Our merry band of friends and Jaune arrived at the stage where the initiation was going to take place. It was packed to the brim with people: the ONE thing that terrifies me more than anything. My eye twitched slightly as I saw all the people in front of me. Ice noticed this and nudged my shoulder.

"What? You scared of people or something?" He asked mockingly.

"Yes, mr funny. I am scared of people! You know this!" I said to him as he chuckled.

"Chill out man! It's not like somebody's gonna call us out or something!" He replied as I saw a speck of yellow in the crowd wave to us.

"Ruby! Guys! Over here! I saved you a spot!" Yang said. I looked back at Ice.

"Don't look at me! I had ZERO control over that!" He said, getting defensive. I rolled my eyes and sighed.

"Oh! Hey, we gotta go! See you after the ceremony!" Ruby said to Jaune as she began running towards Yang. Ice and I followed suit. Jaune walked off as someone I recognized as Pyrrha Nikos followed him. I may not know her personally, but I've seen her enough times from all the stolen boxes of Pumpkin Pete's cereal Ice and I lived off of to recognize her face.

"How's your first day going, little sister?" Yang asked. Ruby seemed to be pouting. WHY IS THIS GIRL SO ADORABLE!?

"You mean since you ditched us!?" Ruby replied. I stepped closer, placing my hands in my jacket pockets.

"Yeah! Right after you left, Ruby nearly fell on some girls luggage, but instead because of me, I became a human pillow!" I said, frustrated. Ice was making a stupid face behind me. I quickly punched him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him.

"And if that wasn't bad enough, that same girl froze Ice solid in a block of ice! Oh, what was her name again?" Ruby added. Suddenly, I heard Ice purr behind me. Oh no. Here we go again.

"Hello, ms Schnee. Change your mind about the cool guy?" Ice said. I could tell by the look on her face that she was seriously creeped out. Saving both of us the trouble, I pinched Ice's pressure points, knocking him out. Weiss reluctantly smiled.

"Thanks." She said, looking at Ice on the floor. I crossed my arms.

"Don't mention it. When you live homeless with that guy as long as I have, you find ways to shut him up." I said. I've lost track of how many times I've had to do that. Weiss raised an eyebrow.

"Homeless? What do you mean?" She asked. CRAP! WHY DID I SAY THAT!? GOTTA THINK OF SOMETHING! GOTTA THINK OF SOMETHING! A lightbulb appeared above my head.

"Oh! Well, Ice is the only brother I have left. After our house was destroyed and my little brother Orka was killed, Ice and I took to the road, on a mission to honor the Hibiki legacy." I said. Weiss gasped.

"Orka... HIBIKI!? Does that make you..." she started.

"Yep. I'm Taro Hibiki. The one and only." I replied. I hate lying to people, and Weiss seems like a nice enough girl. Besides, this could help Ice's chances. Weiss began to fangirl.

"Ahhh! I've heard so much about you! You're one of the greatest warriors to ever live! You worked with Summer Rose, ri-" I covered her mouth before she could finish her sentence.

"Shhhhhh!" I pointed to Ruby. "Ex-nay on the Ummer Rose Say! She was Ruby's mom, and Ruby really doesn't like to talk about her out of sadness..." I pulled out the piece of Summer's cloak. "... but yes, I did. This is a piece of her cloak. She gave it to me before her final mission." Weiss' eyes widened. She then looked at Ice.

"So that means... he's a Hibiki too?" She asked. I nodded.

"Yep. That whole 'kinda creepy' thing doesn't really matter anymore, don't it?" I asked in return. She smiled as she stared at him. Did it work? I think that means it worked.

"I'll think about it." She said. Suddenly, we heard microphone feedback as Ozpin and Glynda Goodwitch stepped closer.

"I'll... keep this brief. You have traveled here today in search of knowledge. To hone your craft and acquire new skills. And when you have finished, you plan to dedicate your life to the protection of the people." I looked to my right, seeing Ruby give me a big happy smile. I smiled back and gave her a thumbs up. "But I look amongst you and all I see is wasted energy in need of purpose, direction. You assume knowledge will free you of this but your time at this school will prove that knowledge can only carry you so far. It is up to you to take the first step." Ozpin said, finishing his speech. He stepped off stage as Glynda took the mic.

"You will gather in the ballroom tonight. Tomorrow, your initiation begins. Be ready. You are dismissed!" She said as students began to clear out. Ice woke up and stood to his feet.

