Hello Minna, Here is Chapter 2. I hope you enjoy it! Please R & R and let me know what you think?

Author's Note: 'Denote's People's Thoughts' I do not own anything other than my imagination! nuff said!

Thanks go to: Usagi 24 - I am glad it got your attention. Hope you enjoy.

rockfreak2003 - Yes he won't and Yes it was! Hope you like this chapter!

Crystalcleardestiny - Glad you enjoyed, your wish is my command. Hope you enjoy!

Athyna - Thanks...Hope you like this!

Nunnya Buiznes - Here you go and Thank You!

Bunny - Thanks I hope you like it!

Nanami Sakura - God I am glad to see you back. Thanks, Hope you enjoy!

I know I know, hurry on to the story...


More Than My Wallet

Chapter 2

Kit pulled the coat closer around her body. It was an old lumpy gray parka that suited her needs well. It helped hold in heat. She wore a pair of young mens sweats and a bulky sweatshirt underneath. A pair of old high tops and a gray wool stocking cap completed her outfit. The weather was just starting to change and the nights were definitely getting colder. She strolled up the street more aware now than before. Nearly being hit by the car had definitely shaken her up. She watched people hurrying around her it was almost five so everyone was heading home.

She thought about the park bench she had spotted earlier. It would do for tonight as it was secluded and had a view of the lake. Approaching the mall she could already smell the wafting scent of cheeseburgers. Her mouth watered in response and her stomach rumbled letting her know it was about time. She hadn't been able to find any food this morning so today she had suffered until she stole the purse. Smiling grimly she kept her head down not wanting to attract attention. If the police were looking for her she didn't need to be an easy target. Walking through the mall parking lot no one even bothered looking at her.

Looking around she saw the mall off to her right. Parking rows were divided by concrete islands planted with flowers and filled with barkdust. Walking out and around she took time to avoid trampling through the flowers.

Finally she saw something that made her eye's light up. The McDonalds sat off to her left across the parking lot. Seeing those golden arches rising into the early evening gloom, knowing she would be able to go in and be a paying customer made her smile.

"Food heavenly food." she muttered to herself. Not looking left or right she headed for the warm haven and her first hot meal in weeks. Stopping at the window she paused a moment to look inside. The place was packed mostly with parents wanting to feed their kids quickly. She noticed an elderly couple sitting by the restrooms but the rest were parents with kids.

Opening the door she was blasted with warm delicious air. Walking over she climbed in line. There were four lines of people waiting to order. Keeping her head down she peeped up through her lashes. There were several families in line and kids danced around in excitement as frustrated parents impatiently waited. Directly in front of her stood a man by himself.

She noticed the bulge in the back of his pants. 'His wallet! Too good to be true!' Could she do this here in plain sight of all these people? Pausing in thought she debated. 'Hoshi taught me everything. How to stumble and lift the wanted item. How to distract the mark with profuse apologies.' Surprisingly she had been a good student for Hoshi.

A look of sadness passed over her features. Hoshi had been her only friend here on the streets. She had met him while wandering one day. He quickly took the young boy under his wing and taught Kit how to lift things. Last week when she went to catch up with Hoshi she had learned how harsh the real world was.

Two thugs were beating the life out of him. She had no means to stop them and by the time they left it was already too late. Hoshi was already dead when she was able to get to him safely. Overhearing their conversation she realized that he had robbed drug dealers. They weren't the forgiving type either.

Snapping back to the moment Kit realized it was now or never. She was still standing in the back by the door. So eveyone in front of her would have no idea of what she had done. She stepped forward and literally pretended to walk into him. As her hand touched his wallet the worst thing possible happened. He turned quickly grabbing her wrist in a bruising grip

"I don't think so." She looked up and to her horror she almost cried. It the same guy from earlier. He looked even angrier if possible. "You again". With a gasp things went from bad to worse. The guy recognized her from earlier when he had nearly run her down. "Come with me!" He was stepping for the door but Kit stood indecisive. He was a complete stranger and he might intend her harm.

"You can come with me now or I will immediately call the police and have you arrested on the spot." Those words scared Kit so badly she meekly walked when he tugged on her wrist. He pulled her out of the Mc Donalds and stalked towards his red car. If she had been paying attention she would have seen it parked right outside. He opened the door and shoved her in. Slamming the door he stalked around the car and climbed in the drivers side.

