Disclaimer: I don't own Newsies and i Don't own Spot, Sarah, david, their mother and father, and Racetrack. I do however own the plot i own Alley, Demon, Page, Shadow, Dust Info and the rest of the inner circle and brooklyn newsies also the Manhattan leader Jackle. (No Jack in my story yet, he's coming i promise)

10

A Promise to protect/ Happy 7th Birthday Alley

Alley was out sellin' in Manhattan cause she'd done all the sellin' she could in Brooklyn. She was granted permission to sell in Manhattan from the leader of the Manhattan Newsies. It was safer to leave her alone in 'hattan then it was in Brooklyn due to the gangs. She was almost finished sellin' when she meet up with a girl named Sarah and her mother.

"Ma'am would you like a pape?" The lady turned to look at her, her daughter came to her side.

"Of course." She handed the small girl the money for it. "You look hungry. Why don't you come home with us"

Alley looked at the woman and her daughter. "ummm, thank you."

The lady and her daughter smiled as Alley followed them to their house. When they got inside the apartment a young boy was at the table reading. Alley walked over to him to see what he was reading.

"Hello David," called his mother as she went to get dinner started. "Sarah clear off the table alright?"

"Yes mother"

"Hello Mother." David turned to the girl seated next to him. "hello"

"Hello, I'm Alley nice to meet you. Thank you very much." The last comment was to his mother.

"It's not a problem dear." she said turning form her work in the kitchen.

Sarah came and sat down and David put away what he was doing and the kids began talking about what kids talk about. David and Sarah asking Alley what she did and where she was from. When their father came home they started dinner and he asked Alley who she was and what she did.

"I'm a Newsie sir. Form Brooklyn, but the boys sent me here to sell today." She said respectfully.

He smiled at the child. In his mind he thought what all the guys and what most of the men thought that meet her. She shouldn't be living on the streets she's to special for that. He said nothing about it though. Alley smiled brightly at him as she cleared the table helping Sarah and her mom clean up.

"Thank you very much, but I must be going the boys will get worried if I don't get home soon." She curtsyed before she left the house closing the door behind her. David and Sarah talked in whispers before they were sent to bed. Their parents on the other hand discussed their thoughts on Alley realizing she's been in the papers years ago. Though after meeting her and even before they didn't believe she's do anything of that sort.

Meanwhile on the guys were gathered at the Brooklyn bridge. Both side where there which was very, very rare. Seeing as Brooklyn didn't like Mahattan on their side and Manhattan didn't like Brooklyn on there's. The only thing both groups agreed on was Alley and her safety.

"Is everyone here," rang Demon's voice from amongst the crowd of boys. Yes was the reply from both side.

"Alright then first things first. Alley needs a nickname."

"I think it should be Honesty." yelled a Newsie form the Manhattan side. A young one that went by the name of Racetrack.

"No I think it should be Truth." came another voice.

"No, It should be Alley Cat, or if we don't want to say it all Al-Cat." Everyone turned to Spot. Page smiled at him.

"Yea that's perfect Demon. Seein' as we found her one in and Alley is the name she gives and she favors that and we found her with a small black kitten.

The rest of Brooklyn nodded and it took a second more for the Manhattan Newsies to agree to it as well.

"Alright then Alley Cat it is. Page do tell her that. Okay next thing I want us all to make an Oath."

"An oath?" came a little five year olds voice.

An older newsie turned to him and explained to him what it meant. He would also explain the oath to him for it would be an oath that they'd all live and die by. One that they would take to the grave with them.

" I swear…"

The newsies echoed "I swear…"

"To always look after, protect, and listen to Alley. I promise by my life and death that I will let no harm, that I can stop, come to her. If she gets hurt I promise to track down the person or people who hurt her and deliver justice. If Alley tells me not too I will obey her. I will die for her if that is what must be done to keep her safe. I promise by my blood to not break this oath by any means and always keep it close to my heart. Tell anyone who comes in new the oath and make them take it. I promise to take this oath to my grave."

Demon ended the oath and the newsies follwed suit echoing after him. Each raised their right hand and placed it over their hearts signifying the end and that they had taken the oath.

"Alright it's time for dinner and they off to bed with us all."

The boys left the bridge and each returned home. Page went off to go collect Alley and wish her a happy birthday. They all had a surprise waiting for her back at the warehouse.

As they all finished the oath, Alley was walking around Manhattan. She had gone to Irving hall and ran into Medda.

"Oh I'm so sorry ma'am." She'd been humming and lost in her own thoughts that she hadn't noticed the lady.

"It's alright young one. You have a beautiful voice. I mean if it's anything like your humming. Why don't you come with me inside it's getting cold out and I'm sure those you want to meet you will find you in here."

"how do you know?"

"because I know the newsies"

Alley smiled at the Lady kindly. The lady returned her smile.

"I'm Medda"

"Nice to meet you. I'm Alley"

They walk inside. Alley heard the piano playing at not knowing the song began to make one up on her own and began singing it. When the piano stopped playing she stopped. Some people who worked back stage were standing in awe at the small girl. Medda taken by surprise.

"You sing like an angel. I must admit better then me."

Alley smiled at her. "I wouldn't know."

Medda was introduced onto stage and Alley watched her from back stage. She's liked Medda's voice it reminded her of her mother's. A tear came to her eyes but she quickly brushed it away. Her mother and even her great grandmother sang to her when she was sick and couldn't fall asleep. She'd found out her great grandmother had died after news was brought to her about Alley's mother and father. She had her head down when Medda came back stage again.

