Ruby's climb back continues! This is a long one btw

Ruby brushed her teeth, took another shower, but did not eat anything. She had cleaned out the cupboards, fridge, and freezer earlier in the week. She needed to get something in her stomach before she collapsed. She was currently nursing an energy drink that remained fresh after all this time as she sat on the chair by her computer desk. She was already dressed in going out clothes but didn't know what colors she had picked out. The colors threatening to breakthrough her dull gray vision annoyed her. Tinges of red coated the out layer of her vision. She was probably dressed up in some ugly combo of colors, but she couldn't care now. She was too hungry too, but before she grabbed some food to eat, she decided to visit her tech shop in Patch's expanding downtown area. Ruby felt her legs grow weary at the thought of walking for a while, but she needed to do this. She had to take control of her life back. If purpose wouldn't call out to her, she would just go on living anyway. It was all she could do. Ruby downed the rest of her energy drink, then made her way to the door. She grabbed her keys, and swiftly opened the door, exiting while turning around to lock it. She couldn't afford to sit around and think. The world was not what it once was to her. With an upward flip of her hood to cover her messy hair, she began the journey to her shop.

A few minutes later, Nora approached Ruby's home. Ren had taken up all her responsibilities at the orphanage today, and she beelined for Ruby's home. She hadn't visited since the middle of summer and felt terrible about it. The kids at the orphanage demanded so much of her time, and she couldn't make any to see Ruby. Hopefully the woman was still alive. All Nora had was hope. She couldn't imagine being the one to break the news to their entire friend circle that Ruby died merely months after everyone had left to pursue their dreams. The guilt that everyone would feel was too much for her to even think about. Before she realized it, she was at Ruby's doorstep. Digging the spare key out of her pocket, she entered to a sight she couldn't believe. She always made sure to clean up after Ruby in the few months before she stopped visiting, but the house was now truly spotless. Nora was amazed. Did this mean what she thought it meant? Was Ruby okay? The ginger locked the door behind her, and rushed up the stairs to Ruby's room where she met… nobody? Where was Ruby? Nora's mind began to race, and she did the only thing that came to mind. She swiftly exited the home and made a break for the orphanage.

"REN!"

Ruby found walking to be a little difficult, but as she focused it became a little easier. Nobody could recognize her as she passed them by. Familiar faces, but they likely couldn't tell it was Ruby as her hoodie was over her head, partially covering her face, and her get up was probably so not-Ruby that people couldn't pick her out of a crowd. She rounded the corner to see it. The location of her tech shop was… untouched.

'Hmm, strange' She thought absent mindedly as she crossed the street. The shop looked like nobody even dared to touch it. That must've been it. Not many seemed to care where Ruby went considering a large portion of her friends up and left and never made any attempt to even call her. She could've died in any number of horrible ways, and they would've been none the wiser.

She shook her head at the negative thoughts. She had people who still cared, even if she hadn't seen Nora, Ren, or Qrow in a while. She picked out the store key on her key ring and opened the door. She entered slowly. Ruby couldn't believe what she was looking at. The store was clean. The shelves organized by computer parts, and in alphabetical order? Who the hell was running her shop while she was gone? She entered the back area passed the counter where the storage room was. She turned on the light and gasped. A healthy stock of the latest parts and equipment neatly stacked and organized. That feeling in her temples came roaring in. Someone actually kept the shop alive while she was gone. She was close to crying when a voice came up behind her.

"I told you I wasn't giving up on you." The husky voice said. Pride obviously laced in his tone.

Before Qrow knew it, he was caught in a rib crushing hug by Ruby, who buried her face in his chest and cried.

"Aw come on, I just got this dried."

Ruby weakly laughed through the sobs. Once she stopped, she pulled away, blowing her nose into a tissue offered by her uncle and discarding it in a nearby trash can. Ruby didn't know what to say. She wanted to say a lot, but Qrow stopped her.

"Look, I know we didn't have the best of times for a lot of this year, but you're family. I'm sorry I wasn't there more often to help you through the bad times, kid."

"I said some terrible things to you…"

"What you were going through changes people. I know you're not at one hundred percent now, or that you'll ever be, but I refuse to let you go back to where you were last time I saw you."

