A/N Hell everyone, I am back. Feeling a lot better. There was an AN originally cause I missed last weeks update. I guess I had some sorta bug or something but after it ran its course I felt alot better and less fatigue. Still getting coughing fits. I'm also going back to fix all the grammar issues from earlier chapters.

Anyhow, on to Chapter 23, we are still in the Kaneshiro arc mostly because so many things are going on in story at the same time XD. Thank you all who have been with this story so far, you all are awesome. Enjoy, feel free to review.


Chapter 23

Present Day, 1885

"So… who wants to go first?" Ren had asked around the foyer. Ryuji was the first to speak up.

"I think we need to have full agreement over any plan that affects all of us not just one person. No offense man."

"None taken," Ren replied.

"Ryuji has a point, it would be a good way to avoid infighting," Yusuke added himself.

"Your all here on your own accord, I'm not forcing you to stay."

"We know that Ren, but have you thought that we want to help you out along with taking these bastards down."

"And I'll always be here for you brother in case things get crazy."

"I know Mona. I can always depend on you to watch my back. So, what else." Ren went to address the others. Ann appeared in thought for a few moments.

"What about money? We need money for supplies, food, clothes and well Ryuji, Yusuke, and myself no longer have incoming funds. Maybe split whatever we have left amongst ourselves."

"I'm afraid the only money I have left was from a request Morgana and I took some months ago. There's not much left of it, however what I do have Ann is still buried. I can't get to it."

"I would also like to suggest adding more anonymity to our appearance. If this life is as dangerous as you say, a simple scarf will only go so far. Might I suggestion a mask?" The young artist spoke.

"Mask?" Ren looked back at Yusuke.

"Yes I will wear the most magnificent mask of them all of course. The artistry and—"

"Yusuke, not now please."

"Oh, my apologies."

The group discussed a few more ideas being thrown around. Makoto sat in the corner of the room. She had nothing to do with their group meeting, she just needed them to help her with her own goal. But Makoto will admit, being around them was nice.


Unknown Location, 1885

Kaneshiro was not a happy customer, he had a shipment to complete and that dumbass Asmodeus was late again, really late, the outlaw thought. No telegram or notes, nothing. Kaneshiro was force to do the thing he hated most, waste time and money. It would be a week before he could get to Rideway Springs to met in person. The amount of times they did meet could be counted on a single hand.

Stopping his coach, he got out only to be met with a vacant spot where the building was. Where the fuck was this Asmodeus bastard!? Snapping a finger, his subordinated started to search the surrounded area.

Smoking a cigar while he waited, one of his men came up to him.

"Sir," he said looking glum to deliver the news.

"What is it?"

"Uh…..Sir there's word that the Brothel owner was killed in a fire a while back. Federal agents had showed up and took all the evidence. I'm sorry Sir."

"You're telling me my money burned to the ground and all you have to say 'is sorry'!?" Kaneshiro pulled out his side arm and shot the poor man between the eyes. The nearby civilians screamed and fled away from the scene as the dead body plummeted to the ground.

"Just great! Can't find decent help around here. Men we're leaving here, what a waste of time!" He hops back into the coach wagon slamming the door now a man short and heads back to Northsbury. His boss would need to hear about this.


Detective Goro Akechi was still upset with being sent all the way out here for permits of all things. He was afraid more of his evidence was going to go "missing" while gone. Someone in the agency was up to something. The lack of police detail with Kobayakawa death, even having Madarame killed under his nose. If his intellect was worth as much as a new penny, he suspects the owner of this mine was also on this invisible hit list.

Loki and himself were near the mines when they got off their horse. His partner decided to pack a Repeater with him as Akechi decided to stay with his pistol. The two Federal Agents made their way to the mine on guard. He could see a few guards standing nearby the entrance, carrying their own weapon. Akechi couldn't see much from where he was at. A few sifting trays and some camping tents but no working men. It was afternoon, maybe they were off to lunch or working further inside?

"Can I help you with something Mr….."

"Detective Akechi, this is officier Loki to my right. Please excuse him, he doesn't say much."

