A commission for Draven Eclipse who asked for a modern Ladybug AU where Ruby is an actress and Blake is her fan! They plan to commission future chapter, so expect more some time!

If you like my work, you can support me on P-a-t-r-e-o-n as Kiria Alice!

Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY.

In The Name Of Love

Chapter 1. Ruby Rose

It was a well-known fact that Blake Belladonna loved books.

She loved reading, and everyone knew that if Blake had been given the choice of a luxurious meal or car versus a stack of books, she'd choose the latter every time.

Her best friend Weiss knew this to be fact, because she'd tried to take Blake out for dinner at a high-end restaurant once, and Blake had begged her to wait until she'd finished reading the most recent volume of her favorite saga. They'd nearly been late and missed their reservation.

Blake loved all books, so long as they weren't readings about politics or ones that were forced upon her by teachers.

But almost nothing could come between Blake and her favorite series, "Ninjas Of Love".

She adored that series, not only for the exceptional writing style, plot development, and unique characters, but also because she had somewhat of a crush on her favorite character.

Blake had constructed a vision of what she might look like in her mind, and she always stuck to that image based off the book's descriptions. No characters were depicted on any of the covers of the books, so Blake was allowed to envision them as she pleased.

Briar was her favorite. While she was a teenage girl only about Blake's age, she was very self-sufficient, smart, and intense. But she also had a much cuter, dorkier side and a great sense of justice. All of these traits had drawn Blake to that particular character.

Blake spent just about all of her free time reading "Ninjas Of Love", and when she'd caught up with the official series and its new releases, she'd search online for fan-written works that properly portrayed the characters and offered alternative situations to what happened in the real series.

And then one day, Blake's entire world changed.

Well, as much as any devoted book lover's world changes when the announcement of a television series adaption is made.

While it excited Blake that she'd actually be able to see her favorite characters on-screen and listen to them speak, it also miffed her slightly that now she'd more or less have to accept the actors' depictions of the characters.

What if they're nothing like I imagined them to be in the books? she would fret. What if I start to envision them as the actors from now on as I read, instead of how I'd initially thought of them?

This was her biggest dilemma for quite some time, and she communicated her troubles to other fans online, as well as to Weiss.

Weiss saw Blake through many weeks of worry about what the television adaption might do to 'ruin her favorite character'. Of course, Weiss' solution to that had been simple.

"Then don't watch it."

Blake had almost cried out in astonishment.

"Weiss, I can't do that! Of course I have to watch it! It's a TV adaption of my favorite book series!"

"Right, but if you aren't going to enjoy it, then why let it take away from your enjoyment of the books?"

Weiss made a really good point, and Blake did consider it.

But in the end, the opportunity of getting to see her favorite story play out in color before her very eyes was too tempting to pass up.

Therefore, she waited in a state of anticipation, mixed with excitement and a little bit of nervousness, for the day of the first episode's premiere. Weiss invited her over to her house that evening, so Blake would be able to watch the show on a large, high-definition television screen instead of the arguably-smaller ones Blake had in her own house.

Blake was all jitters as she sat down on Weiss' couch, hardly able to stay in her seat for a minute without fidgeting. Weiss tried to ease her friend's nerves by offering her a glass of water and a few snacks.

"Calm down, Blake," she said. "You're watching a TV show, not having a baby."

Blake took a deep breath and a sip of water before leaning back against the couch cushions.

"Sorry. It's just that they've released the names of all the actors and everything but-"

"But you didn't look any of them up because you wanted to be surprised," Weiss finished. "Yes, Blake. I know. You've told me at least sixteen times now."

"Oh. Sorry."

"It's fine." Weiss sat herself down beside Blake and directed her attention towards the TV. "It's starting soon so try to focus."

"Yeah." Blake straightened herself up and sat rigid until Weiss reminded her to relax again.

When the final minute of countdown was upon them, Weiss turned up the volume a bit. Blake clung to her friend's arm, conflicted by both excitement and fear.

"Oh gosh, please don't let them run Briar..."

At last, the show began.

Blake's critical eyes decided that the setting looked good from the first few shots. "Ninjas Of Love" took place in a big city, where all of the characters lived in different areas. They all worked for a secret organization, one that paid its workers to assassinate people "in the name of love".

The idea was that people would hire a "ninja" to kill a cheating spouse, or something along those lines.

