CHERRY BLOOSOM

Ziggy's Corner: This is my fourth Sly Cooper Story. It is a romance. My niece and I looked over the stories at and found that there were not many stories dealing with just Murray. Maybe at one time there were, but we did not see any. Anyway we also got to thinking, Sly has Carmelita, Bentley has Penelope, but why doesn't poor Murray have anyone? With this story answers that little problem. I'm only going to publish the first chapter, and see what reviews may come. If I get enough to make a hit, in May you'll see more!

He drove the team's van down the lonely patch of road at two in the morning. Murray normally liked this time away from Sly and Bentley, it gave him time to reflect, and meditate. The Guru would no doubt be proud of him, he had made a lot of progress in his training, after the incident at the Cooper Vault.

He had grown even stronger after convincing Bentley not to listen to Dr. M's mumbo jumbo about him being a secondary character. They were family, brothers all three of them. But now his brothers were drifting apart. Within a span of two years and six months both Sly and Bentley had married their sweethearts. That left him all alone. No, not alone. I have sisters to go along with my brothers now. Both Penelope and Carmelita treated him like a loved brother, Carmelita her younger, Penelope, an older brother.

"I just wish I had something in my life, the way they do," Murray sighed, staring out at the darkness. He continued to drive, continued to meditate. "Just someone. Sly had always gotten the girls when we were at the orphanage, and Bentley was looked at by all our teachers as the smartest person ever alive!

He pulled through a drive through, ordered two dozen hamburgers, and then drove to the cliff, where he could stare out at the stars, and think. Eating his meal, his mind racing through what had been thinking the last couple of weeks.

What plagues you my son? The Guru's voice. Murray smiled and leaned back in his seat. His mentor had taught him to use the mind voice a few weeks ago. It was sort of like dream time, but without the deep mental necessity to enable it. That was good, because at this hour of night, Murray was most definitely not strong enough to use all his energies to focus his mind into the dream time.

I'm just feeling so alone, Master.

My son, you are never alone. You have your friends, your family.

Yes, I have my family, but they have their own families now. I know that Carmelita and Penelope are my sisters, just as the guys are my brothers, but there is something lacking.

The Guru laughed. You're seeking romance yourself, my son? It seems to me that's the logical solution to your dilema.

But am I allowed romance master?

My son, you ask me such a question? Very young you still are. The Guru sighed and chuckled again. Just because you're a mystic, it doesn't mean you can't find love, nor marry. You're not a priest, child.

No, that's true, but where would I even find a girl who'd like me?

Son, do not think so low of yourself. I do not, nor do your friends.

I understand. But where could I …

Ah, you've found something?

Someone is here, master.

The Guru laughed. Go to her, then Murray.

Wait, how did you know it was a girl! The mental connection broke, and Murray was back in his body, looking out at the window shield, at a young Panda who was just staring at him. For a moment he could not figure out who it was, it was too dark, even with the headlights on.

"Jing King?" she smiled as he opened the door. "What are you doing here?" It took him a long time before he remembered he was in China on a mission for Sly. The gang didn't act the same way once they reunited. The United Nations really put pressure on thieves, and now they were not only outlaws, but when the need arose, freedom fighters, using their talents for other thieves and common people's interests.

"I live here," she giggled.

"Yes, I forgot," Bentley chuckled. Thunder roared over head, and the petite panda looked up in distress. "Would… would you like to sit in the van?"

"Thank you," she said with a bow. Quickly she slipped through the other door, and sat down next to him, briefly brushing her hand against his. Murray shot back a little with a blush and looked away. "Would you like a hamburger?"

She hesitated and then looked down at the patty. "I normally do not eat meat products," she said, her voice full of sugar and such soft harmony it could have only come from an angel. She smiled, "But I am very hungry." She accepted the gift, and took very tiny bites out of it. She told him afterward that she was trying to go to market, to buy her father Cherry Blossoms, to add to their garden, but they were all sold out, and in the darkness, she had lost her way.

"You're father allowed you to go to the market alone?" Murray asked, astonished.

Jing King smiled impishly. "My father has a will of steel, and I know he is only looking out for me, but my will can be just as strong, if not even stronger." She cocked her head, "I heard you had a promising career in racing, why did you leave that behind?"

"I haven't," Murray said with pride. "Not totally, but when Sly called and asked for help, I couldn't turn him down. Family first, careers second."

"The Guru has trained patience to you well," she said with a smile. "I hear that normally if you would have left, and then be asked back, you would have hesitated."

"I had a lot of fear of myself and my temper, and my strength. Its both my blessing and my curse," Murray said with a nod. "My master said so as well. But if I allow fear to take over my life, I'm no better than the bullies we've encountered all those years ago. I'd be eaten up by self hatred, and my master says that could lead to hatred of others. I'd hate to think I would end up as the new Dr. M. or even Clockwork."

"Still, I am rather jealous of the freedom you possess," Jing King said. "I love my father, and am very happy for his protection from those who would take advantage of me, but there are times I wish he did not look at my like a canary in a cage."

Murray nodded. "I wish I could remember my parents. I was only two when I was put in the orphanage by my grandparents."

"They did not choice to keep you?" she was horrified, shocked.

"They were too old when my parents died, and they didn't have the money to raise a child," he said with a sad sigh.

"I am very sorry," she said, looking downward.

"Its alright, anyway I should really get you to your own father."

"No, its okay," she said. "My father does not expect me back until morning anyway. /And I would love to talk some more … if you do not mind."

They talked about everything, food, music, entertainment, parents, other relatives. It was so easy to talk to this girl, normally Murray got tongue tied when around the female species. Dimitri had offered to hook him up with some of the girls on the beach, but Murray could not bring himself to even come with an inch of them, let alone talk to them. They talked until the sun rose, and they found themselves shocked to see that they had been awake almost all night.

It was then that Murray remembered he had seen a cherry blossom on sale in a nearby village. He asked if she would like to go there, and she admitted that it would be lovely. Murray drove to the village, and helped her buy the tree, and then took her home, where her father was waiting anxiously for his little girl. Murray had called him earlier, to let him know what had happened.

Panda met them at the gate of the girl's home, and watched as they unloaded the tree. Then he took Murray aside and nodded. "I thank you for taking such good care of my precious Jing King." He unfolded his bazooka, and tapped it. "But I suggest you leave now, my friend." He sighed sympathetically. "Its nothing personal, but I do not want a husband who is either a thief, nor a racer for my daughter. And the only reason to date, is to prepare for marriage."

Jing King looked horrified, and stamped a foot. "Father, Murray and I are just friends, nothing happened!"

"I never said that anything did happen," her father said gently. "But I know a young man's heart." He looked at his younger friend and shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I really can not give my blessings to this."

Murray turned away with sad sigh and drove off. It only lasted a little bit, until the thought of the sweet, kind woman once again ran through his mind. She was so special, so wonderful! And she was as nearly as strong as Murray was himself! Why she hadn't escaped with that strength when she had been kidnapped was beyond belief, except her gentle nature would not allow her to harm even those who threatened her.

The Hipp smiled brightly. He had to see her again, there just had to be some way to get Panda King to understand and approve their union, or at least dating. There had to be, and Murray was determined not to rest until he found the way.

So, was it good? I hope so! Review, review, review, and let me know! I'll post more chapters in May if I get enough good reviews!