A/N: Sorry about the wait, everyone! A World of Bloody Evolution is sucking up pretty much all of my time! Don't worry though, I'm still trying to plug away at this!

Gear up, milites, this is an interesting chapter.

Chapter VI: Centurion Ruby Rose

Ruby found marching as a Centurion identical to marching as a milites. Unfortunately, that was where the similarities ended. Her friends and comrades had become her subordinates overnight, and now the time she passed chatting amicably or joking was spent alone, lost in her thoughts. Most looked at her with the fear she associated with Acheron, and some with thinly veiled contempt. She accepted a swallow of water from her sister's slave, rinsing her mouth and savoring the small measure of relief if brought. The sun was at its peak, and bearing down on the legion with a merciless summer glare.

Yang was enjoying her new position though, and reminded Ruby of the pay increase that came with their promotions. They could lead comfortable lives after their service in the Legio Pharus. If I make it that long. Ruby thought, catching a hated glare from Cardin. I will sleep with my pugio clutched tight against my heart.

"I don't think he likes you." The new voice startled Ruby. She turned to face the speaker. It was Flavia, the Fourth's Centuria's signifer. Long strands of pink hair jutted out from underneath her bear pelt, whose snarling fangs and twisted snout covered the upper half of her face. Large blue eyes sat below the skin, wide and inquisitive.

"I…" This was the first time Flavia had spoken to her since her promotion last night. As part of the command staff for the Fourth Centuria, it was her duty to rally the troops and bear their standard on the battlefield. "I think you're right."

"It isn't my place to keep discipline. But it's an observation I thought you'd appreciate." Ruby snorted.

"Gods, believe me, I noticed. If he glared any harder, I think my hair would fall out." Flavia laughed, the sound of water running along an aqueduct.

"Ma'am I felt the need to approach you"

"What is it, Signifer Flavia?" The woman smiled, eyes fixed on the horizon ahead.

"I can see your struggle, it is as plain as day. Look at it like this. The starer?" She said, pointing at Cardin.

"Cardin?" Flavia nodded.

"What would Acheron have done if he had given him such contemptuous looks?" Ruby paled at the thought. "Exactly." She clapped her centurion on the shoulders. "General Ozpin and the gods have put you here, and you haven't died yet, so here you are. Personally, I think you'll do fine. Yesterday morning's events were clear enough indication of that. Mara be praised, had I a weapon, I would have gladly joined you in your quest to save Tribune Schnee."

"You… don't have a weapon?"

"Besides Consul Hirtus' mean stares," She said, turning her eyes upwards at the bear pelt, "I have only the standard and a buckler." Ruby considered this.

"It's a rare bravery that allows you to go into battle so lightly armed."

"I am armed with the faith of my Centuria. They rely upon me to hold their colors high." She took a long look at Ruby, searching her new centurion. "If I fall, we are all surely lost. So therefore, I shall not fall." She spoke with such certainty; it was hard not to take her words as fact. Flavia looked ahead, at the cohorts ahead of them as they marched. Their sandals made a rhythmic slapping against the road, exacting and inexorable. "I am the heart of the Fourth Centuria."

It was true. The standards carried by Flavia were the pride of the Centuria, and would bear their future accolades and achievements. The men that fought under its banner would die rather than see it fall to the enemy.

"You, Ma'am," Flavia continued, "are its legs." The thought made Ruby laugh, the first time since the battle.

"Its legs?" Flavia smiled.

"But of course! Without you, the Centuria has no support, no direction. How can a body without legs move? By rolling and dragging itself along?" She snorted. "Hardly!" Ruby sighed, shifting the weight of her sarcina to her other shoulder.

"I'm afraid that doesn't bring me much comfort." Flavia laughed again.

"One would find it difficult to believe you joined the Legions in order to seek comfort!" They didn't speak for a time. "Acheron should have lived." Flavia's gaze reached out to the trees on the horizon. "He was a good man and a loyal Roman. Prove to them you can take his place, and the rest will come along in time."

"Flavia?" Ruby said.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Thank you." Ruby said. The signifer spoke with an unflinching and refreshing honesty. A fist fell over Flavia's breast, and Consul Hirtus dipped in respect.

"I am the heart of the Centuria. It is my duty." Odd words, Ruby mused, but so very… Flavia. She realized.

