When the wolf woke up the next morning, she chuckled quietly. Belle was completely on top of her, snuggled into the crook of her neck, the princess' legs straddling her waist and her fingers buried in her hair. The younger girl was utterly adorable. And if Ruby were completely honest with herself, also a little tempting.

When Belle had finally started to rouse, she actually snuggled closer to the wolf, for her warmth. But soon realizing her position, the princess looked up at her friend with slightly pink cheeks and spoke sheepishly. "Um, I, sorry." She moved to get off Ruby, her cheeks even redder.

But Red kept Belle right where she was, wrapping her arms around her. "You don't have to be sorry. I won't tell anyone about how you like to sleep. Very unprincess-like."

Belle laughed and rested her cheek against Red's chest, wrapping her arms around the other girl as best she could. "I hope you never really get mad at me, because you have so much dirt you could use."

"Mm, then you better keep me a very happy big, bad wolf." Her fingers moved up and down Belle's back. "Happy birthday, Belle."

Belle smiled and closed her eyes as she breathed in deep, always comforted and calmed by Red's scent. The princess knew she was always safe with her wolf. "I'll do my best. And thank you. I already know your present is my favorite."

Red grinned. "Yeah? Well, that makes me really happy." She laid there in silence for a moment before speaking. "What can I do for you to make this the best birthday ever? And don't give me any of that 'You just being here makes me day' crap."

Belle's head shot up so she could be eye to eye with Ruby. "That's not crap! It's true!" She chuckled. "But, hmm, what can you do?" She asked, tapping her chin with her index as she at least pretended to be really thoughtful. "If you can convince Papa that I shouldn't have to marry someone from that ball, that I should be able to take my own time in finding true love, then... it'd be the best birthday ever." She smiled.

There was a certain smirk that crossed Ruby's lips. "Oh yeah, I think I can do that." She glanced at the princess' lips quickly then back into her eyes. Belle noticed that quick eye movement and her smile faded, just so a much different look could cover her face. One stuck somewhere between confusion and desire. Red was about to say something else before Ellyn came in and caught them in their current position.

"I can't leave you two alone for any amount of time without you engaging in some sort of behavior that would have others shaking their heads! You know what your Papa would say if he found you in this position, Belle."

The princess sighed and rolled onto her back. "'I don't know how many times I have to tell you, Belle, to start behaving like the young lady and princess you are,'" She began in a deep tone. "'Which means, no wrestling in the mud with wolves, no telling the other noblewomen they're "shallow wraiths who have no souls of their own" and no crawling into bed with another until you're married. It's undecent, even if nothing happened.'" She finished mocking her father.

Red chuckled but then sighed heavily. "Ellyn, Belle is different than all the other snotty princesses because she wants to be. In fact, she's a hundred times better than they ever wish they could be. When she becomes queen, she'll be the best there is because she knows what's on the outside of these walls. She isn't afraid to get dirty. She respects all people." She looked at her friend then back at the servant. "Nothing happened but sleep between us. We're best friends and we're allowed to cuddle. There's nothing wrong with that."

Belle smiled at Ruby and Ellyn just shook her head. "I have no qualms with you two cuddling in bed. You've been inseparable ever since some little wolf's paws dirtied up my freshly cleaned floor," she said with the hint of a smirk. "And I know Belle is a hundred times better than those snotty little girls who want to be queen but, she still has an image to uphold. If the court finds her to be unruly, irresponsible, there could be troubled times ahead," the older woman said kindly.

Red kissed Belle's temple then got out of the bed. "Well, who says that's the correct image a princess should have. She could prove to the court how perfect she is the way she is now." She smiled down at her friend. "Is Maurice up yet? I need to speak with him."

Belle sat up against the headboard and tilted her head to look up at her friend, smiling. Ellyn smiled at the wolf, too, able to see how much she truly cared about the princess. "He is. And he doesn't have any appointments until the afternoon so now would be a good time to catch him."

"Good." The wolf turned her head and winked at Belle before walking out of the room to head straight for his office.

