Sorry about the delay, my thanks to you all for being understanding about my laptop croaking it, not to mention school starting for the year and having to reinstall my everything. I had planned on writing the next chapter a few days prior to my old laptop breaking too.

It makes me feel shitty because as fanfiction reader myself, I know how it feels when a writer doesn't upload for a while. That said I'll always go and let you all know when I have an issue delaying chapters because you all deserve to know.

A quick question: Do you all want me to continue to make chapters like this or shorter ones as to be more regular? I mightn't change regardless, but I'd like some opinions.

Now with that out of the way, on with the story.

Ruby had problems, and Yang didn't know if she could fix them by herself.

Having escorted the younger girl back to their dorm and put her to bed, Yang had laid on her bed, trying to come up with what could make her team's unusual leader so...unusual.

Trying to work out why an unusual person is being unusual? Sounds fun as can be.

In all seriousness now, the situation with Ruby would require delicacy, and unfortunately Yang is not very delicate. Maybe a more direct approach might offer faster results, but it could drive a wedge between them that might be worse for Ruby. Yang looked across the dorm and at the diminutive girl that was Ruby Rosline. The girl's tears were still there, and some fresher ones continued to appear every so often. Yang sighed and returned her gaze to the ceiling. She had all of tomorrow to work out Ruby's problems before the school dance started that evening, hopefully they could work something out.

Sometime later, Blake and Weiss wondered into the room mid-conversation and noticed Ruby and Yang, the older of the two slowly raised a finger to her lips to silence the two's conversation before pointing out the door. The other members of RWBY got the message and walked back out while Yang quietly jumped down and went outside with them.

"I found her out at the cliffs, just like Sun said." Yang explained to Blake and Weiss, before quickly continuing before the inevitable question came. "No, she wasn't going to jump, she was just sitting there." The two nodded in relief. "I went to her, sat down, had a bit of a life talk to her, she cried into my shoulder, I brought her back here." Yang wrapped up, before looking over at her teammates. "So, what's the plan?" She asked them. Weiss put a thoughtful hand to her mouth, while Blake looked in at Ruby, concern and perhaps a slight fear in her expression, either for the girl or because of the girl that was their team leader. After no one could think of anything, Weiss shrugged and looked at the two.

"I suppose we should sleep on it and spend the free day tomorrow handling this situation with Ruby before the dance starts. Perhaps she'll come to us and we can avoid all of this." Weiss reasoned. Yang and Blake conceded her point, and with no reason to remain outside, the three went back into their dorm, Weiss sitting down at their desk to finish writing a letter, Blake grabbed a book and lied down on her bed while Yang resumed her relaxing. A few hours later, the girls would get changed for bed and let sleep consume them.

After all, tomorrow's another day.

Ruby was running through the streets of Vale with her pursuers on her heel and her weapon lost. Her cloak billowed behind her and the red clothed object in her arms weighing her down. She jumped over a fence and ran into a dark alley behind a nightclub. She was about to pause when a dark object sped at her and stabbed at her.

She fell to the ground in sudden pain, while something came out from the darkness. A man, no...a Faunus, that scorpion tail clearly being the weapon that just attacked her. He went to open his mouth, probably to gloat at her predicament. She looked at him with fear, then a bright light blinded her and-

Ruby felt her eyes open slowly, her silver eyes moist and sticky. After a little effort, Ruby managed to fully open her eyes, despite still being blurry due to sleep and the tears that had finished falling.

What had that been? Ruby had no idea what that dream was meant to be. Was it a dream? A nightmare? But it had seemed so...real...

Shake her head slowly and sniffling slightly, Ruby got up and walked over to the adjacent bathroom, bring her scroll in with her. Ruby attempted to turn the device on but found it out of power. Sighing quietly to herself, the young girl proceeded to charge her scroll. Waiting for that to finish, Ruby got out of her rather smelly clothes she had been wearing since her duel with Pyrrha and got into the shower. Warm water soon flowed over her and Ruby took the time to relax and forget about the things that were messing her life around. After what seemed like no time at all, her scroll went off and she proceeded to finish her shower.

After some time drying herself off and making herself semi-presentable, Ruby walked out of the bathroom with her towel around her. Getting some spare clothes out, she proceeded to return to the bathroom to change in private.

