Hearing him being spoiled as a child in the palace. The thief rolled his eyes. Knowing that would happen. To his eyes, he could never see that as a true family. Instead of showing actual love or affection to them. They just pay for whatever they want. While living in Black Alley he seen how close the families are. So there were some families with issues, but compared to the lords and ladies. The people he knew were more of a family then them. Even in his homeland. Everyone was like kin. Thinking about that made him home sick. Sadly it's to toxic to live there anymore.

Once they were in the prince's chambers. He wouldn't admit it, but he was impressed. A room this big could easily fit four if not five families. While the room was appealing, he still thinks that the money it took to make this could of gone somewhere else. Like the clinic in White Angel or the black smith in Copper Nail. Also it would hurt to help the people in his home area. What really amazed in was the bed. It was huge. he thought of what the prince might of done in it. "It would really surprise me if he did." he thought to himself.

While wonder moving around. He looked up and down. Seeing each square inch. "Alright. Where are my clothes?" he asked. Just wanting to find them. He's been in the flurry nightgown for long enough. Time to get into the tatter clothes and cloak back from Keanu. Still hoping that he didn't do anything stupid and burned them or something.

In the huge, luxurious chamber, Keanu reclined easily on one of the many couches. He dismissed the guards to stand out in the hall as he stuffed a silken pillow behind his head. If he needed them, he'd easily call out for them. Meanwhile, he propped up his feat on an ottoman as the thief gazed around in wonder. Surely this was one of the nicest rooms the Panther had ever seen.

"Alright. Where are my clothes?" The thief asked.

"I'm not sure. Perhaps the servants folded them and put them away in my things, thinking they were mine." He pointed to large, white double doors that led to his humongous closet. "Anything that they've recently put in there will be laid out on the large table you'll see as soon as you walk in."

The thief opened the doors with haste and turned away disappointed.

"They might be laid out on my bed then." Prince Keanu suggested.

Closet, table and bed. He could find his clothes anywhere. This was ticking off the thief a little. But remained calm. He did however, let out an annoyed sigh. For he really didn't have time to deal with this. So he starts tearing the place up. Ripping the sheets off the bed and crumbled them into a ball. Then going back to the closet and looked deeper inside. Pulling the prince's clothes off from the hangers and off the selves.

When he couldn't really find them. He rubbed both his eyes his his thumb and index fingers. "If your servants threw out my cloak. You will be hiring new ones." he told him. Sounding bitter.

Keanu stood silently as the thief began to tear his chamber apart, looking for his stupid cloak. What did he care? This was his vacation home, this room didn't really matter. Besides, the newly raised taxes would more than pay for the damages - the money most likely funneling directly from the Black Alley. I need to renovate anyway, Keanu thought to himself.

His steps, carefully calculated and executed, fell without a sound on the lusciously carpeted floor. The Panther was busy behind the billowy curtains of the bed, tearing through the sheets, searching desperately for his articles. He didn't notice Keanu sneaking up on him.

Finally, the Prince was there. He hovered dangerously close behind the thief, craning his neck forward to whisper into the Panther's ear. "Why do you want clothes? Why should you hide that body of yours?" It came out as a delicate purr, sliding off of Keanu's tongue with pure verbal seduction, laced with a tiny bit of venomous danger.

Feeling the warmth of the Prince's breath, made the thief tense up. If he had his clothes, he had his dagger to deafened himself with. It was kept in a pocket in the cloak for easy access when in a jam. He looked over his shoulder. Glaring him in the eyes. When he heard the purring noise coming from him. He knew what it meant. He heard that noise all the time when he went undercover as a female.

"Even if this a worthless argument, but in my culture. No one is allowed to see your unclothed body until you find you lover for life. You put me in this while I was done. That doesn't count. You may sleep with any woman you wish and show whatever is under those." he said pointing at his clothes. "But I'll keep whatever I have left of my people." he told him in a low serious voice. "Now back off. you are invading my space." he said and moves to the side. Just to gain some personal space between them.

Keanu leant forward, causing the thief to lean backwards. They bent together, with the Panther keeping just a few inches between them as he leant closer and closer to the large bed behind him. "And how do you know you haven't met that 'lover' already?"

