Date: 4/15 Friday

Location: Leblanc, Yongen

I must have passed out soon after I get back to Leblanc and that would have been fine if my phone didn't somehow end up under my pillow. So, when it buzzed twice to indicate that I received a text, I couldn't help but get woken up by it. By the time that I seized my phone, I had received two more texts from the last person I expected. 'Why in god's name is she texting me?' Checking the time, I notice that I had, at least an hour or so before I had to get up. 'So the early morning runs are still a thing then.'

The Greek Goddess: Good Morning Ruby.

I hope I didn't wake you.

I just want to see if you're doing okay?

Red Rose: Hello Pyrrha.

Yes, you did wake me up.

And seeing as I'm now living in Tokyo for a year, I say I'm doing just fine thank you.

Placing my phone down on my bed, I decided to get ready for the day. When I had all but the school blazer on, I walked back over to my box and pull out the one thing that I thought that I wouldn't need out here and place them in my bag. Walking back to my bed, I see one text from her.

The Greek Goddess: I'm sorry that I woke you and I'm sorry that you are over there and not here with me. I never wanted you to go, I didn't want to end what we had but I had no choice. If only I decided to walk you home that night.

"Bullshit, you had a choice." I said as I grab my glasses, blazer and bag and headed downstairs and turned the lights and the TV on. I dropped everything apart from my phone into a booth and sit down and then changed the channel so that Phoenix Ranger Featherman R was playing.

Red Rose: You made your choice back then, just like I did that night. I thought you of all people, would have believed me.

The Greek Goddess: I did believe you and I still do, but I had to break up with you. If I didn't then I would have lost everything that I've been working for.

Placing my phone on the table, I get up and head into the kitchen to see if there was any leftover curry from yesterday. After finding some on a plate and sticking it the microwave, I felt her presence.

"I don't know what you saw in Pyrrha, sure she's tall, hot and you could basically motorboat her every time you hug. But she left you so she could become an athlete before the hearing. So why are you still thinking that you can get back together with her?" The other me said in a questioning tone.

After shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I respond. "I loved her once… hell, I still do in some weird way. She was my first in many ways, just like I was to her… but for once you're right, she made her bed that day, just like I did that night. Plus, I've met Weiss." I let a smile spread across my face as I heard the ding from the microwave. Grabbing the plate and a fork, I ignore my other self as I sat down and reply to Pyrrha.

Red Rose: I loved you once Pyrrha, but I'm sorry… I've met someone new and she makes me more happier. I hope that you can find happiness of your own someday.

"Lying to her isn't going to help if she shows up here one day."

"Ha, what are the chances of that happening; she doesn't know where I'm staying, so I'm in the clear." I said as I start to eat.

Hearing the bell go from above the door, I sat upright and turned to see James walking in with a shocked look.

"Good morning James, how are you today?" I asked as I realized that I left my plate on the table.

"Good morning," He spoke in his usual gruff tone. "I'm more surprised that you're up this early." I heard the blind on the door being retracted as I take the plate into the kitchen and place it into the sink.

Returning to the shop proper, I answered James. "Well getting woken by your ex-girlfriend texting you is one way of waking up earlier than one would like, but Phoenix Ranger Featherman R and some of your curry have kept me company." I spoke way too joyfully for the time of day as I gestured at the TV. "I know it's a kids program but it's better than all this doom and gloom, plus the music is really catchy."

I heard James laugh slightly as he takes his jacket and trilby off and walk by me and into the kitchen to retrieve his black and white pinstripe apron. "I thought you were a lesbian ever since your actions towards that white-haired girl." He spoke whilst he set up the coffee machine. "It also explains why your old man was so happy when I said that I'll have you for the year."

"Of course he would be, he's never been happy since I started dating Pyrrha. Hell, it pissed me off when you said that he paid you to look after me." I said with anger and sitting down at the bar. "I've never liked boys that much since I was a kid and I think he could see it; it's probably why Yang was born."

"Watch your language young lady." James said curtly as he paced a cup of coffee in front of me. "So how is the Little Dragon doing?" He asked in a more friendly tone as I raise an eyebrow at him.

