"She took a step and didn't want to take any more, but she did."

― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

Chapter 10-

A year and a half later, Hawaii.

As Ruby had promised she went to multiply small surf events, even competed in a few. Neo there to support her each time without fail.

Over the year Ruby and Neo spent time together, either at Neo's home or at Ruby's while in between talking together over the internet or at different competitions around the world.

Neo had also gotten a very well-paying job which helped support her travelling and was a job she could do from almost anywhere as well.

Now a year and a half later Ruby returned to the place where it all began for her, Hawaii. Where she'd lost Weiss and changed her whole life but also the same time as when she met Neo. They had been together for two years since that week together and Ruby had flown with Neo, and family out to Hawaii.

One of the biggest events for Ruby ever, she had signed up on the first day and was in the first heat the next day. Ruby was able to blitz through towards the final over the course of two weeks, which she was happy for.

She had her friends, family and girlfriend all with her at the same time was perfect for her. But she was going to make it even more perfect.

She wanted to show Neo the hidden surf spot she had discovered, which only her very close friends and family knew about. But it was also the spot where Weiss had died.

She had gotten her friends all in on her plans, the ring that she picked out herself and when she showed it to her friends they all loved it.

So while Ruby and Neo, in their bikini's and surfboards went out to the spot, their friends and family coming about an hour later when Ruby planned to pop the question.

As they walked through the trees to reach the small bay they came across a small cross planted in the ground, with Weiss written across it.

Neo realised what it was but allowed Ruby to explain as she clearly wanted to, "I erected this the day after Weiss died. I felt it was right to do it. The others know about it as well, but I haven't been back since I put it up." Ruby stated, looking at the cross.

Neo hugged Ruby as she waited for her to calm herself, but the woman didn't take long as she just smiled sadly and said, "Come on. Before the surfs gone." Ruby said, moving out of Neo's grip whispering, "Thank you." To her before running into the water.

For the next hour the two just enjoyed the area, catching some waves or sitting on their boards making out.

When Ruby spotted the first sign of their friends amongst the trees she quickly said to Neo, "Come on, let's head in." Ruby called out, already catching a wave however when she turned around to look at Neo she felt her heart drop.

A shark's fin appeared up and out of the water, right next to Neo who was just sitting on her board. Screaming at her Ruby shouted, "WATCH OUT!" Ruby said, already trying to get back to Neo as fast as she could.

Neo turned and saw the shark right next to her, falling down off her board her heart was stopping at the same moment as she fell off the board, preparing herself for the shark to attack her.

Somehow the shark got caught in the leash of the board and while it struggled around it Ruby was able to get close enough for Neo to get onto the board and quickly get away, leaving the board and shark behind.

Hearts racing until they reached the shore they saw the shark vanish from sight leaving the board floating in the water.

As they got onto the beach Velvet was already checking over Neo while Summer was on her phone, calling in the shark sighting and what had happened.

Hearts racing Neo fell into Ruby's arms for comfort at her near death experience and she couldn't imagine how Ruby felt seeing a second girlfriend almost get killed by a shark at the same spot.

It was Yang who broke the silence between everyone by saying, "So did you ask her yet?" She said, causing everyone to laugh at the tension relief.

"Ask me what?" Neo asked as the laughter died down.

Ruby just smiled as she got Neo to stand up with her before taking a knee in front of Neo with everyone watching what was happening.

"I love you. Since you came into my life you've completely shaken it up. I was happy living how I was after leaving the pro surfing circuit but I guess it was always missing something. That something was you. You came and well here I am today, a happy soul doing what she loves with the people she loves and I have you to thank for that. I love you and always will so I ask you." Ruby said, taking the ring from Mizu's waiting hand that held the box.

"Will you marry me?" Ruby asked, presenting a black metal ring with a ruby as the centre gem but next to it was a pink, brown and white gem surrounding the ruby in the middle.

Neo was speechless, both from what happened and now this as she felt tears falling down her face as she playfully said, "Well I can't really say no can I? Not with everyone here." Neo teased playfully.

"Nope. Your parents gave me permission." Ruby replied back.

"Well I better answer than shouldn't I?" Neo said, pulling Ruby up and kissing her passionately while those around them cheered. "A thousand times yes. I love you and will gladly marry you." Neo said.

Ruby smiled widely as she put the ring onto Neo's finger before kissing her again but instead of everyone going into the sea as planned before they chose to go somewhere else instead.

The next day Ruby went on to win the finals, having an interview afterwards before she could reach Neo who saw this and just ran up to her, kissing her live on camera again but this time Ruby introduced her as her fiancé and told them she had to go.

In the secluded surf spot, next to the marker remembering Weiss they put up a second marker saying, Ruby and Neo, 2015- Leaving the next part blank they left it alone as the now sad spot for Ruby had been replaced with happy memories, but she wouldn't forget Weiss at all.

But she would keep on living her life with Neo, moving on to create a family of her own and live life to the fullest. And she would…

Keep moving forward.

A/N

So that's the end, pretty obvious I'd put in a shark attack. My original plan was to leave that as a cliff hanger but I didn't write enough afterwards to do it or get it with the way I did the chapters.

I hope you all liked this story, and with it now being over I would love it if each of you reviewed the story as a whole or just the chapter, maybe just say hello. Don't know, just brighten my day, or night.

Not much more I can really think of saying because I think I said it last chapter.

I want to thank everyone who has read this story, favourite, reviewed, followed or maybe just glanced at it. This has to be one of the pieces I've written that's closest to me because of a number of things, the area in which it's set for that first week is close to me with the simple fact that I love that place and of course I'll be going back next week which I can't wait for.

I keep using I to start me sentences but I can't help, but this story means a lot to me. I can't explain why it just does so I hope you all enjoyed this story.

I'm going to be taking a short break for a little while. Working on a few different things, attempting to get my life into some sort of order or rather my head, another thing I can't really explain but I want to work on a few separate pieces at my own random pace, I plan on completing Valetown Tales and my GGO: Red Reaper story before I work on Legends again, just to clear some things away while I work on other things.

I hope you all understand my reasons, even if I haven't really explained it.

Once more I want to thank everyone who has looked at this story, even thought about reading it and just everyone. Until next time. ^_^ RavenRose signing off.