Chapter Six! Yay!

Special Thanks: Some of these are really late.

Colleen- Hey thanks so much for the review I'm glad you enjoy this. I red your story and you need to start the second chapter cause I need to know what happens next! :P

Swimchikky- Thank you so much for drawing the picture of Rae I really appreciate it and am so glad you like the story!

Notarealperson1234- I checked out jemstone5's story and you were so right! I was instantly hooked though I haven't red it in a while since my computer had a mental breakdown, but I will continue! Thanks for the recommendation and the review!

Musashi Den- Dinner in a can lol! You have to love Lefty. I started reading your story and I love it! Julian is awesome and seriously makes me laugh. I must agree D does look sexy in that hat! I'm not very far yet but I'll continue to read as long as you continue to update! Thanks for the review! :P

Rae was awoken from her sleep by the loud knocking on her door. She opened her eyes and looked around the unfamiliar room with hazy confusion. She sat up hastily as the door to her room suddenly opened and Darcy strolled in and approached her bed. "Oh good your awake." The elder woman stated without even looking at her. Rae just continued to stare silently at her and simply blinked when she dropped a pile of clothes she had in her arms onto her bed and began to sort through them. "Uh..?" Darcy glanced up at her and smiled. "I thought you could use some clothes. I didn't notice you carrying a bag with any supplies, and the ones you have on look like they could use a washing."

Rae looked down to inspect herself and decided Darcy was right. Her clothes were wrinkled and dirty from running through the woods in the rain and falling in the mud when she had tripped over a tree root. So much had happened so fast she hadn't really even noticed her current appearance. "I guess your right. Thanks." Darcy just waved a hand at her before she grabbed a shirt and held it up to Rae's chest. "Yea this should fit." She stated after a moment of studying the young girl. "Now we just need a set of pants." She continued to mumble to herself as she began to separate the clothes into different piles. Rae looked down at the simple long sleeved white shirt. It wasn't exactly her style but hey, beggars can't be choosers. She looked back over toward Darcy as she made what could be described as a sound of triumph while inspecting a pair of solid black pants.

"Here stand up." "What?" Darcy just rolled her eyes before she tugged Rae out of the bed who stumbled a bit but quickly regained her balance. Before she could protest Darcy had spun her around and was holding the pair of pants up to her waist. "Yep I think these should do the trick." She thrust the pair of pants into Rae's arms than snatched the shirt off the bed and threw that to her as well. Rae could only stare blankly as she began to gather up the rest of the clothes and made her way toward the door. "You try those on and let me know how they fit. Just leave your old clothes in a pile and I'll wash them for you."

"Uh, okay tha..." But Darcy had already walked out of the room and shut the door behind her cutting off Rae's sentence."

After just standing in the middle of the room in a slight daze Rae began stripping herself of her clothes. Once she was changed she walked over to study her reflection in the small mirror hanging over the wash basin. The shirt was a bit loose but that didn't bother her, Rae liked her clothes kind of baggy, they were much more comfortable and easier to move around in that way. The pants were a nearly perfect fit as well. She was in the middle of picking her old clothes up off the floor when the knock sounded at her door. "Are you finished getting changed?" "Yea come on in!" The door opened and Darcy stepped into the room. She stopped and studied Rae for a few moments than nodded her head. "Well, looks like I was right. They seem to fit you okay." Rae nodded in agreement as Darcy stepped forward and took her old clothes from her. "I'll just wash these and have them back to you once they dry." "I can wash them.." Rae quickly shut her mouth when Darcy turned to give her a sharp look that clearly said 'Don't argue with me.' "Well thanks for the clothes. Are you sure you don't need them?" "They're not mine, they're my daughter's." Rae could have sworn she heard a bit of strain in her voice but thought it must be her imagination. "Oh...well are you sure she doesn't need them?" This time Darcy's whole body seemed to tense and Rae got a sinking suspicion that she had said some thing very wrong.

The two women simply stood there in silence, Rae becoming more anxious with every passing minute until Darcy turned very slowly to face her. Rae's previous suspicion was confirmed at the look on Darcy's face. Her eyes had dulled and her face had become tight as if she was trying to restrain it from giving away the emotion she was feeling, whatever it may be. She simply studied her for a few seconds before letting out a very deep sigh. "If I said something wrong I'm sor.." "They took her." Rae became silent immediately and watched as Darcy turned to look out the window.

