Long overdue hope you enjoy.
The air was filled with the stench of black blood as another Beowulf was killed. An entire pack lie on the ground as their blood saturated the earth beneath them. The evening sunlight glinted off of a steel blade as the user stood upright. Silver eyes scanning their surroundings making sure that was the last of the enemy.
Sighing to herself Ruby packed up Crescent Rose and placed it on her back, as per usual after clearing out Grimm. She pulled out her scroll and sent in the message to notify the board that the mission was complete. With nothing more to do she walked back towards the village, that is before she felt a small throbbing pain above her right eye; she had to rub it to sooth the pain. She also made a mental note to take some medicine when she reached the inn she was staying at.
Slipping her scroll back into her pocket the young huntress wrapped herself in her cloak. A cold breeze blew through the valley she was in. While it may be near the middle of summer the low lying valleys can become cooler at night. She felt shivers go down her spine, prompting her to quicken her pace.
The dim lights of the street lamps were soon visible on the horizon as Ruby neared the small village. Her body finally started to feel the effects of the fatigue setting in. Her eyes began to droop as she neared the inn. Using what little energy she had left she pushed open the heavy wooden door. The main hall was empty, save for a few patrons sitting at the bar having one last drink for the night.
Making her way up the stairs to her room the pain in her head returned yet again, this time though it caused her to stumble as she held her forehead in silent agony. Wincing, she quickly opened the bedroom door and trudged her way to the bed, reaching into the bag she always brought on missions and grabbed some pain pills. She popped two onto her tongue then made herself a glass of water to swallow them. Soon afterwards she flopped down on the bed, letting out a soft grunt as she felt relief flood through her body.
She pulled out her scroll and checked to see if there were any missed messages from Yang. Seeing none pop up she was about to close it when an alert went off on her phone; a Huntsman or Huntress has gone down in an area not too far from where she left Yang. A pit began to form in her stomach as she went to her sisters contact, typing out a quick message and was about to hit send when she stopped. Ruby knew her sister better than anyone else, and she knew that Yang has learned not to take on a challenge she knows she can't win by herself.
Resting her arm on her head her eyes slowly closed. Soft snores escaped from her as she fell asleep. For the past few years sleep never came easy anymore, she would always have to over exert herself to the point her body forced her to get rest; unfortunately, nightmares usually followed not long after she closed her eyes—memories from years ago would resurface and bring back the pain from those days as well.
There was a dark part of her mind that she always tried to mentally avoid while she slept, a part of her about a moment in her life that left her scarred, scared, and remiss. Try as she might, she couldn't escape the fall into the black void as she watched memory after memory pass her by. She came to a sudden stop, however, and when she opened her eyes she was back at Beacon Academy.
The school stood tall as she walked up the front courtyard. She could hear students laughing and having a good time with friends. The thing is, however, she saw no one around her. The voices seemed like ghosts stuck in time unable to continue on.
She blinked and soon found herself outside of her old dorm building. The structure looked just like it did the day she came to Beacon. The white walls reflecting the sun making it appear to shine brighter than what it actually was. Opening the doors she entered the building and felt her heart skip a beat. Standing in the foyer was her old partner and teammate, Weiss Schnee. Reaching out she prayed this wasn't a dream as she made to hug her. Her hands passed right through her as Weiss turned to look towards the staircase.
Thundering down the stairs was none other than...herself? Ruby watched as her younger self jumped on Weiss and gave her the Rose version of the Xiao Long bear hug. Weiss of course had nothing of it and quickly shoved her off, but Ruby couldn't help but notice the small smile that quickly formed before disappearing.
A rush of wind formed behind the huntress as she the site of Beacon flew by her. Covering her face she braced herself for what was to come. Feeling herself come to a stop she cracked open her eyes. Looking around at the wooden wall and rows of chairs all pushed in neatly she smiled. A short elderly man made his way into the room setting some papers down on a table in front of a chalkboard. No matter how many years it has been Professor Port seems like he will never change, Ruby thought to herself.
