A/N Hello again. Thank you, everyone, that took the time to view my story. I will be updating once a week usually Wednesday. I hope you all enjoy the second chapter. Thank you again.


Chapter 2

Present Day 1885.

Sunlight filtered through the small room alerting the older Amamiya sibling of the pending day. Yawning and stretching as he gets ready, he can already feel the start of a 5 o'clock shadow on his face. He starts to hear fast footsteps approach his door as a younger girl comes barreling in.

"Wake up, wake up, wake up, I got it this time," she yells. The younger sibling who was still dozing on the other bed in the room is startled awake, falling face-first on the floor

"What the hell!" he yells back at her. Ren lets out a chuckle as he finishes putting on his boots. He's used to the antics between these two. Futaba Sakura, Sojiro's daughter. They've known her for as long as they've known Boss. Morgana may act like he's mad at her all the time but they're all good friends.

"So what is it that you got right this time?" Ren asked.

A cheeky grin forms on her face as she takes out behind her some vials. "I got the ingredient correct this time. Dip some arrows or knives into these and your enemies will be paralyzed for a good 2 hours now. I was a bit off on the time from the last batch. Sorry." She hands 3 vials to Ren as he gently places them in his satchel by the bedpost.

Morgana who's still grumpy for the day takes the other 3 vials for himself. "Thanks, Futaba….but you couldn't have waited till after we had some grub?"

"Nonsense, you wouldn't have been up till high noon," she accused. "Anyway, I'm going back to work on my project. Let me know if you need any updates." Futuba leaves the two brothers to get ready for the day. There small break coming to an end.

They had stayed in this hideout town of theirs for a few days rest and gather supplies before moving out for a longer trip. They were on a mission, one they don't want to fail.

"You two need any more last minutes supplies before heading out?" Boss asked, cleaning the Saloons tables.

"We'll stop by Iwai to pick up a few cartridges, then head out. If we find anything, I'll send a telegram." Ren brushes off his black duster coat and grabs his hat. He makes sure to secure his holster and gun on his right side. With the satchel now secure, he leaves the saloon. "Come on Morgana, while the sun still shining!"

Morgana runs from the second floor of the Salon towards the door with his bag in tow. "Okay, okay. I'm right behind ya. I didn't want to forget these two," pointing to the twin silver-plated pistols in his holsters.

Ren climbs up a Red Chestnut Horse, calm and collected. He named him Arsene. He was a rebellious mare when he first found him, bucking Ren off whenever he can. But a bond formed between them after butting heads to much, he's been a loyal horse ever since. "Come on buddy," steering them out of town.

Morgana followed closely behind him on his midnight black mare Mercurius; it was named after some character he saw in a book one time.

"So Ren where are we going again after Mr. Iwai?"

"North. Next state over. My informant found a couple of leads I wanna check out," he answers back. They continue to ride in the spring-like weather up the mountain. Iwai sometimes came to work in town, but most days he keeps to himself. Setting up a shop near the entrance of the woods, smoke drifting towards the sky. He once ran with a gang of misfits before he had his son. Not wanting his son in that life, he left. He had always stayed good with weapons though.

The brothers hitch their horses to the post before walking in the medium size building. The middle-aged man in question sat behind the counter browsing through his own catalog. He breaks from his readings to see the young men come in. "Well if it isn't my two favorite customers."

"I think we're your only customers Sir," Morgana stated.

Glaring at the younger sibling, he places the catalog down on the desk and motions them towards the back. Several boxes of ammo were stacked ranging in for rifles, shotguns, repeaters and so on. Iwai takes down one of the boxes and presents it to the two. "I finish some of the custom ammo last night, but some regular ammo should be in there as well. And Morgana as promise…" He turns towards another box and pulls out a rifle with a small scope on it. "I finished your order as well. You may have to clean it more often but it should pack a punch. Careful on the kickback too."

The younger brother takes the rifle and inspects it, admiring the craftsmanship. While Morgana gets a feel for his new weapon, Iwai goes through a draw near the boxes and pulls out a small case. "And for you Ren, I made the upgrades on that pistol you found awhile back. It was pretty badly damaged but reversible. It should take the custom and regular ammo for them."

"Thank you very much, Mr. Iwai. Your dedication to the craft is always admirable. How much I owe you this time?"

"$42.00 for all." Ren hands him the cash and gathers the inventory stashing some in his Satchel and planning to carry the other to the saddlebag.

"Thank you again, Sir."

"Till next time Mr. Iwai" Morgana shouts

He grunts his thank you and returns back to the room. "Kaoru! Come down here and help me with these boxes!"

The Amamiya brothers gather themselves on their horses and head out again. They continue to cross over the wild birth of plains, hills rolling as far as the eye can see. Wild horse, buck, rabbits, there was bountiful good eating if you knew how to hunt. Feeling the waning light, the two found a rock cover near the bottom of a cliff and set up camp.

"Do you think we'll be lucky this time Ren, it feels we're getting nowhere closer," Morgana ask once settled in. He was resting by the small fire looking at his elder brother on the other side.

