Jewels in the Rough

Chapter 1: Humble beginnings

Beta read by: Crescent Sunrise

recommended story: "The White Rose of Vermilion" by Kuribayashi

~14 years ago~

"Why do you think she was out here?" A voice asks growing louder as it approaches.

"I think I don't care. The important part is that she picked a fight she clearly shouldn't have with the Grimm." An older, gruffer voice replies. "Now help me turn her over."

A wet cough, the sound of droplets hitting the dry ground. "P-please help. My daughter, my Ruby."

"Holy shit, she's alive. Hey, help me with her. Don't worry miss we'll get you to town you're gunna be fine." the younger voice says trying to sound soothing despite the panic setting in.

"Don't bother, did you see her back? She's all torn up, barely clinging as it is. She won't make it five feet, let alone the five miles to town. I've got a Scroll, let's see... Ah yup. She's a Hunter, probably bit off more than she could chew. Looking around though she put up one hell of a fight, her bloods all over. Check the bundle, she was guarding it pretty hard, look, the grounds all torn up around it but it's untouched."

Another wet cough, the sound of something being dragged. "Take her... please take her." The woman's voice, reedy and barely there.

"Tough as hell aren't you. You Hunters and Huntresses are something else." The gruff voice comments

"It's a baby man." the young voice calls out and fussing can be heard along with rustling fabric.

"It's a wha-?" older replies being cut off by a loud fussy cry of a small child not yet old enough to speak.

"Oh man, this is who she meant. This must be Ruby huh? We should bring her to town with us. We're already turning in her weapon and Scroll. They're too hot to pawn off, we can just drop her off with them." Younger one comments, trying to make soothing noises to the small child that didn't seem to be actually helping as it only grows louder.

"Just leave the kid man, its Grimm bait with all the screaming and hollering. We've got the Lien and valuables. Leave the corpse, leave the baby and come on. Before those monsters come back for it." Older man growls out, his tone tinged with nervous tension bordering panic.

The younger one stops his comforting abruptly. "Leave her? No way, it's one thing to loot a corpse man but we leave this girl here and we'll be killin' her, not the Grimm. I don't want to become a murderer. She can't be more'n a year old. I'm bringing her."

"Fine, fine whatever. You deal with the brat but we're moving now. I'm not sticking around here anymore." Older replies the sound of boots moving down the road.

"Don't worry Ruby, I'll make sure you get back okay." The younger one states after she finally quiets down, letting out a few small yips before yawning. "Heh, fuckin adorable that. Keep that up and they'll eat out of your hand." The young man comments before the sound of his boots joins those of his companion albeit at a quicker pace as he moves to catch up.

~10 years ago~

"RUBY ROSE!" A shrill voice cries out and furry, red tipped ears perk and swivel from across the building. The owner of those ears folds them back and whines pitifully.

"Wow Ruby, what did you do to make her mad this time?" A girl with mint green hair asks wincing at the screeching voice growing louder.

"I don't know Em! I did all my chores and haven't left the room since, besides meal times!" the younger, red cloaked girl replies, her fear evident in her voice as a low whimper escapes her. Wide silver eyes misting over with tears.

"Calm down Ruby, you should go to her. You know she only gets worse if she has to find you herself. And even if she doesn't manage to find you, you know you can't avoid her forever." Emerald suggests biting her lip as the tears start to fall from the eyes of the Faunus girl.

As Ruby stands up her head remains bowed and she stumbles out of the room heading towards the loud voice still screaming her name.

A pair of red eyes follows her out, the lip caught between the green hair girl's teeth stinging with pain as she fights to keep herself from divulging her plan. It's only once Ruby is out of ear shot she allows herself to speak, and even then, at a low murmur to herself.

"Don't worry Ruby, I almost have everything I need and when I do. We'll never have to deal with her or anyone else again."

Ruby was one of the kids that hits the system and bounces around from one home to another as her social worker tries to find a home for her. She's cute and young so her chances went up. But the longer she went without finding a home the lower the odds got. Common knowledge for orphans. The older you get, the less likely it is anyone will want to take you in, and the more you move around, the more people begin to think something is wrong with you. Getting passed over so often also hardens the heart against future potentials, only confirming the worry. It's a vicious cycle. Eventually the social worker gave up, placing Ruby here until someone comes in that Ruby might fit with. That was a few months ago. And when she arrived, the first thing she did was make friends with the older girl with red eyes.

Emerald hops off her bed and pulls out a box from beneath filled with borrowed, stolen, and home repaired camping gear along with whatever Lien the little girl has managed to squirrel away over her time at the orphanage. She would have left some time ago honestly, but after Ruby arrived the plan changed. She refused to leave her friend behind here. Plans for one became plans for two and the little girl began her gathering all over again.

~7 years ago~

A girl stands outside of the park crying and trying desperately to wipe her tears away as she looks around, looking lost and confused as to what to do. Short black hair spilling out from under her hood tipped with red. With such an adorable girl crying and alone it isn't long before a kind soul approaches to aid her.

"Hello little one, what's the matter? Why are you crying?" A calm voice asks from above her. Stranger, children are taught to shy away from strangers and that's just what the crying girl does, leaning and taking a few steps away. She still manages to answer however. Tiny voice warbling with sadness and a little fear.

"I-I, lost m-my money! Miss. Lisa s-said to use it t-to get a r-ride home on the b-bus but I was playing wh-while I waited and it m-must have fell out of my p-pocket!" The girl replies after leaking from her silver eyes as she puts her hand in her pocket turning it inside out to show the hole in it. "N-now I can't g-get on the b-bus and it's too f-far to walk!" She cries her head bending down as her hands return to her eyes rubbing at them while choked sobs escape her.

"You poor dear, you must be so scared, who left you out here alone?" the kind woman asks kneeling down. Already wondering if she will need to inform the authorities.

"Mommy is a-at work. A-and Miss Lisa was with me b-but she had an emer... mergen... something bad happen! S-so she had to go. She told m-me to wait f-for the bus but I got bored..." The small girl cries her sobbing coming under control but it's a near thing barely held in.

"And you know how to get home on your own? Do you have to do this often?" The woman asks carefully.

"O-oh no ma'am, this is the first time. U-usually I go back with Miss Lisa or mommy." The tearful girl replies.