Ellyn watched her walk off and then sat down on the side of the bed, next to the princess. "Now what is that around your neck?" She asked, reaching for the pendent and taking it between her fingers. "A wolf, huh? Wonder who gave you this."

Belle laughed and moved to sit cross legged, pointing out some of the detail Ruby had etched into it. "Isn't it beautiful? Red must have put a lot of work into it."

"She certainly did. Goodness, the fur and eyes, everything is so very detailed. You're very lucky to have a friend like Red in your life."

"I know I am." Belle smiled. "I try to convince her of that often but, Red's stubborn." She sighed.

"That she is, but I know that girl will do anything for you. Red has a big heart and you fill up most of it. But she doesn't feel that she's good enough to be in your presence. She's a mere werewolf and you, well, you're a princess. You do the math."

"But I'm just a mere mortal!" Belle threw her hands up. "No more or less important than any other - title or no title. I don't care about any of that stuff. You know that, Ellyn. Red knows that. She just..." Belle sighed deeply again. "I wish she'd just see herself the way I see her. How special she is."

"How exactly do you see her, Belle?"

"I..." Belle's cheeks turned red. "Well, she's my best friend. She's the bravest, kindest, most selfless person I know. Besides you, of course." The girl smiled at her friend and maid. "She's also a lot of fun and smarter than she gives herself credit for." She shrugged. "I love her."

Ellyn smiled brightly. "I know you love her. She loves you too, ya know. Ruby may get you into trouble, but I think she's the best thing that could've happened to you. She's really brought you out of the shell you were in the first four years of your life."

Belle laughed. "Trouble would be an understatement. But, I do my fair share of getting her into mischief, I guess," she said sheepishly. Her eyes lit up at the mentioning of their first meeting. "It's going to sound incredibly sappy but... Red really does make my life a full one. I'm lucky to have her."

"Just keep that in mind, dear." Ellyn patted her leg with a smile then got up to leave the bedroom, leaving Belle slightly confused by her response.

xxx

Red knocked lightly then turned the knob and stepped into the king's office. "Maurice, may I speak with you?"

The man looked up from his desk and smiled widely when he saw the wolf. "Red! Yes, come on in and take a seat." As soon as she had moved to do so, he continued. "So what's on your mind today? You and Belle didn't set something on fire, did you?"

"Haha, no, not this morning, but the day is still young." She grinned wolfishly. "I actually wanted to speak with you about finding Belle a suitor."

Maurice laughed, holding his pot belly. "Oh, I hope it stays that way." His eyes met Red's as he spoke his next words. "You do, hmm?" He cocked a brow. "Did you have one in mind, or has Belle talked you into this discussion?"

"I don't necessarily have one in mind and, well ,she didn't talk me into anything. We discussed it but I knew I was going to talk to you about it anyway." Taking a deep breath, she started. "Why not give your daughter a chance to find true love on her own? To give her away to a stranger... I don't like the idea of it, Sir. What if they don't cherish her the way she deserves? What if they hurt her? She'll be stuck with a man who doesn't love her the way he should for the rest of her life. Do you really want that for your daughter?"

Maurice smiled kindly and reached across his desk to take Ruby's hand. "Belle is lucky to have a friend like you." He squeezed her hand and gently patted it before letting go. "But the kingdom needs Belle to marry a strong suitor, Red. Someone who can help her rule the throne and take care of any threats presented to our walls. I assure you I won't allow her to marry a cruel man. I've checked into each suitor's reputation." He pushed his chair back and stood, walking over to a portrait of Belle's mother. "Did you know Belle's mother and I had an arranged marriage? It didn't start out as love, but it grew into that, and I loved her more than anything."

Red sighed. "You and your wife were the lucky ones. Not every couple has luck like you did, Sir. Belle doesn't want to marry some random prince. I'd like to see her with someone who will love her before they get married. She deserves to be happy with the one of her choosing. Please, give her some time."

Maurice sighed and slowly turned back around to face Red. "How about I make you a deal? Belle is to choose the suitor she likes best at the ball and give him a chance. Three months. If she isn't happy with him at the end of those three months, and finds someone else she'd rather spend her days with, I'll give that lad her hand in marriage. Granted he isn't some lowly thief or of the such. Sound fair enough?"