Keanu blew playfully and startled the thief. He fell backwards upon the bed. The Prince in turn placed his hands down on either side of the Panther and began to slowly inch his way downwards. "I do believe you have, don't you? Met him, I mean." He grinned crookedly, rolling his eyes, and leant forwards...

The thief was not please with the prince's action. Luckily he was very flexible and can bend his back far. Why was he acting like this? From all the info he had gotten on him. He had never read anything like this in the reports. When asked about him having a lover. He stared him right in the eyes. "If I had a lover. I think I know who my lover was." he told him. Sounding a little annoyed.

When blown on. He lost his footing and fell back onto the bed. Groaning a bit and rubbed the side of his neck. He watched in total shock as Keanu's hands moved to his sides. Turning his head away, as he moved closer to him. hen he talked more about his lover and that it was a he. His eyes widen and looked up at him. "I don't understand. What's with you words? I have to lover. I have no time for one." he said sounding rather confused.

Keanu rolled his eyes. For a master thief, this guy was being quite dim. Nonetheless, he wasn't necessarily resisting the Prince so Keanu kept his hopes up.

"Love comes with surprises, my dear." Keanu whispered as his lips neared the thief's.

He paused there, with their faces mere millimeters apart.

"How can you be certain you don't have an admirer, someone who longs for you, someone who could be your lover, someone who wants very much to be that person for you? You talk about time. Make time. It is easy to make time when you are with me. We could live so easy. Palaces, dinner, parties, balls, vacations...Life is a breeze with me. Choose me."

He was still confused by the royal prince's worlds. Wat did he actually meant by love come with surprises. The only thing that he could think of was babies. While having a child is a bliss. He wanted him to be there if he ever had one. The thief's heart beat even faster when their faces were so close and their lips even closer. He felt breathless. He will never tell a living soul, but he thought that Keanu had lovely eyes. The sparkled like gems.

What the prince said to him send pure shock through his body. He, out of all people wanted him. A high class noble, wanted to have a low class bandit. As a lover, didn't confused him. "Why?" he asked. "Your people killed my people. I killed your future bride. Do you know what would happen if it gets out that you are seen with someone like me. Not to mention that I won't be able to show my face in Black Alley anymore. Another thing. I don't need things such as a palace, balls or vacations. I'm grateful that I have all those things. You. You just want more. Nothing will fill you hunger. If there was a chance of choosing you, how do I know that you won't throw me out then you get bored of me?" he asked in a serious tone.

Keanu took advantage of the close proximity. Who knows when he would have a second chance at being this close to the thief. He gently and slowly relaxed his arms so that he lay on top of the larger man. He folded his arms on top of the thief's chest and rested his chin there, gazing deeply at the thief's face. He took in that rugged, dangerous look that had been the prime, main attraction in the first place. The Prince longed for someone outside of the noble spectrum. Someone who could introduce a spark into his life, a flame...

"First, you're in need of a history lesson, first, my dear. It was not my people who killed yours, it was my father's. I have taken the throne with the thought of reform and change. I intend to eradicate this kingdom's barbaric behavior. Second, I care not about the princess' death. She was nothing but more treasure and her eventual kingdom to me; I merely wanted her wealth really." Keanu thought that would sting the thief, his greed, but oh well. It was the truth so surely he must score some kind of points for being honest.

"Third, with a little touching up, some better clothes, a haircut maybe, you'd look simply marvelous. No one would recognize you, not even those Black Alley mongrels. We could say you were simply a visiting noble from some faraway land." He smiled at this. The thought of the Panther, dressed up and dashing, was too much for Keanu. It was arousing. "And fourth, what is wrong with living an elegant, luxurious lifestyle? Nothing. It's okay to enjoy what you have and I just happen to have balls and parties and feasts and fine clothes and all those things. Why waste them?"

Now this last point the Panther had brought up, about how Keanu might eventually "throw" him away...that hurt Keanu but he couldn't deny that he had a habit for getting bored with both people and things.

