A/N: Done with first half of initiation! Yeah, I decided to break up the chapter considering just this half is 2982 words without notes.

As far as notes go, I've got one a few at the end.

That said, please enjoy.

I don't own RWBY or RT

5/28/18: amending Summer's semblance some. I changed Tai's conversation with Yang, Summer's use of her semblance, and the notes on Summer's semblance.

Guilty Rose chapter 3

Yang scanned Beacon's courtyard again, making sure there was no one around. Of course there was no one, it was dusk and all initiates were supposed to be in the ballroom in ten minutes. But Yang had to make this call in private. She looked down to see her thumb hovering over the contact for her dad. With a deep breath to garner her resolve, she tapped the call icon and brought the scroll to her ear. It rang briefly.

"Hey firecracker, how was your first day at Beacon? You have pummeled anybody already, I hope"

"Oh, it was fine, though I actually considered decking this one scrappy guy."

"Yang, you can't just punch people because they say something to you, they need to make a move first, then it's 'self-defense'."

Yang chuckled at her father's words.

"Nah, the guy was hitting on these two girls and wouldn't leave them alone, Weiss and Rose were there names."

Yang's voice was softer when she said Rose's name, and her dad must have picked up on that.

"Rose?"

"Yeah, I couldn't get a good look at her because she kept her hood, but I can tell she's been through some serious shit."

"What makes you say that?"

"Literally everything about her made me want to hold her and tell her 'it's going to be okay'. I'm mean the girl straight up said she didn't know her last name. But the way she said it, there's something seriously bothering her. I don't know, I want to be a big sister to the girl now."

There was a pause that was followed by a sigh from the other end.

"I understand."

His voice changed to the sad tone that it always did anytime the subject of Ruby was even approached. Yang took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She didn't want to say the next few words, but they had to be said.

"I talked to mom, she said you sent her the divorce papers."

There was another pause, followed by another sigh.

"Yang...It's been 12 years since Ruby was taken, I've spent half of it tirelessly looking for her with Summer and Raven. But then I had to accept the truth. Ruby's gone. And I know Summer does that thing with her semblance and somehow knows Ruby is alive despite the fact that this thorn breaks the rulse of her semblance. but I think she's just ignoring the truth. She needs to grieve, not continue this vain search for a ghost."

Yang was shaking with anger now.

"So your just going to leave her!"

"Yang, I've spent the last five years taking care of her, trying to help her, trying to keep us all together. But I can't anymore. But that doesn't mean I'm just leaving her. To be honest, I'm hoping the papers bring her back to reality."

Yang seethed, she loved her father, but this was too cruel. In her heart, she knew this was coming. And now that the day was here, she had to make a decision. A decision long since made.

"I'm sorry that you feel like you have to resort to this, dad. I have to go."

Yang heard the clacking of heels and looked over to find Professor Goodwitch approaching her with a mildly annoyed expression.

"Miss Xiao Long."

"I know, past curfew. I'm sorry, I had to call my father in private."

The blonde professor raised an eyebrow, but shook her head without further questioning.

"Very well, let's head back to the ballroom. Initiation is tomorrow and you will want to be well rested."

Yang got up and followed her soon-to-be professor back to the building she would be sleeping in.

….

Summer Rose had a lot to think about at the moment. Strangely, divorce papers on her table were not one of them. She tapped into her semblance, Rose thorn, only to find that Ruby's still existed. The 'thorn' she used on Ruby when she was three should have long since faded away, and honestly all it did now was tell her Ruby was alive and out there somewhere. Her semblance shouldn't be working, but it was. And it gave her a small amount of comfort as always. Her thoughts returned to her other daughter, Yang. She smiled fondly, thinking about how much she has grown.

"Your already a huntress in training, huh?"

With a sigh, she leaned back in her seat. She pulled out her scroll and stared at the background image. It was the last picture taken of her family with Ruby in it. She wiped away the tear forming in her eye as she traced Ruby's face with her thumb.

"I will find you."

Remembering what she planned to do when she pulled out her scroll, she quickly typed in Ozpin's number. It rang twice before the call was answered.

