A/N: Alright, since that is out of my system, we can finally have plot development. It has been slow as a snail so far, but I'm jumping with this chapter, so hopefully we can get stuff done.

And also, you may notice the lack of both disclaimers and pleas for follows, favorites, and reviews. In my opinion, all waste time. That's not to say I don't want the ambrosia of the Sacred Three, I just don't go out of my way to ask (But please?). As for disclaimers, no I don't own RWBY, and I will not say it again.

–

Qrow sighed and smiled at the text and pic that Yang had sent him. He was happy that Ruby had finally found her soulmate. With a sigh, Qrow reached over his shoulder and onto his back, touching the soulmark he had. The white rose. Or, it was supposed to be white. It was crimson red now. Qrow still felt as though Summer was dead, but the mark clearly showed that she was alive, and that was a bit of comfort. He didn't know why. When the matter had come up a few months ago in Ozpin's office, they had all been shocked to find out.

Before he even walked into the bar, he spotted the ship. Schnee was here. Winter, you little...don't ever come between me and my girls again.

He was very protective of his four girls. Raven, Summer, Ruby, and Yang. Yeah, no-one got between him and their safety. Raven may not want his protection, but really, he had a brother part to play.

He still remembered that conversation.

–

"Qrow, stop meddling with my life!"

"Raven! Really, I'm your twin brother and goddamn hell I'm going to keep you safe from anything I can!"

"When did I ask for your protection anyways?"

"You didn't. Not since we were little kids, anyway. Remember that?"

"Ugh, DON'T remind me."

That last part was punctuated by a punch to the throat.

–

The time when they were kids had been when Raven was disarmed in a fight. She ended up yelling at him, twenty yards from Omen, to give her her sword back. He never let it go, even twenty five years later.

But right now, that was irrelevant. Specialist Schnee endangered his family.

No-one hurt his family, no matter how drunk he was.

–

Hmm. Someone's being a bitch. Knowing those two, I am not all that surprised. Quite different, in fact; it's to be expected.

I'm just glad that that weird torture is over. Really, Salem is going through so much effort just to try and break me...she's an idiot for once, unless there's something I haven't realized yet...

But back to the matter at hand. I need to get out of here.

Roman, my love, where are you?

–

The door was banged on several times, and Ruby sat straight up, her partner Cinder still snoozing. Lightly, she shook her soulmate awake, and whispered, "I think we need to get dressed in something else."

The previous night, the rest of Team CMEN (Crimson) had been banished to the hallway, save Neo, so Ruby and Cinder could spend their first night together. Ruby was just happy it was a clean night, sure they kissed a couple times but both wore pajamas the entire night. Most importantly, no hands slipped.

Cinder sat bolt upright, and very quickly donned a blouse and yoga pants, both black, and shoved a matching outfit at Ruby. Like everything else for teens and up, the soulmark was exposed. Dressed, the two girls went outside where, as it turned out, Team RWBY had migrated from their dorm to 'rescue' their leader from Team CMEN. Upon finding Emerald and Mercury shivering on the ground outside, they decided that Blake and Yang should attempt to beat down the door, as neither member of the older team were allowed to take their Scrolls out.

Sometime in the hushed but angry few minutes after Ruby and Cinder emerged with Neo, Yang shouted. Instantly, they all froze, hearing footsteps before the familiar face of Coco Adel poked out of the door next to CMEN's dorm.

"Hush!" she insisted. "You've woken the whole team with your shouting. Some of us are trying to sleep here! We've had a bad enough time getting sleep lately, and neither me nor any of my teammates needs your shouting!"

At her insistence, they quieted down. Well, that and Coco's two soulmates, Fox and Velvet, poking their heads out as well. All three gave the group an annoyed stare before they went ramrod straight and began silence and tiptoeing. Well, except for Cinder's whisper to Ruby.

"Wanna go in the gym and work out? I can show you something really cool."

The others glared at her, but Ruby nodded.

–

In the gym, Cinder turned on the lights to make sure there was no equipment out, and after confirming that there was not, she turned them back off and guided an eager Ruby to the center, before a twinkling bluish light began dancing around the three, causing their clothes to glow slightly, and making lovely light blue flame-like designs on their outfits. Cinder took Ruby's hand in her own, put Ruby's other hand on her shoulder, and placed her own right hand on Ruby's side.

"Cin?"

"Yes, Ruby?" Cinder breathed.

"I don't know how to dance."

"I do. Simply tap into my knowledge. You'll be fine," Cinder assured the nervous younger girl.

"...okay."

And then the beautiful ritual commenced. Ice spread from Cinder's feet, and a slight glow encompassed both of their eyes as Ruby tapped into Cinder's knowledge and experience to learn how to dance. Light glittered around them like stars, and the two soulmates found themselves in perfect harmony with each other.

They had no idea that on the other side of the world, almost, certainly very far away, in a place only one of them had been, a person that the other cherished all memory of was waiting, and that their world was about to be tipped upside down.

–

A/N: I made an effort to have a slightly longer chapter this time, as there was more I wanted to cover in order to make up for lost time. Plus, I am considering another fanfiction, which will be burdensome, so, yeah.

A few points. In case it was not clear, everything after Qrow's POV happens the night before Qrow's monologue thingy. Also, more Mysterious Woman! Most of you have probably guessed it by now, so I threw that last line in. This will likely be a very "Wait, WHAT?!" fanfic. Also, another point. Ruby and Cinder had a CLEAN night! Do not make me say it again! Please!

Keep an eye out for my Black Widows related oneshot. Currently I am leaning toward the title Diamond in the Rough. But that may change. Also, for fans of my Harry Potter stories, I will soon publish a oneshot. It will be a trailer for a story I'm considering. However, I really don't want to commit to something so unsure and weird, so I'm publishing a trailer. Please check it out! It will be soon.

One more thing. Cinder has two soulmarks. I wanted to put team JNPR in the hallway scene, but it wouldn't work with one of my plans.

:)

Ciao!