RWBY - Frozen Rose Part 1

It was never supposed to be like this.  She had come to Beacon with a clear and simple objective.  To be the best at everything she did.  To aim to be the top of her class to be the best fighter...to do everything simply better than everyone else.  However, she should have known better from the very first day when she met the simple and somewhat ignorant girl named Ruby Rose.  Yet Weiss Schnee couldn't find reasons to regret the team she ended up on...or to even feel angry about Ruby being the leader.  Professor Port had been quick to point out several reasons why Weiss didn't qualify to be a leader.  And she after a while began to see that she agreed with those reasons.  And more so she could see why Ruby had been chosen.

As frustrating the naive nature of Ruby made it for her...she was reliable and had become a comforting presence in Weiss' daily life.  It was also the reason her recent dreams had been bothering her so much.  In the dream Weiss had been captured.  Kept from her weapon and shackled to the wall she would watch as Ruby broke through the guards meant to stop her.  Then a cloaked figure would appear to face off against Ruby. Weiss found herself yelling...telling Ruby to leave her.  She would beg for the girl dressed in black and red to abandon her.  Every time the result was the same.  Ruby would continue to press forward and as soon as it looked like Ruby would win...She would get to Weiss with a smile on her face.  Only Weiss would already be in tears seeing the attacker she had supposedly beaten to appear behind her and bury their blade through Ruby...her blood would hit Weiss and then Ruby would slump forward against Weiss.  Her head against Weiss' shoulder...and Weiss keenly aware of when her partner took her last breath and her heart stopped.

Weiss would wake up with tears flowing freely down her face and despite possibly being seen with the tears she would always get out of her bed to ensure Ruby was still sound asleep on her bed above her.  Over the years in her life she had seen family members and others in her life die.  So why was a dream like this haunting her so much?  The answer was simpler than Weiss cared to admit.  She had grown attached to Ruby.  Not just her but everyone on her team.  It wasn't how she had planned for her time at Beacon to go.  She was supposed to just come here and focus on her studies...that was it.  But those kinds of plans always leave out a key element that always changes things.  The relationships with the people around her.

She still didn't know her teammates that well.  And part of it was Weiss trying to not open up to them because she wanted to focus on her studies...but the more that happened the more she found each member of RWBY to become increasingly important to her.  It was not something she thought could ever happen to her.

Weiss was used to getting her way.  She grew up in an environment where she wanted for nothing.  But because a lot was expected of her she spent more time with tutors than making friends and when she had gone to school she ended up with no real friends as there was like a wall surrounding her.  Yet despite how her life had been so far...Ruby Rose a girl that had gotten into Beacon two years early...and not because she knew someone or had a relative that had somehow gotten her in early...no she got in because of her ability.  How could Weiss not respect that?  Ruby was still learning a lot in the education portion of their training but put her on a battlefield and she was like a completely different person.  She made a lot of mistakes and her fighting style still had room for improvement but so did Weiss.  Ruby had become something important to Weiss.  And she was still trying to sort out how the whole friend business was supposed to work.  She hadn't really been close to anyone before but the way Beacon worked changed that.

The dichotomy of the school was a lot different at Beacon than any other combat school in the world.  Beacon developed hunters and huntresses by teaming them up and having them face challenges together which taught them much more than just being able to fight the creatures of Grimm.  They had to communicate...work together and overcome all problems together.  It is something that could not be taught in a classroom.  Weiss understood this at a theoritical level...but didn't truly understand until she had experienced it.

She quickly learned that her views in life had been extremely limited...and the world a lot broader than she had ever known before.  Learning about Blake being a Faunus and an ex-member of the White Fang had pushed her up against hard ideals that had been ingrained into her since she was a child.  Now...she was confused.  Blake was far from being a degenerate or a rapscallion or all the things she often compared the Faunus of the White Fang to.  Weiss knew there was a lot she didn't know...a side of the story she hadn't heard.  She needed to be more open...more accepting of others.

She was positive the source in her change of views stemmed from Ruby herself.  The girl in red had a big heart...one that had an effect on her team mates.  So when Weiss looked at Ruby as she slept on her bed she couldn't help but feel two conflicting emotions.  One being the frustration that came from things deviating so far from her plans and the other...how glad she was to have Ruby and the two other girls in her life.  Weiss turned around and saw the other two asleep in their own bunks...Blake all snuggled up like a feline and Yang just spread out as if she needs to ensure every inch of the bed was covered.  And while Blake softly slept...Yang would occasionally let out a snore.  Ruby had fallen asleep with her books open again.

