Hero: A RWBY AU Story

Chapter 11

"Yang!"

Yang, lying on her bed and sleeping, groans as she moves around her bed.

"Yang!"

Yang sighs and proceeds to stands up. Slowly walking to her bedroom door, she yawns before reaching the door handle. But the door then just disappears. Confused, Yang shakes her head and looks. No door. She then notices that everything around her is all black. Breathing heavily, she begins to back away. But when she turns around, her eyes go wide. Adam Taurus grins as he begins unsheathing his sword.

PATCH

Yang yells as she wakes up from her nightmare. Sweating and breathing heavily, she looks around to see that she's in her bedroom again. She sighs and proceeds to stand up. Tiptoing quietly down the hallway, she enters the bathroom. As she goes to the mirror, she turns on the sink and splashes some water to her face. Breathing slowly, she lifts her head to look at herself on the mirror. She sees the scar that is on her right cheek. She lifts her right arm, her metal arm, and strokes her fingers on it. Sadly, she sighs before going to turn on the shower.

BEACON - ROOM

Winter opens her eyes as she lies on her bed. Her new room at Beacon is one slightly bigger than the student dorms. Winter stands up and stretches her arms as she yawns. A knock on her door startles her, but she quickly stands up to walk to the door. She opens the door and her eyebrows raise up to see Qrow, who is carrying a bottle of alcohol. A sealed bottle with a ribbon tied to it.

"What do you want, Qrow?" Winter asked, annoyed. "It's 9 o'clock in the morning."

Qrow enters the room, with Winter closing the door.

"I figured for you to be an early morning person." He said.

"I used to." Winter said. "But given my current situation, I don't follow a sleep schedule anymore."

Qrow chuckles as he places the bottle on top of a dresser. "Anyways...brought you a little homecoming gift. For the newest member of our Inner Circle."

Winter stares at the clear alcohol that's in the bottle, before sighing. "I guess I should thank you, then."

"Later." Qrow said. "Right now, you need to get dressed, and be at Ozpin's office in an hour. The Sustrai girl came through with some information."

"Excellent, then." Winter said. "So...leave my room. I don't want you in here, while I change."

Qrow shrugs. "You got an hour."

"I'll be there in 30 minutes. Now, please leave."

Winter watches at Qrow slowly walk out of the room. She then goes to the bottle, picks up the bottle, and looks at it. She also notices the little card on it and reads it.

Congrats, Ice Queen

Winter sighs before smiling. She puts the bottle down, goes to the dresser, gets her uniform, and goes into the bathroom.

PATCH

Ruby is packing her clothes into her bags, as Zwei happily watches her. As she does, she stops and notices something: A picture of her and Jupiter, while she's in her bed, with an IV connected to her. Ruby picks up the picture and stares at it. She would then proceed to put the picture into her bad and sighs. Smiling, she takes her bag and proceeds to exit her room. She goes downstairs and sees her team with their own bags, ready to go.

"Alright, Team RWBY!" Ruby exclaims. "The timing for relaxing is over! For tomorrow, classes resume at Beacon. And one step closer to completing our 1st year."

"Yeah!" Yang exclaims.

"And if we want to get back to Beacon in time, I suggest we head to the docks now." Weiss said. "Airship leaves in 30 minutes."

"Well...let's get going then." Blake said, lifting her bag.

DOCKS

Team RWBY and Taiyang are walking down the docks. They see the airship that is set to take them back to Beacon.

"5 minutes, people." Weiss said.

"Yeah, we know." Yang said, annoyed. "Let's just go."

As Team RWBY heads to the airship, Ruby feels a hand on her shoulder. She turns to see that it's Taiyang.

"Can I speak to you for a second?" He asked.

Ruby turns and sees her team heading for the airship. Taiyang crouched down to her height.

"Ruby." He said. "You know how much I love you. Right?"

"...Yeah?" Ruby answered. "Why wouldn't I?"

Taiyang sighs before talking. "I'm getting straight to the point. There's something that I do not want you do, while you're back at Beacon. It'll be a hard task to do. But I really need you to do it."

"O...k? What?"

