A/N Hello everyone again. The past few months have not been kind to me keeping my schedule. I was aiming for 6/14 but I've been on the mend the past few weeks. (Fractured foot and injured hip) in a fall I took :(

But in return I made sure to write a longer chapter this time around, this was probably one of the early scenes I sorta noted when writing the story at first and I'm happy with how it came out. We should be seeing more Haru in the coming chapters. I will be doing my best to get back on track. I'm not giving up on my story, its just been a rough past couple of weeks for me.

Thank you ALL who have continued to stick with this crazy idea. Hope you all enjoy the chapter, feel free to review. :)

Chapter 36

Present Day, 1885

The gang had a few days left before the Gala, they had a plan, a plan that was slowly coming together. They will be ready to look through Okumura's secrets.

The drawing of the map laid in front of him courtesy of Yusuke. Sketches of the exterior and interior from Kasumi and Mishima's descriptions. They would take a carriage to the front door, Ryuji and Yusuke would be the drivers setting the carriage off to the side. Morgana, Makoto, Kasumi, and himself will make their way through the party. Mingling with the various guest, Ann would wait in the carriage for Yusuke and Ryuji's return.

This was the original plan, he would have to be cautious should he encounter the Detective. A confrontation is probably inevitable.

"Ouch!"

The elder brother looked up to see Morgana annoyed as he was being fitted for his outfit. The fitters were making sure his pants were the right size.

"Looking good Morgana," Ren laughs as his younger brother's misery.

"Ugh, the suit is itchy. How did you deal with this?"

"I didn't." Ren wasn't looking forward to his own fitting soon. Surprisingly his old suit was still here, but he's changed in the two years since. He has picked up some muscles since then, "Think of it this way brother, you'll look dashing to all the ladies at the party. Or maybe you'll find your 'run in' again?"

"S…shut up" Mona stuttered. The young man turned around so the tailor could make adjustments in the front.

"Are you ever going to tell me what happened?"

Morgana still keeps the handkerchief given to him by a "Miss Okumura." That had to be his daughter? Surely she would be at the Gala as well right?

"I already said nothing happen…ouch," yelping while getting pricked by the needle again.

"Sir, we would be done quickly if you stay still for a few more moments," the tailors requested.

Shaking his head, Ren folded up the map leaving their shred roo to head downstairs. Reaching the final step, he smells the scent of cigar smoke coming from the parlor.

"Enjoying yourself Boss?" The older man was sitting in a comfy chair with a cigarette in his hand.

"Just enjoying the pleasures of life kid. Why don't you have a seat." Taking the advice of his mentor, he took a seat on a nearby chair as the older man took another puff.

"Have you been clearing your head?"

"Its a bit hard with so much on my mind. I don't want this plan to be all for nothing."

"It won't be, you haven't strayed too far, at least you've become far less reckless. I was worried you weren't gonna make it that one time."

"I guess that was a significant moment in my life," Ren remembered.

"That's all life is kid, a series of moments in time."

The elder Amamiya brother always saw that day as a turning point in life, "Do you think the other man spared sees that as well?"

Boss rubs the cigarette out on the ashtray before looking at his pupil, "Let me explain a story I once heard some time ago about an outlaw on the run. He had walked two days without water until he came upon a broken wagon attacked by a pack of coyotes. He could've walked away and let the wild animals maul the corpses but decided to intervene."

Ren was dawn into Sojiro's tale.

"Scaring the coyotes away, he comes across the last surviving member, a 10-year-old boy.

Having come this far, he takes the little boy with him to the closes town and leaves him to the locals. A moment so insignificant to the outlaw came full circle 10 years later when he was officially captured. But they didn't execute him on the Deputy's behalf."

"Why's that?"

"A life for a life,' the Deputy had told him. Fate has a funny way of showing itself, kid. Maybe it was fate for you two washing up on shore."

"SIU isn't going to repay me, Boss. I guarantee it."

"Nothing's guaranteed Ren, so make your moves," Boss says.

