A/N Wow, You constantly give me good ideas and support, we should talk. That goes for all of you, wanna chat? My Skype and Gmail are on my profile, feel free to hit me up if you feel like it. Talking to you guys is the best, so yeah...
~Credit to Skiretehfox for letting me use her 'Absolute Trash' photo as a story cover!~
Sry for the dark beginning...
Chapter 9. Digging Deeper.
"Ruby, sweetie, Why don't you go sit over there while Mommy talks to the bank lady, hm?" Ruby's gaze averted to the sitting area; eyes going wide at the sight of dozens of books littering a nearby table. Cute silver eyes glanced at the source of the voice; her mother -Summer Rose. A tall woman with a pale complexion and hair a deep contrasted black. She shared the same silver hued eyes and wore the calmest most comforting smile on Remnant. "Okay Mom!" Ruby cheered, dashing away from the teller and leaping into a leather chair that was much to large for her young body.
The bank teller grinned, "Is that your daughter?" She inquired whilst Summer passed over her bank card and several bills. "Yep, That's my youngest, she just turned seven last week."
"Well she's just precious." As her card was swiped Summer glanced to Ruby, who was face deep in a National Geographic magazine; Summer let out a hearty laugh. "If I had a nickel for every time I heard that..."
As Summer conversed with the teller, Ruby sat in her overstuffed and over-sized chair. Her eyes scanning over every word of every page; she had two favorite things in these magazines -Art and History. Art that was old and rustic of new and abstract. History of heroes, chaos, struggle and triumph.
Chaos...
Ruby hummed gently and swung her feet back and forth, this was a regular routine for her; everyday Summer would pick her up from school and they'd go somewhere. Anywhere even. Sometimes they went grocery shopping, others was the mall, and then there was times like today when 'Mommy' had business to take care of.
Today was Friday, and Friday's in her household meant take-out food and movie night. Ruby's young mind was already racing with ideas as to what movie she would pick, too many options.
Ruby noticed an elderly man sit down in the chair that flanked her own. Ironically enough, the girl was currently stuck on a page with a similar looking man in a black and white photo near the top right corner. Outstretching her smooth pale arms, Ruby held the magazine just inches from the man's thick lenses.
"Is that you in he picture?"
"Huh?" The man looked like he was half asleep. "N-No that's no me kiddo, I'm not that old." The man broke out into a mixture of coughs and laughs. Ruby giggled along, her high pitched laughs echoing through the interior of the bank.
Summer swiveled to the familiar snorts of her daughter, her face scrunched up in sheer hilarity. It always boggled Summer's mind as to how her daughter would laugh just for the sake of laughter. Ruby noticed her mother's warm smile, dropping her book and waving goodbye to the nice elderly man, Ruby ran back to her mother and clung to her skirt, her eyes gazed up again; glowing with happiness.
"Mom! Mom! That man was in my book!" She cheered.
"Was he know? What did he say?" Summer smiled and squatted down to Ruby's level.
"He just laughed and laughed and laughed, Mommy." Ruby ended her miniature rant with a small girlish snort.
"Well I just need five more minutes and then we can go home, okay sweetie?"
"Kay!"
Summer continued her dealings with the teller; she absent-mindedly thought of this evenings plans. Just the thought of sitting on the couch with her loving husband and two children almost made Summer squeak in excitement -something her own daughter would do too.
"Okay Ms. Rose, you're all set. Is there anything else you need?" The teller asked while clicking away on her computer.
"No that'll be all, have a nice day." The woman smiled back. "Okay Ruby C'mon, let's go~"
KRAKOW!
A loud bang echoed through the large interior of the bank, followed by several screams as someone horridly pointed at a security guard by the door, who was shot directly through the chest; a smooth, calculated, instant death shot.
The front facade of the building was largely built with heavy glass paned widows broadcasting the busy downtown street directly outside. Three armed assailants entered through the rotating carousel doors, two male and one female. The female appeared to be carrying a light assault rifle, whilst the two males were armed with heavy machine guns.
"Nobody move!" One of the males called out. The screams and panic of the banks occupants ceased to deathly silence.
"M-Mommy what's going on?" Ruby choked, hiding behind Summer's legs.
