The Schnee Black Sheep

A/N Chapter 31: Pieces

Sorry this chapter took so long guys. But here it is.

You know, since starting this fic a lot has happened to this story that i really didnt expect. I really didnt expect this to get the reception that it has and because of you guys, reviewing, following and favouring... Well this has given me the motivation to keep this going for as long as I can. Not to mention that the number of ideas that come to me are beyond exceptional.

I also want to give a shout out to Ragnorak16 for just being awesome and keeping the cogs turning! You rock dude!

Did anyone see the trailer for volume 5? HOT DAMN! Ive already got ideas about where this fic can go in the future from that small trailer!

incase i need remind everyone... I dont own RWBY. nor do i own any of the songs mentioned in any chapter. i just own Coal... and Angel, Ruin, Myth and the rest of his squad


When Blake opened the door, Coal forgot everything he had just been thinking about. Growing up as a child soldier, Coal had learned how to keep a focused mind and not let distractions take his attention away from a distinct matter at hand. However, for longer than he would like to admit, the cat Faunus had a way of capturing his attention completely. to a point where he would sometimes blank out the rest of the world and only see her amidst a forest of people.

And tonight, she would have his full attention.

"Wow…" Was all Coal was able to mumble taking in the image of his girlfriend wearing her dark purple dress that he knew just from looking at it that Weiss had helped her pick out. His sister did have good taste after all. "You look amazing."

"Thank you." Blake blushed smiling at the compliment. While it had been a month since she and Coal became official, she still had yet to become used to the compliments. While she recognised the look in his eyes that gave away most of his emotions towards her, Blake would still grow embarrassed at his boyish charm. Coal was no experienced lady's man, that was one obvious fact, but he knew exactly how to make her blush and smile instantly.

Extending his arm for his date, who took the arm in her own, Coal lead them through the school and towards the sound of music blasting from the great hall without uttering a single word between them. Neither of which mattered about the lack of speech between them. Once again, they had slipped into a comfortable silence.

When they arrived at the entrance, Yang, who was managing the front desk for the first few minutes of the event, was there to greet them and broke the two out of their thoughts.

"Awww don't you two look cute together." Yang teased pulling out her scroll and taking a quick picture of the couple. "But why do you both look like you don't want to be here?"

It was true. Neither Blake nor Coal actually wanted to be at the dance. Truth be told they had originally planned on skipping the event and taking a trip down to the docks and have themselves a quiet night fishing and reading in piece. Free from the prying eyes of their friends and Coal's rather silent squad mate Myth who had not only taken a lot of blackmail pictures of him on dates with the Faunus, but also informed his entire squad that he had finally landed a girl. Coal suspected that said silent assassin would be lurking around the event somewhere to take more embarrassing photos.

"Not really our scene." Blake answered first in a slight shrug. Skipping the event was originally her idea in the first place which after informing her team on her decision they were quick to remind her that she pretty much didn't have a choice in the matter. Thus, Blake dragged Coal along with her to suffer through the entire ordeal together.

Coal fiddled with his tie and top button feeling slightly short of breath. "I hate you guys…" He groaned in annoyance, hiding the fact that he was secretly liking the sight of Blake all dressed up. "I could have been doing something way more fun than this."

"Oh, I'll bet." Yang grinned implying something dirty minded and getting rather annoyed glares in return from both Blake and Coal. "Not what I meant and you know it."

"I know but it's just far too tempting to mess with you." Yang continued to grin. "You two should head on inside, Weiss is already in there and Coal… I don't know what you said to her but thank you for it. She's in a much better mood than earlier."

"Good." Coal smiled softly. "I was afraid I was a bit too harsh on her."

"You're fine. Sometimes being harsh is the only way to get the message across." Yang assured. "Now get on in there and have some fun!"

"Don't you give me ord- HEY!" Coal tried to argue with Yang about receiving orders, something that he had always hated as a soldier, that was until Blake yanked him away and into the hall.

