[A Rose's Thorns] Naruto/Ruby (Patreon)

Summary- Ruby always valued her friends, her family. But what people didn’t know was just how much she valued those people, and what she would do to protect them… even when the one she loves don’t know a thing about it. After all, every rose has its thorns. (Naruto/Ruby) (Yandere Ruby)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Rwby or any other anime I use in this story. They belong to their respective creators : Musashi Kishimoto and Rooster Teeth

A Rose's Thorns - Oneshot

Ruby loved her mother.

She truly did.

Summer Rose was a fighter, she was strong, she was fearless. But most importantly…

She was her mother.

There were no two ways about it. She was unlike any other person she had ever met; sparking an endless child-like joy within her chest with just the sight of her face.

Of course, like any mother, she was strict. Like the time she had limited the amount of cookies she could eat a day to only three.

But now? That didn't even matter, and she would give anything to have time with her again.

She remembered; one day, when her mother was a lot more busy than usual. Summer was making dinner, or perhaps it was tea.

Nevertheless, the woman had been boiling a pot of water to create whatever dish she so desired.

Now, being the helpful and enamored kid she was, Ruby had taken it upon herself to help her mother whenever she could. And, being at the ripe age of five, she hadn't developed the much vaster amount of knowledge and forethought that she had now…

Who was she kidding? She was still much more impulsive at times.

But anyway, she had tried to bring her mother the pot of scalding hot water, and, of course, she had failed. Knocking over the pot in the process.

Now, being the absolute super-mom her mother was: she was able to save her. Stopping even a drop of the spilling water from reaching her skin.

The only caveat was that she used her hands to do so. Burning her skin a fiery red in the process.

But even then, her mother's first instinct was to check if she was okay.

It was unfathomable.

And even she could see that her mother was hurting. Yet all she cared for in that moment was her daughter.

Even at the young age that she was, she had to question her, why?

But the response her mother gave her was an odd one:

"Because when you love something: you hold it close, and never let go."

At the time, she didn't get it.

But naught, a month later… her mother disappeared. It was then that she understood.

She didn't want to let go of what her and her mother had. Her mother's death was so abrupt, so hurtful. Truthfully, she hasn't been the same ever since.

There was no relationship she had since then that could equate to how she felt about her mother. Not her uncle, or her father, and even her half-sister Yang.

But don't get her wrong; she still loved each of them a lot.

But she never felt the same about anyone as she did with her mother. That was, until…

She had met him.

Ruby remembered it like it was yesterday...

She had just entered beacon academy, two years early, mind you, and she had been nervous. And given that she hadn't made quite the right impression, she had wanted; anxious was an understatement.

What if she didn't like her teachers. Or if she had gotten stuck with a bad partner? Or even a whole team that didn't like her?

That would be horrible. So she really wished she was on a team with her older half-sister, Yang.

Zooming through the initiation area as fast as she could with her semblance. The Emerald Forest was a blur.

Which is how she met her partner, locking eyes with him as their future was cemented.

At first, she hadn't thought of him as anything special. And he looked quite similar to another boy and classmate she had met earlier: Jaune Arc. Blonde hair, blue eyes, but with much tanner skin. And the strangest whisker-like marks she had ever seen.

He was handsome, she had to admit. And he had this wildly rugged look to him, even if his face did look a tad feminine.

But he seemed… nice?

If that was how to put it. He wasn't hostile to be sure, and he was amicable. But at the time, she hadn't really thought anything of him, not minding being partners with him for the next four years.

Even then, Ruby had wanted to prove herself.

They had found the relics they sought after, with the help of a Nevermore, crazily enough.

As a majority of the students grouped up together, her reuniting with her sister. It turns out many of them had brought grim trailing behind them as well.

The giant deathstalker Pyrrha had brought with her seemed like the perfect opportunity to prove herself to her peers.

Rushing towards it, she had neglected to take account of the Nevermore she and Naruto had brought in.

That cost her.

As giant feathers pierced her cape and nailed her straight in her place.

With the Raven-like grim ready to attack her, she should have been dead…

Had it not been for her partner.

Naruto had saved her.

In an impressive feat of strength, with what seemed to be a long black and golden staff, he managed to smack the large grim away as it flew back into the sky, seemingly in pain.

Which was surprising enough.

But then it happened.

Instead of checking up on his own well-being or any of the matter, he turned to her.

