"An unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to give up than the bad ones." – William Maugham
"Chiisai!"
The red-eyed boy, known to everyone in the thief village as 'Hiei', glared at her, "Stop calling me that."
Andara made a face, "Nuh-uh I like it."
His glare intensified, but Andara didn't flinch. Hiei scowled to himself, apparently glares had no effect on stupid people.
He continued on his way, stomping through the forest, with that tear gem of his glinting in plain view of everyone in the village.
Andara tromped along behind him, her hands behind her head.
"Hey how come you're always wearing that thing? Is it important or something?"
He didn't bother glancing back at her, "It was my mother's."
Andara's face fell, visibly, "Oh."
Hiei continued forward, ignoring the girl's expression, even as it snapped back into its former grin.
"So do you remember her then?"
He slashed his new found weapon at a group of bamboo shoots, "No."
Andara shrugged, watching as Hiei cleared the area of bamboo so that he could practice with the sword.
"I remember mine," she put in a few seconds later.
Hiei scowled, "I don't care."
Andara grinned devilishly, "Ima tell you anyway Chi-kun~"
"Stop calling me that," He snapped again.
Andara woke with a jolt as the Ramhawk landed.
Kisuke moved to shake her awake, only to find her already staring up at him.
"We're here," he pointed sat up, stretching as she looked about the large town.
She slid down off the Ramhawk and placed her hands on her hips, "Well I guess today's the day we retire huh?"
Kisuke leapt down beside her, watching her carefully.
"No more stealing for us…" Andara caught something glittering out of the corner of her eye and immediately moved towards it, "Except for that…" She murmured, reaching for it.
Kisuke caught her by the collar with a sigh, "You're hopeless."
Andara grinned at him, "Like a hate fish out of water."
"A fitting description for someone who's about to die," both siblings froze.
The demon approached them out of the bustling crowds, and Andara could sense the familiar energies of her former family of rogues as well.
"Madari," Kisuke said with a tilt of his head, "It's been awhile."
"Don't bullshit me Kisuke, I want what you promised me."
Andara, grimaced inwardly as Madari's eyes landed on her.
Kisuke moved subtly between them, sadness etched into his features, "You can't hold me to a promise made when I was drugged."
Madari laughed, "I can and am. Give her to me now or I will take her from you."
Kisuke stiffened, all emotion gone from his features, "Try it then."
Madari faltered for an instant before laughing, "Look around Kisuke, you're out numbered."
It was Kisuke's turn to laugh, he relaxed, looking cockier than before and smirking, "Hey Andara, "
the girl snapped her gaze back to her brother, "You better not steal anything while I'm playing got it?"
Andara grinned wickedly, "Yeah sure thing, just don't have too much fun. I like this town in one piece."
Andara's gaze went immediately to the shiny silver ring in the shop window. It was encased in glass and was plain except for a fairly large emerald that was set perfectly into the ancient looking ring.
Andara flinched as a nearby building exploded, sending waves of citizen's screaming. She put her face in her palm, "So much for not having too much fun…"
The ring glinted in the moonlight, catching Andara's attention once more.
She looked around, the town was in chaos, no one would even notice the ring was gone until after the panic died down. Nimble fingers wrapped around a tiny glass cutter that Andara kept in her satchel for just such an occasion.
Slinking up to the window, Andara changed her mind, the was no point in using a glass cutter when the town was so preoccupied with her brother and his wild fighting techniques. Instead she snatched up a piece of pipe and slammed it into the glass.
The sound of shattering glass soothed her, but she wasted no time in snatching up the glittering ring and pocketing it for later.
It wouldn't do her any good to let Kisuke see it after all.