Chapter 14

Author's Note: So, I'll plan on doing a few filler chapters and then skip to the beginning of the actual school year (a few weeks in this RWBY universe)…as well as the beginning of the girls actual training. Just a fair warning, I do start back school in about a month. By my calculations, there will be four more chapters (not including this one) before school starts back. I will still do my best to upload every Thursday evening, but school and work do come first. The only reason I think it will be harder this semester to keep up with my fic is because of the amount of work I will have to take home with me. There's going to be a lot of V/A editing I will have to do at home for videos in class. Still, I will do my best and I hope you guys bear with me.

Anyway, as always: Like, Favorite, and Sub– Oh, wait…wrong website.

Please drop a review so I can continue on my path to take over RoosterTeeth and rule the world.

"Excuse me, Miss Schnee?" a nursing technician said, waking the sleeping heiress.

"Again?" Weiss asked.

"Yes, I'm sorry." The tech said in a sympathetic tone.

"Is it really necessary to do this every four hours?" Weiss asked as she slowly sat up and held her arm out.

"Unless otherwise instructed, we have to observe your vital signs every four hours. It's not just you, but every patient staying in the hospital." The tech explained as she placed the blood pressure cuff around Weiss's arm and began to inflate the cuff.

"That sounds unbelievably tedious…what time is it?" Weiss asked after the tech had finished with her blood pressure.

"It is almost 7:30am. You may be interested in ordering breakfast…your blood pressure was 95/67, by the way." The tech answered while placing the thermometer in Weiss' mouth. Within a few seconds, it buzzed, and the tech read aloud, "96.8 degrees Fahrenheit. That would normally be considered low, however…"

"Yes, yes…it's normal for the 'Ice Queen'. I'm sure the brute next door has used that little term countless times." Weiss finished sarcastically, causing the tech to chuckle.

"She doesn't mean it in a negative way, I assure you. She actually speaks quite highly of you." The tech said as she placed a pulse oximeter on Weiss' finger.

"How so?" Weiss asked.

"Well, for one, she's impressed with your team coordination. She said that when she met you, she thought you would be to 'bitchy' to be able to work with and that you would 'bitch your way to leadership' as it were." The tech said as she wrote down Weiss' oxygen level and pulse. "Your Oxygen levels were at 100% and your pulse was 57." She said.

"Bitch my way to the top…that is how I was raised, honestly." Weiss stated.

"She explained how often you used your semblance in a supporting way, willingly…again, saying it is in direct conflict with you 'high maintenance attitude' or something along those lines." The tech continued.

"Definitely 'something along those lines;' she's a master at combat, but I doubt Yang could even spell maintenance." Weiss said, earning a giggle from the tech.

"You two are obviously a couple of friendly rivals. You both point out each other's flaws and acknowledge each other's advantages. She was most impressed how, due to your quick thinking, the Hunt was more or less successful because of you." The tech added.

"In what way?" Weiss asked.

"When you killed the first sniper and took his radio. Think of how much information you gained from their radio chatter. You learned about the airship, the time limit, you were given vital intel after the White Fang attacked, and you were able to trick the soldiers since you spoke their language…you 'played one of the largest roles in the victory', she said." The tech explained.

"Well, her beastly demeanor and unwavering determination were definitely noticed. When her partner was hurt, she took the battle into her own hands; when she dislocated a bone, she shoved it back into place; and when she was nearly sliced in two, she burned the wound closed and reloaded her weapons. Her willpower is probably some of the best I've ever seen." Weiss explained. "I wish bravery came that easy to all of us…" Weiss thought, down casting her eyes, but going unnoticed by the tech.

"If only she could hear you now, she might actually smile." The tech said with a grin.

"Ugh. As if. She would never let me live it down, that filthy barbarian." Weiss said in her usual cold tone.

"You two are way more alike than you realize! You both are at odds, but secretly are friends…but if anyone points it out, you both get all defensive!" The tech said, almost laughing.

"Don't you dare insinuate that she and I are anything alike!" Weiss defended.

"Aww…they both even get flustered. They're so cute~" A tired voice said from next to Weiss.

Both Weiss and the Tech looked over to see the small leader of Team RWBY laying in a cot, that had been pushed close to Weiss bed, almost connecting them. They were sharing the same blanket and Weiss had let her borrow one of her own pillows. Weiss was about to scold Ruby, as she often does, but found that there was a suspicious weight on her right hand. When she looked down, she saw Ruby's fingers still intertwined with hers from when the young leader fell asleep the previous night. Ruby had been so worried with that idea that she caused her team to get hurt, she basically cried herself to sleep. Weiss did her best to comfort the young girl, for some reason holding her hand seemed to calm her down. "She is still young, after all…" Weiss thought.