The classroom soon filled with students as they took their seats, at least that's what it sounded like. Ruby watched as chairs moved on their own, each one seemingly sentient. The quiet murmurs filled the air as Ruby made her way around the room. Just as she was about to leave a mass of black hair caught her eye. Turning around silver eyes met amber one more time, a feeling of hatred quickly rose in Ruby as she looked at her ex teammate; someone she swore she'd never forgive after what she did to her sister, Blake Belladonna.
Watching closely, Blake started to walk in her direction. Ruby prepared to keep her at bay when she remembered that she couldn't touch them. Blake continued on her path towards Ruby when she walked right through her. As she did, Ruby felt her breath hitch and her muscles tighten. Spinning around to see where Blake was headed she found herself staring at Yang, her eyes bright and hopeful without a hint of pain and suffering in them.
Still looking at Yang, her eyes drifted down to her sisters mechanical arm- no, rather her real arm. She reached out for her sister's hand, memories of her holding Yang in her arms flooded in as she remembered desperately attempting to stop the bleeding after she found her. She thought she was going to lose her that day. The only sign of her attacker was the broken bloodied blade-sheath of Gambol Shroud next to her.
Anger overtook her and she ended up punching the wall next to her, using her speed to punch more and more, faster and faster until her fit was over with. Breathing heavily she waited for the scene to change, as if on queue she felt the rush of wind again and she was swept out of the room. Keeping her eyes closed she cleared her mind before opening her eyes. When she opened them, what greeted her was the sight of the haphazard bunkbeds her team made to save space.
Yang was laying on her bed while Blake was reading a book in the bed beneath her. Weiss was at the rooms desk studying like she normally would be. Walking over to where her bunk was Ruby peered over the edge. Rubbing her head she desperately tried to remember where she went, why was she being shown this and not what she experienced. The more she forced herself to remember the more she felt the pain come back. She began to groan as her head throbbed in pain.
The pain grew so unforgiving she fell to her knees, desperately grasping her skull and pleading for it to stop, then she said, "Wh-nnngg...why is this happening here?" It was not long before the pain began to subside. She looked around and noticed a haze in her vision. She rubbed her eyes as she believed it was just her imagination, then she opened them again...the haze was still there.
Before she could figure out what was going on she felt another rush of wind behind her. This time though it was more intense as it whisked Ruby away from the dorm room, flying high into the air until she was surrounded by darkness yet again, I just want this to be over.
The feeling of rock and gravel under her soon garnered her attention as she landed on her back. Once she caught her bearings she sat up to look and see where she landed now—she appeared to be in some sort of cave. Where exactly that cave is located was beyond her. This did not look like any place she has been before. As her eyes adjusted to the dark interior of the cave she began to notice other things, near the far wall was what appeared to be some clothes and a blanket with pillow. Was someone actually living here?
Without notice a voice boomed through the cave, "Shut up! You will tell me who the Maiden is!"
What the-...Maidens? They were supposed to be myths. Stories told by the older generations to kids, Ruby slowly got up from the ground and made her way towards the voice.
Rounding a corner deeper inside she saw the faint flicker of torch light. A man in what appeared to be a grimm mask was pacing back and forth in front of a woman. The White Fang? I should get close- stopping mid thought Ruby's eyes became glued on the woman as she became more visible in the torch light.
The woman chained to the wall was around her height with short, black hair with red tips. Mom? was her first thought, no that can't be true, this is just a coincidence. Taking a few more steps forward she got closer to be able to hear them more. Upon walking just close enough she noticed something else; this woman looked like her mom, sounded like her mom, but one thing was off that she knew was not right...this woman had the brightest amber eyes she'd ever seen.
"Alright, Rose, you will tell me, and you will tell me NOW!" the White Fang member yelled as he struck Rose with a metal rod. All she did was laugh and began to mumble something. Ruby watched as the man reared back to hit her again with the metal rod. Rushing over to him Ruby attempted to stop it. The metal rod went right through her hand and landed a blow to the womans ribs.
Cursing herself for forgetting that she can't do anything but watch, Ruby started to take mental notes on the surroundings. She needed to find this place when she woke up, and fast. She walked back to the front and looked outside as far as she could. When trying to walk out of the cave she felt a force push her back into it, she was stuck to only this area for right now. She then scanned the entrance as she looked for any distinguishing marks or features.
