Beta read by: Crescent Sunrise

Recommended story: "Broken Huntress" by Crescent Sunrise - RWBY after season 3

~RR~

Ruby Rose is not a quiet person. Socially awkward yes, but not quiet. It's actually her hyperactive nature and tendency to talk way too much that leads to people coming under the impression that she's better left avoided. Still her pool of friends after arriving at Beacon went from her sister to seven between her team and JNPR. Then eleven with the inclusion of CFVY. The sudden feeling of being included was new, but not unwelcome by any means. It was always a serious concern for the young team leader who had managed to get into Beacon academy two years early.

That said, with new friends she needs to make time for them too. So it's with a fidgety Rabbit Faunus, that Ruby is spending time with at the fairgrounds today. The second round of the competition due to start soon and with her complicated feelings towards one of her opponents the red girl is taking the opportunity to rant about May to someone who, unlike her own team, is much less likely to tease her for feelings she certainly doesn't have.

"... And she just doesn't stop teasing me! Always calling me short or making jokes about my aim or Crescent Rose. But then she'll call me cute or pretty or wink at me and it distracts me! It's not fair Velvet." She whines as they walk around the edge of the fair. Eye's open for anything that might draw their attention.

The velveteen copycat gives her an odd look. "And... You're sure you don't like her?" She asks sounding uncertain.

"Not you too Velvet! Everyone else at least waited until meeting her to start questioning it like that. I swear she's some kind of witch using spells on them. Maybe her Semblance lets her control people? Or a pheromone?" Ruby questions tapping her chin in thought completely ignoring the fact that she saw May using her real Semblance in the training room.

"Sorry Ruby, it's just… Well, you haven't stopped talking about her since we left the dorms." Velvet comments trying to rationalize with the little leader. "I mean, you don't hear me talking about Cardin constantly after he's made fun of me or tugged on my ears. And you said she's friendly with Yang? You know your sister would pummel her if she thought for a second May was being malicious." She adds hoping Ruby will drop the subject. Not knowing the girl herself, Velvet feels uncomfortable commenting about her or trying to form an opinion second hand. Unfortunately that hope is swiftly crushed.

Ruby seems taken aback by the first part, her mouth opening to refute it before her mind catches up and she closes it again with a frown and a frustrated little growl that just sounds adorable. Finally she seems to calm down and sighs. "I know, I've been telling myself that for a while but it's just so hard to believe when she's right there being so... Her!" She replies cutting herself off before she can start complimenting May's figure. Doesn't stop the blush though and it only takes Velvet poking her cheek with a tiny smile on her lips to tell Ruby that she's lost another one to May's side.

"I don't like her..." She grumbles darkly stomping her feet ineffectively as she walks.

"Of course not." Velvet responds with a placating tone the tiny smile growing into a small smirk.

"I mean yeah, okay, she's hot. I saw her coming out of the gym with Yang one morning and I had to turn towards Yang to stop looking at her. Someone that infuriating should not look that good." Ruby admits her blush growing a bit more.

"Yes, that would be vexing I suppose." Comes the reply from the rabbit girl, eyes glimmering with humor.

"And as if she didn't look good enough on her own, she keeps making these little movements that draw attention to her... areas. And her eyes! By Oum, Velvet they're like little balls of blue steel. She even makes this scary serious face when she's concentrating on a fight that still makes her look pretty." Ruby adds.

"Sounds like you've been watching her for a while to know all that." Velvet inserts wondering how it's possible that Ruby hasn't noticed herself how obvious she is being.

"Well yeah, no... Kind of? I mean it's hard not to look at her when she's around. And I watched her in the training room for a little while after class one day." Ruby replies failing to see what Velvet's driving at.

"And her team let you? I mean we're competing schools and the tournament is coming up soon. I imagine they would want to keep their skills secret. Coco doesn't let anyone watch us practicing." Velvet replies genuinely surprised.

