New chapter up,

I would like to thank all that commented last chapter, much loved and everyone helps.

Not to sure about this chapter, felt like I had given to much away to early but as I was writing it all down it all made some sense in my head, anyhoo the here it is, to late to change it now and so I hope you all like.

If possible, I want to see if I can hit the thirty make before chapter 15 so with the biggest smile I can give if it isn't to much trouble, could you help me get to that.

I will love you all forever and have the next chapter up sooner.

For now though hope you like this until then.

I don't own OUAT


The next day found Regina rising late from bed. The travelling from the night before having played havoc on her human half and found herself feeling more tired than what she thought and so when she woke with the mornings first light. She decided to forgo getting up in favour of more sleep and promptly rolled over facing the wall instead, only woken when the blonde chose to appear in her room to give her a wakeup call personally later on.

After grumbling about the blonde to her face which stemmed only to make the faerie happier, she reluctantly got up and got dressed as Maleficent left her room by the door further irking the younger witch who watched her go before doing up her shirt. She made her way onto the corridor to find the blonde had vanished, which didn't come as a surprise to her since she knew the older woman to only come and annoy her when she was feeling bored and particularly vindictive.

She pulled down her shirt before wandering off down the corridor. She idly passed the windows and gazed out into the gardens. She had missed the large, opened spaced wooded area and so after breakfast decided to go and explore.

She made her way to the potions lab as she pushed on the door. Ever since she had started learning more magic, the blonde had taken to teaching her about Potions and so had decided that a bigger room were needed, hence why she was on the level underneath their own. 'Coincidentally' though Regina had learnt that she had set up shop in the room right below her own – something that didn't bother her until the first of the explosions started.

After that it was a war of wills to see who could wake the other up the most times through the night. So far the other woman was winning six to four, much to her dismay as she spied the blonde leaning over her cauldron. The temptation to make it five, six was staring her right in the face as she watched the older Faerie who seemed complexly oblivious to her presence, move from one side of her station to the other.

But like everything magical, it all came with some serious backlash and so she knew it was a wasted opportunity as she didn't want to get blown up off-chance she dropped whatever it was she were holding, or eaten by a temperamental witch as she moved further into the room. Her nose wrinkled at all the odd things that the woman kept around the room – from small rodent's to live bats – a myriad of different furs, whatever reason she didn't know – and a very long and thin transparent coat looking thing that she really didn't want to go near as she turned her head to face the blonde.

"So, what are you working on this time?" She asked peering over her shoulder. The blonde lifted her head to see the younger girl standing next to her and gave a small smile in greeting.

"Hello to you to." Regina graced her with a dark glare.

"You woke me up, by rights I don't have to be pleasant."

"…It's half past the sun point in the sky, the only time you have been that lazy is when you tried to hide from taking your lessons and pretending you were sick." The raven haired girl smirked remembering fondly the time she spent lounging in bed due to that particular lie. Until a thought brought her back to the moment and she looked at the blonde once more.

"Hang on – if you knew I was lying why did you let me get away with it? The older woman graced her with a knowing leer and bent back over her work.

"Who says I did? If I recall did I or didn't I make you go around that labyrinth of a garden and pick out every herb of Aconite you could find?"

Maleficent grinned wider at the look of hate as Regina moodily remembered the week that followed; the blonde had told her in order for the Potion to work, it was a simple antidote – that she had to go and find as many Aconite flowers she could find. After a week of doing nothing Regina was practically buzzing to get back to learning and had promptly ran from the room, never looking back to notice the sly smile that had graced the blondes lips.

For hours she looked. Under the bushes, near the lake – even went as far as climbing the trees in a bid to find the illusive flower. It only dawned on her as she trekked through the wild lands that was near the bottom of the gate that she had never actually seen what the plant looked like and so immediately returned in a cloud of purple smoke into the large hall where she found the blonde reading, only to be told even further that the particular kind of flower wasn't in season for another several months.

She broke off from the memory of the wasted hours she lost to find the older woman smugly looking at her causing her to sneer in return. "Fine – whatever, you sadist"

Maleficent laughed.

"So what is it that you are actually doing?" She stood next to her and peered into the bubbling pot sniffing the liquid as it boiled and sent up fumes as she inhaled. It was sweet-smelling, a tinge of tanginess mixed in but very hard to decipher with the vanilla essence that had cloaked it. She liked it which had her right away suspicious as he turned her head back to the blonde who was adding small pinches of powder and occasionally pulling faces as she stirred.

