Chapter 4 is here! I hope you like it! Oh and please REVEIW!

Chapter 4

-A Challenge-

Robin's POV

I wasn't sure if this was a good idea or not...but I was leaning toward that it was a bad idea. I don't know why I wanted to bring her to my home...I just did. What better time to introduce her properly to everyone then when she's dressed in black? At the moment she really could pass as a De Noir...maybe she would be one in the future...oh god! Did I just think that?! Oh no...I did! Why would she want me? She could go back to London, find some rich guy and forget all about me if she wanted to. I looked over at her a little before we were about to exit the tunnel...she was really scared...

"Maria...it's going to be find, I promise," I told her and she just smiled up at me. In all honesty...I didn't know how this was going to turn out. My "friends" Luke, Keith and John have been taunting me non-stop about Maria and some of the things that they say...well I really don't want Maria hearing. A lot of it has to do with our apparent age difference that somehow has recently became a big discussion topic within my clan. I mean...is it really that big of a deal? It's only three, almost four years right? Why am I so worried about this? Ugh forget it! Anyway, I didn't tell her where the tunnel came out at because I kinda figured that it would make her even more nervous than she already was...

"The door is right up here," I said as I pulled her along with me.

"Where does this lead to anyway?" She asked and I just smiled.

"You'll see," I replied. Maria just shook her head at me and that was about the time we reached the small wooden door...

Maria's POV (Maria is thinking this at the same time as Robin's POV)

I really didn't think this was the best idea...what if his family and friends didn't like me? I know that they've all grown up to despise my family and I don't expect them to just forget about it. Where was this tunnel leading to anyway? I wonder what Robin is thinking about...Why does he want me to meet everyone anyway? I bet Coeur won't be thrilled about this, the De Noir ladies will probably pick me apart...oh and Robin's friends? Well...it's hard to tell what they'll say! Anyway, Robin and I finally arrived to this small wooden door and he opened it...

"Welcome princess," Robin said dramatically. Of course...his bedroom of all places! I tried not to look taken aback so I just casually looked around. The color scheme wasn't surprising...it was mostly black and red. On the ground was a bear skin rug and there were some deer heads on the wall. It was exactly how I imagined it...not that I sit around imagining his room or anything! There was a dresser and a coat rack by the door and one small window was placed above his bed. The bed was huge...like huge, huge! The blankets were black and there were a lot of red pillows mixed with a few grey ones. It looked really comfortable and I could swear that six people could fit in that thing. As I was looking around, Robin shrugged his leather jacket off along with his feathers and scarf, then he tossed his shoes off. Now all he had on was his black T-shirt, his leather pants, and his hat of course. The weirdest thing was that he jumped right into his bed and placed his arms behind him proudly.

"I thought you wanted to introduce me to people and teach me some combat skills?" I asked and he laughed to himself quietly. "What?" I questioned.

"Nothing...I just thought you would want to rest for a minute before jumping into De Noir lifestyle," he laughed.

"I think I can handle it," I replied smugly.

"Oh really? Is that a challenge?" He asked.

"Depends on what you think I'm challenging you to," I stated. I have to admit...I was enjoying this. His smile was really melting me, but I tried to act tough. I didn't want to be the predictable, girly, perfect, city girl anymore...wow, maybe Robin is a bad influence on me.

"Fighting," Robin said before I fully came out of my thoughts.

"What about fighting?" I wondered.

"I want you to fight me," he finally said.

"You? Fight you? I don't know about that," I replied.

"So you're saying you cant handle it?" he asked. I couldn't let him have his satisfaction and I am wanting to try new things so...

"Fine, what kind of fighting are we talking about?" I asked.

"Anything, but guns," Robin said.

"Okay lets go," I replied confidently, but he shook his head.

"You really don't know what you're getting into, kitten. I thought you were Miss Perfect and lets not forget girly?" Robin stated.

"Yeah well...I think change is good," I said proudly. Robin laughed and rolled out of his bed to throw his shoes back on followed by his jacket. He didn't put his feathers and scarf on, but that was fine with me. He walked up to me until he was maybe an inch away from me and smiled...

