The large and extending hallway of Beacon bustled with its students. Students from various parts of Remnant, from various cultures, were sent here to put their talents to a better use.

To hone their skills to perfection, and to protect lives of others, who are too fragile to protect themselves... Like life itself.

In other words, they were here to become huntsmen and huntresses.

But in Cinder's eyes, they were just mere puppets, too blind to see their own strings. They were oblivious to existence of the puppeteer, they were...

'Not even worth sacrificing...' is what Cinder thought, as she walked past the many teenagers, some taking a moment to adore her.

Well, she couldn't complain too much though. As stupider the puppets are, easier it was to set them on fire. And the best part? They'd still be dancing under the puppeteer, as they continue to burn away.

Besides, she too had some puppets of her own, like the one's following behind her. Literally.

"Mercury, Emerald" She called out, her voice having a seductive and commanding undertone to it. Her 'teammates' stiffened up, reacting immediately to the call.

"make sure not to stand out. No matter what" she informed, giving an uneasy press towards the end.

"Yes ma'am" Emerald was the first to reply, followed by a nod from Mercury.

This was gonna be a long run mission, and she couldn't risk drawing too much attention.

Cinder didn't want to admit it, but Beacon's interior where well built. Spacious and fresh, always having a little glow, thanks to the direct sunlight coming in through the giant windows.

It was almost a shame that such a well built monument had to be destroyed.

If possible, after the mission, she could have this all for herself... If her mistress permits.

First thing's first, she was supposed to check on 'The Invincible Girl' Pyrrha Nikos, as she was said to be one of the two Beacon's strongest.

She didn't have any idea on who the other one was, as she had little to no data on the other one. In fact, the only person who ever informed her about the 'other student' was none other Roman himself.

When she told him that she was going to infiltrate Beacon, he put on a serious face, which was too uncharacteristic of him, and said something along the lines of...

"That Nikos girl is fine and all, but keep an eye out for 'Little Red'."

Roman being Roman, that's all the info he gave before getting busy with his own little things.

'But still, there won't be many students that could fit the term 'Little red', so it won't be much trouble finding him... Or her' Cinder concluded.

'Maybe I should let Emerald look into thi-' her thoughts came to a abrupt halt, as an explosion broke out a little further ahead the hallway.

A white smog clotted the path, as the students who were walking around seemed to tense up, some even panicking.

Cinder just hummed amusedly, while her 'teammates' were on guard just in case. The pair of amber eyes switched its focus from one student to another, savouring the panicked etched on their faces.

However, before she could question the cause of explosion, an orange haired girl jumped out of mist.

"Yaayaaa! Ruby's pissed!" she cheerfully yelled, while holding a red and black scythe in her hands. She jumped past Cinder, and landed with a role. Turning around:

"Rubyyy! Come get it!" she yelled once again, waving the scythe all over the place.

'Ruby,huh... Kinda rhymes with Red' Cinder thought, a part of her already getting annoyed by Nora's voice.

As the students started running away at the mention of Ruby's name, Emerald just cringed at the immature hyperactive wannabe Huntsmen's.

Cinder watched on, as from the thick smog, a silhouette of a person emerged.

Even the silhouette itself gave off a somewhat... Uncomfortable aura.

Emerald and Mercury furrowed their brows in a defensive instinct, as the silhouette become more and more clear. At least clear enough to make out the feminine figure, slowly walking forward.

The shadow slowly started gaining colour, but its eyes were already vivid. Two orbs of shiny silver, slowly gaining an outline.

As the person finally stepped out of the cloud, Mercury and Emerald's mouth fell agape.

Almost every part of the young girl in front of them, just screamed one thing:

Unique.

There was no other way to put it. She seemed pretty simple, yet strikingly unique.

The girl was shorter than Cinder, but not as short as a certain ice cream girl they knew, that much could be said from a distance.

Her body was slim like Cinder's, but smaller. She had somewhat straight-spiky hair, flowing down to a shoulder length. Though the most contrasting part of her hair would be the colour, which started out as jet black at the top, and smoothly transitioned to strawberry red towards the end.