He had a smile that was seemingly brighter than the sun.

And he asked if she was okay?

That's when she felt it.

Bump. Bump. Bump.

Ruby's heart soared nearly a million times. As a deep red blush overtook her face.

It was as if she were…

No, it could be, could it?

XXX

She ended up being on the same team with her sister, along with the dark haired girl she had seen earlier. Strange, but not unwarranted, But something more unexpected happened not long after.

Apparently, Ozpin had thought it wise to name her leader of their team.

RUBY.

He called it, echoing her own name.

It was a little much, and her adolescent mind could barely take the pressure.

And, unbeknownst to her, her infatuation with her blonde partner had only grown.

She could help it! He was just so cool. Being the first one to volunteer to fight a grim in Professor Port's class.

At first, she had tried to supply helpful tips to the blonde, as team leader of course. But she soon found out her growing knowledge of grim was useless, as Naruto didn't need it.

Plunging his staff through the boarbatusk's skull before it could even have a chance to strike. As if he had done this countless times before.

She was happy for him.

But that brought upon a countless amount of doubts within her mind. She felt she wasn't worthy as team captain.

Imposter syndrome, as Headmaster Ozpin called it when they talked, even as their talk didn't help.

And one night, as the doubts were particularly pushing down on her shoulders, she felt she needed some space.

Sneaking out of their team's shared room, being ever so careful not to wake any of her sleeping teammates. It seemed all her efforts to remain hidden were all in vain.

At first, she thought he was Jaune, a fellow team leader. But she soon realized just who had come to talk to her.

And he seemed to know just what to say.

"Ya'know, Ruby, I think you're being too hard on yourself. I mean, look what you did in the emerald forest, we beat that Nevermore because of you. You can become a great leader. Ozpin knows that, I know it, it seems the only person who doesn't know it... is you."

Bump. Bump. Bump.

It seemed her heart skipped a beat once again, as her face was lit aflame like no other.

But her talk with her blonde teammate did help a lot. As it felt that a large burden had just been lifted from her.

Perhaps Naruto was right?

He seemed so amazing, and something gravitated her towards him.

Like the Moon to the Sun, both inhabited the sky, lost in the world around them.

XXX

"Sooo~ Rubes, why are you stalking on Blondie over there?" A boisterous blonde asked, her eyebrows waving in a very teasing and knowing fashion.

"Yaaaaaaannnnnng~!" Ruby wined at her sister, not comfortable that she was going to give her away. Although a light dusting of redness did reach her cheeks.

"I'm not stalking him, I just…" Ruby tried to explain just what she was doing, but failed to see justification in her actions.

Yang took notice of this, of course. "Yeah, stalking," her sister nodded, much to Ruby's protests.

Ruby pouted, knowing her sister wouldn't shake hold of the subject.

She wasn't stalking!

She was just watching her blonde teammate from a distance, so she could see what he was doing at all times and— oh? That sounded an awfully lot like stalking.

But she wasn't! Of course. This was for…

For team leader purposes, yeah!

But it seemed her violet - eyed sisters knew otherwise, as she gave her a knowing smirk. "Oh! My baby sister has a crush, that's so cute~!" She teased, much to her sister's protests, although her face's pale complexion did heat up a bit.

And after a barrage of playful slaps from the girl, Yang relented. Although not before adding:

"Alright, alright, you might not have a crush on him… although I could see why you would, he's a hunk," the blonde said with a thumbs up in approval.

And— oh, oh? It seemed her sister did not like that comment, as a seething silver-eyes glare was sent her way. She didn't even know her cute little sister could make a face like that!

But then something new came to her attention: "Although it might seem that you have a bit of competition," Yang pointed out, drawing attention to a figure walking towards Naruto's direction.

And drew attention it did, as Ruby's angered glare widened it surprise.

"What?!" She called out, quickly turned around and looked over the corner to the hallway as she had done just before. Staring at the blue-eyed blonde who stood at the end.

It was Pyrrha, she was walking towards Naruto, and— Ohhhh? She was hugging him?

She had to find out more!

And if looks could kill, the red-haired champion from Mistral would surely be dead.

XXX

"Hey Pyrrha!" Naruto called out towards the redhead, as a small smile lit the beautiful girl's face.

"Hello Naruto," the champion greeted back, as a light wider smile lit the blonde's face. "I'm glad to see you again." She said, as the two gave each other a very familial hug.