"So you got a name or what?" He asked starting the car and backing out.

"It's Kit." She didn't want to say more yet unsure of what he was capable of. She made sure to keep her voice down some. She had realized on the streets she needed to sound like a boy. She was fighting down fear and panic. Taking in the interior of his car she tried to calm herself down. It was done in black and looked like he took care of it.

"Well Kit, my boy you picked the wrong person to steal from." Mamoru glanced over at the boy and was surprised to see the boy's chin trembling. It looked like the kid was getting ready to cry. His anger fell away in seconds.

"So Kit is it, How old are you?" He glanced over once more to see the boy relax a tiny bit.

Quickly picking an appropiate age, she really did not know her own."I'm thirteen." Her voice squeaked unintentionally. Mamoru threw a glance at her shrugging it off as puberty. When her voice squeaked she panicked. 'What if he guesses? I will be even worse off then.' She sat lost in thought as he drove.

"So Kit when was the last time you ate?" Mamoru broke the silence again curious.

"Uhh yesterday." She answered lamely. She had never felt so humiliated as having to answer that question. She finally got the courage up to glance at the stranger. He was looking at her curiousity written all over his face. She kept her head down and prayed she didn't stink too horribly.

He pulled up at an apartment building and easily parked the car. Climbing out he came around and opened her door. She sat frightened not knowing what he intended. "Out with you. I can't have you dying of starvatgion in my car now can I?" He smiled reassuringly trying to coax the boy out.

Kit sat trying to decide what to do. She was scared witless. The guy seemed to think she was a boy and he seemed okay. She finally stiffened her spine and climbed out slowly. Looking down at Kit Mamoru felt sorry for the boy. He seemed to be a late bloomer still looking like a little boy. He led the boy up the stairs to his apartment. Unlocking the door he started in and then turned to make sure Kit followed.

Kit followed him up the stairs and down the hallway. Stopping in front of a door the guy pulled out keys and unlocked it. Walking in he turned around to Kit.

"Come on in, don't just stand there, I am not heating the outdoors." Kit walked into the apartment and carefully shut the door behind her. Looking around she took notice of her surroundings. The place was nice with out being overdone. It was a man's place that was obvious. There really weren't many frilly female touches. Mamoru waved at the table.

"Have a seat. We'll eat in a few minutes." Mamoru quickly threw together some sandwiches for the boy and one for himself. He poured two glasses of milk and pulled out two plates. He set the sandwiches on plates and headed for the table. Setting the plate in front of the boy he watched with a smile as Kit's eyes got huge. He quickly retrieved the milk and sat the glasses on the table.

"For me?" Kit looked up the guy in shock. People were never just nice, they always wanted something. Mamoru nodded and sat across from her. When Kit had looked up at him, Mamoru had felt a strange sensation slither up his spine.

"Now it's time for introductions. One should always introduce themselves before robbing someone blind don't you think?" Kit wasn't sure how to take the comment so she kept her head down and began eating.

"Anyway I am Chiba Mamoru, your intended victim and you are?" He looked at Kit expectantly waiting for a name.

"Ohh...Kit, uh Kit Hoshi." She said between bites. Mamoru watched idly as Kit devoured three sandwiches in as many minutes. He could tell by the hollow cheekbones that the boy didn't eat much. He had also noticed in the car that the boy smelled like something that died. He was trying to think of a way to convince the boy to bathe. Knowing the kid was scared he didn't want to frighten him anymore than necessary.

"So Kit got any family here?" He watched for any kind of reaction, what he saw caught him unaware. Pain and confusion flashed on Kit's face before it was replaced with nonchalance. It was so fast that Mamoru almost thought he imagined it.

"Uh...No they're all dead." 'At least that's better then telling him that I don't know anything about myself.' To hide her thoughts she picked up the glass of milk and chugged it all down in one long swallow. Wiping her upper lip off with her sleeve she gave an even stronger impression that she was male without realizing it. Mamoru was still considering how best to convince this kid to bathe. He thought he had a plan.

