The Hound grimaced in disgust as he pulled out of the whore beneath him. She just wasn't doing it for him.

The woman quit her false moaning and she opened one eye cautiously, a look of confusion crossing her face. "Sir, is everything to your liking?" she asked hesitantly.

Climbing off of her and pulling up his trousers, he did not even spare her another look. "Fine. I'm leaving."

The whore reached up to grab his arm. "But you didn't even -"

"I said I'm fucking fine," the Hound snarled, yanking his arm away. "Leave me, whore."

The blonde woman gasped at his rudeness and she gathered up her clothes and flounced out of the room without giving him another glance.

The Hound finished adjusting his clothes, feeling oddly dirty. The woman had been attractive, attentive, and really just the vessel he needed to let off some steam. Unfortunately, he just could not get into it. He kept worrying about the wolf bitch and it was keeping him from really enjoying the fuck that he had paid good money for. It was ridiculous.

The madam was waiting at the door of the brothel. "Sir, that was rather quick, was she not to your liking?"

The Hound dug into his pocket and pulled out another coin. "Enough fucking questions. She was fine. Now fuck off." He tossed the coin at the alarmed woman and stormed out of the brothel.

It was still rather early in the night and he was ashamed that he could not separate all the feelings in his head. It made him feel weak and it also enraged him. The fucking wolf girl was way more trouble than he was worth. He did not know how much longer he could handle this before something happened that would change the dynamic of everything... unless that something had already happened.

Growling, he strode into the apothecary, picking up some herbs to put on his arm. The pain did not bother him too much, but he definitely felt weaker. He didn't need another reason to feel so awful.

He finally made his way back up to the inn. The wolf bitch would probably be sleeping and he would not have to interact with her. He was annoyed at her just for the effect on him she probably was completely oblivious to. Still...

Pushing open the door, he noticed the fire was crackling, but the bed was empty. A quick glance to the tub indicated she was not there either.

The Hound cursed angrily. How fucking hard was it for her to follow some simple fucking directions? Had he not explicitly told her to stay put in the damn room?

He kicked the bed post angrily, sitting down momentarily and wondering where he should go to find her. She was a piece of work, that wolf bitch. He wanted to wring her neck at this moment.

He moved to glance out the window of the inn, noting the various villagers moving around. No immediate sign of her. Cursing again, he grabbed his sword and headed back out into the night.

It was cooling down even more and the snow was starting to fall thickly. The bitch would be getting cold soon. Perhaps he should just go wait for at the inn.

He was about to do just that, when a familiar cry filled echoed out through the air.

Turning abruptly on his heel, he took off into a run toward the noise and toward Arya, ready to rip the limbs off of whoever was causing her pain.

Arya had first sought out the Hound at the brothel. It seemed like the first place he would go, especially since she had thwarted his last attempt at getting some action. Oops.

The brothel was pretty standard. Arya had never had reason to go in before, but it was exactly as she had imagined. Several women were relaxed on the armchairs and glanced up lazily at her before turning their attention away.

The madam approached, looking slightly puzzled. "What are you doing here, little pet? Lost?"

Arya curled her lip in distaste. "I'm looking for someone."

"We uphold the utmost confidentiality, my dear, so it is unlikely I can help you. Is it your husband that you are looking for?"

"Uh no... he's my... my..." Fuck. What was he? "He's my travelling partner," she finished lamely.

The woman raised her eyebrow and then recognition dawned across her face. "Oh, traveling companion. I see." She gave Arya a knowing smile. "You must be quite good if he takes you with him rather than visiting brothels as he pleases. Well, I would not take it too personally, dear. Sometimes men need a little variety."

Eyebrows flying up at the connotation, Arya was about to correct the woman, when she realized it didn't even matter. "Yeah. Well, he's got a fucked up face and has even more fucked up manners. You haven't seen him?"

The woman gasped. "Oh... him... Yes... he was here." She looked sullen.

Of course he had been there. "Where did he run off to?"

The woman rolled her eyes. "Normally I don't reveal confidential client information, but he was just so odd. He was not here for all of five minutes before he stormed out in a huff. Quite the disturbed man, if you ask me."

