Now that Rubi has experienced what it really means to change sexes, we can move on, for now. Thank you, redscarfninja, for beta'ing this chapter, and everyone for their continued support. College is starting back up this week, so updates will slow down. I'm sorry!

Lavender Town

May, X780

I let out a bored sigh as I sat alone in the guild hall, watching the "older" guild members socialize with each other. I had absolutely nothing to do. I wanted to go on a job with Kagura, but…

"Hey, Kagura?" I ask, trying to get her attention.

Kagura was standing in the field in front of the dorm, watching Risley practice gravity magic.

She looks to me. "Hm?"

"It's been a few days and I was wondering if you would like to go on a job?" I ask casually.

"As much as I would love to, Rubi, I've got to-I DIDN'T SAY STOP, RISLEY!" She shouted authoritatively. She sounded like a drill sergeant.

"H-Hai Shishou!" Risley said in panic and frantically continued her practice.

Kagura sighed and turned her attention back to me. "Sorry about that." She apologized casually, as though that never happened.

I could feel myself sweatdrop. "Didn't I say not to let the power go to your head?" I deadpanned.

Kagura shrugged. "I'm doing things my way, so don't you worry about what I do with my student." She defended. "But, yeah, I can't go on a job with you today. Sorry, Rubi." She said sincerely.

"I should really make more friends…" I say quietly to myself.

Maybe I should try talking to one of the older guild members. Maybe they would like to go on a job with me… But that involves awkward introductions, learning their personality, and talking in general… Yeah, maybe I'll just sit in here… Yeah… The less social activity, the better… I really am anti-social, aren't I?

"Hey, Rubi-nee!" An excited voice interrupts my musing.

I blink, then turn towards the source to see Araña sitting across from me, at the same table I was at.

Oh, look, social activity.

"Yes, Araña? Is there anything you need?" I ask

"Don't tell me you forgot, Rubi-nee?" Araña pouted.

Oh no… What did I forget!? Her birthday!? No, that was 2 months ago. Uh… uh, crap…

Keeping my internal panic hidden, I decide to try and play it off. Ok, Rubi, play it cool. "Uh.. Of course not, Araña, I was just… getting to… that…" I say unconvincingly.

Dammit! Of all the times, why have you failed me now, acting skills!?

Araña pointed an accusatory finger at me. "You did forget, Rubi-nee! How could you!?"

I put my hands up in surrender. "Hey, calm down, I'm sorry." I attempt to calm the girl down. "Could please remind me what I forgot so I could remember?" I say sheepishly.

"Hmpf!" She pouts. "You were supposed to go on a job with me and Mama, but you got sick and you haven't asked to go on a job with me since."

Oh, yeah… That… I was supposed to go on a job with them, but uh… "mother nature" happened…

I feel pang of guilt hit me. "I'm sorry, Araña. Truly... I didn't mean to forget. I just… had really bad cramps…" I explain, leaving out the messy details. She didn't need to know about that stuff just yet.

I still can't believe that will happen every month… I feel my thighs clench together in memory of the pain.

Araña raises an eyebrow. "Cramps?" She asks curiously.

"Yep. Cramps. Painful ones." I say curtly, not really wanting to continue this line of conversation.

"Did ya have trouble pooping?" She inquired in a naïve tone of voice.

I nearly fell out of my chair at the absurdity of her assumption.

"No! I didn't have trouble pooping!" I exclaim, before sighing. "…I wish…" I grumbled under my breath.

"You sure? Mama gets cranky every month, and she says it's because she's consa…consti…" She struggles to get the right word. "Constipated!" She said correctly. "She gets cramps because she can't poop!"

Oh, god. Why is this my life now?

"Once again. I didn't have trouble pooping, Araña…" My patience was wearing thin.

"You sur-"

"Araña! I do not want to talk about it." I snap, silencing the ten-year-old. "Let's just… Just go on a job, ok?" I ask pleadingly.

"Ok!" She said simply, and bounced out of her chair.

I sigh in relief.

"Let's go get your mother, and we can get going." I say as I get out of my chair.

"Mama can't come." She says.

"Why not?" I asked with a raised brow.

A huge grin appears on her face. "Mama is constipated and she has been in the bathroom all day!" She said cheerfully.

I really want to punch a wall right now.