Weiss took a moment to collect Ruby's books and homework she was working on and moved it to her bed.  She tucked the younger girl in and then Weiss took the next twenty minutes to correct Ruby's homework and then organize her and set it on Ruby's desk.  Weiss went to leave the room but stopped herself.  Images of that horrid dream quickly returned to her.  She moved back to Ruby and quickly looked away seeing that image of her leader covered in blood trying to save her.

"Weiss?" Blake's tone was low aware of the other girls still being asleep.

"Good Morning, Blake," Weiss said turning towards Blake.  Seeing her without her bow only served to remind her of words Blake had said before.  Discrimination was still a factor that couldn't be ignored.  The fact that the only place Blake left her bow off and her ears in plain sight was in the safety of their dorm made Weiss feel worse about her initial behavior before.  "Sorry did I wake you?"

Blake shook her head, "Everything okay?"

Weiss realized she must have given it away or her face did.  She glanced at the mirror on her desk and saw her face was red as if she had been crying for a while, "Just a bad dream."  Weiss wiped her eyes.  "I think I will go take a shower.  I'll meet you down there with the others for breakfast."

"You sure you don't want to talk about it?" Blake pressed.

Weiss took a few steps towards the door, "I'd rather just try and forget about it."  She dismissed the conversation as she grabbed her school uniform and excused herself from the room without letting Blake reply.  Talking about it would simply bring those thoughts and feelings too close to the surface.  The last thing she needed to do was be emotional over a silly dream.  All she had to do was ensure she wasn't taken or held prisoner.  She could easily control a variable like that.  Unfortunately as the daughter of the Schnee company there was always a possibility that something like that could happen to her.

What would her team do if that happens?  Would they really come for her like in the dream?  Ruby...she would most definitetly charge in head first without thinking.  It was her nature...and as much as Weiss chastised the girl it was an aspect she respected and wish she could do it herself.

As she came into the shower room she grabbed one of the individual rooms and locked it behind her.  She placed her school uniform on the hook behind the door and then let down her hair before undressing.  Weiss took a couple steps towards the shower before stopping and looking at the mirror.  Her hand unconsciously went to the scar by her eye.  

"Ruby you reckless and dunce of a girl...you are..." Weiss clenched her hand as she watched a tear fall from her eye.  "...not allowed to die.  Not ever."  The tears came quickly as the images of her dream came over her...and she allowed herself to fall into tears in the one place she allowed herself to be weak.  As the hot water began to run in the shower...no one could hear her cry about her fears and insecurities.  

***

Ruby somewhat forced her eyes open.  She didn't want to wake up...she never could quite get the hang of getting up in a decent speed.  She yawned and stretched as she sat up in her bed.  The bed sheet falling from her as she did so.  Wait when had she gone to bed?  Hadn't she been studying?  She was confused for a moment when she looked over to her desk and saw the stack of books she had been using last night all neatly stacked.  She stumbled from her bunk and went over to the desk.  Sitting down in the chair she flipped it open and got her answer.  Weiss had put it all away for her.  And as she looked over her homework she realized Weiss had made corrections to it and placed textbook page numbers by each of the questions.  Why did Weiss...?

"Good Morning Sis!" Yang said only a second before engulfing Ruby in a hug from behind her.

"Morning, Yang," Ruby couldn't help but smile.  She looked about the room for her other two teammates.  "Where are Blake and Weiss?"

"Blake is grabbing us breakfast and she said Weiss would meet us down there and went to shower.  She takes forever apparently because I went and showered and was out before her," Yang shrugged.  "Come on, get dressed so we can get going.  I'm starving."

"Alright," Ruby said closing her book.  She looked at the clock they had on the wall.  Based on the time she should be able to go eat and then come back to finish going over the homework.  She also needed to thank Weiss for going through it for her since she was going to ask her this morning anyway.  But was she okay?  Did she always spend a long time in the shower?  "Hey Yang?"  Ruby asked as she went over to the closet to pull out her school uniform.  "Has Weiss always taken a long time in the shower?"

"Can't say I ever really noticed.  But I want to say she has certainly been taking her time lately," Yang said thinking about it for a moment.  "If you're worried you should ask her.  I'm sure she'd talk to you."

