Disclaimer: The following is a parody. RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth and Highschool DxD is owned by Ichiei Ishibumi. Please support the official release.

Chapter 30: The Rise of an Empress

While Ruby went out of the room to negotiate with Sirzechs, the rest of her pride stayed behind in the designated kitchen area. In an hour or so, the rest of the guests will arrive and thus the tournament for prize money (but mostly Kunou's entertainment) would start. The cousin of the Red Dragon Empress, Yang Xiao Long, was geared up for, as in her words, a feisty competition. This was an opportunity for Yang to face off against people of different races and see how she compares to them. Yang even held back on using her Sacred Gear unless the situation was drastic enough to need it.

While that might not make a difference since it was noon, Divine Axe Rhitta had a special ability of soaking up the rays of the sun that brought out the massive power boost. According to her new partner, the sun giant Escanor, storing sun rays would keep the power boost consistent and provide Yang with is gifted sun mage, but the only drawback that she would not gradually increase her strength as she would naturally in the sun from morning to midday. Right now, Yang had a full day's worth of sunlight as fuel for her Sacred Gear.

However, thoughts of a fight were put on hold as her lavender eyes glanced to Kurama. By Ruby's words, he was one of the most powerful beings, dwarfing gods and dragons alike with his raw strength alone. Yang couldn't refute that. The pressure from just his presence in the room already told Yang she was dead the moment she ever moved to attack him. In her view, it was trying to look up to an apex predator, and she was a little bunny that did not have this predator's interest. Bring his ire, and she was a goner.

But more importantly than that, Kurama was the one to have trained Ruby into the powerhouse of heaven breaking proportions. The same person who was involved in most of Ruby's secret life where Yang was oblivious to for most of the time growing up. Her eyes flashed bloody red for a moment. A part of Yang felt bitter and envious toward Kurama for not only responsible for training Ruby in her family's place, but also heavily involved in her supernatural life. They even considered her as family, and Yang had no idea about this at all. It was almost like Ruby was re-

'No, don't think like that!' Yang snapped in her head. 'You know Ruby loves us. This is just very, very weird.'

Kurama was taking his time relishing the sweet warmth of tea his wife brewed. A satisfied sigh escaped his lips and his feral face softened in relaxation. Seeing Kurama as he was would make anyone none the wiser he was on the universe's most dangerous, and with a ferocity to match his malice. Jeanne, the most perceptive of the group, slightly tensed knowing what lay behind those crimson eyes of his: a monster of monsters. A rarity the Saint of France hadn't faced since the days of the 100 Years War when skirmishes between angels and devil were far more rampant among the English/French conflict. Sieg who also felt Kurama's dangerous presence leaned closer to Jeanne to protect his love in the very bare possibility of an attack.

"The tea is wonderful as always, Yasak-hime." Complimented Kurama, his fox ears and tails twitching in delight. "Where's my birthday girl?"

"Kunou-tan just went off to play with Millicas." Naruto answered, helping his older brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law clean the table. "Kushina-nee-sama and Kurahime-nee-sama went off to prepare for the main event."

Unfortunately, Kurama was not listening after Naruto's first sentence, and his crimson eyes narrowed dangerously into a three tomoe pattern. An almost silent growl reverberated behind his lips, but to the dragons they heard it as well as the growl of a lion. Sieg and Jeanne tensed feeling the pulse of power carrying a hint of malice through the room. Teams (R)WBY and JNPR felt their chests tighten and their bodies sweat while every instinct of them wanted them to submit.

"So, Kunou and Millicas alone, eh?" Mused Kurama, suddenly standing up from his seat. "You know, maybe I should - YEOW!"

"Ah, Kurama-koi, just what were thinking of doing to dear Milli-kun?" Yasaka said sweetly, her hand pulling roughly on Kurama's right ear. "You weren't going to do something untoward to the poor boy, were you?"

