A/N Hi this is an idea I had when talking to a friend on why it seems the important characters (ones that are needed to be there) happen to all be male. Look, Falie: female: gets captured by aiel. Perrin:Male:can talk to wolves and friend of dragon reborn. Rand: male: The dragon reborn. Eylane:female: story could probably be better w/out her. Mat:male:somehow gets his own personal army.

WARNING: THE DRAGON REBORN WILL BE FEMALE. Elements of Ranma 1/2. This first book will follow the cannon, mostly. Next won't. If I get that far.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but a few books that I got at Waldenbooks.

Earlier

Ravens

A/N Rand's name is changed to Ruby al'Thor. She is basically a tomboy and because she lives with Tam has short hair, about shoulder length, also keeps it in a short pigtail to the displeasure of the women's circle. On with the story!

Ruby al'Thor dipped her buckets into the river. This was her first year carrying water, and she carried more than anyone. Ruby looked up to see some of boys splashing in the waters of the Winespring. A smirk blossomed on her face as she flicked her braid over her shoulder and moved down to join them.

She sat the buckets on a pair of rocks and used the dippers to a rapid-fire assault on her foes. After a minute or two Ruby looked up to see Egwene starring at her with a scowl. On impulse Ruby stuck out her tongue and proceeded to find her friends.

She didn't understand a lot of things about girls and women. Which was strange because she was a girl. Why did all the girls her age not cut their hair? After all it was HOT.

Egwene's POV

Egwene filled her bucket and sent the famous look all females learned at Ruby. She was hot and her mother would never allow her to cut her hair short like Ruby's. And her hair WAS IN A BRAID.

Egwene saw Ruby leave and smiled to herself. The women's circle had been furious because of a little 7-year-old girl walking into the village with a braid a few years ago. When they had confronted Ruby she just shook her head skipped off. Tam was the only one she listened to and he only replied that it was more practical with the work they did.

A large raven had flown overhead. Egwene shivered. It was not normal, the ravens…seemed everywhere…and not watching the girls or women…only the boys and men…just a silly idea.

Ruby's POV

Ruby was getting startled looks as she passed by. What was so unusual about carrying water? Mentally shrugging she sat under a tree and rung out her skirt. Maybe she should have tied it up? Nah it just water.

After empting the first bucket she overheard the man she just severed talk to his companion.

"Ruby's stronger than most boys years older than her! What does Tam feed the girl?"

"Who knows? She could work with the boys next year."

"The women's circle would never allow it. They barely tolerate her braid."

Ruby smiled to herself and walked off the find her best friends, Mat and Perrin. It always pleased her to receive compliments, if not directly. Taking her other bucket in hand she walked toward where the boys would be cleaning and sorting the sheep.

She offered some to all the boys there, some she knew smiled and accepted, and others just waved her off. Ruby got miffed at that. To those who knew her what happened next was no surprise; to the newcomers it was quite a shock. Ruby did not walk off, she did not glare, what she did was pulled her fist back and solidly punched the first boy who waved her. This act knocked him off his feet as he stared up at her. Ruby took an instinctive defensive stance and glared at the boy getting up. "You shouldn't ignore people."

The boy only stared up at her with his mouth open. Ruby walked over to another boy who was in shock and muttered a 'no thanks', Ruby accepted this moved on.

One boy, about 6 years older than her stepped in her path and glared at her. "Do you have something to say to me?" Ruby asked innocently.

"My brother says you hit him. Little girls shouldn't fight."

Just then Mat and Perrin appeared. It was Perrin who spoke first. "Um…I would not threaten Ruby if I were you." Perrin was bigger than most his age but talked slowly, what he said on matters like this could be trusted.

Ruby had taken the same defensive stance as she had earlier. She had no idea why she did it, it just felt natural. Ruby took a moment to size her opponent up and smiled to the friends.

The older boy spoke. "And why should I be afraid little girl?"

Mat's almost ever-present smirk appeared and he answered. "Cuz' this little girl will beat you into the ground."

The boy laughed and walked forward intent on slapping the younger child. Almost in slow motion Ruby saw it coming and grabbed the older boy by his wrist. Despite her being stronger than most, she couldn't just pick up something as heavy as her enemy. Beside she hadn't watched the wrestling matches at fest days for nothing when the other females scoffed at them.

