Fun fact: I wrote the first four chapters of this story in a single sitting while at work. It took me 2 hours to write and I did it all during the supposed '5 minutes' my boss asked for in order to find me more work. Just thought this was an interesting little tidbit before we started. Anyways, onto the show!

REAPER IN RED

Chapter 9

Detention. So, this was what people did when they got in trouble. Sitting down in a small room at individual desks, waiting for the clock on the wall to tick passed a certain predetermined time. Doing nothing. Time that could have been spent sparring, or studying, or just hanging out with friends. Even time that could have been better spent learning something new. No, this was how the punishment went.

For wasting our teacher's time, we had our own time wasted in return. I smirked. It was a perfectly reasonable and fair punishment. Even I could see that, though I found it quite boring and tame. And only for two hours. That was but a blip of time, even for humans. I had lived for one hundred and fifteen years. Over one hundred long years. I was the same age as the oldest man currently alive. Yes, I looked up his age during Professor Port's class.

I had been on Remnant for such a long time that my childhood naps made me miss life-changing, world altering events that would shape human history for decades or centuries to come. I had lived through at least three generations of people, maybe a fourth.

And yet.

I was mind numbingly, soul shatteringly, unabatedly bored out of my mind.

Was this a human thing?! My head slammed onto my arms which were splayed out on my desk. I got a cough from Professor Peaches or whatever her name was, who was watching me and Winchester -apparently his first name was Cardin- and the dozen other students of all years who had been given detention that week. Or at least this type of detention, because apparently this school ran on a 'punishment must fit the crime' sort of system.

I was told that another group of students was sweeping the courtyard. I would not ever admit that I begged to be given that punishment over sitting still and quietly for two hours. Not being allowed to look at anyone else, or tap on my desk, or shake my legs, or even hum a tune or seven in my head. No, I would not say that I stooped low enough to grovel at the feet of a professor, begging her to grant me asylum from this room by giving me chores. Chores!

But, judging by the tiny glances that Cardin and his ilk were giving me, as well as their less than quiet snickers, I had done just that. I groaned and hid further into my arms. This was not a hide in my hood sort of embarrassment. This was definitely a dig my face into my desk as far as possible and hope I disappear sort of emotion. For once, I could not wait for that vampire's death to wear off and for me to lose all these all too human emotions.

I eyed the clock longingly. There was still thirty minutes left. That meant I finished most of detention already. Just thirty minutes. That's fifteen minutes twice, or ten minutes three times. Or five minutes six times, or three minutes ten times. Yes, I could manage to get through three minutes ten times. That would be easy! As Yang puts it, it would be a piece of cake. All I would need was something to distract myself.

Cake.

Was cake any good? It would have to be for there to be a phrase for it. Or maybe it was just easy to make. Ya, that would make sense. Cakes are easy to make so things that are easy are as easy as cake. Or was that easy as pie? And was it a slice of cake or piece of cake? Phrases are confusing. My eyebrow twitched as no time seemed to be passing by while my thoughts spiraled into such absurdity that even I could not hope to follow.

It was like each tick of the clock was happening slower than the previous one.

Tick tick tick.

Tick… tick…

Tick.

I glanced up. That was strange. The clock had stopped. It was most likely out of…

I looked around. Cardin was leaning back in his seat, tilting it onto its hind legs with his foot on the desk. A smug grin etched into his face and eyes shut mid-blink. Professor Peach was sitting at her desk and looking intently at a pile of papers, pen in one hand, its tip resting on the top sheet. Her other hand was resting on her cheek, lightly touching it with the tips of her fingers in avid concentration. Unmoving in her focus.

I leaned forward to get a better view.

Or maybe it was just unmoving. Standing up slowly, I glanced at each of my detention mates. Not a single one had moved a muscle. A hand wave in front of the face of one really tall boy all but confirmed it. Time had stopped.

No, that wasn't it. Time was still moving. Judging by the professor's red pen continuing to leak on the page, or the water falling from the mouth of one student mid-sip.

"Hello?" I asked in a voice much quieter than needed. "Is this some sort of joke thing?"

No movement. Not even a breath or a smirk of amusement at my obviously growing confusion. Tucking my chair into my desk, I walked around, tapping lightly on the table. This was weird. Poking my head out of the classroom, the hallways were in a similar state of un-timeliness. Students stood still in the hallways, smiles or frowns on their faces and many with lips parted mid-conversation. I stepped out, my boots echoing across the now eerily silent hall.

Then all at once, the air around me grew cold and stale. In a single breath, the heat of the sun made way for a coldness which was paling to that of my Reaper guise. I exhaled fog, which floated lazily in this newfound air. Then the sunlight shining through the many open windows dimmed. So too did the lights hanging overhead. This was weird. I checked the corner of my hood.

