Chapter Three: Cinder

"You know" Yang said, thinking. "Ruby used to be a quieter girl. Back when she was in her first year of Signal, she was pretty shy actually, but then she met someone or something and she just became much more active and less shy. It was actually kinda scary."

"So" Blake thought. "Was she like that that we just saw?"

"Yeah actually." Yang said. "She was violent at times, but I can't remember why. I guess it had something to do with that. She never would tell me what happened at school though."

"What do you mean?" Blake asked.

"She outright refused to talk about it." Yang said. "Only my uncle Qrow knew much about her life at that school, but that's only because he was a teacher there. Even he refused to talk about it much."

"Well, I'm sure she'll answer our questions." Blake said.

"I don't know." Weiss said. "If it's such a personal issue, I don't think she'll even talk to us. I mean, I'm her roommate and Yang is her sister, but if she doesn't want to talk about it, she won't."

"Yeah." Yang said, nodding. "I guess she won't. But, we need to find her. I hope she isn't getting into trouble."

With Ruby

Ruby stared at the woman she had run into, becoming at a loss for words.

The woman in question was still standing, not having been knocked over by Ruby. She was dressed in a pair of white jeans that hugged her body closely, but were a little fuzzy. She wore a pair of white fuzzy boots that seemed to be for winter. The tips of the boots were an ashy black color. She wore white gloves with black fingers that were similar to biking gloves. She had on a white jacket that stopped at her midriff, the two tails trailing down and giving a look of folded angel's wings. The jacket was open, revealing her exposed chest, bandages wrapping around her breasts as covering. Her face was one of confidence yet beauty, Ruby having trouble staring at without blushing, though she wasn't in love with it. She had white hair that was moved in such a way that it covered her left eye. A good portion of the hair on her right side was an ashy black and trailed over her shoulder. Her eyes were a blood red with hints of a cinder color in them. Currently, her arms were crossed as she looked at Ruby with an amused look.

"My my, little Red." She said, her voice smooth like silk. "You sure are in a hurry."

"I" Ruby stuttered, the woman's beauty stunning Ruby, despite the fact that she had no physical attraction to the woman. "I—uh, I was heading to my room and—"

"Well" the woman said, cutting Ruby off, kneeling down in front of her, cupping Ruby's chin in her hand. "I think you should watch where you're going. You could seriously hurt someone. Now, Little Red, do you have a name?"

"R-R-Ruby." Ruby said, gulping slightly. "Ruby Yveltal Rose."

"A pretty name for a pretty face." The woman said, Ruby turning as red as her cloak. "Mine is Cinder M. Absol Fall." (A/N: Cinder is a Mega Absol. The reason for this is because I like its design… this makes sense later)

"That's an… interesting name." Ruby said. "I like it."

"Good.' Cinder said, releasing Ruby. "So, how about I escort you to your room?"

"Uuuhhh." Ruby said, trying to find words. "I guess."

"Alright then.' Cinder said. "Lead the way, Little Red."

Ruby walked towards her room, Cinder walking beside her. Once they arrived, Ruby opened the door, Cinder entering at Ruby's gesture. She sat down on one of the chairs Ruby had put in there. She and Ruby began to talk, the conversation varying.

"So" Ruby asked. "How long have you been at this school?"

"Two years." Cinder said. "You?"

"I'm a first year." Ruby said.

"Interesting.' Cinder said, drawing out the word some. "I think you will make a very good fighter."

"I hope so." Ruby said, nodding. "I've been training for a while just so I could be ready for this school."

"Well, I'm sure you will be a fine student." Cinder said. "You seem to have much… potential.'

"Th-thanks." Ruby said, blushing slightly.

"So" Cinder said. "How is your roommate? I've heard about her from you and she seems like a very interesting person."

"She is." Ruby said. "She's also a pretty good fighter.'

"I see." Cinder said. "Well, I would like to meet her."

"Maybe she's coming back here." Ruby said. "You can meet her then."

"Alright." Cinder said.

"As if on cue, Weiss stepped in, Yang and Blake standing outside the door, heading to their own room after a couple seconds. Weiss took a look at Cinder, her eyes narrowing.

"Who is this?" She asked, her voice lowered to a dangerous level. Ruby could sense the edge in it, tensing up a little bit.

"This is Cinder.' Ruby said. "Cinder, this is Weiss."

"A pleasure.' Cinder said, her voice containing no fear.

"I think it's best that you leave.' Weiss said to Cinder, gesturing with her head towards the door. Cinder, whether or not she was afraid of Weiss, left the room, waving back to Ruby, who waved back.

"She's bad news.' Weiss said, crossing her arms. "Why were you with her?"

"I ran into her." Ruby said.

"You just ran into her?" Weiss asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Yeah." Ruby said. "I wasn't looking where I was going and I ran into her."

"Well" Weiss said. "Stay away from her. There's something about her I don't like."

"Uh" Ruby said. "O…kay?"

"Just do it." Weiss said. "Believe it or not, I am looking out for your wellbeing."

"Alright, Weiss." Ruby said. "I'll try to stay away from her."

"Good.' Weiss said, nodding. "Please do."

"So" Ruby said. "Can we get cookies?"

"Is that the only thing you think about?" Weiss asked, rolling her eyes.

"No.' Ruby said, crossing her arms and puffing out her cheeks. "I also think of strawberries. So there."

Weiss' expression looked like a mix between her wanting to smack Ruby and trying her best not to laugh at how adorable she looked puffing her cheeks out.

"Well" Weiss said. "You need to stop thinking of only food."

"But, I love food!" Ruby whined.

"Whatever." Weiss said, rolling her eyes. "Let's just have us a little talk."

"What about?" Ruby asked.

"About earlier today." Weiss said.

"What earlier?" Ruby asked.

