Ruby and Yang sat in the clockwork tower. The duo had never been so nervous, chasing down the White Fang and Torchwick had been terrifying - but they were never nervous. Fighting against grimm when the city was breached had been horrifying, but neither Yang nor Ruby had felt their hands shake. The tournament had been the spectacle of Remnant, thousand upon thousands viewed the future Hunters and Huntresses go at it. Yet they lapped up the attention, even when Yang was eliminated by Ruby.

Now, sitting in this tower; their hands shook, breath caught and their stomachs rumbled. They had come here many times before, in the first semester and second Ozpin had guided them, sometimes unseen and sometimes directly, into a war with the White Fang. Upon being discovered, RWBY had not reacted well. In fact they had barely seen the headmaster since his deception was uncovered, even then only when necessary. Their parting had been less than amicable.

Ozpin opened his door with a slam, scowling profusely he stood before the coffee pot and filled up. He was barely even using his cane, the public face he wore gone. Yang leaned over to Ruby and asked with a conspiratorial whisper; "Think he' still sore about last time?"

Ozpin promptly landed in his chair and locked eyes with Ruby. The cold detachment he exuded only added more fuel to the angry fire in Ruby's. "Yes Yang, I think he's still sore." She remaked crossing her arms."Mrs Rose. Mrs Xiao Long. What brings you to my office today?" He asked taking a sip from his mug.

His eyes gave away what his words didn't; He knew. Everything.

As always.

There was a heavy silence for a few moments, Ozpin was radiating smugness at a rate which could power a kingdom, even Yang was beginning to feel uneasy under his gaze His gestures were every bit as rhythmatic and routine as the clockwork tower they sat in.

1,2,3 blink. 4,5,6 drink.

"We want you to let our friends…" Ozpin's eyes lit up and the shadow of a smirk flashed across his face at that but Ruby managed to steamroll through as if nothing happened,"enroll in Beacon next year." She said simply.

12,3 blink.

"Ruby, you know that I cannot simply bend the rules whenever I see fit. After all a headmaster should know better." He returned to his natural frowning state as he sipped from his coffee, Ruby having visibly winced at her own comment being directed at her. "After all, I can't control people's actions like some puppetmaster, can I?" Ruby deflated slightly, forcing Yang to step in.

4,5,6 drink.

"You're angry about last time Headmaster, we understand. You had good reason to use us to fight the White Fang, but this isn't about that." She stared him down, forcing his disinterested gaze to settle on her again.

1,2,3 blink.

"I see. After you four came to me demanding I take no part in your lives outside class, you come to me demanding I do you a favour outside class. Please Ms Xiao Long, tell me why I should allow you two to pick who deserves to come to this school." His words cut through her as easily as they did Ruby. It was strange, Yang would normally have hit back, whether verbally or physically. But something was holding her back.

4,5,6 drink.

Ruby was firmly staring at the ground in front of Ozpin's desk, her hood slightly covering her silver eyes, "Because I'll get you fired." She muttered, drawing the full might of Ozpin's gaze on her. Ozpin put his cup down his previous uninterested frown being replaced by a look of outraged surprise.

1,2,3 blink.

"Ruby, what-" He began.

"I will tell anyone who will listen, everything you told us the last time we were here. How you sat back and observed The White Fang when you could have crushed them. How you sat back and used us as scouts when you could have ended them." She looked up with fire in her eyes. "Or how you indirectly caused the Breach by delegating a serious threat to teenagers you should be protecting." Her sister was standing up to Ozpin.

A scraping chair showed Ruby was actually, standing up to Ozpin. "I will." She vowed with shaking fists and voice.

"When did Ruby become so badass?" Yang thought.

1,2,3 blink. 4,5,6 glasses off, 1,2,3 wipe, 4,5,6 blink.

"You would go so far for them?" He asked quietly turning around to gaze over Vale.

"Yes." The sisters answered in unison; sharing a glance and a smile as Ozpin let silence fall.

"Everything you said is true. I manipulated you, used you and indirectly sacrificed lives. I crafted a strategy with you all at the centre." He sighed aloud. "You think so poorly of me because of that. Secrecy is the knife I wield, but it has turned on me as always."

Yang felt like she needed to say something, she pitied Ozpin in that moment. An old man who had protected his people time and again, brought low by his pupil. "You say that I failed to protect this school. You threaten me, yet think nothing of the consequences. You question me without asking the most important question of all." He returned his glasses to his face, retaking his seat with grace. He had taken the time to compose himself, but Ruby still stood; coiled and ready.

