Okay, on a bus let's see how easy it is to write... I don't give myself good odds.

Chapter 14:

Ruby growled a little as she moved the little girl's hand away from the spokes on one of her wheels for what must have been the fifth time in as many minutes. She had no idea why the girl was constantly trying to get her hand caught in it even after Ruby had mentioned that it could break her hand if not it would just hurt a lot. Especially with how fast Ruby could go with it.

Cracking her neck a little Ruby picked up the girl and placed her onto her lap as they began to roll down the street. She could see Neo smile a little at the sight out of the corner of her eye causing her to smile a little. Just the sight of the ice cream themed girl's smile was enough to make her feel all kinds of joy. In two days Neo had seemed to make Ruby feel a lot better. It was something so amazing that she couldn't even find the words to describe it.

Cerezas smiled looking at her mom who was holding onto the leash of the large dog who Ruby had to admit didn't seem to really trust her. Not that Ruby would blame the four legged animal. If Ruby wasn't constantly reminded what she so desperately wanted. Like if she was an animal starving and Neo was the first piece of food the animal had ever seen in a long time. She wanted to just hold Neo.

"Mommy... can I have some juice?" Cerezas asked as Neo smiled a little. Reaching into the bag she packed for Ruby she frowned a little at the fact that there seemed to be none remaining in the bag. "I'm sorry Cerezas, it seems like you drank the last one." Neo said as Cerezas frowned.

'Time to shine Ruby... and maybe see whatever this kid's problem is. The amount of shit she is doing is getting ridiculous... but what if I am just blowing this out of proportion. I mean I was a little curious when I was four... or at least when dad wasn't around I was.' Ruby thought as she could see some tears starting to well up in the four year old's eyes.

"Look, a store. I'll take her to go buy some." Ruby spoke causing Neo to smile a little at how easily Ruby seemed to be taking the entire situation. She had to admit, Cerezas and Ruby had taken to each other easily. Like they both genuinely enjoyed the time they had.

"Okay Ruby... whatever you do. Make sure you keep an eye on her." Neo said, letting her concerned mother shine through as she desperately wanted to make sure her child was safe no matter what. "She is on my lap Neo. I can't get any more observant." Ruby joked as her ex-wife was waiting for her patiently at the entrance holding the dog that dwarfed her closer as she choked up on the leash.

Ruby smiled as she began to roll herself into the store getting ready to just enjoy the few seconds with this child. As they came up to the large selection of drinks the girl spun around on Ruby's lap and looked at her in the eyes, as she rested her forehead against her.

"I don't like you photo lady... but you keep foiling my plan... what do you want with my Mommy?" Cerezas said. She was hoping that her anger at the woman in the wheelchair was clear at this point. She didn't like her and doesn't want to like her. She knew no matter what this woman would hurt her Mommy given the chance. Even if she didn't say it.

Ruby was taken aback a little. She had no idea what was with this girl. Not only that, but the fact she was that open with her dislike. Not to say that people weren't open to Ruby when they disliked her. But the fact this was a four year old who hadn't even known Ruby that long. Not even a full week.

Once she regained her composure and realised exactly who she was dealing with Ruby pushed back a little more. "Is that why you've been acting like a little nightmare to me?" Ruby hissed as the girl smiled. "You hurt my Mommy... I'm not going to let you hurt her again. And by the end... I'll make my Mommy see that you are a bad person. Now tropical juice." Cerezas continued as Ruby's glare harshened at her. The gall that this child had to threaten her and swear she was going to destroy what she has wants with Neo and still wants her to buy her juice. It wasn't often that Ruby had rage towards children.

Normally she just never cared near enough about children. But this one was making her feel like she wanted to become her father and just beat her. "What makes you think I'll buy you some juice now?" Ruby asked as the girl smiled.

"Because, if you don't and we leave you'll need to lie to my Mommy and I'll tell her it is a lie. Then Mommy will be mad. So, again tropical." The girl punctuated as she turned back around to get comfortable in her seat knowing that she won this battle. Even if the older woman didn't want to admit it.

"I'll admit. For a conniving girl... you are a smart one." Ruby said as she reached forward, past the girl and grabbed one of the silver things and began to wheel back towards the cashier at the front. "My Mommy said I look like her, but I'm smart like my Daddy."

"Well, I'm sure your dad was a sprick to begin with. I mean he gave up your Mom... someone I'd gladly kill for." Ruby spoke placing the package onto the counter as she reached behind her and grabbed her wallet from her bag. "I'm telling Mommy you said a bad word." The girl chirped as Ruby smirked at her.

Handing the money to the cashier she grabbed the juice and handed it to the girl. "I didn't say a bad word. Sprick is a non-word. It just sounds like a bad word." Ruby stated as the girl pouted trying to desperately open her drink up as Ruby smiled as she saw Neo walking up to them to grab the juice box and opened it for the girl.

