Edit: So I've re-written this chapter because it sucks. Anyways, enjoy the new and improved chapter 10!

Reviews:

emowolf64- Now we have Chibi Nifty napkins! X3 Anyways, I don't mind suggestions. I'm always up for 'em! You hear that readers? Thanks for the review!

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Cookie! OMNOMNOMNOM And yes! Sly/Nifty forever! We can call it... 'Sifty'! XD Thanks for the review!

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Haha! Thanks for the review!

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Sly Cooper: Band of Thieves

Chapter 10

"Whoa…" I gawked at the production that was taking place in the place. The whole room was crawling with guards and various mechanical machines hummed loudly as they worked. A strange noise was coming from the center of the room. I cringed at what I saw. Half of a large metal heart was suspended above a circular platform and it beat loudly as red, toxic looking fumes emitted from it.

A thick metal cable kept the heart suspended above the platform. It stretched across the room and to a control box. Unfortunately for me, the box was locked tight and I would have to pickpocket the keys from a couple of rhino guards. The security did not seem as bad as I thought it would be; which was bad for Rajan, but good for me.

Sneaking up behind one of the guards, I pulled out a few coins and the first key. The second guard was on the platform directly under the heart, so I took a little more time to position myself so I would not be spotted by anyone else. The rhino had a lot more in his pouch than the key. I pulled out some coins, a picture of his family on vacation, and a crumpled picture of me as 'Catrina' before actually getting the key.

"Looks like Rajan isn't too fond of me since I helped steal the Clockwerk Wings." I chuckled as I made my way over to the control box. The locks clicked as I unlocked them then pressed the release button. The claw holding the piece of metal opened and heart fell to the ground with a loud bang. The rhino guard on the platform fell off as a wave of raw energy radiated from the heart and the other one was too confused to decide what to do.

Gingerly taking the thing in my arms, I ran past the confused guard and made a beeline for the door. I was just about to make it when a monkey guard jumped out of nowhere and tackled me over the ledge. Pushing him off, I was about to hit the water when a blue and grey blur appeared and caught me. It set me down on one of the arms of a rotating machine beside it, but I slipped and fell into the water before it could catch me. I came up sputtering and saw Sly looking down at me with an eyebrow raised and an amused look on his face.

"Hello," I said, trying to look casual as I floated onto my back. "Nice of you to come join me."

Sly spire jumped to another arm and scrunched his nose at the water. "I'd love to have a bubble bath with you, but there seems to be no bubbles, so I don't think I will join you."

I rolled my eyes and kicked water at him. Maybe I could make him fall off so my skills would not look so miniscule compared to his.

"Hey!" The racoon back flipped then ninja spire jumped, landing perfectly on another machine arm. Dengit.

Luckily for me, there was a nearby pipe I could climb back up to the ledge where the door was. Sly followed close behind and held the door open, flashing me a boyish grin. I paused beside him and smirked, shaking the water out of my fur. He shooed me away and let the stone door roll close behind us. Turning, I chucked the Clockwerk heart piece at him.

"So how did you know where I was?" I asked curiously.

Sly tucked the heart piece into his red bag then said, "I ran into Neyla on the way to the Safe House. She said she showed you where the first piece of the heart was."

"Yep. Although, I still don't trust her." I said, jumping onto a mushroom. It bounced me up to a rock platform where I kicked a guard into the river.

"Why not?" Sly asked. "She's helped us out a lot. We owe her big time."

"I know," I sighed, watching Sly walk onto a vine to cross to another rock ledge. "But I just have this nagging feeling in my gut that she isn't doing this to help us, or anyone for that matter."

Sly did not answer as he watched me cautiously take a step out onto the vine. I inched slowly across, but slipped when I was half way and fell into the river with a loud splash. The water was ice cold even though the surrounding air was hot and muggy. It was a nice, but shocking change. Although, it peeved me that I was not able to walk across vines and other ropes like Sly could.

"Are you OK?" he asked, offering me his cane. I grabbed the hook and he hauled me out of the water, pulling me towards him a little too close for comfort. I blushed and took a step back, but almost fell back into the river when Sly caught my arm.

"Er…" Sly chuckled and ruffled my hair playfully. I stuck my tongue out and ran towards the large snake statue that the Safe House was in.