Her gaze shifted to her men. You are not their friend anymore. Your job is to bring them home, and keep them working as a fighting unit. Falling back, she gave beckoned Yang over with a wave. She jogged forward, Blake in tow.

"Salve, sis! Is something wrong?"

"I just spoke with Flavia."

"Really?" Yang sniffed. "She didn't strike me as the chatty type."

"Well, she did give me a good idea."

"What's that?"

"If Cardin gives me another glare, crack him a good one in the knee." Yang beamed.

The sun hung low in the sky, orange and dull in the evening sky, and purple clouds passed over the Legion as they halted their march for the day. Yang stretched her neck, setting down her sarcina with a groan of discomfort. It had been yet another boring day of marching, setting one plodding foot in front of another. Yesterday had shown her the Legio Pharus was indeed the best place for adventure, but alas, such excitement was punctuated by endless tedium. She'd tried speaking with Blake, but besides the brief conversation they'd had that morning, she'd remained silent. Ruby had been quiet as well, no doubt milling over her promotion.

Yang saw nothing but good from it, but it seemed her sister didn't share that disposition. Letting out a yawn, Flavia jammed the sharp end of the standard pole into the earth; this was to be their campsite.

A rider approached the Fourth Centuria, hooves spraying dirt. It was Tribune Schnee, her arm in a linen sling, white hair wrapped tight around her neck.

"Centurion Rose." She said, coming to a stop before her charge.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Your centuria is on ditch-digging duty tonight. See to it that it is done. Afterwards, come to my tent for your lessons. It is already up, in the center of camp." Ruby saluted, fist over her heart. Yang let out a groan, which earned her a sharp look from the tribune. Shit. Her glare sent shivers down Yang's spine. Luckily, a menacing glare seemed to be punishment enough. "With haste, Centurion. We have much to cover tonight." Patting her horse, she rode off.

"You got this, sis!"

"We'll see." She turned to the Centuria, the last of which were now arriving at the designated campsite. "Fouth Centuria! Attention! We have been assigned the duty of digging ditches for tonight's camp!" Assorted moans and complaints rang out through the men. The last thing anyone wanted to do after marching all day was to pick up their spades and dig trenches.

Dove Bronzewing threw his pack down, huffing.

"I don't care what the General says. You're not our superior, Ruby. So stop acting like it." Silence ruled the Fourth Centuria. Even Cardin was not dumb enough to challenge Ruby's authority in such an open, brash manner. It showed, as the towering decanus glowered at his friend with cold surprise. Yang's head whirled around to face her sister, whose face had gone ashen.

She felt a surge of energy rush into her. This was it. Yang had feared something like this would happen, but not so soon! Not a day after her promotion! For a second, silence reigned as the Fourth Centuria waited anxiously for her response. Dove's words were rank insubordination, and the next few seconds would decide her future as a leader, and the future of the legionary sisters for the rest of their careers.

"Optio Yang. Bring me Milites Dove Bronzewing." Yang showed no hesitation, lunging forward and wrapping her fist in the tunic of her former conturibinum member. She hurled him sprawling into the mud. He tried to stand, but Yang drove her foot into the back of his head, grinding his nose into the dirt at Ruby's feet.

"You are charged with insubordination, soldier."

"Fuck you." Dove spat. Yang hammered her foot down, silencing him once more. Ruby shook with anger and disbelief and terror.

"Flavia. Bring me the flagrum." A nervous sweat broke out among the Fourth Centuria. The flagrum was reserved for disobedient and unruly slaves, not legionaries. With nine thick strands of hard leather instead of the singular one reserved for a legionnaire, it was extraordinarily, brutally painful. Dove struggled, but Yang allowed him no reprieve. He managed to twist his head around.

"No, please don't, I swear I won't-"

"I will have silence." Ruby growled. The kind and generous young woman Yang had known all her life had completely disappeared behind the mask of a Centurion. She swallowed, her throat working for more air. "Tie him up." One of her unpredictable streaks…

Yang obeyed, hauling Dove to his feet and dragging him to the standard of the Fourth Centuria.

"Yang, please, you have to stop her, we were all thinking it! Cardin was telling me the whole march-" Her fist connected with his jaw, flooring him. Dove writhed, spitting blood at the feet of his comrades, who did their best to distance themselves from him.