"What's that suppose to mean?" The older man doesn't answer, instead, he gets up ruffling Ren's hair on his way out.

Fate huh, he recalls his meeting with his teammates, chance encounters that brought them all together. Ryuji and Ann, Yusuke, Mishima…..even Makoto. The sight of her on the ground bleeding, her determination to bring her father's killer to justice. They were quite similar in many ways. It always was easy holding a conversation with her, he started to notice the little things she does when talking. How she pushes her hair behind her ear, how she stutters when embarrassed. She could've ended up anywhere but washed up by their camp.

His talk with Ann the other day along with Boss's talk has got his mind reeling in various thoughts. "I need to stay focus," Ren spoke out loud. The Gala was coming up in a matter of days, he had no time to be thinking like this.

"Oh Ren, there you are. Come on it's your turn to get pricked with the needle." Morgana had come down to find him since his fitting was done.

"I won't get pricked since I have more patience than you. Though it's not like I haven't done this before." Ren resigned to his fate.

Taken his stance, he put on the itchy suit he would wear to be adjusted, "It would seem minimum adjustment are only needed, Mr. Amamiya."

"I'm surprised you all still have this outfit, Edgar. Thought you all would've burned it by now."

"The Miss decided to keep it, a memento, but deep down I believe she hoped you would wear it again," The head butler commented.

"I see. Um do you think I can change the vest to this, I was thinking red would suit me more instead of violet."

"I'll see what we have in the closets, Sir."

The Butler had walked away as the Tailor worked on the hems of his pants. He wasn't crazy about the overall suit. Ren hoped he could use his own red vest but the tears and harsh stitch work would give their status away. They needed something more pristine.

Once the final fitting had concluded, he looked at himself in the mirror. He would need to remember to clean up his face and hair some more, but the black tailor coat and black slacks made him look like a regal member of high society.

"Here we go again."

The fatal evening had arrived for the Phantom Thieves. The men waited in the lobby dressed in their best as the cleanest carriage waited outside.

Yusuke changed into a clean white shirt and silk blue vest. Polish black shoes fitted on feet below his slacks, he didn't need to adjust his hair as it was typically neat. Ryuji stood next to the artist in a similar outfit wearing his yellow vest and tie, arms crossed in an impatient manner.

"What's taking them so long? The blonde gunslinger complained.

"Relax Ryuji we're still on good time," Ren was sitting in a nearby chair wearing his fitted suit now accompany with a top hat. Instead of his red riding gloves, he had to wear soft white gloves or no gloves at all. Turning to his side, he sees Morgana in his own black suit attempting to scratch around his neck. The younger brother insisted on keeping his yellow scarf over a necktie. His hair had been slick back with hair gel to keep the wild look down.

"Relax Morgana, all that scratching isn't going to help."

"But this suit is itchy. And why does my hair have to get gelled back?"

"Cause I'm wearing a hat. I always wanted to wear this," the leader laughs to himself.

Edgar had soon walked in the lobby, "The Misses will be down shortly," bowing to then men before taking his exit.

"I guess I'll wait in the carriage." Ryuji left to go outside followed by Yusuke.

Ren got up to stand in waiting when he heard chatter coming from the stairs. He sees Ann walk down the stairs first in a small red dress made for strolling. Behind her, Kasumi and Makoto were sharing a brief conversation when they reached the top of the staircase. Kasumi was wearing a violet ball gown with elbow-length silky gloves. It was what she had worn to dinner parties before he remembered.

Looking to Makoto, Ren sees her in a dark blue ball gown, a hairpin neatly place in her hair. Carefully grasping the stair banner in the matching blue dress shoes.

"You'll let flies in Ren," Morgana joked next to him.

"I was yawning Mona." To be honest he was in awe. Makoto was always seen in work pants and a blouse at least. Ann and Shiho would wear skirts or dresses when the occasion popped up but even they could never convince her to switch.

"Lady Ann, you look so pretty," Morgana said blushing at the blonde women.

