Disclaimer: I do not own Sly Cooper or any other character from the Sly Cooper games. The only characters I own are Cedric, Hugo, and any other OCs I throw in to the mix. Kajiyama is the name of a real leader of the yakuza and as such, I take no credit for him.

Author's note: Thank you for all your great reviews, as this is my first fic, I appreciate any and all suggestions, just be polite! Also, the character contest is still going on so, if you have any characters you have made, please send them in (anthropomorphs only though (no humans)). The top two characters will be used and I will keep no claim to the characters. Unfortunately, only two people have entered so far. Please send any characters you created and like in. Thank you.

An Unlikely Partnership

After Carmelita finished mastering the rail walk, Sly showed her how to do the ninja spire jump and the basics of breaking and entering.

"You see, it doesn't matter how many guards they have on the ground or other doors, because there's almost always a roof entrance which normally isn't watched. If it is watched or there isn't one, simply find a way to blend in and slip in through the front," Sly said.

"That's how you got into Dimitri's mansion back in Monaco and Rajan's ball in India," realized Carmelita.

"Yup, Dimitri's pad had an open skylight and Rajan's party just didn't have a guest list. Anyone in a tux could slip right in," answered Sly as he grinned.

"So most thieves rely on most people's tendency not to look up in order to make off with their items."

"Sometimes. After this is over I'll show you how I got into your office and Interpol's Paris headquarters."

"Hey love birds," came a voice filled with derision, "It's time to go."

"And, one of these days, I'm going to take that kid's head and split it down the middle," growled Carmelita.

"Easy there, calm down," said Sly, trying to pacify Carmelita. "Oh and," he added in a whisper, "when you do, I'll hold his arms while you very gracefully strangle him, beautiful."

"Flatterer," accused Carmelita as they went out into the main room.

"Now that we're all here, Bentley, if you would," said Cedric.

Bentley stepped forward with a deep red version of his binocucom. "Despite my better judgement and the fact that there was no point arguing, I made a binocucom for Carmelita. However, I want to make it clear that I still don't trust her. And when we all wake up to find we're in jail, I hope you remember that I warned you," finished Bentley.

Carmelita was a bit shocked that Bentley would be so antagonistic towards her. Then she remembered that she had chased both him and Sly many times and it was only natural that he wouldn't trust someone he'd worked against before. "I understand why you think I would betray you and I hope that one day I can prove you wrong."

"For Sly's sake, I hope so too," mumbled Bentley.

"So, now that we have the formal unpleasantries out of the way, may we please get started?" asked Hugo dramatically.

"Sly and Carmelita, you two are going to go after Penelope and get her out. Hugo will provide a temporary distraction while Bentley and I enter and hack Kajiyama's computers. If we're all ready, lets' go," said Cedric.

"You weren't going to forget me now were you?" asked a voice from the corridor.

Grace walked into the room as though she'd just gone out for a night time stroll. Her black tank top had a few cuts and she had a nasty looking bruise coming in on her left cheek. Cedric guessed she'd gotten into another fight again. At least she's worked off some of her anger, I hope, he thought desperately.

"If you're coming, you should probably help Hugo with the distraction," answered Cedric, looking like he'd prefer to be doing the distraction himself.

"If I must," groaned Grace.

"And Grace..." started Cedric.

"Yes, what?"

"How many did you hurt and how badly?" asked Cedric apprehensively.

"Only five. Those Yakuza dogs had it coming. And for your second question, they'll be able to walk, I think I only broke a few bones."

Cedric groaned. "Fine. It's time to start the op. If everyone's ready, let's go get these thugs."

As they walked out the door, Cedric and Grace shared a look. Besides rescuing Penelope, they had two other goals that evening. Find the next of Wainwright's lapdogs, and then collect a seriously extravagant bounty.