"Ugh, what happened?" He asked, still a little in pain.

"I just helped your chances with Schnee. You're welcome." I replied. Ice looked at me, confused.

"Wait, what? How did you do that?" He asked. I crossed my arms and smiled.

"Does it really matter how I did it anyway? All that matters is you have a better shot now!" I said as we walked out of the area.

(Later)

We arrived in the ballroom with all the other first years. Yeesh, this place is a major upgrade over the General's seats. Tons of room, carpets, the fact it's not a car. I could go on for hours! As I lied on the carpet, minding my own buisness, I remembered something important to me.

"Wait! My guitar! I almost forgot!" I said, pressing the button to call the General. I looked out the window, seeing the General pull up out front. I quickly made my way to him, grabbing my guitar out of the trunk. My brother taught me how to play, but the only song I remember is a lullaby my mother used to sing to me. I made my way back as the room had descended into chaos. Yang was wrestling a guy. Jaune was cowering in the corner. Ice was trying not to get trampled. Then I noticed Ruby. She was sitting in a corner, all by herself. She looked incredibly lonely, so I decided to try and cheer her up. I put my guitar on my back and walked next to her as she was writing in a book with her emblem on it. Must be her diary or journal or something. I slowly sat down next to her. "Hey. What's got you so down?"

"Oh, hey Taro. It's nothing." She replied. I raised an eyebrow.

"Uh-huh. No it isn't. I've seen a nothing expression and honey, that is NOT a nothing expression. You can tell me. I'm your friend." I said.

"I just met you today! How can I be your friend!?" She snapped, turning away from me. Alright, not my smartest idea, but I think I know a way out of this.

"Can I show you something?" I asked. She turned her head to look at me.

"Why? It's not like you understand what I'm going through! You don't see anyone else here with silver eyes, do you!?" I grabbed her shoulder and turned her back around. She watched as I held my eyelid apart. "Ew ew ew ew ew! That's gross!" I pulled out my contact on my left eye, showing her my true eye color: a shimmering silver. She gasped.

"Guess that makes two of us." I said, repeating the process with the other eye. "Well look at that. I have silver eyes too. My family made me cover them up out of fear. They thought people would be scared of me. I don't know why." I said, slumping against the wall. "You may think you're alone here, but you're not. We may not know each other the best yet, but I got your back." Ruby looked at me with a look of regret on her face.

"Sorry for snapping. I'm just really stressed right now. I had to leave all my old friends at Signal behind. Professor Ozpin moved me up two years. I don't know anyone here." She said, curling up into a ball. I can't help but feel bad for her. I know just the thing. I petted her head.

"Aye, cheer up Ruby. Thing'll get better. I promise. I know what always cheers me up when I'm sad." I pulled out my guitar and began tuning it. Ruby looked at the instrument in confusion.

"What're you doing?" She asked.

"I'm going to play you a song that my mother used to sing to me. It always brings me up when I'm down." I said, getting ready to play. Grabbing a pick, I began the song.

They see you as small and helpless
They see you as just a child.
Surprise when they find out
That a warrior will soon run wild!

Ruby stopped me before I could do any more.

"What's wrong? Do you not like that song?" I asked. Ruby shook her head and smiled.

"No! My mom used to sing this as a lullaby to me and Yang!" She said.

"Huh. Small world. So want me to keep going?" I asked. Ruby nodded and leaned on my shoulder. I readied the pick and began again.

Prepare for your greatest moment!
Prepare for your finest hour!
The dream that you've always dreamed is suddenly about to flower!
We are lighting!
Straying from the thunder!
Miracles of ancient wonder!
This will be the day we've waited for!
This will be the day we open up the door!
I don't wanna hear your absolution!
Hope you're ready for a revolution!
Welcome to a world of new solutions!
Welcome to a world of bloody evolution!
In time, your heart will open minds!
A story will be told, and victory is in a simple soul!

I finished the song, setting my guitar to the side. As I turned to ask Ruby what she thought, I saw that she had fallen asleep on my shoulder. She looked so adorable, I couldn't bear to wake her up, so I gently maneuvered my hand and arm behind her head and around her shoulders before pulling her close. She slumped against me, her hand cradling my chest. I relaxed and closed my eyes, taking a short nap. Ruby may be a capable fighter and extremely cute, almost to a fault, but she's also naive. She doesn't realize things don't always go your way. I want to help her, because I'm not sure what it is, but there's something very special about Ruby.