Ruby was feeling several different emotions as she sat with her teammates in the dorm.

On the one hand she was relieved that they had found Blake – no that wasn't right, Ruby was ecstatic. During the time Blake had been gone, Ruby had been worried about the older girl's well-being, about if they'd ever find her again… if Blake was even in Vale anymore.

On the other hand, Ruby was scared. Very, very scared. True, they did find Blake after a day, but it had been a whole day. A whole night in which Ruby had thoughts going through her head, wondering if she'd ever see the older girl again.

In the end Weiss had been fine with Blake, saying it didn't matter what Blake had been. Ruby had been more than grateful for her partner's reaction. Yang had been chill with it as well. Ruby… well Ruby still didn't know exactly what she believed.

I really need to talk to Blake.

Blake was curious when Ruby had pulled her aside for team leader 'stuff'.

If she had to guess, Blake would put all the lien she had to her name on it being about her past or the fact she ran away. But Ruby doesn't seem to be the person to care about the past… she didn't care about me keeping the fact I have extra ears a secret…

Still, Blake was worried as Ruby led her outside into the Beacon Courtyard – hood over her head - before coming to a stop near the fountain. The younger girl turned around, her mouth opening before closing.

It was clear to Blake that Ruby didn't know what she wanted to say, or at least how to say it. Maybe I should help? Blake cleared her throat to get Ruby's attention before speaking, trying to go for the gentlest tone she could muster. "We could always talk another time… it's not like I'm going anywhere…"

That got a reaction out of the girl, Ruby looked up at Blake, even with the hood covering most of her face. "W-why did you leave?" Blake tilted her head, Ruby's voice contained an odd… tone to it. It almost sounds as if she is pleading?

It was a question on Blake's mind constantly; why she had left the White Fang. Blake took a moment to mull it over before opening her mouth. "I guess… it's because they had become too extreme." Ruby cocked her head at Blake, confusion evident in her face. I suppose I'll need to be clearer. "I left the White Fang because what they had been become…" Blake sighed, it was hard enough discussing with Sun, but at least it was easier with a stranger. "What had started out as a peaceful organization had become... become-"

"Blake" Ruby's small voice interrupted her. "Why did you leave us?"

"I…" Blake's mind started to backpedal to come up with a reason other than the irrational fear of rejection. There was really only one answer she could give. "I was scared."

"You were scared?" Ruby sounded confused again. "Why would you be scared of us? We're your friends!" Ruby sounded hurt as she all but blurted out the last word. Blake's amber eyes stared into Ruby's misty silver on- wait why are her eyes misty? "We were scared for you, w-we didn't k-know if you'd come back."

Drip.

Blake didn't need her extra set of ears to hear the sound, nor did she need enhanced sight to see what was happening. Ruby was crying; the misty quality in her eyes were tears.

If it had been a few months ago, Blake would have felt slightly bad for the girl and moved on. If it had been a couple of weeks ago, she would have asked what was wrong. Now it felt like almost physical pain to know that her - Blake Belladonna - was causing the person she cherished the most, to cry.

Blake would describe herself as quiet, or at least introverted, yet pulling Ruby into the hug showed none of that. The flood gates opened as Blake felt the smaller girl sobbing in her embrace, her small arms wrapping around Blake, the red hood pulled back so she could run a soothing hand over Ruby's hair.

"I was scared." It was so faint that it was barely even a whisper, yet Blake heard it all the same. "I thought we'd never see you again." The red head moved around in the embrace until her eyes were looking into Blake's again. "Don't go again… please?"

Looking into the tearful silver eyes, Blake knew her answer immediately. "I won't run away again."

Sight of Ruby as she sniffled tugged at Blake's heart as the younger girl spoke again. "Y-you promise?" Ruby's arms tightened around Blake, as if she was afraid the Faunus would disappear on the spot.

Blake bent down, until their noses touched before giving her reply.

"I promise."

AU: Aww. They Eskimo kissed. Most cute.

I'm baaaack! Like an inexplicable plague, I'm back! The ladybug story I mentioned from before is currently being evaluated. I may post it some other time, currently I hit a snag with it. I did, however, post a new story today. It's called Spoon Equality. Essentially mix Dilation with Pyrrha/Ruby and there ya go. It will update slower then Dilation, but if you like fluff and red heads you should check it out!

Lastly, new chapter of Acceptance shall be out in a few hours!

Have a great day everyone, and thanks for reading!