"Thank you for talking with me this morning. Can you please tell the nurse that I would like to begin lowering my pain medicine dosage?" Weiss asked to the tech.

"Sure. And if you need anything else, just let me know." The tech said as she exited the room.

"It's only been a day. Are you sure you want to start taking less pain medicine?" Ruby asked while rubbing her eyes. The previous night, the young girl had taken off her socks and boots, corset, shirt, skirt, and cloak, leaving her only in a black tank top, and black leggings…and Weiss took notice. She was so tired and sad the previous night, that she had neglected many things. She only ate because Weiss made her, she didn't shower, she's been forgetting her own pain medicine, she didn't even bother grabbing a blanket before going to sleep. Weiss knew she was inadvertently punishing herself for, what she perceives to be, her mistakes…and Weiss was not happy about it.

"Ruby! You are the one who hasn't taken any pain medicine." Weiss said.

Ruby pouted, "But I heal faster, and you–"

"No, Ruby. You cannot neglect your own health simply because your team is hurt." Weiss said.

"Is it wrong of me to worry about my team?" Ruby asked, leaning up and facing Weiss.

"Only if there is something to worry about. Blake only needed stitches and will be fine. I got a new bio-engineered organ, skin grafting, and stitches, so I'll be fine. And Yang got a freaking cloned kidney, a lot of bio-dust, and stitches too, so she'll be fine! You're the only one who I am not convinced will be fine, and the worst part is, you're doing it to yourself!" Weiss exclaimed.

"It's not fair, though! I heal faster than everyone else, but it's my fault everyone got hurt!" Ruby said.

"No, it isn't! Yang got hurt because she went Hulk Smash; Blake got hurt out of pure bad luck, and I was injured due to my own lack of self-awareness. How is that your fault?" Weiss asked.

Ruby sat up in bed, her left leg crossed under her right and her right leg extended straight on the bed. "I should have been prepared for everything, I should have–"

"No! That was the point of the simulation! You couldn't have been prepared for everything because the computer was actively working against us in every scenario! That's why our plans continued to fall short and our teammates kept getting hurt!" Weiss explained fervently.

At this point, Ruby was almost enraged at the idea that it wasn't her fault. "No! A leader should be–"

Ruby's head slung to the right, Weiss' arm extended with annoyance written on the heiress' face. "Ruby it is not your fault! If you would simply accept that, then you would feel so much better." Weiss said, retracting her arm. Tears began to slide down Ruby's face, causing Weiss' heart to ache with the force of an anchor. Weiss began to realize, however, that the tears were not from the slap she had dealt Ruby, but from something different altogether.

"I just don't want you guys getting hurt…" Ruby mumbled barely loud enough for Weiss to hear.

Finally, it hit her; Weiss understood what was causing Ruby some much pain. Weiss extended her arms again, but not for force, for comfort. She wrapped her arms around Ruby, bringing her into a warm embrace. Ruby's left cheek resting just above Weiss' bosom, and her body limp as she leaned against Weiss, tears still rolling down her face. "She isn't mad that she caused our pain…she is worried that she didn't." Weiss thought. "If it was her fault, then she could rectify it and stop it from ever happening again by simply bettering herself, both physically and intellectually. But, if it is not her fault, then there is nothing she can do to prevent it from happening again. She desperately wants to be the cause of our pain because she doesn't want to acknowledge the fact that, sometimes, bad things DO happen to good people for no reason." Weiss pondered. "You really are such a child…" Weiss whispered. "I'm sorry." She added.

Ruby said nothing, but simply slipped her left arm around Weiss' slender form and embraced her in the hug.

"Listen to me, Ruby: You have to let go. One of the main purposes of the Hunt was to show us how easy it is for things to go astray on a mission. If you really care about being a good leader, then you have to acknowledge that." Weiss said.

Ruby only nodded her head slightly in their embrace as a response.

"What if we are evacuating a village because of Grimm herd heading their way and I get stabbed by a Beowolf." Weiss asked, in a monotonous, yet sympathetic tone.

Ruby only clenched the back of Weiss Gown, with her left hand, as a response.

"What will you do, Ruby?" Weiss asked.

Again, nothing from the young leader but a few slow movements

"Ruby!" Weiss asked as she placed her left hand under Ruby's chin and lifted the young leader's head to face her. With Ruby's silver, bloodshot eyes looking up at Weiss and Weiss' Blue gaze penetrating Ruby's very soul, the heiress asked, "What will you do?"

"I…will continue the…m-mission…" Ruby said with a few sniffles in between.

"Will you let the villagers die because things aren't working out how you want them to?" Weiss asked.

"No. You…wouldn't want that…" Ruby whispered.

