Chapter 16: Unwilling Solo Act

It is the year 2014 of the A.D. Century. The Draigg put his fanfic on the internet, where stories are published and written… and die. Monty Oum owns RWBY, which this fanfic is based on. The fanfic, which is regularly updated, has released another chapter. People are intrigued, at the story being written in the name of entertainment. It has been a few weeks since the story began. For now, the story is at… a stalemate.

Ruby didn't speak to her teammates, even when Yang and Blake arrived back at Team RWBY's room. That night felt a little colder, without Ruby to sleep at Weiss' side. Weiss was sure that Ruby felt the same way. I was hard on both of them. Both still loved each other, even though their trust was now strained. There was little sleep to be had between the couple.

The next morning was only slightly better. Even though Ruby now acknowledged her teammate's existence, she still didn't say anything. It was as if she had no words left for them. At breakfast, Weiss tried to get Ruby to eat, but that was an uphill battle. She only was able to force feed her a piece of toast. That was only because Ruby had to take a break from scribbling something in her workbook.

Team JNPR was having a similar issue with Jaune. Even though he was talking with the others, everyone could easily tell his heart wasn't in any conversation they were having. He could only mumble a few answers at best. Pyrrha kept up her futile attempt to cheer him up, adopting some Nora-like tactics. But, even that wasn't working. He didn't laugh when she put straws up her nose, or when she made farting noises when people waked by the table. Pyrrha was desperate to get HER Jaune back, and not have this empty shell. She was close to begging, which she didn't do often.

Eventually, breakfast ended. Having to get to Team RWBY's classes, Weiss dragged Ruby out of the cafeteria doors. Jaune just shuffled his way to Team JNPR's classes. At least he was more mobile than Ruby.

Getting through classes was rough on everybody. In Weapon Maintenance 380, Yang kept on passing notes to Ruby, who was still writing in her work book. Ruby barely read the notes. They were mostly filled with bad jokes, like 'What do you call a group of prosthetic limbs? An arm-y!'. Most of the time, this got a laugh out of Ruby. Not today, though. Ruby was in her own little world.

Weiss kept on sitting next to her in all of their classes, trying to help her take notes. Ruby didn't care. It was almost if Weiss didn't exist to Ruby. Whenever Weiss slipped some notes to her, Ruby would just give a grunt in response and keep on working in her book. Nobody had any clue what she was writing, since she would close her notes when someone tried to look.

Blake had tried sending her sketches of things Ruby liked, like cookies or roses. Ruby couldn't care less. Just giving them a quick glance, she tossed them aside to keep on writing.

Everyone was hurting. If it wasn't concern, then it was despair. If the heart of their team was lost to them, what did they have left? It was like the bonds they had were falling away into a void. No matter what their thoughts on team structure was, all had to admit that Ruby was the emotional core. If she was hurt, so was everyone else.

Team JNPR was dealing with Jaune's mental absence differently. For one, Ren didn't even try to help cheer up Jaune. When Nora and Pyrrha called him out on it, he pointed out that this was an internal issue, and that only Jaune could choose to be happy and get over his issues. Even if he sounded like a jerk, they had to admit Ren had a point. Regardless, Nora and Pyrrha still tried.

Nora tried making funny faces at him, or pulling pranks on Ren. She thought that the tack on Ren's seat would at least get a laugh or two, but she was wrong. The only response she got from Jaune was a blank, hollow look. He didn't even crack a smile.

Pyrrha knew her apologies fell on deaf ears. So, she tried to be flirty. But, unbuttoning her blouse a little didn't do anything. Neither did the notes saying that she still loved him regardless, and describing what she wanted to do with him. Much like Nora, Pyrrha didn't get much of a reaction. But, thinking things through, she developed a plan.

Jaune didn't object when Pyrrha offered to treat him at the snack bar. While they walked in silence along the brick path, Pyrrha was preparing herself mentally. This plan was to do or die to her. She decided to take a detour through the gardens. Unthinkingly, Jaune followed her. Eventually, she stopped at a secluded bench where the remains of the hedge maze were.

"Want to sit?", Pyrrha offered. Jaune nodded and sat down. Taking the initiative, Pyrrha moved in on him. Straddling Jaune, she started to unbutton her blouse. Now this got a reaction out of Jaune.

