Chapter 11: Moments We Fought For

Ruby the Huntress

"Aunty can we please be let off it's important!" Ruby shouted over the clashing sounds that reverberated from the woods around them. Along with all the special training after class for the top classes, Professor Thrym was forcing extra Saturday battle drills. Outside near the border of the Emerald Forest everyone was divided into multiple teams and subdivision based on who simply wasn't meant to fight who. This sort of training was rough on some of the students, Jaune for one struggled by himself pit against his own teammates. Ruby however was used to it. This mad house of challenges, confrontations and obstacles were just the same style of training Weiss drilled into Ruby all winter. Identify weakness in the self and destroy it, Weiss had drilled into her and did a good bit of identifying Ruby's weakness and knocking the crud out of them. She was confident enough to blow past every one of Professor Thrym's obstructions except for one, the big metal covered one with an even bigger beautiful sword. The professor herself.

"Ohh, first Saturday practice and miss Rose wants to be off?" Three tries to take her down and Ruby had hit a big kinetic force or steel hindrance every time. Despite her speed and Crescent Rose's perfectly sharpened blade the woman always met her with something too thick or too magic to break. If Ruby was lucky it was the shield, the bounce back was rough, but a flip in momentum just put her in another spin for a counter attack. Bad luck for Ruby meant something different altogether, something that hurt a lot more. She had to break through, same way she did against the practice bots Weiss had, spin around, use her semblance to ware away against the wall that was her Aunty. Somewhere someplace there had to be a chink somewhere in that defense. Spinning around full force, a dance of petals flowing around her, the scythe she so praised swung down. This was a bad luck moment.

"Ruby!" Weiss shouted, turning away from her fight with Ren. Ruby hopped nothing bad happened to the Heiress when distracted by her mistake. Couldn't tell if it did, the scythe had hit something not only metal, but pulsing with energy, an electric glow to it, and enhanced with the full force of a massive huntress. That sword was a real beautiful piece of work, a piece of work that launched her back.

"Focus on your own opponent!" Professor Thrym was growling at Weiss. Those two never seemed like they would get along. Somewhere tumbling along the ground Ruby was surprised she could think about this stuff while being flung around. Maybe that just meant she was a good girlfriend, the thought made her smile even as Ruby was knocked directly into a tree, a convenient brake. Good to because the red head felt like she might easily just roll off into oblivion. 'Gosh that sword is cool.'

"Aunty….please just this time...it's a special day for us!" Ruby wanted to charge back into battle, really did, but the spin into one of the emerald forests finest ferns at the base of a big trunk left her a bit dizzy. Standing up she nearly tripped, but Crescent Rose was a sweetheart and helped her, the bottom of it holding her up like a walking stick. Didn't hurt as much as it was disorienting. Visually peeved and a very annoyed, Professor Thrym was staring at her, but Ruby knew her Aunty and flashed the biggest stupidest grin she could. The professor just scowled deeper, but that was the trick, she was getting angrier because Ruby's charms were working.

"You and the Schnee girl?" The way professor Thrym said 'Schnee girl' was tainted with a dull annoyed growl. Ruby had told her all about Weiss, how they had become partners and eventually despite a bunch of crazy stuff ended up together. Aunty seemed happy to hear of their adventures. How Weiss had started off as such a headache, but turned into, just as the silver haired princess said, the best partner Ruby could ever want. That happiness had slipped from Aunty though, replaced with a bitter vitriol and sad melancholy. She had warned Ruby that Weiss was a woman of ill repute, that her family was not the kind of people Summer wouldn't have wanted her involved with. Ruby didn't remember her well, but she was sure of a few things about her mother. She was a hero, and that Weiss was exactly the kind of person she would have wanted for her daughter. Somewhere deep down Aunty knew it too. Growl she might, but Ruby could tell she would give. "The two of you are dismissed, but Miss Rose you're making up your time and her's Sunday. Get out before I decide to be the big bad wolf," and so she did.