"What should we have asked headmaster?" Yang provided, hoping to defuse her sister.

"Why." Ozpin answered with a fleeting smile. "Ruby, you want to know why I did not sweep down and crush Roman Torchwick when he began robbing dust stores? You want to know why I baited you into accepting a mission in Mountain Glenn?" Ruby nodded silently. "Well you shall have to sit down. I was led to believe that it was your sister had the temper." He smiled, offering an olive branch. Ruby sat, her excess frustration was triggering her semblance slightly, causing a small rose petal to land in Yang's hair. Ozpin drained the last of his coffee and studied them with a well trained stare. His eyes seemed slightly glazed over, as if he were dreaming - but he was simply thinking of what to say next, it was strange to see him lost for words no matter how briefly. "Now I am going to do something I should have done weeks ago. I am going to answer you one hundred percent honestly. I want your trust Ruby, then we can deal with the Malachite twins together."

"Now it is obvious you still don't trust me, Ruby. Let me continue to explain myself, my strategy looks deeper than the next three years, I am planning for the next forty years. I could sweep down from this tower for every threat to Vale as I did in my youth. I could strike down Roman Torchwick, The Hound of Baskerveil, Jerah the Bear Baron and probably twenty more of their ilk before the sun sets." He listed off five of the world's ten most wanted.

"So why don't you." Ruby challenged coldly.

"The same reason I retired from active duty to teach; because I won't be here forever." He paused, closing his eyes for a second before renewing his speech in an almost resigned tone. "When I die someone will need to take up my mantle, descending from Vale to defeat those who would threaten our world." He smiled sadly as he looked at the two girls, "I apologise I get very poetic when I divulge my plans." When Yang smiled he took his cue to continue. "I need someone who is able to take the initiative and seek out threats, much like your team did when looking for the White Fang. Moreso I need someone who is not afraid to take any chance to stop a foe when presented, much like you did at the dust store before we met." He grinned, a heartwarming smile that had probably been hidden for years, much in the same manner Ozpin hid his intentions. "Are you beginning to understand Ruby?"

She shook her head. Yang shrugged. That same heart melting smile lit up the office, The Headmasterlooked like a teenager gushing over some new movie star. "Well I need someone who is strong enough to take my place in Vale, someone who has seen combat against threats that could and would destroy hundreds of lives. What I need, Ruby Rose, is someone who can stand between the light and darkness. Instead, I found four girls who would do that job better than I ever could."

Yang gasped and Ruby froze.

Ozpin chuckled, his trademark composure was beginning to creep back into his posture, "You were never pieces on a chessboard girls, though you are not quite players yet either. You were something like apprentices, but again not quite. You are unique. Now please, I have explained myself entirely to you, a very rare thing indeed. All I want is to regain your trust." Ruby was silent, reeling from the Headmaster's speech. He stared into Ruby's eyes for a long time and she stared right back. Something silent and unknown seemed to pass between them, as neither blinked for what must have been minutes. "We will, now return to the matter at hand however. Without feeling like enemies." He frowned as Ruby's eyes remained hard as ever.

Yang raised her hand to interrupt the battle of wills and the Headmaster acquiesced to her, as if this were just a lecture. She slowly took a deep breath; formal meetings always stressed her out, which often left her tongue tied - the last thing she needed right now, "I just want to say that this isn't about what happened between us, or our feelings for the Malachites Headmaster. This isn't about us at all." She gestured to Ruby and herself when she realised she wasn't being as clear as she had planned, "But I will say that denying the twins access to Beacon won't stop us from seeing them." Yang paused not breaking eye contact with Ozpin. "This is about giving two girls who have been given nothing but misery every day of their lives a chance at life. Two young potential huntresses; could you honestly turn them away knowing what they've been through to get here?"Yang stared at Ozpin for a long moment. He sighed heavily closing his eyes and leaning back in his chair.

Ruby piped up, her voice uncharacteristically somber, "If you have to think of it tactically, then remember that both of them can take a hit from Yang. I think Militia could craft a good weapon or two if she had a workshop. They'd be strong huntresses, something you need more than ever." The emphasis on "you" had not escaped Yang. But Ozpin's face had not changed through Ruby's little addendum.