"She said to ask you or Kagura-nee to take me on a job. So that's what I did." She explained, before skipping cheerfully towards the job board.

I take a deep breath. She's just a kid, Rubi. Just calm down, and everything will be fine…

I follow the energetic girl to the job board, which was filled with a multitude different jobs. "Let's see…" I say as I inspect the board for a suitable job.

I can't do a B-class. Too dangerous. Plus, I fear for my health if Araña got hurt. Lana can put Celia to shame if her baby got hurt.

My entire body shivers at the thought of an angry Lana.

A D-class is too boring and not really worth the time. I don't think Araña would like it either. So that leaves…

"How about this one, Rubi-nee!" Araña snaps me out of thoughts with a flier thrown in my face.

I take the flier from her hands and inspect it. "Medicine Needed In Lavender Town! Severe Flu Outbreak! Couriers Wanted! Risk Of Bandits! Reward: 50,000 Jewels." I read out loud.

"I want to help those people get better! I want to be like Mama, who makes me get better when I get sick!" Araña declared with cheerful conviction.

I feel a smile grow on my face. That was actually pretty selfless for a ten-year-old. "Sure, let's do it." I say with an nod.

Araña grins in excitement.

I look down at the paper to see where Lavender Town I located. "It's a few hours walk from here. You ready to get going?" I ask.

"Mmm." Araña says in agreement.

"Let's go pick up the medicine from the central pharmacy in town, and then we should be there in about 4 hours." I say as I start walking towards the door.

"Let's help those people!" I hear Araña shout as she follows me.

XXX

Well, this has been a rather boring trip.

Two hours into our four-hour journey to Lavender Town and the most interesting thing we encountered were some leaves blowing in the wind.

Wait! I see a butterfly!

Ok, now that's the most interesting thing we've seen so far.

Araña was currently humming a happy tune as she skipped cheerfully. She has been doing it for the past hour and showed no sign of slowing down. It got annoying at first, but I eventually tuned her out and started walking on autopilot, getting lost in my thoughts. I don't know how she could keep it up for so long…

In my right hand was black briefcase full of flu medicine. Since I was the older, and clearly the more responsible one, I was the one to carry it.

Now that I think about, if I combine my previous life's age with this one, I was now technically 35… I feel old now... Dammit.

Oh look, some guys with knives and generic clothes...

…wait… That's not a good thing, is it?

Araña and I stop in our tracks at the sight of two men with menacing grins and knives in their hands. They were wearing bandannas, worn out tunics, linen pants and the same brown shoes. So pretty much the same type of generic outfits that every bandit wears…

Why does every random bandit wear the same thing? Seriously. Why can't they ever wear something stylish or unique…

Memories of those stupid bandits in the horse costumes flash through my head.

…Actually, I'm good with generic. There is only so much stupid I can take before I get an aneurysm and start bleeding out my nose.

"Ok, brats, hand over the goods, and we promise not to hurt ya!" Bandit #1 sneered. He was the one with the blue tunic and orange bandana.

"Yeah, hand over the goods!" Bandit#2 echoed. He was wearing a green tunic with a white bandana.

"So, Araña, did you see anything interesting while we were walking?" I question the younger girl, ignoring the two men twenty feet away.

"I saw a butterfly, Rubi-nee. It was red like your hair!" She chirped.

"Don't ignore us!" The two men shouted in unison.

"Oh, really? How big was it?" I inquire, genuinely interested.

Araña brought both her hands up and held them about 5 inches apart. "This big, Rubi-nee!" She said cheerfully.

"Oh… That is pretty big…" I say before looking at the two bandits who were staring at us with angry, yet deadpan expressions. "Oh yeah, you're here too…" I finally acknowledge their presence in a bored, uninterested tone.

They face faulted, but quickly recovered. "We're serious!" #1 sneered as he held out his knife menacingly. "Give us the package!" He demanded, and his actions were soon echoed by #2.

I sighed in exasperation, and started to put the briefcase on the ground so I can dispatch these two idiots. I never thought beating up people would become routine.

"Wait, Rubi-nee! Let me fight them. I can do it!" Araña stops me as I was about to put the briefcase on the ground.

"Don't worry about it, Araña I got this…"

Araña's eyes turned wide and her lip started to quiver. "Please, Rubi-nee…" She begged.