"Well no, it was just her. And she stopped after a couple rounds when she spotted me watching her."

"Wait, wait." Velvet holds up a hand as her brow lifts. "So you're saying you were watching her by herself without letting her know you were there? That sounds a bit creepy Ruby."

"No! It's not like that. I wasn't hiding or anything I just walked in and watched. I didn't want to call out and interrupt her while she was focusing." The red girl defends waving her hands to shield herself from the insinuation.

"And she wasn't upset at all when she did notice you?" Velvet asks a bit curious despite herself.

"Not really, she just did the usual smiling teasing flirting thing and left. After tossing me her towel and water bottle." Ruby admits her eyes a bit distant for a moment as she recalls the moment. Velvet gives a small sound of thought before shrugging, not thinking it her place to comment really.

"Heya Little Red! Skipping out on the competition? Well not that I blame you going up against me still. While Nine is handsome enough, for an old guy I guess, he's not really my type. Who am I going to look at during set ups?" Comes another voice approaching them from the entrance. A casual and humorous smile on her face. A beanie covering her left eye with a rifle perched on her shoulder.

The little growl from her friend accompanied by her deep blush at the sight of the confidant sniper standing in front of them gave the rabbit girl all the information she needed to identify the newcomer.

~MZ~

'I wonder who the pretty Faunus girl is. I think I've seen her before around the school. Well then again with those ears she is kind of hard to miss. I should let her know the competition is about to start so Little Red isn't disqualified?' She considers looking at the pair thoughtfully be for walking up and interrupting the conversation with a little grin. Eyes dancing with amusement as the short girl reacts to her teasing.

'I love it when she's looking at me. Would be nice if she were smiling at me instead but I'll take what I can get.'

May is pulled from her thoughts when the Faunus girl speaks first.

"You must be May Zedong." She states. It's not a question, the rabbit girl is certain of her statement as she looks over at the sniper.

"I take it she's been talking about me then. Aw, Little Red I didn't know you thought about me so much. Am I just constantly on your mind?" She asks lifting her beanie to give the short, dark haired girl the same salacious wink she gave at their first meeting, and has since repeated each time since. The sputtering blushing denial always serves as great amusement. And she wouldn't deny at all the joy she gets watching the younger girl get all worked up and adorable.

It was one of the two reasons she teased her so much. The other of course being a less than subtle way of flirting with the smaller girl.

Turning back to the taller and seemingly, equally amused girl, May extends the hand not holding her rifle to her shoulder after letting her beanie slip back down over her eye. Smiling as she shakes hands with the rabbit. "Well that is me. I'm sure she's told you I'm a terrible person by now, from what her sister tells me she's dead set on ruining my reputation."

"Oh it's not all bad. I'm Velvet Scarlatina by the way. And judging from your approach I'm sure not all of her complaints are undeserved." The now named Faunus replies, already relieved that the newest sniper doesn't seem the least bit taken aback by her heritage.

The cheeky grin in reply is all the evidence anyone would need to know some of Ruby's complaints are very much deserved. And the sniper doesn't seem the smallest bit regretful of her actions. More to the point though, the way those eyes continue to dart in Ruby's direction is all Velvet needs to understand why Yang hasn't tried to attack the spirited sniper. Leaving the Faunus to wonder just how it is Ruby herself hasn't yet noticed.

"Well, maybe not all of them. Still, question remains Little Red, are you forfeiting the competition? I ask because it's supposed to start in... Fifteen minutes." May inquires after checking her scroll for the time.

The shorter girls' eyes widen comically and her frame is replaced with falling petals that mark her trail towards the competition field. Leaving the other two laughing after a moments pause.

Velvet recovers first and shoots May a wry smile. "You like her don't you?" She asks not expecting the smile in response nor the unabashed nod.

"Yup, I've given up trying to pretend to people I don't. Especially after my partner worked it out that I'm not just teasing her for laughs." May replies and starting to walk, following the disintegrating trail of flower petals.