"And lastly," the Prince said. "You are right. I have a voracious and wild hunger to fill the vacuous abyss within me. But I only have that abyss, that hunger, because I have not found the right person to plug it up with." He hung his head, embarrassed now. "You...you bring a spark to my life. A new flame. A new hope. I haven't felt this way about anything or anyone before. It's an entirely new feeling. And I love it. I can't give it up. If I let you out of my grasp, I'll go back to that awful, empty state. You...you fill that hole inside me. Your danger...your thievery...your ruggedness...your animal-like magnetism and charm...I have never encountered it before. I like it. I want it."

A grunt came out when he felt pressure upon his chest. He stared him in the eyes. Not trusting him fully. For all he know, there was a knife hiding within his close. Most likely his back, since he didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. Luckily he had really good reflexes from working with the Guild. It wasn't like he hated all royalty, since the Chief in his home village was like royal and he was a great leader. But it's people like him. Who uses power and force to get what they want. Even if it means to wipe up people who did nothing wrong. But...He didn't really hate him as much as he let on. He wasn't whimpy like most princes he had slain. There was something in heart setting a place for him. Yet his mind and pride are getting in the way.

Keanu was right about that. It was mostly his father's generation who had exile them from their own home land.Taking a better look at him, he seemed like he was around his own age. Maybe a year or two off. But he looked in total shock to hear that he planned to change something now that he was in throne. There was a thought that he just be saying that. After all. He did raise the taxes in Black Alley. They barely make money as it is down there. Also to hear to hear that he didn't care for his ex-future bride. That did strike a nerve. "Why am I not to surprise to hear that. All you care for is money." he said. But he was a little impressed that he was being honest. That showed him that he wasn't trying to impress him just by saying things that he wants to hear.

However, he was angered when he called the people of Black Alley mongrels. He knew pretty much all of them and they were far more polite and friendly then the upper noblemen. He wasn't really fund of the idea of changing his looks. He was find with the way he was, minus the nightgown he was wearing now. Sure he doesn't bathe as much, once every other month. But he did want to dress to impress. Sure he wore them when going undercover, but even then he hated it. They were so stiff, and lacy. Making his skin itch.

After hearing how the prince really felt about him. His heart felt like it froze for a moment when he said 'I like it. I want it.' He thinks the want he is was an object. That annoyed him a little. He gather enough strength to roll over. Now he was on top of the prince. The Thief glared at him with those wild eyes. Like the predator would stare at it's pray. "My turn." he said.

"One, don't you ever call people in Black Alley mongrels. Just because they don't have a silver spoon in mouth like you. Does not mean that you are any better. They work hard just to get a piece of bread for their whole family. They work even if they are sick. Sure some of them are, but many of them are kindhearted and help each other. Second. This is something you can't simply have. You have to go through the same thing as I did. But since you don't really care for your people, I hardly doubt you will ever have. Lastly." he said and blushed. Looking away.

"If...If I would to decide to stay by your side. I won't allowed it. Until I get the blessing from the Chief of my village of our union." he told him. Sounding pretty serious, but at the same time embarrassed. He wasn't really good with showing this side out in the open. For it would so a sign a weakness and could be used against him. "But I won't give up on being who I am and what I do and you better so better care for the people in Black Alley."

"I don't want just money. Obviously. I mean, I just admitted I want you, too." The Prince rolled his eyes and leant his head back, almost exasperated that this guy couldn't see through the spoiled, rude, but noble exterior that the Prince practically had to put on to fit in at the Court. He truly was a gentle, caring man underneath but not very many knew that...not many people knew how to dig through the Royal shell to reach the kindred soul beneath.

He looked up, however, when the Panther growled 'My turn' rather bossily. He heard all the stuff about 'silver spoons' and 'They work hard...' and all of that and he realized that perhaps he was being a bit hard on the workers of Black Alley. They were, in fact, industrious people who contributed a lot of manufactured wealth to the kingdom. They were the main workforce, and, as such, were invaluable and the kingdom could not function without them.

Perhaps the Prince could ease up on Black Alley...pumping the impoverished region for gold with heavy taxes was kind of harsh considering their strained plight...