"J-Just stay back Ruby, okay?" Summer didn't take an eye off of the armed robbers, she used her free hand to shuffle Ruby closer behind her body and began scrutinizing the dating of the assailants clothes.
The lot of them were dressed in casual suits with long dark trench coats over top. All three had sunglasses to cover their eyes, and a peculiar looking emblem tattooed on their necks. Summer squinted, pale silver eyes bugged in fear as her brain made the connections.
The symbol was the infamous double-triangle of... Crimson.
"Let's play a game shall we!?" The other male bellowed. "For every thirty seconds that your governments police force doesn't show up; one of you gets to die."
"You can't do- agh!" An innocent man tried to intervene, only to be shot in the left leg; he instantly crumpled to the floor, pained groans bouncing around the room.
"You see, your government needs to be taught a lesson, and we've tried to teach them; but they're to ignorant to listen!" The female spoke, her two comrades encircling the main desk and took each person behind it hostage.
The young extremist continued her explanation of the government downfalls of society, and how it's the 'Ignorance of man' for not being able to put a stop to it.
Summer shook in fear, for herself and more so; her daughter. She knelt down to Ruby once more and held her as close as possible, the young girl still had no idea what was going on, and Summer prayed they could keep it that way.
Summer was well aware of the blight of Crimson, a bunch of insane extremists that use transparent ideas to ensue mayhem and chaos, their constant goal being the 'betterment of society'. The plane Crimson had hijacked almost six months ago was still plastered all over the news.
KRAKOW!
Another shot rung out, Summer didn't even open her eyes. She felt Ruby slowly begin to sob in fear into her jacket, she pulled the tiny girl closer running her smooth fingers through Ruby's silky hair and soothingly shushed her.
KRAKOW!
Summer winced this time, her own eyes pooling with tears; tears held back by her clamped and scrunched face. The brunette struggled to contain her shaking, desperately trying to keep herself and Ruby calm...
"M-Mommy, I'm scared..." Ruby sobbed.
Another gunshot, followed by a pained scream. Summer still refused to open her eyes, trying to hold back the torrent of tears laden behind them. 'Why today...'
More minutes passed, Summer was pale and cold with fear. 'Where the hell are the police!?' She raged internally. She shuffled a bit as Ruby latched closer to her. Summer's nostrils became filled with the Arid stench of gunpowder and blood.
Summer cried openly now, as with every gunshot that rung out; the footsteps grew closer and closer to where she huddled with Ruby by the counter. "Mommy I'm scared..." Ruby buried her face deeper into Summer's collar, the woman responded with a tightened grip.
"Ruby... M-Mommy loves you v-very much okay? Mommy loves you s-s-so much." Boots clicked closer behind them. Summer pried Ruby's small frame from her body and met the girls tear tainted face. "Mommy n-needs you to go over there okay?" Summer gestured to a nearby lounge chair resting a few feet away, just big enough for only one of them to hide under. "T-The bad g-guys won't get you under ther-e."
"Mommy please!" Ruby screeched, trying desperately trying to cling to her mother again. Summer held her at an arms length and kept gesturing towards the chair. "Ruby p-please... Mommy loves you okay? Y-You, and Yang and D-Daddy..."
Ruby held back her sobs and followed her mother's instructions, she crawled over to the chair in question, and stowed herself underneath it; her actions went unnoticed by the assailants.
Summer's ears began to ring as each successive shot became closer and closer... she glanced up at her brave little daughter; eyeballing her from the confines of the underside of the chair. "Ruby Close your eyes... o-okay honey?"
Ruby did exactly that, clamping her eyes shut and scrunching her body into the fetal position. She smiled at how brave Ruby was being; she probably still had no idea what was going on.
Summer heaved onto one knee as a different click sounded from behind her; one of cold steel and hatred, of despair and anger. She felt the barrel of the gun poke her spine, wincing as the breaching teeth dug into her skin. Agonizing seconds past, Summer cracked one eye open, seeing her daughter still hadn't moved an inch.
With one final breath and a weak smile; Summer mouthed the words 'I love you' to a fear-stricken Ruby. The assailant tightened their grip on the rifle and-
Everything went dark...
