Author note: Welcome back once again to the story. I do hope everyone is enjoying it, We're still continuing obviously cause this story is fun. Still feel free to check out my other Sly Cooper stories as well. Feel free to follow, favorite, and comment. They're much appreciated.

Chapter 4: Special Training and Bond

After a few days warming up and getting better from the river incident, Rioichi was up and ready to go. Nearly bolting out but was grabbed by Karin.

"And just where do you think you're going in such a rush there, Rioichi." She said tilting her waiting for his response.

Rioichi struggled to break free. "J-just to see, Master Tama. U-urgh! Can you let me go already?!"

"Yeah eventually... I know what you're going to do, I'm not stupid." Karin glared. "Starting training under Kitsune-dono. Hmph, and you wont even listen to me for whats important our family techniques and lineage. How are you to be Cooper thief if you wont...Grrr. LISTEN!"

She yelled into his ears at the moment she realized he was trying to ignore her. "You are making the Coopers look like such a fool of a family name, you little twerp. You know what fine... You want to learn other things and not from the family then go on ahead. I have things to do then trying to teach you anything, you're such a waste of time. Cooper disgrace..."

Rioichi looked to her as she let go and started to walk off. "O-oh yeah! What good you do?! All you do is boss me around anyways, just Karin I'll prove you wrong someday."

He growled and stormed out, Karin watched as the door closed, ears laying back and sighing.

"What have I done...?" She said feeling terribly bad for what she said.

Rioichi kept his rage pace towards the garden soon plopping down by the sakura tree that centered. "I seriously hate her... I can be just as skilled as anyone else in the family."

Tama looked over watching him and walked over. "Had a fight with Karin huh? You shouldnt get so mad. Anger and rage is a weakness."

Rioichi huffed. "She called me a family disgrace..."

"You just need to try harder. Show her you can handle things." Tama said.

"No way... I'm not going back there." Rioichi shook his head totally furious.

Tama sweatdrop sighed, and unhooked one of the two sword he had strapped to his side and handed it to Rioichi. "Here you go you'll be needing this."

Rioichi looked up and stared lost in thought and took it seemingly calmed down. "A sword? Do I really need it?"

"Yes and no, for more training purposes right now, I would say use your cane but I think sword be much better, might be able to use everything with your cane though someday maybe use both." Tama said and walked off.

Rioichi blinked a few times staring to the sword, heard Tama call his name instantly making him jump up and follow him while strapping the sword to his side.

Over the hours of the day, Tama instructed Rioichi, readjusting any off positions on how to use the sword. Tamaki made few the things complicated by adding in a few Rioichi's own specialties of balancing and trying to use the sword. Even involving a few handmade targets to try attacking, intently Tama continue to watch Rioichi till realizing he was growing quite tired.

"I think we're done for today, Rioichi, you can stop now." Tama said stopping him by resting a hand to his shoulder. "You've done quite well and learned a lot in just a day time. But still can use some practice. How about we go home?"

Rioichi lowered sword, eyes widening to the word home and turned away ears back. "Yeah..."

Tama walked with Rioichi back, after Tama had went separate ways from Riochi, he stared to home seeing light on inside.

"I still dont want to head back..." Rioichi said, hesitated, but turned and walked off.

The very next day, Tama entered the garden area stopped looking around so spotting Rioichi under the sakura tree fast asleep. "Rioichi? I guess all that still never got his mind off it."

Tama walked over to him and stared. "Rioichi, time to train."

Rioichi bolted up. "I'm up!"

Tama jumped a little and soon busted out laughing. "I have never seen such a determined student in my life. You really amaze me, Rioichi. I think we can go into special training today."

"Special training?" Rioichi's ears perked and seemed a little confused.

"Yes, something to help that ninja dream of yours, a lesson from an actual ninja." Tama said.

Rioichi stood up eyes widen. "Y-you know a ninja?!"

Tama nodded and pointed to self. "Right here. Sorta... I still have a few old tricks. I can walk on the rooftops and walk on ropes and wires just like you can. Of course age trying to catch up and I'm not that old, but I can go for a run."

Tama smirked and stretched. Rioichi blinked couldnt believe he heard Tama say that. It was a little skeptical but he saw that smirked meant a challenge and Rioichi was up for it. "You're on, Master Tama."

"Feel free to use that cane if you, I feel you're going to need it." Tama said and bolted off.

Rioichi jumped and raced after. "Hey! No fair you got head start!"

"Now you just have to keep up." Tama taunted and sped up and starting climbing to the rooftops. "Race you around the Madam Geisha's if you can keep up, Rioichi!"

Rioichi watched him while still following, he thought quick and went a different direction towards where they were heading.

Not long Tama stopped to catch breath and looked back. "Hmm? shouldnt he still be following?"

Rioichi suddenly jumped over Tama sliding and dashed off. "Heheh. Already ahead~"

Tama shook his head and smiled and went after. "You got this village really planned out huh?"

"Yeah and not telling my shortcuts." Rioichi taunted. "But you're still behind, Master Tama."

"Not.. for long." Tama said and sped up again to keep up, Rioichi jumped aside and climb up and managed to speed up to keep with Tama.

The two continued their race, both climbing to the roof of Madam Geisha's and stared to each other both catching their breath soon busting out laughing and plopped down.

"Geez, who thought you can run that fast." Tama said and looked over.

Rioichi continued to catch his breath and looked back smiling. Suddenly getting grabbed by Tama and roughed up.

"You're like the greatest son one could have." Tama said and continued to rough up Rioichi.

"Heheh~" RIoichi laughed. "You're the greatest father one could have too."

Tama stopped and looked to him. "That's right its only you and your cousin. No parents. Heheh."

" Youre a great friend too." Rioichi said.

Tama went back to rough him up. "Ditto to you, Rioichi. I wish this friendship never ends."

Rioichi smiled. "Same."