Ruby was going to say more, but the two relatives heard the bell chime of the front door, alerting them that a customer had arrived. Ruby shifted past her uncle and made her way to the counter. She noticed four people. A hooded figure slowly approaching from the outside, setting their back against the window outside the shop. The three people inside the store were two women and one man. The first woman was taller than Ruby herself, almost at the man's height. Her skin was a slightly dark shade of gray, the man next to her she guessed was pale as his shade of gray was much lighter than the tall woman next to him. There was another woman to the tall one's left. Her shade of gray was much darker than the man's. Ruby's immediately thought she looked pretty. If only she could see color, damn it.

"Oh, I wasn't expecting a cute lady to be running this shop." The short woman said out loud as she looked at Ruby, who's demeanor became bashful much to the joy of the girl in front of her.

"Calm down Emerald, we are here on business." The tall woman softly scolded her. Ruby notes how smooth her voice is.

"Yeah, Em," The young man mocked the girl on the other side. "Keep it in your pants-OW!" He had received a proper smack to the back of his head by the tall woman who never lost her composure. She simply looked at Ruby and got to the point.

"We are in need of a high-power computer. I'm not a, what you call, gamer, like many people are around the world are these days. I'm more into high end multi-tasking."

"O-oh you want a workstation PC?"

"Correct."

"I can hook you up with that easily. Do you want me to build it here or come over and do it at your house?"

"Is it really that simple?" Emerald asked.

"Yeah, building computers is my thing. I can either have it shipped to you, made and bought in store, or come over with a list of parts you've provided and just help you build it if you want."

"Oh? You can come over to my house now, can you?" Emerald teased.

"Uh…I-I um…"

The tall woman laughed at Ruby's embarrassment. "Isn't she just adorable?"

"And hot!"

Ruby buried her face in her hand. This Emerald girl was bold. She was reminded of how she used to be herself.

"Now, now Emerald, you can flirt with her all you want, after she builds us this computer."

Emerald rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"Uh s-so the price for building a computer in store and buying it in store is $400. Building it at your location is $500, and building it here, then shipping it is $600."

"We shall require your assistance at our home, if you don't mind that is."

"Not at all! Do you have a list of parts you would like for me to bring?"

"Unnecessary. You seem like a capable young woman. Surprise us." The tall woman winked at her before turning around and walking away.

"Hold on, I-I need your name, please?"

The woman simply turned her head to regard Ruby. "Cinder Fall. We live in the black mansion on the edge of town."

"Ah, okay. Got it."

The door chime sounded again as the three people left, but Emerald quickly turned around, giving Ruby a piece of paper with some stuff written on it.

"My number," She paused to smile. "Also, our address to make it easier for you."

"Thanks…" Ruby said softly.

Emerald's smile grew slightly. "I hope your pain ends soon."

"Huh?"

"You look like you've been crying. I hate seeing beautiful women cry. Maybe we can help you?" Emerald took Ruby's hand and placed a kiss on the back of it before winking at her, and slowly exiting the store. As Ruby watches Emerald walk away, she sees… green hair against brown skin. Emerald turns around one last time to see if Ruby was watching her walk away. Ruby catches the sight of piercing red eyes before Emerald exits her vision. Yeah, she was truly a beautiful woman alright. Ruby looks around the store from her place behind the counter. Her eyes widen. Dull, but distinct colors fill her vision as she can now make out most of the various objects around her that aren't labeled.

Qrow enters from the back room.

"So, how was it?" Ruby didn't even hear what he said. She could see his black hair with its various grey strands. His faded red eyes, the grey dress shirt and black pants he wore, and his pale skin.

"Ruby?"

"I can see you now."

Qrow gave her a quick questioning look before his facial expressed changed to one of understanding. He felt his eyes sting him just a little bit. He breathed in and out slowly.

"Come on. Let's get you something to eat and clean up that mop of hair on your head.

"I'm so happy to see you again, Ruby!" Velvet exclaimed as she continued to work on Ruby's hair.

Ruby chuckled. "Velv, you said that like, four times since I've been here."

"I know, I know, I'm sorry! I haven't heard much from you since January. Ren and Nora said you've been alright, but I was worried."

Ruby was eternally gratefully to Ren and Nora for keeping her condition under wraps.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Things have been rough for me since everyone just kinda up and left."