"What? The place isn't even open yet. And how do you know our nickname for Yang?" I asked, taking a sip of coffee and tasting the rich flavouring.

"This place is open as soon as I walk in through the door, but Tai, Summer and I were inseparable back in high school and university and I was one of the first people to know that you and Yang were conceived."

"So how come I don't remember seeing you as a child? And how come you acted like you didn't know me when I showed up?" I drained the cup of coffee and I resist the urge to slam the cup down.

A look of sadness washes over him before a stern expression takes over. "Tai wanted to see how well you could handle living in the City with a stranger, and the reason you never saw me was that I had my own problems here."

I could see the anger in his eyes. "It was a nice coffee James, what flavour is it?" I asked changing the subject and the anger goes.

"The Blue Mountains of Jamaica have a unique climate and volcanic soil advantageous for growing their famous high-quality coffee. The coffee undergoes a rigorous inspection process and is harvested in small quantities. This produces a rich coffee with a full aroma." He spoke with immense pride.

"How do you know so much about coffee?" I asked looking at all the jars of coffee beans behind the counter. 'If he knew that about that coffee, then I wonder if knows something about every one of them.'

"You learn these things over time." He looks over to his left then back to me. "Shouldn't you be off?"

"Soon, yes. But I want to ask you something else, James." I said and when he motions to continue, I do. "I want to get a dresser and some room dividers for my room."

He looks at me like I had grown a second head. "What? You can't expect me to live out of a box for a year?" I asked and give him the puppy dog eyes. 'Please work again.'

When he sighs, I know it had worked. "Fine… I'll see what I can do." He looks away from me, grumbles something and then looks back. "You best be on your way now if you don't want to be late."

"Sure, and you're the best James-san." I give him the warmest smile I could give. As I go stand up, I started to feel a warm sensation on my back.

"You alright kid?" I hear James ask and I nod.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just a bit of cramp in my leg." I said, noticing that it had gone; I flash another smile at James before leaving.

Location: Shujin Academy, Aoyama-Itchome

Lunch couldn't come quick enough, as shortly after getting on the train, the thoughts of what Zwei told us the other day hits. 'Zwei said that there's a chance of killing him, and seeing as my luck has landed me here for the year, could it get any worse?' Making my way towards the roof, I must have had a look of death as I was given a wide berth.

Passing an orange-haired girl on the stairs to the roof, I knew that there shouldn't be anyone else up there. When I pushed the door open, I was greeted by an empty rooftop. 'Thank god.' Dropping my bag on one of the tables, I set to work on moving the plant-pots over to a sun-filled spot and the tables and chairs over towards the ventilation duct.

When there was a decent enough clearing, I take my blazer off as I head over to place it next to my bag and retrieve a worn pair of black and red dance shoes…

"Dance shoes?" She looks at me with doubt written across her face.

"Yes, dance shoes. When your mum has been a dancer for most of her life and teachers dance at your school, you tend to get roped into learning how to move to the music." I chuckle slightly at some memories. "You wouldn't believe how many guys show up to dance class thinking that they might be able to score with girls."

"I could only imagen." Her eyes grow wet slightly as a look of sadness washes over her.

"Oh, shit. I'm sorry; I… forgot that she passed away shortly after giving birth to Weiss." I leant back in the chair and watch as sadness is replaced with anger as Winter stands and slams her hands on the table.

"How do you know that?"

"I am dating Weiss remember, it's also why her skin tone is whiter than yours." I said and a look of realization hits her as she sits down.

"I'm sorry for my outburst," She pulls a light blue handkerchief out and dabs at the corner of her eyes. "please continue."

Retrieving my worn pair of black and red dance shoes, I changed into them. With them on, I grab my phone from my blazer, hit play on my dance playlist and close my eyes and start to move.

I was halfway through Don't Think Twice by Hikaru Utada when I heard an angelic voice singing. Stopping mid-move, I fell to the ground with my back to the door. Hearing the click of heels towards me told me who it was.

"Ruby, are you okay?" Weiss asked kneeling next to me.

