Ruby stretched her arms, letting out a slight yawn as she gazed about the front of the school. For as much as she enjoyed the festival it felt nice to relax a bit without being stuck in a crowd.

The last victory with her team put their current skill level into question; being a lot more difficult than they had previously anticipated. So much so that they started to worry if they had what it took to come out on top.

She herself had decided to knock them out of that rut, claiming that they were just caught off guard. So far throughout the year they had been met with victory after victory, never really getting challenged with anything other than a scarce handful of times. The world was vast after all, and Ruby understood that if they wanted to truly be huntresses they would need to learn how to adapt.

For a moment she considered checking on Blake, only to let it go as she ultimately realized the girl could take care of herself. Blake wasn't the same as when they started Beacon, and as much as it hurt to think about Ruby couldn't help but be the tiniest bit thankful for her change; more willing to reach out when in need.

V was an odd one though.

Really she didn't know what to think. He seemed okay enough, but he'd also nearly killed her teammates. She should have hated him, at least a little, yet she couldn't help but worry. Maybe it really was just her being too childish, but she couldn't get the thought out of her head.

His face when they met after the fact, despite being flat and seemingly indifferent, held a sort of... hurt to it, like he felt something. One moment he could lash out seeing things such as with the dance, but another moment he might be quietly observing like when they were spying on him. Ruby was certain he knew what they were up to, yet he ignored them regardless.

What irked her personally though was his seemingly low value of life. Maybe he was trained to fight and respond that way, and while she knew it was a perfectly practical way of going about things she couldn't help how she felt.

As hunters their lives were constantly on the line. One day they could be going along with their morning, and the next they might never be heard from again. To watch someone who was so willing to end that fragile life put an almost sour pool of disgust in the pit of her stomach.

Yet she didn't hate him.

It was so weird, the contradictive feeling he gave her wasn't exactly bad so much as it was strange. Like salt and pepper the emotions clashed, yet they worked well with each other; complimenting one another despite being different.

In a way it was like Human's and Faunus: different, yet so very similar.

Taking a breath and enjoying the feeling the sun's warmth Ruby decided to drop her thoughts for the time being and focus on resting for the next match... or she would have anyway. Off in the distance she saw some familiar people walking along the school grounds, four to be precise. Deciding there was no time better than the present she skipped over to them, wearing a joyful smile the whole time.

"Hey uncle Qrow!" She cried, dashing into him and wrapping herself around his torso, much like when she was little. The man remained standing though, but maybe one day she'd manage to knock him off his feet.

"Hey ya squirt, what 'cha up to?" He let out as she dropped before him, bouncing on her heels as she smirked.

"Just getting ready to kick butt at the next match!"

"Ha!" The man laughed as he smirked over to Winter. "See, this is why she's going places." He told as the woman simply rolled her eyes, looking to Ruby as she raised a brow.

"And I assume you've all got a strategy in mind?" She tried as Ruby ignored the feeling of stress that washed over, choosing instead to keep up her smile.

"Yep, we're more than ready for what the others have in store." Came her response as Winter sent a nod, giving a small hum of affirmation.

"I suppose we'll get to see so very soon. Very well then, I hope you perform admirably throughout the coming battles." The elder Schnee spoke as Qrow rolled his eyes.

"That's soldier speak for good luck." He confirmed as Winter turned a glare onto him.

Ruby felt her shoulders relax at the realization that Winter was focused on Qrow. At least she wasn't feeling the wrath her uncle was. Despite not knowing much about Winter personally Ruby had heard enough about her from Weiss, and judging from the way her partner talked she could understand that the woman had some lofty expectations when it came to pretty much everything.

As the two hunters went back and forth Ruby let her eyes wander over the other two. She recognized the man from before, the one who was always around Winter. While she never heard much about him before she assumed he must have been somebody important to be hanging around with her uncle.

Yet it was V who had her truly questioning things. Despite the joy of the festival he didn't seem too different from before, no smiles or laughs, just a calm look of curiosity as he watched the two. He must have noticed something, as his eyes landed on her.

Unfortunately she made the mistake of looking him in the eye, prompting a sort of awkward staring contest between them both. Still not one for awkward moments Ruby decided to be the first to talk in hopes of ending the feeling.

"Hey V, how's the festival so far?" She asked hoping it would alleviate some of the unpleasant air.

"Large."

She giggled slightly at that. It must have really been big compared to what he was probably used to. Working for the headmaster must have had him out and around a lot, meaning that he probably hadn't been around so many people at once.

"Yeah, but at least it's fun right?" She asked as he sighed.

"I suppose."

"Something wrong?" She tried as he waved it off.

"Nothing important. So how was the battle?" He was changing the subject, even someone like her could tell, but she decided to let him.

If he didn't want to tell her what was wrong then that was his choice. Ruby knew she had no reason to force him as it clearly wasn't her business. Instead she decided to answer and hope he would be comfortable with talking about it some other time.

"We kicked some serious butt!" Her features fell from excitement to a more sheepish look. "But I'd be lying if I said it was easy. We still need some practice."

It was embarrassing to admit, but Ruby was sure that everyone watching could see their struggle during the match. Clearly they needed to work on synchronizing better. Their team attacks could use some more work too.

Maybe a triple strike with Blake and Weiss could work.

"You still won though." Ruby looked up to see him wearing a slight smile. "Even though it was difficult you still pulled through."

"Thanks I guess... but I don't think it's a real win if we scrape by on the seat of our pants."

Ruby was thankful for his words, but she couldn't help but feel that their win was more a stroke of luck than a proper battle.