"Why not just tell her?" The Faunus inquires curiously. Unaware she's asking the same question Yang already had. Though she does get a slightly different response.

"A few reasons. She's adorable when she gets all flustered like that but it's not the only reason. My last relationship fell apart because I was pushing for something that wasn't really there. I don't mind telling her if she asks but I don't want to try and start something without knowing. For now I'll just enjoy what I can. Her attention is enough for the moment. Cowardly maybe, but I won't hide it or push. She's probably already figured me out and is just sparing my feelings at this point. She seems kind enough to do that." May adds with a shrug.

Velvet doesn't comment at this point. It's not really her business to get involved and what curiosity she had for the situation has been sated. Instead the rabbit girl moves the conversation in another direction. "So, Ruby mentioned you're from Shade, but what year are you?"

"She did huh? Well it's not really a secret. And I'm a second year, you?" May asks in return as they draw closer to the competition grounds. The sniper only pausing at the booth to grab her number. Still eight, it seems they just use the same numbers throughout regardless of who's eliminated.

"Same. I'm on team CFVY." Velvet replies furthering the conversation as they pull to a stop at the divider between the competitors and spectators.

"Team BRNZ, me and those three knuckle heads over there." She says pointing out her team mates waiting for her in the little stands with a fond smile on her face. Brawnz having gotten Roy in a head lock while Nolan stands next to them chuckling.

"They seem lively." Velvet comments.

"That's a very nice way of putting it Velvet. Anyway I need to set up." May replies getting a nod in return before jogging over and taking her spot between Ruby and Nine. He seems to like the name because he's still yet to give his real one.

"Heya old timer, miss us?" She asks the older gentleman as he looks over his gun with a meticulous eye. Getting a grin and a chuckle from him in reply.

"And why would I miss an irreverent whipper-snapper like you?" He counters getting a laugh in return from the huntress in training.

"Just making sure you still remember us. I hear memory's the first thing to go." She fires back with a cocky smile unzipping her jacket and taking it off along with her beanie before stretching with her arms over head. her body lifting onto the tips of her feet ignoring the little sound from the adorable younger girl behind her as if she can't hear it. Finishing the stretch she bends forward putting her hands on the mat under her before slowly lowering herself down. She would deny up and down having drawn her movements out to tease the girl next to her. She would be lying, but that's neither here nor there.

Once in her prone position she takes a moment lining her rifle up down range. Checking it while the announcer gives the same instructions as previously stated last round. The difference being that the targets are farther out now. Little flags planted in the ground along the way to give the shooters wind direction.

When the whistle blows May takes an extra moment before firing. Empty casings littering the ground around her as she pulls the trigger burying round after round in the bullseye. Before flipping on her safety on and waiting for Ruby to finish.

'She must be really trying to focus. Maybe my comments on her aim got to her?' May wonders, musing as she takes a look down range with her scope and nodding to herself. The shorter girls grouping is tighter than it was in the previous round. Not as neat as May's but it shows she's putting in extra effort.

When Ruby finishes May makes a show of shifting to her knees. Her rear lifting as she drags her upper body back before lifting it from the mat. This time she does acknowledge the noise Ruby makes with another wink and ignores Nine's chuckling next to her as she sets up for the kneeling portion.

Ruby twitches but refuses to call May out on it. At this point it's a little game for May. How long can Ruby resist saying something about it? She's sure Ruby will eventually but at this point, the game is won if she can get the younger girl to acknowledge it verbally. Something Ruby seems to have noticed and refuses to do. The stubborn refusal to play along does nothing to diminish May's amusement when it comes to winding up the red themed girl.

The second round is finished up handedly by the three, all remaining in the competition. Five more are eliminated from the eleven going in leaving the total down to six heading into the third and final round.

May doesn't put on the jacket to cover her tank top after finishing instead tying it around her waist by the sleeves. It's a warmer day out than most and with the sun unobstructed in the sky above beating down on her she's comfortable enough without it. Doesn't hurt that she spots Ruby sneaking glances at her muscled frame.

