*Author's Note*
Okay so here it is, the next chapter.
I am seriously not trying to play favorites with the characters. *sigh* I'm evil.
Anywho... comments welcome.
Rumplestiltskin's eyes narrowed as he watched the girl. Night had started to fall and Ruby's eyes glowed with hatred. "My fault?" hissed the Dark One, "my fault?" "Yes," she growled, "if you hadn't had a running feud with that pirate, Belle would be alive and safe. Your whole relationship brought her nothing but pain and heartbreak. Time and time again you proved you were no better than a monster. Now she is deaf, because of you. Because you were to cowardly to save her." With her speech done, she gave an inhuman howl as her small body shook. The next thing Rumplestiltskin saw before him was a large wolf angrily glaring at him.
Red's words had cut him deeply, reminding him of how he was too weak to save his beloved and how many times he had to look at her disappointed face. He never felt he was worthy of Belle, but he had always known she loved him. Looking back on that love he realized how selfish he had been with it and though he would have given the world to save her he could not. He stepped backwards slightly as Ruby became the wolf. He let out a low hiss. This was Belle's best friend and even though she had not approved of the match, she had never wished any ill will toward them.
"Ruby," he said warily "I do not want to fight you. You were Belle's friend. I have no quarrel with you." His words were met with a snarl and the gnashing of teeth. Ruby was out for blood. Hunkering down the wolf leapt at the imp, baring her canines. With a wave of his hand, Rumpelstiltskin had the wolf frozen in midair. She was still biting and snarling, but unable to do any damage. Stepping towards her, the Dark One jutted a scaley hand into her chest. A moment later he withdrew it holding a glowing heart. With a somewhat pitying glance, he released the wolf from the spell holding her.
Ruby fell to the ground in a quivering heap, the pain of her heart being gone too much. She stumbled to her paws, faltering severely. "Don't make me do this," muttered Rumplestiltskin, holding her heart gingerly. Ruby responded by snapping at him roughly. He watched her, thinking of how much of a friend she had been to so many people. However now, there was no stopping her. As she got closer the Dark One sighed and gave her heart a tight squeeze. She let out a yelp and stumbled slightly. Undeterred, she continued forward ignoring the pain. She continued towards him, trying to bite or cause damage.
It wasn't until he had squeezed the heart so tightly it was reduced to dust that the wolf was silenced. Frowning at the crumpled pile of fur at his feet, he walked to the end of the pier. "I am truly sorry," he said softly, letting the dust loose into the water. "You were Belle's dear friend. May you always run free." It was not often the Dark One felt remorse for killing someone, but it pained him to take the life of someone Belle held so close. Glancing back, he saw the wolf had returned to her human form, making the scene more gruesome. Rumplestiltskin sighed and left the pier, unsure of where to go.