Render unto Salem

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY.

The sun burned hot upon the training grounds of the imperial military. Ruby wiped the sweat off her forehead and looked around. A dozen Soldiers, clad in the standard black leather armor of the Imperial Scouting Regiment, were around her. Eager recruits, like her, waiting to be assigned to their unit. She then looked ahead at the platform in front of the recruits. On top of this platform stood Ruby's mother, Summer Rose, High Commander of the Scouts. Her armor was hidden under a white hooded cloak. With her were the five Commanders of the separate units, who all wore red cloaks. Among them was her father, Qrow Branwen.

"Attention, recruits!" Summer yelled. "The Imperial Scouting Regiment is a vital part of the military. We do more that just fight. We infiltrate the kingdoms and evaluate the political and economic climate. We set the stage for invasion and warn the Empire of any incoming attacks. As such, we only accept the most skilled of fighters as well as individuals capable of moving unseen and unheard. You stand here today because you have shown these traits. Now, you will dedicate your skills to ensuring the rest of Remnant is united within the Grimm Empire. Now the time has come to assign you to your unit." She gestured to the five Commanders. "There are five units, each dedicated to one of the kingdoms. The 1st Scouting Unit, under Commander Cinder Fall, is assigned to Vale. The 2nd Scouting Unit, under Commander Cole Watts, is assigned to Atlas. The 3rd Scouting Unit, under Commander Raven Branwen, is assigned to Mistral. The 4th Scouting Unit, under Commander Qrow Branwen, to Vacuo. And the 5th Scouting Unit, under Commander Jarah Izem, to Menagerie. Once you are assigned, you will be stationed at your unit's outpost. Any questions? No? Good. Let's begin! Commander Fall!"

"Very well," Commander Fall spoke up as she pulled out a piece of paper. Her golden eyes focused on the page as she read the names of her recruits. Once all named recruits stepped, she got off the platform and led them away. Commander Watts and Raven Branwen did the same.

Ruby had to be honest. She was glad she hadn't been assigned to any of the first three units. Her didn't have many good things to say about Cinder Fall, Cole Watts was a complete stranger to Ruby and Raven, while being Ruby's aunt and supposedly a loving mother to her cousin Yang, was still quite intimidating. Besides, this meant that, without a doubt, she would be assigned to the 4th Unit. Her dad taught her everything she knew. How to track, how to scout, how to fight with a scythe. He was her mentor as well as her father.

Which was why Ruby couldn't believe it when he didn't name her while calling up his recruits. She almost wanted to call out and ask if he'd forgotten, but managed to compose herself. Once he'd left with his recruits, Commander Izem stepped forward. He was a large lion faunus, with a mane of golden hair covering his head and large side burns running down his cheeks. "Alright," he said as his blue eyes focused Ruby, who had been the last recruit left. "Ruby Rose, welcome to the 5th Scouting Unit."

Ruby straightened up. "Sir, I am honored to be a part of your unit!"

"HA! The High Commander did a fine job drumming that one into you!" He then smiled briefly at Summer before turning back to Ruby. "I realize you probably would've preferred to join the 4th or even the 3rd, but let me tell you, the 5th needs new blood."

"But...I thought that since you were based in Menagerie you only accepted faunus members."

"That's not technically true. Yes, being a faunus makes it easier to infiltrate Kuo Kuana, there are other parts in Menagerie that require a...different touch."

"Uh, what?"

"The Grimm in Menagerie are not like the ones here. They're wilder, less...cooperative. And you have proven to be able to form a strong bond with the Grimm. It's a rare talent. One that is sorely needed down there. The White Fang have bases all over, but the Grimm are making it harder for us to find them. Besides, you're an exceptional fighter to have completed your training two years early. We need you, Ruby. The Empire needs you."

Ruby looked at her mother. One could immediately tell that they were related. They had the same red hair and silver eyes. And Summer's were currently pleading with her. Ruby knew what she had to do. "I understand. I swore to serve the Empire, and that's what I'm going to do."

Commander Izem smiled. "Good. Then let's do it." He walked down to her and pulled out a seal with the purple eyes of the Empire on it. "Kiss the seal and swear yourself to the Empire. Render unto Salem."

Ruby got down on one knee and pressed her lips to the seal. "My blade and my life for the Empire."

"We will honor your service," Izem replied. He smiled as Ruby got up. "Welcome to the 5th Scouting Unit, Ruby." Ruby just nodded in response. "Now then, I'll leave you with your mother. Be sure to meet me at the South Gate at dawn."