Arya tried to contain her surprise. "Oh he did? Well... fuck."

The woman shrugged. "Dear, perhaps you ought to consider finding other work. I'm not sure what he is paying you, but I can assure you that a pretty face like yours would make quite a bit in this town." She reached up a hand to run it across Arya's cheek. "How old are you, love?"

Arya pulled away from the woman. "Uh... no thanks. I better go find him." She turned on her heel and headed out of the brothel.

The Hound had visited the brothel, but spent very little time there. Why? Was it because of his arm being hurt? Or was it something else?

She bit her lip and she wandered about the streets. Where else could he have gone? It was starting to get cold and snowy and she was starting to shiver in the damned dress she was wearing.

Heading back toward the inn, she sighed. He would turn up eventually, he always did. Still, it was disappointing.

She was rounding the side of the inn, when a hand grabbed her roughly by the arm and pulled her into the alley. She let out a scream and was about to demand to be set down, but a hand had pushed itself roughly over her.

"Saw you leaving the brothel, my sweet. Are you looking for anymore sport tonight?" A voice crooned in her ear.

Arya raised her eyes to gaze upon her captor. It was a large, beefy man who reeked of ale. She twisted her mouth away from the man's hand. "What the fuck is your problem?"

The man set her down gently and backed up, looking her up and down. "What's your rate, girl? I haven't seen you around here before."

Arya had her hand on Needle, ready to withdraw it and stab the man if it came to that, when she saw the shadow of a man enter the alley and she knew exactly who it was this time. Her faithful Hound, always coming when she called.

She felt relieved. There was no way in hell the Hound stand by and let something like this happen. He was such a control freak, she doubted she would ever successfully get laid.

Arya felt her lip curl into a sneer and the wicked plan that crossed her mind seemed absolutely genius. She turned the smile into something a little more innocent before she reached out a hand to gently stroke the man's cheek. "Just a golden lion or two, sir. I would be happy to service you," she crooned in what she hope would be a seductive voice.

The Hound grabbed the man by the shirt and roughly shoved him back. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?" he snarled at the man.

The man sputtered and jerked away from the Hound. "I was only talking to the girl about her rate, man. Let me alone!"

Arya leaned back against the alley, trying not to laugh. He really was so protective of her. She felt giddy that he had found her as well. It was like the timing was perfect.

The Hound shoved the man again, knocking him down. "Night is over. Get the fuck out before I cut your fucking throat."

The man moaned in pain and he pulled himself up, stumbling out of the alley without another look back.

Trying to cast more of a serious glance on her face, Arya approached the Hound and shrugged. "I had it handled, but thanks, I guess."

The Hound ignored her. Instead he grabbed her arm and he yanked her roughly toward him and pulled her out of the alley and into the inn.

"Hey!" she cried out painfully. "Ouch! Let go."

He seemed to be paying her no heed as he shoved open the door and pulled her inside, slamming the door and bolting it closed.

"I said let go," Arya snarled coldly, twisting her arm out of his grasp and turning to glare at him furiously.

The Hound was already pissed. The bitch had pissed him off by wandering off and getting herself into trouble. He had been ready to rip the man to shreds when he had seen that fucking smirk on her face.

Did she think this was a fucking game? He was going to try to let it go, but her annoyance at him was the last straw.

"I said let go."

The Hound grabbed her and he slammed her roughly against the wall. "Shut the fuck up," he snarled.

The girl let out a yelp in pain. She was facing away from him, her chest shoved up against the wall. "Put me down," she spat, her words muffled against the wall.

The Hound ignored her, pulling her back only to slam her into the wall again. "I told you to fucking stay in the room. Did I not?"

She struggled against him angrily. "Put me down!"

He grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her head back, leering into her face. He noticed her lip was bleeding slightly. "I said shut the fuck up."

She glared at him hatefully, wincing as he tightened his grip on her hair before releasing it.

The Hound was pinning her against the wall with his body, one hand holding her struggling wrists in place. He took his other hand and ran it along her back, grabbing part of the skirt of the dress and pulling it up slightly. He wasn't quite sure where he was going with this, but his anger had yet to ebb.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" Arya snarled, struggling against him again, kicking her foot.