"I'm fine Senpai, you tend to get used to it." I said as I lean back with my hands out. "So what brings you up here then?"

"You didn't show up for our study session." She said with a bit of sadness.

I look up at her with a quizzical look on my face. "We had one set up for today?" She nods and I start to rub the back of my neck. "Sorry for not showing up, I've…. got a lot on my mind today."

"Don't worry about it, we can schedule one for tomorrow after school?" I look of hope appears as she asks.

"I'm sorry Weiss, but I've already made plans." I saw a small frown appear and I feel my heartbreak a little. 'Please smile, you look cuter when you smile.'

It's then that I got an idea. Jumping up, I offer a hand to her and pull her up and as soon as she is standing, I walk over to my phone and I find and play Johann Strauss – The Blue Danube. Turning around, I walk towards Weiss. "Right, it's time for you to learn the Box Step."

The look she gives me is one of nerves. "Don't worry, it's the easiest dance to learn, you know why?"

"We… we form a box?" She asked and a smile forms on my face as I stop just in front of her.

"Close, it's called a box step because we make the paten of a box on the floor as we move." I take hold of her hands and wait till she gives me the go-ahead. When she does, I place her left hand on my right shoulder and raise her right up and out with my left and place my right hand on hip.

"Ready?" I asked and the nervous look she had was gone and was replaced with determination as we started to move.

I was never one to try and teach someone anything, especially dance of all subjects. At Yasogami, my mom somehow pulled some strings so that I would be able to help out in her class, so you would think that I was more than qualified to teach dance. This was the one thing mom told everyone in every class. "Start off slow and if you feel comfortable, pick up speed." I think that is why I chose The Blue Danube to start off with and I could tell Weiss was getting comfortable, as she was no longer watching her foot placement and was looking me in the eye.

"How do you know how to dance like this?" Weiss asked and I look at her with a quizzical look.

"I thought you read my profile? Faster?" I feel her grip tighten on my shoulder but her look never changes.

"Sure. I only read what Principle Lionheart gave me, none of which told me that you could dance." She said as she keeps an eye out on her foot placement.

"Don't worry if you stand on me, I've had many a guy stand on them during dance class."

"You took dance classes?" She looks up at me with wide eyes.

"Well, when you mom has been a dancer for most of her life and decides to also teach dance at your school, you tend to get roped into it, plus it didn't help when she pulled some strings so that I can help out in her classes instead of going to my own." I feel her foot hit mine every so often as move.

"How could she take you out of your studies?" She asked and I slow our movements down a little.

"It was only a couple of lessons that I was already ahead in. So it wasn't all that bad."

"I have seen your seen your past test scores." A smile forms on her face, one that I couldn't help send back.

"You ready for something new?" I asked and when she nods, I smile wider. "Great, we are now going to turn slightly and move while keeping the same foot movements, okay?" She nods again and looks down straight away as we begin.

"So when did you learn to sing? And more important is how do you know of Hikaru Utada?" I asked and she looks up momentarily, red-faced and wide eye before looking down again.

"I use to sing a lot as a kid and I listen to music when I study at home when sis isn't there and one her song started playing." She said as she found confidence in herself again and looked up.

"Well has anyone ever told you that you have the voice of an angel?" I said and I watch as her face turns red.

As silences fell between us again, we fell back into a slow pace, too slow for the music but I didn't care. With her baby blue eyes looking straight at me, I couldn't look away and it wasn't long till our bodies were closer than this dance allows. It wasn't long after that that I notice her eyelids slowly closing and her head tilting slightly to the left.

"She wants to kiss you, kiss her back you idiot, we know you want to." I heard my other self say and I had to agree with her, I did want to kiss her, badly.

Closing my eyes and tilting my head the other way and lean closer. With each passing inch, I could feel my heart beating violently in my chest; I could test the strawberry mouthwash before we kissed. But unfortunately, like all good things, they must come to an end.

When the bell rang to signal the end of lunch, we step away from each other with a blush that could rival my namesake. We look at each before she turns away.

"Thank you… for the lesson" She gives me a side glance before heading off towards the roof door.

