The hidden Secrets (Rwby fanfic)

Yang Xiao Long had always been the type to keep an eye on her little sister. It wasn't just a big sister thing, Ruby had always been a little naïve, a little too eager to trust, and way too excited about things that most people would just brush off she was just too willing to make friends. That was fine when she was a kid. But now? Now, Ruby was older, training to be a Huntress, and in a world that didn't always play fair and Ruby's old Friends had to learn the hard way not to mess with her sister.

That was why Yang had started watching Edward and Lewis. At first, she hadn't thought much about them. They were just a couple of guys in the same program, and Ruby's able to make friends fast. But then she noticed how Ruby always seemed to gravitate toward them, 'especially Edward or was it Edgar, what a strange name as well.'

The way she talked to them, how they always seemed to be off in their own little world, trading jokes and whispers—Ruby didn't just like them. She trusted them quite easily as well, especially after what happened with her old friends.

And that? That was what put Yang on edge after all she could understand Edward, Ruby seems to be having her first real crush for him after all even if they've only known each other for a few months but well crushes are made in a much shorter time than needed but she just couldn't understand Lewis.

Lewis was after all an Ironsmyth and that's a name not many people say easily especially after what happened in the War or if that's what she is lead to believe from the books and besides what would his family be doing here on Patch aren't his family meant to be blacksmith or at least in that type of industry not being a huntsman.

It wasn't that she didn't like Edward or Lewis. She just… didn't know them well enough. And if Ruby was going to be hanging around them all the time, then Yang needed to know exactly what kind of people they were.

Which led her to now.

Ruby had gone off somewhere—probably running an errand or getting caught up in some conversation about weapons with another student or teacher. That left Edward and Lewis standing near the training field, talking quietly between themselves.

Perfect it was time for the plan.

Yang rolled her shoulders and strolled up to them, arms crossed over her chest when she was In Front of them. "Alright, you two," she said, "Time for a little chat."

Edward raised an eyebrow. "A little chat?"

Lewis smirked. "I'm guessing this isn't a friendly, 'Hey, let's all get lunch together' kinda chat?"

Yang narrowed her eyes. "Depends on how you answer my questions."

Edward and Lewis exchanged a glance. Lewis sighed dramatically. "Alright, shoot."

Yang tapped her foot. "What exactly is the deal with you two and Ruby?"

Edward blinked, honestly confused. "What do you mean?"

Yang gave him a look. "Oh, come on. I've seen how she acts around you guys. She trusts you. A lot. And that's not a bad thing, but I need to know why. What exactly are you two planning to do with my sister?"

Lewis snorted. "Wow. Way to make us sound like the bad guys."

Edward, for his part, didn't seem fazed. He studied Yang for a moment, his usual unreadable expression in place. "We're not 'planning' anything, if that's what you're worried about."

Yang didn't back down. "You're always with her. She confides in you. And don't think I haven't noticed the way you guys are always looking out for her." Her eyes narrowed. "I do that. That's my job. So what's yours?"

Lewis's smirk faded. "We just want to keep her safe."

Yang frowned. "Safe from what?" She didn't like that response, which clearly means they do have plans for Ruby.

Silence.

Edward broke eye contact first, glancing away 'might as well make her think she's the one who's stronger here.

Yang folded her arms tighter. "See, that right there? That is exactly why I don't trust you yet."

Lewis ran a hand through his white hair, sighing. "Look, Yang, I get it. Big sister instincts, right? But you don't have to worry about us." Then why did he say her instincts are saying something even he doesn't know.

Edward nodded. "Ruby means a lot to us. We're not going to let anything happen to her."

Yang exhaled, watching them both closely. Their words sounded sincere, but there was something underneath them. Something neither of them were saying.

She wasn't stupid. These two were hiding something. But for now, she'd let it slide. Because at the end of the day? Ruby was happy.

Still, Yang wasn't going to stop watching them. Not for a second because she's not willing to let history repeat itself.

Yang walked away from Edward and Lewis with her mind buzzing. Their answers weren't bad—heck, they were almost too good; however they weren't more than good. But there was something off about the way they acted. Like they knew more than they were letting on.

And Yang hated that.

She wasn't some overprotective big sister who chased away every friend Ruby made, but this was different. Ruby wasn't just friends with these two. She trusted them, confided in them, and Yang couldn't shake the feeling that they knew something she didn't.

The fact that Edward had avoided her last question—that was the biggest red flag.

Yang started paying closer attention after that.

During training, Edward and Lewis always positioned themselves near Ruby. Not in an obvious way, but just enough that Yang noticed. When she sparred against Ruby, Lewis watched with sharp eyes, his usual smirk replaced with something unreadable. When it was Edward's turn, he didn't hold back, but there was a carefulness to his attacks—a controlled precision, as if he was testing Ruby rather than fighting her.

Then there were their conversations.

Yang had caught snippets here and there. Ruby asked about fairy tales, her voice filled with excitement. Edward explains them with a kind of detached fondness, as if they were distant memories instead of bedtime stories. Lewis throws in sarcastic comments, but never dismisses Ruby's enthusiasm.

It wasn't weird, but it was… strange. Like they were remembering something instead of just telling stories.

And Ruby?

Ruby lit up around them.

She'd always been excitable, but there was something different about how she acted when she was with Edward and Lewis. A kind of quiet trust that Yang hadn't seen in a long time.

