( * * )

"Please?"

"No."

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"No."

"Pretty please with a cherry on top?"

"No."

"Pleeeeeeeeeee-"

Peeking around the corner of the row of lockers, Yang watched as Ruby drawled on, standing with Emerald at her locker and gently rocking the thief from side to side with her arms latched around her midsection from behind.

The three of them were in Beacon's locker room, putting away their combat gear after Goodwitch's class. Blake and Weiss had already gone ahead with Mercury in tow, leaving Yang to play lookout for the two girlfriends.

And to keep an eye on Emerald: she was happy her sister found someone special – really, she was – but Ruby was still her little sister, and Yang didn't completely trust Emerald with her. Ruby may have forgiven her, but Emerald's attitude the previous
year, and the Vytal Festival two years ago, was still fresh in everyone's minds.

Though, watching them now, Yang found herself mentally cooing at the show.

"-eeeeeeeeease?" Ruby finally finished.

Emerald let out a sigh that beleaguered loved ones everywhere could recognize. She had an expression that was somewhere between highly amused and highly annoyed.

Having lived with Ruby her entire life, Yang found herself sympathizing.

"Ruby," Emerald quickly looked around before continuing, "Sweetie, I know you have an obsession with weapons…"

"Hobby," Ruby corrected.

"Obsession – and I know you think my guns are like baby Crescent Roses, and I'm more than happy to let you do maintenance and play around with them, but they don't need upgrades."

"But every weapon needs some kind of modification at some point," Ruby argued, "They can't just get better as you get better and go up against stronger opponents. And I've got ideas that'll make 'em really cool." She whined.

"Are you saying my weapons aren't cool?" Emerald said teasingly.

"Fine: make 'em cool-er."

Yang saw Emerald roll her eyes. "Red, I've had my weapons for years, and the only modification they ever got was the blades; aside from a repair here and there, they've been exactly the same when I first got them. I've used them in every fight
with no problems, including our spar last year."

"Still say I would've won."

"And I say Goodwitch saved you from being embarrassed," Emerald grinned, "Point is: my guns are fine as is."

Ruby let out a whine. "But Emmyyyyyy…" She started doing something that Yang was intimately familiar with.

She suppressed a snicker as Emerald suddenly went still, her expression becoming blank.

"You're doing the thing, aren't you?"

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked innocently.

"You know what I mean, Red."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do. The thing. You always do it when you really want something!"

In another situation, Yang would have taken umbrage at Emerald's frustrated tone.

But Ruby was doing the thing, so she got a pass.

"How do you know I'm doing a 'thing'?" Ruby asked. "You're not even looking at me."

"And I'm not going to, 'cause I know if I do, I'll lose."

From her corner, Yang nodded approvingly: it was a good strategy. She couldn't count the number of times she felt herself caving in whenever Ruby did the thing. Ruby could conquer the kingdoms if she ever weaponized the thing.

Emerald crossed her arms, a resolute look on her face. "There is no way you're getting to me. My guns don't need to be upgraded or modified in any way, and that's…"

A squeaking noise interrupted her, causing Emerald and Yang to look in the direction of Emerald's locker door as it slowly opened, revealing the mirror attached to it – and the reflection of Ruby's puppy-dog pout.

Yang looked to the ground just in time to see her sister's foot return to its former position. She looked back up to see Emerald frozen in place and staring wide-eyed at the mirror, a luminescent blush on her face.

Yang was impressed. Thatwas some high-level deviousness Ruby pulled off.

After a few seconds of silence, Emerald slumped, letting out a resigned sigh. "Alright," she groaned, "Fine. You win."

"Yes!" Ruby cheered, disengaging from her girlfriend and pumping her fists in celebration.

"But," Emerald quickly said, turning to Ruby, "We only get one upgrade and I choose what it is."

"Deal," Ruby chirped, skipping over to give Emerald a peck on the cheek. "Now c'mon! The guys're waiting!" The young huntress took the thief's hand and dashed off with her in tow.

Yang bit back a giggle when Emerald gave her a tired look as they passed her by. Somehow, she thought as she jogged after them, this might not be so bad after all.

( * * )

Gasp!

Could it be?

Is it truly?

It is! An update to Competition!

Fucking finally!

Sorry for the long, erm, 'hiatus', folks. A lot of things happened in the last few months that kind of made my writing habits drop slightly.

First was Volume 3, and not just the finale – though it did hit me hard – I just became more invested in what was going to happen next.

Then I had to step up job hunting: the grace period for my student loans was coming up fast.

And now it's the job I got. Nothing fancy, just working the morning shift for a hotel's bistro, which leaves me the rest of the day but takes a lot out of me, especially since I've been at it only for three, four weeks as of this chapter.

So, yeah, there's been some much needed changes in my life and I'm still adjusting to them. But worry not! I have not forgotten or given up on Competition, fanfiction, or writing in general!

If this chapter seems a bit unsatisfactory, that's why. I'm trying to get back my writing groove, but it's a bit difficult.

So I'm going to reiterate a disclaimer I wrote back in chapter 2: this fic doesn't have an update schedule, so don't be surprised if six months (or five months in this case) pass before the next update appears.

Also: friendly reminder/shameless plug that I have a tumblr account (also NarfoOnTheNet). Check it out if you want to read some more fics and my fan writing where I gush/rage over all things RWBY.

Edit: originally, I had stated here that I planned to end Competition with a proper ending. Unfortunately, due to the fact that it's been two years since the last update, trouble actually figuring out the ending, increasing lack of interest, and just life in general. So this chapter, in effect, is the last. I hope that you still enjoyed reading this fic, and if you favorited or followed, know that I really appreciate you in every way, and that I love knowing others still gain enjoyment from my story. Thank you.