"It smells nice"

The Fae looked at her, "So"

"So that means it must be something awful or dangerous or both, and coming from you, it's most likely the latter." A slight smile crossed her lips replacing the slight frown she had, her posture lifted a little at hearing the compliment as she hummed and nodded.

"You would be absolutely right."

"Spending so long with you, how could I be wrong?" The other woman rolled her eyes and beckoned her closer as she placed some in a small vial and lifted it to the light.

"This, my dear, is a sleeping curse."

At Regina's startled look the blonde carried on. "Originally I designed this with a little too much Hyoscyamus…"

"What did you want to do? Kill them." The older woman looked over the top of the vial to see the slightly arched brow of the other girl. "Not at the time… "

Regina rolled her eyes as she looked at the royal blue colouring of the liquid inside the small flask. "So who was it for then?"

"You've heard of sleeping beauty, right?"

Regina lifted her eyes a little. She could briefly recall somewhere in the back of her mind when the blonde was on one of her usual tirades against the world which she had quickly learnt to faze out. A person being called that – long with a few other choice words that she couldn't care to say once more as she nodded.

"I think I can remember you telling me."

She glanced back to the blonde whose expression now had turned expectant as she stared back at her, Regina looked down to the liquid and then back to the other woman before her quick mind put the two together.

"You cursed her"

The Faerie nodded and smiled. "I did indeed."

"Why"

At that she shrugged and tipped the contents back into the cauldron to let it boil again before placing the vial back on the table

"Why not"

Regina dropped her head to chest a little as she took in the other woman's reply. "Seriously, You cursed someone because you felt like it?"

She watched as the blonde added a few more drops of powder to the mix before shrugging again. "What's life without a little whimsy now and then?"

The raven haired woman lifted her brows at the response. "Well remind me to eat all my vegetables at dinner from now on lest I find myself a target of such an affliction"

The blonde sneered again earning a grin from the younger witch.

"So why have you made it… you're not thinking of cursing somebody are you?" Maleficent stirred the potion before shaking her head. "No, it's merely a practise one."

She saw the confused look from the corner of her eye as she wrote something down. "After five years of not keeping up with my brewing, I thought now was a better time than any to see if my skills haven't gone rusty in our absence."

She held up another ingredient and frowned lightly before putting it back on the table. Regina looked at her for another moment before shaking her head a little. "How long have you been making this?"

"Since this morning" The dark-haired girl nodded. "Then trust me, I highly doubt your skills have been anything but lacking if you managed to make that in three hours."

The blonde merely shrugged. Nonplussed at the compliment before turning her attention back to the younger witch "So what are your plans for the first day back"

Regina didn't hesitate. She had been waiting for this moment for five years, ever since they had spent the first night in the frozen mountains. "I'm going to see if I can find Ruby."

The blonde gave her a tight smile. Personally she would never see why Regina chose to be friends with a wolf, to dam hostile for her liking but she guessed that the younger girl had not actually known what her friend was which was why she still remained blissfully ignorant. But now with all of her senses far stronger than what they were before she mused on how long it would take this time.

"Well then wasn't it a good thing I woke you when I did, otherwise you would have missed your chance." The other woman scowled at her pleased sounding tone and grumbled before muttering under her breath. She turned around and made her way to the door; she paused at the entrance and looked over her shoulder.

"Well if I must be grateful than I suppose I should say thank you for waking me when you did."

"Care to repeat that dear? I don't think that heart of yours understood what emotion you're trying to convey." Regina leered before scoffing and left a chuckling blonde behind before moving down the halls to the gardens. She passed a few helpers who smiled and waved with in her opinion far too much joy as she returned their gestures with less exuberance as she pushed on the doors and down the steps.

She smiled on approaching the woods. Apart from her bed, which she loved the large patch of trees and shrouded bushes as she wandered about the shaded area. After familiarizing herself with what she had missed. She knew now it was time to go and find her friend and so without waiting any longer she disappeared from the middle of the clearing and appeared below the mountain top and back in the open forest.

She breathed in deeply and opened her eyes. Ever since she had come home everything now had become so much clearer, it was like she was seeing the world in an entirely new light. The sun was brighter, the water much more crystallized and sharper to hear. The leaves, more vivid in their colour as they rustled in the breeze, she breathed in deeply once more before setting off.

She searched for ages. She looked high and low – the old den which had shocked her to see still standing, the trees they used to climb, the edge of the stream they played and caught fish in her travels even took her further than ever into the huge forest into places they had never been in order to try to find her friend before she realized that by now both had grown and so the places that were fascinating to them as children may not have been so now and maybe Ruby had grown out of them. She moved to sit on a large mound hill.

