Black Rose

Ch.3 Dreaded Past

"How would you like to join our gang?"

It was so sudden that Rae didn't know what to think. "Why?" She considered the offer of actually joining them, but wanted to know why first before making a decision, especially since she barely knew these guys, and had been working alone for most of her life; she just wanted to be cautious.

"You have certain skills that Sly has yet to perfect yet." Bentley chimed in. "And from what I've seen on your file, you have an impressive IQ, so you could be of great help to me as well."

She glanced up at the front before back at Sly, leaning back as she crossed her legs and folded her arms. "And what exactly would I be worth to you?"

"You're a master thief just like me so you could assist us. And from what I've heard, you've got some history with the Klaww Gang."

Rae tensed up slightly. I figured they'd mention something about my past encounter with the Klaww Gang...

"You could say that..." She sighed. "However, my history with them isn't a very pleasant one before you decide to get any ideas."

Suddenly though, before Sly could give a reply, the van came to a screeching stop. "All right guys, this is where we stop!" Murray announced.

"We'll camp here tonight and head on to Monaco tomorrow." Bentley added. "Sly, can you go get some firewood?"

"I'll help too." Rae said as she put her mask on, a smirk curling into Sly's lips.

"Is the mask really necessary?"

She shrugged. "You never know if there's cops lurking around." She said before dashing off, Sly following.

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She dashed through the forest trees, pouncing off of branches to keep herself going as she often got some branches for firewood, gathering them in one arm. The wind whipped her fur around, her hair not much different as it flipped wildly behind her. Sly just silently watched, leaning against a tree with his cane at hand and his signature grin on his face. He studied every little movement she made as she switched her cane into what looked like a black katana sword. She seemed relaxed in his eyes, not a care in her mind as she simply gathered the wood needed. Soon, she leaped in front of the ringtail, firewood in her arms with her sword switched back into a cane.

"There." She sighed. "All done."

Sly smirked, hitting the back of his cane on the tree he was leaning against as wood fell to his feet. "So am I."

Rae rolled her eyes. "And you're a cheater." She said, walking off.

After the fire was set up, Rae sat down, removing her mask as she stared at it, but just as Sly seated himself next to the fox, she spoke. "So, what's in Monaco?"

"A spice lord that goes by the name Rajan."

Rae's eyes widened a bit, tensing up. "What...?"

"Yeah. He used to sell spices on the black market as a child, but as he grew up, he managed to build a sizable operation, and that's how he landed himself a spot in the Klaww Gang because of his spice distribution."

"I know who he is, but...we have to go there to stop him?"

"Well, yeah. Why, is something wrong?" He asked.

Rae quickly shook her head. "No, it's nothing, never mind."

Sly knew Rae just brushed the question off because she was hiding something, but at the same time, he didn't want to pry, so he just changed the subject instead, clearing his throat. "So, umm, what's the story with that mask of yours, if you don't mind my asking."