Dammit, she's too adorable to resist.

"Fine." I sighed, relenting.

"Yay!" She cheered and started skipping towards the two bandits who were getting sick of being ignored. Araña was humming the same cheerful tune she had been humming for the last hour. She then stopped in front of the two men, who were looking at her with confused expressions.

"Hey Bandit-san, I'm going to beat you up now!" She chirped.

"Wha-" he was suddenly kicked right across the face by a high jumping Araña, who was still humming her tune. "Ah! The front of my face!" He shouted in pain. "Ah! The side of my side of side!" He yelped as his kidney got punched.

He started to tumble from the punishment Araña was dishing out and she finished him off with a jumping kick to the back. "Ow! The back of my back!"

What the hell! Why is it that every bandit I encounter makes Red vs. Blue references whenever they get hit? Furthermore, why does this world troll me with stupid references!? First it was my first job with the Monty Python demon rabbits, then it was the whole Ron Burgundy fiasco, and I just now realized that we are going to a place called Lavender Town, which I'm pretty sure is from a Pokemon game! There has to be some higher power trolling me, there has to be!

Anyway… back to the action.

The bandit collapsed in pain and was twitching. Araña was still humming and her expression was cheerful. It kind of scared me to be honest. Whenever Kagura or I fight people, we usually have bored or serious expressions on our faces. Araña still maintains her happy go-lucky personality even when fighting idiots.

Bandit #2 was staring at her with his jaw going all the way to the ground.

Araña playfully cracks her neck and knuckles in almost playful matter, and then turns towards the second bandit, her expression still cheerful. "It's your turn!" She grinned.

Ok, now it is really getting creepy. How can she be so happy…? Maybe it's an act to unnerve opponents, maybe under that sweet and adorable frame is a shrewd tactician.

#2 just drops his knife and made a break for it.

"Aww, you're no fun…" Araña pouted before she held out her right hand. It glowed a little before spider web shot out of her palm and snared the fleeing man's legs. Then with all her strength, she yanked him into the air. He yelled in fear as he flew towards the ground in a wide arc, hitting the ground with a loud thud.

He was knocked out instantly.

She may be sweet and adorable, but Araña is pretty brutal.

Araña Patted the dust and dirt off her hands and looked towards me with a pleased expression. "I'm done, Rubi-nee! I told you I coul-"

I instantly rushed past her and swiftly kicked bandit #1, who had apparently recovered and had a knife in hand, across the chest, sending him flying across the road. I then rush over to him and shock him back into unconsciousness.

I let out a breath of relief. "Phew, that was a close one…" I turn back towards Araña, who was wide eyed. "Don't ever let your guard down, Araña." I scolded.

"I'm sorry, Rubi-nee…" She wilted.

I sighed. "Ok, let's strip these two of any weapons and tie them up for the authorities to find them."

We spent the next five minute taking any weapons off them and tying them to a nearby tree with Araña's spider silk. We also left a note explaining the situation.

"Ok, let's deliver this medicine…" I say, and Araña made a noise of agreement as we continued our long walk.

I think I'll hit the hot springs after this job is completed.

XXX

The rest of the trip was spent pretty much like the first two hours, except Araña started humming a different tune, and it was late afternoon.

"Look, Rubi-nee! I think I see it!" Araña shouts, breaking me out of my thoughts.

In front of me was a small little town that bordered a forest and a field of solid purple. On closer inspection, I notice that the field was purple because it was filled entirely with lavender plants.

Well, that explains the name.

Behind the town, in the forest, was a very tall hill. And if I squinted, I think I see a house on top the of the hill.

"Huh, I guess time flies when you are doing nothing…" I say out loud.

"Come on, Rubi-nee! We have to get the medicine to those people!" Araña says with excitement, and she took off, running through the purple fields.

When we finally entered the town, I could see what they meant by flu outbreak. The streets where mostly empty, except for the few, red faced people who were sluggishly walking about.

"Araña, make sure not touch anything, or anyone. I don't want you getting sick. Understood?" I question the girl, who was rather quiet. "The job said to deliver the medicine to Father Mendez, who is at the local cathedral." I remind her.