"No, hime!" Exclaimed Kurama. "A-At least let me put the fear of annihilation in that shitty bat's boy before he develops any ideas for my little girl!"

"Ah, ah, ah." Yasaka admonished playfully. "Millicas is our guest here, and he is also Kunou's best friend. Amaterasu knows she doesn't have a lot of them. And so as the host for the boy's family, you are going to do nothing to him. Is - that - clear?"

Despite the sweet tone Yasaka spoke in, there was an evident menace radiating from the golden-haired Yokai kitsune. The kind expression Yasaka gave had the complete contrast of the fear that rooted everyone to their spots. Such is the terror of a housewife.

"Hai." Kurama said in defeat, slouching back into his seat.

"That's my Ku-kun." Yasaka chirped, planting a loving kiss on her husband's right cheek. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll go check on the kids."

Kurama sighed. "Fine."

Yasaka walked with grace out the room, soon followed by Ereshkigal, Shirou, and Naruto to cart away the dirty dishes. Most in the room were tempted to lick the plates if only to have an inkling of the taste of that divine cooking. Now it was only Kurama and Ruby's pride left in the room. The crimson kitsune and those like Jeanne and Ren were content in drinking their cups of hot green tea left by Shirou and Ereshkigal to wash down their meal. Yang was the more profound exception as she simply stared at Kurama with a complicated look in her eyes. Kuram evidently felt Yang's stare on him, and he spared one eye to glance upon Yang, making the blonde still in place.

"What do you want, brat?" Kurama half-growled. "Ogle me all you want. I am a happily married kitsune to a beautiful, sexy vixen. You are leagues below my Yasaka."

Yang gave a complicated noise between a choke and a snort before speaking. "Th-That's not what I am doing!"

"Then what do you want with me then?" Kurama pressed. "You obviously want something from me. Who even are you?"

"My name is Yang Xiao Long." The blonde almost snarled out, her temper getting to her. "I'm Ruby's cousin."

Kurama snorted with a smile. "Ah, that makes sense. You're that Yang who Ruby can't stop talking about. I'm pretty she prefers a sister far more than a cousin."

Yang blinked in surprise. "Ruby... talks about me?"

"Of course she does." Kurama said, taking another sip of his green tea. "Practically doesn't shut up, or anyone of her family. What, you think she lives two different lives?"

That hit on the bullseye and more so. Yang just sat there, her mouth gaping, from how open Kurama was about something like that. With the whole secret Ruby kept of her being part of the supernatural as an incarnation of this Dragon of Domination from another world and training in said world, it was too much of a surprise how open Ruby would be about her life to people her. Her mind was plagued with thoughts that here in this new world Ruby would act like her family in Remnant didn't exist. As horrible as it sounded, Yang expected Ruby to have anyone from Earth ignorant she had a family.

'But that would not be Ruby at all.' A thought occurred in Yang's head. 'She would be trusting enough to do that. Talk about how awesome her family was. But that's Ruby from years ago. Before the incident with the stupid cart and stupid me. But now she's also... Dammit, I don't get this shit at all!'

Yang let out an exclamation of frustration, her mind unable to unwrap the mystery the blonde had made herself. She didn't even know what she was trying to solve here anymore.

"You have a lot of questions about Ruby, don't you?" Kurama said, his tone awfully neutral. "By your reactions, I can more than tell that none of you were ever born as dragons. I don't know what sort of magic trick the brat did to turn you all into dragons, but frankly I don't care. It's not my business. Though I am especially surprise by you two, including Jeanne D'Arc."

Jeanne and Sieg immediately tensed like a spring coil when Kurama leveled his eyes on the duo. It was like they were piercing into their very soul and uncovering every untold secret they held. Fortunately, he relented his gaze and went back to the conversation at hand.

"Ruby had to keep the secret of Earth and her station as part of the Moonlit World." Kurama continued. "It is a necessary precaution for people like herself. Secrets like that have a way of starting trouble."