Grabbing her scroll, she found a missing message from Yang, which was dated before the older girl found her, and another from Roman. Opening said message, the thief she called Dad had simply asked her to take her time to come to understanding with this and he would be going out of the kingdom briefly, but not to forget why she was at Beacon in the process. Sighing to herself, she turned her scroll off and walked out once more. Weiss and Yang were still asleep, but Blake looked over at the younger girl.

"Hey Ruby..." Blake said quietly as to not disturb their teammates. Ruby nodded at her teammate and walked over to her.

"Blake, I am so, so sorry how I acted yesterday. It was uncalled for and far too out of line for me to-" Ruby started to apologise profusely, but Blake merely shook her head.

"It's fine Ruby. I...kinda deserved it. You were right. I was taking you all for granted and wasting myself away too focused on something that I can't do alone. Weiss took me aside afterwards and we talked about how many problems it was making. I...promised to her, and Yang, and now to you, that I won't do this again, not without you guys to help me." The Belladonna looked at her relieved team leader. "But...Ruby...we REALLY need to talk about your problem before we go on our first official missions." Ruby's eyes widened. How could she forget about that!? Loss of team cohesion would make their mission so much harder, and it's likely that her team would won't to try and investigate South-East of Vale. Ruby mentally frowned when she realised that Roman hadn't explained what was going on in the south east.

"Look, Blake..." Ruby started, not sure how to continue. "It's...personal. And it's something I have to do alone, none of you can get involved, because that will just make things worse." Ruby tried to explain, however before Blake could reply a voice came from behind them.

"Well, just because we can't get involved, doesn't mean you can't tell us. We are a team and we need rely on each other if we want to succeed at being Huntresses and people." Weiss said, stretching her arms behind her as the heiress got up with a yawn. Ruby looked over at her partner, and noticed Yang too was also waking up.

"You said something about your family. Something that was 'flipping your life upside down'. You need to talk to us, let us help you. I know you said you grew up mostly alone, but now you have us. We are your friends and we want to help you, only if you let us. You saw what happened with Blake," Blake bristled at Weiss's comment, but didn't deny it. "And if we can't let you do the same as her. SO, for the sake of the team and as your friend, I ask you Ruby Rosline, what is your problem." Weiss asked with a lot less flair as she had with Blake the previous day.

Ruby looked at her partner. Sometimes, Ruby was too nice for her own good. She should tell them, let them know she wasn't who they thought she was.

But if she did, she would be chased out, and her family would be at risk, more than ever.

But at the same time, she was putting her team at risk. She might have come to Beacon for a different purpose, but she couldn't deny, these girls had become like another family to the criminal teen.

But if she did reveal the truth, how would they react to Cinder and her minions? Would chasing them out of Beacon thinking that would solve things or make them worse?

Ruby had to say something, but what could she say? Thankfully, her solution came for her instead.

"Ok, first of all, I do not want to be having life talks so early in the morning. We have all day for this, and I'm not the only one that can tell she doesn't want to say. So Ruby, let's make a deal." Yang announced to the team, who looked at the blond brawler with confused looks. "Simple: Ruby, you have to tell us the problem, but you can wait until you are comfortable. However; you must go to the dance, and you MUST tell us some time before the Vytal Festival starts. Deal?" Yang's words hung in the air for a moment.

"Ok, deal." Ruby agreed. Everyone noticeably relaxed and a peaceful quiet filled the air.

That Evening...

Ruby was used to social gatherings. Or at least watching from afar.

While she had promised that she would show, she would be a little late. After all, a party where most the faculty, student base and security would be roaming around? That is the kind of time where Roman would have her and Neo sneak around to find ways into reach people's homes and steal their valuables.

So, on that vein of thought, it would also serve as a perfect time for someone like Cinder to do something underhanded. Or maybe Ruby was wasting her time, after all, she can't intervene too much really or risk giving herself away.

Shrugging to herself, Ruby poked her scroll a few times, making the cameras in key locations set to alert her to unusual patterns of activity. Honestly, Atlas' toys are so much fun to play with.

Placing her scroll away, Ruby slid her feet into a pair of heels, much to her annoyance, they were fashionable and the only suitable shoes for a dance like this, not to mention she'd stand out if she just go in her hood. Even if she really would prefer to go in her hood. Getting up, Ruby walk/stumbled around for a brief moment, trying to get a feel for the shoes. After a few attempts of moderate success, Ruby shrugs and manages to walk out the door.