"We'll succeed this time, I know it. But get some rest, we are leaving at sunrise," he states leaning back into his bedroll, his hat covering his eyes.

Their journey had no finish line yet, still, the next destination held many promises. A location and a name they were given. The first truly big lead since they started 5 years ago.


1880, 5 Years Ago

Gunshots and broken glass could be heard from behind the Saloon. A young man aims with a pistol at the empty beers bottles on boxes. Sojiro stands behind adjusting his posture.

"You're starting off good but you'll strain your back if you aim like that. Here, stand more like this." Ren moves as told and continues to aim at the bottles determine to get better.

He and his younger brother Morgana had been staying with Sojiro for the past few weeks. After healing up, Sojiro allowed them to stay until they can get back on their feet. But Ren is still a wanted man. No doubt a bounty on his head after escaping his near death. That man….that man had ruined his life. And he almost died all for a misunderstanding. But he won't let this happen again. It's why he is training now with Sojiro. He's been thankful for him taking them in.

Ren aims the pistol at a few more empty bottles lined up, hitting 3 of 5.

"Alright, that's enough practice, come inside I'll finish making some dinner." Sojiro walks through the Saloon's back door as he gets ready for his evening patrons. While some customer was a bit rowdy and Boss had no problem throwing them out, most just came as a passerby looking for a place to rest and some Whiskey. He offered room and board for free as long as Ren and Morgana help around every now and then. And especially making sure his daughter stayed out of trouble.

Boss had been nice enough to show them the ropes, simply wiping down the tables, sweeping, pouring drinks, etc. His daughter would wander about the place during the day but he prefers her staying in her room come evening time. She didn't mind though, she also seems to be tinkering with weird gadgets or pieces laying around. An interesting character she was.

But even with hospitality, people will come looking for them. He had to be prepared to not only protect himself but his younger brother he thought. It's why Sojiro has been teaching him when he asked. Ren was a rookie no doubt but was showing great potential.

It was a few nights later, a particular guest came through town and stopped at the Saloon. Ren was running about the Saloon cleaning tables while Morgana help washes the dishes. The quiet man sat down at a table Ren was finishing cleaning, having a glean in his eye.

"Can I help you Sir?" the young man asked.

"Yeah. I'm looking for someone, a young boy that matches your description. Your messy hair, height, and complexion." The man pulls out his gun and twirls it around his finger. "The same description also had a decent price on his head, not much but it will make due for a meal."

Ren felt his blood turn cold as the man had his pistol trained on him. A Bounty Hunter! "I..I'm sorry sir…but I think you have the….w..wrong guy. I'm just an assistant here. I assure you."

The joyful boaster around the Saloon had quieted down as they all faced the incident going on around them. Morgana was frozen behind the bar trying to think, but he was afraid any sudden movements would put a bullet in his brother's head.

"Nah, you look just like those wanted poster back at that-" A gun clicked behind the hunter's head, the cold barrel of a shotgun was pressed to the temple.

"Now I don't mind a few roughhousing here and there but when you come into MY establishment and threaten MY employees we got a problem pal," Sojiro said standing behind him. "Now then you can either leave peacefully or we can take this outside and settle it like men."

The Bounty Hunter had chuckled holstering his weapons. "If that's the case then let's settle this old man. Maybe now I can double my profits"

Sojiro and the hunter had stepped outside, Boss trading his shotgun to a sidearm. The Patrons, the Amamiya bothers, even his daughter watched through the windows outside. "What is he doing! He could get hurt!"

Morgana clamped a hand over her mouth. "Sshhh let him concentrate. I hope the Chief knows what he's doing!?"

The two turn in the street and stared at one another. The hunter still chuckling to himself. Hands twitching towards the weapons. Sweat was pouring from the hunter's face looking for any sign against the Saloon owner. But Boss remains as calm as can be. The hunter saw a twitch and pulled out his gun but all they felt was 3 shots to the chest. The old man had not only to beat him in a duel but got him fatally. Sojiro's revolver was still smoking after such a quick draw.

"What the hell?" Ren looks on in amazement.

He puts the barrel to his lips and blows out the smoke. "They never learn do they? Alright everyone back to your business. Next rounds on the house." The crowd of Patrons cheered and went back to their seat nursing, even more, Whiskey and Beer.

Murmurs of "Same old Boss" and "He still got it" could be heard as they dispensed.

The older Amamiya walked up to Sojiro who holstered his gun. "Boss where'd you learn how to duel like that. It was incredible! Can you teach me that as well?"

Boss goes to ruffle Ren's hair playfully. "We'll see how your training goes." He walks up to the dying Bounty Hunter who lays bleeding on the ground heaving for air.

" Urrghh…this w..won't be…for…gotten. Mr. Sam..ael does no..t forg…et a slight against….him." He attempts to point at Ren when his eyes roll back and slump to the ground dead.

Sighing Sojiro guides Ren back inside. "Come on let us forget about this and finish up."

But one thing keeps occupying Ren's mind.

Who was Mr. Samael?


A/N Update: Fixed some errors