Date: 4/14 Thursday

Location: Shujin Academy, Aoyama-Itchome

As I was climbing the stairs to the third floor, my only goal for this break was the student council room, the number of conversations about me had died down, even after yesterday's outburst but I was still glad. I could feel some eyes on me as I stopped outside the room I needed.

'God I hope Weiss is in there, I really don't want to talk to someone else on council team.' Taking a deep breath, I knock on the door and hear a muffled "Enter." from within.

Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I open the door and I was happy to see the white-haired beauty that was Weiss Schnee sitting there behind a desk with a small stack of paper near her and a pen in her left hand. Standing there in the doorway, I couldn't help but look at her and take in her look. Her beautiful white ponytail still sat to the side with short bangs framing her baby blue eyes. Travelling slightly down, I notice that she was wearing a form-fitting black halter vest over a long sleeve turtleneck that had an emblem pinned to the collar.

When I heard a cough from her, I realized that I was staring, I step into the room and close the door behind me. "So, what can I help you with Rose-chan?" She asked as I take another deep breath.

"Good afternoon Senpai, I wanted to ask you if there isn't a bigger school bag that I could have?" I asked, hoping that it would big enough to fit Zwei in it plus my school equipment.

"A… bigger bag? Why would you need a bigger school bag?" She raises a perfectly manicured eyebrow.

"Well," I rub the back of my neck. "I wanted one so that I can store more books for studying." I said, hoping that she would buy the partial lie.

When her face lights up, I know it worked. "I'm happy to see you take your studying so seriously." She said as she gets up and moves over to a door near the back right of the room and disappears inside. With some time to myself, I take the time to look around.

Noticing the big whiteboard on wheels, after taking a closer look, I notice that most of the board was all about the budget for various school clubs, the only one that I couldn't see on there were the sports clubs. 'I would have thought that the sports club would be on here as well, unless he has control over that.'

Hearing the door open and I close, I turn to see Weiss standing there, with a largish backpack in her heads with the school logo sitting proudly on the main flap of the backpack. "Normally, one would have to fill out several bits of paperwork to get one of these, but these haven't been in use since I've been here." She walks around the table and towards me with a warm smile. "But seeing as this is for the pursuit of knowledge, I think I can overlook some paperwork this time."

'Let's hope that Zwei can fit in there.' "Thank you Senpai, I'm sure this will be big enough for everything." Taking the backpack form Weiss, I walk over to the table (whilst making sure that I didn't disturb anything) and put down both bags and start to move everything from one to the other.

Hearing heels clicking by me and then the chair moving out, then back in, is when I heard Weiss speak up. "I've been thing about your tutoring Rose-chan." She said and I look up to meet her gaze.

"Oh yeah… Sun interrupted us before we could set a date." I said smiling at her and picking up the notebook James gave me and putting it and a pen in the inside pocket of my school blazer.

When she nods her head, she picks her pen up and carries on with her paperwork. "I was thinking that it would be best if we started as soon as possible." She looks up at me with warm eyes before grabbing a couple more documents from the small pile to her right before carrying on. "Wouldn't you agree, Rose-chan?"

"Yeah, I couldn't agree more Senpai, but I've got plans after school, so how does tomorrow sound?" I asked and hope that she doesn't ask about my plans.

"Well, how about now then? I've got some spare time and I know that you've got time before lessons resume." She says

Putting the last book I had into the backpack, I look back at Weiss. "…Sure, but what about all of those?" I said pointing towards the small stack of paper near her.

"Don't worry about those; they're from the clubs about their budgets again and I'm sorry to say that the News club will be having its budget cut." She said looking at the stack of paper and then back to me.

Placing both the bags on the floor, I pull the chair opposite her and sit down. "Why is it that?"

"There's only one member. She tries her best and the information that she gathered is quite impressive." She said and I raise an eyebrow. 'I maybe I should tell Sun about this.'

From out of nowhere she had a couple of thick looking books out and places them on the table and with a fire in her eyes, she looks back at me. "So where do we start?"