A few minutes later, the red reaper finds herself outside the hall that they were hosting the school dance in. Noticing Blake lead Sun in, a small smile graces Ruby's face before she follows. Waving at Weiss, she proceeds to head over to the punch and get a drink.

As Ruby stands back and watches, she notices that Cinder isn't present, neither of her goons were either. Taking a glance at her scroll, she jumps in surprise as a hand briefly lands on her shoulder.

"Good Evening Miss Rosline. I hope your enjoying the party you're teammates have wonderfully arranged for us?" Headmaster Ozpin asks Ruby, who nods after her brief surprise wears off.

"Uh, yeah, it's interesting. Different from what I'm used to at least." Ruby says to the Headmaster. Ozpin looks at her for a moment.

"I hope this gets helps get your mind off whatever issues you might be having personally." He says to the little girl. Ruby looks at him with an accusing look. "I have heard from some of you teachers, as well as overheard your teammates mention some mystery problems you have. While I can't force you to divulge them, remember you have the support of your team, as well as your friends and professors in case you feel like you are in over your head. You are only one person and sometimes, all you need is someone to have you back." Ruby nods at his remarks but says nothing. "Well Miss Rosline, I do hope you enjoy yourself, it's nights like these that will withstand the test of time and remain with you until the end of your days." Ozpin says with a hint of melancholy before beginning to walk off. He pauses briefly and turns back to the Reaper in Red. "Also, could you do me a favour and ensure Miss Xiao Long's uncle doesn't try and spike the punch? He tries every year he's here and Miss Goodwitch would certainly appreciate the help." With his final piece said, the Headmaster of Beacon finally leaves.

As if sensing his name being said, her mentor arrives as soon as the Headmaster has left, taking a swig from his hip-flask.

"Hey kiddo, you're not going to rattle on me if I spike this right?" Qrow asks his apprentice, who shakes her head with a devious smile.

"Nope, no problem at all." Ruby says. Qrow smirks and pulls a second flask out from under his cloak, still wearing his usual clothes if a little less messily. Nodding his thanks, Qrow wonders off in the direction of General Ironwood, who appears to be conversing with Miss Goodwitch and watching Penny. Waving at her friend, Ruby notices a solemn Jaune walk over to her and take a glass of punch, unaware of its tampering.

"Hey Jaune." Ruby says briefly to her fellow team leader.

"Hey Ruby, hiding near the punch bowel too?" Jaune asks in a tired voice. Ruby shrugs. "To the people that avoiding being social?" Jaune proposes, to which Ruby clinks her drink glass against. The blond takes a drink before letting out a cough. "Damn, that's pretty strong..." he remarks while Ruby smirks.

"I'm sorry Weiss refused to come with you." Ruby said after a moment.

"Eh, that's how it turned out. I guess Neptune's was lucky enough to get her to come with her." Jaune remarked. Ruby frowned slightly. She distinctly remembered Weiss saying she was going alone that afternoon, and she didn't see her interact with anyone like such.

"Uh, Jaune? Weiss came alone. Said she was too busy organising the dance to bother." Ruby told her friend, who frowned in confusion. The two looked over at Neptune, who currently was joking about with Sun and Blake doing some kind of Zombie impression or something. Jaune let out an angry growl, before holding out his drink.

"Hold my punch..." JNPR's fearless leader said before wondering off. Ruby watched as we started walking over to the trio, before having his attention drawn away to Pyrrha. Ruby look at the two partners, before putting both her and Jaune's drinks down.

Waiting for Cinder could wait for a little, this ought to be interesting, and most certainly entertaining.

Ruby started following the two, before accidentally walking into Yang. "Oof, sorry Yang." Ruby said with a grunt.

"S'all good, enjoying yourself Ruby?" Yang asked to Ruby indifferent shrug.

"Eh, I guess, kinda not my thing, but still enjoyable." Ruby said to Yang before looking behind her taller teammate. Yang followed her look at the two JNPR members, then looked back at Ruby. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" Ruby asked.

