A/N Hello everyone, welcome back to another chapter. Which is sorta still on time with the 2-week bi-weekly release-ish date. To be honest the chapter was finish a while and I was typing it but was distracted by some new anime that showed up on Netflix. (If you haven't checked out Beastars its FANTASTIC)

Anyway, I hope everyone is staying safe, its been crazy around the world so please make sure to use common sense, wash hands etc. But I hope this story provides a light spot in these crazy time, a brief moment to step into this world.

If you're reading this chronological yes Kasumi was introduce last chapter, my take on her will be very different as I have not played P5R. Nor have I seen any trailers past the first initial one. So I honestly don't know what her personality canon wise is but this chapter came out before the western release of P5R, so don't flame me later about this isn't what Kasumi is like. Cause I don't know, I will find out hopefully around 3/31 with the release.

But enough of my rambling, feel enjoy Chapter 32 and feel free to leave a review, movie suggestions, anime suggestion etc. Work keeps me stuck here at home now.

Chapter 32

Present Day 1885,

The young woman with the soft red hair stared back at him. It had been a while since the two last saw each other.

"What sort of trouble are you in?"

"We've been running on the road for a while, my companions, we just need a safe place to stay for a little. A guest house we can use perhaps?"

"And this is what you wish to use your favor on?"

"Yes, if it's possible." Ren hoped she would agree but wouldn't blame her if she said no.

Kasumi took a hard look at Ren again, "Edgar, can you please have the staff ready the western guest house. And make sure their horses are watered and fed in the stable."

"Right away Miss," the elder gentlemen left to perform his duty. The two were left in the lobby alone.

"How long has it been Ren? Two years?"

"Give or take, I've been busy."

She pauses as if she should ask her next question, "Did you ever find…."

"No, I'm still trying to find him. But I've taken out some of his top associates."

Continuing their small talk, she nods towards his left shoulder, "Have you sought a medic?"

"Oh this, its nothing but an old scar now. We have a doctor with us that looked at it."

"You don't need to be so stiff around me Ren, I can have Edgar bring us some food as your friends join us."

Ren wasn't trying to present an air of stiffness, he was more nervous if anything. It had been a little over two years but still feels like yesterday being in these halls. Even is own brother never knew what happen while he was here. It was one of the few times he and Morgana weren't traveling together.

"I still feel responsible for everything that happens. And I'm sor….I should gather the rest. Thank you again, Kasumi." Ren hurried back out the door to Arsene ready to meet back up with the others. They were waiting where he last left them near the stagecoaches.

"We got a place to stay and food," Ren informed them.

"Excellent! Cause I'm hungry," Ryuji yelled.

"When are you not hungry?" The artist asked him.

"Shut it!"

Ren was quiet the entire time he guided them to the guest house, it was almost as big as the main house.

"Whoa, this place is huge. Are you sure we can stay here?" Ann was completely amazed just like everyone else.

Kasumi and her butler met them by the entrance of the building, "Welcome to the Yoshizawa estate, my name is Kasumi Yoshizawa. Ren has briefly explained your situation to me, please know that you all will be safe here as long as you stay within these fences. I'll have your horses sent to my stable to be taken care of."

"How do you know my brother "Miss Kasumi?" Morgana asked the young woman suspiciously. Ren had sent a side glare that his brother ignored while the red-haired woman had a small smile on her face.

"He's…..an old friend of mine. Ren has mentioned you before though. You must be Morgana?"

A bit surprised, the younger Amamiya brother mods his head in acknowledgment. However, the gang was quick to move into the Guesthouse, all tired to the bone. There weren't enough rooms for everyone individually, but enough sharing where each had a bed. It was an upgrade for sure.

Supper was going to start within the hour, but Ren wasn't feeling particularly hungry. Instead, he made sure Arsene was properly brushed down in the stables.

"I'm happy to see Arsene is still healthy." He turned around to see Kasumi standing near the stable doors.

"Yeah, he's a good horse, still durable thankfully."

