REAPER IN RED

Chapter 8

I sat quietly, with my big sister Yang on one side and maybe-friend partner Weiss on the other. As per Weiss's 'suggestion' -demand- we were in the front row, center, with our friends in Team JNPR sitting right behind us. I was nearly bursting out of my seat when Professor Goodwitch strolled into the room, her riding crop held at her shoulder and a serious no-nonsense frown on her lips.

"This is Combat Class 101 where you will, under my tutelage, gain a better understanding on your unique fighting styles, weaponry and semblances. Most classes will be divided into two segments, the first a one-hour lecture in which there will be a quiz on the material every week and a test every second week. The remaining hour and thirty minutes will be combat practice. This first week, the entire period will be combat practice in which I will pair up students at random and you will fight each other in my sparring arena.

"Rules are simple and will be strictly enforced. Break a rule, and you will gain yourself a detention. Break multiple and you will be fighting me. Do I make myself clear?"

There were a few nods. As well as Yang shaking her head no at my beyond gleeful smile at hearing we could fight the professor.

Professor Goodwitch snapped her riding crop on her open palm. "Do I make myself clear!"

"Yes, Professor!" Came the echoing reply.

"Good," she continued. "Matches will be until your opponent's aura drops below 35%, they have been knocked out of the arena, or they submit. Any attempts to continue after your opponent surrenders is a basis for expulsion. I do not take unprovoked attacks lightly in my classroom.

"Semblances are allowed to be used, unless I say otherwise, as are ranged attacks and dust usage. But please let me know prior to any match if you are primarily a ranged fighter or possess a destructive semblance, so that I can tailor the arena to your fighting style and keep the rest of the students who will be watching you safe from harm. Please raise your hand now if you use a long ranged or medium ranged weapon."

I raised my hand. As did most of the class.

"And those who are primarily dust-wielders?"

I lowered my hand, but saw as Weiss and a few others I could not name raise theirs. I watched as the professor wrote down the names of all the students who had raised their hands. Lots of ranged fighters in this class. I guessed that made sense. Everyone had some sort of gun on their weapons. Except Jaune of course.

"Now, let's have Jaune Arc and Ruby Rose step forward for our first match of the day."

I froze. Called on first. "Darn," I whispered. I knew I forgot to ask something. How strong were humans! I had never fought anybody before. Not really. Mr. Torchwick did not count. We had our… arrangement. Were Reapers even stronger than a human when not in our Shroud?

"Knock 'em dead Rubes." Yang cheered, patting me forcefully on the back, breaking me from my less than helpful thoughts.

Was I supposed to kill the human in these fights? No, I shook the silly thought from my head. Professor Goodwitch was strict about the rules. I rolled my shoulders, loosening some imaginary tension from them. Aura drops below thirty five percent-

I froze again.

Aura.

Humans had aura. What did Reapers have? Because it certainly was not aura. More like near impenetrable skin with a healthy dose of Reaper magic thrown in. This was not good.

I grabbed my scythe from my locker -because apparently opening holes to sub-dimensions was an impossibility for people without the right semblance- and made my way to the arena at the front of the room.

As Jaune stood in front of me looking scared out of his mind, his sword hand trembling over the weapon and shield held higher than needed, I froze again. How hard did humans hit? Could they take a full swing like the giant nevermore during initiation? No, they were probably more like a zombie.

"Miss Rose?"

I looked up to see the professor, Jaune and the rest of the class staring at me. The professor looked rather annoyed with a hand outstretched towards me.

"Yes?"

"Your scroll please."

"Huh?"

"Scroll, Miss Rose. I don't like dilly-dallying and children wasting my time. As you no doubt know from the last time we spoke."

I sheepishly handed her my scroll, watching as she connected it to the arena's overhead display. At the click of a button, mine and Jaune's aura's appeared on the screen for the class to see. Or rather, Jaune's aura appeared. A nice and full green bar with the percentage written over top in red for clear visibility. Next to the bar was Jaune's name in blue. Clean, easy to read and understand.

