Her Fate

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone from ADJL; I only own those who I make up.

Rating: PG-13

AN: Sorry it took so long to get this up. was screwing with my account. And then my teachers started piling all this homework on me and I wound with a huge ass writers block. All is fixed now, homework done and no more block; all is well in the world. Here's chapter twenty. Please forgive me.

Miss Ruby

It had been two days. Two days since everything was let out into the open. Two days since Rose realized everything that went wrong with her and Jake.

Two days since the most emotional day of her life.

Rose sighed as she grabbed a granola bar. It was the first day of her new job.

This job would help so much. Gracie was insistent that they needed a car. Rose didn't think they needed one.

What was wrong with walking? Walking was healthy. Walking was safe.

Or maybe riding a bike; that'd be good too...

She shook her head and walked out the door. Gracie had left early so to start with her plans for the shop.

She stopped at the entrance to the building she would be working in; Miss Ruby's School of Defense.

Yes, Rose's new job was being the apprentice to Miss Ruby, the head of a school for self defense. The position was perfect for her.

There was nothing Rose could do better than her fighting. So what better job than teaching other women to defend themselves?

She walked into the small building. "Miss Ruby?" she asked.

"There you are, my dear. I was wondering when you would get here." Spoke a voice smooth as silk.

Miss Ruby was an old woman of sixty three years yet she still held an elegant beauty. Her hair was a grey color that seemed more silver than a dull grey, which was tied into a bun. She was well fit and most of her wrinkles were around her twinkling hazel eyes.

She was taller than Rose and held herself with an extravagant grace despite the cane she walked with.

"Sorry, I got up kind of late and I had to walk… not exactly the best way to make a first impression is it?"

Miss Ruby smiled at her, "No, but I trust you'll get it together. Besides no one is here, so you aren't too late."

Rose smiled back. "I'm so nervous."

"Don't be, my dear, there is nothing to worry of… just be yourself and do what you do. All will be well."

"Thanks."

The door opened and women poured in. As the ladies sat on the ground, Miss Ruby stood; grabbing her cane and walking in front of her class.

"Hello, my dears, I am truly happy to see all of you here again. I know this week has been difficult and I pray you all continued practicing in spite of the school being closed for that brief period."

"Miss Ruby, are you alright?" asked a woman in front. She had long, curly brown hair in a messy ponytail and eyes the color of chestnuts.

"Yes, Kristen, I am fine. As you all know, I had to go in for a hip replacement surgery. The surgery went well, though I must walk with this cane from now on. This brings me to my next bit of news." She turned and motioned for Rose to come forward.

"This is Rose, she is my apprentice. Since I'm no longer of the ability to perform my own techniques, Rose shall be the one giving the examples of the moves I tell and she'll also spar with you. Now, let us begin."

The day went on pretty much like that. Miss Ruby would tell Rose what to do, she'd do it and then the class repeated.

Rose met many interesting women. Kristen was abused as a child by her step-father. Molly, a very petite girl with blonde hair, freckles and emerald eyes was raped. Janice, a woman with skin the color of chocolate, eyes the color of charcoal and ebony hair pulled back into beaded braids, had just gotten a divorce from her abusive husband after five years. There were many others there like them…

Rose felt almost humbled by these brave women. They had all suffered in horrible ways and rather than addicting themselves to drugs or alcohol, they were here; learning how to defend themselves to keep it from happening again.

After class was over and Rose had finished cleaning, she stayed after a bit and spoke with Miss Ruby. "How long have you been doing this?"

"It has been over thirty years now, not sure of the exact number."

"What made you decide to do this?"

"When I was growing up, my mother was a very timid woman. My father would hurt her, emotionally, physically, mentally… she wouldn't leave him though. When she tried to fight him back, he easily overpowered her. Then, as I was older and my eldest sister married, she seemed to have fallen into the steps of Mother and married a man much like Father. She couldn't fight him and lost many children as a result. When I had grown, I saw many women like Mother and my sister; women who couldn't leave their spouses or significant others for fear that the men were stronger than them. My sister committed suicide; hung herself in the basement. Then Mother died from breast cancer, she told me that there were only two things she regretted in her life. That she couldn't protect Marsha from becoming like her and that she never was able to leave Father. I had taken martial arts since I was nineteen so I wouldn't become a victim to man. I was in my late twenties when Mother died and I decided that I would help the women like Mother and Marsha. I would teach women to protect themselves against those men who would harm them."

I think I'll end this chapter here. I'm sorry if it isn't very interesting and shortbut I needed an introduction chapter for Miss Ruby. As you've all probably figured out already, she's a rather important character in this story. I hope you liked it. Next chapter should be up soon. Please review.