The first day back at class seemed to be going very well. The last class was with Professor Port who couldn't seem to stop rambling, as usual. We, as a team, had decided to start investigating the White Fang after class today. That was perfectly fine. I knew how this was going to go. What was not fine, was Jaune.

"Sooo Weiss, I was thinking we should go out together sometime. Maybe this weekend? I could get us tickets to the new action movie thats out." Jaune was looking desperately at Weiss and trying to get a response. I, on the other hand, was trying to not strangle him to death.

It grew harder and harder as his statements became more desperate, "Weiss, I was thinking. We could go have a picnic? Or go to the beach together… Or just… hang out in the same area."

He continued his statements as Weiss ignored him right up until the bell rang. "Weiss, did you hear anything I said?"

She responded to his questions and started to leave the room along with the rest of team RWBY while Jaune looked despondent. I tried very hard to resist the urge to mutilate him, but I couldn't stop all of my rage, "Jaune." He looked up at me hopefully, "If you don't knock off hitting on Weiss I will show you why I'm the youngest person to ever be admitted to Beacon." The words came out colder and angrier than I'd intended. I really do like Jaune, but I was always a possessive person when it came to Weiss.

Jaune just continued looking like a kicked puppy, "But… Why won't she give me a chance… is there something wrong with me."

The rage in me subsided as I realized my good friend was pretty torn up. I had honestly forgotten about his school boy crush on Weiss until it was thrown in my face. I smiled softly, "There isn't anything wrong with you Jaune. You just need to accept that when a girl says no, she means it. Hitting on her over and over again regardless of her answer is disrespectful to her. It certainly won't make her want you more."

His eyes widened and he went deep in thought, "Thanks Ruby, I think… I think I needed to hear that." He had a sad look on his face, "You're a good friend for doing that for me and Weiss." He then left the room and I walked out after him.

What I hadn't expected was Weiss standing outside the door. Jaune had been too lost in his thoughts to notice but I immediately saw her, "Ruby… I don't know why you did it but thank you." She gave me a dainty hug and then a small smile. I was liking this new hugs-a-lot Weiss.

I grinned back, "I was getting tired of him bothering you and there are plenty of other fish for him to go after." I then quietly added, "After what you told me, I figured you didn't want him to keep this up." Weiss nodded her approval and seemed to blush slightly. I wanted to pump my fist in the air. I was finally getting some success with breaking into her shell.

"Let's go meet up with Yang and Blake. We have a long day ahead of us." Weiss smiled shyly.

It's weird the little things you forget after 15 years… like how Neptune and Sun seem to think hanging outside our room is a good idea. The second Sun popped his head out I threw the cookie I was eating at his head. It was an automatic reaction, I swear.

He swung out of the way, "Woah now, lets calm down and not throw tasty cookies around like weapons!" I glared at him, as did the rest of the team.

Weiss growled, "How'd you get up here?"

Sun shrugged, "It's easy I do it all the time." He clearly did not realize how that sounded as Yang's eyes blazed with fury and Weiss looked seriously concerned and pissed.

Yang was the first one to the punch line though, "You do what all the time!" He started sputtering as he realized what he'd implied, "I know we're all hot," we all gave Yang a wary glance, "But, seriously, you aren't allowed to just come check us out whenever you want. We are not books and this is not a library!" Yang's anger seemed to dissipate a little after she realized how funny her joke was.

He finally sputtered out what he meant, "I just climb trees a lot… I swear I'm not coming here to check you girls out." He then winked at Blake, "Not that some among you aren't gorgeous." I had to try not to laugh out loud. After all, I was the only one there who knew the underlying tension between Blake and Yang.

Sun landed in the room, "So, let's go investigate!"

I tried to explain that it was a team plan but he brushed it off and brought Neptune in. Poor guy was apparently just hanging out trying not to die outside. After contemplating it I gave in, "Fine, Neptune go with Yang. Sun go with Blake. Weiss and me we go to the tower." I may have wanted to purposefully separate Sun from Blake but, I knew Neptune couldn't pretend to be a faunus. I may also have been trying to keep Neptune from Weiss. Back in my time Weiss had tried to use him as a beard. Neptune had truly loved her and I had been upset and depressed during their entire relationship. Needless to say, I wasn't looking for a repeat.

Neptune started complaining about the partner choice but I just rolled my eyes, "As the team leader of RWBY, it is my decision where our strengths are. If you want to be part of our mission, then you follow our rules." That shut them up quickly although they both were blatantly checking out certain women.

I grabbed Weiss' hand and we headed towards our mission point. After a moment I dropped her hand and blushed deeply. I hadn't even considered the implication to her. I knew she had to have some feelings towards me but we hadn't dealt with those until I was 16 or so.