With beanie in place she shoulders her rifle and heads out of the competition area to spot Velvet holding a camera with a little stitched heart on the front waiting for her. "Mind if I take a picture?"

With a shrug May strikes a little pose. Her right hand gripping the handle of her rifle pointing the barrel up into the sky as the left lifts her beanie to wink at the camera with a small smirk. Camera clicks and folds up getting a grateful smile from the Rabbit girl as she walks away with Ruby.

"You know, she doesn't seem so bad." Velvet comments to the much shorter team leader getting a groan of despair from her and leaving May to chuckle to herself watching them walk away.

'Don't worry Little Red. If you don't ask before the end of the competition then I'll say something. Just let me enjoy the attention for now.'

AN:
So, Chapter four didn't get any reviews. I know I don't require them for me to write but it was the first time I put something out and didn't get any feedback aside what I asked a few people in PMs about it. I still don't require them. I love getting them but I don't require them. I don't know if its because of the day I released the chapter, the time, or just that there was nothing really of note anyone could find to say about it. It was my first time writing a fighting scene for an audience though so I was a bit nervous about it's reception and if i'm being honest I still am.

about this chapter, it's round two of the competition. and I will freely admit that I plan on starting the Long Distance in the next chapter so you can look forward to that!

Beta Note: Hello all! Just deciding to say 'hi' for once. Just giving a quick shout out to 'GeneralPerv' with their suggestion for a new Omake and the wonderful author 'Blacsparrow' for sharing some of the conversation I assume came from the pair. And don't forget to review! Or I'll go all Liam Neeson from 'Taken' on you!

Omake

Title: And So It Begins…

Ruby sat on a hard mat in the equipment shed she had taken May to for their… fun. Her index fingers tapping together while a cute pout adorned her face. In the background, May Zedong leaned against one of the walls, clothes and hair tousled, that glazed look of utter contentment plastered on her face.

Weiss Schnee stood above Ruby, tapping her foot menacingly, hands on her hips as she glared down at her team leader, "Well? Do you have anything to say for yourself Ruby Rose?" she asked (demanded really).

Ruby continued to pout, "Um, well you see… this is a Long Distance story Weiss. I can't help it! The author makes me like her butt!" she whines.

"Her butt?"

Ruby nods enthusiastically, "Yeah! Like, it's really, really, REALLY perky Weiss. Have you seen it!? I can resist her!" she exclaims.

Weiss just stands there for a moment, silently cursing the Fourth Wall, "Ugh, fine. I'll let I go… this time Ruby. White Rose is my OTP and I'll be damned if I don't get it. The author has to write it eventually right?" Weiss looks at the readers pleadingly, "Right?"

"Well, it seems the winds have turned."

Weiss and Ruby yelp in fright as they turn to see that Ozpin has somehow just appeared, calmly drinking his coffee as if nothing was amiss.

"What the Hell?" the two say.

"Things have been set in motion that cannot be undone. A war is coming ladies…" he takes another si of his coffee, "The Shipping War."

Weiss just gives him a look, "You must be joking."

Ozpin shakes his head dramatically, "A new ship has been born with this, Long Distance and now, those pairings that have existed with Ruby will clash to be the One True Pairing. It will be bloody battle which will determine the fate of Ruby's future."

Ruby raises her hand timidly, "Um, Professor Ozpin, do you have something in your cup? Aside from the coffee?"

Ozpin seems to think on that as he stirs his cup gently, "Perhaps. That may very well depend on forces beyond our control. But I must be off, I'd rather not be caught in the crossfire. Good day ladies." And Ozpin is gone in a blur of green.

The two girls look at each other, "Alright, what the Hell just happened?" they both say.

"I don't know," May cuts in. "But I really wanna go again." She says with a pervy giggle.

That's all for this one folks, thanks for reading. I love you, and I'll see you next time!