I'm back with an update! Sorry for the wait, life is a little hectic right now *sigh* But I'm so pleased with your reactions from last chapter! RWBY V.2 Finale is today! Eek! Zomg last episode guys, Torchwick got FLOORED. LOL. Ah, but he was so charming. Neo was freaking KICKASS. Anyone else think that mystery woman was Yang's mom? I think so anyway. Gah. SO GOOD. Anyway, enough about me rambling on. Here's chapter seven. OH and guys, please read my notes at the end, it's important!

Okay, enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Deal Or No Deal?

She would sleep. Eat a nut. Draw on the ground with her nails even though nothing could make a mark on those bricks. Maybe sneak a glance or two at the thief. Repeat.

It was still freezing and her face felt numb as did the rest of her body. She wrapped her cloak around her tighter to conceal in as much as heat as she could. Both she and Torchwick hadn't exchanged a single word since their last encounter and the cell was cloaked into an uncomfortable silence. No one had come by to visit their cell. In a way, Ruby was relieved but the silence was slowly starting to get to her.

She glanced back over her shoulder to see Torchwick sprawled across the floor, asleep. His cheek was pressed up against the cold ground, arms folded over his torso limply. Ruby swallowed. He didn't have a blanket and that awful cut was sticking out like a Christmas tree. She wondered what happened to his coat.

Her eyes flickered to the fleecy thing, which was a poor excuse for a blanket, covering her own body and bit her bottom lip. This must have been his. As much as it made her shudder to think he would give it up to her – and still not claim it back – she was a little grateful. It gave her some warmth at least. Torchwick wasn't making any sense. How does someone have such an indecisive personality?

She should be seething with rage right now. The earlier thoughts hadn't left her mind, she was constantly reminded of her position as his nemesis and she should continue to think of him as an enemy despite their circumstances. She had purposefully brushed aside the relief she felt when she had seen him stumble back through the cell door. This cell was making her mad. His words shouldn't have affected her so deeply. Ruby swallowed her anger down and heaved herself up. Her muscles ached from the lack of exercise. She would always be training or out hunting for supplies back at the Resistance camp but she could hardly do that in this cell.

She grabbed the blanket, missing its small protection already and turned to face Torchwick's sleeping form. He seemed at ease now, all worries and pain vanquished from his face leaving the vulnerable pale guy behind. You wouldn't think he was in any pain at all. She spotted his half eaten stale bread, guessing he was saving it for later. Who knew when they would be fed again?

Soon, hopefully.

Her footsteps were like earthquakes. The cell was so quiet that you could hear her coming from a mile away. Torchwick didn't stir and by the look of things, he would be sleeping for a while. Ruby hesitated, her fingers gripped tightly onto the blanket. Just staring at his tall form, she began to contemplate possible explanations on his situation. He always avoided the topic with that ever-charming humourless tone she always hated.

Two years. She hadn't seen hide nor hair of this guy for nearly two whole years. She thought he had died in that warehouse. Whenever they were up against an attack with the Grimm or even Cinder's other lackeys, she found it strange to think Torchwick was gone. After all, he was the root of every problem back then.

But even bad guys had trust issues. Whatever Torchwick was guarding, he wasn't going to give up the information anytime soon, or that easily for that matter. Maybe he did have a plan to escape and then would use it against Cinder. If that were the case then maybe...

Ruby shook her head violently. No, we could never be allies.

On top of that, if he really had a plan, he wouldn't have been here for this long, enduring the everlasting torture. She was reminded of her owns words, how he hadn't a single ally to come to his aid. For the first time, she considered him to be lonely and abandoned. He had given up with trying to escape from this place. She gave him a fleeting look of suspicion, taking in his gentle sleeping face and line of his jaw. He couldn't possibly have a plan... right?

Without wasting another moment, Ruby stepped closer and drew the blanket over his body, stopping just up to his shoulders. Those ugly marks and bruises were covered and she relaxed, almost immediately jerking back from her thoughts. So what if he was hurt? She took one last glance at his face and frowned.

A thief. A liar. A killer. No. In all the times she had battled Torchwick, not once had she seen the brute take another life. He may have been the reason behind the deaths of innocent people due to his 'hobby' but she had never once seen him physically kill another. He always had his acolytes to do the job for him. Did that make him any better? Probably not.

Ruby pushed herself away and returned back to her spot, curled up in her cloak and let her mind wander back to the Resistance camp.

"It's strange. She never really talked that much but it's weird not having her around..."

Ruby could feel every pair of eyes on her as she cleaned the dishes. She wished they stopped trying to make her feel better, but how could she even think about being happy with the fact Blake was gone?

"Sun is taking this really hard."

When did Neptune get back? Last she heard, he had left with a group of other survivors in search of Dust. That had been over a week ago. She was sure they returned with mere shards of Dust crystals and even bigger battle scars. A hand grabbed her shoulder gently, halting her actions. She didn't look back to know who it was.

