Chapter Four: One Week.
Weiss wasn't sure how she had made it through the first week of her time at Beacon. Between her hyper active team leader, a seemingly mute ninja, and the boisterous blonde she was ready to scream. On the very first day she had awoken to a screeching whistle courtesy of the crimson leader who then proceeded to insist they decorate their dorm room only to remember they had ten minutes before their first class.
Classes were fairly usual at Beacon, besides combat classes first year students were expected to take certain classes with their team such as Grimm studies, a general world history, remedial field medicine, and a basic Aura class. Outside those classes' students were permitted to take any class they chose so long as it followed a curriculum. Weiss had elected to take a Dust manipulation class along with a language class in Dragnarian. While not a necessary part of a Hunter's education it was encouraged to learn an additional language outside of their homelands dialect and Basic.
It was the classes she had with her fellow teammates that caused her the most irritation. Ruby who was two years their junior seemed content to daydream through most of the lectures scratching random doodles in her notebook, Blake at least took notes though she seemed more interested in the books that she read under the tables the majority of the time, then there was Yang, who slept through everything. Weiss had actually yet to see any real potential in her teammates aside from their battle against the Giant Nevermore and it irritated her. How could these girls get into the most prestigious school in all of Remnant and then proceed to act like they didn't care?
Anger simmered just below her skin as she watched once again as her leader proceeded to doodle and ignore the large professor rambling on about another one of his 'glorious' adventures. "Who would like to demonstrate this to the class?" his voice boomed out making the Heiress whip her head forward, apparently the man had just asked if anyone would like to take on a small boarbatusk in front of everyone. A quick scan showed her that everyone was looking away avoiding eye contact, the anger boiled.
They were Huntsman and Huntresses' in training, how could they not want to demonstrate their abilities to the professors? Was that not why everyone was here? With a quick motion Weiss stood, "I will sir." Her voice cracked through the air making heads turn to look at her, Ruby looked up at her in excitement.
"Excellent Miss Schnee." Professor Port boomed proudly, "Fetch your weapon and combat gear." With a quick nod Weiss exited the room heading to the locker room.
Changing into her white outfit Weiss continued to feel her anger boil out, she was extremely disappointed in the students of Beacon. She, herself, had chosen to come to this school because it was the best. She had gone against her family's wishes to come to a foreign nation to train as a Huntress instead of entering the Atlas academy. Beacon was supposed to be the best, only accept the best, only produce the best and yet everywhere she looked in her class she only saw mediocrity.
The sneers and laughs of her family filled her mind as she marched back to the classroom. They had scoffed at the idea that she could become a great Huntress as well as the future CEO of their legacy, her father being the most vocal even going as far as promising he would recall her if she failed. To him she had always been weak, she wasn't the heir he wanted but because of Winter's condition she was the heir he had to settle with. To him she was just to be used as a breeding stock for the next strong heir. Anger continued to boil.
She would prove them wrong, she would become one of the strongest Huntresses, she would be the greatest CEO of the Schnee Dust Company, she would prove them all wrong.
Head held high Weiss entered the room and took her place across from a crate. "Are you ready Miss Schnee?" Professor Port asked beside the large box.
Drawing Myrtenaster from her hip she gave a nod, "Yes sir." At her words the professor unhooked the hinge from the side of the crate allowing the front to fall to the ground. A medium sized boarbatusk burst from the darkness inside, it was clearly disoriented shaking its head from side to side red eyes trying to find something to attack. A splash of white caught its attention causing it to turn towards Weiss.
With a strong snort the beast charged at her mindlessly, the Heiress had to fight the urge to smirk as she placed a glyph in front of her this was hardly a fair fight. The Grimm smashed into the solid barrier with a loud crack as it's tusks ground against it. Hopping back slightly she summoned another glyph under her feet propelling her up and over the first one to face the back of the Grimm. Letting her first glyph weaken the boarbatusk crashed into the wall leaving it stunned. This really wasn't a fair fight.
The boarbatusk righted itself once again facing her, with a enraged screech it tucked into itself spinning rapidly towards her. Flicking her rapier up Weiss flared her Aura and blocked the attack halting any forward motion. Even with her Aura enhancing her strength she could feel her arms beginning to shake.
"Weiss aim for the underbelly, it's where it's weak!" Ruby called out encouragingly. The anger that had started to retreat since the beginning of the fight roared into life again erupting outward.