What if she had moved? That seemed likely. She had said it herself her whole family seemed to be outcasts for whatever reason maybe they finally had enough and decided to move. Maybe Ruby gave up on her promise and had left.

She sighed dejectedly and pulled out the half stone star that had been under her shirt. So much for fixing what was broken. Now she would never get the chance. She gazed down at the incomplete piece sadly and mulled on what she was going to do next before the sound of snapping had her standing bolt upright and turning. She stared in the direction of the noise, her eyes and ears already of high alert as she listened.

"Ruby"

She called out after a few minutes of silence though her eyes never left the spot she had heard the sound come from. Then she smelt it before she saw, a foreign smell, a new one that had not been around before. It was undeniably canine as her nose wrinkled – the smell was one of wet fur and mud, an aroma that had her pulling a face as a low growling came from the underbrush just up ahead of her.

"Ruby?"

The bent down a little as the growl sounded out again. Her eyes narrowed as the bush rustled and before she had time to move a large object flew from the cover of the shrub straight at her, she didn't have time to duck or evade as it collided with her body and sent her along with itself, tumbling down the hill. They landed at the bottom in a tangled heap as Regina groaned, her breath having been knocked out of her.

Panting had her senses back on alert as she flipped over and was on her feet in no time staring at the large wolf in front of her. Clearly this was not a in any way friendly if the way it had growled was any indication. It staggered back to its feet shaking off the dazed hit it had taken before sniffing the air and turned to look at her.

On seeing her standing its hostile stance returned. It turned so it was facing her and snarled, its teeth bore widely for her to see as she glared back. Her own defensive nature now fully heightened by the change pushing to the front dismissing any notions of feeling scared in the presence of a large and dangerous beast as it growled and snapped its teeth.

None of them moved as they watched each other wearily. The wolf could tell that there was something about the intruder in front of her, she had an air of danger about her that felt wrong… felt powerful, she could tell that whatever it was that it was far stronger than she and by all rights of survival she should have fled from the very real threat or at the very least given in to try to spare her life.

But she wasn't doing that. They had been hunted for years now and it had made her both stubborn and determined to protect what was hers and despite the fact she could very well be killed she was going to defend her home and family with everything she had. Bending low she growled once more, it may have been pointless seeing as the opponent didn't look fazed in the slightest but she was going to do a lot more than just snarl.

Regina eyed the large dog in front of her. From the visible scars on its large body to the way it was gazing at her with… she was going to say anger and contempt if such a creature could show those kinds of emotions. She knew that it wasn't going away nor was it going to let her leave.

This made her problem all the more harder

Did she attack, did she chose to give in to the dragon that was raging to be let out. Oh how it wanted to show this inferior beast just who it was trying to intimidate and show it once and for all just why it had picked wrong. Another scar would prove an excellent point to make.

But then there was her half that didn't want to hurt it for some weird reason it had a sense of familiarity about it, snarling aside she could feel that it wasn't all it made out to be and considering she moon lighted as a Dragon whenever she pleased she wasn't going to take things at face value. But it didn't look like it was going to give in nor would actually stop to listen to her if she tried to reason with it, if she could even at all.

She took a few steps back in a bid to try to defuse the situation but to no avail as it simply followed. The look of anger and ferocity never leaving its face they stopped at another impasse for a few minutes as the sounds for the forest around them grew louder in their silence until finally.

Regina was brought out of her musings by a loud snarl that ripped the silence and looked just in time to see the wolf launch. Finally it had enough and was making its move to try to get rid of her once and for all, she jumped out of its way as it sailed past her as she dodged the attack. It turned back around as they faced off once more. It didn't give her a second to spare as it went on the move once more and she rolled from its attack again getting steadily annoyed as she did.

The Dragon inside was thrashing at its cage. Seeing the attack on its person was infuriating it and it wanted more than anything to just pick the smaller, insignificant beast and break it in two, it wanted its blood to spill over its fur, painting it from brown to red and to hear it pained cries. The witch was struggling to keep it contained as she continuously dodged the attacks.

This was what she went to the North for five years for dammit. She left so she could keep the Dragon under control and now she was faltering under its anger. She staggered a little as the beast inside knocked against its proverbial cage that had her off-balance for a few seconds, which was all the wolf needed to hit its target as it swiped once more hitting her arm as she hissed.

Blood flowed from the large wound on her arm as she clutched her cut. The Dragon now was enraged and in her moment of weakness it took its advantage over her. The wolf saw its slight victory and smiled inside. It was winning and knew that she could give up now so moved low once more as she snarled, with one final leap she pounced and aimed straight for the enemies' chest as it went directly for its heart.

