Blake took her time and didn't rush over like Yang but she did pick up her pace a bit to get to the table but she couldn't help glance at Weiss slightly, "Yang's just being protective that's all." stated Blake to the other girl before she got to the table and sat down.

Ruby looked up at Yang, "Oh," mumbled Ruby, "hey," said Ruby forcing a smile on her face but it looked awkward, "I'm fine Cardin's just being a bit of jerk that's all," replied Ruby with a shrug of her shoulders, "you really don't have to do a surprise for me, you know." added Ruby, softly, but her eyes did twinkle slightly and there was a hint of excitement in her voice even though she believed that she didn't deserve any surprises, after all, she wasn't a good leader, she wasn't a good student, she wasn't anything really and she couldn't help but feel bad and guilty over the fact that Yang, Blake and even Weiss were throwing her a surprise of some sorts!

Ruby tilted her head a little and laughed,"Your so mushy, sis!" giggled Ruby playfully pushing Yang's shoulder but truthfully she wasn't sure how to respond to Yang so being playful seemed to be the best option otherwise she would have to talk about her feelings! And she didn't want to bring anyone down with her lame issues.

Did her team really care for her? Did Yang care for her? She didn't feel particularly cared for but she was a big girl now! Yet she still felt like a kid compared to her three team-mates and yet she also felt like that she couldn't relax, chill and just be herself because being herself wasn't being the best that she could be. She really was worthless. Ruby smile flattered, "Don't worry nothing's going to happen to me! I'm not gonna up and disappear." joked Ruby but she wasn't. Ruby had thoughts of leaving the academy after the term ended and going back to her old school or just going somewhere, somewhere far away and leaving everyone. It wasn't as if anyone would miss her and even if they did she was pretty sure they'd end up forgetting in a week or so it's not like she meant anything, "I think I might go to class early," stated Ruby standing up, "I'll see you guys then." added Ruby walking off and away from the group.

Cardin watched Ruby curiously and smirked as he got up with his empty tray in hand. He planned on having some fun before class and he hadn't had a chance to really pick on Ruby yet, admittedly, he did have his sights on Weiss as well to bully for a bit but he needed to be patient there, after all, she wasn't an open target like Ruby currently was. Cardin put his tray down and went through the doors after Ruby and grinned, "Hey!" exclaimed Cardin putting his hand on Ruby's shoulder causing Ruby to glare at him, "What do you want?" asked Ruby, "Plan on throwing more stuff at me?" asked Ruby pushing his hand off her shoulder.

Yang groaned at the mere mentiom of that pricks name "Not him... Rubes... do you need me to get Nora on him? And come on, it will be fun. I want to see you smile again Ruby... and not the kind of smile you have on now..." she said to her sister "Whatever you're feeling right now... it's Grimmshit. Want me to spoil your surprise? Cause I know you're going to love it..." she smiled, thinking fast, then nodded as she came to a conclusion "or... leave..." she sighed as Ruby walked off, but then noticed Cardins less than attractive mug smirking as it followed Ruby. Which naturally also had Yang quite furious and followed closely behind. As Ruby shoved him off Yangs hand fell on Cardins shoulder in quite a similar manner "Hey." She said in the same manner as him "Stay away from Ruby you piece of shit."
Weiss sighed as she watched Yang act that way. She couldn't quite grasp why Yang acted in such a manner, though Winter was never that way with her so it was naturally a little confusing. She sat with Blake in an awkward silence as Yang walked off

Ruby didn't mean to leave like that, really, but she needed to get out of there and away even so she felt bad with how quickly she blew off Yang. Maybe she was a dolt? Yang only wanted to see her smile! But she was smiling but how could Yang tell that it was fake? Was it really that obvious? Ruby sighed to herself. Of course Yang could see! Yang was her big sister! Yang knew everything! She was so dumb! But if Yang was able to see through her what did that mean?

Ruby could only stare at Cardin and found herself feeling somewhat afraid of him for a change. Great. She was turning into a pussy! Ruby became relaxed when she saw Yang and sighed in relief when Cardin's attention was now averted from her but didn't that make her weak? She really was pathetic wasn't she? Not having the guts to stand up for herself against the likes of Cardin! Where did her confidence go? Where did her energy go? Ruby could only watch now.

Cardin turned around and glared at the blonde girl, "Who you calling piece of shit!" shouted Cardin batting Yang's hand off his shoulder, "Awh how sweet," snickered Cardin, "someone's feeling a bit protective over a loser." laughed Cardin glancing at Ruby, "What's the matter Ruby? Gonna let your big sister handle everything for you?" laughed Cardin with glee but he wasn't going to push his luck, "I'll see you both in class." laughed Cardin walking away from the pair and strutting proudly down the hall only to trip up a student along the way causing him to laugh again.