"I just," Yang huffed, "don't get it why she never said anything to us. To me, Dad, or Uncle Qrow. We're her family, aren't we? She can trust us."

"It isn't about trust, Yang Xiao Long." Kurama lectured. "Keeping you ignorant is meant to keep you safe. There is a reason why the supernatural no longer associates with the majority of the human race in the modern age. Tell me, if Ruby flat out told you about the supernatural, what would you have actually done? You have called her delusional, perhaps insane, or do something drastic in response to the Moonlit World if you actually believed her without proof. Any decision you would have made without pause would lead to Ruby's family to potential disaster."

A silence descended on the table. Those of the exception of Yang were feeling uncomfortable with the conversation happening. Yang dipped her head down in contemplation, but her frustration showed by the clenching of her fists. It wasn't until Yang's eyes turned a blood red did the blonde finally snap. She slammed her palms on the table and gripped the edges.

"If she was trying to protect us, then how?!" Yang exclaimed, the wood cracking beneath her fingers. "How can she be so burdened that she has no time for herself? How is that she can-"

"Kill so easily." Kurama finished, unfazed by Yang's outburst. "Well, that is because I taught her that."

Yang's fingers twitched, and the wood she gripped out cracked in a mess of flying splinters. Her red eyes were bearing on Kurama's nonchalant expression with no small amount of hate, and her Semblance activated to make her hair glow like a burning fire. Everyone else stared with shock at the raging aura wafting from Yang.

"You what?" Yang hissed.

"I am Ruby's sensei." Kurama said. "If I was going to teach her how to fight, then I am going to teach her how to kill."

"How could you do that!?" Yang roared. "Ruby could have been just a regular kid."

"But she isn't!" Kurama interjected sharply. "I don't know how much Ruby has told you about our world, but you need to realize the moment she was born with the Boosted Gear, the hope of a normal life was forever lost for her. If she didn't have the stomach to kill, then Ruby may as well be dead herself. Isn't that what you're saying in context?"

"You bastard!" Bellowed Yang, just about to summon Divine Axe Rhitta too blinded in her anger to realize the threat.

"I think you need to sit down!" Kurama said lowly.

All of Yang's movements and everyone else froze at the sensation Kurama projected in a flood. It was not power or the pressure of his presence. No, what froze Yang in her tracks and made some lose their breath was the overwhelming killing intent radiating from Kurama. His facial expression had not changed with only the thinning of his lips and how the kitsune narrowed his crimson eyes. With the pure malice Kurama radiated however he looked far more menacing as if he was giant monster towering over civilizations with his tails waving ominously behind him as he stood there as a force of nature. Fear made Yang 'relax' back into her seat and took all of her might to not be shaking like a scared child. Only after a moment of the blonde being forcefully pacified did Kurama relinquish the killing intent, allowing some to regain their breath.

"You have no idea how every pantheon would scramble upon a wielder of Sacred Gears of that level, only if either to have their allegiance to bolster their own powerbase or kill them as a threat." Kurama said. "Most would not be so friendly to use underhanded means to that, especially threatening her family. You of all people have to realize just how significant Ruby is as the Red Dragon Empress, and it is fortune itself that she has not been discovered by those pantheons. What you felt was me being nice, and there are those who are far worse in their nature and the kind who commonly stoop to genocide to get what they want.

"Don't be so naive, little girl. Life is not fair enough where everyone can live in dreams and fairy tales. We are born, we live, and then eventually we die. Difference is how, or rather who does the killing and is the one being killed. The world does not discriminate between the bad and the good. Some kill just because they love to. Others because they are necessary to do so. Would you allow a murderer to walk free in life when there is a chance they will still be free? Would you have a greedy tyrant live on when there is a chance they will go make more people suffer? Would you possibly condemn many innocent by letting the criminal live just because of 'morals'? I believe your fellow blonde can attest to that. Isn't that right, Jeanne D'Arc?"

