A New Alliance?

"Don't shoot!"

Ruby kept her grip firm on her saber's hilt despite the plea, she never again could have the luxury of being naïve.

"I can't sense this person, I can't feel anything but a little fear now that she showed herself. Who is she?" Such concerns warranted, for Ruby, her defensive stance. Not seeing the red glow from the other end, the woman who called out decided to slowly raise her hands out of the bush to show she was unarmed and slowly walked out.

Ruby's silver eyes widened as she came face to face with a pair of yellow eyes, almost reminiscent of the Grimm she just slaughtered, belonging to a tall dark haired girl with a black bow on her head.

"You?" She called out in disbelief. The girl narrowed her eyes in offense at the tone.

"I have a name you know, it's Blake." She said annoyed as she put down her arms and crossed them offended. Ruby tilted her head unsure of the glare, before Blake held out her hand in an open palm and waved at her expectantly. Then it hit her.

"OH!" She said in start. "B-Branwen, Ruby Branwen." She replied.

"Well Miss Branwen, think you can put away the dust sword? Not like your partners gonna try anything."

"Partner?" Ruby said in confusion.

"The first person you lay eyes upon will be your partner for the next 4 years here at Beacon." She gasped as Ozpin's words at Intiation echoed in her head, making her realize two things right there beyond the new alliance she unwittingly formed, she kept her saber out in the open, which she instantly deactivated and placed on her back. But worst, she forgot to put her scarf back on, her eyes were also exposed.

With a flash of speed that actually made Blake recoil in start, Ruby had placed the scarf in her pocket back over her silver eyes. Blake actually looked aghast as she saw this. She couldn't believe it. The way Ruby's eyes reacted to her presence made it clear, she wasn't blind as she was lead to believe. Anger boiled her blood as she gripped her hands, already forgetting the girls mysterious laser sword that earlier threatened her. Blake instantly began walking up to the apparent faker and brought her enraged face up to the slightly smaller girl, knowing full well she could see her snarl.

"Where the hell do you get off pretending to be blind!?" Blake yelled.

Ruby recoiled a bit as it finally happened, the close proximity allowed her to do more than just hear the girls emotions in full force, she could finally sense them.

Anger, Indignity… nostalgia?

Ruby gave off a confused look at that last emotion she sensed. Why would this girl feel nostalgic seeing her blindfolded or pretending to be blind? But before she could question it, the other two emotions began to drown it out as Blake gripped her shoulder angrily. "I know your not blind, but are you deaf!? I said where do you get off!?" Blake spat, annoyed at being ignored.

Ruby took a deep breath, desperately trying fight her anxiety and remember the excuse, or really somewhat truthful alibi Ozpin helped her create should this scenario happen.

"It's….because of my semblance." Ruby stuttered. Blake just narrowed her gaze as she refused to loosen her grip on the girls shoulder.

"Bullshit. I saw you do some weird rose petal thing with Nevermore. That's not-"

"At least I thought it was my semblance before that little thing." Ruby countered, realizing she'd have to adapt now that more of herself had been exposed. It took all her will to compose herself and make sure she didn't dig herself deeper.

"You see, ever since I was a little girl-" She then stopped and pouted, cheeks turning red as she saw the twinge on Blake's lips threatening to form a mocking smile as she looked down on the shorter girl.

"LITTLER!' She yelled embarrassed, "I had a strange power I thought was my semblance. I can sense other peoples fo-AURA! GAH!" She said as she faked a gag into her hand to cover herself up. People here called the force aura.

"How does the scarf and pretending to be blind help?" Blake asked expectantly.

"Well, this power sucks because while its hard to ambush me then, I have to feel a tone of pressure all around me, especially in a huntsmen academy. Its like butterflies, no hornets stabbing inside my stomach. I get constant headaches and nausea. Wearing a scarf and sometime earplugs, they can deafen my senses and limit the pressure. It's kind of like blowing your eardrums underwater to get rid of the headache from water pressure." Ruby explained.

Blake's glare finally subsided as she began to loosen her grip on her partner, an apologetic face creeping in to replace the glare.

"Sorry. But still answer this, why not let others know then? Why fake blindness, it seems a bit tactless." Blake pressured.

Ruby frowned as she remembered vividly yesterday, probably the 2nd worst day of her life, thanks in small part to Blake she honestly thought.

