I didn't expect to get so many alerts/follows for this story. Thank you so much. I will try to make this as simple as possible. The story is obviously taking place to the time that Ruby traveled to (sometime roughly before Cinder's infiltration and the Vytal Festival). If anything had taken place in Ruby's alternate timeline, it will mentioned as a memory, clearly labeled.
In sadder news, my rabbit passed away yesterday morning. I am away at school so unfortunately I wasn't able to be home with him. I apologize if this chapter appears dark in anyway.
New Divide
They had entered the resident hall where the rooms were located, the conversation that Yang had going had lapsed into a somewhat relaxing and yet borderline awkward silence. Along the way they had passed by team JNPR's room. Jaune had spotted them first coming out of the room and soon they were swarmed by the others, each asking Ruby how she was and what had happened.
Ruby personally congratulated herself on her composure (especially looking at Pyrrha), and simply said that she was alright and that no damage had been done. Jaune had asked her what had happened back when they were in the forest, just before the Ursa had struck her, however she played it cool and simply said she didn't know, but assured him all the same that she was alright.
They had talked for a few more minutes, and both teams called it a night; once again saying it was good to see the reaper up and about once more. Approaching their door Yang, Blake, and Weiss entered the room followed by Ruby, who had on a true content smile seeing the sight before her. The dangerously put together bunk beds, the halfway messy floor, and just the overall symbolic simplicity and innocence, "You ok there?" Yang asked looking at her sister.
Despite that question being asked a half dozen times, this one was one that Ruby was not annoyed with, "Fine Yang, it is just good to be here is all." She answered going over to her and Weiss's shared bunk and climbing on with her magazine and notebook. She sighed and laid back to look up at the ceiling for a few minutes before sitting back up and stated, "Anyone mind if I use the shower first?"
"Nope." Blake said, choosing a book before sitting on her bed.
"Go for it." Yang called up as she too sat on her bed.
"Just please be mindful of the hot water." Weiss said taking the desk with her books out, "While you are doing that, I'll put your assignments on your bed."
Ruby smiled and gathered her stuff and went into the bathroom. The trio left in the room looked at the door and waited for the water to turn on. Weiss rolled her chair over to the other two and whispered, "Ok is it just me or is Ruby-"
"Not Ruby?" Blake finished sitting up, marking the page in her book, "Yea we were just going to discuss that."
Yang jumped down and Blake moved over, letting the blonde sit next to her. She glared at the door to the bathroom. Blake and Weiss said nothing for a moment or two, just waiting for Yang to speak her mind, however the look Yang was giving the door, it was like she was about to burst into flames at how hard she was concentrating, "You look like you're about to burst into flames if you concentrate any harder." Weiss commented eventually, "Care to share with us?"
"I know at times it may seem like I do not take things seriously; however when it comes to my sister…" Yang trailed off for a moment; Blake and Weiss waited patiently as she got her thoughts together, "I've watched the girl grow up." Yang said slowly, "I helped our father, and uncle unlock her semblance just before she went to Signal;" She paused and then faced her teammates, "and never once did I see her eyes glow."
"Her eyes glow?" Weiss asked hesitantly, "You saw-"
"I know it sounds stupid, but that moment in the hallway? Yea I swear I saw her eyes glow." Yang stated quickly.
Blake shook her head, "It's not stupid. I think I may have saw the same thing."
Weiss sighed, "I saw her eyes get this weird glow too…when she pinned me against the wall." She added, "I also saw them get this red tinge to them and it wasn't a trick of the light or my mind either."
The three of them sat in silence for a minute. Blake took a deep breath and exhaled it out, "I know what it's like to keep a secret. I also know what it is like to see some type of trauma; I am not going to get into it, because this isn't about me." She said looking at Weiss, and giving Yang a stern look, "What I am saying is that I know a haunted look when I see one."
Weiss was about to comment, when they heard the water turn off. Quickly, Weiss wheeled herself back over to the desk and placed Ruby's papers on her bed. Yang went on her bunk, while Blake tried going back to her book. A few minutes later, Ruby exited the bathroom and placed her clothes on her dresser and hung her towel on its hook after she dried her hair really well, "That was much needed." She commented lightly, not too sure what she was feeling in the atmosphere.