Ruby wasn't sure she believed that.  Sure things had gotten better between all of them lately.  Especially after Blake had opened up to them and told them she was a Faunus but there was still a lot of unanswered questions left in the air.  Weiss had hinted a bit about her past and how the White Fang and their activities had made things difficult at home.  But how it affected her had not been answered.  Not to mention Blake and Weiss relationship still seemed strained to her.  Weiss had said she didn't care about Blake's past as long as Blake had insisted that she had no involvement with them now.

Ruby didn't have much room to talk either...and she was sure that Yang had things she didn't want to talk about either.  All of them had something they didn't want to bring up.  But they were all just starting to know each other.  And there was so much more for them to consider.  For one, they had a test coming up.  And not a normal one either.  And as seemed to be the standard at the school…none of the teachers were about to reveal exactly what the test was or how it would work.

She quickly changed into her school uniform and put things away before heading out with Yang.  Ruby was still trying to wake up as they made it to the cafeteria and sat in the usual spot.  Jaune and Pyrrha sat there but seemed to be the only ones there so far.

“Good Morning, Ruby and Yang,” Phyrra welcomed them with a smile.  “You still look tired, Ruby.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Ruby said as she yawned.

Jaune yawned as well, “Don’t do that, yawning is contagious you know.”

“Sorry,” Ruby apologized but Jaune just offered Ruby a smile.

She wasn’t sure if it was that her mind was occupied with worries or that she really was still tired, but things got a little livelier as Blake, Ren and Nora came up with a large plate of pancakes.  Blake had taken the precaution of ensuring Nora stayed away from the syrup, forcing the other girl to carry all the plates and silverware.

“Blake, I just want a small taste,” Nora pleaded as she placed the plates and silverware on the table.

“And leave no syrup for anyone else?  You can wait,” Blake said as she moved to the other side of Yang and sat down, placing the syrup in front of her.

“Aw…you’re no fun,” Nora frowned and crossed her arms as she and Ren sat opposite of their own teammates.
 
“Pancakes?  Is this meal really well balanced enough?  We should ensure we are getting a complete diet to be prepared for the upcoming test,” Weiss said this as she sat down next to Ruby.  Despite the young heiress words she took up a plate and using a fork put two of the pancakes on her plate.

       Ruby watched as a conversation started among the two teams members.  She found herself zoning out for a while.  She had been so afraid she wouldn’t get along with anyone when she arrived at Beacon.  Having gotten into the academy the way she had…she was sure that she would be segregated in some fashion from people that were meant to be her peers.  That hadn’t happened.  Although, Weiss had initially wanted nothing to do with Ruby.  But things happened so quickly.  Maybe that was how it was meant to be.  The world was always changing so why should it be any different at school?  Especially when they were all training to hunt monsters.

After a moment a nudge came from her side and she turned to see Weiss giving her a disapproving glare.  “Ruby, you need to eat.  Because you were so slow you don’t get any syrup since Nora ate it all.”  Weiss clearly not happy with the girls’ antics.

“But it’s just sooooo yummy!” Nora said with a giggle.

“Come on, you saw that Ruby hadn’t gotten hers yet.  You could use some lessons in restraining yourself,” Weiss said obviously annoyed.

“It’s fine Weiss.  I’m not really hungry,” Ruby said softly.

“It is not alright.  Ruby, do I need to lecture you about how important it is for you to have breakfast?” Weiss was glaring at Ruby again.  “I don’t find it acceptable for our team leader to not be taking care of herself.”

“Weiss, why don’t you just tell her that you’re worried about her?” Yang spoke as more of an off-hand comment.

“And why aren’t you more worried for her?  The test coming up is more than likely a practical one, so our health should be all of our number one concern,” Weiss was quick to explain but also didn’t deny what Yang had said.  

Ruby looked at her teammates and realized Weiss wasn’t going to let it go so Ruby reached over and put a couple pancakes on her plate and a fork.  She ate as the conversation around her erupted back to life.  With Weiss taking a moment to ensure Ruby was eating the food in front of her.  She slipped back into her own thoughts again.  If Weiss was right and the next test would be practical that meant they would all be out on the battle field again.  Normally Ruby would be excited for a test like that.  She just felt like something was off with her this morning.  As Team leader she needed to get over this in some fashion.  At the very least put up a front so her team members wouldn’t worry about her.