"You both look stunning as well, w…we should head out. Don't wanna be late now do we." Guiding them to the carriage, he opens the door to let them in followed by Morgana and himself. Yusuke and Ryuji sat on top in the driver's seats guiding the horses to start moving.

The five sat on the inside of this carriage holding a small conversation. It was cramp inside as the women sat on one end while the brothers on the other end.

"I can't wait to try the food, maybe they will have fish, steak, ribs," Morgana was salivating at the mouth.

"We're on a mission Mona, not for entertainment. But then again free food is the best food," Ren joked.

"It's also so nice to get dressed up, this dress is so beautiful," Ann spoke. She looked the most comfortable in her dress as Makoto sat next to her squirming in discomfort.

"Is everything alright Makoto?" He asked her.

"Yes just nervous, I should be fine once I step out."

The elder Amamiya brother didn't exchange words with the young women who provided said carriage they were in. They've done this dance before and it didn't turn out well.

Around 30 minutes later the carriage arrived at the Okumura mansion. They can already hear the noise coming from the inside heightening their senses.

"Remember the plan everyone and good luck." All nodding back, Ren thumps the roofs twice signaling that the plans in motions.

Yusuke opens the door letting Kasumi and Makoto out first as Morgana and Ren followed right behind. The elder brother took a step forward before Morgana cut in front offering Kasumi his arm instead. The red hair women seem to stumble but continue to follow through with the gesture. All with Morgana giving Ren a side wink and smirk.

"What is Morgana doing, I thought we had already agreed on the pairs?" Makoto whispered under her breath.

"He's trying to be crafty. But we must proceed, stay close." The older man offered his arm as they walked a bit behind the other two towards the guest entrance. Glancing back he sees the carriage moving towards the holding area. Those two were on their own now.

The party of four walked up to the checkpoint area as one of the men checked them in.

"Ah Miss Yoshizawa, it has been a while since we've seen your family last."

"Yes, my apologies for the long absence, I know my parents were frequent visitors of Mr. Okumura. Sadly I haven't had time to visit due to my period of mourning. I'm sure you understand, I and my guests would like to offer our salutations to Mr. Okumura, here's our invitation."

She hands over her invitation as the guard thoroughly reads it. He must've not found anything wrong allowing them to proceed peacefully.

"Well first obstacle is done," Ren commented. People in fancy wear were spread everywhere in the backyard garden as servants walked around carrying trays of champagne.

"This is where we split, stay safe and good luck." The pairs split, Morgana led Kasumi closer to the orchestra as Red led Makoto closer to the balcony. Jovial laughter could be heard as the people laugh about their latest profits, complaints about wives to their mistresses. He heard all this talk before.

Turning to look at his partner, she was staring into the crowd observing.

"Thirsty?" Ren asked her.

"Oh, I guess champagne would have to do, its not as strong as whiskey is it?"

"Haha, no it more smooth, wait right here." He leaves her side for a brief moment before tracking down a servant, gently grabbing two flutes for themselves he begins to make his way back. Gone for but a moment and she was already being bothered by a different guest.

"Aww come on darling, leave the weakling and join a real man instead."

"AS I mention before Sir, I am not interested, please leave before he returns, you will not like it if you make him angry." She threatens back.

"There's no need for that as he was just leaving sweetheart." Ren appeared behind the bothersome man glaring him away. "I believe you were bothering my fiancee, Sir. Leave." The man scampers away stumbling out of sight.

"I would've knocked him down if I could've. But this dress is hard to kick in."

"I think he knows not to bother with us for the night, here." He passes her the champagne as he sips his own. Parched from the heat Makoto gulps her down in seconds.

"Take it easy or you'll get dizzy faster."

"Maybe I should stick to water."

"We'll worry about that in a moment. Come on, lets take a stroll."

The other 3 Phantom Thieves were directed to a holding area. Ann was still sitting inside waiting for the two men to make their move.