"Wait, wait Pyrrha!", he objected. She didn't stop, completely unbuttoning her shirt, revealing her crimson lace bra. She started to lick off his nervous sweat. If this wasn't a plan to help Jaune, Pyrrha would undoubtedly have gone to town on him already. She was very much tempted too, but her self-restraint overpowered her impulses.

Pushing Pyrrha off of his lap, Jaune continued to object. "Pyrrha, just stop. Please.", he said, sounding defeated. Sighing, Pyrrha sat next to him.

"What is it, Jaune?", Pyrrha asked. She started to button up her blouse.

"I'm… just not in the mood.", he tried to justify. However, the look Pyrrha gave him showed that she didn't believe him. "You can completely read me, can't you?", observed Jaune.

"I know a thing or two.", Pyrrha said. "So, I'll ask again: What's up with you?".

"I… just really need to think things through. I mean, I really thought I was helping my friends. But, all I did was hurt them in the end. Hell, Velvet can't even bring herself to talk to us.". Jaune ran a hand through his hair. "Can't you imagine how I feel?", he asked Pyrrha.

"Of course! You know I love you, right?", she responded.

Jaune let out a bitter chuckle. "Yeah. Of all the things you are, subtle isn't one of them", he sourly noted.

"Then you should know that I can feel your pain, too.", Pyrrha explained. She put her arm around Jaune.

Jaune had to admit he hadn't thought of that before. Was he hurting his friends more if he did nothing at all? "But… All I did is hurt my friends! It would be better if I didn't try to do anything. That way, I can't harm them!", he declared.

Pyrrha sighed. "You're our leader, Jaune. No matter what you may think, your friends still need you. Without a leader, all of us are just as aimless as you are now.", she explained. She hoped that her words were getting through to him.

"So… you forgive me for what I did?", Jaune asked.

"You have nothing to apologize for. You tried your best in a tough position. Nobody can fault you for doing your job.", comforted Pyrrha. Her plan was working!

Jaune threw up his head and gave a quick laugh. "I guess I was acting a little loopy, wasn't I?", he realized. He had to admit, Pyrrha was right. He tried to help his friends! That was all that mattered. Wallowing in self-pity wouldn't change what had already happened. What was important was that he needed to help his team with the results.

"Thanks, Pyrrha.", Jaune offered. But, he couldn't help but ask, "Wait, how far were you willing to go with…". He mimed shaking his chest with his hands.

Pyrrha couldn't help but smirk. "All the way.", she said with a grin. She straddled Jaune again.

"Your sweat tastes good.", she growled in his ear. Jaune thought that was a little weird. Oh well, everyone has their kinks, he decided.

As Pyrrha started to take off her top again, she couldn't help but think, "Just according to keikaku*.".

As Jaune and Pyrrha were enjoying themselves in the hedge maze, none of the other students were very surprised at what they heard as they walked past. Sure, they heard a few predatory growls and howls, but that was nothing new. In fact, this was around the twentieth time this week someone used the hedge maze in that way.

Man, the janitor sure had his work cut out for him. He would need the hose again.

Going back to Team RWBY, they were currently all gathered in their room. Yang was trying to get knots out of her hair. Since that was a hard task, she was currently on her third brush. Blake was typing away on her laptop, updating her fan fiction. Weiss was trying to study, but she kept on being distracted by what Ruby was doing. She was listening to music on her bunk, looking like she was focusing. Occasionally either nodding or shaking her head, she would then make notes in her notebook. It dawned on Weiss that she was working on her own musical type of show.

Suddenly, Ruby slammed her book shut and hopped off of her bed. She looked rather proud of herself. "Okay!", she announced. The team looked in her direction.

"I've completed my musical. By myself!", she beamed. The others wondered where THIS Ruby was all day. It seemed like she had snapped out of her funk almost in the instant she finished her musical. It was jarring.

"Uhh, Ruby? Are you alright?", Yang asked, weirded out by her sister's behavior.

"Of course! I'm better than alright!", she announced.

"Are you sure?", Weiss asked from her desk.

"You're taking this well, all of the sudden.", observed Blake.

Ruby completely ignored Weiss' question and responded to Blake instead. "Naturally! I realized that I could do this myself!", she grinned.

"Okay… good for you then.", Weiss supported Ruby. Now Ruby turned to Weiss.

