Well that was awesome. Super long wait after the first chapter, but the waiting is finally over! Will most likely switch to an every other week schedule instead of this once every three weeks one. But until that is decided, here you all go!

REAPER IN RED

Chapter 2

"Illusive gentleman thief, Roman Torchwick who was foiled in an attempted dust robbery two days ago has still not been apprehended by law enforcement or the huntsmen teams sent to capture him. He was last seen in Vale and is armed and dangerous. Don't attempt to fight him. Instead, call local law enforcement with any information you have."

Yang lifted me up into the air with a laugh. One which I reciprocated with practiced ease. "That was you Rubes!"

"Yang!" I whined happily as she put me down. "I don't need everybody knowing that. I just want to be a normal huntress."

"Ha! Like my talented little Torchwick slaying sister could be anything but the bee's knees." Yang nudged me with her shoulder. "And now we're on our way to Beacon. Going to get ourselves some teams and partners and become the most kick-ass monster fighting duo this side of Remnant."

"You think we'll be partners?" I asked, looking at Yang -my big sister- hopefully.

Yang shrugged. "Don't know. Anything's possible Rubes. But it's always good to make new friends. Even if we aren't partners, or even on the same team, you and I both know we'll still be best friends. Come on, we're sisters! Even a little sisterly competition isn't going to stop us from becoming the huntress duo we talked about since we were kids."

"Oh ya, right. Since we were kids…" I repeated, sheepishly. I forgot about giving her that memory. "Yang? Aren't I still a kid?"

Yang ruffled my hair, as I tried to bat her hands away with only a slight amount of whining.

"Yes you are! And don't you forget that. Fifteen years old and already trying to be an adult like her big sis over here!"

Yang smiled and pointed at herself. All I could do was smirk at her behavior. She was more of a child than I was. Seventeen years old was not even a real adult by human standards. And at my age? Yang was nothing but a baby. But, it felt nice to play the younger sister. I really did look fifteen, so I guessed it worked out well. If I just told everybody that my body matured slowly, none would be the wiser. At least for the first few years. It really would suck if people found out I was fifteen… plus a hundred years to that.

My thoughts turned as I heard the heavy breathing and gasping of a blond-haired teenager as he wobbled through the flying ship, making his way to the garbage can. Grasping onto the sides, he stuck his face inside, letting out a torrent of unpleasant sounds and stomach contents.

"Gross!" Exclaimed someone nearby. Multiple people clutched their noses, waving the stench away with their hands. The blond could only look at them apologetically, his face a little green.

I laughed a little at his plight, but followed my sister as she took a step away from him. I couldn't really fault her. Whatever his stomach had expunged smelled really awful to my human senses. So much so that my face scrunched up involuntarily.

"Sorry," I muttered sheepishly.

"Bullhead B-17 will be arriving in the Beacon Academy Loading Docks in five minutes," sounded the computerized voice coming from the loud speakers around the ship. "Please find your baggage and weapons before you exit the ship. Any bags left on this ship will be left in lost-and-found at the Vale Bullhead Station. Thank you for flying with us."

I smiled, hopping on my toes while holding onto Yang's arm. I was excited. There was no denying that. For the first time ever, I would be going to school! There was something just so exciting about that prospect. To learn something new every day and finally have somebody to ask all my questions to.

Yang looked more excited to meet new people than to sit around in classes all day, but to each their own. People; especially humans, lived such short lives that there really was no point to becoming friends with them. Not counting Yang or Tai -dad- of course. They were my family, so they could be honourary friends.

But all the books! So many smart people to talk to and even learning how to fight better. I was pretty good with my scythe if I did say so myself. Not my Reaper scythe -well, that one too- but my baby. My Crescent Rose, high-caliber sniper scythe I designed with mom for my hundredth birthday. I loved the weight of it on my side. While most people put their weapons away in the lockers provided on the bullhead, I kept a hold of mine on my person. Yang did the same with her weapons, but in their off-state, they looked like big bracelets, so that was no problem for her.

I ran to the window, dragging Yang along with me as the tall tower of Beacon Academy appeared through the clouds. I gasped in delight at the view. I could see so far! Beacon Tower, standing there in all its stone glory was surrounded by smaller stone buildings which made up the many classroom halls and dormitories of the campus.

My ears popped as we began our descent into the school. I giggled as they popped, enjoying the all too human sensation. As well as Yang's funny face as she tried to force her ears to pop without needing to yawn.

The doors opened to a line of upper year teachers, telling the students which way to go to reach the main hall. Not that many were paying attention to them, instead taking in the sights and smells of the famous academy. I could hear them droning on about something, but I joined my fellow absent-minded students in shrugging them off to look at the buildings. I felt a finger poking my shoulder. Spinning around I saw Yang smiling.

"Hey, just wanted to let you know I saw some of my friends. I'll meet you in the main hall!"