Ruby shrieked at the intense sound of gunfire followed by an dull thud. She slammed her palm over her lips, desperately trying to keep quiet as the assailants footsteps grazed by her hidden position and onto their next target.
"Shit, they're here!" One of the males called out. All three attackers ran to the large glass entryway of the building. In her peripheral vision, Ruby could see several large trucks pull in front of the building -sirens blaring.
"Drop your weapons!" A SWAT officer shouted. "On the ground, now!"
They didn't let up...
One assailant attempted to shoot back, holding the gun over the desk he had taken cover behind. He was impeded as the two officers took care of the situation. Shooting all three of the Crimson attackers; killing them instantly.
"Secure the perimeter! We need paramedics in here now!"
Ruby become fully aware that the danger was over and took in the scene surrounding her. An almost even combination of shot and still alive people. Most were clinging to whatever loved ones they had left. Pleading silver eyes traced a path directly to where she was just sitting with her mother. In its place was a completely limp Summer Rose.
"Mommy!" Ruby screamed, knocking the chair forward as she bolted to where Summer lay.
"M-Mommy? P-Please, wake up! Mommy... please wake up..." Ruby slipped her hand under Summer's body and attempted to lift her. Ruby screamed as her hand contacted something wet, and cold. The scarlet-clad girl jerked her hand back, eyes going wide at the red that coated her hand all the way up to her forearm.
"Mommy!" She bawled, "Don't g-go..." Ruby placed her head on Summer's stomach. "Please..."
######
"Hm?" Cinder raised her head and cracked her heavy lidded eyes open. The Saffron irises taking in her current surroundings; she was still in the living room, the TV silently playing infomercials. That led her to check the time: 1:08 A.M. Everything slowly came back; she carved a pumpkin with Ruby, made-out and then resided to cuddle on the couch and watch TV. Cinder smiled, maybe Ruby will stay the night, considering it was-
"Mommy...Don't g-go... Please..."
'Ruby?' Cinder gazed below, down to the girl nuzzled against her body. Ruby's body was shaking softly and muttering words Cinder couldn't make out. Her body racked with something akin to fear and despair.
"Please..."
The plead was louder this time, Ruby's scared tone made Cinder's skin crawl, frightening her to the bone. She couldn't take anymore of this; Cinder placed a hand on Ruby's shoulder and shook softly, jostling the crimsonette from what appeared to be a nightmare.
"Ruby...?" Cinder whispered. "C'mon wake up."
Ruby whimpered in response, her shaking intensified as Cinder caressed her shoulder.
"Ruby. Wake-up you're having a-"
"Don't go!" Ruby cried out. In her meek state the scarlet-haired girl turned over and wrapped her arms around Cinder; clinging to her form like it was the last embrace they'd ever share. "Ruby? I?" Cinder stopped as Ruby cried deeply in her shoulder, the black fabric of her blouse slowly becoming sullied with the smaller girls tears. Cinder returned the embrace, gliding her hands up and down Ruby's back and trying to share her warmth with the oddly cold girl. Right now, asking questions wasn't the best idea, Cinder just wanted to quell whatever had been plaguing Ruby.
They laid there for almost fifteen minutes before Ruby reluctantly pulled away, her puffy face barely visible in the darkness that blanketed the room. "I'm sorry Cinder..."
Cinder stared in shock. "You didn't do anything wrong Red...it's...okay, do you want to talk about it?"
Ruby was off of the couch and already nearing the door. "N-No I have to go, it's late."
"Rose, it's past one thirty, you can stay over."
"It's fine, I'll just walk... not that far anyway... right?" Ruby flashed Cinder a fake smile, her silver eyes still shimmered from the TV light; fresh tears inching closer to Falling down her cheek.
"Ruby." Cinder attempted to stop the girl, "What's wrong?" Her tone was mixed between sincerity and aggressiveness.
"I'm f-fine, just late is all..." Ruby slipped on her second runner and opened the door.
"I can a least walk you home-"
"No!, it's fine; I'll be okay." Ruby almost deliberately pushed Cinder back, and stumbled out the door. Stopping "Well I'll see you tomorrow, right?" Cinder called out.
"Y-Yeah t-tomorrow, sure." Ruby replied, already halfway down the driveway.