"I think I am." Yang said with a Neo approved smile. The two walked through the crowd and made their way up the stairs towards the balcony. When they arrived, Pyrrha walked past them, looking down with a sad expression, as they watched Neptune and Jaune talk. After some time, the two seemed to finish talking and Neptune left. Before Jaune could leave, the two girls jumped him.

"Come on Vomit Boy, what were you doing with Pyrrha? Hmm?" Yang said while Ruby smirked at him. Jaune flustered and tried to say something before Ruby continued.

"Jaune, you're my friend, and I know you mean the best, buuuut, you need to go down there and get Pyrrha, then do the most obvious think only you could overlook." Ruby said much to Jaune's confused expression.

"Uh... I...er...you mean... what?" He mumbled in confusion. Yang facepalmed and Ruby sighed.

"Ask her out to the DANCE!" Yang all but shouted at him. Jaune, apparently getting the message, nodded before realising something.

"OK! ... You know I was about to do that anyway right?" He said, causing the two girls to flinch and look away embarrassed

Let it be known, Ruby may have been an expert thief, but never did she say she was good socially.

When Jaune had said he was going ahead with asking Pyrrha to dance, this was not what Ruby had in mind. Hell, even Yang wouldn't have been able to come up with something so random and strange on a whim.

But it was so damn funny and cute watching the team of what might turn out as two separate couples dancing away without a care in the world. From her vantage point on the upper level, Ruby had a clear view of everyone and everything. From JNPR's hilarious sudden dance routine, to Neptune chatting with Weiss, Sun and Blake dancing off to the side while Yang spectated with a satisfied look; all was right in the world.

Well, asides from the fact Cinder was still a no show.

Emerald and Mercury had shown up, Ruby looked over to the pair as they too observed from above the dance floor, but their boss still wasn't present. The two seemingly conversed, though Ruby was too far to hear what was being said. They glanced out a window briefly, drawing Ruby's attention outside. A shadowy figure was crouched on one of the nearby dorm blocks, after a brief moment, the figure started moving.

Seems like Cinder's pets hadn't been as flawless as they thought they had.

Ruby slipped out the window as the two began making their way down to the dance floor. Landing on the ground with a thud, muted by the music in the building behind her, Ruby ran with her semblance, quickly catching up with the figure who was likely Cinder.

Cinder jumped off the rooftop, and run behind a pillar, watching the Atlesian soldier standing guard outside the CCT. Now what did she want with the CCT?

Cinder quickly snuck past the soldier and proceeded to knock him out. Ruby watched from her vantage point as the women went to town on the soldiers inside. Running inside before anyone could notice, this time without her semblance (who would ignore rose petals in a building late at night?), Ruby quickly jumped into an elevator, thumbing the up button. The only thing of value for a criminal like Cinder here would be the control setup for the CCT, and Ruby would be honestly surprised if she didn't have anything to do with it. Arriving at the top, Ruby quickly got out and looked around. The place was eerily quiet at night, and for some reason no security was present. Had Cinder known this will be the best time to attack? A nearby elevator dinged, signalling it's arrival. Ruby jumped behind a desk right as the door opened, admitting a one Cinder Fall into the room.

The women, dressed in black clothes and a masquerade mask, walked past Ruby's hiding spot and over to the central computers. Ruby watched as Cinder inserted something into the computer and began typing. A few seconds later, Ruby heard a faint voice, followed by Cinder sighing.

"Which one?" Cinder said, the annoyance clear in her voice. A reply came through that made Cinder frown briefly. Before she replied however, the terminals Ruby was next to suddenly flared white with a black chess Queen on it. Ruby looked around, noticing all the terminals present also repeated the same action, before turning off once more. Cinder got up, "No, we're done here" she said in a devious, light-hearted tone. Cinder began walking away towards the elevator. Ruby got up, walking silently over to the central computer, when she suddenly slipped on her heel, almost tripping over. Ruby quickly recovered and dove behind the main desk. While she didn't make too much noise, Cinder clearly heard something behind her. Ruby's eyes widened as the footsteps stopped, before started again, coming closer to her position. Ruby pushed herself underneath the desk, praying that Cinder didn't think to check it first.

A second passed, then another, and another. The footsteps getting closer.

Ruby had messed up big time. She wasn't some guard that knew nothing other than someone broke into the CCT, Cinder would have known Ruby knew what she had just done. And Cinder was no law-abiding citizen. Ruby was a problem and threat if she was caught.

