Chapter 5

Pouring, that's what it was, the rain was all but just falling out of the sky. It was making the ground muddy and far more difficult to move around on. Mayura's hair was soaked and constantly wanted to stay in her face, the water made her clothing heavier also. However nothing was heavier than her heart, all the wishful thinking in the world couldn't give her what she wanted. Nothing—she was thankful for the rain...washing away her tears.

Rajan just stood there, holding his own staff in hand, she really didn't want to fight against him but if it got the mission done and over the dark haired girl wouldn't care. The beating of her heart sounded in her ears, counting to five Mayura leaped forward. It was a mad dash and if she were lucky her speed would be an advantage over Rajan's. But no, he was fast and knew this place better than she did—as she stumbled past the wolf swung the rod, Rajan easily dodged and remained motionless as she slammed into the mud.

The duel was no contest at all, how could she fight at her best when so much was on her mind? It amounted to nothing though, standing she readied herself for another attack. This time she held the staff firmer and lunged like crazy, only to have her attack pared and knocked back into the wall behind her. The tiger now took to the offense but Mayura dropped down to avoid it, when his staff struck the wall pieces of rock flew everywhere and a large hole was left in its wake.

' Dear God', she thought,' there's no way I can out muscle this man! I'll be lucky if I can outwit him!'

Again the attack came and she had to roll out of harms way this time, falling off the small stone pool, then she was back on the offense. With his back turned the girl thought she had a slight advantage but he whirled around in time to grab her staff with a clawed hand. Fear and desperation surged through her, forcing all the strength she had into her arms Mayura managed to keep from being throw back.

" Your anger is misdirected," Rajan spoke, not really trying to keep her at bay." Ms. Mayura...what's happened?"

" Nothing!" she screamed once again trying to force him back, even just a little. For an instant, however, Rajan just stared as he found that—little by little, she was succeeding in doing just that." There's nothing wrong! Nothing's happened! I'm fine! Just fine!"

Raising the cane he flung it, with her still holding on with all the rage she felt, and watched her drop into the mud. A sob escaped her, that he was certain she hadn't meant to do, and felt the tension leave him." It's the thief."

Mayura jerked her gaze towards Rajan," No...no..it's not...it—"

" It is, while the thief and the officer were dancing I saw how your expression changed but hadn't given it so much thought," the tiger now crossed the distance between them and smiled grimly." But I understand very clearly now...you love the one known as Sly Cooper." Her hand came up to slam into his face but he caught it, and captured the other one—it was then that all her emotions came out at once.

Rajan released her hands and she hide her face in them as she cried," I'm...so stupid...I should have known better.."

It tore at his heart and when the urge became too strong, he embraced her," No child, you are not."

Sly had just finished his goal and was on his way back to the safe house when the conversation came in loud and clear on his binocucom. Frozen dead in his tracks the raccoon wasn't surprised when the transmission was interrupted by Bently.

" Sly did you hear—"

" I did..." How could he have not noticed it? Sure, when he thought back the signs were obvious but everything had been happening so fast he didn't give anything other than the Clockwerk parts a second thought.

The sound of water sloshing came over the binocucom and Bently came back on," Sly! Rajan's taken Mayura inside his keep and threw her binocucom out into the rain! We have to get her back if we're going to prove her innocence and take back the Clockwerk parts!"

" But.." Sly began with a twang of guilt in his voice." What if she doesn't want to come back?"

The silence that followed meant that the possibility was there, and a big possibility it was.

Atop the ruins where Rajan's headquarters were, a silver wolf carefully watched as the tiger lifted the girl and carried her inside—in the beginning she had feared for the child but no longer. Despite the fact that Rajan was a member of the Klaww Gang and an illegal spice lord, he was quite gentle with her.

' Good,' thought the wolf with a smile.' Good...'

Woot! Chapter 5 is now complete and another character is being introduced! Haha! This particular chapter was really difficult because of the fight scene and I think I could have done a lot better but I stink at them. sigh Maybe someday I'll ask for assistance or something...I dunno.

But didn't I tell ya that things would get strange! Hence the title but whatever. lol Chapter 6 Mayura-chan comes to realize just what she wants. Muhahaha! Ahem, please stay tuned.

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