Red took a deep breath and then nodded. "That's fair." She smiled and then stood to shake his hand like it was a true deal. "But the catch is, I get to take him out if the man turns out to be a bastard."

Maurice chuckled and nodded. "If he's a bastard to my daughter, I give you full permission to teach him a lesson or two."

Red smirked. "You and I, we make a pretty good team when it comes to Belle." She glanced at the door before her attention was redirected to Maurice once again. "I'll see you soon. I have to make this birthday the best for my best friend."

"Alright, you two have fun but stay out of trouble. And remember, I do want to see my daughter at some point today!" He called out as Ruby exited his office.

"No promises!" She responded with a laugh. Once she was back in Belle's room, she saw the princess at her dresser and decided to have a little fun. Sneaking up silently behind her, Red grabbed the girl from behind and picked her up laughing. "BOO!"

Belle actually gave out a little girly scream, scared out of her wits for a few seconds. "Dammit, Red!" Once the other girl had set her down, the princess turned to face her and playfully shove Ruby. "You scared the crap out of me."

"That would be the point, yes." She laughed and sat down on the foot of the bed.

"Yeah, well, when we're old ladies and you give me a heart attack pulling that crap you'll feel sorry."

Red chuckled some more and then cleared her throat to speak in a somber tone. "So, I have some good news and some bad news. Good news is, you don't have to marry anyone."

Belle tilted her head and smirked before swiftly taking a seat next to Red on the bed. "That's great news! You actually convinced Papa? I owe you so much. But wait..." Her brow furrowed a bit. "What's the bad news?"

"Bad news is…" she started with one eye closed, grimacing slightly. "You do have to choose a suitor tonight and give them a three-month chance. If you don't feel anything for them after that time, and fall for someone within those months, then Maurice will give that person your hand in marriage." Red didn't use the words 'he' or 'him' unconsciously.

Belle listened closely and arched a brow, wrapping her arm around Red's as she leaned against her. "So, could this someone else be anyone? Like, could it be a hunter or tracker?" She tossed out there, knowing deep down the reasons she chose those specific positions. "Or does it have to be someone of noble blood?"

"As long as they aren't a thief or such then you should be good." The wolf smiled, looking at Belle and placing her hand on her knee. "So good luck getting through the random men to get to the one you really want in three months."

Belle sighed. "Three months really isn't very long to make a decision like that. If I, hypothetically, don't find someone on my own in that time, do I have to marry the suitor?"

"I'd assume so, but you may be able to convince your father otherwise." The older girl shrugged. "But if you open your heart, you'll find the one you're meant to be with." Red looked away, almost hating the fact that she was going to loose so much time with her friend due to some guy.

"What if I just want to be with you? I'd rather spend the day in the woods with you than with some stuffy prince who wants me to be something I'm not. You have met those other princesses, right? I can't imagine that the boys are any better."

Red's brow furrowed instantly, her heart pounding. "Be with me? Wouldn't your kingdom kinda frown upon that?" She asked, her heart cracking just a bit. "I mean, other than me being a girl, I am a werewolf. The only ones who know what I really am are you, your father and Ellyn." She said, looking over at Belle. "But, I can't stand the thought of loosing time that we could spend together to some guy."

Belle's eyes locked with Ruby's as she spoke, getting fired up as she often did when she stood for something she believed in. "I don't even see why I need to get married. Some traditions are just ridiculous. I could rule this kingdom on my own just as well as I could with a man by my side. And, it's not like Papa is stepping down anytime soon."

"So, you would rather be with me than marry a man that could give you everything you've ever dreamed of?"

"Everything I've ever dreamed of?" Belle asked incredulously. "I already have so much. A family who loves me, lots of books and, most importantly, my wolf." She grinned and rested her chin on Ruby's shoulder, her hand sliding down her arm until it rested in the other girl's. "The only thing I'm missing is at least one grand adventure. And that's a dream you can help make reality for me. We could go on one together."