The rest of the morning went off well enough.  Though Ruby didn’t really pay much attention to the action around her.  She knew she needed to somehow break out of her mood but something just felt…wrong.  And the test would be coming up faster than she cared for it to.  She went back to the dorm room and lost herself in studying and going over the homework before it was time to get to class.  Weiss was at her own desk, seemingly absorbed in her own studies.  Blake was in her bed reading a book, as she was often seen doing.  And Yang was sitting down on the floor next to Blake’s bed and looking like she was attempting to study.

A moment like this for team RWBY was one that Ruby always enjoyed.  She allowed herself a small smile.  She wasn’t so sure why she felt so down today, but things in her life were good.  She was sure she’d be able to shake it as the day went on.  So for the moment she would simply focus on one thing at a time.


***


She drummed her fingers on the table impatiently as she watched other Teams eating dinner.  Where had the others gone to?  Even the JNPR team hadn’t arrived yet.  It was possible the team members had met up on the way here and were simply taking their time.  Weiss was at her limit of tolerance for the day.  Starting with a ridiculous dream and then Ruby’s somber mood for the day hadn’t helped her either.  Her partner’s enthusiasm was often something that helped her through the day, so to see her the way she was…it bothered her more than she liked.  If she wasn’t her usual self then Weiss would end up slipping as well.

“There you are, Weiss,” the girl with the black bow on her head appeared on the side of Weiss.

“Blake, where are the others?” Weiss was not even hiding her frustration.

“On the way.  Yang dragged her sister off to shower, I guess,” Blake shrugged.  “My guess is she’s trying to cheer her up with…well how Yang does things.”

“Well, Ruby needs to get it together since that test is only a couple days away,” Weiss muttered as she noticed Phyrra had entered.  More than likely meaning that meant the rest of the JNPR team would be joining them soon enough.  

“You haven’t exactly been yourself either, Weiss,” Blake commented rather bluntly.  

“I’ll be fine,” Weiss was quick to be defensive.

“Look I know you are worried about Ruby.  You should talk to her.  I mean, really talk with her Weiss.  You spend too much time hiding what you are feeling,” Blake let this final comment in as Phyrra, Jaune, Ren and Nora all approached and took their usual places across from them.

“Where’s Ruby?” Jaune asked.

“She’ll be here soon,” Weiss said offhand as she got to her feet.  “I’m going to go get some food.”

Weiss ignored the questioning stares from the people at the table as she headed towards the other side of the cafeteria to get her dinner.  She found herself more annoyed now.  Blake was perceptive and saw through Weiss actions throughout the day.  Weiss had wanted to talk to Ruby, but she never knew how to do that.  She wasn’t good at talking…especially when it was to people that called her friend.  It was still a foreign concept to her.  After all she had been taught for her entirely life that she needed to be guarded.  Telling no one anything for a simple reason.  Because knowledge was a weapon that could be used against you.  And all of that brought her back to her dream.

It didn’t matter what Weiss wanted.  If she were to be honest she would love to call herself Ruby’s best friend…to be able to talk to her and tell her anything.  To do their nails together and talk about cute boys…yeah that was something she had always wanted to be able to do.  But that wasn’t allowed for her…wasn’t appropriate for someone of her status.  And then there was the other fear that often gripped her.  The one fear that the dream…no…the nightmare was reminding her of.  People that would use the ones she cared about against her.

She didn’t want to inherit the company…she wanted to follow her own path.  She didn’t want to live her life worried about friends and family and have the thought of who was going to disappear this year.  But what if someone had come here?  Had been observing her to determine who her friends were?  Any of the members of her team would be viable targets.  However, Ruby would make the most sense.

She shook her thoughts away for the moment as she gathered a plate for the buffet style serving.  What had Ruby eaten today?  She more or less forced herself to eat breakfast because of Weiss insistence.  More than likely she hadn’t gotten a good balance of food.  With these thoughts in mind she gathered up a collection of food and headed back to the table where the others were, along with Ruby and Yang finally joining them.

Ruby seemed to be smiling which was a major improvement over the morning.  They were all talking rather cheerfully and Weiss looked down at the food she had and then placed it in front of Ruby.  It halted the conversation they were all having and they all looked at her.  Ruby gave her a questioning look.

“Don’t give me that look.  I am simply ensuring that you are getting a well-balanced diet.  I can’t have you malnourished when the test comes,” Weiss then simply turned around and headed back to get her own food without regarding the looks everyone else was giving her.  Everyone had their own way of expressing concern, but Weiss couldn’t afford to do more than small gestures.  Maybe she was just being overly paranoid?  