"Ruby, don't beat yourself up about it. It wasn't your fault," said Yang. She gripped on tighter to give her assurance.

The few plates left in the sink remained partly clean so Ruby got to work, shrugging Yang off.

The room went silent with only the cluttering noises coming from the sink. The dirty water swished around Ruby's hands, a huge distortion in its colour against her milky white skin. Conserving their clean water was always one of the biggest issues, saved for times when it was really needed. Nothing could be done about it.

She was suddenly stopped when two hands grabbed her wrists. She looked up and faced the pair of glowing red eyes that soon returned to its calm purple shade. Her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"No one is blaming you for what happened. Know why? Because it wasn't your fault!" Yang all but shook her as if to try and knock some sense into her brain.

Ruby weakened, looking round the room and catching the other's looks of pity. Weiss, Neptune, Ren, Velvet...and finally Yang. All with sympathy swimming in their eyes, all of them her remaining friends at the camp. Sun must be twice as shattered for they all knew of his attachment with their other Faunus friend.

But whose fault was that?

"It was my fault. Mine and mine alone," she whispered to herself. The grips on her wrists tightened.

"Stop it! You can't blame yourself for something that wasn't your fault! We were all betrayed all right? Do you think Blake would be happy to see you like this?" Yang rebuked. Ruby felt herself tear up.

"But Yang..."

"No. No buts, we all just need to stick together and fight through this. Okay?" Yang smiled weakly, easing off her grip.

She knew they all meant well. So she sighed and nodded slowly. They all seemed content and smiled at her, shaking their heads in agreement with Yang's words. She would act normal in front of them, but deep inside, she would forever hate herself for failing to save Blake. She should have been stronger. She was their team leader but she failed on her part to take care of her team. She couldn't get to Cinder on time.

Clink. Clink. Clink.

Ruby snapped her eyes open. Her previous thoughts of her memories washing away. Those footsteps again – Cinder was back. But for what this time? She turned and sat up, rubbing her eyes as she looked out across the bars and poorly lit room to see the glowing lines of Cinder's markings floating in the back. Her eyes changed to Torchwick's sleeping form seeing him sound asleep.

"He'll be out for a while, you shouldn't worry."

Ruby drew in a breath. "What do you want, Cinder?"

She could almost feel her smiling all smugly to herself. But instead of the usual speeches about how pathetic she was or how she was going to die, Cinder had something else to say this time.

"Bind her."

Two White Fang member's opened the cell door - surprisingly silent as if not to wake Torchwick. They waited as Ruby stared silently. What did she expect me to do?

"Move it. "

There was her answer. She noticed how they all were on their guard, perhaps due to knowing she was fast and would most likely be able to escape. But with an explosive laced cell, she wasn't about to stake her life on it.

"I could escape. You wouldn't risk your life," she said with confidence.

Cinder seemed to have considered this already because she merely shrugged. "I suppose. Though you forget I am the very thing explosives are made of."

She did forget. The woman was born from the fires of hell. Flames and explosions would hardly affect her but it seemed to unnerve her lackey's. The two White Fang members stiffened. They would be safe. For now.

Narrowing her eyes suspiciously, Ruby pulled herself up to stand. She gave one final look at Torchwick, unaffected by the commotion and walked past to the cell door. Perhaps it was time for her to face the same sentence. Her feet were bound by silver cuffs as were her hands. Ruby tugged at them, noticing how the chain between the cuffs was short so she wouldn't be able to use the chain to strangle a few enemies.

Pity.

She looked up to smirk. Cinder said nothing and led the way back out of the cell with Ruby obediently following behind.

Now that she was clear of her surroundings without drugs flowing through her bloodstream, she noticed the splendour of Cinder's hideout. It was fairly dark in most parts, like they were underground or in the basement level of her lair-like palace. Though you wouldn't call it a palace, not from the view of the outside. It seemed more like a haunted building, closed off and heavily guarded. It had been easy to break past with her speed. How long ago was that now? Ruby tried not to think about it.

But it was a palace. Fully functional and stocked up. She must have had her own garden with living plants if she was provided with fruit. The luxuries were endless, for Cinder ruled Remnant. She had everything within her grasp. Food, clean water, medicine, Dust, you name it. She was living like a queen.

It made Ruby writhe in disgust.

How many more palaces' did Cinder own? One for each kingdom no doubt. One in every other continent too. Why did she choose to reside in Vale? If she wasn't cuffed, she would have given Cinder a good kick to the head.

Speaking of cuffs, her ankles were beginning to hurt from shuffling. The chain wasn't nearly as long enough for her feet. The guards merely shoved her along, not caring if she tripped.

They reached an arched door, guarded by a further two White Fang members. They looked to be from an Elite rank with their different uniforms. They saluted before moving aside and opened the door for them.