Damn, there's nothing here, she cursed to herself as she kicked a rock out of the entrance and watched it land on the ground nearby. A scream filled the air as Ruby wracked her brain to make a plan. Before she could rush back to the woman she felt the wind hit her head on. The force of the hit knocked her backwards into the wall where she felt her head slam against the rock. Opening her mouth in pain she expected a scream to alert the cave, but instead everything remained silent.
Another scream filled the cave as it echoed off the walls. Cracking open her eyes Ruby attempted to make her way over the the light again. Each step felt like a mile as the wind kept knocking her back. Soon though her eyesight began to become hazy as she struggled to maintain consciousness. The back of her head throbbing in pain from the hit. Right as she was about to reach the opening to the inner cave Ruby blacked out.
Sitting up with a jolt Ruby reached for the back of her head. Not feeling any damage she sighed and laid her head back down on her pillow. As she did the fabric underneath her cheek felt wet. Propping herself up she looked down to see the normally white pillow stained red with blood. Getting out of bed Ruby walked to the small bathroom that was offered. Washing the blood off of her face she looked at herself in the mirror. From her looks if she were to have told you she was only twenty one you wouldn't believe her. She ran her fingers over the various scars that covered her body. Each one a reminder of some way, shape, or form that she messed up. She could still hear Weiss' voice scolding her for not taking care of herself properly.
Weiss, the name rolled off her tongue like rancid molasses. Her once so called best partner ever, the one who decided that her title meant more to her than her friends. For months after she left Ruby had begged Yang to go to Atlas with her to try and talk her into coming back. Yang had denied her every time saying that it was best she was gone. That if they couldn't depend on her to stay why would they want her back.
Finishing up in the bathroom Ruby changed her outfit before heading downstairs. Looking to the small bar the inn had attached she felt her stomach grumble. It had been a day or more since she had a good meal. Deciding it best to try and get something in her stomach she walked into the bar. Sitting down at the counter she felt out of place, looking around she eyed the decor. It was a small wooden structure that seemed to have been added on. The decor was that of any settlement outside of the kingdoms safe zones. Taxidermied animal heads hung on the walls as well as old huntsmen equipment.
A short female bartender was at the other end of the counter down from Ruby. She sported a pixie cut hairstyle and an outfit most would call a drifters. A worn out white collared shirt with the sleeves torn off. A leather vest over the top of it with a short duster coat. She had on what looked to be faded black jeans and old brown combat boots as well. Despite her appearance she never failed to greet people with a smile. Silver eyes met a mixed match set as Ruby felt her heart flutter for just a moment. Mentally slapping herself back to reality Ruby managed a small smile herself and waved. 'Ok hopefully she doesn't think I am weird and will just go about her business-..and she is walking over here. Shit.'
"You ever been told staring is impolite?" A low soft spoken voice said to her. The woman leaned against the counter in front of Ruby and smirked. "Now unless my eyes deceive me you must be new in town."
Ruby was only able to let out a small squeak and nodded her head quickly. A light chuckle made its way from the barkeeps lips. Ruby felt the blood rush to her face fast than she would have wished for. She kept losing herself in the girls eyes as she heard her heart pounding in her chest. She was such a hopeless lesbian at this point it hurt her mentally to think about it.
"Well stranger first drink is on the house to pretty girls." She said to her with a wink. "The name is Samantha, or you can call me Sam. I will be at the other end of the bar, just holler if you need something."
With that Sam walked off leaving Ruby to just stare blankly in thought. The rumble of her stomach brought her back to the real world. 'Oh yeah. Food, that's why I came in here.'
Raising her hand a bit in the air she waved it to see if she could get Sam's attention. However the bartender's back was too her so she couldn't see anything. Sighing knowing she is going to have to get over her shyness at some point she cleared her throat. "Sam?"
The bartender stopped and her head whipped around with a look of shock and glee. "Please tell me that voice was yours or I may be dreaming again." She chuckled to herself waltzing back over to Ruby.