"You are such a child sometimes." Blake commented unable to hide the smile gracing her face. Regardless of how immature and childish her boyfriend could be, she actually adored how much fun he could have just by being himself. This personality had started to rub off on her as well. What she first thought as annoyingly immature actions had evolved into a fun and joyful experience that she would saver for as long as she could. Having spent most of her childhood fighting for Faunus rights, Blake grew up to be quiet the serious person with a very dry sense of humour. Coal, after a prolonged exposure to his personality, had changed that for the better.

"One of us needs to know how to have a bit of fun every now and again." Coal teased letting his girlfriend drag him around. It was something he was starting to get used to.

"Oh, and just what is that supposed to mean?" Though she looked offended, Coal could see in Blakes eyes that she was ready for another round of teasing quips.

"Oh, don't you two start…" The voice of Weiss entered of the loud music as she approached the two. "There is enough of that stuff going around already thanks to Jaune and Pyrrha."

"What?" Both Coal and Blake gasped looking around the sea of bodies and eventually spotting the two in question. Both were situated in the centre of the dance floor with their arms wrapped around each other looking very… Intimate.

"Why does Jaune have a black eye and broken nose?" Blake asked looking confused more by the injuries that the fact that Jaune was dancing with Pyrrha.

"I think I overheard something about Ruin and advice?" Weiss commented getting an evil laugh from her twin brother. "What did you do this time?"

"Nothing… I had no input into this what so ever." Coal whistled innocently and fooling no one.

"Coal…"

"Fine… I may have asked Ruin to return the favour of me babysitting his daughter by passing on some advice I gave him a while back." Coal shrugged getting more questioning looks. "Pyrrha wouldn't have made a move and Jaune is too dense. It reminded me of Myth and Ruin so…"

"You had Ruin punch Jaune in the face and labelled that as dating advice?" Blake deadpanned. For some reason, she wasn't exactly surprised that Coal would do such a thing.

"It worked, didn't it?" Coal defended looking hurt that his advice had worked not only once but two out of three attempts. The remaining time he had tried the same thing with Ironwood and Glynda… That didn't work out as planned.

"Not the point." Both Weiss and Blake groaned.


Coal needed to take a break after possibly the longest two hours of his life. Taking the stairs to the roof to escape from the music, which as time went on only grew slower and more romantic, Coal relished in the cool breeze of the night sky and let out a relaxed breath that he had been needing for a long time now. While he himself was not particularly enjoying the evening, Blake, despite her original idea about not attending, was loving it. Coal only put on a face so that he wouldn't end up ruining the evening for his girlfriend. He was starting to wonder just how much of a sappy person he had become.

"Needed a break too?"

Coal turned around to see that Jaune had appeared to have the same idea that he had and removed himself from the dance in need of some fresh air.

Smiling Coal turned back and looked up towards the night sky.

"Yeah… No. Dancing isn't exactly my scene. Though it does appear to be yours."

"Seven sisters." Jaune stated taking up a spot next to his best friend.

"Figures. Regardless, congratulations on sweeping Pyrrha off her feet." Coal chuckled pulling out a small hip flask and two shot glasses, handing one to Jaune he poured both of them a drink before hiding the flask back in his coat.

"I thought you quit?" Jaune questioned remembering the last time Blake caught Coal stealing a drink. Needless to say, that Blake solidified her reputation as one of the most skilled fighters among their group of friends that day.

"What Blake doesn't know won't hurt her." Coal grinned. "And besides, rules are made to be broken."

"I really don't think she will see it that way.

"I'll deal with the consequences at the time." Coal chuckled along with his best friend as they both threw back the liquor. "So, you and Pyrrha? Want to tell me how that happened?"

"Not really much to tell." Jaune shrugged.

"Don't give me that excuse." Coal groaned taking the empty glasses and placing them inside the jacket of his suit for safe keeping. "I heard you had a run in with an old friend of mine."

