Squee! The third chapter is finally done! I've been stuck on this chapter for weeks, but it's all done now. This is the first heist I plan myself. It goes through the whole heist, which is what took so long. ^^; It probably isn't the best heist, description-wise, but I hope you like it nonetheless!

DISCLAIMERS!

Yes, they still apply. Don't hurt me. .

__________________________________________________________________

Chapter 3

It was raining. I was glad that I had brought a spare set of boots, for the pair I was wearing was soaked. I ran quietly through the trees to the wall of the giant fortress. Ritsu was soon beside me. "You know, when I said I wanted you to be prepared for anything, I wasn't really expecting this.", he said, lightning crashing overhead. I turned to him. "You're not going to stop me, Ri. I've spent months planning this heist. A little rain isn't going to stop me.", I whispered as I glanced around the corner through the wrought-iron gate. "Okay, okay. Do what you have to do.", came the reply. I pulled out a seed from my pouch and held it to the ground. With my energy, I made the seed grow into a pair of giant leaves that carried Ritsu and I to the top of the outer wall. Once we had made our way down to the other side, we used the garden paths to make our way to the castle. Caer Midnight was a giant gothic-like castle. A wealthy dark lord had this fortress built not long after the birth of his son. They used this place as their winter home. They owned another palace on the coast, surrounded by a large fishing village. The lord of the castle was not due to arrive for a few more days, giving me plenty of time to raid his treasure room.

Two large windows overlooked the garden. I used some of the ivy clinging to the wall to hoist Ritsu and I up to the window. The room was dark and empty. I smiled and pulled on the pane of glass. To my surprise and delight, the window was open. I landed inside quietly, my boots squishing a little as they hit the carpeted floor. Ritsu closed the window behind us. "Get rid of the water.", I said, motioning to my wet form. My teacher rolled his eyes but pulled the water from our clothes and stored it in his flask. I removed my boots and replaced them with my clean, dry pair. Making sure that there was no trace of us in the room, I headed out into the hallway with Ritsu right behind me. There were no guards in this section of the corridor. I took the opportunity to verify my location. I had memorized the blueprints of the castle weeks ago, knowing that I would need to at least be somewhat familiar with the labyrinth of hallways and rooms if I wanted to get out of here in a hurry. The window we had entered lead to the room of the dark lord's son, Zytao. The hallway we were in now was part of the West Wing. The treasure room was on the first floor in the North Wing. "Got your bearings?", Ritsu asked, looking down the other end of the hallway. "Yeah. Let's go.", I said, making my way towards the center of the palace.

I kept to the wall, using my fingers to search for the hidden door that lead to the servant's passageways. I kneeled to examine a length of baseboard. Sure enough, two nearly invisible spaces divided the stained wood. Following the spaces, I searched until I found the lever to open the door. It swung inwards to reveal a narrow, dimly lit corridor. I smirked. "Good. Keep going.", Ritsu encouraged, pushing me inside. I walked in and pulled out two white seeds. Using my energy, I grew the plants into small glowing weeds and wrapped the stem of one around the back of my hand. I turned to look at Ritsu as he closed the door silently. I handed him the other lamp weed. He attached his to the collar of his shirt. He nodded and we continued onward. I had decided to use the servant's passageways not only because they were out of sight, but they were also soundproof. Every door hinge was oiled to ensure that it wouldn't squeak. Old floorboards were replaced the moment they showed signs of age. Secret passageways couldn't be secret if you heard your servants walking through them. The only problem would be running into someone in the corridors. There wasn't much room to fight or hide.

