Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Robin Hood BBC series! I only own Shadow, and the plot!

Chapter 4

Wounds Of A Different Kind

Locksley was void of everyday activity, as Guy of Gisborne had once again gathered every man, woman, and child together in the square. They cringed with their heads hung, kneeling before Guy and his men. It had been days since Hood's appearance in the Sheriff's chamber. The man known as Shadow had also been missing. Something in his gut told Guy that if he found Hood, he would find Shadow. So it was back to the game of cat and mouse between the outlaws and himself. The people cringing before him were the 'cheese' in away, to draw out the mouse. The Sheriff has done it before, and he would do it know. Once he had thought nothing was more important than capturing Robin Hood, now he knew better.

"I'm going to ask a question, and I expect someone to answer it." Guy barked, impatient already though the game had yet to begin.

"Where is the man known as Shadow?" he asked. The Sheriff had made it public knowledge that the masked man that wore all black was to be known henceforth as Shadow. It was simple to remember, and anyone fitting the description was easy to spot. The people of Locksley didn't speak, and Guy's irritation grew.

"Who has information!" Gisborne snarled, the statement sounding more like a demand than a question. Gisborne motioned to his men, and they seized the first men they set eyes on. It was an teenager, scrawny in weight but tall in stature. Guy then indicated a spot in the center of the square, the Sheriff stood where he indicated.

The Sheriff was half listening to the explanation Guy was giving to the peasants that he now resided over. In its simplest form, where the Sheriff was now standing, a wooden post would be constructed and set on fire. With the poor boy tied to it. That was, if Robin Hood didn't show his face. Not that that would stop the Sheriff, he hadn't witnessed anyone burned at the stake in quite a long time. In fact, he was rather looking forward to it. Already the Sheriff's men were building what would promise to be a lovely bonfire. The burning was scheduled to happen that night, when it was darkest. So the fire would be that much brighter to see.

…...

Shadow's leg had healed somewhat, but the arrow head had been in it so long the flesh was significantly damaged. She ignored the wound altogether, and continued as if it didn't exist. She also ignored the looks she got from Robin Hood. He would watch her when he believed she wasn't looking, trying to figure what she was thinking about. He was like an over curious child. Like the old saying went, curiosity killed the cat, and that man seemed to have a death wish. She was used to people starring of course, when you wore all black and a mask it happed often. It was the look he gave her while starring that started to unsettle her. He watched her with sympathy, it made her sick to think about it. She didn't need sympathy from anyone. Especially not from Robin Hood.

As Shadow sat leaning against her customary tree whose shadow always covered her, she noticed a certain outlaw heading towards her. Robin Hood sat next to her, closer than she would have liked. Before she could decide whether or not to do anything about it, Robin began speaking.

"So," he began, "about the mask…" Shadow gave the outlaw look without moving her head, and he trailed off. She wasn't in the mood for a session of question and answer. Silence reigned, and Robin shifted anxiously. Shadow was fine with the silence, enjoyed it in fact. She'd gotten used to no one speaking with her, or wanting to in her life. Robin was an annoying yet persistent puppy dog.

"Listen, I just want to know more about you since we're living together." Robin sighed. "I'll ask a question, then you can ask a question alright?" Shadow now face the outlaw, a wicked smile curling her lips. She didn't ever remember smiling so much before, she thought in the back of her mind. She also was never around people that amused her with their stupidity either. The outlaw tensed slightly at the sight of her reaction, she could only wonder what he was thinking.

I'm an idiot, Robin thought over and over as the woman continued her smile. He wanted to know her, but she didn't let anyone in. No one else in the camp of men had made an effort to speak with her. Much practically crossed Sherwood to avoid her, and Allan only made snide comments behind her back. Ones that Robin knew she heard, but didn't acknowledge. Will and Little John were indifferent to her, but made to kind of contact other than the occasional greeting. Now he seemed to have peaked the woman's interest, and in his very limited experience of knowing her, this was a very bad thing.

"So who's going to start?" Robin sighed. Shadow's smiled grew sly, and her eyes flashed with intelligence.

"Since you have asked the first question, I'll go next." she stated, and Robin cursed himself in his head. Where was the quick witted side when you needed him.

"Who were you before you became Robin Hood?" she asked, and Robin chuckled at the question.

"Robin of Locksley, milady," Robin said with a mock bow. "A nobleman, and soldier in the Holy Lands." If Shadow was surprised by the news, she didn't show it. Instead she nodded thoughtfully.