"...Do not...and I mean, DO NOT...go after Cinder Fall." Taiyang answered. "I know how much you want to. I can see it in your eyes, Ruby."

Ruby lowers her head and stares at the ground.

"I just don't want you to get hurt. That's all. And after everything that happened, especially with Yang...I'm begging you, Ruby. If you see or hear anything about Fall...you let Ozpin, Glynda or anyone else know. Can you do that for me?"

Ruby continues to stare at the ground, with some anger showing, worrying Taiyang. After maybe a minute, Ruby nods. "Okay. I promise, Dad. I won't go after Cinder."

Taiyang nods before standing up. He then proceeds to give her a hug, with Ruby hugging her dad back. "Thank you, Ruby."

The two of them separate from their hug. Ruby smiles as she picks her bag up and walks to the airship. Taiyang watches with a smile to her face. But what he didn't see was Ruby's smile fading as she walked.

"You know, she's going to break that promise, right?"

Taiyang's smile fades as Ruby enters the airship. He turns to see Qrow taking a swig from his flask.

"I am aware, Qrow." Taiyang said. "Which is why it's good timing that you're here."

Qrow sighs as he puts his flask away. "I'll keep an eye on her and Yang. So. What should I do if she breaks the promise?"

"...Just let me know." Taiyang said.

CAVE

"No luck." Cinder said, upon being told that the location of the Fall Maiden hasn't been found yet. "You're joking?"

Mercury and Emerald are sitting down, informing her of the news.

"Wish we were." Mercury answered. "Every lead we had lead to dead ends. Seems that old Ozpin is good at misleading others away."

"UNACCEPTABLE!" Cinder screams, slamming her hands onto the table.

Emerald winces when this happens, while Mercury doesn't flinch.

"Take it down a notch." Mercury said. "You'll pop a blood vessel. We should've anticipated this. But you were so determined."

"Don't even-"Cinder says.

"Do what...child?"

Cinder growls, before sitting down. Mercury and Emerald look unnerved as Salem emerges from the shadows.

"Mercury is right." Salem said. "You of all people would never just assume something right away. Makes you blind to your surroundings."

Salem begins walking around the table.

"You need to be absolutely sure if a lead is 100% accurate. And yet, you went ahead with no hesitation."

Salem goes to the seat next to Cinder, who is just staring down at the table.

"I decided to take a look at these leads, myself. And I noticed that one of them was at Beacon Academy...and you went to there...by yourself. Care to explain why?"

Cinder lifts her head and angrily turns to Salem. "The man who exposed us at the coliseum. I was led to believe that he was residing there. Either as a student...or maybe a teacher. I was on my way to Beacon, when I caught a certain scythe wielder and a certain heiress."

"But assume that lead was a miss as well." Mercury said. "So we're back to square run."

"We still have Torchwick out there." Emerald said.

"But his leads might be the same." Cinder said. "He'll just come back, make an excuse."

"And when he does, we'll be rethinking out plans, from there." Salem said. "Until then, I believe that you should lay low. Stay out of the public eye for now."

Salem stands up as a dark portal opens. "I will inform you once you're allowed to be out in the open again."

Cinder doesn't watch as Salem enters the portal and disappears. Mercury grunts as he proceeds to stands up. "We're not planning on laying low. Aren't we?"

Cinder walks to where her swords are and picked them up. "...No. We're not."

LATER - BEACON - RWBY DORM ROOM

Ruby sighs as she lies down on her bed. Weiss, Blake and Yang are unpacking their bags, while Team JNPR are doing the same in their dorm rooms.

"It feels...normal, being back here." Ruby said. "As if we've lived here, our whole lives."

"I got that feeling too." Blake said. "When I was with the White Fang, we never stayed at one place more than a week. This place feels a lot like home."

"And it will be for the next four months." Weiss said. "After that, we head back to our...homes."

Weiss' team noticed. "You hesitated, Weiss." Ruby said.

"I did?" Weiss asked. "Oh. Sorry."

"Oh come on." Yang said. "Let's not be depressed. For tonight is officially our last night before classes start. And we need to do something. Something fun. Something exciting!"

"Yeah!" Ruby exclaims, raising her arms up. "Something that involves cookies!"