He finally spoke after what seemed like an age:"They will have to take the placement test just like every other student, if they pass then they will be accepted into Beacon." He relented, resistance was surprisingly fierce for this slight concession, even after they cleared the air. Ozpin must have had his reasons, he always did. But Yang could see no reason to at least give the twins the chance to prove smiled broadly as soon as she turned her back to Ozpin, joining Yang as they got up to leave the room, the eldest sister kept to a happy smirk and jostled her younger sister's hair as they rejoined the twins in the hall.

"You'll have to take the placement test but as long as you pass that you'll be fine." Ruby said, before bursting into an ear busting squeal with her girlfriend. Yang approached Melanie and the two seemed to relax for the first time in days. Melanie flicked the small silver pendant hanging from a black choker necklace around Yang's neck. "Thank you."

"Anything for you." Yang hugged her close. "Mistress."Mel smiled examining the silver pendant closer.

Yang Xiao Long

Property of Melanie Malachite

"You've done more than enough Yang." She said, moving her head closer.

"Get a room sis." Mil and Ruby chimed together with matching smirks. The two had linked arms and had generally just morphed into one big red blur beyond Yang's happy tears. Melanie couldn't help but blush and pull away.

"Well, we have to celebrate this right?" Militia said, smiling shyly. She seemed to be almost hiding behind Ruby as if someone else started the conversation.

"I've celebrated far worse occasions." Yang agreed.

Melanie cleared her throat, causing Yang to fall silent in obedience. She couldn't help but smirk at the shock on Ruby's face as she submitted."Yang and I have a few errands to run first. Don't we?" Melanie demanded, pinching Yang slightly as she did.

"Yes Mistress." She said dutifully, dropping her gaze and trying to keep the smile from her face.

Militia's eyebrows rose into her hairline, trying to puzzle out how Mel had become dominant. Ruby just sighed, "We'll meet you guys in Vermillion I guess." She shrugged and headed for the stairwell with Militia skipping along behind her.

"Quite a good show hot stuff. I thought Ruby's eyes were going to pop out." Melanie said once the door had shut. She turned to face the blonde, all the pretense gone. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?"

"Melanie, I said I'd cut my hair and I'm not a liar." She kissed Melanie, a quick peck on the cheek to give her courage. "Now let's find a salon. If I'm doing this I'm doing it right." Yang said, heading to the door.

"Good thing nobody was around Mistress. You're not very consistent with your submissiveness." Melanie quipped taking Yang's hand in her own.

"I'm trying though." Yang replied with a pout as they pressed together in the tight hallway.

"I know." Melanie reassured. "Promise you'll keep the collar even when you take charge again?"

Melanie could feel Yang heat up as she always did when they mentioned the collar around her neck. "Of course Mistress."

There it was. The hair salon, Yang stared up at the sign and stroked her hair defensively. Layachi's hair emporium scared her like nothing else in her entire had to do this, she promised Mel she would, and she owed it to Mel to keep her promises, she had hurt the twin enough already. The blonde took a deep breath, collecting herself before slowly pushing open the door and entering to a ringing bell. She strode in with Melanie close behind began talking with the woman at the front desk while Yang tried to distract herself. It wasn't too long before she was seated in one of the barber's chairs.

Melanie gave her a reassuring smile and hugged her. "It's good to know how much you really care about me." Yang was trying to draw as much courage as she could form the hug. She really didn't want to be here.

"Of course, I'd do anything for you... Mistress." Yang replied bowing her head slightly at the end, the submission giving her a strange feeling, she felt light headed when Mel's face lit up.

Mel couldn't stop smiling. "You're making your Mistress very happy."

The barber arrived promptly, lumbering over with all the grace of a gazelle despite his heavy frame. He welcomed the pair and threw an apron over Yang, protecting her clothes from the cascade of hair that would follow."Welcome ladies! I am Layachi, son of Layachi. How can I be serving you today!?" The barber asked examining Yang's golden mane, with well practiced fingers. They glided through her hair just as her mother's had.

Yang took a deep breath. "Cut it short."

The barber seemed taken aback. "If you insist; how short would you like it?" He placed his hands about halfway up her back.

"Shorter." Melanie said from behind a magazine. She hadn't even looked up at the barbers words. But Yang saw the pained expression on his face.

"Shoulder length." Yang replied reluctantly.