"No, wait Yang-"

"Sorry Rubes I'll see you soon, bye!" She waved me off, bounding towards another group of students, mingling and shouting among themselves.

There goes the one person I knew in this entire place.

Picking a direction, I started walking, looking from side to side at the brilliant hand-carved stonework as well as the cobblestone path's fine craftsmanship. Not a single blade of grass poked out from the cracks in the tiles.

"Ugh!" I shouted, accidentally walking into something.

"You- you unfocused dolt!" Make that someone. "Watch where you're going next time!"

"Sorry," I replied, looking at the white-haired girl in the eyes. Her unfriendly gaze and pursed lips screamed annoyance.

"You almost knocked over hundreds of lien worth of finely cut, precious dust! You could have even caused an explo-"

Oh no. I felt something tickle my nose. I gasped for breath, trying to remove the foul tickling. Only to sneeze, blasting myself sky-high as the dust particles in the air ignited in my face.

"Ugh!" the white-haired girl stomped her foot angrily. "You could have really hurt somebody with your foolishness. What is a child like you even doing in a school like this, huh?"

"I'm here for the same reason as you princess." I responded tersely.

"Princess?!" She shouted back at me.

"Heiress actually." We both turned to see a newcomer gazing at us from behind a book. Her raven black hair framed her face well, all underneath a cute purple bow. "She's Weiss Schnee, heiress to the Schnee Dust Company."

"Thank you. Finally, some proper recognition." Weiss smiled a pristine and perfectly trained smile.

"The same company who is known for their abuse of faunus and disagreeable business practices."

Weiss's smile dropped. "Why. I-" Unable to get a clear sentence out, she huffed angrily and stomped her foot down, choosing instead to leave angrily.

"Nice to meet you Weiss!" I shouted off to her, waving a hand. Surprisingly, her quickened pace turned into angry stomps and clenched fists.

"Thank you." I said to the black-haired girl, who only shrugged with a light smile and continued on her way, still reading her book as she walked.

I continued onward. I stopped. Crap, I had no idea where I was going. Nor where I was. I was officially lost.

With a groan, I fell backwards, laying on the ground and staring at the sky. "Why does this always happen to me."

Birds chirped merrily from their perches in the trees, or flying through the wind above. Two small blue birds twisted and tweeted, spinning in circles passed the afternoon sun. A small smile tugged at my lips.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Huh?" I turned to look at the male voice above me. With a friendly smile, I recognized the blond-teenager from the ship. He had his hand extended towards me.

"Need a hand up from the ground?"

"I think I'm alright. The ground and I have an understanding of each other." I petted the stone ground with mock affection. It brought out a chuckle from him.

Returning his smile, I allowed him to help me to my feet. "Hi, I'm Ruby! Ruby Rose."

"Hello Ruby. I'm- wait, Ruby Rose?" The blond questioned. He frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Why does that name sound familiar?"

"I don't know. I'm just a normal girl. No bees in these knees!"

"Wait, what?"

"Pretend I didn't say anything."

He shrugged in compliance. "No, isn't there a story or something about a Ruby Rose?"

"Oh!" I shouted in understanding. He did not know me. Not Ruby Rose, the girl in front of him. "You mean the poem!"

The blond snapped his fingers. "That's it. I knew I recognized it from somewhere. I think we read it in class last year."

"Ruby rose and hope did too." I recited. "My mom said she named me after the Ruby in the poem. It was always my favourite."

The blond shuddered. "Ya, it's nice. Still gives me the creeps though. Glad we don't have to face Bloody Ruby, right?"

I smiled, "scared of a little vampire, are you?"

He shook his head. "Not really. Well, I guess I am. But how could you not be? They're just so freakish. With their fangs and ugh." He shuddered at the thought. "It's really witches I'm after, though. Maybe if I can somehow become strong enough, I'll try to go for some of the even bigger monsters out there. Maybe I could do what my dad did!"

"What did your dad do?"

"Apparently when he was younger he fought off a Grim Reaper! Dad said he killed it, but none of my family really believes it. Even he doesn't know if he managed to get it fully. But no matter. I'm more interested in witches." His speech slowed and his eyes lingered on the ground as we walked. The silence was just what I needed then.

Grim Reaper slayers? Not many could achieve such a feat. Only the strongest could go toe to toe with a reaper, so his dad must have been incredibly strong to survive an encounter. He was probably just gushing. No way would he know about me. And no way could his dad have defeated a Grim Reaper-

"Oh! I almost forgot to introduce myself." He laughed happily, "my name's Jaune. Jaune Arc."

I froze.

Arc. Holy crap I've been walking alongside an Arc all this time. I had to get out of there somehow. I had to run and hide before he turned around and killed me. I'm talking with someone of the Reaper Slayer lineage. I could definitely believe it now. Jaune's dad has definitely killed Reapers. This was not good, could he smell me? Could he see into my soul and know who, no, what I was? This was not good at all. Incredibly not good-

"Hey, do you know where you're going?"

