A/N MOVING MISSION IS FINALLY FINISH. I hope I don't have to move again in the future cause it was a semi-nightmare. Which is why I also miss one of the weeks from the new schedule. The move itself went fine, comcast is horrible. (My router got lost in the mail they said, had to wait nearly a week before it was find and change option to store pick up) then another day of them ACTIVATING IT not hard to get a signal to a wifi box. So my internet was basically non existent unless I was at work. But that frustration is over.

New chapter, chapter 26 is up, I am also still going back to update the mistakes from prior chapters so things flow smoothly. Thank you all so so so so much for your patience. October/Early November was hella busy for me but should be smooth sailing from here on out. No conventions/panel/workshops for the rest of the year either.

Please enjoy the story and feel free to review.


Chapter 26

Present Day, 1885

It was days like this when he remembers his Mother's first falling ill. Ren didn't think much of it at the time, not knowing her sickness would get worse. The lies that things would get better. He dreamily reminisce of the days when his own mother was there when a hard tug shakes him awake. Groggily waking up, Ren sees Makoto shaking his shoulder.

"Isn't it dangerous to sleep out in the open?"

"Typically yes…but this is a safe haven. A place where people with dark past can start all over. A nap is nothing to worry about."

"I see," she said taking a seat next to him.

"So how have you been adjusting to all this?"

"Its been relaxing around here, when there isn't a drunken fight."

"You'll get use to it," Ren replied back. He always seems to ease naturally into a conversation with her, especially after the rough start they had. Her life without her sister, his life with his brother. Her memories about her father, his nightmare over that life altering night.

"So I've been doing odd chores around here to earn some coin to by my own horse."

"Anything in particular? Old man Inui has a stable just down that way."

"I want something study and fast I guess. I will have to look when I get the chance. Thank you."

"No probl–" Ren stopped himself mid-sentence as he look to the man riding into town. An older weary gentlemen riding on a malnourished horse. The older brother angrily stalks over and dragged the rider down from his horse.

"You better have a good explanation for showing your ugly mug around here again!"

"I've learned the errors of my way, please I wanted to see her," the man said frantically.

"The hell you will. You've learn nothing, you should be lucky Boss hasn't fill with you lead!"

"I have a right to see her, she's my Niece!" Ren would be damned before he ever let Futuba's Uncle anywhere near her. He would claim to be checking up on her well being but would always come back to asking for money. She would make such good progress being around others only to slowly regress at the sight of him. The impact of seeing the man that left you in your own filth could make her mentally worse.

Grabbing him by the front of his shirt, Ren stared him dead in the eye. "Leave now, because the next time you pass through here I won't be so lenient," he threaten.

"Can you least spare me pocket change?" He had enough of this man's antics. Ren throws him down on the ground as Futuba's Uncle tries to scurry back to his horse.

"One," the elder Amamiya brother said.

"Two." The older gentlemen was struggling to get the horse calm enough to climb on.

"Three," as he places a hand on his side arm.

"Four." as the troubled man fled from town as fast as he could. Most of the people around the street seem indifferent watching the spectacle. No worries for them as a young talented gunslinger such as Ren could handle a dishevel unskilled wanderer.

Makoto herself was surprise to see Ren so irritated like that. "Who was that guy?"

"An annoyance who's pushing his luck." He points back to the Saloon, "Boss is Futuba's father. The man that just came by is her no good Uncle from her Mother's. All I know is Boss has raised her since she was young. She can been cheerful and happy but lately she's been regressing."

"How come?" Their new member asked.

"I wish I knew. It seems Doctor Takemi has been helping out while we were gone."

"Is it rare to have a female Doctor in these parts."

"Perhaps." The elder brother commented out loud. Today was not turning out to be a good day. "But she's good at her job. Keeps us patched up. If you like you can ask her about a cream to use for the scar on your shoulder."

Makoto absentmindedly rubbed the arm the bullet went through. It was the most excruciating pain she ever felt. Morgana had did his best fixing it with the supplies they had at the time.

"I think I'll leave it as is, a reminder of sorts."

"Understandable. Anyhow, I need to let off some steam. I'm going on an ammo run, feel free to ask around some more and learn. Lunch should be in about an hour or so."

Nodding her head she watches Ren walk down the dirt path to the stables. She really did think he was an odd man. How his anger can be flipped so quickly, but its seems more of him being protective of those he cares about like his younger brother or this Futaba girl she hasn't met yet. Still she doesn't regret coming with them. Makoto hopes her sister won't be too angry if she finds out.


Unknown Time, Unknown Area

A sweaty older gentleman rode on his horse as fast as he could. Wanting to put great distance from his last location to were he needed to be now. Riding into an abandoned cave, he is greeted by three men.

