A/N Hello again everyone. Chapter 9 this week as we are starting the Madarame arc this time around. This will be a little bit stray from the backstory but hey its a AU for reason. So anything can happen to any character. I do not own Persona 5 or its characters.A/N Hello again everyone. Chapter 9 this week as we are starting the Madarame arc this time around. This will be a little bit stray from the backstory but hey its a AU for reason. So anything can happen to any character. I do not own Persona 5 or its characters.


Chapter 9

Elsewhere, 1885

Papers always seem to pile up on his desk just when he clears it. He knows there are possible backups when he's out of the office, but this was getting out of hand. But its paperwork for now until he can find a new lead.

Detective Akechi; the pride of this special agency tasked with catching the worse society has to offer. An ace he was called, able to capture and arrest hundreds of outlaws over his young career.

He didn't feel like an ace as he was back to square one. Akechi was following a case about illegal prostitution and trafficking up and down the east coast and some Midwest. By the time he was able to trace the trafficking to the main distributor, all he found was a roasted body and a burned down building. The higher-ups deemed it cased closed. Now he's stuck behind his desk again with piles of papers he wanted to burn himself.

"You look like you had a rough day," A voice said from his doorway. Looking up he sees Sae Nijima standing there with a coffee in hand. She was what they called a Speciality Lawyer. It was almost unheard of for women to be in her place.

"You can say that. Captain had closed the case I came back from. The distributor we were looking for, the one that was called Asmodeus was dead by the time I got there. All the witnesses I talked to mention three masked men went in before all hell broke loose," Akechi explains to her.

He went to scratch the small scar on his nose, a habit that formed during the early years working for the agency. They started him out as a field agent and he got stuck on a train robbery gone wrong. He remembered waking up to the train on fire and he some distance, it least keeps him alive.

"Shame about that case, I was looking forward to you bringing him in so I can prosecute him," Sae said.

"Isn't your plate full already Miss Sae?"

"I have a job to do, and I intend to do it well no matter who it is I will win."

Akechi had to admit he admires Sae determination somewhat. Add to the fact that her superb fighting skill scared him a bit.

"I see. If you're heading out, I'll come with you. I could use the fresh air."


Oakwood Harbor, 1885

Ren wasn't sure how he felt about today so far. First clothes shopping, then leading their suppose stalker to him, only to find said stalker was the student of a famous artist.

"The honor is ours Mr. Madarame. My name is Akira. Our female companion was a bit startled but no harm, no foul," Ren said trying to de-escalate.

"As an apology for this misunderstanding, why don't you all visit the exhibit later this week. It will open for special guests by the end of this week and later for the public."

"That would great Sir. Thank you very much."

"Well then with that settle, Yusuke come along we have preparation to finish." Madarame offered a slight bow while Yusuke bowed lower behind him before walking off with his Sensei.

"Well I wasn't expecting that," Ryuji mutter still pissed.

"Think of it as an opportunity Ryuji. Admiring art with fellow stuck up socialites."

Calming after that, the group thought it would be best to just call it a day. So much for recon.

Taking the time back to the hideout, they found Morgana and Shiho already sorting out the food.

"You guys are back early," Shiho had commented. Her and Morgana had found some success in rabbit meat and fish. Morgana was packing away the fish trying to preserve it for later meals. They had a fire going not to far from the abandoned house with the rabbit meat on sticks ready to be cooked.

"Yeah. We decided to come back after a strange run in. Oh Shiho, I got you some clothes, here let's go inside and try them on." Ann drags Shiho into her room with the newly purchased clothes. The three men were left outside to finish setting up for the evening. Hitching the horse, and making sure they were fed as well.


"So it seems we got invited to some Art Exhibition later this week in town." Ren updated the other two as they all sat around the fire eating.

"Oh that sounds fun. Think I can come with you brother?"

"It's only going to be open for special guest this week. But if we have time, I can try to get you in when the public can go," The elder sibling offers.

"I don't get what's so great about art anyway. The only thing I've seen is naked women in ponds."

"There's more to art than naked woman Ryuji," Ann said tapping him on the head. "I mean people get their portraits done right?"

"Something like that. The only art room I ever saw was on a date. The room had more statues than paintings though."

"Wait Ren you were on a date!?" Ryuji asked surprise.

"Yeah you should've seen it blondie, he went out with this local school teacher and made an embarrassment of himself later that night," the younger sibling tattled and laughed.

