Chapter 5: White Rose Bushes
Hey folks, The Draigg has come back with more! I'm really glad that I've started to get some reviews coming in! Keep it up! I should note that I don't own RWBY, Monty Oum does. And any other piece of media mentioned belongs to their respective owners as well. Let's get started!
That Sunday passed by without too much trouble. Nearly everybody else was wrapped up with their work to notice that Weiss was missing. Ruby, however, was shaken by her absence. What had really happened that caused Weiss to act like that? Ruby was used to her anger and exasperation. But, when she looked in her eyes, she saw a profound sadness ripping her apart inside. Ruby felt helpless to help her. Even when Weiss came back that night to sleep, she refused to talk to anyone. That stung. It truly hurt Ruby's heart to see Weiss be so out of character. She would be even deal with another of her lectures, if it meant that she would go back to normal. It hurt not spending time with her.
Monday. Another drab, dragging Monday. That breakfast was filled with conflicting feelings. On the one hand, Ruby was feeling a little excited at the idea of the play being approved. On the other hand, Weiss was really worrying her. Looking out of the corner of her eye, she saw Weiss staring off into space. She really needed to talk to her later. As team leader, it was the least she could do.
Finishing her breakfast, she decided to make a quick stop to the Theater Office to check in with Velvet before class. Ruby started to think as she walked down the hallway:
"Did I say something wrong? Is the play bothering Weiss? Maybe she doesn't feel confident enough for her role.".
Ruby opened the door to find Velvet packing up her bag for class. "Hey, Velvet!", she greeted.".
Velvet let out a little yelp in surprise. It was Ruby, of course. Did anything happen between her and Weiss? Seeing that Ruby was waiting for some news, Velvet put on her best smile.
"Guess what? We got approved, Ruby!", beamed Velvet. But the play wouldn't be easy to pull off. Velvet explained that she was surprised when she got a letter back from the Administration Office, saying that they approved of her using the Theater two weeks from now. However, the letter outlined a few conditions: Velvet could not act on stage, nor sing songs. Also, they couldn't spend more than 500 lien. Finally, any damages that may occur will be solely placed on her, and she would have to pay for anything damaged or destroyed. Considering what happened last time, they were being pretty lenient.
Ruby's spirits improved at the news. Finally, a dream of hers was finally coming true! But, it somehow didn't feel right. She wanted to share her joy with Weiss. Thanking Velvet for the news, she walked over to her first period class. Ruby was filled with resolve. She was going to talk to Weiss, even if it killed her.
Weiss sat a little farther away from her team than usual today. She wasn't up for saying much. And, if the others saw her condition, that would lead them to asking questions. Questions that she didn't know if she could answer. Plus, the last time she began to wonder about her and Ruby's relationship, she was barely able to keep her composure. Who's to say that she wouldn't break down into a wretched, crying heap the next time? Weiss was shaken out of her thoughts when something hit her in the head.
Picking up the object, it was a paper airplane. Given it's poor craftsmanship, it could have only been made by Ruby. She had the dexterity of an amputee fish when it came down to that type of thing. Seeing something written on the inside, she unfolded the airplane. It read:
Meet me at the snack bar as soon as today's classes are over. We should talk.
Weiss' breath hitched. Talk? About what? Wait… did Velvet reveal her secret to Ruby? Now she really was curious. If her suspicions were correct, she would have a lot of explaining to do. Sighing inwardly at her fate, she glanced over to where Ruby was sitting.
When Weiss turned her head to her, Ruby was glad that at least she acknowledged her note. If she could see Weiss better from that distance, she would see the fear in her eyes. Instead, Ruby gave a warm smile to Weiss. In reply, Weiss gave a small nod, then turned back her attention to the front of the class. "Good,", thought Ruby, "Now I can find out what's been bothering her.". The stage was set for a good old fashioned heart to heart.