Ryuji got down first walking quietly to one of the roaming guards, "Hey Mister, can I bum a smoke while I wait?" He points back to the park carriage.

The other man reached into his pocket to pull out the cartridge only to be jumped by the blue-haired artist. Keeping his hand firmly on the mouth, Ryuji rushes forward knocking the guard out.

"Come on move him over here," Hiding the unconscientious body near the bushes. It was still fairly dark where they were, using the combined map Yusuke sketched earlier they made their way to the kitchen entrance.

"I'll go first," Yusuke said. Peering around the corner, he sees most of the chefs are very busy making obdures and other small drinks for the guests. Their own outfits look close to the servants wandering about, act natural and they can walk by.

The two were able to walk cleanly by without any disturbance towards their way. The blond gunslinger had the knowledge to "borrow" one of the flute trays to carry around.

"Third floor right?"

"Mmm," Yusuke nods.

"I'll walk up the stairs first, count to 10 and follow," Ryuji whispered.

Ryuji attempts to walk as straight as possible towards the stairs. It was another entryway towards the garden balcony, but he wasn't heading to the balcony. Making a right, he walks up the second-floor stairs. He counts to 10 in his own head when he sees the artist at the bottom of the stairs. Good, they're still in the clear since everyone was working outside.

Peering around the second floor, it was fairly empty other than the occasional maid. The stairs leading towards the 3rd floor was right behind her. She was busy dusting of a vase that neatly stood on a stand.

"What's her problem, it doesn't take that long to dust a vase," he mutters. The blonde motions towards Yusuke to have them switch. The blue hair man approached the young women in their way.

"Excuse me, Miss, there was a minor accident on the first floor that needs to be clean, I was ordered to fetch extra help." Without a word the young woman curtsy and walks towards the stairs.

Ryuji quickly made the motion of walking up with the tray as the lady passed him.

"Good call their Fox."

"Thank you. It's all part of intona—"

"Whatever let's go." Ryuji's grabs the artist as they walk up to the 3rd floor. The top floor looked completely different from the other two. Lesser rooms filled the floor as two guards walked around the perimeter.

"Five rooms, one has to be the office."

"If we're facing this way that would be the front of the building, that direction faces towards the party. The music can be heard from that direction," Yusuke whisper to the fellow Thief.

"So I take down the south guard, you take the guard on the north side."

Separating to their respective targets, Ryuji sneaks up on the guard circling around the back. He grabs the guard roughly slamming him into the wall knocking him out. Peering back he sees Yusuke took out his own target simultaneously.

Pulling the tools Futaba gave them from their pocket, they worked on unlocking two of the 5 doors.

Yusuke door leads to a bedroom, decorated in flowers, this isn't it. The blond hair gunslinger had better luck when he open to an office room.

"Jackpot." He says closing the door behind Yusuke, "Let's work fast."

Ren and Makoto walked through the crowd eavesdropping on the conversations.

"Did you hear the manager got caught with his employee?"

"Poor child is missing last I heard."

"It seems those rail workers who were striking were fired."

"Really?"

"They complain the foreman worked them like dogs."

"Mmm?" Ren picked up a recent conversation regarding the workers.

"That foreman is trying to get his own promotion. What better way to impress Mr. Okumura than show your dedication to the company."

"That is true, enough people are looking for work, they can always be replaced. Time is money after all." The two men laughed together as they moved from their prior spots.

"How horrible," Makoto said.

"Indeed."

"Do you think the railroads by Northsbury was also own by Okumura?"

"Probably. That least connects him with Kaneshiro possibly. Mishima mentions the companies been having strikes and complaints lately, but most of its been keep out of the paper."

"I hope the other two finds something more interesting, it been nothing but gossip," Makoto complained.

"That's the rich for you." Grabbing another champagne glass from the tray, "But I can admire their taste in alcohol."

"There's actually something….you said earlier that had me wondering," She had her hands scrunch in her dress folds.

"About?"