Weiss sighs and pinches her nose, while Blake smiles and proceeds to read a book. The sounds of their dorm room knocking is heard. Weiss turns to go towards the door. When she opens it, she is surprised to see Winter in front of her.

"Winter?" Weiss asked.

"Hello, Weiss." Winter said, smiling. "It is nice to see you again."

"It is." Weiss said. "But shouldn't you be back in Atlas?"

"That's...why I'm here. I need to speak to you. It's urgent." Winter turns to Ruby and Yang. "Ozpin's requested the two of you to his office immediately."

"Ozpin?" Yang asked, confused. "What does he want with us?"

"He didn't tell me." Winter answered.

Weiss goes to Myrtenaster and picks it up. "It looks like you've got the room to yourself, Blake."

"...I'll just be reading, when you get back." Blake said.

"Wrong!" Yang exclaims. "I'm sure that we'll have signs of Monkey Boy being here."

Blake groans and uses her book to cover her blushing face. Ruby giggles upon seeing her friend's embarrassment. Yang and Ruby jump off their beds.

"This shouldn't take long." Winter said. "Same for your friends. Please follow me."

As Blake keeps her face behind her book, she listens to footsteps fading away. But she's confused as she can hears something else. She slowly lowers her book and her eyes go wide. Yang is smiling in front of her, about a few feet from her face.

"Promise me one thing, Blakey." Yang said.

"...Um...yeah?" Blake asked.

Yang puts her hand next to her mouth, in order to whisper. "Try to keep it quiet."

"YANG!" Blake yells, her face blushing.

Yang bursts into laughter as she exits the door room, closing the door behind her. Blake shakes her head and stands up to grab her Scroll. Her bow then twitches. Blake grabs a book and throws at the wall. The sound of a small yelp, a thud and the sounds of footsteps fading occur.

"She's going to torture me like this, forever." Blake said to herself.

WINTER'S ROOM

Weiss is sitting inside Winter's room, while Winter is pouring coffee into two cups. Winter sighs as she brings the cups, giving one to Weiss before sitting across from her.

"Is this...your room?" Weiss asked.

"It is." Winter said. "It's quite comfortable. Even better than my rooms on the airships."

The sisters quietly sip their coffee before continuing.

"Winter." Weiss said. "Why do you have a room, here in Beacon? Why are you even herein Vale? You're supposed to be in Atlas. You're a military specialist, after all."

Winter scoffs. "Specialist. I used to hate that word. Made me wonder why I even accepted the position. But I guess I don't have to worry about it, anymore."

Weiss is a bit confused. "Why do you say that?"

Winter places her cup onto the shelf next to her bed and looks at her sister. "Weiss. A few days ago...I quit the Atlesian military."

Weiss is surprised to hear this. "What?"

"...Ironwood knew about what was going to happen in Patch. He had reports of Cinder Fall and Adam Taurus being on the island. He knew that an attack would happen...but he chose to say nothing. And because of his action...your blonde friend lost her arm. And a lot of people got hurt."

Weiss, trying to take in all this information, rests her hands on her head.

"By the time I realized what Ironwood did, it was already too late. I just couldn't. Not anymore. First it was the immediate orders to execute any known associates of Cinder Fall upon their capture. And now it was withholding reports. Ironwood is growing paranoid. He threatened me with a dishonorable discharge when I was trying to persuade him to stop. I knew then that I needed to get away from him and the military. So I left Atlas. And Ozpin offered me residence here. To protect me."

"Wait. Protect you?"

Winter is a bit hesitant in speaking. But after a few seconds, she sighs before speaking. "Weiss. I cannot go back to Atlas. Ever."

"...I don't understand." Weiss said. She then sees some guilt on Winter's face. "Winter? What did you do?"

"...I am wanted by the Atlesian military." Winter said, shocking Weiss. "When I left Atlas...I stole something from one of our testing sites. I felt like I should take it. After all...Miss Xiao Long needed it the most."

Weiss' eyes go wide. "...You...you were the one to give Yang her new arm? Why?"

