A/N Welcome back to another installment of Until the Sun Sets. We will be getting into some more character insights. I thank you all for taking the time to read my story. I always appreciate it. Enjoy and feel free to comment.


The newly formed group continues to travel South taking breaks in between. Ren wanted to find a nearby hideout to hold up in near the town. Resting by a small lake they found, it gave the horses a breather and water.

"Hanging in their alright Arsene?" Ren asks his horse. Arsene's red coat was starting to get dirty from galloping up and down the states. Brushing the dirt off the best he could, he feeds him a leftover carrot from his satchel.

"Here you go, boy." He pats him down one last time while Arsene enjoys his food.

"He's a beautiful horse."

Turning around Ren saw Shiho standing nearby admiring Arsene herself.

"He's a good horse, unruly at first but he answers the call when I need him. Dragging me back home when I was too hurt to steer myself."

"Good qualities in a steed, can I?" She offers to see if it's okay to pet him. Nodding back, she hesitantly pats Arsene. He's not easily as startled as Morgana's horse.

"How's your arm been feeling. Any itching or numbness?" Ren asked. They used the last of their medical supplies to make sure the bullet wound was taken care of. Open wounds were one thing, infections could become deadly.

Shiho still had the bandage wrapped around the arm as it hasn't fully closed yet, "It feels fine so far. Thank you."

"Good to hear Miss Shiho. We'll be departing as soon as Morgana gets back."

Walking around the small perimeter Ren wanted to make sure they were still the only ones in the general area. Hearing hooves hitting the ground hard, he recognizes Morgana coming back on Mercurius.

"Any luck finding anything Morgana?"

"I think so." Getting down from his horse he grabs a map from his pack to show the elder Amamiya sibling. "There's a town a couple of miles Southeast but I found an empty rundown house maybe a mile or two out from town. Searched the surrounding areas I didn't find signs of recent living," Morgana states as he points to the places on the map.

"This could work, this could work very well. Not bad." Ren proud of his little brother ruffles his hair.

"Hey!"

"Alright, everyone pack up we're moving." Ren goes to nudge Ryuji who was napping on the ground near the lake, "Hey wake up, we're about to leave."

"I'm up! I'm up." Ryuji still in a sleeping daze jumps up from the ground. Ann, off to the side with her feet in the water scoffs at Ryuji's antics. Dusting off his jacket the best he can, Ryuji hops on his horse before helping Ann up. "Ready to go?" He asks her.

Nodding back, she wraps her arms around his torso to right her balance on the horse. She sees Shiho hopping onto Morgana's horse and Ren's taking the lead.

With the lake behind them, it had taken almost an hour to find the abandoned house they were looking for. It was hidden in a treeline with a small stream behind it. A broken down outhouse and broken windows decorated it. At least the door worked.

"Morgana, Miss Shiho, and Miss Ann will stay here and settle in. Ryuji, you up for another ride?"

"Sure." Ryuji helps Ann down from the horse before saddling back up.

"Morgana, you're in charge till I get back. We will be gone for a few hours alright."

With that said between the group, the two young men went off to investigate the nearby town. With the missing added weight they were able to make it in good stride. Being only in the afternoon, they most likely will be able to return back to camp around evening.

Walking into the harbor town, they made their way down to Main Street. Filled with merchants trying to sell the leftover catches of the day. The smell of the sea breeze infiltrated their smell. They could use the food as well, trying to use rations between the lot of them wasn't ideal.

"So what are we looking for Ren?"

"Just merely observing is all. Not every town we go to needs gunfire and explosions. But we need supplies, food, medicine to restock." He eases Arsene to a stop before tying him up to an outside post. Ryuji does the same with his stead.

"Argh. I should have brush Kidd off back at the lake. He's getting dirty."

"You named your horse Kidd?"

"Of course, after the best pirate in the world. Or at least that what Ma said when she read me bedtime stories."

"No shame in that," Ren offered.

The two ventured further into the Marketplace. The elder Amamiya sibling made a few purchases for fruit and placed them in a spare bag. With no cart, they would have to hunt later for their main course. Merchants were hollering off the latest sales and prices still. It wasn't overly crowded in the street but the volume was enough to make the gunslinger caution for pickpockets. With the thought of pocket on Ryuji's mind, he wondered.