I was somewhat glad the day was over, after the intense half-hour tutoring from Weiss, the rest of the day couldn't have come sooner. It was a shame that I had planned on meeting up with Sun to hear what Zwei had left to say. As I was adjusting both straps of the backpack, I failed to see that someone had just entered from the courtyard.

"Oh! Sorry." She said as I realize that I almost knocked someone over. It's only when she looks at me is when I get a good look at her.

Sporting the standard Shujin girls' uniform, minus the jacket. She had long brown hair tied back into a ponytail that curled at the end that was held together by a pink hairband. Noticing the darker spots under her dull grey-blue eyes and on her arms and legs turn to match her light tan skin tone. 'What a cute chameleon.'

"No, I'm sorry; I should've been watching where I was going." I flash a warm smile at her.

"Hmm, you don't look familiar. You must be that transfer student from Class D?" I nod in response and she grips her right arm. "I'm… I'm sorry about all the rumours going around. Please don't let them get to you." I didn't expect her, a stranger at that time, to speak to me with warmth.

"I've dealt with rumours before." I said with probably too much cockiness, which earns me a small, cute chuckle from her.

"My girlfri… My best friend is often misunderstood too, all because of her looks…" She looks past me before locking eyes with me. "Ah sorry, I didn't mean to lose myself… I can see why Sun likes you so much."

"You know Sun?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow at her.

A sad look appears in her eyes before vanishing. "We were… friends once…. Anyway, I have to go, I'll see you around." She walks off before I could say anything. 'Bye.'

Arriving at the alcove, I saw Sun pacing in front of the vending machines, lost in thought, so lost in fact, that he didn't hear the thud of my boots till I was right in front of him.

"Woah...! Sorry Ruby, I didn't see you there." He leans against one of the machines and shortly after a low repeated tone is heard from it.

Placing the backpack on the concrete table, I take a seat on the edge. "What's eating you Sun? Is it what Zwei might have to say?"

"No, it's not that… If we can pull what Zwei said off, then we could become famous." He looks at me like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"You can't be serious. If we do somehow pull it off, you want to tell everyone we did it?" I asked in a sharp tone.

"Well… yeah, who else is gonna take credit for it?" He asked with a straight face, moving away from the vending machine and before I could respond, Zwei jumps up on to the table.

"Finally, I was wondering when you two were going to show up." I turned slightly to face Zwei and pet his head.

"What do ya mean 'finally show up.' I've been here for about twenty minutes. Where the hell were you?" I heard the anger in Suns voice.

"What! I didn't see you at all." Zwei said shaking his head and my hand off him.

I sigh, knowing where this is probably going to end up; I raise my voice at them both. "WILL YOU two shut the hell up! Do you want everyone to know that there is an adorable corgi here?"

When they don't reply, I knew that my point had gotten across. "Hop in the bag Zwei so we get going?"

Opening up the backpack, I gesture for him to hop in. "Wait! You want me to get in that? Couldn't you have gotten something better than that?" Zwei asked and I sigh as I stand up.

"Oh! I'm sorry your Highness. Would you have preferred me to get you a velvet cushion and carry you through the school?" I said in a sarcastic and weary tone as I slump into one of the chairs, closing my eyes and I start to rub my temples.

A couple of minutes must have gone by before I hear Sun speak up. "Your jokes are still shit Ruby… but is everythin' okay?"

"Yeah, after everything that has happened today… a headache was expectable." I said whilst not looking at them. "I hope you don't have much left to say Zwei."

"That depends on if blondie has any questions." I smile as heard Sun start to protest about not being that stupid. During their argument, I start to hear the tell-tale sound of heels walking this way.

"I've seen your scores Wukong-san, you can do better." I heard Weiss say as I opened my eyes and see her round the corner.

"Hey! No fair Ice Queen." Sun said turning around to see Weiss standing there, looking straight at Zwei. 'Oh shit!'

