Woot! Chapter seven is live! -dances-

Slightly: Stop that.

-stops- Party pooper.


Two-Bits looked around and almost died from shock. Standing before her was none other than Striker. Furiously, she hurled towards him, but Boomerang grabbed her around the waist, pinning her arms down.

"Hey, easy Bits," she muttered into her ear. "We don't want trouble."

"You bastard," she hissed. "You killed Dice!" Striker smirked.

"He asked for it," he said carelessly. Two-Bits' eyes narrowed. "Anyway, what d'you care anyway? Apparently your loyalties weren't too strong, seeing as how you're selling under another newsie."

"I am no traitor!" she snapped.

"You are as far as I'm concerned. I took over Dice's newsies," he replied, grinning at her furious expression. "I'll be back for you."

"Not if I get you first," Two-Bits snarled back. Striker chuckled and walked off. When he had disappeared in the crowd, Boomerang released Two-Bits, who was steaming mad. She was muttering curses under her breath, just loud enough for the passing buyer to hear and walk off indignantly. Boomerang looked at the last of her papers, which she had dropped on the ground as she held back Two-Bits, and grimaced. By Murphy's Law, they had landed directly in a puddle. She picked one up. The ink was running already.

"Great," she snapped at no one. Two-Bits looked at the ruined papers.

"I'll buy you lunch," she said, apologetically.

"All right, let's go to Tibby's," Boomerang sighed. The two started walking back to town.

"What's your problem?" Snitch asked, noticing Two-Bits' bad mood.

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Are you hungry?" he ventured.

"No."

Snitch opened his mouth again but Boomerang glared at him. He backed away. Boomerang turned back to Two-Bits.

"We've got to tell Jack," she said. Two-Bits looked up and Boomerang almost winced at the death glare she was being subjected to, all trace of angel-face gone.

"No."

"Bits, we have to. Jack's the leader. If one of his newsies is being threatened, he's gotta know!" she insisted. Two-Bits shook her head.

"I've been here a day, Boomer. I'm not one of Jack's newsies. Anyway, Striker's busy with the Bronx newsies right now. If he comes after me, it won't be for a while."

But when he does, I'll be ready.

"All right," Boomerang said reluctantly, not liking the determined look in Two-Bits' eye. "I won't say anything. But if anybody from Queens shows up, I'm telling Jack, all right?"

"Fine," Two-Bits said. "Now, can you take me to Brooklyn?"


SHOUTOUTS

Garen Ruy Maxwell: You totally should! 'Tis fun.

Gryffindor's Newsie: You guessed it! Actually, I couldn't remember who the voice was, so I made it up. Now that you mention it, I think it was supposed to be the Delancey brothers, but I don't really like this story so I'm making it shorter.

Unknown-Dreams: Too true. Angel face requires mad skillZ yo.

Slightly: Fo'shizzle.

Queen of Doom: Thank ye kindly.

Lil Irish QT: Yeah, it was s'posed to be the Delanceys, but I forgot.

Kid Blink's Dreamer: I never was a morning person until this past school year. Now I wake up at like, eight at the latest. Eurgh.