Story Notes: Thanks for reading this story. I'm having so much fun writing this for the first time in ages. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter.

Chapter Summary: RJ hopes to get what he desires the most, but what is Tintin's next move?

Suggested Music

1. Paper Plane - Avanstasia

2. The Red Flower - John Debney

3. Shere Khan and the Fire - John Debney

4. Liar Liar (Wasteland Monarchy) - Kamelot

X

RJ watched with glee as Ravi removed the statue from its rightful position.

Finally.

Ravi paused as he placed his hands on the expensive item. Unwilling to give him any more time to change his mind RJ ploughed through his resistance, snatching it from his grasp.

"What do you expect to gain from this?"

RJ ignored him.

"Wait! If you are selling I.."

RJ slammed his fist into the man's face and he stumbled, collapsing unconscious onto the ground.

"Don't you dare think you can barter with me?" RJ sneered.

He slipped past the rest of the guards without alerting anyone but as voices echoed from one of the rooms his curiosity drew him in. He positioned himself next to the window, watching and listening with a grimace as the kid he hated the most discussed the situation with the Maharaja.

x

As Indra and Dinesh continued to discuss the issue, Tintin's deep thought broke as a strange conclusion pushed its way through.

"I wonder if this is Kih Oskh.." Tintin postulated not thinking about it.

Kih Oskh doesn't operate in this manner.

"But the symbol .. in your room and the man's arm.."

Dinesh had a point.

"I know, but now I've had a chance to think it doesn't seem right. They've had many chances to harm us.." Tintin paused as he recalled the nightmare and the intrusion into his room.

Someone had to sneak past the guards to get up to my window.

Whoever it was could have murdered me ... no one would have known.

Would I even have felt it?

The thought sent a cold shiver down his back.

"You're thinking it's a coincidence?" Haddock's voice broke him from his thoughts thankfully, forcing him to concentrate on the group again.

"I'm thinking something else is going on," Tintin exclaimed, scratching Snowy between the ears.

Snowy snuggled into his master even more from that action. "Maybe they are just thieves... but that man... I know his voice. I know I've met him before,"

Snowy perked up from his position, beginning to sniff the air. A scent lingered in the air, catching his attention.

He dropped down from Tintin's lap, starting to furiously sniff the room as Dinesh spoke.

"If we assume your theory is correct, then what do we do next,"

"I don't .."

A low growl broke the concentration of the entire group. Tintin frowned and turned round, but Snowy had disappeared.

"Snowy?" he called before standing up and approaching the door. "Snowy!"

Snowy barked quickly, and he strode out of the room, determined to find out what had disturbed Snowy.

"Tintin, what's wrong?" Indra called.

Then a familiar voice echoed.

"Shut up you mutt!"

The thief!

As their eyes locked the pair froze.

This lasted moments.

The man bolted, and Tintin didn't hesitate. He sprinted after him.

"HEY! STOP!"

Snowy sprinted alongside him as Indra and Haddock ran from the room, watching as they ran into the jungle.

X

"Tintin! Wait!" Haddock shouted. He hadn't even had a chance to run after him.

Blistering Barnacles, He's too fast for me!

Indra shouted to his guards.

"At least we have some idea where he's going. Come, Haddock. We will follow!"

He's going to get himself killed, Haddock thought as he sprinted alongside the Maharaja.

I don't give a damn about that blistering stature, I just want my best friend back.

This is a bit shorter than I wanted it, but it still does the job. I hope you are enjoying this adventure. I'm trying to enjoy writing more and not put so much pressure on myself which is why these have taken so long to publish. Tune in next time to find out if Tintin manages to finally catch the man he can't quite identify.