"I'm glad you feel that way, WEISS.", she thanked. There was a little resentment behind her name, Weiss noticed. Then, the thought hit her: she wasn't completely over the musical being cancelled. In fact, she was just coving her depression with work. That reminded Weiss of her dad. Now THIS upset her.

"Ruby, I think we should talk about this.", suggested Weiss. Ruby brushed off her request.

"No, we don't need to. I'm SURE it'll go fine.", she said, with a hint of resentment.

Weiss cringed inwardly. If anything, Ruby's behavior might make her situation even worse. She tried to think of a plan. Something to help Ruby feel better. Then, it hit her. But, she would have for Ruby to fall asleep. She couldn't witness what she was going to do. Offhandedly, she wondered how Team JNPR was dealing with Jaune.

Speaking of Team JNPR, the now happy couple of Jaune and Pyrrha waltzed through the door. Pyrrha looked like she could just start flying, she was so happy. Jaune was chugging a bottle of tea he had bought at the snack bar. They were glad to share everything together. However, Nora and Ren thought less about that sentiment.

"Eww!", cried Nora, curling her nose.

"You two. Take a shower. Now.", Ren ordered.

In Ren's defense, the couple smelled incredibly bad. Due to Pyrrha's kink, Jaune just reeked of sweat. Pyrrha smelled with the unholy mixture of various fluids, Jaune's sweat only being a small part of the stench. Plus, they both had various twigs and leaves in their hair, in addition to the dirt that they were coated in. Maybe Pyrrha was really into it, but that didn't mean the others had to suffer for it.

"Okay, Ren.", Pyrrha agreed, grabbing Jaune's arm.

"Separately.", clarified Ren.

For once in her life, Pyrrha pouted. "You're no fun.", she protested, before walking into the bathroom.

Once he heard the shower start, Ren walked over to where Jaune decided to sit. Ren offered his hand in a high five. Confused, Jaune returned it. Then, Ren walked over to Nora, with his hand outstretched. Pouting, Nora pulled out twenty lien and handed it to Ren. Nodding, he put the money in his wallet. Seeing Jaune's confused expression, Ren decided to explain.

"Nora and I had a bet. I said that you two would hook up this month. Nora had the next month.", Ren said.

"Yeah, there goes my candy money.", complained Nora.

"You don't need any more sugar.", Ren said in an offhand monotone. Clearly, this was an old argument.

Deflecting Ren's argument, Nora asked, "What was it like? Was like when I saw Ren—". Her mouth was quickly covered by Ren.

"He doesn't need to answer that.", Ren quickly got out.

Finishing his tea, Jaune said, "All I can tell you that a lot of sweat was involved.".

Ren smirked. "I knew it.", he bragged. That got him weird looks. How had he come to that conclusion? Yet again, maybe it was better not to know.

Letting go of Nora's mouth, Ren continued to talk. "Anyway, congratulations. Now, don't you two do anything later. We barely get enough sleep as it is.".

Pyrrha then walked out of the bathroom, freshly showered and dressed in her pajamas. Jaune took this as his queue to take a shower too. Nora gave Pyrrha a thumbs up when Pyrrha walked by. Pyrrha gave a confused smile in return.

Unknown to everyone, a lot happened that night anyway.

Midnight. Most of Team RWBY was deep asleep. Weiss was the only exception. Now was the time to act out her plan. Creeping out of her bed, Weiss slipped over to the desk, where Ruby put her musical book. Opening the book, Weiss took out a pen. She would have to do this now. Using her off hand, as not to reveal who did it, Weiss started to edit Ruby's musical plan. She went over what songs Ruby planned to use, and added her thoughts to the notes.

Time passed. Weiss rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock. It read one thirty AM. Hoping that her idea would work well, Weiss closed the book and put it away. Sneaking back to her bed, Weiss settled under her sheets. She hoped that this would help Ruby, as a penance for disappointing her. Weiss closed her eyes and fell asleep.

She would have to wait for the morning to see the results.

Man, that Gundam style author's note was wordy. Anyway, I hope you liked this chapter! Be sure to tell me what you think in the reviews, please! Who will survive until the next chapter? This is The Draigg, signing off on this order.

*Translator's Note: Keikaku means plan.

(Stealth Edit: Made slight adjustments to fit with later stories)