"I know that you imbecile!" The Heiress yelled towards the crimson girl causing her to jerk back in surprise. Ruby had not showed any interest in the school and now she was offering her advice? The nerve of the insufferable cloaked girl. Flicking her rapier down she slammed the Grimm into the ground legs spread out and in the air. Another quick flick of her rapier brought an end to boarbatusk existence.
"Well done Miss Schnee, very well done." Professor Port beamed at her, "Now with that excellent demonstration class is over, please read chapters three through six before next time."
As students began to trickle out her teammates approached her, "Weiss I.." Ruby started causing the Heiress to lash again.
"You what?" She seethed, "What exactly did you think you were doing? Helping me? By what? Telling me the most basic information about a low class Grimm that any beginner would know? Or how about never once paying attention in any of the classes that we've had, are you expecting me to help you when you begin to fail? I thought you said you had been training to become a Huntress since you were young? How could you show no interest at all in anything we have learned and yet then have the nerve to tell me what to do? How imbecilic are you?" The anger that had built up since the beginning of the week poured out of the Heiress as she stared down the younger girl. For an instant silver eyes burned with heat before it was replaced with fear and confusion, the crimson girl began to tremble.
"Hey!" Yang yelled grabbing her arm roughly, "Don't yell at her like that." The heat began to build around the blonde, lilac eyes slowly turning red.
Weiss turned to face the blonde her anger still rolling, "I will yell at her any way I please you overgrown oaf. She is the leader of our team and she should conduct herself as such. She should be the one setting the example of everyone to follow and yet she has been nothing but immature and childish since she got here." Returning her gaze back to the source of her anger Weiss glared hard, "I don't know how you managed to get into Beacon but it was obviously a mistake."
Ruby flinched back as if the Heiress had physically struck her, eyes flashing with emotions to fast for her to follow. After a strangled noise slipped through her lips the crimson girl quickly fled room leaving a trail of rose petals behind her.
"Ruby!" Yang cried as her sister fled, eyes flicking between Weiss and the trail of disappearing petals. "We are not done here." She hissed releasing the Heiress from her firm grip giving chase to the caped girl.
Blake released a held breath, the moment Weiss had begun to yell at the wolf she had been ready to intervene if she had to. Fortunately for the Heiress Ruby had locked up before fleeing. Weiss turned to face her as well and Blake could see the anger still in her eyes, "Don't you think that was a bit harsh?"
"For what?" Weiss bit, "Telling her how it is? Life is harsh and the sooner she realizes it the better." She glared at the black haired girl, "Do you think I am wrong?"
Blake hesitated; while the world was harsh the Heiress had gone a bit over board in her yelling. "I think there would have been a better time and place for such a conversation. Ruby isn't as naïve as she looks."
"You've known her for the same amount of time I have known her, how do you know she isn't that naïve?" Weiss questioned narrowing her eyes at the girl.
"Yes we've know her for the same amount of time, but in that time have you taken any time to get to know her?" Blake questioned. Weiss blinked at her words. She was right in all the time she had known the crimson haired girl she had not once reached out to her to try and get to know her, so much for not being like her family. "I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying maybe try to get to know her before you judge her." Shaking her head Blake left the room to search for the missing sisters.
Weiss stayed rooted in her spot digesting her words. She had had plenty of times to talk to her partner but not once had she even tried. She would just let her annoyance grow or glare at the hyper girl before shuffling her off. Inadvertently Weiss had been placing herself above Ruby because she was a Schnee and a Schnee was better than everyone. Her anger dissipated into air as if it was never there, she really should go apologize to Ruby.
Before she could start to move Professor Port cleared his throat behind her bringing her attention to him, "Miss Schnee, a word if you please."
The moment Weiss had started to yell at her, Ruby's Alpha nature began to flare. The want to put the white haired girl in her place welled up inside of her. She could feel her nature as an Alpha strain at her thoughts as she tried to restrain herself from lashing out at her partner. Her hold body began to shake as she held herself back. The Heiress' final words smashed into her, she questioned her resolve to become a Huntress, she questioned her want to follow in her mom's footsteps and to help the people around her. The very reason Ruby was here was to feel like she was making her mom proud. A strangled half cry half growl escaped from the wolf's lips as she ran from the room. If she would have stayed she had no doubt she would have lashed out at the Heiress.
Running through the halls Ruby put as much distance between herself and her partner as she could. She could feel the pin pricks of tears in her eyes as she ran, confusion and anger filled her mind.