The lady seems to come to a decision and pulls out her purse, giving the girl a few Lien cards in small denominations. "Here, use this for the bus and be more careful okay? If someone in charge tells you to do something it's important you listen okay?" The woman says her heart warming at the sudden wonder in the girl's eyes at being rescued. Her fears of not making it home banished instantly as a broad smile crosses her face.

"R-really? Th-thank you miss!" The girl says after getting the money. She starts towards the bus stop at the corner before pausing and turning back. "Oh, and I'm not a deer! I'm a wolf!" The girl replies giving a little twirl. Her furred ears exposed as her hood drops the cloth on her back moving aside to expose a wagging tail behind her.

At first the woman is confused, failing to understand the joke until she remembers that she called the jovial little girl a 'poor dear' previously. A play on words from the adorable little girl while not terribly funny on its own, the complete assurance from the tiny child that her joke is comedy gold brings a laugh from the older lady.

With a wave to the child and assured she did something good today she turns away, missing how the little wolf girl passes the bus stop and rounds the corner instead. Fixing her cloak and hood to cover her heritage as she walks. Her tail still wagging happily underneath, thankfully disguised by her steps so as not to be immediately obvious as the Lien is added to a pouch and placed in a bag at her waist.

The girl travels down streets and alleys with the rapid pace of someone who has been down them several times before, her path bringing her into the poorer and more industrial sections of the city. Abandoned buildings that were left over after the end of the Great War saw the need for them diminish. At one such building the red girl stops and looks around before bending down and sliding a square of sheet metal aside exposing a hole that she crawls through, the metal closing behind her.

"Hey Em! I'm home!" The girl calls out, pulling down her hood as she walks up a metal staircase that has seen better days. Honestly, this whole section of the city had but, until the government decides they can do something with it and starts tearing it down. For now though, two little girls call it home.

The red cloaked girl tilts her head, her canine ears pivoting to listen in for any sound of her friend. Hearing nothing she frowns, checking the time on an old manual watch they keep turning. It's only issue being that some of the spokes were broken on the winding dial so if you're not careful where you stop winding it could spin back and potentially destroy the rest. Of course once it was a little broken, it didn't matter that it was still functional, it was broken, and therefore thrown away. The girl was slowly coming to the conclusion she was the same way. Functional, but still broken. It's only a matter of time before her friend realizes it and throws her away too. She might have decided to do just that. After all, she is late.

Not a surprise really. Emerald always pulled in more money than she could. But not for lack of effort. She wakes up first, makes sure food is ready for her and Emerald before heading out and carefully picking a new place to ply the kindness of strangers for their Lien. The only issue being that she can't use the same place twice or risk being caught by a commuter. Other places she avoids, either due to police presence being too close, a local gang having already claimed it, or Emerald told her to. She asked once why that area but all the mint haired girl would say is something about red lights and it being for adults.

Emerald makes more though because she doesn't need to ply her image to separate a person from their money. She only needed to get within arm's reach of their valuables. The young girl watched in awe once as Emerald took a guy's watch right off his wrist without him noticing. It was incredible and she immediately begged the older girl to teach her. She said when the younger girl was older.

With a sigh the red girl sits on a mattress made of cushions torn from tossed chairs and stolen from abandoned couches, stitched together with copious amounts of duct tape and covered in a thin sheet, washed whenever they can afford to use a public cleaners. Her arms wrapping around her knees and pulling them close. Hand reaching up to draw down her hood covering her folded ears as she shift to lay on her side. Perhaps today is the day when she ends up all alone.

She almost doesn't hear the sound of their entrance opening and closing. Her ears perk under the hood. Instead of darting out to greet her partner she does as she was told and climbs up to the rafters carefully, quietly watching and waiting to see who entered her home.

She stops bothering however when a familiar head of mint green hair enters the 'bedroom' and sits herself down on the 'bed'. They only had enough cushions to make one.

The Faunus girl drops to the floor in front of Emerald, having learned her lesson after ruining their last bed by landing on it, before leaping at the girl, hugging the older thief around the waist tightly and burying her nose into Emeralds chest.

"Whoa! Ruby, what's up?" She asks but frowns when all she gets in reply is a soft whimpering sound from the little wolf girl.

As the younger girl remains silent Emerald sighs figuring the reason and wrapping her arms carefully around Ruby's waist to return the embrace. "How many times do I have to tell you Ruby? I'm sticking around. You and me. That's not going to change for anything. Unless... You're planning to leave me?" Emerald asks, injecting concern into her voice.

Ruby's ears perk and immediately lay flat she shakes her head rapidly, refusing to lift it from the older girls chest. The answer hadn't needed to be given anyway. Emerald already knew the younger girl wouldn't abandon her. And while she did feel bad about manipulating the smaller girl by faking her concern over it, she needed to make a point to Ruby who otherwise would have trouble coming to that conclusion herself. Years of being told that your social worker would find you a happy home only to see nothing coming from it? It's little surprise most orphans don't put much, if any, value in the words of others, even a close friend. It still leaves a bitter taste in the young thief's mouth.

With a small smile, she gently breaks the embrace leading Ruby back towards their bed before taking a seat with the smaller girl. "Sorry I was late Ruby, I made a detour and picked up some food from the market. And something special for you." She adds, pretending she doesn't notice the sudden rapidly wagging tail behind the little wolf girl. "But first, let's see how much we made today yeah?"

Pulling out her own pouch, she separates the cards by amount into piles watching as Ruby pulls out her earnings and frowns at the comparison between the two her meager earnings, nowhere near that of the green haired thief. She bites her lip as she separates the cards out and adds them to Emeralds stacks. All small amount cards and not even as many of those as the older girls.

It doesn't seem to bother Emerald at all however as she grins, reaching over to rub Ruby's head affectionately. Her fingers flexing to scratch behind the ears that were about to droop, causing them to perk upright again. "Good job Ruby, we'll be set for a few days with this easily. Get the stash okay?"

Ruby nods and darts away, climbing up to the rafters again to get a long box kept closed with a belt that rattles with Lien cards as Emerald starts splitting the piles in half. When Ruby hits the ground again she removes the belt and opens the box, her hands pulling the cards inside out and dividing them into stacks just like their earnings. The two girls combining the much larger amount with half of their current earnings before starting to swap out smaller amounts in the box with larger denominations from what's left of their earnings.

The two girls have the goal of buying their own home. It didn't have to be big or fancy, it didn't have to be in a nice part of town or even in the best of conditions. None of that mattered as much as wanting a place that would be theirs. They were hoping they would have enough by the time Emerald was old enough to own property. It didn't look like they would but the two girls were optimistic and that it might take longer than they planned for didn't matter so much as they had a goal, and they were together.