She possessed a pair of rather rare silver eyes, which seemed like they were almost made of glass.

Her skin... Was attractive, very attractive, yet not flawless. Her skin was a comfortable porcelain, blending perfectly with her hair.

Yet, there were scars... Not many the eye could catch, but they were still there. Few along her arms, one over her neck and collar bone. Considering the aura's healing abilities, the marks left behind by the disappearing scars seemed to date back a long time ago.

Somehow, the little scars only added to her charm.

She wore a red sports bra along with black shorts, showing a generous amount of bust and cleavage, along with a little abs.

However, before they could adore her any further, they caught a glimpse of her eyes.

They shuddered a bit, as her beautiful eyes were contorted into a glare.

Lucky for them, that glare was directed towards Nora, who was standing a few feet behind them.

"Nora..." Ruby hissed, with a deep ,yet very feminine voice.

Cinder, who knew all about being seductive, found Ruby's voice to be slightly... Alluring.

"I'm tired from training, so I don't have time to be running after you. So give. It. Back." she informed, her tone nothing less than threatening.

And as proof of her words, she indeed seemed tired. She had a little sweat all over her body, giving her pale skin a faint glitter under the seeping sunlight.

One could easily say that she had just finished training, but no one could possibly know, that she had been training on one of the deeper parts of the Emerald forest. For 5-6 hours non-stop at that.

"Nahhh! Come get it Rubes!" Nora yelled, turning around and starting to run away.

Had Cinder not learned to keep her emotions in check, she'd have killed Nora for having such an annoying and head piercing personality.

"I said, GIVE IT BACK!" a yell from Ruby echoed throughout the hallway, while she was gritting her teeth, and clenching her fists.

Nora didn't bother responding, as she kept on running.

Ruby clicked her tongue, as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, red crystal, and a purple crystal.

Ruby didn't have enough aura left to use her semblance to catch the hyperactive Nora, not when every muscle in her body was intensely fatigued from training.

But, she could still use a ranged dust attack, since it couldn't put too much strain on her body. At least, not too much enough for her to handle.

Cinder watched with new found intrigue, as Ruby tightly held on to the dust crystals on her left hand.

First, Ruby channeled her aura into her fist, causing it glow a luminescent red. However, the aura quickly reacted with dusts, and began glowing a violent maroon.

'Combined use of dust, huh..' Cinder thought, nothing less than surprised. Combining dust, and using it required a lot of control over aura, and Ruby was doing it like it was a second nature. Sure, it didn't mean she was that strong, but it did go to show how insane her focus was.

If Cinder's ego permitted it, then she'd have admitted that even she herself had little problems with combining dust. Though if it came to combat, she was sure she was second to no one in this entire school.

With her glare tightening, Ruby raised her flaring fist, and pointed it against the running Nora.

"Die. Nora!" Ruby yelled with anger, as many deep red flames, in the form of tendrils burst forth.

The tendrils whipped through the air, and caught Nora by the legs. Lifting her off the ground and keeping her upside down, Ruby once again glared at her.

"Whaaaat!? Dust!? Ruby no fair!!! It's cheati-" before she could finish, Ruby harshly yanked the tendrils and slammed Nora to a nearby pillar, shattering it in the process.

The students in the hallway screamed in terror, as what Ruby just did, could possibly put someone's life at risk. And Ruby realised that too, as her anger lessened a bit.

However, as the dust cleared, she was relieved to see Nora safe under a barrier... A purple barrier.

"Miss Rose!" came a stern voice, alerting the students to run away.

Following the voice and turning around, she was met with her combat teacher, marching her towards her. She was gripping tightly onto her riding crop, as her blond hair glimmered under the sunlight. But importantly, she had an annoyed look on her face.

Great.

If Ruby knew anything, trying to explain herself to Glynda, was like adding fuel to a raging fire.

So she kept quiet, and waited for the harsh advice session to start.

And it did.

"Miss Rose! I believe you promised there wouldn't be any outburst the last time." Glynda scoffed with a glare, pushing her glasses up.