Finally coming to a stop the wolf found herself on the top balcony of a tower looking out over the campus and into the city of Vale. The sun was setting casting long shadows over the ground. Walking to the railing Ruby let herself slump over the stone, tears dripping out of her eyes. She was just so confused. Why had she wanted to lash out at Weiss like she had, why was Weiss yelling at her, why had the words hurt so much and why did she get the feeling the Heiress wasn't wrong?
Her mom had warned her that her life would be difficult with the path she had chosen but had always told her that as long as she was strong and always sought the good in people she would be able to continue no matter the adversity, but now that she was actually here she didn't know if she could. She had tested her resolve herself before but now that it was a person outside her family, she wasn't sure if it was strong enough.
She had been training for this day her entire life so this past week to her had been just simple reviews and lessons that she had already gone through before with her uncle or dad. All the classes she had with Weiss were the ones she had been having since she was old enough to read, she could retell the entire history of anyone of the four kingdoms like the back of her hand, identify a Grimm's age with a simple glance, patch up wounds and set broke bones blind folded, and her combat skills were on par with everyone else. Her leadership class with Ozpin was proving a small challenge as it was a whole new area for her; tactics, learning how to deploy her forces to the best of their abilities, learning terrain strengths and weakness, and how to be an effective leader. The language class she had picked up was Menagerian which she struggled with but since most Faunus knew that language she figured it would make communication easier if they didn't speak Basic. Blake had offered to help her when she got stuck and Yang spoke broken Menagerian and had already taught her a few phrases. Her final class was combat mechanics, which would allow her to stretch her knowledge about weapons along with learning new techniques to improve Crescent Rose. But Weiss knew none of that.
Not once had the Heiress tried to extend a hand to get to know her. All the times Ruby had offered out a hand in friendship it was quickly rebuked with a roll of icy eyes and a scoff. The wolf had kept her features hidden since meeting Weiss making sure to keep her ears folded tight and tail tucked tightly against her side when she was awake and when she was asleep she wore her stocking cap covering her ears and loose sweats allowing her tail to move freely. So why did Weiss hate her?
Ruby let a shaky breath out letting her anger go. That was another source of her confusion, why was she so angry? Yes she was an Alpha and she knew that they didn't take anyone questioning their abilities or orders well but she was different right? She liked to look at herself as different. She had been raised to be kind and caring of everyone, to listen to all ideas and opinions with an open heart. So why was she acting like the Alphas she had run across? The last Alpha she had met tried to pull her throat out for asking a simple question about his idea, fortunately he wasn't much of a match for the young wolf. She never wanted to be like those Alphas, she wanted to be a leader people wanted to follow out of respect not fear.
"Something on your mind Miss Rose?" A calm voice inquired behind her causing the wolf to spin. Professor Ozpin stood just inside the shadow of the tower taking a calm sip from his coffee mug.
"Headmaster." Ruby replied, whipping the tears from her face, "I didn't hear you." In fact she actually hadn't sensed him until he had spoken. It unnerved her that the man could get this close to her without her noticing.
Ozpin gave her a small smile, "I noticed. Your uncle would call that sloppy." Ruby gave a small grimace, if her uncle found out she was letting people sneak up on her he'd be at Beacon in a matter of hours in full training mode. "Don't worry I won't tell him so long as it does not persist. You've had a lot on your plate since arriving and a few slips here and there are to be expected. And it probably doesn't help with your ears pinned to you head all day."
Ruby sighed allowing her ears to stand, the muscles sighing in relief from being pinned down for so long. "It does muffle the sounds."
The Headmaster gave a small hum as he walked to stand beside the wolf, "I take it you have yet to tell Miss Schnee about your heritage then." More of a statement than a question.
The wolf looked down at the ground, "Yeah." She mumbled, "It's just I'm going to be around her for four years and she already hates me so I don't want to give her another reason."
"I doubt Miss Schnee hates you." Ozpin continued to sip at his coffee.
Ruby gave a short barking laugh, "Yeah you wouldn't say that if you saw her today."
At her words Ozpin raised an eyebrow, "Did she do something that would prove me wrong?"
"She nearly bit my head off for trying to encourage her." Ruby replied, "I was just telling her that boarbatusks' underbellies are their weak point when she went off on me. Yeah I realized after I said it that of course she knew but it was a knee jerk reaction like saying cover the left flank or something. I know she knows that but when it took more than one pass for her to bring it down I just kinda reacted. Then when I went to tell her about it she just went ballistic."