"Same here, it's great to see you here in Vale," Naruto smiled.

"And I am glad to be here, the place is… refreshing, from what I'm used to," Pyrrha commented.

And it was true, Vale was much more different than what she had grown accustomed to in Mistral. There were even a few people who didn't know her name!

"Yeah, I bet," he chortled. Before gesturing towards the exit. "Shall we be going?" Naruto asked, wanting to get towards their destination as soon as possible.

And as they left, they didn't notice the dark and red haired, accompanied by a curious blonde haired, females that made to follow them in their interaction.

"So Jaune, huh?" Naruto spoke up, as they went off to where they were going. Nearly taking Pyrrha off guard as he said it.

Now, Pyrrha, the invincible girl, wasn't one to be taken down lightly, as she moved in with a swift counterattack.

"So, Ruby?"

Naruto only laughed.

As a pair of silver eyes watched them, not hearing their conversation at all. Only seeing the familiarity between the two.

XXX

Time moved on.

And yet, Ruby could never quite get a handle as to what exactly Naruto's relationship with Pyrrha was.

We're they Cousins? Siblings? Pen pals? Or, heavens forbid…

No, they could be, could they?

She wouldn't allow it!

So she had watched Naruto from a distance, being ever so careful as to not get caught.

Yang called it 'stalking' but she liked to think of it more as observing her subordinate as a team leader.

That was it!

Nothing more, nothing less. She was doing this for her team's benefit, after all. She couldn't allow some red haired harlot to take her— their, Naruto, from their team, could she?

But after observing Naruto Uzumaki for some time, she found nothing that would answer her questions.

Although she did find him meeting with some strange perverted man with long white hair and wooden-sandals a lot. And for some reason, his was getting called in to talk with Ozpin a lot more times than usual.

But nothing on Pyrrha.

So she kept up her search.

But found nothing.

Even as they were led on various adventures: Finding out Blake was a Faunas, a former white fang no less. Fighting Roman Torchwick once again, and again, as he brought grim to vale using an abandoned railway.

Soon Beacon's Annual dance was upon them, and apparently Naruto was helping the people set things up. Blake was, of course, reluctant to go, but after some prodding she came. And Yang was even working as a sort of bouncer for the whole thing, how she got the position she didn't know why.

Yet, even as she went, Yang helping her pick out a dress, she was decidedly without a date.

As a certain blonde haired teammate was on her mind.

He was probably with Pyrrha right now, dancing with her, dating— no! She didn't like that thought.

And as the music blared and the people danced around her. Ruby was unable to notice when a particular person crept up behind her.

"Hey, Ruby!" A voice called out, as the girl in question's head snapped like a bullet towards the offending direction.

"N-Naruto?" Ruby's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting to see the blonde anytime this night.

He seemed slightly nervous, as he was rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I um… wanted to talk to you," he spoke, trying to get in a conversation with the girl.

"Y-You D-did?" Ruby's mind soared in all sorts of places.

"Yeah," Naruto nodded, before taking notice of something. "You don't have a date tonight?" He asked, his eyes widening in surprise.

As Ruby's demeanor deflated a little, realizing her predicament. "Yeah, I don't," she sighed.

Naruto was probably only talking to her out of pity. But if she had to guess, Pyrrha was probably busy getting punch, or talking to her team for a little while. And, naturally, seeing she was alone, he likely wanted to strike up a conversation with her.

Yeah, he was kind like that.

Pyrrha was probably going to come along any minute, snatching him away as she would never see him again.

What would they do? Dance? Talk? Maybe even, Kis—

"Would you like to dance with me?" Naruto asked up, stopping Ruby's mind in its place.

"Wait what?" Ruby said, in shock.

But Naruto wasn't bothered. "The dance, do you want to join me?" He asked once again.

"Yes!" Ruby jumped at the chance. Before regaining her composure, "I mean… I-I would like that."

Bump. Bump. Bump.

Her heart soaring at the thought.

Naruto smiled, "Alright then."

Soon they were on the dance floor, as Naruto took his hand upon her waist, their other palms interlocked. It was as if he had done this before…

The thought made her blood boil. If she caught any harlots dancing with her Naruto, she would—

Not noticing her slip up within her mind, Naruto interrupted her train of thought once again.

"So, Ruby, are you enjoying the night?" He brought up a decent enough topic while they danced.