"This is beautiful hair, I beg of you ladies, are you sure?" The barber begged with gusto.

"Yes... I'm sure, I have to do this, it's important to me." Yang replied gaining resolve.

"Okay, this will take a little while, if you would like anything to drink, we serve an excellent red- ." The barber replied as he began gathering supplies.

Yang grabbed him by his oversized collar, pulling him so close she could smell his breath and was staring into the man's terrified blue eyes; "Yes. Lots."

Layachi hurried off to grab whatever alcohol he could as Melanie finally put down her magazine, despite it being almost as old as her. Melanie stepped up giving Yang a peck on the cheek. "I need to go get some things, I'll be back before you're done."

"Okay" Yang grumbled but Mel stopped looking at her expectantly as Layachi presented an exquisitely luxurious bottle. He swiftly found an end table and with his strangely dexterous gait began filling a pint glass with red wine.

"Okay what?" Mel proffered with hands on her squirmed uncomfortably in her chair, the barber was right there already looking at them weird."Okay mistress... I'll miss you." Yang replied feeling a strange erotic thrill within her at publicly admitting her submission to this total stranger.

Mel smiled warmly and turned leaving the store with a final nod goodbye. "I'll miss you too." Yang relaxed into the chair. The barber gave her one last slightly odd look before shrugging his shoulders and setting to sound of the scissors and feeling the weight fall away was almost more than she could handle. It was only thinking of Mel and the warm smile she wore that kept Yang going through this. It's worth it for her.

Mel returned before too long just as the barber was finishing cleaning up her cut. With a short thanks and payment they walked out of the barber shop, a veritable mountain of hair being swept into a bag for Layachi's sister's wigmaking company.

"H-how do I look?" Yang asked nervously, there was a slight slur to her words but Mel ignored it as she appraised her property. Yang's hair was completely shortened barely even making it to shoulder length. Her hair seemed to enjoy the shocking new freedom, as it stuck out from her head in messy curls.

"If you didn't have such huge tits you look very tomboyish." Mel replied, she half lidded her eyes and gazed into Yangs with a loving smile. "I love it."Yang sighed in relief, she realized that she had been just as anxious of what Mel would think of her as she was actually losing her hair. She felt a little wobbly leaving the barbers, her emotions and the wine combining to send her head spinning. Mom always loved my hair.

"I'm glad you like it, what did you leave to get mistress?" Yang asked after a moment remembering to address Mel properly this time.

A lustful spark lit in Melanie's eyes and she hugged Yang barely ghosting her lips against the big brawlers. "Oh just a few things..."

Click.

Yang looked down as Mel pulled back finding the twin holding a thin black leash that she had attached to the collar around her neck, Yang's face flushed as she was now very publicly Melanie's."Mmmm such a sexy pet you are. Come on,lets get back to your room. Your mistress needs some love." Mel grinned playfully as she began walking away with Yang following obediently on the leash.

Yang swallowed thickly her mind filling with perverse thoughts of what her mistress might do to her. "Of course mistress."

Ruby suddenly stopped, mid bag packing. Militia felt her stiffen behind her, everything from a heart attack to a papercut racing through her mind. "Ruby is everything okay?" She asked, concerned.

"Something very bad just happened... " She said robotically, staring out at the window. "Like thousands of tiny voices cried out, only to be cut at once. Beauty has suffered a wound." She intoned gravely.

"What?" Militia asked, putting a hand on her girlfriend's shoulder. Ruby started as if woken froma nightmare.

"What what?" She asked, with a confused stare. In her hand was a furry white scarf, seemingly forgotten in her strange trance.

"You were saying something…" Militia offered in hope of discovering just what had happened to her mistress. But the shrug she got in reply told her that Ruby was miles away . She had been strangely quiet since they had entered to the dorm and the packing she had been doing was not for a trip to a restaurant.

"Hey Mil; go on ahead and meet me at the statue." She tossed a pack which Mil caught instinctively. "I've got a call to make." She offered a smile in apology that made Militia weak at the knees, she opened her mouth only to find herself draped in rose petals and meeting Ruby's own lips. "It's a surprise. Don't worry."

Militia reluctantly turned to the door and exited, the dorm across the hall had it's door open and a tall blonde boy locked her way. "Hey Ruby did you-." He began to ask only to find himself facing a total stranger.

"Uhm Ruby's busy." She answered, "But she told me she had to sleep in your room last night." she lied cooly.