"Yeah…" Araña says uneasily, her previously cheerful demeanor was gone. She was looking around at the townspeople with worry. Some were coughing and looked barley able to stand. "Faster we deliver the medicine, the better, Rubi-nee…"

I put a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't worry…" I reassure her. "By delivering this medicine, we'll be helping these people, ok?"

"Mhmm." She said in agreement, her smile returning to her face.

We eventually arrive at the cathedral. It wasn't as big as the one in Magnolia, but that didn't mean it wasn't beautiful. I always loved the architecture of cathedrals in my previous life. They were always beautiful works of art. I regret not going to any in person.

This cathedral, like most of the ones in Fiore, was probably built by the religion of Zentopia. Technically, it was considered a cult by the government, but it was really big and might as well call it a religion.

I slowly open the door and inside was wide open room that had beautiful stained glass murals, smooth glossy floors and large pipes high up on the walls. In the back was an altar and to the side was the pipe organ.

It's too bad the sight was ruined by all the sick people, who were laid out on beds. There had to be at least fifty people in here. The only person that wasn't bedridden was an elderly man in a white priest's outfit going around changing wash cloths and putting them onto people's heads to cool them off. He was mostly bald on the top of his head and had white hair on the both sides.

"Father Mendez?" I call out in uncertainty.

He stops and takes a look at us. His eyes flicker to the briefcase in my hand and a mixture of relief and excitement fill his tired orbs. "You young ladies must be here to deliver medicine…" His voice was full exhaustion, but there was relief in there as well.

I nod, confirming his assumption. "I'm Rubina Crimson…" I introduce myself, before gesturing to Araña. "…And this is Araña Webb. We are mages from Mermaid Heel and we are indeed here to deliver the medicine." Then I hold up the brief case with both hands and open it up, revealing the precious cargo.

"Bless you girls…" He said as he walked over to us to inspect the medicine. After a few moments, he closes the brief case and takes it out of my hands. "We ran out a week ago and we have been waiting for some more, but the main road is plagued by bandits…"

"We ran into some on the way here, but they were no match for Araña here…" I gesture to said girl.

"Oh, is that so?" Mendez smiled and lowered himself to Araña's level. "Well, you have mine and Lavender Town's gratitude, Araña-chan."

The green haired girl grinned at the praise. "It was no problem! I beat up those meanies!" She exclaimed with pride.

"Father? How did this start? I never seen so many people bedridden at once from a single flu. Also, the people in town seem ready to fall over as well." I ask.

His attention turned towards me and he sighs as he stands to his full height. "People started getting sick about a week and a half ago…" He started to explain before rubbing his head from stress. "But it has steadily gotten worse and worse, getting to what you see now." He gestured to all the bedridden patients. "Every day I pray to Zentopia and after a day or two, people seem to get better. But they usually get sick again after a few days."

"Why are there so many people here? Isn't there a hospital?" I inquire.

He shook his head. "Lavender town is small and we don't have enough doctors for a hospital. This is one of the largest buildings in town. I don't mind, because Zentopia cares for all." He explained, before realization appears in his eyes. "I almost forgot! Your pay!" He then reached for his pockets.

I put a hand up and stop him. "There is no need to pay us. It wouldn't be right to take your money."

A small smile appears on his face. "You… I… Thank you." His voice was filled with deep emotion.

"It's no problem!" Araña chirped.

I nod in agreement. "Do you know where there is an Inn? Preferably one with a hot spring? Salice is a long walk and I find myself not wanting to walk while it's dark out." I tell him.

"Hmm…" Mendez put a hand up to his chin and took a moment to think. "There should be one just down the street." He then pointed in the direction of the inn. "And if you spend the night here, I highly recommend seeing the Rockwell Museum tomorrow."

"Rockwell Museum?" I echo. The name sounded familiar.

"It was the home of the famous arcane engineer, Henry Rockwell, over 170 years ago. He was said to be decades and maybe even centuries ahead of his time…" He explained.

Something clicked in my head. "You mean that Henry Rockwell!? The one who is called the father of modern arcane engineering!?" I ask with growing excitement.

Mendez nodded.

I make a loud, girlish squee.

"Why would we see a boring museum, Rubi-nee?" Araña asked.

"Boring!?" I echo incredulously. "We wouldn't have many things we have today without Henry Rockwell! Like the magic four-wheeler! Or the communication Lacrima!" I start bouncing in excitement. "We are definitely going tomorrow!"