"Still red."

No, I had not changed into my Grim Reaper form. I remained looking like the same human Ruby Rose I had for the last week or two.

"Hello?" I ventured out a call, not knowing what to expect.

Then I saw the black tendrils of shadow flicker into view. Coming around the corner was the source of this sudden darkness. As it came further into focus, I could tell it was strong. Stronger and much older than I was. But what it was, was plain to see.

Swaying before me, cloak hidden feet just barely sweeping along the floor was a Grim Reaper. Hood raised and face covered in ashen shadow, only two bright red eyes gazed out from underneath. A piercing gaze which sent chills running through my spine. It slowly creeped towards me; gleaming eyes fixed on my own. As it passed by students, they visibly shook, even with feet firmly frozen in place.

The Grim Reaper towered over me, surrounding me with its otherworldly presence. Then its eyes softened. The fierce garnet gaze was filled with a sudden calming warmth. Its cloaked hands, once fastened around its scythe let go of the powerful weapon, allowing it to float alongside, while it reached for its hood.

Slowly, the shadowed hood was pulled back, revealing a young and pretty face. The woman's long raven black hair spilled forth. Her calming eyes of ruby-gold, like miniature flames, were squinting in a small smile, which also descended to her light pink lips. Her deathly pale skin, which had shown the tiniest inklings of the bones underneath, became fleshy, though still white as chalk. As her hood was dropped, so too did the massive presence which surrounded her, until she stood in front of me now only a head or so taller.

"I did not expect to see another of my kind in a place like this." Her voice was soothing. Deep and feminine with a hint of pleasant charm. I could not even hope to tear my gaze from her. I was trapped in the spell that was her.

"I would not have come if I knew another of us was claiming this territory. Especially one so young. I would have at least waited until it had been claimed so that our duel would leave us both on an equal field. How old are you, little one?"

It took me a moment to realize she had asked me a question. My eyes lowered to her cloak covered feet. "Fifteen. A hundred and fifteen."

"One too young to be left alone." She was so enamoring. So completely calming. I knew it was what she was. My voice, sight and appearance was calming too, towards the dying. But I had never before felt a Reaper's powers on my own person. It was like nothing I had ever expected. "How far along are you in claiming this territory? You must have stumbled upon it quite recently if I could not tell you were here."

"I don't know how to." I mumbled.

"Please speak up, little one." There was no malice in her words, just the gentle calm. Maybe a hint of curious delight.

"I don't know how to claim a territory," I said much louder this time. "My mother was killed before she taught me. I was hoping the books in the library would be able to teach me something useful for it."

"You must be very bright to think of such things. Well, I am not a Reaper who would keep a youngling from trying to claim her first territory. There is no pleasure in stealing from a child." She smiled pleasantly. "Who was your mother, little one?"

I shook my head, "she told me never to reveal to another one of us her name."

The elder Reaper nodded with a smirk. "At least she taught you that. Only the Grim Reaper should reveal her own name to another. Well my dear, let me be the first to introduce myself. My name is Cinder. Cinder Fall."

"I'm Ruby Rose," I replied.

"Summer's daughter. Yes, I have met your mother before. We were never the best of friends, but what Reapers are?" Cinder giggled.

"If you want this area, I'll leave. I've no claim to it and you could easily beat me." My head dropped. There was nothing I could do. Not in the presence of such a powerful Reaper. Or any other Reaper. I was too young, too weak. I knew it, she knew it.

"I think not, little one." I looked up, her words surprising me. "As I said, it would be rude of me to take a territory from one so young, even if she has not yet claimed it. I will allow you to keep this area. To learn to claim it as your own. Now, now. I won't teach you how to do so. I expect you to use that bright mind of yours to learn for yourself. Just know that I do plan on returning here in the near future. So, I propose a deal. In return for not forcing you from this land, I will grant it to you. If you learn to claim a territory and claim it by the time I return, you will allow me to wander through it. I will not Reap any souls from it, nor try to diminish your hold over it. But, you will allow me access to it. To move around it outside of your viewing. If you have yet to claim it, you will relinquish any claim you have to it, but I will offer the same allowances that you would offer me. If it's unsuitable to you, we can always fight and settle this in the usual way."

Cinder Fall held out her hand to me. In this form, her hands were ghostly pale, almost translucent. The faint shapes of her finger's bones were visible beneath her skin. I reached towards her hand with my own. As our hands touched, my own Reaper form began seeping through. My hand up to my shoulder became more transparent and pale, shadows clinging to my red hood and cloak, deepening them to a crimson. I shook her hand.