When I was planning this heist, I had gone through all of the servant's corridors because I knew they would be more confusing than the palace's main hallways. When I saw that there were signs indicating where we were and which path lead to which room, I nearly laughed out loud. Ritsu was chuckling behind me as I choked on my fit of giggles. He patted me on the back to try to help me breathe easier. I gasped a full breath and leaned against the wall, tears of laughter still in my eyes. Quiet footsteps came from our left. I pulled Ritsu into a darkened corner as I used my power to close the bulbs of the lamp weeds. "I could have sworn I heard someone choking down this way.", a soft voice said. "Yeah. I heard it too.", a deeper voice agreed. Ritsu pulled me against his chest as he began to create an illusion. All kitsune had the ability to create illusions. It was one of our kind's special gifts given to us by Inari. However, it takes time to learn to create believable illusions, and I hadn't yet created a solid illusion. I slowed my breathing as the two servants walked into my vision. They stopped and looked around. One was a young feline girl, her yellow ears and tail standing out in the dark. Her hair was slightly darker. She was nearly as tall as Ritsu, but thinner and less muscular. Her companion was a tall panther. His skin was dark, but not nearly as dark as the black fur of his ears and tail. His hair matched his fur and fell to the middle of his back. He had a wide square nose that twitched as he sniffed the air around us. The yellow cat's tail swished back and forth nervously. Ritsu's arms tightened around me as the panther turned to face us. I froze as his eyes seemingly met mine. I knew that he couldn't see me, but having his yellow eyes staring at me, or rather through me, was very unnerving. He began to walk towards us. I began shaking nervously in Ritsu's grasp. "Shh.", he whispered in my ear before I could whimper. The panther continued his approach, his nose still seeking out our scent. He came about an inch from my face. I wasn't breathing at this point. He stopped sniffing and stared through me directly in my eyes. I forced my eyes shut before he could look into my soul and see through our illusion. After a moment, I heard him step away. "It's nothing. Denali's probably just walking around with a cold.", he said to his partner. "You're probably right.", she said, letting out a sigh of relief. They walked off in the direction from which Ritsu and I had come. Once their footsteps faded into the distance, I let out the breath I had been holding and opened my eyes. "You ok?", Ritsu asked, his arms loosening from around me. I tilted my head back. "I could have sworn he was looking at my soul.", I replied quietly, looking up at my teacher. "Cats have superb senses.", he explained, helping me stand upright again. "But foxes have Inari's gift of illusion. Nothing can see what we keep hidden." I nodded. "Well, let's hope we don't have to do that again.", I commented, heading out into the junction of the hallways. "Let's keep going. I want to get to the treasure room as soon as possible."

We didn't run into anyone else in the dark passageways. We came out into a stone hallway. There was a red colored carpet that ran the length of the corridor. On the wall opposite us were huge glass windows easily reaching to the third or fourth story. They appeared every couple of yards on the wall. Where there weren't windows, tapestries covered the gray stone. Small tables stood between some of the windows, decorated with fresh cut flowers. I took careful note of the blossoms. "They've already put flowers out…", I whispered to Ritsu. He glanced down at me. "And?", he said. "Why put out flowers before the master gets here? They'll just wilt…", I explained, turning to look at my teacher. "… Unless he was coming back earlier than we thought.", he stated. I cursed under my breath. "If that's the case, we need to get moving." Ritsu nodded and we silently made our way down the hallway.

The entrance to the treasure room was guarded and elaborate. Two guards stood on either side of the heavy iron door. I had been expecting a little more resistance, but now with the threat of having the dark lord return earlier than expected, I didn't really see a difference. I looked around the corner and down the short passage to where the guards were standing. I couldn't just run out and attack them. I needed a distraction… or an illusion. I looked at Ritsu. "I need you to make me invisible so I can get close enough to them to knock them out.", I whispered. The blue fox nodded. I could feel as the energy wrapped around me. I pulled a red seed from my pouch as Ritsu gave me the ok to go. I nodded and slid around the corner. I tried to stay as close to the wall as I could without knocking anything over even if they couldn't see me. I crouched against the wall to the right of the door. The plant I had in my hand would emit a colorless, odorless pollen that would knock the guards unconscious. Ever since I had mastered my plants, I had been toying with anything and everything that could prove useful. As the deep red flower bloomed in my hand, I blew softly on its pistons. The pollen drifted up towards the guards. Within moments, both were out cold on the ground. I returned the flower to a seed and tucked it back in my pouch as Ritsu came around the corner. "Let's tie them up and take them in with us.", I said, taking out a coil of rope. Ritsu agreed and bound the guard closest him as I took out my lock picking kit. By the time the guards were tied up, I had opened the door. I pushed the door open and dragged one of the guards along as I entered.

Leaving the guards in a corner by the door, Ritsu and I looked around the treasure room. A large desk sat in the middle of the room. No doubt this chamber doubled as a counting room. I scanned the space around the desk, but found nothing of value. There was a large safe, taller than myself, embedded in the back wall. It had a dial the size of a large plate and the handle was encrusted with jewels. I walked over to the safe with Ritsu at my heels. "Be careful, Soko.", he instructed as I pressed my ear against the huge door. I shushed him as I began to work on the lock. Every time a tumbler fell into place, it sounded like thunder from the storm outside. A few minutes passed before the last tumbler clicked loudly, signaling that the door was unlocked. I smiled and stood straight. I looked at Ritsu. I knew my eyes were glittering with excitement. "Well, aren't you going to see what's inside?", he asked, motioning to the safe. I grinned and turned the handle over.

