A/N Thank you all for reading my story so far. I hope you have been enjoying it, things are going to start picking up. But anyhow, onwards to Chapter 5 of Until the Sun Sets.


Chapter 5

Present Day, 1885

They had a problem on their hands. The man Ren and Morgana were tracking was also the same man Ryuji had an issue with. Asmodeus was Kamoshida. And he was practically keeping his victims locked underground, trading them away here and there. Kamoshida was merely a pawn in that man's game.

"It might be best to attack during midday, the most patron wouldn't show up till the evening. This way they wouldn't be expecting it and it will minimize the casualties. Behind Kamoshida guard door there's a bookcase that can be open and leads down to the chamber. Unfortunately, I didn't seem him last night but was told he operates in two different rooms. One is on the highest floor at the end of the hall. We will need to go in hard and fast. Morgana, you will take the lookout spot make sure his hired guards stay in check. Ryuji will take down the guard and head down the chamber. I'll track down Kamoshida in his other room. Everyone clear on the plan?" Ren explains to the other two in the room.

"Got it, Ren, as a bonafide gentleman I am here to help any damsels in distress."

"I already appreciate you helping me so far in such a short time. We're gonna take that bastard down."

"Right. We gonna have to make it look like a robbery, mask and all."

The plan seems like a good one but there was one problem, "The other woman trap in the chambers, where are we gonna put them all? We can't just bring them back here, it would be too noticeable," Ryuji told them.

"Hmmm, with the commotion it can buy us time perhaps to steal a carriage. There's also a train station not too far away but not within walking distance," the elder brother ponders.

"As much as I would love to continue discussing this, its been a long day. We should go to sleep," Morgana reminds them.

Letting out a resounding yawn himself, it would be best to try and rest before further planning.


Brothel, Next Day 12:30 pm, 1885

It was always quiet down in the chambers. The occasional moan and groan could be heard, rumbling stomach. The chains that tied them allow little freedom to at least stand and walk a small portion but still immensely painful. She felt so tired and can't even remember the last time she ate. Her other neighbors were mostly dozing in an out themselves. Ann was awoken by the slam of a door and yelling.

"Why do I have missing files from my desk and a tamper door! Can you answer me that!?" She could hear Kamoshida upstairs yelling at someone. His hired guards perhaps? That stranger she met, Ren? Maybe he took them.

"Sir, I apologize it won't hap-"

Gunshots could be heard and the sound of a loud thump was heard hitting the floor above them. There were a few mumble words that she didn't pick up but it sounded like they were dragging something away. That's when the footsteps came down. His sneering grin stretching ear to ear. Kamoshida glances at the women tied up, those that were still awake begin to shake in fear not wanting to pick next.

Ann felt a shiver down her spine when his eyes landed on her. "That annoying peasant from the outside sure doesn't quit. Thinking he can sneak in here and steal my stuff" He reaches in and brushes her hair, she tries to turn away in disgust but fought her instincts. "Why spend time with a peasant when you can have fun with a King. If not, maybe I'll give that friend of yours another talking to."

"Please don't, I'll go."

"Ahhh, now that's the look you should've had from the beginning."


Hotel, 1:52 pm

Ren, Ryuji, and Morgana had finished eating some grub for lunch before the brothers set off locating carriages to use as a means of escape. They can always leave on their own horse but they needed to get the others away safely. There wasn't much in what they could steal but they can make do with what they found in reconnaissance.

"I hope tomorrow goes well. It's been a while since we've been in a real firefight," Morgana said back in the room with just the two of them. Even at 17, he still was too young for this life. He should've been off at some school or reading books not tracking down the worse of society.

"I'm more worried about you not keeping a straight head for tomorrow, you tend to get carried away. Never forget what Boss told us…"

"I know, I know!" the younger sibling exclaims. "Kill only those that need to be killed, Steal only things that need to be stolen…"

".….Protect those who need protection. That is the way of the Phantom Thief," Ren finishes. This mantra is what they lived by, its how they survive in this cruel world. They weren't saints but tried to limit how much blood was on their hands.

The door opens with the blond hair gunslinger walking back in.

"If it isn't the blond barrel border," Morgana feels a smack to his head as he can hear Ren mumble "Be nice."

Ryuji let his glare towards the younger Amamiya brother go and decided to focus on Ren. Tomorrow was going to be a big day and they were going to get Ann and Shiho out. "Any luck with extra transport?"

"We found some carriages that can be "borrowed" for tomorrow as long as we play a long enough distraction to get those trapped out. Maybe even the ones who aren't stuck in the chambers too. It would probably be best to turn in early once a weapon check is done."

"Sounds good to me." Morgana gets ready for bed settling on the left side of the mattress.

Chuckling at his brother's antics, Ren looks back at Ryuji who is making himself comfortable in the chair across the room. "Was there a nickname you wanted to go by?" He asked.

"Huh?"