"It was a few years ago, the first time I ever saw him." Rae dared to ask who and was surprised at the look of pure hate that came to Darcy's face. "Count Bane." The name was practically spat out of Darcy's mouth. "I'll never forget that night as long as I live." "You don't have to tell me." Rae stated quickly not wanting to make the women discuss something that was obviously painful. "Yes I do. Because if you intend to stay with the hunter, you need to understand." Rae simply fell silent and waited for her to continue.

"I remember waking up to the screaming, it was so loud, and there was so much of it. I was in a daze. I didn't know what was going on until my husband burst in through our bedroom door. I tried to ask him what was happening but he just screamed at me to get the kids. Cadin was just a baby at the time so he doesn't remember much, and I thank God for it. Sometimes I wish I could simply forget. We had his crib in our room so it was easy to grab him. I ran down the hall to my daughter's room, but she had already been awoken by all the noise. My husband came back down the hall with his gun and ran past us. He told us to lock the door and stay inside, but I followed him. I told the kids to stay inside and I ran out after him. When I stepped outside I couldn't believe my eyes, it was pure chaos. People where screaming and running for their lives. The wolves were everywhere. They were destroying the town and attacking the villagers. People where being trampled and shooting each other in the confusion. I desperately searched for my husband, convinced if I found him we could all simply flee the town."

Tears had started to flow from her eyes but she didn't seem to notice as she continued with the story. "I was so bent on finding him I didn't notice my daughter had come out of the house to try and find us and see what was going on. She must have gotten swept up in the panic. I finally found my husband and managed to drag him back to the house, we were going to collect the kids and try to make a run for it. When I entered the house I found Cadin screaming in his crib and quickly realized my daughter was missing. We all ran back outside hoping she hadn't gone far. By that time most of the villagers were either to injured to move or dead, and the surviving ones had formed a circle in the middle of the town. The werewolves had formed a line blocking off any hope of retreat. I thought they where going to kill us all, but than he stepped out of the shadows and I could tell what he was right away. The paleness of his skin, the pointed ears, he had such an ethereal look it would be impossible to mistake him for a human. He simply studied us for a few minutes before he smiled. We were crying and shaking, fearing for our lives! And he smiled. He proceeded to introduce himself as Count Bane and told us he was taking up residency in the mountains near our town. He thought it would be a good idea to come and properly introduce himself so we would be sure not to cause him any trouble. After his little speech he gathered up his beasts and proceeded to leave. We quickly realized he wasn't leaving empty handed. He had gathered up some of the young women in the town and was going to take them back to his castle, I thought I was going to die when I saw my daughter among them. My husband quickly noticed her as well and tried to go after them, and they killed him. Slaughtered him right in front of us. I was shocked. I couldn't do anything but stand there completely paralyzed with my son in my arms.

When the Count had left and I finally came to my senses I begged the mayor to go after them, they had to save my daughter, but he refused. The town was destroyed and there weren't enough people to even stand a chance against the Count. They would have all been slaughtered. I new it, but I still cried and begged for them to go after her. I threatened to go by myself a couple of times, but I couldn't leave my son, he was all I had left. So I focused on taking care of him and helping rebuild the town, it was all I could do. A few years passed in peace and we all thought we were safe, that maybe the Count had decided our town was to small to be of any use to him and had moved on, but we were wrong. The attacks started up again and we knew it was only the beginning. We were just a food source for him and his wolves. We knew he wouldn't stop unless we put a stop to him."

Rae could only stare at her in stunned silence. Her story sounded like something out of a horror novel, to think real people had actually had to go through an experience like that. "So that's why the villagers acted like that towards D." She muttered quietly to herself, it all made sense. "It was a last resort, believe me. The villagers were furious, told the mayor that one vampire was bad enough, to invite another one into the town was suicide. But the Mayor was desperate." "You really think D can kill this Count Bane?" Darcy simply shrugged her shoulders. "He's supposed to be the best." Rae thought back to their conversation with the creature in the forest.

"Ah, you I recognize." The creature lay a steady and sly gaze on D. "Your the dunpeal hunter correct?" Rae shifted her eyes from the young man to D. "You know him?"

"No, he doesn't, but I know of him by reputation. Almost every demon, vampire and many other creatures know of him. A force to be reckoned with if I've heard correctly."

