a full outlook of what I've been doing and why it took me awhile. If some of you forgot about some content, then you are welcome to PM me and I can give you some kind of summary. I don't know when the next chapter will be out, but I'm working on it.

Thank you for your long patience.