"If we are facing Asmodeus tomorrow, its best not to yell our real names. Morgana and I only done something smaller like this before and decided on code names for safety. Well, Boss mostly thought it was a good idea. I'm Joker; he's Mona."

Thinking it over Ryuji never had any nicknames to go by and wouldn't know where to start. Though his friends once commented that he was thick-headed. An idea popped in his head. "Skull! That's what I want to be called tomorrow."

"Skull it is. Let's get some shuteye."


The Next Day After, 1885

With guns holstered and scarves plaster to their lower face, it was time to begin. "Whatever happens to follow my lead and stick to the plan. If things go south meet at the lower side cliff two miles Southwest from here. Got it," Ren explains. The other two nod in agreement securing their hidden faces.

Busting through the front door, Ren shoots a warning shot to get the few patron's attention. "Ladies and Gents this establishment is now closed. Don't try anything funny and no one gets hurt."

"Who the hell do you think you are!" One of Kamoshida hired guns went to reach for his holster before Ren shot his hand. Some of the patrons and women had left by now or others hiding beneath the tables. More hired guards appeared trying to surround the three.

"Gentlemen, we are merely here to have a word with your boss. We can do this the easy way or the hard way." Ren cocks back his newly acquired pistol from Iwai. Ren likes to dress up during these moments, his black duster coat and form-fitting red riding gloves don his appearance. Morgana stands behind him to his left tightly gripping his rifle. Bandito below his shirt carrying extra bullets. Ryuji to Ren's right has his shotgun raised ready for the slightest flinch from the guards. Clean with the now mudless jacket and vest.

Standing still waiting for the first move, Ren sees a guard reach for his gun. He puts a bullet to his stomach before all hell broke loose. Kicking up a table to get some cover Morgana and Ren clear two guards standing near the hallway that leads down below. Morgana shot hits one in the leg, another straight in the chest.

"Skull GO!" Ryuji runs down while the Amamiya brother provided cover fire. Ren still needed to make his way upstairs. He and Morgana were running out of space behind this table. Pulling out his revolver, he makes his way over to the bar rapidly letting off six shots. Each hitting three guards in various vital points. They now only had five to deal with.

Hearing a glass explode next to him, Morgana ducks and kicks over another table to add more cover. He cocks back and aims for another guard who hides behind the walls. "Shit, I miss." He waits for the guard to take a shot but the younger sibling had the quicker draw. Four left. "Joker, go I got this."

Ren takes out his pistol again to provide his own cover fire. He's able to make it to the second floor when he feels one of the guards trip him up from behind. Wrestling on the floor he tries to point Ren's gun at him before the outlaw is able to swipe him with an elbow to the face. He loses his pistol as it skids across the floor. Ren goes to reach for it only to grab back by the guard in a chokehold from behind. He is able to elbow him once again, this time in the rib. Freeing himself he swings right hook that gets blocked by the guard. He counters the man's right hook of his own before pushing him away. Ren quickly draws his revolver as the guard falls back down the stairs with a hole in his chest. Quickly picking up his pistol he dashes towards the highest floor, still hearing gunshots in the distance.

"Mona seems to be hanging in there so far. Hopefully, Skull is fairing just as well." He runs down the end of the second-floor hall looking for access to this higher floor when a door opens unsteadily to reveal Shiho. Loosening the grip on his gun he sighs. "It's too dangerous to go downstairs now until we clear the way, Miss.

"Ah you're the stranger from the other day aren't you?"

"Yes. I need to reach Kamoshida's personal chambers. I'm told its on the highest floor here." He holsters his gun as a sign of peace, "Can you show me please?"

Shiho hesitatingly nods her head and leads the way. She heads back to the end of the hall where a portrait of Kamoshida hangs. The man is clearly obsessed with himself. She pushes the space on the side of the frame where a small portion of the wall started to flip around.

"He's careful with his secrets, I'll give him that. Wait here okay. Count to 100 when you here no more gunshots then run. Got it?"

She nods back to Ren more confidently now and keeps herself in one of the other rooms nearby. Some of the women were still frightened to leave their room with all the noise heard.

Walking through the two-sided door he reaches for his revolver and cautiously makes his way up. He comes to the only door on this floor, light dimly shining under the frame. It was now or never for some answers. He kicks the door open ready to fire at a nonvital spot when he holds back.

Kamoshida had a gun pointed to Ann's head as he holds her in front of his body like a shield and eyes crazed. His hand wrapped around her neck in a chokehold, her hands tied in front of her with rope. Ren should've known men like him play dirty.


Down in the Chamber

Ryuji kicks down the door ungracefully. He moves towards the bookcase as told and pushes it to reveal the stairs that lead to the basement. Ren wasn't kidding about the women stuck down here. Most were cuffed to the floor or wall while others hardly had any energy to move from the spot at all. His worries started to grow as Ann wasn't amongst them. He pulls out a side pistol and aims at the various chains. A shotgun would've been preferable but he was already low on ammo for that.