"Did you do what we asked?" the middle man asked him.

"I tried…..but the stupid kid got in the way. I couldn't get into the building before he threaten me. But I'm sure he's there. Do I get my money now?"

"Why should you?" The second man said.

"We asked for the confirmation of Sojiro Sakura. You've failed in that tasked." This time the third man spoke.

The jittery older gentleman tried to bribe his way out of this predicament. "Wait, just give me another chance. I'll get you good information. I swear!" The three men in shadow didn't seem convince from their expressions.

The middle man smiled as he calmly walked up to their informant. "No worries Sir, we all make mistakes. I'm sure your mind was just occupied with seeing your Niece. Right?"

"Yes, that insufferable kid the only one left on my sister's side."

The first man placed a comfortable hand on his shoulder. "And you know not to mention our conversation to anyone else as well, right?"

"Of course."

"Good," the man said as a knife plunged into the unsuspecting older man's neck. His attempt to speak came out in gurgle sounds as blood dripped down his front. Dropping the deceased body, he signals to the other two to dispose of it.

"It looks like we have to deliver the message ourselves. Time to regroup."


Present Day 1885,

A young girl with orange locks continues to sit quietly in her room. The Doctor had stop by on and off the past few days. She's seen her friends come and go the past few weeks. Typically greeting them upon leaving and returning, she hasn't done either. This action greatly concerns Sojiro, fear of her slipping back further than before. Young Futuba had mentioned strange visual sights and noises. Hardly use to eat anything except pieces of bread. But she got better when the brothers showed up. She still never went outside but learn to come and meet them downstairs in the Saloon than from her room.

Her periods of tranquility would be broken whenever her awful Uncle would appear, demanding from Sojiro something of his. Screaming matches that reminded her of the stench, the sickness caught from ill shelter. The smell of blood as her mother laid dead at her feet…everything was her faul—

"Futaba did you hear what I said?"

Sojiro's daughter snapped out of her inner thoughts as she peeks from underneath the sheets. Dr Takemi who is patiently sitting across the room was asking her a question.

"It appears you weren't paying attention. I wanted to ask you if these strange visions or sounds have been getting worse?" Takemi questioned.

A vertical nod; yes.

"I see, have you tried taking the medication I suggested before you go to bed?"

Horizontal nodding of the head was detected; no. Sighing under her breath, Dr. Tae makes some notes.

"There's not much I can do Futaba if you refuse to take the medication. We'll end today's session. Please make sure you get a full meal in okay."

The young girl receded further into her blanket. Takemi was worried for the young woman. The doctor walked downstairs to the main bar area, lunch was about to be served. Boss was finishing up his signature stew for the various guest lounging around playing card games.

"So how was she today?" The concern Father asked.

"I'm afraid the same, she still appears to only nimble on food but not eat the amount she should. She'll make herself sick if she doesn't eat."

"I've tried but….." Tae can clearly see the frustration on Boss's face. "Maybe with her Mother's anniversary coming up its causing her to take a step backwards.

"But not this badly before I take it. Did something else happen?"

"We've been getting a particular 'visitor' lately that can upset her. That and feds have been roaming nearby making me a bit nervous."

"I see. As usual I left you some medication she needs to take. Please make sure she takes it after a full meal." Takemi explain, taking her leave.

Ren had appeared right as she was leaving, giving his own goodbyes. His satchel full of ammo cartridges was placed on the bar as he took a seat.

"What did she say about Futaba?" Ren asked Boss.

"No progress so far. She's worried her condition may worsen."

"It almost could've today." The young man pour himself some stew and added more meat. " I had an encountered from one our infamous visitors."

"Who some bounty hunter?"

"Worse, her Uncle."

"That stupid son of a—" Boss reeled in his anger and rubbed his eyes underneath his glasses. "What did he want this time?"

"The usual, money for the road." The elder brother takes his time scarfing down his portion and grabbed another small bowl of stew.

"Hey save some for the guest!"

"This isn't for me." He wraps his satchel around his body and headed upstairs with the bowl of food. Stopping by his room first, he could see Morgana taking a nap on his bed. Ren is glad that his brother was finally catching up on sleep after their recent exploit. Probably having more bodies around for guard duty also helps. He places the bag full of ammo on his bed and heads down the hall.

Knocking four times he waits for movement, "Futaba, its me Ren, I got some food for you. Boss made your favorite stew."

Still nothing. Ren could always pick the lock to break in, but that would do more damaging in breaking her trust. She felt safe where she was and forcing her out to soon was what they wanted to avoid. He tried knocking again hoping for a different result. He could hear sounds of mumbling as if she was talking to someone under breath.

"Futaba?"