Cinder closed her door, albeit with reluctance.What was that all about? Was it her fault? Was cuddling on the couch too far? Cinder then remembered something; Ruby had called out to... her mother? The Ebony-haired girl ruled herself out as a cause for Ruby's strange behavior, leaving an empty space as to why Ruby had been crying in her sleep -calling out for her mother to not go.
Go where?
And then there was the crying, Ruby clinging in for fear life while she sobbed for a good fifteen minutes. Then leaves like nothing happened?
However the word that stuck in Cinder's mind most; was 'Mommy'. Something had happened to Ruby's mother, and judging by Ruby's strange actions; that something was not good. Maybe she was wrong, maybe Ruby was closer than she thought, but how Ruby acted so... distant was almost scary. Over the past week since they've been dating Ruby would tell Cinder everything, sure she'd do it with numerous stutters; but it always came out in the end. And that's what frightened Cinder the most; Ruby was hiding something, not something small, something that caused her deep pain. Something that just wasn't right...
######
The metal doors to the elevator swooshed open, Ruby wasted no time and dogtrotted down the hallway and to her family's apartment. Her breaths were ragged and her hoodie was drenched in cold sweat. She hurriedly dug her keys from the depths of her pocket and began fumbling with the door lock. It was almost 2 A.M. at this point and Ruby knew Yang was waiting on the other side of that doorway to quite literally kill her for being out so late.
Wanting to get it over as fast as possible; Ruby unlocked the door and pushed it open, tensing her muscles for the inevitable assault from Yang.
Nothing...
The main living area of the apartment was pitch black, the only visible light was that of the LED clocks of the various appliances in the kitchen. Ruby breathed a sigh of relief and turned a light on. She had completely forgotten that Friday's were Yang's party days; the blonde usually wouldn't surface from wherever she was until the following evening of the following day, her father worked nights so it was just Ruby, alone... with her own thoughts.
The crimsonette ran into her room and gently sat down on her bed. Her eyes faced out the window, thoughts slowly drifting too-
That nightmare...
Ruby felt herself tear up at the mere images that flashed in her mind. The screams, the shots, the blood...
She never truly got over the passing of her mother -even eight years later. Her eyes drifted to the picture of Summer resting on her nightstand. She looked so vibrant, so... alive... Her eyes went further; to the small carbon-black razor-blade resting inches from the photo. Ruby had used the cold steel as a self harming punishment when she was thirteen. Constantly blaming herself for the death of her mother, even after Crimson had been put to an end not long after the 'Vale Central Bank Massacre'.
That was a dark time in her life; she'd kept the blade as a stark reminder of it all. Something she promised herself she'd never turn to ever again. Ruby knows exactly why she had that nightmare, knows the exact specific reason...
The dream had acted like a precautionary protocol, one to remind Ruby of what happens when people get close. A protocol that still lingered in the negative side of her brain; the side that still gripped her pessimistic outlooks on life, the side that Cinder had seemingly allured her from. Cinder was different, special, powerful. Ruby had been close with friends and family, but no where near as close as her current relationship lied with Cinder, a relationship that rivaled or even beat that of her own mother. She'd would always hold people at an arms distance, but Cinder was a different story.
A story that she would not let her pessimism stomp out.
######
"Come on Schnee get in there!"
Weiss hates Fitness class, or more specifically; she hates Volleyball. She was really regretting waiting until her final year to earn her Credit. Between the constant barks of Coach Goodwitch and the belittling she took from her fellow classmates, Weiss had come to the sound conclusion that this stuff just wasn't her thing. Weiss accepted it however, the fact that she was too short to slam dunk, to light to spot someone when lifting weights, and just not quick enough when it comes to saves in Volleyball.
She hated gym shorts too.
The game had been ridiculously imbalanced from the start. Weiss almost felt like she was purposely placed on the team with all of the scronny girls whilst the pros were on the other. Weiss looked to her left as some random girl failed to serve the ball, missing it entirely! To her right was some other girls she didn't recognize -save for the one with pink and auburn hair. Weiss recognized her as the new girl who showed up to debate practice the previous day; and oddly enough -didn't say a word but was brought on for her 'tactical cunning'.
