What's cookin'?

I don't have much to say this time, apart from that I'm about to start school. My pain will revisit me yet again, oh well xD.

Anyways, let's get on with the story.

Disclaimer: RWBY belongs to Monty Oum and Rooster Teeth.

Story is mine.

Hurrying To Vale

An old abandoned warehouse sits in the corners of Vale. Surrounded by equally abandoned homes and stores. It was not a new sight for Neo; however, the atmosphere exhibited more dread without Roman right next to her.

Neo knocked on a door that was located in the back of the warehouse. She waited, but no one came to the door. They must be busy today. She knocked again. This time, someone opened the entrance before her patience ran thin.

The ugly sight of that green-haired girl greeted her.

Ugh.

"Oh, it's you." Emerald rolled her eyes and walked back inside. "Get in."

Nice to meet you too, bitch.

The warehouse was stacked with Fauna, even more so than usual. They're a lot more productive too than when she and Roman last went. Everyone was rushing to one place or another, barking out orders to move several crates of dust into trucks.

Neo spotted Cinder talking with one of the higher-ups. Her hands were lit up and had some traces of fire coming out. Only a little more and she just might single-handedly burn the entire building down.

"...did this even happen?" Cinder's words became more clear as Neo approached. "It hadn't been long since we switched warehouses, how did the police even find our location?"

The Faunus leader shrugged. "We have no clue, ma'am. But from what my boys and I gathered, there's been an increase in security in the area. We thought they'd go away sooner or later, but more and more came each day to monitor the buildings."

"It's only a matter of time before they find this one." Serves the old hag right. "No matter, focus on extracting all of our dust and move it to the next warehouse as quickly as possible."

"Yes, ma'am."

The Faunus leader left the area.

"I swear, I'll find the one who–" Neo snapped her fingers to get her attention. Cinder faced her with a frown. "What do you– it's you. Is there something you need?"

Neo smirked and pulled out the letter "Ronald" delivered to her. When she broke the news to Cinder and her gang, not a single soul (if they even had any) believed her. Junior was on her side, but even then he was still iffy about the whole thing.

Cinder opened the letter and scanned its contents without saying a word. Neo knew the moment she reached the part when Roman called her an old hag if she judged by the furrowing of her brows. Cinder closed up the letter and gave it back to her.

"And here I thought that fool managed to get himself killed, I wouldn't be surprised if it had happened." Cinder crossed her arms. "It would've been impressive had he not been imprisoned in a school of huntsmen. But sadly, that's not the case."

"So, Roman's got himself stuck in school again? Haha!" Says the ass who got both his legs cut off. "Serves him right. He should've returned to class with how big of a fuckup he did on that last heist."

Now they're just pissing her off.

"Now now, Mercury. Roman being in Beacon Academy may be a blessing in disguise."

"Huh? How so?"

"Well," Cinder eyed Neo. She looked so creepy. "I had been planning to infiltrate Beacon during the Vytal Festival to jam the communication towers. With the little one here acting as our fourth member of our team. I would've let Roman join had it not been limited to four people."

"But now that Roman's there…"

"Exactly." Cinder walked to a nearby table with maps scattered on top of it. "But right now, we need him here. We need more members to join our faction. There's going to be a shipment of dust at the port a week from now and we're lacking in manpower. As much of a brat that fool is, he's the only one who can guarantee new members with his speeches."

Damn right he's the only one.

"You." Cinder turned back to Neo and approached her. "Write Roman a letter this instant and tell him to come here. Don't tell him about our plans. If he doesn't come here by three days by then…"

Flames in her hand formed.

"I'll make sure you're the one to take responsibility."

Hmph, what a bitch.

He had to hurry.

When he woke up to an awful Saturday morning, he wasn't expecting anything like this. Neo sent him back a letter once when he checked the mail in the library. He needs to go to Vale, now.

Roman ran as fast as he could to the docking station. It was early in the morning and barely anyone was awake. If he could catch the earliest Bullhead to Vale without meeting that coffee-addicted headmaster, then everything would run smoother than butter.

He ran outside the school doors. Not a single person in sight. Looks like he'll make it without much trouble after all.

But of course, the Gods wanted to toy with his life yet again.

"Going somewhere, Mister Torchwick?" The old bastard stood there with a smirk, sipping on his mug. "I had been planning on visiting the City of Vale for a while now, it's quite a coincidence to bump into you."

Like hell, it was a coincidence!