"Missus Rose, to what do I owe the honor?"

"Hey Oz, just calling to make sure my lovely daughter hasn't destroyed anything yet."

"Ah, yes, Yang. As far as I know she has behaved herself."

"That's good to hear."

Summer sighed softly, she wanted to ask Oz if he had found anything about Ruby, but she couldn't.

"You want to ask if I have any news on Ruby, don't you?"

"Mind reader as always Oz."

"Yes, well, I've known you for so many years that you hardly need to ask."

"So?"

"I wish I could tell you that I found her, safe, sound, and ready to come home."

"But you can't."

"I'm so sorry, Summer."

"No, thank you for even trying."

….

Rose woke up before dawn as she always did.

Waking up in a room at Beacon still felt odd to her. Some part of her expected Glynda to be standing over her, readying to use her riding crop. No, it wasn't actually Glynda, it was Hannya she was expecting.

She shook the thoughts away. A quick inspection revealed Glynda laying in bed with a book in hand. Rose smiled softly before retrieving her firearm of choice for the initiation that day. The weapon was the SVD Dragunov that she had spent hundreds of hours learning to use in the last six months. She held the weapon in her hands with reverence and admiration.

"Today, I destroy grimm and protect my fellow huntsmen in training."

Rose nodded at the rifle before gingerly placing it back on the workbench and looked over the rest of her equipment for initiation. A dozen assorted dust kunai, two flashbangs, two concussive grenades, and of course, Guilty Rose. After a solemn nod, she set off to get dressed in her normal attire, plus her new cloak. The faunus took a moment to admire the cloak again. Glynda stirred behind her, bring Rose out of her thoughts.

"Is it time to wake up already?"

Glynda's words came out in a sleepy slur, making Rose smile again.

"Yes, Glynda, it's time."

Rose genuinely enjoyed Glynda's company. Then she realized this would be the last morning she would share with her. The thought made her frown and her hand rose to her neck.

"You don't deserve-"

"Rose, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nervous, I guess."

"Don't worry, you'll do just fine."

Rose only responded with a weak smile and nod.

….

Yang and Weiss were currently standing and talking to Pyrrha fucking Nikos. Yang had to do her best not to go full fangirl on her, while Weiss talked to her casually. They were talking about the possibility of being partners or on the same team. But as the conversation went on, Yang could see the strain on Pyrrha's face, and suddenly the problem clicked.

"She doesn't like this, her name being thrown around."

"Hey snow angel, I hear your looking for a team, maybe we could be on the same team."

Yang looked at Weiss, amused with the nickname, but irked by who had just arrived.

"You really don't know how to take a hint. I am Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company. What makes you think you can just ask me to be on your team, let alone your ill conceived attempts at flirting with me."

Yang would have considered Weiss to be more arrogant than she was when she said that, except she saw how much the guy had bothered her the day before. But as Yang watched the man devolve into sputtering, she felt like someone was glaring in her direction. A quick scan of the room rewarded her with eye contact with the raven-haired girl with a bow from the ceremony. The girl only held her gaze for a moment before turning away. It didn't sit well with her, but she'd let the girl make the first move. Suddenly, mechanical noises and a spear flying past her brought Yang back to the conversation before her.

"I'm sorry!"

"Thank you Pyrrha, he won't leave me alone."

Yang shook her head and sighed.

"Would all first years gather at the cliffs for initiation."

"Well, time to get this show on the road."

Weiss and Yang walked out together. Yang was actually surprised by how much her and Weiss got along, especially with the whole Weiss being heiress. But she was happy to consider Weiss a friend. The girls made their way to the cliffs as instructed, only stopping when a familiar green cloak came into view. Yang looked at Weiss with a devious smile, but got a confused and slightly unamused look in return. The heiress looked to the cloaked figure and back to her friend before her expression darkened.

"I would advise against any plan to startle her, she...doesn't react well to being startled."

"Oh, it'll be fine. A little scare may do her some good."