Ruby stayed silent, very well aware of the futility in attempting to redeem herself.

Letting Glynda batter her hearts out, Ruby pretended to be listening to Glynda, while she let her mind wander.

By the end of the advice, she was simply gonna apologise...

That's what Glynda wanted after all...

It was the same everyday...

Someone would playfully piss her off, and then get her in trouble for something they started.

She'd just quietly stand there, listening to harsh remarks from Glynda, and humiliating rumours from students.

At first, whoever landed her in trouble, would later on apologise to her. And Ruby being the kind heart she is, never ceased to forgive them.

However, as days went by, the apologies faded.

Now, she was just someone to playfully piss off.

Sure, she was strong. Insanely strong. It was the price of her harsh past, and the years of struggling. From the very age of seven, her ability to keep pushing forward, and a consequent necessity to fight Grimm off, it molded her to be a natural fighter.

However, like all things, this too came with a drawback.

The pressure of taking care of her older sister, Yang, who was about to slip into a depression thanks to the departure of Raven and Summer. And her father, who became an alcoholic at the same time, and fighting off the Grimm's they were attracting. It was too much.

As result, it lead to her developing a somewhat... Aggressive personality.

Everyone despised it.

Even herself...

With a sigh, she looked back at Glynda. Hoping she'd shut up.

But she didn't.

Well whatever, she was just gonna stand there for some more time an-

"Professor!" Came a male voice from their side.

For a moment, Glynda stopped lecturing, and turned towards the voice holder. She was met with a brown haired student, who seemed to have a somewhat annoyed look on his face.

"Yes, Mr. Winchester. Can't you see I'm in the middle of something?" Glynda sternly asked, annoyed that she got interrupted.

"I'm sorry for that, but from what I saw, it was Nora who provoked Ruby." Cardin informed, trying to keep his tone in check.

"In fact, I've seen her many times trying to break Ruby's weapon"

Ruby gave him a thankful nod, receiving a subtle one from him in return.

"I see that you are trying to defend your friend here, Mr. Winchester. But, even if that's the case, the stunt ms. Rose pulled was far too reckless" Glynda said, as she then turned to Nora.

"As for you, Ms. Valkyrie. I advice you to stop pulling pranks, you aren't a kid anymore. Also, is it true that you tried to break Ruby's scythe?" Glynda asked, with a tone that promised punishment.

"No professor, I did not!" Nora lied.

"In fact, I think something's wrong with Ruby. All I did was greet her, and the next thing I know, she's trying to cut me with her scythe" Nora threw a false accusation,while biting down the urge to grin.

"Stop lying, bitch! How can yo-" Cardin didn't get to finish his yell, as he was cut off by one of Glynda's.

"Cardin! It is advisable that you hold your tongue in the school grounds. Do keep in mind that I can have you expelled, will you." Glynda reminded him.

Cardin was about to yell back, if not for him spotting Ruby making eye contact with him. Turning to her, he saw her slowly shaking her head, gesturing him not to risk it.

She didn't want him to get hurt trying to help her helpless self.

"Tch!" he loudly clicked his tongue, before cursing under his breath and saying...

"You're too kind, Red. Too fucking kind!!" he grunted, before turning around and angrily stomping away.

As he walked, Ruby just internally appreciated his effort to help.

It was probably just 2 months ago, that Cardin got beat by Jaune in a fight. After being humiliated by the very person he bullied, in front of the entire class, he was broken.

It was Sky's idea to let him ask Ruby to help him, in hopes that he could get back at Jaune someday.

Now, Cardin knew the type of reputation he had in Beacon, so he didn't expect that someone other than his little friend circle would be willing to help him, especially not the infamous, hot headed Ruby Rose.

But he was wrong. Ruby was as kind as anybody could get, in fact, too kind to deny helping someone.

Though the training lasted only for one month, Cardin couldn't believe the improvements he made in such a short time. Turned out Ruby, who learnt everything about fighting from personal experience, was a great teacher. She could understand the mindset of someone training to get stronger, and she had little to no trouble finding and correcting his flaws.