Money sorted and hidden away again the two got ready for their usual evening. Food, studies, and stories. Emerald liked to read and refused to let Ruby avoid learning even if they couldn't risk attending a school. They had checked. Too many questions on the entrance papers that if they let anything slip and someone went looking they would be found out in a hurry. In the end, it wasn't worth the risk.

"Did you get any meat Emy?" Ruby asks already salivating at the thought. Her friend mentioned a visit to the market for food and something special. Usually that meant meat. Unfortunately, as their little home didn't have electricity and thus, no refrigeration. So they had to eat it quickly so it was bought in small quantities, and the price of it made it an uncommon thing for the two.

"Sorry Ruby, it's just bread and a little cheese today. The treat comes after." Emerald offers, pulling out the wrapped loaf and splitting it and a wedge of cheese in half giving Ruby her share before taking a bite. Food had to be bought. Not to say they couldn't steal food really. But the best food they could afford regularly came from the stalls set up by the farmers that work the land in the rare fertile lands holding villages around Vacuo. The owners may not know the two girls were homeless per se but, they did know the two lived rough and were sometimes willing to help them out. In return for that kindness neither were willing to steal from them unless they were truly desperate.

"It's okay Em." Ruby replies, her tail still waving back and forth behind her as she starts to eat her food, her shoulder moving to the side to press against her friend. She has a good idea what the treat is now, having gotten a whiff when the food was pulled out but she tries to resist the urge as Emerald was trying to be mysterious about it and the cloaked girl didn't want to spoil it for her.

They ate slowly and during their little meal Ruby paused swallowing her food before setting the remains of her dinner in her lap so she could ring her hands properly in a hopeless attempt to assuage some of her nervousness.

"Hey Em?"

"Yeah Ruby?" The mint haired thief asks calmly, pausing the bite she was about to take. Curious why the smaller girl sounded so nervous.

"I want you to teach me how to earn like you." Ruby asks again. She asks all the time and is always turned away by the same explanations. But this time after sighing and turning to face the smaller girl to dissuade her of the need the older girl pauses looking into stubborn and determined eyes. The smaller girl is nervous sure, but she doesn't look at all willing to back down this time. So instead Emerald asks a question.

"Why do you want me to teach you that? And don't say it's because I make more than you, you know that doesn't bother me." Emerald tacks on to avoid the usual little argument that typically follows this question.

"I just wanna be more useful Em. I don't bring in nearly as much and I know you say you don't mind but we both know only one of us would make it on our own if we had to and it's not me. And don't say I'm too young either! You were younger than me when you started." Ruby defends biting her lip. Not wanting to admit that by being more useful Emerald would have fewer reasons to leave her behind. Her ears falling flat to her head as she waits for her friend to turn her down again.

Instead she hears a sigh. "Fine, you're right Ru. I'll teach ya. But never earn alone okay? I want to be there in case something goes wrong. Cause if you get caught they'll take you away and I'm not sure how long it will take me to find you again." The mint haired thief capitulates. Only to let out a grunt as a black haired missile impacts her chest, their food scattering on the mismatched bed.

After a gratuitous amount of nuzzling and gratitude they break apart and Ruby looks at the mess and blushes a bit looking adorably contrite despite her rapidly wagging tail. "Hehe, whoops?"

Emerald tries very hard to hold her glare on the exuberant wolf-girl… and fails miserably. She gives a weary sigh while palming her face and shaking her head. When the hand moves away however, there's a warm smile underneath. "Alright Ru, you clean up the mess and I'll get out the strawberries."

The thief didn't think Ruby could smile any wider than she was already. She was wrong.

~4 years ago~

A pair of young girls run quickly away from a group of chasing police officers. Both panting hard as they push themselves to escape. For years the two hadn't slipped up even once, but it appeared as if one of their previous marks had noticed them again in the crowd and called the authorities. And instead of making a scene right then, he followed until they arrived before calling out the two young thieves. They couldn't go home, not with police right behind them. They had too much to lose if their little hideout was discovered.

So they ran down twisting alleyways and crowds, but with shorter legs whatever distance they managed to place between them was soon lost as more officers joined the chase. At this rate it would only be a matter of time before they either stumbled across a Hunter or one would be called in, and then they would be screwed. With a frown, Emerald grabs Ruby by the hand before speaking up.

"Ru, we need to split up. If they catch us both we're up a creek. But if they only get one of us the other can look for them and help them escape. Besides, we have a better chance of slipping away alone. You remember where to meet up right?" The older girl asks getting a nod from Ruby. The cloak makes her too noticeable though, she's almost sure the younger girl will get caught but Emerald won't let her stay caught for long. That is a certainty.

"Yeah Em, I'll see you there soon." Ruby replies before they break away from each other. Both already worrying about the other.

The wolf girl leaves her hood up as she runs, her cloak billowing behind her. She can hear the officers still in pursuit as she turns the corner and her eyes shoot wide. She hadn't been paying enough attention. The alley she turned into is long, wide, and unobstructed. With no choice left to her she breaks into a flat out sprint, the fence closing off the other end has a hole she can slip through, she just has to reach it before the police can grab her.

Her legs pump hard, pushing her to go faster and faster. Desperate for more speed as she hears the police closing in behind her. Sharp hearing giving away their harsh breathing. She can almost feel the hands reaching out to grab her, to stop her and pull her back and separate her from Emerald. Something she absolutely does not want to happen.

So she pushes harder, her legs screaming as the muscles burn for relief. She's only halfway and desperate to make it, she just needs to go faster. So she pushes even more and suddenly, she feels something resisting. With the sound of the officers behind her and thoughts of Emerald ahead she shoves harder still.

It comes in a rush. A wave of invigorating energy, a red glow coating her skin. Ruby feels lighter than air as her legs pump with fresh strength pushing harder to move faster. And then she did.

In a flurry of spiraling petals, Ruby covers the distance as if flying. Her body shooting forward leaving the officers in the dust, literally. The dust cloud left behind obscures their vision completely as she darts through the hole in the fence and out of sight.

The red cloaked girl takes her time to ditch her pursuers before slowing down and running normally, the trail of petals leading away from their meeting spot just in case. There is no such thing as being too cautious when running away from the authorities. The downside was that sending them off in the wrong direction means Ruby has to backtrack the extra distance normally. The temptation to run like she had before bubbling under her skin and she shivers with anticipation.

