Note: I took down the chapters as everyone got a notice that this fic updated. It's 3pm, and I've been writing this for about three hours now to change it up and make things a bit better. I don't watch RWBY anymore because I don't like the direction it's going in, but I figure I owe it to you guys to at least write this fic again. I started it while in a really dark place, and I'm writing it while half asleep and so there's probably a lot of typos. Tried keeping the premise the same, but I condensed the prologue and Chapter 1 into one chapter itself. A lot of characters will seem OOC, and I apologize for that.

Disclaimer: I don't own RWBY.

Boxes.

There were so many boxes. Ruby had labelled every one of them, wiping the tears from her eyes as she did so. The oversized sweater she wore only served to make her look smaller than she usually did, and her grey eyes were red from crying. How many times had she cried during this process? When her door opened, she jolted and looked over to see her father, Taiyang, standing there with a somber look on his face. It was time to go, and so Ruby helped pack the moving van with every box from her room. It was bare, and there was no sign that she had actually lived there. A door stood ajar, and inside was her sister who was staring at nothing. She'd been like that since the accident that cost her the career she'd been working towards, and since then she'd been Taiyang's primary focus.

Which meant that Ruby had to leave. Taiyang couldn't look after her, he'd made that clear while bringing her home after what had happened. She had been allowed to stay for the day she'd come home from the hospital, but Taiyang had been making calls and had found her somewhere to stay while he cared for Yang. To the wayside, as Ruby was used to by now. Though he'd preached equality between the sisters, Ruby could see the favouritism. He prioritized Yang all the time, and left Ruby alone at home sometimes or with her uncle. She didn't know where she was going, but she knew it wasn't going to be a vacation. She was going to be staying at her old high school despite her pleading to change schools. The moment she'd needed Taiyang most, he'd decided to drop her on someone else. As if telling her to go be someone else's problem instead of his, that he didn't care.

Perhaps the bullies were right, and Taiyang really didn't love her like he always said he did.

When the van was packed, Ruby climbed into the cabin carefully and shakily. Shutting the door, she leaned against it and curled up into herself. Her sweater reached past her knees, which had bandaids on them from the multiple times she'd tripped helping load the van. Unlike the usual ones she'd picked before this all started, which were usually pastels or had cute designs, they were plain bandaids that didn't match her skin tone. She heard Taiyang get in the driver's side and the van started up. Soon, they were driving out of the countryside and to the familiar town. Ruby's attention remained on the scenery instead of the destination, knowing she'd be crying more and Taiyang would probably tell her to stop and that he couldn't handle it.

He could never handle her.

"I was able to get Qrow to agree to let you stay," Taiyang said. There was a hint of distaste in his voice, as if he didn't want to let Qrow look after Ruby. She didn't blame him, but also didn't want to stay with anyone else if she could help it. Ruby slipped one arm out of her sleeve and into her sweater, gripping her other arm tightly. Her nails dug into her skin, and she closed her eyes. Always, always second. Never good enough. Never the daughter he wanted. Just a reminder of her mother's mistakes, like always. Opening her eyes, she noticed they were outside of a small house. It was close enough to her school that she could walk, but also far enough that she could take a half an hour walking there and still be on time. Once they were there, Ruby put her arm in her sleeve and got out before Taiyang could turn off the engine. This was her uncle's place, and she could tell by the way his yard was kept. A bit overgrown, but in a controlled manner. Like him, in a way. She swallowed, wondering what he would say after all this time of barely ever seeing her. It was nerve-wracking, and it made Ruby hesitate in going up to the door. But she did, slowly but surely, pressing the doorbell and jumping as it made a louder noise than expected. It took barely a few minutes before the door was opened and her uncle stood there, looking at her. She looked back, before looking over to Taiyang and going to go get her boxes. She'd do her own unloading, and unpacking. She had to take care of herself now. No one else was ever going to again. She was alone, she was so alone it was heartbreaking. Grabbing her box from Taiyang, bangs hiding her eyes, she took it inside and set it down in the living room. Every time she went and grabbed a box, she didn't even look at her father. He kept trying to talk to her, but she didn't want to hear it anymore.

She didn't want to hear how much of a burden she was on him when she didn't do anything to be one except nearly take her own life.

"It'd be better for all of us if you just died already! No one wants you around!"

The words that had sent her down this path, and had brought doubt to her own life before the incident. All of the things the bullies had said, they were all true... weren't they? Every box was put into the living room, and every time she came back it'd been moved. But she didn't care, she just wanted the van unpacked and Taiyang gone. She didn't want him there anymore. He hated her, she knew he hated her and yet he was still trying to talk to her with every box she took. As she went to get the last box, she found herself unable to pull it away from Taiyang like she had been during the unpacking process. Tugging at it, she refused to engage in conversation with him. She didn't want to talk to him, she wanted him gone and back to his precious Yang.

She needed him too, but he decided to do this to her against doctor and therapist orders.

"Ruby, please-" Taiyang said, voice pleading.

"Let go." Ruby's voice was dead and monotone as she refused to look at him. "Just give me the box and go back to Yang."

