By the time Ruby returned home it was rapidly approaching morning. The dark night sky was just seeing the first of the sun's rays, and as she dashed through the silent streets she could feel the cool air begin to warm. At this time most people were still fast asleep or preparing themselves for another day of work, and there was a certain serenity that the young girl treasured.

She silently wished more people could experience the sheer beauty of Vale's sunrise.

She ran, her heart still pounding with exhilaration. Ruby knew that by now Weiss was probably at the scene, trying to find anything to connect the break in to her previous crimes. Or probably scrambling her mind trying to figure out why the thief had decided to give her calling card a different color.

"I wish I could be there to see her face," She thought. "That would've been priceless."

With any luck, it was the first of many robberies, seemingly at random but all designed to get inside the head of the white-haired police officer. For now, though, she needed to get the stolen basket somewhere safe and observe what her adversary did next. She could only hope that the white-haired officer would catch her drift, and that she would continue her chase after Ruby. Otherwise the entire plan would go to hell. The red-haired girl swallowed bitterly. The plan going wrong was something she had taken into account during the execution of her steps, but the thought of losing Weiss' interest after all this work? It was not an idea that lay fond in Ruby's mind.

Her train of thought was interrupted as a hideous stench infiltrated her nostrils. It was a familiar stench; she was close to home.

In many ways, this was a perfect hiding spot. As you moved away from the bustling city center of Vale, shopping malls and businesses gave way to expensive housing, each home to the wealthy of the city. Slightly further out were the leafy suburbs, the long alleys and roads where many of the well-to-do lived. And beyond that lay the cheap housing. This is where anyone too poor to afford better would live, areas where crime was high, employment was low and hope was all but gone. Many would constantly move from address to address, trying to keep one step ahead of a past that was relentlessly chasing them. It was a place for those down on their luck. It was a place that Ruby called home.

Their small house, much like the whole neighbourhood, had seen better days. Tiles from the roof were shattered on the cracked paving that led up to the front door. Vines crawled across the chipped brickwork. Windows were dirty, wallpaper was peeling, the boiler was constantly on the brink and the plumbing was leaking so the whole downstairs had damp. But Ruby didn't care. They'd moved there because this place was abandoned and they needed a roof over their heads, even if that roof did leak occasionally.

Heading round the back of the house, Ruby carefully lifted the latch on the door and slipped inside without a sound. She stepped into the small living room, dropping her newly acquired basket by the door as she did so, and the smell of dog food instantly filled her nose. As if on cue, muffled scurrying from the next room heralded the arrival of Zwei, the corgi jumping up excitedly to see if Ruby had brought him something.

Zwei was one of the few things that actually belonged to the red-haired girl. She still remembered it clear as if it was yesterday, even though 2 whole years had already passed. She was sitting at a garbage fire, watching as something was rummaging through a nearby garbage can. Curiously, Ruby had opened the can, only to be surprised by a small, scruffy ball of floof jumping out at her.

A puppy, obviously one without an owner.

Ruby chuckled. Oh, how long she had begged Yang to take it with them. Pestering and persisting until finally, the blonde gave in. Even though Yang loved dogs just as much as Ruby did, she seemed skeptical about their ability to give the puppy a good life in poverty, unable to provide him with everything he needs in their circumstances.

It had taken one look from the puppy to completely one-eighty the blonde's point of view.

They would make it work, they said. And they did.

"Sorry Zwei, no food this time," She grinned, bending down and scratching the excitable dog behind the ears, "This was a personal trip."

Zwei eagerly licked the young girl's face in response, earning a slight grimace, but also a smile, from Ruby.

"Haha I love you too Zwei! Now keep it down, I don't want to wake Yang." Ruby shushed the dog, wiping the sleeve of her hoodie across her cheek to get rid of the drool.

"Too late for that Rubes!" A familiar voice beamed from a nearby room.

Crap.

Yang sauntered round the corner, her characteristic smirk on her face. She was wearing tight fitting dark clothing, specifically chosen for sneaking around at night, and her luscious blonde locks were being barely restrained by a black beanie.

"Hey Rubes. How ya doing?" The blonde grinned.

"Erm, just, you know, stuff…" Ruby smiled awkwardly, scratching the back of her scalp.

Her sister gave a quizzical look.

"That's… not really an answer to my question." She pointed out in confusion.

Ruby winced internally. She really should have thought up an excuse as to why she'd been out late at night, especially if she was returning with stolen goods.

"What about you?" She pleaded, hoping Yang wouldn't press her further.

"Me? Been checking out that hot new forensics expert working at the VPD!" Yang beamed, and relief washed over Ruby.

"Oh really? I thought we weren't going to get involved with the police." Ruby stated nonchalantly.

