Title: A Thief's Need

Author: Lunar Secrets

Rating: T

Warnings: Much more cussing than in the movie and book. (This should come in later chapters) I would hope that it's dramatic enough to scare one as well. (I hope)

S0mmary: A thief must always be in charge. But Scipio doesn't know what he's getting into when he first meets Prosper. As he begins to fall in love, danger lurks in every corner. But will the new couple find out before it is too late? Scipio/Prosper

Author's Note: I saw the DVD about a week ago, and was entranced. I know Prosper sounds really desperate, but this is kind of done on purpose, to push Hornet way, to draw Scipio nearer. I don't know if I should continue. I haven't forgotten the rest of my fanfictions, if you were wondering. I just got my computer taken away, the one with all the updates for them. I'm using the library computer at the moment. This may be the last update for a while, at least two weeks. Meh, please tell me if you like it, that would be great. Criticism welcome.

I own nothing. Most of the lines (the talking part) are from the movie. I don't own the movie or the book, sorry. Please don't sure me.

Chapter One

Dancing with Danger

There, stood a young boy, hardly thirteen, in a corner ally way. Brown eyes glimmered dimly in the shadows. Curled chocolate hair rapped around his face, long and sweaty. His clothes were old and worn out, dirty. A child was leaning against him, the poor, sweet things. The small young also had curly hair, though his was blond, with dirt covering quiet a few strands. Sitting against a cardboard box, they were, a small and over used light bulb hung above them, swinging softly with the wind, every now and then flickering, with the light dimming.

A quiet foot step was heard and the boy's, Prosper's, head straightened sharply. He took in a breath and the child, Bo, tightened his grip on Prosper's forearm. A cold breeze swept through the ally and the two boys shivered. A figure stepped out of the shadows, stepping towards them.

"Are you lost?"

The male figure, for the voice was far to masculine to be a girl's, asked, stepping even further to them, into the light. Something inside Prosper made his eyes widen as he took sight on the person.

He was dressed in a black trench cloak that covered his arms and fell to all the way down to his ankles. His face was covered with a dark mask. The eye holes were small, they let no light in. The nose was long, and like a bird's beak stood out, making it the most noticeable feature on him. The boy, who was too short to be a man, a grownup, had dark hair, one that could blend in with the shadows he so often hid in. The skin was pale, the only thing that truly stood out against his surroundings.

But his eyes were what made Prosper want to look away. They were hard and calculating, watching his every move. Shivering, Prosper stood, as did little Bo, his voice weak compared to the boy in the shadows, "No."

"You look lost to me," The boy's voice was full of amusement.

Prosper's heart beat fast and loudly in his ears. Fear raced through his veins, his blood pounding. He winced inwardly, blinking twice. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out, "Who are you?"

The boy's amusement vanished and his voice turned hard.

"A question better put from me to you."

Prosper froze. His little brother, thank what ever holy lord there is out there for him, nudged him softly, breaking the elder brother out of his trance.

"I am Prosper," Prosper said sharply. Gesturing slightly at Bo, "and my brother, Bo."

The boy, his own name Scipio, though he dare not tell them that, barely nodded his head as he began to walk around, circling the two boys.

"Have you lost your mummy and daddy?" He asked while his own curiosity showing. There was no pause between the question and the answer.

"Yes," Prosper snapped, "as a matter of fact."

"Then I shall help you find them."

The boy's response startled Prosper, and he looked down, not wishing to admit the truth. He hesitated, before opening his mouth, "You can't. T-they aren't with us anymore."

The corner of Scipio's lips turned upward slightly. His arm rose slowly as he spoke, reaching out towards Bo.

"Ah, orphans. And so young, too," As he finished, his pale hand was still reaching upwards. Prosper felt Bo shiver and he brought out his own arm to smack Scipio's hand away from them, but missed, his hand passing through empty air. Scipio's hand had changed directions.

He was reaching out towards Prosper! Paralyzed in fear, he did nothing to stop him. The moment the hand touched Prosper's face there was a blinding light. White and pure, it filled the ally leaving no stone unlit. Scipio didn't seem to notice as he gently began to rub Prosper's face. Prosper felt the need rushing through him. But the light had brought him back into reality and his own longing didn't stop him from pulling away from the careless touch. Bo's grip on Prosper had begun to fade and the child stood up on the box. Then there was silence, nearly unbreakable, except for the small, gentle waves that crashed quietly against a wall, somewhere else.

"Tell me," Scipio's voice was like a gentle whisper, washing over Prosper. "What did you steal? Money, Jewels? Are you a lock picker? Or perhaps purse pickers? Maybe pocket pickers?"

"We aren't thieves." Prosper narrowed his eyes dangerously, "Please, just… just leave us alone. We haven't got any money."

Scipio seemed disappointed, but continued in his riddle of words. "Now run along home, where ever that may be."

Bo quietly whispered something in Prosper's ear. Prosper gave a small smile before his face turned hard. "This is where we live. Now, anyways."

There was a snort.

"Don't be ridiculous, do you know what happens after dark?" The pause was deathly. "Things little eyes should never, ever see."

Bo squirmed around, before saying defiantly, "We're not scared!"

"Not scared? Well aren't you the little tiger." There was a faint smile on his lips as he taunted Bo. Suddenly, he jumped forward, growling deeply, "Rawr!"

Bo squeezed Prosper from the back. He picked Bo up so that he was on his back. Bo laid his head down on his shoulder, tired. Prosper hissed, "We're not scared of here, and we're not scared of you."

"Good." At that, Prosper wiped a small layer of sweat of his forehead. Scipio continued, turning away from them, walking out of the safety of the ally. "Then follow me to safety, this way, please … Or would you rather sleep all alone in the dark."

There was a small scurry in a corner.

"Did I mention the rats?"

Bo tugged gently at Prosper's hair and he let Bo down carefully. Bo ran ahead to catch up with Scipio, calling back to Prosper, "What have we got to lose, Pro?"

Prosper walked out into the open, then stood still, watching his brother tug at the stranger's jacket, talking, holding hands. His heart ached, the cold wind blowing through his long hair. Stiff, he ran after the two boys, wanting the pain to go away, that empty hollow agony to fill up with happiness.

-End Chapter One-