"Exactly. That is the right answer." Weiss said removing her hand from Ruby's chin, and pushing for Ruby to turn around, which she did meekly. She pulled Ruby back, resting her partner's head against her left collar bone, and crossed her arms across Ruby's stomach while resting her chin on Ruby's right shoulder.

"Thanks, Weiss." Ruby said.

"That's what friends are for." Weiss said.

"Friends?!" Ruby asked in excitement.

"Yes, friends. Assuming you wouldn't mind the 'bitchy Ice Queen' as an acquaintance?" Weiss asked sarcastically.

"No, that's what Yang thinks; I think you're a beautiful snow angel!" Ruby said in her usual childish attitude.

"Of course I am!" Weiss said sarcastically as she pulled out a laptop that she had Blake bring her the night before. "I'm glad I called her about this, it'll make my time here more bearable, I suppose." She thought as she lifted the top and powered on the device that was now sitting on Ruby's lap in front of the two.

"What'cha doin'?" Ruby asked.

"I need to check a few E-Mails and then I figured we could watch a movie. Anything to help the time go by would be a godsend." Weiss explained.

"E-Mails? For who?" Ruby asked.

"A few business partners…and perhaps a new business venture!" Weiss elated as she saw one of her unread E-Mails.

"What business? Is your dad already throwing you to the corporate wolves?" Ruby joked.

"Well, no. But, I have had my own clothing line for a while…you get to know people when you're the heiress of the most successful energy company in the world. And now I've gotten request to perform at the Schneeschloss." Weiss explained.

"Schnee floss?" Ruby inquired childishly.

"Schnee. Schloss. It means 'Snow Castle' in Atlesian. Schneeschloss is the most popular theater in all of Atlas. There have been television awards, concerts, plays, and Operas." Weiss explained.

"Wow…and your family owns the building?" Ruby asked.

"No, I never said that. I'm fairly certain that the government owns the building." Weiss said as she began to glance over the E-Mail.

"But it has your name in it…did they name it out of respect to the Schnees?" Ruby asked.

"Ruby. Schnee means 'Snow' in Atlesian." Weiss stated.

"So your last name is Snow?!" Ruby elated.

"Weiss Schnee means 'White Snow.' And it's certainly not that big of a deal." Weiss said.

"But that's so beautiful!" Ruby said with a giggle.

"You are such a child. Anyway, I don't think I'll be able to make it there to sing, so I'll have to decline." Weiss said as she began to type.

"But wouldn't that be a huge honor? Shouldn't you try to make it?" Ruby asked.

"Not necessarily. It's a charity fundraiser and they only want me there to make themselves look good." Weiss answered as she sent the reply E-Mail.

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked.

"I've been injured, so they set up a charity fundraiser conveniently for 'Hunters that have been injured in the line of duty' or so they say. If they can bring a Schnee in to preform, it shows the world that they are willing to waste no expense on raising money, making them look good. And if I show up while injured, it shows the world that I am always willing to support my fellow Huntsmen and Huntresses, making me look good. It's a mutual lie told to the entire world…and only about a quarter of the money actually goes to the charity." Weiss explained with hints of sarcasm and much disgust.

"That's…wrong." Ruby said.

"Indeed. But that is the world of business and bureaucracy; it's evil and downright deceitful." Weiss said. "So, I will have no part in it anymore." She finished.

"I'm glad you're trying to do some good in the world. And you said that you're going to fix all of the faunus problems in the SDC, soooooo…I'm proud of you." Ruby said as she brought her arms behind her, pulled Weiss head forward, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Ruby, please stop before I catch your sugar addiction." Weiss joked.

"Never! Join the Dark side, Weiss! Indulge! Be gluttonous!" Ruby said while poorly mimicking an evil voice.

"Ugh. Shut up, what movie do you want to watch?" Weiss asked.

"Frozen!" Ruby said almost immediately.

"Fine." Weiss said as she opened the browser, went to an online library of media, and purchased the song.

"You could have just streamed it from some third party website." Ruby said.

"Ruby Rose, are you admitting to partaking in illegal activities. Do you steal?" Weiss said playfully causing Ruby to downcast her eyes. "You never get good quality while streaming from third parties, anyway." She finished.

"It helps to be filthy rich, too." Ruby mumbled.

"Excuse me?" Weiss said while faking an offended tone.

"Nothing." Ruby said with a giggle before leaning back against Weiss, allowing the heiress to once again lay her chin on Ruby's shoulder.

"Just watch the movie, dolt." Weiss whispered.

"They seem to have calmed down." Blake said.

"Yeah, I figured Weiss would set her straight." Yang stated with her mouth full of a pot roast and turkey sub.

"Isn't that supposed to be her sister's job? And stop eating like a slob." Blake said.