"People call D a dunpeal hunter. What exactly does that mean?" "Huh?" The look of shock Darcy gave her was enough to make Rae guess that was a pretty common word in whatever the hell time she was currently in. 'Maybe I should tell her I'm from the past. Then she'd stop looking at me like I'm a moron.' "Well I obviously know he's not human but he hasn't exactly explained much to me about himself." Rae stated in a somewhat defeated voice. "Not surprising. He hasn't uttered more than five words to me since you guys got here. A dunpeal or dhampir means he's a half breed, half human and half vampire." "Half human and half vampire?" "Yea, it happens when a full blooded vampire and a human have a child. They're known as dhampires." "Oh, yea...I guess that makes sense. So if he's half human he can't be as bad as a full vampire right?" Darcy looked at her grimly and shook her head. "It doesn't matter, full vampire or half vampire. None of it matters, people fear them equally. It's just how it is." For some reason Rae couldn't help the urge to defend him. "Well he's been nothing but nice to me and I trust him!" She was surprised when Darcy smiled at her than simply turned and started for the door. "I'm going to get these clothes washed. If you want to go back to sleep I can wake you up for dinner." Rae had almost forgotten she had even been asleep. "How long was I out for?" "About an hour or so." "No that's okay I think I'll just stay up." "Suit yourself." Rae sat on the floor and started to put her shoes back on when Darcy suddenly turned back around. "You know for what it's worth, I trust him to." And after giving her a small wink Darcy turned back around and proceeded down the hall.

Rae continued to stare at the empty doorway before she smiled and started to put her second shoe on. Once she was done she ran out the door and headed for the steps. She wanted to go track down D and see what he was up to. 'Hope he's still not mad at me.'


D was currently leaning against a wall in what seemed to be a huge study. There was a desk with a large chair behind it and a bookcase against a wall with various books whose titles gleamed back at him from their spines. The room was simple, with a few pictures on the wall and smaller tables scattered around the room with various things on them. When D had first arrived he was greeted by what he assumed to be a maid or caretaker of some sort who had ushered him into the room where he was told the Mayor would be right with him. That had been twenty minutes ago.

"I tell you these humans have some nerve! Like we don't have anything better to do than stand around all day! But hey on the bright side look at this house, it's huge! I bet you could really pump some money out of that old fossil for this mission, aye D?" The parasite's cackling was cut off by the click of the knob as the door to the study finally opened.

D stood up straight as a man in his late fifties entered the room flanked by an all to familiar face, one D wasn't exactly ecstatic to see, and judging by the nasty scowl on Brett's face the feeling was mutual. "Ah hunter! There you are, so sorry to keep you waiting, I apologize." D didn't say anything, simply giving a small nod of his head. "Right, well let's get down to business shall we?" The Mayor walked around the desk and plopped himself down into the chair. Brett walked past D and stood at his father's side while continuing to scowl at D who simply ignored him. "You are already aware of why your here I presume?" "Count Bane." The Mayor nodded as D stated the vampire's name in a monotone voice. "Yes. The count has been terrorizing my town for a couple years now and unfortunately I don't have enough villagers left to even hope of standing a chance against a full blooded vampire, not to mention one as powerful as Count Bane. I need you to exterminate him and the wolves who serve him. Once that has been accomplished we can finally begin to move on with our lives and once again live in peace." "It will not be an easy task, even for me. I can not make any guarantees." Brett gave a loud snort and glared at D.

"So in other words your having my father pay you to be completely useless." The young man stated venomously and was quickly reprimanded by his father. "Brett! I agreed you could come to this meeting granted you would be civil!" Brett bit his lip and turned to glare out the window. The elder man gave a loud sigh and put a hand over his face in a worn out and tired manner. "If there is any chance at all that you could help us rid ourselves of the Count and stop this never ending hell, I'll take it." D nodded in understanding. "Unfortunately, in terms of payment repairing the Count's constant destruction has left our funds rather...low." "Five million dollars." "F..Five million dollars!" Brett launched himself from the wall and started advancing toward D. "You ask us for that kind of money after what we've been put through when your not even sure you can accomplish the job! You evil, monstrous..!"

