Disclaimer, I do not own RWBY
AN/ I'm back, and ready to serve up the cuteness that is Ruby! I've begun to get my personal life squared away, modem had been replaced, car has been registered, so on and so forth. So, I've been building up more and more story plans for future projects, and suffice to say, as long as interest in the fandom continues, I will always be here. But, no peeking at my projects! Though you guys may or may not shake your head at my two stories after Broken Mind. Needless to say, I might be turning into the king of crackships. Anyways, on to the chapter!
Despite barely working up a sweat, Ruby could feel the soreness working its way through her upper body. "What weight are these Arslan?" Ruby asked as she set the dumbbells down.
"Those are fifteens Ruby, are they too much?" Arslan asked.
"Oddly, yes." Ruby sulked.
"Come on, how about we do some light cardio work then?" Arslan suggested.
"Fine." Ruby grumbled.
"They said not to overdo anything, working with weights probably wasn't a good idea." Arslan spoke softly.
"But I lift and swing Crescent Rose around like it's nothing!" Ruby argued.
"And you do so spectacularly. But right now, take it easy. And if need be, we'll stop altogether, ok?" Arslan reassured.
"Honestly, if I can't even lift even the small weights, I should probably sit down. But hey, at least I have some more information now." Ruby spoke dejectedly.
"Let's try something. Sit for me please." Arslan directed. Doing as told, Ruby sat on the floor. Hearing the rustling of a towel behind her, she was somewhat surprised when a damp towel was rested over her shoulders.
"Something I should be concerned about?" Ruby joked halfheartedly.
"Not at all, just trying something my uncle taught me. Where does it hurt the most?" Arslan asked, kneeling behind the reaper.
"Back of my head down to my shoulders. Mind sharing with the class?" Ruby asked, curious.
"Nope, because then you wouldn't need me to do it." Arslan replied as she set her hands on Ruby's shoulders. Focusing her aura, Arslan began to give the younger girl a light massage.
"That feels nice." Ruby groaned as she leaned back into her girlfriend's touch.
"It should, I'm basically pouring my aura into you." Arslan confirmed with a smile. As Ruby sank back into her touch, Arslan's hands slowly rose, putting pressure on the brunette's neck before climbing further up.
"Arslan, you're no longer allowed to fight. Your sole duty now is giving me massages." Ruby mock demanded.
"How about I still graduate a huntress, but you get a free massage whenever you ask?" Arslan bargained.
"Deal." Ruby responded before fully reclining into Arslan.
"Better?" Arslan asked as she wrapped her arms around Ruby.
"Much."
"Good. Why don't we get you set up on a bench, I would like to do some weightlifting while we're here." Arslan offered.
"Hmmmm, fine, but only if you promise we can read together tonight." Ruby spoke.
"Of course, now come on, get up."
The hours slowly passed for the pair, either in silence as the clanking of weights filled the air, or in light conversation. Every now and again someone would walk in, though it was rare. Eventually though, Arslan had to put a stop to her workout.
"Alright, let me get cleaned up, it's about time to meet that specialist." Arslan spoke as she wracked her weights.
"Is it really time already?" Ruby asked.
"Yes, sadly. But there is always time later, right now, it's time to worry about you instead." Arslan responded.
"I suppose so. Remember, we're reading tonight." Ruby reminded as she held out her hand.
"Of course, how could I forget? Give me a second to get cleaned up before I get changed, you should get changed too." Arslan suggested as she took the offered hand, leading the younger girl to the locker room.
As the pair walked out into the main courtyard, they could feel the tense atmosphere. As Arslan looked around however, there seemed to be no obvious cause. Just as she was about to say something, she watched Weiss run past excitedly.
"Weiss, what's going on?" Arslan asked, piquing Ruby's interest.
"She's here!" Was all they heard. Seeing that she was running towards a ship that was landing, Arslan quickly led Ruby to the docks.
"Who's here?" Ruby asked, confused. Catching up to the heiress was no issue as she had stopped.
"Winter." Weiss said quietly, though Ruby still heard.
"Winter is here?! Ohmygosh yes!" Ruby joined in excitedly as Weiss gave her a confused look.
"How do you know Winter?" Weiss asked. Before Ruby could respond however, the ramp lowered, revealing a white-haired woman flanked by four Atlesian knights.
"Sister, it has been some time." Winter spoke as she slowly marched forward.
"It has. Have you received my letters?" Weiss asked, looking up reverently.
"I have, and I must say, it is good to see you happy with your choice to attend this, particular, academy." Winter responded, almost mechanically. "At ease." Winter spoke, followed by the knights standing back.
"How are you doing Weiss?" Winter asked, her tone warmer.
"I've been doing great, I'm at the top of my class-" Weiss was cut off as Winter smacked her.
"Silence you boob! I didn't ask about your performance in class, I asked about you. Are you eating well, are you making any more friends, have you adjusted well to this one and her sister?" Winter asked, gesturing towards Ruby.
"Sorry, yes, I've been doing well. To Ruby? Yes, I've made strides to assist her where I can, her sister though, remains to be seen if she's a friend or a nuisance." Weiss responded.