On the way to the CTT I spotted Penny acting strange. I sighed, Weiss could easily handle this without me, but Penny was someone I needed to save. I couldn't do that without her trust, "Weiss, I'll catch up with you, I want to go check on Penny."

Weiss gave me a look that to most would have looked annoyed, but I knew that look. She was jealous. If only she knew the truth. I smiled brightly, "Bye! Call me if you find anything super important."

I sped off towards Penny who proceeded to act like she didn't know me, "Penny we need to talk alone. I know you're nervous and I know your father doesn't want you talking to me. I also know a few other things, please, its important."

Penny nodded and we speed towards a safe space to talk. Penny was one of the losses that hurt the most. After all, AI or not, she was still technically a robot. It turned out they had a back up of her personality lying around… let's just say… it wasn't a happy reunion.

"Ruby, my friend, what seems to be the problem?" Penny said with a bright smile on her face. Her eyes were looking everywhere trying to make sure no one was nearby.

"Penny… I know you're technically an artificial intelligence." I stated softly. I hoped she wouldn't take the revelation the wrong way.

Penny's eyes stopped wondering and focused on me, "I think I heard you wrong Ruby. That is just silly." She hiccuped and I couldn't help but smile.

"Penny, I know you just lied. I always wondered why you hiccup when you lie but it is a useful thing for your friends." I smiled warmly at her, "I don't care that you aren't technically human. You're an amazing person and a great friend of mine. I wouldn't have you any other way."

"Oh Ruby!" She was so excited she pulled me in for a tight hug.

I felt like my bones might break and I groaned, "Alright… maybe hug a little softer." I barely got the words out of my mouth and Penny dropped me with an apologetic look on her face. I stood up and brushed off my combat skirt, "I'm here to help."

Penny looked at me confused, "Help with what Ruby?"

I smiled, "I'm here to make sure you get the chance to be you. I know you're combat ready. I know you love your father and I think its great. I'm here as a friend to help you enjoy your life. You know… you're the first true artificial intelligence."

Penny nodded, "I am. I was designed to help protect and serve the people of Atlas by my father. Ironwood has been looking forward to my test run at the tournament."

"Well, I think you should also get the chance to test run being a 17-year-old girl." I gave her shoulder a squeeze, "So don't let combat consume you." I thought to myself if there was anything else I could reasonably add, "If you need any help in the tournament feel free to come ask me."

Penny nodded and then her face seemed to contort for a moment, "They're here!" I rose an eyebrow but nodded. I knew who 'they' were. Her damn handlers, "Ruby my friend, please hide. I'll deal with them. They're nice people. They just want to keep me safe." I grumbled to myself and leapt to the top of the building. I'd rather that to dumpster diving.

As I stood on top of the building and watched Penny get escorted off my scroll started to go off. I pulled it up to answer and instead was greeted by loaded noises and Blake requesting back up. Sun sounded panicky about the "giant robot that a dude is inside. The robot didn't eat the dude. The dude is controlling it or something." It was without a doubt the dumbest description I've ever heard an operative give while on a mission. I acknowledged the information and looked at the landscape from the building I was on. I could see them heading towards the highway.

I started building hopping until I finally was nearby. I watched as Weiss jumped into the middle of the highway and caused the ground to become slippery. Part of me wanted to run up and get her out of the highway but I knew she could handle herself. Instead I jumped down to where Torchwick would be landing.

"Hello, hello Red. Long time no see." Torchwick said amusedly, "I see you brought your friends to help this time. Pity it won't be going very well."

I rolled my eyes and shouted, "Freezerburn." Yang and Weiss jumped at the order but began and soon we were fighting in fog. I rushed forward and started to attack his legs with force.

We all were attacking from different directions and everything seemed to be going well. "Bumblebee!" Yang spun with Blake's help and punched Torchwick's robot knocking the left arm off. I could hear Torchwick swearing. His eyes narrowed and he seemed to formulate a plan. He fired off several rockets in all directions. One of them though, aimed directly at Weiss.

Without a second thought I sped and leapt in front of the oncoming rocket. It blew into Crescent Rose and I could tell the scythe was damaged. I looked behind me, "You okay?" Weiss nodded dumbly. She clearly was not expecting what had happened.

I smiled and then yelled out a few more orders. Soon Torchwick found his machine completely decimated. Just as Yang was going to deal a killing blow, Neo stepped in front and blocked it. This only succeeded in enraging me further. I ran forward with my damaged but not useless scythe and struck at the pair. They shattered to glass and I yelled out enraged.

Weiss came up behind me, "Hey, its okay. We'll get them next time." I looked up at her, eyes fire red, and staring back at me were the wide blue eyes of Weiss. I looked back down just as Weiss started, "Ruby… your eyes."

Those words were like a bucket of cold water. I felt my rage dissipate and I looked back up, "Huh? Are they okay?"

Weiss looked even more confused as she stared at my silver eyes, "I… I swear they were red a second ago."

