I woke drenched in sweat on the floor of the room. I felt that my back was particularly warm and I was leaned against something. Strange. It felt comforting and oddly familiar. I opened my eyes and refocused on reality to find an arm around my waist. An arm wearing a very white outfit, "Weiss," I croaked out.

"Shhh I got you. I don't know what you were dreaming about but it's okay. You're okay." Weiss sounded like she was going to break and was running her hand through my hair, "I… I was looking for you the past few hours. Your Uncle said you'd run off very upset. I found you here. You were drenched in sweat and groaning in pain and sounded scared." I couldn't help but enjoy the familiar feeling but I also knew this was not what it once was. Weiss didn't even know I had feelings for her let alone what we had been to each other.

I stilled myself and forced myself to calm down. I was still reeling from the dream/memory I had just experienced. I knew, though, the smartest thing I could do was to keep up the charade and call it a nightmare, "I'm sorry for worrying you Weiss. Thanks for being such a great teammate and partner. I got… frustrated with my uncle and came here to think. I've been quite… stressed lately and being alone sounded good." I was trying so hard to grasp for the right words to comfort her.

Suddenly I felt pain in the back of my head, "You dunce!" My eyes turned to saucers and I swiveled around questioningly looking at her, "You can't just lie to me!"

I sat there stunned. Was I really doing this bad of a job at hiding it?

Weiss did not appear deterred but her eyes softened, "Ruby… you've been focusing so hard on studying and training that you've been neglecting yourself and your team. You're supposed to be our leader. You can't lead us if you aren't speaking to us." Weiss gave me a hesitant smile, "I want to be the best teammate I can, but, I need you to be the best leader you can."

She gave me a hug and that was when it struck me. Weiss was never one for giving physical comfort. At least she wasn't until we got together. I shook my head and cleared my thoughts, "I'll work on it Weiss. I'll try to be a better leader."

Weiss nodded, "Very well. In that case, how about you tell me whats on your mind. I even brought cookies." She picked up a package next to her and shook it.

I laughed and wiped away the tears I felt should be there. They weren't. I started opening the bag. The crinkling noise was very distracting. "Weiss, I am sorry for lying to you… to everyone." I mumbled under my breath, "constantly."

I seemed to be pretty unlucky today because Weiss rose an immaculate eyebrow at me, "Ruby, what do you mean by constantly?" I watched for the anger that I would deserve at this point, but instead Weiss just looked scared and a bit offended, "If you are hiding something like Blake was then you should know by now you can tell us." I opened my mouth to speak but she continued, "At least speak to Yang. She is your sister and she deserves the truth."

I just slumped there, "I can't tell you guys the truth. Not yet." I chuckled humorlessly, "You're just going to have to trust me."

Weiss looked upset for a moment and then a glint caught her eye, "You know Ruby Rose I am thoroughly disappointed in you." I went to defend myself and she threw her hand in my face, "Ah- bup-bup-buh no. You will hear me out. I liked you. I liked who you were. It was such an exhilarating difference from what I was used to. Yes, you irritated me. Yes, I did feel you were unrefined and needed some work. Regardless, you were a breath of fresh air." She took a deep breath, " Now-a-days, you've been quiet and cold. I've started to think the girl I met before, who I thought could be my best friend is gone. But, I'm going to take a chance and see if my best friend is still in there…" She seemed to be debating if she should say anything else, "I have never admitted this before but the truth is…"

There was a pregnant pause. I felt like she was never going to say it, "Weiss." I whispered my voice squeaking and cracking. I had a bad feeling about where this was going.

She gathered her courage, "I'm gay Ruby." She took a deep breath, "I just trusted you with the biggest secret in my life. I don't expect you to return that. Not yet, at least. Please do keep that to yourself though."

"Thank you Weiss for trusting me," I hugged her tightly.

Weiss seemed to be breathing my presence in and then let go, "I'm going to head back. Your sister is setting up a movie in the dorm. You should join us."

I nodded, "I'll be there in a bit, I promise." Weiss gave me a tight lipped smile and left.

What a mess…

Ozpin had started becoming concerned for me. I couldn't blame him for it though. Everyone was concerned. Ozpin just happened to have his own way of solving it. We had a week left of the break when I was summoned to his office. The girls looked at me confused, concerned, and in Yang's case, teasingly.

I walked to his office and knocked twice. A few moments went by and I heard rustling, "One moment." A minute later and the door was opened to reveal his office in disrepair. His normally pristine and well-kept office was strewn with papers, folders, maps, and much more, "Come in, come in."

I walked into the office and looked around the room, then back to him expectantly, "So Ozpin, what am I doing here?"

Ozpin looked down at the ground, sighed sadly, and then looked back at me, "Miss Rose, it is with a heavy heart that I request a favor."

I shrugged, "What's the favor Oz?"

