A/N sorry the chapter is late. It was suppose to come out Friday. Oh boy this was a stressful week. I have my outlines of each arc and from those outlines notes on each chapter but I was a bit all over the place with Chap 27. This replaces the previous A/N I had up during Turkey day.

If I miss any errors I have actually been going back and combing through everything from previous chapters.

I actually cut out an entire scene, it just wasn't working with the flow of this chapter so it will probably happen in a future chapter. Thank you all again for your support, I really do appreciate them. Enjoy the story, feel free to review.


Chapter 27

Present Day 1885

Ren was sure Lavenza means well and all, but he was starting to learn she has unfortunate timing. Picking himself off the ground he begins to dust of his hat. Ren whistles for Arsene, the poor mare startled by the young girl.

"My apologies Sir Arsene, I did not mean to frighten you," Lazenva says as she pets the mare's noise gently.

"He's a horse, you don't have to call him 'Sir'."

"But he's your noble trusted stead, is he not Trickster?"

"You haven't been reading those funny novels the twins partake in have you?"

Shaking her head no, she straightens up raising the lantern between the two, "I have important information to pass to you."

Ren was about to follow through when he felt a rain drop on his face. "Come on lets find some shelter first," he stated hopping back on Arsene. The elder brother was able to find an unoccupied barn not to far, escaping the torrential downpour.

"So what message does Igor wish to deliver to me?"

"This does not come from my master. You are in great danger Trickster, you and your companions must leave that town at once."

"What makes you say that?"

"This game is no longer in your favor. Something big is coming, our eyes have seen it."

"I know you're concern Lavenza, but we're also on our home territory which we have plans for such an occasion."

"Please listen to me!" She desperately said grasping his hand tight. He could see her shaking in concern over his well being. Sighing in his breath, he takes the ungrabbed hand and patted her on the head.

"Thank you Lavenza. I'll do what I can to heed your concerns. Is your Master nearby, I can drop you off before continuing on my journey."

"I walked here."

"You walked! How far?"

"The sun rose at least twice," she explain to the young Trickster.

"I guest we'll wait out of the rain. Igor knows where to find me so he'll find you." Ren took his coat off to lay it on the young girl. All she had on was her blue dress to keep her warm. Ren was getting more anxious the longer they stood in the barn. How was Futaba fairing? Did she have another breakdown? Her Uncle was outside and scamper off just as fast as he got there, so he couldn't cause this effect.

"Trickster, the rain has stop," Lavenza interrupted his thoughts. It should be sun rise according to his pocket watch.

"Lets get moving." He arrived just as the sun was coming up, he could see Takemi's house on the hill.

"This is where we depart, my Master does not like others seeing us."

"But its dangerous, you said so yourself!"

"I can find my way back." She folds up his coat and hands it back to Ren," thank you for your kindness." And just like that she walked off into the distance.

"Stay safe…"

Ren bangs on the Doctor's door interrupting her egg breakfast. "I need you to come back to town, its an emergency. You may want to pack for multiple days," he explained.

"What happen?"

"Futaba, her condition is worsening. Boss order me to come fetch you."

"Alright, wait here." She seem to have a travel bag for situation like these that came with her odd medical conceptions. He never wants to swallow those again.

"Ren while I am getting the last few things, can you prepare my horse?"

"Sure, she's out back?" Nodding, the elder Amamiya brother guides Takemi's horse and carriage out of its protective covering. The Doctor takes her bags and place them in the wagon space and hopped up front. Ren would need to be her eyes for any bandits or other despicable. Plus whatever dangers Lavenza told him about. His plate of things were getting full.

With Dr. Takemi ready, they set off.


Elsewhere….

Sae Nijima sat in a train booth composing another letter to her younger sister's school. She hasn't heard back in over a month which has the Prosecutor a bit concern. The sliding door of the compartment opens as the young detective brings in two cups of hot liquid.

"Here, I've added two cups of sugar like you asked. We should be departing soon," Akechi said. She takes the cup and puts it on the table going back to her writing.

"A letter to you sister?"

"Yes, she still hasn't sent a reply back. It's very unusual."

Goro Akechi was fighting his inner thoughts on the matter, should he tell, should he tell half truths?" The only reason he knew what Makoto Nijima looked like was the lone photo Sae keeps on her desk of her family. However, Akechi carried that knowledge that her sister was in the company of a wanted criminal. Ren Amamiya motives were odd, a few reports of stolen money from corrupted individuals, freeing workers contracted to work in mines. But the weirdest criminal charge of all was the suppose murders of the Shujin fire. It just didn't add up.

"Your tea will get cold if you think hard like that," Sae had called him out.

"Same to you. The dining car only have so much in stock left."

"You have a point." She places her finish letter down to enjoy her hot beverage."

"I know Makoto will be fine, she's smart."

"Yes, I expect her to excel, opportunities that I have been given are rare almost nonexistent for women in this department. With that I must succeed in bringing the law to the land."

"That remains to be seen, Miss Nijima." Akechi was relaxing in their compartment car when a young lady came up.

"You're the ace Detective Goro Akechi, oh its an honor to meet you. I've seen your photograph in the papers." The excited fan exclaimed.

"Happy to have fans." Akechi adores his fans when they meet him, he was young, smart, and solved a bunch of cases at a tender age. Even helps the papers exaggerate a little. But his fans at times can be a nuisance.

"Cant I sit with you Mr. Akechi!" She asked.

"I'm afraid you can't, I'm on official business and my partner and I have a lot of work to review."

"Oh…well will you sign this for me?" All she had was her train ticket.

