A/N Hello everyone, I am sooooooooo sorry this is over a month late. I got hit with to big things. First I got slammed with work, was recently assigned a new project/ client that was EXTREMELY demanding (and an asshole) after butting heads for a few weeks and that got taken out of my hands for once and supposedly they're still complaining about something. During that time I was also suffering from pretty severe carpel tunnel, I still feel some of it still. It got so bad I couldn't even turn the doorknob to my door because it hurt so much. So it was hard to finish typing as I had to take constant breaks. I have a wrist guard on to help a bit but hopefully it heals soon.

The Okumura arc should be reaching its ending within the next few chapters. I hope you all enjoy this one, and thank you all so much for your patience.

Feel free to review, stay safe out there.

Chapter 38

1879, 6 years ago

16-year-old Haru Okumura stood behind her father while he talked in front of a crowd, the Grand Opening of a new train station. It was in the heart of a bustling new city. She was anticipating lunch with her father as he promised her. He had been very busy as of late, popping up new locations across the country. The young heiress hardly saw him anymore but knew he was trying to build upon her Grandfather's legacy.

After a brief speech, he was handed scissors to cut the ribbon, officially declaring it open. The train idling on the track gave a loud toot as smoke billowed out of it stacks. So many people were offering congratulations as others disperse to explore.

"Father?" The young heiress lightly tugged his jacket, "Are we heading to the picnic area soon?"

"In just a moment, I have some more people to talk to, then we'll leave," She patiently waited on the bench for her father to finish conducting his business. Short conversations with local town officials, and business partners.

"That should be it for now Fleur, why don't we go on the picnic as promised," Haru always enjoyed tea time when her mother was alive even more so when all three had time together.

As they made their way to their carriage, two men in black suits walked up to them.

"Excuse me, Mr. Okumura we would like a word with you if you have the time?"

"I'm a bit busy gentlemen as you can see, I'm about to attend an outing with my daughter."

The two men looked back at each other before looking back at the businessman, "We must insist on a conversation, we would like to continue our employer's proposition and you don't want to miss it….."

Present Day 1885

Haru Okumura, heir to the Okumura RR Company woke in her bed the next day to loud yelling. Wiping the sleep from her eyes, she prepares her robe before peeking outside her door to see the commotion unfolding.

She could see her father down the hall yelling at two of the guards usually station nearby for her safety.

"You mean to tell me we had intruders in the house last night and you're just now informing me!?"

"We are still investigating Sir but we do not believe anything of value was taken."

"You incompetent fool! What am I paying you all for!"

The Guard in question looked guilty from being reprimanded. His group wasn't expecting someone sneaking around. A few of his men didn't show up at their correct route at the correct time.

"We will make sure the culprits are caught, Sir."

Okumura pushes up his glasses before glaring at the bodyguard, "No you will not, you are dismissed. Leave this premise at once."

The guard in question bowed before leaving without a word. Haru opens up her door further, which alerted the Patriarch.

"Is everything alright Father?"

"Its none of your concern, get ready for breakfast," He ordered her. She dejectedly went back into her room as the maids drew her a hot bath. She remembers she had plans today at the Yoshizawa estate.

Haru was familiar with the family name as they have visited many Okumura social gatherings with the other upper-class families. She was sad to hear of the parents passing a few years ago.

"Miss Okumura breakfast is ready downstairs," the young woman heard her maid from the other side of the door.

"Thank you." She toweled herself off before dressing herself for the day without the maid's help. There was no reason to have them burden with a menial task. The young heiress soon made her way to the dining room where her father was already seated with his coffee and paper.

Breakfast has always been a quiet affair, he hardly talks to her or acknowledges her. She was given a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast with a side of fruit in the bowl. Haru began eating quietly on her side of the table, the only noise heard was the clinking of forks.

"Daughter," The sound of her father calling her startled the young heiress.

"Yes, Father?"

"I did not hear fair news from Sugimura last night. I believe you were told to be amicable to him." He says flipping over his newspaper.

"But Father…..he makes me uncomfortable."

"He is the prominent son of a Govt official, if you want to make it in this world you need connections. Or else you will be someone else's stepping stone. He will be here around noon to take you out. "

"Father, I already have plans today at noon. I was planning on visiting a friend," She tries to plead back.

"Those plans are canceled, this is more important to the family."

"But Father—"

"No buts, you will do as I say!" He immediately got up leaving his leftover breakfast for the servants to clean.

Haru sighs to herself at her father's demands, she will just have to make up the tea invitation and offer her apologies.

"That sounded rough." The person behind the voice was none other than Sae Nijima. The prosecutor had returned to the Okumura mansion after an early morning at the local police station.

"This is how he normally is lately. I guess I've gotten used to it."

Sae took a seat next to the young woman, the girl nodded down in sadness, "He wasn't like this before?"

Haru shakes her head, "He's always had a sense of caution but never this strict before."

"I see."

"I wish I knew why he has been like this the past few years. My Mother's passing hit him hard, and the stress from the company I'm sure doesn't help either."

"I guess I can relate, my own father was a busy man when my own mother died. He had my younger sister and me to take care of."

"I'm sure his efforts have paid off based on where you are now in your life Miss Nijima."

Sae thought about the girl's words, "…..Perhaps, but he died chasing a foolish goal. If my sister doesn't follow the same, maybe the two of you might meet one day, you're about the same age."

"That would be lovely," Haru said, "Thank you for this talk. If you'll excuse me I have to prepare for today. The young heiress got up from the table to take her leave. She was truly disappointed in the turn of events. She had much rather spend her time with the kind young man she met last night over her presumed intended.