Ozpin continued to stare at the wolf as she explained, "Would this also happen to do with the fact you don't seem to pay attention during class?" Ruby clamped her mouth shut looking at the Headmaster sheepishly getting a chuckle from the him. "Ruby I know everything that happens in my school, what makes you think I wouldn't know that our most promising student was daydreaming in her general classes?"
"I-it's not like I haven't been paying attention," The wolf spoke up quickly. "It's just they've been going over stuff I already know so I've been drifting in and out of lectures. I mean in my other classes I've been very attentive and taking great notes."
Ozpin sighed, "Ruby your training is by far the most extensive out of all the first years so while it does make sense to your teachers that you know what they are going over in the first week the other students see it as you slacking off, to Miss Schnee especially."
Ruby lowered her head once again; Weiss was a very driven person. Even in this first week she had observed the white haired girl staying up late into the night studying. "Yeah I can see that." Was that why the Heiress had exploded, because she looked as if she was slacking off?
"Is that the only thing bothering you?" Ozpin asked with another sip of his coffee.
Ruby shook her head, "When she was yelling at me I felt the need to lash back, to put her in her place. It was so sudden that at first I just froze but when I realized what was going on I wanted to do nothing more than attack, to see her cower in fear of me. I know that's the Alpha nature but I have never felt it so strongly before. It scared me."
Ozpin sighed, "Ruby you know you are an Alpha because of what type of Faunus you are." Ruby nodded, "Because you are what you are your Alpha nature is much stronger than others. When you're challenged by a person who possess the same potential as you your reaction will be stronger. Unfortunately you chose a partner who has that potential." Ruby looked at the headmaster cocking her head to the side, "Miss Schnee is a very proud person and her up bringing was nearly the complete opposite as your own. Through her adversity she has become an Alpha in her own right. You'll need to be aware of that as you continue your partnership with her."
Ruby nodded in understanding, every Alpha she had come across had never elected such a strong response from her because none of them stood on the same level as her but Weiss was different. Weiss was strong, graceful and smart, she was nothing like those she had met before. "I suggest you talk to her, let her know about your training, show her that you know what's going on." The Headmaster continued, "While she is a Schnee, I believe that Miss Schnee will be the turning point in that family's line. She respects those who earn it from her."
"But what about these?" Ruby asked motioning to the top of her head, the two predominate ears standing straight. "And this?" Her tail unfurled from her back.
Ozpin sighed heavily, "It is not my place to tell you or Miss Belladonna how or when you tell Miss Schnee that you both are Faunus. That responsibility falls squarely onto yourselves."
Ruby sighed, she knew his answer before she had asked the question but she had at least hoped for some guidance. "Yeah." Silence settled between the two allowing the wolf's thoughts to drift back to the Heiress. The Headmaster was right she really needed to explain herself to the frosty girl, it was only the first week together as a team, they could figure this out.
"RUBY!" her sister's voice called from below. Looking down the wolf saw Yang searching for her.
"You should go let your sister know you're fine, before she tears the campus apart." Ozpin chuckled.
Ruby smiled as she nodded, "Thanks Headmaster, that talk really helped." Hopping up on the railing Ruby turned so her back faced the open air tucking her ears and tail away, Ozpin merely took a sip of his coffee looking on calmly.
"Anytime Miss Rose." He nodded turning to leave. Stopping just short of the doorway he looked back at the wolf, "Don't forget you have a essay due for my class early Monday morning." With a nod Ruby leaned back into the open air. "Such youthful exuberance."
Ruby plummeted towards the ground just as she had when she fell off the Nevermore landing in a gust of wind beside her sister. "Ruby!" Yang cried as she pulled her into a tight hug. Muscular arms crushing her arms and lungs.
"Y-Yang… need… air." The wolf pleaded as the brawler pulled her tighter. "Yang… you're… killing… me."
Finally the blonde released her allowing her to take a full breath only to launch into her own tirade. "Don't you ever do that to me again." She chide her sister, "I've been looking for you everywhere for hours. I lost your petal trail after the first few turns and Blake wasn't around to help me track you so I just had to start looking everywhere."
"Yang I'm fine." Ruby tried to calm down her sister. "I just needed to cool off."
Yang herself nearly ignited once she knew her sister was safe, "I'm going to destroy that Ice Bitch. What she said was so uncalled for, she doesn't know anything about you so what gives her the right to call you out like that."
"Yang, she's not wrong either." Ruby stepped in front of her sister blocking her path. "Yeah she doesn't know anything about my training but I haven't told her either so the blame's also on me too."