"Your fight." Weiss said.

"What about it?" Ruby asked, her tone losing some of its childishness. "He deserved it.'

"It seemed… personal." Weiss said, crossing her arms. "What do you have against Cardin that's to that personal level? Don't get me wrong, pretty much everyone has something against the guy, but yours seemed to be on a deeper level."

"Well" Ruby said, sighing, bringing up some painful memories. "It isn't just Cardin. It's everyone who hurts Faunus with physical or nonphysical violence."

"Why?" Weiss asked. "I mean, I hate it when people do that to Faunus, but I would have only hit Cardin once and frozen him. You beat him into unconsciousness."

"I'd have beat him more if Glynda hadn't lectured me.' Ruby said.

"I see." Weiss said. "But, what's the underlying reason?"

"What I'm about to say." Ruby said, moving over to the door and closing it, the lock clicking shut. "Don't repeat it to Yang or Blake. I don't need Yang's consolation. Not that it's not helpful, but she's… Yang."

"I see." Weiss said, nodding. "Well, tell me the story."

"Right.' Ruby said.

Flashback—Ruby narration in bold

So, I used to be a shy, quiet kid back in middle school. Yang would always try to get me to do stuff, but I wouldn't. I had a couple of friends, two of the best friends I ever had, but they couldn't break me out of my shell either. But, one day in high school, I met her…

Ruby sat at the table, her two best friends, the twins, Melanie and Miltia next to her on either side.

Ruby was dressed in black jeans, a red t-shirt and her red cloak. Her hair was shorter than it was (A/N: Ruby's hair in present time is down to her midriff)

Miltia Plusle Malachite was dressed in a cream colored shirt with a large red bow made into a plus sign wrapping around her left arm. She wore red jeans that had two white plus signs drawn on them, one on each leg. Her sneakers were white with red laces. Around her neck was a necklace with an equal sign on it. She wore red gloves with white fingers. There were plus sign earrings in her ears. There was a red plus sign tattooed onto each cheek. Her short black hair was down to the bottom of her ears. There was a red bow that had a plus sign on it. Her eyes were green with red spots in them. Her expression was quiet, but she hid some power behind that expression.

Melanie Minun Malachite was wearing a blue skirt that went halfway down her thighs. She wore white heels with a blue bow cut into the shape of a minus sign. She wore a white blouse with a blue tie, the bow in the shape of a minus sign. Around her neck was a white, fluffy scarf that wrapped around twice. She had a blue minus sign tattooed onto each cheek. Minus sign shaped earrings were in her ears, though, her long black hair covered them up a good deal. Said hair had two blue streaks in it. Her eyes were green with blue spots in them. Her expression held some arrogance, but in addition to that, confidence.

Ruby and the twins ate together until someone else came up.

"Hi.' The female voice said, its tone cheery. "Mind if I join you guys? Kinda alone on my first day."

"Sure.' Melanie said, ignoring her. "No one's stopping you.'

"Thanks.' The girl said, sitting down. Ruby got a good look at her, taking note of her features.

Said girl was dressed in a yellow dress that went to her knees. She wore yellow high tops with red laces. She wore yellow fingerless gloves as well. Her top had a cutout portion in the shape of a heart, revealing a red shirt under it. There was a large red spot on each of her cheeks as well as some freckles around her nose. Her hair was about as blonde as it could be, reaching her shoulders and a little lower. Her eyes were brown, full of childishness. However, her most interesting feature would be the yellow lightning bolt shaped tail that extended from behind her as well as the yellow ovular pointed ears with black tips that came up from her hair.

"Hi." She said with a grin. "Name's Mikado Pikachu Sunglow."

"Miltia Plusle Malachite.' Miltia said, pointing at herself. "These two are Ruby Yveltal Rose next to me and Melanie Minun Malachite next to her."

"Hiya." Mikado said. "Nice ta meetcha."

Ruby waved shyly, Mikado grinning back.

Over the weeks, me and Mikado grew really close as did she with the twins. We did everything together. We were inseparable. They called us the fearsome foursome. But, one day… one day she just… left.

"But, Mikado." Ruby said, holding onto her best friend with tears in her eyes. "I don't want you to go."

"I'm sorry, Rubbles." Mikado said, hugging the girl and kissing her forehead. "But, I have to. I'm sorry. It's beyond my control."

"Please come back." Ruby said, sniffling.

"I'll try my best, kiddo." Mikado said, patting her. "But, for now I gotta go."

"Alright." Ruby said, a tear falling as Mikado boarded the bullhead with the Atlesian military symbol on it. Ruby and the twins watched as the bullhead rose into the sky, taking off for the training camp.

Present time

"Wait…" Weiss said, thinking. "Mikado Sunglow… that's a familiar name."

"You know her?" Ruby asked, perking up.

"I think so." Weiss said, thinking. "My sister's partner is named Mikado, but she doesn't talk about her much."

"Huh." Ruby asked. "Well, if your sister ever comes to visit, ask her if she'll bring her partner."

"Alright." Weiss said, nodding. "I'll do that. But, one thing bothers me."

"What?" Ruby asked.

"You blushed at a few parts of that story." Weiss said. "Why?"

"Well, I, uh" Ruby said, looking down. "I, uh, kinda had… feelings for her."

"Ah.' Weiss said. "makes sense. Well, how about you get some sleep and I'll call my sister.'

"Thanks." Ruby said, lying down on her bed. "Oh, and Weiss?"

"Huh?" Weiss asked.

"Thanks." Ruby said, smiling.

"You're welcome, dolt." Weiss said, chuckling.


huh. So, we see who Ruby ran into as well as some more into her past (oh, and, normally I'm not one for OC/canon pairing, but since it's a crush, i don't mind since it gives development to the characters). This should be interesting. What happens next? Find out soon.