"Ruby-"

"Don't push it, Taiyang." Qrow's voice cut through, and he took the box. "She's hurting more than you think, so just let her be alone for a while."

It was with reluctance that Taiyang left, but not without a parting goodbye to Ruby. She didn't respond and headed inside without looking back. The tears welled up in her eyes again, and she held herself close as if she was afraid she was going to break apart at the seams. She already was, and yet no one would see it. No one would understand it, either. She felt stupid, for falling for the words of a blond that had chanced upon her on the school roof. Everyone's words were empty, and there was nothing that could change that. There was nothing that could make it better. She was nothing but a broken, useless being that didn't have a chance at being a normal person.

And her own father didn't love her.

There was an awkward silence before Qrow cleared his throat to tell Ruby that he was there. "So, uh... Got your room set up. Figured I'd let you do the unpacking."

"...Thanks." Her voice still sounded so dead and emotionless. Looking up at him he noticed her eyes for the first time. Puffy and red from crying. She probably didn't feel well either after crying so much. Gently, he put a hand on her head and ruffled her hair like he used to. Guiding her to her room, he left her alone before dialing the number to the usual takeout place. Ruby needed food, and she probably hadn't eaten in some time. It would need to be something light, so he ordered what he could think of for her as well as his usual before hanging up the phone and going to make her something to drink.

After finding out Ruby was going to stay with him, he'd gone shopping for something other than alcohol. He had soft drinks and juices for her, so he picked out a juice and poured her a glass before putting the juice back in the fridge. Heading to Ruby's room, he knocked on the door. It was open, and Ruby had been efficient in getting everything in its place like it was already her room. There were open boxes, books everywhere and Ruby was putting the finishing touches on her bed before looking over once she was done.

"Hey, kiddo."

"...Hi."

"Gotcha somethin' to drink. Ordered us some dinner, too. Figured you could use some food." He offered the juice. Ruby stared at him for a few moments before slowly going over to him and taking the glass and taking a sip of the juice. It was nice, cool and refreshing. A kind gesture, and yet Ruby couldn't muster any feeling towards it except... sadness. She shook her head a little and drained the glass before handing it back.

"Thanks."

"Want me to help?"

"I've got it." Ruby turned away and headed back to unpacking. Every move seemed robotic, as if she was just going through the motions. Qrow sighed and leaned against the door to keep an eye on her. Though he knew it wasn't right, he was worried about her. It felt like Raven in her younger years, where she died a little on the inside before becoming the person she was today... and Qrow didn't want her to follow down those footsteps, no matter how much Ruby may have wanted to.

Staring at the ground below, Ruby could feel the rush of the wind. As if she'd taken the step and fallen. This entire life of hers was nothing but a dream, right? So if she jumped, she'd wake up... right? The door to the rooftop, creaky and metallic as it was, opened and she turned her head to see a blond around Yang's age standing there. He wore a brown bunny hoodie, a white shirt underneath with a yellow line in the middle and blue jeans. His sneakers were scuffed up, as if they were old, but other than that... he looked normal to her.

"...Why are you up here?" Her voice had a sort of gravelly edge to it, due to how much she'd been crying. Perhaps she'd cried herself hoarse, but she didn't care. "Are you here to laugh at me for doing this? You can do that from the ground. Laugh at my dead body."

"No!" The blond shook his head, stepping forward carefully. Ruby stared at him.

"Take another step and I'll jump." She warned. She didn't want him getting closer to her. "Why are you here, Arc?"

He flinched at the harshness of her voice when she said his last name. "I-I wanted to talk to you. You've never done anything so drastic before, so I-" Ruby laughed sarcastically, which cut him off from his sentence. "What? I'm telling the truth!"

"Spare me." Ruby looked away from him. "You just want to keep your conscience clear of having my blood on your hands. You're no better than the rest of them. It's better if I'm dead. I'm causing nothing but misery and pain."

"That isn't true! The world isn't better if you're dead. It loses a precious person. Please, don't do this!"

"There's no reason for me to live. Everything will be much better when I'm dead. My father can look after Yang, there'll be no 'poor little Ruby Rose's father doesn't love her', and I won't get beaten up or bullied anymore." Ruby looked at the sky. "I'll be with my mother, and... I'll be free."

"But think of the things you'd miss! Like ice cream on a hot summer day, the dance coming up and the field trip scheduled for next month! In fact... I'll take you to the dance myself!" That made her turn around and she laughed again. It was a bitter, humourless laugh. Shaking her head, she smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Thanks, but I'm tired. I want to go to sleep."

And she fell.

Slowly but surely, Ruby opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. She'd been lucky that he'd been on the track team, or else she really wouldn't have been here. He'd caught her arm and told her that he'd take her to the dance and she'll have the time of her life. That he'd introduce her to his friends... It'd been a sweet gesture, but one Ruby didn't believe would happen. After everything that had happened, she wasn't about to believe someone she'd only known in passing. How long had she been asleep? Sitting up, she clutched her stuffed animal close to her chest as she noticed it was morning. Ruby figured she must have been extremely tired to sleep through the afternoon and night to the morning. But she hadn't woken up screaming this time, so that was a plus.

