Chapter Two: The Struggle May Meet The End

The Enchanted Forest, Red Riding Hood POV

She couldn't exactly pinpoint the specific moment that she fell in love with Snow White, it was just something she knew. I mean, who hasn't fallen for that beautiful and above all kind woman who has survived despite the hateful target painted on her back. And it made sense…they made sense. What Red couldn't bring herself to understand was how her feelings have never faltered even when her best friend first told her about Charming.

"You'll never guess what happened to me today." Snow pushes a branch out of her way and holds it back until Red walks ahead.

"I probably couldn't…but I know that you're going to tell me anyway," Red jests at Snow, more than happy to hear what in this enchanted land was making her companion all giddy.

"I think that I met a Prince…I mean, I met a Prince—not exactly met but robbed…" Red gives Snow a look of utter shock and disbelief which helped Snow find the motivation to keep speaking to explain herself better, "You know what my plan was, steal from one of the Queen's carriages just as I've done before…but this time I made a mistake and it turned out to belong to a travelling Prince, a Charming Prince…"

Red all at once stopped in her tracks, frozen with fear as Snow continues walking the path, She met a Prince…a CHARMING Prince? What does this mean? Why would she stay with me? This is what any girl would be waiting for. Red mutters half-heartily, "So why aren't you with him now if he's so perfect and fair? I'm hardly any company…"

Snow White isn't just any girl, at Red's words she whips around with shock and a hint of hurt glistening in her eyes, "You think that low of me as a friend, Red? I would never turn my back on you. Not for some Prince or some silly wish or dream, I will be by your side through it all."

Shaking her head in disbelief and fiddling with her cloak, "I would leave me if I found my far away forever, I'm no more than a shady mutt—"

"You. Are. Not. And don't you ever think such a thing. I am not looking for some way off future when I have someone like you. You are my dearest friend, you are compassionate, you are clever, and you are charming even though you may not be a Prince. Just because you're part wolf, part human doesn't make you any less of either, it makes you all the more to love…" Snow White takes Red's hand in hers giving it a gentle squeeze, "You know that I love you, right?"

Red's breath catches in her throat and a blush as red as her cloak appears upon her cheeks, with a nod she answers with, "And I you."

Red remembers that day that Snow told her of Prince Charming all too well, she still feels that same pinch in her heart. She felt foolish for longing for her fair friend's affection, how could she ever compete with a pure and handsome Prince when she was just a fierce and overprotective wolf? Red Riding Hood knew this was a happily ever after that she had no chance at somehow miraculously capturing. However, that was never going to stop her from giving up on Snow White and ensuring that she got her happy ending.

"I don't want to hurt you—"began the Huntsman before getting cut off by a snarl from the wolf girl in the red cloak.

"Great, so put your weapon down so I can tear you into tiny, insignificant pieces and we can get on our way." Red lifts her hands to the clasp of her restrictive cloak in order to pull it off but is stopped by a set of soft, pale hands with a touch so gentle she'd be able to recognize it anywhere.

Snow takes a step in front of her defender, her hands grasping Red's, "Let him speak."

Red refuses to look at Snow but instead allows herself to stare at the set of hands on her own and gives a slight nod with a still unforgiving look on her face. A single insipid hand is removed from its place and is used to tilt Red's chin up so that she is finally looking into the eyes of Snow White. Sincerity, hope, trust, and love are few of the many emotions that Red can pick out of the forever revealing green eyes of Snow White. Red answers the unspoken question, agreeing with a slight smirk and a surer nod.

The heavy accent begins flowing again, "The Evil Queen has my heart, it is against my will to do such a thing to one as innocent as you, Snow White. She wishes to offer my heart's replacement in return for the retrieval of your pure heart. I wish that I should not have to ask nor force such a matter but the choice, the decision is not mine. Will you give me your heart?"

Snow White lifts her eyes towards the darkening sky as if actually pondering whether she will or will not give up her very heart, the thing that shined most brilliantly. Red's visage is one of disgust, how dare he even ask her such a question. And then her vision happens upon her beloved companion, deep in thought.

Red growls menacingly, "No. I will never let that happen. Her heart belongs to one person and one person alone, herself."

"It's either her heart or her death, I don't have a ch—" The Huntsman was trying to explain calmly before getting cut off for the last time by the wolf girl.

"Everyone has a choice, that's why I'm choosing to do this." Red removes her cloak, allowing her to shift into a wolf as the moon rises into the sky, a vicious howl ripping from it's chest. The yellow eyes full of defense, of purposeful action fell upon the Huntsman who has his bow drawn and aimed at Snow, unwavering at the sounds emitting from the wolf.

Snow White remains where she was, no trace of fear but rather concern as her eyes are constantly upon her companion rather than the Huntsman. In a soft and quite voice Snow begs, "Red, please."

The yellow eyes finally fall upon the girl in the white cloak, her skin somehow paler possibly from the moonlight or maybe some hidden emotion that the girl couldn't help but wear on the surface. The yellow eyes soften and in response the snowy skinned girl smiles at her protector and comrade.

Black haired ears shoot up at a releasing sound, Snow takes a rapid breathe and closes her eyes somehow trying to ready herself for the fate that she always figured would come, she thought more so by hands much smaller and more nimble with vengeful hate towards the girl but she knew this day would come, her death would come.

However, Snow opened her eyes after not feeling the arrow penetrate her body. There were a number of sights in which she took in, in what will forever be the longest minute of her life: The first, she saw the Huntsman turn a sickly color with shock and horror upon his face, drop to his knees. The second, little droplets of red splattered upon her arms and white cloak making a contrast of conflicting colors that just melted into each other, red and white. The third, a sight which will haunt her into ever after, at the front of her boots was Red with an arrow protruding from her chest, a slight trickle of red coming from the corner of her perfectly shaped, slightly open mouth.

Hello dear readers, I am quite new to this so stick with me on this journey and review, keep reading and feel free to share your thoughts!

This was relatively short because of the events that it contained, the next chapter will be coming along soon so don't you worry.