Before Weiss could stop her, Yang stalked after Rose. The girl made no movements to show she noticed Yang. Finally close enough, Yang lunged forward to wrap Rose up in a bear hug. But the girl vanished from Yang's view and she was continuing to fall to the ground. Upon impact with the ground, Yang felt a rifle barrel be pressed to her skull. She was worried for her safety a moment, until she heard the girl back away and begin hyperventilating.

"Yang!"

Weiss ran to the aid of the blonde. She helped the girl back to her feet and dusted her off. Yang didn't really respond to her though, she was staring at Rose with nothing but concern. Weiss looked over at Rose, not sure what she was expecting to see. She found the girl gripping her rifle like she was strangling it. After a moment, Rose relaxed and continued walking to the cliffs.

"That's why I told you not to do it."

Weiss' voice wasn't harsh, but there was a tint of pained concern in it. Yang solemnly nodded.

"Yeah."

….

Rose stood on the launch pad with her rifle slung on her back, looking out over the Emerald Forest. But at the same time, she wasn't. She was on a building ledge in Atlas, watching for her target. She could hear Ozpin explaining the initiation, partners are determined by first eye contact and the objective is to retrieve a relic. But she also heard Hannya's shrill voice, pointing out the target. Rose clutched at her neck and rooted herself in the moment. The last few days had made something clear to her. She may have physically left the Oni Tribe, but some part of her remained locked in one of their cages.

"Focus Rose."

Shunk!

Rose looked to her side to see the pads launching the other initiates, and so braced herself for the inevitable. Soon the platform under her vibrated for a moment.

Shunk!

Rose was flying through the air, her cloak bellowing behind her. Strangely, the whole experience served to liberate her from her dark thoughts. She let herself get lost in the feeling until gravity had took hold of her again. She loosened her left kama, preparing to make as smooth a landing as possible. As she passed through the forest canopy, Rose hooked the kama on a thick branch. She looped around the branch, releasing so she shoot straight up, and then gracefully landed back on the branch.

"So far so good."

CAW!

Rose jumped when a black bird landed next o her and squawked at her. She shooed the bird away after regaining composure. After a short sigh, she shouldered her rifle and peered through the scope for any grimm or other initiates.

"Partners are determined by eye contact, at least I have some control on who it is then."

Some movement caught her eye, a lone boarbatusk. Rose scanned the area again to confirm nothing else was around.

"Make it as painless as possible."

The silent mantra was followed by a gunshot. The boarbatusk didn't even get a chance to squeal as the bullet pierced its skull. Rose knew the sound of her rifle would attract more grim, so she slung her rifle and stealthily moved north through the canopy. She stopped every now and to scan for grimm and initiates.

….

Glynda stood next to Ozpin, watching the footage from the surveillance cameras. Besides Jaune Arc, all the students appeared to show potential. She dutifully made notes while Ozpin just sipped his coffee and stared out towards the horizon.

"You've been awfully quiet, Glynda."

Glynda let a low growl pass her lips.

"I don't feel the need to commentate."

"That's her way of saying 'you're going to ignore what I say regardless'."

Both professors turned to see the fall maiden carefully making her way towards them, relying on a crutch.

"Amber! What are you doing?"

"I'm fine Glyn, I just wanted to check on our little Rose."

Glynda gave the tanned girl an annoyed huff before looking back at the tablet.

"I think she's killed six grimm, besides that, I have nothing."

Both adults turned to Glynda with surprise written on their faces.

"would you care to elaborate Glynda."

"The only evidence I have that she is participating in the initiation is watching her get launched into the forest and the occasional, scratch that, regular glimpse of something green."

Glynda's had a look admiration on her face as she watched another glimpse of green fabric appear on the footage. Then she remembered the scars from those who 'trained' her and frowned.

….

Rose perched herself on another branch and checked for movement. Soon, she found some, a small pack of beowolves and Weiss. Weiss was allowing the beowolves to surround her while she began taking up a stance.

"Her stance isn't bad, but she's lost any advantage she did have."

Rose watched the ensuing combat. Weiss dispatched the first beowolf easily, then two flanked her. Weiss blocked one with a black glyph and pierced the other's chest.

"She's good."