"So you are feeling better?" Yang asked lightly.
"Much." Ruby sighed, gathering her textbooks, and climbed up onto the bunk. She made a show of organizing her papers by class and placed them in the appropriate textbook. Once that was done, she pondered for a moment or two and chose the first class she would have the next morning first.
While she was doing that, the older girls looked to one another in question. Seeing Blake and Yang's stare, Weiss sighed. Ruby was her partner and if she was to keep her promise, then she needed to be there to take care of her partner, "Hey Ruby?"
"Huh?" Ruby answered not looking away from her history textbook.
"I am going to get a coffee, did you want any?" Weiss asked getting up.
"Sure. Thanks." Ruby answered absentmindedly.
Weiss smiled a little and made her way to the door, "Cream and five sugars coming up."
"Black." This made everyone in the room pause, but Ruby didn't look like she was paying attention. Sensing the drastic mood shift, she finally did look up from her book, finally noticing how her teammates were staring at her, "What?"
Yang sat up now and looked her sister dead in the eye, "You want coffee?"
"Yes…" Ruby said slowly, "I didn't realize that was a crime all of a sudden."
"Weiss asked if you wanted coffee. You said yes." Yang summarized, "She said cream and five sugars…and you said black." Seeing Ruby give her a 'no big deal' look, she said much louder, "BLACK! You never take it black! I first introduced you to coffee and you hated it black. You said you would rather die than drink it black!"
I'd rather die for something more serious than black verses over sweetened coffee, Ruby thought as she sat up now and stared her sister down, hell I did die for something more serious…or rather I intended to. She saw Blake and Weiss giving her equal questioning looks. She sighed and dried the diplomatic approach, "I want to try something new. I mean aren't you the ones ragging on me all the time for my sweet tooth?"
Yang was about to retort, but was cut off by Weiss, "Ok we are not judging or saying that it's wrong; just surprised at the sudden change of preference is all. I'll be back."
Ruby shook her head and went back to work. Or rather that is what it looked like to the others. She had her history book open, but it was only used to hide her notebook. She was writing down any thought she had in regards to her abilities, upcoming events; in an advance Atlas military code that she and Winter had developed when her team had gone on separate missions wrote down the known maidens (both the current and the future) with their location; making sure to circle Raven's name.
Ruby paused as she stared at Raven's name. Yang's mother was going to be a major problem that was for sure. She didn't know when Cinder got the idea to try to get Raven's help, nor did she currently know where Raven and her bandit gang were at this time. Ruby looked to Yang briefly. Her sister had an obsession when it came down to try and find her mother, but knew better than to ask for information (especially right now). Frowning for a moment, she looked back towards her paper and drew a line to another name, Qrow. Slowly pulling her pen back, she thought that perhaps her uncle had an idea where to find her. Shaking her head quick, she decided to come back to that problem later.
The other names that she knew or rather would come to know, she started to write down again, namely Oscar and Maria. Looking at Maria Calavera's name, she made a big circle with a question mark next to it. The way she figured it, she wasn't going to get the former Grimm Reaper involved unless she had trouble accessing her silver eyed powers. Thinking more on it, she then circled Oscar's name as well. No use to getting him involved since Ozpin was currently still alive in his current reincarnation.
Weiss came back into the room, and Ruby discretely switched papers; making her history paper on top on the notes she had been writing. Weiss climbed up on the bed and handed her the cup, "Here you go. Hopefully you do not bounce off the walls too much."
"Not a chance." Ruby said doing her best to smile. The smile fell through when she looked to her partner's throat. There was no visible sign of the incident that had occurred, but at the same time the image wouldn't leave her head, "Is your throat better?"
Weiss looked surprised, and her hand went to the area in question, "Yes of course it is. Aura heals remember?"
"I know, I just-"
Weiss's hand touched Ruby's and she allowed herself an easy smile, "I am fine. You were in some kind of nightmare." Ruby winced at this, "I am fine." Weiss repeated, ignoring the wince. Letting go, she allowed herself a normal quip tone, "Do it again though and we'll have problems. Dolt."