Removing a cord of rope from her pack, Yang secured him to the standard before tearing the cloth from his back. Her stomach churned in disgust. Acheron's punishments were rare, but Yang had only seen them at a distance, and never so close. And she'd never partook in rendering a comrade so bare and helpless. Then, she remembered it was the Optio's duty to administer punishments to the offending legionaries. I must do it. I will have to flay the skin from Dove's back. Her hand shook, trembling at her side.

Flavia approached, bearing the flagrum. Yang reached out for it. Giving her sister a desperate, pleading look, Ruby shook her head.

"I'll do it myself." Taking the lash with trembling fingers, Ruby spun on her heel, approaching the center of their camp.

"No, please!" Dove cried as Ruby neared. She jammed a piece of leather in his mouth to keep him from biting his tongue off. Turning to address her men, she took a deep breath.

"This morning, I asked for…" She paused, swallowing. "I demanded obedience. And this is your response. General Ozpin and Tribune Schnee have shown faith in me. By dishonoring my command, Dove Bronzewing, you have dishonored myself, your Centuria, our tribune, our general, and the entire Legio Pharus."

"No, Ruby please!"

"The punishment for insubordination is ten lashes. Fourth Centuria! Atten-SHUN!" Tired and weary though they were, they snapped forward to bear witness to their comrade's suffering.

Ruby hoisted the flagrum, and brought it down in sweeping, vicious arc. Red lines sprung into being on Dove's back, and he screamed in agony. Yang cringed, trying not to make eye contact with her sister. If I meet her eyes… either she'll break down weeping or I will.

"One!" Leather straps whistled. "Two!" Again. "Three!" The lines multiplied, weeping blood. "Four!" Her next strike sent blood flying through the air, droplets spattering the gathered soldiers. "Five!" Dove was weeping, tears flooding down his dirt-stained cheeks. Each strike brought forth an animalistic howl of pain. "Six!" Whish. "Seven!" Crack. "Eight!"

"Ruby…" Yang whispered. Her sister's face was twisted, in horror or rage, it was impossible to tell.

"Nine! Ten!" The final strike made a wet squelching sound as it shredded away Dove's flesh. He sank low, blood pouring down his lacerated back. Not a square inch of skin was spared the lash, and each wound wept red rivers.

"And barley for a month, for laziness." Ruby added. Her right arm was spotted with blood, cast into the air from her frantic whipping. A small crowd had gathered to watch the punishment, stunned that a legionary was suffering the flagrum. "You have a ditch to dig, Centuria!" She roared. "Get to it!" They did, hurrying for their spades, earlier weariness forgotten.

"I'm going to see Weiss." Ruby said, buckling her cape on and stomping away. Dove was still conscious somehow, muffled screams of pain finding no sympathy among his comrades. Yang ran over to Ruby, pulling at her shoulder. She shrugged it off.

"Make sure they do their duty." She said.

"Ruby…" Yang whispered. Blake materialized next to her.

"Blake… Blake I... Oh gods." Yang looked at her slave with desperate violet eyes, words dying on her lips and all rationality failing her. What… what happened to Ruby? Blake blinked slowly, appraising her master with rich, wheat-yellow eyes.

Watching the red cloak fade into the traffic of camp, Yang bit back a surge of bile that rose in her throat. "Oh gods. I didn't know she was capable of that."

Ruby felt the world shift beneath her feet as they carried her to Weiss' tent. The camp rose around her, shouts of busy soldiers washing over her shoulders. She looked at her hands. One was bloody, the other spotless. Her breaths came short and hurried, not nearly enough to fill her lungs. Finding the tribune's tent, she tore open the flap, finding the officer in question sitting down for dinner.

A fruit of some sort fell from her fingers, her jaw sinking low.

"Centurion Rose? I wasn't expecting you for another… what on Earth happened to you?"

"I… there was… a dissenter. Insubordination." It all came rushing up, the screams, the feel of the leather as it bit deep into Dove's back. The blood splashing over her arms. She fell to her knees, vomiting.

"Oh, gods!" Weiss cried, rushing forward. Her retinue backed away from the mess on the floor, careful to avoid their superior as she barreled past. "What did you do?"

"F-flagrum." Ruby spat, wiping flecks of bile from her lips. "I wanted to make sure it wouldn't happen again. I was so scared. Oh, gods." She sank back, sucking in air. Weiss edged forward.