"You're welcome, Snow Princess." I said as she disappears, leaving me on the roof with my other-self.

"What is your problem? You had a chance at claiming her and you blew it" I heard my other self say as I started to make my way over to my stuff.

Turning the music off and putting my blazer back on, I looked over to the HVAC unit where I thought my other self was. "Piss off would ya. Kissing her now, as much as I wanted to, would have been the wrong move. We aren't even in a relationship yet and it would have made things extremely awkward when we study."

"I'm starting to wonder why I chose you if you're going to be boring." She said in a lazy tone.

"I've been wondering the same thing and as I said, you can piss off whenever you want." I said and as I shoulder my backpack, I feel her lips press against my cheek briefly.

"Sorry babe, you're stuck with me till you've gained enough power." She kisses my cheek before she too disappears as well.

"Great, sounds like fun." I said with little enthusiasm as I headed to the roof-top door.

Location: Shibuya

When the day ended, the one thing I wanted to do the most was to find Weiss and apologise for my actions, but not knowing what homeroom was hers or what she does when school has finished. My apology would have to wait, and with not seeing Sun for most of the day, I decided to head home for the day, but little did I know that my day was about longer.

Getting off the train on the Ginza Line, I followed the route I memorized to catch the next train and as I made my way outside, I could hear a voice that I've only heard a couple of times, but this time it sounded like she was in distress.

Standing still, I looked around and it didn't take me long to find a pair of black cat ears and bushy pigtails and by the look of things, she was on the phone to someone. As I walked a bit closer, I could hear her more clearly.

"…. I told you, I'm not feeling up to it…" There was anger in voice and I wished knew who Belladonna-san was talking too, but from what she said next told me who it was.

"Wait, what!? That's not what you promised! And you call yourself a teacher!?" I flex my hands at the thought of those rumours of Taurus and her.

"This has nothing to do with Illia!" She said before the dial tone could be heard.

As she curls up into a ball, I looked around to see if anyone had noticed her, but when no one has, I walk up to her and crouch down. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked in the softest tone I could.

"Get away from me!" She shouts as she stands and runs off towards the underground walkway.

"Why did you have to piss off a cutie like that babe?" My other self annoyingly said. 'Something is not right here. She must have thought that I was Taurus. I need to speak to her.' I thought as I jogged after her.

It wasn't that hard to find a tall, black-haired cat faunus amongst the crowd, especially seeing as she was leaning up against green LED pillar with her back facing me. I stop just short of her, trying my best to catch my breath. "I knew cats were fast, but god you're faster."

"I was out of line to shout at you. Sorry." She turned around with a couple of tears rolling down her face.

"No problem, I can only imagine what it's like having to talk to him." I said and she looks at me with disgust. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I promise. It's just you sounded distressed, so I thought I'd try and comfort you."

I watch her wipe her eyes on her sleeve before looking at me with a weary look. "I… I just want to be left alone." She said before more tears fall.

"Come, let's go somewhere safe." I put my hand out and wait for her. I watch her as she looks at my hand before reaching out for it tentatively. When she grasps my hand, I link are fingers and squeeze hers gently in reassurance and lead her out.

"I really don't get you." She said in quite a cheery tone which brings a smile to my face.

I didn't really know where to take her as I never really had the chance to have a good look around Shibuya since I got here. After arriving top side and walking a bit further into Shibuya, I saw a Big Bang Burger restaurant and lead her inside.

After ordering two drinks and finding a small booth in the corner, I place my bag on the floor and sit down. When she sits opposite me, she looked like she about cry. "I really don't want to talk to you about this." She said looking away from me.

"I know, I didn't plan on you too, but my mom always told me that talking to others can help." I said softly and take a sip of my drink.

"You've heard the rumours… haven't you?" She asked as she leans on the table and rests her head in her right hand. "About Mr Taurus… Everyone says we're getting it on."

'Well, that's a new one.' I watch her run a finger over a napkin. "But none of that's true!" She tilts her head lower so that I can't see her eyes.

"I avoided giving him my number for the longest time… he told me to go to his place after this. You know what it means?" I let go of my glass in fear of breaking it.

