" How dare the likes of you even talk infront of the person who raised you! " says an middle aged women who probably was the wife of the dojo master.

" I'm... Sorry... " Said the little girl unable to speak due an injury on her neck.

" What was that ? " asked the women in a rude way. Her eyes were looking at the weak little girl as she is some kind of bug just waiting to be crushed by her.

The little girl somehow ignored the pain and spoke " I apologize please don't beat me. "

But even that wasn't enough to satisfy the middle aged women.

" Huh, what's that supposed to mean. You think I'm some kind of monster who just beats kids for no reason. "

" I... never-" little girl tried to speak but was interepted by the women.

" If you think that way then you are correct, I am a monster who beats kids for no reason. "

With creepy face she beats the little girl brutally, the little girl passes out but the women don't stop till all of her anger is gone

" It felt great! Oh dear, are you dead? Not that I care. My kids don't respect me, My husband goes and cheats infront of me. Oh Gosh it's soo annoying but I can't do anything to them. "

the little girl opens her eyes unable to move due to pain. The women notices her.

" Oh Look at you! you are alive, do you remember me, I'm your aunt Mona, Oh I guess you must have always thought I'm your mom since I raised you but your mom died years ago Ha ha ha. "

" My...Mo..m "

" Yes, your mom, thank God she died, my husband, I mean grandmaster Hadley ha- "

A strong voice interepted aunt Mona

" What are you saying to that little girl you idiot. "

it was Grandmaster Hadley himself.

" I was just- " Tried aunt Mona to defend herself.

" Don't give me excuses and what do you think you are doing to Ruby!!? Go and giver her some first aid. I don't want her dying, do you get it!!? " Said Hadley looking irritated.

" Yes Dear. " Tried Mona to swoon Hadley with her words.

" Don't call me Dear, I hate to hear it from your mouth. " Said Hadley with an disgusted face

As Hadley left, Mona was in even angrier than before.

She turns toward the little girl.

" Ruby! Ruby!! Ruby!!! "

Little girl who was named Ruby had a terrified look on her face

" Huh what's that look for, you have it so- so easy. All you have to do is grow up and marry on of my child or even easy, my husband could marry you after my dead, I hate you beautiful girls. "

Says Mona and starts beating Ruby.

Ruby couldn't even make a sound anymore, she couldn't move too. All she could do is silently take all the beating her angry guardian is giving her

" Oh, look at you. you are covered in bruises and scars and yet it's still unable to hide your beauty, how about I rip your face off huh." Said Mona.

Realizing that she couldn't do what she just said or Hadley won't leaver her alive.

" Aaaaaahhhhh! I'm going home. " Said Mona and went home leaving Ruby out in the cold night.

The cold winds made the pain she was feeling even worse and her body was starting to drop in temperature.

" Will I finally die now? will I finally be free now? " She thought to herself

" What did I even do? "

" I just want to run away. "

" From Miss Mona, from Grandmaster Hadley. "

" From this town. "

" Far away. "

" But it's seems like I'll be stuck here forever. "

" I'll probably be force to have baby of one of the 3 sons of Grandmaster or Grandmaster himself. I can't even die because I'm just a coward. "

" The day I die, I hope it's not as cold as today. I hope it's a warm and relaxing temperature that day. "

Just like that while thinking about the day when she will die, ruby fell alseep

The next morning Ruby is woken up by the 3 sons of Hadley. They pour an bucket of water on her to wake her up.

Scared and injured Ruby wakes up still unable to move or make a sound.

" You bug, even if you ain't worth a penny you still are here just because you are a women you understand, so instead of sleeping and wasting time do and bring us something to drink. " Says youngest son Karl who was notorious to be ruthless.

" Hey Karl don't you see her condition, I bet mom vented all her anger by beating her. how funny, that old bitch can't do a thing to us, so she uses her as punching bag, let's leave her here to die or rot and go to practice or Grandmaster will be angry. " says the eldest son Gorge who hated his weak mother because of her beating him when he was a child.

" You both go ahead, I'll be there in a bit. " Said the middle son Marx Who was around the same age as Ruby, he was kind and humble unlike others, he was also an illegal child. Marx was the product of one of Hadley's affair, but since he was strong and genius in martial arts, he was kept in the dojo respectfully.

Marx goes to the house and comes back with some cookies and honey water.

" Here, you must be hungry. I can't stop Miss Mona from beating you since she is not my real mother, this is the best I can do. "

Unfortunately for Ruby she was in a state where she couldn't even move, if she didn't ate it she would appear rude and Marx won't help her ever again but since she cannot move so she refuses the offer.

" No... Don't need... you get ....in trouble....go away. " says Ruby while struggling to keep her cool.

" You must be so hurt, I guess you can't move. " Marx said.