Underneath was my name in the same blue. But, instead of an aura meter, was 'ERROR', written glaringly in red. I felt nauseous. This wasn't good. This wasn't good. This was not good.

"The headmaster said this may be a problem to look for with you." Professor Goodwitch informed me in a low voice so the rest of the class would not hear. "As a late acceptance to Beacon, headmaster Ozpin warned me your scroll might not have fully attuned to your aura levels. Do not fret, he gave me a workaround for you specifically."

As the professor plugged away at a separate code, the error warning disappeared and my bar was filled. The regular green bar rolled it's way across the screen in a reverse path of what it was meant to dictate. Then a red bar filtered across, overlapping the green.

Then a yellow bar.

Then another red bar.

And then a black bar.

Finally, a green bar appeared over top it all.

I felt my eyes widen with each bar appearing, trying desperately not to look at anyone. Not my class, who were all staring at me or the overhead display intently. Not Jaune, who looked to be quaking in his shoes at the thought of fighting. And not at the professor, who was staring at me with a raised eyebrow. Once the final bar was completed and no more seemed to be appearing, the professor spoke.

"Just a bug in the system. All is well," she turned to Jaune, then back to me. "Are you both ready?"

Jaune nodded slowly. I smiled halfheartedly and gave a slight nod.

"You both know the rules. Begin."

I unleashed the full length of my weapon, curving it behind me and dropping into a defensive stance. Jaune's eyes widened at the weapon. I knew I told him about my scythe. I guess not many people use the weapon of Reapers as their standard huntsman tool. Not that I blamed anyone. This thing was a pain to learn how to use. Well, both of my scythes were, but at least my Grim Reaper one felt more like a third hand than a separate object. I waited until Jaune charged at me, sword held high.

He swung low and I jumped to the side. A very clear opening in his defenses, but I refused to strike out. Nope, now was not the time to test how strong a human was.

'Miss Rose, you've killed Mr. Arc. Three night's detention and then execution.' I smirked at the grim thought, as I spun around another attack, not even dipping into my magic to increase my speed -my semblance- missing another easy opportunity to strike.

"Ha! Look at the little girl. Just dancing around him not even bothering to attack such an easy opponent," someone guffawed from the back of the room. "Come on blondie! You're losing to a pipsqueak!"

"Hey!" I shouted back, stopping to face the crowd, trying to spot the heckler, "I'm not a pipsqueak!"

I ducked under an overhead swing, not even bothering to look at Jaune as he spun and fell from the force. The professor pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance.

"Then prove it and put the idiot out of his misery. Just look at the guy. What. A freaking. Weakling."

"Mr. Winchester, detention." Goodwitch finally had enough. Winchester crossed his arms and leaned further back in his chair, unhappy, but refusing to continue his commentary.

"Miss Rose, you too. As I said earlier, I will not have people wasting my time in class."

I turned to see Jaune panting, his sword's tip resting on the floor and his back arched down, as if struggling to lift the weight of his weapon.

"I would like you to attack, Miss Rose. Do something."

"I shouldn't," I hung my head, taking a step back from my opponent.

"And why not?"

"What if I accidentally kill him?"

My honest question brought a round of laughter from the class; Winchester most of all. I turned to Jaune, to see him blushing, his face falling in shame. I flinched. I didn't mean to make it sound like that. I only meant that I didn't know my own strength, not that Jaune was weak. I did not want to make him look so inexperienced, like he could not even stand a chance against someone -he believed to be- two years his junior.

As he stomped away, muttering his surrender, I tried to reach out for him. "Jaune, I-"

"Whatever Ruby. I'll see you later." Jaune's voice was low, but in a way I wasn't used to. He sounded angry. No, more than that. He sounded furious. And embarrassed. Maybe a little annoyed and aggravated.

"Then Ruby Rose is the winner by surrender. Miss Rose, please put your weapon away and see the headmaster after class."