"I felt guilty." Winter answered. "Your friend was severely injured because of Ironwood's arrogance. And I knew that she would change from the ordeals that she's been through. I gave the arm to help her cope."

"But you stole it!" Weiss exclaims.

"I realize that, Weiss." Winter said. "And if I were to go back home, I'll be immediately arrested. As if I ever wanted to go back, anyways."

Weiss places her cup onto the same shelf. "If you are no longer in the military...and you're wanted in Atlas...then what will you do?"

"Trust me, Weiss." Winter said as she stands up and walks to the refrigerator. "Just because Ozpin offered me a place to stay, doesn't mean it came with one condition. And I am not really looking forward to it."

"And that condition would be?"

Winter opens the fridge and takes out the bottle that Qrow gave her. Setting the bottle down, she looks at Weiss and just smiles. "You'll get your answer at the ceremony later today."

Weiss stands up and walks to Winter. "Are you sure, you'll be okay?"

Winter answers by hugging Weiss. "I know that you're worried. But I promise you. I'll be fine."

Weiss separates from the hug and smiles at Winter. She then proceeds to leave the room. Winter sighs and goes to sit down on her bed.

OZPIN'S OFFICE

Ruby and Yang are sitting across from Ozpin, who is sipping his coffee and looking over something on his Scroll. Ruby notices that one of Yang's feet is tapping frantically.

"Hmm." Ozpin said. "Interesting." He puts his Scroll away and looks at the two. "Miss Rose. Miss Xiao Long. I called you two here, because of the recent events that occurred the last few days. What had happened between the two of you must've been terrifying for you. And I'm also including Miss Rose's incident at the Dust shop last month."

Ruby rests her hand on her head as she looks at the floor.

"How are you feeling, Miss Rose?"

Ruby lifts her head and looks at Ozpin. "I'm doing okay. Still getting used to my new Semblance. And I've been recovering, thanks to my family and friends."

"That is good." Ozpin said. "I am happy to hear that you've been doing good."

"Thank you, Headmaster." Ruby saud.

"And Miss Xiao Long." Ozpin said, turning to Yang. "My condolences for your incident. I cannot imagine the emotions that are running in you, as of now."

"...I...I feel fine, Headmaster." Yang said, crossing her arms.

"That may be for now, Miss Xiao Long." Ozpin said. "But trust me when I say this: You are not the 1st person to have suffered a similar experience like yours. You do everything you can to stay positive in front of everyone that you care about, in order to reduce worry. Tell me. Have you've been experiencing nightmares? Have short periods of depression, every now and then?"

Ruby looks at Yang with worry.

"Why do you ask?" Yang asked.

Ozpin stands up and walks around his desk and stands next to Yang. "I am asking, because you, I and even Miss Rose here know how you're truly feeling."

Yang turns to see Ruby.

"I know, Yang." Ruby said. "You're hurting inside. I can tell by your body language."

Yang feels her left hand begin to tremble and uses her metal hand to clench on it. "I just didn't want to worry you, Rubes. Or Dad. Or even Qrow."

"That is understandable." Ozpin said. "But keeping emotions like that is not healthy, Miss Xiao Long. Which is why I'm offering a solution for you to let those emotions out in private."

Yang turns to look at Ozpin, who is smiling.

"I am aware that you are not very fond of herbology. Proffessor Peach says that you often sleep during her classes. I can arrange to have you removed from that class. And in exchange...you would come to this office and we can speak. And this would be a daily routine."

Yang is surprised. "You...want to be my therapist?"

"...More like a psychiatrist." Ozpin said. "I would be talking to you and any emotions you wish to let out, you may do so."

Yang grabs her metal arm with her regular one and stares at the floor. "I...I'm not sure yet."

Ozpin proceeds to place his hand on Yang's shoulder. "I understand, Miss Xiao Long. I will give you until the end of the day to make a decision. Until then...I must get ready for the Welcome Back ceremony. And you two should as well."

Ruby and Yang stand up, turning to walk to the elevator. Ozpin watches as they enter the elevator and go down. He then proceed to sip his coffee.

TEAM RWBY DORM ROOM

"What. What?" Yang said.

Ruby, Yang and Weiss all returned to their dorm room, finding Blake just reading by herself.