"No-..uh it was my voice." She said laughing slightly as Sam smiled at her.
"Well now I know I must be dreaming." Looking Ruby up and down you could feel the excitement radiating off of her. "I have never heard such a sweet and soothing voice before."
"Oh-...well, um, thank you?" Ruby said awkwardly giving Sam a goofy grin.
"Now what can I do for you? You called me down here for a reason yeah—or did you just want to stare into my eyes a bit longer?"
Ruby felt her face go as red as her cloak. She shut her eyes and tried to get the heat to die down. Her stomach though did all the talking for her in a few short seconds.
"Ah I see now-Looking for some food are we?"
Ruby nodded as Sam stood back up and walked over to the little window separating the bar from the kitchen. "Hey Falco! I need an order of your chef's special breakfast!" Turning back to Ruby, Sam smiled. "Should be ready shortly beautiful."
The clattering of the fork on the plate as Ruby set it down filled the small room. She patted her stomach happily as she quietly burped into her hand. It had been months since she had eaten anything near that good. Yang used to cook for them, but soon stopped as the missions grew longer and more spread out. She missed her sisters cooking if she were being honest with herself.
She still remembered the time Yang cooked for her team on their training trip. Weiss and Blake looked at her with the weirdest expressions on their faces. The moment the food hit their tongues though it was like a switch was flipped. Ruby had never seen the two devour food as fast as they had that day. When they asked Yang where she learned to cook like that her sister just smiled before letting it fall some. That was the night Ruby and Yang told their teammates about their past. Why Yang is so protective of her even though she can stand on her own.
She recalled Weiss had a mixed look of disgust and sadness while Blake had one of understanding. Up until that point none of the girls really talked about their past. When it was found out Blake was a faunus that was not so much a shocker as it was expected. Yang had been the one to put two and two together with the bow. It took awhile for Ruby to get Weiss to open up about it. One would have thought the team was falling apart with as much yelling that was going on. Truth of the matter was it was the exact opposite. They put everything on the table and left nothing hidden. They trusted each other on and off the field as a real team should.
"Funny how things play out..." She mumbled to herself before dropping the lien owed on the counter. She made sure to leave a nice tip for Sam before getting up. "Thanks Sam."
Sam turned around, smiled and waved to her before going back to cleaning. As Ruby left the bar started to fill up with the early drinkers who will be there the rest of the day. The smell of alcohol never leaving their clothes or breath. The smell reminded her of her Uncle Qrow a bit too much as she felt her stomach churn. She missed him dearly, but life was never as kind as the stories she heard as a child. He was always off doing some mission never having time to see Yang or her anymore.
Ruby covered her eyes as she made her way outside into the sunlight. Looking around she finally got a better look at the village she was in. Kids playfully ran around chasing each other laughing without a care in the world. Mothers stopping to talk to each other with a smile on their face. The bustling market where vendors greeted each customer with a smile. You wouldn't think a place as happy as this would be susceptible to grimm attacks. However in even the brightest towns there is always one gray area.
Ruby had managed to find it walking around the market looking at all the gifts and items for sale. A small girl no older than five or six sat in the dirt, her dress caked in mud and dust. Her hair was rugged and unkempt looking like it has not been washed in a while. Her eyes were a vibrant purple yet looked sunken and dull on her face. Her face, that is what made Ruby's heart break the most. Her bones were viewable from underneath her skin telling Ruby the girl was malnourished and probably hasn't eaten in weeks.
Slowly approaching the child Ruby held out her hand. "Hey...my name is Ruby. I'm a huntress. What's your name?"
Purple eyes looked into silver but there was no light, there was no life behind them. Ruby felt tears threatening to spill over. A tiny hand reached out and held onto hers as she stroked the back of it gently. The small child looked away from her and back out into the market. It seems as if she is sitting there waiting for something to happen, or maybe, waiting for someone to come back.
Looking around Ruby tried to see if she could get help from anyone. It seemed no one wanted to bother with the child which made Ruby's blood boil. She wanted to help, but she was on a mission and one of the first things they taught her at Beacon was you couldn't risk bringing someone along who may get you killed. As she went to stand up she felt the little girls hand tighten around her fingers. She couldn't leave her here even if it went against everything she was taught. She just has to find a place she can bring her where she can get some food in her.