"What is your story?" Robin asked, deciding against asking about her mask again.

"I came from nothing, and made it something," she said, in a way that told Robin not to press further.

"Your bow?" she asked.

"My father's, your daggers?" Robin asked.

"My father's," she answered, but it came out cold and bitter.

"Marion?" Shadow asked, her eyes gleaming. Robin about choked on the air he was breathing.

"She was my wife," Robin said slowly, "she was killed by Gisborne in the Holy Lands." He hadn't wanted to tell her anything, but those eyes that locked with his were compelling. He didn't want to tell her anymore, but he wanted to get back at her similarly.

"Your father?" he asked innocently, and Shadow's eyes narrowed dangerously. She opened her mouth to speak, but Will chose that time to run into the camp. He looked frantic, and Robin immediately went to him. He put a hand on Will's shoulder and looked him in the eyes.

"Will, what is it?" he asked.

"The Sheriff is going to burn a boy at the stake if you do not show yourself before nightfall," Will explained. He then glance at Shadow, who was only now slowly approaching the other men gathered around Will.

"Guy wants to draw you out to get to her," he told them quietly. Robin groaned, and looked over to the deadly woman joining them. If he gave Guy what he wanted there would be a live saved. If he didn't, she very well might kill them all anyway. He looked up at what sky was visible through the trees, it seemed they had a few hours before dusk.

"If we can distract them, one of us can free the boy," Much suggested. Robin shook his head.

"The Sheriff's men would only kill him, he can't be seen escaping." Robin told them.

"Then I will get to this boy, if we move at night I will not be seen." Shadow spoke up, and the men shook their heads no.

"Why not?" she growled, and Robin quickly intercepted the conversation.

"The Sheriff will burn this boy at nightfall," Robin told her.

"She may have a point Robin," Tuck suddenly spoke up, "If we go and distract the Sheriff until the sun goes down she can then slip in and out with the boy." The outlaws seemed more accepting of the plan now that the Friar was the one to suggest it. Shadow rolled her eyes, and stalked off. .The sound of metal being sharpened alerted their ears to her activity.

"Master," Much whispered, "surely we will allow Gisborne to take her?"

"No Much, we must keep her on our side. She is a dangerous ally, but we need someone with her skills." Robin informed them, and the men nodded in agreement. Much wasn't convinced.

…...

Guy paced before the stake that had been made, and the pile of wood surrounding it. The boy waited nearby, shaking uncontrollably. The teenager had been young, or so screamed the women of the village of Locksley. He didn't care, as long as Robin Hood saw fit to grace them with his precense. He had every intention of gutting both him, and the man who had made a fool of him twice already. The Sheriff stood nearby, watching the screaming women with a complete air of boredom.

"Never get married Gisborne," the Sheriff said, "Never have kids, the pitter patter of tiny feet are only another way to drive a man crazy." Guy nodded to show the Sheriff he had heard, but didn't care if the man saw or not. He would have a lovely wife were it not for that dammed Robin Hood stealing her away, and corrupting her. The thought made him see red.

"Silence you filthy harpies!" Guy demanded, his voice making the Sheriff jump. The screaming ceased, now replaced with near silent sobs. Guy began pacing again.

The Sheriff noted that it was dusk, and the outlaws had yet to show themselves. Disappointment filled the Sheriff at Hood's reaction to his threat. Then again, it was possible that Shadow had killed him and his outlaws. He hadn't heard word of either for the past few days. The thought lightened the Sheriff's mood considerably. As the sun slowly began to sink, the Sheriff finally addressed the people of Locksley.

"It appears that out dashing hero has refused to make an appearance," he announced, and the boy was dragged over to the stake. The Sheriff's men tied him to it, and one of the men came forward with oil. As he was about to douse the boy with it, an arrow flew from hiding and hit the tin bucket of oil. The man dropped it, spilling the contents on the wood surrounding the boy. The Sheriff saw Robin Hood saunter towards him, bow out and ready for use. He did not see Shadow, but then again, his name was Shadow for a reason.

"So the outlaw lives!" the Sheriff exclaimed clapping, "I was beginning to wonder if good dear Shadow had killed you."

"It takes a great deal to kill me, Sheriff." Hood told him, "I thought you'd know that by know."

