Chapter 10

A/N: Chapter 10! Wow, did not think we would get this far!

Rin hummed to a tune in her mind before looking at the man in the seat beside her. "You know, you didn't have to come on patrol with me." She said calmly. "I mean, you went out last night."

"And the tracks I saw…."

"We've failed to see any so far."

He continued to look out the window. "I know it's out there."

"And you think I couldn't cope if it turned up?"

He didn't reply, just continued to look out the window.

She huffed at him then turned back to the road before slamming on the breaks, the pair of them being shoved hard into the dashboard with a grunt. Sesshomaru turned to ask what had happened but Rin had already climbed out of the car and was attacking what she'd seen.

Stood in the middle of the road was the Wolf himself, axe raised as it went to attack her, battering away a shot as she fired on him, enabling Rin to get closer and grabbed the axe handle, twisting it to try and get it out of his control. He snarled as she touched it and snapped his head forward, colliding his forehead with hers. The hunter staggered backwards a little at the attack, her eyes burning suddenly but the Wolf didn't give her a chance to recover, bringing his leg out under hers.

Rin landed hard but rolled to avoid the axe, getting up to her feet and lifting her weapon once more, shooting at him but he was coming at her again by then, swinging wide. She jumped behind a tree which in turn took the blow, the axe cutting the great oak down without resistance.

Just as the trunk came crashing down across the road and the Wolf pulled his axe away, a shot rang out, bouncing off the blade itself and lodging itself in a tree just over Rin's shoulder.

Both looked to see Sesshomaru aiming at them, his arm holding the weapon steady. The Wolf growled then turned to face him but Sesshomaru fired again, hitting him right on the chest.

The Wolf doubled over at the pain but remained standing, glaring at the prince then grabbed his axe and ran, jumping over the fallen tree and into the darkness. Rin took a moment to recover then went over to him. "Guess I was wrong, you can hold your own against the Wolf."

"That shot should have killed him."

Rin sighed as she touched her forehead. "I told you before; only I can kill him." She groaned at the pain. "I can't believe he ran away."

"He did have a bullet in his chest."

"Knowing that bastard, he will be fine in an hour or two." She sighed then moved towards the car before she staggered suddenly and grabbed the side, shaking her head. "Dam it."

"What is it?"

"My vision, it's all blurry." She rubbed her forehead again. "I… I can't see clear."

The prince paused for a moment, stepping over to her side before touching her shoulder. "I'll drive. You need to rest."

"Thanks." She blindly worked her way around the car to the passenger side and managed to slide into the seat. The prince climbed in as well and looked over the controls, a frown passing over his gaze as he looked over the controls.

Rin wasn't completely blind, she couldn't see clearly but she smiled. "Above you."

He looked up to the roof and flicked the appropriate switches, Rin's car soon coming to life and he slowly turned it around, avoiding the tree that had been cut down. Once he got control of her vehicle, Rin closed her eyes and allowed them to rest and heal but all she could think about was how the Wolf had gotten away yet again. It was infuriating that he kept getting away so easily. At least four times she'd faced the beast in the last few months and each time she got close, he ran away.

She sighed gently as the car came to a stop.

"We're home Rin." He said before climbing out and slammed the door shut.

Keeping still for just a bit longer, Rin gradually opened her eyes and while it was still fuzzy it was a little clearer but the light hurt her. She stumbled to climb out of the car when something grabbed her arm. "Here, let me help you."

"Thanks Sess."

She closed her eyes again as he led her inside the house, carefully helping her to the living room and a chair by the fireplace. "Does it hurt?"

"More annoying than painful." She explained, head back and eyes closed.

The prince frowned as he looked at her. "I'll get you a drink."

"Thanks." She sighed, listening as he walked away and the only sound was the fire crackling before her. Slowly she tried her eyes again and could just about manage to see the fire before it hurt too much and she closed them again.

A creaky floor board disturbed her and twitched towards the sound, her hand going to her side for a weapon before something brushed against her hand. "Here."

She let out a deep breath. "Sess, as long as I'm blinded you going to have to announce yourself or I'll end up shooting you."

"How long do you think it will last?"

"Normally I wouldn't be worried but this wound came from the Wolf so I don't know." She held the glass tight in her hand. "I told you I can't die and will heal fast from any wound. But the Wolf is different. His wounds leave scars and I have to heal from them on my own nature. Hopefully this isn't too serious and I'll be back to normal by morning."

The prince sat across from her with his own glass of spirit. "And if not?"

She smirked. "Then you'll be taking my patrols until I am. Or until I can learn to fight half blinded." Her smile slowly dropped. "I'm sorry to be a bother to you like this."

"Not at all Rin. I'm just glad I was there to look after you."

"Yeah." She chuckled. "You managed a good shoot by the way. Have you been practicing behind my back?"

