This story features my character, Kein Rei, and Ruby, who belongs to . This is a collaborative story between the two of us, and it will span over a series of parts.

Kein stormed down an alleyway for the fifth time. He'd been tracking Ruby for nearly two hours. Each time, he'd gone in a circle, and each time he reached the alley, there was a new set of tracks waiting for him.

"She's toying with me," he muttered, rubbing his forehead. His headache hadn't gone away, although the dead weight within his limbs had vanished. "That's my job." He hated when people stole his role, or what he deemed his role.

Kein left the alley and ignored the new set of tracks on the ground. "Let her run in circles all night if she wants to. She'll get bored inevitably." He headed down an alley that he hadn't explored yet.

Judging from the shouts and muffled music surrounding him, he guessed there was a cantina nearby. For a moment, Kein debated giving himself the night off. It had been a while...he shook his head. There wasn't time. There rarely was.

A door slammed open and three Weequays staggered into the alley. Their arms were loaded with credits and a few jewels. Kein grimaced and stepped around them. A few of their treasures clattered to the ground.

"Hey! You tryna steal from me?" One of the Weequays shouted. Kein ignored him and kept walking. "I'm talking to you, Nautolan!" A blast bolt whizzed past his lekku.

Kein whipped around and threw one of his small plasma blades. It embedded itself in the Weequay's wrist. He screamed with pain, dropping the rest of the trinkets he held.

"Bad move, Boy," one of his companions growled. He drew a blaster and the third Weequay followed suit.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Kein said, his voice barely a whisper.

"Why not?"

"Because I'm innocent, for once. I don't appreciate false accusations."

"You should've thought of that before you shattered our friend's wrist. You'll regret messing with us."

Kein rolled his eyes, not bothering to grab a weapon. "You two are too drunk to stand properly. I'm not concerned." One of them fired and he ducked beneath the shot. The other pressed a button on his wrist cuff.

Kein quickly took in his surroundings, mentally forming a plan. He was already worn out from his fight with Ruby. He'd need to evade and escape them, rather than take them head on. It was a blow to his pride, but it was one he could take.

He dodged their next few attacks as well. Kein grabbed onto a hanging sign and swung his feet into one of the Weequays. He landed and took off running. Shots hit the wall behind him as he skidded around a corner.

Kein looked back with a satisfied grin for a moment, before focusing on running. His eyes widened in surprise. More Weequays filled the alley in front of him. They were very obviously pirates. Kein tried to slow down. He tripped over his own feet and landed in front of them.

"So, you're the kid who thinks he can mess with my men?" Their leader sneered.

Kein picked himself up and drew his plasma blade. The pirates flung themselves at him. He dodged and attacked as he could. Several shots were fired, catching a few of the Weequays. Kein tried to work his way out of the group of pirates.

Inevitably, one of them caught his arm. The others grabbed his feet and wrists. Someone stole his blasters and his long plasma blade. Kein struggled in their grasp, his teeth gritted in anger. This mission was not going well.

"And now, you die," the lead pirate shouted! He raised his blaster. Kein met his stare. A shadowy figure dropped from the sky, toppling the pirate to the ground. The shot missed, searing into Kein's side. He yelped in shock, but quickly recovered himself.

Ruby spread her palm wide towards a few more pirates. They went flying, pushed back by an unseen force. She grabbed Kein's plasma blade and chucked it at a pirate. It hit its mark with deadly precision. Kein grabbed the blade and whirled on the remaining pirates. In a matter of seconds, they were all rendered unconscious or dead.

Before he could say anything, Ruby began running once more. Kein chased after her, determined not to lose her. She didn't try to lose him, but she didn't stop running until they had reached the outskirts of Canto Bight. The grasslands stretched past the city for miles.

Kein took a moment to check over his weapons. He had forgotten to get his blasters, but he still had several plasma blades. He winced as white hot pain splintered through his side. He sat down.

Ruby approached him cautiously. Kein said nothing. She lifted a hand towards him. "If you touch me, I will bite you," Kein snapped. "I'm not in the mood for your games, Sweetheart."

"Usually when you meet someone, you say that you won't bite. I appreciate the warning though," she retorted, a small smirk sinking to her lips. "Now do you want my help or not?" Her expression returned to an unimpressed state.

"No, why would I want help from an enemy?"

A skeptical look filled her eyes. "Why am I your enemy?"

"Because I am yours."

"Hm." She bent down again. Kein slapped at her arm. Ruby grabbed both of his wrists and forced his arms up. He slammed his forehead into hers, knocking her to the ground. She sat up, anger seeping from her. "Will you just let me help you?"

Without waiting for an answer, Ruby snatched a pair of wrist cuffs from his belt. She clamped them onto his arms and forcefully pushed him head onto the ground.

"This is not a good first impression," Kein scoffed, ignoring the grass that tried to enter his mouth.

"Neither was trying to kill me."