The other team was chalk full of the athletes, Blake -captain of the Signal Volleyball team, Pyrrha, and Velvet; who was surprisingly excellent at the sport.
Finally their team served, sending the ball directly into...
The net.
"Forget it! Nikos, you serve." Goodwitch shouted. Pyrrha retrieved the ball and served, the ball flew through the air and directly towards one of the frightened girls on Weiss' team. Ice-blue eyes watched in agitation as the girl fumbled with what to do. Now sure, Weiss wasn't very good at the sport; but that doesn't mean she's not going to try. Her competitive edge shined through as she dived for the ball, not realizing that the girl had backed up landing her directly in Weiss' path. The girls collided, Weiss was sent tumbling off to the side whilst the other girl simply fell over.
'I've had it with this stupid game and all these stupid people!' Weiss had enough, rolling over she clutched her shoulder and groaned in pain; faking an injury like a pro.
"Schnee, you're on bench, everyone take-"
"I can play."
Coach Goodwitch turned and glared. "Ah, Miss. Fall, glad you could join us twenty-five minutes late." She quipped. Cinder meagerly shrugged. "Fine, you're in for Weiss, let's go!" Weiss took her place on a nearby bench and began fixing her shoes, for a mere second she looked up -and instantly blushed.
Cinder stuck out like a sore thumb compared to her scronny teammates, she was the only one clad in a black sportbra and white gym shorts, showing off evenly toned and blemish-free skin. Cinder was easily a head taller than the rest of her team as each one of its members had to look up at her.
"Fall, your serve." Goodwitch chucked the ball over to Cinder who caught it without even looking. The ebony-haired girl took her place in the corner of the court and prepared herself to serve. Ball in her left palm, Cinder brought her right arm back and with one fellow swoop contacted the ball; creating a clean and powerful serve.
On the other side, Blake leaped for it, outstretching her arms and countering swiftly; sending the ball right back to Cinder. Without much effort, Cinder ran towards the net and slammed the ball back down, even Pyrrha, who was idling close by, couldn't react fast enough and let the ball hit the ground.
Blake glared at Pyrrha. "You just gave them a point!"
"You saw how fast she was, there was no way!" Pyrrha rebuttaled.
Blake rolled her eyes and helped Pyrrha back up, they rotated servers and now it was Blake's turn. The raven-haired girl smiled mischievously, going for the overhand serve instead, smirking as the ball careened towards...
Cinder.
Blake gritted her teeth as Cinder blocked their point once more. Not only that, but almost scored, again!
######
"That's all for today! Don't forget Volleyball team tryouts are after school today, sign ups are by the office." Goodwitch made her final remark before letting the teams change and leave the gym floor. Cinder admitted to herself; that was kinda... fun? Maybe she was-
"Cinder, I wanted to talk to you." Goodwitch stopped the girl on her way by.
"About?"
"You did good out there today, exemplary if I might add." She began.
"Where is this going?"
"I want you to be on the school team, your skills out there today showed me you're too good for tryouts, so how about I just give you an advanced spot on the team?"
Cinder mulled the idea over. Wasn't Blake the team captain?
Eh, who cares, she was having fun.
"When's the first game? Coach?"
Goodwitch resisted the urge to smile. "Practice is after school today, the championship tournaments kick off in a few weeks." She explained.
"Well I'll be there." And with that Cinder strode off, not even bothering to change; she pulled her backpack on and walked out of the gymnasium, she had to tell Ruby about this. She hadn't seen her little red all day, but Cinder knew Ruby wasn't avoiding her. They only shared one class after all.
Pulling her phone from her bag, Cinder immediately started texting Ruby;
/Heyy meet me outside the gym in 5, k?/
Meanwhile...
Ruby's phone vibrated from the depths of her pants pocket, pulling it out; the crimsonette smiled at who the text was from. She too hadn't seen Cinder all day, or even all weekend. The events of Friday night still lingered in her mind, Ruby constantly reminded herself of what not to do, so she texted Cinder back immediately.
-K I'm on my way-
Practically sprinting down several corridors, Ruby reached the gym hall in no time. The walls were filled with various trophies, plaques, medals, and the photos of the teams who won such prizes. As she drew closer, the arid smell of sweat filled her nostrils, forcing her to pick her nose and jog a little faster.