Yesterday

Ruby had been in the courtyard of beacon, standing with skin glowing pale in the sunlight. One would think she was basking in the glow of the brilliant white maurels of armored knights that watched over the many fountains and gardens in a grand temple-like academy. It was indeed similar to the jedi temple on Coruscant, only more widespread and medieval looking, like some fairy tail kingdom.

But they'd be wrong. Ruby poor girl, she was too preoccupied gagging into her mouth to notice, as she felt the tsunami wave of aura slammed into her skull. She wasn't exactly lying to Blake, though by the force she wished it was a lie.

"JEEZ! Do all these kids nearby have to flash their aura!? I get their excited but good lord I can't take it!" She thought, unable to speak as she struggled to maintain her composure and not draw too much attention.

She could sense them, not just the one's sparing in preparation for initiation, but everyone around her.

Excitement, egotism,

"Cocky kids." She thought bemused, knowing what they were in for later.

Curiosity, pride, love, friendship

"Can't wait for the test, to show off and become a warrior with friends and family? Honestly ignorance can be blissed, I should know." She almost smirked as she remembered her own giddish expression when she was promoted to commander for her first battle, squealing in excitement to start slashing droids by her troops. Only to frown as she was soon dealt a nasty reality, and a reminder of that battle as she sensed in the crowd someone having a familiar feeling.

…..fear.

Ruby sighed as she fought the wave of nausea at that last feeling she sensed. She couldn't help but wonder if it was oozing from her. It wasn't something new to her, but she felt pity for everyone around her. By tonight they'd be subjected to a life or death battle, one of many she could promise as a naïve child, if they were lucky. She couldn't help but wonder if death at this stage would be a blessing, a mercy considering the horrors some things were that surpassed death. She was just grateful the sources of the fear whoever poor kid she was sensing were far away in the forest miles from Beacon, separated by a large wall and mountains. Honestly she'd be hurling right now if she'd have to sense the dark side at the same time.

Ruby didn't know it then, but many were actually eyeing her, the source of the Curiosity

Sadly, in her sick and nostalgic state, too overwhelmed from the pressure of everyone around her, Ruby had also failed to notice a girl walking behind her, or the sound of wheels screeching before something hard collided into her back.

"Hey! Watch it!" A young girls indignant screech drowned out the sound of suitcases and bags crashing on the floor around Ruby, who was wobbling on one knee after she was spun around a bit by the impact.

"O-Oh ugh….sorry!" Ruby meekly said as she managed to regain her footing dusting herself off, her back turn to the girl she collided with. Unknown to her, while most nearby recognized Ruby's assaulter and fearfully departed the scene, Blake was still watching nearby, her gaze narrowing disdainfully on the two.

"Sorry? Do you have any idea what you could have done? You almost blew us up!" A white-haired girl with blue eyes, sporting a small scar over her right one yelled with fury as she pointed to her suitcases, a vile of red dust shaking a bit as it soon fell out of one.

"Blow us up?" Ruby said confused as she slowly began to turn around, unaware of the dust vials she almost kicked doing so to the girl's shock.

"SUCH RECKLESSNESS!" The girl thought.

Ruby didn't need the force to sense the Anger and Exasperation oozing off this girl, she could hear it from the tone. It had to be a spoiled rich girl, she saw so many back in the republic whenever she and her master did bodyguard missions for the senate.

"God I hated those missions. Wish I could cut up those brats hands so they couldn't flaunt credits anymore." Ruby almost snickered at the thought. The girl's face reddened as she saw she was being ignored, her! The heiress to one of the greatest companies on Remnant.

"ARE YOU BLIND YOU DOLT!" The girl angrily yelled bewildered at the girls ignorance to the dust.

"Ugh…Kinda?" Ruby said annoyed as she waved at her scarf. In truth she could vaguely see through the thin fabric, but it wasn't easy so she wasn't entirely lying, she was partially blind. Her own eyes widened as she could see a smaller girl, about 5 feet tall, less than an inch than herself looking bewildered at her. She couldn't be no more than 15.

As Weiss's eyes widened as she finally saw the face of the girl she was accosting, a wave of regret and embarrassment hit her, but as the girl soon took out a walking cane from her pocket, nearly plunging the spear into the red dust on the ground, Weiss felt panic replace it as soon a small explosion of fire ignited in the air around her….and Ruby who began coughing. Both were soon covered in ash as a small crater emerged underneath them.

*COUGH* Wow! That was a rush. What was that?" Ruby asked bewildered.

Cough Dust you…*cough* Moron!" The girl spat in between her hacking. As she began dusting herself off, she noticed the ash stains wouldn't come out of her blue and white dress. It was ruined, as was any empathy and patience she had for the seemingly blind girl before her.

