Disclaimer: I do not own the Mighty Ducks, or any of the characters. However I do own my characters Lis, Stealth, and Crystal. So please do not sue me.

Author's note: A story of the Brotherhood of The Blade. It is about Duke and Lis. Another romance I have created for the two. This has nothing to do with the series I am putting up, but I thought it was a sweet story and I hope you enjoy it. Let me know what you think of it, okay? It would mean a lot to me. Not for those who do not like romance.

Chapter One

Soon they were at their lair, where a gang of thieves waited for their return. They were all apart of The Brotherhood Of The Blade that a man known as Stealth lead. Everyone was surprised to see the young girl in Duke's arms.

"Who is she?" One girl demanded.

"Her name's Lis; she was alone an' she hasn't eaten for a week. We need ta help her," Duke explained.

"Why should we?!" One of the men exclaimed.

""We may be thieves; but we still have hearts, we can make room for her," Duke said firmly.

"Duke, what about the time we need to prepare for next week; the Ceremony and banquet of you becoming our new leader, we don't have time for her," a third thief reminded.

"We'll make time!" Duke ordered.

With that Duke brought Lis to the infirmary. There he lay her in a warm soft bed as he spoke to the Brotherhood doctor, Trent.

"We have ta help her Trent, I know there's a lot ta prepare for, but she needs our help, she would have died of I had left her alone," Duke told him.

"I understand, Duke, but before we can help her, she needs to eat something," he answered in a calm tone.

Trent was a duck with blond hair and brown feathers, or skin. He wore denim jeans, a black turtle neck, and a normal doctor's coat. He also had a pair of glasses over his hazel eyes. He was only an inch or two shorter than Duke.

"Okay, I'll make her somethin' ta eat, and I'll be right back," Duke assured as he left the medium sized infirmary and headed to the galley.

Though just after he left, Lis woke up, and was startled to find herself in a warm bed in a strange new room, and with Duke missing. As she scanned the room slowly, she saw Trent standing close by.

"You're awake I see," Trent said with a kind smile.

"Where am I?" Lis asked.

"You're in The Brotherhood of the Blade's infirmary," he told her.

"Where's Duke?"

"He went to the galley to get you something to eat."

"Oh," she said as she tried to sit up.

Just then Duke walked in with a plate of food.

"Hey, you're awake!" He exclaimed.

Duke then handed Lis the plate and sat down in a chair beside her bed, "Here ya go sweetheart."

"Thank you," she said as she began to eat.

"Someone wants ta meet ya when you're done," Duke informed her.

"Who?"

"The leader of our gang," he answered.

"Gang?!"

Duke nodded, "We're the Brotherhood Of The Blade, a gang of thieves."

Lis looked at Duke, fear spreading through her.

"What's wrong?" Duke asked bewildered.

"I've heard of this gang, and you're the most wanted thief on Puck World!" She stated shakily.

Duke nodded again.

Lis felt very aware of the fright growing inside her; for she had also heard that once you entered the lair of the Brotherhood; you never left. What would these thieves do to her? Would they keep her there now, or would they kill her for actually coming here, even if a thief had invited her there. She could feel herself growing overwhelmed with fear.

In this cage of terror that trapped her mind, Lis felt herself jump up and run, for some reason not bothering to think about the one thief that had saved her from starving to death. She was just too scared to think straight!

Just then she ran into Falcone, and he struck her so hard that she fell to the ground startled and in pain.

"Where do you think you're going brat?!" He snickered.

"Lis?!" Duke called behind her.

Then he dropped down beside her and looked at her.

When Duke looked at her, he found blood on her lips, Falcone had hit her hard.

"You okay?" Duke asked as he gently whipped the blood away.

"I don't want to stay here, I'm not a thief!" she cried, "Please don't force me to stay!"

"Lis; even if ya could leave, you'd be put in a lot of danger. Though I had hoped that you would stay, I'd help ya ta be a thief."

"You're out of your mind, Duke; she's just a little girl. She can't join!" Falcone said, but Duke ignored him.

"Lis, I know you're scared; but I really want ya ta stay here so ya don't end up alone on the streets again," Duke told her, "Please stay here sweetheart."

Duke could still see great fear and bewilderment across her face. Her hands shook terribly, and her dark brown hair was mated and tangled in front of her face in an attempt to hide her young face.

The young man felt sorry for the girl, not pity; but sadness washed over Duke as he drew closer to her and gave her a light and gentle kiss upon her right cheek. It was an attempt to help her feel better, like kisses relaxed many young teenage girls. Though for some reason Lis couldn't help but blush and wonder if there was more to it than a simple brush of comfort. For she had never been kissed before in he entire life. Not even from her own kind. No, Duke was the only one who had ever dared to show her even a slight bit of affection.

"Duke?" She finally faltered.

"Lis, please," he said as he held out a dark hand towards her.

She hesitated, she was certainly scared; but Duke seemed so sincere. What was it about him that made her feel so much weaker than she felt to begin with? She knew what he was; but she couldn't help but wonder who he was? Why did he make her feel so nervous, and yet calm, at the same time?

Finally Lis found herself taking Duke's hand before she realized it. Then he closed his around her's firmly; and then he said with a smile, "Welcome to the Brotherhood Of The Blade."

"Thank you," was the only reply that would quietly escape from her lips.

After, Duke stood up, and helped Lis up to her feet. She was still bewildered on how he was able to charm her so easily. Almost effortlessly. She even brushed away any started emotions she had felt for him from the kiss, knowing it had been just a part of his plan to persuade her to join them. Though she couldn't help but sense a little pain deep within her.

Soon, Duke had escorted her to an empty room with a nice bed, and a few other girly like items of furniture; a dresser, a full length mirror, a book shelf, and a nice reading chair.

"Is this all stolen?" She dared to ask.

Duke chuckled slightly, "No hun', these were left behind by another girl thief that left a few weeks ago. She said she didn't want anything that had ever been in this "dark lair," as she said."

"Oh; but I thought once someone came here, they couldn't leave?" Lis questioned.

Duke looked away momentarily, and then said with what seemed like a painful sigh, "Well sweetheart, she was the only exception."

Lis looked at Duke curiously. That reply had seemed as though Duke had to nearly choke back a sob before answering.

"Are you alright?" She asked with concern as she approached him.

Duke stood straight up now, after leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed over his chest, and said in reply, "Yeah, I'm fine."

"I hope I didn't make you upset," Lis told him sincerely.

Duke smiled with slight sadness showing, "Of coarse not, Kid; now, you just get some rest. I'll see ya in the mornin'. Oh, an' if ya have any trouble, I'm right next door."

Lis nodded, not wanting to risk him being upset with her when she had just joined the Brotherhood.

With that Duke went to his bedroom, and tried to get some sleep. While Lis attempted to sleep as well.

Though for some reason, something about Duke was still bothering her. Not the charm he had used on her earlier. During their most recent talk, she had felt a deep pain in Duke. Something he was going through. Yes, she knew it wasn't her place to interfere; but she couldn't help but worry for the very man who had saved her life.

Then finally, as another hour passed by Lis unknowingly fell fast asleep, still in deep thought and concern over Duke.