"Yang?" He asked with a goofy grin on his face. Everything about the boy put her at ease, he was like one big unthreatening puppy. He just radiated a sense of calm… perhaps that was his... what did Ruby call it again; semblance?

"You could say that." She giggled, "If you'll excuse me; I have to get going." She turned and headed off only for the stranger to tap her on the head. She didn't realize how tall he was.

"I'll come with. My friends haven't came back yet, so why not take a walk." He smiled again, it was almost impossible to say not to him.

In a sigh of exasperation she shrugged, "I don't see why not."

He stuck out his hand, "Any friend of Ruby's is a friend of mine. I'm Jaune."

She was tempted to spill her relationship to Ruby. A sudden territorial instinct causing her to puff out her chest as if readying for a fight. It would be so good to shatter any dreams this guy had of- Wait, Ruby was hers already. Paranoia wouldn't help anyone, in fact it would just make Ruby resent her. Plus Ruby didn't even know she liked girls until yesterday. Plus, Jaune seemed nice…

Her brain wouldn't stop functioning, gears whirring into overdrive as she fought against the thoughts that fought to take control of her thoughts. "Shut up instincts!"She yelled to the her left shoulder where a little devil had sat moments before.

"You okay?" Jaune asked, tapping her head with a finger again. Militia's frustration must have been a fearful sight because he flung his hand back in a hurry.

"I'm fine. Thank you. I'm Militia." She curtseyed, before forgetting that she wasn't in Junior's club anymore. She grasped Jaune's hand and shook it firmly.

"You wouldn't happen to know Nora Valkyrie would you?" Jaune asked as they began heading for the grounds.

"Never heard the name before. Why?" Miltia asked.

"She likes to argue with her shoulder sometimes too." Jaune reflected, "I hope shes okay."

"Why wouldn't she be?" Miltitia asked with concern.

"Well her family make the Grimm look like pansies." He rubbed the back of his head nervously. He didn't need to be nervous, the joke had Militia doubling over in laughter.

"So you don't mind me borrowing it?" Ruby asked her scroll.

"No. It's not like the White Fang are letting us fly out for shopping trips. I wouldn't have given you the spare key if you couldn't use it, Dolt." Weiss managed to lecture despite her smile. Ruby could practically see the light bulb igniting above her head when her face became a mask of concern; "I thought you weren't heading back out until next month. Is everything okay with you and Yang?

"Everything's fine. Better than fine actually." Ruby gushed. so much so that Blake chimed in from off screen. "What?"

"Blake said that she better not have to clean up." Weiss visibly balked at the entendre. "She's also been spending too much time with degenerates on this mission." She snapped offscreen, surprising Ruby with the venom.

"Hey, you two play nice!" Ruby demanded, a little too dominating. Weiss' eyebrows rose at the change in nature, but she muttered an apology to Blake anyways.

"I'm going to take…" Her mind went blank.

What do I say here?

Say her name? Or say her? Or should I be vague? Aren't Weiss' parents like super controlling and nuts? What if liking girls is some kind of ultra big no-no for her family? What about Blake? She was raised by fanatics, what if they told her liking girls was some kind of sin and ohmydust what do I say...

"Someone on a trip." She said, her voice must have given something away.

Weiss huffed, clearly irritated that was all the information Ruby was giving, in return she decided to vent some of the irritation her diplomatic mission had caused, "When we come back you and Yang better spill. She's been sending us nothing but annoying hints about having someone for us to meet." She only seemed to get more irritated as she ranted, "That's if you don't include last night where we got thirty three messages telling us how proud she was of you. Has she been drinking again?"

"I dunno. I'll go check on her but I gotta go thanks for the favour Weiss, bye!" Ruby blurted hanging up the call and letting out a huge sigh. "Why am I so stressed out about telling them about Militia? Weiss is my best friend. Blake is one of the most caring people I know? Why am I so scared?" She wondered aloud before picking up her pack and strapping Crescent Rose onto her back.

She was Ruby Rose.

She just threatened Ozpin.

She had just called in a favour from Weiss Fricken Schnee.

She was invincible.

Now it's time to go get Militia!

"Oh Crap I left Militia at the statue!" She exclaimed, taking a shortcut out the window, clouding herself in rose petals she sailed through the sky in a trail of red, slowly falling towards the Arc memorial.