"Thank you Aunty! You're amazing I will do like a million push up for you later I promise!" Ruby felt a rush of glee over take her, wipe the dreary dizziness from her mind. Weiss gave both of them an annoyed look, she didn't like skipping practice about as much as professors hated releasing them, but Ruby was convinced her plans would do plenty to earn back her affections. Today was a special day after all one that needed celebrating. "Weiss we got to go!" It was nice to be able to do this, walk up to Weiss, pull her by the arm in front of everyone without a single reason for Weiss to get mad about. She still would of course, but now Ruby could just smile as she pulled the struggling heiress along like a puppy having a tantrum. 'She is so cute.'

"Unhand me Ruby! What is this all about? Have you finally lost it?" Ruby most certainly had not lost it. Weiss was about to if she heard some of the giggling from the other students. Well-meaning as they probably were, being laughed at was not going to do wonders for Weiss' mood.

"Weiss don't be upset I have a bunch of stuff planned, we are going on a date!" Some stuff more planned than others, but plenty of said stuff. Weiss offered only the most futile resistances being dragged out of the Emerald forest, a very close partner to Beacon. Almost kissing the building they were so close. It was a pretty cool walk, the light scattering through the leaves, the not cold but chill air that felt great after getting thrashed around in training. All in all a walk through Emerald forest was step one in Ruby's ten step master plan.

"Not with me covered in sweat from training, we are not!" Weiss was less in love with the scenery then Ruby hoped and much more aware of the smells that marked a successful day of training and fun. "And exactly how does this justify taking us out of class?!"

"It was extra Saturday training, they don't count. We are not skipping just opting for an alternative use of our time. Completely different," Ruby replied dancing between the independent fractals of light that reached the forest floor. "Also it's a special day!"

"Is it someone's birthday? We are not obligated to go on a date because a friend of yours is having a birthday Ruby." Ruby spun herself around, petals and leaves twirling with her. Weiss could be a butt sometimes, even if she was amazing. Ruby wanted to ask why they shouldn't go on a date just 'cause. Sure the class made it a bit weird, and some clouds on the horizon might mark a schedule change, but dates were nice. Especially on a special day.

"It's our four month anniversary Weiss!" Ruby announced giving a bit of a pout to show all of her frustration, even if it was the fleeting kind. She didn't know what to expect, maybe a big hug and apology. No that was dumb. Still an angry look from Weiss was more surprising.

"Umm, no Ruby our four month anniversary, which I might add can't happen since that literally means an event that occurs yearly, was last Monday." Weiss put herself in, the stance, a posture that no one who knew Weiss needed explained. Arms crossed standing tall with perfect perky posture, and pointed chin raised high. "Which by the way I don't recall you even mentioning. Clearly it wasn't that important to you." Weiss added a death glare on top, like icing on a guilt cake.

"Of course I remember! I'm just considering it like more the second Saturday of every month. I mean Saturday has always been our special day...figured it would mean more that way… I won't ever forget that day." Ruby felt a little embarrassed saying that, swaying from side to side. She damn near started drawing circles in the dirt to avoid Weiss' glare. In the end it softened, eyes full of anger replaced with a sort of melancholy joy.

"Well, uh, I won't be doing anything without a shower at least." Weiss started again her blue eyes finding some leaves or clouds to lock themselves on, unable to look at Ruby's blush cheeks. The crimson huntress didn't have any complaints, being stared at was just more embarrassing. "Same with you Ruby. I did not take a barn animal to be my significant other," Weiss snapped returning to herself, something Ruby was happy to hear. The silver heiress did not wait for Ruby's reply, twirling herself around only to go toward the showers. Well, Ruby noted, this at least meant she was down for a date. 'Happy four months.'

The Beacon lockers and showers were thankfully spacious and fairly private. A dry area in every shower to allow changing behind a curtain even at a public place. Ruby really appreciated it now. Especially after last week's shower accident, being nude in front of Weiss had taken on this whole new dynamic. Kind of funny to think about, standing beneath the dripping shower head, warm water flowing on Ruby's skin, that just over four months ago stripping in front of Weiss meant nothing. How the little things changed. How hearing the shower next to hers, the water splashing against another form that was Weiss now made Ruby feel heavy and a heat tingle on her cheeks. This was all something new to her, totally unexpected, but not unwelcome. Definitely made paying attention in the shower more...difficult.

"So, glorious leader, what is our supposed plan. I'm sure you've crafted some sort of logistical nightmare." Weiss was the first to say something; though it was a mock taunt it was both pleasant and odd to hear Weiss on the other side. Ruby found herself not showering so much as relaxing, not washing the red strands of hair as usual. Instead she let the water fall like rain on her, eyes closed and back against the thin wall that separated them.

