The Princess and The Thief

By Heather Martell

Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews everyone! In this chapter a new character will be introduced. In the left hand corner is a short table. It'll help make things easier as when people are thinking with their thoughts or Luna's case arguing with an inner voice. This chapter is dedicated to m31galaxy. Thank you for all the help!

Normal thoughts

(Inner Monster thoughts)

CHAPTER FOUR

Luna's POV

I stormed down the streets, seriously pissed. Yes I was lesbian but I hated having that label stamped on me. So what if I preferred women to men? Women are far less perverted than men!

(Come now Luna,) a voice taunted in my head. (Not all men are devious.)

Shut the hell up, Marko! I thought. You're not fucking helping!

The voice chuckles darkly. (Oh? Then tell me, host, what label would you like? I'm dying to know.)

I grumbled ignoring the voice as I passed many people on the streets. Kids laughed merrily, running around their parents. I smiled as I remembered Namine, my dead fiancée. We wanted a family of our own so badly. Sometimes I wondered if I should have been born a boy instead. It would have made things less complicated and less stressful. I sighed as my mind went back to the stunned princess when I snapped at her. Seeing her eyes go wide in surprise made my heart hurt. I never snapped at anyone like that, well at least those who don't annoy me.

"Aunt Luna!"

I turned and smiled widely as two eight-year-olds run up to me. My favorite twins in the whole village, Roxas and Xion.

"Hey, guys! What's up?" I asked as the twins stopped in front of me.

"Nothing much," Roxas answered.

"We saw you walking or should I say, stomping down the road," Xion said and raised a brow. "You okay? You look like your upset."

I sighed, running a hand through my short silver hair. Xion is pretty smart and very aware when it comes to people and their feelings. I wasn't surprised at all when Xion asked and knew it wouldn't do any good trying to fool her, either.

Roxas nudged his twin and shook his head. He sensed that I didn't feel like talking about it. Xion looked at him curiously before nodding her head in understanding.

"Sorry, Aunt Luna."

"It's fine."

I wasn't really Roxas and Xion's aunt but they've been calling me that since they were one. Their grandmother took care of them. Their parents were killed when they were infants. They were killed by Larxene's father, King Vexen.

"So, staying out of trouble?"

"Yup!" Roxas said, smiling. Xion laughed, nudging her brother.

"Yeah right! You got caught taking candy out of the pantry yesterday. Grandma gave you a good scolding for being caught."

I laughed as Roxas folded his arms and pouted at his twin. He looked so cute!

"So, where you two heading?"

"We were heading to the park. Want to come with us?"

"Sure." I knew I had to get back to the house soon but I still needed time to calm down. I didn't want to face Larxene just yet.

Larxene's POV

"Tell me about Luna. I want to know about her powers," Larxene said.

Xigbar shifted in his seat, took a sip of his coffee, put it back down to look at her squarely in the eye.

"Very well," he said. "I guess I better start at the beginning when Luna was born."

Xigbar cleared his throat and began.

Twenty-five-years ago…

Screams…Mechanical laughter…the sounds of blood dripping…

It was night when he came. A man, who had an evil aura, terrorized Traverse Town. He killed men, women, children and elderly. He had the thirst for blood that rivaled a demon's. The villagers called him demon because he was so cruel. Many families died that night.

Elder Berry fought against him along with others. It was a great bloodshed. When all seemed lost, Elder Berry managed to weaken it. A shaman came forth, offering his services. The shaman said, 'The only way to keep the villages safe is to seal the monster inside a baby.'

Elder Berry thought he was nuts but was desperate to save the village. Mr. and Mrs. Black, Luna's parents, stepped forward carrying their one week old daughter. As much as they hated it but no other family would help. The shaman took Luna and brought it over to the subdued monster. The shaman started a spell that slowly turned the monster into a ball of red, glowing light. The light hovered over baby Luna before entering her small body. The shaman and Elder Berry died that night.

Elder Berry's lasts words were, 'Luna, will be respected. She will be considered as a hero and not a threat."

Larxene stared at Xigbar as he finished the story. She didn't know what to say. She understood why her father was scared of Luna. The monster inside her attacked the entire town, almost destroying it. It was the old leader of the thief village that sealed the monster inside Luna when she was two.

"I don't understand. If that murderer was seal in Luna, why don't the villagers treat her differently?" she asked.

Xigbar chuckled darkly. "They do. Some even hate her. You only met the people that respect and care for Luna. I'm one of the few that respect her. She is my best friend and would do anything for her."

Larxene nodded. "What about her family? Did they accept her?"

"Yes. They did all what they could to help Luna adjust to her life. Namine loved Luna for who she was. Namine didn't care if there was a murderer sealed inside her."

"Did Luna ever fall in-love again?"

"No. Luna says it's too painful for her to love."

Larxene looked down at her empty plate, thinking. Poor Luna, she mused. To have your entire family taken away from you. Wait a minute! What happened to Luna is none of my business! Why the hell should I feel pity towards the woman who kidnapped me?! No, I can't act as if I care about the thief. Larxene scowled as she thought this. But still, having to live through that isn't a day at the park.