It never reached its goal as it felt itself being yanked mid-air and held in a powerful grasp, the wolf looked around confused for a moment only to find something grip the back of its fur and pull up harshly. She yelped out as her scruff was painfully jerked forcing her head to follow and soon she found herself looking into vertical slits of that now belonged to the eyes of its target.

All at once the panic surged throughout her body and she struggled to get free from the hand holding her still only to find the grip was iron and her body merely putty in her hold. The dragon pushed through with more determination as Regina slowly got to her feet and with one tug, brought the wolf to its back feet, bringing its muzzle close to her face as it snapped and tried.

A perfectly manicured hand, now changed into talon like claws lifted as she drew it down the side of its face. The other beast saw the claws and pulled back a little whimpering as one of them cut into its jaw and pulled even more in her bid to escape but a throaty chuckling had her efforts cease as Regina shook her head.

"Trying to leave, so soon after greeting me the way you did. Not a very good doggy don't you think."

She growled once more in spite of her now precarious situation. She hated when people likened her to domesticated dogs and struggled once more only to whimper when the scruff at her neck tightened and pinched.

"Also attacking a defenceless traveller… someone's has been a bad little mutt." She tugged the face in her grip closer and held the muzzle in her hand so their eyes met.

"Don't you think." The wolf stayed silent.

"You tried to attack me and I'm under no illusions your aim was to probably kill me as well even when you saw me backing up." The wolf could feel wetness slowly roll from her neck down her body and git her teeth. It was bleeding, she had to try to find a way to escape.

"I doubt simple minds such as the one you possess could possibly hope to retain such information but normally when someone is trying to leave… they probably have good reason."

Deciding to end the conversation and the wolf's life, she pulled the dog away from her and using her clawed hand, lifted the wolf up. It struggled and yelped pitifully but could find no way of breaking free as it found the eyes of its demise once more.

"And I had a very good reason."

She squeezed her hold on her throat causing it to squirm and yelp louder. "You should have just left well alone little doggy, you might have lived longer." The claws had now dug in and pierced her skin causing more blood to dribble from her body as it panted for breath which was getting increasingly harder to obtain.

She was about to deliver the final blow. The last squeeze that would break its neck and end its life once and for all, the Dragon inside crowed and roared at its indecisive victory and was looking forward to its meal as she placed more pressure on her victim. The wolf was all but dead now as her tongue lolled from her mouth and she was about to crush down killing it when.

"ANITA!"

Head turning sharply, Regina gazed towards the direction the shout had come from as it rang out again. "ANITA!"

Her eyes narrowed as her hand wavered from finishing off her victim. The creature inside urged her on but the shouting kept on coming pausing her actions.

"ANITA PLEASE, COME BACK."

A slight dread had now sparked inside her stomach as her gaze fell from the trees and back to the wolf which was near enough dead in her hands. She could smell that the wolf wasn't all it seemed and now with whoever calling… she doubted that it was now more than just a pet name.

"ANITA! RUBY NEED'S YOU!"

Her head almost twisted as she looked to the trees again. "Ruby"

She whispered the name of her friend under her breath as her hope grew. So they hadn't left. Weak movement in her hands her looking to see the wolf struggle feebly in her grip on hearing the name being called, as the sickening dread now built further.

She all but dropped the large canine as she lowered it to the floor ignoring the Dragon as she dropped to her knees. She turned the limp body of fur over, her movements far gentler then a few minutes ago as she looked into the dimmed eyes of the wolf.

"Clearly not just a simple mind" She muttered as the wolf let out a whine. She was pleased that she was still alive as she was all but sure that the threat would have finished her off like it was certainly going to and for some reason stopped on hearing her mother mention her daughter name. She had feared that the girl in front of her, who was the same age was her Ruby would have gone for the older woman after finishing her off.

But she hadn't and for a strange reason she felt that she wasn't going to either. She also knew that the other woman who was calling for her was the reason she was still alive now.

"Oh what have I done"?"

She tried to roll over but hands stopped her as she let them. She was still too weak from the choking and the wounds on her neck and throat were still bleeding, she whined once more hating the fact she did so just as the hand that had nearly been her end, ran along her body.

She didn't move as the hand explored, wondering what it was she was doing when warmth washed through her entire limp frame. She lifted her ears in slight surprise when the feeling engulfed her aching body and suddenly she found new strength. She lay still as the hand moved from her ribs to her throat and then to her neck as she found herself being able to breathe without it being painful no longer.

Soon the hand left her body as the other girl shuffled back. She didn't get up for fear that it might have all been a trick and that when she did get up the threat would pounce once more. But she didn't and so with timid steps she clambered to her feet just as another person made their way through the shrubbery.

