Author's Note: I don't own anything from RWBY or any of it's characters. Just any of the characters I may make up for the story. Some things may be at different time then it is in the actual series. Spoilers ahead for those who haven't watched the end of Volume 3. Just to give out a warning in advance. I also apologize if any of them seem out of character. It may have to be because part of the story I have to do it because it fits it, plus it's fiction.

This is an alternate universe. Some characters may still be dead like in the series and some way still be alive. Even change a bit too. If it fits the story.

It's also a Jaune/Ruby as the main pairing. I am sorry for anyone who does ship Jaune/Pyrrha. I did ship them too. The fact they became canon and sunk it in one episode was unbelievable to me. I had discussed it with people and I feel her death helps the other characters. Making them stronger and more mature. I eventually moved on and started shipping Jaune/Ruby. (Not that I want it to happen in Volume 4, out of respect for Pyrrha. It's too soon.) I actually think they would make a really cute couple.

You know how it's hard to accept losing someone you love. Like how Jaune has to cope with losing Pyrrha in the series. In general, it's hard to move on and find someone else. You feel like your cheating on them or something because of the guilt. Despite the fact they're no longer alive. This idea eventually came to me as I thought hard.

Also would like to personally thank Ker Dunne for helping me with ideas for this story. So this is dedicated to you. It made it so much easier for to write this, plus they were brilliant. I hope you enjoy reading it. I am just a lot of these ideas together so all us JaunexRuby fans can see it written down.

Yes, there may be some minor grammatical errors so please be patient as we try to fix any of it. If we can't find them. No story is perfect.

Jaune Arc's blonde hair blew in the wind as kneeled down but he really didn't think all this would happen to him at once. After all he was only eighteen years old; he wasn't considering any adult by normal standers despite the contrary of what everyone tells him. The problem was that in his mind being adult means fighting in an endless wore when you lose the people you love. He rested flowers on a grayish-blue tombstone that had an inspiration on it that read:

"Pyrrha Nikos- She was a great friend, a loving daughter and true warrior."

The tombstone seemed to have gotten some dust on it as he reached out to touch it but hesitated because it was like reality would finally set in for him. That this really happened, as he closed his eyes and felt the palm of his glove touch the cold, hard stone surface of the tombstone. He bent down his head as he saw drops of water had hit the soil on the ground but it took a moment for Jaune to realize that it was his tears. Things like her smile, laugh, and encouragement she had always had given him, he would never see any of that again. Pyrrha had been Jaune's childhood and they have known each other since they were practically toddlers. Over the years their close friends became romantic as he remember the first kiss the two of them shared while they were training to fight as a Huntsman and Huntress. Of course, they tried to keep it professional when they were fighting so they wouldn't be distracted to each other. For a long time he felt the world had stood still and they were so happy.

That's when the unthinkable finally happened that one starry-nigh day. He kept having that image of her dying in his arms. She was protecting him of all things too, namely against the creatures known as the Grimm. He believed what appeared to be one of them that killed her. He couldn't let her memory go despite the fact it's been six months since the attack. The world just seemed cold and empty around him and he didn't know what to make of it, it felt like he couldn't even bring himself to care anymore. There was no color in the world to him. Not in a world without her. "Pyrrha, I wish you can still be here." Jaune whispers into the forest, her grave the only one to hear his plea as he closed his eyes. It's been months since the incident and he's been blamed himself for it. Jaune only could wish that he could be stronger then perhaps Pyrrha would still be alive, then maybe he wouldn't feel like such a pathetic failure. "I wanted to be with you forever. I didn't want us to end this way. What am I supposed to do now?" He opens his eyes and he looks up at the clear blue sky. It was a beautiful sunny day but it felt like winter him.

He wasn't too thrilled at the thought of going back home. He had to deal with his seven sisters in his tiny cottage. He was the youngest and only son in the Arc family; it wasn't easy he had a lot of responsibilities to do now. The problem was that more things were expected of him. Duties he had tried to take seriously and contribute to the family. However, it was hard for him to concentrate. His family had told him that he needs to move on from his girlfriend's death but he just couldn't let go of it. He had a duty as a Huntsman to protect the innocent, to provide for his large family of sisters and his parents. There were times he couldn't sleep, her memory haunting him all hours of the day, and chased him at night. He would wake up believing he was hearing the sound of her voice calling out to him begging him to save her. But even that was more of a fading whisper he could only barely recall. But it was always the same. Her face was getting harder to memorize, were her eyes a bright grass green, or a dark sea green? Was Pyrrha's hair bright red like an autumn leaf or dark like a copper penny? Jaune felt disgusted he loved Pyrrha so much and yet her memory was slipping, how was he supposed to carry on when his number one support was gone?