"Am I really that good." She looked at Alley with a smile. "Are you okay?" The smile returning to a look of concern.

"Yes, Your voice just reminded me of my mother. She died when I was little"

"Oh…" She hugged the girl close to her.

"I really must go. I should be back in Brooklyn by now and out leader doesn't like to go looking for us."

"Alright, be careful…"

Alley nodded and ran out. A few minuets later she ran into Page not too far from the bridge it's self. Page was glad to have found her because he didn't want her nor did Demon or the other to pass across the bridge by herself at night.

"Hello Page"

"Hello Alley Happy Birthday" he smiled at her handing her a small blade. "Hide this on you and always keep it on you."

"Thank you I thought everyone forgot." She took the dagger for what it was trembling. She didn't like 'em for one had almost killed her. She hid it strapping it to her ankle. She never intended on using it but it brought her comfort. She smiled at Page.

"Shall we Alley."

"Yes"

They walked hand in hand off towards Brooklyn. Alley as happy as she could be. The happiness didn't last for very long though. They ran into a gang that was waiting for them on the other side of the bridge. Page told Alley to run and she did but she hid hoping that the members of the gang that had run after her wouldn't find her.

"Jackson"

"Page. Go get the girl." He said turning to the other members of his gang.

"Lay off her Jackson." Page as calm as he could be.

The boys finally got to Alley and they brought her back to Jackson. She struggled to get away. When she was standing in front of Jackson they turned to holding Page back. They couldn't keep a hold of him though.

"One more move Page and I'll kill her," came Jackson's voice holding a dagger to Alley's throat. She stood still her body shaking against Jackson's. "She's so cute when she's scared." He laughed mockingly at her.

"Let her go!" He took another step forwards hoping that Jackson wouldn't keep his word.

Alley felt the blade cut into her skin not very deep but she felt the cold and the blood. She closed her eyes tight. Page was quick to action his dagger out. Jackson throw Alley to the side. They started to fight. The leader of Manhattan heard the commotion on the other side of the bridge he was out looking for one of his boys. He ran across the bridge. He nodded to Page and headed for the warehouse to gather reinforcements. As he barged in Demon stood.

"Jackle what's up?"

Catching his breath he said, "Page and Alley are in trouble!"

Demon nodded and the older group of newsies assembled in lightning speed. Info stayed behind to watch the other holding Spot, Dust, and Shadow back. They came up on the group with a surprise attack. The gang ran save for Jackson who was locked in battle with Page. Page made attack wounding Jackson who realized he was surrounded and he made a run for it.

"Alley, Alley is she okay?" Page looked with concern towards Demon who had Alley in his arms.

"She'll be fine Page, she's in shock the cut isn't deep and it's already bleed out all it will. Are you okay?"

Page nodded checking himself out. He knew he'd hurt like mad in the morning. He took Alley out of Demon's arms and held her tight to him. Demon led them back to the warehouse. When they got in the warehouse Page laid Alley in her spot and let the others attend to her. Spot almost passed out when he saw the too but he got himself together and wrapped Alley tightly. The little group fell asleep rather fast that night.

Page stood with the inner circle taking in a deep breath. Jet, Tex, Dallas, Demon, and Info looked at him in concern. Jackle had gone back to his side of the bridge when the fight was over with.

"Page what happened?"

"We were coming across the bridge and Jackson and his gang were waitin' for us."

Demon nodded at him.

"I told Alley to run but the boys he sent after her caught her. Jackson said he'd kill her if I made another move. I had a plan but I had to move to put it into action and as soon as I did he pressed the blade harder into her throat. I just showed the dagger I had in my hand and he threw her down and we started fighting. I don't remember what happened next I don't even know how you guys got there."

"That I could answer. Jackle came to tell us."

Page nodded glancing over at Alley. "I could have gotten her killed. I…"

"Page you couldn't help that. If you hadn't started fighting with Jackson, Jackson would have killed her or worse. She'll be fine you'll see the cut wasn't deep it won't do a thing to her. She may be sore in the morning like you. You did what you had too. Don't beat yourself up about it. Okay. You didn't break the Oath in anyway if that's what you are worried about."

Page nodded breathing a sigh of relief. Looking at the others he excused himself and went to lie down next to Alley and the others falling into a restless sleep.

"Bad luck seems to follow the poor girl on her birthday." Demon looked at the others.

"Happy Birthday Alley Cat" silently echoed through the warehouse. The boys set off to go to sleep Demon sleeping by the door. None of them sleep well that night though. They were all afraid of an attack against them, but it never came and as the sun rose they were all asleep soundly until the sun peaked in through the door waking Demon who in turn woke everyone else. As usual they all got up had a bit to eat and walked out to the distribution area and out sellin' Alley stayed with Page that day and he didn't let her out of his site.

a/n: Sorry it's taken me so long to update. I've had writers block for awhile on this story but i finally got this chapter out of my head. It's hard to think like a 7 year old when i'm about to graduate from highschool and it's hard to find time when i have work and i have to do the end of the year school work so that i do graduate. Well i hope you enjoy. Please R&R. More to come as soon as it can.

Alley: She promises she'll get it done. but she's really busy

author: Alley i have work come on talk to them later.

Alley: I've got to go i hope you enjoy it.