Loser? She looked at Cardin's back and then at Yang with tearful eyes and a pained look. She couldn't believe that she was letting Cardin get to her! But she had already been down for some-time now. Ruby''s bottom lip twitched slightly as she took in a deep breath to calm herself and not breakdown in front of Yang. She didn't want Yang to see her being so weak! She didn't want Yang thinking badly of her! She didn't want Yang hating her for not being strong and for allowing everything to get to her now, "I think I might skip class for today." mumbled Ruby not looking Yang in the eye at all and keeping her head lowered as she stared at the carpet.

Blake could only watch and sigh as she was left with Weiss but she didn't mind it, that much, really because it meant that she could catch up on her reading without any distractions from Ruby or Yang, "They'll sort it out amongst themselves." stated Blake not really worrying that much, after all, she was pretty sure that whatever problem Ruby was going through that Yang could fix it unless it was serious then it might require more then just a little surprise and more like an intervention.

"Cardin, you'll end up in the infirmiry for a long time if dare touch anyone that I care about. ESPECIALLY Ruby." Yang growled, wantimg her Ember Cecilica now more than ever to show him his place. "Ruby... its okay. Everything is fine as long as your sister is here to help." She sighed "If you're skipping class, so am I. You're not getting out my sights until I know you're okay." She said as she helped Rubg up "You aren't weak, you're one of the strongest girls I know. Professor Ozpin wouldn't have let you in 2 years early if he didn't think the same. You aren't a coward, you are incredibly brave. Sometimes brave enough that it worries me. You are really smart, and you are an AMAZING leader. I don't want you to think you aren't worth anhthing. Because to me you're worth everything. Perhaps visitng Mom would help?"

Cardin laughed at the threat as he rounded the hallway and got ready for class. Maybe he would challenge Ruby in class? That could be fun and he could tell that Ruby wasn't being her normal self which meant a easy win for him and a chance to humiliate the small girl.

Ruby watched as Yang yelled at Cardin and lowered her eyes to the floor at the fact that she needed her big sister to protect and stand up for her. Ruby could only nod a little at Yang knowing that her sister was only trying to help only to look up at her sister in shock, "B-but you can't skip class," stammered Ruby as she stood up with Yang's help, "and I'm fine I just need a break from all this, that's all," stated Ruby forcing herself to smile only to blush, "I guess..." added Ruby feeling a little better, "thanks, sis." stated Ruby with a slight grin on her face.

Maybe all she needed was a bit of a prep talk? She still felt down but Yang's words had gotten through a little, "How about we head to class? I don't want to miss anything important." said Ruby holding Yang's arm with both her hands only for her mood to drop "Visit mom..." mumbled Ruby looking away from Yang, feeling unsure , "I'd rather not." added Ruby awkwardly. It wasn't that she didn't want to visit the grave, it was just that she didn't want to go there in the state she was in, she didn't want to feel more guilty, guilty that she wasn't looking after herself but she hardly knew her mother. Ruby couldn't remember her, she couldn't remember what her mother looked like, smelled like but anytime Yang mentioned her it felt like her heart would rip open and she didn't know why except that she wanted her mommy but her memories of the woman were so vague to begin with that now? They had all but gone because of how young she was and the only person in her life that could resemble any such thing now was Yang but Yang was her sister! She couldn't place such a responsibility on the blonde that would be unfair! It was unfair to even think about.

Ruby stayed quite still as she heard the bell ring and looked at Yang with a pair of sad eyes as she tried to force herself to smile but all she could do was pull off a slight whimper, "Let's just go to class, okay." said Ruby not wanting to be around Yang otherwise she might speak and tell Yang her feelings and that wasn't something Ruby was prepared to do.

Ruby did feel slightly better after Yang's words to her but it would only a little and it would only last for a small amount of time and if Cardin got his way Ruby's confidence was bound to take a further nose dive in class this morning which wouldn't be good for her at all.

Professor Ozpin continued to watch the development between Yang and Ruby with relief and concern while he typed up a couple of notes and a 'pass' for Yang and Ruby to use later on if they didn't want to go to class in the afternoon.