Her ears perk on her approach to the meeting place as she hears what can only be Emerald sniffling. That's weird. Em doesn't cry, Emerald has never cried. At least not anywhere the younger girl could see. Looking back, she knew there were times back in the orphanage but since their escape Emerald has always been strong and if not happy than at least content. Even when during the harsher times and nights the temperature turned dreadfully cold. The two always found comfort and solace with each other, it was just how they were.

So a sniffling Emerald simply struck Ruby as wrong on every level. The shorter girl quickening her steps until she rounded the corner into the area they chose as their emergency spot. A little ring in the center of a scrap yard where an old broken vehicle with intact windows was meant to serve as shelter if they ever lost their warehouse. Some canned food, water, and a little Lien stashed under the passenger seat to get by.

It's here Ruby spots her best and only friend. Sitting in the trunk space of the car with her legs drawn up to her chest, face buried in her knees. A position for the two usually seen in reverse. Ruby gives a little smile realizing the tears are for her.

"Em, don't cry, I'm okay." Ruby calls out and the sniffling stops immediately, mint green hair bouncing as the head connected to it shoots upwards and turns to face the younger girl. Her eyes can't seem to believe what they are seeing as she pushes herself upright and stumbles climbing out of the trunk. She struggles to stand and run at the same time. When she manages to get her feet under her she shoots over and grabs up the smaller girl, lifting her from her feet in a crushing hug.

"Em stop! Can't breathe!" Ruby gasps as Emeralds grip loosens, her shoulders are grabbed and she's held by them as the green thief looks her over head to toe.

"Ru, I'm so glad you're okay! How did you get away though? I was sure they would catch you and I'd have to find you." She mentions only to smile ruefully as Ruby wipes at her cheeks the clear away the tears. Another image in reverse, usually it's the older girl consoling the younger. "I got stuck, I hoped you would get into a place a lot better than the orphanage. Then I thought you might not want to leave by the time I found you so I hoped it was just as bad. And of course, that made me feel worse so I threw myself a pity party." She explains, this time getting a hug of her own.

"I'll always want to go with you Emerald. You're my best friend. I love you." The eleven year old wolf girl states burying her nose into Emeralds chest. Those little words getting the older chin to light up in a big smile.

"I love you too Ruby, I do want to know though. How did you get away?" Emerald asks looking at Ruby as she breaks away grinning. Her tail going a mile a minute as she skips a few steps away and abruptly dissolves into small rose petals. The small red flower pieces drifting to the ground before dissolving. Emerald looks around rapidly before noticing they form a trail that is already quickly fading away as sand and dust settle.

"R-Ruby?" Emerald calls out uncertainly only to jump when her shoulder is tapped from behind. She moves forward and spins around, an old and small utility knife in her hand as she faces whoever snuck up on her. Only to feel her legs go a little weak as she registers the perky triangle ears and waving tail of her friend and her sudden spike of adrenaline is cut off.

"Neat huh?" Ruby asks grinning wide at the baffled thief.

"Ruby... How? Are you teleporting? What's with the petals?" Emerald asks cautiously, poking Ruby until the wolf girl giggles and hugs her tightly. When Ruby doesn't answer right away Emerald gives the eleven year old a little shake. "Ruby come on this is important, what's going on?" She asks worried about what's happening.

"I don't know! Honest Em, I was getting chased and was all tired and they were gunna catch me and then suddenly whoosh!" Ruby says throwing her hands out beside her and swooping like a plane. "Suddenly I felt awesome and I could run really really fast! I don't know what the deal with the petals is but when I run fast they pop up. So I ran away from our meeting place and doubled back after a while."

Emerald looks around and notices all the petals have dissolved already before looking back with a smile. "That might not be necessary, all the petals are gone. But I'll steal a newspaper tomorrow and ask around 'The Fence' to see if they're bothering to look for us. Hey Ruby, I want you to try something." Emerald adds grinning as her young friend nods rapidly. "I want you to do whatever it is you're about to do before you run like that. But don't run."

Ruby looks at her in confusion before shrugging and closing her eyes before giggling. "Hehe, I feel tingly."

Emerald takes Ruby's hand and gives the back of it a little jab with her knife. The tip doesn't even scratch as it hits resistance before the skin. "Ruby, you unlocked your Aura. You know what that means?" Emerald asks getting a slow shake of Ruby's head in response her tail is still going though. "It means… we get to go to the library!" She says with a grin before Ruby groans and her tail stops wagging.

"Can we at least get some of the fun stories while we're there? You only look up boring stuff." Ruby moans petulantly.

"Hey, I like to read. And our education is important. Especially since we can't attend school. But if you behave and don't get us kicked out we can stop by a used book store after and get some story books for you. I want to learn more about what your Aura can do, and maybe unlock mine. It would give us a leg up out here, and you know how important things like that are." Emerald chides gently, getting a little nod from the still not-very-thrilled Ruby.

After waiting a moment Emerald grins at her. "How about we celebrate all of this by getting some meat for tonight?" She offers grinning as Ruby's mood immediately curves upwards. When she extends her hand Ruby wastes no time taking it and they head off towards the market.

~2 years ago~

Emerald gives a good natured sigh, watching Ruby skip and dance down the street in front of her. After unlocking their Auras and learning to use their Semblances, they were able to make money far easier. The meager hauls a thing of the past as they picked pockets with an ease that would astound.

The dust Ruby kicked up when she ran covered the petal trail the first time she used it and the by-product of her Semblance was never looked into. Emerald found herself lifting valuables from unsuspecting people more and more, letting them sell the baubles at 'The Fence' for even more money. With the new income, they splurged a small amount here and there. Replacing worn and torn rags with proper fitting clothing. More substantial meals and, after much insistence from the wolf girl, weapons.

Emerald had been hesitant about the last part at first for a few reasons. The first being that Ruby wanted to build their own like students at the Hunter prep school, Oasis. It involved getting fake identifications as students so store owners would sell them the parts in the first place. The second being that the weapons being unique might draw attention and could possibly be identified, linking back to the pair. And finally, Emerald, despite knowing Ruby should be able to defend herself was hesitant to let her. The green themed thief has a protective streak a mile long for her little companion and was not the least bit embarrassed by the fact.