Inside, it was lit up but not from natural lighting. No windows, no other exits. Nothing. Ruby couldn't even tell what time of day it was. It had been almost midnight when she attacked Cinder but after spending so many God forsaken hours in that cell, it was hard to tell the time anymore.

The room they had come to was obviously Cinder's private chambers. She tried to keep a memory of the route but they took so many turns that she wasn't so sure she knew the way anymore. Cinder's room was neat, clean, and set up with every essential need. It was almost like the apocalypse was nonexistent; nothing affected her in any way.

The door slammed shut behind them, the impact echoing across the silent room.

Cinder took her seat at her desk with the throne-like mahogany chair placed behind. The desk was empty, clear of any papers if there had formerly been any. Ruby watched the witch lean back into her seat, resting her elbows on the arm rests and joined hands at her torso as if she were ready to interrogate. Her eyes were half covered by a layer of eyelashes but she could see the glowing pits of fire in her irises.

With a flick of her hand, the two guards watching over Ruby, turned and left.

"You really should stop trying to escape," Cinder called out, breaking the silence. "Perhaps I should reconsider extracting your semblance..."

A bloodcurdling chill ran down Ruby's spine. She forced herself to keep her horror hidden. Her stomach churned unpleasantly at the thought of having her only source of power taken away. It was the only thing she had left which could help her. Trying to keep a straight face to match Cinder's confidence, Ruby kept silent.

"What a waste of Dust that would be, not that I don't have Dust to spare." Cinder continued, speaking to herself as Ruby blocked out her voice. She was too busy thinking about why she was dragged in here. "It would be all the more entertaining I suppose."

"What do you want with me?"

Simultaneously, her eyes scouted the room. She didn't want to give any indication that she felt intimidated.

There was a horrible pause before Cinder finally came clean. She smiled.

"I have a proposition for you."

That got her attention all right. Ruby made eye contact in a snap on hearing those words. Cinder seemed oddly hopeful, if not completely confident. Ruby narrowed her eyes.

"If it doesn't include me tearing off your head with my weapon, then I'm not interested."

A sharp chuckle left Cinder's lips as she flashed a slick smile. Her eyes glowing. "I really do like this side of you Ruby, opposed to the irritating preppy brat you used to be when we first met."

Just being refreshed of that memory when they bumped into each other in the hallways was sickening. It was when it all started. When everything started going wrong.

Cinder sighed. "So young. So much potential." Ruby glared. "Your abilities would prove useful for me. Think about it Ruby, you don't have to rot and die in a cell. You'll be well fed, you'll be safe and most importantly, you'll have freedom."

She said the word as if she was offering Dust. Ruby began to snort with laughter, an action that wiped Cinder's smile right off. How could she even begin to think an offer like that interested her? She would rather die than join Cinder's flanks.

Her laughing subsided slowly as she turned bitter. "You must be off your rockers if you think for even a second I would betray my friends!"

Cinder clasped her hands together, leaning forwards and placing them on the table. She wasn't laughing. "You know how bad it is out there. I'm the one controlling the game here, do you understand that?" she hissed.

Ruby shrugged, brushing it off as it were dirt.

Cinder narrowed her eyes, the sparks in them lit up. She raised a hand to rest her chin on as she tilted her head to one side, studying Ruby. Her lips turned up into a wary smile.

"What if I said... that I could help your sister?"

Time stopped for Ruby. She double backed, repeating Cinder's words over and over in her head. Did she hear correct? Any traces of stubborn confidence left her. Instead, her mind raced with images of Yang. Brave, smart and caring Yang who laid in a coma back at the Resistance camp. She could remember clearly how Yang took the hit as she acted recklessly against an army of Cinder's men and Grimm. That one mistake led to her sister's current state.

She didn't care if they had different mothers, Yang would always be her sister no matter what.

Wait a minute, how does she even know about Yang?

Horrified, Ruby looked up. "My sister is fine." She had to test her. Cinder couldn't possibly know...

"Oh Ruby, you don't need to hide it from me. I know all about your dear sister who lies in a coma."

"Because of you!"

Cinder slammed a hand down on the table. "No Ruby, it was because of you."

Stung, Ruby flinched back. Her confidence took a beating as she manifested the truth behind the words. She was so stupid, so reckless and childish. Yes, it was my fault.

"As a result, do you not feel obligated to save her?" Cinder continued to lay it on thickly, trapping Ruby in an endless cloud of guilt. "Is it not your responsibility to make up for the repercussions of your actions?"

Ruby looked down. "She'll wake up." There was no self-assurance in her words. Even she didn't believe them and Cinder knew this.