It was a random thing to say but those words for Ruby it felt like the sweetest words. It was like Marx saw right through her.

Marx took the cookie, dipped it in honeywater and fed Ruby.

" Try this, it's a weird combination but it's my favorite. " Said Marx with a gentle smile on his face.

Ruby refused to eat at first but her hunger made her eat it.

It was a simple food but for Ruby who was usually eating left over or staying hungry, it was the best meal of her life.

" These cookies will fill your stomach and honey water will help your throat. " Marx said

Every word he said just felt so soothing and calming to Ruby.

" Why... do ... you do....this ....for me? " Asked Ruby due to her curiosity

Why would a person who is a genius help me ?

If someone saw him doing this, he will be in deep trouble, he knows that, then why ?

He is respected by both Karl and George, The grandmaster also favors him, yet he is so different from everyone else.

Does he want something from me ?

Is he after my body ?

is he also one of those evil people who just pretends to be good ?

All kinds of question ran through Ruby's brain, and all of them were answer with Marx's one sentence.

" Because, to me, you are the strongest person in the whole dojo. " Said Marx without a hint of doubt in his speech.

" hmm... How should I put it in words....? "

Questioned Marx.

Marx thought for a while and said

" Honestly don't be offended but if I was at your place I would have died by all those beating or I would have killed myself to be free... No! it sounded bad ! I don't mean you should kill yourself or anything. "

Although Marx panicked but still his message got across. For the first time in her life Ruby was happy that she was alive.

Ruby smiled at Marx which calmed him down, So he continued.

" You go through so much everyday and I'm sorry I can't do anything, i feel terrible but even through all that hell you don't give up and survive, I really really respect you for that. I hope someday I'll also be like you. "

After hearing those words Ruby wasn't able to keep her happiness hidden

She while struggling to speak still said.

" Thank....You...Marx. "

Marx gave Ruby a smile and then went to his practice.

With Marx going Ruby felt a little lonely, it was her first time feeling lonely, till now she was used to being alone till now. She was a emotionless doll but Marx was able to pour some emotions in her.

" What's this pain in the heart? "

" I take soo many beating, this shouldn't be a problem. "

" I don't feel soo good. "

" Am I sick? "

" Will I finally die? "

" No! I should stay alive for Marx. "

" Marx? "

" Why would I want to stay alive for him? "

" I'll survive for myself. "

She was growing out of that emotionless doll, she was growing as a person.

" Huh!!? What are you creepily smiling for!!? " Said Mona who just arrived to release her anger.

" I...I....I... "

" Ya you what!!? "

" I....am ..strong. "

There was an awkward silence between Ruby and Mona for about 20 secs

" Phhh HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!! HA HA HA HAHAHA HA HA HA HA !! You- You are strong! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! "

Mona almost died from the laughter.

" I need to calm down, my jaw is still hurting, too much laughing can also kill a person...Wait. "

Mona started looking at Ruby intensely

" Did you planned to kill me by making me laugh so much that I die!!? "

" N-...No- " As Ruby struggled to speak she was interepted by Mona

" That was an awesome plan, keep it up, I'm in a good mood now so I won't beat you today. also I am making a good lunch today so if there are leftover today, then you'll be enjoying a good meal. I'll be going now so bye. " Mona said happily.

Ruby was quite confused by what just happened, but she was happy that she won't be beaten today.

and while leaving Mona said

" think of a new something new tomorrow or a new joke, maybe use the same joke as today, I bet this joke won't get old. "

Ruby was all alone again. Normally Mona would beat Ruby and make her do some housework like cleaning and stuff or make her take care of Grandmaster Hadley's pets which contain some deadly snakes, a pack of dogs, some parrots and sparrows, some horse and few poisonous insects.

Taking care of pets is normally students job but when it's Karl or George's turn, they make their mother Mona do it, and Mona makes Ruby do it.

So Ruby was in the shed all day recovering. Honestly it was the best day of her life, she was never this happy. and soon it was nightfall.

Mona came happily and threw the plate full of leftover to Ruby

" Eat it! Your best meal! I made it so the leftover will be delicious too ha ha ha. "

Ruby takes an bite and immediately realize that something wasn't right with the meal.

As her heads starts feeling dizy and she faints.

" DON'T EVEN LAY A FINGER ON HER!!! "

Ruby hears a strange man screaming.

" where am I? " Says Ruby as she opens her eyes.

She realizes that she was in a different room as was tied to to rope limiting her moments.

" I WON'T LET YOU DO ANYTHING TO HER!!! "

She hears that voice again, she looks where it was coming from she notices that the noise from coming from Marx.

" Marx! " screams Ruby.

" Ruby!!? you are awake! don't worry I'll make sure none of these bastards touches you. " says Marx Loudly.