"Look it was years ago and I was young and new. And you shouldn't have spied on me anyway Morgana." Ren didn't think discussing an art invitation would delve into his sex life. "Besides her later invites got better anyway."

The group all laughed at Ren's expense. It was good to relax for once around a fire.

They were biding their time for the week running errands to and from the hideout. Gathering small food supplies, ammo, and restocking the medicine.

Ryuji was also joining Morgana this time on some hunts. They still bickered now and then but co-operated to bring back some fresh deer and herbs. Ryuji was impressed by the younger man's hunting skill, it was like he had a sixth sense of smelling prey or something.

Ren had gone into town by himself a few more times gathering information. People around did seem excited about Madarame's show. More they were excited someone so famous was visiting. A man and his apprentice from overseas the gossip said. Ren always did wonder what it was like out there. All he knew were small towns and plains.

Wandering in thought, he was bumped into by someone small. Turning around he goes to offer his apologies only to see a small child there maybe 10 years old. They were grabbing him trying to fix their balance.

"Sorry Mister, I'll watch where I go next time," The boy said taking off.

Ren pats his back left pocket confirming what he hopes didn't just happen. "Slick kid."

He goes to chase after the little thief chasing him down the alleyways. The boy was trying to trick him by going in different circles hoping the older man will take a wrong turn somewhere. Left, right, left, left, right, as the boy was still being chased. Ren doubling back the other way and decides to wait and let the prey come to him. It seems the kid loved running in a pattern. Ducking behind a container he sees the kid making another circle and looking back believing he lost the perpetrator. The boy smirks as he opens up Ren's wallet that's filled with cash.

"Jackpot!" he exclaims.

"Not exactly kid," Ren said quickly grabbing the boy's arm before he can run away again.

"Let me go! It was just a game, Mister!" The kid tried to twist his arm out of the elder Amamiya's grip with no success.

"I'll let you go if you give me the wallet back." Ren patiently waits for the young boy to give the stolen wallet. Reluctantly, the kid sighs in defeat and gives him back the wallet.

"Thank you. Now are you hungry?" he offers to let him go without so much as a fuss.

"What!?"

"I don't mind treating you to a meal as long as you promise not to steal from me again. Alright." Offering his hand out as a peace-offering. "Besides kids your age probably steal looking for some funds for a meal."

Staring back at the hand, the boy seems hesitant to take it. Unsure if it was a trap.

"Look, if you're not interested in hot food, at least eat this to fill your stomach." Ren offered the boy the last apple he carried in his bag.

Examining the apple, the boy was truly shocked by this stranger's kindness. Most people he stole from tried to have him arrested or shot at. But the older man was offering him food at no cost and was letting him go no trouble.

"Can…Can I still get that hot meal, Mister?"


"Slow down there before you choke yourself, the foods not going anywhere." Ren took the young boy with him to a place the kid always wanted to try. It was thankfully inexpensive and right off the harbor marketplace. A lot of people who immigrated to this town brought a lot of culture and food with them, something they were trying now; something called Ramen.

"So Shinya was it? What are you doing running around the streets by yourself? Do you have any parents I can try to contact for you?"

Finally, take a break from slurping down noodles as fast as he could, he looks back up to the elder man and shakes his head. "I don't know no address. I got lost from my Mother a long time ago. There was this argument and after that, I can't remember much. She could be anywhere. I do know rich folks like visiting this town a lot and I tried begging for food, but I felt it got me nowhere. So I started stealing, and I got real good at it."

"I will admit you are not bad at that sleight of hand, but your moves are too predictable when escaping. You're lucky you've been avoiding others this much so far."

"You think so? Think you can teach me to be better Mister?"

"Weellll….." Ren wasn't sure it was a good idea on how to teach a kid to steal better. He already had Morgana to worry about. The best course of action was to ignore the question altogether and finish his food.

Slurping up the rest of his noodles, Ren sees a familiar combed dark hair man in the corner of his eye, ordering at the same booth. Instructing Shinya to stay where he was and finish his food, Ren makes his way over to the other young man.

"Mr. Yusuke, its nice to see you about again. Not running into any trouble today I hope."

"Mr. Akira, hello to you too and no I've been assisting Sensei with the exhibition. There were a few…difficulties. But I trust your female companion will be visiting as well?

"Yes, we will all be there."

"The stiff one too?" Yusuke asks when referring to Ryuji. Nodding back, Yusuke scowl slightly but tries to play it off.

"If that is the case, I hope you three enjoy the show tomorrow. We have already given your descriptions at the door as part of our invited special guest."