"I wasn't trying to kill you. I'm supposed to take you in alive."

"That's so much better." She rolled her eyes. Ruby dropped her hand onto his side, inspecting the wound.

"Would you cut that out?" He hissed in pain.

"Your skills are impressive but even I could have told you that you were no match for so many. Regardless of their physical state," she added. "Who are you?"

"You're just asking me questions to distract me," Kein said. He sighed and closed his eyes. "Kein Rei, an Imperial bounty hunter."

Ruby froze, as though she recognized his name. "You work for Darth Vader." She practically whispered Vader's name. Ruby narrowed her eyes and continued to examine his injury. Kein bit back a yelp, a sharp pain splitting through his side. He shot a glare at her, but she appeared unapologetic.

"Yes, and you were unfortunate enough to be put on his list," he replied through gritted teeth.

Ruby began to work faster. She opened the pouch on the back of his belt and retrieved a bacta patch. She applied it to his wound before standing. She gripped his arm and helped him to his feet. "Come. We shouldn't stay here for long."

"Hold on, where are we going?"

"Your wound will prevent you from traveling for a while. Those pirates will wake up soon and start looking for you. You won't make it back to your ship before then. I know somewhere safe where you can recover."

"I'm not leaving my ship at the casino," Kein protested.

"Relax." Ruby mimicked his smirk. "I took care of it after I stunned you. You terrified that guard quite sufficiently. I had to make him forget that he ever saw you. He thinks the ship is mine and will keep it there until I send someone for it."

Kein raised an eyebrow. "How did you know which ship was mine?"

She pursed her lips, thinking. "It seemed like your type."

"And you're so keen on my type, are you, Sweetheart?" Kein followed her, increasingly aware of his bound hands.

"Stop calling me that."

"Why?" She gave no reply. Kein shrugged. "If you don't have a reason, then I can continue. I thought you were supposed to be a Jedi."

"Do I look like one?"

"No."

"Then I'm not one."

Kein fell silent as they walked. He let himself examine her up close, finally. He'd been too busy to take mental notes during their fight. She was taller than him. It was an unusual experience for him. Surprisingly, it wasn't unwelcome. She had intricate tattoos all over her body. They looked faintly familiar, but he couldn't quite place the markings.

They reached a series of caves at last. Crates of supplies lined the walls. There was a speeder bike parked there. Some blankets had been arranged into a sleeping mat and there was a heat generator, a lantern, and a fire pit close by.

"You've been staying here?" Kein asked.

"Every once in a while. It makes a good hiding place," Ruby answered. She grabbed some more blankets and spread them out.

Kein spied a thin tool lying on the ground. He picked it up and began fiddling with the lock on his cuffs. By the time Ruby had finished, he'd picked the lock and returned the cuffs to his belt.

Ruby narrowed her eyes and watched his hands. "Can I trust you not to capture me?"

"For now." Kein sat down on his blankets. "As strong as I am, I think I'm too tired to carry your unconscious body up to my ship right now." Ruby rolled her eyes with a grunt of disgust. "I'm being realistic. From what I've gathered, there is no way that you would willingly come with me."

"You've got that right. I'm not going anywhere with you. Not now and not when you're better." She pulled one of the blankets up to her shoulders and rolled over.

Kein watched her for a moment before shutting off the small lantern. He finally let himself relax a bit, but made sure he was aware of Ruby's every movement. Only when he heard her deep and even breaths, did he allow himself to fall asleep as well.

"Rise and shine, Sleemo."

Kein gasped as water drenched his face. He sat up, wiping it out of his eyes. Ruby had to stifle a laugh. She set the pail down and crossed her arms.

"Was that necessary?" Kein forced himself not to pant. He was not letting this arrogant Togruta see that she'd riled him up already.

She tilted her head. "I thought Nautolans liked water." Ruby turned and grabbed two ration packs. She handed one to him.

"I'm one of the rare ones who doesn't," Kein replied. He quickly ate the contents of the pack and stood. The pain in his side had faded a bit. The bacta patches had been removed as well. White bandages, visible through the hole in his clothes, now covered his healing injury.

"Well, I think you'll survive. You've slept nearly two days, thankfully." Ruby ate her rations and took a drink from a water canteen.

Kein pursed his lips, thinking. "Did you at least bother to get some of my clothes while you were snooping around on my ship?" Ruby arched an eyebrow. "Hm. I didn't think so." He pulled his jacket off and inspected the hole left behind from the blast. "This was my favorite jacket too."

He tossed it back on his blankets and rolled his sleeves up to his elbows. "You're a bounty hunter," Ruby pointed out. "I'm sure you can just get another one."

"Yeah, that's what I'll spend your bounty on," he jeered.

"Come on." Ruby grabbed his arm and pulled him towards her speeder bike.

"What are we doing?"

"We're getting your ship, seeing as you require such high maintenance."

"Don't you, Sweetheart?"