"Yeah." Weiss said. "Winter's the reason why you have that arm."

"But...why would she?" Yang asked. "We never even met."

"...Winter knows that you're my friend." Weiss said, lying about the real reason. "And Ozpin had told her what happened."

"Uh...that doesn't make sense." Ruby said.

"I really wish I could tell you more." Weiss said. "But I'm only telling you what I know. And that's all I know." She stands up and picks up a folded pile of clothes. "I'm going to go take a shower. The ceremony starts in a couple hours. You three should get ready as well."

Ruby watches as Weiss enters the bathroom before jumping down from her bed.

"So." She said. "Yang...are you going to do it? Take Ozpin's offer?"

Blake, having been told, looks at Yang with worry. Yang rests herself on the desk, staring at the floor.

"I'm not sure yet" Yang said. "I'm still thinking about it."

"...Maybe you should take it." Blake said, causing Yang to look at her. "You know that we all can tell how much you're really hurting. And keeping it inside you, is only going to make it worse. I would know, myself."

"She's right." Ruby said. "Maybe Ozpin can help you."

Yang stares at the two of them for a few seconds before nodding. She then looks at her metal arm, clenching it into a fist. "Okay. I'll tell him. After the ceremony."

LATER - AUDITORIUM

The students of Beacon Academy are gathered inside the auditorium. Team JNPR is among the crowd, with Nora bouncing up and down.

"It's been a long break." Jaune said.

"It certainly was." Pyrrha said. "But now...we are back."

Jaune turns to see Team RWBY approaching them and he waves at them. When both teams are now near each other, they hear feedback and turn, along with the other students, to the stage. Ozpin, Goodwitch, Port and Professor Oobleck are standing, with Ozpin behind the microphone.

"Good afternoon, everyone." He said. "I do hope you all had a wonderful month long Winter break. You all have had plenty of rest and relaxation. But now it is the spring semester. And that means back to training and school. And given that I usually begin classes first thing tomorrow morning...special circumstances has caused me and my staff to delay until the day after."

The students are surprised to hear this.

"Given this situation, I do recommend getting extra prepared for when classes begin again. Wander the hallways to help you remember where you need to go. If you need extra supplies, you will proceed to the library. Or if you wish for tutoring or advice, then Miss Goodwitch and the other professors are happy to help you."

When Weiss turns to look around, she notices Winter, who is at the edge of the stage.

"Isn't that your sister?" Blake asked.

"Yeah." Weiss said. "What is she doing by the-" She stops to realize what's about to happen. "Oh you've got to be kidding me!"

"And in addition, Beacon has acquired a new professor. She will be assisting Professor Goodwitch during combat class and will be acting as a guard for the school." Ozpin turns to his right. "Please give a warm welcome to Professor Winter Schnee."

As Winter walks up the stage, despite several students being surprised, they clap. Some are turning to Weiss, who is nodding in disapproval.

"You've joking." Yang said.

Weiss then turns and proceeds to walk out of the auditorium, ignoring the students who were looking at her. Winter, watching her sister leave, doesn't change her emotion.

"I assume you haven't told her." Ozpin said, keeping his hand between him and the microphone.

Winter nods, making him sigh. He lowers his hand and resumes talking. "We welcome every last one of you back to Beacon Academy. Remember to train hard. For the outside world can be treacherous. And you need to be prepared. Now off you go. I'm sure a lot of you wish to catch up with friends and classmates. Have a wonderful evening."

FOUNTAIN

Weiss is sitting down at a bench, next to the fountain at the front of the school. She is mad, her arms crossed and she is staring at the floor.

"Weiss?"

Weiss groans and looks up to see Winter who stands nearby.

"So that was the surprise?" Weiss asked.

"...Yes." Winter answered. "The surprise is me becoming a teacher here."

"And you just couldn't tell me in your room." Weiss said. "Instead...you let every student in Beacon know first. Do you know how embarrassing that is to me?"

Winter is a bit confused. "How could this be embarrassing to you?"

"Oh I don't know." Weiss said as she stands up. "The fact that my sister will not only be teaching the students of Beacon Academy...you'll be teaching me. And that will make some people think of favoritism."