"Hey...I'm going to go take you to see a friend of mine. She is really sweet and can get you some food. Does that sound ok?" For the first time since walking up to her she saw the girl nod her head. Easily Ruby picked her up and balanced her in the crook of her arm and shoulder.
She could feel the eyes of the villagers staring at her as she made her way back to the tavern. She didn't care what they thought, all that mattered to her right now was helping this girl. Trudging through the streets she soon found herself back in front of the inn. Opening the door she peeked around the edge into the bar area. Sam was sitting down flipping through a magazine at the far end. Walking in garnered Sam's attention as she turned to welcome her guests.
"Welco-Dear Oum! What happened?" Sam practically yelled out causing a few of the drunk patrons to grumble rubbing their heads.
Quickly walking over to the bar Ruby set the child down. "I found her in the market section. She looks like she was just left there. I don't know for how long though but from the looks of it at least a few weeks."
"Alright...ok...uhh." Sam frantically tried to figure out what to do. "Ok here's what we are going to do. Take her up to your room and get her cleaned up. I will get Falco to make a small meal for her. She can't eat too much or her body will reject the food."
Nodding Ruby picked the girl up again and headed towards the rooms. Glancing over her shoulder just briefly enough to catch the sight of Sam's smile. Continuing onwards Ruby made it to the room she was staying in. Opening the door she set the child on the bed while she fished for something she could wear. Finding one of her shirts she decided it was good enough for the moment. Turning around she opened the bathroom door and started to run some hot water. Once the tub was filled she grabbed the child and undressed her and set her in the tub. The hot water instantly bringing an expression to her face. A smile spread across her face as she moved around in the water. Ruby couldn't suppress the laugh she felt coming as she began to wash the kid.
"There we go all clean." Ruby said as she finished drying the girl and dressing her. "I bet it feels good to get all of that dirt off."
The girl just smiled in return before letting out a squeak and a small yawn. Gently picking her up Ruby took her back downstairs where a small plate of hot food was ready for her. Sitting down at the table the girl looked at Ruby as if to ask if it was ok to eat it. "Go ahead it's for you."
Picking up the utensils the small child dug into the food faster than anyone Ruby has seen. Sam let out a boisterous laugh as she watched the kid eat. Falco had leaned out of the window to see what was causing his coworker to laugh so hard. Upon seeing the child he showed a small smile before returning to the kitchen.
"I can't thank you enough Sam." Ruby said as she looked at the barmaid. "It means a lot to me, but more to her."
"No problem-.." Sam looked from the girl to Ruby, "however I don't believe I caught your name."
"Oh...uhh..." Clearing her throat Ruby made eye contact with Sam. "My name is Ruby, Ruby Rose."
"Well, Miss Rose, I am glad to have helped." Standing up Sam stretched before letting out a sigh. "Sadly I have to get back to work. If I were you I would try and get her to take a nap. Looks like she hasn't had a decent nights rest in a while."
Nodding Ruby just kept her eyes on her new friend watching her eat. Her smile never wavering as she did. Before she knew it the plate was empty and the kid was rubbing her eyes. It seemed that fatigue was finally catching up with her. Picking her up again Ruby took her back to her room. Soft snores soon came from the kid as she walked up the stairs to the room. Entering she set the kid on the bed as she pulled down the covers. Sliding her in she tucked the girl in before giving her a kiss on her forehead. Ruby laid down herself right next to her and stroked her hair.
"How could someone abandon such a precious child like you?" Ruby whispered to herself.
Drowsiness soon found its home as Ruby felt her eyes start to shut. A buzzing in her pocket though caught her right before she fell asleep. Sitting up on the bed she pulled out her scroll and checked it. A number she didn't recognize was displayed on the screen. She was about to dismiss the call when something compelled her to stop. Swiping the accept button she waited a few seconds before talking.
"Hello?" She whispered into the receiver.
"Hello? Ruby?" Ruby felt her heart stop as her eyes widened. "…it's Weiss."