Ruby deflated a lot at the fact she wasn't actually going out with her not so secret crush. "Well, the decorations are nice, and the punch is good, but…" she trailed off, trying to think of more good things to say.

Yet Naruto saw right through her. "That's all well and good, but that's not what I asked," the blonde noticed.

Silence.

"You didn't have a date, did you," Naruto reiterated, slightly out of guilt.

"No, I didn't," Ruby answered honestly, shrinking in her place.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry about that," Naruto told her. Ruby thought he was just trying to be kind.

"Oh, you don't have to be sorry," she told him.

But Naruto shook his head. "No, truthfully I wanted to ask you, but I was a little busy helping the others with planning the whole thing," he confessed.

As Ruby's eyes widened. "You did? B-but what about Pyrrha?" She asked in surprise.

But Naruto was only confused at her question, "what about…?" Before he realized what exactly she was talking about. "Oh, Pyrrha."

"Yeah, her," Ruby said lowly.

"She's my cousin," he corrected, not wanting this misunderstanding to go on any further.

"She's your…" Ruby trailed off, puzzled at this new discovery. "But you… and you…" Suddenly, Naruto's actions became clear to her.

Of course, Naruto wasn't cheating on her.

Wait, what?

"Yup," Naruto nodded. "She moved her all the way from mistral to be a little closer to my mother. You should have seen it, Pervy sage was so surprised. Mom made him think there were two of her for a second, he nearly had a heart attack," he chuckled at the memory.

"Cousin? Mother? Pervy-sage?" Ruby's mind was spinning.

"Yeah, you'll have to meet them, they're all great," Naruto smiled.

"But, Pyrrha…" Ruby repeated like a robot.

Wait? Was he inviting her to meet his family? And so soon in their relationship.

"Yeah, Pyrrha will have to bring Jaune, Mom might pull the same prank with him." Naruto knew a good prank when he saw one.

"Jaune?" Ruby inquired.

"Uh huh," Naruto nodded, before pointing towards the aforementioned blonde. The blonde… who was currently wearing a dress. Why was Jaune wearing a dress?

Was her mind deteriorating?

Was this a dream?

No! It couldn't be. But it sure felt like it.

"Pyrrha seemed to have a thing for him. He seems like a good kid, keeps his word, and not many men are manly enough to wear a dress," he chuckled at the scene along with all the others.

Ruby realized he was right, Pyrrha seemed he was having a good time with him.

Perhaps there wasn't anything to worry about?

Who was she kidding? She could see a bunch of girls around her ogling Naruto like a piece of meat.

She would have to do something about them.

Unbeknownst to her, Naruto spotted something in the distance right when the door was opened. It was a person, a shadow, leaping across the rooftops.

"Hey Ruby," he called out, gaining her attention. As the girl was planning the many was she would hurt the floozies that touched her Naruto.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to cut this a little short," Naruto said, sorrowful that he had to go.

"Ehhh… what?" Ruby's mind was frozen.

Sadly, Naruto couldn't waste any more time. As he let go of her, rushing towards the door. "So sorry, I promise I'll make it up to you!" He called out as he left.

Leaving Ruby on the dance floor alone in her thoughts.

XXX

"You know; the dance is in the school, I think you may have gotten lost" Naruto pointed out, having followed the person he saw earlier to the Cross Continental Communication Center. Spotting a dark haired masked figure taking down a great number of the stationed atlas soldier's nearby.

The woman smirked, not even labeling him as a threat. "Oh, I don't know, I think my invitation might have given me the wrong directions," she joked.

Naruto gained a similar smirk, fashioning his bow staff in a battle position. "Yeah, for some reason, I doubt that," he told her.

Of course, continuing their game, the woman gave a fake sad expression. Before bouncing back as if nothing happened. "Oh, and here I thought my acting was pretty good," she finished.

As in an instant, the woman took out a jar of fire dust within her pouch. And, likely using her semblance, she fashioned an array of floating blades. Sending them towards him in one fluid motion.

And, given Naruto's quick thinking, the blonde spun his staff quickly, blocking the shards of black glass sent towards him.

Eyeing the dark haired woman once again.

XXX

Ruby should have known something was wrong.

Her Naruto, was meeting with… with some woman!

It was insane, unexpected, and unheard of.

Honestly, she didn't believe it, but it was true.

He was cheating on her.