Whenever she thought she was over thinking it she would see it once again.  Images of her nightmare…Ruby dead and the young girl’s blood all over Weiss.  That was why…why she had to maintain things as they were.  She could prevent anything from happening if she wasn’t close to them.  Then they wouldn’t try to rescue her if she was kidnapped.  If Ruby was mad at her or didn’t think Ruby cared then maybe she wouldn’t do something so reckless.

       Weiss mindlessly filled her plate with food, mimicking what she had given Ruby and returned to the table, sitting next to Ruby without so much as a thought.  She didn’t pay attention to the others and only spared a look over to ensure that Ruby was eating, to which she was.  The chatter, laughter of those around her only seemed to deepen her own thoughts and fears.  It was this…this right here that she wanted to be a part of.  Yet, she couldn’t be.  Not if she wanted to protect them…protect them from the dangers that came from being close to her.

“Weiss, are you okay?” it was Ruby.

“Of course, I’m fine,” Weiss said as she took another bite of her food.  Then she felt it…a tear escaping from her eye.  She quickly wiped it away, suppressing the buildup of emotions.  This was definitely not something she needed.  

“But Weiss you were…”

“Mind your own business!” Weiss voice came out louder and definitely more commanding than she intended and saw Ruby shrink back in response.  Everyone else at the table was looking at her again and even conversations in groups near them had stopped as well.  Weiss found she got incredibly angry and it must have crossed her face as she got up from the table and grabbing her food she walked away from the table and found a corner to finish her meal at.

This was how it should be.  If she didn’t make a clear line…if she didn’t separate herself from them…then it would only be inevitable.  Weiss feared the solitude more than anything else.  She could handle being off in the distance as long as they were still around.  But the possibility of her team being brought into the dangers that came with the Schnee family…that someone could target them to get to Weiss.  She could not live with that…she would not see her friends be used as a tool.  And most of all, she did not want to see any of them hurt because of her…just because of who she was.  So Weiss would continue to push Ruby away…continue to separate herself from her and her teammates.  As much as she longed to be a part of the group…to do all the things that friends do.  There was a single truth that Weiss could never change.  Her loneliness was what saved others.  Within her solitude…no one could be used to harm her…and no one else would have to be harmed.  She was saving them by doing this.

So why?  Why did it hurt so much?


***

“She is such a spoiled brat,” Yang commented, which had Ruby shaking her head.

“I don’t think so,” Ruby spoke softly.

“I have to agree with Ruby.  Despite Weiss’ words she has been taking care of your sister, Yang.  I’m more concerned as to why her actions and her words seem to contradict each other,” Blake said from the other side of Yang.

“What do you mean?” Yang asked her partner.

“Weiss has been looking over Ruby’s homework as well as making sure she is eating correctly and probably half a dozen other things she tries to hide.  It’s more like she doesn’t want us to know that she actually cares,” Blake let out a sigh.  “That wasn’t the first time she has cried today either.”

“She was crying before?” Ruby asked.  She was used to Weiss not telling her much of anything but…was Weiss really okay?  And why wouldn’t she talk to her?  Did she do something to make Weiss angry?

“She said it was a bad dream.  And she took that moment to go take a shower,” Blake locked eyes with Ruby.  “Whatever it is…it’s shaken her up pretty bad.  Bad enough that, she has spent most of the day trying to anger all of us.”

“Anger us?” Ruby couldn’t seem to remember it being that way.

“Well she’s already good at that normally, why make extra effort?” Yang shrugged.  “But Blake…why would she want to anger us?”

“I don’t know.  It was just the feeling I got from her today.  She was polite to me this morning but after that…she’s just been trying to push my buttons…and she knows some good ways to really get me angry at her.  Yet she was still mindful of how she directed her comments to me.  Look all I am saying is that something is wrong with her and she is trying to manipulate us so that…well, we don’t care what happens to her,” Blake shook her head as the three of them walked through the courtyard and off towards the dorm building.  

Ruby stopped and looked up at the moon.  “Is it something that she thinks we can’t handle?”

“That might be part of it,” Blake nodded.  “Remember what she said about her childhood?”

“You mean when the two of you were arguing about the White Fang?” Yang asked.

“Yeah, it’s bothered me ever since then.  Weiss comes from a powerful and influential family that is known everywhere.  And just as Weiss said…she’s a victim.  It is only a matter of time before someone targets her,” Blake spoke softly and the three members of RWBY said nothing for quite some time.

