A/N Requested by Maximum of Steam. Thank you for the challenge.

Taina's POV

Ever since her father was killed in action her family had barely been able to scape by. Her older brothers had to work and stop their schooling to help them survive. Their mother barely made anything at the local factory. So when she turned fifteen she began to steal to help her family get by.

A local gang known simply as the Desvía took her in. Unlike most gangs this group allowed members to come and go as they pleased. A portion of everyone's steals were given to the group. It was a small price to pay for the training she received.

When she first started stealing to help her family, she spent more time running from those she tried to steal from. More than once she had been beaten after thet caught her. It was all for just petty cash. She had no reliable skills for a team to pick her up. Neither was she important enough to be taken under by one of the other's wing. It was a cutthroat world. Only the strong survived.

It was the end of September when she painfully limped back to hideout. The Desvía guards just nodded to her as she walked past. Her comings and goings were fairly regular. They were used to seeing her around.

An unfamiliar dark haired boy stood in the entrance way. He wore a grey t-shirt and black cargo pants with a black jacket over that. His eyes were piercing blue that seemed to burrow into ones soul.

The doors to meet with the leaders was closed. He likely was waiting to talk to them. Since she knew most of the regulars she assumed he was a new guy. Something caught her eye as she went to pass him. The tell tell bulge of a gun pressed to his right side.

It was difficult even on the black market for someone like them to get a firearm. She was both curious and cautious of the newcomer. Something told her that he was someone to keep an eye on. Besides the fact that he had a firearm.

Before she could ask the doors opened. The guards ushered her inside. Their eyes bugged out when they saw the boy next to her. Whoever this guy was he must be important.

When they entered the meeting room all the leaders were sitting quietly conversing with each other. They saw her first and nodded in greeting. When their eyes met the young man's the leaders gained their feet. Excitement sparkled behind their eyes.

The head of the council of leaders greeted warmly," It is good to see you again, Sombra."

Sombra? This was the best thief in all of Desvía. He looked barely older than her.

Even as she tried to put the facts together part of her knew it was true. This boy had an air of danger about him. Taina moved away from the boy with piercing blue eyes.

Sombra said calmly," You need better guards. They didn't notice i was there until I moved."

His eyes turned to her contemplatively as he continued," On the other hand she did. What's your name kid?"

She said growling," Taina Pereira. I am not a kid asshole."

Sombra's lips twitched with amusement. He said to the leaders," Oh I like her. Where did you find her?"

The head said rolling his eyes," You would like her, Sombra. I'm surprised she was able to see you. Especially with how you hide and she... Well she isn't much of a thief."

Sombra have her another assessing look. He said after a moment," She has potential, señors. She's not much now but she could be."

What? Her temper was flaring now. They were talking about her like she wasn't even there.

She said angrily," Stop talking about me like I'm not here. I am a person after all. Here is your cut of my pull today."

She threw them their cut of what she had made. It wasn't much. They were right. She didn't have what it took to be a thief. She was neither fast enough or quiet enough.

Sombra said calmly," Wait for me outside. I would like to talk to you."

She gave him a glare but once she left the room she stayed in the shadows by the door. While she didn't like following orders from someone that she didn't know. Still there was something different about Sombra.

She didn't have to wait long. About twenty minutes after she left the room the doors opened. Sombra gave a quick glance around the room. His eyes quickly landed on her in her hiding spot. He motioned for her to follow him outside.

When they went outside dusk had turned into full night. In the city she couldn't see the stars like she could when she was younger. She honestly missed being able to look up into the sky to see the stars. Ever since her father died though it hadn't been possible.

Sombra said without looking at her," I apologize for my rudeness earlier. It's not often I see someone with such potential. Most people here are stubborn bastards. You're different."

She asked unsure of what he meant," How can you tell?"

Another quirk of his lips as he said," Most people assume especially in Desvía that they are top of dogs. When in fact they are just bugs. When you saw me you kept a wary eye on me until you find out who I was. Even then you were cautious."

"Well you were suspicious. I've been at this for a little while but i have never seen you before," She said.

A soft chuckle came from the boy as he replied," I come and go as i please. It's part of being a Desvía but I'm one of the best thieves in the whole gang. That's why they are excited to see me. Every time I appear there's a big score not long after. This time though I'm looking to teach someone. I was thinking that someone could be you."

Her jaw dropped. Sombra wanted to teach her? But she had no skills. Even the younger thieves said so. At best she could bring in a hundred or so in a month.

He said as if reading her thoughts," Most of the council doesn't believe you are worth my time. I'm sure most of the members would agree. Yet at one time i was the same way. Like my teacher before me I'm willing to give you the same chance he gave me. It's up to you whether or not you will take it."

A/N Brief translations for certain words of the chapter.

Sombra means Shadow in Spanish

Desvìa means Stray in Spanish