She meddle with some of the cleaning tools before walking closer, "I have the feeling something been on your mind since you step foot here?"

Sighing, Ren stop brushing his mare, "It just…feels like a lot of what-ifs since I was here last. What if I came back sooner. What if I made it in time, what if—"

".…..I had agreed to marry you? You would've suffocated in this life Ren. I've learned you're a free spirit, someone that needs to be out there, not here wearing stuffy suits and fancy dinners. I didn't want to keep you from your goal, you would've regretted it for the rest of your life."

Those few months two years ago were some of the happiest moments he had been since his false arrest, but trouble followed and he couldn't stay any longer.

"Perhaps, but it's in the past I guess. Did you come to fetch me for dinner?"

"Yes actually, your companions are already making their way to the dining hall." It is hard to pass up a free meal he thought.

The Phantom Thieves ate well with roasted duck, hot rolls, greens, and other delectables.

"Everyone, please feel free," their kind host offered. Ann had to force Ryuji to stop grabbing so much while Yusuke looked as if his brain froze over the many options. Futaba made sure to get her share while stuffing a roll in her overall pockets. Makoto was trying our samples of each dish, while the older members ate with some form of manners. It was a relatively quiet dinner amongst them, only disturbed by Mishima nearly choking on a bone.

"I'm alright," he sputters.

For the first time in days, an air of lightheartedness had passed. While getting ready for bed, Ren took one last look at his shoulder wound, still no sign of infection.

"Your shoulder still looking good brother?" He was sharing the room with Morgana who finish cleaning from a drawn hot bath.

"It's fine Mona," he told him casually. If it wasn't Morgana it was Futaba or Makoto always asking.

The younger brother rubbed the fresh towel over his damp hair, trying to dry it for the night, "How come you never told me about Miss Kasumi?"

"There was no reason for me to bring her up. She's just a friend letting us stare here for a bit, nothing more."

"Never seen 'just a friend' let a group of strangers stay in her prestigious guesthouse. Eating her fancy food, using her hot water."

"She just a generous person, now drop the subject," Ren said fighting back.

".….Did you sleep with her?"

"Morgana! That's none of your business!"

"My brother goes missing for months with no words years ago just around the same time he supposedly meets this woman. Its people like her that put us in this situation! Why'd you never tell me about her!?"

"I don't have to tell you everything. I'm sure you have your own set of secrets you never told me. So RESPECT mine! Now, drop this matter at once."

Dishearten, Morgana looks down to the grown shaking his head, "We use to tell each other everything. But fine keep your secrets!" He left their shared room slamming the door behind, running down the hall before knocking Makoto over without apology.

Ren let out a large sigh as he tried to rub the stress out of his face.

"What's the matter, I just saw Morgana storm outside?" Makoto who was knocked down peeked into the room the brothers were staying in, "Is everything alright between yo—" She was so concerned that she failed to notice she walked in on Ren still dressing.

"I'm so sorry!" Quickly turning around to give the man privacy, Ren was able to put on his white cotton nightshirt.

"You can turn back around, I'm modest," he chuckled.

Slowly turning back, she would admit the few moments she saw of his physique was admirable. Though running, jumping, and dodging would keep anyone in shape.

"Um, I was asking is everything alright with you and Morgana, he surprise me in the hallway?"

"Just an argument, he'll cool his head by morning," Ren claimed.

"I hope so, may I sit?" Nodding his head, she took a seat next to him on the bed, making sure there was appropriate space between them. "It was really nice of Miss Kasumi to let us stay here. She mentions you two were old friends?" Makoto asked.

Ren wasn't quite sure why he felt guilty talking about Kasumi in front of Makoto.

"I ….uh helped out her parents. They let me stay here for some time. Look, I really prefer not to delve into it. I think for now everyone should get some needed rest."

"Oh, okay then. Goodnight Ren."

"...Goodnight Makoto." He hoped Morgana would be back by morning, he wasn't too worried as he knew Mona was smart enough to find his way back. But for now, it was time to go to bed.

