A/N: Finally, here's Chapter 3! I tried to write the characters as best as I could, and I'm really sorry if they seem OOC, but don't worry. It won't stay like that throughout the story.

Also, if my OC is beginning to seem Mary-Sue-ish, please tell me, (kindly, no flames), and I'll try to improve upon that as well. Thanks! AND REVIEW!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC(s).

Chapter Three:
A New Pawn

Skittering over the streets with small, quick steps, Scamp reached his hide out. He took a deep breath and held out a hand towards the door.

"Scamp, did you find any…Where's Ash…?"

After unlatching it, the small, mousy brown haired boy with bright green eyes looked up to see who had spoken. Badger was sitting near the fireplace, his black eyes gleaming curiously. A crumpled up newspaper was tossed to the side of him, and it seemed he was in a darker mood than usual.

"She, uh…" Scamp tried frantically to think of some sort of excuse, but the old man seemed impatient.

"What? Spit it out, boy," Badger said, with that deep, gruff voice of his. Sighing, Scamp reached into his pocket. It was of no use lying to him.

"Ash wanted to steal somethin' else, even after we snatched this."

He held out the golden locket towards Badger, who snapped it up with bony fingers. As black eyes surveyed the object, a wide grin spread across his face, revealing missing teeth.

"Very nice, very nice," he murmured, dangling the locket in front of his face. He bit into it, making sure that it was real gold. Satisfied, he pocketed the locket, and then laughed good-naturedly, slapping Scamp on the back. It seemed as if his dark mood had vanished completely, and the boy was thankful for that.

Scamp smiled sheepishly, but again, the crumpled newspaper caught his eye.

"Badger… what's that?"

Looking to where the boy was pointing, Badger answered, "That? Nothing, just something I found lyin' in the streets this morning. Move, boy, I have to get up."

Gently pushing Scamp to the side, Badger grunted as he got up, limping out of the room, possibly to the bathroom or to his cot. As he finally disappeared from view, Scamp, as curious as boys were at his age, picked up the newspaper, unfolded it and smoothed it out. Even though he wasn't as good as a reader as Ash and the older boys, Scamp was lucky enough to still be able to just barely make out the large letters at the heading.

LONDON PICKPOCKETS STRIKE AGAIN

He scanned over the article, putting together sentences as best as he could, the way Badger taught him.

His eyes widened. This wasn't good.

Oh no… Ash… She'd better not get caught!

.*.*.*.

Ba-dump, ba-dump, ba-dump…

Heart beating rapidly with long, swift strides, the young pickpocket really ran, as multiple gold sovereigns jingled in her pockets. She was quick; the fastest of her gang, but looking behind her, her mouth almost fell at the sight.

A tall, slender man in black was running after her, and, to her horror, he wasn't out of breath in the very least. Attempting to follow behind him, but simply not being able to catch up, a navy-haired boy also ran (or tried to run), but his expression seemed more and more pissed by the minute.

Ash climbed up the side of a few buildings, and while doing so, accidentally dropped the blue stoned ring somewhere down below. Cursing at her foolish negligence, she continued on foot, rooftop to rooftop. It didn't matter then; she just needed to stay out of sight!

Sebastian paused briefly to locate the thief's direction. But before he could begin the chase again, a hand enclosed around his arm roughly, holding him in place.

"Damn it, Sebastian! Slow down…" Ciel tried hard not to pant, but he couldn't help it. The butler looked down at the boy curiously, his red eyes watching carefully.

"Young Master, but you are welcome to wait here while I find him."

Ciel snapped his head up, an angry shade of blue in his eyes, his cheeks pink from lack of stamina. "No! He stole from me; therefore I must be the one to detain him once we find him and…What are you smirking at?"

Sebastian chuckled softly in amusement. "Forgive me, My Lord, but it seems you were right. 'Our people only act if we are the ones in trouble.' That is what you said, no?"

The navy-haired boy frowned, wanting to slap that devilish leer off his face. He hated when Sebastian used his words against him like that. "Just run slower, understand?" he barked, face even redder with embarrassment.

His butler shook his head.

"I'm afraid if we do that, we won't catch the thief."

"Wha—?!"