"We're back!" I yelled as we walked inside. Bentley was at his laptop as usual and Murray was eating; as usual.

"Good job, Nifty!" Bentley said, smiling. "You getting the first half of the Clockwerk heart cuts out a few jobs that we would have had to do. Although, we would have liked you to tell us what you were doing. We were starting to get worried."

"Going alone was dangerous." added Murray.

I sat down in one of the chairs and put my feet up on the table. "Ha! I laugh in the face of danger!"

Bentley rolled his eyes and shoved my feet off of the table as he directed our attention to the projector.

"Alright, guys, I have some bad news. Rajan has gone into hiding somewhere in the temple. I guess the destruction of his satellite array and my invasion of his personal space spooked him, not to mention Nifty stole one of the heart pieces. Do get his portion of the Clockwerk heart; we'll have to drive him out into the open. Given Rajan's spice addled temper. I'd recommend making him angry."

"That shouldn't be too hard." I said, scratching my cheek. "What're we going to do?"

"Well, first we'll destroy the center of his operation; the spice grinder," the turtle said as he circled the spice grinder then scribbled it out. I swear, sometimes it seemed he was having too much fun with his slideshows. "Then we'll demolish the damn above the temple in an attempt to flood him out. If that doesn't work, I've made arrangements to exchange one of the temple's mesa rubies for some high explosives; which, if necessary we can use to flood the whole temple grotto! If my psychological profile is accurate, Rajan should pick up the other half of the Clockwerk heart before making his escape; effectively bringing it to us."

"Why don't I just show him my face?" I asked as I pulled out the picture of me that I pickpocketed from one of the guards. "That should be enough to anger him."

"Yes, but he would be less likely to grab the heart piece before perusing you." Bentley answered.

"Besides, we wouldn't get to blow something up!" Murray added. I laughed and high-fived the hippo. He was just like Clout. Speaking of my giant goofball of a friend…. I quieted as thoughts of my gang invaded my head. I wonder what they were doing.

"Hey, Nifty!" Murray waved a hand in front of my face. I blinked in surprise.

"What did you say?" I asked.

"We're going to get some shut eye," said Bentley. "It's almost sunrise and we have a big night tomorrow."

"Oh… uh can I talk to you Sly," I asked hesitantly. "It'll only take a minute."

The racoon shrugged and followed me outside. I sat and swung my feet over the edge of the stone snake's mouth. Sly sat cross-legged beside me, his cane lying across his lap. The sun was just beginning to rise and it cast beautiful slivers of sunlight across the jungle. I sighed.

"So…" Sly coughed, probably feeling a bit awkward.

I saw him looking at me expectantly out of the corner of my eye. At least he didn't look as though I was wasting his time.

"I was just wondering…" I paused, taking my time and enjoying his company. "if you could teach me how to do all the stuff you. Like, walk on vines and stuff."

Sly smiled. "Sure! But… did you want to talk about anything else?"

"Er… no. Why do you ask?" I said a little too quickly.

"Just wondering, you've been zoning out lately." he said. "I may not have much consoling skills, being a thief and all, but I'm always here if you need someone to talk to."

I looked at Sly and gave him a thankful smile. We sat there in silence, watching the sun rise before I stood and stretched, yawning loudly.

"Time for some shut eye, I guess." I said tiredly. Sly stood as well and turned to face me when a surprise look crossed his face. It was soon replaced with a grim look and dare I say, scared?

"Well if it isn't Sly Cooper and Catrina."

It's... so bad. ;A; You can totally tell I rushed this. I'm sowy! I'll re-write this eventually. I'm just glad i got it out. Anyways, I've pretty much decided Sly/Nifty. Sifty! XDDDDD

OK, a few questions: First, if I made a tumblr (I'm so mainstream ewe) would you guys follow? Second, now that we can make covers for our stories, should I have Nifty, Nifty and Sly, or Nifty and the gang? Third, uh... I forgot... XD I'll get back to you on that. So! Leave your feed back in a review and you'll get uh... a Nifty plushy!

Nifty: Aren't I so cute in plush form?

-pushes away-

CMilkLOL out!

Hopefully this one doesn't suck as much. Also, I should have the cover done by the next chapter. Until then, see ya!