Rose watched the melee for another moment, about to move on. Then the last grimm threw Weiss off balance. The white haired girl stumbled back and her heel got caught in a root. Rose saw the girl unceremoniously drop to the ground.

"SHIT!"

Rose leveled her rifle and squeezed off a shot. The bullet met its target with perfect precision and splattered the contents of its skull on the tree behind Weiss. The beast slumped over, but Rose knew Weiss wasn't out of danger yet. With a sigh, she dropped from her perch and made her way to the heiress.

"Who-wha- oh, Rose, I assume that was you who shot the beowolf. Well, thank you, but I had it under control."

Ruby ignored Weiss vain attempt to maintain her pride and checked on the heiress' foot. Rose sighed, Weiss' ankle was definitely sprained, not badly, but enough to delay them.

"It's fine, I assure you."

"It's not fine, Weiss, I'll Ice it it for you while you channel aura to it."

Rose's voice didn't carry any authority in it, and Weiss appeared to prepare some form of argument but didn't voice it.

"Okay."

Rose pulled out an Ice dust kunai and began slowly activating the dust, so that rather than create a large block she created an icicle. After she was satisfied with the length, she broke the icicle off. Rose then carefully removed Weiss' shoe, forcing the girl to take several sharp breaths. The white haired girl's pained expression switched to relief when Rose began gently rubbing her ankle with the icicle. Weiss' aura began its work healing the sprain.

"This should be good enough until your aura finishes healing."

Weiss nodded not sure what else to do. She watched Rose turn around and level her rifle. Weiss looked at her ankle to help focus her aura. As she focused her aura, She noticed something now that Rose's cloak had been swept to the side. Rose had a wolf's tail. It utterly shocked Weiss. She knew Rose probably had nothing to do with the White Fang, but the images of executions and her father's less than pleasant homecomings afterwards. She grit her teeth at the memories and allowed some venom to seep into her voice.

"You're a faunus?"

Rose stiffened at the icy voice. Rose knew firsthand how cruel some humans could be to faunus. She had the scars to prove it as well.

"Is that a p-problem Weiss?"

Weiss watched the newly discovered faunus turn around slowly. Then she was struck by the biggest, most pathetic, silver eyes imaginable.

"Mother of all fucking kicked puppies"

"No, just...uh, didn't notice yesterday."

Rose didn't look convinced, which only made her expression that much more effective. Weiss was in no small part terrified by this.

"Okay, me and my family don't have the best history with faunus, especially the White Fang."

Weiss watched as the organization's name made Rose shrink even further in fear. Weiss could hardly take anymore of this. Weiss sighed dramatically.

"Rose, I don't have any problems with you being a faunus, I promise."

Rose fidgeted for a moment, but soon she steeled herself and nodded.

"When you're ankle is healed, we can continue."

A/N: yay for big chapters.

Now for those notes.

Yes, the first part of the chapter was to give insight on what has happened between Summer and Tai. As well as show who Yang is siding with on the matter, I hope it's obvious enough.

Summer's semblance, Rose thorn, is a tracking semblance. She can place a 'thorn' on anyone or anything and be aware of its exact location and condition while it is within a mile of her. Outside of that range or after a time, the 'thorn' begins fading away and gives almost no information to Summer. The thorn's range and duration are also affected by Summer and the target's emotions. However, the thorn still fades away eventually. This took some work to come up with and define, but I'm satisfied with it. As you can probably tell, this is how Summer knows Ruby is alive, however, that is all she can tell. I amended it so it's not as rule breaking, but still rule breaking enough to justify Tai's and the others' eventual loss of hope and disbelief in Summer's semblance.

Next, Yang and Weiss friends?! Yes, they are. Why? Because Weiss and Ruby/Rose didn't have a fight, and by extension, neither did Weiss and Yang. Thus, they actually got to know each other and skip straight to the friends part in their relationship.

Finally for the last part. Rose is just too adorable for Weiss to actually hold any kind of negative feelings for at the moment. Yes that's a bit lame, but who could resist the queen of kicked puppies?

Well that's all for the public explanations, I look forward to your reviews.

Again, I take every review seriously, so please keep them coming.

Thank you for reading!

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