The Beacon Academy snack bar was located near the botanical garden. Luckily, when that freak dust accident Ruby caused blew up a significant portion of the garden, the snack bar didn't suffer too much damage. Unfortunately, however, the view from the snack bar was ruined, even in the light of the evening sun. "It's a shame, too.", thought Weiss. "I really liked those white rose bushes.". Most of them got incinerated in the explosion. Ruby had gotten of fairly lightly for the explosion, having to work as a cashier for a month. That memory never ceased to bring a smile to Weiss' face. It was adorable, seeing Ruby standing there in her uniform, working the register. She often tried to buy as much of the packaged cookies as possible before her shift, hoping to save them for later. Those cookies never made it past the next hour. Weiss then sighed at that thought. Why couldn't things go back to the way it was before? Oh well, it was far too late now to leave. She could see Ruby walking up the brick walkway.
Ruby couldn't help but feel a little nervous. What if Weiss blew up at her? What if… she was thinking of not being friends anymore? The idea terrified Ruby. But seeing Weiss sitting alone at the iron wrought table, the sun reflecting off of her silver hair, she felt a little better. She could do this. But how should she start? Well, Yang had always said the best impressions are made with jokes. So, as soon as she sat at the table, she gave it a try.
'H-hey Weiss? Knock knock.". Weiss looked a little confused, but didn't answer.
"Knock, knock.", Ruby tried again.
Sighing, Weiss replied, "Really, Ruby?". Ruby looked a little hurt. Trying to salvage this talk, she tried, "Fine. Who's there?".
"Rufus.".
"Rufus who?".
"Rufus are a very important part of houses!", concluded Ruby with a smile.
Weiss smirked ever so slightly, and let out a small huff instead of laughter. Apparently bad jokes were in the bloodline, if her sister was anything to judge by. Still, Weiss felt a little better seeing Ruby being her dorky, adorable self. A bit more relaxed, she asked, "What do you want to talk about?".
"Well…", Ruby couldn't help but play with her fingers as she talked. "You've been acting weird all of yesterday and today. Is something wrong with you? Are you okay?". Ruby then grabbed Weiss' hand and held it, as if to comfort her.
Weiss' body tensed at the touch. She desperately wanted to say that yes, something was definitely wrong. She wanted to admit that she didn't know what she was feeling for Ruby, but it was probably love. And she was downright afraid of it. Her dad would never allow her to date anyone of the same gender. And she wanted to warn Ruby that if he found out, they would never see each other again. But, at the same time, she didn't want to scare Ruby with that she thought. So, putting on her best smile, she said:
"Ruby, you dolt! You don't need to worry about me, I can take it. I was just a little upset at our team credits, is all.". She wasn't exactly lying. The whole credit issue made her confide in someone she had met because of it. Still, she felt bad about concealing the truth.
Ruby seemed to accept this excuse for what it was. It made enough sense, after all. Weiss had always been a bit of a perfectionist, even when it came to other's grades. Ruby was grateful that Weiss took the time to help her with her homework. Not only was it helpful for her grades, but Ruby always felt a little more relaxed around Weiss. She was so elegant, so graceful. If Ruby could make a comparison, she would say that Weiss reminded her of the swans that swam in the ponds around the garden. Sure, she had a bit of a mean streak, but Ruby felt that it was just covering up a sensitive heart. She really did care for her friends.
"Thanks for feeling concerned for me, but it wasn't really necessary.", said Weiss.
"Well, of course I would! A team leader always looks out for her friend!", boasted Ruby.
Friend. The word stuck in Weiss' heart. Not a partner, not an associate, but a friend. Someone who can call someone else their own. It wasn't like being a lover, but it was close enough. It was the best Weiss could do for now. "Until I say what I couldn't for months.", Weiss thought. But then Ruby dragged her out of her thoughts.
"Hey… uhh… Weiss? I kinda, sorta forgot my wallet back at the room. And those cookies look REALLY good. Can you, uhh, spot me some lien? I swear, I'll make it up to you!", she begged. She tugged out her empty pockets for emphasis.