Ruby laced her fingers with Belle's, glancing down at their interlocked hands. "Whereever you wanna go, whatever you wanna see, I can take you there." Ruby knew she loved Belle, but was very slowly beginning to realize that she was in love with her.

Belle smiled and kissed Ruby's cheek. "Well then, I'll just have to blow off whatever suitor I end up getting stuck with at the end of the we can go off and do our own thing. Maybe he'll get so frustrated he won't want to marry me."

"I like the way you think." Ruby smiled.

"I know you do." Belle smirked. "Just like I'm a fan of your brain. It's how we manage to create such chaos."

Red chuckled and nodded. "Now, how about we go swimming before you have to get ready for your party?"

The younger girl stood and pulled Ruby up with her. "A swim sounds wonderful. I vote we avoid the palace for as long as possible."

"Agreed."

The moment they got to their spot, Ruby stripped as quickly as possible then climbed the big rock and dove in. Popping back up, she wiped the water from her eyes and slicked her hair back. Her eyes searched for Belle but she didn't see her until the nude princess got to the ledge. Then Red couldn't look away.

"If Ellyn saw us right now she'd have such a fit!" Belle yelled out from the top of the rock. "Which is always entertaining." She grinned before running to the edge and diving off into the water, reemerging not far from Red.

Ruby giggled and splashed her when Belle popped up. "She would have a cow. Hell, maybe the whole barn." She smirked. "So how's your birthday so far?"

Belle laughed and splashed Ruby back, wading in the water. "So far? Great thanks to you. I'm still not looking forward to that ball, but I can't wait to see you in that dress with your hair and makeup all done." She winked.

"Believe me, sweetie, I'll be nothing compared to you. But I do expect at least one dance with the birthday girl."

"Of course." Belle tipped her head quickly. "I'll even save the last one for you." She swam a little closer, slowly. "And, Red... you're going to be breathtaking. I know it."

The older girl smiled at her friend and reached her hand up, cupping Belle's cheek. "You are way too sweet to me."

"Just as sweet as you deserve." Belle replied easily, setting her hand over Ruby's. "Just a forewarning, Princess Jane," she said in a hoity toity tone, batting her lashes to add to the effect, "will be making an appearance tonight. I remember how that last encounter of yours went. Let's aim to avoid her."

"Uhh, really? Lil miss Janie poo. I cannot stand that snot head." She grumbled. "Anyone that says something or looks at you in a way they shouldn't angers me but, she tops the charts."

Belle set her hands on Ruby's shoulders. "She is by far the worse human being I've ever met, but try not to let her get to you. She's not worth either of ours' time. However, I am grateful for how protective you are of me." She smiled softly.

Ruby moved her hands slowly up and down Belle's arms. "That's easier said than done. I still think you should let me wolf out on her and scare the crap out of her."

"Well, I'm pretty sure you were only mere seconds away from wolfing out the last time when she went very pallid and looked on the verge of crapping her pants, soooo..." Belle grinned.

xxx

Twelve-years-old and Belle was behind the other girls who were no longer completely flat chested and had begun to enter the early stages of womanhood. She wasn't too bothered by the fact she was a late bloomer but the other girls made it out to be a big deal. And the fact she was a tomboy didn't help matters much.

She was attempting to sneak out of the castle one afternoon to meet Ruby when Jane and her friend happened upon her. The two other princesses were once again in the kingdom on a visit with their families.

"Hey, little baby! Where you going?" Janie asked, prancing up to the younger princess. When Belle turned, she and Anya grimaced. "Eww, what do you have on!? It's soooo ugly!" They laughed and started picking at her cloak.

Belle was wearing a simple riding outfit consisting of pants, a blouse and cloak; fully expecting to be running around out in the woods with wolves. She frowned as Jane and Anya picked at her cloak, slapping their hands away. "Deep down you're an ugly person but no one ever says it out loud."

Jane then slapped Belle across the face and Anya pushed her backwards. When the princess fell to the floor, it opened up the sight of the two girls to the window, where Ruby was climbing through. And in a flash, she was in both of their faces, hands gripping both of the tops of their dresses as she pushed them into the wall. "You will never put your hands on my friend again. You got it!?"