"Yeah… Though I really don't understand what it meant." Jaune answered. "What kind of advice was that anyway, a threat to stay away from your sister or something?"

"Jaune, as your best friend, I have every right to comment on your complete devotion to my sister. Heck if I had my way, she would be all yours. She needs someone as honest caring as you in her life. That being said, the way she is now, you were just gonna keep hurting yourself pursuing her."

"I know, you've told me this countless times." Jaune sighed shaking his head. "You've only been dating Blake for a month and now you're an expert on relationships."

"More like an expert on human phycology but who's keeping track of my qualifications…" Coal mumbled.

"Brag."

"Yeah just a bit." Both teens laughed lightly. "But in all seriousness, you and Pyrrha would make a good match."

"Is that your expert opinion?" Jaune asked sarcastically unable to take the matter seriously.

"Tell me how you two ended up here together."

"Well after getting checked out by the nurse, Pyrrha stayed with me the whole day to make sure that I was okay. She still needed to pick out a dress for tonight so she basically dragged me around Vale the whole day to find one."

"So, she took you dress hunting to get your opinion?" Coal pieced the explanation together quickly. Jaune remained silent for a few moments until his eyes widened in realisation.

"Oh, so that's what she was doing…"

"Only just noticed?"

"Shut up!"

"So, continue?"

"Yeah sure, so after a while, and by that, I mean a really long while."

"No man should ever suffer a woman on a shopping spree." Coal silently let out a pray for any man who ever got roped into that hell.

"Agreed, so after a really long while, she finally settled on the dress she's wearing now, because… Well…"

"Come on man spill the beans already."

"I may have let it slip that I thought that she looked beautiful in that dress…"

Silence followed Jaune's honest outburst.

"That's it?" Coal asked. Jaune could have sworn that by the tone of his best friend's voice that he was expecting something more. "So, you call her beautiful and now you two are dating?"

"WHAT? NO!" Jaune quickly corrected. "Well after that embarrassing moment and maybe half an hour of awkward silence, we eventually started talking again and before we even realised it, the dance was about to start. I was having fun talking with her and since we had basically been together the whole day, why stop there? I may have mentioned that it would be fun to go to the dance together since we seemed to have a lot of fun during the day and she agreed. There isn't anything more than that. I guess I was lucky that she didn't have a date by the time I asked…"

"You do realise that she probably thinks of this as a date right." Coal spoke in a serious tone as to ensure that Jaune knew that he was not teasing him at that particular moment. When Jaune looked unconvinced, Coal continued. "You help her pick out a dress that she wanted your opinion on, you compliment her on her looks as well as telling her that you had fun spending the entire day with her and to top it all off you then suggest that you to should continue being together and go to the dance together where you to were just slow dancing to The Calling – Where ever you will go. Which by the way is one hell of a move on your part."

"And how does that imply that there is something going on between us?"

"Dude…" Coal shook his head in utter disappointment. "You don't even see how smooth your being."

"We're just friends having fun at a school dance. What else is there?"

"For the love of… She is into you!" Coal dropped the bomb having finally lost his patience. Now Coal was a very patient person, he had Angel and her childishness to thank for that, but there were some things that would always push him over the edge. People denying what was right in front of them was one of those things. "Honestly mate you should see the way she looks at you, and your ass, when you to are together. How can you not see that?"

Coal turned on his heel and walked away fed up with his best friend's idiocy. He thought that getting Ruin to pass on the same advice he had given to him would be enough to get Jaune to even consider his partner as a potential girlfriend, but no. The knight was too thick headed to even see that he was playing with Pyrrha's heart without even realising it.

"I'll make you a deal Jaune." Coal said stopping at the doorway to the roof getting the attention of his best friend who had turned rather silent after having a bomb dropped on him. "Spend the rest of the evening with Pyrrha and see for yourself. If you come out of the event one hundred percent sure that there is nothing and never will be nothing between you two, then I will not only do every piece of homework you get for every class, every year we are here but I will also put in a good word for you with my sister.