"I really do think I'm a bad influence on you, don't you?" He smirked.

"You're pushing your luck, Bird Boy," I replied before gently pushing him away.

"Well in that case...come on," He said as he pulled me toward the door. He crack his door a tiny bit and looked out side. I assumed he was making sure no one saw us leaving his room because then there would be some controversy over that, no doubt. After it was clear he pulled me into the hall and quickly began walking to get away from his room so it wouldn't look suspicious, but I think the whole situation was suspicious so...

End of POV

Robin and Maria hurried down the hall and when they walked around the corner...Coeur was walking toward them.

"Robin I was...Maria?" Coeur said confusingly.

"Hello Coeur," Maria greeted politely.

"What are you doing here if you don't mind me asking?" Coeur questioned. Instead of maria replying, Robin cut in.

"I thought she would like a proper tour of the De Noir land...her last visit wasn't very inviting," Robin replied.

"Very well...just be careful...both of you," Coeur replied as he emphasized the "both of you" part. Then he continued walking past them and entered into the dining hall which Robin made sure to avoid.

"So that went quick and well," Maria stated.

"Well what were you expecting?" Robin laughed

"I don't know...I'm just nervous about this," Maria replied.

"You're always nervous princess...," Robin said with a chuckle.

"Mmm...so where to next?" Maria asked.

"The dungeons," Robin replied seriously causing Maria to jump away from him.

"What?!" Maria snapped and Robin motioned her toward him.

"I was kidding," Robin laughed. Maria frowned and smacked Robin on the arm.

"It isn't funny! I hated that place," Maria replied.

"Well most people do not enjoy spending the night in the dungeons," Robin joked.

"Yes, but you still left me there," Maria replied quietly.

"I know...I'm sorry, I really am," Robin apologized as he looked over at Maria and took her hand. This probably wasn't the best moment to have this small "display of affection" because Robin's friends came around the corner, but unfortunately, neither Robin or maria noticed until...

"Oooooo," the group of three guys hollered causing Robin to drop Maria's hand very quickly.

"To late for that Robin...we already saw," Luke stated before continuing up to Robin and Maria.

"Uh whatever...is the fighting range clear?" Robin tried to change the subject.

"Trying to change the subject are we?" Keith questioned.

"No, I just wanted to know if the range was clear," Robin lied. No one answered his question...instead , John circled around Maria while Luke and Keith just observed her.

"You know...she is pretty," John stated and Maria moved a little closer toward Robin.

"Yes...I am aware," Robin replied making Maria blush slightly.

"She looks much like a De Noir...the hair is a give away though," Luke said.

"What do you think Robin? Could she pass as one of us?" John questioned.

"No...she's to good to be one of us," Robin replied as he flashed a small smile at Maria.

"Oh...so you're saying she's to good for you?" Keith asked.

"She is...way to good for me," Robin stated. Luke scoffed and made his way up to Maria. Robin didn't want to cause any problems so he allowed it as long as they weren't hurting Maria.

"Well she isn't to good for me...she's perfect. What do you say, princess?" Luke pushed.

"Luke...leave her alone," Robin demanded.

"No, no, Robin. I want her to answer...so far princess hasn't said much," Luke stated and Maria scoffed.

"My name isn't princess...it's Maria. That's what I have to say," Maria replied causing Luke to back away a bit.

"Well then, Maria...Just so you know...Robin here isn't very good at commitments," Luke smirked before walking past them and motioning the other guys to follow. Robin thought that that actually went better than expected, but the last of Luke's comments was what worried him. The truth was...Robin wasn't good at making commitments, especially relationship ones...

"Uh...well that was way better than I expected," Robin said as he rubbed his neck.

"Right...well should we get to the fighting range now?" Maria questioned. She was trying to act as if she never heard any of that conversation with the guys and Robin was perfectly fine to avoid it also so...

"Yeah, this way," Robin replied as he point at a large wooded door at the end of the hall and with that...they were off!

Well there it is everyone! I hope it was good, please tell me what you think!