"You want to act like a whore... then I'll treat you like a whore," he growled, running his hand along her bare thigh. It felt so soft, he realized. She really was quite feminine underneath all the prickly exterior she struggled to maintain.

"Fuck off, you pig!" she spat, aiming a kick at his shin and missing. She squirmed again, attempting to twist free.

The Hound laughed. There was no way in all seven hells that she would be able to twist herself free of his grip. Still, he commended her for trying. He pulled her away from the wall and he threw her on the bed, hearing her grunt in pain as her arm collided with the bed post. He dug into his pocket and he pulled out a coin and he tossed it at her. "Take off your clothes and then come here, whore. Don't make me ask you again."

Arya was breathing heavily and seemed to be shaking in anger. Her dress was slightly ripped and her lips was bleeding even more. "Fuck you!" she shouted, pulling herself up off the bed and charging at him.

The Hound caught her as she launched herself at him, laughing cruelly. "Will you ever learn your lesson, wolf bitch?"

She ignored him, her fists moving to collide with his face.

Her punches did little damage, but the Hound could feel his own anger feeding of hers. He grabbed her arms and he shoved her back down on the bed, tumbling down with her and straddling her. "You never fucking listen."

"As if you listen to me ever." Arya struggled beneath him, aiming another kick at him. "Now get the fuck off of me before I make you regret it."

Sneering, he grabbed her hair again and pulled it so that she was twisted painfully to the side. "Not another fucking word. We're done here."

The Hound was about to get off her, when he felt the tiny prick of Needle at his thigh.

Glancing down, he saw Arya had brandished Needle and was pressing it into him.

"Put that fucking toothpick down," he snarled, glaring at her.

She pressed it into his skin further, glowering at him. "I said get the fuck off of me." She pushed the sword deeper into his thigh, causing him to wince.

The Hound bristled angrily. He reached down and pulled the thin sword out of his leg and out of her hand. He tossed it across the room with a clatter before he gave the girl a violent shake.

"You're bleeding all over me," she said calmly, her eyes flashing angrily.

The Hound loosened his grip on her hand and he stared down at her menacingly. "And whose fault is that?" he growled. He climbed off of her and sat up on the bed.

Arya lay there for a moment before pulling herself up and sitting next to him. She sighed softly before turning toward him. "You're a foul, horrid man," she snarled, shoving him again, but moving to examine his leg.

"Don't touch me," the Hound growled, slapping her hand away.

Arya smirked. "Surely I didn't hurt you too badly..."

The Hound laughed. "You think you made more than a scratch, wolf girl? You're stupider than I thought." He felt a little bad for how harsh he was being, but he was rattled that she had actually stabbed him. She was crazier than he thought.

"Right..." Arya just shrugged and pulled herself up. "You're such an ass, you know that?"

The Hound was not phased. "Then fucking leave. Go out there right now and I won't bat an eye when one of those cunts fucks you bloody."

She smacked him on the face. "You're disgusting! Just stop that."

He grabbed her by the arm and shook her. "I'm done stepping out to save you, wolf girl. If you want to invite trouble in, be my guest. Not my fucking problem anymore."

She struggled against him again, pressed up to his chest and glaring at him. "Then tomorrow I'm leaving. I'll get my own fucking horse and I'll be out of your hair for good."

"Good." The Hound could feel his own heart beating a little faster. Would she actually go through with it? He had loosened his grip and his fingers were just gently caressing her shoulders.

She just stood there motionless, her eyes watching him. "Tomorrow then..." she whispered.

The Hound reached a hand up to smooth her hair and he moved to dab some of the blood away from her lip. He hated whenever he actually hurt her, but he had been livid.

Arya winced at the pain and he touched her lip and her hand shot up to grab the Hound's wrist. Her eyes bore into his and she gulped.

The Hound pulled her toward him and tumbled back on the bed so she was strewn on top of him. "Not tomorrow," he growled.

Arya opened her mouth to say something else, but the Hound grabbed her head and pulled it toward him, his lips clashing her hers in a rough, but slightly less angry kiss than what the pair was accustomed to.