"But if you think for even a second that maybe, just maybe, you could grow to see Pyrrha in a way that means more to you than just the friendship you have now. Then you will publicly announce to the school that I am an amazing detective slash genius."

"Brooklyn nine nine?"

"At least someone gets my references." Coal smirked childishly. "So, do we have a deal or not?" Coal asked holding out his right hand. Jaune, who really couldn't see a downside to the bet, took the hand and shook it firmly.

"Deal."

From an adjacent rooftop, a young woman giggled to herself from behind her mask bearing the number ten. She found it utterly hilarious that the person that she once knew as the number 7 who worked and fought alongside her on the battlefield would belittle himself to pulling schemes as pathetic as this one.

She remembered the boy who would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Remembered the child who brought down an entire branch of the White Fang where there were no remaining survivors alone without killing a single person himself. A night that was never spoken of again by anyone among the white fang or the executioners as out of the 72 members that had the misfortune of being at that particular outpost that day… Each one had taken their own life not more than 7 days later.

That was the person she longed to see again, not this… Thing he had become. So happy and caring. There was almost no shred of evidence that he was the same person he once was.

Almost.

"So, you are alive." The woman turned around to see Ruin, barer of the number 5 standing behind her looking very pissed off. "Care to explain how?"

"Can ghosts be killed?" Was the only answer that Ruin got in return.

"I don't know what you are up to, nor do I want to interrupt what should be a meaningful night between the Runt and his girlfriend, when I should be at home with my fiancée and daughter watching crappy tv… But if it means putting you down for good, I'll gladly kill you right now." Ruin glared angrily at the young masked woman ready for a fight. He didn't even get to take one step before the girl phased out of existence and re-appeared right behind him.

"You should remind Coal that those who make deals with devils, always end up losing their soul in return." She giggled phasing out of existence once more leaving Ruin with some parting words. "Eventually, I'll come and collect what I'm owed."


Eventually, after spending a few extra minutes teasing Jaune, Coal managed to build up the confidence to return to the dance. The reason why he needed the extra boost… Blake. While the first month of their relationship had been a major highlight of his life, it didn't take Coal long to sink back into doubt. When she opened the door earlier that night, Coal knew at that point that he was punching well above his weight.

He picked her out of the crowd almost instantly. Mainly because the bow was a dead giveaway but even still, she had this way of drawing his attention. Blake was quiet simply captivating and tonight she was even more so. And she knew it too. She would always find a way to make Coal squirm under physical contact. Being a male, Coal couldn't help but give into certain desires and thoughts. Thoughts that Blake knew exactly how to entice and make him question exactly why he was restricting their relationship.

Because he didn't want to hurt her.

It was only that reason. He didn't want to jump the gun and do something he might end up regretting. Weiss was right, he was and always will be a one and done kind of person so for Coal to step into that kind of physical relationship which Blake was wanting, it would me that he would be devoting himself solely to Blake for the rest of his life. Weiss knew it and would sometimes tease him about how sentimental he could be, to which Coal would be unable to argue as he himself knew it too.

Which is where he doubted himself. What if it was all just teenage hormonal attraction? What if they had that one argument that would split them up? How would he process that breakup? Would he once again fall into the pit of depression or stay the way he was now? There were so many questions that Coal just couldn't answer. Without answers that Coal couldn't research to find, he submitted to the doubt. Thus, realising that he had one of two choices.

Commit all the way, breaking the rules that they set to begin with as well as his own life policies.

Or,

Break it off fearing the worst.

"Why do you look so down Coal?" Coal looked left to see Sun standing beside him smiling. "Wow I haven't seen that look in a while, what's up?" Coal cursed at the realisation that he must have zoned out and started glaring at everything like it was something he needed to either solve like a puzzle, or shoot.

"Doubts." Coal's one-word answer was more than enough detail.

"Blake?"

"Yeah."

"Want some advice?"