And everyone knows what happens to those that are a threat to someone.

Black hair slowly came into Ruby's vision as the older women slowly walked around the side of the desk. Her only hope was Cinder didn't look. Ruby closed her eyes, hoping that Roman didn't blame himself for what was going to happen.

Cinder's head suddenly whipped in Ruby's direction, however the fire wielder suddenly back flipped as a large bullet flew where Cinder's head had been. Ruby crawled out from her hiding spot, running over to the desks to the left. Popping her head out Ruby watched as General Ironwood blocked a row of ice dust crystals with his arm. The general fired his weapon, a large revolver, at Cinder, who deflected the round with twin blades, but was knocked back a few feet. She threw her weapons at the general, who shot one out of the air, the sword crumbling to dust, and dodged the other, which smash upon impact behind him. The General threw a small cylinder at Cinder, who drew a bow and shot it out of the air. However, a sudden blinding light and a loud bang blinded Ruby, who fell back behind her. As Ruby's hearing cleared, she heard glass shattering as someone ran past her. Ruby's sight returned to her silver eyes shortly, and which the first thing she saw as the concerned face of the Atlesian General.

"Miss? Are you OK? Are you injured?" He asked her, his weapon still trained on the broken window behind him. Ruby nodded quickly, her hearing still a bit muted, but able to hear the man's words. "My apologises for the grenade, I didn't notice you were there until you fell out of cover." Ironwood apologised, Ruby shrugging in disregard.

"Ugh, it's fine sir, just a little hard to hear and see is all." Ruby said, rubbing her eyes as the General helped her up. "What happened after you threw that grenade?" Ruby asked, curious as the what happened.

"I think I should be asking the questions, Miss...?" Ironwood asked with polite authority.

"Ruby Rosline." Ruby said briefly. Ironwood's brow creased for a moment before he looked at her with sudden revelation.

"Ah, Qrow's apprentice, I believe?" He said to which Ruby nodded. Wait, so did he know Qrow? How?

"Hey Jimmy, mind giving my student back before she starts wearing a uniform and getting a stick." A voice came from them, causing the General to sigh.

Speaking of the devil, Qrow walked up, his weapon in his hand. Ironwood turned around to face the man behind them, his expression betraying his annoyance. "Qrow, in case you didn't realise, someone just infiltrated the CCT. So, I think it would be in our best interest to capture them!" Qrow looked at Ironwood with a smug grin.

"I would love to, but your boys chased her into a building next to the dance. Probably going to lose them there." Qrow explained, briefly looking over at Ruby. "Hey kiddo, you ok?"

Ruby nodded. "Yeah, just about." Ironwood looked between the two before sighing again.

The general looked at the huntsman, "Qrow, can you go and get Ozpin and Glynda so we can have a proper talk about what happened here with Miss Rosline?" Ironwood asked. Qrow shrugged at walked past them into the elevator. It's doors closed as the huntsman took a swig of his drink.

Hang on, how did he get up here without either of them noticing?

Cinder looked at Mercury, annoyance clear in her eyes.

"So, how'd it go?" The silver haired assassin asked. Cinder frowned.

"It was not ideal. However, I doubt anyone expects anything." Cinder said. The raven-haired woman was furious at her misfortune, even if the virus was in place. Getting the General of Atlas involved then had not been the plan.

And while she wasn't certain who, someone else had been there.

Investigation would be in order. She couldn't afford to have loose ends and fail her mission and destiny.

Salem wouldn't allow it, and neither would she.

Not when she, Cinder Fall, was this close.

It took the headmaster and combat teacher some time to arrive, though it was probably just Qrow being lazy Ruby guessed.

While waiting, Ironwood had taken the time to ask questions about herself, Ruby respectfully answering them with her same batch of lies that she had feed to basically everything since arriving at Beacon Academy. However, before Ironwood could ask about how she had managed to live as an orphan and possible cause a crack in the image Ruby had manage to make for him, her teachers arrived.

"Ah, Miss Rosline, I glad to see you're alright." Professor Goodwitch said, quickly walking over to the pair currently seated next to window Cinder had escaped through. Ozpin observed their surroundings quietly, but didn't comment.