"What the hell is Ozpin thinking letting a weak blind girl like you go to school here!? You'd be blowing us all up to ashes and leave nothing for Grimm to chow down on your worthless ass!" The girl yelled, utterly fed up with this girl. To hell if she was her senior in terms of age and height.

The feeling was mutual as Ruby bit her lip, grinding her teeth as anger took over. She didn't care if this girl was younger, she'd had enough of this crap.

"I'll have you know Ozpin gave me no special treatment, I earned my spot here for the test unlike you brat! Bet you bribed your way in, or had daddy do it!" Ruby spat condescendily, shocking the girl and making Blake snicker, amused at the banter.

A Jedi normally never engaged in trivial spats, but she remembered all the banter her master and Generals Kenobi and Skywalker had during their meetings.

"Your not taking my protégé on any trips. You'll get your heads lost in the clouds with Neebrays in Balmora Skyguy." Master Qrow had quipped.

"Your one to talk master Branwen, enjoy your 5th drink and we'll have to track your drunk flying keister across the outer rim….again." Obiwan countered.

"For the 5th time." Anakin added.

Ruby was tempted to smack this girl around like her master sometimes did after. But the girl beat her to it as she raised her hand to try and strike Ruby's cheek.

"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?" The girl screeched indignant before her palm was gripped by Blake's tightly, stopping her in place.

Ruby was startled as she didn't feel the presence of Blake at the moment, she was actually caught off guard, while aware of her surroundings this time.

"T-That shouldn't be possible. Why didn't I sense her? Who is this-" Her thoughts were broken up as the mysterious girl began to speak.

"Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee dust Corporation. The youngest huntress in training on Remnant as well." Blake said monotone.

Weiss grew a smug grin despite being pushed back a bit and forced to withdraw her palm, merely patting her chest prideful.

"I see SOMEONE recognized my worth." Ruby rolled her eyes through her scarf annoyed with the arrogance she sensed, and heard. She was about to snide at her again and thank this girl she oddly couldn't sense well for the aid. But her eyes soon narrowed on Blake as she finally began to sense something from her mysterious saver that annoyed her.

Rueful

It was a cold, empty feeling one she sensed had layers of pain and bitterness within. It was reflected in what Blake said next.

"Also heiress to one of the most controversial companies and families in Remnant, for the accusations of slave labor against Faunus, as well as inhumane working conditions in dust minds to cut corners for profit." Blake snide at Weiss, whose jaw gaped open at the statement. Her soot-covered cheeks grew red as she heard this, but little did they know, Ruby's was as well. Weiss had stormed off after giving a typical "How dare you?" rich girl speech and Blake soon began walking away smiling proudly.

Ruby had sensed her true intention before the girl's feelings faded back within her and she disappeared from her senses, the girl used Ruby to make a statement. She didn't care about her being accosted or assaulted.

So as she once more stood before Blake, looking at her expectantly, she frowned. Why should she trust her? Why be truthful about her identity and reasons to hide her eyes?

"I have my reasons, like you did I'm sure when you used me yesterday." She spat coldly.

"Used you?" Blake actually sounded genuinely confused, further riling Ruby up inside. It took her Jedi training to will the anger down to her gut, to state plainly why she didn't like this girl or have reason to trust her new partner.

"Don't be coy, I can't see well with this thing." She waved to her scarf. "But I could see clearly what you wanted when you stood up for me against rich brat. You wanted to knock her down a peg at my expense." Ruby retorted.

Blake soon began to stammer as she rubbed her arms, Ruby feeling GUILT and PANIC oozing off her, just confirming her accusation.

"L-Let just say I'm….pro Faunus. I don't like her company and how it treats others." Blake vainly tried to argue.

Ruby could empathize with that somewhat, having seen how corporations like the Techno Union and Trade federation choked poor planets like Naboo and Ryloth for riches during the war, with or without the Seperatists to abuse the people further. But she had been used as a weapon growing up once already by her government, she wasn't gonna let Blake do it too if they were to be partners in the field.

"So you treat me as a tool to feel proud about yourself or make political statements without my permission?" Ruby spat back.

"I….I….." Blake could only stammer vainly. She knew this girl had a point.

"Let me ask you something, why does me using a scarf, which actually blinds me a bit, to ease my nausea and senses bother you?" Ruby countered.

Blake gulped as she heard the fierce yet cold tone radiating from this girl, a flash of someone elses face took her place momentarily.