"I will gag you." She jabbed a finger into his chest, then swung a leg over the bike. He climbed on behind her and they took off.

As Ruby piloted the speeder back to the city, she tried to hide her surprise. Kein had remained silent since they left, for the most part. She had focused on driving, though the grasslands were not difficult to navigate.

Once they reached the outskirts of the city, she parked the bike behind a couple rocks. "We'll walk from here." She hopped off and motioned for him to lead the way.

"Afraid of getting lost?" He asked, raising a brow. He crossed his arms while flashing that smirk that made her utterly annoyed.

She gave him a dark glare, clenching her hands. "No, I want you up front where I can keep an eye on you," she sneered.

"Aw, still don't trust me?" He faked a pout as he began to lead the way.

"Not a chance." She followed close behind. What she had said was mostly true. She knew she couldn't trust him, especially if he worked for the Empire. However, there was a fraction of her that was, in a way, softening. A little attitude adjustment and career change, and maybe he could be an ally, she thought, her eyes locking on the back of his head. Ruby stuck close as Kein led the way back to the casino.

The casino was much quieter than it had been the night before. Kein led the way up towards a landing platform, where he had last seen his ship. He released a sigh of relief when he spied the Scorpion, still safe and sound. The guard was nowhere to be seen.

Kein pressed a button on his wrist cuff and the boarding ramp extended. "So, how much of my ship did you see?" He asked curiously.

Ruby appeared beside him. "I never went onto your ship. Unlike you, I actually have some respect for people."

That took him by surprise. He had fully expected her to go through his things. That's what he would've done. Kein gave no reply and boarded the Scorpion. "Are you coming with or going back for your speeder?"

Ruby gave a small scoff. "I'm impressed you aren't leaving right now."

He rolled his eyes. "Well, I can't exactly leave without you, Sweetheart, now can I? I don't believe I'm capable of capturing you at the moment, unfortunately. I thought I'd attempt to follow your example and have some respect."

Ruby bit her lip, then stepped onto the ship. "Drop me off near the speeder so I can get it."

"Figuratively, or literally?" Kein sat down and fired up the engines. Ruby took the copilot's seat and made a face at him. They lifted off the landing pad and flew across the shimmering city.

Once they reached the city outskirts, Kein held the Scorpion in a low hover. He extended the boarding ramp and jerked his head back towards it. Ruby disappeared and the ramp closed. In a few moments, he saw dust fly from behind a speeder. Wind whipped Ruby's lekku out behind her.

Kein flew on ahead and landed the Scorpion back near the caves. He sat down on the boarding ramp and waited. The wail of speeder engines filled the air. Kein shielded his gaze from the sun with a hand. He leaped to his feet, drawing a blaster. There were several speeders approaching, bearing all too familiar Weequays.

Kein crouched near some loose boulders and blasted at the approaching pirates. Two of them flew off their speeders. The speeders collided in a burst of flames. Footsteps pounded on the ground behind him. Ruby dropped to the ground.

"Your friends are back!" She shouted.

"Yeah, I had noticed."

"Get them away from my cave."

"Working on it, Sweetheart!" Kein drew a plasma blade and flung it at the nearest pirate. The Weequay collapsed with a choked cry. Ruby waited a moment, her gaze becoming focused. She slid her lightsaber into her grasp and leaped out of their hiding place.

Kein drew his long plasma blade and followed her. He slashed the blade through the barrel of a pirate's blaster. Another pirate lunged at him. Kein wrapped his arm around the pirate, forcing him to buckle. The Weequay's blaster went off, catching one of his comrades by accident. Kein flipped him over his shoulder and stunned him.

Kein whirled towards his next target. His multiple lekku flew about wildly. His eyes widened in surprise, spying Ruby. She was taking down pirates with practiced ease. Apparently she had gone easy on him the night before. He suddenly found himself grateful for that small mercy. Ruby spread a palm and several pirates crashed into some rocks. Kein heard sickening crunches and most of the Weequays fell still. He glanced around, realizing that the rest of the pirates had scattered.

Ruby deactivated her lightsaber and wiped some sweat from her forehead. "Well, was that impressive enough for you?"

Kein smirked as he replied. "Most definitely."

"Your own skills could use some work." Ruby sat down.

"Are you offering to teach me a few tricks?"

She glanced at him warily. "That depends."

"On?"

"Whether or not you decide to use them against me."

Kein stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I'll tell you what. You teach me some of your tricks and I will consider not bringing you in." She raised an eyebrow. "That's the best offer you're going to get from me." He slipped around behind her and gently rested his hands on her shoulders.

She stiffened at his touch. "I don't trust you."

"Good." Almost without realizing it, he began to massage the tense muscles in her neck and shoulders.

Ruby stood abruptly, her green gaze suddenly conflicted. "Fine. I'll teach you a few things, but if you turn on me, I will send you back to your master in pieces." She disappeared into the cave.

Kein chuckled to himself. "I think she's warming up to me." He followed her inside.