Weiss sighed, and then said, "Fine, but just ONE. You really need to be more responsible.". She walked up to the snack bar with Ruby. Forking over 5 lien, she got a chocolate chip cookie, Ruby's favorite type. Ruby smiled as they walked down the brick path, back to their dorm room. Talking with her mouth full of cookie, Ruby said, "Thhankphs, Weissh. I'll phay youpth bhack.".
"It's okay, you don't need to.", was Weiss' reply. Being around Ruby was worth even more than Remnant's supply of silver to her. She would never trade her company for anything else. Glancing at the few white rose bushes left, she thought, "We're just like those bushes. Two separate things that come together to make something beautiful.". Yeah, white roses were definitely Weiss's favorite flower.
Opening the door to Team RWBY's room, Ruby and Weiss were greeted by a scowling Yang and a smirking Blake. Clearly, something was up.
"Hey, what were you two doing alone together? It BETTER not be what I'm thinking of.", spat Yang. That got her a quick elbow in the ribs from Blake. Blake then said, "I just ran my script past Velvet. Good news! We're officially ready to start making the play now!".
Ruby cheered and pulled everyone in for a group hug. How was she that strong? It wasn't exactly the best group hug either, with Weiss trying desperately not to think about Ruby's chest pressing up against her, and Yang looking like she was trying to incinerate Weiss with her mind. Blake was trying to suppress a chuckle at the sight. She knew Yang wouldn't try anything too serious with her around. It was good thing that Ruby was simply too overjoyed to really pay attention. Or maybe it was the sugar rush. With her, it was always too easy to mix enthusiasm with sugar consumption.
Once she released everyone from that vice grip of a group hug, she immediately declared:
"All right everyone, let's kick this into high gear! We'll start practicing and setting up stuff tomorrow after class. We've got a musical to do, people!".
"Ruby, please get off the desk. I can see up your skirt.", requested a scarlet face Weiss. Ruby hadn't even noticed that she climbed on top of it in the first place. Blake had to hold back Yang by the arm at Weiss' comment. It wouldn't be easy to keep Yang calm if stuff like this kept on happening. Blake couldn't help but think, "This is like one of my fan fictions.". Maybe she could write that into 'Shinobi Romance: Passion Champloo' once she was finished with the play. She could probably squeeze that in there, right after the assault on Castle Pleasure and the intimate healing chapter.
Climbing off of the desk, Ruby couldn't help but feel that made her sound less dramatic. Trying again, she clenched her fist and said, "From this moment onward, we'll practice and get all the sets ready after class every day! We've only got two weeks! Contact Team JNPR and tell them the same! From here on out, Operation: The Sounds Of Vale is in effect! Team RWBY, launch!".
That got her mostly blank looks from everyone. Weiss was shaking her head slightly, and Blake looked a little confused. Sighing, Ruby tried again one last time.
"Fine, just message JNPR and tell them practice is every day after classes for two weeks. Does everybody understand?"
"Why didn't you say that to begin with?", questioned Weiss.
Ruby mumbled quietly, "I just wanted to sound cool…". Weiss couldn't help but think about how much of a dork Ruby was. It was okay though, it made her sound adorable.
Chuckling, Yang patted Ruby's head. "Man, Ozpin sure did the right thing making you team leader, Rubes.". Ruby tried to swat away Yang's hand as she started to mess up her hair. Blake gave a slight smile at the sight, and although Weiss rolled her eyes, she secretly found it kind of funny. Things were at least looking a little brighter for her today.
Yes, Team RWBY was together, and things were starting to get right in the world.
Hooray, now we can start moving onto the even better stuff. I appreciate all the reviews you guys are giving me! Thanks, and be sure to send some more my way! And get your body ready for more of this story soon! This is The Draigg, signing off once again.