Jeanne gave what can be called a gulping sputter, but forced her expression to remain stoic to not betray her nervousness as those eyes landed on her. Her expression relented to a look of reminiscence of days long ago. Though she may be called a saint in the modern world, Jeanne never considered herself as one. War has no room for the innocent, and Jeanne was not an exception of that.

"No one is innocent." Kurama stated. "As for me, I am farthest from being so. My hands are soaked in the blood from battles of the thousands I've killed, all so I can protect my home and my loved ones. So that the common people who know no war can have a chance to live without fear of their own lives. What I taught Ruby was to able to protect all that is important to her, just as I have, and by any means necessary!

"Go ahead, little girl. Condemn me for my actions. I am not going to hide that I have killed many. Curse me a monster like so many have and still do. I know perfectly well I am one. Do that, and you are labeling Ruby the same. Are you really going to call your own 'sister' a monster as well?"

Everyone traded uneasy glances between Kurama and Yang. While the kitsune sat there like an unmovable mountain, the Xiao Long dragon visibly wilted, the glow in her golden hair faded away, and her eyes turned back to their lilac color. Her face flashed through frustration, sorrow, disgust, and shame. Yang can call her sister many things. Sadistic? Their training told her of that. Ruthless? Ruby definitely showed that during initiation. But monster? No, Yang would never dare call her Ruby a monster.

"Just how did she turn out like that?" Yang spoke above a mutter. "How can she kill so easily?"

"Obviously, most of you haven't taken a life yet." Kurama noted. "Trust me on this, Ruby was very stubborn about the whole 'no killing' naive bullshit. Kept that up for years, but I was patient because I knew eventually the day would come Ruby was going to kill. Though I would definitely say the circumstances behind it I would not have had."

"What happened?" Blake said in curiosity.

"Ruby's told you about the race of devils, one of the three Biblical factions, right?" Kurama asked, and continued getting a nod from Ruby's pride. "Then you have to know that the devils as a society are awfully splintered in two, more than they even know themselves. While the current regime is tame in comparison to the old days and advocates cooperation, there are those in power like the clan heads and government officials that cling to old ways of their race being the most superior and they see everyone else their inferior or at the worst property they can take advantage. The Evil Piece system that they have developed has not helped at all, and quite frankly there are too many within the Underworld hierarchy that are drowned in their own greed like a stereotypical devil than Sirzechs realizes.

"One such radical group that just loved to lord over their self-made superiority decided to invade Kyoto for their own shits and giggles. With them was a contingent of Ultimate-class devils that were sent that in their foolishness goal to kill me. Now seeing as I am quite literally powerful enough to make gods shit their pants, you can imagine how awful that went for them. Unfortunately, they kept me busy enough that they infiltrated my home and took my youngest daughter, Kunou, as some sort of leverage. It was a real shit situation with my daughter being captive by several High-class, and no one strong enough in the vicinity to save her. Except of course..."

"...Ruby." Yang said, her eyes widening in realization.

"That day changed her forever." Kurama said, a somber tone in his voice. "And I take full responsibility for what happened, and I still regret how it happened to this day..."

(Flasback; Several Years Ago)

A younger Ruby, notably smaller and more expressive of the panic she felt in that moment. Adrenaline kept her body moving faster and hitting stronger than the devils in her way. It was because of the honed senses from her dragon heart that allowed her see and dodge out of the way of magical blasts. She was heavily outnumbered being one against many Mid-class devils, their faces hidden behind black masks and that was not counting the High-class devils ordering from the sky. Despite the potential fate of death Ruby was under, there was only one thing on Ruby's mind in this fight she solely focused on to keep going.

'I have to save her!' The words roared in her head like a dragon and acted like fuel for her body to keep fighting. 'I have to save Kunou! I have need to save her!'

[BOOST!] Ddraig called from the Boosted Gear in its base form covering her arms.