It wasn't fair to be jealous, but… Yang sighed, leaning against the training hall wall as she watched Ruby talking animatedly with Edward, probably about another fairy tale.

It wasn't jealousy. It was just… concern.

Ruby had always been hers to protect. So why did it feel like she was starting to trust them more than her?

Later that evening, Yang caught Lewis alone near the airship docks, leaning against a railing as he watched the sky.

Perfect.

"Alright, Snowy, let's talk."

Lewis glanced over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Snowy?"

"You've got white hair," Yang deadpanned, crossing her arms. "Deal with it."

Lewis snorted. "Fair enough. So what's up? Here to interrogate me again?"

"Something like that," Yang admitted, stepping up beside him. "I'm gonna be straight with you, Lewis. I don't trust you."

Lewis tilted his head. "That so?"

"Yeah. And it's because you're hiding something. You and Edward both." Yang narrowed her eyes. "So tell me. What's the real reason you're so interested in my sister?"

Lewis went quiet for a moment, his usual smirk fading. Then, to her surprise, he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's not what you think," he muttered. "We're not trying to hurt her. If anything, we're trying to do the opposite."

"Then tell me why," Yang pressed. "Because from where I'm standing, you guys are acting way too protective for just being friends."

Lewis hesitated. It was brief, but Yang caught it.

"Look," he finally said. "I can't tell you everything. But… we know how important Ruby is. And we don't want anything to happen to her."

Yang frowned. It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the full truth either.

Before she could push further, Lewis gave her a lopsided grin. "You're a good sister, you know that?"

"Don't try to flatter me, Snowy," Yang muttered.

"I'm serious," Lewis said, his expression softening just a bit. "Ruby's lucky to have you watching out for her."

Yang wasn't sure what to make of that. But before she could say anything else, Lewis stretched his arms and walked off, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

Yang watched him go, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface.

She still didn't have the answers she wanted.

But one thing was clear:

Whatever Edward and Lewis were hiding…

It had everything to do with Ruby. 

Yang didn't like loose ends.

She also didn't like secrets—especially ones that involved her sister.

Lewis had given her just enough of an answer to keep her from pressing further for now, but Yang wasn't stupid. She could feel it in her gut—there was more to this.

And she was going to find out what.

The next day at Signal, Yang decided to really pay attention.

She watched as Ruby practically bounced over to Edward and Lewis before class, her silver eyes bright with excitement. They greeted her like usual—Edward with his usual calm nod and a lazy wave along with Lewis's easy smirk—but Yang didn't miss the way Lewis subtly checked their surroundings before fully relaxing.

What are you so worried about, huh?

Throughout the day, she noticed other little things.

How Lewis always made sure he was within reach of Ruby.

How Edward's eyes sharpened whenever someone unfamiliar approached them and how he always brings his hand out of his pockets while also bringing out a compass that she just faintly saw.

How both of them instinctively reacted whenever Ruby was in even the slightest danger—like when she nearly tripped in the hallway, and Lewis caught her before she could even blink.

Yang had to admit—it was kinda impressive. But it was also weird.

Yang also wasn't the only one who noticed, either.

After classes, Yang saw her chance when Edward lingered behind near the training hall. Ruby had gone ahead to grab her stuff, and Lewis was distracted talking to an instructor.

Yang immediately took advantage of the opening.

"Alright, Egg," she said, stepping up beside him. "Your turn."

Edward barely glanced at her. "Egg?" Then went back to look at where Ruby went.

"Well, Lewis is Snowy, so it's only fair," Yang said with a shrug. "Now talk."

Edward sighed. "About what?" He seems to have just wanted to get this over with.

"You know exactly what." Yang crossed her arms. "What's the deal with you and Lewis watching Ruby like hawks? You act like she's got some huge target on her back."

Edward didn't flinch. But Yang knew a trained fighter when she saw one, and she caught the slight shift in his stance—like he was preparing for something.

"We just care about her," Edward said evenly.

"Uh-huh." Yang narrowed her eyes. "See, here's the thing—I believe that. But what I don't believe is that you two are just some random transfer students who decided to become Ruby's personal bodyguards overnight."

Edward was quiet.

Too quiet.

Yang took a step closer. "Look, I don't care what you guys are hiding. I do care if it affects Ruby." Her voice lowered slightly. "So if there's something coming—if you two know something I don't—you better tell me now."

For the first time, Edward's carefully controlled mask faltered. Just a bit.

And that was all Yang needed to know.

"…It's not like that," Edward muttered, shaking his head. "But…" He hesitated. "You're right. We do know more than we're letting on."

Yang's jaw clenched.

Edward met her gaze, his expression serious. "But I promise you, Yang—we're not your enemies. We want to keep Ruby safe, just like you do."

Yang wanted to demand more. But before she could, Ruby's voice called out from down the hall.

"Yang! Edward! What're you guys doing?"

Edward immediately straightened, his usual calm expression snapping back into place. "Nothing much. Just talking, you know, catching up with things."

Yang frowned, watching as Ruby jogged up to them, completely oblivious to the tension that had just filled the space.

"…Alright," she muttered. "For now."

Edward nodded, almost in gratitude. But this wasn't over. Not even close.

Back at home, Yang lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

She'd learned two things today.

One: Edward and Lewis weren't bad guys. At least, not in the way she had feared.

Two: They were still hiding something. And whatever it was?

It had everything to do with Ruby.

Yang wasn't about to let it go.

Not until she had answers or well proper answers, not half truths.