The fear of Ruby not needing her anymore gnaws at her mind on occasion and the irony of the situation being of what was just a few years before is not lost on her. Emerald has no trouble at all remembering the moments of hugging the younger teen while reassuring her that the mint haired thief wasn't going anywhere without her little Ruby.

Emeralds thoughts are dragged back to the matter at hand when Ruby gives a little twirl her cloak, spinning with her to reveal the happy wagging tail underneath along with the outfit. Like most clothing found in Vacuo it's a light and breathing material to help keep the hot sun from beating down on the wearer. Unlike most however, it's colored in black and dark reds. Colors that typically soak up the light and heat rather than repel them. Emerald had tried to offer more reasonable colors but Ruby had been stubborn. And to be fair, it did match her hair, her fur, and cloak fitting the small girl nicely. Emerald was just glad she managed to talk Ruby out of the tight fitting corset and into a more sensible shirt.

The most striking of all was the large red box suspended against the small of her back. Emerald had no idea what Ruby would come up with for her weapon after the thief had finished designing her own twin weapons, named Linked Avarice. The three phase weapons started as twin revolvers that sprouted curved blades to become sickles and chains so they could then be swung. All that was needed for a phase change was a slight application of Aura. Mecha-shift is truly grand.

Still, once her design was finished, Ruby snatched it at disappeared for a few hours. She did this a few times for three days straight. Showing up at arranged times in their usual places, practically dancing in place with her eagerness to return to work. Emerald barely had time to hug the smaller girl and make her eat something before she would be off again.

Even with second hand or outdated parts Ruby worked wonders. Building up Emerald's weapons before diving into her own creation. And what a creation it was. A scythe far taller than the little thief with a long wicked blade curved over Ruby's head when she displayed her masterpiece to the older girl. Crescent Rose, truly a beautiful marvel. The first thing Emerald had asked was why. The answer was very flattering. 'I just saw your weapons and wanted to do something similar. They're so cool you know? I can't swing Crescent Rose around on a chain though, so it also converts into a halberd. Not sure how much use that forms going to get though.'

Her thoughts on the past, Emerald nearly misses Ruby pulling up to a stop next to a nondescript door. The little wolf girl knocks letting Emerald speak for them to the doorman before the pair are let inside.

'The Fence' as it's called by the locals. Is Vacuo's one stop shop for all your Black Market wants and needs. Split into four floors, rooms on the first are rented out to individual vendors by the day. Usually the things on sale here are small time. Things obtained by less than legal means and passed off as legit. It's run like a flea market here and anyone walking wouldn't think twice, the doorman doesn't stop anyone after all. Not this one anyway.

It's the second floor where things get a little more interesting. Rooms here are rented out anywhere from by the month to yearly contracts. They are bigger and thus are fewer in number. Some high ranking street gangs use these rooms to control their drug dispersion. Even buying and selling from other gangs and individuals. 'The Fence' is strictly neutral ground and no weapons are allowed past the first floor. Sentry guns, androids and armed guards are stationed here to make sure it stays that way. Beyond the gangs though are the arms dealers and actual fences that maintain their own spaces. The third floor of course is reserved for the even more illicit dealings. Things the red light district is not able to provide due to things like laws, and basic human rights. Emerald and Ruby have never gone past the second floor or felt the need to.

This time is no different. The two walk through the first floor with ease. Pausing to turn over their weapons and the small utility knives they keep with them before heading up to the next floor.

Their destination is further in, past the drug dealers and weapon hustlers to where the more established and frequent room renters are located. A door with a simple plaque placed on it reading Mr. Everything. Certainly not the man's real name, it more described what he did. He is an astounding purveyor of goods and information and if he can't get it to you right away, he can get it to you quick enough. Nothing however ever had a set price. Everything depended on a combination of Mr. Everything's mood, the item or information itself, and how much he likes a particular customer.

For whatever reason Mr. Everything liked Emerald and Ruby, especially since they started showing up together. Neither willing to look a gift horse in the mouth Mr. Everything quickly became their go to fence. Because he doesn't just sell, he also buys. And always gives the two a better price then they would get elsewhere.

For a man with his reputation however, he certainly did not look the part. Shoulder length sandy blonde hair mixed with a sleepy expression and bland beige colored outfit sitting leaned over a simple wooden desk in a featureless room. A boring man, a boring room. Mr. Everything's carefully constructed image is clearly just that but still catches people off guard.

The two girls enter and take seats opposite him as he looks up and gives them both a lazy smile using his Scroll to lock the door to his office as he and Ruby both wait patiently for Emerald to begin what has become their tradition.

The thief rolls her eyes before pulling out a twenty Lien card. "Has anyone been looking into either of us?" she asks handing over the card before he shakes his head. They always start with this question as it is the most arguably important one. Low profile they may be, but urchins with unlocked Aura are very, very rare. And anyone finding out about either of them could bring either police, or unwanted attempts at recruitment for the local gangs.

"No you two are fine. Hello by the way. Have the counterfeit ID's been working fine?" He asks, leaning back in his chair as if looking for a new angle to get comfortable enough to sleep in.

Ruby lets Emerald do most of the talking. A habit born of practice when they were younger. Emerald was better at talking to people than she was. Ruby got pretty good at it too when she started to part people from their money several times a day, but when together, it was always the 'big sister' who spoke for the pair.

"Yeah, they worked great. Got us what we needed anyway. We don't use them as much anymore but they're still handy when Ruby sees something we can afford to upgrade our weapons with." Emerald comments, pulling out a bag from her belt and tossing it across the table to be caught in a lazy swipe of Mr. Everything's hand. He weighs it a moment before tipping it over letting the jewelry, watches, and assorted valuables tumble onto his desk. His eyes sharpen for just a moment taking it all in before a drawer opens and he pulls out a stack of cards counting out six hundred before pushing them across to Emerald.

"If you stay for five more minutes and listen to an offer while promising to at least think about considering it, I will add two more to it." He comments as Emeralds hands go to the sides of her chair. She pauses looking to Ruby who seems just as confused but shrugs back at her. Five minutes for two hundred Lien? That's an easy choice.

Emerald seems to weigh the choice carefully before gently removing her hands from the arm rests and extending one for the money. If you're getting paid, get as much as you can up front. Mr. Everything smiles and takes out two more cards handing one over and keeping the other on his side. "As you both know, I have a reputation for being able to acquire anything and everything for anybody who's willing to pay enough for it. On occasion, someone has the money to pay for me to acquire things owned by other people. Things those owners aren't interested in selling. When I get orders like this I have to hire out to acquire them. And with your skills, I would like to start hiring you two." He explains opening a different drawer on his desk and pulling out a pair of Scrolls sliding them across the table.