"That's enough!" Brett froze a few feet from D at his father's shout and the loud bang that sounded when he stood and slammed his palms down onto the surface of the desk. "I'll pay whatever you ask as long as you get rid of him! Come back tomorrow and I'll have your money. Three million now and the other two when he's dead." D simply turned toward the door with a flutter of his cape, but stopped when the Mayor called out to him. "One more thing. Brett, would you mind fetching me a drink?" When his son made no motion to comply and simply glowered at the both of them his father moved from behind his desk, grabbed his son by the arm and drug him to the door. D watched the young man struggle and curse as he was shoved from the room. "A brandy would be nice." And before his son could snarl at him he promptly shut the door in his face before turning back to the hunter. "There is one more thing we need to discuss that is to stay just between you and me." When the hunter simply stood waiting for him to continue he nodded grimly. "When the Count first attacked our village there were some young women taken captive. I know it's very unlikely, but if you should find them at his castle and they are turned I want them destroyed. I want this whole situation over with, no loose ends. Understood?"

D once more nodded his head in understanding before seeing himself out of the study. As he proceeded through the parlor he caught a glimpse of Brett coming down the large, winding staircase with a glass in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other. Brett stared at him with guarded curiosity as to what had been said between the hunter and his father that couldn't be discussed in his presence, but before he could ask, the hunter turned his back on him and proceeded to the front door.

D opened the large white door and stepped out onto the patio. As he walked down the front steps he paused on the last one to stare at the familiar dog sprawled out on the beginning of the dirt path leading from the house down to the road. The dog stretched and jumped to his feet when he caught sight of him. D simply watched as the dog approached him and excitedly danced around him in a circle a few times before pausing at his side to nip and lick at his hand. Deciding to humor the enthusiastic animal D reached out his hand to lightly stroke him on his head. The dog wagged his tail and leaned into his touch before prancing down the path. Watching with a flicker of amusement as the dog turned around, and when he saw he was not being followed, let out a sharp bark. D started walking down the path toward the dog who obediently waited for him to catch up before continuing ahead of him. D felt the corners of his mouth twitch upwards, it appeared he had himself a self appointed escort back to the Inn.


Rae ran through the town in an attempt to locate her anti-social partner in crime. She had been searching for what seemed like forever and wasn't getting anywhere. After tearing through the tavern, knocking on every door in the place, and pissing off almost every person she came across she had decided to take her rampaging search to the streets. Let's face it, they were not exactly on good terms with the people of the town to begin with, so her pestering them to help find the source of their displeasure was not the best idea. After searching half the town she began to get irritated. How hard could it be to find the guy! Its not like he blended into the crowd! You would think spotting a nearly seven foot tall man decked out in black leather would be rather simple!

'Maybe he went back to the Inn and I missed him?' Deciding it was worth a shot Rae turned around and headed back to base. When she arrived she quickly found out from Darcy's staff that her companion hadn't returned and with a loud sigh she decided to just sit and wait for him. 'I should get Dusk maybe he could track him down? Come to think of it I haven't seen him either.' Having failed in locating D Rae decided she would try to find her dog instead, that should be a simpler task. She wandered around the Inn calling for him and was annoyed when she received no response. 'They all hate me!'

Circling around to the back of the Inn Rae found herself facing a large barn. 'That must be where D's horse is. Maybe he's in there!' Seeing that the barn was about the only place she hadn't looked Rae thought there was a pretty good chance. The door to the barn was ajar so she slipped inside easily. The barn was large and dark and after stumbling over a length of rope and nearly maiming herself with a rake Rae spotted a soft light coming from one of the stalls. She carefully made her way closer and recognized the silhouette of D's large, black horse. 'Finally.' "There you are! You know I've been searching everywhere for yo.." Instead of finding D in the stall with the horse, like she originally suspected, she was surprised to find a young boy, no older than six. He had shaggy, midnight black hair and dark chocolate brown eyes. He seemed just as surprised with her sudden appearance as he simply stared at her. "Oh I'm sorry I thought you were someone else." The boy didn't respond and continued to stare at her with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Looking to reassure him Rae walked over and knelt down so they were eye to eye.

"Hello. My name's Rae." The boy looked shyly at her but laughed softly when the large black horse stepped forward and nudged her shoulder, causing her to lose her balance and fall sideways. "Hey! Watch it you brute!" The horse simply snorted and turned it's attention to the large bucket of feed the boy set down in front of him. Rae watched as the boy stroked the horse's nose while it ate and had to admit, the kid was cute as hell. She couldn't help thinking he looked familiar. Where had she seen him before? She tried to recall it from her memory. Damn her three second attention span! Finally she remembered. This had been the boy hidden behind Darcy when D and her had first arrived. So that would make him... "Cadin?" The boy looked up at her clearly surprised. His look of surprise quickly changed to one of keen curiosity as he tilted his head and studied her. "How do you know my name?" So she had been right.