This was the sixth time Ruby has been boosted, essentially increasing her base power sixty-four times. She felt the incredible power overflowing through her every pore of her body, and she unleashed a mighty roar producing a shockwave that pushed the devils surrounding her away. With breathing room given to her, Ruby finally sprung into action disappearing in a cloud of rose petals.

"What the - GRK!" One devil cried before his knees were suddenly crushed inward followed by a powerful blow to his side.

Her Semblance also benefitting from the power of the Boosted Gear ascended Ruby to speeds none of the devils before her could even see, and her enhanced perception cured her of any tunnel vision. The world moved at a snail's pace, allowing Ruby to easily maneuver at the ranks of the enemy and swing out her fists to break bone like twigs. All the blows she delivered were never fatal always at joints to neutralize them, or at worst cripple them from being a threat. Ruby didn't dare kill them, even if they did deserve it.

Her movements were without much to waste, and she instantly moved to the next target after finishing with the previous. She had to move quickly, feeling the metaphorical weight on her back via the exhaustion from the [BOOSTS]. Ruby threw kicks and punches all meant for knockouts or crippling blows to have them stay down. After sending a gut punch to induce internal damage to the last devil followed by a right hook to knock him out, Ruby canceled out of her Semblance. What was a group of thirty Mid-class devils were reduced to pile of bodies moaning in pain from ripped bones in under fifteen seconds.

[Partner, stop holding back against them!] Ddraig admonished. [I know you want to be a hero for your mother, but there are times where you can't show mercy like this.]

'No!' Ruby vehemently denied. 'I won't kill them. I won't kill anyone, and I will still save Kunou!'

[Dammit brat...] Ddraig cursed in a somber tone. [This world is too cruel to you.]

The three High-class devil above Ruby widened their ways at the quick display of combat Ruby showed. It was further exemplified by the Boosted Gear in its full splendor on her arms.

"That's the new holder of the Boosted Gear!?" A female devil exclaimed, featuring brown hair and a fanged mouth.

"We have to report this to Rizevim!" Her companion spoke, a male with blue hair who was about to cast his magic.

They planned to make a break for it while distracting Ruby with destructive blasts. Only Ruby had no reservations to have them escape, and made the first move. She took in a long breath of air while focusing on the intense heat in her heart. There was a gurgle from her throat as flames filled her lungs fueled by her magic and air ready to be unleashed.

"Rose Dragon's Roar!"

With a tremendous roar, Ruby spewed forth an inferno of flames as red as roses five meters in diameter. It rose like an eruption to the air and too fast for any of the High-class devils to make an effective counter except to dodge. However, their dodge went according to Ruby's plan as the Red Dragon Empress' herself jumped into her own flames as a cover to get close to them. Out from the roaring flames, her tiny hands shot out to grip their faces before Ruby revealed herself featuring patches of red scales on her pale skin.

She lifted her feet up to plant them on the chest of the third. The engines of the Boosted Gear on her shoulders roared in crimson flames and gave Ruby propulsion to bring herself and the three devils back down to the ground. They landed down like a meteor with the devil trapped beneath Ruby's feet knocked out from having half of his ribs broken, followed by the remaining two having their heads slammed into each other. They dropped to the floor like a sack of potatoes, unconscious.

"Now that's done." Muttered Ruby. "Kunou, I am coming for you. Don't you worry."

[BOOST]

Her ears spiked with pain from a shriek of pain coming from the far right. Ruby felt her dragon blood instantly boil in barely controlled rage, knowing it was Kunou's voice. Silver eyes turned into slits looking to the direction and launched off from the ground with a sonic boom through the forests of Kyoto. Whole trees were uprooted in the wake of her sprint, and clouds of dirt kicked up.

Soon, she came onto a clearing where a devil with black hair and a beard was situated. Three devil wings were proudly displayed on his back and Ruby could see his gray eyes were filled with sadistic mirth. Her eyes automatically landed on Kunou, who was suspended in midair by purple magic circles. Whimpers escaped the young toddler as purple electricity crackled around her body.