"GO AWAY! PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE!" Ren heard her yell.

"Futaba!?" He yelled back, door be damned. He tried to break in only for the door to stay jammed, giving a few more pushes he realizes something on the other side is blocking it. A dresser? There's at least one window from her room, he would need to reach from the outside.

Inside the young girl's room, she laid huddle under her bed now still hearing the voices. A vision of her mother stands on the other side of the room, she doesn't smell right.

"This is your fault"

"I'm sorry."

"If you didn't exist, I would've avoided that bullet."

"I was scared Mom!"

"I'm DEAD because of you!" the voice screeched.

"It's my fault…."

"It's you that should be buried!"

"I know. It's my fault, I'm sorry….."

The noise in her head got louder and louder. She tried to run away from it as the image of her mother came closer as if to drag her under. Arms wrapped around her small frame startling her out of the nightmare. She felt like she was suffocating until the smell of dirt and coffee reached her senses.

"Futaba it's me. It's okay!" Ren assured her. It was a bit tricky climbing up the back to reach her room, but he's happy he made it in time. He saw her running around with the covers as if something was chasing her, nearly ran into her tool shelf. Ren was confident one of those items would've caused bodily harm if they fell on her at that height. He continued to console her when voices came through the blocked door.

"Futaba open up, what the hell happen!" Mona yelled, woken up from his nap.

"Hang on Morgana." The Amamiya brother pushes her dresser back to where it belonged. Seem like the Doc misdiagnosed how fast her regression was really turning. Boss came in right after Morgana with a cup of water.

"I'll handle this, you two go back downstairs and check on the guest." Reluctantly leaving, the two brothers head downstairs for damage control.

"This is bad Ren, will Futaba be alright? She's never had this bad of a reaction before?"

"I don't know Mona, I wish I knew. It would probably be best to chase after the Doctor and bring her back to town."

Walking around the bottom part of the Saloon, Ren could see Ryuji and Yusuke walk in for food.

"What's with all the commotion today? People could hear someone screaming in the streets." The blonde gunslinger asked.

"Boss's daughter isn't…she's not feeling to well."

"Wait that little girl that lives upstairs?"

"Yes."

"Oh. Must've witness some personal horrors, especially from the sound of the screams. Used to hear those from an old man that fought in that war years ago."

"Poor kid, perhaps a painting might cheer her up?" The artist offered.

"A painting won't erased seeing her Mother killed in front of her." Ren somberly said. He remembered being stuck in bed from a gunshot wound himself and Boss briefly told him the tale. A rival gang looking for revenge. Futaba's Mother crossed in the gunfire. The two hadn't been the same since he told.

Yusuke and Ryuji looked sadden to hear the news, they both knew what its like to lose one's mother. Illness sometimes can't be avoided as if its apart of life, dictating who lives or who dies. But to be taken violently at such a small age can leave an inward scar no one knows about.

Boss comes back down after a few hours later, looking more stress than normal.

"How is she?" Morgana questioned. The rest of the gang had come over to the Saloon after a while where the two brothers caught everyone up.

Sighing, he scratches at his hairline, "She's able to go back to sleep after calming her down. Made her finish at least half of the stew Ren initially brought up. Seems her condition is worse than I thought. Perhaps a change of scenery might do her good. Hey Ren, can you go out and fetch Doctor Tae again? I want her nearby in case this happens again."

"Sure Boss." It was a little chilly this night so the young man grabbed his black duster coat. Making sure his revolvers and knife was strapped, he didn't expect to run into bandits around here but never hurts to be too careful.

"I should be back by morning," Ren said hopping onto Arsene, clicking him in motion. He should be able to make it to her lone house before dawn and ride back. Arsene had plenty of rest recently, it was time to stretch out. Cutting through a narrow wooded passageway he keeps a keen eye for any surprises, a hand on his side holster ready to strike. The sounds of the forest jarred Arsene a little but a few hushes calmed the mare down. The two were out of the narrow portion and was picking up speed before he was forced to pull the reins back, causing him to fall off.

Falling hard on his back, Ren tried to make sense of what was in the road that startles Arsene so bad.

A faint hue of blue that can only come from a lantern greeted his vision.

"Hello Trickster," a soft kind voice said.

".…..Not again."


A/N Aaaaaannnnd she's baaaaaack. I also really wanted to kinda get into Futaba's head this chapter but also the actions and thoughts of those around her. Obviously we don't have a pyramid to explore cause its the wild west but PTSD is a crazy thing that you never know who has it. Some people could seem find and dandy but something tips off the memory of the trauma. As mention before, the schedule has changed to bi-weekly so I will see you all the week after next.

Thank you for reading so far and feel free to review. (or offer some awesome wild west movies, they're fun to watch)