"But she still shouldn't have done what she did." Yang growled looking down at the wolf.
"I know that, and when I talk to her again I'll explain myself and that as well." Ruby continued in an even voice, Weiss was right she was the leader and it was time she started acting like one. "Look I'll handle it. You have to trust me now to fix things when I mess them up."
Yang took a deep breath allowing the heat to dissipate. "Alright, you can fix it this time but if she does that again I'm not holding back." Ruby sighed but it was better than nothing, she just hoped Blake would be willing to help when and if that time arose. "Come on pup. It's been a long day I say we grab some grub then call it."
"I am not a pup." Ruby pouted causing Yang to ruffle up her hair. "Yaaannnng."
Weiss wondered the halls after her talk with Professor Port. While she was sure he was right that Ozpin had his reasons for what he did she was still uneasy about his laser precision on pointing out while however exceptional she was it was only matched by her attitude towards her teammates. It was a hard pill to swallow, she was Weiss Schnee and was always expected to be the best no matter what she tried. So when this girl who seemed to slack off and not care about what was going on around her was seen as better than her it irritated her to no end.
But everything that had been said to her made sense, she had been quick to judge Ruby without knowing her skills besides what she had witnessed in the Emerald Forest. She had only seen what she wanted and had acted before knowing everything.
Sighing Weiss made up her mind to fix what she had done wrong. She had too, it would be the only way to get away from the mindset of her family. They had not broken her, they had tried but they had failed. She made her own decisions not her family. She would be the one to bring the SDC back from all the hate that poisoned it. But if she was going to do that then she had to start with this.
Making her way back to her team's dorm room Weiss silently opened the door peering in, it was much later than she had intended. Yang and Blake were both fast asleep in their bunks while a small light peeked out from the sheet canopy that was Ruby's bed. Squaring her should Weiss walked up to the bed pushing back the obstruction. What she found was a peculiar sight.
Ruby was sprawled out over pieces of paper, a few open books acting as her pillow. Obviously she had fallen asleep while working on her essay for her leadership class, Weiss' guilt spiked further she really had misjudged this girl. Making up her mind the Heiress gave the small girl a gentle shake.
The crimson girl gave a mumble as she curled up slightly, Weiss gave another gentle shake. "Huh?" Ruby groaned as her eyes slowly opened. Weiss felt something in her clench as she watched as the sterling orbs went from unaware to slightly aware. "W-Weiss?" Ruby cocked her head to the side as her eyes grew more alert. Slowly the girl reached up to her stocking cap making sure it was secure, something the Heiress had seen her do every morning. While the action was peculiar now was not the time for her to question it.
"It's late." Weiss whispered, holding out her hands. Ruby looked at them in confusion, "Give me the books and papers and I'll put them away. It's not good for your health to sleep like that." Weiss huffed.
Ruby blinked again looking down seeming to finally notice the books and paper she was resting on, sheepishly she muttered something under her breath closing the books using the papers as bookmarks.
Placing the books on the crimson girl's desk Weiss retook her place standing on her bed looking at Ruby, "Ruby I'm…" She hesitated, "Sorry about earlier." She breathed out trying to keep her voice from becoming sharp, apologies where not her forte. "I was out of line."
Ruby smiled at her partner, "Weiss you weren't the only one in the wrong." Weiss blinked at her in confusion. "You're right, I'm the leader of Team RWBY so I should be setting the example for the team. Just because I know what they're teaching already doesn't mean I should just stop paying attention."
Weiss blinked in confusion again, Ruby already knew what they were teaching? "But I shouldn't have taken it out on you." She tried to continue her apology.
"Can we just agree that we both screwed up and talk about it in the morning?" Ruby yawned, Weiss noted the girl's canines were longer than the rest of her teeth. "Sorry I'm really tired."
Weiss sighed, "That sound good. Get some sleep, I expect you actually start showing interest from now on."
"Oh so you're going to be fine with not being the best student in class Schnee?" Ruby challenged with a husky laugh, once again Weiss felt something clench inside her.
"Bring it Rose." Weiss smirked. Again Ruby yawned and she could feel the call of sleep calling her as well. "Goodnight Ruby."
A small smile pulled at the corner of the crimson girl's lips, "Goodnight Weiss."
A/N: Yeah for tiny WhiteRose fluff! Next week we'll drop in on the bees. Slowly but surely we are moving away from what we saw. Actually this is kinda the last chapter that follows an episode for the most part.
With that: I thank you all, come in and stay awhile, and see you space cowboy.