"ANITA!"

She looked around before facing the clearing. Another yell caught in her throat as she saw the wolf she was looking for, along with someone she had never met. Her eyes darted from the two and just how close they seemed to be as her fear grew. She knew what her daughter was like having spent countless years trying to keep the impulsive actions of the bitter woman inside and stop her from spontaneously going on the defensive right off the bat.

She had feared that one day it would get her killed and with that day seemingly getting closer she tried all she could to keep their little family safe which was why she was out here risking her safety along with her granddaughter who was hiding in order to find the middle woman who had run off in a moment of rash madness.

Without waiting she hurried into the clearing and over to the two as she eyed them both with weariness and suspicion. She stopped in front of the wolf giving a quick glance to Regina who had shuffled further away,

She gave the large wolf a stern look silently reprimanding her before turning to the raven haired girl who had watched them. The older woman smiled pleasantly as she regarded the younger girl.

"Thank you dear, for helping find our dog." She turned on hearing a slight grumble coming from said dog as she fixed her with another glare making Regina smile as she turned back to her.

"She can be slightly boisterous but what pet isn't" Regina merely nodded, having just been a recipient of that boisterousness she could do nothing but smile, the gesture slightly acerbic as the older woman carried on.

"Ruby can never seem to be without Anita here and so thank you once again for finding her, she has been ever so upset."

At the mentioning of her best friend, Regina perked up little but still kept her calm facade. "It was no problem… I have to say I don't think I have come across to many dogs that are as big as this one before."

She smiled before turning her attention to the wolf she had almost killed as it glared at her, the other woman looked a little panicked but none noticed as she tried to think.

"She was a present. From a traveler who had to give her away. Another kingdom…" She trailed off hoping to deflect the topic as the younger girl pursed her lips and nodded once more.

She stood slowly and made her way over to the wolf. Sharp blue eyes never left her moving form as she stopped and bent a little in front of the murderous eye shooting daggers at her.

"A little issue with not knowing friend from foe I have to say… could be a problem in the future you really have to get a trainer for that." The old woman nodded still smiling though now somewhat panicky as now Anita was shifting her paws in agitation.

Regina kept up her own cheerful smile knowing full well what tension she was bringing. The atmosphere was tight and she was enjoying every second of it but she really wanted to see Ruby and so decided to stop her game as she turned back to the guarded woman.

"And I'm sure the woman underneath would be just as bitchy as the form she is in now, am I right?"

Blue eyes snapped to hers at hearing the words as her mouth went slack slightly. Anita didn't waste a second and her form shifted from four paws to two feet as she regained her human form and stood fully. The older woman stood in silence as Regina turned to face the woman she had nearly just killed and saw that she looked a lot like Ruby just an older and more hateful version.

"I knew there was more to you than just being a dumb mutt."

Eyes narrowed in barely kept anger as the older woman finally snapped out of her thoughts which had ranged from panic to terror to weariness to all sorts and looked at the smug looking girl.

"How did you know?" She would have remembered seeing the younger girl about and as she wasn't in any pack she knew, she wasn't a wolf like them but that didn't mean she wasn't just as peculiar, like Anita she too could sense a large and more powerful presence she just wasn't as stupid as to go and attack it.

"No dog, anywhere, is as large as this one to be a simple family pet." She looked to the still angry woman. She had been through the kingdoms on her way back. She had seen all kinds of animals and they still weren't as large as a wolf.

The older woman still didn't look totally convinced and she knew she was still seen as threat, which was good because that was indeed what she was but nevertheless she carried on

"Also she's to bloody bitter and vicious to be anything like a domesticated pet." That earned a growl as the grey haired woman looked to her angry daughter,

"Anita"

"She tried to kill me!" The other woman spat as Regina turned to her, her face still calm but the amused glint easy to see.

"What do you mean tried? Unless you're mistaken I almost did. If not for… who I assume is some relation of yours then she would have come here to find a dead pet, lying in your stead."

A gasp had Anita turning to her mother who had a hand over her mouth. She lowered it slowly as she addressed the other wolf. "Is this true?"

Silence confirmed her answer as she shook her head. She knew that it would get her killed, and now this admission very nearly proved her point. She gave the other woman a look of disappointment which stung the brunette but she wasn't giving up.

"Well what about her? We both know there is something wrong with her… smelt it as soon as she entered the woods.

"Anita!"

Yes it was true and that something was off about the young girl but knowing that their entire family were labelled as sins against nature she wasn't one for calling out another just because they too might be different. But on seeing the smirk the younger girl bore that clearly wasn't something she cared about.