"Your mom told me a little while ago when I woke up." He seemed satisfied with her answer as he nodded his head and turned his attention back to the horse. "Have you been taking care of him since we got here?" The boy nodded his head once again. "My mamma told me to. I gave him some water and brushed him a little, but I couldn't reach up top." "Well that was nice of you., he looks a lot better, you did a good job. I bet D will be happy." Cadin glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. "Your wearing my sister's clothes." "Huh?" Rae glanced down at herself having forgotten she had changed her clothes. She glanced back at the boy but he wasn't looking at her, instead he seemed very focused on his current task of petting the horse's neck. "Yea, mine were a little dirty so your mom let me borrow them. Do you mind me wearing them?" The boy seemed to think about it for a few minutes than shook his head. He continued petting the horse for a few more seconds before his hand stilled and slowly dropped to his side. "She was taken away you know." It was said so matter of factly Rae could only blink at him. "Yea I know. Your mom told me that to." "Mama doesn't like to talk about it much, but I've heard the people talking in the tavern. They all think she's dead." Rae continued to stare at the boy who continued to stare pointedly at the ground. What the hell were you supposed to say to a statement like that?

She was saved the horrific task of thinking up a proper answer to the statement when the boy asked her a question. "Are you friends with the man dressed in black?" "Huh, the man in black? Oh you mean D?" The boy looked up at her as if thinking she might scold him, so she gave him a smile. "I don't know if we're friends exactly. I haven't known him very long." Cadin studied the pretty older girl and decided she seemed nice, maybe she'd answer his questions? "Is he going to get rid of the vampire?" Rae studied the young boy and got the distinct feeling she was being interrogated, but than again who could blame him? What young kid didn't want to know about everything going on? She sure had when she had been about his age, and having a vampire hunter come waltzing into town would have definitely peaked her curiosity.

Cadin looked nervously up at the women thinking he was going to get scolded at for being nosy again when she didn't reply right away. Coming out of her thoughts and noticing him gazing at her Rae tried to think of a good answer. "Well like I said I don't know him very well, but from what I've heard it sounds like he's supposed to be pretty strong." "The villagers all think he's dangerous." Rae smiled sadly at the young boy as he walked over and sat on the ground in front of her. "Yea I know they do. What do you think?" The boy seemed taken aback that someone had actually asked his opinion on the matter and his face took on a look of such serious concentration that it had Rae grinning. "His swords really cool." Rae laughed as she reached out to ruffle the young boy's hair. Cadin blushed but smiled shyly at her. "Yea I guess it is." The two sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes until Cadin spoke up once again.

"What's his name?" "Who's?" The boy pointed over toward the horse who had finished eating and was instead exploring the contents of the stall. "I don't know if he has a name, I never asked." Rae watched as Cadin scrunched up his face. "Everyone has to have a name, otherwise what do you call them?" "That's true. We'll have to ask D, if he ever comes back." The last part she muttered under her breath in an irritated whisper. "I always wanted a horse, but mom said I had to wait till I was older so I could take care of it myself. I think I could take care of one now though." "You sure did a good job with him." Cadin smiled at her obviously pleased that she agreed with him, but he than bowed his head and slumped his shoulders. "I don't know how to ride a horse though. I've never ridden one before." He peeked up at her through the dark hair that hung in his face in an almost embarrassed manner. "It's no big deal, you just have to learn. I didn't learn how to ride a horse until I was ten." "You know how to ride a horse?" "Yea I'm pretty good at it. In fact I bet I could teach you if your m.." "Really? You really think so?" Rae was startled at the young boy's excited and sudden interruption. "Well first we would have to ask your mom if it's okay." Cadin let out an excited shout and before Rae new it he had grabbed her hand and was pulling her to her feet. "Right now! Can we ask her now? Please? Do you think she'll say yes?" He kept firing off questions so fast it was a wonder he didn't pass out from lack of oxygen.

'Now you've gone and done it.' But Rae couldn't help the smile as she was dragged out the door and toward the Inn by the hyperactive young boy.