I ran from the room, activating my magical semblance and leaving shadowy rose petals in my wake. I flew into the change rooms before my eyes began to water. I slammed the door before the first tears fell. I sank to the floor and sobbed into my knees. No, this was not how I wanted this day to go. I just didn't want to hurt him.

"Great. Less than a week and I lost the only sorta-friend I had." I slapped my knee, trying to feel any pain to rid me of the feelings. Even the slight stinging did nothing to alleviate the turmoil. Darn these human emotions! I growled loudly, the sound echoing off the walls.

"No," I wiped my face with the corner of my cloak. "This is not how Ruby Rose, human, ends. What does Yang always say to do? Apologize and start again." I rubbed my palm over my eyes to finish drying them and got up.

"Just apologize Ruby," I commanded myself, walking towards the boy's change rooms where Jaune would be. "Just tell him that you like killing monsters, but not people. Fighting people, I mean. Ruby Rose does not like fighting or killing people. Ya, that's it. Maybe tell the Professor that you don't like fighting people and she will let you watch instead? She would understa-"

I heard two voices in the change room. One was definitely Jaune's. The other was somebody else's, though familiar. I listened in.

"Pathetic, can't even beat a little girl. How did you get into Beacon anyway?"

Yup, it was that Winchester guy.

"Just give up now before you need to go up against someone willing to fight back."

I jumped as something hit the door.

It opened up and Winchester walked out, too embroiled in himself to pay me any mind. I peered into the room. Jaune's signature mop of blond hair was easily distinguishable. I knocked lightly on the wall. He flinched and spun to look at me. His eyes met mine for a moment, but quickly turned sour and turned away.

"What do you want, Ruby," he sighed. "Come to finish what you wouldn't in front of everybody?"

I mumbled something even I was unsure of what I said.

"What?" His obvious reply.

I sucked in a deep breath and let it out forcefully.

"I'm sorry. I'm so so so so sorry for what I did. I promise I didn't mean to. Well, I meant to not hit you, but I didn't mean what I said or what you and everybody thought of as me thinking you're weak. Because you're Jaune Arc, you're not weak, but I was scared and I don't like fighting, well I like fighting, I guess I just don't like fighting people, because they could get hurt and I don't like seeing people hurt, and my whole purpose is to make people feel better and not continue living with hurt after- not that you would get hurt, I mean, but still I was scared and I panicked and I didn't know what else to do and I'm just so sorry and I don't want to lose you as my sorta-friend because you were the first and only person to want to talk with me even though I look really young and I made a fool of you in class without meaning to and-"

Jaune's hand covered my mouth, cutting off my ceaseless ramblings of an apology. I waited patiently as he dropped his hand and sighed.

"You're right," he finally said.

Not realizing I had held my breath, I finally sucked in a new lung-full of air. "What do you mean?"

"That I'm weak and if you actually fought me, you would hurt me."

"No, that can't be right. You're Jaune Arc! The huntsman extraordinaire!"

"But I'm not."

"Of course you are! I was just being childish and I should have told you right away that I wasn't going to attack because I don't like attacking humans- erm, people."

"But I'm not!" Jaune erupted, slamming his hands on a tiled floor, the high pitched echo drowning out my attempts at alleviating the situation. I shrunk back.

"I'm not a huntsman extraordinary or whatever. I'm not even a real huntsman in training. Ruby, I-I lied to get into Beacon."

He gazed at me intently, waiting for his words to hit me with their full impact.

"I lied to get into Beacon. I forged my paperwork so I looked stronger and smarter than I was. I came into initiation not even knowing what aura was, much less actually having it. Did you know Pyrrha unlocked my aura during initiation? I have no clue what I'm doing here."

He looked at the ground in front of him. I let the silence linger between us.

"I shouldn't be in Beacon either." My voice was a whisper.

I felt his eyes glance at me.