Ozpin had learned to ignore my habit of referring to him so familiarly and pushed forward with his request. He tried to plaster a smile on his face but failed, "I have received intel that there is a group of grimm who have been amassing in the Emerald Forest. They are acting strangely and we would like to find out more information about what may be causing this. We have been unable to discern why the group is such an abnormal size or make up for a grimm pack. After getting intel, you are to remove them all."

"What's the make up?" I asked getting excited. This, this was what I had wanted to do my entire life. Moreso though, this would give me a feeling of normalcy that I had lost since arriving here.

The spark returned to my eyes and I could tell Ozpin was eager to have me begin, "Here's the mission brief. You are to begin traveling to the Emerald Forest as soon as possible. Stop by your room, grab your stuff, grab your weapon and get going."

I nodded enthusiastically and bolted out of the room. A trail of rose petals was left in my wake. I arrived at the room to find everyone asleep. I quietly and quickly grabbed clothes and a first aid kit. I debated leaving a note until finally I figured I probably should.

Hey girls,

The headmaster asked me to do something for him. I should be back in a few days.

Take care,

Ruby

It was short, vague, and probably would make them a little angry, but eh, I was going to kill some grimm.

I happily sped through the school to my locker and grabbed Crescent Rose out of it along with a backpack full of dust for the sniper rifle. Then I pulled up the brief and read it over quickly. The coordinates were a little deeper into the forest than the initiation but it should be easy enough.

I finally finished my hike to the mountain we were sent off of for initiation. It was still dark out but still, I smiled and thought to myself, Landing strategies are fun.

Before I leapt off, I took in the view and could see that there were no grimm in the immediate vicinity. Not a single beowulf or boarbatusk. I squinted, sure that this was wrong, but couldn't see anything in the area. I shrugged and prepared myself to run off the cliff face. I grabbed Crescent Rose out and decided to use it as a propulsion device.

I crouched slightly, putting my leg in to a position for maximum speed and in the blink of an eye I was jumping off the cliff. Crescent Rose was underneath me. I pulled the trigger every once in a while forcing myself to propel a little further. Eventually I got close enough to the ground and skidded to a stop.

I immediately put my scythe away and went to crouch in the bushes. I quietly checked my scroll. I was approximately half a mile from the coordinates where the grimm were supposedly gathering.

I made my way to the general area as quietly as I could and jumped into the tallest tree I could see. I then pulled out my weapon and looked down the sight of the sniper rifle. I had to resist the urge to gasp. There were an insane number of grimm. My best estimate was 300 to 400 grimm. Primarily it was beowolves and boarbatusks but I could hear a nevermore sweeping around. Possibly two from the way its voice seemed to be almost echoing. I could see at least 2 adult King Taijitus and a dozen or more baby ones. A couple death stalkers were in the area as well. The weirdest part was that the beowolves seemed to be from different packs. There were visibly at least 10 different alphas.

Well go big or die trying I suppose. I knew my first step was to figure out why all of them were concentrated in this area. I looked down my sight and noticed that the population density seemed to be pretty high in the center. Almost like they were trying to get closer to something. I could also see that a new grimm was joining the conglomerate every once in a while. The group was slowly becoming massive over time. Could this be where the grimm were collected for the attack after the tournament? I shook my head, it didn't matter. I wasn't going to let this group get any bigger and I would find out what was in the middle of the group.

I steadied my breathing. I only was going to get a few shots out before the grimm started to look for me. Then it was going to be a fight to the death. I used my scroll to quietly record a report on what happened and what I'd found complete with photos. I then recorded something apologizing to the girls if I didn't make it out alive and telling them to show Ozpin the video. I then gave Ozpin permission to tell them the complete truth.

I know it seems morbid but before any mission I was uncertain of, I always made a recording. It was both practical and a good luck charm; after all, I haven't died yet. Not including Salem…

I put the scroll away and took up aim. I located the beowolf leaders and the two King Taijitu's. I figured I'd shoot as many as possible as quickly as possible and then begin the real fight.

Bang! My first shot left my gun and echoed off the forest as it met its mark. Bang! The second shot rang and the grimm seemed to be getting confused. Bang! Third shot brought down one of the King Taijitu's. Bang! The forth shot brought down the second. Bang! The fifth shot was the last one as a 3rd beowolf alpha fell.

At this point I could tell they were looking for me. I figured it was time to give them what they wanted.

I ran out of the forest my blade at full length. I immediately sliced threw several boarbatusks on my path to the center mass. I leapt into the air over a beowolf and Crescent Rose slammed its blade into the beowolf's head. I flung the head off my blade and kept running for the center. I was sent first and foremost to get some answers, I would get them damnit.

