AN/ And here we go! So as to address a review from last chapter regarding the pairing, I was told that the pairing felt as though it would be forced, and that I should instead do whiterose or ladybug. While I understand that I am writing a rarepair, I certainly will not change it, and you will never see me writing whiterose. While I love ladybug, I wanted to do something unique, and a pairing can work, and any pairing can be forced. I'm not trying to sound like an asshole here, but I haven't even gotten to the main pairing yet, so hold off any judgement until it actually happens please. Anyways, on to the chapter!
The first two weeks of class breezed by for all of team RWBY. Weiss and Blake had slowly gotten used to helping Ruby while Yang was away.
"Weiss, Blake, I have to take that history test now, let Yang know where I am, ok?" Ruby asked as she pulled her cane from her waist and extended it.
"It's nice of professor Oobleck to handle all of your tests." Blake spoke.
"it certainly is. Can't say I would like to take my tests orally though." Weiss added.
"Eh, it's not a problem really. It's certainly better than reading a sign that says, 'Do not touch' though" Ruby joked.
"Alright, go on before we have to suffer more of your terrible jokes. Yang is bad enough." Blake ushered the red themed girl out the door. With herself and the heiress in the room, Blake sighed.
"I know. She's a great person and all, but sometimes it's a bit much." Weiss said.
"Tell me Weiss, does Ruby seem, off, to you? I know it hasn't even been a full month yet, but something seems off with her. She isn't matching the stories Yang has told us." Blake asked, concerned.
"You're right. She seems more withdrawn than what Yang would suggest. Let's ask Yang when she gets back from her workout, I'm sure she would have noticed something up with her." Weiss suggested. As if to answer their call, Yang suddenly threw open the door, catching it just before it slammed into the wall.
"Yang, one of these days you're going to do that and nail one of us in the face." Blake chastised.
"No, I won't, now has anyone seen Ruby?" Yang asked, looking around the room.
"She just left to take a test. And actually, we need to talk." Weiss said with a serious tone.
"What's up? I can only assume it's about Ruby." Yang spoke.
"We think something is up with Ruby. She seems withdrawn, as if trying to do anything with us is too much to ask." Blake explained.
"So, you guys noticed it too? I was hoping to talk to her about it, thinking it was just a new place and all that, but if you guys are seeing it too, then something is really wrong. We should confront her when she gets back." Yang suggested. With the rest of the team in agreement, all they could do was wait.
*With Ruby*
'Tomorrow is going to be a disaster' Was all Ruby could think as she kept her cane sweeping in front of her. She had since gotten used to the layout of the campus, and no longer needed anyone else to guide her. Ruby was thankful that Fridays were short days, which allowed her to take her tests in relative peace.
"Hey Ruby!" Nora suddenly called out, breaking Ruby's thoughts.
"Oh, hi Nora, hi Ren!" Ruby called back.
"Hello Ruby, on your way to take a test?" Ren asked calmly.
"Yeah, what about you two?" Ruby asked as she was joined in her walk.
"Just walking around!" Nora replied.
"Nora has been ready for the weekend, she wants to go and fight in the forest. I on the other hand hope to find a nice quiet place to relax." Ren elaborated.
"Mind if I join you? I have to do some exercises anyways." Ruby asked.
"It's not a problem. Just let me know when you're ready to join us." Ren excused himself and Nora as they reached Oobleck's room.
"Remember, we're going to the forest of forever fall in two weeks!" Nora shouted before following Ren.
"Ah, miss Rose, are you prepared for your test?" Oobleck asked as he popped his head through the open door.
"Yes professor, as ready as I'll ever be."
*RWBY Dorm*
"Say what you will about Jaune, but his performance in combat is lacking at best." Weiss stated.
"Weiss, just because it's true doesn't mean you can say it like that. My guess is that Ozpin saw something in him that would allow him to be better." Yang defended.
"I mean look at Ruby, she has a major disability, yet she keeps pace with everyone just fine, even surpassing others sometimes. I'm sure that with time, Jaune will be a competent fighter too." Blake added. Before Weiss could respond, the door suddenly opened, revealing a worn-out Ruby.
"Oobleck talks way too fast." Was all she said before collapsing on Weiss's bed.
"Hey! Get in your own bed, I don't need you messing mine up." Weiss yelled.
"Nope. Too tired." Ruby defended. Before Weiss could get more worked up, Yang picked Ruby up and gently set her down on her own bed.
"Take a nap Ruby, we'll all be here later." Was all Yang said before Ruby drifted off.
"Something is definitely wrong if she's tired after a test. She's taken four already and was never tired after any of them." Weiss spoke.
"Yeah, you're right. Look, we can't do anything now until she wakes up. Call me when she wakes up? I'm hungry." Yang asked.
"No problem. Weiss, why don't you go too, I haven't seen you eat much today." Blake suggested.
"Alright. Remember, call us." Was all Weiss said before following Yang out the door. Blake sighed in relief as the only sounds in the room were Ruby's steady breathing and the pages of her book. With her plan now in motion, Blake waited patiently. Over the last few nights, Blake swore she heard something in the room, however with Yang's snoring, it made it difficult to tell.
