(RWBY) castles that tower above the horizon

chapter LXI: refuge

"Goodluck kids" my stepmother smirked hugging both of her daughters as they stood in the changing room fitted out in their combat gear "we'll be right there with you so dont worry"

"Ok mum" Yang smiled.

"And Ruby, if you even just feel like it dont be afraid to just... bow out if it gets too much. Or just slip in your ear plugs" Raven said coming down to her young daughter's level as she passed her a small box of noise cancellors "the noise can be a bit overwhelming, and don't feel bad to come tell us something if you don't feel like something is right"

"Ok mum" Ruby responded, almost demanding another hug as the electronic door slid open and a pathway extended to a small metal island in the middle of a screaming stadium full of spectators.

This is going to be my whole day now isnt it? Ruby sighed, trying to hide in a combination of her sister's and girlfriend's shadow ,which wasn't working. Atleast her mother and stepmother where walking up with them both of them almost forcing the small wolf forwards with their hands both on her back pushing her slightly.

"You girls give it your best, we'll stay here" my mother smiled, petting Ruby's ears slightly as she joined her team in the middle of the island. "Good luck!" The woman shouted standing on the border as the retractable pathway slithered into it's docking bay. "This is going to end badly isn't it?"

"Yup" Raven replied watching as the opposing team stepped forwards "let's just hope nothing too bad happens"

"We should really have more faith in Ruby"

"It's not Ruby I'm worried about"

"Yang? Sure she's hot headed but she wouldn't hurt anyone"

"That's just the thing, I have a bad feeling about it, hopefully they lose and we can get this all over with"

...

"Team RWBY Wins!"

"Well that plan backfired" Raven sighed jogging over to her two daughters and putting on a happy smile "I'm so proud of you guys, you did so well!"

"Hungry" Ruby just mumbled tugging on her stepmother's shirt, the three other members of her team just looked... disappointed.

"Man they could have lasted a lot longer" Yang commented stretching her arms as the other team limped away while grumbling.

"They didn't seem to be much of a challenge" Blake agreed while Weiss just hummed in agreement.

"What did you think Ruby?" Weiss then asked waiting for the extendable pathway.

"Hungry" Ruby just repeated, still tugging at her stepmother's shirt, as if expecting food to magically be produced.

"Food it is!" Raven declared, scooping the small wolf up in her own red cloak and cuddling her close to her self, cradling her as if she was a small child mewling for milk. Though Ruby didn't seem to mind, she was still tugging for food, and I'm sure she wouldn't mind some milk herself, but then again, who wouldn't? It's better then water.

"Hungry"

"We know puppy" Raven sighed "just wait a bit"

"Hungry"

"I know Ruby, let's just play a nice game of eye spy to make me forget about my impending rage" Raven sighed

-{ line brake }-

"Is it a tree?"

"Yup!"

"That's the third tree in the last five minutes" Yang groaned