True angrily stomped across the road and up on to the walk. She'd just spent an hour rolling bandages for Nathan as punishment for "letting her mouth run free" as the healer put it. Her reply about him being in a bad mood because he wasn't getting any had just about pushed the man over the edge, but he stopped with only a few swats and forced labor.

She pushed her way through the small crowd in front of the General Store, earning a few mumbled reprimands from various adults. Not that she cared. She was already in for it because of stupid Miss Willis and most likely what she said to Nathan once Vin heard about it. It wasn't her fault that Jonathan just wouldn't keep his mouth shut today; making her shut it for him. And if Nathan would have just left her alone, she wouldn't have mouthed off. Stupid adults!

"Watch where you're going!"

True glared at the woman. "Shut up Myra!"

"Don't you talk to me like that True Tanner!"

"I'll talk to you however I damn well please." Her temper was now in full swing. "Why don't ya just go back ta fucking yer regulars ya whore an leave me alone!"

Myra started to answer, but smiled instead when she saw who stepped up behind the young girl.

True paused, confused by the smile, only to yelp as her ear was grabbed in a painful grip. "Apologize. Now." Bucks voice growled into said ear.

She had never heard Buck so stern and automatically apologized. "I'm sorry Myra."

Myra nodded and headed back inside, knowing Buck would take care of the bratty menace.

Buck pulled True around the back of the store to a small woodshed. "What're doin?" She asked.

"Only one thing that kids are pulled out to the woodshed for."

True looked up in shock. Buck had never given her more than a swat or two. "Ya can't!"

"Oh I can." He opened the door and pushed the girl inside. "Just because I never have, doesn't mean I won't." He shut and locked the door behind him, before leaning back against it.

"But why?"

"Why? You have to ask me why?" Buck asked incredulously. "How about how your angry tear down the sidewalk and what you said to Myra?"

"What? She's just a…"

Buck cut her off. "If you value your hide, you will not finish that sentence. I don't care what she is. She is an adult and you will treat her with respect. Understood?"

True did feel bad. She actually like Myra and didn't care what she did for a living. The woman was just an easy target for her anger. "Yes."

"Yes what?"

She looked up in surprise. "Yes Sir."

Buck pulled off his belt. "Bend over." He said and pointed to the stack of wood behind him. When True was in place, he brought the belt down hard ten times in quick succession. It was so fast, True didn't even have a chance to cry out until it was all over. "Stand up."

The child jumped up and down rubbing at her burning backside with one hand and the tears flowing from her eyes with the other. "Owwwwww!"

Buck pulled her into a hug and held her until she calmed down. "I didn't like doing that darling."

"I didn't like ya doin it either."

Buck chuckled and kissed her head. "Now, go on to the boarding house and up to your room."

"Ya gonna tell Vin?"

"Nope, you are."

"Aw man!" True groaned as she left the woodshed. Stupid adults!