Blake had gotten through a full chapter in her book before she noticed the sound. Looking across the room confirmed her recent suspicions. Ruby was crying in her sleep, albeit quietly. Blake wondered what could have Ruby crying, especially so early into the year. 'Perhaps it's stress?' Blake wondered to herself. Blake remembered that Monday was meant to start team exercises, perhaps that was the problem. Pulling out her scroll, Blake sent a message to Yang, telling her about Ruby.
"Ruby, we're going to have a lot to talk about." Blake spoke aloud, not expecting any answer. Returning to her book, Blake waited patiently for either Ruby to wake up, or for the rest of her team to return. Blake was only waiting for an hour though before Ruby began to stir.
"Hey Blake, how long was I out for?" Ruby asked groggily.
"Only about an hour and a half. Yang and Weiss went for some food, but they should be back soon." Blake explained.
"We're back!" Yang announced as her and Weiss walked into the room.
"I'd say speak of the devil, but I'm sure he would be more pleasant." Blake joked. Yang however ignored her comment and immediately set her sights on Ruby.
"So Ruby, anything planned for today?" Yang asked.
"Not really, I was going to meet up with Ren and Nora, but that won't be until later." Ruby explained.
"Good, because we need to talk. And I mean all of us." Yang stated rather flatly.
"Alright, what's going on?" Ruby asked, trying to keep her nerves under control.
"What's wrong? We know something is up." Yang stated offering no room for argument.
"We know that you have extra work to do, but even then, you never sleep so heavily afterwards, not to mention you've been distant as of late." Weiss added
"And I heard you crying in your sleep. Whatever the problem is, we can help you." Blake finished. Ruby was stunned, she thought she had been sneaky, but here were her two teammates already reading her like an open book. She tried to fight back the oncoming tears, however her efforts were in vain.
"I just- I feel like Ozpin made a mistake. I accepted the fact that I was blind long ago, I accepted that I would have to work hard. But here I am, the leader of a team and I can't eve use my own eyes. I've been trying to get ahold of Ozpin, see if I could step down as leader, but every time I tried, he was always busy." Ruby admitted, before openly sobbing. Everyone was shocked at her words.
"Ruby, you don't know that. How many chances have you gotten to lead us as a team?" Yang asked, pulling Ruby into a tight hug.
"But I'm younger than all of you, Weiss has been training for the role of leader, and I'm BLIND!" Ruby shot before breaking down again. Blake tried to think of something she could say but fell short. While she struggled to say something, Weiss suddenly stepped forward, pulling Yang away from Ruby. Before anyone could react, Weiss suddenly smacked Ruby in the side of the head.
"I would say you have an inferiority complex, but I think that's a little severe. Ruby, yes, I trained to take up as a leader, but I don't have that role, you do. Ozpin actually approached me last week and asked me about my thoughts on our team. I didn't understand what he was asking at the time, but now I do. Ruby, you haven't even had the chance to lead us as a team, let alone know if you're a bad leader. As it stands now, I will refuse leadership if you step down." Weiss spoke plainly, no malice, no annoyance, no emotion.
Sobbing once more, Ruby suddenly grabbed Weiss and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, Weiss, I needed that." Ruby spoke between sobs.
"Stop hugging me and we'll call it even." Weiss growled. Letting go, Ruby sniffled.
"Sorry Weiss. Thanks guys, I needed that." Ruby spoke as she removed the cloth around her eyes. Wiping tears away, Ruby felt the stares directed at her. "What?"
"Sorry, we just, have never once seen your eyes." Blake admitted.
"It's fine, now if you'll excuse me, I have to get ready." Ruby excused herself. Gathering the things she would likely need for the day, Ruby listened in on the conversation her team was having.
"Thanks guys, I don't know if I could have helped her through this one, I owe you one." Yang thanked the other two.
"Did Ozpin really talk to you?" Blake asked.
"Yes. I wasn't sure what he was talking about, especially since he never once referenced Ruby. I will admit though I am slightly annoyed that I didn't get her position, but I'm not going to start anything, I have no idea how good of a leader she is, but if initiation was anything to go by, I have high hopes for her." Weiss admitted. Smiling to herself, Ruby continued to pull a spare change of clothes from her section of the closet. Happy with her choice, she grabbed one of the spare bags and stepped out of the closet.
"Alright, I'm going to be with Ren and Nora for the rest of the night. Tomorrow, we're doing a team exercise, so be ready." Ruby explained as she made sure that she had everything she needed.
"Alright, take it easy then. They aren't staying in the forest, are they?" Yang asked.
"I would imagine not. Anyways, bye guys!" Ruby waved as she was out the door.
"Alright, so nobody was expecting that to be the reason?"
AN/ And done, next chapter will pick up right here with Ruby, then it's time for Forever Fall, and then on to the main PLOT! Pacing is kind of hard for me to judge with this one, but that's why I like it, what happens, just happens, and I get to have fun with it. Not to mention you all seem to love this. Anyways, until next time, have a great day!