Ruby didn't talk much during much during the training sessions, but Cardin still came to see the good nature she had beneath the short tempered shell.

In the process, they became friends.

And after having such kindness offered to him, asking for absolutely nothing in return, something in him changed. For some reason, he couldn't bear the thought of going back to his old ways.

After all, he couldn't disappoint Ruby, who always took time off her schedule to train him.

But that didn't stop him from challenging Jaune for rematch.

Even if his training lasted only for a month, by the end of it, he was still able to beat Jaune in just two minutes.

Now that Ruby thought about it, maybe that is what got team JNPR to hate her.

After all, in their eyes, all of their team leader's efforts on getting better had been snuffed, thanks to Ruby.

And the fact that Jaune got depressed for some time, thanks to loosing so easily to Cardin publicly, didn't help at all.

'Maybe I deserve this...' her partner, Weiss had told her that being so kind would only get her trouble.

And she wasn't wrong...

Maybe another 30 minutes... Until Goodwitch finally lets her go. Though she was sure the someone was gonna land her in trouble again, soon enough...

"Professor Goodwitch"

A lustrous voice caught both their attention, as Cinder came and stood next to Ruby.

For a second, as Ruby looked up at the woman next to her, she was sure that her heart skipped a beat.

'Flawlessly beautiful' was what she thought as she looked at the diabolic woman.

However, the admiration was gone as soon as it came.

Glynda narrowed her eyes, as gave Cinder a quizzical look.

"A student from Haven, I suppose." She said.

"Yes, and my name's Cinder. Cinder fall" She replied, giving a side at Ruby. Ruby found the woman's eyes to have the best glow she's ever seen, they were like rings of molten flames.

"I see. What can I do for you?" Glynda asked while folding her hands.

"Having trouble finding the transfer student dorms?" she asked.

"Yes, that too. But I just wanted to say that this girl... " she said, placing a hand on Ruby's shoulder and giving her a faint smile, before turning back to Glynda and saying "This girl is innocent"

"me and my team saw it ourselves, it was actually that... Girl, who provoked Ruby." Cinder said while mildly eyeing Nora. She also had push down the urge to call Nora a 'Bitch'.

Glynda's eyes almost widened, if not for her not willing to show her emotions. Turning around, she glared at Nora.

"Looks like you need some detention, ms. Valkyrie" Grabbing her hand, she started dragging her towards the class, while Nora was pouting all the way.

"Ms. Rose..." However, before they got any further, Glynda stopped for moment. Before continuing to walk, she said:

"Sorry for that..." And walked away. At the same while, Nora shot Ruby a last glare telling 'I'll get you next time' before disappearing into crowd.

'How long are things gonna stay like this...?' Ruby thought, with a shake of head.

She didn't want to make an enemy out of Nora, nor anybody in that matter.

Turning to her saviour, she gave a weak smile before asking:

"Thanks for that..." She couldn't say anything else. She couldn't think of a way to start a conversation. Luckily, she didn't have to.

"No need for that" Cinder said, her voice like a deep whisper.

Gently placing a palm over her chest, with a "I'm Cinder Fall", she gestured towards her 'teammates', introducing them as "this is Emerald and Mercury".

Giving them a faint smile, she turned back to Cinder and introduced herself.

"I'm Ruby. Ruby Rose." she said with a smile, her previous anger seeming to have vanished into the air.

"Ruby Rose, huh. I like that name... Almost Rhymes with 'Red', don't you agree?" She asked, gaining a slight chuckle from Ruby.

"Sorry that. Actually, there is someone that calls me by that name." Ruby informed, with an innocent glee.

"A friend?" Cinder asked, with a smug grin on her face.

"Eeeeh no. He's actually a thief.."

"I see..."

'Well, guess I found the 'Little Red'. It was a lot easier than I expected' Cinder thought.

But still, this Ruby girl had intrigued her somewhat...

First she eyed Ruby's scars. The brownish pink scars over her cool porcelain skin definitely gave off a... Mysterious feel, to her otherwise cute exterior.