Yang ran up behind us, "That's absurd. Red eyes are my thing. Lil Rubes can't just go around stealing my eyes." Yang joked.

Blake looked slightly suspicious but we all agreed to head back to Beacon.

The next few days of class flew by and I noticed Blake getting bags under her eyes. Yang was starting to fret about it. Whenever Blake wasn't around she would complain that Blake was killing herself. The saddest part was Yang's conviction that Blake wouldn't listen to her, even if she tried. I decided to not interfere with Mercury and Pyrrha fighting. I figured I shouldn't show my hand too soon. It was after the fight that had me concerned. Blake was way too obsessed with the White Fang. Considering my own obsession, I felt like that was saying something.

After Blake had told us off and wandered off I knew what needed to be done, "Hey sis,"

Yang looked despondent but acknowledged me, "Yeah?"

I smiled tightly, "I think if anyone can get her out of this funk its you. Go talk some sense into her and then ask her to accompany you to the dance."

Yang blushed for a moment, "Ask Blake to the dance? That's… that is a silly idea. She and I… we aren't…"

I burst out laughing and Weiss was watching the conversation with confusion. It was clear to me though she wanted to see where it was going before speaking up. I smiled brightly at Yang, "Don't be stupid anyone with half a brain can see how much you check out Blake."

Yang turned even redder and started stuttering until finally she found herself a sentence, "I check out everyone!"

I waggled my eyebrows at her, "Come onnnnn Yang! I'm your sister! I know when you're appreciating the female body and when you're drooling over someone you like! You like Blake! Go fix her and then take her to the damn dance. You talk big, well its time to act it!"

Yang was taken aback by my response but the tint of red on her cheeks didn't leave. She cleared her throat and then nodded, "Okay sis… I'm… going to go talk to Blake." She left the room like it was on fire. I wasn't quite sure if she was running away from the conversation or towards the woman she liked.

As my thoughts on Yang and Blake started to subsided I realized that I was now left alone with the girl I loved. A girl who had minutes before mentioned she already had a date in mind. "So Weiss…"

Weiss looked at me and smiled, "Yeah Ruby?"

"You said you have a date in mind huh?" I giggled and jumped onto her bed, "Let's have girl talk for a moment. Who is she? What's she like? Have I met her?" I was trying to play up the curious best friend but clearly I had alternative motives.

Weiss' smile turned tight lipped again, "I was going to ask Neptune."

I felt like everything came to a screeching halt, "You what!" I exclaimed. All of my old fears were rushing back to me.

Weiss nodded, "He's a nice guy. I've been thinking it over. My father is going to want me to date a man. It doesn't really matter what I want. Besides, I'm sure I could grow to love him."

I felt my heart break at the statement. She, even after trusting me with the truth, was going to try and run off with Neptune anyways.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. Nothing seemed to be working. I left the bed and went and sat on top of mine. Weiss was giving me a confused look. She tried to reach out and touch me to calm me down but I just jumped off the bed and ran out of the room. She had, for a split second, seen my eyes filling with tears.

I had hoped I could avoid dealing with this a second time. I really thought I could get her to be mine first. Stupid fucking Neptune. I sat down in the court yard by the fountain and tried to hold back my tears. After a few minutes my body complied and I sat there stoically staring at the water.

I heard a noise next to me and turned to find Jaune walking towards me. I inwardly groaned. I couldn't handle his issues and mine at the same time, "Hey Ruby." He was moving rather nervously. He kept wringing his hands and running one through his hair, "Can I sit here for a moment?"

I shrugged and took one last moment to contain my feelings before turning my attention to the other leader, "Whats up Jaune?"

"I was wondering…" Jaune paused, "I mean… if you want to…" He grumbled to himself, "I know it may be weird…"

I just sat there wondering what the hell he was trying to say. The boy really needed to stop stumbling over his words. Finally I just snapped, "Spit it out Jaune."

Jaune laughed nervously, "Will you come to the dance with me?"

Of all the things he could have said… This was not even in the top 100 expectations for me. I just told him to stop asking out Weiss so he turns to me. Damn it Jaune just go ask out Pyrrha! I tried to formulate a response to him that was not mean or condescending and I ended up deciding on the simplest truth, "I'm gay."

Jaune looked dumbstruck, "What?"

"Is that a problem?" I snapped and gave him a semi playful glare. I knew he wasn't homophobic. This was likely just a shocked response.

"I… no that's not a problem. One of my sisters is gay." He looked almost like I'd slapped him, "I just… every girl I could consider dating is not interested."

I laughed hard, "Jaune… every girl?"

He nodded, "I mean, you and Weiss. I even tried asking out Velvet. None of you seem to be interested." He looked downright despondent and it was both sad and just kind of funny. How could any single person be this damn blind?