"Let her go!" Roared Ruby with an inhuman growl.

The devil spared Ruby only a glance as if she was annoying. "No, I don't think I will. And come any closer..."

The devil flicked his left wrist, and the magic circles produced purple lightning striking Kunou. The toddler cried in pain with tears running down her cheeks. Ruby saw the corners of her vision growing red, feeling untold wrath coursing through her body at the sight. More than that, she hated the she couldn't stop Kunou feeling this pain. Her blood screamed with rage to have this bastard reduced to a whimpering mess for doing this, but she the murderous impulse down.

"I can just close my fist and her life will snuffed out." Gloated the devil. "Fortunately for her, I need her alive if I want to ransom with the Fox Demon's life. To have such a powerful entity exist and yet not be under devil authority sickens me to no end."

"You're insane." Ruby hissed, golden claws growing on her nails. "All you care about is having yourselves be the superior. You hate and envy those who have more power than you, but are never under your control. It's why I never trusted your kind."

"Hmph." Grunted the devil. "Who cares who gets hurt in the way? The world would be glad to be under the rule of the devils. It is our destiny."

"I think it's time you become humbled." Growled Ruby, a crackle of red electricity.

In this entire dialog, Ruby had been concentrating on her dragon lightning to focus into her leg muscles. The results was she disappeared in a literal flash of lightning as fast as the devil could blink and more than he could react. His eyes widened when Ruby was now in front of him, but her aim was not to deliver a blow to the head. Her clawed hands snapped to the devil's palms before he could close them and focused her electricity to fry them. Ruby ignored his screams of pain and stopped until Ruby was sure her attack left his hands useless to be moved.

Ruby circled around the devil like a slithering snake and climbed up to his shoulder. She wrapped her right arm around his throat in a chokehold while her remaining hand held the side of his face. Her feet kicked the back of his knees, making the devil sink to Ruby's height and come under her submission hold.

"It's over." Ruby declared. "You've lost, and soon you will face the punishment for what you have done."

Only laughter met Ruby, deeply disturbing the young Dragon Empress. Her silver eyes looked in shock at the expression of the devil, his face almost split in a smile no sane man should have.

"Ever heard the phrase 'if looks could kill'?" The devil said. "One day, I thought what if looks can kill? So, I did just that."

Ruby widened her eyes sensing a spike in the devil's magic. His grey eyes gained a eerie glow to them and Ruby could feel actual warmth emanating from their light. The devil's gaze went over to Kunou still suspended in the magic circles.

"If you love this filth so much," Sneered the devil, his eyes producing a hum, "you can mourn for her."

Finally did it click in Ruby's head as unbelievable as it was. There was no room for surprise only horror for what was going to happen.

"NO!"

Ruby was a just a split-second in time to turn the devil's head away. From his eyes produced two beams of concentrated magic, created through the devil's use of their power of imagination. They carried an intense heat to them like a power laser, scorching right through rock and would have instantly killed Kunou if his gaze landed on the young kitsune.

And yet the devil persisted to turn his head in Kunou's direction. Even now, Ruby could feel her grip weakening to keep the devil's head in place, and it was to her horror how the two beams were steadily getting closer to Kunou.

"Don't do this!" Pleaded Ruby, moving her left hand at the devil's right jaw to gain better leverage. "Stop!"

Ruby forced more strength to pull the devil's head the other way, but it only served to only make the twin beams move at a slower pace. No matter how much her fingers dug into his skin, the devil refused to budge the other way. In that time, Kunou had regained consciousness and looked on fear at the rays of death closing in on her. She whimpered in fear, and the sound made Ruby all the more desperate. Still, she could not come to kill the devil in her grasp.

"STOP!" Cried Ruby.

"Never!" Declared the devil.

"...Nee-chan..." Kunou whimpered, tears running down her face as they beam was now inches away from contact. "... Nee-chan... Help me. Please help me, nee-chan. I don't want to die."