There's silence for a few long moments with Emerald thinking and the fence watching. Until that is, Ruby speaks up.

"Why us? Why now?"

"What do you mean Ruby?" Mr. Everything asks gesturing for the shorter girl to continue as Emerald places her attention on her companion.

"I mean, you've been in business for years. I know this isn't the first time you've gotten orders like this. Also, we're orphans and pick pockets. We've never done B&E and if someone's coming to you instead of trying to steal it themselves or hiring some thug to do it, there's probably some decent security. It seems like a lot of risk both for you and for us." She explains getting a nod from Emerald as they wait for Mr. Everything to compose a reply.

"It's really quite simple. I like you girls. You're honest, at least when you don't feel like you need to lie, and you've always been exceedingly careful. The closest you two ever came to getting caught doing anything happened two years ago and nothing before or since has you two anywhere near the police' radar. Never pick from the same crowd twice, always at different times, trading off so one can keep an eye out. With your Semblances in the mix I would be a fool not to hope you'll take work for me. Besides, I know my two favorite thieves. I think you'll have fun." He says with a wide grin before closing his eyes in his chair as if seriously considering the nap they might have interrupted.

"But just to give you a taste we'll start small." He continued. "I provide easy targets for you two to get your feet wet. You do the jobs and if you don't like it afterwards, just turn them in and tell me you're done. I'll find someone else and you two can go back to picking pockets. The pay will start good and only get better, and if you want to leave just say so." He adds, pulling open the same drawer he had the money in before setting an envelope on their side.

"Small easy targets. Details inside. No time limit but of course, the sooner the better. Talk to each other, take your time. Either way you can keep the Scrolls and the money. If you take the jobs and finish them, call the second number inside and you'll get me. The first number in one phone calls the other." He finishes before tipping his chair back onto its back legs.

The two young thieves share a long look, having a silent conversation before Emerald grabs the folder and Ruby the Scrolls. The older girl taking a moment after they stand to reply. "We'll talk it over and let you know what we decide."

~one year and six months ago~

A small girl with a red cloak stands perfectly still within a large mansion her position lay between two slowly swiveling security cameras that move just out of sync with each other.

She twitches as the radio clipped to one of her 'normal' ears crackles a moment and a voice comes in counting down slowly. When it hits zero Ruby darts out in a red blur, shooting under one of the cameras the petals disintegrating before they can reach the ground in her wake as she moves into another blind spot.

"Okay Ruby, we've got maybe sixteen minutes before the guards swap out so I need to be gone before then. Let's pick it up okay? I can hold them both if I need to but you know how hard that is so let's not get to that point. You remember the sequence?" Comes the smooth voice of her friend.

Ruby smiles and then grimaces in discomfort as her tail tries to wag from its position tied to her leg. "Yeah Em, three more in the hall and then out the window after I get the shiny thing." She replies with childish humor. The little thief can practically hear Emeralds eyes rolling through the radio as the younger girl struggles not to snigger.

"Okay, okay, let's get on with it. Now." She orders and Ruby shoots to the next spot pausing long enough to hear the next confirmation before shooting out again. The process is repeated until the little thief pulls herself into a room and closes the door behind her.

"I'm in. Hey Em, how much is Everything paying us for this one again?" Ruby asks, nearly skipping along to a display case in the room pulling a lock picking set from her pouch.

"Fifteen. He's already put half into our account so we need to deliver. You know how much I hate giving money back." Emerald replies as Ruby kneels down slipping her tools into her mouth for a moment as she looks at the case quizzically and just lifts the top with a small 'huh' that draws Emeralds attention.

"What is it? There shouldn't be any additional security. File said inside the room it's just the display case."

"Calm down Em. The previous owner of the shiny statue made my job a little easier is all. Left the display case unlocked." Ruby replies, grabbing the ugly and roughly humanoid shaped golden statuette stowing it in her loot sack before pausing and grabbing the velvet pouch sitting next to it with a shrug dropping it in with her lock picks before making her way to the window. Looking around it she sighs.

"Okay Em, I'm ready for my run. Let me know when you're ready for the alarms." Ruby comments and takes a moment to rock back and forth on the heels of her feet as her eyes swing around the room looking immediately at shiny baubles and intricate designs. Before she can be tempted to start filling her loot sack again Emeralds voice returns.

"Alright I'm almost out. Start moving, I'll see you soon."

It's all the instruction Ruby needs as she shifts left and right giving Emerald just a bit more time before she sets their calling card in the display case, a big green gem pictured over a bed of bright red flower petals. After closing the lid she moves to the window. Pausing as her fingers find the latch to unlock it. She would have come in from this point but they're locked and reinforced making them irritating if not impossible to open from the outside.

Throwing the window open wide the buildings alarm blares loudly and bars start to drop in order to cover the windows. They slam down hard and fast but not quick enough to stop the speedster thief from making it outside and halfway across the yard first. A trail of petals fading away as she reaches the fence and climbs up and over. Vanishing into the night.

It's three blocks to the east where Ruby finally comes to stop after turning into an alley. Her hood down. Cloak covering her as she leans against the wall. The red fabric on her head twitching at every little sound.

"I'm here Em." She comments into her radio. Getting a response from the mint haired girl just now walking into sight.

"I know, you ran right past me. I messaged Mr. Everything, drop off point isn't far. Jobs not done till it's out of our hands." She mentions smiling as Ruby peels herself from the wall and lowers her hood to walk next to her friend.

"Hey Em, have you thought about where we're going to live once you're old enough to sign for it? I mean we have more than enough now to buy something small outright. At the very least a big down payment if we pick a spot in a major city." The shorter girl asks, casually bumping into the older, taller thief as they walk with an easy smile.

"Well, I was thinking we would travel a little first. Visit all the kingdoms and see what they have to offer before picking a place to set down in. Getting excited about having your own bedroom Ruby?" Emerald asks in an odd tone before blinking as Ruby gives her an odd look in return.

"Why would I need my own room? We've always slept together Em." She replies and Emerald is unsure if Ruby understands the implications of them sharing a bed as they grow older. Still, they've always been together, wouldn't this just be the next logical step?

Emerald pauses and hesitates, bringing Ruby up short with concern for her friend who is now acting vastly out of character. "Em? I mean, if you want separate bedrooms I guess I can try and get used to sleeping by myself." The younger girl states, trying to take a step back and appease her partner.

