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, short chapter and a long time for getting it posted. I've been super busy lately so finding time to write has been difficult. But this is the final chapter of this story so yay! Even though I still won't be updating too often, especially when new term starts, I will be starting a new story soon. Even though results on my latest pole have requested a Tennessee Kid story, I've decided to pull away from the ancestors and getting back to my modern time stories that I usually write. The next one will be a lengthy one, but I'm hoping to get the first chapter up soon. But I do want to apologize for the horrid updates I've had on this story and I want to thank everyone who has stuck with it until the end. Anyway, please read, review, excuse my tardiness, and let me know what you think on how this story turned out. Thanks!

Chapter 11: Ready to Pounce

Northern Japan, 1339

I worked quietly as I sharpened my knives. Running the sharpener back and forth on the blade, over and over again, until each knife had achieved the perfect level of sharpness. Putting my knife sharpeners away I ran my thumb along the edge of the sharpened blade, checking them. After deciding that they were to my standards, I put them down next to my cutting board and looked to my door. Kasumi had promised to stop by this evening for dinner as her way of repaying me for the geisha house charade. She'd returned home to tidy herself and change her clothes before coming. I'd decided to start getting dinner ready for her arrival. It wasn't long after I'd sharpened my knives that she slipped quietly into the restaurant, which was closed for other patrons due to the late hour. I heard the soft sound of wood against wood, signaling to me the door had been shut and I had a visitor in my presence,

"Kasumi-san, I am happy to see that you decided to appear for dinner." I told her as I turned towards the door. She strolled slowly inside, gazing at the ornaments on the walls and tables along the sides.

"I never break a promise, Rioichi." she said with a gentle smile. She approached the counter and sat quietly on a pillow, glancing to me once she was settled. "I may be late, however. I noticed the new tiger prowling around your shop Rioichi. I have the feeling he may be looking towards you."

"What business would he have here?" I asked as I returned to my sushi, "I've never spoken to him." I placed a thin sheet of my highest quality seaweed on the chopping block, smoothing it out slowly and carefully.

"Maybe he's trying to look deeper into your restaurant, Rioichi. We may have a new thief on our hands." I turned back to her with my ingredients ready.

"Well, the tiger is a worry for another day. Tonight, your concern is finally tasting my sushi." She chuckled, glancing to the assorted seafood I'd placed on the counter.

"I believe my concern is liking it or not, Rioichi. I may eat it, but what good is it if you don't know if it appeals to me?" I glanced up to her, rolling my eyes as I made her dinner.

I placed my rice on the seaweed; making sure it was uniform and fluffy. Kasumi watched me intently as I prepared her food, curious as to what was going into it. I used my fillet knife to quickly chop thin strips of carrot, peppers, celery, and other vegetables. I placed them on the rice and rolled the seaweed tightly, making small rolls of sushi. I cut the roll into disks, placing two of them onto a plate in the center. I turned my attention to the large fillet of fish, using my knife to cut thin slices of the fresh fish to my next piece of sushi. After rolling another strip of seaweed into a cone and packed it with rice, I placed the fish delicately over it. I turned my attention to a few chili peppers, intending to add a little spice to the dish.

"Hot peppers, Rioichi-san? Trying to burn me?" she asked with a playful smile.

"Only a mild scorch, my dear." I added the peppers and a few sticks of celery to the cone of seaweed and plated it as well. With a final sprig of herbs, I slid the plate to Kasumi with a pair of chopsticks, ready for her to taste. Kasumi first picked up the roll with her chopsticks, observing it carefully before placing it in her mouth. She chewed quietly, tasting the flavors of the roll before setting down her utensils. She gave a playful smile, and small wink, before giving me her not-so-honest opinion.

"It's an alright concept, but I'd much rather dine on noodles." She laughed soon after and I shared her smile. Even though she would admit to liking my sushi, it was a great honor that she did. We talked softly as she finished her meal. When she was finished, she sighed softly and glanced to me.

"I know you say you aren't worried about the tiger, Rioichi, but I am. There's something not right about him. He's here for a reason and whatever that reason is it's not a friendly one. I'm worried for you. I've been feeling that he's here because of you. You need to take precaution, Rioichi-san." Taking her paw in my own, I squeezed it softly and ran my thumb over the top.

"I will watch out, Kasumi-san. Whatever this tiger is planning, I'll be sure to avoid him. However, I will only do so if you promise to as well." She smiled softly, nodding quietly and pulling her paws from my own. She yawned, covering her mouth with her paw, and showing signs that she was exhausted. I stood, ready to escort her out, and she followed me to the door.

"Kasumi-san," I said as she almost opened the doors to the restaurant, "do you think you'll ever give up being a geisha?" she turned slightly and shrugged.

"I may. If I can find the right person to convince me otherwise," she pulled the doors opened and faced me again, "or if he gives up his sushi restaurant." Kasumi winked with a smile and wrapped her arms around my neck in a hug.

"I owe you my life, Rioichi, for what you did for me." she whispered softly in my ear. My own arms hugged her torso, pressing her to me gently.

"It was my pleasure, Kasumi-san. I give you my word as a ninja, I will always live my life to protect you." Without another word, Kasumi kissed me. Pressing her lips to my own, she melted into our embrace and I did the same. I wasn't sure how long we'd stood there in our embrace, but by the time we parted I felt as if something was missing from both my body and spirit. With a quick bow of her head and another gentle smile, Kasumi slowly strolled to her home and restaurant. I watched until she was indoors and her lights had been blown out. Once I was sure she was safe, I stood in my doorway, taking in the quiet chirps of local crickets and the light beaming down from the full moon. This village was a very peaceful town, despite the local geisha house, and I was sure Kasumi would give up her ways of a geisha. But for now, I could accept it. After taking the scenery, I turned to enter my home. Before I could take more than two steps inside, I felt the back of my shirt jerk upwards, both lifting me up off the ground and choking me. The intense smell of tobacco flooded my nostrils, making me gag.

"There you are…" a deep voice said softly as I was swiftly taken from my home. As I was brought to the local imperial palace, I was able to catch a glimpse of an orange and black striped tail. It took a few moments, but I soon realize that Kasumi was correct. I was the target of this mysterious new tiger…and he just captured his prey.