'I guess I now understand why the Schnee was so attached to her in the first place...' Cinder thought to herself, as she softly ran her fingers through Ruby's hairs. With almost no tangles and locks, her fingers slid down her hairs, from jet black fading into strawberry red, like freshly woven silk.

'This might turn into an addiction...' Cinder warned herself. Even though she doubted that she'd become attached to Little Red, she still had to admit that Ruby was just the best.

After all, even though the redhead was, according to Cinder a natural born killer, she still had another side to her. The real her.

Lying on her side, she traced a finger down Ruby's nape, as Ruby was huddled close to Cinder's chest, cuddling their naked bodies even as she slept.

With intrigue and lust, Cinder ran her hand over Ruby's exposed back, feeling her scars over chiseled muscles.

"hmm..." Cinder hummed, wondering about Ruby's experience in battle, to have endured such deep wounds. Besides, her own back was aching too, with all the scratch marks left by Ruby, that were clawed lovingly by the redhead in an euphoric high. But Cinder didn't complain, for it was well worth it.

"Ruby" Cinder purred into Ruby's ear, as she cuddled tighter, embracing the innocent warmth that had been offered to her.

"Ruby, are you awake?" she whispered, squeezing her hand below Ruby's hip.

"Mmn..." Ruby softly moaned, indicating that she was indeed awake, and listening.

"That was your first time, wasn't it?" Cinder asked, clearly knowing the answer.

Ruby just nodded in response, before nestling her head in between Cinder's bosom. Unaware, she was entranced by Cinder ash like fragrance, and she welcomed it. Besides, her body was so warm, making her want to hug the older woman a lot harder.

"Are you fine it with it?" Cinder asked, because as far as she knew, girls her age made an annoyingly big deal of even their first kisses, let alone sex.

"Fine with what?" Ruby asked, taking her face off Cinder's cleavage, her face mopped with strands of red and black hair.

"You know, with your first time being with me?" Cinder asked, keeping her face expressionless. What Ruby thought of this relationship, would be revealed by her answer.

However-

"Doesn't matter"

Ruby's reply came in a form that Cinder never expected. Besides, Cinder didn't like the cold edge that occupied Ruby's voice all of a sudden. It was the same coldness that everybody else in the school received from Ruby, and she didn't want to be lumped with them. Especially not after coming this far with her.

"We were just..." Ruby deadpanned towards the end, but with a sigh, she forced herself to speak.

"We were just satisfying each other... it didn't mean anything else... Right?" Ruby said, as she sat up.

What put Cinder on the edge wasn't what Ruby thought about last evening, but Ruby's expression when she said the words. It was like Ruby was stating the obvious, while Cinder was the one with childish expectations. Cinder didn't know what she expected from Ruby when she slept with her, but now she knew that Ruby expected nothing.

"I... I'll see you around, after classes.." Ruby said as she sat on the edge of the bed. With her back facing the raven haired women, she picked up her bra and put it on, doing the same with her panties. Then, as she got of the bed, for a moment, Cinder's hand involuntarily reached out to stop Ruby, but the redhead was ever oblivious of it.

Picking up her shirt that was fallen on the floor, Ruby began putting them on. As she did the buttons, she considered kissing Cinder before she left, but brushed the thought away, as it seemed unnecessary. She put on her jeans and wore her sneakers, and just before leaving, she turned and-

"Cinder" she called out, gaining the woman's attention.

"Thanks for last night... I needed it" she smiled, before leaving the room while closing the door behind her.

With that, Cinder was left alone in the silent room. For a minute, she just stared at the door through which Ruby left, her mind being blank.

"What just happened..." she wondered. As it appeared, she had misjudged Ruby.

She thought by seducing Ruby and showing her some 'love', she could easily coax her into not being a threat for her plans. But Ruby... she proved too much maturity. All of a sudden, Cinder was very aware of the thorns around Ruby's heart. Thorns that wouldn't just burn away from a little warmth.