Ren woke up expecting to see Morgana sleeping only to be greeted by the empty room. Sighing again, he decided to get ready for the day. The elder brother had been neglecting the hair on his face and head that was becoming more of a bother. Cutting his black hair, he kept it to a reasonably short but still messy length. He then focused on facial hair. Trim, short, clean shaven? Ren wasn't sure what he felt like having, though the hot weather always made it itchy. Clean-shaven it is.

Two knocks at the door frame alerted him as Ryuji popped his head by the door, "Hey you're still here, we missed you at Breakfast."

"Breakfast?"

"Yeah its already 11 AM, everyone but you and Morgana were up."

"Is Morgana around?" Ren asked the blonde haired man.

"...No, thought he was sleeping in like you?"

"Just perfect…." He washes the cream off his face, only leaving a short-haired shadow behind.

Switching to his day clothes, he walks out with the other man, "You said you haven't seen him all day so far?"

"No, what's going on?"

"I need to check something." The elder brother marches towards the stables before barging, scaring the stable hands.

"Mercurius is gone," Ren stated.

"Maybe the pipsqueak went on an errand?"

Ren shook his head knowing Morgana's reaction was partly his fault. "He got upset last night, we had an argument and he stormed off after."

"What did you argue about?" Ryuji tried to gather some answers.

"I rather not talk about it."

The blonde gunslinger shook his head in frustration and grabbed the Phantom Thief leader by force.

"Ryuji! What the hell are you doing!"

"Get on your horse, you're coming with me." Ren could tell the man wouldn't take no for an answer, so he obliged. The two took their horses for a ride not planning a destination. They wound up finding a small lake to rest their horses at and the privacy they needed.

"So what's really going on? You have a place you mysterious know all of a sudden, a young rich woman who is of marriageable age and claims your old friends; I call bullshit on that. And, to be honest ever since we arrived here, you've looked like someone threw your dog off a cliff, Ren."

"You sure you're not secretly a detective?"

"Jokes aside, what happen?" The older brother took a seat on a nearby tree stump trying to process his thoughts. The others would find out eventually, but he guesses Ryuji would start.

"I had asked her to be my wife two years ago."

"Oh? Well why didn't it work out, is she why Morgana left?"

"Not directly she's not. Things are the way they are because troubled followed me…."

1883, Two Years Ago

Ren had taken out some minor associations Mishima found that were related to Mr. Samuel. It was a much more dangerous mission than those prior and he wasn't ready for Morgana to join him on those. It was nothing but pouring rain for two days as he tried to bear with a broken arrow tip lodge in his side. He was hungry and haven't slept for 48 hours to put distance between him and the dead bodies. Reaching his brink, he lost consciousnesses while slumping off his horse.

The next time he woke up, he was tucked in a comfy bed with an ice cloth over his head. Assuming he was back at Dr. Takemi's place, he paid it no mind, until he heard humming.

Dr. Takemi doesn't hum? Startled awake, Ren sees he's in an unknown room with a red hair woman holding the ice cloth to his head.

"Where am I? Who are you?"

"My name is Kasumi Yoshizawa. My father found you past out in the middle of the road."

Ren tried to sit up further but felt dizzy.

"Careful, your injuries became infected, you've been running a fever!"

".…The arrow?"

"Has been removed, the doctors said with some rest you should be fine. Edgar, can you please bring another wet cloth and some Tea?"

"Right away Miss." She turned back to the man in bed who still felt horrible.

"Do you have a name stranger?"

"Ren, Ren Amamiya."

He recalled recovering from his fever a week later, the young Miss keeping him company during that time.

…

"So what exactly is it you do Mr. Amamiya?" The two had taken a walk around her family's estate as he was still recovering from his fight.

"Heh, I don't exactly have a legal occupation, Miss Kasumi. Just a man with a mission."

"Would you mind telling me about it? If you want." And so he told her, everything from his near execution to the botch train mission. She had listened to his tale, never once judging him.

…

"You're pretty good with animals Ren." Kasumi had surprised him in the stable one day while he was napping. He had been there for a month, lending a hand to her parents for helping him recover.