Both of the princesses were trembling in fear, Belle quickly on her feet again and gently tugging at Ruby's arm, to pull her away from them. "Red, Red, please let them go. They're not worth it."

She pulled back, only because Belle pleaded her to. "Get out." She told the girls, and once they scampered away, Ruby turned to her friend. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I'm... kind of used to being picked on." The princess shrugged, looking at the ground. "I'd rather be reading a book or playing adventure games outside than flaunting around in a dress. It doesn't make me the most popular by any means."

"You shouldn't be used to it, Belle." Ruby gently took Belle's chin between her index finger and thumb to lift her head up. "From now on, I will always protect you." She said looking into the younger girl's eyes with conviction.

Belle smiled and stepped in close to hug Ruby. "Thank you, Red."

xxx

Seeing that the sun was past hightime, Ruby's eyes went wide. "We have to get ready!" She ran out of the water, Belle following her, and they put their clothes back on. "There's only one way to get you there in time." The wolf smirked then transformed. Turning her back to Belle, Red looked back at her, waiting for her friend to climb on.

Belle cocked a brow as she looked over her now wolfy friend. "This time, no leaping over large ravines, please." She said as she climbed onto Red's back, gripping onto her black fur and leaning over, close enough to whisper in her pointy ear. "I do want to make it there in one piece."

Red made a sound as if she were laughing then took off in the direction of the castle. She made it there in less than ten minutes and changed back before anyone saw, the two climbing up some vines on the side before collapsing onto the floor in a fit of laughter.

Belle sat up and playfully nudged Red with her foot. "I don't see what's so funny. I almost wet myself while still on your back that time, you know. It scared the bejesus out of me. I didn't think we were going to clear the landing!"

"Ew, yeah, thankfully you were strong enough to hold it in. And by the way, when you tell me not to do something, it's like telling 8-year-old me not to pull the trigger." The wolf chuckled.

Belle started laughing hard, falling back on the floor again and slinging an arm over her stomach. "Next time I will pee on you. Just to teach you a lesson." She lifted her head and smirked at Red. "Poor Roderick. He couldn't sit for a week. You just have to revolt against everything I say."

"Ew! I'll buck you off. And I do it because it's fun." Red grinned before huffing. "The arrow didn't embed itself into his buttock that deeply." She said sheepishly. "I dare you to tell me not to do something."

Belle couldn't stop laughing, shaking her head. "I'm soo just teasing. Do you know how embarrassed I'd actually be if that happened? And I'm sure Roderick didn't think 'Oh I'm so lucky. The arrow Red just shot into my butt with the crossbow she was clearly told to stay away from didn't hurt me too badly.'" She chuckled and bit her bottom lip as she set her head back down on the floor gently. "Hmm, I forbade you from running across the courtyard butt naked the next time Papa has guests from a neighboring kingdom over for an afternoon of croquet and tea."

"Ahh trigger here I come!" Red put her hand up in the air and acted like she pulled one with a laugh. "And Roderick has long since forgiven me. Stop using it against me!"

Belle chuckled, all the laughter actually making her sides hurt. "Stop, stop. I know he has and Papa would kill us both if that happened." She took a deep breath and smiled. "Although... I would love to see it. The looks on all those uptight old men's faces would be hilarious."

Ruby bout lost it. "You just told me not to do it twice so now I really have to do it. In fact, I may just strip that red dress off tonight and run around." She turned her head to Belle and smirked. "Could you see that?"

"I wouldn't put it past you." Belle grinned as she looked back at her friend. "I really would be suitorless by the end of the night. In which case, by all means. Strip naked and run around tonight."

"I should," Red nodded, "but then act like everyone else. Introduce myself while stark naked. If you want an easy out tonight, you just wink."

Belle cracked up again, unable to stop herself from doing so. "Oh god. People would die. You likely wouldn't make it out of the room unscathed." The princess smiled as Ruby rested her forehead against her own. "I'll try and remember that. But what if I'm winking for other reasons?" She asked, her eyes involuntarily falling on Ruby's lips for a moment.

