From behind his counter, the shopkeeper had a grizzled and grim expression. It was his usual one, to be sure, but it was on days like this, that the expression seemed to worsen. Why would it be so much worse? He was, after all, making the largest sum of money he did all year. It was a yearly tradition, ever since that little girl had stumbled into his noodle shop that one day, crying about losing her mother.

Who had thought that she would be such a massive influence on his life? His mother had thanked him profusely, the mother and daughter shared a bowl of noodles topped with chicken and too much soy sauce, and then left after thanking him once again. And the next day, there was a letter from Beacon, requesting to have his services for preparing food for the dinners and breakfasts before their annual Initiation. It had become the most profitable day of the year for him. He closed down his shop a week prior in order to prepare the food, then had the busiest day of his life, helping to serve it. Thank heavens that Beacon had allowed him to use their staff to help cook and serve the food.

But there he was, sitting down after spending an hour cooking a healthy breakfast of noodles with pork, beef, chicken, tuna and salmon… and eggs, turkey, bacon, tofu and way too many other bits of protein to feed half a thousand hungry huntsmen wannabes. He yawned. It was five thirty in the morning after all.

He would still be serving breakfasts to the kids right up until Initiation started in two more hours. Even so, with the sun just barely hinting at its appearance in the very early morning sky, something was off. No matter where he looked, he could not find that bundle of joy, dressed in red.

It brought a frown to his lips.

Ever since he had started serving food at Beacon's Initiation, that Ruby had been a wonderful helping hand. No matter the time of morning, there she was. Running around with a bowl of soup to give to hungry student hopefuls to cheer them up and wish them luck with her cute little smile. But for the first time in five years, he could not find her anywhere.

He missed her pleasant giggle and the way she refused to call him by his actual name, choosing instead to use the nickname she had bestowed upon him in her youth. Well, younger youth. Ever since the day he had found her crying in his shop, he had been 'Mr. Noodles'. It was a silly name, but she enjoyed it and it brought a smile to him whenever she called him that. What did slowly grate his nerves was that Beacon students who had begun visiting his shop had stuck to calling him that as well. Darn teenagers.

Yes, all he saw were tired and grumbly teenagers. Getting out of bed, heading to take morning showers, some slurping on his food. Some getting changed-

The shopkeeper turned away with a grimace. Kids these days had no sense or shame. He did not want to see kids his grandson's age without their clothes.

Looking up at the sound of footsteps, he noticed a yawning girl walk up to him. She had nice, straight brown hair, tied tight into a ponytail and freckles covering her face. She was thin, thinner than most, with soft light blue eyes. He knew then and there that she looked like she could use a double portion of meat.

"G'morning," she said between another yawn.

The shopkeeper hummed in reply.

"Can I have a… bowl? With… beef?" She seemed unsure of herself while asking for the meat. Like she was worried that he was going to refuse to give it to her.

With another hum and a nod, he darted towards the large vat of heated broth behind him and got to work preparing a bowl of noodles for the nice miss. With a double serving of beef, of course. Piling in some veggies, the noodles and half a hard-boiled egg afterwards, he placed the heeping bowl in front of her, watching as her eyes seemed to sparkled.

She licked her lips, her face moving closer to the bowl without even realizing it.

"I-is that for me?"

He nodded.

"All of it?"

He nodded again.

"A-are you sure you didn't give me too much meat? You would give… beef to me?"

The shopkeeper grunted and pushed the bowl of noodles and beef further towards the girl, forcing her to hold onto it to keep it from falling off the short serving table. With another grunt, the shopkeeper stepped back, a silent word for her to enjoy her meal.

As she stepped away from his table, bowl in hand, she looked just about ready to cry.

Poor thing, he mused with a half-smile. She looked like she was barely fed wherever she was. Hopefully she would get in. She could use a proper place to eat.

He shrugged, turning back to his previous musings of the little Ruby and where she might have been. He doubted that she slept in. Watching Initiation was her favourite part of the year.

His eyes drifted towards the skinny brunette, watching her sit alone, looking around and hugging the bowl tight to her, as if scared someone was going to steal it. Once again, he wished Ruby was there. That girl looked like she could use a friendly face.

Checking his scroll one last time, he grumbled. One hour and thirty minutes left to go.

This chapter is dedicated to Midnightwolf64 who doubted that I would make a chapter featuring the noodle-shop owner. Not really. Midnight just gave me the idea while I was responding to his comment a few chapters ago. Thanks Midnight!

Anyways, here we are. The morning of Beacon's magical Initiation. I wonder what craziness is in store for everyone?

Will next chapter see the start to Initiation? Will 0neWhoWanders drag out this beginning even further? Will we ever see Mr. Noodles again? Find out next time!

Midnightwolf64 - How can you figure out the civilian?! It is impossible! I thought I hid it so well! ;) I'm hoping you will like Initiation when it does come around.

CrystalBorf - Thanks! Weiss has been so much fun to write.

ItCanOnlyGetWorse - Who knows? Maybe I'll stick Neo into this as well!

merendinoemiliano - Thank you.

TheLastBattalion - I hope you liked this variety of POVs! Lol. As for POV choices in general, I don't really plan ahead. I'm just writing who I feel like writing at the time. So will there be some Ruby POVs? Possibly.

And holy hell, people. 100 Followers in 4 days. You guys are crazy. I cannot thank you enough for the support.