One by one they become free, some still chafing from the cuffs but at least they weren't stuck to the wall.

"Thank you, mister, bless you," one woman said. A few others gathered around him offering praise.

"You all can thank me after we get out, stick behind me."

He carefully walks back up the steps, the other following behind. He was hearing gunfire earlier but it seemed to have stopped. Pressing a finger to his lips, he signals back. Pistol raise as he checks the corners of the former door he busted. A guard jumps from around the corner before a bullet befell his chest. Morgana peaks his head around the same corner, gun still in hand and smoking from the last shot.

"All clear"

Ryuji's sighs and motions the women out the door, unfortunately, they didn't have time to clean up the dead bodies. Commotion outside was getting louder, they needed to hurry.

"Mona, get them into the carriages. I'll check up on Joker!"


Guns were still drawn, no one has made any move yet. Ren could get a shot off but he still would risk hitting Ann or worse setting off Kamoshida's own gun.

"Since we're here, I have a few questions for you Asmodeus. While I doubt you will answer them truthfully, you might want to think wisely before you have a bullet between your eyes."

"You think you can threaten me, you peasant." He says pressing the barrel closer to Ann temple. "It would be a shame to spill this pretty head's blood, don't you agree Ann?" he said leaning in smelling her hair. She, in turn, retches away in disgust.

Cocking his gun back, Ren tries to keep his aim steady on Kamoshida's head. "I have questions you creep. Where can I find Mr. Samael? I know your loyalty doesn't run thick in your inner circle.

Chuckling, he turns his attention to the elder Amamiya brother. "Now that rings a bell. What would you want with the old fart? He ain't done much in bargaining but you could have all the women, booze and money you want. Be the king of your castle, isn't that right Ann."

A shot rang out and Kamoshida fell to the ground grabbing his leg or what was left of it.

"IT STINGS DOESN'T IT YOU FUCKFACE!" Ryuji had snuck in behind him and shot Kamoshida in the leg with his shotgun. Ann who avoided the blast was stuck on the floor tied up. Ryuji rushes to her and cuts the rope with a pocket knife.

Slowly walking to the bleeding Kamoshida, he crouches and aims at his face once more. "I'll ask you again, where can I find Samael?"

"Hehehe…you'll only find him when he wants to be found." The loss of blood starts to make his words slur. "He's too powerful to take down…."

Ann who is freed from her captivity comes to kick Kamoshida where she always wanted to. "You son of a bitch…..you will never…..touch me…..or Shiho…ever AGAIN." Each kick getting harder with each words spoken. His recoiled caused him to roll back into a small side table that knocking down a candle.

With a very wooden structure surrounding them, it was a good time to leave.

"Ryuji were you able to-" Shiho had run-up to the highest floor checking the situation after running into Ryuji on his way up. Seeing Ann freed, she went in for a quick hug finally knowing they should be safe.

"I know this is touching and all, but the building is catching on fire so let's save it elsewhere," the blonde hair gunslinger explains. If only they notice Kamoshida dragging himself to his dropped weapon and trying to aim. He lets off one shot before collapsing back with two bullet holes in his torso. Ren should've been faster.

"SHIHO!"

He looks back to see Shiho grabbing her arm that was now bleeding from a bullet. A flesh wound that will hurt but wouldn't cause permanent damage. "Come on we need to go now!"

He picks up Shiho and Ryuji helping Ann down as they leave the now burning brothel. Any patrons or leftover workers mostly were gone by now. Ren sees that both carriages were long gone. Morgana already escaping with the survivors. He whistles for Arsene as Ryuji calls his stead. They can see commotion all around as people were trying to get water to the now blazing building.

Steadying Shiho and being careful with her wound on his horse, Ryuji helps Ann upon his. They gallop away as fast as they can, they lower their mask once they reach a far enough distance. Even in the waning sun, they can still see the smoke drifting towards the sky. The man known as Asmodeus was struck down.


A Few Days Later

The incident with the brothel burning down had been the talk of the town. Volunteers were still sifting through the debris seeing if there were bodies to be found.

A young man with soft brown locks stood watching them as they dug. His coat and vest pristine, black gloves firmly covered his hands. Some might think he was a son of rich business owner that drop by in a down on its luck town. This was a mess he thought, but nothing a bit of damage control wouldn't stop. He was able to talk to some witnesses who fled the scene, most staying three men with masks busted into the building. Some even saw more leave, a group of women with disheveled appearance.

Asmodeus assets were lost. A trail they have been tracking for a while, but someone got to the evidence first.

"Detective Akechi, we found something!" A worker had pointed to a spot in the rubble that piqued his interest. What was found was a burnt corpse with few day old bullet holes in it. The body structure already alerted the Detective to who it was.

"Headquarters isn't going to like this…"

To be continued


A/N Update, fixed some grammatical errors.