She was well aware of the hypocrisy of her statement but at the moment, buying time to come up with a legitimate answer to Yang's question was her number one priority.

"Yeah but you should SEE her! Like W O W! She's an absolute BABE Ruby! I'd try and set you up with her, but this one's mine! And besides, I'm not interacting with her, I'm just enjoying the eye candy. For now at least."

Yang had always been openly gay, and it had meant that Ruby had no issue coming to terms with her own sexuality. When they were younger, Yang would show her pictures of girls she was crushing on and Ruby was always captivated by their slender waists and pretty features. Boys just didn't interest her in the same way. It just seemed natural to her to find women attractive, and as she matured through her teenage years that attraction blossomed into far more intense feelings.

The blonde girl's eyes had glazed over as she talked about this mysterious other girl, and Ruby tried not to think about what was going through her sister's mind at that point.

"I don't know, dad was pretty clear about us staying away from the authorities."

Ruby regretted what she said instantly. Any mention of their parents brought out a dark, dangerous side to Yang and her normally cheerful demeanour would shift into a bitter, spiteful and angry one. For her, the feelings and emotions were still raw and the pain still there, and the hurt was plain to see in Yang's expression.

"Don't mention him!" She snapped.

"Sorry Yang…" Her voice was barely audible and immediately Ruby could see Yang's features soften slightly as the rage that had quickly bubbled inside her sister began to fade as swiftly as it had appeared.

A very uncomfortable silence settled briefly, and desperate to change the subject, Ruby spoke up and continued her previous line of questioning.

"Sooooo, what's she like?" Ruby chirped.

"Hmm? Oh, yeah, she's called Blake, she's recently moved to Vale to work with the forensics department of the VPD, she likes clubbing, she lives on the other side of town. All sorts." Her tone was a little harsh but Yang shot Ruby an apologetic look as she spoke.

"I meant what does she look like."

Yang chuckled awkwardly in embarrassment and the faintest of red tinged her fair cheeks.

"Ahaha, well, she's tall, long black hair down to her waist but she usually keeps it in a bow. Very pretty eyes."

"Usually?" Ruby queried, "Yang this isn't the first time you've seen her, is it?"

The older sister shifted her gaze, scratched the back of her head nervously and shuffled on the balls of her feet.

"Ugh fine, just be careful Yang, we don't want you getting caught." She sighed in an irritated manner.

"Haha you worry too much Ruby, there's not a police officer in Vale that's good enough to catch me!"

Weiss…

Ruby shuddered involuntarily and her mind filled with thoughts of the white-haired cop. If all the rumours were to be believed then Weiss was indeed the best in the business, and both the sisters were playing a very dangerous game taking her on. Still, it was a game Ruby was sure she could win, she just had to play it smart.

"Anyway I'm going for a run and then hit the shower," Yang grinned, ruffling Ruby's hair much to the younger girl's chagrin, "I hear that Blake might be going clubbing tonight so I've got to look my best, right Rubes?" She flexed her muscles, something Yang did a lot to try and swoon women.

Ruby rolled her eyes and got up, unceremoniously dumping Zwei on the floor as she did so. He barked once in protest.

"Have fun!" She called towards the door as Yang was leaving, waving her little sister one last goodbye.

"Oh I will! Hey, what's in this basket?"

All color drained out of Ruby's face and her heart skipped a beat as she realised that she'd left the stolen basket of petals by the back door. Panicking she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Erm it's a chew toy for Zwei!" She stuttered ever so slightly.

"Haha you spoil that dog. Well, see you later!"

She listened to Yang close the door and set off on her morning run before breathing a huge sigh of relief. That was way too close for comfort, and she'd have to be much more careful in future: no-one else could know about her plans or she risked ruining everything.

Ruby reached down and gave Zwei another quick scratch before gathering the basket from by the back door and hiding it safely in her room. It was going to form the next part of her scheme, and she grinned in anticipation of how Weiss would react over the coming weeks and months as this enthralling game of cat-and-mouse played out in the streets of Vale. It was dangerous, especially considering who she was squaring up against, but Ruby wouldn't have it any other way.

Laying back on her tired old bed she closed her eyes, her mind wandering to a million possible outcomes.

Wood cracked underneath her at every movement, and there were a lot as she tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep with all the adrenaline rushing through her skull. But above all, she could only wonder one thing.

"Now then Ice Queen, what's your next move?"

I'd like to first of all wish you all a Happy New Year and may all your best wishes come true.

A very good evening! I believe that shorter chapters improve interest and keep people on their toes for more. No one really likes a chapter that spreads over 10K of words each chapter right?

I hope you've enjoyed, and that I'll see you in the next chapter!

Cheers!