"Well, how about you go with a friend of yours. I mean, ask Pyrrha. You two are partners and even if you don't have a date-date it's still a person to hang out with." I suggested with a smile. I really was hoping he'd go for it.

He shook his head, "Pyrrha has sooo many people asking her out. I'm sure of it. There's no way she's as dateless as me." I almost face-palmed at his stupidity but I suppose this was just something he'd have to learn on his own. He shook his head and turned to me, "So, who are you going with?" He waggled his eyebrows and I rolled my eyes.

"I will be happily going stag." I replied. I hoped that putting emphasis on 'happily' would convince him.

He was surprisingly more perceptive than normal, "Don't try that with me. Who do you want to go with?"

I just sat there and figured confessing a 'crush' to Jaune wouldn't cause any major problems, "I… want to go with Weiss… but she's planning to go with Neptune."

Jaune's eyes widened and his mouth flapped like a fish, "That's why you told me off."

I blushed and nodded, "I know… I had ulterior motives but I was also right about her not being interested in you." I then quietly added, "I just didn't want to accept or notice she wasn't interested in me either."

He hugged me tight, "Hey Ruby, it'll be fine. Plenty of fish in the sea and all that right?"

I chuckled darkly, "Yeah…" Too bad I already found the one fish I want.

We headed back to the rooms and split off at the doors. Weiss looked furious when I walked in and I noticed Blake and Yang were still absent. "Where in the world have you been!"

"I uhh… I was out at the fountain with Jaune." Weiss suddenly had a flash of her jealous face as I said that. Normally I'd think it was cute, but at this point I was just trying to fight back the anger.

Weiss' glare suddenly turned as cold as her namesake, "Oh so you tell him to stop hitting on me just so you can date him? Real mature of you Ruby."

My eyes widened at the suggestion and at that point I figured fuck it, "Yes, exactly. I am mooning all over Jaune. He is my dream man." I then did a poor impression of the stories Blake loves so much, "Oh Jaune, please, sweep me off my feet. Oh Jaune my Jaune." I then glared at Weiss, "I'm starting to realize that you don't know me very well if thats what you think."

Weiss scoffed, "Of course, I don't know you very well when you won't even let your sister in! You've been better lately but I still don't know what you're 'constantly lying' about." I opened my mouth to speak but she cut me off, "Ruby, maybe I was wrong. Maybe you aren't a very good team leader. You were on the verge of crying. Instead of talking to a team mate, your partner, you run off and whine to some boy you're clearly fawning over!"

I felt something snap in me. Weiss and I were never the perfect couple. We fought. We had ups and downs. But, in the end we always loved each other and got through to each other. One reason for that… we had a bad habit of accidentally telling each other things, "Well sorrrrryyy I didn't like hearing that the person I wanted to ask as my date was planning how to get a blue haired monstrosity to go with her instead."

The second the words were out of my mouth I regretted them. Only part of me could truly muster the regret but it was a large enough part. I stood there slackjawed at my own audacity. Meanwhile Weiss had a hand over her mouth. She let out an audible gasp at my confession.

"You're… gay?" She asked quietly.

I couldn't trust myself to speak at this point so I just nodded. Lucky for me, we were saved by the bell… or more accurately Belladonna. Blake walked in the room cheerily talking to Yang about the dance. Yang smiled at us, "Hey guys!"

We both glanced at each other silently agreeing to shelve this conversation, before Weiss finally spoke up, "So, Blake you decide to come to the dance then?"

Blake nodded with a sad smile on her face, "Yang explained to me that I should try to slow down so I don't hurt myself… or others. She's also kindly agreed to escort me."

Yang looked stupidly proud but I was glad to hear something was going right in this insanity. I just smiled tightly and then went to bed. Weiss was looking at me with confusion, slight annoyance, and fondness. I could tell she was trying to process her own feelings to what I had shouted and confessed.

Oh well… if I avoid her long enough I can put off dealing with this. I thought to myself how I would handle the heiress as I drifted off to sleep.

Author's Note: Annnnd here begins White Rose and Bumblebee. Finally taking off... or starting to.

Now to Red Renegade 777 first of all, holy reviews batman... Anyways I am going to try and answer some of the questions you posed. First of all, Crimson instead of Crescent was a typo. I have no idea how that happened but it is now fixed. Thanks :D. Yeah... Jaune is the hulk pretty much. Except... not immortal. Hulk smash. As for how fast I'm going... I'm trying to write a chapter or so per 'section' of the show. I did skip a bit just by deciding Jaune and Team JNPR can handle their own Cardin problems. I figured, its a single year in school, I can cover quite a bit pretty easily.

Questions, comments, concerns, complaints, whatever your heart desires. I already have chapter 7 and 8 written. I've started outlining chapter 9, 10, and more. We shall see how fast these get put out. Anyways, enjoy!