Okay, this is my first story, so it might not be that good. The name under the chapter number indicates who's point of view the chapter is in, and if the words after that say something like "3 months ago" or "5 days ago" that means 3 months before the next chapter labeled "Present". Present means the story is happening while the character describes it, as the character describes it. That might sound confusing but it's easy to get the hang of it.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Sly Cooper video games.

Claimer: I do own Akikota and Mist.

Chapter 1

Sly, 3 months ago

Those memories... They've been tugging at my back since, well, a few weeks after I faked losing my memory to live with Carmelita. Now I think, "Why did I do that, anyway?" I guess it's because I looked at Bentley and Penelope and thought that was what it's all about. This isn't like me, to feel remorseful about my choices. Now, looking back on all the adventures with the gang, maybe love isn't really what it's all about. And this letter made me think even more. Maybe if I go, then I can sort it all out:

Hey Sly,

Alright "Constable Cooper", I know you didn't really lose your memory, you just wanted to go with that Carmelita weirdo. That's why I'm writing you this. Now I'm inviting you and the rest of the gang (except Dimitri, you know how much I hate him) to come with me on a trip to northern Alaska to see some sights and for a lot of training. Now if Carmelita is an issue and you want to come, then remember, "Excuses, Excuses". Even you are smart enough to think of something she'll fall for.

Now for the details. I'm leaving Saturday, June 15th at 3:30PM. We will depart from northern Maple Falls, Washington. If you don't know where that is, grab a road map of the state of Washington (not Washington D.C.), or ask Bentley. I'm sure he has a map of Washington somewhere (he also received a letter so he might be looking for it as well). I won't wait for you if you're late, so if you want to come you better not be. There isn't any obligation to come along; I won't come beat you up if you don't.

Sayonara!

Akikota

Akikota… she sure is a character that you don't easily forget. It's hard to say exactly what her personality is. She's helped the gang out on plenty of missions, and she's an extremely powerful fighter. Me and Bentley officially met her on that one job-mission, what did Bentley call it… oh, yeah, "Into the Depths". She slid out of the shadows on a patch of ice she made with her "Elemental stone" powers when I was making a bridge for Bentley. She defeated the guard and when she noticed us she offered to help us out with some of our operations, but not as an official member of the gang. She's still kind of a mystery to us; we don't know where she's from, or what her past was like. However, she still is our "Thievius Lupus" friend, as Bentley puts it. Apparently "lupus" means wolf, and she is a wolf. According to her she isn't a thief, but not a cop. She's in the middle. I'd bet I could learn more about her if I went on this trip. "So, you're mulling my letter over, huh," I looked up to see who said that. "Akikota," I said in surprise.

"The one and only," she replied, "So, what are you thinking?"

"About what," I asked.

"About the letter, idiot," she said, as she leaned there on the rail of my balcony.

"Oh, right. Like you said I'm mulling it over. Anyway, how did you get up here, it's pretty high with nothing to grip, and how do you know where I live?" I replied.

"First question: Remember my glider," She waved her staff/glider in the air, "Second question: How do you think I delivered that letter to your door? I know where you live. Bentley told me."

"How does Bentley know where I live?" I asked.

"Remember? You winked at him when he spotted you with his Binocucom, on this exact balcony. I'm pretty good at finding info and navigating," she replied.

"Oh yeah, I remember that," I said.

"Anyway, have you come to any decisions on that trip yet?" Akikota inquired.

"No, but are you trying to influence it in any way by coming?" I asked.

"No, not at all," she replied, "Well, if you come then I'll see you at 3:30 on June 15th."

"Yeah," I muttered, looking down at the desk. By the time I looked back up she was gone. "Heh, that Akikota, she's always like that," I laughingly muttered to myself again. "I guess I'll go," I thought to myself.