"I didn't do anything, the cat just took a nap on me all on its own."

"I don't recognize this one," she briefly mentions, "Must be a stray." Ren lifted up the cat to take a closer look at it.

"Sorta reminds me of my own cat as a child."

"What was the cat's name?"

"Morgana," he said.

"After your brother?" She curiously asked the outlaw.

"Haha, no no he named himself after the cat. He didn't like to be called Akira Jr anymore. After our Father passed, the name just bothered him too much to keep it."

"Oh, I see."

….

Ren wasn't quite sure how one month turns into two, then three. He had paid off any debt but still stuck around in the area. The more afternoon strolls he took with Kasumi the less he thought about chasing Mr. Samael.

"You're making it harder than what it is."

"Maybe I'm not cut out for dancing," Ren argues back. He had stayed long enough for her family's annual Gala to come around. Being her 'date' for that evening, the elder Amamiya brother needed to learn how to dance. The dance instructor wasn't getting through to him, so the red-haired girl took matters into her own hands.

"Place your arm on my back like so, hold your arm like this, now step forward," Taking to large of a step, he accidentally stepped on her foot.

"Sorry. I'm really bad at this."

"You can stare death in the face but can't handle a little footwork," she laughs. "Come, let us try a few more times."

By the end of the week, Ren had the basics down at least. The Yoshizawa's were even kind enough to tailor him a suit. Something he felt incredibly uncomfortable in. He never came close to these fancy dinners, old rich families, and money talk went over his head. It felt too confined, too suffocating, he had to leave.

"Are you alright Ren?" Kasumi had found him outside near one of her family's gazebos.

"I just needed a breather."

"It can get a bit overwhelming even for me at times."

"I can hardly tell," the young man jokes. The two spent a moment in silence, enjoying the rare cool breeze that came there way. The noise of the party a distance away.

"I've stayed here too long, I really need to go back and finish what needs to be done."

"Something that will put you in grave danger again?"

"Yes, but I—" She had cut off his words with her lips as he relaxes into the soft embrace.

"Stay one more week before you go…." she pleads.

".…Ok." And so he stayed for a week, by the end of that week, he had thought one more week couldn't hurt, and another week and another. He felt at peace here, almost hesitant to leave. The outside world didn't exist while he was here.

A Monday morning came as he was buttoning up his shirt. He really WAS gone for far too long and needed to let Boss and Morgana know he was okay. The woman behind him on the bed only covered by sheets look somber as he wrapped his gun belt on.

"I swear I'll be back as soon as I can, I need to check in on a few things first." Ren had brushed her red hair behind her ear as he gave her a serious look.

"What is it?"

"Kasumi, I know its only been a few months and while there are many things about this life I don't know, I'm willing to learn them….as your husband if your willing to be my wife?"

"Ren I…I" She stutters in shock.

Large banging on the door interrupted the two young adults as she could hear servants panic.

"Miss. Kasumi, we have an emergency. It's your parents!"

Ren should've known all good things come to an end. Her parents were taken hostage by bandits, the same bandits he fought months ago. He didn't exactly have time to clean up his mess if others stumbled up it. They had come to this area to track him for revenge of their own brethren

They demanded he shows up alone if so the parents would be returned safely. Ren hurried without question. Two innocent souls that had taken him in out of the kindness of their heart. He couldn't let his past hurt her or them.

"I"ll bring your parents back safe and sound. I promise." Departing on a kiss, he pushes Arsene to the mare's limit trying to reach the stated location in time.

"Alright, I'm here! Now let them go!" Ren was aggressive in his approach. He needs to make sure the Yoshizawa's were safe.

"You think you got big balls cowboy, taking out our leader!"

"It was strictly business between him and me. But you want your revenge, well I'm right here so let them go!"

It was four against one, a reasonable chance to get out with minimum damage. Nerves were riding high all around, waiting for the first twitch. The man unleashed his weapon and fired, but Ren was faster, cocking the hammer back four times for four bandits. Smoke was coming out of his revolver as he tried to calm his racing heart.