"Sure." Signing away she soon left in content. Sinking further into the seat, Akechi sighed in relief, the train was finally moving.

"Your charm seems to attract a lot of people."

"A hindrance more than help truthfully. But—its nice to feel wanted." The days of being in an orphanage are long pass him. Having to watch other kids his age move in with loving families. Akechi doesn't even remember what his mother's face looks like only the sway her body made at the end of the rope when he found her. He remember haven't eaten in days and went looking for her in their tiny dwelling. She always told him he wasn't allowed in her room, only the strangers that came by from time to time. But it was the one place he hadn't looked.

Everything was a blue after the Captain took him in. If he wasn't given a chance would he have turned out like the criminals they were chasing?

"You're distracted again Detective," Sae had said annoyed. She had finished her own cup when she called him out. "Somethings been on your mind since you came back with Kaneshiro."

Tell the truth his subconscious warns. "I'm just worried."

"About?"

"The other case I was working on. My witnesses have been dying left and right. I can hardly solve a case when the lead is shot down."

"It is a cause for concern, but when you're ready to truly tell me what's bothering you give a fair warning." Sae went to inspect her own documents signaling this conversation was over.

Chuckling under his breath, "Nothing gets past Sae Nijima.


Present Day, 1885

Ren and Dr. Takemi made it back to town before the sun hit Noon.

"Mister Ren!" he heard a voice call out to him.

"Mr. M…"

"I'll go on ahead Guinea pig, thanks for the escort." She left behind the two men to their discussion.

"Come on lets talk privately," Ren ordered. They headed up the hill to a small graveyard.

"Interesting place to speak."

"The dead don't talk, you got any new leads?" His informant shook his head no.

"I'm afraid I haven't head from one of my resources in awhile. Things have been tightening up in the underground, you've clearly upset someone powerful. Maybe the man you're after?"

"Perhaps. The last two target know the other along with this Azazel person."

"Azazel?"

"Kaneshiro's man mention him. Think you can track him down?"

"I'll see what I can do once this mess gets sorted out," Mishima said. "But honestly you probably need to take a breather, you've been in an out for almost two months now."

"Do you know how many men we had to go through just to get this close!" Ren yelled.

"Hey easy…"

Shaking his head, "No….I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I just got a lot on my mind."

"You've always lend an ear for me Miser Ren, how can I help you?" The elder brother hesitant on his informants offer. Talking out loud about your concerns can be relaxing.

"I've been given a warning that something big is coming. I don't know when or how big. And of course my concerns for Futaba. It was why I was getting the Doctor."

"I see."

"Have you had the chance of meeting my new companions?" Ren mention switching the subject.

"Just the angry one."

"Ryuji has his moments but he's a good guy. Come on I'm starving, lets get some grub." Patting Mishima on the back, he leads him towards the town for food.


Two weeks they stayed in town. It was as much as a vacation they ever got for awhile. Ren was constantly on edge waiting for Lavenza's warning to come to light. There was still no progress with Futaba either, completely shutting everyone out.

Evening had rolled around in the Saloon that night, drinks pouring, food passed along. Morgana had been working behind the bars those days as Boss worries over his daughter. Ren and his brother temporarily gave up their room to Takemi so she could be close at all times.

"Haha royal flush!" The elder sibling heard Ryuji yell.

"Huh?"

"Royal flush, I won the game."

"Good game then."

"You hardly played Ren."

"Sorry, I was distracted. Lets play again, I'll deal." Ren shuffled the cards and passed them out.

"So any news on when the next target will be announced?" The blond gunslinger asked.

"No, still waiting to hear back. I'm starting to anxious."

"Same. Though I find ways to burn it off."

"I know, the whole hotel hears you two." Ren fired back. "Why don't you two make it official?"

Ryuji discards a card and selects another from the deck. "I would like too….if we both make it through all of this. But I have nothing to offer her. I barely have 20 bucks in my pocket."

"I don't think that's a deciding factor of her's. You're clearly sweet on her, stop the foolish dancing around and do something."

"When did you become knowledgeable in love ole fearless leader," Ryuji jokingly said.

"That's nonsense, I'm just explaining my observations."

"Mind if I join you two?" The two Phantom Thieves looked up to see Yusuke hovering. After a few jobs they got some funds to spruce the artist up. Buying him a pristine white shirt and deep blue vest and pants. They had commission Iwai to forge eight new throwing knives now stored around his gun belt. Hell Ren even threw in a pocket pistol.

"Have a seat, I'll deal."

The three men played a few rounds into the night while the alcohol continued to flow.

"Alright, I'm out. I don't feel like getting beaten by Yusuke anymore," Ryuji expressed to the other men.

"If you're interested, Shinya is giving tips and lessons." The leader laughed.

"Yeah, yeah." Ryuji slammed his cards on the table and walked back to the hotel.

"I too should probably say my farewells."

"Goodnight Yusuke."

Cleaning up the cards he neatly stacked them on the table and got up. He was felling a little woozy after having a few glasses to drink.

"Here some more mugs Morgana." He hands the used cups back to the younger sibling. The only noise in the saloon are snores of patrons and idle chatter of stragglers.

"Don't mind if I just sleep right here." Gently resting his head on the bar.

The bright lights of morning came along with a pounding headache. He sluggishly moved outside where the water barrel was to wake himself up.

Rubbing the sleep out of his eye, he turns to look up as about 15 men walked into the main street.

"Can I help you gentleman?"

"We are looking for Sojiro Sakura."

"Who is 'We'"

".….We are Medjed."


A/N next chapter is gonna be big. With Medjed coming in with some business with Boss. Thank you for reading.

Feel free to review.