Past the door of the safe was a whole other room filled with gold and jewels. My eyes were about the size of the dial as I took a step inside. Ritsu quickly put his hand on my shoulder. I turned to look back at him. "What?", I asked, obviously put off at being stalled. He gestured to the inside of the safe door. There was no handle. I swallowed and looked up into his aqua eyes. "You could have been locked inside with no way out. Before going into any locked room, make sure you have an exit.", he told me. I looked away, a little ashamed that I had forgotten his teachings. "It's ok this time. I'm your partner and I can stand out here and be a watchman. But when you're on your own, you have to remember little things like that, alright?", Ritsu said. I nodded and looked up at him. He was smiling. I gave him a little smile. He motioned to the safe room. "Go on. Get what you want."

I collected whatever caught my eye. Jewelry, knives, small statues, and multiple bags of coins all stuffed into my pack with my dirty boots. Once my bag was full, I went and picked up a few more things for Ritsu. He chuckled as I handed him the stolen treasures. "Now leave your mark.", he instructed, seeing that I had filled both bags. I paused. I hadn't thought of a signature in all my excitement. Smiling as a thought came to mind, I walked over the center of the room where an alter stood. From the alter I had taken a heavy ruby necklace, ring, and earring set. Here in its place I placed a single white rose. Smirking, I turned back to Ritsu who stood just outside the door. He was smiling as well. "Nice. It's classy.", he said. I snorted and stepped out of the safe. Leaving the safe door open, we headed back out into the hallway.

Deciding to exit on the north side of the palace, we headed left out of the treasure room. "You know, Ritsu.", I said quietly, looking for a window small enough to hop out of. "They made this extremely easy for me. I mean, the window was open; they had signs in the servants' passages, only two guards at the treasure room… This is hardly a test of my skill." Ritsu chuckled. "Don't count your chickens before they hatch, Soko. We're not done yet. We still have to get out.", he said, pointing to a suitable window. I nodded as I bit my lip. Unlocking the window, I pushed the pane up and carefully made my way out of it. I scanned the area outside for any patrolmen. Finding only a few out by the wall, I waved Ritsu out. He closed the window. I pulled my hood up to cover my head from the cold rain and walked along the edge of the building, looking for a place to jump the wall. There was a small section of wall that had vines crawling up and over the top of it. Deciding that it was our best bet, I looked around before making my way over to the leafy vines. Ritsu was right behind me. I quickly started scaling the wall, using the vines as foot holes. Once on top of the ten-foot wall, I paused to wait for Ritsu. He looked up at me and motioned for me to keep going. Just as I nodded, a ball of energy struck me in the shoulder, knocking me off the wall. "Soko!", Ritsu called, coming up over the top of the wall. I lay on the ground outside the courtyard, my left shoulder bleeding badly. I cried out in pain. Ritsu jumped down and crouched beside me. "Come on, Soko. You need to get up. They've spotted us!", he exclaimed. My teeth clenched, I nodded, allowing him to pull me to my feet. A second later, guards came around the west-side wall. Ritsu pulled on my wrist as we ran from the palace, heading northwest into a dark forest.

The guards began shooting as they ran after us. I was constantly looking over my shoulder. "Don't worry about them!", Ritsu yelled. "Keep your eyes forward!" I knew that keeping your eyes forward helped keep you from getting caught in a trap, but I also knew that one of the guards would get lucky and hit his mark. I growled. Brushing plants with my hand as I passed by, I sent my energy to them to make them grow larger to block our path. I knew that using my energy like this could prove fatal later if I had to engage in combat, but right now I was hoping that this would prevent that. Sure enough, the sounds of the soldiers were growing fainter and fainter as Ritsu and I escaped from the palace grounds. We didn't stop running until we exited the forest on the other side. From here we would head westward towards the camp.

We reached the woodlands of our home just before dark. It was here that Ritsu stopped me. "How is your arm?", he asked, pulling out his canteen. I sat down on the ground and examined my wounded arm. It was still bleeding, but not as heavily as it had before. Nevertheless, I felt lightheaded. "The wound is deep.", Ritsu said as he kneeled beside me to examine the wound. I nodded, taking the open flask he offered. I drank gratefully. "Ri, I don't think I can walk back.", I told him, closing the canteen and handing it back to him. He was washing the wound on my arm with some water. "I don't think you should be walking, at this point.", he said. I nodded, leaning forward and resting my spinning head against his shoulder. I heard him chuckle. "It's alright Soko. You deserve some rest. I'll take you back to camp.", he said softly. I nodded against his shoulder and let him pick me up and carry me back to camp.

~*~

After I had awoken at camp, I was instructed to see Kota. I entered the tent to find him and Ritsu sitting at the table, quietly discussing something. I stood before them, cutting their discussion short. "You wanted to see me, Kota-san?", I asked, swaying slightly on my feet. The old wolf nodded. "Please, sit down before you hurt yourself.", he instructed. I nodded and sat in the chair in front of me. I waited for him to speak.

