It had been a whole month since the situation with Benihime had finally come to an end. There had been no incidents since, and it seemed as though Benihime just disappeared.

To any normal person it would have appeared that way, at least.

But Ruby was not a normal person. When she set her sights on something, she made sure she saw it through to the end. That determination of hers was something that the other members of her team admired deeply about her, although sometimes they believed she was a little too devoted to her cause.

This was one of those times. Ever since Benihime had escaped with everything she wanted, Ruby had slowly become more and more obsessed with finding her. She refused to let herself be beaten by someone like that. Someone who viewed kidnapping as nothing more than a game to pass the time, someone who would threaten a group of innocents so easily purely to torment them and confuse them.

'Ruby, are you still looking for information on that woman?' Yang worriedly asked, noticing Ruby's unwavering stare etching into the computer screen.

'I can't just let her roam free, Yang,' Ruby answered, never taking her eyes away. 'She's dangerous. This letter she sent me… she's planning something else. It's like she wanted to foreshadow things purely to mock me.'

'Ruby, we haven't seen or heard anything of her since the whole deal with Winter. I think it's time to let it go, sis.'

'But I can't just-'

'Let it go. Ruby, I understand you want to catch her. I really do, but you're not acting like the Ruby I know. This isn't you, you're always so calm… a little bit excitable and goofy, I'll admit, but that's just part of your charm. It's affecting your health. I'm worried about you Ruby. Please, just let her go.'

Ruby wanted to say something, but deep down she knew her sister was right.

'…Alright. I'll give up. But if she ever makes an appearance in future, I will not stop until I catch her.'

Ruby had a sneaking suspicion that Benihime would not leave it at that. In fact, she knew that she would pop up again soon. There were still things on that letter that didn't make any sense. Closing her eyes, she sighed, unable to take her mind off of the mysterious woman who had caused so much trouble for them.

Benihime… just who are you?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a pair of arms throwing themselves around her.

'What are you doing, Yang?' she asked with a giggle, Yang's fingers deftly tickling her sides.

'H-hey, stop that!'

She could barely speak through the laughter, the elder sister maniacally laughing as Ruby keeled over.

'You're so cuuuuuute!' Yang squealed. She had always found it adorable how ticklish Ruby was.

She soon grew tired, Ruby playfully hitting her after she recovered from the assault.

'You know I hate it when you do that,' she pouted, holding a pillow close to her chest.

'You love it really. Why would you let me do it otherwise?'

'I don't let you do it at all!' the redhead protested, though Yang's face told her she knew otherwise.

Yang very slightly reached her fingers out again, a smile crossing her lips as she did so.

'Touch me and I'm calling the police,' Ruby jokingly threatened.

'Go ahead and call 'em, it doesn't matter to me,' Yang said, leaning over to begin round two, their bouts lasting long into the night before they finally wore each other out and fell asleep.

'Is everything ready?'

'Yeah, just about. I can't believe we got hold of such a high profile ex-con so easily, though.'

'All you need are contacts and knowhow, and that is something I most definitely have.'

Benihime let a knowing smile slip across her lips, her next plan just inches away from fruition.

'Are you sure we can trust him though? What if he betrays us for a bigger pay cheque?'

'He won't,' Benihime reassured. 'I've known him a long time. The government won't admit it, but he was a survivor of the expansion project, same as me. He's officially registered as being dead, but when they found him they incarcerated him so he couldn't spill the beans on what they did.'

'Why don't you just tell everyone the truth?'

Benihime looked at the man as though he was insane.

'If it were that easy I would have done it years ago. They think I'm dead, and if I show my true identity to them they'll hunt me down without mercy. We're long past the point of just explaining things to the public. Either the government or I will be dead by the time this is all over, and I don't plan on letting it be me. Ozpin, Ironwood, Qrow and Taiyang… all of them will pay. Their experiment cost the lives of hundreds and they didn't even have the brass to admit they fucked up. I'll have their heads no matter the cost.'

'So when are we doing this?'

'Well let him begin tomorrow. We'll start small, maybe a few people at first. But by the end of it, I intend to involve as many people as I can in our little scheme. What better way to do that than at the grand finals of the Vytal Championships? The girls I asked about qualified, right?'

'They did,' the man responded.

'Good. Rig their matches. I want them both to be at the final. After all, what better way to send a message to Ruby than to let her have a taste of real suffering?'

'Consider it done.'

Satisfied, Benihime took a deep breath, her thoughts drifting to the upcoming tournament.

You're going to love this, Ruby.

The next morning, they were woken by a phone call. Rather, Ruby was woken by it, Yang was far too deep in her sleep to hear it, Ruby looking at her disapprovingly as she drooled all over her favourite pillow.