Checking her cell phone, she noticed it was only 6:30am. It gave her an hour to shower, get dressed and head to school. Setting her stuffed animal on the side of her pillow, she stood up and gathered up a change of clothes before going to shower. It took her about twenty minutes due to how much hair she had to wash, but she was dried and dressed within five minutes. Food didn't sound appetizing that morning, so Ruby left the house after leaving a note that she was going to school by foot and she'd be home a bit late because she wanted to stop by the store on the way home.

Her wallet felt heavy in her pocket, with unspent allowance that she'd accumulated for some time to keep the bullies from taking it when they needed it... by keeping her wallet at home. She could hide it in her locker when she got to school, and that was what she planned to do. The warmth from her oversized sweater helped her during the cold morning she was experiencing by walking to school, but it didn't take her too long to get there. Heading straight to her usual building where the classes she was signed up for took place, she hid her wallet and put away her books before grabbing the one for her homeroom class, English with Professor Goodwitch. Shutting her locker and going to linger outside of her homeroom class, it was a strange feeling to be here so early. On her way, she'd seen a Schnee car in the parking lot and wondered if it was the JROTC instructor who was named Winter.

Or maybe it was an official visit from the owner of the Schnee companies.

"Hey!" A familiar female voice, belonging to her classmate Nora, rang out and caught Ruby's attention. She looked over to the strawberry-blonde who was dragging her friend, Ren, behind her. "You're back! It's been weird without you!"

"Nora..." Ren sighed.

"Aw, come on! You were worried too when Jaune told us what happened!" Nora exclaimed, before her attention returned to Ruby. "You alright?"

"That's stupid to ask her," Ren pointed out. "She wouldn't have been in the hospital if she was okay."

"...I'm fine. Stop worrying." Ruby winced at her own voice. Still dead and monotone. When would it stop so she could pretend to be normal again?

"That doesn't sound like fine!" Nora put her hands on the younger girl's shoulders. "Tell you what! Meet us at lunch and we'll go for a walk to the nearby restaurant! And we can talk there!"

"...Kay." Ruby moved away from her, saved by the professor opening the door to the classroom. She made her way in afterwards, and headed to the back. The lesson that was taught was a review from earlier that week, which Ruby hadn't been present for. But, as the papers were passed out, Ruby was skipped over. That was... strange. She worked on her schoolwork during her hospital stay, so... why wasn't she being given a paper? Staring at her desk for a moment, she shook her head and raised her hand as high as she could without leaving her seat.

"Yes, Miss Rose?" Professor Goodwitch asked.

"...Sorry, but why did you skip me? I did the schoolwork, so-" Ruby took a breath. "I'm capable of doing the review."

She adjusted her glasses just slightly. "Talk to me about it after class. For now, do your other classwork."

Strange, but Ruby wouldn't question it. Instead, she doodled in her notebook as her schoolwork had been done, and she wasn't sure what else to do. Perhaps all classes were doing reviews today, and maybe she'd luck out... but then again, she was probably failing all her classes due to her hospital visit. It'd only been a week, but her grades were from her in-school work and her homework so there was a high possibility of her actually having failing grades right now. Once the bell rang, signalling class was over, Ruby packed her bag and waved to Nora, who was enthusiastically waving at her and telling her to not forget they were meeting at lunch. Walking up to Professor Goodwitch's desk, Ruby hesitated.

"So... Why'd you do that?"

"Because, Miss Rose, though you are still caught up, there's no telling what the undue stress of a random review once you've gotten back will be. I would rather not cause you to attempt jumping from the roof again. All students here shouldn't feel that kind of pressure." A genuine look of concern crossed the professor's face as she spoke.

"I'm fine. There's no need to coddle me, I could've done the review."

"Perhaps next week you can do it along with that week's review. Until there's signs of your mental health improving, I am not putting any more stress on you. Dismissed."

That... was more strange than it should have been. Did that mean she was excusing Ruby from doing any work until she was actually doing better? But how long would that take? Ruby knew she had to return to normal at some point so it didn't seem like favouritism with her and the professor. As she pondered while going to her next class, she accidentally ran into someone and fell over. Looking up at who she bumped into, she scrambled to her feet while noticing that it was a Schnee.

Winter Schnee's little sister that she'd talked about at one point. Weiss Schnee.

"Sorry." Ruby said.

"You could at least act like you're apologetic." Weiss said, frowning. "Is something wrong with your throat or are you sick?"

"Hoarse," was her response. Weren't Schnees supposed to be stuck up and snobby? That was the impression she got from the reality TV shows... "Why do you care?"

"Take this, then." A thermos was shoved at her. "I don't like the flavour, and I bet it's more suited to you lower-class people."

"...Kay. Thanks, I guess." Ruby shrugged. Weiss frowned a bit more, before turning on her heel and walking off in a different direction than Ruby was heading... which ended up being the exact route that Ruby was heading. Putting the thermos in her bag, Ruby headed to her next class. Today was getting weirder and weirder, and she just wanted to go home at this point.

She doubted she could put up with this kind of treatment any longer.