His eyes and face brightened, however, when the thief spoke of their 'union'.

So there was hope! The Prince grew hopeful once more.

"Of course we can visit your Chief...where is he? What's his name? How can I find him; I'll have him brought here immediately!" Keanu was eager to speed things along.

When he got a reproachful look from the thief, he quickly tacked on, "And don't worry, I'll take care of the Alley. Consider it done."

Now the prince was in for a treat because something appeared on his face that no one had ever sen and actually mean it. A smile, a smile appeared. Ever since the invasion of his home hand and had to leave. He had never smile or show signs of happiness unless it was fake for his work. You could see it in his eyes that he was happy that he was going to lighten up on Black Alley. "Thank you." he said sounding truthfully grateful.

But then he got off of him and sat on the edge of the bed. Lowering his head and placed his hands on his lap. "As for the Chief..." he paused for a moment. With his voice sounding of sadness. "He is far more ill then I." he stated. "Although he doesn't have the same thing as I do. He-his flesh is slowly decaying." he told him. "It had already took one of his legs. He can't not be moved. For that speeds it up. I can't afford that. I might be a bandit. But I come as his warrior and protector first." he said.

Then he raised his head up and looks at Keanu. "If you can make the cure before he dies. Then I'll bring him to you." he told in a serious tone. From the way he sound and the way he was looking you could tell that he was serious and wasn't lying.

At the Panther's words, Keanu jumped up. "Sit here if you wish. Rest, sleep. You're sick still. I have business." He strode quickly out of the humongous chamber and left the thief there. Outside, he saw his guards. "Give him anything he wants and if he asks to see me, I'll be in the Great Hall."

In the Great Hall, Keanu summoned his lawmakers. "Draw me up new laws repealing the taxes of Black Alley. I want money pumping into it instead of out. Send in the military to work. They will set up food kitchens to distribute meals; they will give out medicine to the sick and dying; they will help rebuild what they destroyed when I sent them in to quell rebellion. I want sweeping change in the Alley. We will lift these people up and make them proud. We will make them the bastion of wealth and prosperity...they will be the glory of the kingdom!" Keanu's lawmakers stared at him in wonder. Never before had they seen their master give anything to the Alley and here he was giving the beacon of the kingdom's poverty anything and everything.

When Keanu dismissed them, he summoned his general. "Send out your best trackers and find the old Chief of the Black Panther's ancient tribe. I want him found. Do not disturb or even talk to him. Merely find him and report back to me his position." The general left to assemble his team and Keanu summoned forth his scientists.

"How close are we to finding the cure?" Keanu asked, wringing his hands nervously.

"Possibly even only a few days away, your Majesty. We're close. We're seeing improvements in our experiments." The top scientist, a man named Marco, told him.

"Good," Keanu sighed. "Keep on it..."

One the prince had left the room. He listen to the foot steps. Once they vanished, he stands up. Walks over to the closet and walks into it. He wanted to get out of these night gown. The thief didn't want to walk around the castle, in search for his clothes and cloak. So he decided to use the prince clothes for now. After awhile, he finally found something to wear for now.

A eggshell white ruffle shirt, black pants, brown leather boots and a long navy blue jacket. Once he was dressed, he walks out and heads towards the door. He knew that there was going to be a couple of guards standing out there. But he knew that he could handle it. So he opens the door and he was right. The turned around and saw that he was wearing Keanu's clothes. The found it to be a great insult that a low class wear such pricey clothes. Before they knew it, they were knocked out cold. He set them against the ground and made his way around the castle.

By nightfall. One of the trackers they were send out came back and went up to the price. "You highness. I came to report. I'm sorry to say, but the old chief had passed away." he told him. When things didn't look so good he spoke up once more. However. He did found his sun and from what he gathered. If Driftsand were to still be around. By law, Egaiarasu would of become chief. He found him. He's in Goldstones, in the White angels section. He's under the care at the small clinic." he told him. in a serious tone.