Of course, within her adolescent and perhaps slightly damaged mind, she hadn't realized they were, in fact; not dating.

But still, something was wrong!

Oh… and the woman was trying to kill Naruto. But that was just semantics.

Moving out of the elevator, she wanted their battle. Quickly using her petal burst to speed her way towards the offending woman.

Viciously slashing her giant scythe towards the harlot. It was only on instinct that the woman dodged. Moving inches from getting her head chopped off.

As the woman gained her distance, gauging the new occupant who had just arrived.

Before turning her attention to the student of the Toad sage and Sarutobi. "Sorry, it seems we'll have to cut this date short," she told Naruto, as she blew a kiss towards the blonde with a wink.

This sent Ruby even more on edge, spiraling towards the deep abyss many would call insanity.

But honestly… she didn't care!

How dare this harlot try and take her Naruto.

She wanted to hurt her. For some reason, that one action compelled her more than any other.

Even as Ironwood came rushing into the room, and as the masked woman left in a rush.

She still wanted to cut that woman with her Crescent Rose.

XXX

That feeling never changed.

She still wanted to cut the harlots down.

What's worse was more floozies kept coming after her Naruto.

Of course, she chased them away. She couldn't have any of them going after Naruto… as team leader, of course.

No matter what Yang said, that was her only motivation. It didn't matter that her heart fluttered every time she saw him. Or that he made her smile just by being in the room. Or that she loved him.

She would be doing this to any team member on Team RUBY… right?

Wait, Loved—?

Finding out about Naruto and Pyrrha's familial connection was interesting. Yet she still didn't trust her, blood was only a deterrent for so long. And she didn't know just who would go after him next.

Blake? Nora? Penny?… Yang? No, she would never betray her, she knew that.

As time went on, Naruto only seemed to get even more busy. She seemed to only get to see him during classes.

And when he wasn't, he was either strangely talking to Ozpin, or meeting his family for one reason or another.

Of course, as team leader, she followed him. But even then Ruby couldn't tell what exactly it was all about.

But she didn't stalk him!

No matter. Naruto didn't even want to participate in the Vytal festival for some reason. But of course, he did participate in the first round for the team. He was just that nice, after all.

It was a shame, they could've probably won the tournament with Naruto as their front-runner. Yang did well, though, even with the craziness that happened with her fight with Mercury.

She never really liked him.

And her teammates…

Of course, that brought her to this very moment. Following a set of atlas guards that were laid unconscious during Pyrrha and Penny's battle.

She found her answer!

Cinder Fall was the masked woman. She never felt alright around her, and now she knew why.

Of course, things were never that simple. And she couldn't quite cut Cinder down when she wanted to.

The grim invasion and Roman Torchwick were enough of a problem to handle.

She didn't quite understand what was happening.

But she did know one thing… Naruto was in the midst of it.

And she just knew Cinder was with him!

Rushing up towards the top of beacon academy, she was nearly in shock after what she saw.

Cinder Fall, nearly glowing in fiery embers. Standing over Naruto, an arrow pierced both his palms together as he laid on the ground, his staff nowhere to be found.

Her heart was in shambles, she readied her trust scythe.

"When you love something, hold it close... and never let go."

As with a might scream, her entire world was engulfed in light.

"Noooooooooooo!"

Blood flew into the air.

XXX

Days later.

Her whole body ached, her silver eyes hurt.

Yet, for some reason… she felt happy?

She didn't know why.

Ruby supposed it was just one of those feelings. Like waking up on the right side of the bed. Or instantly knowing that something good had just happened.

Even in the wake of pain, she felt that fact was unrelenting.

And so, with a slight amount of giddiness upon her face, she opened her eyes, and sat up. Noticing the familiar sight of white room walls.

The hospital.

Oh, how she hated the place.

With the needles, pointy objects, and the terrible food. She knew she already wanted to get out of here.

That's when the memories came back to her, at least most of them.

What happened to Naruto? Was he okay?! What about Cinder? What happened to her?

Too many questions, and not enough answers.

What she did notice, however, was a light weight upon the bottom of her legs, as she looked down inquisitively.

Noticing what, or who, laid before her, as her face instantly heated up. "N-Naruto?!" She squeaked.

As the blonde haired boy seemed to be kneeling at her bedside, asleep. It was then that his eyes started to open, seemingly woken up by the sound of her voice.