"From a criminal? Sure, why not."

"At least your sense of humour isn't the problem." Sun chuckled jabbing Coal in the side and getting no reaction. Sometimes Coal could be a perfect statue. Typical soldiers. "Stop thinking so much."

"Your advice sucks."

"I could punch you in the face if you like."

"You do remember the last time you tried that right?"

"Yep, that's why I didn't do it… Look the point is you treat everything like a puzzle that needs to be solved. No person alive can solve the mystery of relationships so don't even try." Sun reminded looking relatively smug. "I've known you a long time Coal, don't think I don't know a thing or two about how you think."

"Three years? Has it really been that long?"

"Yeah… You were a mess back then. None of these guys would recognise you the way you are now if they met the old you, but I knew that guy too and let me tell you that right now, you are acting like you did three years ago when you met me. Questioning every little action, every minor detail through the words I used to justify a reason to execute me on the spot and do you know why? Because you are afraid of the things that you don't know. You are terrified of the unknown and being with Blake, well she's the biggest unknown you've come across. Am I right?"

"I really hate you Sun." Coal sighed knowing that the Faunus was right. "You do know that right."

"Of course!" Sun grinned just to annoy the human even further. He knew that Coal knew he was right and was just being grumpy and not admitting it. "That's why we work so well together. You hate me and I do everything in my power to drive you crazy."

"You don't drive me crazy."

"But Blake does." The silence that followed spoke volumes. "You actually lo…"

"Don't you start with that either. I get enough of those proclamations from Weiss."

"But you do, don't you?"

"I refuse to comment on the subject."

"So, if I was to stroll up to Blake right now and start dancing with her, how would you react." Coal's low growling voiced his answer. "There you go, you'd get angry, jealous even and why? Because, you…"

"Damn it Sun." Coal huffed walking away from the boy who started laughing uncontrollably. Coal made a b line straight for Blake who was currently dancing with Yang and he was mad. Not at Sun, mainly because the Faunus had some valid points, but rather at himself for being such an idiot. Why had he denied it for so long? He had called out Jaune for being an idiot and not spotting the obvious not moments ago and here he was guilty of the same offence. It was slightly embarrassing really that Sun of all people picked it up so easily.

Blake noticed the way Coal walked up to her. for reasons she couldn't explain she found it rather intriguing. She had never before seen the look that he held in his eyes that reminded her of someone forcing themselves to commit to something before they lose their nerve and back out. it was rather cute to see Coal with that look.

When Coal reached her, all those thoughts left her as he offered her his hand requesting the next dance. For the first time, Blake saw Coal as a true gentleman rather than the child she had grown to adore. The change was a welcome one indeed.

Weiss smiled as she watched her twin dancing around with his girlfriend. She had never seen her twin with that look on his face. she could have sworn that at any moment now, Coal would admit to his deep feelings towards the Faunus. Weiss recognised it instantly, to her, Coal could be read easily. Despite all the lies and dishonestly between them, the twins always knew what the other was feeling. Right now, Weiss could tell that her twin was deeply in love with the Faunus and had been for some time. Not that he would voice it himself. Coal always was the more stubborn one.

"Hey." Weiss looked up to see Neptune standing above her looking rather nervous. "Is err… This seat taken?" He asked looking at the empty seat next to her. Weiss rolled her eyes and nodded giving the blue haired teen her permission to sit next to her. It wasn't as if there were no other spaces, rather, out of the dozens of empty seats around the hall, they were furthest from the dance floor.

Now Neptune was fairly confident in himself. Though now he felt himself lost for words. The only reason why he turned down Weiss in the first place was because he couldn't dance and now he was getting one of the harshest silent treatments of had ever received.

Weiss paid no attention to the boy who was now looking even more nervous having realised how little attention the girl gave him. She was consumed by confusion and anger over his presence. Why would Neptune now want to talk to her after such a quick rejection?

