RWBY: Purple Pheonix

Chapter Ten - The Rose That Survives Winter

Blake smiled, happy that it was just her and her friends. The group was walking down the street, headed for the new mall. To her left stood Yang, who kept glancing over at her. Ruby and Weiss walked in front of them, deep in conversation. At the head of there group was Jet. It was nice walking normally again, they had been swarmed by fans all week. Blake was having second thoughts about this band thing. Weiss began to yell at Ruby, snapping Blake back into reality. 

"You couldn't eat nothing but cookies for the rest of your life you dunce!" Weiss scolded. "But why n-o-o-ot?" Ruby wined. 

"Those two are like an old married couple" joked Yang. 

"Yeah, they really are" Blake agreed. 

"Uh-oh, Weiss went a little overboard" Yang commented. Ruby had begun to tear up a little. 

"Hey, R-Ruby" Jet stammered. Even after as close as they had become, Jet still didn't know how to handle an upset girl. Weiss had frozen up, a sort of worried look on her face. Ruby ran off with the help of her semblance. 

"Ruby, wait!" Jet called, before disappearing before their eyes. "What did you say to her?" Blake asked. Weiss's gaze dropped to the ground, then she slowly walked away. Blake glanced over at Yang, who didn't appear to concerned. 

"Aren't you worried?" Blake asked. 

"Nah, Jet'll find her" said Yang "and I'm sure Weiss will look for her too". The blonde smiled at Blake mischievously. 

"W-what?" Blake said, bushing. 

"It's just the two of us" Yang said, grabbing her hand and running up the street "c'mon, let's go!"

but why n-o-o-o-t!?
You just can't, it's unhealthy! You stupid child!

Why is she being so mean to me today? thought Ruby what did I do to her? 

A tear rolled down her cheek. She had run halfway across the city, she knew not where she was. She was in an alleyway, and sat curled in a ball against the brick wall. She had her hood up and hugged her knees. Her eyes stung and nose was running. It wasn't what Weiss had said, but how she said it. Was that really what she thought of Ruby? Did she really see the younger girl as a stupid child? Ruby wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer. The fight was so insignificant, but Weiss seemed irritable today, making her extremely harsh.

"Weiss cares about you, you know she does" a voice said

"She has a funny way of showing it" Ruby remarked

"She had a hard childhood, but she's made progress. Progress towards becoming a better person"

"You can't change who you are"

"She's doing it for you"

"No, she just wants to fit in"

"Keep in mind that people are hardest on the ones they love they most"

"I guess, but" said Ruby "who are you?". Ruby looked up to find no one around. 

was it all in my head? she thought oh well. She stood up, ready to give Weiss a piece of her mind.

but why n-o-o-o-t!?
You just can't, it's unhealthy! You stupid child!

The words echoed in Weiss's head over and over again. She felt horrible, and was disgusted with herself. She stopped walking to punch the wall next to her, causing crimson liquid to drip down her knuckles. "Damn it!" She yelled. She couldn't find Ruby anywhere. She turned down an alley, leaned against the wall, then began to sob silently.

"Damn, it's all my fault" she cried

"Why do you say that?" A voice asked

"Because no matter how nice I act, I'll always be cruel at heart. I truly am an ice queen"

"Yet your friends still stand by you"

"I know, especially Ruby. I was so mean to her when we met, but she still tried to be nice to me. Even after I got jealous that she was picked as our leader and lashed out at her, she still forgave me"

"Maybe she sees something in you that you don't see in yourself"

"Like what? Kindness? Even though I act kind, I always do something like this"

"Go to her, I'm sure she'll forgive you. She may chew you out, but she'll forgive you"

"T-thanks" Weiss said, rubbing her eyes "whoever you are". She turned to find nobody around. 

have I been talking to myself? Weiss thought. 

"Never mind" she sighed "I need to find Ruby."

When Weiss spotted Ruby she was being hit on by a muscular young man, who looked to be in his late teens. He had her literally backed against a wall. She looked really uncomfortable. Weiss's first instinct was to draw he sword and skewer him, but she knew she had to scare him off by other means.

 An idea popped into her head that made her blush, but it just might work. Weiss swallowed hard, then headed to her friend's side. 

"There you are!" She said, throwing her arms around Ruby and nuzzling into her cheek "I've been looking everywhere for you!" 

Weiss's cheeks were burning red, and she could feel that Ruby's were hot as well. "What the-" the guy began. 

"Do you mind?" Weiss growled at him. 

"What are you doing?" Ruby whispered. 

"Just play along" Weiss whispered back. The guy seemed confused, and somewhat irritated. 

"She's mine" Weiss told him "back off". 

"Y-you're a lesbian?" The guy stammered.

"Uh, y-yeah she's my g-girlfriend" Ruby said shyly. The guy begrudgingly walked away. Weiss let go of Ruby, then breathed a sigh of relief. 

"Look, I'm sorry" she said softly "that's all I have to say, you can yell now." Weiss was surprised when Ruby wrapped her arms around her lower back and buried her face in Weiss's chest. "Thank you" she said "you saved me again." 

"I......I guess I did" Weiss said with a small smile. 

"So, are we gonna talk about what just happened?" Ruby asked. "I really don't think that's necessary" Weiss chuckled, flushing a little. She flipped up Ruby's hood, then ruffled her hair. Suddenly there was a loud explosion in the distance. 

"Speaking of saving" Weiss said "we should probably go check that out." 

"Yeah" Ruby said, smiling up at Weiss. With that, the pair was off, not quite sure what they were getting into.