Welcome back everyone. I had actually gotten this chapter done pretty quick and was quite satisfied with it. That was until I couldn't publish it until after I came back from my vacation. Thus why you are getting it 3 weeks late. You will find out why exactly Ruby was able to be knocked unconscious. Shout-outs to Followers and Favorites at the bottom!

Reviews:

Disabled-doctor: Yes that girl is definitely a bitch. That's why I wrote her that way :)

AuroraNova46: I'm back in a really good writing mood so updates should come a little quicker. Its good to see that you are liking this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

MoonShadowPup: That has actually given me a really good idea. I'll definitely do a followup while she is at Beacon so keep an eye out!

Ruby awoke to a persistent pounding in her head. Tentatively, she reached a hand up, feeling for the massive bump on the back of her skull. When it came back, a small crust of dried blood sprinkled her fingers. At least it wasn't still bleeding. Maybe if she hurried she could get back home and shower.

That hope was lost when she glanced up. The sky was dark, practically black if it weren't for the faint glow of the shattered moon and few twinkling stars. How long had she been out? It must have been a few hours, seeming as she was heading to the bus just before sundown. She should have just gone home when Yang offered.

With a grunt Ruby tried standing, struggling to get her feet underneath her. She looked at them, finding they were tied with a chain. She tried to loosen it by shifting her feet. With a faint glow though, the chain tightened substantially, digging in harder as she struggled more. Ruby stopped with a sharp cry and flopped back to the ground. If only she had Cresent Rose with her.

She drew her knees up to her body, working the chain with her hands to loosen it just slightly. The small girl took it slowly but for every step forward it felt like she was taking two steps back. Soon, that began to get to her. Her thoughts caught up as the memories flooded back. All...there must have been more than two people involved. Ruby's gaze flicked to the chain, inspecting it. Before, she didn't make the connection. Although, now that she was thinking about it, the metal looked familiar. Her brain helpfully provided the fight against Gold.

She remembered the boy, whose weapon was the gauntlets. This was something he had done. That meant that he was working with Gold and Mari. There had to be more. Mari had left long before Ruby as they had split ways to get Aero home. The last person she was with was...

"No!" Ruby gasped. "No, no, no, no!" She was practically sobbing at the realization.

"Not Maggie! Please not Maggie." She cried.

"Why?" She asked. But no one was there to hear her. It was just Ruby, alone in an alley. And she cried, feeling her world crumble apart.

Qrow was, in a word, freaking out. Well, that was two words. Ruby hadn't come home earlier that night, nor had she given anyone a call. Tai had gone out, saying he would be hanging out with a couple friends, and most likely staying over. Yang had also gone out after dropping off Ruby's stuff, going to a sleepover with friends until Monday. Qrow had promised the father that he would stay over with Ruby, as they were all worried for her well being.

He sighed, rubbing his and rushing to the guest room for his phone. He may or may not have stolen a few of Ruby's contacts Friday night to call in case of an emergency. Like right now for example.

"Hmm?" A voice answered on the other end.

"This is Mr. Branwen." Qrow greeted Ruby's friend.

"Tell me I didn't fail my final." The male voice whined.

"No. It's Ruby." He said.

That got the much younger male's attention. In the background, he could here the kid rustling around. "What's happened? Wait, never mind. I'm on my way over."

Qrow gave a strained laughed. "That's the thing, she's not here. I was hoping you kids were still out, Aero."

He heard a loud thump on the other end, assuming the boy had dropped his scroll. There was a quick apology as he picked it up. "N-No sir. We split about 4 hours ago. She was heading for the bus station around sunset with...with...no." Aero's voice dropped.

"What?" Qrow urged, worried for his youngest niece.

"Maggie. I just never thought..." Aero's voice trailed. "...I never thought she would be one too."

Qrow sighed heavily again. "It's O.K. Right now we need to find Ruby. Start looking, I'll meet you there." With that, Qrow hung up, grabbing both his and Ruby's weapons before rushing out the door.