He said nothing for a bit and the fire was the only sound. "It's still early, not worth turning in for the night yet. Why don't we play a game, help pass the time?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"We tell each other something about ourselves and if the other laughs, they have to take a drink."

She smiled. "Oh?"

"Alright. I'll start." He thought for a moment. "When I was little… I once caught the cook and the butler at it in the kitchen."

Rin snorted suddenly.

"Ah, you lose."

She took a drink and nodded. "Fine. My turn… when I was 11 years old… I broke into a house."

He didn't even smile at it.

"And stole the goldfish." Rin finished.

He chuckled slightly. "You do realise they have to be true statements?"

"Yeah. I did steal the goldfish. Pot of Gold had a rule about pets and how recruits weren't allowed them so I snuck into a house and took the goldfish." She shrugged. "Only had it for three days before they found out and made me take it back. Ok, your turn."

The prince thought for a moment. "My favourite colour is red."

"Really? That's my least favourite."

"But your name is 'Red Hood'."

"Yes. And you know why. So is it any surprise I hate the colour?" She tried to open her eyes towards him. "I wear it as my strength, a shield against the Wolf. But I hate the colour and it does nothing for my complexion."

"Then what is your favourite colour?"

"Purple. A nice gentle magenta purple."

"Hmm."

"Ok my turn. When I was younger, I dared my brother to shave his eye brows off with my father's razor."

The prince chuckled again. "I would have liked to see that."

She chuckled, ensuring she kept her eyes closed. "He was like that for about four months before they grew back. Alright, your turn."

He sat in silence for a moment then spoke. "Not long after my half-brother was born, I dyed his hair green."

She chuckled. "You didn't!"

"I did. And his hair's blonde like mine so he looked ridiculous. He had to have it cut off so it could grow back. My father was so furious, I didn't leave my room for three days."

Rin smiled into her drink. "You're despicable."

"I could write a book on the things I did to that brat."

"Sesshomaru." She chuckled, taking a sip of her drink.

"Your turn."

"When I was 19, I went to ask this cute boy at Pot of Gold on a date…" She smiled and tried to open her eyes again. "But I later found out he was a cousin of mine." The prince laughed but Rin looked sadly away. "So the Wolf killed him."

He stopped laughing and looked at her. "What?"

"I told you. The Wolf takes every bit of happiness I have ever had. He might not be able to kill me but he can hurt those around me." She took a sip of her drink. "That's why I prefer to work alone."

The prince sat in silence then sighed. "My first date turned out to be a creature if that makes you feel any better."

"Liar. A creature would eat you."

He smiled at her as she lay her head back. "Yeah alright you got me. But she did turn out to be a control freak. Kept telling me to sit."

Rin sniggered sharply. "Oh dear."

"I think she thought I was a dog or something. Every time I stood up it was 'sit boy'. I was 20! It was a nightmare."

"Your first date was at 20?"

"I… didn't have much time for women."

"Still don't to what I've seen."

He paused and looked at the fire. "If I have a relationship with someone, I want it to be with someone who understands me. And… with everything I do… that is not easy to find."

Silence for a moment then Rin sighed. "This is not fun anymore." She said, swirling her glass.

Sesshomaru nodded in agreement. "How is your vision?"

She tried to open her eyes and looked at the fire. "Better." She closed them again. "But it still hurts. Dam that wolf! I know you meant well shooting him but if I had this would have all been over." She growled to herself. "I hate feeling weak like this!"

"You're not weak, you're just blinded." The prince looked over at her. "It might not be as bad as you think."

She slowly relaxed and nodded. "Yeah… I guess so."

"Wait until we know all the details, alright?" He stood and walked over to her, holding her hands before her. "If there is one thing I know about you, Rin, it's that you never give in."

She squeezed his hands at the comfort and smiled. "Thanks, Sess."

"And I'm here for you until you recover."

Her smile fell a little. "You know, when we went on patrol, I was sure you were pissed at me, you hardly said a word to me."

"Never. I just…" He sighed. "Woke up on the wrong side of the bed. I'm sorry."

"No worries, happens to all of us."

"You more than most." He teased.

With a smile, Rin pulled her hand free and punched him in the side. "I can still punch you, you know."

The man grinned and pulled his hand from her grip as he helped her stand. "Come on, let's get you into bed."

Once more, she tried to open her eyes but they stubbornly refused so she held tighter to the arm guiding her. She sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. "Thanks Sesshomaru."

"Want me to stay in here with you?"

Chewing the idea, Rin finally nodded. "If you don't mind."

He said nothing, just sat behind her and took his shoes off before climbing into the bed. "Just don't punch me when you wake up."

"I won't make any promises."

They lay side by side for a bit before Rin sighed and reached out, taking hold of his arm and curling up into it. "Say a word and you won't wake up."

He glanced down on her then blinked. Without her eyes, she was dependant on her other senses and yet she chose to limit them by holding onto him. She trusts me to protect her. He realised and smiled. Rin… I'll always protect you.