"Then you should act on those other reasons." Red whispered, seeing where the girl's eyes went.

The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted. Belle's eyes met Ruby's and, after a brief moment of contemplation, the princess leaned in closer, her lips about to brush against Red's when Ellyn walked into the room.

Red's heart was beating fast but the moment the door opened for the second time, before a kiss, her heart rate spiked. She looked upside down at the door and saw Ellyn standing there with her hands on her hips. "Why in god's green earth are you two not getting ready? And wet?! You've been swimming again. Ohh bath time and hurry up!"

Belle jumped when she heard Ellyn's voice, the princess sitting up and pouting. "Is it time already?" She asked, her whiny tone making her sound the slightest like the royal she was. "Alright. I'm moving." Belle stood and headed for the door, stopping to look back at a slightly stunned looking Ruby. "I'll see you at the ball." She smiled before disappearing into the hall, to head toward the baths.

xxx

Ruby had gone home to take a bath and have Granny help her get ready. The older wolf used what she had for make up and made it work well. She used a light shade of juice from a berry for eye shadow, to match the girl's dress, and then used a darker shade for her lipstick. Once that was done, her hair was pinned up loosely and the dress was put onto her tanned body, fitting perfectly. "Well, what do you think, Granny?"

Granny stepped back to look her over and then clutched at her chest. "It's a girl! Holy crap. I didn't know it was a granddaughter I had." The older woman teased with a smile. "You look beautiful, Ruby. And I bet Belle will look just as beautiful. You two will make a fine pair at the ball. Cause I'd be naive to think you wouldn't find your way into each other's arms for a dance or two."

Red laughed and punched her arm lightly. "That's not nice." She smirked. "Thank you and yeah, I can't wait to see her." She snorted. "Belle and I aren't a couple, Granny. But I did get her to promise to give me at least one dance. She happened to choose the last dance."

"Well, isn't that sweet." Granny chuckled as she began clearing away the makeup items. "As much time as you two spend together, I'm surprised you're not a couple. Especially with the way you eye each other any time she comes over."

"Eye each other? What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me, girl." Granny said, dipping her chin down and looking over her glasses. "You're a lovesick pup. And that princess is a fool. A wonderful fool but a fool nonetheless for falling for a peasant. And a wolf at that."

Ruby sat down on the edge of her bed and sighed. "I've always loved Belle, she's my best friend, how could I not? But..." She sighed. "We've almost kissed twice today only to have Ellyn walk in right before we did. Granny, I know she's a princess and that I'm just a peasant. And to top it off, that I'm a werewolf. I… what should I do?"

"In my book, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the idea of you two being together. But..." She sighed, leaning against the doorframe to Red's room. "Belle's father is trying to find her a rich suitor, Ruby. Someone who belongs in their world. That's what this whole ball is about, after all. I know the king has been good to you, but do you ever truly feel a part of their world? Or like you're just sitting on the sidelines? I just want you to be careful and not get hurt."

"I don't feel like I'm good enough to even know her name." Ruby dropped her gaze to the floor, rubbing her forehead. "I don't feel like I belong, but I don't ever want to leave Belle. I told her when I was 13 that I would always protect her. I'll never break that promise. Hell, I told Belle when I was six that I loved her and wouldn't leave." She sighed deeply. "I don't think I can bare to see her with anyone else."

"Then, you have to tell her how you feel if you haven't already done so." Granny nodded. "Belle's a wise girl. She can make smart decisions on her own. If she loves you back and wants to be with you, then you have my blessing." The older woman smiled warmly. "Just remember, Ruby, that if you two choose to be together, there is no going back to what you have now."

"That's what scares me."

That part where Jane picks on Belle when they're younger... I totally wanted to use the term 'steak sauce.' Because I just learned today that it's intended as a sort of insult to a flat chested girl. The stuff people come up with... *shakes head* Look it up in the urban dictionary if you don't know what it means. It's crude, but kind of funny. I have a warped since of humor. Really.