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

Claimer: I own all of my original characters.

I know, it's a bit short, but I had originally planned on having chapters 5 and 6 as one solid chapter, but I decided to split them up and make them two chapters. So, because of that, the next chapters will be longer. But for now, here's chapter 6! Anyway, please read and review and let me know what you think! Thanks!

Chapter 6: The Smeared Makeup

Northern Japan, 1339

There comes a time in a ninja's life that they must start using their skills to not only be stealthy and unseen, but use these traits to protect others. And tonight was the night for me to prove that. I knew that Kasumi was on her way back to the geisha house and I knew that whoever that skunk was, he was planning on promoting her from maiko to full geisha, so my plan was to follow her. If Kasumi noticed that I'd followed her, there was no doubt in my mind that I would become her knew knife holder. But that didn't matter to me; I had to make sure she was safe. I was a calm, nonviolent ninja and sushi chef, but if that skunk laid a single, smelly finger on her, on my Kasumi….

I shook the thought from my head as I sprinted towards the geisha house. I wasn't sure when the skunk was to meet Kasumi, but I didn't want to arrive there too late. I closed my sushi house early this evening, even before Kasumi close up her noodle shop, so I would be sure I could catch her. But somehow, she'd managed to slip out before I had anticipated, so now I was in a race against the clock to catch her before that European skunk got his paws on her first. I slid to a stop across from the geisha house and spotted Madame Geisha standing outside, welcoming men in with a large smile. I surveyed my surroundings, trying to find a way inside without being noticed. My eyes scanned the building quickly, looking for a way in to get to Kasumi. I spotted a window above the front entrance of the building, but Madame Geisha would have to leave. Thankfully, I'd been watching the geisha house for a while now, keeping an eye on Kasumi, and I knew that she met the same man every night. The mysterious tiger that had been wondering around the village for the past month was her favorite client. He met her every night around this time; I can only pray that he would show up this night as well.

It seemed like hours, but eventually my heart fluttered and I sighed with relief when the Spanish tongued, cigar smoking tiger strolled up to the door, putting out his cigar out on the door. He smiled, planting a smoke filled kiss on the rhino's hand before leading her inside, letting the doors close behind them. That was my signal to enter the building. Taking my cane from behind my back I darted forward, latching on to an archway of one of the windows, and hoisted myself up to the top of the archway. From there I climbed, jumped, and used my cane to make my way to the highest window. I pushed the door open with haste, slipping inside quietly. The noise inside was just as loud as usual and the building was filled to the brim with dancing ladies and drunken men. I hastily scanned the floor, searching for the striped tailed skunk or Kasumi. I spotted Madame Geisha and the tiger waltzing into a room together, the door closing soon afterwards.

I made my way to the ground floor and weaved in and out of men and women carrying trays of sake. I tried to listen for the sounds of Kasumi's beautiful voice, but everything was droned out by shouting men. I pushed my way through, almost frantically, knowing that if I couldn't find her soon then I'd be too late, and Kasumi would be a geisha. But one thing I could pick up on was the sound of a certain European accent. I headed towards the direction of the voice, realizing that it was heading towards the back bedrooms, and I knew that Kasumi would have to be near him. After finally breaking through a line of men, I spotted the tail of a skunk round a corner and I silently followed him, staying close but not close enough to where I would be heard. I peered around the corner and noticed that he'd stopped in front of a door, which was now open, and was talking to the person inside.

"You are the one they call…Kasu, Kasu…" he struggled, twirling his fingers in the air as he tried to think of the female's name.

"Kasumi," my heart sank at the name and the all too familiar voice, "and yes, I am." The skunk smiled, a greasy, horrible smile as I saw him lean in, take Kasumi's paw in his own, and plant a rather sloppy kiss on the top of it

I gripped my cane firmly, letting my ears flatten against my head, and forced myself to not lunge forward and beat him into the ground right then and there. Put I stopped myself, waiting for the skunk into the room with Kasumi. When the door closed, I darted forward, heading for the door the skunk had just entered. I pressed my back against the wall next to the room where the skunk had entered the room with Kasumi. I new I would have to do something now or all of my attempts to save her from losing something as precious as her innocent nature to someone that constantly had his nose in the air, for multiple reasons at that. I scanned the hallway quickly, realizing that I was alone before I decided to act on impulse. I clenched my fist and beat against the wooden frames of the rice paper door, hoping I could coax the skunk to the door before things had progressed beyond repair. The door slid opened with agitation as the strong scented skunk emerged halfway from the door frame. I kept my hood over my head as he glanced down the hallway to see the cause of the disturbance. I had to ask fast or he'd go back in and I'd never get the skunk out of the hole.

As he looked away, I silently slipped my fingers to the side of his neck, pressing firmly on the nerve resting silently in his neck, and held them there until the vermin lost his conscience state of mind, and slipped into the doldrums of slumber. The skunk slumped as I pressed his nerves and I was forced to catch him to avoid him falling to the floor, creating a noise, and a possible notice to anyone in the surrounding area. I silently waddled him inside the room he had paid for and let him slide to the floor without a sound. I slid the door closed, to hide the unconscious patron from anyone who may pass by. I stood up straight, stretching my back from hunching over before it dawned on me to look for Kasumi. I looked behind me, noticing the noodle chef standing in front of the window, the moonlight pouring in behind her, hiding her features from me. I wouldn't tell what she was thinking; if she was happy or angry or upset or what was wrong with her, I just know that she was simply standing still.

"Kasumi-san," I said softly, stretching my paw out to her. She took no hesitation with her response to my actions. She rushed forward, her arms wrapping around my waist, and she buried her face in my chest.

"Oh Rioichi," she said through a cracking voice, "I was so scared." I held her to me, my cheek pressed to the top of her head as she cried into my shirt, leaving smudges of white makeup; not that I minded, given the situation.

"You're safe now, Kasumi. I promise," I whispered into her hair as I held the sobbing raccoon to me, waiting for her get this out of her system before taking her home, "I give you my word as a ninja; I will make sure you are protected."