Ruby had never felt any form love from anyone, and thus she had stopped craving it.

"just like me..." Cinder said to herself, as she ran her fingers through her Raven hairs in an irritated manner. She didn't like it, she didn't like the idea of being forgotten by Ruby. She didn't know why she felt that way, but she didn't care.

Shaking her head, she closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. The scratches on her back pulsed, as she calmed her mind.

"Perhaps I was too easy on her" Cinder grinned, as she opened her eyes again, this time her molten iris regaining their diabolic glow.

At first, it was just a safety measure to get Ruby on her side, but now, it was a much deeper need. She didn't know why she was feeling so infatuated with Ruby, but she didn't care. She wanted Ruby, and she was gonna get her.

A loud slap rang across RWBY dorms, alerting the students who were walking by.

Ruby stood at the door, facing her right side, as her left cheek filled with red hand imprint. Her face had a mixture of shock, surprise, and little pain. Slowly facing forward, she spoke in a cracked voice-

"Weiss...?"

Her partner stood in front of her, her blue eyes glaring daggers like they were accusing her of something.

"And where the hell were you last night?" she asked, her voice just as cold as she seemed.

"last night...? I was with a frien-" Ruby tried to explain, but was cut off with another slap cracking against her cheek.

"Don't lie to me!" Weiss yelled, a tear running down her cheek.

"Weiss, trust me-"

"Trust you? why would she?" came another voice, this time from behind Weiss.

"Yang..." Ruby never realised her sister's presence up until now, because Weiss was way too intimidating.

"Yang... this is between me and her, so please-" she tried to politely address the situation, but-

"Weiss is our friend, so when someone hurts her, we will get involved" came a third voice. Looking to her side, she notice Blake leaning on the wall next to her, eyeing her with disgust.

"What... hurt her...? I didn't... why are you..." she didn't understand the unfair accusation mounted on her.

She had been so well behaved, she hasn't yelled at anyone since... forever. Yet, just cause she decided to get her mind off the neglect they have put her through...

"I didn't... hurt anyone..." Ruby mumbled, as she took a few steps back.

"Why are... why is this happening...?" she asked herself as she looked around to tstudents were gathered around her. She felt her heart race up, as she was aware that all the eyes were on her now.

"Weiss... please, just listen-" she wasn't allowed a chance to explain herself.

"Shut up, Ruby..." Yang spoke again, while comforting Weiss.

"It's okay Weiss, at least now you know what a liar she really is-"

"Shut up!" Ruby yelled, interrupting her sister. And she did a good job at it, as her sudden boldness caused Yang to flinch.

But that didn't matter now-

"I've never... I have never lied to you! Not to Weiss, not to Blake, not to Yang!" Ruby yelled, feeling her tears threatening to creep up to her eyes.

She didn't want it. She had grown stronger. She was not weak anymore. She was not so fragile as to breakdown for mere harsh words... from the person she loved.

"Yet... why, why are you calling me a liar!?" she screamed at her startled teammates, who just continued to stare at her with mixed emotions. Blake had an unreadable expression, mostly one of pity, something which Ruby never wanted anyone to feel for her. Yang had an expression of shock, and then anger, like she been offended by someone inferior to her. And lastly, Weiss, who had tears trailing down her pale cheeks, showed some fragments of remorse.

'My chest hurts...' Ruby thought to herself, as Yang stepped forward.

"Don't raise your voice against me, you bitch!" she spat out, as she withdrew her hand for a slap.

For a moment, Ruby's hand twitched, muscle memory acting up on self defense. But Ruby denied it.

'Heh... as if I can ever hurt you, Yang...' she thought to herself, as she just closed her eyes, deciding accept her sister's anger.

She waited for the hit to come. But it never did.

Once she started hearing murmurs around her, she opened her eyes and looked around. The onlookers were whispering something to themselves, while few of them were offering her looks. Finally, she looked up to face Yang, and-

"tch! Who the hell are you now?" Yang asked with mounting anger showing in her tone. She glared at the girl that had grabbed her hand.