Aero raced through the town checking every little nook and cranny for the girl. He finally reached the bus station, talking to the late night people if they had seen Ruby. Of course none had and that made him worry. That meant she had never made it here. From there he checked all the alleyways between hotels and apartments. That was until he found her, just a glint of metal in the middle of two buildings.

She was curled up, asleep but shivering in the cool night air. Aero approached, gently shaking her awake. Her silver eyes opened, unfocused as she though she couldn't put him into a clear picture.

"Aero?" She questioned, her eyes squinting even though it was late into the night.

"Yeah, yeah it's me. Are you O.K? What's wrong?" He put his hands on her shoulders to steady her, electric blue eyes scanning her for injuries.

She sighed. "It's a little blurry but I remember Mari and Gold. We talked and they said something weird. I was knocked unconscious by the kid we faced against Gold. That's why I also have chains."

"What?!" Aero freaked. Ruby winced.

"They chained my legs. I can't get them off because every time I try they get tighter." Ruby explained.

Aero nodded. "I'm gonna call Mr. Branwen. Then we'll get these off."

"No worries, I'm already here." Qrow answered, crouching down by Ruby. "Hey Aero? Can you shoot these off?"

Aero looked at them. "Last time Ruby melted them. I don't think mine are strong enough."

He nodded thoughtfully pulling out Cresent Rose from behind his back. "I can use her weapon though. If it worked once it'll work again."

Aero nodded, taking a step back so Qrow could get them off. Ruby seemed to relax with him closer to her. He watched as Qrow gently eased his hand between to make a small gap. He spoke softly giving her instructions which she complied with easily. In just a couple of minutes, the chains were off, sizzling on the ground.

"Thank you Aero." Qrow said, genuine and sincere.

He nodded in return. "I'll come by in the morning. And we probably won't go out tomorrow, if she knows half of what I do."

Ruby just nodded, eyes a little droopy from her new position in Qrow's arms.

"Hey little Rose, don't fall asleep on me yet O.K? Just wait until we get home." Qrow said softly.

The girl nodded again, clutching onto Qrow's shirt. Aero smiled affectionately. From there, she looked like a little kid, just needing some love.

"Don't worry Ruby." Aero said. "It'll turn out fine."

Hopefully he'll be able to keep his word.

"Morning Ruby." Qrow said from her doorway.

Ruby stretched as she awoke in her bed, before ducking under the sheets. "5 more minutes!"

"I don't think so!" He laughed as he dove on top of her bed. They wrestled until the older man finally dragged Ruby out, kicking and screaming. She stopped with a smile, laughing when he smiled back.

"How do you feel?"

Ruby reached a hand up for the bandage. "Fine I guess. It only hurts when I touch it so that's a plus."

Qrow inspected her eyes and scanned her over. "It seems to me that that concussion was entirely situational. Probably not even one. Just...dazed."

"And shocked." Ruby sighed, slumping slightly.

Qrow sighed, gathering Ruby in for a quick hug. "Aero will be over soon. Get dressed and come down for breakfast."

She hummed in response, puling away to begin getting dress. Qrow left, closing the door quietly, and heading downstairs. Ruby sighed again, looking at herself in the mirror. The bandage was hidden for the most part by her hair but you could still see some fleeting glimpses of white. That's all she needed to remember everything that had been revealed while laying in the alley.

How could Maggie have turned? She never thought that her best friend would turn. Maggie had always been so encouraging and happy for her, she never would have thought this would happen. That must be why they called it a blindside.

A little while later, Ruby popped down the stairs, heading to the kitchen for breakfast and maybe some coffee too.

"Hey Uncle Qrow?" Ruby asked in a small voice.

Qrow turned, finding his young niece peeking around the corner from the living room. Her hood was pulled up, hiding some of her face. He hated it and wished that he could stop all of it. Why did it have to be her? If there were anyone who didn't deserve it, it would be Ruby. She was sweet, innocent, honest, and kind-hearted. So why was she being punished like this?

"What's up kiddo?" He answered, leaning on the kitchen counter.

"Is there something wrong with me?" Ruby asked.

