A/N: Sorry for the wait! Jeez, school ain't no one's fool! Anyway, almost 3,000 views? I didn't actually think it'd make it this far! Thank you all for taking the time to read this, and I hope you enjoy Chapter 11.

Chapter 11: The Silver Lining

"Ruby."

The girls stood in silence at the Saiyan's choice.

"M-me? B-but-"

"You made me choose. I choose you." He looked around the room. "As for the rest of you, I can see your disappointment. Yang probably set this up so she could have someone to 'go out' with, seeing as loneliness is probably eating her up."

"N-no, it's not!"

He choked back a laugh. "Anyway, I've made the choice. You have to respect that choice."

"But, I mean, why Ruby?" Weiss asked. "She's probably the complete opposite of what someone like you would even consider to-"

"Jealous?"

"N-no!" She turned away to hide her reddened face, the rest laughing, glad they weren't the center of attention.

Maybe it wasn't such a bad choice coming here, Alistor thought.

"Honestly, I have to thank you." The two were walking through Vale, all the shops lit up from inside with a warm glow. A light snowfall, the cold temperature making their breaths visible, a white haze left behind in an otherwise warm-hearted city. "It's been a long time since I've had the luxury to relax. With everything that's happened, I truly feel calm."

"D-don't mention it." Ruby's mind was still swarming with thoughts, most importantly, I'm gonna kill Yang when we get back.

"So… what exactly is it you do here?"

"Well, we'd usually go..."

Something caught her eye. Something so beautiful, shining red, intricate designing, but most importantly, on sale. A pair of boots, perfect for her.

"What are you… Oh." He sounded unamused.

"They're perfect!" Ruby could feel her inner woman coming out, such a useless item, especially given her current situation, but it was on sale. "I just need to have them."

"So, how do you plan on getting them? I mean, they're not yours."

"With-" Ruby stopped. Her open wallet, but with nothing inside.

"Currency. I understand. So you people pay with folded leather?"

"N-no..." Ruby had to remember that he, despite having learned a lot, was still, in fact, an alien. "It's… a wallet. We store money in it." She sighed. "I don't have any."

"Who cares? We don't need money." He sat on a bench, inviting her to sit as well. "So much to just see, why do we need to own anything?" His tone was bitter. "Just enjoy the view."

He was just noticing how cute Ruby actually is, her wine colored hair neatly brushed for the first time in who knows how long, her silver eyes shining, the cold giving her rosy cheeks to color in the pale complexion, that smile that could melt hearts.

Although, enjoying the view was going to be out of the question very soon. A security alarm, followed by the sound of glass breaking, not too far away.

"Well, so much for that." He stood up. "I guess we have something to do now. You coming?"