"So…" Neptune started awkwardly. If one thing was certain, Weiss was not looking forward to small talk.

"What do you want Neptune? I don't have all night."

"Right, err, sorry."

"What are you sorry for? The crappy small talk or for rejecting me and then running away like a scared puppy."

"both?"

"Look Neptune, I can see you mean well, but for what it's worth… I really don't care anymore." Weiss sighed noticing Jaune dancing with his team, or more so, Pyrrha. Weiss didn't know why, but for some reason, seeing the knight so close to someone other than her made her heart sink. "You had your chance, and missed it."

Weiss abruptly stood from her seat, storming over to Ruby who stood awkwardly by the punch bowl looking very much out of place and character. "Come on, you and I are going to dance!"

"Weiss I… Whaa!" Ruby was given no say in the matter and thus was forced onto the dance floor with her partner. Leaving a rather confused Neptune alone in the corner.


It took Ruby a long time to escape the needy clutches of her partner. after escaping for a few moments of peace and quiet, Ruby stepped outside and into the cool refreshing breeze under the night sky only to spot a figure moving across the buildings close to the school and took it upon herself to follow said figure.

After retrieving her scythe from her rocket locker, Ruby followed the figure up into the communications tower where she passed at least a dozen guards, all of which had been knocked out by some intruder. After checking to make sure that the down soldiers were still alive, thankfully they all were, Ruby took the elevator up to the top floor of the Coms tower.

Her first steps out of the elevator were rather clumsy and awkward. Ruby had never worn heels before so she was no used to them nearly as much as Weiss who fought in them on a daily basis, Ruby would have to ask said Schnee later for details on exactly how Weiss could manage such a task. One thing Ruby took note of upon leaving the elevator and walking among the man terminals that allowed students to not only access the schools network for academic purposes, but also call home, was that the entire floor seemed rather too quiet.

She wanted to call out. to ask the empty air if anyone was truly there but something stopped her as in that long moment from when she first stepped out of the elevator, Ruby's first thought was 'what would Coal do?'.

For starters, Coal wouldn't announce his presence to any sort of threat. Ruby knew the soldier well enough to know that the first thing he would do is assess the layout of the room. After spending so much time trying to avoid him after she had accidently killed him, Ruby had started to pick up a few things on how Coal moved around the school. How he thought. Whenever he entered a new room, the first thing he would always do was check who was in the room and how they were armed with a quick scan of his eyes. Ruby concluded that currently, if there was anyone in the room with her, that they were hidden and presumably, because they were intruding and didn't want to be seen, were probably armed as well. With what she didn't know, leaving the second part an uncertainty and thus a need to be cautious.

Fact number two. Coal had this nasty little habit of moving around almost silently. Even while wearing combat boots. Ruby had no idea how such a feat was possible, much like fighting in heels, but realised that should a fight start between herself and whoever was here, she would be at a major disadvantage due to the inaperturate footwear. So off come the heels. Moving in bare feet would also be quieter so maybe she could get the drop on whoever was there.

Kicking off her heels was the best part of the night for the young huntress.

Fact number three. Coal would never show fear.

That one was difficult for Ruby. She was only fifteen, the youngest by far and by no means was she the best fighter at the school. Coal had seen to scraping away her self-confidence both on the airship when he questioned her commitment to being a full-fledged huntress, and through the many training sessions that she had been dragged into without a choice. She never won a single spar, she never even managed to score a single hit on the boy before her aura had been reduced to zero through an exploding sword or being forced to the ground through gravity bullets or paralysed from lighting bullets or… Well the list of her defeats was endless. Ruby had started to question whether or not she was fitted to be a huntress. After all, she had accidently killed one of her friends. Regardless of whether or not he was brought back though medical technologies, she still ended his life. And yet, she still remembered his words from back when they went of their first mission together. When she was ordered to shoot him in the head.