"I take it you're an engineer as well?" Mendez questioned, to which I nodded my head excitedly.

My light saber flashes into existence, and without activating it, I show off my baby. "I made this. It's a sword that uses my magic as it's blade." I explain.

"To think a 15 year old could create something so well made…" He says in appreciation.

Oh, no… Not again!

"Uh… Father… I'm 12…" I say awkwardly. I was getting tired of people mistaking my age.

"Oh… I apologize, I didn't mean to offend you. You just look the same age as my great-niece" He then lowered his head in apology.

"It's fine…" I sigh. "This isn't the first time…" I say in exasperation, before a tired yawn. escapes me. "Well, I think I'm going to go relax in that hot spring now. Come, Araña, let's go."

XXX

"Thank you for *cough* choosing to stay here, Wizard-san…" The woman at the front desk managed to get out as she hands me a key wrapped in what appears to be a sanitary wipe. Her movements were sluggish, her face was red and there were bags under her eyes.

She looked to be in her early twenties, and had long, silky jet black hair pulled back into a pony tail that curled, and had beautiful dark brown almond shaped eyes. Her face was pale and had regal features, and her body was perfectly curvy. She was wearing a white collared shirt and black pants.

Overall, she was very attractive... Why do I have to be twelve!? I would totally ask her ou-

…Damn hormones…

I take the key wrapped in the wipe and put it in my requip space. "Why are you working while you are sick? Isn't there anyone else that can take over?" I ask with concern.

She slowly shakes her head. "The only other person that works here is *cough* my mother, but she is at the church, bedridden. So I'm the only one here right now." She said sluggishly. "The hot springs are just down the hall, I hope you *cough* enjoy your stay." She pointed in the direction of the hot springs, and despite looking miserable, she forced a smile on her face.

Damn, even her smile is beautiful…

…Wow, puberty is really messing with my head right now. I'm totally crushing on the innkeeper…

"Come, Araña, there are springs calling our names!" I say cheerfully.

We walk down the hall and I open up the door to reveal the hot springs, which were a pretty decent size.

My clothes disappear in a golden flash, exposing my body to the humid air. I didn't want to strip manually because well… I didn't want Araña to see my choice of underwear.

I was wearing the strawberry underwear again, and in my defense, they were just so comfortable!

I then reach down to the bottom of my braid and undo the yellow ribbon that held my hair together and unleashed my massive red mane.

"Wow, Rubi-nee! You have a lot of hair!" I hear Araña say from behind.

I start running my hands through my hair, straightening it out, but it wasn't exactly pin straight like my sisters, instead it had a very slight curl at the end. "Yeah, I know. I think I might get a haircut, because I think I might have too much of it." I say as I turn to face Araña, who half way to being completely undressed.

When I say I have a lot of hair, I meant it. I haven't had a haircut since my days in the orphanage. As a result, my hair had grown all the way to my tailbone and it didn't look like it would stop growing any time soon.

A shocked expression overtakes Araña's face. "But… Your hair is so pretty, Rubi-nee! Why would you want to cut such pretty red hair?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, I just felt like I should cut it right now. I wouldn't have to braid every morning, or at least it would take less time." I was twirling a few strands of hair in my hand. I liked to touch soft things.

Araña stays quiet, but she has face of contemplation. I decide that I have put off the hot springs long enough and slowly walk into the water, easing myself into its warm embrace with a very long sigh.

Over the past year, I've been working on getting over my body shyness in the hot springs. So I would go to the local hot spring. I was still shy around adults, and thanks to my hormone filled brain courtesy of puberty, it was very awkward. But I did at least manage to stop the nose bleeds… I can't believe that actually happens in this world… I guess the trick is not to associate bathing time with intimate time, and so far, that has been working.

A pleased "ahhh" escapes my lips as I feel the water loosen my muscles. I close my eyes and feel my body relax. "Oh my, I have put this off for far too long. My feet have been killing me!" I start stretching my limbs and I let out a pleased moan at the feeling.

I hear Araña finally get into the water right across from me. "I know what you could do with your hair, Rubi-nee!" She exclaimed excitedly.

I open my eyes to see her hair down as well. "Oh?"

"You could put it in a ponytail! Less work than a braid and you can put it up high!" A grin was on her face.

