A/N: Hello! First off, thank you for reading this story and giving it a chance. Reviews and constructive criticism would be gladly accepted to know what I'm doing right/wrong and hopefully improve.
These will be a series of one shots focused on Ruby and Weiss, and occasionally involving their daughter. For those who have read my other story, Learning from History, these stories are all loosely related and in the same timeline, but its not at all necessary to understand these stories.
The one shots won't have any particular order, and will vary in time frame going as far Amaranth's child/adulthood, all the way back to when Ruby and Weiss first got together. These are meant to just be silly little ideas, as I don't think I'm good with prolonged plots.
In short, I hope you enjoy these silly little stories.
Disclaimer: RWBY and it's characters belong to Rooster Teeth and Monty Oum.
Red, White, and Pink
Chapter 1: Heroic Sacrifice
Ruby stared intently at the gateway, equal amounts of determination and trepidation battling within her. Silver eyes steeled with resolve looked unwaveringly forwards, as her mind attempted to convince her heart of what she needed to do. 'You can do this. You've faced scarier things all the time. Just do it.'
Her mental pep talked helped to calm her ever so slightly, until her focus was lost to a small tug on her cloak. Looking back revealed her five-year-old daughter, Amaranth. Snow colored locks framed her face, red tipped strands flowing past her shoulders as her tiny fist clutched at her cloak. Wide silver eyes stared up at Ruby, shimmering with unshed tears as Amaranth tried to desperately persuade her mother. "Don't go mommy, it's too dangerous."
Pride flared in Ruby as she looked down at her daughter, so genuinely concerned for someone else. Turning and kneeling in front of Amaranth, two pairs of silver eyes locked on each other. Gently caressing Amaranth's hair, Ruby spoke softly, but with determination strong in her voice. "I have to Ammy, for your sake." What appeared to be guilt slowly filling Amaranth's young eyes, Ruby quickly sought to reassure her. "Don't worry! I'm an awesome Huntress, remember? Nothing can stop me!"
A small smile followed a few sniffles, Amaranth taking Ruby's word to heart as she hugged her mother tightly. After holding the hug for as long as she was emotionally able, Ruby slowly stood and turned back to the dark entrance. Sighing internally, Ruby did her best to not let it show that she was far less confident than she made herself out to be.
With one last smile and pat of Amaranth's head, Ruby took a shaky step forward, crossing the threshold into the danger that awaiting within.
Making sure her daughter was safely out of sight, Ruby let her expression fall into one of caution as she took in her surroundings. The area was as immaculate as the last time she had been there, though that was under significantly better circumstances. Forcing herself to stop avoiding the inevitable, Ruby pulled her eyes to the center, finally catching sight of what she had been dreading.
A bone white mane flowed down the creature's back with a crooked slant. A lithe figure showed years of physical fitness, telling Ruby that escape would be no simple task. As the being seemed to take notice of Ruby's presence, it turned to look at her slowly. An cold gaze, as sharp as icicles stared at her, the ghostly appearance of it's face marred by a single reminder of a battle once fought only further adding to Ruby's intimidation. As the creature opened it's maw to let out a sound, Ruby couldn't help but shudder from the deathly intent in it's voice.
"Ruby."
With an audible gulp, Ruby dragged her eyes up to meet her wife's glare. As much as she wanted to look away, Ruby knew it would only get her in more trouble if she did. "Y-Yes, Weiss?" Ruby stuttered out nervously, her obvious fear only making Weiss' eyes narrowing knowingly. Ruby tried sending Weiss one of her trademark smiles to soothe her irritated wife. It didn't help.
"Would you mind explaining why the cookie jar that was full a few hours ago, is suddenly empty?" started Weiss, her glaring eyes forcing Ruby to hold her gaze with each punctuated word. She crossed her arms as she took a step closer, watching Ruby visibly shake only serving to justify that Ruby was guilty. "Why is it empty when I very clearly stated I would be making dinner tonight?"
Ruby knew from years of fighting Grimm on the battlefield, about the mistakes a Huntress could make in the heat of danger. A Huntress had to always be aware, and always be moving. Hesitation in the face of danger would lead to a mistake. Hesitation would lead to death.
Ruby hesitated.
"Uh…I-I was…hungry?"
Amaranth sat in the living room of the Rose-Schnee manor, absently petting the fur of the perceptive Zwei. Having noticed her distress, he did what any good dog did and got her to play with him, drawing her mind to happier things. The kitchen had been quiet for a long time though, and Amaranth's innocent heart worried for Ruby's safety.
A lick of her hand brought her attention back to Zwei, a happy look on his face trying to reassure her. With a smile, she hugged the small dog in thanks, scratching at his ears as she relaxed a bit. "Mommy will be ok, right? She's an awesome Huntress, after all." Amaranth nodded to herself with a growing smile as she became much more confident in her mother's capabilities.
The sound of Dust explosions outside quickly brought that confidence to an end.
"Ruby Rose, you get back here this instant!" Another explosion of Dust shook the ground.
"They were just a few cookies, Weiss! I promise to finish all of my dinner! Promise!" Rose petals flew past the window as shards of ice and plumes of fire trailed after them.
Amaranth stared out the window in shock, even Zwei having been taken surprise by the quickly escalating conflict. Hugging Zwei tightly to her chest, she mumbled into his fur quietly. "Mama is scary about not wasting food." The tummy full of cookies told Amaranth that tonight's meal would be a difficult struggle for her.
A/N: Ruby would totally take the blame for eating the entire cookie jar for dinner, like the awesome Hero she is! And Weiss is very strict about a ruined appetite.
Thank you again to those who've read to here. I have a few other one-shot ideas floating around, so I will write those up as I get the chance. I hope you enjoyed this at least a little bit. A review would be gladly appreciated to help me know what people like, don't think, or to get advice on what I could improve on.
For those who have been reading Learning from History, I hope to have a new chapter up within the next few days or so. I just wanted to put this out since I was in an inspired mood for this.
Until next them then, keep moving forward.
~Nekonyaneko