"Pleeeeeeeease mamma?" Darcy stood behind the bar with her hands on her hips studying her son who was kneeling on a stool in front of her. She than glanced behind him toward Rae who just grinned at her sheepishly. She turned her attention back to her son and had to bite the inside of her mouth to keep from laughing at the ridiculously pleading look plastered on his face. "And tell me, what exactly do you plan on practicing on?" Cadin's face fell immediately as he realized he didn't have a horse of his own. He glanced back at Rae who tentatively walked up to stand beside him. "I was thinking he could just use D's horse. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. He let me ride him once before." Darcy turned to glance at her with a look of complete impassiveness, it could have given D a serious run for his money. "And your experienced are you?" Rae simply smirked.

"I haven't killed myself yet." Darcy's eyes seemed to narrow and they both waited silently for her answer. Slowly a smile spread over her face as she looked toward her son. "Well, I suppose it would be all right." "Really? You'll let me?" When his mother nodded Cadin let out an excited whoop, kissed her on the cheek and jumped off his stool intending on making a mad dash for the barn. "Hold it!" He froze in mid step with his hand on the door and turned back around to face his mother. "You'll do everything she tells you to or she's to send you straight back inside and the next time you sit your butt in a saddle you'll be sixty. You understand me?" "Yes ma'am." And out the door he flew.

Rae turned to look at Darcy with a sly smile. "Sap." Darcy's face softened. "That's the truth. Rae." "Hmm?" "Take care of him. One scratch on that boy and you and me are going to have serious problems." The humor had completely vanished from her face and Rae nodded in understanding. "I won't let anything happen to him. I promise you."


D was walking back to the Inn ignoring all the glares he received and the mutters of "half-breed" and "monster" from the towns people. The reactions to his presence whenever he entered a town where always the same. The men and older women looked at him with distrust and fear while some of the younger girls studied him with curiosity, and on more than one occasion outright lust. As he walked down the street he mentally created a list of supplies he would need in order to start planning the best way to deal with Bane. He had enough money left over from a previous job to start collecting them, but decided he would worry about buying the supplies he needed tomorrow once he received the first half of his payment from the Mayor.

Once he reached the Inn he approached the front door but paused when Dusk started barking and took off around the back of the Inn. Going on instinct D decided to follow.

As he came around a corner he froze at the sight presented a few feet away from him.

Instead of being in the barn where he had left him, his horse was instead slowly trotting around in a circle. Seated in the saddle was the girl, apparently she had awoken, and in front of her was a young boy. The girl stopped the horse when she spotted Dusk hastily approaching. The dog stopped at the horse's side and she leaned down to pat him on the head. After explaining something to the boy she handed him the reigns and the boy's face took on a look of sheer excitement as he grasped them in his hands. Rae than climbed down from the saddle and seemed to say something else to the boy who listened to her with rapt attention. After making a circular motion with her hand she stepped back away from the horse and drug Dusk with her. When she had put about ten feet between them and the horse she nodded to the boy who nodded back and faced forward. He than lightly tapped the side of the horse with his heel and let out a happy yip when the horse obediently started walking forward. He gently tugged the reign to the right and effectively had the horse walking in a slow circle around the girl who smiled.

D simply stood where he was and watched the two of them, quickly figuring out the girl was teaching the boy how to ride his horse. Though his face remained emotionless his eyes took on a softness as the boy successfully halted the horse and grinned widely as the girl clapped and praised him. "Don't tell me your starting to consider becoming a family man." D dug his nails harshly into his palm and had the parasite cursing him as it quickly retreated back into the skin of his hand. That was something he could never even dream of obtaining. A family for someone like him was impossible. His heritage and lifestyle made it so, and D had come to terms with that simple fact many years ago. The hunter watched them for a little while longer before starting to advance towards them. The girl had her back to him so she did not notice his approach, but the young boy caught sight of him and D watched his eyes go wide.

Rae noticed the change in Cadin's demeanor immediately and quickly turned around, intent on finding the cause of it. When she spotted D walking toward them her fear quickly changed to relief. "D!" She happily called to him and waved enthusiastically. When he reached the front of his horse he stopped and reached out a hand to stroke it down it's nose. He tilted his head back slightly to study the young boy perched in the saddle from under the rim of his hat. The boy had gone slightly pale as he nervously returned D's gaze. "You know I was looking everywhere for you." Rae stated in an irritated voice and it drew the man's eyes towards her own. "Why?" Was that concern she heard in his voice? 'Pssh. Fat chance.' She simply shrugged her shoulders. "I was bored and feeling very abandoned, but lucky for me Cadin here kept me company." She looked up to wink at the young boy who had seemed to go rather stiff in the saddle, hoping to put him at ease, but he just continued to stare at D in wide eyed wonder. "He brushed your horse." D looked from Rae to the boy than reached up a hand to glide it slowly down the horse's neck. "He doesn't get brushed often. I'm sure he enjoyed it." D stated and returned his gaze to the young boy. "Thank you."