The Hound wasn't sure what had possessed him to do such a thing. Perhaps it was just the height of the emotions and then the thought that she would be leaving. Either way, he did not think he was quite ready to let her go.

He could taste the metallic taste of blood on her lips and feel her moan as she collapsed on top of him, her mouth responding eagerly to the kiss.

He ran his hand on her smooth, creamy thighs once more and found himself spreading her legs and pushing his fingers inside her. She was so fucking tight, he could hardly get more than two fingers inside her.

Arya moaned against his lips as she squirmed slightly under his touch, her lips quivering.

The Hound pressed another kiss to her lips as his fingers went to work, gently caressing her and stroking her to a deep, sensational pleasure.

He rolled them over so he was once again on top of her. Pulling his lips away from hers, he sat up, his fingers still working her over, to gaze down upon her.

Her eyes were closed and her lips were parted. She squirmed underneath his fingers, whimpering slightly as he pushed her closer and closer to the edge.

Fuck, she was beautiful. He did not often like to admire her, but when she was like this, so unguarded, he really saw her for who she was and it made him want her even more.

Working his fingers faster, she began to breathe heavier. He could tell she was close to the edge and he happily obliged in bringing her there.

Arya screamed and thrashed beneath him as the orgasm hit her . "Sandor..." she cried out, panting and writhing beneath him.

She had spoken his real name. It touched him in such a way he was not expecting. He had gotten used to the Hound, so much that it was more a part of him. However, the sound of his true name on her lips was... it was a turn on.

He could feel himself aroused again and he wanted nothing more than to hitch her skirt back up and bury himself into her. He couldn't bring himself to do it. She was still a maiden and she would likely need to stay that way. Still, it was hard to keep his hands off her.

The Hound rolled off her and brought her the skin of water, giving her a drink before fixing up the bed. He wasn't sure what to say to her, so he kept quiet.

Arya sipped the water and she eyed him thoughtfully. She did not speak either, but merely climbed into the bed, scooting to the edge and making more than enough room for him.

The Hound sighed. This was going to be awkward again, but hearing her scream like that had been worth it. Maybe. He blew out the candle and he slipped into bed, staying close to the other edge.

A few moments past before Arya whispered, "I'm cold."

Cold? The fire was going and it was definitely not chilly. "I'll put another log on the fire," he growled, moving to climb back out of bed.

"No!" said Arya quickly, her hand grabbing his wrist. She pulled herself closer to him. "Just... just stay in here, ok?"

"Fine," he agreed, feeling awkward all of a sudden. Settling back in bed, she now had scooted closer to him.

Cursing, he grabbed her and pulled her against his chest tightly, swatting a lock of her hair out of the way. He was so comfortable holding her, he realized how sleepy he was.

He knew eventually they would have to acknowledge whatever it was between them. Perhaps sooner than later. At least they had a little more time.

The Hound felt his eyes fluttering closed and he heard the wolf girl beginning to recite her list as he dozed off into a peaceful slumber.

Woo! Chapter 10! I'm glad that I was able to get this down on paper (technically down on the computer, but you know what I mean). It has been floating around in my head for a couple weeks now. As usual, real life is super busy and I feel like I'm drowning. Some unexpected turns happened and I'm actually at home for the weekend rather than at school. Being home is great, but it makes me extremely unproductive. Instead of spending all day at the library and then all night having fun, I spent all Saturday having fun with my family and ended up falling asleep on the couch. Needless to say, today was a work day, but finally I decided to sit down and hammer out this chapter.

Arya and Sandor still have a ways to go in making their relationship a little normal. I think they are getting a little more open with these feelings, but neither wants to admit it. Also, the Hound is kind of an ass quite a bit and Arya can be stubborn as well. I'm looking forward to developing their relationship even further.

Anyways, I appreciate all the reviews and follows! It makes me glad that others are enjoying it as well. I can't promise an update next weekend since my best friend is visiting me at school AND I have a major assignment due next Monday. I'll do my best though and shoot for next weekend or mid next week.

Thanks a million and have a fantastic week!

~Pawprynt