A Black Streak of Luck
I don't own any characters except Oc's: All other characters go to their proper owners
"It isn't fair…" Ruby moaned in frustration, as she looked out her window longingly. The memory of the "Talk" daddy had with her still in her head.
Flashback to the Previous day
"Ruby, I am very disappointed in you. You know you're not supposed to run off to the deep woods! You could have gotten yourself killed!" Tai yelled, towering over Ruby as Yang patched her up.
"I beat the grimm though. I'm fine now. Ow. Yang watch it." Ruby said, wincing at Yang applying medical alcohol on the wound.
"Ruby, how many times do I tell you to listen to your sister? She and I have a hard enough time without you running off and getting yourself into trouble. If we lost you, then gods know what would happen then." Tai said, a mix of panic, frustration and sorrow all mixing and showing at various points in his words. Even Ruby could tell her dad had a hard time keeping it together right now.
"You really should listen to dad, Ruby." Yang said as she began to bandage her sister's head.
"I'm a big girl that can take care of herself. Besides, I just got my aura and semblance…" Ruby said before Tai cut her off.
"You're only four, Ruby! I don't care if you just got your semblance and aura. Running off into the deep woods at your age one some 'grand adventure' is dangerous and reckless! I am not going to lose you Ruby! Not like Summer…" Tai's voice trailed off at the mention of his wife, and sadness and grief replaced worry and anger across his tired and work hardened face.
"Dad, are you okay…?" Ruby asked, which snapped Tai out of it.
"I'm fine Ruby. From now on you're not going off into the woods without supervision. Yang, make sure Ruby is patched up well and send her to her room. Ruby, you're not allowed out till dinner. I need to call work and try to negotiate a new schedule. Clearly, I need to be around here more often." Tai said sternly before turning around to go to the home scroll.
"But daddy…" Ruby tried to say, before Tai turned on his heels to face her.
"NO BUTS! Am I clear Ruby!?" Tai roared, leaving Ruby stunned by this coming out of her dad.
"Yes daddy." Ruby said meekly, trembling so much Yang swore she was going to tremble off her lap like melting butter.
"Good." Tai said before heading off into the kitchen
End of Flashback
Ruby sat stewing in an aura of confliction. On the one hand, she did feel bad for worrying her sister and father like that. On the other hand, the idea of not being able to go and explore on her own terms is the ultimate downer. Especially as she wanted to go and explore that tomb in more detail. Now, any attempt at that would be vetoed. Dejected, Ruby turned to look away from the window, and on the ground in front of her was the black cat.
"Meow." The cat let out, sitting on the floor in front of her expectantly
"How did you get in here, little guy? Like it matters. I can't go outside anyways. Come here." Ruby said, putting her hand out, and the cat walked up so she could pet it.
"Well at least I have some company now. They didn't even let me explain myself." Ruby grumbled.
"Everyone is narrow minded in their own way." A thick accented voice said from under her.
"Who's there?" Ruby asked, looking all around.
"Down here. And if you could, please scratch a bit to the right under the jawline." The accented voice answered, again coming from under her.
Ruby looked down to see the cat looking up at her, expecting her to continue scratching. The silver eyed girl rubbed her eyes before looking at the cat again. No… it couldn't be.
"You going to keep going lass? Cause you're really good at scratching me there." Came from the mouth of the cat, this time unmistakable.
"You can talk? How can you talk? Why can you talk? I have so many questions!" Ruby yelled in a panic.
"Well, don't talk your head off about it. I got very sensitive ears." The cat answered.
"So, are you an actual cat?" Ruby asked.
"Cat spirit actually. My name is Nja. And you, I believe, are Ruby Rose." The cat answered politely.
"How do you know my name?" Ruby asked.
"When your da screams it at the top of his lungs, even the dead can hear it." Nja answered curtly.
"Wait, are you dead?" Ruby asked, confused.
"Why does everyone ask me that? I'm a spirit, not a ghost. Those are two very different things. And, even if I was a ghost, why would I be haunting this island?" Nja asked in a very annoyed tone.
"Cats don't like water." Ruby answered innocently.
"It's always the simple types that see us spirits first." Nja sighed, shaking its head.
Soon, however, the sound of a knock on the door reverberated like a thunderclap through the room. Ruby nearly jumped out of her skin in shock. However, when she heard her sister's voice, she really started to panic.
"Ruby? What's going on in there? Who are you talking to?" Yang's voice rang out from behind the door.
"Blimey, it's the queen. Quick, cover your little behind before she thinks you've gone mad." Nja said.
"It's just that new video game dad got me for my birthday, Yang! Nothing else is going on!" Ruby yelled, trying to hide her discomfort and nervousness. The attempt however was questionable at best.
"Okay. Just try to keep it down, alright little sis?" Yang called out.
"O-Of course Yang! S-see you at dinner!" Ruby nervously answered, and the sound of her sister's footfalls trailed off, mercifully having left.
"Well, that was a close one with old blondie there. She has ears on the back of her head." Nja complained.
"Hey, she's my sister. Be nice." Ruby snapped at the cat spirit.
"Sorry milady. Have a history with blondes that is less than positive and not for the ears of children." Nja answered with an air of tension.
Ruby turned to fully look at the cat spirit. The way it sat, looked up at her and fidgeted about, it was either hiding something, or not telling her something. She then stepped forward, towering over the spirit.
"There's something you're not telling me about you and why I can see you." Ruby said simply.
"Mostly because you didn't ask before now. Can't blame me for that." Nja answered, swaying its tail a bit.
"Well then, out with it." Ruby said as sternly as she could.
"There's a simple way on how you can keep exploring. Sneak out at night." Nja said simply.
"I can't do that. If I get caught then I'm going to be in big trouble. Dad might even spank me." Ruby said fearfully.
"I do understand that's a risk, but I know a few spirits that operate at night that can help out. I am a black cat after all. I prefer it a bit dark around me personally." Nja said, if words could paint a face, he'd have a knowing smile.
Ruby stood there deep in thought. It was an enticing offer. She really, really, really wanted to go look at that tomb again and explore it. However, the instinctive fear of displeasing her father even more was a daunting threat to overcome. She just got yelled at, and really did not want anymore. She looked into the cat spirits eyes, trying to figure out if he's having her on or being truthful. After what appeared to feel like forever, finally Ruby spoke.
"Are you sure your fellow spirits can prevent me from not getting in trouble?" Ruby asked.
"I wouldn't be offering if I was wrong. Last thing I need is to witness a kid getting eaten by a grimm." The cat answered.
"Then we have a deal." Ruby answered.