"Hey Kit, you need a warm place to crash for the night?" Kit's eyes grew round at the thought of a warm sleep filled night. She nodded slowly.

"Here's the deal. I know that you are very dirty and you smell something fierce. So if you are willing to take a bath by yourself, then you can crash on my couch tonight." Kit pondered that. 'Could I pull this off? What if he walks in on me? How would I explain that surprise? I could lock the door.' Thinking that would work she nodded her agreement.

Kit was finally brave enough to look around the place. They sat in the little dining area which was part of the kitchen and living room. There was two doors across the room. She figured one was a bathroom and the other must be Mamoru's bedroom. Against the wall by the door they had come in sat a comfortable looking couch. Across from that was a television on a small stand. Looking behind her she noticed a sliding glass door leading to a little balcony.

Mamoru watched Kit surriptisiously as the young boy eyed his apartment. "So what do you think?"

"Huh?" she asked in confusion. Throwing him a startled blank look

"About my place?" Mamoru waited to see what Kit would say.

"Oh it's okay but you must not have a girlfriend. There are no soft woman's touches." She dropped her head in shock. That was the longest sentence she had uttered so far. Peeping up at him through her lashes she was shocked to see pain etch his features.

"Uh...mhhmm" Mamoru cleared his throat before continuing. " I had a girlfriend but...uhhh she's...uuhhm...dead now." The pain on his face was so vivid that Kit's heart saddened.

"Oh I am sorry. I shouldn't have mentioned it." She felt bad for bringing up a hard subject when he was being so nice. "I guess I will take that bath now." Giving him a small smile she hoped changing the subject helped.

"Sure. It's the door on the right. Towels are in there. Toss your clothes out here and we will get them washed." Mamoru smiled at Kit trying to be reassuring. He watched as the boy's face turned red.

"Uhh I can't toss them out..You see I don't have anything else to wear. Besides." She hurried on trying to sound nonchalant. "There fine just as they are...I promise the clothes don't smell."

'Typical boy', Mamoru thought. "Trust me they do stink and I probably have something you can borrow. Besides this place has onsite laundry so we can go down as soon as you are done and wash and dry them."

Kit was out of excuses. She nodded quietly wondering how to hide her hair. "Do you have a hat I could borrow?"

The hopeful look on Kit's face as he asked piqued Mamoru's curiousity. "Sure do, mind if I ask why?" He watched Kit wondering why.

"Uhhh well you see...I uhh." She stuttered to a stop not being able to come up with a plausible excuse. "I uhm just feel more comfortable with one on." 'ahhh good save. I thought for sure I was toast.' Kit looked relieved when Mamoru nodded at his explanation.

Mamoru just watched the boy. It had been several years since twelve but he could easily remember the changes he went through. "Let me get you some clothes to change into. I'll be right back." He walked over to the door on the left and disappeared for a minute. Kit took the moment of peace to just relax with a deep breath.

He reappeared momentarily. "Will some heavy winter pajama's and a stocking cap suit?" Kit nodded and asked the question that was chewing around in her thoughts.

"Why are you being so nice? to me?" She asked hesitatingly with eyes cast down.

"I once was an orphan and if it hadn't been for the orphanage I would have been just like you." Mamoru's answer was straightforward and to the point. "Now why don't you go take a bath." He smiled at Kit seeing the boy's eyes light up. Kit picked up the pajamas and the hat and walked to the bathroom.

When she entered the room she shut the door behind her and locked it. Turning on the faucet in the tub she watched in simple joy as the hot steamy water ran into the tub. Pushing the lever down she closed the drain. Checking the temperature she found it good and hot. Finding soap and shampoo she set them on the side of the tub.

She decided it was necessary to wash her hair. Untying the knot in the string she unbraided the mass and combed it as best as possible. Stripping off her clothes she piled them up except for the wraps, locketand her money. Grabbing a towel off the shelf she sat it beside the tub.

Stepping into the hot water was a shock. Slowly sinking to a sitting position she groaned in pleasure. Reclining against one end she pretended for a moment that this was a normal pleasure. Dunking her head she wet down her all of her hair and began the arduous task of washing it...


Well here is an end to Chapter 2! I hope you enjoyed it. Please R & R and let me know what you think?