Behind her, there was a clatter as a bag was dropped. Both whirled to find Aero there, tears almost in his eyes, bag of snacks on the floor. Ruby shrank back, stepping into the kitchen to run. Fear filled her eyes. Fear of loosing another friend and being betrayed once more.

Aero took a cautious step forward. "Ruby no. Please, no."

"A-Aero...I-I-" She stuttered, rubbing her arm.

Aero stopped, looking away. "I'm sorry that I haven't been a good enough friend to make you realize just how wonderful you are."

"No, Aero. It's not you." Ruby sighed, tugging down her hood further.

Aero scowled, voice raising in pitch. "No! Don't you dare say that it's your fault. Nothing you have done was wrong. Nothing is wrong with you. Today, people are jealous over the littlest things." He pulled her into a hug, rubbing her head voice steadying. "Its not your fault if people can't see true talent. You have worked so hard to get where you are and I know you will have to work harder. So please, for my sake, don't blame yourself."

Qrow came over, pulling both kids into his arms. "He's right you know. None of this is your fault. You deserve all these good things. When you first told me that you were going to Beacon...I was ecstatic. You will be an amazing huntress and do incredible things. I have no doubt in my mind that you deserve all of this. And I love that."

Ruby sobbed in between the two men, shaking and laughing all at once. She was glad to have these people in her life. Ones who cared and would stick with her for her entire life. Ones who would never leave her, no matter what. But after all they had said how did she know they wouldn't leave her? But for once, the thought left her mind as soon as it entered. Qrow may not be her blood uncle but he was family and loved her to death. Aero was like Yang, friendly, loving, overbearing, but in the end he would do anything for her.

Ruby sighed, wrapped in her cloak on the couch, cuddling with Aero.

"Spit it out." Aero said. She hadn't spoken much, just stayed silent and clung to one of the two others in the house.

"Well..." She began. "we both know that it was Maggie, Gold, and Mari."

"And don't forget the other guy but I have no clue why Maggie would tip them off." Aero said.

She hummed, urging him to do all the talking.

"Maggie and Mari had been talking a lot after the announcement. And because Mari talks with Gold she technically turned them both."

Ruby nuzzled into his side harder. "So it all goes back to Gold."

Aero nodded. "Essentially yeah."

Ruby just nodded, getting up quietly and heading off in the direction of the bathroom. Qrow took that oppurtunity to sit down next to Aero, both staring at the blank TV, thinking.

Aero spoke first, shaking his head. "We're both thinking about why Ruby was knocked unconscious."

"I have my theories." Qrow said simply.

"For the most part I think we both know why. I mean, just look at what happened this morning."

Qrow nodded thoughtfully. "Having an aura protects you. It's the most important and yet basic thing that any Huntsman/Huntress learns and has."

Aero's eyebrows crinkled together in deeper thought. "We must make a conscious effort to do it for the first time. For the most part, it becomes second nature after that."

"That's the thing though. Everything Ruby believed is breaking down, faster than she can gather the pieces. It's chipping away at her mind, her self esteem. She's lost confidence in her abilities."

"That's what's affecting her aura. She doesn't even realize it either." Aero sighed.

Qrow nodded once more. "Yep and until she realizes that none of this is her fault, we need to keep a close eye on her."

"For the most part I understand but why?" Aero questioned, missing one big piece.

Qrow looked at him. "Semblances. They eat at your aura. What happens to someone who uses their semblance without an aura?"

"Don't tell Mr. Tai?" Aero said looking at him.

"Don't tell Tai." Qrow agreed.

A few moments later, Ruby flopped down snuggling between the two, flicking on the TV.

I've based this idea off the fact that Jaune has zero self confidence and zero aura. So Ruby is slowly losing confidence which is affecting how well her aura works.

Shout-outs: Thank you to all those from previous chapters! I am so grateful that you guys enjoy it. Sorry If I missed anyone.

Follows: Theshadowhunter216, Disabled-doctor, Rocco151(for following me and story), and Edward Verdant

Favs: Rocco151, Edward Verdant.

Next chapter will arrive soon. Please Review, Follow, and Fav.
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