"Well Detective.." the guard said clenching his weapon tighter. "How can I help you?"

"I'm here to investigate reports of illegal mining. You do realize thats a Level C felony and equates to some jail time?"

The guard in question looked a little nervous when speaking to the young Detective, or perhaps he was intimidated by the stoic looking man next to him.

"No Detective, I didn't know that. We have the papers and you're welcome to browse." This really was a waste of his time and resource when he had bigger cases that needed attention. Goro gave a quick once over on the outside not even going in. Loki was reading over the documents and handed it over to him. The young Detective gave it a once over before smirking and handed the papers back.

"All in order Loki?" The quiet man nodded. "Good we're heading back. I have more things to worry about. Sorry to bother you Sir. Good day." Today was going to be a long day.


Ren, Yusuke, and Makoto were heading to the mine deposits themselves based off the map the townfolks provided.

"When we get there you two be ready for anything."

"Understood," says the artist.

Makoto nods on her borrowed horse. The three thieves hitch their horse a few paces away before making their own way up the hill. Ducking behind some broken wagons, they were surprise to see someone already up there. The Detective and the muted man spoke with the guard briefly before walking away.

"Some Detective he is, hardly even looked around," Makoto complained.

"Men like him don't get fooled that easily. He's probably buying his time for something else," The leader of the group countered. "Come on, lets see if we can sneak pass them." One by one they waited till the guards blind spot before moving further into the mines.

Makoto, still angry at Kaneshiro's gang wanted to take aim but Ren held her wrist before she blew their cover.

"Not yet," he ordered.

It was very smokey the further down they went. Ren covering his nose with his scarf to breath a bit better. They had to hide around corners, some corners on quick calls and knocking out various guards they encountered. After 15 minutes, they found the entrapped men working endlessly under the watchful overseers of Kaneshiro's. Four of them stood attop the giant pits, gun in hand ready to shoot at the slightest rebellion.

But the world wouldn't be fun without a little bit of rebellion. He had only one revolver to work with seeing he gave his second to Makoto and his pistol to Ann. But his six shooter was full. He would need a good angle to pick them off in the current covering. This place also didn't have much to hide if there was a hidden outlaw. Slowly walking out of the corner, hand raise, Ren greeted the overseer.

"Greetings Gentleman, if you would spare a moment of your time I would like to ask if you could kindly free these men and let them go home?"

"What are you stupid! Someone shoot that fella." One ordered the other overseers.

"Ah I wouldn't do that, I am asking you nicely, but people like you wanna do things the hard way. Just like your companions from town," Ren spoke.

"If you keep talking I'll give you something worse than a bullet in your head!"

"Is that a warning?" the thief asked.

"Yes…."

"Okay then." Ren confirmed before firing off 4 shots aimed at their groins. There was a painful shift throughout the men as the overseers fell to the ground.

"He should've choose his words more carefully."

Makoto herself was impress as this was the first time she's really seen him in action. Ren stood on top of the large rock to address the masses.

"You men are free to go. Please go back home to your wives, your mothers, your children's, your sisters. And if you would like to take your pound of flesh there are guards by the entrance as well. May the spirit of rebellion live on inside you." Ren finished. It was probably still a good idea to stay on the rock and the other two behind it as 30-40 men rushed towards the daylight.

"Well that was fairly easier than I thought. Nice speech." Yusuke commented.

"Thanks. Now we just wait. It's been about a week since we found you Makoto. If Kaneshiro left shortly after he could be back any moment. We need to prepare the town for another hellfight."

"I'm sure my father's killer would be in his personal group. When he comes, I'll be ready." Ren had smirked at the young women's passion, it was nice to see someone with similar goals as him.

"You're turning into a pretty decent Phantom Thief."

"I'm NOT a Phantom Thief. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. You've broken laws yourself."

"I see, well Miss Makoto I will do what I can to help you out," he replied back. Ren felt a bit kicked down. She really would make a great addition to the team, especially from what he's watched her do and her decision making.