'Hello, Ruby Rose speaking.'

'Ruby, you won't believe it!'

It was Pyrrha. Ruby smiled to herself. It had been a long time since the two had had a proper conversation, so maybe it was time for them to meet up.

'What's up?'

'I made it to the Vytal Championships!'

'Seriously? That's great! So you're gonna be battling against the best of the best, huh?'

'Yeah,' Pyrrha replied, the excitement in her voice apparent as she spoke. 'Blake made it too! The first round is going to be during the Vytal Festival next week! Are you free later? I'd love to celebrate with you guys tonight if that's OK with you.'

'Yeah, that sounds great. I'm sure Yang will be up to it too, so we'll come meet you at your place later.'

Hanging up the phone, Ruby picked up a nearby towel and threw it at Yang, the girl jolting in response to her rude awakening.

'I was having a nice dream,' Yang said through a yawn.

'Yeah, I'll bet. We're going out with Pyrrha and Blake later. They made it to the Vytal Championships so we're gonna celebrate with them. I'm sure you don't mind, right? It gives you a chance to drink as much as you like after all.'

'Sounds awesome!'

Looking at the clock, it was already nearly midday.

'Hey Yang, you wanna go get something to eat at a restaurant today?'

'Sure, why not?' she replied, leaving to go shower and brush her hair beforehand.

After getting dressed herself, Ruby took her cell phone with her and slipped Crescent Rose by her side. She hadn't been taking it out much recently, but she had a bad feeling that Benihime would be making another appearance soon and wanted to be ready.

The Vytal Championships, huh… why do I get the feeling that Benihime is gonna show herself again during that tournament?

The two had a relatively relaxed lunch, Ruby ordering fish followed by a slice of strawberry cheesecake for dessert while Yang settled for a hamburger and apple pie.

'Oh man that hit the spot!' Yang exclaimed, lazily flinging her arms behind her head as Ruby stared at her dessert, occasionally prodding it with her fork.

'What's up, Rubes?'

'Nothing, I… I just can't shake the feeling that something doesn't feel right.'

'You mean Benihime, right?'

'Yeah.'

Yang's expression turned to that of contemplation, wondering what to say to her sister.

'I just… it's weird. She shows up out of nowhere, kidnaps Weiss' sister, demands a ransom out of her, and then just disappears again? She specifically sent a letter to me hinting at a bunch of events, things that didn't even happen during the whole ransom crisis and then just disappears? I don't buy it. Why did she need the money? Where did she go? What is she-'

Concerned by her sudden pause, Yang questioned her sister about it.

'What? What is it? Ruby, talk to me!'

'Yang, you don't think she… you don't think she'll try anything at the Vytal Festival, do you?'

'Are you crazy?! That thing's gonna have god knows how many important political figures there, not to mention a whole bunch of guards for each one! She'd be insane to attack the festival, Ruby. Even if she has money, those soldiers are some of Remnant's elite. That's the equivalent of trying to kill a Grimm by writing it a novel so heartbreakingly sad that its heart literally breaks and it dies.'

'Still… we're talking about someone who managed to kidnap a very important person and successfully extort all the money her family had, all before anyone even noticed she was missing. If anyone could pull it off, she could.'

'Maybe, but until that happens I want you to keep to your promise, OK? Besides, it isn't as though you have any leads to go on anyway.'

'I know, it just worries me that she might try to ruin the festival.'

After paying for their meal, the two of them headed out. Yang said her farewells and headed for her daily gym session whilst Ruby decided to go take a look around town. She'd been planning on buying some things for the festival anyway, so she figured she might as well buy some gifts while she was out. For Blake she bought an book series that she knew she had been keeping an eye on, and for Pyrrha she purchased a pretty silver necklace, one with a small jade crystal in the middle.

'Alright, that should do it,' she said to herself, pleased with her haul. Heading back, she found that Yang had not returned yet so decided to take a quick nap while she could.

A few hours later, she woke and Yang had still not returned, something that Ruby found odd.

She does realise we'll be going out soon, right?

Ruby sent her a message and flipped on the news while she waited, planning to take a shower and get dressed in some nice clothes for their night out.

'-there is currently no in-depth word from police on the matter, but they say the suspect is still at large. Please, if you have plans to go out tonight make sure you are travelling in a large group or are in a large, public place in order to prevent more of these awful murders.'

'Murders?!'

Ruby couldn't believe her ears. A news story about a murderer on the loose, Yang mysteriously not returning home.

'Please don't tell me she's…'

Quickly bolting for the door, she grabbed Crescent Rose as she ran and upon opening the door…

'Oh, hi Rubes. You, uh… you going somewhere? With… Crescent Rose?'