The door banged open and in came…

"Xaldin!" Xigbar said, surprised as the village chief walked in.

"Where is Luna?" Xaldin demanded.

"She went out for a walk," Larxene answered coldly as Xaldin glared at her.

"Dammit! I have to go find her before they do."

"Who's 'they'?"

Xaldin didn't answer as he turned to leave. Pissed off, Larxene grabbed him by the arm, stopping him.

"Who is after Luna?" she demanded. "Answer me!"

Xaldin growled lowly, hand twitching as if he was ready to backhand her.

"That is none of your concern, girl,"he said icily.

Normally when Xaldin used that tone of voice people would back down but Larxene didn't. She stood her ground and glared daggers at him.

"Where is Luna?" Larxene said slowly.

Xigbar saw the look in Larxene's eyes and shivered slightly. If looks could kill, Xaldin would be dead by now.

Xaldin grunted before answering, "That is why I'm here. I have to warn her. Someone has been stalking her and the twins."

Larxene raised a brow but didn't respond to the 'twin' part. 'Well then let's go find her." She headed toward the door. Xaldin grabbed her by the arm.

"Oh no you don't, your staying here princess."

Larxene ripped her arm from his grasp and continued to walk to the door. "Your not my kidnapper, Luna is. So, you have no say as to what I do."

Xigbar sighed. "This is frustrating. Let's go, princess. We'll go find Luna and the twins before the stalker gets to them."

Larxene nodded and went out the door.

Xaldin grabbed Xigbar by the shoulder. "Be careful," he warned. 'The stalker has a weird aura surrounding him. It could be trouble."

Xigbar nodded. "Got it."

Luna's POV

I knew I was being watched as I watched the twins play on the jungle gym. I scanned the park, searching for something that didn't belong there. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and my muscles tensed.

(Luna,) Marko said. (Do you sense that?)

Yes, I replied. I do but I can't detect it. Can you?

(No.)

Damn, I thought.

"Aunt Luna!"

I looked up and smiled brightly as I saw the twins on top of the jungle gym. They waved at me and I waved back.

Something dark hovered at the edge of the dug out near the baseball diamond. I narrowed my eyes to see the figure better. The shadow seemed to waver in and out of existence. The skin on the back of my neck tingled and shivered. The air seemed to grow cooler. The twins stopped in the middle of the jungle gym. Their heads turned to the dugout. Whatever they saw, Xion and Roxas climbed down in a real hurry.

I stood up as the twins hide behind me. The shadow shifted as it floated towards us. Floated…? The thing didn't have feet, arms or anything; it was just a human shaped blob. It had narrow, red slits for eyes and it smelled. It smelled of sulfur, decaying skin, and garbage that had been in the hot sun for weeks. My nose wrinkled and I held back my breakfast.

"Aunt Luna, what is that thing?" Roxas asked, fear in his voice.

"It stinks," Xion whimpered.

"I don't know," I said backing up slowly, pushing the twins behind me.

Any ideas, Marko? I asked the demon.

No answer.

Marko?

No answer.

Marko, you there?

Still no answer.

Damn you Marko! I thought angrily. You damn bastard! I hope you rot in that cage of yours!

The shadow glided towards us. I gritted my teeth, backing up slowly. I made sure the twins were right behind me. Xion and Roxas caught my look and nodded.

"NOW!"

The twins took off running towards the shops and the safety of people while the shadow went after me. The shadow raised a hand towards me and grabbed me by the throat. My eyes went wide as I felt my skin start to burn.

"AHHHHHHHH!"

"THUNDER!"

Bolts of lightening crashed into the monster, letting me go. I jumped out of the way as more came. I felt the skin around my throat and sighed when I found out that there was no major damage.

"Luna!"

I turned and smiled as I saw Larxene, Xigbar and Xaldin heading my way.

"Look out!" Xigbar warned.

I ducked as the shadow took a swipe at me. I sidestepped as the thing tried to reach me. I could smell the stench that emitted off the thing. I crouched down and pulled out a ceremonial dagger that Namine had given me for my last birthday. The blade is made out of indestructible alloy. The blade is a dark red with silver veins that outlined different pictures of skulls and ravens.

"What is that thing?" Xaldin asked, summoning his lances.

"Don't have a clue," Xigbar said taking out his arrowguns.

Larxene gasped as she saw the shadow. "It's a Capture Demon."

"A Capture what?"

"A Capture Demon is a shadow that is made of evil things," Larxene explained. "It's only objective is to either capture or destroy. Just be careful of its touch. "

"Why?"

"It'll burn the skin right off you."

"Great," I muttered. "Is there anyway to kill it?"

"Um…"

"Larxene is there anyway to kill this thing?" I asked looking at her at the corner of my eye.

"Uh…"

To Be Continued…

Author's Note: Cliff Hanger! What is Larxene's answer? Who sent the Capture Demon? Who is after Luna? Hope you like it and please review!