Underneath her smile and my own, there was a battle raging between us. Like lightning shooting between our conjoined hands, as we both subconsciously pitted our wills in an unnatural battle. The handshake lasted much longer than I realized. Our own Reaper magics fought; two Salemites of incredible strength so close to each other that they were touching. Something that would normally never happen, unless a powerful deal was being made.

Much more powerful than I may have first realized.

And then our hands disconnected, and the flames of power flickered into but a spark. The hallway brightened. I had not even realized it darkened even further in our struggle of wills. The woman, Cinder Fall smiled a pleasant, motherly smile.

"It has been a pleasure to meet you, Ruby Rose, the young Reaper. I do hope that when we see each other again, we can both become friends. I have always wanted to teach a friend what I know. I will see you soon, little one. I hope to see how strong your claim to this territory becomes."

With those final words, she pulled back on her hood and gripped her scythe. Tendrils of shadow billowed from the bottom of her clothe, and she left the way she came without a glance back. As she phased through the wall, the darkness and cold receded, until it was only a chill left in my spine. Slowly, the students began to move and voices filled the silent halls.

I walked back into class and sat down before everything resumed its usual pace. Professor Peach shook her head, waking herself from her stupor and frowned as she realized her pen had leaked through the paper she was marking, ruining the words before she could read them. A student to my left coughed, spewing out water which had been choking him. The others in the detention room laughed at his clumsiness, only falling silent at the professor clearing her throat.

I couldn't think of anything other than the conversation I had with the other Reaper.

Cinder Fall.

The only Grim Reaper I had ever met that was kind to me, aside from my mother. She was so much older than I was. Centuries old at least, maybe more. If she wanted to, it would have taken mere moments to defeat me and forced me out of Beacon Academy. And yet, she let me stay. More than that, she gave me the chance to try and claim my first territory. To actually grow stronger. Even then, she wouldn't attack me. If I claimed this land, then it would be mine and I would be safe. Safe from her as well, thanks to our deal. I smiled lightly.

Once Professor Peach was satisfied, she let us leave, calmly instructing us to never be given detention again before sending us on our way. I had to talk to Blake tonight. There was no time to waste.

I had a territory to claim.

Hooray! With this chapter, we have finally hit 25 thousand words. This is all super duper exciting. Everyone gets a cookie. Even you Ruby!

Hmmmmmmm101 - Letting you know right now that as of now, I have no shipping plans nor ship in mind for this story. That may be subject to change in the future, but don't expect romance to be a major part of this story even if it does happen. Is there a hierarchy of Reapers? The answer is maybe. Is there an original Reaper? Yes. Ancient Reapers? Most definitely yes. Super ancient Reapers from the beginning of humanity? No. Reapers live, age and die. It's just hell of a lot slower.

Ranjira1988 - I'm actually surprised to see so few stories with Ruby as a Reaper. Like, in almost every fic, Ruby is mentioned as 'the red reaper' or simply 'reaper' and nobody thought to take that literally?

lasereye27 - Hopefully soon we can get a real fight for two in this. hmm... A Cardin v Ruby fight... that might be interesting. I'm curious to see how Ruby stacks up with Pyrrha or Yang.

JackTheSpades - Who knows what Ozzy knows? Cuz Ozzy sure doesn't! (or does he?) Well, Jaune is still Jaune I suppose. There was a lot going on in this chapter and a lot of new info surrounding Ruby. There is some fun stuff coming up. Also, I completely stole that pale bit from a similar moment in Young Justice. This info has no real relevance to the story, but it was too great of a moment to leave out. :)

Videocrazy - That's hot cocoa?! WHat?! Okay, my mind has officially been blown. No, I refuse to believe that somebody who spends all his time behind a desk does not drink bucket loads of coffee. Otherwise my entire existence is a lie. As of now, there are two potential routes Oz in this story can go and I'm still trying to decide which I prefer. Either way, I think you are in for a treat.

Firewyrm2 - I love responding to these messages! It's the best way to interact with my readers (wow that's awesome to say. my readers *squee!*). Definitely shoot me a message with the link when you post one. I'd be honoured to read it.

Halo29 - Thanks for the kind words!

MasterScarcity1 - That always happens to me too! Half the stories on my current reading list I don't even remember putting on.

And we are venturing into the start of the Jaunedice arc of classic RWBY. Aka my least favourite part of the entire show. I'm surprised nobody noticed how rushed this part of the timeline was. Only a few days between Jaune's reveal and the Forever Fall mission. So, sorry if it feels like it's being glossed over, because it will be.

Last minute add-on: Holy cow guys! This story has reached 150 follows and over 80 favourites. You all are incredible Thank you so much and know that there is so much more to come.

Also, now that RWBY is coming back for a brand new volume, please be respectful and not share any spoilers. I've already had the first (and second) episode spoiled for me and it sucks.