Seeming to come out of a daze Cadin slowly nodded his head than looked down at the ground. "I c..couldn't reach the top." He stuttered it under his breath than hesitantly glanced back up at D. "You did a fine job." Cadin seemed stunned that the man had actually complemented him, his look of surprise quickly replaced with a coy smile. Seemingly spurred by the man's praise Cadin became a bit bolder. "What's his name?" "I never gave him one." "Why?" Rae watched the two interact with a grin. 'About time someone got him talking.'

"I think he should have a name." Cadin announced it with such decisiveness Rae couldn't help but laugh. "I agree." She stated as she placed a hand on the horse's side and smiled at D. "Cadin, why don't you think of one?" The boy's earlier confidence instantly deflated as his gaze darted to D than instantly back to Rae. "B..but he's not mine." "Well obviously his owner's a loafer." Rae snorted and bit her lip when D slid his sharp gaze to her. The shadow over his eyes, caused by the rim of his hat, made it seem all the more menacing.

"There you guys are." All three heads turned simultaneously to face Darcy. "I just wanted to let you know that dinners ready whenever you want it." "Mama look I can ride the horse! Watch me okay? Can I?" D stepped back to allow the child room and Rae walked over to stand at his side. Cadin did three full circles before coming to a halt beside his mother. "See! Did you see?" Darcy smiled lovingly at her son. "Yes I saw. You handle that horse well, better than half the grown men in this town." Cadin laughed and proudly sat up straighter in the saddle. "Well I bet you two are hungry. Cadin ,you go wash up for supper." "Aww but mom.." "Cadin Ross!" The boy winced as his mother used his full name, that was never a good sign. With a defeated sigh he climbed off the horse, grabbed the reigns and proceeded to bring the horse back to the barn. "Hey! Aren't you forgetting something?" "Huh? Oh!" Cadin turned to face Rae and smiled gratefully at her. "Thank you for teaching me." "Anytime." Cadin than turned his attention to D and slowly approached him. "Thank you for letting me ride your horse." Both women stood and watched D as he stared down at the child. After a moments pause he reached out and placed his hand on the young boy's head. Cadin startled at first but he quickly relaxed under the man's touch. He didn't know why the villagers thought he was so bad, the man seemed nice enough to him. Cadin sent the man a wide grin before bounding off to put the horse back in the barn.

"He'll get him settled for the night. You two come with me and we'll get you some food." Rae watched as Darcy rounded the corner and started to follow after her. When she noticed D wasn't following she paused and turned back around. She found D simply standing and staring at her and she let out a huff. "What now?" "You changed your clothes." Suddenly feeling a little self conscious for some reason under his intense gaze Rae pried her eyes away from his and let out a nervous laugh. "Oh. Yea, Darcy lent them to me so mine could be washed. What do you think?" Rae sent him a playful smile as she twirled around in a circle and struck a pose attempting to rid herself of the awkward feeling. D didn't say anything and just started walking towards her. Just when she thought he was going to pass her he pause and turned his head slightly to the side. He leaned in close to her and Rae went completely still as she waited to see what he would do. When he made no other movements Rae got up the courage to angle her head to the side so she was facing him. That had been a mistake.

Their noses where now barely an inch apart and Rae felt her heart start to race but she refused to break eye contact. He simply stood there, unmoving and silent, than he leaned in closer so his face was nearly buried in her hair. Rae was almost positive he could hear her heart pounding against her chest as she felt his breath ghost over her neck. Just when she was about to step back D did something she never would have suspected…..he sniffed her. Rae's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in surprise. 'Did he just..?' She must have been mistaken, there was no way he would... "You smell better." And with those three words he pulled away from her and followed after Darcy. Rae simply stood rooted to the spot, not sure whether she should be glad or insulted. Settling on the latter her face scrunched up into a look of pure horror. "Are you saying I stunk!" But D had already disappeared around the corner.


"You know it really is a wonder your single." Came the sarcastic drawl from his left hand as he opened the door to the Inn and stepped inside.

It's been forever since I updated this I'm so sorry! Work has been a pain in the ass but I'll try to get this back on track so hang in there and as always thanks to all who read and review!