"Library time is first. We both like to read, thought maybe we could do some together, talk about books. Then after that go down to the waterfalls by Beacon," Ruby whispered, the chill of the wall at her back subsiding. She was totally relaxed.

"That...doesn't sound awful." That was at least not an insult. "Though Ruby our tastes in literature aren't exactly a perfect match. I prefer formal treatise and in general non-fiction. You on the other hand prefer…"

"Fantasy, but didn't you once say one of my books was kind of like someone's something," Ruby finished for Weiss, voice soft over the torrent of water that washed over her.

"A utopia theory. It reminded me of a book I read on government once." Weiss was a little muted by the shower and the short wall that separated them, but Ruby felt like she was so close. Close enough to touch.

"We can talk about stuff like that...you can teach me what your things all mean." Ruby felt an almost sleep like state come to her, though she was far from napping. Whimsy over taking her she decided that the wall that separated them was already too much. Thinking nothing of it, she stretched out, her wrist reaching over the wall, hand bent out for Weiss. Maybe she would miss it, or ignore it, but Ruby was strangely ambivalent towards her own actions. Didn't matter though, soon a thin hand reached up and took hers. It was soft and wet, colder than Weiss' hands should be. She preferred cold showers?

"I can't wash my hair like this…" Weiss whispered lightly after a few moments. It felt more like a statement than a complaint, which was nice.

"I know. You can let go when you want," but she didn't. At least for now the hand remained right where it was, thin little fingers barely touching Ruby's. Blake was always jokingly telling Ruby romance tips, but for once she felt a little romantic all on her own. Maybe it was the slight touch or the heat of the shower, or just a million other things, but after some time passed Ruby squeezed the hand and spoke again. "You know….I'm sorry what happened in the shower last time, but uhh….I'm kind of happy I saw you a bit. Is that weird?" Her words came out way more embarrassing than Ruby hoped.

"Certainly more perverted than I come to expect from you." Weiss twitched, but for what it was worth, Weiss didn't let go. "Still I wouldn't call it weird. I suppose it's just natural for you to be...interested. Better you are then you not being….if only by a little. I mean I am me after all. Who wouldn't want to see?" Ruby could almost hear a prideful chuckle which was enough to make the redhead smile.

"You are the prettiest girl I've ever seen. You're like a story book princess." That was endlessly embarrassing. Ruby regretted lacking the oh so important skill of not just saying whatever came to mind.

"I would call you prince charming, but I always hated them. Hated story princess' too. Needing saving all the time. I don't need saving, I'm Weiss Schnee." Ruby could tell, it was charming how independent she was. Weiss certainly did not need saving. Though Ruby would have been happy to be prince charming for her. In another light though, Weiss was as much the white knight in shining armor one could ever wish for.

"You can be my prince charming," Ruby joked and felt a little squeeze from Weiss. She liked it.

"If you're trying to flatter your way into seeing me naked again then I'll have you know legions have failed with much better lines than that Ruby." That was probably way more true than Ruby wanted it to be. She wasn't the type to wish violence on anyone, but maybe a really bad test score to everyone that ever tried. Something like that.

"I didn't mean it that way," Ruby laughed, though her lips started again without a thought. "I, uh, I wouldn't mind it if I could though…." Only realizing it at the end Ruby turned her words to whispers, unable to stop her own silliness. This physical desire thing was so...not her forte.

Silence followed after that. Neither of them knew what to say next At least Ruby hoped so. Better than thinking Weiss was mortified in her shower, contemplating breaking up. That was so unspeakable an ending, Ruby totally rejected it. "You'll have to try a lot before that dear. I'm the top prize after all." Weiss for once tried to sound confidence and came off as nervous instead. Only one less nervous than Weiss was Yang. Then there was also the word dear. It was new, not so sweet as love, but special. Ruby got to be something dear. Today was a win for that alone.