"It's a long story and I don't feel comfortable telling you yet, or anyone really. But, I understand where you're coming from. I really do. And I don't think any less of you because of it. If I can train to be a huntress. Me. Then you could too. Well as a huntsman, because you're a boy you can't be a huntress, your hair isn't long enough for it."

He chuckled. The tension between the two of us disappeared in an instant and I joined along. He placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You're a really good friend, Ruby. I'm sorry for snapping at you back there in the ring."

"That's alright. And I'm so super-duper sorry for making you look weak."

"I forgive you." Jaune smiled, "it's alright Ruby. I just need to learn more and train that much harder. I'll do it myself. I need to prove to everyone that I deserve to be here just as much as they do."

"Okay. But know that your friends are here for you, if you ever need help."

"Thanks, Vampirina."

"Vampirina?" I frowned.

"Vampirina? You know, Ruby. Bloody Ruby the vampire you're named after? No, forget it. It's a stupid nickname."

"No! No, I like it. Thanks, Jaune. I've never had a nickname before."

"No problem. Hey, what nickname would you give me?"

I giggled.

"Vomit boy."

He paled. "No, please no. Don't tell me you saw that!"

I laughed, "I smelled it too!"

He groaned into my shoulder as I fell into a fit of laughter. Yes, Jaune was definitely my friend. My best, first and only friend.

"Thank you. You definitely turned my day around. Come on, let's get going before Professor Goodwitch misses us."

He tapped on my shoulder gently as he stood up. I gripped his outstretched hand, letting him pull me up and the two of us walked back to our seats, shoulder to shoulder.

"Hey, you and blondie good?" Yang asked as I took my seat.

"I really think we are."

"That's good. I don't know what's going on with you, but I'm glad you still have your friend after it. When you want to talk to me, I'm all ears."

"Thanks Yang."

"Were you really scared of hurting Jaune?"

I nodded.

Yang leaned close to me, "does somebody have a little crush?"

"What- pff- how- I-" no matter how many times I tried; words weren't coming to me. I struggled to let out anything other than awkward sounds as Yang laughed into her hands.

"Wow Rubes, you've gone so white!"

"What?!" I pulled out my scroll and looked at myself in the camera. My heart rate immediately slowed when I saw my reflection. "Oh, you meant pale."

Yang continued talking and making comments throughout the rest of the period. Luckily, it was something that I, along with the rest of my team, were quickly becoming very good at tuning out.

"That is all for today. Those of you who haven't fought will be fighting next class. And remember, this weekend we will be going to the Forever Fall forest for your first taste at a mission. Miss Rose and Mister Winchester, you have detention with me tomorrow, do not be late."

As the rest of the class got their things and left, heading right to either the dorms, library or cafeteria, I ventured left towards the headmaster's office in Beacon Tower. Alone, although convincing Yang that I would be fine was as much a hassle as anything else. But finally I had climbed those many stairs to the top floor and knocked gently against the door to the headmaster's office. There was a click and the door opened up to the headmaster's kind eyes behind a pair of green spectacles hanging low on his nose.

"Welcome Miss Rose, please come in." He closed the door behind me and gestured to take a seat. "I wanted to see how your first few days have been after our discussion. To touch base, as it were."

"So far so good, professor."

The headmaster took a small sip from his mug. "That is good. That is very good. And how are things with your team going? With Yang. Your older sister, was it?"

I nodded, "I think we're bonding. Or I hope we all are. Weiss is being nicer to me and we're all so excited for this weekend."

"Indeed. I do wish to warn you not to take such a mission lightly. There are plenty Grimm in the forest of Forever Fall and all will quickly take note of whom or what is in their forest. Human. Faunus. Or other."

My eyes widened, but he paid it no mind. "Zombies and Chimera, even the occasional vampire likes to test the Grimm in this forest. It is perfect land for Salemites to flourish." He continued on, leaving me both puzzled and relieved.