"Are you ok?" Ruby blinked hard, desperate not to cry. No matter what, I will not weep.

"I… think so. That was awful."

"You need to tell me exactly what happened." Weiss said, taking her charge's hands in her own.

"You left. I told them they needed to dig. One of my soldiers, Dove, he said I wasn't really their leader… no matter…" She sniffed, swallowing hard. "No matter what General Ozpin said." Weiss frowned, her hands tightening around Ruby's.

"Ruby. Ruby. You're ok. You did the right thing. Shhh. Breathe deep." Ruby obeyed. She felt more vomit threaten to spill forth, but fought to keep it down.

"I… I thought fighting in the battle was bad… why… why is this worse?" She said, voice hitching as she fought to retain composure. Weiss tore her hands away, looking deep into the Centurion's silver eyes.

"Fighting the enemy is one thing, punishing your fellow soldier is another. I understand."

"Y-you do?"

"I do." She didn't. As the scion to a noble house, no one had dared question her word, not since she came of age. Weiss would wield punishments if it was required of her, but thankfully, discipline was not an issue in her retinue. While Albus still sniped her endlessly, he was always loyal, despite his smarting tongue. The rest of her comrades remained loyal and steadfast servants of House Schnee. So she found herself lying to Ruby, just to make her feel better. Why? Why am I so concerned about what she thinks of the matter? She did the right thing, even if using the flagrum was a bit excessive. She took hold of Ruby's shoulders once more. "You are a Centurion now. These lashes will not be your last. Realize that."

"But-"

"But nothing." Weiss hissed. "You are their leader. Not their friend, not their chum. You lead. That is all you do. It is as I said this morning. Never show weakness or hesitation. Not for a moment. Not just for your sake, but for theirs. Will they follow you into battle, if they smell frailty? No. Tonight, you showed them you are made of sterner stuff."

"Weiss, I don't know, they looked just as scared as I did."

"Good. Even better. Inspiring terror works just as well." But looking at Ruby's face, an incarnation of terror was the farthest thing from what she saw. She looked like a petrified little girl.

And it is your fault.

The realization made Weiss sick. It is your fault she's suffering. You wanted to thank her, so you dumped a promotion on her shoulders, and didn't think twice about the consequences. Could you have swallowed your outdated values for a second and threw some oak leaves on her head? No, you had to be better than that.

"Weiss?" Ruby was looking up at her. "Ma'am?" She said, catching herself.

"Breathe deep, Ruby. Come, sit and eat with us. Rest easy." She leaned over to Albus, who was watching the display with a posed look. Arrogant old fool. "Find Soldier Dove in Fourth Centuria. Attend to him immediately." She hissed. If Dove died of his wounds, Ruby could face death for murdering her subordinate. There was a reason the flagrum only fell on slaves.

"Oh, he'll be fine. I remember when-"

"Now." She spat. Shrugging, the older man took a hunk of bread and left the tent. Turning to Ruby, she sighed. "Just because you're not well right now does not mean you get to miss your lesson, Centurion."

"Y-Yes, Ma'am."

"Tonight… we'll focus on letters." Ruby nodded.

Blake watched Dove's punishment with growing shock. Ruby had seemed the quiet and unassuming type when her master had introduced them last night. Rank sat poorly on her shoulders, that much had been plain. But now… each and every romans' focus was on her, sweat staining their brows like thick morning dew.

Besides the brand on her back, her previous master rarely subjected his slaves to pain as great as the legionary was receiving. However, the man tied to the standard was not a slave. He was a roman citizen, born with rights and privilege. And he howled like a dog.

Blake wanted to feel a sense of justice, wanted to cackle as each blow fell, relish in the revenge, but found that she could not. She couldn't meet her master's eyes, as they were focused somewhere else. As hard as it was to watch, she couldn't imagine watching a close relative torture someone like this.

Ruby finished, tossing the whip aside and bellowing an order. They scrambled to their shovels, desperate to flee their superior officer. She obliged them, storming away from the weeping legionary. Yang hurried after her sister, and Blake trailed her before Ruby snapped at the blond-haired woman and continued on her way.

She wanted to enjoy the look on her master's face, revel in the shock and the hint of fear, but instead a slab of grief welled within her heart, as cold and unwelcome as iron.