Body odor aside, Ruby couldn't wait to see Cinder again. Her scent, her voice, all of it. She closed her eyes for a brief second; imagining the sight of Cinder gracing her presence.
Rounding the last corner, Ruby opened one eye; and immediately froze. Her body seemingly carved from stone.
There at the end of the hall, by the gym exit, was her beautiful girlfriend. Running her fingers through her silky jet-black locks, her warm saffron eyes waiting for Ruby's arrival. The crimsonette's eyes shifted lower, to Cinder's midriff bearing top, to her toned legs, and then back up again.
This time; Cinder noticed.
Ruby's face flushed red as Cinder flashed that familiar marauding smirk, a feeling of dejavu washing over her with each sway Cinder made, closing in on her target.
"H-Hi Cinder!" Ruby waved, a little to hard as her book slipped from her grasp and clattered onto the floor.
"Lemme... get that for you." Cinder bent forward and reached for Ruby's book, letting it slip away on purpose for her own sheer enjoyment. Cinder eventually picked it up and handed to back to Ruby, who was still stuck in her mind-numbing trance. Ruby wasn't getting off this easy, sure they had things to talk about, but a little kissing never hurt.
Cinder came in close, cupping Ruby's cheek and kissing her neck softly. "Where have you been all day Rose?" Cinder Inquired, still continuing to love bite Ruby.
"I was- g-going t- Ahhh~" Ruby melted into Cinder's soft assault on her neck.
"What was that?" Cinder teased.
"I said, I-I-... umpf" Cinder ceased her attention to Ruby's neck and pinned the girl to a nearby display case, painting a warm, inviting kiss on Ruby's small lips. Ruby relented in Cinder's warmth, and shifted her posture into full-on, make-out mode.
5 minutes prior
The game ended, and Blake was not happy with the outcome. Cinder had single-handedly carried her team to an almost victory; the final score being 19 to 21. The kicker being that it was done by a single person! Blake exited the change rooms in an angered storm and walked out into the hall. Blake wasn't dumb, she knew the short little conversation Coach had with Cinder was an invitation to be on the team.
Blake tried to cool down, it seemed that everywhere she turned there was Cinder, almost always with Ruby. The crimsonette had all but ceased their lunchtime conversations, and 4 out of 5 times went out with Cinder to lunch.
Blake hated to admit it, but she liked Ruby, and the time being away from her was almost agonizing.
She shook those thoughts away, art class was next, meaning a full hour of just herself and Ruby, deep in the serenity of painti-
'Ahhh~'
Blake froze, 'who was that?' She backed against the wall and began shimmying down it, trying to keep as quiet as possible. Her eyes widened at the sound of someone being slammed against a wall. Stealthily, she crept towards the corner that sounds were emanating from.
Seemingly one with the concrete wall, Blake twisted around and surveyed the hallway, amber orbs landing on two familiar...
"What the?!" She whisper shrieked.
There was Cinder and... Ruby. Gouging each-other mouths out in a lip to lip frenzy.
'I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! I knew it!'
Blake ran back into the gym. Her worst fears had just been soul shockingly confirmed. She had a hunch for a while now, of their relationship went beyond friendship.
Blake struggled with what to do. She didn't want to tell anyone, knwoung if she did; it would be a trident of punishment from both Cinder and Ruby, plus Yang. Heck Weiss might even get involved. Blake sighed. Maybe she should take to Ruby about it in private? Or maybe even Cinder?
No. Way.
If she told Yang, and Yang alone; It would probably end up with someone in the hospital. Most likely Cinder.
But the sight of those two together was so... appauling for lack of a better word. At least in Blake's eyes. But those were eyes tainted by a somewhat heartbroken outlook. Blake wanted to date Ruby. Ruby was probably unhappy with Cinder anyways, right?
The Faunus clenched her hands into fists and walked back.
There's only one thing left to do...
A/N Guns, Volleyball, Sportsbras! This chapter has got it all. The beginning was dark as hell I know... but yeah... follow, fav, and review? Hopefully I'll see you guys sooner than later. Pce.
[EDIT 10/28: Cleaned up a little]