Meanwhile. The thief out on the balcony, in his clothes. He found them in the servant's quarters. For they actually had wash them for they were covered in dirt and dried blood stains. He they thank them for doing that when they didn't have to and told them that they were grateful. Now he was staring at the moon. He had no way of contacting anyone in Black alley. So no one could check on the chief for him. This deeply worried him. He was planning just to give the cure to him. He was still not going to take it. He had fail and thought that he deserved to perish. But the thought of leaving the prince. For some reason, made him feel guilty. Mostly he thought that because he promised that he would help him out. He should at least keep his side of the deal. He harshly coughs a few times and sees that there was a little blood on his hand. He sighed and wiped the blood on his clothes. "Just hold on a little longer." he told himself. Wondering what the prince was up to. He didn't want to step out for he knew that the guards were still not happy for what he did.

"How long did you think you could evade detection? I'll always find you; for I'll always be searching." The Prince stepped up behind the Panther on the balcony. "And another thing, why do you always have to kill my guards? It's not like I'm in short supply, but the mess is annoying the clean up. Besides, they will get you anything you need. They have their orders from me to serve you rather than attack you."

Keanu moved to stand beside the Panther, his hands on the balcony. "We've found your chief," Keanu said, and then gave the thief the entire story. They would have to find the new chief now. "Are you ready to travel to White Angel?"

He heard the Prince's footsteps behind him. So he knew that he wasn't in that much in danger. When told that he shouldn't go and kill his knights. Because they were okay. He looks over his shoulder. Watching him walk over to his side and told him. "It's a force of habit. I don't trust the guards that well." in a serious voice. Even when they are given the orders. He knows that guards will do something they think it's right. Even if the royal blood tells them to not harm them. The thief's trust was hard to gain and harder to keep. It was his line of work. He couldn't trust them that easily or he may up dead. Which was something he couldn't do.

As Keanu told him of what happen about finding the chief. He looked a little shocked. Wondering what went wrong with that. He paid the nurses and doctors well to keep their mouths shut about that. This was putting stress on the thief and that wasn't good for him. He let out a barking cough and covered his mouth. Hearing that they are going back tot he kingdom in the White angel section to see the chief. He wonder what little choice he had. If he didn't agree. They might bring harm. He couldn't do that. "This prince. I should of known he would do such a thing. He knows where he is and will harm him if I don't obey. The bastard!" he thought angrily. Thinking the worse in people.

The black Panther told him that he would of brought him to the chief once the cure was made. If it was going to take a few more days to make. Then why would he need to see the chief now? "I told you that I would bring you to him once the cure was made. Tell me why the sudden change?" he asked. Sounding more like a demand. "If the cure is not finished. Then there's no point of seeing him. I will not bring stress to his weak state."

"Because the cure is made." Keanu smiled warmly as he held up a small, crystalline vial of blue liquid. He couldn't contain his glee at the news. Finally, this chief could be cured, and the Panther, too, and they could be together. Keanu's plan was coming to fruition. "We can give it to your leader, and you, immediately. Everything is going to be okay."

But when Keanu noticed the Panther was still angry over his locating of the chief, he quickly explained himself. "I took early action in finding your chief, that is true, but don't be mad. I did it because I believed that we could not waste time in finding him after the antidote was created. We needed to be able to rush it to him as soon as it was made. I only had the best interests of him and you at heart..."

I hung his head as he stared at the ground far below the balcony. "I hope you're not too mad."

After hearing his explanation of why he searched for the chief. He felt like a total jerk. He need the sooner the better, but he feared that it got out that he was still alive. Someone might come after him. It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened. The chief was most dear to the thief and wouldn't want anything bad happen to him. He still owns him his life for him.

So when the prince said that he hoped that he wasn't mad at him. He looks at him and lightly blushes. Having a hard time keeping collect. He took a deep breath and let it out. To to the side and rub the back of his head. Ruffling his hair a little. "No, I'm not. I'll admit, I overreacted on that." he said, sounding ashamed of himself. Then he turns the face the prince and bows to him. "Thank you for making a cure to that awful gas." he said, most grateful.

Then the Black Panther stood up and looks at him seriously. "Let's get going." he said. "The sooner we get there. The sooner we cure the chief. The sooner the people of Diftsand could get together and we could go back to the things were." he said to himself.