"You know that I would treat you just about the same as every student, Weiss."

"You better."

Winter moves closer to Weiss and puts her hands on her sister's shoulders.

"Outside of class, I will be just your sister. But in class...I am your teacher. That I promise."

Weiss sighs and nods. "Fine. I...I gotta go. I'll see you later...Professor."

Weiss turns and walks away, leaving Winter to watch her leave. Winter nods and proceeds to look at the statue in the fountain.

ROOFTOP

On the rooftop of the dorm building that RWBY and JNPR stay in, Yang sits alone. She sadly looks at the ground, before lifting her eyes to look at the clear skies. She lifts her left hand and notices that it's shaking.

"Try breathing slowly."

Yang quickly turns to see Pyrrha, who has worry on her face.

"Inhale and exhale slowly." Pyrrha said. "I hear it helps with tremors."

Yang turns back to her hand. She slowly inhales, wait a couple seconds, and then slowly exhales. Yang sees that her trembling hand begins to stop. She smiles and looks back at Pyrrha. "Thanks."

"No problem." Pyrrha said as she sits down.

"How did you even know where I was?" Yang asked. "Wait. Let me guess...Ruby?"

"Ruby." Pyrrha answered.

Yang chuckles. "Of course. So. What brings you up here?"

"Well...I think it's time that we discuss our plans to find you that lucky somebody."

"Ooooohhhhh!" Yang said. "Right. I thought I said I wasn't interested."

Pyrrha turns to Yang. "Trust me, Yang. You are interested. And you will need my help."

"I'm fine." Yang said. "I can find someone on my own."

Pyrrha's smile fades. "I know you're hurting. You came to me, remember? What happens when you meet someone, and they want to ask you about your arm? Or how it happened. You need to find someone who will be sympathetic to your problem. We don't want someone who's going to spread gossip. Now come on. You need my help."

Yang groans in annoyance. "Fine. I'll give it a shot."

Pyrrha proceeds to place his hand on Yang's shoulder. "Tomorrow. We'll start tomorrow. We'll meet at the cafeteria and we'll begin then. But for now...let's just stare at the sky. It's beautiful."

Yang then smiles and the two of them watch sky. She then begins to notice that her heart is beating quickly and realizes why. Oh boy.

RWBY DORM ROOM

"So...classes start in two days." Ruby said as she hangs upside down from her bed. "What do you guys want to do, tomorrow?"

"I'll be walking around campus with Sun all day tomorrow." Blake said as she reads her book.

"Going to meet with Pyrrha at lunch." Yang said, as she combs her hair. "Got a...a special project that we'll be working on together."

"Ooooooh!" Ruby said. "Care to tell?"

"Nope." Yang answered. "Top secret for now. I'll tell you guys eventually."

Ruby groans in annoyance, before turning to Weiss, who is cleaning Myrtenaster.

"I'll be training." Weiss said. "Probably for most of the day."

"Oh really?" Ruby said. "Then what am I supposed to do?"

"You could train with me, Ruby." Weiss answered. "I'm interested in a few practice spars."

"Nah." Ruby said as she jumps and lands down. "Tomorrow's the last vacation day before classes. I'll have plenty of time to train then."

"You could just hang out with JNPR." Yang said.

"Ren and Nora are going to be busy helping Goodwitch in finishing the repairs of the workshop that Nora destroyed." Blake said. "And with Pyrrha hanging with Yang...I guess that leaves Jaune."

"...Oh...um..." Ruby tries to speak as she scratches the back of her head.

"Ruby?" Blake said, noticing her nervousness.

Yang sighs as she stands up. "Ruby. Come with me. You can tell me what's wrong."

Ruby follows Yang out of the dorm room and they walk down the hallway and enter an empty dorm room. Making sure no one is nearby, Yang then closes the door.

"Alright Rubes." She said, crossing her arms. "Are you nervous because it's just going to be Jaune?"

"No." Ruby answered. "Well...yes. And..."

Yang chuckles. "Ruby. I can see you blushing."

Ruby quickly turns the other way.

"Relax, sis." Yang said. "I am completely aware of you little...crush on him."