Sebastian had lifted the boy, holding him as if he was a sack of potatoes, his body sideways under his arm.

"Put me down this instant!" Ciel again commanded, fidgeting and flailing like a young child. He felt more humiliated than ever.

"Once again, my apologies, Young Master. But this is the only way."

As they jumped up and over the rooftops, Ciel knew his butler was smirking, the way he always did when he found something entertaining.

Damn demon.

.*.*.*.

She hated to admit it, but she was dead tired.

Then again, she never had to run so much.

It had been almost ten minutes of continuous running, and fortunately, Ash had seen the tall man and the navy-haired boy no longer. She slumped into an alleyway, trying to catch her breath. Taking off her pageboy hat, Ash ran a hand through her hair, but then crammed it on again as she heard something.

Footsteps…?

They sounded close.

Ash, despite her wilting strength, stood up and staggered to the other end of the alleyway, in hopes of finding a way to escape. But as she cautiously allowed her head to peer out, a gloved hand abruptly pressed against her mouth, muting her scream, while another grabbed her and pushed her back into the alley.

Hitting her head against the wall, Ash glared up to find the same man who had been chasing her all this time, along with the boy she had robbed. She forced his hand away from her mouth, gasping for breath, and fell to her knees in disorientation.

"What the—? How did you…? I thought I lost you!" she shouted, head dizzy and voice strained with pain. Ash managed to mover her arm, her fingers traveling to the back of her head, which, to her utmost annoyance, was bleeding. She pulled down her cap more, trying to put pressure on the wound. Apparently, the collision had done some damage.

Sebastian looked at this young thief with a lingering smile that was far from friendly, while his master stepped forward, stone-faced as ever. However, if one was too look hard enough, they would see that flicker of annoyance pass through his midnight blue eye.

"My butler is decent at catching filth like you. Now, I believe you have something of mine."

Ciel held his hand out to the dark haired boy, and noted how his eyes gleamed uncertainly, the fire within them trembling, almost as if he was scared, afraid. He seemed to have fine features for a boy, which was odd, but nevertheless, ignored that. Even in the dark, Ciel could tell his eyes were the strange gold color the woman had described, and at once, he knew that he had caught the thief responsible for both crimes.

"I dunno what yer talkin' about!" the boy spat, an obvious lie. He attempted to push Ciel out of the way, but Sebastian had stopped the contact.

"Search him, Sebastian."

"Yes, My Lord."

Shouting angrily and struggling in resistance, Ash could do nothing as she was held in place by the man called Sebastian, who searched her vest and trouser pockets. Five gold sovereigns clinked as they rolled over the ground. But something was missing. Ciel's expression darkened as he looked into the boy's face, watching for any indication that proved he was lying.

"Where's the ring?"

It was a straightforward question.

"I dropped it."

With a straightforward answer.

Ciel sighed. He brought a hand to his forehead in slight exasperation, but then returned to his usual dignified self; straight posture, head high, and an obvious scowl.

How tedious.

"In the name of Her Majesty, the Queen, I arrest you for—"

"Wait!"

"…"

Ash even surprised herself at her outburst. But she had to find a way to get out of this situation! She could not go to prison! It was unthinkable! And all over a stupid mistake, too! Tears springing to her eyes, Ash tried desperately not to break down crying. She didn't want to portray herself as some sort of weakling, but with her eyesight bleary, head hurting, and possibility of being arrested, it was a pain to remain calm.

"Please, don't! I'm… sorry! Just… Just let me pay you back for the ring! I'll do anythin', I swear! Please!" she pleaded, looking at the navy-haired boy before her. Her hands were clasped together tightly, and, to her dismay, her voice trembled.

Observing this pathetic, golden-eyed, street urchin of a boy, Ciel thought for a moment. Normally, he wouldn't have cared much and detained the criminal without a second glance, but something about this dark-haired boy's eyes unnerved him. The fire that had burned within them before had died down, leaving an unnatural dullness to them.

Almost innocently.

Even though he clearly wasn't.

"…You would do anything?" Ciel asked after a moment, still impassive and monotonous.