"I am pleased to see that you are gifted in defense. At least judging from your one duel with the young Mr. Arc. It had been a while since I saw six aura bars appear. It must be the system restoring itself after inputting new data to fit your own biology. As Beacon scrolls do with all the students who pass through these halls. Or, you are quite younger than I presumed you were, but no matter.

"You must keep up with your studies. You have a lot to learn, along with the rest of your year. I would also recommend asking Miss Belladonna for assistance with acquiring those books on advanced Salemites you were looking for. I hear that she has already become quite adept at sneaking into my library after-hours."

I stared at him. Ozpin was a confusing one. Did the man ever speak clearly about anything?

"I bid you farewell miss Rose. Please enjoy your stay here at Beacon, as long as it may last."

I got up to leave, pushing my chair in and heading to the door. This confusing talk had perplexed me, rather than enlighten me like our last one. Both were equally as confusing though. It was like... No, it was impossible. No point in even thinking such crazy and self-harming thoughts. Best to take what he said at face value. Just the maddening words of an intelligent human made purposefully maddening to make himself sound wiser than he was. I could dwell on their hidden meanings later.

For now, I needed to finish my homework with Weiss and play video games with Yang and read more of my books on people. Maybe a tune-up of Crescent Rose before bed if I had the time. Maybe I could ask Blake about getting those books on Grim Reapers. Or was now too soon? We only knew each other for a few days now. Not even a week.

"Miss Rose?"

I turned to look at the smiling professor Ozpin, both his hands resting on his desk.

"It's said that a human's aura can withstand the full strike of a Goliath Grimm before it will shatter on impact. Though, typically a person can only hit a fraction of that strength. People with Miss Xiao Long's semblance being one of the few exceptions of course. Please close the door on your way out."

Hopefully this chapter was alright. I'm trying to show how Ruby; while trying to be human, has no idea some of the basics about being human. Whether it worked or not, please let me know. Aside from that, this story has now become my most viewed story ever. So thank you all for taking the time to read my work!

Astral chronicles - Who knows? I like to think that Professor Oz is just a nutty eccentric. Who knows what someone like him might be thinking?

Blessings of Babylon - Someone is asking the real questions now! Now to answer your first question with one of my own. Are you confident you know all the abilities of Reapers? And for your second question, that was one of the first things I had to consider when planning out this story. Some things I had to modify a bit just because I wasn't a fan of it in the show or to fit in this new story, such as Raven ever visiting Yang in bird-form. Like, why would she even visit Yang at all? And why would Tai or Qrow or even Summer not notice a very familiar raven watching Yang? Makes no sense to me. So for her, I've changed it to my head-canon. She simply doesn't care about Yang and had no reason to visit. As for the rest of Patch, that goes hand in hand with why Tai nor Yang are suspicious of a never-aging 15 year old girl lives with them. Trust me when I say that it has been figured out ahead of time and will most likely play a major part in this story.

Ragedrock - Ozpin is such a fun character to write. Just write wishy-washy phrases and maybe a smile here or there and he's done! Oh, and coffee. Can't write Ozpin without coffee.

Firewyrm2 #1 - Sounds like a fun videogame!

Firewyrm2 #2 and Lasereye27 - Glad to see you enjoyed the early chapter. I just had to do something special for reaching this milestone. But alas, we must return to the usual chapter pacing. Gotta give myself time to actually write this thing.

JackTheSpades - Like... I would like to say that Ruby remains the only canon Reaper, but spoilers. There are some gimmicks in this story that do appear, but I think they are unique enough to be alright. Writing Ruby reaping in chapter 1 was a lot of fun to do.

Firewyrn2 #3 - Neat! I really should have remembered NAMCO. I had one of those old systems that you need to plug into your TV and you can play like 5-6 different games on them using a joystick... Did I just age myself? I feel like I aged myself. I promise I'm still young and free spirited! I'm still hip and with the times!

So, the next chapter is going to be pushed back a week. This is so I can slip in a new one-shot as well as give me a bit more time to write this one. After that, we will return to the usual 2 week update. Thanks!