The showers eventually ended, some other students were actually starting to join from the teams that professor Thrym dubbed "the hopeless" which really killed the romantic mood. Dressed in the most formal attire Ruby had, her school uniform and Weiss in her usual fine combat gear, fancier than anything Ruby owned, they were off. Just as planned the dark and always silent library was the first of many schemed machinations for today's activities. The lighting was always low, but functional, the finer woodworking and intimate mood made it the perfect place for a date when they were painfully limited to the school grounds and few outlying areas.

Ruby found herself to be dancing the razor thin line between clingy and sweet, keeping close enough to be locked arms with Weiss. Her partner seemed annoyed, but pressed no argument as they walked between the musty bookshelves of all the ancient and modern tombs and novels. Onlookers paid them no note, Ruby tried to be as quiet as possible as she kept pace with Weiss talking about the different types or novels and academic works.

Once they acquired all the different books and papers they could want, they moved to a comfy couch off in some corner no one seemed to notice which was perfect. The school was full of hidden nooks and secret places that were obvious if you just looked for them. Bothered by no one they read. A usually lonely sort of activity, but there was something nice about having a warm body touching at the shoulder, a person to read with instead of just lonely space. It was relaxing, Weiss with her economic treatise and Ruby with a simple book of fairy tales. They didn't need to speak to enjoy each other.

Being so close, Ruby with a smile let herself fall, her head finding a very comfy spot on Weiss' thighs. It was pretty warm, the skirt and Weiss combined making an excellent pillow to lie down on. One of Ruby's better decisions she thoughts.

"Get off," Weiss growled to which Ruby replied with complete in action. She wasn't going to move and her partner seemed content enough not to make her, though she kept up that sour angry look. Kept it up even when Weiss started playing with the short strains of Ruby's hair with her free hand, those thin fingers weaving delicately between the lines of red and black. That was a cool sensation.

Soon talking replaced silence, though it was never really about much. Weiss talked a lot about what she was reading, some work on how the nature of brand name power was a delusion of the masses or something to that effect. Ruby admitted she didn't care so much, but tried her best to learn and follow even if the sweet sound of her voice and the warmth from below her head made Ruby want to drift to sleep. It was a complete success.

Though the library was slotted for one hour in Ruby's master plan, a blink of the eye turned it into three. Soon the beams of light from outside turned a fractal orange, the sunset coming to Vale city. Ruby aware step three through five all required the sun; she pulled Weiss to her feet, dragging her outside to the Vale water falls. It was a beautiful spot, a Cliffside separation between Beacon and the river below. Totally on the school grounds while a perfect spot to watch the sunset with concessions near the boats that ferry students in and out of town by the river.

Well it was a good plan.

"You set this whole thing up and don't even check the weather?!" Weiss shouted over the cascading downpour from the sky. By the time the two of them have managed to walk all the way to the harbor the sunset was completely veiled in black clouds and the claps of thunder. A storm had rolled its way from the sea into Vale, making itself known in a showering of heavy and spring chilled rain.

"Well you didn't say anything about the clouds on the walk!" Ruby shouted trying her best to defend herself while running through the rain. Soon as the torrent started the two of them bolted back not the least bit of rain protection on them. No umbrella, no rain jacket, just their clothes and a good run speed. Though it wasn't a romantic sunset, Ruby still had a smile, the excitement of rushing through a storm, jumping over the puddles along the road and sticking neck and neck with Weiss. Ruby could run faster, get out of the rain, but there was no way she would leave her partner behind

"I wrongly assumed you would have checked the weather ahead of time and found the storm a passing issue, never thought you would drag me out to see the sunset in a monsoon!" Weiss shouted over the purple streaks of lightening that, with a bang, slithered through the clouds. It was pretty in its own way, the cloudburst above and the soaked world below. Even as the chilled rain soaked Ruby's clothes down to the core, she felt adrenaline and excitement with every bolt in the sky.

"It's not that bad!" Ruby replied kicking a puddle in Weiss' direction soaking her again. Maybe a little stupid, but hey, she couldn't get any more wet. Sure did wonders for Weiss' mood, the red flare of anger on her face told Ruby the game of tag had started.

Weiss was shockingly fast in these moments, it was like being chased by a bull, but Ruby wasn't against cheating, a quick speed boost here and there to separate them, but not too far. Beacon came up quickly after that, the chase reaching a natural conclusion. Somewhere near the library entrance Ruby finally landed herself against the stone wall of the structure. Out of the rain Ruby was far more aware how soaked she was, clothes on her felt like weights, her red hair stuck to her face as, exhausted from the long hike, she breathed heavy, the breath turning to mist in a cool spring evening, but found herself giggling all the same.