"Why… why is there a corgi standing on the table?" She asked looking over at Sun to see him looking at me. 'We're fucked.'

"Err… we can explain Senpai." I said as she was slowly started to walk towards Zwei, who only tilts his head and sits down without a word spoken.

"Please explain… why… the most… cutest little doggie is here." She said before she descends into baby talk and starts to fuss Zwei till he is on his back.

As Weiss continued speaking, I look over to Sun and mouth. 'What the hell is going on?' And all I get back from him was a shrug of his shoulders. Looking back at Weiss and Zwei, a childlike look appears over Weiss as she starts to scratch Zweis' belly and I start to feel a warm feeling through-out myself.

Standing up and move closer towards the trio, I stop just short of Weiss. "Umm… Snow Princess?"

Whether it was because of what I said or because she finally realized what she was doing in front of us but she straightens up and turns a lovely shade red and turns towards me. "Umm… well… yes… well, I heard what happened yesterday with Darcy-san and everyone apart from her and her friends are saying that you threaten her."

I sigh as I turn my head away from Weiss. "And what did Gwen say?" 'I hope she hadn't fucked me over.'

"She said that it the whole "thing" was a misunderstanding that she caused," Weiss said and I let out a breath that I didn't realize that I was holding. "so, I wanted to hear your side before I decide to report this to Principal Lionheart."

Looking back at Weiss, I recount my side of the incident, minus the real reason why we were there. "Your story does match what Darcy-san said, so I don't think there is a reason to tell the Principal about it." She lets a small smile appear before she resumes her normal facial expression. "Have a good afternoon you two."

With that, she turns and walks away and as my eyes linger on the corner where she disappeared, I heard Sun speak up. "Dude, for a moment there I thought we were screwed."

"What? You didn't think I could charm our way out?" I ask as I never take my eyes off of the entrance.

"Well, I like her." I heard Zwei say and I turn to look at him, sitting there with a smile.

"Me too boy, me too." I said turning to pat Zwei on the head. "Right, let's get going, shall we?"

By the time we made it to the roof, I was happy to be able to put the backpack down. Who knew that carrying a corgi plus school equipment would be so heavy, it was something that I didn't account for. With the bag on the ground and Zwei out and sitting on one of the tables, Sun takes a seat and puts his feet up on the tables as I lean up against the ventilation duct.

"So where was I?" Zwei asked scratching his ear.

"If I remember, you told us that Taurus will confess his own crimes when his castle goes." I say, crossing my arms.

"Oh yeah, when the Palace no longer exists, he'll forget what we did there as well. So not only will we be able to take Taurus down, but there won't even be a trace of our involvement." A pleased look appears on Zwei face.

"That's amazing! You are one incredible dog!" Sun said as he starts to rock the chair that he's on back and forth.

"That's true, except for the dog part." Zwei spoke as he hits Suns' foot.

"The question is, how do we get rid of the Palace?" I asked taking my glasses off and cleaning them.

"Well, that's easy, by steeling the Treasure held within." Zwei told us like it was common knowledge.

I watch Suns' head dip slightly as he stops rocking and lets out a loud sigh before Zwei speaks up again. "I'll tell you more once you agree to go ahead with this. It's my most valuable and secret plan after all. If you want to help me out, I'll gladly teach you. What's your call?"

"Well, I'm game if you are Sun." I said looking at Sun.

"Our luck's runnin' dry looking for witnesses. Guess we have no choice but to go along…" Sun said with a heavy heart.

"Great… oh right, there's one more thing I should tell you. If we erase a Palace, there is no doubt that the person's distorted desires will be erased as well. But desires are what we all need in order to survive. The will to sleep, eat, fall in love-those sorts of thing." He looks over to Sun as he flips Zwei the middle finger.

"I'm not looking forward to where this is going." I said whilst moving closer to them.

"If all of those yearnings were to vanish, then they'd be no different than someone who has shut down entirely. They may even die if they're not given the proper care." Zwei spoke in the most neutral tone I've heard.