"Thanks, I'm sure we will. I guess I'll leave you to your meal now." Ren walked back to his seat near Shinya as he goes over the conversation in his head. Yusuke body language was unusual. He seemed guarded when they first spoke but relax when asking about Ann. Difficulties didn't equate to suspicion as Ren can imagine setting up all the pieces can be hard. But he also scowled at the idea of the other men being there. Overthinking once more, he feels rapid taps on his arm.

"Hey Mister Ren, um can I get another bowl please?"

"Sure kid," Ren had important matters to deal with tomorrow but for now he will focus on today.


The Next Day….

Polishing their clothes the best they can Ren, Ann, and Ryuji headed back into town for the Art Exhibition. Ann deciding on her new shirt and skirt and Ryuji leaving his old patched-up jacket behind for the clean new pants and shirt. Ren left his black split duster coat behind and opted for just the red shirt and grey vest. He was uncomfortable leaving his gunbelt back at the hideout but did carry some hidden throwing knives on his person. It was supposed to be an evening of finery but it never hurts to be cautious.

Walking up to the building they could see they were underdressed compare to the other patrons roaming about. But they were let in regardless as Yusuke mentioned. Exploring the layout, it was a two-story building with portraits and paintings strewn about. Some artifacts and small statues were placed in the middle to give the room a more populated feel. Ren didn't know what it was, but he started to feel nerves crawling up his spine. Whenever he had this feeling, bad things had happened. Boss always thought it was some hidden instinct of his. Morgana believes he ate some bad herbs.

"Okay, let split up and look around. Ryuji, Ann, you two should check out the second floor and I'll stay here by the entrance. If you find anything odd or out of place, report back."

"Is something wrong?" Ryuji asked.

Shaking his head, Ren didn't want to make every occasion guarded or suspicious. But something just didn't feel right. "I don't know Ryuji but keep your eyes peel."

Taking a glass of the champagne that was being passed around, Ren went around observing the different art pieces on display. On the second floor, the two blondes were also wandering among the crowd. Ryuji was bored out of his mind already but Ann appeared to be generally interested.

"Hello, Miss." Turning around she sees Yusuke standing behind her with two flute glasses in hand. "I didn't know if you were thirsty so I brought some drinks."

"Oh, thanks man I was getting parched," Ryuji exclaims grabbing a glass for himself. Yusuke slightly glared at the other man as he hands what was suppose to be his glass to Ann.

"Have you been enjoying the show so far." The dark-haired man asked.

"Yes. I have. Thank you so much for inviting us. And…sorry for yelling at you the other day. It's been pretty stressful past few weeks."

"It's okay Miss…."

"Ann. Ann Takamaki and this one over here is Ryuji."

"Miss Takamaki, would you like a personal tour of the show. I'm very familiar with a lot of the pieces being presented. If your companion doesn't mind."

Ryuji shrug in disinterest and just keeps an eye from the corner.

Exploring the different rooms on the second floor, Yusuke gives her an in-depth detail and history of the artworks they come across. Continuously asking for her opinions or likes and dislikes.

"What do you think of this one Miss?"

Observing the painting in front of her, she can feel the artist's sorrow and pain as if they were locked behind a jail cell. "Mr. Madarame must have been really lonely when he did this piece. It's amazing he has done so much work and styles. But this one truly feels like a league of its own."

"I..I see. I guess Sensei was going through a rough time when he made this. Come on let's look at some other work." Yusuke says as he grabs her hand and drags her along. He knows the one piece he wanted to show her that was finally being exhibited again after being lost for so long.

"This one is beautiful. What is it called?" Ann stared in awe at the painting in front of her. A portrait of a lovely young woman held in mystery.

"Sensei called it the 'Sayuri', it was one of the first piece he made when he buried the sword and picked up a paintbrush instead. It has been my own inspiration to be a better artist."

"Oh, I didn't know you were an artist, Mr. Yusuke. Do you have any of your artwork display today?"

" Uh….I'm afraid not. Sensei believes I am not ready even though I have been under his tutelage for quite some time now. But that is why I was following you the other day. I saw you enter that clothing shop and knew you would be the perfect person.

"Person for what?"

Grabbing her hands in his, he looks directly at her as sincerely as he can. "Miss Ann, please be my model for my next work."


A/N So there is a reference to something Yusuke said. Due to this taking place in 1885. The Meiji era was in full swing and if my research was right, swords were outlaw not to long ago from the start of the story. Also its still spring time.