Upon arriving at the center I found myself facing a Death Stalker and the Nevermore seemed to be flying around to attack. One thing I realized I was grateful for was that Nevermore are stupid. As I fought the Death Stalker and any other grimm that dared to get near me, the Nevermore was preparing its attack. I leapt on top of the Death Stalker as the Nevermore unleashed a wave of feathers. I jumped off the Death Stalker just as a feather came to find its mark. The Death Stalker died instantly. The feathers killed dozens more grimm and the battlefield was starting to look simpler.

I slid underneath a beowolf's legs as I returned to running for the center. Once I got to the most dense area I swung Crescent Rose to make the other grimm back away and I saw it there on the ground.

It was a small box and I found my eyes widening. On the side of it was a queen chess piece. My eyes turned red and I went to destroy it. I took a deep calming breath, breaking it wouldn't help. I pocketed it and figured I'd disarm it after I killed all these things.

My anger swept over me and I allowed it build to the point of uncontrolled rage. I cracked my neck, "You guys ready to die?" I smirked. I hadn't fought with all my power in ages.

Yang's semblance coursed through me as I began smashing my blade into grimm after grimm. A new death stalker made its way towards me and I side stepped it, leaving a copy of me behind. The grimm looked confused and then started attacking even harder.

I took a look around and did a little bit of math in my head before deciding it was time for freezer burn. I changed my blade to frost and for the first time in years, I summoned a glyph. I used the glyph mixed with frost dust to freeze everything in a 200 foot radius. Most of the remaining grimm were frozen to the floor. I then let the rage and anguish go.

Some people say my sister is a small sun. They say she could burn indefinitely. In many ways that is true. Its too bad she didn't live long enough to find out how true. I channeled my rage into burning. Instantly the surrounding area was lit ablaze. The forest was soon caught on fire too.

I took a deep breath as the grimm died off. I checked my aura. It was at 73%. Next step, stop the forest fire.

I began running like a maniac to put out each fire. I was grabbing buckets of water and frost dust. No matter what I did, it seemed like I couldn't stop the fire.

Suddenly behind me I heard a twig snap, "Holy shit sis."

I tilted my head to the side… I couldn't have possibly heard that correctly. I slowly turned around and standing there was Team RWBY and Team JNPR.

"Uh… hi." I said quietly, "Whatcha doing here?" I grinned nervously… I was trying to so hard to not look guilty but at this point the forest was literally burning down around us.

Everyone seemed to be experiencing varying degrees of shock and disbelief. Everyone except Nora, "Oh my god Ruby this is amazzzzinnng." She singsonged at me, "Why didn't you invite us to your burn down the forest party?" She legitimately looked offended.

I sheepishly looked at them, "So how about we stop the forest fire?"

All the others looked a little baffled still but complied. Within an hour the fire was put out and all that was left was the decay and evidence of a battle strewn across the scorched earth.

Yang walked up to me and gave me a hug, "You scared me sis. You scared me so badly."

After Yang released me Blake gave me a small hug and told me she was glad I was okay. It was Weiss I was not looking forward to facing. Weiss' eyes were smoldering with anger and a tinge of fear when she approached me, "Ruby Rose, I swear to dust I will kill you if you ever scare me like this again! Do you know how many grimm your brief estimated were here?"

I nodded. Of course I knew how many grimm were here, that is why I took the damn case. I didn't, however, say that out loud. I simply nodded and then it struck me, "I hate to ask… why are you guys here?"

Yang smiled brightly, "I just asked Ozpin. He seemed eager to tell me the cords."

Weiss looked deep in thought, "He gave us a brief about where you were and the dangers. He didn't say what you were doing there." She slumped her shoulders and hugged me closely, almost too intimately. "I was so afraid you might be dead. How… how on earth could you think you'd defeat them all?"

I smiled shyly when I realized she wasn't letting me go, "I figured a forest fire might work?" I said jokingly.

Weiss pulled back and glared coldly at me, "I somehow doubt this was planned."

I chuckled, "Well… I… the idea struck me out of the blue to be honest."

Everyone had varying responses to the remarks but it was Jaune who eventually had a good idea, "Well, is that all your mission entailed? Cause', I kinda want to go back and get some food."

Once we arrived back at Beacon I excused myself to go give my mission report to Ozpin. The rest of team RWBY were curious and wanted to come but I told them I'd give them a brief description later.

That seemed to appease them enough and I started for Ozpin's office. It was well after dinner and I could feel my stomach grumbling as I knocked on the door.

"Come in." I heard Ozpin shout. I walked in and it looked like he was in pajamas. I gave him a confused look and he beamed back, "I'm surprised you're back so soon. I figured it would take you a little longer to discern the cause."

I smiled wryly at him, "Well, I found the cause." I took out of my pocket the small black box and placed it on his desk, "This was at the epicenter of the grimm hoard. It bears the marking of the group working to start the next grimm war."

He picked it up and started looking it over, "This box seems quite inconspicuous, not to mention tiny, for what it caused." He seemed to be inspecting it to find a way to open it.