"You got a real knack for spying on kids, don't cha old man?" He laughed. "You like 'em young? Creepy bastard. But don't worry though, your secret is safe with me."

"Very amusing, Mister Torchwick." Ozpin frowned. "It's unusual for any student to leave school premises at this time; let alone wake up."

"Well from what we've already established in prison, I ain't your average Joe."

"I concur." Ozpin sipped on his mug. "So tell me, Mister Torchwick, what business do you have in Vale? I'm sure it's not to visit any friends or family, they don't exist from what I've read on your records."

"You're a real creep, you know that?" If the old bastard got a whiff of his plans, he'll surely try to find some way to shut it down. "Look, it ain't your business so just leave me be, and let's go our merry way. Okay?"

"You're not going anywhere, Mister Torchwick."

"Is that so? Well too bad, cause there ain't nothing stopping me from–"

Roman got swept off his legs with Ozpin's walking cane. He landed on his back with a thud. He groaned. "The hell was that for…?"

Ozpin pointed his cane at the tip of his nose. "If you have any intention to battle me, then so be it. But be wary. I've faced countless wars and fights, and plenty of them act the way you do boy. I can easily make you surrender in mere seconds."

"Geez, if I hadn't known any better, I would've assumed this was the military." That fall really did a number on him, his back was aching. Roman pulled himself up and got to one knee. "Still, I don't care if you'll tie me up in a graveyard somewhere, I need to go to Vale."

"I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Mister Torchwick. Not unless you tell me your intentions."

"Look, you damn clown! I have no idea why I have to go to Vale either!" The only thing he knew was Cinder needed him. "I just need to get hold of a friend before she burns to ashes!"

"Oh? Is that so?"

"Yeah." Roman stood on both legs and pushed forward. "Now get out of my way."

"Not so fast." Ozpin blocked him with his cane. "You're keen on making deals, aren't you?"

"Depends." Their eyes met. "What's in it for me?"

"I'll allow you to travel to the city. From what I've seen, your intent seems to be noble. At the very least."

But…?

"But you'll have to bring Miss Rose with you."

"You've got to be– really?! Little Red of all people?!" He can't do anything with that kid around him. She'll cling onto him like glue!

"She's the only one I can trust to keep track of you." Ozpin glared. "And she's also the only student in this school aware of your criminal activities. I can put my full faith in her to stop whatever evil deeds that cross your mind."

Roman scowled. If he could shake this old bastard up, he would. But he was in a hurry.

"Alright, alright." He can't waste any more time. "I'll pick up Little Red from the daycare. You happy with that?"

"I feel wondrous." He smirked before sipping on his mug yet again.

Roman walked away. Little Red, huh? He can imagine that annoying voice of hers ruining his day. It's already giving him a headache. He needs to distract her once he gets to the city, but how?

"Oh, before I forget, Mister Torchwick," Ozpin called out. "Miss Rose has a gift for you back in your room, seeing as you always slept outside. Treat this outing as a thank you of sorts, will you?"

Oh brother.

"Bring Little Red, he says. She's the only one I could trust, he says." Roman slurred. "Bringing ten different animals from Vacuo along would've been better than Red."

Ever since that day he went out to sleep on the bench, he hadn't been back to the dorm room. Honestly, where that bench was located was decent. No snoring, no Red or Vanilla, and most importantly, the bathroom was only five steps away.

He made it to the door. This is already turning out to be a horrible idea. But getting to Cinder was more important than his pride, at least for the moment.

He knocked.

"Who is it?" Oh, wonderful, it was Vanilla. The moment she opened the door was the moment they started glaring at one another. "What do you want?"

"Aww, can't I visit every once in a while? I'm still your leader after all." He put his foot in the door before she could even think of shutting it. "Now let me in."

"Not. A. Chance."

"Come on, stop being such a kid, and lemme in the room."

"Well, Yang's changing her clothes." She huffed.

"No I'm not, you liar!" He heard Yang from inside. "Although, I wouldn't mind showing off my goods to him."

"I swear you two are of equal ridiculousness!"

Oh for the love of–

"Coming in!" He pushed through Weiss' frail body and barged inside. "Come out, Little Red! Where are…What the?"

Roman was met with the sight of bunk beds if you could even call them that. It looked like a safety hazard. One was being held up by rope and the other was stacked on a pile of books. A fly could swipe through the supports and knock everything down without so much as lifting a finger.

What surprised him the most was the fifth bed in the middle. It was a bit larger than the other ones and took up the majority of the remaining space.

He would be happy, had it not looked like it came out of a princess movie.