Yet the drowsiness of his slumber still remained, as he tiredly rose his head from her bedside. "What? Did I…" as he then noticed her staring at him? Instantly, his drowsiness dissipated.

Ruby wondered just how long he had been there.

"Ruby? You're awake!" He nearly shouted in surprise, accidentally getting close to her, as Ruby's face reddened even more.

"C-Close—" Ruby stuttered, her mind going on overdrive once again.

Naruto seemed to take notice of this. And thankfully, he did manage to back away from the girl. Rambling, "Sorry, it's just that it's been three days. I was really worried, we all were. Although, Granny Tsunade said you would be okay, I was still anxious. Your father came over, he was scary. But thankfully, Pervy sage came in to help me, said he needed his help with something. I'll have to thank Pervy Sage again. It was thanks to him and his super spy network that Beacon is still here! You'll have to meet him. I have to thank you too, you saved me! Man, those maidens are pretty strong. I'll have to train to beat them a bit more. I…"

Ruby's head was spinning.

But she did hear a few things.

Dad was here? She supposed he would be, given how worried he probably would be.

Who was Granny Tsunade? Some type of doctor. Pervy Sage? Who was that. Apparently he was the reason beacon was still standing.

Maybe that's why Naruto went to Ozpin's office so many times?

But then there was something else, something that brought even more joy to her heart.

… He was worried about her?

That thought made her happy, because it meant that he cared about her.

That thought warmed her heart.

She didn't even hear all of Naruto's ramblings, but she heard what mattered.

Naruto seemed to take notice of her glazed expression, as he stopped in his talking.

Embarrassingly rubbing his neck, "Sorry, I can be a bit of a motormouth sometimes. I get it from my mom, Y'know."

Ruby noticed the nervous look upon his face was kind of cute, as she stayed silent, staring off into the distance.

"Hey Ruby?" He called out, gaining her attention, as she looked towards him.

"Do you want to… to go out sometime?" Naruto asked her.

No response.

Ruby seemingly just froze up.

As Naruto got even more nervous, "Well, it's just, I think you're kind of cool, and I do still owe you for the dance. Sooo…"

"I'd love to!" Ruby nearly shouted, before realizing what she just did, embarrassed.

Naruto didn't seem to mind, as he just smiled. "Great, it's a date," he told her. As he began to stand up, getting ready to tell the others that Ruby had just woken up.

But as he went towards the doorway, a voice stopped him.

"Naruto?" She called out, as she asked him the only question she wanted to be answered. "What happened to Cinder?" She inquired.

As Naruto's face fell, "well, you…"

"I?" Ruby prodded, trying to get an answer out of him. Confirmation of the memories she now knew to be true.

"You... you killed her," he told her hesitantly.

"I see," Ruby said, her head held low, her face darkened. As all she could do, look down at her now bloodstained hands.

"Do you mind… leaving the room for a bit?"

Naruto nodded, realizing her first kill must have been hard on her. As he quickly left Ruby's hospital room.

All the while, a giddy smile fell upon her face. Happy laughs leaving her innocent lips.

She felt joy.

Ecstasy, even, for protecting what she loved… and for killing cinder.

XXX

She couldn't wait.

Ruby couldn't.

She was practically counting down the seconds.

She didn't even care that she had slept for practically a week.

Ruby felt as if she were walking on sunshine.

And so, walking down the now grim-free streets of Vale. Now dressed in a set of dark leggings under a new dark red skirt with an equally new jacket. Black, with red edges, over a cream-colored shirt.

Yang had helped her pick up an outfit, needing something to get her mind off the Vytal incident.

Apparently she had gotten attacked during the night, although thankfully it seemed a nearby huntsman had saved her from receiving any permanent injuries.

Vale seemed to be of the same kind, trying to move on and recover from Cinder's attack. Vaguely remembering a few reporters trying to get into contact with her and some of the other beacon students. Although her father quickly put a stop to that.

She had headphones in her ears too, playing her favorite music, one of her favorite songs: Red like Roses. Yet she couldn't help but not listen, as enraptured in the thought of a date with Naruto.

A childlike laughter escaped her lips, causing many of the nearby passersby to take a look at her. Not being able to help the smiles that spread across their lips as well.

Yet that didn't stop Ruby from stopping in her place.

A woman was talking to her Naruto.

Black hair, green eyes.