It was a long walk back to town with the men. After 6 strangled guards were left by the mines, the jovial group was just happy to enjoy the fresh air and freedom. The older Amamiya brother also asked around the group to see if anyone knew about the Inn keeper's son. After asking half a dozen, one spoke up.

"Do you know where I can find him? Or what does he look like?" Ren questioned. The mine worker had sad look on his face as he relay to the leader the information he knew. The kind young man related to the equally kind Inn keeper had died a month before from exhaustion.

Ren knew death was apart of life, he's surrounded by it everyday. He was just never good at relaying it. But those moments had to be on hold as the town burst into excitement with the returned men. Families were reunited, hugs and kisses passed all over. He walked back to where they were staying as the lady was looking despartely towards the group hoping her son would come walking out. The only ones approaching her were the two young men and the young women of the thieves.

Ren takes off his deep red riding gloves to grasp the Inn keeprs shoulder. Looking into his eyes, she knew her one and only child was gone. He hated this feeling. The feeling of loss, loss for his parents, loss of friends, loss of seeing innoneces dying. The older women couldn't keep the strength in her legs and collasped on the front porch of the Inn. Ren catches her so she wouldn't hurt from the impact.

Makoto herself took a seat next to her and offer a silent condolense. Being in a gang was like a two sided coin Ren remember Boss telling him. On one side was joy and freedom, to run as a freeman. But the consequences of actions always catches up. Where freedom goes, death on his horse follows…..


Two days have past and the gang were on high alert waiting for Kaneshiro. They have been working long hours to set up defensive positioning for the upcoming battle. The town also wanted to gift the group some of the cash left behind in the Mayor's vault as a thank you. But they needed to solve the mechanism of it first, only the Mayor knew. But Ren has seen Makoto eye the vault from time to time as if she was mentally solving it.

Morgana would also ride out every 3 hours to check the horizon for their target. Most preparations were done for the day allowing Ren to clean his weapons. Makoto, curious with the process sat across from him with a book in hand.

"You know, you don't have to follow me every where I go. You free to wander the town, visit your friend."

"I know, but there's only so much of Eiko I can handle. She claims she found love and have been talking about him nonstop." Ren had chuckled as Makoto retold her "sorta" friend's antics since things been in downtime.

"You'll find friendly people in the most unlikely places. I mean I meet Ryuji, Ann, and Shiho at a brothel, Yusuke stalking us, and you," he pause "Scaring us half to death as a bloody body."

"I wouldn't say I'm friendly."

"You're better than most I know. You don't give a damn when intimated and your stubborn. Something you Nijima siblings share."

"I feel that's the only thing Sis and I share." The young leader pauses his cleaning to pay more attention to Makoto. She still held a book in her hand that was quite weathered down. "Also, I'm not trying to follow you, its just the rest of your group does their own thing. But your…..calming to be around."

"Me? I'm the farthest thing of clam. Having to always watch behind my back can make a fellow tense," Ren said going back to cleaning. "I don't recognize that book, what is it?"

"Oh its a children's book. It got wet when I was injured through. Its the story about a bear that's black and white. My—my sister sister read it to me as a child." She look somberly at the book reminiscing of another time.

"From what I read in the papers, she must be a busy woman. Must not hear from her much."

"No, she sends letters sometimes every couple months, mostly cash to spend on essentials. We hardly speak anymore, but its nice to see you and Morgana get along so well." Makoto really did mean that to the elder Amamiya brother. She would've idle by the younger brother if he wasn't always on the move or napping midday somewhere.

Ren was finished cleaning up his revolver for the day and put it back together. "I'm going to get some supper, its beef stew tonight,you coming?"

"No thanks, had a big lunch" she said going back to her book.

"Suit yourself." He grabs his black duster coat and pauses at the door. "Makoto, know that us older siblings may not show it all the time, but we care, we just may show it differently. If Miss Nijima knew you were hurt, she would take the first train here. Keep that in mind. Good night.


A/N Everyone's plan is moving in motion. It surprisingly pretty hard to write Makoto pre-PT because I feel alot of her original P5 stuff dealt around modern day things. But I plans for her just as everyone else.

Also R.I.P Inn Keeper son...

See you next week