"Don't worry about it," Keanu murmured as the thief bowed - an uncommon occurrence. The Prince was surprise and truly appreciated the simple gesture. "I'm glad the cure has been made; it's about time my father's terrible mistake was rectified."

The pair turned and left the balcony, immediately being accompanied by an escort of guards, and began to walk briskly through the giant palace. They glided, flanked on either side by guards, through marble chambers, golden atriums, verdant indoor gardens, and throughout impenetrable walls. It was a while until they reached the outer gates where a gilded carriage awaited them. It was pulled by the finest, black mares of the kingdom and several guards surrounded it, all mounted on their own mares. A gloved driver held the door open for Keanu and the thief and then quickly climbed atop the seat to take the reins.

While he followed the prince. He couldn't say he felt easy with the guards around him. Just because he was starting to develop for him. Doesn't mean he could lighten up on his defense. Even with the gas slowly poisoning him from the inside. He needed to see to it that the chief of Driftsand will get it and live. For if this was a trick, the prince will surely pay. He believe that he wanted to repay for his father mistake, but how would he know that he wouldn't just give up the rich and noble? The Black Panther still had doubts, but for now. He will just have to go with it.

He just looked straight forward and followed in silents. Through the palace and through the garden. He stopped for a moment due to the feeling in his lungs that they shut and was coughing. He kept telling himself that he was fine and to hold on just a little longer. When he felt the air going in again, he continued on. With no more interruption.He gets into the carriage with the prince and sits on the other side. With his feet planted on the ground and his arms cross around his chest.

"Why so stern?" Keanu smiled as he looked at his serious counterpart. The thief crossed his arms and seemed set on something as they sat opposite in the carriage. Keanu let his head lean back against the plush cushion as the driver cracked the reins, urging the horses forward. The carriage surged on as guards galloped all around it on their own horses. A loud clanging sounded as the thick, iron gates snapped shut behind the carriage as it left the estate. The ride became bumpy as they left the smooth, stone rode inside the palace walls and instead rode upon muddy, uneven gravel. "We're going to bring the cure to your chief, all will be well. He will be cured and then you, too. I promise you this."

The Prince had done all he could to assure the thief that Driftsand's ailing citizens would be given the antidote and cured. He had promised that Black Alley would see easy taxation, fewer restrictions, laxer laws and guards, and true, governmental help. Keanu planned to buid up the Alley and turn it into a haven for the rich and prosperous rather than the poor. He would lift up his poverty-stricken subjects and save them from the shackles of being destitute. Why did the thief not believe him? Keanu would do anything for this alluring man who had somehow managed to ensnare and enchant the Prince with merely his cool, seductive looks and words.

When asked why he was stern. He looks at the prince relaxing in the carriage. "I'm just not letting my guard down, prince." he told him. Then let out a sigh. "That and...my mind...it's-" he took a moment and took a deep breath. "It's just confusing that's all." he said. "Nothing to worry though. It won't effect me in anyway." he told him in a serious tone. As the carriage started to move. He was a little wobbly for him. Since he's not use to riding in one. He mostly either walked or hitched a ride in the back of a horse wagon. Even then he was squished between projects.

"It's not like I like him or anything. I just want to believe in his words. I know that most royals or noblemen don't keep their word. They would attack us or even kill us once the job is complete. Yet this man is making it out of his way to help us. He's going to help the people in black alley and give the cure to the chief on my people." he said to himself. Feeling his heart beating faster then a drum. His cheeks were even turning red. "I mean he's the former king's son. The man who cost all of this to happen. I already lost one home. I don't want to loose another."

Then the images of earlier reappeared in his head. Him being pinned by the prince and him claiming that he wanted him. A thief of all things. The guy who had tried and again to kill him and slayed his own parents. To be his special someone. He'll never say it to him, but he thought that was flattering. Keanu was the first person to say that to him. Well close enough to his age. But doubt was still running through his head. Did he really mean it or was he planning to gain something out of it?

Just then he let out a nasty sounding cough. It felt like the insides were melting. His body was starting to loosen up and lean to the side.