I shrugged, "I'm warning you now that it should be moved to a more secure location immediately or destroyed."

"Oh? Are you worried it's still active?" He started looking at it more suspiciously.

I laughed, "Of course its still active. It was supposed to, from what I know, keep accruing grimm until the end of this year," I took a deep breath and tried to steady my thoughts, "We first called it the 'Fall of Beacon.' Later on it was known as the beginning of the war."

Ozpin's eyes widened at the concept, "The Fall of Beacon? Are you… insinuating…"

I rolled my eyes, "Beacon fell and we all scattered to the wind. You died. It was tragic. What happened afterwards was more so. So, yes I am suggesting that Beacon will fall if we don't stop it." I realized then how much I had become hardened to the realities of the war. It was hard to think of the Fall of Beacon without a detached feeling. It was 15 years ago and even if it had shaped my life, it wasn't the end of it. I had lived and moved forward… until recently.

His eyes hardened as he stared at the object, "How do you propose we stop this?"

I smiled, "Leave most of the work to me. I already have a plan. As for the box you're holding, if any more unusual groups of grimm start coming together, then you need to send hunters immediately." He nodded at the assessment, "Furthermore, get someone to study that and any others recovered. Maybe we can use them or the information at least."

The next issue was of course, the questions from my teammates. I walked back to the dorms trying to contemplate how to explain this to Team JNPR and RWBY. I finally decided I would settle on another little lie… boy were those piling up.

I opened the door and quietly moved into the room only to find both teams sitting in our room, "Hey guys… figured you'd be asleep or something." I put on a fake smile, "We having a party or something?"

Pyrrha seemed to want to remain quiet. I figured this was due to her already knowing a bit about my fighting prowess. Nora was just looking so excited she might burst into flame. Jaune was looking awkward, but really when isn't he. From what I could tell Ren was curious but also not that invested.

Pyrrha was the first to speak, "Hey team, how about we leave them to sort out the issue. We should go get some rest anyway." Nora went to protest but was silenced by the red-headed warrior and a stern look from Ren. They quietly made their way out of the room leaving me with my own team.

Blake, the usually quiet girl sounded torn as she spoke up, "I don't know what you were sent out there to do… Professor Ozpin said it was a top secret mission so I'm… not going to push. I don't think we have the right to push." She looked hard at the other girls, "But what you did was reckless."

Yang nodded emphatically, "Reckless, stupid, and so totally awesome." She ended up being glared coldly down by Weiss, "But you really should have warned us. Just leaving us a note is not cool."

Weiss glowered harshly at me, "I have a lot of things I want to say right now. But, I'm going to wait and hope you can figure out a way to trust me." She then motioned at the rest of the team, "To trust us."

I gulped and nodded… I really needed to figure out a way to fix the future without destroying my life in the process.

The rest of break went by quickly. I tried actively to interact with everyone more. I wanted them to see that I really wasn't that different. I was just… a more mature version of myself. I saw Yang smiling happily as she watched me down 20 cookies in record time. I saw Weiss happy whenever I said something silly or a bad joke. Even Blake seemed to relax when I allowed myself to relax a little more. I still wasn't the exact same girl they remembered, but it was good enough for now.

As if to punctuate the point, I decided to do nothing to avoid the food fight. I did, however, make sure to hold back. I didn't want to injure anyone after all. We still won and everyone was happily hanging out when the front doors of the cafeteria banged open.

Professor Goodwitch looked furious, "Children, haven't your parents taught you to not play with your food." The scowl on her face told me everything I needed to know. I laughed nervously as she waved her weapon. The room repaired itself and behind her Ozpin walked in.

He gave me an amused glance and whispered a few things to Goodwitch. She glared at us one more time, then him, and stormed out. Professor Ozpin smiled, "Please do try to keep the food where it belongs in the future. Enjoy your classes tomorrow."

I laughed to myself and then turned to the two teams, "So… we should probably go take a shower… get ready for tomorrow's classes." They all nodded and we headed back to the dorms. It was clear everyone had a jump in their steps.

Author's Note: Well so far, so good. I just finished writing chapter 7. I hope you guys like the chapters so far. White Rose is coming slowly but surely. Bumblebee will be present shortly... obviously, so far all the chapters have been 100% Ruby's POV so I don't think we'll have too much Bumblebee. It's more of a side note. Arkos also is on its way.

Questions, comments, concerns, feel free to review or PM me. Thank you for reading and joining me on this journey. My chapters have been getting a bit longer so they are taking more time per chapter. That being said, I'm trying to write about 2,000 words a day for the most part.

Author's Note Feb 3rd: I reread the chapter a few times today and noted some mistakes. Fixed most of them. Also answered a question about how they knew where Ruby was. So people don't have to reread, Ozpin told them. Who knows why... :P

Corvus Nyx