"When that guy was bothering me…"

"Oh?….Oh! I guess slip of the tongue. Women your age that's not courting or married are typically seen as 1 of 2 things….BOTH of which you aren't!" Ren stumbles over his words.

"No offense taken," She chuckled.

"I may not have been born with a shiny pacifier, but at least I have a sense of propriety."

"It shows when you let your guard down."

"It's all part of being a Phantom Thief."

"A Thief that's not very good at hiding."

Both thieves turn to look at the one and only Detective Goro Akechi in a tan evening suit.

"Funny finding you here of all places, along with Miss Niijima."

Stepping in front of Makoto, Ren stared Akechi down, "Your issues with me."

"You're right, my issue is with you, its why we need to talk."

The elder Amamiya raised an eyebrow at the notion, "Sure this is not some elaborate ruse?"

"Just a talk, we can even have the conversation on the balcony over there. That should be open enough for even Miss Niijima to spot you," he says.

Ren looks back to Makoto giving her a soft nod, "Wait here, I'll be back." Akechi led him to said balcony that had a few guests loitered around. The Detective grabbed some more flutes with Ren declining his share.

"I've had enough to drink. What is this talk all about?" The Phantom leader leans forward on the balcony railing while Akechi leans with his back, champagne in hand.

"To be honest, I've reached a dead end. All my leads are dead, I can't trust my Captain anymore regarding this case and the only one that has had interaction with the main witness is you. I rather not request help from an outlaw but I don't have much of a choice left."

"I thought I was being hunted for crimes I supposedly committed," Ren replies back.

"Its what I thought too before I read a particular file. News Years 1884, what do you know?"

"What is there to know, notorious gang burns down schoolhouse only to meet their fate a few days later."

"Yet the Phantom Thieves are pin for the crime. Odd seeing that the civilians had nothing but praise and called them heroes instead. Almost like the incident in Northsbury with Kaneshiro."

"You're going in circles Detective, just ask your question."

"What happened? What would compel a man to turn to a life of crime unless he was trying to right a wrong done to him?"

"That's the golden question isn't it?"

The reply got Akechi thinking, the targets weren't innocent themselves by all means, but they were calculated.

"You're here for a reason I take it? Is Okumura your next target?" Akechi asked sipping from the flute.

"Will I get arrested depending on the answer?"

"I'm only seeking to learn the truth. What do you want with Okumura?" Akechi whispers this time.

"I'm lead to believe he may have associations with a man I'm looking for, just like the others."

Is this what Kaneshiro was referring too? Someone high up on the chain controlling the outcomes.

"It's still my job to make sure no harm comes to Okumura or his daughter," The Detective warns him.

"That's not my intention," Ren said back.

"Was it your intention to silence Madarame as well?"

"Madarame's dead!?" Ren was shocked, should he tell Yusuke about this?

"So it seems you didn't know that." Akechi sighs to himself finishing off the last of his drink," Mmm, it seems this conversation lasted longer than I thought. I'm sure we worried your date long enough." Dropping the empty flute on a tray they walk back down to find Makoto still in the same spot.

"As promised he has been returned unharmed." Makoto still appeared with a look of concern.

"It really was just a talk," The Phantom Thief assures her nerves.

"Well, my break is almost up. But if you don't mind, I like to steal the other half of you for a small dance if you like Miss Niijima."

The young woman looked hesitant before agreeing to allow herself onto the dance floor.

"Do you know this dance?"

"Afraid not, I've never really danced before Detective."

"Hehe, no worries just followed my lead," he instructs.

The orchestra plays a slower, softer melody for the two to step too.

"No harm has come to you so far?"

"No, I've been treated with nothing but kindness."

"That's good," he comments," I'm sure your sister will be pleased. Sadly she couldn't join the party and turned in for the night."

"She's here!?" Makoto said startled.

"She still unaware that you've join outlaws. I can keep it that way if you answer a few questions truthfully." He spins her slowly around before grabbing her waist again.

"Mr. Amamiya said he was looking for someone associated with Okumura. Is he telling the truth?"