Using his own weight against him Ruby slipped her foot out in a kick that not only tripped him but also allowed her throw him a few feet. Just like his little brother the boy stood gaping. He had been beat by a GIRL, a YOUNGER GIRL.

Some of the boys she knew started clapping and Mat even let out a whoop as he came over and clapped her on the back. Ruby blushed. That had just felt…natural.

A moment latter some boys and a girl decided to skip duties.

"Bloody ashes Elam, did you see that boy? He looked like a fish out of water."

One boy, from another town poked Dav in the ribs and glanced at Ruby who was talking with Perrin.

"Ruby doesn't mind. She's not like other girls."

At that comment Ruby glared at Dav and snorted.

Dav smiled at Ruby and said, "She's WAY better than other girls." This got a stunning smile from Ruby who called thanks as she sat on a post of a sheep's pen.

Mat popped a question. "So, what do you think will happen in the future?"

Lem sighed, "The sensible future says I work in my fathers mill."

Ruby: "Well, I suppose I want to be a queen. That would be… well it would be interesting." Ruby waved her dipper like a scepter to show she was joking.

"A queen of sheep!" Mat was smaller than the others, with Perrin and Ruby tallest, but he was always on his toes and looking for mischief. "Ruby al'Thor, queen of all sheep!"

Ruby stuck out her tongue, as she did when joking or wanting to annoy people. Tam was the only one she wouldn't do it too much to others annoyance.

"Its better than your plan to never work!" Ruby said this coolly. She never seemed to get angry, she was always in extremes. It was extreme happiness, sadness, calm, or boredom. "How can you live and not work Mat?"

"I will rescue an Aes Sedai, and she'll reward me. Besides there's already enough work here with me doing it."

Ruby clapped her hands. "Oooh! Did you guys know Perrin's going to apprentice with Master Luhhan?"

There were a series of 'really' and 'that's great' and more congratulations.

After the noise died down Lem spoke. "I would like to have an adventure before I get fathers mill."

"Of course" Ruby laughed "but where do I find an adventure in Two Rivers?"

"There has to be a way." Said Ban, "Gold in the mountains, or Trollocs?"

"I want to have more sheep than anybody!"

"You look like a sheep, Elam." Dav answered. "Listen, I just got a great idea."

"I just got a better one," Mat put in. "come on I'll show you." He and Dav glared at one another. They practically competed to see who could get in the most trouble.

Ruby grabbed Mats shoulder. "Hold on we should here these 'great' ideas." Perrin nodded thoughtfully.

Dannil Lewin walked up to Mat. "The mayor wants to see you."

"The Mayor wants me?! But I haven't done anything yet! He can't want me."

"He wants all of you and double quick."

The small group got up and trotted over to the throng of people. Mat grumbled about how certain people knew what he did as he did it.

Ruby glanced at Miss. Cauthorn and saw Mat's sisters. Unknowingly she let out a small growl that went unnoticed. Why did all these women enjoy telling on people?

Mat wore a big grin that screams I- am-doing-something-that-I-shouldn't-be-doing. Ruby looked a little upset as well as odd being the only girl in the group. Ruby's father looked up from the sheep he was shearing and caught her eye with a small smile. Ruby then looked exactly like Mat.

Things had not gone as expected for the group. Instead of being punished they were told a story. Mat and Dav argued what it was about until Tam was called in and told one about the age of legends. The story told of how the Dragon saved the world. The children were confused at that, the Dragon was supposed to have destroyed the world.

After the story they were all ordered to 'disband' in a way. Ruby parted with her friends and looked at the trees. Ravens were everywhere. They were all looking at the Men and Boys, she was sure of it. Also they were looking at Egwene. Why? Ruby had the urge to wave he hand in front of one's eyes to see what it would do. Wondering what was special about Egwene, Ruby walked off to refill her two buckets.

Ruby had to carry water again next year. But was told by her father to do something else. Ruby decided to make a goal for the year. Which was to get the women circle to NOT glare at her pigtail. She still liked hearing stories, especially ones that had riddles and fight scenes.

They all grew older. Thinking there world would never change…

END… A/N yes Ranma elements will be subtle, after all this is reincarnation. Ranma had his life force pretty big, and working on a farm w/only 2 people is bound to give Ruby access to her chi even if she doesn't remember yet hint hint Plus she is a Ta'veren AND the dragon reborn. I think the weave gets tangled if it even tries to sort out anything with her.