“She must be afraid.  That something will happen to us,” Ruby spoke softly feeling that the weight of those words brought a truth to her partner that made Ruby…sad.  Weiss had to be lonely.  She wanted to be friends…right?  But she couldn’t…anyone that became her friend would be in danger.  Someone that could be used against her.  How could Ruby help against that?  It wasn’t something that she could fight against.  No…it was something that would always be present in Weiss’ life.

“What should we do?  She’s determined to suffer on her own.  I’m sure she would have realized sooner when we had to make teams that this problem would come up for her,” Yang shook her head.  “This is messed up.”

“More than likely she is a little like Ruby.  Being a huntress is what she always wanted.  And probably even making friends and just enjoy being a girl for a while.  Despite being the heiress for the Schnee Dust Company…she’s here training to be a huntress…something she doesn’t really need to do.  I mean…” Blake paused and moving in front of her two teammates.  “I think for now we just go on as we usually do.”

“If Weiss is hurting…then I don’t want to just do nothing.  I want her to...to talk to me about this.  I know if she did then…”

“Then what, Ruby?” Blake interrupted her.  “Even if she came to us and told us everything, that wouldn’t remove the truth of the situation.  Anyone close to Weiss is a potential target.  That is more than likely why she is so torn about this.”

       Ruby clamped down her mouth.  She wanted to go talk to Weiss…wanted to get this all out in the open.  Maybe they were overreacting about this whole situation.  Maybe Weiss was just genuinely in a bad mood today and there was nothing to worry about.  If they were right…then Weiss was carrying a heavy weight on her shoulders.  Ruby couldn’t imagine having to separate yourself from people you wanted to be friends with…not just to save herself but the people that could potentially be victims just for knowing Weiss.  And it wasn’t right.  She deserved to be happy.

         How could Ruby possibly convince Weiss that she could come to them?  That even if there was a chance they could be hurt that...it was something her team was willing to risk.  Ruby especially...she had tried so hard to become Weiss' friend.  Yet whenever she felt she had made progress...things seemed to revert to how they were before.  Was it because of Weiss constantly checking to ensure she didn't get close to anyone?  How was she supposed to make Weiss open up when Ruby had such a hard time understanding why people would do that to Weiss?

         It wasn't even about Weiss.  It was the Schnee Dust Company and how Weiss could be used to harm the company and her Father who ran it.  Even if Weiss wanted nothing to do with her Fathers company.  She could be used as a tool against him.  There had to be a welcome balance to where Weiss could be happy.  Maybe Ruby was wishing for too much...too idealistic.  But she knew it wasn't wrong for her to wish for the happiness of her team.

          "I think for now we should spend some time thinking about what to do," Yang finally spoke seemingly the most unsure of what to do of everyone.  "And like Blake said we should...just go on as we usually do.  And let Weiss do what she does."

         Ruby nodded.  She didn't like it but she didn't have a better idea.  "Yeah...but if she asks I will tell her.  I am not going to lie to her."

         Both Blake and Yang looked at each other and shared a smile before the two looked back at her.  "Of course, Ruby," Blake smiled.

         "You are her partner.  I like to think she will come to you first," Yang added.

         Ruby couldn't know why Weiss was so troubled at the moment, but if she waited and stayed with Weiss until she was ready.  Then surely...Weiss would tell Ruby the truth.


***


         "The point of this test is to see how well your team has evolved as a unit.  You are to proceed through the forest of Forever Fall.  Within the forest you will find four puzzle pieces.  Retrieve them and return here.  Your grades will be based on your ability to work as a group.  You have 8 hours to complete it.  Now get into your positions," Ozpin's instructions were short and to the point.

         Weiss settled into her position with Ruby to her left and her other teammates to her right.  Things have gone back to normal recently even with Weiss taking extra care to keep her distance.  The only thing that bothered her was that she was increasingly aware of the distance between her and Ruby.  Weiss was well aware that her teammates knew there was something up with her.  She needed to ensure she didn't bring her team down as a result.  She had focused more on her training and exercise to make sure she wouldn't be a hindrance despite her separating herself from the team slowly.  She needed to find equilibrium in order to balance with the team.