"Yes, well, since you're here why not witness a true spectacle of a boy on fire!" Behind him, another of the Sheriff's men held a torch. One that was being lowered towards the oil drenched wood. The torch halted however, and a strangled gurgle escaped the man's throat. The Sheriff turned and saw his man fall, but not before the torch was ripped from his hands. Standing not a foot away from him was Shadow, wearing the mask he'd always been seen in. The Sheriff went to speak, but the torch was flung at him before he could.

Shadow herself, was pleased to know that every other soul thought she was a man still. It made things similar, and easier. She didn't want a certain someone to have any guesses as to who she really was. That would surely be the end of her. She watched the Sheriff drop to the ground, and the torch land in the dirt and die. The other outlaws then revealed themselves and the fighting began. The people of Locksley quickly dispersed to the nearest home to wait out the battle.

Shadow turned to help the boy only to find Guy of Gisborne looming over her. He gripped his sword and swung at her head. Being much more agile than his normal opponents, he missed her as she ducked under his arm. Now standing behind Gisborne, she drew her daggers and went to backstab him. Guy had been expecting this, and he turned and caught her full in the stomach with his sword. Shadow gasped in shock as blinding pain filled all of her senses. She was barely aware that Guy was slowly dragging his blade across her middle. The armor had stopped it from cleaving her in half, but it had allowed the blade to cut deeply all the same. She staggered back, and fell to her knees. Gisborne went to finish her, but she plunged a dagger into his leg and drug it downward.

Guy cried out in agony, stumbling back as blood poured out of his leg. Shadow struggled to her feet, and stumbled over to the boy still tied to the stake. With a few quick strokes of her dagger, she released him. He fled before anyone could notice, and Shadow had enough sense to get away from the wood waiting to receive a spark to burn. She collapsed again, onto her hands and knees. Blood dripped onto the ground, and she cursed as another man came up to her. The Sheriff did not seem happy that she was responsible for Gisborne howling to the wind cursing her name. Then the Sheriff seemed to notice the state she was in. He knelt next to her, and she attempted to attack him. Her body was so weak that the Sheriff easily pushed her away.

"How disappointing," he began as if scolding a child, "and here I thought you'd be fun." Shadow laughed, sending waves of fresh pain through her body. She jerked her right dagger up, and caught the Sheriff's shoulder. He scrambled back, and this caused her to laugh harder.

"I'm full…of excitement…you'll…never…see…coming…" Shadow gasped, and she heard a voice form far off. She didn't care, she only wanted to slip into the darkness that graciously swallowed her up.

Robin saw Shadow collapse after stabbing the Sheriff. He had called her name, but it had seemed she hadn't heard. Now he was sprinting for the fallen woman. He gingerly looked her over, ignoring the fact the Sheriff was close by. He could see the wound that she'd received, and it was not a pretty sight. Carefully he picked her up bridal style, and gave aloud whistle. His outlaws looked over at him, saw that the boy was gone and Shadow was once again unconscious. They then proceeded to run for Sherwood, Robin hot on their tails.

…...

Robin laid Shadow down and retrieved bandages from Tuck. He then carefully moved to remove the first piece of leather armor that covered Shadow's wound. Her eyes flew open, a growl escaping her throat.

"Do. Not. Touch. Me!" she snarled, but her voice was still weak. He removed her mask, and felt her forehead. It seemed she was developing a fever, or simply in so much pain. He continued to remove her armor despite her inhuman growls, and he shooed away his men when they came to see what was making the sounds. When he finally managed to leave her in a tunic underneath the armor, he lifted it up to expose the gash along her middle. The sword that had cut her had left a horrifying wound. He quickly cleaned it, and bandaged it tightly. He was ready to pull her shirt back down, when he noticed something. On her back, were rigid scars that stood out on her pale skin. He noticed that they seemed to make a symbol, but without alerting her to the fact he had seen them, he could not inspect them further.

Robin then adjusted her tunic, and sat beside her. Shadow watched him with distrust, and Robin understood why. As he thought about the scars littering her back, he slowly pictured what he symbol was in his mind. The realization sent his mind spiraling into confusion, and compassion for the cold hearted woman beside him. He now knew she had a very good reason to be as she was. The symbol carved on her back, was the Sheriff's insignia.

DUN DUN DUNNNNNN! Sorry couldn't resist, (sheepish smile), always wanted to do that. Sorry about the cliff hanger, but I had to through one in there at least once. I hope you liked it, and as always review please!-DODV

Livangel16- Thanks for your reviews! Robin is defiantly going to need to be careful around someone like Shadow, especially after what just happened. Hope you sill enjoy reading, look forward to you reviews!