"Takes a beast to know a beast"

The flippant remark hit its mark as she angrily snarled made further incensed by the smirk on her face. This time the other woman stepped in as she stared the younger brunette down

"That is enough!"

The stern edge of her voice had Anita backing down but never letting up her glare. Rustling had all three turning to see another enter the clearing. She nearly fell to the floor but stopped herself as she lifted her head to look at them.

"Ruby, what are you doing here… you should be hiding."

The sharp tone of her Mother had her lowering her head but still she made her way over as Regina held her breath and smiled. "I was, but when Granny left I came to find you."

She stopped next to the woman now called Granny as she looked at them before her attention fell to the newcomer and looked at her, she eyed the raven haired girl and cocked her head. Something about her was familiar as she took in a sniff. Her senses having been sharper now she was a wolf she sniffed the air as the same sense filtered through her nose and she narrowed her eyes at the strange girl.

Regina waited anxiously as Ruby looked at her, she could smell it now clear as day that Ruby was a wolf. How she hadn't before was her mystery but here she was. She had grown too tall, her legs lanky and gangly but still with the same curtain of brown hair that fell over her face she smiled again as the other girl frowned.

"I feel like I should know you."

Granny looked at her granddaughter, her own frown appearing as she heard her blunt response. "Ruby"

The girl looked to the oldest of them all and shrugged. "What, I do she seems familiar"

It was time she made herself properly known as she spoke. "Well after five years I should hope I would be."

That caught all their attentions as Ruby looked at her. "What?"

Reaching down her shirt she pulled the necklace she had kept on for the last five years and lifted out the broken shard of her half a star as she held it up for her to see. "After all, I ever forgot about you."

The youngest wolf looked at the dangling shape in her hand and her eyes widened on seeing what it was. She lifted her head back to the other girl as realization dawned on her and for the first time in a very long time, whispered the name of her absent friend.

"Regina?"

The raven haired girl smiled and nodded as Ruby stood still and gazed back at the shape in her hand. Finally something kicked her into action and she raced across the small space ignoring her mother and Granny and launched herself at the other girl as they hugged each other for the first time in over five years.

"Your back, your back… you're really back." She held on to the other girl as she chanted the words with Regina keeping her arms firmly around her.

"I missed you so much" Regina smiled and buried her face into her shoulder, inhaling her scent. "I missed you to, so much you have no idea."

The two older women, completely ignored could only watch on as the two clung to each other before finally Anita came back to her senses "RUBY!"

The brown-haired girl broke the hug but never moved away as she looked back to her "Yes, Mother"

"Get over here… you have no idea what she is" Her look was aimed back at the other girl who still had her arm around her daughter's shoulder as Ruby nodded. "Yes I do she's my friend"

"She almost killed me"

Ruby, startled at the news, looked back to her friend who now was looking embarrassed. "Is this true?"

Regina turned her gaze to her friend. After five years she may have changed in so many ways but the look of naivety would forever be a trait of hers. "In my defense she almost maimed me first. I was looking for you, and she jumped out of nowhere and tried to get me before I could defend myself."

Ruby looked away. She knew that her Mother was hot-headed, and did have a serious issue of attacking anything that she deemed a danger to them. But it was only because so many people had tried to hunt them but she knew Regina, it may have been five years since they last saw each other but she could still remember that the other girl wouldn't attack without good reason and so if she nearly had ended up killing her Mother, she could be a little mad at it but knew that it may have been warranted.

She was just glad she didn't though.

"Regina wouldn't have had any reason to if she didn't think it necessary," She stated never leaving her friends side. "If she says Mother attacked her first then I believe her."

Anita couldn't believe what she was hearing. She gaped at her daughter and the person she was holding before exploding. "She nearly choked me to death! You're going to stand by her when she very nearly strangled me."

Ruby hesitated but nodded. "I know that you attack every one you think is a threat to us but Regina is no threat"

"Yes she is, can't you smell it? It fills the air like smoke from a fire. She is dangerous, Ruby"

Ruby once more turned to her friend who had been silent. It was hard to deny now she was right up close to her that her friend had changed. The air about her was electric, it seemed thicker and her whole body screamed power. She gazed at her friends features. – the sharp cheeks and jaw, the teeth – even they seemed more whiter which only stemmed to show just how sharp they looked, her eyes – almost black spoke of things that she had never seen and they alone told her that Regina was no longer the girl she spent hours playing with one time.

This new Regina was a walking menace.

