Chapter 4: Hiring a Thief

Kat was heading out towards the village with Tigress and Po. Her book bag was strapped to her back as she followed behind Po and Tigress was behind her. One cold eye looked at Kat and noticed the necklace around her neck. "I am never going to get that necklace unless I hire someone to get it for me," the voice said. The only one who could be quick enough and clever enough to get the amulet was Mario, the silver fox. Now Mario lived in an old shack and the mysterious stranger knew where. With a cold smile the creature stared at Kat and said," Soon my dear I will have the necklace and not even your little body guards can protect you". Slipping into the shadows the creature wore a long black cloak that had a hood covering his/her face. Knocking on the door a silver fox with turquoise eyes stood before the creature. He wore a blue tunic with a gold earring.

"What do you want?" asked the fox in a serious tone.

"I have a job for you. You are a master thief and I need you to steal a necklace in the shape of a star with a swirl in the middle. An odd hairless female creature is wearing it," explained the creature in a serious tone as well.

"I don't hurt females," Mario said firmly crossing his arms. He may be a thief but even he had a code of honor.

"I didn't say hurt her, just get the necklace from her. She is being guarded by the Dragon Warrior and Master Tigress," informed the creature.

"It will cost you extra," Mario said and the creature threw a huge bag of gold at Mario's feet. "That will do quite nicely," Mario said smiling.

"Good now fetch me that necklace," hissed the creature and like a shadow disappeared. Mario grabbed his stuff and headed off to find this hairless creature.

"Wow this place is amazing!" Kat said as she took out her camera. She snapped pictures of bunny children chasing each other. One picture was of a duck merchant selling a red rug.
"What is that?" Tigress asked taking it from Kat. Sniffing it as she touched a button and a white light blinded her as Tigress dropped it.

"Be careful," Kat said as she caught her camera before it broke. Tigress rubbed her eyes as she glared at the weird object in Kat's hands. Po was fighting back a laugh as he pretended he didn't see anything. "It is called a camera it takes pictures of things," Kat explained. "You turned the flasher on and that helps the picture become clearer when it is dark out. I hope you are okay," Kat said gently.

"I am fine," Tigress grumbled. Kat frowned but remained silent for she didn't want to anger Tigress further.

"Hey Kat do you like peaches?" Po asked her.

"Yes, I do like peaches," Kat said to him.

"Good I can make my peach pie for dessert tonight," Po said smiling. They walked around the village as something caught Kat's eye. A local pig merchant was selling clothes and there was a deep blue cloak that looked like her size. She was transfixed on it and wished she could buy it but she didn't think the pig merchant would accept her money. "I would like that blue cloak please," Po said as he placed 30 gold pieces on the merchant's cart.

"Here you go Dragon Warrior," the pig merchant said bowing to Po. Po bowed back and placed the blue cloak in Kat's hands.

"Thank you but you didn't have to do that," Kat said.

"Think of it as a welcome to our dimension present and besides it gets cold at night you may need one," Po said gently. Kat tried it on and it looked like it was made just for her. Tigress smiled a bit for it did look nice on her. Then the trio headed towards another fruit cart to gather more ingredients. Along the way Tigress saw a silver fox along the corner of her eye and noticed he was following them.

"We are being followed," Tigress said gently. Po glanced back and saw the fox and agreed with Tigress.

"Take Kat around back and I will slow him down," Po said.

"Be careful Po," Kat said in a worried tone. He smiled at her and she was led away by Tigress. Po went up to the fox and told him to get lost. The fox laughed and leaped over Po as he ran towards Tigress and Kat.

"Kat run, I will hold him off," Tigress barked. Kat, not wanting to argue ran down the corner. Tigress roared at the fox and leaped towards him. He blew some weird dust in her eyes blinding her for a second and then when Po went to help. The fox cut a rope making a tent land on them. Then with a quick smile he ran after Kat. Racing down the alleyway Kat turned around wondering where she should go.

"Hello darlin'", came a sweet voice. Standing on a roof sill was a silver fox wearing a blue tunic and a gold hooped earring. Kat stood still as the fox leaped down just a few inches in front of her.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Kat demanded trying to hide her fear.

"Easy love, I don't wish to harm you I just want that pretty necklace you are wearing. Give it to me and I will go away," he said to her.

"Don't think so pal," Kat said and began running.

The fox smiled and said," Ah she is a runner, how nice". Kat had to think quick and she took out a box of tiny poppers that were white tiny fireworks. She spread them on the ground and continued running. When the fox ran by his foot stepped on a popper and it popped causing pain in his foot followed by more pain. He rubbed his feet and chuckled for this weird creature was clever like him. The chase continued as Kat ducked behind a crate keeping her breathing very still. Rain began to pour and she looked around but saw she was trapped. "Oh love, come out you clever thing you," called the fox. The storm was getting worse as lightning flashed and Kat was terrified. Suddenly a paw snatched her and it was the fox. "Hello love," he said. Kat kicked him in the shin and elbowed him in the ribs.

He growled and ran after her as lightning hit a wooden pole causing a fire. "Say cheese," Kat said and used the flasher. The fox was blind and hit his head and landed hard on the ground. The fire slowly circled around him and Kat was about to run when she saw him unconscious. Even though he tried to steal her necklace she couldn't leave him to die. Grabbing her crate she threw it causing a small pathway to form as she dragged the fox to safety. Then she placed her cloak around him to keep him warm so he wouldn't catch cold. "You may be a thief but I am no killer," Kat whispered and then left him as he came to.

Mario looked up and saw the odd creature running away and saw the fire and her cloak around him. It didn't take too much brain power to figure out what happened. "She saved my life," he said in utter shock. Kat ran until she crashed into a figure that grabbed her.

"Let me go! Let me go!" she screamed in fear.

"Easy Kat it is me Po," said a gentle voice. Kat too tired to stand just fell in his arms. "Let's get you back to the palace," Po said and carried her safely in his arms. For now Kat was safe and she slowly drifted to sleep.

Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.