Emerald doesn't say anything as she continues to hesitate looking at Ruby with a very worried expression that does nothing to sooth the unsettling feeling the younger girl is getting before she is grabbed, giving an animalistic yelp as the older girl tugs her into an embrace and kisses her firmly.

The lip to lip contact is different. Not in the placement, the two have exchanged chaste kisses on each other's cheeks, foreheads and yes, even their lips before. But this is different in length and feel. Before it was always a quick peck. Something chaste and sweet. This was neither of those. It was raw and hungry. Passionate and oh so very needy.

There is a raw emotion behind it as Emerald pulls Ruby closer to herself determined that if this is to be their last kiss then at least it would be a memory she would have to treasure. But the need to breathe becomes pressing and Emerald slowly moves to pull away before realizing Ruby is holding her just as tightly. Both panting gently as their eyes open. Red pools gazing desperately into silver for any manner of rejection, and finding none. "Ruby, will you be my girlfriend as well as my partner?" She asks knowing the answer she'll get now, but still desperate to hear it said.

"I wouldn't want anyone else." It's a quiet response, but after their both left grinning at each other with unbound happiness before sharing another long kiss. In some ways it's better than the first as both are expecting it and are able to express their joy through it. But in truth, the first will be the only one either remembered after the night was over.

"Wonderful. Let's finish the job and go home." Emerald states as they finally break apart. Ruby fishes something from her pouch and tosses it to Emerald who responds by catching it deftly before looking at what's in her hand. "What's in the pouch?" Turning the small velvet bag over. Whatever is inside is numerous and tiny.

"No idea, it was in the display case at the bottom. I almost missed it because the frame around the glass was hiding it." Ruby replies with a shrug as Emerald opens the draw strong top and looks in before closing it just as quickly. "What? What's in there?"

"Ruby, who keeps a bag of precious gemstones inside an unlocked display case? That guy apparently, and now? Now we get to sell them one by one. Tonight is definitely a steak night." Emerald adds as Ruby cheers and does a happy little dance, her tail wagging hard enough to push her cloak aside even as the older girl makes a mental note to buy fuel for their camping grill on the way home.

~one year ago~

Emerald sighs hanging up her Scroll. Before fishing one the calling cards she and Ruby had come up with from her pocket looking it over. The laminated card with its picture uniquely theirs. The mint haired thief was of two minds regarding their little signature. The upside of using them being that it helped them to build a reputation as thieves. A bigger reputation meant bigger and higher paying jobs. It also meant they could afford to be pickier about what they stole and from whom, as well as who they worked with.

But for everything good the cards brought them it also brought something neither wanted. Because a name is something people pay attention to. For two street urchins who had just wanted to get by, being under the radar was the way to live. Now they had a name. Tabloids called them 'The Green Petal Thief' A bit of a stretch considering the image on their card. The police are looking for a single perpetrator for their crimes which is good. But the fact they are looking at all isn't so great. There are a lot of robberies that can be laid at their feet, and with every new heist the tally goes higher.

"What did Everything want?" Ruby asks, leaning gently into Emeralds side as they look out over the busy market district. At the age of fourteen and sixteen respectively the two girls had been together for the past decade, and at the rate they are going it doesn't look like they would be parting any time soon, if ever. The transition from friendship to relationship had only been awkward the first few weeks when they had both been trying to make it mean more than just being together. Awkward attempts at romantic gestures are cute but can get tiresome. They quickly realized it wasn't what they wanted though, and after that brief period of figuring out new mechanics, settled into their old comfortable ways. Albeit with small affectionate touches, lingering hugs and kisses mixed in.

"He was giving us a heads up. Someone is looking into the green petal thief. He's stalled them for time and is taking an obscene amount of money for any information he hands over but he can't hold out too long without damaging his reputation. Of course, he then sold us everything he had on his visitor dirt cheap. Which unfortunately wasn't much. Young woman, name unknown, age unknown, arrived in the city recently under an alias that lead nowhere and apparently, has a lot more money than her age or anonymity should imply. He thinks she might be from Mistral and wants us for a job that she doesn't want to run through him. That could mean anything from government work to something equally unsettling. He did provide that she's not with any police force. If she's government though then she's some kind of spy." Emerald replies with a frown on her lips.

"I don't like it Em, think it might be time to move?" Ruby asks shifting to take Emeralds hand between two of her own.

"Maybe… I'll ask Mr. Everything to arrange something for us. And we'll pack up our stuff at home just in case. We move it into storage and we can arrange with him to have it shipped to us if we do need to leave. It's only polite to hear what she wants first, she says anything we don't like and we can just go."

Ruby kicks her feet a bit letting her heels tap before responding. "Where are you thinking we'll go?" She asks

"Hmmm I'm thinking Mistral or Vale." Emerald replies not really liking the idea of living in the heavily militaristic society governing Atlas.

"Vale, definitely Vale. I heard Mistral is just as hot as Vacuo, only instead of a dry heat it's really humid. And I don't know about you, but I do not relish what that kind of humidity will do to the fur on my tail." Ruby replies removing one hand from Emeralds in order to hug the appendage to herself.

"Alright then. Vale it is." The older girl answers with a fond smile before leaning down to steal herself a kiss. "Want to go steal something?" She asks after the kiss is broken and her answer can be seen in the excited eyes and wagging tail of her girlfriend.

~six months ago~

Red eyes look through the glass separating shoppers from the assortment of jewels, rings and necklaces available. She looks uncertain as she focuses on a ring being displayed. A promise ring. The meaning of a promise ring relies entirely upon the person giving the ring. This is the fourth jewelry store she had come across and finally found one she wanted. A simple silver band with stylized hands wrapping around each other gripping a ruby in one and an emerald in the other. It's perfect.

She looks up at the smiling store owner with a grin of her own. "Could you pull out the ones in that section? I want to look at them closer." She asks reaching for her pouch and pulling out a small wallet as if checking it for how much she has with her. The motion seems to please him and he pulls out the tray setting it down for her to look at. Carefully she activates her Semblance, hiding her actions from the man even as she talks.

"How much is the one in the upper right corner?" she asks as her hand reaches out to take the one that actually caught her eye near the center. She doesn't listen to what he's actually saying as she clutches her prize in her hand.

"Damn, I don't have that much on me. I guess I'll have to come back for it. See you soon okay?" She says giving him a wave before turning to leave the shop when a woman's voice calls out.