Standing back against the wall Ruby could see her maker in a soaked bolero jacket and heavy mop like silver ponytail, and man was she running. Ruby didn't feel like moving, every game of tag ended eventually. She let her partner come full force, bull roaring, right into Ruby. Glaring at her with blue ice eyes Weiss was oddly close, her hands pressed against the wall on either side of Ruby's face so she couldn't get away.

"Game over, I win." Weiss was so serious and so close Ruby could only smile and stick her tongue out in jest, which earned an angry groan from Weiss. She could be the winner if she wanted, but Ruby let it happen. The crimson huntress was the fastest of them all. Out of the rain, protected only by a thin roof that rain washed over, there was a chill. Cold enough to move them closer together, less than an inch apart, the warmth still enough. Ruby smiled and Weiss closed the gap.

The cold wall didn't feel nearly as frigid with Weiss against her, lips locked together. It was so warm.

"I'm sorry it was kind of a bust and we didn't end up having any fun." After a few minutes of closeness, the cold won. Ruby had felt Weiss shiver against her, taking the brunt of the wind-chill, and it woke the redhead from the trace like state their deep lock had put her in. She didn't want a shivering cold to be the memory together and brought her inside. An escape from the downpour outdoors

"I had fun," Weiss corrected sitting right next to Ruby in a strangely familiar moment. Night had fallen on them while they were gone, with it most of the students huddled in their dorm rooms or packed into the cafeteria for dinner. Few spent time in the library at this time and none wasted it in the small side entrance made noteworthy only by a small fireplace like the many littered around the Academy. Here the pair huddled together, ignoring the puddle they made together as the two of them hoped the fire would lick away the dampness with its heat. It was a peaceful little place, though there were no seats or much else besides a door that led outside and bookcases for what appeared to be the cooking section littered with baking books and other how-tos.

"You had fun?" Ruby asked rather shocked. Weiss didn't seem dishonest, her expression was pretty plain, her blue eyes locked onto the vibrant orange light emanating from the almost dying flame that was their warmth. Ruby scooted herself closer, pressing their shoulders together. The contact felt wet but warm to, a sort of solace.

"I enjoyed myself," the Heiress repeated herself fairly plainly, the hair from her ponytail let down, a wet mess that stuck to her pale skin and clothes. Something missing in that response Ruby had come to expect with every compliment.

"Enjoyed myself, but?" Ruby added trying to hurry the negative side along. Ruby was tough, but she didn't like thinking about all the screw ups for very long. Nothing and no one was perfect, but Ruby wanted to be for Weiss so hard, the Heiress expected it after all. Not this time though.

"No buts," Weiss answered looking away from the flames, her piercing blue eyes finding its target in Ruby's silver. "Hey I know I can be difficult at times, but I'm not that mean." Her lips curved in a vicious pout, one Ruby reward with a smile and a kiss on the shoulder. She was getting better about everything, touch and smiles, even jokes. Weiss really was really changing in front of Ruby's eyes. Who she was becoming was even more interesting. Ruby adored Weiss as the person she was, but the person she was becoming was someone who let Ruby in, let her traverse borders and the ice walls Weiss put up between her and the threatening world around them.

"This sort of stuff. I never figured I would ever have these moments. Go on dates, watch them go horrendously, yet not so terribly," Weiss continued, almost chuckling at herself. This was another rare moment, one where she let her defenses down and Ruby in, a chance she was not about to ruin. The crimson girl stayed silent, resting her head in the space between her partners long pale neck and shoulders. "These...moments. I always thought I'd have to marry some rich brat from a competing family. I still might, but this. I never thought my life would be this."

"I never thought you'd stop hating me, but you did," Ruby offered lightly, not exactly interrupting but pushing along the thought. Thoughts that perceived impossibilities were all just other possibilities. Though Ruby closed her eyes, she could feel the heat of the fire and the deep breath of a Weiss trying to stay honest whilst retaining her pride.