But Blake's favorite character gradually realizes that she is killing innocent people who'd just made a mistake and had a moment of flawed judgement. Briar eventually tries to get out of the assassination business, but then is marked by her old colleagues as a target for execution. After that, she must try to survive with the help of some unexpected friends.

Blake loved that character for her change of heart and her desire to do what was right above what was asked of her.

She sat in silence throughout the first half of the show, as many different characters were introduced.

About halfway through, she recognized the apartment they were showing as Briar's, because she was the only character who kept a pet snake.

Blake was literally on the edge of her seat waiting for the camera to reveal the actress' face. But of course, it cut to commercial.

"No!" Groaning, Blake slumped back into the couch and covered her face. "Uuuugh, damn it..."

Weiss chuckled and patted her shoulder.

"There, there. Just a few minutes longer."

Blake ate her frustrations away in the form of popcorn until the show returned. Once again, she clung to Weiss' arm as the camera started to reveal the shadow of a girl.

"This is it!" Blake whispered. She didn't take her eyes off the screen for a second as her favorite character was revealed.

The actress was... absolutely perfect.

She was the correct age range, the correct height, the correct body type, the correct everything. The way she moved and talked was on-point, and everything down to the tinniest of mannerisms was flawless.

Blake was speechless as she watched the girl's performance, portraying her favorite character. Her grip on Weiss' arm loosened enough for her friend to slip free.

Weiss waited for the next commercial break before tapping Blake's shoulder.

"So? I take it she was up to snuff?"

Blake finally remembered how to blink, and she closed her mouth that had been dangling open.

"Oh my god, she's perfect," she sighed. "Thank god... she's just like I imagined, and her voice is so cute. Gosh, that's a relief... Remind me to check the credits for the actress' name."

Of course, the news of who was playing whom in this show had been released to rest of the world in advance, but Blake had chosen to abstain from viewing such information until she'd forged her own opinion of the show.

But now she was certain she was going to love it.

By the time the hour was up and the credits started rolling, she couldn't wipe the smile off her face. Both she and Weiss made sure to check the credits screen, and Blake watched for Briar's name. Once she'd found it, she looked to the corresponding actress' name.

"Ruby Rose..." she murmured. "She's incredible."

Blake soon thanked Weiss for letting her come over, and Weiss suggested they do this every week so Blake could always watch the new episodes here. She gratefully agreed and hugged her friend, then wished her goodnight and took her leave.

Blake didn't live far, and it was only minutes before she was back in her own room, where the shelves were lined with books of all kinds. But the shelf above her bed, which was positioned for easy access, was filled with "Ninjas Of Love" volumes.

Blake pulled out one of her favorites, sat down, and decided to read over the scenes with Briar in them. Ruby Rose had portrayed her almost exactly as Blake had imagined her, but she was willing to alter her own interpretation now in favor of the actress.

When she read over Briar's dialogue, she heard it in Ruby Rose's voice.

Blake read for about an hour, then decided to hop onto her computer to research the actress. She was surprised to discover Ruby Rose was actually a few years younger than Blake herself, just fifteen years old. But it was no surprise that she had been selected for this role in the series.

Blake didn't want look too much into the girl's personal life, but she did read a few informative articles that talked about how she'd landed the part of Briar.

Blake found her social media accounts, watched a few of her videos, and discovered that Ruby wasn't just putting on an act when she portrayed Briar's quirkier, more goofy side. It was truly who she was as a person.

Ruby was fun-loving, energetic, outgoing, adventurous, and positive. She'd learned how to use a katana for the sake of the TV show, and she had a unique interest in weapons. One of her goals in life was to start a collection and learn how to properly wield all of them, a tidbit that made Blake grin.

By the end of the night, Blake came away from her computer knowing just about everything there was to know about her new favorite actress, and possibly, her new favorite person in general.

Blake changed into her pajamas and turned off the lights, then curled up for bed feeling content and satisfied with all that had transpired today.

She'd discovered the incredible young actress named Ruby Rose.

She'd gotten to see Briar, her favorite character - the one she had always had a bit of a crush on - in motion, in color, and on-screen.

But as she fell asleep, she now had to wonder if it was just the character she had a crush on.

A/N: I put up a poll for what Ruby's character should be named, and ultimately decided Briar fit best. It's sort of a joke because briars are prickly, thorny shrubs that are usually associated with roses. It fits the character in the show/book as well, because she's a small but 'prickly' ex-assassin.

As I said, the customer may be commissioning future chapters, so expect more!

If you like my work, you can support me on P-a-t-r-e-o-n as Kiria Alice!

Please review!