"Mommy, what does sprick mean? Auntie Ru Ru called someone it." Cerezas asked as Neo pierced the packaging and handed it back to the girl. "It just sounds like a naughty word Sweetie. It doesn't mean anything." Neo spoke as she looked at Ruby with slightly harsher eyes. Debating if she should smack Ruby because that one word would become a new mantra for her daughter for a few days.

"I told you I wouldn't swear in ear shot of her." Ruby stated as Neo rolled her eyes. "Come on either way. Yang is probably nearly done with dinner for you guys."

Once the chuckling subsided with Yang she looked at her sister and began to start laughing again. "You're telling me... that a four year old... is giving you the business... and you just rolled over, presented your belly, and let it happen?" Yang continued trying to get a grasp of the situation her sister had just gave her.

It was hilarious really. She had heard some of the stories about Ruby and was surprised she hadn't found her packing heat. But just the thought of how Ruby not only insulted herself without knowing it, but also from how her child had been able to apply the screws to her in a gang style of thing. It was something that she just found very funny.

Once she was sure her laughing was going to be done she looked back at Ruby as the younger of the duo began. "That little shit doesn't like me. She said she was going to prevent me and Neo getting back together. Hell... she has been intentionally waking me up in as rude of a manner as possible, and she has repeatedly tried to get her hand caught in the wheels on my chair so I'd inadvertently hurt her. And then she made me buy her juice..."

This had been one of the best things in recent days she had heard. The only thing that topped it from being the best thing she had ever heard in her lifetime was the guilty verdict at her dad's final appeal for two decades. Something that no matter how hard they tried it wouldn't be able to be topped.

Yang could just picture Cerezas saying it dressed in a gangster outfit, starring Ruby in the eye while she began to tap her hand with a bat. Ruby was about to say something when Yang took a deep breath and felt like she had calmed her nerves enough to talk.

"She is four Ruby. She still thinks Santa Claus is real, that there is a bear in the toilet that eats poop, and thinks the worst thing that happens in the world is when an animal dies in a movie. She didn't threaten you. Maybe you just misheard her. Or it is what remains of the whiskey in your system leaving it." Yang said ruffling her sister's hair as she got comfortable on the couch once again. Already knowing that this wasn't going to be going anywhere besides maybe Ruby checking herself into a psych ward.

She was about to laugh herself out when Ruby rolled her eyes once more. "You know what Yang, laugh. But I'm going to prove it. Just you watch. And then this will be like when we were seven again..." Ruby said with such conviction that it Yang had to resist laughing once again. Ruby just glared, wheeling out of the room as Yang bit into her lip to try and contain the laughter. She couldn't believe that it was taking her full concentration.

Shaking her head as she opened her current room's door and began to wheel herself in. Just enjoying the fact she was exhausted and ready to sleep.

"How does she see through these things Sprinkles? I mean... Mommy needs to see everything. She is a meany head." Cerezas said as the dog rested his head on her lap as she began to scratch behind the large animal's ear.

She smiled as the dog began to smile. Once she stopped he licked her hand. He had to admit the woman in the wheelchair didn't seem to pose a threat to his people. She in fact seemed very nice. Not to say that he would attack her if she went to hurt either of his people. The only saving grace was that the blonde human that looked after his little human also looked after the woman who had taken focus in the little girl's mind.

Laughing as the dog stopped licking her hand. Crawling down a little so she could wrap her arms around the dog and gave him a hug followed by a kiss on the nose. She was glad that Sprinkles was allowed on the bed. Just because it was going to be a lot easier to plot this person's downfall.

As she pulled back Sprinkles dragged his tongue across the little girl's face. "I need to think of something that will get her to hurt me... Mommy won't listen to anything she says again. She'll take me and never have anything to do with the meany ever again."

Letting out a yawn as rested her head on the large dog's neck and began to close her eyes. "We can think about this tomorrow... I'm really sleepy Sprinkles." Cerezas said as she brought her stuffed toy up to join the fray and be cuddled as well.

Smiling as she felt the dog move a little to grab the blanket and pull it up to be around her. Pouting a little as she felt the dog come to a stop next to her again, carefully nudging the girl to raise her head a little so he can return to his previous spot.

As she returned her head back down, she spoke again, "Goodnight Sprinkles. Sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite." Cerezas stated as she began to feel sleep take over and soon followed by the dog she was resting on.

Author's Note:

Welp, Cerezas challenges Ruby directly... and I got it largely done on the ride on the bus... and I enjoyed my Christmas... hope you guys did too. Or Hanukkah... or Kwanza... or I don't know what else. Sentiment is the same. I'm going to go drink another bottle of Whiskey.