'You didn't take the shot this time. But someone will put you in that position again. When you are forced to make a choice between ending someone's life and sparing it, will you be able to take the shot? Your still young Ruby, so remember that no matter what choice you make, if you kill a person or spare them, will you be able to live with that choice? It doesn't matter about orders, it will always be your choice that decides when one's life ends.'

She had no idea that such a simple innocent choice could dictate the outcome of one's life. That moment, when she pressed the button that activated his shock collar, would haunt her for as long as she would live. She never intended to hurt anyone much less kill them. Maybe she wasn't cut out to be a huntress. After all, she couldn't even apologise to him for making such a choice.

"Good…"

Ruby jumped at the giggling voice that echoed around the room like some kind of phantom hovering behind her.

"You're afraid…"

The voice giggled again setting Ruby into a panic.

"Who are you!" She yelled gripping her scythe tightly in both hands ready to throw down with whatever came her way.

"Oh, so you don't know me… Such a shame… And here I thought that the Runt would have spoken of me…" More giggling followed the echo. Ruby couldn't be certain but it seemed as though that the voice was coming from inside her own mind. "Hmm… No… You don't seem to have any memories of the Runt ever mentioning me…"

"Who are you!" Ruby yelled again. she backed up slightly getting closer to the elevator doors and the walls around them when she felt something in front of her. or more like someone.

From out of thin air, a figure wearing a black coat phased into existence mere inches in front of her. Ruby's breath was taken away, not figuratively but physically. The figure had reached out and with their right hand which was covered from shoulder to fingertip in a black metal claw that wrapped around her neck and started squeezing. Ruby felt herself rise off the ground as the figure lifted her by her neck, choking the life out of her, and the only thing that they young huntress was able to do was grip onto the arm of the person trying to kill her. though she still kept a firm grip on the pole of her scythe.

She could use it to break out of the figures grip.

The scythe was too long to use as the large pole arm that it was but the sniper was just short enough to do some damage and possibly break out of the grip. All she had to do was pull the trigger.

"You can't do it can you…" The figure giggled. Only then Ruby noticed the lack of a face. rather what she was able to see, was a mask engraved with the mark of an 'X'. "You know what… I've seen that expression you're wearing before… Yes… on that damn Runt when I tried to take his body… Ha that face is always priceless… Knowing that there is nothing you can do but just wait until this is all over… Not knowing if I'll let you go… or squeeze just a little… Bit… Harder…"

As the last of Ruby's air was cut off. she began to wonder just if she really was going to die. Was this really how she was going to go out. choked to death by some random psychopath. Not really the best way to go out. Ruby cursed herself. She should have just gone to professor Ozpin when she found the unconscious solider instead of trying to prove to herself that she was better than the rest. Who was she kidding, for once she just wanted to prove herself better than Coal. She remembered when Professor Ozpin recited his record from the military, Coal was perfect in every measure. It was like he could never make a mistake. Even the teachers loved him, well maybe besides Glynda but even the headmasters right hand woman acknowledged his strength. Everyone just seemed to like Coal. he was popular with the Faunus around the school despite his Schnee heritage. How could Ruby compare to that?

She realised that she simply couldn't.

So, she dropped the scythe and held onto the arm that strangled her as tightly as she could. Hoping that someone else could save her.

"Are you about done?" The figure twisted her neck to look just behind her where another masked female was leaning over a terminal. "We are done here."

"Aww… But I'm having so much fun…"

"Then I'll let you finish up. Return to the south East when you're done."

"Understood…" The woman with the 'X' on her mask giggled further as the second woman leaped out of the window and disappeared into the night. "Now where were-"

*DING*

The elevator doors opened for the general of the Atlas military James Ironwood. He needn't take a single step before he had already drawn his gun and started firing at the masked woman choking the huntress.

The woman dropped Ruby as quickly as she could though despite releasing her own grip, Ruby's held tight for a second longer as the first bullet grassed the woman on the left shoulder. Drawing blood. However, as the second and third shots came, Ruby's hold on the woman loosened and left altogether. The bullets passed through the woman as if she was a ghost before she then phased out of existence just as she appeared, giggling like an innocent child.

