A/N: What's this? I'm alive?!

Sorry for taking eternity, but high school. Thankfully, I'm graduating in a week! :D I feel like I've put out another short one, but I'm just trying to get my momentum back. One last English paper to write, school to endure; you get the idea.

To RCPMione, I haven't been on DA in a while, so I'm curious of the art you saw. Admittedly, shortly after I started writing the story (like 3 chapters in) I found out someone else had started writing a comic with the same concept some years ago. They never finished it as far as I know.

To that wonderful anon, yes, I'm talking about you! ^^ I love hearing y'alls comments~! Yeah, Carmelita has a history of doubt and denial, so she's reluctant to believe something that far-fetched :P That shall change though! And don't worry, Dittmar will get what's coming for him :D

To bikerboy, why else would someone kidnap a kid? Ransom of course! As to how he knew, well, he's got eyes everywhere :)

Now on to the story! Enjoy!

"Higher! Higher!"

"If you went any higher, you'd be upside down!"

My giggles filled the air as Murray pushed the swing, sending me higher and higher into the air. I had always loved thrills, and in the body of a five-year-old, the swing set was the best place to get just that. Looking down reminded me of looking over the edge of a building, even though it wasn't nearly the same distance.

I didn't realize just how eager I was to get to the park until I stepped on to the loose pebbles that filled the play area. I was practically bouncing with excitement. Who cares that I'm not really a kid? This was a playground! Childhood wonderland! Kids laughing, squealing, calling out to their friends; this was like music to my ears. I couldn't not join in!

After a few more swings, I noticed the see-saw was open and I beamed, pointing to it, "Murray! Let's ride the See-Saw!"

Slowing the swing to a stop, Murray looked over at the contraption and scratched his head, "uh, sure. I might break it though."

I laugh, grinning at him, "Just don't sit on it. Push it up and down, 'kay?"

Nodding, Murray followed me to the See-Saw, helping me up into the seat before walking around to the other side. Gripping the handles, I prepared for liftoff. Good thing I did, because Murray pushed so hard I nearly fell out of the chair! Giggling, I righted myself, tensing as Murray let it drop, the bottom of the chair hitting the tire buffer. The jolt stunned me for a moment, but I continued to laugh, "Again! Again!", I chanted.

Murray complied, smiling as he moved the See-Saw up and down. Pretty soon, the other kids noticed and begged to have a turn. Being the generous soul that I was, I got Murray to wait so that three kids could pile onto my end of the See-Saw. Even though they all nearly fell off when he pushed, they all laughed and giggled, holding on for dear life as he let go again. As much as I enjoyed it, the seat was getting cramped with all these kids, so I let someone else have my spot and stepped back, watching as Murray entertained the children.

Turning I saw that the jungle gym was unoccupied now that Murray was manning the See-Saw. I decided to practice my famous agility. Running up the stairs, I climbed up to the long monkey bars and leaped to the first bar, swinging easily along to the next without pause. Making it to the other side in record time, I slid down the fire fighter pole and giggled happily.

Looking over to Murray, I noticed that he was too occupied with the kids to watch my cane, which was still strapped to his back belt loop. Grinning, I snuck up behind him, waiting for the perfect moment. He lifted the See-Saw, the children toppling over each other. Carefully, I gripped the handle, pulling it up out of the loop just as he pushed down again. Grinning at my achievement, I ran off before he could notice. Leaping up to the monkey bars again, I lifted my cane and hooked it on one of the bars, holding on as I dangled a few inches from the ground. Kicking my legs, I swung back and forth before unhooking my cane and using the momentum to twirl up into the air and land on a nearby plastic castle. Pin wheeling my arms, I just manage to keep my balance, my tail swaying behind me. Sighing in relief, I carefully walked around to the other side and propped myself up with my cane. I could see the whole park from up here!

Suddenly, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. Curious, I turned my head, but only saw the glimpse of a fluffy orange tail disappearing behind the bathroom building. Who was that? I wondered. Before my better judgement could catch up with me, I jumped down onto the slide and slid down to the ground before running over to the bathroom building where I saw that flash of orange.

My cane was making it hard to sneak up to the corner, so after a moment's fuss, I managed to figure out a way to hold it without it being much of a problem; by the hook with the end dragging behind me like I did back at the orphanage. True, not the best for sneaking, but I wasn't really thinking about that.

Tiptoeing towards the corner, I peered carefully around, frowning in confusion when I didn't see anyone. Weird. I could have sworn I saw-

Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around me, covering my mouth. Panicking, I squirmed, screaming behind the hand for Murray, dropping my cane in the process. The arms lifted me into the air and I heard a familiar voice hiss, "Quiet! I'm rescuing you!"

Wasn't that-

"INSPECTOR FOX?!"

Murray had apparently been looking for me and heard my muffled screams. Carmelita turned towards him, still holding me in her arms. Moving the hand covering my mouth, she reached for her gun, pointing it towards my pal.

"You're under arrest for robbery and kidnapping! Now where is Cooper and the rest of your gang?" she barked, glaring at Murray.

Murray quickly held up his hands, staring with wide eyes, "Kidnapping? What are you-"

Carmelita growled, shooting at his feet, making him jump back with a yelp. "There's no point playing dumb, hippo! I've got the kid you snatched right here!"

Frowning, I squirmed, "Let me go! I wasn't kidnapped!"

Carmelita ignored me, "Where's Bentley and Cooper? Talk!"

Murray held up his hands defensively, "Look, I can explain. Just put Sly down and we just talk about this."

Carmelita froze, staring at him, then me in disbelief. She growled, charging up her gun, "what kind of game are you playing?!"

I don't know what came over me. Maybe I was tired of seeing her point that gun at Murray. Maybe I was just sick and tired of being held like that. Whatever the reason, I dug my teeth into Carmelita's arm, making her cry out in surprise and pain as she dropped me. Falling to the ground, I grabbed the hook of my cane and rushed back to Murray, turning and standing in front of him, rearranging my grip so that I was holding my cane up offensively. "Leave Murray 'lone! He's telling the truth!"

Carmelita stared at me, her eyes full of confusion and recognition. She must have recognized how I held myself. The stance I took. Even in this state, I remembered how to fight.

Slowly, she lowered her weapon and frowned at us. "Okay. Explanation. Now."

After the she demanded the second explanation, I got bored and left to play some more. She could be really stubborn sometimes. She kept getting hung up on the fact that I was indeed Sly Cooper and not some kid that looked something like him. I kept getting frustrated trying to pronounce her name (to think I thought it rolled so easily off the tongue. "Carmelita" has way too many syllables. "Leeta" was easier, even if she hated it.) Climbing up and sliding down over and over, I regularly glanced over at the two, smiling innocently whenever she glanced at me.

Hey, I may be 5, but I still have my charm.

I think she got it after a while. She was still reluctant to believe Von Dittmar was planning on using that water for world domination. She had suspicions of him, but she thought it was a bit extreme for what she thought he was capable of. If Bentley were here, he'd be able to convince her. Probably.

Regardless, she insisted on coming along. She still wants to take me to jail, but she can't do that if I'm "still in diapers" (I proudly reminded her that I was potty trained and didn't wear diapers, but she ignored me). Murray was nervous about the decision, but there was no arguing with Carmelita. To be more specific, Carmelita's shock pistol. Sliding down one last time, I rejoined them, standing next to Murray.

"So let me get this straight; you're trying to find the Fountain of Youth to reverse engineer an antidote?"

Murray and I looked at each other, then to her, nodding. She sighed, "This is ridiculous. Fine. So while the turtle is talking to this supplier, what are we supposed to do?"

Beaming, I offered a suggestion.