"Where'd you get all this money from anyway. You've been paying off a lot of things. Hotel room for multiple days, drinks, food. I mean you ain't exactly have a stable income."

Ren did carry money around, not the stash, that was buried. "You'll be surprised how much pocket change wanna be outlaws carry," he explained. "But it doesn't mean I don't return what is stolen if someone needs it more. Sometimes a wannabe thug is just someone trying to put food on the table. My mentor told me that one."

They continued to move through the crowd, memorizing the city. It was almost like the previous town in turn of updates but better. The roads had cobblestone pavement, the buildings had some height to them. It seems it was a booming harbor town with trade and entertainment all around it.

"Ryuji come on, I wanna check out some vantage poi-"

"Unhand me you ignorant fools! I've done nothing wrong," someone yelled. A young man with neatly combed dark hair was being handled by officers of the law as they rounded the corner.

"I told you, I'm not a drunkard. I was merely trying to capture the beautiful essence of the lovely couple." The man wasn't resisting but still verbally trying to prove his case.

"What a weird guy?" Ryuji stated.

The two moved on past the incident to check the higher ground. Ren wanted to scout any and all possible exits to and from the city. The layouts between crowded streets, the pathways between alleyways. It took a few more hours than they wanted to check out the town, but he was satisfied

"Let's head back after one more thing. Tomorrow we'll gather more information."

"For real? We're not doing anything else here?"

"Today was a visual recon, tomorrow we listen. Listening to the world is a key part of being a Phantom Thief. The last thing I want is to go in blind or walk into a situation with incorrect information. Someone might get hurt that doesn't need to," Ren whispered to him. Listening was key but he also didn't want to go blasting to the world that they were wanted, outlaws.

"Come on, I need to drop off a letter before heading back."


"Dear "Uncle",

I know I said I send a telegram, but I thought a letter would explain things easier.

First, the two of us are doing just fine. If you can believe it, our little group has gotten bigger. We're still getting to know them but they are good people. People who were dealt a bad hand of fate. They were hurting when I meet them and I couldn't pass them by. Besides, it might be nice having more company than just us two.

I have also enclosed money for Mr. M. He did quite well this time, please make sure to give it to him. I'll check in two weeks' time if he has any "job proposals for the article". His last "article" was a little rough, but nothing I wasn't able to read unscathed.

I hope you and Miss Oracle are doing okay still. I know Mr. Cat doesn't want to admit it, but he still misses your food and her tricks when we leave for more than a day's trip.

I will try to update you when I get a chance once more. Till next time.

Your "Nephew"

Akira Kurusu

Sealed up tightly, he gives it to the Post Master to be delivered to a specific address. He would be stupid to send it straight to Boss but sent it to Dr. Takemi's address instead. She would give to Boss during her check-ups with Futuba anyhow.

Making it back to camp before the sun fully went down was an accomplishment. The others had settled in the abandoned house. Two rooms the house had, and spare linen to use between the two rooms thankfully found.

Being an odd number of them, someone was going to be left on the floor. Some arrangements had the woman share a room with the brothers taking the other, Ryuji wasn't too pleased. Ren also knew that even if he took the floor, he doubted Morgana and Ryuji could share the room. But the other option would leave his brother out himself. Ren also believes Shiho would still feel uncomfortable sharing a room with either man, even Ryuji.

"It's decided, the woman gets their own room and we'll sleep on the floor."

"For real!?" "What!"

Having Morgana and Ryuji yell at him wasn't pleasant. But he wanted to make this dynamic work.

"It's best it works out this way. Someone will be on the lookout every night anyway. We don't want any unwanted surprises either. I'll take the first night shift." They come to a murmured agreement on the sleeping condition.

For Ann, it was nice to have a bed again after sleeping chained up on the ground. Shiho was more or less the same way. Ren offered fruit for the evening to hold them over till the next day when Morgana goes hunting.

The three of them had straightened up most of the place during the day, but dust and broken furniture still littered the property. They made do with what they had.