         She could do this.  Weiss was positive she could do it all.  Then one day she could tell her team the whole truth.  Maybe then she could finally be true friends with all members of RWBY.  For now...it would have to remain where it was...a dream.  A fond dream that she cherished greatly.  Perhaps the thought of being able to tell them was just a dream as well.  There was no way she could ever assume she would get away from being the next in line to take over the Schnee Dust Company.

The signal to start came and Weiss took off in a sprint, following behind Ruby as they ran into the forest of Forever Fall.  She would hold up her end of the team and make sure everything ran smoothly.

“What’s the plan, little sis?” Yang called out.

“Weiss and I will head out towards the North.  Blake and you can head towards the south and we’ll try and find clues for the puzzle pieces.  Be careful and fall back if there are any creatures of Grim that you aren’t sure you can handle.  We can regroup by signaling our positions into the air.  So make sure you pay attention to sounds of combat around you,” Ruby was quick to give out the orders.

“Got it,” Blake said and then veered off towards the south.

“See you soon,” Yang said as she ran off with Blake.

Ruby immediately changed her own direction towards the north and Weiss followed behind her.  Eight hours was a long time to have in order to complete a test.  How much trouble could they come across?  Was it something more than just the creatures of Grimm?  Well, it possibly could have to do with the puzzle pieces themselves.  And how were they even supposed to find them?  Fanning out and covering as much ground as possible was a decent strategy coming from Ruby, but would that be enough?  Weiss wasn’t here to question Ruby’s decisions…she was just more concerned about them being able to finish their test.  Plus…while Ruby had seemingly done better with her diet as of late…Weiss was still concerned about Ruby.

Weiss had more frequent nightmares…but they were all the same.  Each time she was taken…and every time Ruby came to save she…but she died in the attempt.  It was an image that she couldn’t get out of her head no matter what she tried.  Now it became normal for her to take medication to ensure she got enough sleep…only to be woken with a nightmare early in the morning.  She would then get up and check over Ruby’s homework and slip out to the showers before anyone else got up.  Sometimes she would find herself crying in frustration while in the shower…and others…she would barely feel anything at all.  She knew that this whole thing was not healthy.  And she didn’t have a right to lecture Ruby about keeping herself healthy when she couldn’t take care of her own well-being.  Weiss shook those thoughts and focused them back to the task at hand.

Ruby suddenly came to a stop in front of her, which Weiss did as well and pulled up Myrtenaster in a defensive stance as she took a quick look around.  Ruby seemed to have her eyes on something.

“What is it?” Weiss asked.

“It looks, like an entrance to a ruin,” Ruby said pointing off into the distance.
Considering how dense parts of the forest of Forever Fall could be, Weiss was impressed that Ruby could see anything but sure enough when she looked she could see a doorway of sorts in the distance.  The two of them started walking towards it, being more cautious as they approached it.

Ruby approached the entrance and ran her hand along one side of the doorway.  “There are some deep scratches here.  Looks like there was quite a battle here.  And looks like whatever door was here was forced off a long time ago.”

While Weiss generally saw Ruby as clueless and a bit of a klutz…that really only applied at school or social situations.  Ruby…was like a completely different person when they were out here.  In the wilderness Ruby was observant, noticing small details and putting things together much faster than Weiss could.  It wasn’t something she really cared to admit.  Professor Port had pointed out much of her own flaws, much to her dismay.  Ruby was much more apt to lead…all Weiss could do…was support her to the best of her own ability.  And she wanted to protect Ruby…even if she couldn’t quite understand her own motivations for doing so.  The nightmare she kept having didn’t help that…it actually increased her desire to protect the girl.

“We should take a look.  It is a pretty noticeable landmark.  It would make an ideal place to hold one of the puzzle pieces,” Weiss said, speaking out loud what Ruby had probably been thinking.

“Alright,” Ruby picked up a decent looking stick and looked like she was trying to find an easy way to light it.  Weiss sighed and took it from her.

She placed a fire rune on it and the end suddenly lit on fire.  She held on to it and took a step into the dark entrance, “Come on, Ruby.”

“Okay,” Ruby nodded and took the lead as they both went into the entrance.  It was a short hall that quickly turned into a spiraling staircase.  Then when they got to the base of the stairs, the whole underground seemed to open up before them.  “Whoa.”