Finally, something snapped inside of Ruby. Seeing the fear in a child approaching death and a devil who was going to kill without a doubt caused more of a flight response from Ruby's core desire to keep Kunou safe. Someone that she deemed as close as family. All of her inhibitions were forgotten in that single desire to keep her safe, and her body instantly acted on that chance. With strength kept back for other's safety, Ruby successfully twisted the devil's head away from Kunou.

CRACK!

If only a little too well. Such was Ruby's strength at seven [BOOSTS] it was more than enough for her to snap her enemy's neck in a quick death. The devil in her grasp went limp and feel to the floor. Her silver eyes froze meeting the devil's now lifeless gaze. Adrenaline from recent events disappeared and followed by freezing dread coursing through her body. She looked at her now shaky hands as if they were alien to her. They as well be so for Ruby had used them to take a life instead of saving lives as she vowed to do.

[Ruby, snap out of it!] Ddraig exclaimed in concern for his host.

'I - I killed him!?' Ruby though in horror of what she has done. 'I didn't mean to do it! What have I done? What have I done!?'

Fear grew in Ruby's chest. It was fear of herself, fear what she had done. She had taken a life so easily. Something that Ruby could do to anyone else, and it scared her to no end.

With the devil killed, Kunou was freed from the magic circles. Her legs were wobbly on the ground from the pain inflicted on her, but the child's focus was on Ruby. Slowly, she approached Ruby with a hand raised forward.

"Nee-chan..." Called Kunou.

Ruby looked to Kunou with panic and alarm. "St-Stay away from me! Don't come cl-close to me! I'm dangerous!"

As Ruby said this in her panic, she backed away at a hurried pace. Kunou staggered back in shock, almost hurt at the words Ruby spoke. Looking at Ruby, the kitsune could tell something was wrong with her nee-chan. The Red Dragon Empress continued her back pacing without thought until she bumped into a tree and unceremoniously dropped onto her behind. Tears were building in her eyes from a mess of emotion including sorrow, regret, and frustration. She buried her face in her hands and began to lightly sob.

"I'm a monster." Whimpered Ruby.

In her sorrow, Ruby basically cut herself off from the world. It was because of that she missed when her sensei, Kurama, finally arrived on the scene appearing in a red flash streaking through the sky. There was frantic look in his crimson eyes making him look like a feral fox, but they instantly softened seeing his daughter alive and safe. The were no visible wounds on him, but they were fresh blood stains on his red kimono and on his face. Just a little ways back were three of the Ultimate-class devils skewered ti the ground by a black nodachi.

"Kunou!" Kurama called in relief.

"Papa!" Cried Kunou, running to her father and hugging his leg. "Are the bad people gone, Papa?"

"Yes, they are." Kurama answered, returning the hug to his youngest daughter. "Kunou, what's wrong?"

"Something's wrong with nee-chan." Kunou said, looking back to Ruby.

Following his daughter's gaze, Kurama quickly the pieces together with the dead devil and Ruby huddled by a tree. It didn't paint a good picture at all. Kurama cursed in his head, and beckoned Kunou to wait so he can deal with this mess. Ruby was too much in shock to notice Kurama approaching her.

"Ruby!" Kuruma said, but Ruby still had her face in her hands. "Ruby!"

Kurama crouched down and pried her hands away. Her face was revealed showing the dragon-blooded girl hyperventilating, and her eyes were red and puffy from sobbing. The Shin Yokai's features softened to a look of pity at the state of his student. No one would react normally from their first kill.

Seeing her sensei, Ruby tried to make a response but all that came out was incomprehensible blabber and stumbling on her eyes. She was already devolving back to sobbing over killing the devil. Kurama did the only sensible thing, and without word embraced Ruby in a hug saving her from another breakdown. Ruby instantly clamped her small arms around Kurama's neck and cried into his shoulder.