"Ritsu has been telling me the details of your assignment.", Kota said, looking through some papers on his desk. I didn't nod; I didn't have the energy. Kota continued. "I am surprised that you chose Caer Midnight as your target, seeing as how the lord of that castle is very powerful." "Men with power are usually men with money.", I said, leaning back in the chair and resting my face against my right hand. Kota chuckled. "Yes, that is usually the case." He folded his hands in front of him. "You have brought back a grand income, Soko. Such fine work cannot go unrewarded." I blinked and sat up a little. "Sir?", I questioned. Ritsu smiled. I looked at Kota. "I'm going to let you keep ten percent of your haul today, Soko. Usually I'm not so gracious.", he said. My jaw fell open. Ritsu usually only got to keep four to seven percent of his income. Ten percent was… an ungodly amount of money. "Thank you, Kota-san.", I said, rising from my chair. The old wolf gave me a toothy grin. From his desk he pulled out a bag of coins and sat it on the edge of the table in front of me. "You can use this money for whatever you want.", he told me. "I suggest using it to buy something useful." I reached out and picked up the heavy pouch. It was about as large as the pouch I used to carry seeds in; about the size of a small melon. If this was just ten percent of what I had brought back… I smiled. "I will, Kota-san. Many thanks."

Ritsu left the tent with me, his arm wrapped around my shoulders. "What are you going to buy with your first payroll?", he asked, grinning. I smiled, looking down at the bag in my hands. "You'll see."

A few days later, I entered the tent I shared with Ritsu. He was sitting inside, writing in his record book. He looked up as I entered, a smile on his face. "Back from the market, I see.", he said. I nodded with a smile and sat down on my bedroll. I lay my bag down next to me. "So what did you get?", my teacher asked, going back to his book. I opened my bag. "I bought two new pairs of boots, a cloak, some fabric to make some new tunics with, a few books… you'll probably enjoy them…", I rambled, pulling out each item as I listed it. "And I got this." "Got what?", Ritsu asked, looking up. I held out the leather choker to him. "It's for you.", I said. His expression was that of curiosity as he took the band from my grasp. As he examined the gift, I told him the details. "It's the softest black leather I could find. The clasp is pewter with a brushed nickel finish. I had the design stamped into the front of the band and painted with dragon's blood, so it wouldn't wash away if it got wet. I hope you like it.", I finished.

Ritsu gaped at me. "You had this made? For me?", he asked. I nodded. "I wanted to get you something… to show my appreciation…", I said, blushing a little bit. "Do you not like it?" Ritsu smiled. "I love it. I just… wasn't expecting you to get me anything. The craftsmanship alone would have cost a fortune, not to mention the materials…", he explained, running his thumb over the leather. Ritsu gazed at me. "Thank you, Soko. I'll always wear it." I beamed. Gazing at the choker one more time, my mentor smiled and put it around his neck. The clasp clicked shut. 'So I had chosen the right length after all…', I thought, gazing at the band. "How's it look?", he asked. I stared at the design that was imprinted in the leather. It was a blue fox curled up into the shape of a water droplet, surrounded by swirling water patterns. I smiled. "It looks good.", I stated. Ritsu smiled as well and got up to come sit next to me. "I love you, Soko. Don't forget it.", he said, pulling me into a gentle hug. I snorted. "Yeah, only because I buy you stuff.", I said jokingly. Ritsu laughed and pulled me into a headlock. "Belittling my care for you, are we?", he asked. I pulled at his arms. "No!", I squealed. "I love you too!" Ritsu laughed and kissed my cheek before releasing me from his hold. I laughed. I turned to look at him. "I'm glad you like it, Ri.", I told him. He smiled and ruffled my hair. "You have good taste.", he said.

The tent flap opened, revealing Imour, Kota's assistant. The gentle dog demon gave us a smile. "What is it, Imour?", Ritsu asked. The inu looked at me. "Kota thanks you for the gift.", he told me. I smirked. "Tell him I said, 'Thank you.'" Imour smiled again and left without another word. Ritsu gave me a questioning look. "What?", I asked. "What did you get Kota?", he asked, folding his arms. I looked up at the ceiling of the tent. "Oh nothing… just a dagger.", I said, absently. "What was is made of?", Ritsu asked. "Sharpened dragon scales…", I muttered. My mentor laughed. "You're going to regret that!", he said, tackling me to the ground. I yipped in surprise. "Not if he keeps giving me ten percent!"

~*~

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Comments? I'll give you ten percent! XD

~*~Soko~*~