"Yes, sir!" She saluted.

As he walked away, her mother approached her. "I know you're probably disappointed. You wanted to join you're father's unit. But this is for the best." She cupped Ruby's cheek. "I'm so proud of you, Ruby. For making it this far and for making the right choice. I..." She looked down. "I want you to know, this isn't just about your connection with the Grimm. This...Well, let's say I'm throwing you in the deep end."

That confused Ruby. "What do you mean?"

"I mean you've spent your entire life avoiding people. Hiding behind the ones you know to avoid the ones you didn't. I wanted you to go somewhere where you don't know anyone. Where you'll be forced to adapt. You understand?"

"I..." Ruby looked down. "I don't know. I haven't thought about that before. I'm gonna be all alone, in a foreign country, where I don't know anyone..."

"You won't be alone, Ruby. You may not know them, yet, but you're unit will be your family. You take care of them, they'll take care of you. Got it?"

"Got it." Ruby smiled at her mother, who happily returned it and pulled her into a hug.

"My little girl has gotten so big."

They spent a few moments like that, until Ruby noticed something. As she turned away from her mother, a large black shape rushed her and knocked her to the ground. The next thing she felt was a wet tongue slobbering across her face as the Beowolf licked her.

"Ack, Zwei, knock it off," she laughed. The Beowolf then jumped off and excitedly bounced around her.

Summer laughed as Ruby got up. "See, you have quite the connection with Grimm."

"Yeah," Ruby agreed as she wiped the slobber of her face.

"We should head home, Ruby. The others will be waiting for us."

(**)

"To Ruby Rose, future High Commander of the Scouts!" Taiyang exclaimed as he raised his cup.

"Hear, hear, my girl's moving up in the world," Qrow replied as he touched their cups.

"Yeah, great, the girl's being sent to the ass-end of the world," Raven quipped.

"Come on, darling, don't be like that," Taiyang said as he wrapped an arm around her.

"Yeah, my little cousin is gonna help the Empire take over Menagerie!" Yang shouted happily. "Now pour me a cup!"

"No!" Taiyang and Raven yelled simultaneously.

"Oh, come on. I'm 17 years old. I should be allowed to drink at least one cup."

"You can have a cup when you turn 18," Taiyang replied.

"Hey, Yang. Where have you been assigned to?" Ruby asked.

"1st Solitus Infantry Regiment, based in Mantle. Can't wait to fight."

"I doubt it'll come to that," Taiyang replied. "The Atlesians prefer to hide behind their walls. Unless you actually attempt to conquer Atlas, you'll most likely just be staring at it."

"Ugh, come on. I want to fight!"

"Hey, at least you aren't stationed in Vacuo," Qrow said. "That place is a mess."

"Any chance I could be transferred there, uncle Qrow?"

"No."

"Damn it."

Ruby just smiled as she watched the exchange and scratched Zwei behind the ear. After a few moments, she sighed.

"What's wrong, sweety?" Summer asked.

"I just realized this will be the first time I've been away from home. I won't be able to come back here for at least half a year. It feels...strange."

"I know what you mean," Yang said. "I know I always talk about how I want to leave and see the world. But now that it's actually happening, I'm feeling kinda sad."

"That's fine, Yang," Taiyang replied. "We've all felt that way when we first entered the service. Right, guys?"

"Nope," Raven and Qrow said at once.

"Don't listen to them. They have no souls."

Ruby chuckled and looked down at Zwei. "At least I'll still have you, boy," she said as she hugged the Beowolf.

"Damn it, Yang! I said no!"

"Just one cup! I'm a soldier now, damn it!"

"Maybe I'm better off that way."

Zwei growled in agreement.

(**)

"I'll miss you, sweetie," Summer said as she hugged her daughter. "Take care now, you hear?"

"I will." She said as she turned to her father.

"Don't worry, kid. You'll be fine."

"Heh, thanks," Ruby replied as she hugged Qrow. "I love you."

"I love you, too, kid."

"Alright, Ruby," Commander Izem spoke up as he mounted his Beowolf. "Time to move out. It's a long trip to the south coast."

"Yes, sir. Bye, mother. Bye, father." Ruby then mounted Zwei and rode after the Commander.

"Goodbye, my darling," Summer said as tears started rolling down her cheeks. Qrow took her in his arms as they watched their daughter ride away.