He convinced himself that his willingness to dismiss the boy of his crimes was certainly not out of kindness. Besides, having a pickpocket as another one his pawns could have its benefits. And with his skills, this boy could secure information that he himself or Sebastian would know not to meddle in, for risk of being caught. They could send him around, play games with him, keep him on a leash… manipulate him.

Manipulation was the key.

As these words were said, Sebastian gave his master a slightly appalled look, but quickly brushed it off. Nonetheless, his reasoning behind Ciel's current disposition differed greatly. It was, however, impressive to see the navy-haired boy stray from a case the Queen assigned him, but it was also disgraceful of him, being her watchdog and all.

Hmph. Ciel was still human, it seemed.

Eyes widening, Ash nodded vigorously and replied with an eager, "Yes! Anythin'!" She felt thankful that she hadn't cried in front of him, but she had to admit, she was close to doing so. Ciel glared down at the boy once more before turning away, as if disgusted.

"I shall think about your offer, but for now, you will be coming with me," he said, not fully stating that this boy was off the hook. "Sebastian, take us home. And bring the urchin too, I suppose."

Ash shot up, her legs reacting immediately.

"Hey! Who're you callin' urchin? I got a name, you know!"

All the respect she had for this navy-haired boy vanished immediately. Who did he think he was? Ciel glanced back, a faint shadow of a smirk upon his lips.

"Is that so? Unfortunately, I couldn't care less," he sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. But as this golden-eyed boy watched him with such an extreme look of irritation, Ciel sighed softly, closing his eyes in annoyance. He turned around to face him.

"Fine. If you must… what are you called, then?"

Crossing her arms, Ash jabbed a thumb at her chest in a somewhat smug, introductory manner.

"Ash."

Ciel quirked an eyebrow.

"As in the remains of a fire?" he uninterestingly asked. This caused Ash to grin widely but none the nicely.

"Oh, yea? What's yer name then, eh?"

Adjusting his top hat, Ciel said, in a professional voice, "I am the Earl of Phantomhive, Ciel Phantomhive."

"…Ciel? Ain't that a girl's name?" she snickered meanly, receiving a vicious glare from the boy. His face had turned a faint shade of red from the embarrassment and rage he felt.

"It is not a g—"

"Wait, did you say you was an Earl?" Ash abruptly interrupted as curiosity entered her light golden eyes. "But, how? Yer just a kid!"

Knuckles tightening involuntarily, Ciel froze. He… didn't want to answer that. He turned around once more, beginning to walk, completely ignoring the question.

"Come. Stop asking stupid questions or I'll arrest you right now. It is already late. At this rate, the servants will have burned down the manor," he muttered, loud enough for the other two to hear.

"Of course, Young Master."

Ash, not wanting to be arrested, said nothing more to the boy. She looked up at the butler, almost forgetting he was there. "Oi, who are you again?"

The tall man smiled softly, putting a hand to his chest respectfully, despite this lad being a pickpocket and not worth the gesture.

"I am Sebastian Michaelis, the Phantomhive butler."

"Ah. Well… the Earl says we better get goin'!" Ash said, slapping the man on the arm in a humorous manner, common for the gang and her, but considered rude in the higher class world. "Com'on, Sea Bass!"

Sebastian's smile fell. He blinked.

"…Did you just address me after a… fish?"

"Oh, speakin' of which! What kind of grub do you prigs, er, I mean, people eat? I heard you have second breakfasts…" And on she went, her eyes lighting up with greed and hunger. They all stepped together towards the carriage, but two out of three of them sincerely wished they that this boy would shut up.

Annoyed, Sebastian again glanced down at the pickpocket. Something about him seemed a bit off. Was it his voice? It was slightly higher than what he would imagine a teenage boy's voice would be. Well, then again, Ciel wasn't exactly all that developed either.

Maybe it was the unusually baggy clothes this strange boy wore? However, he was a peasant; they couldn't afford perfectly fitting clothes, obviously. And then there were his huge golden eyes. Was that what was so odd about this bo…?

Ah.

Sebastian smiled. It was a knowing smile.

I see.

"Oh, dear. The Young Master will be in one hell of a surprise," he chuckled, only loud enough for himself to hear.

Humans were so amusing.