That actually doesn't sound too bad… If I combine that with my headpiece I bought last month, I would definitely start looking like Pyrrha, and my fangirl fantasies would be one step closer to completion.

I feel a small smile form on my face. "You really care what happens to my hair, don't ya?"

"Mhmm!" Araña nods with excitement. "Mama always said to take care of your hair and to always make sure it looks its best. I think your hair looks better long, Rubi-nee!"

"Maybe. I'll definitely think about." I say with a shrug. "Or…" A mischievous grin formed. "I could shave all of it off…" I teased.

Araña gasps in shock. "RUBI-NEE! How could you consider such a thing!?" She was genuinely concerned.

I started laughing uncontrollably.

Araña realized it was just a joke and let out an annoyed huff. "Not funny, Rubi-nee!" She pouted.

We spent the rest of our time in the hot spring relaxing before I decided it was time to get out. I walked down the hall of the inn in a white bath robe when I saw something alarming.

The inn keeper was on the ground, barely moving, and groaning as if she were in pain.

I rush to her in an instant and roll her on her back. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing heavy. I put my hand on her forehead, only to discover that she was burning up. I check her pulse and I found it pretty normal. Strangely, her magic levels felt very low…

She produced another pained groan.

… I need to get her to Father Mendez as soon as possible!

I carefully pick her up bridal style and rush to the church as fast and as safely as possible. I couldn't go full speed because it would probably give her whiplash. I burst through the doors to see Father Mendez still caring for people, despite it being dark outside.

"Father! I got another person who needs help!" I shout with worry.

His eyes go wide and he rushes over to me and checks the Innkeeper's forehead. "Oh dear, poor Izumi-chan. Her mother is here as well."

Izumi… Dang, even her name is attractive!

…This isn't the time to let your hormones get the better of you, Rubi! Her life is in danger!

Mendez pointed to an empty bed. "Put her over there. I'll take care of the rest."

I complied and quickly, but carefully set her into the bed.

"Thank you, Rubina-chan. She is in good hands now; you can go back to the Inn." Mendez said as he put a wet wash cloth on her head.

I nod. "Take care of her, Father."

"Of course." He nodded back.

Walking back to the inn through the streets of Lavender Town, I finally had enough time to process the situation.

This flu is really putting a number on these people. It must be some type of new super strain to be able to do this much damage… Although, I don't know why the Innkeeper, I mean Izumi, had such low magic levels. I don't think the flu did that. Yeah, it could prevent most mages from doing magic, but that was because it ruined their concentration, not because it drained their power. In fact, most sicknesses didn't drain magic as far as I am aware of. They just ruined concentration.

I feel a wave of tiredness hit my body, and I feel the adrenaline rush I had from this whole ordeal crash. I let out huge yawn.

Maybe I'm over thinking it. Maybe Izumi was a mage with small magic reserves and was practicing when the flu made her collapse… I'm too tired to think about this right now. I sure everything will be fine.

XXX

In a secret underground lair, there was a man staring at a large sphere. It was a giant lacrima, and it was pulsating with light. There were hoses connected to the lacrima, and they lead to a large, cloaked mass that towered over the man.

"Good… It is almost ready. Another week or so and the reckoning will begin…" The man then started laughing malevolently.

The plot thickens. A simple job turns out to be something more. So begins another multi-chapter arc. It will be either 2 or 3 chapters long. I actually wrote an outline on paper, which is 7 pages long. To give a comparison, the arc with Risley and the law tribe was 2 written pages, and 30 pages on Microsoft word, with 10,000 words. I have to write the rest of the arc now.

Since Rubi is the size of a 15 year old, she keeps getting mistaken as a teenager. Puberty is hitting her harder, making her crush on attractive people. Arana was so fun to write, and I hope this gives her more development, because I have been neglecting characters. Rubi can't get a break, the world just likes to troll her with references, and she is right about a higher power screwing with her, and his name is grifman275. Kagura is totally abusing her power, because she enjoys it. Rubi hasn't had a hair cut since her days in the orphanage, it is very long and goes down to her tailbone. She is getting closer and closer to her fangirl fantasies. She is becoming less body shy, but she still gets embarrassed around adults. But at least the perverted nose bleeds have stopped.

Sorry for the vague last paragraph, but I did that on purpose.