"Yes, someone framed him for a crime he didn't commit."

"Is that so? Next question, what went down with Kaneshiro?" He asked again.

"The Phantom Thieves defeated him and freed the citizens, next."

".….Do you believe they are just?"

"I will admit my initial perception of them was unfavorable, but as I've taken the time to learn who they really are, it seems we are not as different as I thought. Do these answers satisfy you, Detective?"

"Yes, thank you for your time. It's best I probably return you to your boyfriend, I feel his scowl burning a hole in my head." Akechi chuckled.

"He's not my boyfriend," Makoto blushed.

The man in question stood with his hand in his pockets rigid and unapproachable.

"People will begin to suspect something if you keep that scowl on your face." Turning around Ren sees Kasumi approach him.

"I'm not scowling, I'm being cautious."

"Cautious over what?" She looks in his direction to see his attention was on the Niijima girl and a young man dancing, "….Oh."

"Where's Morgana?" He questioned her.

"He went to relieve himself a few minutes ago."

"Figurative or literally as we used a code such as that before."

"Oh well….he did drink a good handful of flutes so….literally?" Kasumi mentions.

"Sighs"

It took a couple of minutes for the young man to find a disclosed area with enough privacy. Having a chance to relieve himself, Morgana pulled his pants up to head back.

"Please, let go of me!" A soft voice cried. He walked around the growing foliage seeing a young couple in what appears to be an argument.

"Why don't you shut up and behave, your father said you're coming home with me," The aggressive man raises his arm in a violent motion.

"Hey!" Morgana rushes in front pushing him away, "Leave her alone asshole."

"And what're you going to do pipsqueak?"

The gaudy man's words struck a nerve with Morgana, "What you call me!"

"Is this who you rely on when I'm not around, sneaking in other men's bed when I'm gone?"

"Go home Sugimura you're intoxicated."

"I don't take orders from you Haru," He tried to rush her again when Morgana tripped him up.

"Ugh, dumb drat." The drunken man took a couple of slow swings at the younger man who dodge them easily. He could see the frustration grow on Sugimura who made a last-ditch effort only to be knocked out running into the wall.

"I hardly did anything," Morgana laughed to himself.

"Thank you kind Sir, you wouldn't happen to be the same one from the carriage incident?"

"That would be me, Miss Okumura. Oh…I had hoped to run into." He pulls out the handkerchief she had given him on that day. "I wanted to return this to you."

"You didn't have to do that." She accepts the handkerchief back with a kind smile.

"We should probably head back to the main event," Morgana offered his arm.

"But what about him?" As she points to the unconscious man on the ground.

"Don't worry, he'll come too on his own." The younger man had led the Okumura heir back towards the populace, "We never properly greeted one another, I'm Morgana."

"It's nice to formally meet you. My name Haru Okumura, please to make your acquaintance Monsieur."

"Miss Haru, this may be an odd question, but you wouldn't happen to know where your Father is?"

The fluffy-haired girl stood in thought as she pondered her father's whereabouts. "He'll mingle with some guest before retiring to his office for the evening."

"Uh oh," Morgana mutters out loud.

"What's wrong?"

"Um…Miss Haru, I have to take my leave, something just came up."

"We'll we get to meet again, perhaps over tea?"

"Definitely." He promises before searching for his brother. Things were falling apart faster than a broken outhouse.

If what Haru said was true then her father was about to walk in on Ryuji's and Yusuke snooping where they shouldn't.

A/N Oohh I had been waiting to write that Akechi Ren Makoto scene and happy it came out how I wanted. Its subtle but for those that didn't notice, Sugimura being drunk has a habit of bothering Makoto and Haru. So yes Ren threaten him.

It was also fun to write Ren jealousy. He not entirely aware that he's jealous but he definitely becoming more protective of Makoto now that a "threat" has appeared. I am also still going back and updaing the grammatical errors from older chapters. Fingers cross I get chapter 37 out in two weeks.

Thanks for reading, feel free to review :)