"Hi Winter!" Ruby suddenly shouted.
"Hello Ruby, it has been a while since we last spoke. How have you been?" Winter asked warmly.
"I've been fine, though certainly could be better. Not like she hasn't more than made up for it though." Ruby said, smiling as she turned to Arslan.
"Yes, I saw your match, honestly, I'm surprised more of an issue wasn't made of that spectacle, both for your sister and, Arslan, was it?" Winter asked, turning towards the blonde.
"Yes, though her colleagues jumped to my defense. Certainly helped that I have been helping her around since she was released." Arslan spoke.
"Not that that is all you've been doing, though it's good to see Ruby happy despite it all." Weiss said knowingly.
"Hey Weiss, remember that favor? Tell Winter about your relationship." Ruby shot, face burning red as she turned to bury her face in Arslan's arm.
"Oh? Do tell sister." Winter asked, intrigued.
"Well, um, I." Weiss stammered, as if sensing the bad timing, a certain blonde came walking by.
"Hey Weiss, there you are, you went running off and we were worried." Jaune asked as he jogged to the group. Weiss's own red face was all Winter needed.
"Well, I am certainly glad to see the happy couples. I expect to see you both before I leave. However, before I can do anything else, I must meet with the general and your headmaster. Ruby, I expect to meet you in the medical wing in half an hour, Arslan, if you could see to it that she arrives without issue please." Winter spoke before stepping off.
"Um, what just happened?" Jaune asked, confused.
"That was the specialist for Ruby, and my sister." Weiss explained, cradling her face in embarrassment.
"Serves you right Weiss." Ruby groaned. The two leaders sharing a confused look. As their embarrassment calmed down, Weiss suddenly turned towards Ruby.
"So, mind explaining how you know my sister?" Weiss asked, cheeks still a light pink.
"She's been helping me with combat since I first showed interest, as well as training the other members with what grimm look like and such. Honestly, I didn't even connect the dots that the two of you were related." Ruby admitted.
"Winter always spoke about working with a prodigy, I assume that was you?" Weiss asked.
"Probably? I mean, I wouldn't say I'm a prodigy, just a normal girl in an abnormal situation." Ruby responded.
"Let's see, you are blind, wield a scythe, are the first legally blind huntress in training, are the leader of your own team, and was accepted into Beacon two years early. Not to mention you are credited with the largest kill in recorded history. Sounds a bit prodigious to me." Weiss listed off, wishing Ruby could see the blank look she was giving the younger girl.
"Well, when you put it like that." Ruby responded quietly as she scratched the back of her head.
"Come on, we should probably start getting you to the infirmary, I get the feeling she wouldn't be happy if we're late." Arslan suggested.
"Actually, Winter won't mind." A new voice chimed in, as the others stared at the newcomer in confusion, Ruby quickly ran towards the voice.
"Uncle Qrow!" Ruby shouted in glee as she latched onto the older huntsman's arm.
"You doing ok pipsqueak?" Qrow asked as he looked down to his student.
"I've been fine, though you have been away for longer than you said you would be." Ruby accused.
"If it makes it up to you, I saw your match. How's Yang after that beatdown?" Qrow asked.
"Still adjusting to the chewing out I gave her. Oh, these are my friends, Jaune, Weiss and-"
"Arslan. How long have you two been a thing?" Qrow asked, giving Arslan a pointed look.
"Only just today. Leave that for dad, please. She's been helping me after the match." Ruby begged.
"All you've done is delay the inevitable. But fine. I'll be back later tonight, I have a meeting up top and I know you have a doctor's appointment." Qrow said.
"Say a word to dad and I'll bleach your hair and fill your flask with cough syrup." Ruby threatened.
"More like you'll contract the work to your friends here while you kick back and relax. I won't say anything, but you know he'll find out sooner or later." Qrow warned.
"I know, I'll tell him soon, but a lot kinda happened." Ruby responded.
"Good job on your kill and your match. You, blondie, hurt her and I'll break you." Qrow spoke before walking off.
"That's your uncle?" Arslan asked after the man was out of earshot.
"Yep! Taught me everything I know when it comes to fighting." Ruby beamed.
"Think he would be willing to spar with me?" Arslan asked, hopeful.
"Possibly, it's been awhile since he's been able to wipe the floor with someone." Ruby responded.
"I'm suddenly more and more concerned about the rest of your family." Arslan said, enthusiasm dropping.
"Honestly, you'd probably have a better time fighting my dad, he fights hand to hand like you and Yang. He'll still put you into the floor, but at least you won't have a scythe aiming for your head." Ruby offered.
"That's not helping."
AN/ And that is it for this chapter. Next chapter, we will find out what exactly is wrong with Ruby, what Cinder is up to, and all sorts of fun stuff. I hope everyone is doing well right now, I understand that everyone is currently freaking out and such, but everything will be fine, follow the CDC's recommendations and just wash your damn hands. Alcohol based cleaners are your best bet to kill the virus, and if you work retail, make sure you have a bottle of hand sanitizer on you at all times and you should be just fine. Take care, and until next time, have a great day!