Ironwood tried to talk to Ruby, to find out what she knew about the woman that just attacked her, but Ruby didn't hear a word the general said. All she heard was that giggling woman's voice in her head as it continued to mutter

"Tell Coal… That it's time to made due on our deal… The Runt needs to pay up what he owes me… Tell him that… Wont you… Wont you… Wont you…"

"Yes… I'll tell him…" Ruby muttered to herself. Not that she noticed but Ironwood looked afraid. Very afraid as he held the scroll to his ear and placed a call.

"Ruin! The bitch is alive! Get your ass over here and bring Lucian, we have injured!"


(Song: Red – Pieces)

Coal had no idea what was happening to Ruby as the night continued on for him and Blake. They danced to song after song, never wanting the night to end and only growing closer as the songs continued.

By now, most of the students had left and returned to their rooms either bored or exhausted but not the human and Faunus couple. Blake rested her head on Coal's shoulder with her arms wrapped around his neck while he himself held Blake close with his own hands on each side of her waist as another song started, causing Coal to chuckle lightly to himself.

"What?" Blake giggled unintentionally. She loved to hear his rumbling laughter.

"It's nothing… Just, I know Weiss has something to do with this song playing."

"Why do you say that?" Blake sighed listening to the soft tune of a piano and violins playing in perfect harmony with an acoustic guitar.

"Would you believe me if I told you that this song playing right now is my favourite song." Coal spoke softly resting his check on his girlfriend's head in-between her ears. Blake could get used to him being there. She found it slightly comforting that he seemed to slot perfectly in the gap.

"Oh please, you have the worst taste in music I ever heard. All that shouting and growling isn't what I'd call music. This is."

"I knew you wouldn't believe me…" Coal sighed listening to what was in fact his all-time favourite song. It was then that he had the idea to sing softly into his girlfriend's ears along with the song in perfect pitch.

I'm here again, a thousand miles away from you

A broken mess, just scattered pieces of who I am

I tried so hard

Thought I could do this on my own

I've lost so much along the way.

Blake couldn't fathom the amount of emotion that Coal sang with. His singing voice, that she had only heard once before, captivated her. It was as if she was finally hearing a voice deep within Coal's soul, a voice that he hardly ever let out, emerge and spread its wings and with it, an angelic voice.

Then I see your face, I know I'm finally yours.

I find everything, I thought I lost before.

You call my name, I come to you in pieces.

So, you can make me whole.

Her. He was singing not just about her, but for her and only her. she didn't need to look up to know that right now, Coal was staring at her. Not with the dark soulless eyes that he first had when they met but instead, eyes filled with affection, longing and dare she say…

I've come undone

But you make sense of who I am

Like puzzle pieces in your eyes

No, she couldn't. she couldn't admit to that word. Not yet at least. It was too soon, wasn't it? They had only known each other for less than a year and only dated for just under a month…

Then I see your face, I know I'm finally yours.

I find everything, I thought I lost before.

You call my name, I come to you in pieces.

So, you can make me whole.

Deep down she knew she was foolish for wanting to admit to those feeling. She wanted to keep them to herself for just a little longer. To hold off from any more advances so that both he and herself knew where they were heading. They just had to put up with the tension that had been building up since long before they started dating.

I tried so hard

So hard

I tried so hard…

But what if that was only making things worse? He confused her deeply. Blake never expected to find something, someone, like this at beacon. She only came here in an attempt to escape her old life and make a difference another way besides hurting people. Why? Why was she now in this place slow dancing with the person she loved as he opened his heart to her.

Then I see your face, I know I'm finally yours.

I find everything, I thought I lost before.

You call my name, I come to you in pieces.

So, you can make me whole.

So, you can make…

Me whole.

"I love you." Blake finally admitted out loud. Instantly regretting those words as soon as she spoke them.

"I love you too."