He had decided to turn his attention elsewhere he set to make do with little the rations of food they were given every week that was delivered. Being a lower class citizen meant you were nothing. They were still treated better than the Faunus, who weren't even considered citizens more like servants. In other words, despite they said they were Huntsman and Huntresses; they really weren't and abandoned his training. It wasn't too uncommon to have a different Faunus working for someone every week given their dangerous professions. Jaune looked up into the far distance at the Hills of Patch. It was like a paradise, filled with mansions that were said to be of gold, the streets made of silver, and water so clear it was like drinking from a mountain spring. They were of the rich and privileged settled in a nice comfy life. Well almost, unlike those in lower class, upper class citizens in Vale were treated like gods. Basically they were queens to their helpless pawns on a chessboard. This was due to the fact they're the ones that had aura. Their aura made them durable and capable fighters. These were people that he knew that he and Pyrrha should have been with because they had aura too but they were less likely to be called into battle, the kingdom couldn't afford to lose too much of their labor force. At least they were allowed to fall in love; he heard that upper class citizens were subjected to arranged marriages because of their aura. So he felt he should be blessed he had this little freedom.

"Ruby!" A voice could be called out. A young woman with long golden blonde hair and stunning lilac eyes was searching for younger sister, she was known as Yang Xiao Long. She didn't mind the adventure and danger that was at every turn. She loved the thought of finding a weak minded Grimm and punching it into the ground. She knew that wasn't what she was supposed to be focusing on however she had to find her sister." Ruby!" She called out loudly again though she wondered if this time she would hear? It concerned her even more because what if she hurt herself and couldn't walk or was unconscious, which was why she wasn't responding? This only had gotten her more worked up as the adrenaline rushing through her body. "Come on this isn't funny! You know how dangerous it is out here with the Grimm that could be lurking in the forest." The girl called out into the empty forest walking under a baseline of trees.

What Yang missed was a young girl clinging to the higher branches giggling to herself? Ruby Rose hiding in one of the tree's as she saw her big sister walking passed her. She was avoiding her for a reason. After all she was only sixteen years old. She didn't want to deal with any potential suitors that would lead to marriage. She wanted to travel and see what the world has to offer. Logically, she couldn't avoid this forever let alone stay in hiding. What was she supposed to do? She was meant to be a proper young lady that is when she isn't training to become a Huntress. Ruby thought it a little strange that she being upper class and regarded as a noble was also expected to fight but she lived for the thrill of battle, it was the only freedom she was gifted. Having to act a certain way as she was constantly being watched. Ruby felt so restricted in that regard. Like a bird trapped in a cage Ruby wasn't able to fly as freely as she wished. Of course deep down Ruby loved the thrill of adventure she was just a tomboy at heart. It was rare for her to be able to show her true self to the public. She simply appeared to be shy, nice girl when outside of the battlefield.

The reason for the arranged marriage is because she came from a long line of incredibly skilled Huntsmen. Her father Taiyang Xiao Long is a well-regarded Huntsman as was her mother, Summer Rose an equally legendary Huntress. To the point the creatures that were known as the Grimm were terrified of her. You were safe around her at least until she died on a very dangerous mission when Ruby was very young. Ruby didn't want to believe it to be true losing her mother so young. But Ruby took the teaching of her mom and became determined to become a strong warrior like her.

Her older half-sister, Yang despite having the skills that should make her be feared was not so fortunate. She lost her arm during a battle with Yang protecting their bodyguard during a Grimm attack. Yang always claimed it wasn't a Grimm; it was something else that couldn't be seen by normal eyes. Of course, no one believed her and moved on with their lives. Of course, how could you explain her aura breaking so quickly that allowed that to happen in the first place? They were lucky enough to survive; it was mainly due to their Uncle Qrow, who had rescued them. Everyone around them was calling for severe punishment for the Faunus girl but Yang intervened and was able to have their father it was an accident. Yang received a mechanical arm as a replacement.

Ruby recalled that incident often and partially why she got into so much trouble in that fight was the poor fashion choices her tailors had made for her? She had on a red dress with black trim and her hair had a long red ribbon clipped in the back. This was the standing clothing worn by the upper class as it was considered fashionable. It was mostly due to publicity but it was a handicap when she was fighting off Grimm especially the heels. How her friend Weiss managed her usual garb remained a mystery to the young rose. But such was the price to pay her family was well known in Remnant. "There you are Miss Ruby." A voice called out from behind her startled Ruby right off her perch. As she fell from the tree she was quickly saved from the fall and cradled in the ram of her bodyguard. "Blake, you startled me. Why did sneak up on me like that?!" Ruby angrily chides as she stands up. Trying to fix up her dress as she wiped off the dirt and leaves now stuck on her skirt. Taking her hands as she spins around so that the leaves fell off.