They seemed to be having an idle conversation, something to pass the time. As if she were asking for directions in front of the spot where Naruto had asked them to meet up.

But she knew different.

Something about her set Ruby on edge.

Of course, she followed the woman.

As the girl's features morphed. Black changing into a mix of browns, white and pink. Her eyes doing much the same, changing from an emerald green to that of black and pink in a heterocromic fashion.

Neo.

Or that's what Yang had called her from the description. But she knew who she worked for… Cinder.

She just knew that wench was after her Naruto.

She couldn't allow that.

XXX

Neo was angry.

No, she wasn't just angry.

Her blood was boiling. She was furious. A blazing rage that engulfed her very being.

Roman Torchwick, her partner, was dead.

Killed.

By that little red riding-hood wannabe, and her little boy toy too.

She had ruined all their plans. Roman had planned on working with Cinder up until it was convenient for them not to.

They were going to be on top.

The two crime lords of Vale until the very end.

Nobody would stand in their way…

Until little red came along.

Stopping Roman's shoplifting in a dust shop was one thing. And trying to interrupt their heist on the SDC was another.

But nobody killed her partner and got away with it.

Talking to Ruby's boy toy was easy, he was an open book. And apparently he was set to meet somebody. Of who she had no doubt would be little red.

It was unfortunate that she wouldn't meet him.

Maybe after she killed her, Neo would show him how a real woman did things. That would make it all the sweeter. Entrancing the man whom the killer of Roman loved, making him hers.

She liked that thought.

The blonde was easy on the eyes, too.

Of course, what Neo wasn't prepared for was a swift attack within the alley she had taken up temporary refuge in.

The last thing she saw…

Orange blazing silver eyes, cutting her down.

XXX

Naruto stood in front of the corner for some time. Outside the café, he had asked Ruby to meet up with him at.

He didn't know how to feel about that girl.

It was as if, something compelled him to her. Her cute little smile, her pure attitude. The way she led her team as insecure as she was.

He liked her.

But for some reason, he couldn't shake the memory of watching the kind-hearted girl cut down Cinder. Her eyes glowing a mighty and ferocious silver, outshining even the sight of a maiden in her path.

... It was honestly pretty scary.

Don't get him wrong, he didn't blame her.

And he had messed up in fighting the maiden head on.

But he couldn't allow the woman to kill anybody.

Thankfully, with Jiraiya's information, Vale had managed to come out with little casualties. And Salem's plans had severely been halted for the time being.

He felt a slight amount of joy knowing he had been a part of it. But that joy was overshadowed by the thought that everybody had made it out safe.

He really did have to thank Ruby again.

Saving him in his moment of need, right when he needed her most.

He would have to train to get better.

But that would have to wait.

And at the moment he had been too busy staying at Ruby's bedside, helping the headmaster once again, and silently worrying about his impending date.

Speaking of his date.

The time Ruby was supposed to arrive was over thirty minutes. Perhaps she had been held up by something?

Don't get him wrong, he had faith in his team leader. She was stronger, stronger than she knew.

The thought brought a smile upon his lips… Ruby was something special, wasn't she?

Speaking of the aforementioned girl. Naruto's cerulean eyes spotted the Rose's dark and red hair off in the distance.

It didn't take long to reach her, even without using her semblance, she was faster than most.

As an even larger smile reached his lips.

"Hey! Ruby…" he called out, seeing the girl; a light dusting reaching his cheeks. Ruby being much the same, as they both nervously reached each other.

"Hey, Naruto, I'm sorry I'm late…" she told him, apologizing for her disappearance.

Naruto waved her off, "Don't worry about it, I wasn't waiting too long. It's just…" he took notice of something. "Are you feeling okay, there's something on your shirt?" He asked in concern.

As Ruby looked down, seeing exactly what the blonde meant.

As her once pure white shirt had slight stains of red at the top of it.

"Oh, I must have spilled something on my way here, clumsy me, haha," Ruby said, trying to play it off as an honest mistake with a nervous chuckle.

"Hey, it's okay, all of us make mistakes sometimes," Naruto shrugged it off, not going to fault the girl for something she didn't mean to so.

But there was something, something in the back of his mind nagging him, begging him, to take notice of…

He shock that feeling off.

XXX

The years passed by for Ruby in a blissful blur.

Graduation of beacon academy, getting her huntsman license.

But of course, the best thing to happen was her love life: her and Naruto were married!