"What?" Ruby exclaims as she turns back to Yang.

"You weren't exactly...keeping it secret to me. I saw that little smooch you gave to Jaune back at home. That was very sweet too."

"Ummmm...yeah." Ruby said awkwardly. "Yang. Can you help me? If I want Jaune to like me back-"

"Oh his feelings are the same." Yang said, slowly smiling wide.

Ruby, surprised at this, sits down. "Oh boy."

"And given that he's all by himself tomorrow...all day...this could be your chance to...hang out with him."

"Well what do I do then?"

Yang chuckles. "Amateur." She stands up. "Just go to Jaune...and simply ask him. If he says yes, then that's good. But if he can't, then you'll understand. There will be other opportunities. It's all about confidence, Rubes. You just have to be brave enough to do so." Smirks. "Unless you're...chicken."

"I am not chicken!" Ruby exclaims.

"Prove it, then." Yang said. "Open the door then. Jaune just passed by."

Ruby then gulps and sighs. Yang watches as her sister quickly walks out the room. She begins to hum a bit for a few seconds, before hearing a faint 'yes' from outside. Yang's smile wides in success.

NIGHT - OZPIN'S OFFICE

"You're joking."

Ozpin is speaking with Qrow, Goodwitch and Winter in his office.

"I wish I were, Qrow." Winter said. "But my contact in Atlas has indeed confirmed it. Ironwood is sending a small squad of soldiers to Vale. They believe that a warehouse in the docks houses several White Fang members...as well as Cinder Fall and her accomplices."

"And when will they arrive?" Ozpin said.

"Tomorrow night." Winter answered.

"You didn't get anything else?" Goodwitch asked.

"No. I run risking my contact if we kept our call longer. That is all I got."

"This is troubling." Ozpin said. "If the people of Vale see Atlesian soldiers firing up in my Kingdom, there will be distrust."

"Miss Sustrai's information tells us that Fall will indeed be at the warehouse." Goodwitch said. "But we need to find out exactly which one they will be in. And we need this done before the soldiers get there."

"I'll get that done." Qrow said.

"You will." Ozpin said. "You and Miss-"

"I'll do it myself." Qrow said. "You need to show Ice Queen the ropes of Beacon. Trust me. I can handle this on my own. I can be pretty stealthy."

Winter sighs. "Given that there could be dozens of White Fang members, as well as Fall...I advise that you be careful."

Qrow chuckles. "I never knew you cared."

Winter doesn't say anything back. Instead she walks to a nearby window and proceeds to stare outside. What she and the others know...is that someone is sitting on a ledge on top of the room.

Ruby, having listened to the whole conversation, just stares at nothing. Now looking down the window, she notices that Winter begins looking up. Ruby quickly jumps back and quietly jumps off the rooftop. Using Crescent Rose, she slows her fall until she lands on the ground. Ruby stands up and turns to see someone looking at her. Velvet, dumbfounded, just looks at Ruby.

"Did...did you just...?"

Ruby smiles. "Fall out of the sky? Nah. Looked believable, huh?"

Ruby just walks past Velvet, her smile fading.

Cinder Fall. Warehouse. Tomorrow night. Good.

"Miss Rose!"

Ruby stops walking and turns to see Winter, who is walking towards her.

"Hi." Ruby said. "Winter, right?"

"Indeed." Winter said. "Ruby Rose. My sister's partner and leader. I always believed that you we too young."

"I'm not a kid." Ruby said, annoyed.

"Might as well be." Winter said, seriousness in her voice. "Because kids always seem to listen to conversations that they're not supposed to hear."

Ruby is surprised. "How did-"

"I have my ways." Winter answered. "And despite this, I believe it's good that you heard."

"Huh?"

"I hear that you're going after Cinder Fall."

Ruby quickly look around and sees that Velvet was nowhere to be seen. She sighs in relief before speaking. "Maybe. Why do you ask?"

"Because I want to help you find her."

"...She tried to go after Weiss."

"What?"

END OF CHAPTER 11

Sorry if this chapter took long. Writer's block guys. But this story is still going on. But please be patient. Next chapter is coming soon. Until then, later guys.