Yang shook her head "No sis... I don't think you should go to class. You're not mentally fit for that now, mmkay? And if you aren't, I'm certainly not. I'm worried about you Rubes..." she sighed as she grabbed her sisters hand "Besides, the more time we're away from that prick Winchester the better quality of lives we will lead. And thats an order. Not from your team leader, because thats you, but from your concerned big sister. If it were Blake or Weiss in the same position I would do the same. When Mom died... Dad just kind of checked out. I've raised you the most, and maybe kt left me feeling a bit like your mom, but if it means I can always protect you I'll take it in a heartbeat"

Ruby was about to protest against Yang but suddenly her words were gone the moment Yang played the big sister card and she couldn't help but look at the ground.

Ruby wasn't sure what to think or feel about what Yang had just said. Did her sister really feel like that towards her? Sure. She was younger by two years and she didn't really have a proper parental figure growing up but that didn't make Yang her mom, did it? Ruby shyly looked at her sister. Why would Yang want to protect her? It wasn't as if she was special in any way.

"I don't want you to be my mom," said Ruby, "it's unfair, Yang, your only two years older then me and I don't want you thinking like that," continued Ruby, "I mean, I appreciate it and you did, well, raise me but I don't want to be even more of a burden then I already am." added Ruby looking away from her sister, "I shouldn't need you to look out for me now, I'm a big girl and I should be able to look after myself and not...." paused Ruby with a sigh, "and not be such a loser." added Ruby with a quiet voice, "It's not like I'm good for anything." whispered Ruby, quietly, blushing somewhat that she had allowed herself to speak her internalised thoughts to Yang even if it's only slightly. Was Yang really tearing down her barriers? Or was she just once again clinging for some form of comfort? For some form of love? Maybe if mom hadn't died, maybe if she had instead or if dad hadn't just checked out, maybe this wouldn't be happening right now, maybe she wouldn't be yearning for some form of guidance but to have that be Yang? She wasn't sure how to take that or if that made her a bigger loser for needing her big sister to take care of her and hold her but she wasn't going to voice that, she wasn't going to show how desperate she was!

"I guess staying away from Winchester would help," admitted Ruby, softly, "he threw a piece of paper at my head earlier..." added Ruby holding onto Yang's hand and allowing herself to rest her head against Yang's arm, "what do you want to do?" asked Ruby, softly.

Yang embraced Ruby as the girl began lamenting "Shh... its allright baby sis... you're not a loser. And you are good for everything! You're fast. You're brave. You're strong, smart, and you have a great heart. And it breaks my heart to see yours broken the way it is. For now... pets just head to the dorm and we'll figue something out. And I'll get Nora to break Cardins legs later" she smiled at the thought as she walked with Ruby back to their room

Ruby became rigid and anxious at being embrace by Yang. It wasn't that she didn't want to be embraced but she was just worried that Yang could feel her, feel her bones and tell how much weight she had been losing recently by doing this but hopefully Yang couldn't tell, after all, she made sure not to show herself at all to Yang whilst changing and she made sure to keep wearing the same clothes as she normally wear even if they were getting somewhat baggy for her! Ruby sighed as she started to enjoy the embrace and relaxed a little.

Ruby whimpered slightly at Yang's words and wanted badly to disagree with Yang and tell her why she was wrong and the reasons as well but instead she simply kept quiet as she followed Yang's lead back to their room yet she couldn't help snicker slightly at the thought of Nora breaking Cardin's legs! Cardin had been such a idiot lately! And he seemed to be more focus on picking on her then normal. Maybe he could tell that she was feeling down?

Ruby looked at Yang, "Sis?" said Ruby in a small voice feeling guilty that she through all this she had managed to hurt Yang, she didn't want Yang heart to break and for her big sister to be in pain, "I'm sorry," apologised Ruby looking down at the floor, "I don't want to worry you so much," paused Ruby, "especially about me it isn't fair for you to worry and it isn't fair for you to look after a screw up like me," paused Ruby, "your only two years older then me! You shouldn't have to look out for me, you shouldn't have to protect me," continued Ruby, "I-I can do that myself and I should do it myself," sighed Ruby, "I shouldn't....I shouldn't be....such a wimp."

Yang sighed as she of course noticed but didn't want to bring it up to Ruby. She did smile at Rubys little snicker and gently rubbed her sisters back. "Ruby, I should worry about you. Because we're sisters and thats what we do. The only thing you need to be sorry for is trying to hide what you're going through. We're team mates, remember? You and Weiss are even partners. Even if she is a cold little princess that needs a serious time out, she said last semester that there shouldn't be any secrets between us when Blake finally told us what she was. You can look out for yourself, sure. But your stubborn big sis isn't letting that happen Rubes. And you're not a wimp. Fight it, deny it all you want, but you are really strong Ruby. I promise."