The girl didn't show any sign of answering her, except, she just let go of Yang's arm while giving her a penetrating stare and a cocky grin. This further enraged the blondie, as she turned to face her. The shorter girl showed no signs of fear in her green eyes. Despite her black her hair tied in a childlike twin tails, she still gave off an aura of experience.

Ruby just looked on for a while longer. At first, she was just curious about the newcomer, but now she was wondering if she had seen the girl somewhere else.

'That face... i- wait! More importantly-' she had to stop a possible fight between Yang and the newcomer, who ever she was.

However, her efforts were spared, as-

"Ms. Xiaolong!" came the stern call from Glynda, soon joined by the professor's heels clicking against the tiles. Even Yang's intimidating aura faltered against Glynda's scornful glare, as she snatched her hand away from the short girl.

"Who..." Ruby wondered how the sounds of the little quarrel found their way to Goodwitch's ears, however, she soon got her answer to that. Right behind Glynda, stood the duo of Mercury and Emerald. While the silver haired teen had a knowing smirk on his face, the red eyed girl just gave her a smile.

While Glynda continued reprimanding Yang for her infamous delinquency, Ruby's eyes stayed focused on the students from Haven.

"They were Cinder's..." She saw them both along with Cinder when they first met. That maybe not the case for the short, green eyed girl, but she could easily tell she was with them as well. But the real question was-

'Why are they helping me..?' It was the same question with Cinder as well. She still has no idea why the older girl was suddenly all compassionate about her, and now this incident. She tried to think of any possible reason for their aid, but couldn't come up with any. It all made no sense.

Before she could ponder on it any longer, she felt a tug on her shirt. It was the short girl again. This time, she took Ruby's hand in hers, and led her out of the hallway. Ruby ignored looks from the students and silently followed her, wondering what she was up to. But to her surprise, she was simply led into Cinder's dorm room.

However, there was an absence of the older girl in the room, basically leaving Ruby all alone with a stranger. The girl motioned Ruby to sit down on the bed, and as she did, the girl closed the door before sitting down next to her. Leaning back on her arms, the girl offered Ruby a smile.

"um..." Ruby wanted to question her motives, but found herself hesitating. Not because she lacked the courage, but because the girl started typing something on her scroll.

Once she was done, she showed the words to Ruby, which read "Relax".

"huh... yeah... thanks.."

'So she doesn't talk...' she was glad she didn't question her for anything.

The girl simply waved her hand, implying it was nothing. Ruby expected the girl say/do something else, as she wasn't sure she could handle a moment of awkward silence. Luckily, the girl did something.

She connected a pair of earphones to her scroll, and plugged it into her ears. She showed the screen to Ruby again, this time, the words were-

"You can stay however long you need to, I'm sure Cinder wouldn't mind."

"Oh... okay. Thanks" Ruby replied. She was glad the girl didn't try to ask her anything about the conflict, and gave her some space. Ruby appreciated that.

Obviously, the conversation with the girl was over, as she had made herself comfortable at the corner of the bed while being immersed in her scroll. She noticed that Ruby was looking at her, and before Ruby could turn away, the girl gently patted the spot next to her.

Well aware on what it implied, the redhead simply did what the girl asked. As she sat down next to her, the girl offered one of the earphone plugs. Silently putting it on her ear, she made herself comfortable next to the girl, who placed the scroll horizontally over her knees, while it had a video playing in it.

'Sailor Moon... I used to watch that a lot...' Ruby thought with a smile, as she let herself sink in. After all, it was much better than thinking back to today's incident. Just for a while, she wanted to be ignorant.

Ruby felt the girl lean on her slightly, as her slender arm pressed itself against Ruby's well toned ones. Ruby gave no notice for that, as she was already immersed in the show.

Enjoying the little nostalgia trip, she stopped worrying about the flow of time...