But in spite of all that the look she had when she saw her told her inside – her gut that she wasn't a danger to them. Like her Mother, she only attacked those who would her or any she loved which was why she never wavered in her stance as she turned back to the other woman.

"She might be – but haven't I? Aren't I just as dangerous? Just as feared"

All three – be in mentally or in Anita's case – vocally, thought that no, it didn't matter if Ruby was now a wolf that might have been feared by the villagers, what Regina was eclipsed that and sent fears down the spines of others creatures never mind ignorant humans.

"Trust me Ruby, not as dangerous as she is, come here… please."

The stubborn girl shook her head. Just what was it that had her Mother fearing, she wasn't scared, maybe it was because she knew her friend personally and so that gave way to happiness but still, just what was it about the other girl who had them nervous.

"Regina," She turned to her as the other girl stood a little straighter. "Show them."

"…Show them what?"

"What you are."

It was her turn to gape as she looked at her determined friend. Did she really just ask that? She stared at her before glancing over to the others on the other side and smiled a little her own nervousness showing as she replied.

"You… err, you want me to show…" Trailing off when she saw the nodding of her head.

Could she do it? Just change right here in the middle of the forest? The Dragon inside was agreeing with the brunette. It wanted them to see, wanted them to cower before it as they rightfully should, it was biased and so she ignored that in favor of her own morals and doubts.

"Please… it's the only way they will believe that you aren't a threat."

Across the clearing Granny was thinking differently. She didn't think in the slightest that the younger girl was a threat. Like Ruby, she to thought that whatever she turned out to be, she only attacked when she felt in danger or those she cared about. It was only the woman next to her and her own hot headedness that caused this.

She pleaded again which after some deliberating. Regina finally gave in she was going to show Ruby her new self once she had found her anyway as she back up slightly with Ruby taking steps back, she just didn't expect more of an audience. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh of defeat, she just hoped they kept their mouths shut as she allowed the flash of heat to take over her body as the mental cage opened and the large, black Dragon darted out, roaring his freedom as she changed.

Granny gasped as Ruby's mouth fell open. Anita went on the defense again even though there was no point as a power greater than hers stood in front of her, they all took in the huge beast that now replaced the young girl as Ruby took in her friend.

"Cool"

Regina unfurled her wings allowing them to spread as the leaves and broken twigs caught up in the back-draft, scattered and hit them making them shield their eyes. Her long tail hit the side of a tree making it shake as more leaves fell to the floor and her large feet/paws patted the ground as the claws left large indents into the ground. The three took in the monster in front of them all the way up to her face and the purple shine of her eyes.

Without realizing Ruby had taken steps closer much to their dismay and tried calling her back, to no avail as she made her way forward. Regina saw the movement and turned her head to look at her. Ruby stopped slightly on catching the look as they gazed at each other, a few seconds passed before she knew it, the long neck and head had bowed down and leveled with her own as two sets of eyes stared deeply at each other.

The two older wolves held their breath as the Dragon regarded Ruby. Both feared that it would not recognize her and strike. And with her being so much bigger it would take much for such a young wolf but they had no worries, Ruby giggled as a cloud of hot air blew in her face making her hair fly back before being nudged as the large head touched her own.

She held out her hand and reached for the Dragon as her hand touched her neck. She ran her hand slowly down the oddly smooth body as a rumble had her lifting her hand but laughed again when she saw that the Dragon liked it and so carried on she moved on exploring the rest of her friends new body all the way down to the tail which she tried to touch only to have to move from side to side every time she tried to touch it.

She huffed as what sounded like a loud chuckle came from the other end before she made her way back up and looked into the purple eyes as she smiled.

"You're still the most amazing friend I'll ever have." She said lowly to her, "I know you'll never hurt me."

The large Dragon nodded her head and closed her eyes before a huge black cloud surrounded it forcing her to take a step back as it the size shrank to slowly reveal Regina again. She breathed in deeply before seeing the smile on Ruby's face.

She turned to the other two and spoke. "See, no danger to us."

Anita still wasn't too sure about that but never spoke as Granny smiled and made her way over. She approached the other young girl who her granddaughter had, a time ago, talked none stop about, but now she was back she could see how happy Ruby was again and so any one that made her smile like that was welcome – no matter if they could eat her in one go.

"It's very nice to meet you, Regina."

Said girl smiled widely as she held out her hand. "Pleased you meet you… err," Granny looked at it before scoffing and pulled her in for a hug,

"Call me Granny,"

Anita wanted to say something at hearing her Mother allowing the newcomer to call her something so personal. It made her angry that she was so close to a Dragon of all things and it didn't please her in the slightest that Ruby's old friend was a beast that could wipe her out in a single blow of her tail…. Her claws… eat her whole… the list went on

"Thank you… granny."