"If I turn him down, he said he'd take my friend off as a regular on the team…" I watch her hunch over more. "I've been telling myself this is all for Ilia's sake…"

Watching her slump into the orange chair, I couldn't help but think that we might need some more napkins soon. "I've had enough of this… I hate him! But still… Ilia is my best friend."

She looks up at me with tears rolling down her cheeks and I could feel my heartbreak. "She's all I have left at that sorry excuse of a school!"

With that, I move over to sit to her right and wrap my arm around her and pull her into a hug. "Shh, please don't cry, pretty girls like you shouldn't cry." I said as I grabbing the napkin she was poking and handing it to her.

With her head on my shoulder, I move my left hand up to her pigtail and gently run my hand through it as I started to feel my shoulder grow damp. "What… what should I do?" She said as she sobs died down.

Before I could speak up, she sits up pulls away from me a bit and my hand falls behind her. "Sorry… I shouldn't have asked. It's not your problem. What… am I saying? I've barely even talked to you before…"

'Well, we did talk once before so…' I move my hand to her back and start to rub gently before I spoke. "We kinda are the same so, maybe that why?"

"Maybe you're right," She wipes a tear away with the napkin. "You're so weird. Usually, everyone just ignores me." She said in a cheerier tone.

"Well not everyone has natural black and red-tipped hair and silver eyes." I said in a vain hope to make her smile and when she does, it was almost too bright.

"Are you really a bad person as the rumour says? You just don't seem like it."

"I'm bad to the bone babe." I said knowing that it was the cheesiest thing ever.

"If that's supposed to be a joke, then it's bad." She said with a chuckle. "I kinda had a feeling they were all just exaggerations. You seemed lonely - almost like you didn't belong anywhere."

She turns to look at with bright gold eyes. "You're right. We are the same in that regard. Maybe that's why it was so easy for me to talk to you."

Removing my hand from her back, I move to sit back in the chair across from her as she leans against the table and grabs her drink. "Is there really no way for me to help Ilia? I wish he'd just change his mind. Like, forget about me and everything." I watch her flop back into the chair. "As if something like that would ever happen."

'We're going to have to make it happen.' "It could happen." I said in a kinda serious tone.

Hearing her laugh meant that I must have done something right cheering her up. "I wasn't asking for a serious response… but I do feel a bit better now."

"I'm glad to hear that Belladonna-chan." I let a smile adorn my face.

"I'm going to get going." I watch her grab her bag and shuffle around the table and stands. She takes a couple of steps and stops next to me.

"Please tell me you're going home and not to his." I said grabbing my glass and look at it.

"Don't worry; I'm going home to think of a way to persuade Taurus." I look back at her as she spoke. "Don't tell anyone what I told you, okay?"

I pinch my thumb and index finger together and run it across my mouth. "My lips are sealed."

"Thank you." She said before she left me.

'This isn't going to be a quiet year.' "It's going to be so much fun." Ignoring her, I pulled my phone out to message Sun.

Red Rose: I've made up my mind Sun.

I say we storm the castle and steal the treasure.

When I sent the messages to Sun, I didn't expect him to reply so soon.

Monkey King: Even though we could kill him?

Red Rose: I'm not a big fan of the consequences Sun.

But if we don't do it, then what about all the people he has hurt and is going to hurt.

Monkey King: …

I guess you're right Ruby.

It's a shame that we can't just call Zwei and tell him.

Red Rose: He is a dog remember Sun; how would he use a phone?

Monkey King: Oh… oh yeah, can't he use his paws or something?

Red Rose: I don't think paws work like that Sun. Unless he has opposable thumbs.

Anyway, I'm going to get off home Sun, let's hope tomorrow is a quiet day.

Monkey King: Shit, I should too, my mum will be wondering where hell I am.

See ya tomorrow Ruby.

Red Rose: See you tomorrow Sun.

Putting my phone away, I down the rest of my drink, grab my backpack and head home for the day. Little did I know at that time, during my conversation with Blake, back at school, Arc-san had jogged up Ilia and told her that Taurus wanted to see her in his office.