This made Ruby smile lightly, "Ice Queen."
"Well that's a new one." Blake commented lightly not looking up from her book.
Weiss glared up at her partner's grin, but then shook her head deciding it wasn't worth it. Yang just watched as Ruby went back to her work drinking her coffee. What she said had been true, there was a whole lot of things that she didn't take very seriously, but when it came to her baby sister…all bets were off. Something wasn't sitting right with her sister, and she was going to make it her mission to find out what.
It remained quiet for the rest of the night, no one really speaking except to ask a question or just make a general comment. Ruby for her part finished her assignments and her long list of things she needed to get done. It did help that within the ten years, she learned to effectively divide her attention to get things done and in hindsight it also probably really helped that everything that her assignments were asking of her, she had a more 'hands on' education; something that Beacon (for all of Ozpin's preparations) could never really give them. She learned the hard way of how real-life works after all.
"Want me to check your work?" Weiss asked as she put her stuff away.
"Not tonight." Ruby said stretching as she climb down and put her own stuff away. Seeing Weiss's look, Ruby added, "It's late and if anything, we can always review at breakfast."
Weiss kept staring at the tiny reaper, but then nodded, "Alright. First thing at breakfast though."
"Deal."
The girls got ready for bed, and bid their good nights. Ruby sighed, trying to settle in her covers, but her mind was racing. It was one thing to be forced to sleep, it was another to do it willingly. She just kept staring up at the ceiling, the crack in the curtains showing off the glow of the cracked moon, giving off eerie shadows on the walls. She sighed and turned over to stare at the wall. Swallowing hard she closed her eyes, and focused on her breathing. Eventually it evened out, but unfortunately her brain kept going, and it led her nowhere that was good or peaceful.
Memory- about four years after the Fall and three years after the battle of Haven
"I tried to warn her." Ruby was standing near a cliff, a new headstone next to a much older looking one. She had her red hood up, scythe strapped to her back, and just waited, "When we were down in the Vault. I tried…"
"What are you doing here?" Ruby demanded to know grudgingly, "Why do you care?"
"I always cared about her."
"All you cared about was your tribe." Ruby spat. She turned to face the woman next to her, "Remove that mask while you are standing here. It's the least you can do."
The woman scoffed, but did as she was told. In front of Ruby stood Raven Branwen. Dark crimson eyes stared into silver, "You are angry at the wrong person." Raven stated darkly.
Ruby didn't answer and just stared at the new headstone: Yang Xiao Long- I Burn. She closed her eyes and she could still see that black stone corridor. She could still feel the pounding of her heart in the small space. It was supposed to be a simple scout and report mission, but as it turned out it was a trap.
Those in the 'Fang that were still loyal to Adam ambushed her and kidnapped her. All this to get Blake's attention. Of course he had help; for a pretty hefty price, Salem had given him some sort of special powers, much like she had done with Cinder, and he somehow managed to gain control of his own Grimm, "Did she ever tell you what happened down in the chamber of the Spring Maiden?" Raven eventually asked, pulling Ruby from her dark brewing.
It had been three years since the battle of Haven. Ruby swallowed and shook her head. No one had bothered to ask her after Qrow had asked where Raven was at, "Before she had met up with you all, I had warned her. I gave her every opportunity to walk away from Qrow and Oz."
"She wouldn't have done it." Ruby whispered, "She didn't."
"And look where it got her." Raven spat, "She is dead! She is gone! Just like your mother!" Ruby swiftly turned and saw the fire coming out of Raven's eyes, "I told her she didn't want to do this! I told her what would happen, and it did."
Ruby saw her maiden powers deactivate in that moment and Raven looked back towards the headstones, "She made her choice Ruby. Look where it got her."
The fighting didn't last very long, eventually reinforcements came in the form of Qrow, Jaune, Nora, Ren, Weiss, and Blake. Oscar and Maria were leading them from the aircraft. Ruby had been in the room fighting all she could. Eventually, she ended up killing the Grimm and (with some regret) even some of the faunus before eventually freeing her sister. That is when the unthinkable happened. Adam had become enraged. His newly dark powers had raged out of control.