The oldest smiled bright as she pulled back. She moved the hair out of her face which startled her a bit, something so tender she wasn't used to, sure Maleficent had done it once or twice but that was so long ago as she smiled again when she took a few steps back.

"Well, I'm sure you and Ruby have missed each other for far too long to be waiting any longer to catch up." She pushed her gently in the direction of the brown-haired girl who was practically bobbing on her feet. As soon as she was close enough they grabbed each other in another hug before taking off into the woods as the other two watched them go.

After they had gone Granny turned to see the look on her daughters face and rolled her eyes. "For goodness sake Anita, the girl isn't a threat."

She looked at the exasperated look the other woman wore and stood a little straighter, "That remains to be seen."

"What does? We've seen her already in her other form. Any sort of surprise has gone for her, plus you saw how she was with Ruby… did she attack her?"

Anita didn't like to think on it but had to concede that the large Dragon didn't make a single threatening move on them. Granny saw the look in her eye and knew she had won the battle… for now.

"Come on" She turned and made her way back in the direction of her home as Anita looked at the clearing they had gone in before following suit.

"Besides… If the look in her eyes was anything to go by, Regina adores our Ruby and so I'm certain that if any harm does befall them that girl would stop at nothing to protect her, and what's better than having a Dragon of all things fighting on your side."

'A Dragon that wasn't around' but she knew better than to answer back and s begrudgingly let them go as they vanished back to their home.

The two girls, ran and ran. They had missed five years of catching up and Ruby wasn't going to waste a moment. She looked back to see Regina smiling as she took in the woods she had missed and felt another burst of joy at having her friend back. She took her to all her new places she had scouted out as she explored the woods further, they talked for ages and the crowning moment was when she showed her that she could catch a fish by herself and on the first go as she held up the struggling fish in her hands.

They stayed out well into the night. With them no longer being children they could stay out as long as they sat around the fire Regina had made. Ruby never got tired of seeing her do things that involved magic as she watched the other girl breath on the wood they had gathered as it caught alight and instantly went up into the sky. She sat back as they cook their catch letting it sizzle.

They looked up into the sky and at the stars as they pointed out the constellations that had formed. They pointed out the bear, the old woman and as Ruby gleefully pointed out, Draco making Regina laugh. Soon they sat back up and had their dinner which was far more filling then the one or two they could only ever catch when they were younger as they ate in silence.

Finally when the moon was past the highest point in the sky and a yawn from Ruby did that signal the end of their night. Pulling each other to their feet Regina closed her hand into a fist as the fire died out immediately bathing them in only the moon's light. They looked at each other finally glad to be back in each other's company once more before Ruby pulled out the small rock shaped star.

"I believe one more promise is in order before we leave."

Regina looked down to the half a stone in her hand and smiled before bringing out her own she looked down at the small piece in her hand that was finally about to be whole as they brought the stone together, she was about to pull her hand away when Regina covered it with her own and on seeing her questioning look, simply smiled and focused as their hands began to glow.

Ruby looked on in awe and wonder as their hands shone a bright luminescent blue , a weird tingly feeling bathing her hand as she realized it was the magic she was feeling and gasped as it felt amazing, was this what Regina felt every time?

The light died down as she pulled her hand from the top and when she urged her with a small smile. Ruby removed her hand from her other and another gasp slipped from her mouth as the stone that had been broken – was now back to its original form once more. She lifted the star, now whole up to the light and examined it, not a single crack to ever show that it had been cracked.

She looked back to Regina with a bright smile which made the other girl feel warm inside as Ruby was about to give it back she shook her head and pushed it back to her.

"Keep it, I want you to have it."

Ruby looked down to the star in her hands before back to her friend. "Why"

Regina smiled brightly "Because, I made the promise of mending it when I returned, I want you to have what it stands for."

Ruby nodded. She knew just what it represented, their friendship that was like the rock, sure it may have been spilt at one point but that was only because Regina used magic. If she hadn't then it would have been strong and sturdy, indestructible…. Like their friendship.

She clutched her hand pulling the star to her chest as she nodded. "Thank you, Regina"

She jumped on her for another hug making her laugh once more before they pulled apart. Soon it was time for them to go home as Regina watched Ruby leave. She sighed happily into the cold night air once she had gone.

She was finally home, finally back with her friend, and her promise had been fulfilled. She laughed to nothing before disappearing into the night in a cloud of purple.

One more star had re-joined the night sky that night.


Hope everyone liked.