Settling in for the night, Ren got ready for his shift. Walking a path around the perimeter revolver in hand, he had to be sharp. Most of the noises were nocturnal animals looking for their own prey, just as he was cautiously looking for his own.

The closes that got to them was a small fox. Stepping near the stream, it lapped at the water quenching its thirst. Ren eyed the Fox, silently warning it to not come closer. Another Fox appears before him slightly bigger guiding the smaller one back into the treeline. A mother looking after the son.

Ren wishes he could remember his own mother sometimes. So many faces he has met but he can't remember what she looks like before she was riddle in her own sickness.

Hearing footsteps in his distraction, Ren cocked his revolver back only to see Morgana coming out of the house.

"I almost shot you, you know," The elder sibling stated.

"Sorry, I thought you would've heard me come out. You usually do anyway."

"No, it…it was me. I got a little distracted," Ren holster his weapon. "Was there something you wanted Morgana?"

"I couldn't really sleep so I wanted to switch shifts early if you don't mind." Looking at his younger brother he notices small bags forming under his eyes. Morgana usually does the first shift of the night for claiming he has a hard time sleeping.

"Nightmares again?" Ren asked.

"Somewhat…"

Wrapping an arm around his shoulder he guided the younger sibling around the house still watching for any intruders, "Tell me about it as we walk."

Morgana debated on telling his brother the whole thing. Each time he went to sleep, he's afraid the same dream will appear again but no new ending.

"I keep dreaming about the same thing over and over brother. That…something not right with me. But every time I'm in the dream it gets hazy and I'm always in this weird chamber. I don't know what to make of it. It's suffocating."

Pondering Morgana's words, he stops their walking and let's go looking out further into the treeline again. Futaba told him once medicine can help dreams but this maybe something else.

"Do you think it's a sign, Mona?"

"A sign?"

"That you want out of this life, that it's suffocating you." Ren turns around to face Morgana, looking him straight in the eye.

"What! No, that's not it. I want to be here, you have a promise to keep remember," Morgana said as he tries to plead his case.

"I know. But maybe your dreams are trying to tell you something. Hell, sometimes I wonder if I should've had to tag along the past few years. You're still young. You shouldn't be out here sleeping on dirt roads with one eye open. You should be back home in a nice comfortable bed, hot meals every day. Being sweet to whatever pretty girl walked your way."

This wasn't the first time they had talks like this. Make no mistake he loved hanging out with his younger brother, but Ren was always worried about him in a gunfight. Clearing out other gangs in the heat of battle. But he made a promise. A promise that they would have each other back no matter what.

"But that isn't the life I wanted. I choose to be here, just like the others choose to stay. Besides who's going to be the one to patch you up when you lose a fistfight."

Chuckling back, he ruffles Morgana hair once more much to the younger sibling complaints.

"Alright, alright. You win this round. I'll head back inside. If you see anything strange, let us know. And do make sure to wake up Ryuji for his shift. You still need to sleep yourself."

Giving a thumbs-up, Morgana starts his own perimeter with his weapon on standby.

Heading back in the house, Ren sees Ryuji was nowhere to be found in the main room. Peeking into one of the bedrooms, he sees the blonde hair young man sharing a bed with Ann. Both embracing one another as they sleep. His arm was wrapped around her in a protected hold, her face under his chin as she clung to him. He must have moved after Morgana got up. And after all that arguing about who staying where Ren still got the short end of the stick.

"Traitor," he mouths under his breath. Leaving it be, Ren gets some blankets and tries to settle on the floor near some leftover furniture. It wasn't long till sleep took hold of him.


The Next Day

Ren awoke to the sunlight filtering in from the broken windows. Gathering his thoughts he sees Morgana a few feet away covered in his own set of blankets. He gets up as quietly as he could to avoid waking up his brother. Peeking back in, he sees Ann's room has one less occupant and Shiho was still slumbering on her bed in the other room.

Walking out closer to the treeline he sees Ryuji sitting on a rock, shotgun strap to his back.

"Anything unusual Ryuji?" Ren asked plopping down on the grass next to him.

"Just your typical critters." He lets out a big yawn and relaxes a bit now that he's not the only eyes, "So when are we are heading into town?"