A/N: OOC? Maybe. I tried to make it look believable that Ruby would snap like that (i.e. she was challenged, and totally over-blew it, not really sure what she was doing) More in the 'notes' section. Also, I just noticed, this chapter has perspectives from all of team RWBY!

That's why we obey orders, milites. (And don't promote people out of turn)

Anyway, some OC introductions. Hurrah for adorable signifers! :D Hope Flavia didn't grate too badly.

Glossary of Terms:

Flagrum: Cat o' Nine Tails. A wooden stick with nine straps of leather attached at the end. Used as an extreme form of punishment.

Sarcina: The Legionary's marching pack. It was attached to a long wooden pole called the furca, which the soldiers rested on their shoulder. Used by all members of the legion (except for high-born officers and officials) It bore all of the soldier's armor, weapons, cooking utensils, clothing, and enough rations for three days.

Signifer: Standard bearer for the Centuria. Flavia takes this job very seriously, and they did function as the heart of the Centuria, much as the Aquilifer did for the legion as a whole. (They carried the Aquila, the gilded symbol of Roman Might)

Anachronisms, issues to address, and other misc. addendum.

Ruby whipping the shit out of Dove: Believe it or not, Dove got off lightly. Insubordination was normally treated with instant death, but that happened more often with physical acts (striking an officer, etc.) As to why Ruby went berserk, she's reputed (by Yang) to have an 'unpredictable streak', which will be touched more upon later. She also reacted this way because she was terrified of messing up, or losing control of her command. Romans took rank very seriously, and Ruby acted like a cornered animal, lashing out (literally) as hard as she could to stomp out any scent of disobedience. I tried very hard to keep this in character for her, but I'm not sure if it came across as intended. Please, give me your thoughts on the matter.

Why Dove, and Not Cardin: Reason 1: It was unpredictable, and Reason 2: Cardin's a decanus, so he has at least a small measure of intelligence. He doesn't like Ruby being in charge, but he's better at toeing the line.

Ditch-Digging: Every night after marching, the Legion would dig defensive encampments, complete with trenches and whatnot.

Yang as Optio: Whipping Dove was her duty, but Ruby decided to make a more personal impact.

Why does Flavia have pink hair?: It didn't seem realistic to me that just the RWBY cast would have fanciful hair/eye colors. Realism in my fanfiction. Realism in my RWBY, Roman Empire AU fanfiction. I don't get it either.

'Consul Hirtus': Flavia named her bear-pelt 'Consul Hirtus', which is the roman equivalent of naming your favorite furry hat "President Fluffles"

Signifer having a bear-pelt: Many depictions of signifers have them wearing bear-pelts, but I'm not 100% if this was accurate to the early Empire. I decided to roll with it, 'cause it looks cool.

"Barley for a month": A relatively tame punishment, inflicted upon the lazy. Since laziness was the stem of Dove's complaint, Ruby saw fit to prescribe him this diet. Don't get me wrong though, that shit was vile.

Ruby being killed for Dove's punishment: This was a real thing. If a centurion or other superior officer killed a subordinate during a non-lethal punishment, they were to be killed in turn.\

"I think my hair would fall out": Common Roman curses (especially against women) involved someone going bald.

REVIEW REPLIES:

ocomfv: Glad you're enjoying this! I always love getting your reviews! :D

OBSERVER01: Well... here it is... kinda!

Dustbringer Terra: I'm so glad you took a chance on this! I really love writing this fic, but unless it gets more interest, I can't justify spending too much time on it! :(

metimesthree: It's my specialty! ;) haha

Via: I was pleased with them too! Their personalites, as current unknowns, were difficult to develop, but they're serviceable for now! Happy you like them! They'll definitely play a large role in this story.

Pschyco789: Should be better now... oh... damn. It's gone again. :(

Leivve: The plot as a whole is pretty much planned out, but expect a slower pace. There's a lot of set-up that needs to happen, and history was very slow to make back in the day. Glad you're enjoying yourself! :D

Yoshtar: Your review made me blush! :3 I'm thrilled you're liking this as much as you are, because I have a blast writing it. I'm happy that on some level, my world-building is working, or at least tolerable. It's too much fun to do! And yes, this fic is like 'The More You Know' except for being the opposite of family friendly. :P

Next Chapter: Two 'new' characters arrive in a very entertaining manner... I think you know which ones! ;)