"Ren, and Nora are still around. Plus, you've still got me, and Coco too!"

"What happened to Yatsu, and Fox?"

"You know how boys are. Felt the call for adventure in their souls. They went off, seeking to help any Faunus communities in need of aid. Yatsu especially wanted to since he's from a prejudiced background. Wanted to show how much he's grown out of that nonsense."

"Good for him. Both of them."

"Mhmm!"

The two fell silent as velvet was nearing the end of styling Ruby's hair. Ruby mulling over the new information. It seemed like everyone was finding some sort of calling. No matter how big or small. Purpose called to everyone but disregarded her. How cruel.

"Hey, Velvet?" Ruby asked to which, the rabbit Faunus was all ears.

"How did you know what your purpose was?"

"My purpose?"

"I've been…struggling to find mine. Everyone else seemed to have gotten a higher calling one after the other, and I'm just here. Aimless. I feel like I've become a failure."

"Oh, Ruby," Velvet wrapped the young woman in a hug from behind. "I'm not going to lie to you. Life has a weird way of panning out. Some people may never find what they were called to do. Life is just like that but that doesn't mean that it's going to happen to you. We are still young! We have all the time in the world. Some just figure it out faster than others. I suppose I knew what my purpose was when I met Coco. I couldn't tell at the time, but her and I were going to do a lot of good things together. Now Coco is running a small cosmetology/fashion school, and I'm here styling people's hair, teaching the new people how to properly cut and style people's hair no matter the texture, length, all that! We're giving people options to do something that's fun, takes some serious skill to do and makes some serious money too!" She giggled at that last part, and Ruby smiled as she gave herself a once over in the mirror. Velvet gave her a windswept wavy bob haircut that was a little longer than usual. He hair reaching about two inches past her shoulders. She liked it a lot, as evident by the smile on her face.

"Thanks, Velvet. It looks great."

"You look great."

"Don't let Coco hear you say that." The two shared a laugh. Ruby then paid the Faunus handsomely and waved as she left the beauty salon. Qrow was waiting for her near his car.

"There she is." He greeted.

"Hey, uncle Qrow? I'm gonna talk a walk. See ya later?"

"Sure, take your time." He pulled Ruby in for a hug she gladly accepted. The two shared goodbyes as Ruby began to walk to the orphanage. She decided to stop by her house before doing that. Now that she could see some color again, she could probably pick out a better outfit that a green sweater, and beige cargo pants. The outfit reminded her of that one game she used to play a lot. The one where you're in this place called San Andreas, representing a street gang called Grove Street Family? Was she remembering that correctly?

"I'm telling you, Ren, I think she's somewhere around town!"

"Nora, we don't have time to chase Ruby around. We have kids to-ANYA! Put down that hammer!"

Ren quickly moved towards a small girl, no older than six, and lifted her in his arms before taking the hammer away with ease.

"Don't run around the house with this, okay? You could hurt someone!"

"I'm sorry." The little girl sad sadly.

Ren ruffled her hair as her left her down to the floor. Go play with big sister Yor, okay?"

"Okay!" The little girl exclaimed before she ran off.

"you'd make such a great father." Nora swooned. Ren's face went red as his left eye twitched.

"We will talk about this later. As I said before, we don't have time to look for Ruby. She could be anywhere, and we don't know where that is. I don't really want to see her anyway."

"Come one, Ren, don't be like that," Nora whined. "Ruby's been our friend since we were kids! You two should work things out. I know you feel bad for all those arguments with her."

Ren's posture became sunken as he looked to the ground. Memories of those fights ran through his mind at light speed.

"I do, but… I don't know what to say to her."

"Then at least be there for her… and me?"

The two shared a loving look. Ren gave her forehead a kiss and she hugged him tightly.

Ruby was now rocking a red double-breasted coat with a black belt around her midsection. Underneath she wore a long-sleeved black turtleneck, and slightly baggy black jeans with red and black boots. Her mother would wear something similar to this outfit whenever she came home with her father. Ruby hadn't seen them since a few months after graduation, but they kept in touch regularly. Guilt struck her as she realized she left then high and dry for months, but Qrow probably had her covered.

She walked up to the entrance of the orphanage Ren, and Nora ran. She knocked on the door and was greeted by a teenage boy with tanned skin, and a small afro. She was going to ask if Ren and Nora were home, but the boy beat her to saying something. His eyes lighting up as he seemed to recognize her.