"They might die?" Sun shouts as he stands.

"Would their deaths be our fault?" I look down at my hands and flex them. 'I don't want to murder him.'

"Will you listen to everything I have to say first?" Zwei retorts and I heard Sun grumble something. "Aren't you determined enough to face those kinds of risks?"

"Ruby… what do you think?" I heard Sun say and upon looking up, I saw a look of fear in Suns' eyes.

"I… I don't want to kill him." I said warily.

"Same… he may be a major asshole, but he doesn't deserve to die." Sun said scratching the back of his neck.

"Sheesh… I come all this way twice, and this what I get. It's not like anyone will ever find out." Zwei said looking away from us.

"That's not the point Zwei." I said moving closer to him and pat his head. "If we went around secretly doing whatever we wanted, then we'd no different than Taurus himself."

He shakes my hand off and for a dog spoke quite angrily. "Isn't this your only option?" He sighs. "I'll come back in a couple of days. Make sure you've made your decision by then." I watch him hop off the table and disappear between a gap in the fence and a wall near the door.

"Dammit…! There has to be another way. C'mon, let's get outta here." I heard Sun say with little energy.

"Yeah… sure." I said grabbing my bag and heading for the door. 'What the fuck have I gotten myself into?'

Location: Shibuya Subway

After parting ways with Sun at the school gates, I managed to make it to the train to Shibuya in time and I was glad to find the carriage I was in was mostly empty, which was odd given that school had ended not too long ago. But sadly, my solitude was interrupted by Sun, ringing me.

"Hey Sun, what you want?" I said sitting down and crossing my legs.

"Hey, listen, I heard something that got my attention. It's about Amitola…" Before he could continue, I interrupt him.

"Who's that?" I could feel my head start to throb with pain.

"Ilia Amitola… best friend of Blake Belladonna… she's a short chameleon faunus, who has her hair in a large ponytail." He said as I heard some commotion of the underground before it fades.

"Oh, the cute chameleon girl, I nearly walked into her today." I perk up somewhat and start to tap my boots together.

"Is there no girl you find cute?... excuse me!" I heard more commotion as he goes on.

"Well there are a lot of cute girls and guy at school, but what did you find out?" Leaning back in the seat, I wait to hear what Sun has to say.

"Sorry about that. Anyway, it looks like rumours are going around about her and Taurus. If they're true, it's no wonder she didn't want to talk to me. But still, something about that doesn't seem right." I heard him panting. 'He must have run to catch the train.'

"I know what you mean, most of the rumours I've heard since I've been here is that Belladonna-san and Taurus are together and even that leaves a bad taste in my mouth." I reach into my inside pocket and grab the notebook James give me and a pen and jot down what happened the past few days (minus the part with Zwei and the Palace).

"I know what you mean. I've known Belladonna and Amitola since middle school, so there's just no way Taurus's their type, y' know?" I clearly heard animosity towards Taurus.

"Let me guess, your more Belladonnas' type?" I teased. 'Now to find out what their score is.'

"Well yeah… wait no, no I'm not." He stammers and I could tell that he was embarrassed

"Oh. My. God! You like her, I so have to tell her." I said, teasing him more.

"Don't you dare Ruby, if you do, I'll leave you to deal with the castle by yourself!"

"Aww, you're such a party pooper Sun, but why haven't you asked her out yet?" I asked leaning forward and propping my head up with my hand.

"Dude, like I've said, I've known them since middle school. The way they look at each other, it's like they're already together, but not and I think it would it probably break Ilias' heart if we did so…" I could hear the honesty in voice.

"Right, I'm going to find you someone before I leave." I make a note in my book and put them away. "I do wonder where those rumours are coming from."

"Cheers… I'm going to ask around more tomorrow, so if you don't see me you know why." Before I could say anything, he ends the call.

"Goodbye then Sun." Putting my phone away, I leant back and enjoyed the rest of my journey home.