The neon pink was too much for his eyes. It reminded him of his bicycle. Speaking of, he did miss that eyesore of a bike a bit.

"So this was what he's talking about," Roman muttered to himself.

"Ain't it adorable?" Yang jumped onto the bed and sprawled herself onto it. "I wanted to keep it warm until you decided to sleep in our room, but Ruby's been so stingy about it!"

"She wanted your welcome back gift to be very welcoming." Blake flipped a page of her book. "You know, she was the one to ask Ozpin for a bed. Make sure to thank her."

"I'll think about it." Thanking Red? Disgusting. "Where's the kid anyway?"

Yang stood up from the bed and went to the one being held up by ropes. She opened the blanket to peek in. "Come on out, Lil sis! The boy of your dreams is here!"

"Oh my gosh, will stop saying that!?" Little Red peeked outside of her covers before going back in. "Y-You're welcome by the way!"

"Oh no, you don't!" Yang reached in with both arms and pulled Red away from the safety of her covers. "You're not hiding from Roman. It was your idea to get the bed, you know? There were even invitation letters under your pillows!"

"Don't say that!"

After a bit of tangling with one another, Yang managed to stand Little Red in front of him. She looked down on the floor; occasionally peeking to meet his gaze. "...Hi."

"Geez, you're really making this uncomfortable for both of us."

He sighed. This is the girl he's going with? The same one who stopped him from taking that Carly guy's wallet? Little Red was dangerous on the battlefield, but this is just a whole other person. At this rate, he won't be able to drag her out to Vale if she's acting all prudish.

Now how am I gonna approach you, Red?

He can phrase it like a mission, though the others might go along if it was. The more people he had to keep track of, the harder his job will get. If there was only a way to…

Bingo.

"So, Little Red," Roman started. "You're the one behind all this? I'm flattered. Truly, I am."

"Uh, thanks?"

"But how could I repay such kindness to my dear teammate? Certainly, I'd have to give something of value for being so brave and facing Old Man Coffee in a battle of wits to give me a place to sleep."

"Old Man Coffee? Do you mean Ozpin? I just asked him."

Roman put the back of his hand on his forehead. "Truly, I'm grateful for all you've done. As a sign of thanks…"

Roman tugged on her chin to gaze into her.

"Will you come on a date with me to Vale?"

"WHAT?!" Ouch! Did the three of them have to shout at the same time?! He appreciated Blake's silence in times like these.

"Hold on!" Yang pulled them apart and grabbed his collar. "Just what do you think you're doing to my sister?! I know Ruby's cute and all, but don't you think you're going a little bit too far?!"

"She's right." Weiss joined in. "Ruby and I aren't on the best of terms, but as a teammate, I will not allow her to come with you alone! I don't trust you."

"Gaslighting much, eh?" Roman pulled himself away from Yang's grip. "Look, I was going to Vale anyways. But seeing how thoughtful Little Red has been to me, I decided to let her come and join."

"You asked her for a date." Blake included.

"It was a mere jest, my comrade." He waved her off. "Besides, I ain't gonna do anything bad to Red. I'm just taking her along for the ride. We'll probably get dinner once I'm done with some business."

Yang stayed quiet for a couple more seconds before opening her mouth. "You sure?"

"Oh Sunrise, I'm more than sure that I won't be doing anything indecent." He had more things to worry about other than Little Red anyways. "I'll get her home before night falls, that good for you?"

"Fine." She grumbled. "If you're not back by six, I'm taking this bed and slamming it over you. Got it?"

"Yeah yeah, we'll be back before you know it."

Roman, like the gentleman that he proudly admits to himself, held his palm right in front of Little Red.

"Madame, shall we?"

Of course, this is the part where I cut the chapter off. Ehe.

I actually had written the start of the Ruby/Roman date, but I decided to make it the focal point of the next chapter. I wanted to make this part longer, but I didn't want to surprise you guys with an extra-long chapter out of nowhere.

I stopped myself, otherwise, I would've ended up in Coeur Al'Aran mode and typed out 5k words.

So I'm gonna ask this, would you guys like longer chapters in the future? Maybe around 5k-7k instead of the usual 3k? It's gonna take a bit more effort, but that means you guys get more content and I get to write longer chapters without the word count restriction.

Comment down below!

Reviews are love. Roman and Ruby's date is about to begin, and they're gonna need all the love they can get. The review can be a compliment, complaint, suggestion, and/or criticism.

Anyways, that's all for now and I will see you in the next one.

Crazyman out.