The fortress that they were in had nearly imploded upon itself, however most of that energy had been directed at Yang. Weiss and Blake had finally managed to get enough traction to work together to take out Adam, which had Blake landing a blow to his chest which ended his raging powers for good; but it was too late. Ruby saw Yang on the ground coughing up blood, "Jaune, Jaune! Please. Get over here." No one had moved towards her, "Jaune please!" He ran over as Ruby held Yang in her arms, her eyes slowly losing focus, and Jaune giving her a look of pity.
Ruby's hands balled to her sides and she looked away from the older woman, "Yang wouldn't be giving up. She wouldn't want me to give up. Raven please, for Yang…we could really use your help."
"Help? Why should I help you? Or that bastard for that matter?"
"Ra-"
"He is the reason my daughter is dead! He is the reason your mother is dead! Don't you get it?!" Raven yelled, "You can't fight her! She has the damned Relic! Sure you asked all the questions, but she still has the damned thing!"
Ruby shook her head, "You are a coward! You led us into a trap, you ran into hiding, and for what?! She is not going to stop! You think just because you are staying out of her way, you will be safe? Your tribe will be safe?!" Ruby looked at her in disgust and then looked away, "If all you are going to do is hide, then you may as well give me your powers."
"Excuse me?" Raven demanded looking at the young woman in surprise.
"Did I stutter?" Ruby demanded, "You heard me."
Raven looked at the reaper; so much like her former leader in another era, another lifetime, "Why would I do that?"
Ruby looked at the woman that her sister had once called 'mother', "Because it sure as hell beats letting them waste away doing nothing."
Raven looked at the young reaper and then at the headstone. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees two other women that she had come to know as her daughter's team standing on the edge in silent observance. She then faces Ruby, who has her red hood up, silver eyes eerily glowing back at her. Raven places her Creature of Grimm mask on and says, "How about this, you start showing me what it is I am supposed to be fight for. It's been four years since Beacon, and three years since Haven. From where I stand, this is all useless and my daughter died for no reason. So start showing me something and I might consider it." With that, she transformed into a raven and flew off leaving behind a black feather in between Summer and Yang's stone.
Ruby stood there watching the sky, "Ruby?" Weiss's voice came to her as the former heiress and Blake came slowly to her side.
"I'll give her something." Ruby stated furiously, "I'll give the both of them something that they'll never forget." With a swish of her cape, she turns away from the stones leaving Weiss and Blake in her wake.
End Memory
In a flash of panic, Ruby shot up with a hand flying to her forehead breathing shallow and sweat pouring off of her. Looking around, she saw it was still dark out and she sighed deeply, fighting for some type of control. Letting her head fall back into the pillow, she leaned over and saw her scroll and groaned softly at the time: quarter after five. Damn it! She groaned as she took a hand and rubbed her face.
She sighed again and sat up once more. Slowly climbing down off her bed, so as not to disturb Weiss, she stood in the middle of the room and took in her sleeping partners. Envious of their seemingly peaceful dreams. She especially looked at Yang and slowly crept over to her sister's bed and climbed up.
Yang might radiate the strong confidence and straightforwardness on the outside, but Ruby knew better; and it was times like this that she could see it. The things that Yang hid from everyone…except maybe from her. She sees the pain, and it hurts even more in this moment because she knows that right now, it is because of her, "I am sorry Yang." Ruby whispered softly, "For everything. I failed you once, I am not going to let that happen again." Yang shifts in her sleep, and Ruby does something that Yang had always done for her. She slowly and easily fixes the blankets around her older sister the best she could, and slowly climbs down.
She looks around the room one more time and decides that she is not going back to sleep anytime soon, so she gathers her clothes and quietly changes in the bathroom. Coming back out, she gets her backpack, a spare set of clothes, and her scroll. Quietly she leaves a note for her teammates and heads to the gym; she had the memory for a reason, and she'd be damned if she allows that to happen again.