'You scared the hell out of me!' Ruby screeched, a wave of relief passing over her along with frustration. 'Don't just vanish like that! Do you not read or watch the news?'

'Of course I do. I'm guessing you're talking about the murders, so I might as well let you know that they're the reason I was out there. I felt like doing a little bit of investigation, seeing how Hunters have the same privileges as the police.'

'Alright… so what did you find?'

Yang sighed at Ruby questions.

'Absolutely nothing. Not even a trace. Whoever the culprit is, they're extremely professional about it. This murderer knows exactly what they're doing, so I think it's safe to say it's probably someone who's killed before.'

'Well, I'm just glad you're safe. I was really worried when you weren't here and I saw the news.'

'Yeah, sorry about that. Anyway, are we still heading out with Pyrrha and Blake tonight? I mean sure, there's a murderer on the loose but he only killed two civilians. Against four Huntresses it'll be a much different story, even without our weapons.'

'Yeah, I'll go get ready. Let Pyrrha and Blake know we're on our way, OK?'

'Gotcha.'

After the two had prepared, they set out for a well-deserved celebratory night out with their friends, Weiss opting to stay at home instead as she was helping her parents while they adjusted to their move to Yang's apartment, mainly by doing chores and looking through the Hunter network to see if there were any jobs around Vale that required a Huntresses help.

Yang was wearing a black and gold Atlesian dress, one that gave her a very mature, feminine appeal that clashed slightly with her brash nature yet harmonised perfectly with her physique. Ruby decided to don a cute floral summer dress, placing a single rose in her hair. Feeling satisfied with their appearances, the two headed out to enjoy themselves.

'That was excellently done,' Benihime complimented the murderer.

'Naturally. Now where's my pay?'

She made a face of mock offense at his harsh tone.

'You needn't be so hasty. Here, take it,' she said, tossing a large wad of Lien towards him. 'However, if you wish to earn more, we have just the thing for you.'

'What is it?' the man said, his interest perking up at her suggestion.

'We know about your past as a Hunter. We also know that you took out several assassination contracts, and that was the reason you were incarcerated. Our last job was just a little test to make sure you still had it, and oh boy the police have no clue where to start with you. That money in your hand? How would you like to earn ten times that amount?'

'I'm listening,' the man replied, obviously liking where the conversation was headed.

'It's simple. We want you to cause a little bit of mayhem for us. Not right now, but very soon. First of all, there's a target I'd like you to go after once the main tournament has begun. Her name is Yang Xiao Long. We'll have another job for you towards the end of the festival, so go ahead and enjoy yourself while you can. Soon, all of Vale will burn, and the fools who stand in my way will burn with it.'

'No way, seriously? Jaune really did that?' Ruby exclaimed.

'I'm serious,' Pyrrha said with a giggle, 'he really did. It was pretty funny to watch, honestly. I feel a little bad for laughing about it, I mean he did protect me from a few members of the White Fang after all, it's just the way he did it was so cheesy. "I'll protect you Pyrrha! A brave hero never backs down when a damsel is in distress!"'

Pyrrha had a melancholy expression on her face whilst talking about Jaune.

'You still love him, even after all this time,' Blake commented. 'I commend your determination, but I'm pretty sure Jaune's too dense to notice how you feel, Pyrrha. You either need to tell him straight up or someone else will take him from you.'

'I know that, it's just… it's hard. I mean, how do you tell one of your best friends that you love them? It's just not something I can do so easily.'

'Well whatever the case, didn't you mention something about him coming to watch the tournament?'

'Yeah, he said he was going to come back for a while to see everyone again and to cheer us on during the fights.'

'Alright,' Yang butted in, 'if you don't tell him how you feel by the end of the festival, I will, got it? I hate seeing you like this, Pyrrha! I know you find it hard to tell him about how you feel but it's tearing you apart! I can't stand it... you will tell him, won't you?'

Pyrrha was obviously conflicted by the decision, but eventually conceded.

'Fine. I'll tell him after the tournament is finished, I promise. Hey, maybe I'll get lucky and he'll like me back,' she said with a somewhat sad tone.

'I know he will, Pyrrha,' Ruby reassured. 'Just have faith in yourself. Trust me, when this is all over, the place will practically explode with love.'

Pyrrha couldn't help but perk up a smile at Ruby's strange analogy,

'Yeah, you might be right.'

The four girls spent the rest of the evening enjoying themselves with drinks and friendly chatter, waking up the next morning regretting the events of the previous night as their heads thumped violently from the hangover.

And before they knew it, the tournament was right around the corner, Pyrrha and Blake's first matches being the first and second-to-last matches of the day, respectively. The two had trained long and hard for the event, but neither could have guessed how it would all end up. Only one person knew that.

A person who had a very dangerous game in store for Ruby and friends.