"In an hour or so. I wanna give the women some more time to rest. Speaking of which…"

Ryuji could already tell where this was going. "It wasn't like that, she just wanted some reassurance last night."

"Reassurance?" Ren wondered.

"Yeah. Now that the bastard's really gone, he won't be hunting her down anymore. But that doesn't stop her own feelings thinking that everything so far was just a dream. Her and Shiho use to try and run away but he would always find them and it never turned out well. I actually thought it was Morgana waking me up not Ann."

"I see." Ren was shocked the two haven't broken down yet during their short travels. They've been quiet but no outbreaks. No doubt the horrors they faced under Kamoshida should never be wished upon by anyone, "Let's head back."

They would be in two groups today after a small breakfast with the leftover fruit. Morgana and Shiho were going to go out and explore to find some game. Ryuji, Ann, and Ren would head into the town and see what they could find out and what's been going on.

Taking their time to town, the three of them walk about mingling with the crowd. Checking out the harbor, they saw tons of boats and fishermen unloading boxes upon boxes of shipment. Word has it that was for some big artist exhibition arriving in town. That art event meant a party for the rich to be seen, meaning lots of money was going to be in one area. For an outlaw who thought nothing of gold, their mouth would water at the thought of it. But Ren was looking for something more.

Ann had enjoyed the sights and the sea breeze from the harbor. They brought her with them not just to gather info but she did need some updated clothes. Ryuji may need a new piece too….and probably Shiho. Ren could already feel the lightness of his wallet. The two blondes clothes were accumulating dirt and grime all over them. Washing and scrubbing can only do so much.

Deciding to skip straight to the clothing store, the two men sat aside as they let Ann pick whatever she wanted at a reasonable rate; it's all Ren asked for. She had found some dress she like that looked well on her and some form-fitting shirts. A skirt or two and a pair of men pants causing the store employee to raise an eyebrow.

"Just take a skirt, pair of pants and the shirt Ann and change," Ren said. They felt like they were for hours.

Paying for Ann purchases, she changed into a durable red shirt and tan pants. Ryuji took less time to find what he wanted in a new pair of dark pants, a pale yellow shirt, and a clean vest. The jacket stays apparently.

"Are we ready to go?" Ren asked. Ann was waiting for the store owner to finish wrapping Shiho's new clothes and her skirt. They were close to the same size so finding something similar was easy.

Walking out the men were carrying the clothes instead. On their way to the horse, Ann started to get nervous. Since the store, she felt a presence constantly near them. No matter which direction they took.

"I think someone is following us guys," She whispers to them. On edge, Ren switches the box to his left hand leaving his right for a quick draw if needed.

"Alright, follow my lead," he directed.

Moving towards an alleyway, Ren and Ryuji took two different corners leaving just Ann appearing to be alone in the street.

There was indeed someone following right behind her, picking up the pace. He sees her by herself and thinks this is the chance. Reaching out to grab her shoulder he was blocked by two men with threatening looks.

Sizing up their stalker, they came across a familiar face.

"Hey isn't this that weird guy from yesterday?" Ryuji had to ask Ren.

"I beg your pardon, who are you calling weird," the stranger replied back.

"You are weird. You're the one following me." Ann had push past the two young men to face her stalker.

It seems that he was having two misunderstandings back to back days.

"That's preposterous I was not stalking you. The reason I was following you was-"

"Yusuke my boy! Where have you run off too?" They heard an old man yell from the main streets. And old man with graying hair and beard had peaked over in their direction. He wasn't wearing usual shirt and attire but a modest robe it appeared.

"I see this is where you went. Who are your new friends?"

"Sensei, I'm sorry for leaving you behind I was….in the process of explaining the situation. I wasn't trying to embarrass you again." The odd man now named Yusuke had bowed low to his teacher.

"No worries my boy. Please disregard any slight my student may have caused. My name is Ichiryusai Madarame, its an honor to meet you."


A/N And the next heist will soon begin. Madarame has made his appearance. So due to this being a AU Wild West fiction, some of Yusuke and Madarame backstory may be a bit...altered. Till next week

**Update fixed grammatical mistakes