"You are making this far more difficult than it has to be. The offer is simple, join me and you'll live a life of luxury. You will outrank most of my army, meaning no more putting up with taunts from Mercury and Emerald and yes, I know all about your little attachment to them," she added, frowning a little. Ruby looked up again. Cinder leaned forwards, eagerness in her alluring expression. "Join me Ruby, and I will save your sister."

She didn't buy it. Until it came to that last sentence. Saving Yang meant everything right now. She was responsible for Yang's condition so it only made sense for her to make things right.

"How?" The word was out before she could even think or consider the penalties it would bring.

Cinder's smile broadened. Triumphant. "You'd be amazed with what Dust can do these days. Leave that to me."

Ruby felt her stomach tighten. Could she do it? Betray everyone to save Yang? Live a life serving Cinder as one of her lackeys? She balled her hands into fists. Why did everything have to be so complicated?

The table creaked as the weight was lifted off of it. Cinder straightened up. "Do we have a deal?"

Ruby thought long and hard. Everything a muddle as she balanced the reasons. Accepting it would end most of her problems. Yang would be fine. She could easily give aid in secret if she worked for Cinder. She wouldn't starve or freeze from the cold. Mercury and Emerald would get their deserved punishment.

The answer was simple.

Ruby shook her head to flick the hair out of her face, smiling contemptuously as she stared directly at Cinder in the eye.

"You killed Blake."

"A fact. But that was over a year ago," Cinder tilted her head and grinned.

There was a long pause. A pause that had Cinder narrowing her eyes, confounded. Ruby continued to smile.

"I'll tell you where you can stick your deal..."

"Hello Red. Nice to have you back."

Ruby groaned as her chest and face dealt with the shards of pain from making contact with the ground. It felt like déjà vu only this time she was more aware of the pain. She was thrown back into the dingy cold cell, quite literally, where she found Torchwick wide awake and sat up, the blanket on his lap. He smirked on seeing her. She completely forgot about the blanket and ignored him and the way her heartbeat quickened on seeing his smirk.

The cell door slammed shut and locked behind her. She turned her face as much as she could to glance up at Cinder.

"Enjoy the time you have left in each others company," Cinder spoke from behind the bars, clearly fuming inside but refused to show it. She gave Ruby one last look of resentment. "Foolish girl," she sneered quietly.

With that she left, her minions following behind.

When the area became quiet, Ruby groaned as she pushed herself up. Her body felt like it had gained over a hundred new bruises, save her wounded arm that she managed to protect from Cinder's rage. Refusing her offer was easy. Her hatred for Cinder was too big for her to even consider betraying her friends and sister. Yang was strong, she could fight the coma. Ruby knew she could.

But what alarmed her right now was exactly how Cinder knew about Yang. She wasn't at the battlefield on the day it happened, nor could you tell she had fallen into a coma at the time. It was only after they retreated and got back to camp did their only doctor come to that conclusion.

She could feel every nerve on alert as she racked her mind for theories. She felt queasy at one. It would be the worst if it proved to be true but it was also the most likely.

There was a traitor at their camp.

How many more would they have to deal with? How is Cinder continuously one step ahead of them? Once more, the fact Cinder practically admitted she had a spy at the Resistance meant she was confident that Ruby wouldn't escape.

Nausea was beginning to take effect in her stomach but she was soon distracted by Torchwick's familiar voice. "She put you through hell," he chuckled, eyeing her disgruntled form. "What did you do to tick off her Majesty?"

It was like his hostility from earlier had never happened, she wasn't sure how to act. She pushed herself up with difficulty before sighing in relief, giving in. "She offered me a deal." Pause. "Swear fealty and my sister would be saved."

When she didn't continue, Torchwick pressed on.

"And what did you say?"

She told him.

The silence was soon replaced by Torchwick's abrupt loud laughter. Although it startled her, Ruby couldn't help but watch incredulously as he rocked his head back and laughed, not even wincing. When was the last time she laughed like that? She felt a twinge of jealousy.

"Oh this- this is exceptional! I must commend you Red, you are quite the artiste," he said between laughs, catching her eye.

On seeing the soft gesture and smile on his face, she felt her heart swell. This was a rare sight indeed, she didn't think she had ever seen a genuine smile on his face. He continued to chuckle and strangely...

...she found herself smiling too.

Heh. Yeah. Tell me your thoughts! :D

I was asked if Neo would be in this fic - the answer is YES. Yes she will! And she will play a part in the story, you'll see!

IMPORTANT!

Would any of you guys want a chapter from Torchwick's POV? I might make it a regular thing if you guys would like it. :-) Let me know please!

It makes me so happy that you guys are enjoying the story! Thank you so much for the reviews SpringFallionLettuce, Hopelessromantic721, onegracefulqueen, DiamondStarz8, frik1000, bowow0708, Foxtrot Agent 21, Maiden of Sin, Mr Ruffles, kcharling and rwbybomb21! Your support motivates me so much! x

Till next time!