The scar that was utmost visible was the one extending from the side of her neck to her collar bone.

"Ahem" Ruby loudly cleared throat, feeling slightly uncomfortable under Cinder's gaze. Her cute voice totally betraying her rough temper show moments ago.

"Um... C-can I help you?" Ruby asked. After all, Cinder did help her few moments ago.

"Why yes. Yes you can, Ruby." Cinder slid her finger beneath Ruby's chin and coaxed her head to look up at her.

"Say Ruby, We are new to Vale. So I was wondering if someone could show me around the town... Can you?"

Even under Cinder's hot gaze, Ruby's eyes lit up. She found a way to repay this woman for her kindness after all.

"Y-yeah! I will, for sure!" Ruby gave her cheery smile and took her chin off the older woman's fingers.

"T-this is my Scroll number, just message me when, and I'll be there, ASAP!" She said as she gave Cinder her scroll number.

"Sure, I'll contact you soon enough..." Cinder faintly smiled.

"O-kay! I'll see you later!" Ruby said while waving her hand, before turning around and bursting off into rose petals.

Cinder just stood there for some time, before walking off with a smirk.

Ruby reached her dorm room, and silently opened the door.

As usual, her 'sister' and her partner were nowhere to be seen. Meanwhile, Weiss was elegantly doing her homework, while sitting near the study table.

"Hey Weiss" Ruby said as she entered the room.

"Hi Ruby" Weiss replied, not taking her eyes off her book.

"Hey Weiss...?"

"hmm?"

"Can you sit here?" Ruby asked, gesturing towards Weiss's bed.

"And why i-" while the ice queen was about to ask, she noticed the tired look on Ruby's eyes.

"Oh... Ok"

With no more objections raised, or questions asked, Weiss came and sat on the corner of her bed.

Ruby followed up almost immediately. She threw her knees on either sides of Weiss, and gently sat on her lap.

Even if Ruby was at same height as Weiss, she was a lot lighter. Thanks to which, it was somewhat satisfying for Weiss to do this.

Ruby wrapped her arms around her Weiss's neck, and took her in a tight embrace, while pressing her mature chest against Weiss's.

Weiss often expected Ruby to kiss her when she did this, but thought against it, as she knew Ruby was just too innocent for that.

'Maybe I'll do it myself... Someday' Weiss thought, as she gently pat Ruby's back and breathed out a relieved sigh to a side of Ruby's neck.

She can't do anything until the day where her feeling for Ruby are completely true.

"Who was it today?" Weiss asked with a whisper.

"Nora..." Ruby answered with a whisper of her own, while comfortably sinking into the embrace.

"I see..." Weiss said, while fighting down the urge to kiss Ruby's neck.

"I just want us to be friends..." Ruby said.

"shhh... Its okay... I'm here for you.." Weiss said. Oh, how much she wanted to whole heatedly mean what she said. How much she wanted to give all of herself to the little redhead.

But she couldn't...

Currently, her eyes had caught on to a certain blue haired boy. And feelings were a rather conflicting thing.

But the saddest part, she didn't know that Ruby knew it too.

Ruby knew that Weiss was gonna go away someday too, that she was already getting closer to Neptune by the day. She wanted to pull Weiss into a tightest embrace and never wanted to let her go.

But she didn't have the strength to push herself on someone...

As Ruby comfortably laid in the embrace, she felt a slight buzzing in her pocket.

Nobody called her on her scroll, so Ruby had already figured out who it was.

"Thanks... Weiss..." Ruby said, as she got off her.

"Any...time... Ruby" Weiss replied.

Ruby, who noticed Weiss's hesitation, just gave a sad smile before going into the bathroom.

Locking the door behind her, she took out her scroll and read the message.

'I'll be ready by evening, is that time okay for you?' -Cinder.

Ruby just sighed and shook her head, before answering.

'Yes. I'm looking forward to it'

A/N: so yeah, this my second fanfic. Hope you liked the first chapter.

Leave your thoughts and predictions about it.

And tell me if you want a specific topic to be covered in the next chap, I'll try considering it if its not too much.

Adios :)