"I'm sorry Ma'am but I have to stay close by, it is my job to protect you and Miss Yang from any danger." Blake firmly informs Ruby and she knew that Blake was always taking after her and Yang for years now. The only jobs Faunus could have were protecting the upper class citizens that hire them or being their servants. Namely risking their lives every day to keep their protectees alive. Her father Taiyang hired Blake to protect his daughters at all costs. Blake was said to be one of the best of her kind an exceptional Huntress besides the one hiccup that cost Yang her arm. Despite that fact she was still seen as a prodigy. Even more than that Blake was one of Ruby and Yang's best friend. "By the way where is Miss Yang?" Blake questioned as she looked around the room, wanting to make sure she knew where both people she was hired to protect were where she could see them.

"Looking for me, where else?" Ruby responds as she gives off a nervous laugh. "Well, come on. We better go get her before she tears half the forest down." Blake replies as she quickly runs off as Ruby uses her speed to try and catch up with her. The heels only seem to slow her down a bit. They really made it hard for her to use her abilities as a Huntress. "Wait, Blake! I can't run in these heels." Ruby complained as she tried to follow along behind her. "She's always more considerate with Yang than me." She mutters to herself. "And she's supposed to be guarding both of us doesn't Blake know I trip and fall in these. Hugh maybe I should've had her bring my boots after all." Ruby suddenly stops as she looks around, she could sense something was behind her and she prepared to get her weapon, which she had kept hidden. "So why were you hiding?" Blake questioned which caused Ruby to scream again.

"STOP DOING THAT!" Ruby yelled at her again. "And I thought you were looking for Yang." She weakly responded while putting a hand to her chest. "I'm right here." Yang says, jumping out from behind Blake. Ruby was once again startled she fell down." You're so lucky that Blake found you, sis!" Yang begins to scold her. "You know dad won't be happy with us wandering off, well more with you. You know how overprotective he can be." She murmured that last part. While Ruby and Tang could agree their dad was a bit overbearing and protective, he was a caring and loving father. He would do anything for his girls. He just believed he knew which man would be worthy for his girl especially with the boys." Ruby added. As they all laughed before it's broken as Yang squats down to Ruby's level still on the ground.

"So why did you runaway this time?" Yang softly asks her little sister. Ruby couldn't look her straight in the eye as she turned her head to glare at the grandfather clock that was against the wall. "How can I go through with this arranged marriage? I am not in love with him." Ruby blurted out as she stifles a vain attempt to hold back her building tears. Yang simply hugged her little sister. Trying to give her any comfort she could. Yang wasn't sure what she could possibly due for Ruby though. After all things were far beyond her control.

"I am sorry, sis. There's nothing we can do about it." She softly tells her as she quickly forces her into a hug if it weren't for their aura would crush her bones due to her enhanced strength. "Sis, can you let go? I can't breathe." Ruby breathlessly answers despite her aura protecting her she still could feel the pain from her hugs. "Oh sorry." Yang apologetically tells her younger sister as she puts her down. She rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment as this always happened between the two of them due to her semblance. "I am sure he will be a wonderful boy, Miss Ruby. Your father loves you too much to set you with a bad person." Blake adds in, trying her best to make her smile. After all both Yang and Ruby treated her like a person, a friend. They cared about her. That's why she would never leave them. It was hard to find upper class citizens like them.

"Come on, it's time to meet your fiancé." Yang sadly tells Ruby as she holds out her arm to help her up. Ruby ignores it and picks herself up to her surprise. It wasn't like her since she was always so kind to others. "You go on a head then. He will have to wait a bit longer." Ruby angrily tells them. She heard Blake and Yang walk off which left Ruby to brood alone. No one seemed to understand her. She walked away from the trees and over to the stone fence looking far away as the wind blew her ribbon into the sky. She wondered what it was like to be a lower class citizen. Not having things decided for them. They wouldn't be treated special because they had aura. They were normal able to live life without having people to act proper, follow sets of rules and it was something she really wanted to experience. Ruby believed it was the good life and they only could be so lucky. She took a deep breath as she headed back to the house. Life as she knew it was over.

Author's Note: I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. It has a star-crossed lovers angle in the story since Jaune's a lower class citizen and Ruby is an upper class citizen. Naturally Jaune's main problem will be letting go of his first love, Pyrrha since he believes he's betraying her. Despite the fact she's been dead for months.

Also trying to think of the name of Ruby's fiancé? I was planning on making him an OC.

Please Read/Review! I would love to know what you think of the story. It would mean so much to know what you think. Thank you.