"She's perfectly fine Glynda, I fought the infiltrator and drew their attention away from her." Ironwood explained to the concerned teacher, who nodded in thanks to the military leader. Ironwood got up and faced Ozpin, before pulling off to the side, out of hearing. Ruby went to get up, however Miss Goodwitch gestured for the younger girl to stay seated. The Professor sat down next to Ruby, looking at the 15-year-old with a curious look.

"Miss Rosline, what were you doing here? Qrow told me he saw you leave the party early, quickly in fact. Not to mention, why did you come here?" Goodwitch asked quietly, looking down out the window. Ruby's gaze followed her teachers, to the soldiers outside trying to work out what had happened and why exactly. Ruby took a moment to think of what to say. Surely, she could tell the basic truth? After all, it was rather believable.

"I noticed someone on the roof of the dorm east of the dance hall. They started running across towards the CCT, so I decided to take a look since it was pretty suspicious. I followed them discreetly and watched them break into the CCT. As they were fighting with the General's soldiers, I took a gamble and went up here, seeing how the only interesting piece of equipment is up here. I got up here and hid, and sure enough, the person came up here..." Ruby paused briefly, considering what to say. She had to say something but couldn't take too long. Perhaps she could take advantage of the things her team had learned at the White Fang meeting and mess up Cinder's plans? After all, that's what she wanted right?

The brief thought of Roman and Neo made a string twang in Ruby's heart.

"I overheard them mention something in the south east of Vale, some kind of hideout. They put something into the system, then went to leave. I tried to get a look at what from the central computer, but almost tripped on these damn heels..." Ruby finished with scowl at her current footwear. Professor Goodwitch gave the girl a sympathetic smile. Ruby continued her story, "So they heard me, and I took cover under the desk. They almost caught me, but Mister Ironwood arrived at the right time and managed to make enough of a distraction for me to slip away unnoticed. After that, Mister Ironwood can explain it better than me." Ruby concluded.

Professor Goodwitch nodded briefly, then looked at Ruby. "Well, I'm so very glad you're alright. It was fortunate James arrived when he did, I'd hate myself if you had come to harm while inside the school when I could have prevented it." the teacher said somewhat remorsefully. It reminded Ruby of what Roman had taught her, how Huntsmen and Huntresses were typically too hard on themselves and too selfless for their own good. While Ruby may not have seen it as negatively as Roman did, she could understand his sentiments...

Another moment of sadness came flowing to her.

Enough of that, Ruby had a job to do.

"Can you give me a description of the infiltrator?" Miss Goodwitch asked, having apparently not notice Ruby's short moment of quiet.

Ruby looked up before saying, "Tall, light-skinned, dark-haired and female. That's about it, they were wearing a mask and I couldn't make out any distinguishing marks." Ruby said. Her teacher nodded in confirmation. Off the side, Ozpin and Ironwood's conversation was appearing to finish, the General with a frustrated frown and Ozpin with his face in his hand. The two older gentlemen walked over to the two women, Ozpin gesturing for the two to stand.

"Ruby, I am glad that you are safe and unhurt, however, while you are no longer needed to stay up here, I do ask that you keep what happened here to yourself for now." Ozpin said the student, who nodded and went to leave via elevator. "Also, I might request that you come by my office tomorrow morning so that we can discuss this again, with you own input on the matter." Ruby looked at him mildly confused, but nodded in confirmation. The sight of her teachers and the general disappeared behind the metal doors of the elevator. Sighing to herself, Ruby waited for the elevator to reach bottom floor, the soldiers there let her leave and Ruby made her way back to the dance, Yang noticing her almost immediately.

"Ruby? Where have you been, you disappeared and I've been looking for you, are you ok?" The blond asked her, Ruby shrugging.

"I'll tell you all about it later, I might have gotten us a special mission for our first mission as a team." Ruby said, Yang's eye's widening in surprise and excitement.

"Cool, keep in mind that you still need to tell us about what's wrong." Yang said, causing Ruby to sigh in conflict of anger and sadness.

How could she forget.

Maybe it was about time she visited the man she called her Dad.

Well, there you go.

Bit of a shorter chapter than usual, but I have things in mind up next that would be more fitting inside the next chapter then continued from here.

As always, any advice or helpful criticism is always appreciated, AD