That was one way to say it.  Weiss couldn’t seem to find words appropriate to describe it.  It was a gigantic area but at the center were a pedestal and a singular item.  The rest of the area was difficult to see as most of it was cloaked in darkness.  Weiss noticed something along one side of where they stood and moved towards it, putting the torch to what seemed like…before she could finish her thought; flame erupted and quickly went down what looked like a small wall.  The indentation that was on the top of the wall must have held some kind of oil or fuel.  The fire went down and wrapped around the area down at the bottom, a large circle that surrounded the pedestal and then back up to the other side to where the two girls stood.

“I guess we don’t need this,” Weiss said as she put out the fire on the torch and threw it to the ground.

“Looks like we found it,” Ruby said as she started walking towards the pedestal.

“Yeah, looks like,” Weiss said as she fell in step behind her.

They approached the pedestal and finally got a decent look at what the item on it was.  And it looked like…well a puzzle piece.  Only a rather big one.

“That Ozpin…I thought it would have been something more…” Weiss struggled to come up with a good word to cover her frustration.

“…unique?” Ruby suggested.

“Or something,” Weiss crossed her arms.  “Anyway, is there a clue to where the next piece is at?”

Ruby had picked it up and was turning it over in her hand.  “It’s got a symbol on the back…well…it just looks like the letter T.”  She handed it over to Weiss.

Weiss looked at it for a moment…sure it looked like a T but it was too long to be seen as a T.  “Maybe it’s a map and the location of each puzzle piece is at the end of each point.”

“Yeah but…there is supposed to be four pieces,” Ruby said seemingly not satisfied with what Weiss had said.  Still it wasn’t like there was anything else that could be interpreted from the piece.  “Alright well, let’s get out of here.”

Weiss nodded as the two of them started walking towards the exit.  She felt that this was probably too easy…why would Ozpin give them eight hours to complete it when they had found the first piece so quickly?  Were the other ones harder to find?  Or maybe…the others were being protected by creatures of Grimm.  If that was true then…  “Ruby, maybe we should regroup with Blake and Yang.  If we have a decent idea of where the others are then it might be safer.”

“You’re probably right.  The other ones will most likely be protected by creatures of Grimm, or something that would have made Ozpin put such a large time on the completion of this test,” Ruby had come to the same conclusion.  It made Weiss want to smile a bit but thankfully in the dim light of the ruins it wouldn’t be spotted.

It didn’t take long for them to reach the surface and back into the forest.  This time they headed south.  The moved back into a run, which Weiss didn’t mind but she didn’t have the stamina as Ruby did.  Still she had decent stamina…it was just in a fight she used a lot of energy when using her glyphs.  The two of them came to a stop in a clearing.  A few moments later, Blake and Yang appeared from the other side.

“Looks like you two had the same idea we did,” Blake said as they approached.

“Man, if all the pieces are that easy then that time limit was not needed at all,” Yang commented as she came over and pulled her sister into a half hug.

“So I take it that you two found a puzzle piece as well?” Weiss tried to ensure that they were more focused on their task.

“Yep,” Yang said pulling out the piece and tossing it to Weiss.

Weiss took a moment to look over it…it was like the other one and had its own marking, but it was a diagonal line.  She walked over to Ruby and pulled out the other puzzle piece straight from Ruby’s pocket and then placed the pieces together.  The two markings lined up…giving it a fourth line…and a possible destination.  “If this is right then there is another piece to the east and the south-east.  Assuming that this is supposed to indicate a location.”

“Well it is consistent so far.  You two found yours in the North, and us the South, and we simply went north so I think we can assume that the two of them were more or less lined up.  We should be somewhere near the middle between the two…so I guess we should just start heading east,” Blake surmised looking at the others to confirm her.

“With what little we have I think it’s the right choice,” Ruby said.  “Let’s go.”

The four girls started walking off towards the east.  There was no point in rushing it after all…and it was possible that the first two were simply intended to be easy to find.

Weiss hung back a bit as the other three were trying to theorize on what Ozpin’s intentions had been for this test.  She had her own thoughts on that but she wanted to keep her distance…she just needed to focus on the mission.  If she didn’t she might say something to give them all the wrong impression…or throw away her work to make distance between her and the other members of RWBY.

Weiss suddenly took an uneasy step forward.  She was confused as she looked up she saw the others walking away from her but she felt dizzy.  Then a pain hit her…she reached up to her neck and then…pulled something out of it.  It was a small…arrow?  No it was…her vision blurred.  She had been attacked…and then she fell forward…but someone was there to catch her.  She had no way of knowing what or who had taken her as the world around her swirled into darkness and her consciousness quickly faded.