"You're not going to pay for the ring you just grabbed?" She asks and Emerald winces having missed the woman entering the store after noticing the ring. Worse with her pointing it out, the shop owner blinks looking down at the tray and now noticing the missing item. Her semblance is great at making, near perfect illusions for those under her sway but when the discrepancy is pointed out to them the illusion shatters.

Turning on her heel Emerald starts running even as the man starts shouting from inside his shop. As she rounds the corner she chances a look back and grimaces as she sees a growing crowd of people chasing after her. The jeweler apparently has a lot of friends.

That in mind she starts running harder using her Scroll to send a message to Ruby before continuing her run towards an empty alley. The fence in it had a loose board she and Ruby used to use as a shortcut when they were younger. What she hadn't expected was that after entering the alley a woman would walk in behind her.

Whirling around to face the woman she leans forward her hands hanging back slightly to keep Linked Avarice well within her reach she confronts the woman with a wary and suspicious eye.

"How did you do that?" The woman asks taking a few steps closer. Like Emerald, she carries a weapon pair with hilts pointing to the sides from the small of her back but also, oddly, a quiver. The latter item suggesting the twin blades also combine into some form of bow.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Emerald replies denying the woman's words to buy herself time. The only people who carry weapons like that are Huntsmen, Huntresses, those training to become them, or criminals like herself and Ruby. All of which are bad news for her.

When the woman doesn't respond fast enough, Emeralds hands jerk back gripping the handles of her weapons.

"Don't" The woman commands getting Emerald to pause before she draws the revolvers. "Unless, you want them to hear you?" The mystery woman asks waving towards the street behind her where the voices can be heard growing louder. "You stole that ring, right from under the jeweler's nose." She states simply.

Emeralds hand moves protectively to the pouch holding her prize before looking back up with narrowed suspicious eyes.

"Except you didn't. You just reached out and grabbed it. While he responded with a smile. No idea what you had done until it was pointed out to him. That was no sleight of hand." She comments, her words tinged with a seductive purr. Were it not for the lack of any animal traits, Emerald would believe her to be a Faunus.

"Who are you?" The thief asks spotting red through the boards in the fence next to her that brings an instant relief. The cavalry is here.

"My name is Cinder. And as to what I want, I want you to work for me as a partner." The woman responds. "I have a lot to do and someone with your talents would be quite welcome. "'The Green Petal Thief' has quite an astounding reputation after all."

Before Emerald can respond to that however the conversation is interrupted by the sound of shifting gears and metal before a large blade slices through the fence next to Emerald drawing a smirk from the thief and a scowl from Cinder.

"Sorry lady, but she already has a partner. And we don't do work on retainer." Ruby states simply walking over to Emerald herself and looking her girlfriend over before turning back to Cinder with a little smirk adorning her lips.

The intrusion does not sit well with Cinder at all apparently, who grits her teeth in aggravation her careful plan to approach the mint haired thief turning on its head far too quickly for her liking. "This is not a conversation for little girls to involve themselves in, why don't you come back after you've grown up, hmm?"

"Hey! I don't need to grow up, I drink milk! Right Em?" She states before looking to her girlfriend who is struggling to keep a blank face after Ruby's comment. Not trusting her words Emerald simply nods in response.

"Now if you want to hire us for a job get in touch with Mr. Everything, but I'll tell you the rules now so you won't be disappointed later. We're thieves, not assassins or hired thugs. We will steal, rob, loot just about anything we're capable of getting at but we don't hurt people unless we're left without an option. If it shines we'll take it. But don't ask us to go making a mess of someone's home. Also, we get half up front if we have Intel going in. All of it if we have to figure it out for ourselves." Ruby states clearly either unaware of the rage building on Cinders countenance or just not at all concerned with it as she folds up her scythe and puts it behind her back in its harness.

"You are making a grave mistake little girl. I am not someone you want to cross." Cinder replies, her words laced with venom.

"And now any job you do want us for will cost double for the threat. Come on Em, I want to look at some of the parts shops. I was on my way there when you messaged me." She says leading Emerald away by the hand. The older girl caught between cautiously watching Cinder and watching her blissful girlfriend with growing amusement.

When she finally looks away though, Cinder snaps. Pulling out her weapons and combining them before drawing an arrow. As it's loosed she can only stare in shock as Ruby grabs Emerald and dashes to the end of the alley in a flurry of petals. The pair of thieves watching the arrow hit the ground before an eye forms with a loud, blood-curdling scream before erupting in a massive pillar of flame.

The next moment both are running, not wanting to be anywhere near someone throwing around damage like that at a distance if they can help it.

They get about halfway home before they pull to a stop, Emerald panting heavily after the long sprint.

"So, I guess we know who bought the information on the 'Green Petal Thief' from Mr. Everything. She was scary. Time to go to Vale before she gets the chance to find us and tries to take her revenge?" Ruby asks as if talking about something far more mundane.

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." Emerald replies before standing up and pulling Ruby into a tight hug.

"E-Em? What's up?" Ruby asks blushing a bit as she returns the sudden display of affection.

"I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. And I got you something." Emerald mentions before pulling out her pilfered prize. Placing the promise ring onto the ring finger of ruby's left hand.

"We're waaaay too young to even think about marriage. But that's why it's just a promise ring. And it's a constant reminder of this promise. That I will always love you Ruby Rose. And I will always want to be right here with you. No matter what we end up doing." Emerald proclaims, hugging her girlfriend again as Ruby stares at the ring in wide-eyed amazement before turning a teary eyed smile on Emerald and tackling her to the ground.

There is nothing the older thief can do to resist the lupine girl's showering of affection consisting of a random combination of nuzzling, passionate kissing, and verbal gushing. But why in Oums name would she ever want to?

AN:

Hello everyone, I'm Blacsparrow and this is "Jewels in the Rough" or JitR (pronounced "Jitter") I know I promised this out weeks ago, I'm sorry. it's a lot longer than I thought it would be. This story will not update with anywhere near the frequency MKMZ does because it's not my main focus. more like a side project. I can't even guesstimate when the next update will be. But it won't be as long as this.

Questions or comments? Please Please review. I don't require them but the feed back does tell me how much interest is in the story and never fails to encourage me to work harder on a story. A big thank you to my beta Crescent Sunrise for looking over this beastly chapter.

Thats all for now, I love you all and I'll see you next time!