"I was following you…"

The two of us turned around and proceeded back the way we came. I walked silently, tight-lipped and shuddering whenever I felt his hand come a little to close to me. Yet still he droned on about this and that. I could not pay too much attention to him now that I knew who he was.

But still, as the minutes passed and my head remained firmly attached to my neck, I slowly calmed down. He wasn't paying any extra attention to me. No sideways glances or touching of his weapon, as he spoke about home. He had no idea who I was. I was safe in my anonymity. It was… nice.

Finally, I rejoined the conversation. When he told me about his six sisters, I told him about Yang. He showed me his weapon. His collapsing shield and double-edged sword -so cool- and I showed him my scythe.

It was strange to just talk to someone, especially someone I knew could one day grow up and kill me. But as time passed by and we finally made our way into the main hall, I felt like I could count him as a colleague. Maybe even one day, a friend. Ha, Ruby Rose making a friend. Who would have thought possible?

"Hey over here, I saved you a spot!" I saw Yang waving her hands in the air, trying to get my attention.

"Oh, hi!" I waved back before turning to Jaune. "I see my sister over there. I'll see you soon?"

"Ya, sure. It was great meeting you Ruby."

"You too Jaune." And I meant it.

We waved at each other as we went our separate ways. Standing beside my sister, gazing at the empty stage in front of us, I felt her hip knock into mine.

"So… who was that? New boyfriend?"

I blanched. "No, no way! Yuk! Gross Yang! Why?" I whined, much to her heartfelt laughter.

"Just messing with you Rubes. Told you, you would make a friend."

"Ya, but I think somebody else hates me. So that's plus one friend and minus one friend."

"Hey don't think of it as minus one friend." Yang smiled with joy. "Think of it as making one friend and one enemy!"

"You!" The white-haired girl stomped towards me.

"No, it's happening again!"

"Finally found your way here, didn't you? Of course a child would manage to get lost on a straight sidewalk. Blow up in anyone else's faces?"

Yang guffawed. "Blow up? No-" She shook the thought from her head. "Maybe we all got off on the wrong foot. Why don't we all just reintroduce ourselves and become friends? I'm Yang Xiao-Long."

"I'm Ruby Rose, do you want to be friends?"

"Yes, let's be friends! We can paint our nails and talk about cute boys like tall, blonde and scraggly over there."

"Really?" I perked up.

"No!" Weiss threw her hands up in the air. Before she was able to continue with whatever she no doubt had planned to yell at me now about, a hush fell over the crowd.

Walking onstage with a cane in his hand was a grey-haired man with green spectacles resting low on his nose. He stopped in front of the microphone at the center of the stage. Without so much as a word, the entire crowd was silent, waiting for the man to speak.

"Good afternoon, young huntsmen and huntresses. My name is Professor Ozpin. You can call me Headmaster, Professor or Ozpin. It matters not. You have traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your skills and acquire new ones which will allow you to face the immense challenges of this world. When you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people. As I look out towards all of you, all I see is wasted energy. Potential in need of purpose and direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this, but your time here at this school will prove just the opposite. Knowledge in some ways can take you far. In others, it will hold you back and shake the very foundations you have raised yourselves on. Knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step."

With that less than cheerful message, he left the stage, only for his spot to be replaced by another. Deputy headmistress Glynda Goodwitch. I recognized her from my pretend scuffle with Roman Torchwick.

"All of you will be spending the night here. Tomorrow morning I will wake you and you will follow me to initiation. Get some sleep now. You will need it."

A bit of a return to canon, with a few changes and world-building sprinkled through. And of course, some new questions being brought to light. Is it wrong of me to be nervous posting this, after such an awesome first response?

Chinaluv – Thanks!

Gothboy – I guess you'll just have to find out! PS. your name ends with .wxlf which ffn thinks is a website, so it keeps on removing it every time I write this blurb!

Kaito Chidori - I'm glad that you're taking a chance on my first person POV. If as you're reading it, you find some problems with it, or anything that needs addressing, please let me know.

Lasereye27 - Going to be a lot of fun to see how that whole relationship and drama comes into play. *wink wink*

JackTheSpades - Thanks for the review! Yes, this first chapter I wanted to get a whole bunch of information out of the way before the story really starts. You seem to have picked up on most, if not all of it (which is awesome!) The dead Summer thing is a pretty good story instigator as hopefully you will see in (much) later chapters. As for your question, it is indeed the former, as can be seen in this chapter. Hidden world stories are great, but Remnant already has the monsters of Grimm. What would be the point of hiding other fantastical creatures from everyone? I do hope that I can have Reaper live up to your expectations and praise.

And thank you all for reading this story! In one fell swoop, you guys have made this story my most followed one I've ever written! Thanks for the support and love. I will see you all with another chapter of Reaper in 3 weeks!