Disclaimer: I don't own any Sly Cooper characters; they belong to Sucker Punch Productions.

Claimer: I own all of my original characters.

I finally got this chapter posted; I had some slight computer problems which delayed me updating the story. But it's all fixed now and I'll post chapter 4 when I get more views/reviews. This chapter is still in the flashback stage and will continue with chapter 1 in about 4 more chapters. Also, I know this chapter might have been a little boring but it'll pick up in the next chapter. Anyway, leave me a review and let me know what you think and I'm also open for any suggestions or helpful criticism.

Chapter 3: Training and Accusations

I kept my fists close to my chest and was in a defensive stance as I circled my brother. He was also in a fighting stance as we stared each other down, ready to throw punches. I stepped forward and threw the first punch. My right paw impacted his palm before returning to their original position. He smirked and I continued my reign of punching. One hit after another landed somewhere on Sitka and he took a small step back with each hit. I ducked when he attempted to knock me to the ground with his arm and that's when I went for his stomach. I wrapped my arms loosely around his neck before using my knee to hit him in the stomach. He grunted before doubling over slightly. That gave me an opportunity to use my elbows on his back and put him in a headlock. We tumbled to the ground while my arm was still secure around his neck. He tried to pry my arms off, but they were locked on.

"Tap out and I'll let go!" I shouted after his struggling got him nowhere. I heard him sigh before he started pounding his fists on the floor. I released him from my grip and he rolled away. Usually, after we landed in a new location, we would brush up on out fighting skills before going out on jobs, just to be safe. It was always fun and we rarely got hurt seriously. It was for practical reasons and fun in the process. We never got really mad at each other, just miffed when one of us lost. Whenever I got in a real fight with a thug on the streets or on a job, I usually won. I did get my fair share of being beaten up on jobs but I left the attackers in pain. Growing up with six brothers off various ages, my sisters and I would have either needed to learn to fight, or be at the mercy of my brothers.

"I swear," my brother said as he sat up, "for a little thing you're tough." I let out a laugh before standing. We had landed in Tokyo, Japan earlier in the week and were getting ready to plan out our upcoming heist after we finished out wrestling match. We had rented out an apartment like building in Japan and decided to set up the crash mats in the largest room of the building, an area similar to a basement.

"Alright, let's see your punches." He said before placing his paws in from of me. I balled my own into fists and braced myself before getting ready to start punching, "You know what you're doing for the heist, right?" he continued after I landed my first punch in his open palm.

"Yeah, but don't you think the idea is a little risky? Stealing a highly guarded key in front of the emperor of Japan while trying to pull off a traditional dance that has no room for errors?" I hit his palm with a right hook while asking my question.

"I know it's risky and going to be difficult but do you have a better plan?" he blocked my next punch and I gave an irritated sigh.

"Punch his lights out and take the stupid thing, that's my plan."

"Is violence always the answer with you?" I stopped momentarily and nodded.

"That's not always a bad thing you know. Why sit and wait to do something when you can just go out there and get things done yourself? And if you have to punch a few people in the process, more power to you." He rolled his eyes and I did a series punches and a kick.

"Fine, now for your upcoming job," I put his paws back up and prepared for my next series of hits, "you and Charlotte will sneak in with the other event dancers in the palace. After you're dressed in you disguise, flow with the dance and get the lock open on the case for the key without being caught by anyone. Then, while the other dances are spinning their umbrellas and anything else they're planning to twirl, steal the key. After it's in your possession, keep dancing to avoid suspicion. After everything is said and done, you and Charlotte get out of the palace and get back here as soon as you can. And be sure you have the key in your robes before you leave! I'm not reliving Amsterdam and the blue gem." He shot me a glance and I rolled my eyes. While in Amsterdam a few months ago, I had dropped the gem I was in search of when I was running from the local police forces.

"That happened one time! It won't happen again, I swear!" I laughed and swung another kick.

"Alright, but have you even attempted that dance you need to do for the heist? We go out in three days and you need to be ready."

"Three or four times, give or take some." I looked down and continued punching.

"Three or four times?" he repeated, "We gave it to you a month ago, what have you been doing?" I could tell I was going to have to sit through a nagging session.

"I've been busy." I my chin in slightly and brushed my bangs from my eyes before returning to my punching stance.

"Busy doing what?" he paused for a minute before letting a smirk form on his face, "I know what it is."

"What?" I lifted an eyebrow at his suspicion and tried to figure out what he was getting at.

"You can't deny it either!" his smirk turned into a chuckle while I still tried to figure out what he was trying to say. We both had gotten out of our training stances and my arms were crossed in thought.

"Would you just tell me what you're brewing up in that twisted brain of yours?" I balled my fists up and got ready to punch the answer out of him.

"As soon as you reconnect with an old friend who just happens to be a thief that you are 'rivals' with, you've been slipping in you own thieving work." He lifted his eyebrows and pointed a finger in my direction.

"That has got to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard you say!" I couldn't help but smile at the question and didn't really know if it was true or not.

"Then why are you smiling? You're a good thief but a horrible liar!" he pointed a second time before turning to leave.

"I'm not lying you're just making false assumptions out of a simple friendship!" I heard him laugh and he turned.

"Look, if you'll work on the dance for the heist then I might take that comment back." He turned into his room and closed the door. I gave an inward growl and punched the nearby punching bag before deciding to actually prepare for my big heist in three days.