She almost couldn't believe it, but it was undeniable. There was nobody else for Naruto but her.

She loved him, and she knew he loved her.

There was nobody denying that fact.

Salem, of course, didn't stand a chance because of that.

"And then! Mom and granny caught Pervy sage, Jiji and dad. I swear, they nearly died when they saw the looks on their faces!"

"Hahahahaha! Oh, Naruto, you'll have to tell me more of these about ol' Minato. I know it'll give me something to talk to him about next time I see him," A tanned, dirty blonde laughed.

Taiyang Xiao Long.

Ruby's father, as well as an old good friend of Naruto's father also.

At first the man, of course, had been… hesitant to approve of his relationship with his daughter. But he eventually came around.

Ruby had been… persistent, after all.

They were having lunch, Ruby's family. With Naruto tagging along at the encouragement of Ruby.

Of course, Yang had also elected to bring her significant other as well. Some dark-haired prodigy of a huntsman, one he was only familiar with on passing knowledge, apparently the same person who had saved her.

But Itachi had some family problems to deal with.

"Don't worry, Tai, I've got some good ones. Like the time Minato forgot to take out the trash, but…" Naruto trailed off, knowing Tai had to go help Yang with the grill and barbecue. The blonde insisting on taking the lead this time.

Tai, realizing the blonde male's line of thought, turned to his daughter. Who was subsequently sitting right next to the now older Naruto.

As her appearance had also changed. Her hair having been grown longer, resembling her deceased mother in some fashion.

"Oh hey Pumpkin? Would you mind helping your sister with lunch while we chat?" Taiyang requested.

But Ruby looked nervous at her father's request, "well, I don't know… I guess it's okay," the girl resolved, looking towards her husband. As the hand that had been resting upon his thigh lifted.

The now young woman bouncing off her seat, walking towards the door outside, leading to where Yang was grilling at that very moment.

It was only after Ruby left that Naruto turned to Tai, frantic for some reason. Almost jumping on the man for support.

"Tai, you have to help me! She's crazy! She really is, I just…" Naruto began his ramblings, many of which Taiyang didn't understand.

But he got the gist of it, as his eyes dawned in realization.

That's when the strangest thing happened, instead of helping him. Or even accusing his son-in-law of lying, he did something else…

He laughed.

"Ruby, really? Ha!" Taiyang laughed again, much to Naruto's horror. But the next of the man's words shocked him, "She really is a chip off her old block, isn't she?" He chuckled, as Naruto's eyes widened.

"What?" He asked, frozen.

But it took a few more seconds for the man's laughter to die down. Taiyang instantly becoming much more serious and somber.

"Oh, summer… she was exactly the same way. Scared me half to death when I found out. The best thing I can recommend is to listen to her. Worst comes to worse, you'll only live for another thirty to forty years, and you'll be fine." He told him.

As Naruto was left shocked at his words.

But what shocked him even more was what happened next.

"Naruto? What are you doing? Are you planning to leave me?," a voice called out, as Naruto froze in place. A cold chill running down his spine.

"R-Ruby," he realized, instantly returning to his seat. "It's nothing, dear, why don't you go back to helping Yang get lunch," Naruto smiled, as if nothing were wrong.

His wife, who was now standing at the door, seemed to stare at him for just a second. Before, finally, she seemed satisfied with what she saw.

"Alright dear, I will," Ruby told him with a smile.

As Naruto let loose a breath he didn't know he was holding.

He didn't know how much of this he could take…

No matter how much he loved her.

The End.

An: This was fun, morphing one of the sweetest characters in RWBY into what is basically her opposite whilst still being in character.

At least what I hope was in character.

A bit of a joke I have in my mind is that Ruby saw Jaune in a dress and that's what made her crazy.

You might ask me? Why? How? Why? (Because you definitely need a reason to write this)

Don't worry, my taste in women in normal… hopefully.

But I was just reading a collection of Yandere one-shots, it was… enlightening. I didn't know there were so (SO) many types.

So I thought: Who Would be the most interesting to turn crazy?

Of course, there are a few characters: Cinder, Weiss, maybe even Pyrrha or Blake.

But I thought Ruby would be more fun.

And it was.

This was all very fun, that's all I have to say.

Maybe I'll do more?

Anyways, it was a bit of a happy ending :)

... poor neo, she was fun to write while she was in here.

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