"I never hated you," Weiss mumbled, thoughts and emotions turning her tongue into a weight that would not budge. "Except for when you nearly killed me by being a complete klutz. I hated you then, but after that I was just...aggravated by my position… I never hated you...in some ways you could almost say I...I valued how much effort you put into earning my friendship." Ruby chuckled at the thought, first days accident had led to a rather volatile explosion. Still Ruby thought it was utterly and completely worth it. After all what else do you have to worry about when you've exploded with someone? Ice-breaker to, no small talk needed when someone accidently almost kills you. Weiss' words were more than amusing, it was a great boon to think Weiss never hated her, and that the hard tries of getting this silver haired angel to notice her wasn't just wind howling through the world signifying nothing.

"I don't know why….I just couldn't stand you being angry at me...you seemed lonely too," Ruby offered as the only explanation she could give. It wasn't anything cheesy like love at first sight. Things like that were silly even to a girl that believed in fairy tales from time to time. Ruby also didn't think it just wanton desire, after all she didn't even understand her physical feelings very well, even now. It was emotional, but a slow fire that came to life with time. Or a winter flower that had slowly grown from the year passing and bloomed slowly in winter. Weiss liked winter wild flowers; maybe Ruby could make a poem or something for her.

"That is because I was lonely," Weiss admitted, a very bold admission from the ice princess herself. Ruby was shocked enough to look up at the heiress who returned a look that said 'shut up' better than any words ever could. "Tell anyone I said that and I will end you." Ruby giggled a little, though she was sure Weiss meant every word of that threat. Though Yang would have just love to hear this out of the stone cold Schnee teammate.

"You're not lonely anymore?" Ruby didn't even realize how important a question that was until the words dripped from her mouth. Weiss had said was, and that would mean after all this, Weiss is better off now. A perfect acknowledgement that this was all for something. That Ruby was worth it. The redhead was surprised by how thirsty she was for the words.

"You're my best friend, you're my only friend, but also my best friend...you're my girlfriend. I get to have one of those." Weiss was near whispering, her own words shocking her as much as they were to Ruby. It was so soft her voice was barely audible above the beating of rain on the roof and the wind outside. It was almost out of reach so impossibly far away. It was everything Ruby wanted to hear both selflessly and selfishly. "This right here is what I fought my father for. Moments we fought for. I'll never say this again, but thank you for this...You're a klutz, a slob sometimes, a horrible planner, an honest idiot a good portion of the time, but I think you're an excellent girlfriend and partner. No I'm not lonely, not right now."

"I never thought you'd ever say that," Ruby whispered her own admission, her shock palpable and real. She didn't feel like crying, she wasn't overwhelmed, but really happy, really surprised. It was obvious stuff, but there is something different between knowing something and observing it, to see its perceivable truth.

"It was a onetime thing. I won't be saying anything so sappy again. You understand!?" Weiss nearly shouted trying to pull the draw back up, rebuild her wall and go back to being the proud huntress Weiss was. Ruby didn't mind, she had said enough sweet things. She could let her ice queen go back to her haughty high class self. It was cute after all. Cute enough to reward with a light kiss, not as deep as the one from outside, or as...physical. Just enough to show how Ruby appreciated the moment.

"Did you want to go get food?" Ruby asked once the kiss ended, after all she had planned to rope someone into making them dinner. Maybe make Ren cook up a secret special two person pancake dinner.

"I...I'd rather finish drying first. Give me a moment," Weiss replied, turning back to the fire and keeping close, the little ashes dancing up with the light smoke. She was already dry, fire had done its work, but Ruby didn't say a word.

*** So after all the hard fighting, all the emotional crazyness and other nonsense, what was it for? For moments like this. Wanted to give a reminder what it was all for. Plus it was just nice to write a chapter where nothing stressful or bad happens, it's all feel good and happy stuff. Well for now at least. All peace is but a breath between conflicts, I think someone said that to me once. Storms are coming and the wolves howl in them :P

But enough of me being cryptic, sorry for the lateness, a physics exam put me behind, It's not an excuse I know, but I'ma try for better I promise! D: Next chapter of Choice will be worked on as soon as I finish editing this so as soon as you read this I promise! Thanks again to A-rav for the edits!

Edit as of June 25. I'll be in an interview hosted by ff's own codyknight. Apparently there is a fan questions can be submitted on /r/Reiss/ if you're interested. Have a great night!