Yang was about to protest before she remembered that she was still taking orders. They made that deal before their fight which was at about 11:15am the previous day…and it was currently 8:30am. She still almost three more hours of obedience to her new 'kitty overlord,' as Yang called it, much to Blake's dismay. "Yeah, but she needs to hear it from someone else. We grew up in a pretty secluded area; our house was in the middle of the woods. So, she only got to talk to people at school or on our grocery runs to town. It's important for her to bond with Weiss, and you, for that matter." Yang said.

"Has anyone ever told you that your grammar gets better when you're talking about friends and family?" Blake asked.

"Huh?" Yang asked with strips of meat hanging out of her mouth.

"Exactly." Blake said. "And are you saying you want me to go and talk to her also?" She asked.

"Yeah, but not now. I don't want you walking in on anything freaky." Yang said before holding her fingers in a 'V' shape, bringing them up to her lips, and sticking her tongue through them.

"That sounds more like you than her." Blake said jokingly.

"Hey, don't underestimate my lil' sis. When she has her eyes set on something, she won't stop until it's hers." Yang said.

"That depends on how straightforward she is…speaking of which: is there any particular reason why you're only wearing underwear?" Blake asked as she looked over to her partner who was sitting with crossed legs on her hospital bed eating a sub sandwich. Yang was only wearing a yellow sports bra, with the word 'BURN' spelled across the back in Black, and, what Blake assumed to be, a thong.

"Seduction." Yang answered almost monotonously.

"Nothing turns me on more than vulgarity, scars, and sloppy eating." Blake said sarcastically.

"That's why I'm perfect, babe…" Yang responded just as sarcastically as Blake, before finishing her sub in two more bites.

"Now C'mon, I didn't make this bet so we could play truth or dare. You got me for like three more hours, let's do something fun!" Yang said.

"Define fun." Blake said, crossing her arms.

Yang stood up, putting a lot of hip into her actions. "Something pleasurable. For us both." Yang explained.

"So, if you won the bet, you would have basically made me do something 'fun' with you?" Blake asked.

"Nothing you were uncomfortable with, but, yeah…basically." Yang said while maintaining her seductive demeanor.

"No, thank you." Blake said in as flat a tone as possible.

Yang raised an eyebrow and continued, "C'mon, kitty. Do you know how many people would kill for–"

"Do I look like those people?" Blake asked in a scolding manner. The face that Blake was wearing made it clear, to Yang, that she wasn't just playing hard to get.

"No, you're different, Blake. You've got, like, a really cool life story and you're a smart person, and strong and stuff. You've been through so much." Yang said, receding from her early actions and sounding meeker.

"Exactly. That's why I don't want it reduced to a trophy for you to claim. I recognized all the flirting a few days ago and I asked you sister about your previous partners…and how you drop them after just a few weeks." Blake said causing Yang to recoil.

"They were just for fun. Experimenting." Yang tried to explain.

"The faunus who used to be a terrorist isn't another experiment?" Blake asked.

"No. I actually like you." Yang said.

"So, you show it by trying to force me into a relationship." Blake said getting progressively more annoyed.

"No, I wouldn't have forced you to be in a relationship, I just think the whole obedience thing would have been sexy." Yang said.

"Yeah, 'you' thinks it's sexy. It's all about you, in a relationship." Blake said.

Yang began to stutter, "No, I would–"

"Yang! We've only known each other for about a week…if you want a relationship after such a short period of time, then you can't honestly be expecting more than sex." Blake explained. "I can't blame you, in that regard, since you're probably used to getting anyone you wanted using sex appeal. But, I want more than that. And I think you're still a bit too immature to understand that right now." She finished before starting to walk toward the door.

"Blake." Yang said from behind her.

Blake turned around to see that Yang had placed a shirt over her body. "Yes?" Blake answered.

"You're right, I'm sorry…" Yang said.

"That's a good first step. I forgive you, but I still need more time to get to know someone before a start any sort of relationship." Blake said.

"…you're right about most of it. I am immature, flirtatious, and you're not a trophy…but I still plan on claiming you." Yang said with a friendly smirk. "I just have to prove to you that I'm serious this time and that this relationship is worth it." She finished.

"Hmm…good luck, then." Blake said with a smile. "But if it were that easy to change, there would be no war." She stated.

"I didn't say that I would change, I'm still going to be the sexy badass I've always been, just not to other people. I'm just going to make YOU see me that way." Yang explained.

"You think you've got what it takes to claim my heart?" Blake asked playfully.

"Yes." Yang said before walking up to her partner and planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Y-Yang?" Blake muttered.

"And now I know for a fact I can win you over…people don't blush like that for no reason!" Yang said causing Blake to turn her head.

"Ugh. I'm going to see if Weiss and Ruby want anything to eat." Blake said as she opened the door.

"Alright, kitty. Don't be a stranger." Yang said as she turned around and laid back down on her bed.