It turned out the girl was quite the binge watcher, thanks to which Ruby was left undisturbed for almost 4 hours. During the entire time, nobody came into the room, nor did anybody leave. By the time Ruby was on 3rd episode, she was settled with finishing the entire arc. And the girl never seemed to mind, in fact, welcomed the silent companionship.

However, seeing that it was afternoon already, Ruby decided to take her leave. The girl simply saw her to the door. Though there wasn't any exchange between the two, it was obvious that Ruby was welcomed again if she ever wanted.

Appreciating the hospitality, Ruby left the dorm room while closing the door behind her. And then-

'Ah... I forgot to ask her name...' Ruby thought to herself with a sigh. Oh well, she could simply ask her another time.

As she walked down the hallway, she saw that for once, it wasn't buzzing with students. Which made sense, since it was lunch time. Speaking of which, her stomach was growling too, it's about time she ate something before turning into a gluttonous cookie monster.

The cafeteria wasn't really that good when it came to food, but she didn't really complain. She had been out on hills and woods, hunting alone at many nights and she had learned how little people appreciate a decent meal. But that wasn't a problem now, no matter how plain the cafeteria's food was, she could never complain about it. After all, she would simply forget about it once she's eaten a bowl full of cookies.

But the real problem was that her wallet was left in RWBY dorm...

Her walk came to a stop, and so did her sweet ignorance. The memories from few hours ago resurfaced.

She was now starting to feel worried.

Maybe some fresh air could help. Though she wasn't on the mood for another trip to Emerald Forest. So she went for the next best thing, the terrace. No one really occupied that part of the school, at least not that she knew of.

Thankfully, no one interrupted her walk up to the top. Even though it was afternoon, the weather wasn't really hot, for which Ruby was thankful for. Silently taking her seat on the edge, she let her legs dangle freely. At first, she was worried if the students roaming on the courtyard would notice her, but thankfully, they didn't even register presence. Like the usual.

Now that she was feeling a bit secured, she let out a deep sigh, relaxing her shoulders. With a slightly clearer head, she decided to think out today's conflict.

"Weiss..." Ruby muttered to herself.

"I... have I lost you already?" she slumped down.

Weiss meant something to her beyond just a friend, she really did. She was a shoulder to lean on whenever Ruby felt the worst. She was someone that was really important to Ruby... and the image of her standing in between Blake and Yang remained vivid in her head.

The rest of Remnant had already grew cold for Ruby. And now, Weiss has abandoned her to embrace that cold...

The realization hurt her a lot more than she expected it to.

'Weird... I thought I was used to this by now...' Ruby's chin quivered for moment, and then she cupped her face with a hand.

Yang's apathy was something that Ruby was beyond used to at this point, though she had no idea she why was being hated on so much for no reason at all.

But maybe, she knew since when it started...

"Y-Yang... Please stop this... I'm scared..."

"Tch! Not so loud, dad might hear..."

"But... but this feels wrong."

"Then let's finish this quickly... now, hurry up and take off your clothes..."

A shiver ran through Ruby's body, as she snapped back to reality. She clutched her hands to her sides and breathed deeply.

"Why... why do I still remember that!?" Ruby grit her teeth in annoyance and regret, as she tried to hold back her budding anger. She couldn't let this rage build up anymore, after all, this anger was directed towards her sister, who had hurt her.

"Sometimes, memories can be hard to forget. Especially when you aren't sure about moving on." came a womans voice from behind her.

Upon hearing the voice, Ruby's face changed, as if upon instinct. Once being contorted in anger, now was undisturbed and emotionless.

She stood up on the edge and turned around to face the woman... it may have been ages since she's heard that voice, but she recognized it with no trouble.

"After all these years did you finally remember me, mom?" she asked.

The woman in red and black tribal clothing remained silent for a while, staring at Ruby through her Grimm mask as her bushy black hair slightly flailed in the wind. And then taking the mask off her head, she smiled fondly at Ruby. With a little guilt showing in her red eyes, she spoke-

"I never forgot, Ruby"