Alright, doing this cause I feel like it. (And finally had time to.. Ahem) Senior year struggles.. Shout out to any fellow seniors out there.. The work is piling up but it's almost over! Here we go again. Chp 2- still don't own ouat btw, but thank you to those who are supporting this story so far, I appreciate it c:. Feel free to review, I'd love to see how you guys feel about it and how I'm doing so far.

The moment Granny had brought baby Red into her cottage, she immediately went into her highest protective setting. Even though it had been so many years since she had raised her own child, she wasn't completely new to the concept- besides her mumbling to herself that she was 'too old for this' every other day. She started slipping into a routine quite easily: wake up, feed the baby, bolt the doors tight and polish the ol' crossbow- she always told herself 'just in case, can never be too prepared for an attack', read to it, if it cries... Feed it as much as needed until it stops (unfortunately no off switch came with that part) and make sure it gets enough sleep; the simple stuff. Luckily, Red seemed to be a pretty content baby; easily excitable and a bubbly mess, but not a problem child in the sense of the word. It didn't seem as if she had picked up any of her mothers annoying old quirks, and Granny was quite fine with that; though just looking at little red, she was already becoming the spitting image of her mother- wrapped in red cloth with her little brown curls sticking out just enough. Granny sighed, leaned down, and kissed the baby's forehead. "When you grow up, promise me you won't let anyone stubborn get in your way.. Even me. If I get grouchy all the time well.. That'd be part old age, but also its just me putting your best interest first. Don't take it too harshly." Even though she knew Red was too young to understand that quite yet, she smiled and nodded, sensing the message got through at least. With that, she headed off to her favorite spot- in her old rocking chair with crossbow in hand, pointed at the bolted door. "Nothing's gonna harm my baby..."

- time skip -

It was the dawn of Red's fifth birthday, and the quiet little cottage had grown just a bit louder. Red giggled profusely as she ran across the wooden floor, now wearing the red hood that she still hasn't grown into, with her long brown hair swaying, as she had smiled the second brightest smile Granny had seen in years- the first of course being her mother's as she held baby Red so close to her that night. Granny looked down at her with a puzzled expression, unmoving from her chair. "Whats got you so excited?"

Red looked up and quickly jumped on Granny's lap. "Story time!" Well.. She sure got some of her mother's agility and oomph alright...

"Hmm? Ah.. That's right... what shall it be this time?" Granny leaned back and pushed her glasses back in thought.

Red scrunched her nose cutely and hummed to herself. "Hmmmm... How bout' the one with the locked up princess?"

"You mean every other princess.." Granny chuckled and Red only tilted her head. Oh right, she's so short, of course that went over her head. "Alright, I'm on it." She leaned over and grabbed a book from a small shelf Red had 'helped' her make.

"Yay! Hehe."

Granny smiled and cleared her throat. "Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a young princess, the kindest in her kingdom, with eyes brown as the earth, and smile brighter than the brightest diamond. She loved gallivanting around the kingdom and greeting her people, just getting to know them, more than anything. Her parents, the king and queen, were very watchful and careful of the little girl; making sure she wouldn't get into any trouble. Then, one day, after the princess had gone to sleep... A big bad wolf came in and snatched her up, leaving the king and queen worried to bits. They sent out search parties every single day, but with no luck. Years had passed, and a shepherd had happened to come across the young maiden, and attempted to rescue her. "My hero! Look out!" She cried, as the wolf lunged from behind him. Growls and snarls were heard, as the fair shepherd drew out his sword, and barely slayed the beast, nearly costing his life. He approached the princess.. freed her from her binds, and carried her all the way home. As the shepherd returned, the king and queen congratulated him with a feast in his honor for laying the beast, that had plagued their kingdom for years, low at last. The kingdom sung his praises, and not long after, he asked for the princess's hand in marriage to which she gladly accepted. The two kissed, the kiss of true love, and lived Happily. Ever. After. The end..."

Red had become enthralled be each word, and each phrase, making different faces to match each scene. "I love the happy ending ones Granny." She smiled and tugged at her blouse.

"Everyone does sweetheart." She smiled back in reply.

"But.. What did the wolf do?" Red asked, curiosity filling her green eyes.

"Hmm? He terrorized the village. That's why he had to be slain, for everyone's sake."

Red looked down with thought at this. "Are all wolves bad?"

Granny sighed. "Yes sweetheart. Wolves are a danger to us all. We must never let them in. For your own good."

Red nodded. "Yes granny." She then stopped, as if in thought again and smiled. "That princess is so lucky..."

"What makes you say that?" Granny arched an eyebrow.

"Well.. She met her true love right? I heard that's rare. Like suuuuuuuper rare Granny. You think... You think I'd ever have one?" Red looked up innocently at this, a slight sadness in her eyes.

Granny chuckled. "You're so young, what made you think of this all of a sudden?"

Red shook her head. "I dunno. I just thought.. What if there's not one out there for me? Will I be lonely like the wolf?"

Granny sighed and smiled bittersweetly. "No sweetheart, there's someone out there for you, I know it. I can sense these things. Now let's get you to bed missy..."

Red laughed. "But I just woke up!"

"Well Granny needs some rest alright?"

Red looked down. "O-ok.. Night Gra-" she was stopped by the sounds of other children giggling outside. She poked her head out, and saw some boys playing in the snow. "Granny, can I go outside and play with them? Pleeeeeeease?"

Granny huffed. "Absolutely not. It's wolf's time tonight, it'll be dangerous by dark. Stay inside where it's safe, you know the drill."

"Yes Granny... Goodnight." Red sighed and pretended to walk to her room defeated. She quickly and quietly closed the door, pulled the window up, and pulled herself out the other side. She smiled at the white wonderland surrounding her, just before... 'SMACK'. A snowball hit her side. She looked ahead and saw the same group of boys chuckling maniacally, all except one. A boy with black hair and dark brown eyes stepped forward to her.

"Are you alright?"

Red shook her head and wiped off the powder from her cloak. "Y-yea, I'm ok."

"I'm really sorry bout' them. What's your name?"

"R-red." She looked away uncertainly. "What's yours?"

The boy smiled warmly and patted her shoulder. "Peter."