R+R PLEASE

Disclaimer: Ruby and Hazel only

Song credits:

Eye of The Tiger x Survivor

CHAPTER TEN: This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill

Fifteen percent concentrated power of will

Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain

And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!

Ruby felt someone shaking her to wake up. "Call school and tell them I died." She grumbled snuggling further into her covers. "It's time to start training." Marion said ripping the covers off of Ruby. Ruby opened her eyes and noticed it was still dark out. "What time is it?"

"It's almost dawn."

"Well, come back when the sun is high in the sky." Ruby replied putting her pillow over her head. Marion sighed in frustration. But then she got an idea. She lifted the straw mattress and that tossed Ruby out of bed. "Ouch! That wasn't necessary, if you said 'please' I would've gotten up." Ruby said. "Really?" Marion asked, "No." Ruby answered, she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "I've brought you some clothes. So get dressed and come downstairs and we'll have a spot of breakfast and head out to train." Marion explained cheerfully. As soon she closed the door, Ruby yelled "YOU ARE WAY TOO DAMN CHEERFUL FOR THIS HOUR!"

Ruby took off the nightgown and looked at the clothes that were laid out. A pair tan cotton trousers and a light blue tunic. She slipped the clothes on and splashed some water on her face. She brushed her hair up into a ponytail. Luckily she carried hair ties in her bag. When she was done, she headed downstairs to see Djaq and Marion waiting for her. "Morning sleepy head." Djaq greeted, "I hate you both." Ruby grumbled. Djaq and Marion laughed. "How the fuck are you two so damn cheerful?" Ruby asked grumpily. "Such language." Marion teased. Ruby stuck her out like a child. "Are you hungry?" Djaq asked, "Yeah I could eat." Ruby answered. They went into the kitchen and surprised the cook who wasn't expecting them to be up so early. "It's okay Annabelle. We'll make our own breakfast." Marion told her. Annabelle left out the things they would need to make breakfast and left for the market. They ate their bread and cheese in silence.

After they finished eating, they headed out to a clearing in the forest behind Marion's house. The sun was starting to creep up over the horizon. "I feel like 'Eye of The Tiger' should playing in the background." Ruby said, "What?" Marion and Djaq said unison. "Jinx!" Ruby exclaimed; they looked at her confused. "Never mind. 'Eye of The Tiger' is a song from a movie called 'Rocky' and before you ask what a movie is, it's a picture that moves." Ruby explained. Djaq and Marion just pretended that they understood and nodded.

It's the eye of the tiger; it's the cream of the fight

Risin' up to the challenge of our rival

And the last known survivor stalks his prey in the night

And he's watchin' us all in the eye of the tiger

Ruby sang and started doing a disco move. Djaq and Marion just stared. "What? I had an urge for a random dance moment." Ruby exclaimed. "We're going to start with archery." Marion said changing the subject. She went over to the tree that had a target painted on it and in the base of the tree was bow and arrows. "Alright, now I want you to pretend that the target is someone you hate. I mean someone you absolutely loathe with your being." Marion explained putting the bow in Ruby's hands. "Like Paris Hilton?" Ruby asked, "Sure why not?" Marion answered. She about to instruct Ruby how to hold the bow but Ruby already set up her arrow. "Keep your back straight but your head low so you can focus on the target. Keep your eyes on the target at all times. Point the arrow where your eyes are focusing." She explained. Ruby straightened her back and pointed the arrow to the center target. She envisioned Paris Hilton and shot the arrow. The arrow landed dead center. "Wow." Djaq said in awe. "How did you do that?" Marion asked,

"I took archery as my gym credit my freshman year." Ruby answered, "Although my teacher didn't explain how to hit the target. Just how hold the bow and shoot. In fact, that was my first time ever hitting where I wanted it to go."

They worked with the arrows for two hours before starting on swords. "Now swords are heavy. You need to keep your wrist steady and your arm tight otherwise you'll fall over and that won't be good." Djaq said, "This my father's sword so be careful." Marion said handing the sword to Ruby. Ruby almost fall over hadn't not been for Djaq to catch her. "I'm going to lift your arm with the sword in it and on the count of three, I'm going to let go. I want you to tighten your arm so your wrist can be steady. Ready?" Djaq asked, "As I'll ever be." Ruby answered. Djaq lifted her arm to shoulder height and counted to three and let go. Ruby tightened her arm and kept the sword at shoulder height. "Very good. Now we're going to show you fighting with a sword." Marion said pulling out another. They showed her how to stand and to block and to strike. Marion and Ruby had a few practice battles most of them ending with Ruby on the ground but on the last one Ruby had Marion on the ground. "You learn quick." Marion commented standing up and brushing off her clothes. "Can we take a break? I'm so tired." Ruby whined, "Yes, I'll go get some lunch. You and Djaq stay here." Marion said and disappeared. Ruby sat against a tree with Djaq sitting next to her. Marion returned a short time later with a basket of fruit, bread, wine, and cheese. "So I heard about what happened last night." Djaq said, "Do I have an evil twin lurking here that I don't know about?" Ruby asked. Marion and Djaq chuckled. "He feels regret. That's never happened. Allan normally doesn't care what girl he hurts. But with you, it's different. You must be pretty special to do that." Djaq said taking bite of her apple. "I told her the same thing last night." Marion commented. "Let's talk about something other than my love life." Ruby said, "Besides, I'm leaving anyways so maybe it wasn't to be."

"I think the sheriff has taken quite a fancy to you." Marion said. Ruby threw a grape that hit Marion in center of her forehead, which caused Ruby to laugh. Marion threw the grape back at her. "Oh its on now bitches!" Ruby exclaimed. Pretty soon, all three of them were laughing and throwing food at each other, which then turned into a dog pile of laughter and screams as they wrestled. They were so caught up in their game that they didn't notice Robin and the gang coming up.

"Excuse me?" Robin said; they stopped what they were doing and looked up. "Hey Robin, want to join?" Ruby asked with a sly smile and wiggling eyebrows. Djaq smacked the back of her head, "What I'd do?" Ruby asked, "There is no need for violence." Marion laughed and rolled her eyes. "Marion, I need to speak with you." Robin said, Marion stood up and brushed herself off and led Robin to a secluded area. Ruby hid behind a tree so she could watch. "Don't spy on them." Djaq scolded, "I can't help it if I'm naturally curious." Ruby replied. Djaq pulled her away to join the rest of the group. "Anyways, I think there's someone that needs to talk to you." Djaq said pointing her head in Allan's direction. Allan standing between Much and Little John with his eyes to the ground. "Fine." Ruby sighed. She walked over to Allan, took his hand, and dragged him away from everyone.