"Victory through struggle doesn't mean you didn't win, it means that you earned it. Anybody can succeed at something when it's easy, but only champions can pull through when the going gets rough."

"Kid's right you know." Qrow butted in, wrapping an arm around Vermillion as he looked to his niece. "It says something that you managed to beat them at all."

"As much as I revile to agree with him your uncle is right." Winter let out as she looked to the young leader. "Don't sell yourself short. Personally I am glad that my sister has such a competent leader... unlike some people."

Qrow laughed as Winter's glare seemed to heat up, almost as if smoke would start seeping out at any moment.

Ruby felt her cheeks heat up, and was almost sure that she was glowing red. All she wanted to do was change the subject, but quickly she started to miss the awkward atmosphere. It was sure better than the embarrassment she felt.

In any case things were better and the tense mood from before had almost completely dissipated.

With the brightened mood Ruby decided to use her down time to get to know the resident news article. Her lack of time spent with him certainly hadn't afforded her any favors, and she quickly realized just how little they'd even talked. She wanted to know him, to understand why he did what he did. Everyone saw him as a sort of monster, but she had hope that he was more, and was willing to try and peel back the guarded layers much like she had Weiss.

Maybe then she could find the hero underneath.

"Hey V?"

"Yes?"

"Want to look around the stalls with me? The others are relaxing right now and I was hoping to find someone so I wouldn't have to go alone." She told as he looked worried.

"Sorry Ruby, but I have to-"

"Take him."

V looked to Qrow, and she was able to see the puzzled look that crossed his face. Her uncle just shrugged and turned away.

"It's a festival, a celebration and all that, what point is there in not enjoying it. We can do training anytime, but this only happens every once in a while." Qrow started his walk, calling back to them. "Just try not to get in too much trouble."

V looked over at Winter who sighed as she motioned for Clover to follow.

"I suppose that's how it is for now. You have permission to relax for the rest of the day, mostly because I can't be bothered to deal with that idiot anymore. However I expect you to give it your all tomorrow. Come Clover, we shall report to the general to let him know we are available."

The man nodded, sending them a smile and a wave as he followed after Weiss's sister. Ruby turned to V, extending her hand with a smile.

"Come on, let's have some fun."

.

.

With Crescent Rose in hand Ruby cut through the last few remnants of foliage blocking her path. It was nothing but brown dusty stone between her and whatever the source of the pull was.

Each step had brought about more and more tension as she carried on, tension that was nearly nerve wracking. The woman had been ready for anything, Grimm or other, yet she was greeted with silence.

It wasn't like there were only a few Grimm to deal with, no, there were no Grimm period. Ever since she began her trek she noticed that nothing had ever tried to attack her. This was especially worrying considering that Menagerie in the current era had no settlers of the sort, meaning there should have been a healthy supply of Grimm wandering aimlessly. The moment they touched down should have prompted them all into a frenzy.

Yet there was nothing.

Ruby caught herself as the stone beneath her foot crumbled, taking hold of the nearby gap in the cliff wall. Looking down she was able to see the hefty drop that awaited her should she slip. Ruby sighed as she pushed her back against the dusty stone.

The lack of space didn't afford her much in the way of a reasonable path, and she had to be more careful than ever. The edges of the cliffs were just as dense with life as the main forest on top, only with the added danger of falling. She knew she wouldn't die if she fell as there were plenty of ways to return to the path, such as using her semblance.

But it was annoying.

Her semblance while powerful in terms of mobility was also incredibly taxing. When she was younger she didn't need to worry about losing energy so much, but with age came a sort of fatigue. Nothing that could really stop her, but enough that she would start to feel the burn.

Or maybe she was just lazy from the trip, that was also plausible reason.

The path started to widen once more and Ruby was able to leave her place against the wall and continue the trek as she had before. She could have taken to the top of the cliff, but it was heavily covered in vines and trees as well as all sorts of plants. She needed to get the best view possible, and the only reliable way was to take the awkward and deadly side path.

At least the view itself was excellent. For all the trouble it brought her she could take joy in the beautiful sight before her. The vast valleys while dry and dead held a sort of restful air to them, accented by the crimson hue of the setting sun she felt her breath nearly leave her at first glance.

Too bad it was dulled by the Grimm.

Yet those same Grimm had continued to ignore her and fly wherever they were headed, creating a path for her to follow as well as keeping her from getting turned around. Ruby sent her vision upwards, taking note of their direction once again before she set her path anew.

She had reached the end of the cliff, with nothing but a drop to greet her. For a second she thought about taking the more annoying upper path when she noticed something in the distance. Across the chasm she was able to see what looked like a cave, and a sizeable one at that. Either way she would end up losing sight of the sky, so why not check and see if any clues at to what happened were hidden about.

Looks like I'm using my semblance after all.

Taking a breath and letting the irritation leave her she leapt over the edge, feeling the wind start to pick up as she burst apart. For a few seconds she felt nothing, and then the pressure of being against something graced her. Pumping more aura into her flow she felt the pressure disappear, and Ruby let herself become whole once more.

Graced with the sight of shadows she gazed into the abyss of the cave, casting one last look back to the valley before heading in.

Author's note

...

Not much longer than the last, but at least we got to see a glimpse of Future Ruby again. This was probably the hardest part to write as I didn't quite know how I wanted to handle moving her along without it feeling boring.

Besides that we got some setup for Ruby to try and learn something about the resident monster, so look forwards to that.

That's all we have for now so let me know what you think and see you later.