"Mr. and Miss Yoshizawa!" He searched high and low in the hideout for the two but found no trace. He walked behind back outside to see the stagecoach they normally travel in. Hesitantly opening the door, Ren feels a body slump towards him; Kasumi's father. The throat had been slit as his body felt cold like it had been sitting there for hours. Peeking inside, he sadly sees the mother suffer the same fate.

"AUGH! DAMNIT, DAMNIT, damnit!" Ren pounds the ground in anguish. He failed. More innocent people got hurt because of him this time.

He wrapped the bodies the best he could from the stagecoaches cloth, gently placing them on a spare horse still tether to the carriage. Somberly, the older Amamiya brother made the trek back to the estate, guiding the other horse.

It was in the middle of the night when Edgar greeted him by the door, dropping a tray of tea, "Oh good heavens. I'll fetch the head doctor."

Ren walks around the mansion, finding Kasumi in the study room, only lit by a single lantern.

"Ren you've returned! Did you—" Silently walking up to her, he wraps her in a hug as he couldn't contain his own shaking.

"I'm sorry…..I'm so sorry, I tried." She lost feeling in her legs as she drops to her knees bringing Ren with as the two dealt with the tragic news.

...

He only stayed until the funeral before he packed everything up.

"I promise I won't come around these parts again."

"It's not your fault Ren," She tried to reason with the outlaw. He had finish saddling up when Kasumi grabbed his hand.

"I'm not sure if the marriage would've worked out between us. But if you ever need a safe place to stay….you're always welcome back."

"Take care of yourself," that was the last time she saw Ren Amamiya.

Present Day 1885,

"…..Damn, things must've been rough," Ryuji said after the tale.

"I couldn't tell Morgana about what happen and where I went. It was too painful to bring up."

"I'm sure the pipsqueak will understand. But, all that talking has gotten me hungry. I'll race you!"

"How can you race if you don't know the way?" Ren replied back to the blonde gunslinger.

"Dumb luck," he said, "But in all seriousness Ren, things will get better. I mean how'd you feel now after letting it out?" Ryuji placed a comforting hand on Ren's shoulder before hopping on Kidd.

"Maybe you should show this side to Ann more, I'm sure she'll be impressed."

"Enough chattering lets race!" as the two speed off back to the mansion.

Morgana was still upset over the brief argument with his brother. He will admit he may have come off a bit childish and overreacted. But it's not his fault Ren was keeping secrets. They always told each other every thought, and to see his elder brother so distance….he felt heartbroken than angry.

Morgana was probably pushing Mercurius too hard recently. The poor horse was getting upset quicker and quicker. The younger Amamiya brother was riding top speed down a dirt road, lost in thought.

"Hey, you look out!" Trying to steer Mercurius at the last second he ran into the other horse attach to a stagecoach. The impact caused him to fall roughly to the ground.

"Oww," Morgana groaned. His head took the most damage causing his sight to blur a bit.

The driver went to check on him while the horses trotted in fright.

"Is everything alright out there?"

"Please stay inside Miss," The driver warned.

The young woman ignored her driver to inspect the man laying on the ground. Morgana procured a small cut above his right eye. She had pulled out a handkerchief to dab at the wound.

"Put pressure on it, and it should stop," She gently said.

".…Thanks." He looked up at the young women with curly hair and a soft smile.

"Miss Okumura! We must hurry or your father will be upset again."

"Right" She turns back to Morgana with another smile, "Please keep the handkerchief," she said stepping back into the carriage.

Morgana had one thought on his mind as they left him on the road,

"So pretty…"

A/N Haru-chan is here! There is a reason I introduce Kasumi first than Haru. Obviously the poll doesn't exist in this AU so I needed a reason for Morgana to run off like in the game around this arc. And like previously they sorta meet randomly. I am excited for Haru's arc, the outline for this is pretty much done. We should also be seeing more of our favorite detective in the coming chapters.

As always feel free to review, suggestions, comments...