"It's okay." Kurama spoke softly.

"What have I done?" Whimpered Ruby.

"What you've done is save my daughter." Kurama responded caringly.

"Am I monster?" Whimpered Ruby.

Kurama paused before speaking. "Ruby... people like us can never be innocent. To our enemies, we are their worst nightmare, but to me and your family you're irreplaceable. In the end, we determine what kind of monsters we are."

Minutes later did the rest of Kurama's family arrive fresh from battle. While Yasaka took Kunou back home escorted by Kushina and Kurahime, Kurama carried Ruby who had fallen asleep. He would go to cross the fissure to the island of Patch on Remnant and sneak Ruby into her room tucked in bed.

(Present)

If Yang were holding a cup, it would have long ago dropped. None of Ruby's pride spoke a word during Kurama's story, and Yang for her part never made a sound. There was a heavy tension in the room after Kurama was done, his head dipped down with a frown on his face.

"You can imagine how much that shattered Ruby's core beliefs of the world." Kurama said. "She became more motivated on that day, but I knew that there was just something fundamentally wrong. Since then, Ruby closed off somewhat, and developed quite the grudge for the Underworld. But I know for certain she's still the same girl that constantly pestered me train and Yasaka doted on. I'm proud how far she has come, but I'm not happy how it came about. You don't need to guess how Ruby turned out."

"...You mean the swearing?" Jaune said.

Pyrrha almost wanted to facepalm at the antics of her lovable dork of a boyfriend. His lack of mental filter can be a real hassle.

Kurama snorted. "Heh, fat chance. That's all her, or at least from somewhere. I think I at least gave her that vicious streak, but that coldness in her eyes... all caused from that day."

"I... I wish I knew." Yang said, gulping down any sobs as tears threatened to run down her face. "Shit. I could've done something."

"Now you're just being an idiot." Kurama berated in a blunt manner. "The past is the past. So rather than get stuck up about it, you focus on the potential future and try to make the best of it. It's what Ruby fights for all the time."

With those words, Yang forced herself to calm down. Of all things, Yang felt proud of Ruby of what she does. All she has done was protect her family above all else and making sure they were safe. Yang was supposed to be the big 'sister', but Ruby has done more than anyone could have done.

"She really has been through a lot." Blake commented. "She's strong. Much stronger than of us can imagine, and in more ways than one."

"Got it in one, scaly cat." Kurama agreed with a click of his tongue. "So Yang, feel as regretful as you want. But always know this. Ruby loves you, and she will do everything to keep you all safe."

"Doesn't mean she gets to have all the fun." Cried Nora excitedly. "We can bash the heads of baddies together. We'd be winners all the way."

"Agreed." Jeanne said. "She will not fight alone anymore."

Kurama chuckled in amusement. "Kids these days. Ruby's lucky to have you watching her back. Whatever divine entity exists knows she needs people to look after her."

Kurama ears perked up when the doors to the room slid open. Poking her head through was Kurahime with her usual fair smile with an underlying humor to it.

"Tou-san, all the guests have arrived." Kurahime informed. "Participants for the tournament are running out as we speak."

"OH HELL NO! I AM NOT GETTING LEFT OUT OF THIS!"

Before he could reply, a blonde blur went passed Kurama's vision, followed by the stomping rampage of a frantic Yang. Weiss actually facepalmed, mumbling something brain-dead brawlers. Nora pouted actually knowing her potential spot in the fighting tournament was practically gone. Even Kurahime blinked in mild surprise from Yang's sudden outburst.

"Ha-ha-ha!" Laughed Kurama. "I can definitely see how Ruby and her are related! They're both jacked in the head!"

This one was way longer than I actually it was going to be, but I am glad how it turned out. Now you have a crucial glimpse into Ruby's past and how it has affected her to the present. The tournament is starting soon. Who is in it, and who will come out on top?

Up next is Chapter 31.

Stay in touch. Please, please leave a review.