As Blake quivered a bit, Ruby felt fear radiating from her, but she also finally noticed something else from this mysterious girl she barely sensed, her bow was twitching a bit as she averted her gaze.

"It moved? Wait….she said she's pro-faunus. Is she-" Ruby began to grow suspicious. She couldn't make out anything more than strong emotions unless this girl was close by her, but the closer she stepped the more Blake stepped back, oddly fearful of more than a scolding. Ruby decided to do something risky, something she honestly never liked to do to get the answers she was craving.

She reached out, Blake actually raising her arm to cover her eyes in defense, before Ruby slowly closed the distanced and waived her hand.

"You will tell me who you are, and what's under that bow." Ruby said monotone.

Blake actually lowered her arm, gasping a bit as she felt something tug at her spine, her body straightening up as her head began pounding.

"I….What?" She asked bewildered, earning a sad sigh from Ruby.

Little did she know, Ruby was applying a mind trick through the force. She wanted to know if she could actually trust this girl to fight beside her, and while she never dained to try this on someone from Remnant before, knowing their aura could protect them likely and expose her identity, Ruby's curiosity and fear for her personal safetly outweighed her weariness.

"You will tell me who you are, and what's under that bow" she repeated, this time adding more pressure with the force.

Blake's iris's began to dilate as she felt her mind grow and vision grow hazy, her body feeling light.

"I….I will tell you who I am. And what's under my bow." Blake began to repeat monotone.

Ruby bit her lip as regret came over her. She hated using a power to strip free will, but she knew from experience that personal sacrifices and codes of honor weren't a good mix in times of battle, and in a forest filled with demons, she needed to know who to trust.

"I am Blake Belladonna, daughter of the Chieften of Menagerie Ghira Belladonna." Blake explained.

Ruby's eyes widened as she heard this explanation.

"Menagerie….the island of Faunus? Then you're a-"

"Yes, I am a Faunus. I have under this bow a pair of cat ears." Blake explained.

Ruby grinded her teeth as anger soon mixed in with the guilt.

"So this girl is hiding who she is. She's…." Ruby thought bitterly. She knew of the stigma against Faunus by humans, who looked down upon them for animalistic characteristics. It was one of the reasons she hated Count Dooku's book, as it promoted human Zealots to hate alien species like Toydarians and Rodians. Ignorance and fear were one of the many causes of war, racism, and fear. And this girl was a coward hiding in plain sight away from all that….."just like me." Ruby spat bitterly as she lowered her hand.

"Also-" Blake continued, blissfully unaware of her secrets being spilled.

"There's more?" Ruby asked, almost afraid to pry further.

"You see, the reason I hated your scarf was-

Suddenly, before Blake could reveal her next secret, Ruby and her was startled by a loud screech in the distance, it sounded like a girl screaming. It knocked Blake out of her stupor, and just in time too. Ruby's eyes closed, filled with remorse for prying despite hers reasons. Now was not the time for it. Someone was in danger from what sounded like a very large Grimm. She turned to her "partner" as she wearily thought of it. If she could still hope again, she'd wished this girl wouldn't let her down.

"You want to make it up to me? Have my back when we save that girl, okay?" She asked firmly to Blake, still shaken by her blackout. It felt like someone was actually massaging her brain through a headache, she almost couldn't help but nod to this girl's commanding tone and grabbed a black katanna from her belt.

"Ugh….okay. Lead the way." She said wearily.

Ruby instantly grabbed her saber, but didn't ignite the laser blade. She kept it's scythe form opened at least, knowing she could at least cut even if with less lethality. She glared back at Blake running behind her, weary of her own weapon. Ruby wouldn't drop her guard again, she just couldn't after all the consequences she'd suffered for it.

AUTHOR NOTES

Double chapter bonus. The chapters are from Episode 1, to chapters within, to Episode 2 in what can be described as Movie like Arcs, this one is Beacon filled with flashbacks. Heads up to the future though since I am in a good mood, it is not Jaune who screamed wildly, it was Yang. Team JNPR will have a different role than in canon, while the dynamics of Team RWBY will be similar but more of a mix of their canon personalities. Weiss making her 15 while Ruby and others are 17 is to emphasize not just her spoiled brat nature, but add to her insecurities. She fought for her right to be given a scholarship, but she knows others won't see that. Now, how will Yang come into picture, first she isn't related to ruby biologically at all, I have plans for the xiao long and her family. Find out a bit next time in ch 4.