"Are you Aunt Ruby?"

"Aunt who now?"

"Hey guys, come check this out! Aunt Ruby is back!"

"Wha-"

What Ruby could only describe as a small army of kids and teenagers she guessed were between the ages of four and sixteen came rushing at her. In reality, it was only about 20 kids.

"AUNT RUBY!" They all exclaimed at once as they surrounded the poor woman and showered her with questions she couldn't even begin to answer.

Ruby's head was spinning as Nora and Ren rushed out to see her. The kids screaming Ruby's name caused the two to make a mad dash for the door. They arrived to see the sight of kids now arguing over which stories they wanted to hear. All as a dazed Ruby Rose was dragged back and forth between the split sides.

"Help me~"

"So… Aunt Ruby, huh?" The woman in question asked with an annoyed tone. Nora found this very amusing. Seeing Ruby express an emotion different from unbridled rage or deep sadness was welcoming.

"If it makes you feel any better, we told them stories from your time in high school. We made nothing up!"

"I specifically remember one of the older ones asking me if it was true that I slayed a dragon to protect the town?"

"You know how kids are." Nora waved off dismissively with a fake laugh that told Ruby everything she needed to know.

She tried to look Ren in the eyes, but the man did not even try to look at her. He kept his head angled towards the ground.

"Ren. We have to talk."

All she heard was her friend sigh. He sat back in his chair, finally looking into stern silver eyes.

"I'm sorry." The two said at the same time.

"You first." Ruby offered.

Ren stay silent for a moment before speaking.

"I'm not really good at this."

"Neither am I." Ruby interjected.

Ren began to think. When he felt like he had the words to say, he spoke.

"The only thing I can say is that I'm sorry for failing you. I just couldn't stand seeing you be that way. So dull, no pep in your step, or a care in the world. It felt like you left just like you thought everyone else did. Only difference was everybody else had a plan. It was like you disappeared into the forest. I'm not sure what I can say to help you, but I realize that constantly antagonizing you was not the right thing to do. I should've been more patient and caring with you."

Ruby, and Ren stared at each other for ages. Nora kept herself silent.

"I'm sorry for not letting you in." Ruby said.

Ren could feel the urge to shed tears build up but kept himself composed. Nora's soothing strokes along his back kept him in the moment.

"Do not apologize for falling to the wayside. The negative emotions you've been trapped with will break anyone's spirit. What matters is taking things a day at a time. We'll be there for you. I 'll be there for you this time, I swear it!"

Through Ruby's soft expression she was smiling.

"You never gave up on me anyways."

Nora, and Ren both looked at her. They couldn't understand what she meant by that.

"If I thought you did, I would not be here." She did not have to say more. Now trapped by two people that her in a large, bone crushing, hug as if their own lives depended on it. As Ruby awkwardly tried to hug them back, she felt a wave of relief wash over her. She did not expect Ren and Nora to forgive her for becoming such a burden to them for most of the year. She had finally accepted that she was being a horrible person for blaming everyone for having their own lives. The couple hugging her made her think. Maybe everyone didn't give up one her. Maybe she hadn't completely wasted her life. Maybe they all really did still care. That little piece of hope made Ruby feel like she was engulfed in fire. She shuts her eyes, allowing the sensation to completely take over as she tightened her grip around her friends, who by this point were crying messes wrapped around her body. Ruby opens her eyes to look outside the window. Her eyes widened. Earlier in the day she had only briefly looked towards the sky, deciding that it was simply a cloudy day. She was wrong.

The sky was blue.

Chapter 3 is complete!

First things first, I wanna take Lady Serenity Belladonna for her review in particular. I wasn't sure how people would take to the pace at which I want to tell this story, and how I wanted to tell it. Like she said, I'm aiming for a balance, and I'm happy that people are enjoying what I'm putting out.

Ruby's climb back is making some nice progress. I originally thought this arc was gonna be about four chapters, but it's gonna be five. Next time will see Ruby visit Cinder's mansion. Some really interesting developments are going to be happening next chapter that I think you'll like. Lemme know how you felt about this chapter and story so far. If it feels slow, I get it, but It's gonna get spicy real soon don't you worry!