But what's stopping you? Her subconscious whispers. It would be rude, improper to disobey her Father. But Haru was tired, she was drained living her life in a cage. Force to smile, forced to get on her Father's good side.

She misses the days her Father was kinder, would take time to go on their weekly picnics. But now, the wrinkles on his face increase, the tenders of grey have appeared on his head. The tenseness of his shoulder constantly looking behind his back. Her Father has indeed changed and became sterner. She wishes she can get the Father she dearly loved back.

It was 5 minutes to 11 when she looks back at the grandfather clock. Sugimura would be here in an hour or so. She tried to pass the tending to her flowers or reading a book, but the ticking clock began to unnerve her. The only current company was the Detective walking in an out of the rooms.

Knowing she can't stay focus on her task of reading, she places the book down and sighs again.

"Is something on your mind Miss Okumura? That's the 9th sigh I've heard from you within the past hour." Detective Goro Akechi stopped his own pacing around the room, leaning on the door frame.

"It is nothing Detective, apologies, for bothering you."

You're not a bother, but I can detect somethings clearly on your mind? I'm not the greatest at it, but I can lend an ear?"

The young women debated internally before turning in her chair to face the older man.

"I must meet Sugimura within the hour….but I had plans to meet a friend instead."

"I would be surprised if he was feeling well today. I found him late last night smelling of alcohol and vomit. And a nice shiny bruise on his face. Does your 'friend' have anything to do with it?"

"Not exactly."

Akechi had pinched his nose in thought as if he was contemplating something, "Do you really want to go…..to meet this friend of yours."

Haru was shocked at what the Detective was hinting at, "Are you sure, but what about my Father?"

"I'll handle your Father…just decide before I change my mind," He shook his head in denial, "I can't believe I'm doing this," Akechi muttered.

The Detective escorted the young heiress out to the carriage letting the driver know she needed to be back before sundown.

"Try to be back before sundown. I prefer not to make this a habit."

"Thank you, Detective." The young man offered a wordless wave before heading inside. He'll need to find a way around Okumura's incoming anger.

Yoshizawa Estate

The young Amamiya brother was the first to awake out of the two. He has always been an early riser, just before the sun peaked over the horizon. He looked over to the other bed, where his older brother Ren still slept. Organa had noticed the man had come in late and drenched.

He could see the hints of a smile on his brother's face. That was good, it meant no nightmares that night.

Morgana went to grab fresh clothes for today when the thought occurred to him, today was tea with Haru. What shirt would be good, this one had stains, the other had to many stitches from holes. Morgana was in a panic.

The younger Amamiya race to Ren's bed shaking him awake," Ren! I have an emergency!"

"Whaaa! I'm up, I'm up" Ren had reach for his gun but realize it was just Mona. Placing the holster on the nightstand, Ren tried to wipe the sleep out of his eyes. "What is the problem, Mona?" Ren groggily said.

"I don't have anything to wear for today!"

"What're you talking about. Shiho did laundry the other day," Ren dropped back down to his bed trying to catch a few more Z's."

"But that's not good enough."

Sighing Ren turned around in bed to face his concern brother, "Morgana…the suns not out yet, I had a late night and I'm tired. Don't worry and relax, wear something comfortable. But for now," Ren pulled the covers completely over himself covering his face. The sign of telling Morgana to leave him be for now.

"But Rennnnn!"

"Ren's not here, this is the bed talking." Giving up, he let his brother go back to sleep and look through his clothes once more. He wanted to lave a great impression. She was the daughter of one of the wealthiest men in the country. People with her status wouldn't look 2 seconds at him outside of a fancy suit.

After digging through the cleanest clothes he had, there was one salvageable long-sleeve blue button-down shirt left….it can work. The oil in his hair from last night was still there, at least it was still neat. But now he had to wait, breakfast wouldn't start for an hour. But being first awake meant being first to the baths. Hot water can be hard to come by when you're on the run. It was a luxury they would be sad to see go once they've moved on. But for now, it was Morgana's time.

Ren woke up shortly after the sunrise, catching up on sleep Morgana interrupted. It was peaceful for once, the nightmares held at bay. He's gotten better at hiding it when he sleeps, forcing his body to still when he slumbers.

Yawning, he gets up to stretch his back, the muscles easing their tightness. He sets in motion to get ready for the day.

Okumura's daughter as due here in a few hours. It was a simple tea request, but it wouldn't hurt to ask if her father had any unusual 'activities.'

Walking out of the room, Ren bumps into his blond teammate, "Sorry about that Ann, heading down to breakfast?"

"Kinda," she replied, "That idiot re-aggravated his leg from jumping last night. I was planning to just bring food back to the room."

"That's quite unfortunate, but knowing him he'll be up and running around by diner."

"Not if I have anything to say."

The elder brother escorted her to the guest's kitchen to grab his own grub. Some of the other Phantom Thieves were already awake. Morgana had finished his plate while Yusuke appeared to be on his second.

"Slow down Yusuke, you're food's not going anywhere," Ren chuckled at the artist.

"Ahh miff dina laf nih," Yusuke tried to say.

Ren moved his attention to Morgana who was enjoying a cup of coffee, courtesy of Boss. He grabbed a cup of his own as a pick me up

"Big day today eh Morgana?"

"Ugh."

"Relax. Just be you."

The brothers occupied themselves when it became 30 minutes to noon. The tea was almost done, the snacks prepared. The rainstorm last night not leaving a trace.

"It's almost time, shouldn't she be here by now?"

"Patience little brother." The two stood on the porch outside along with the butler Edgar. They only had to wait 10 minutes more before a stagecoach appeared down the road.

Edgar had kindly opened her door as the Okumura heiress had stepped out.

"Miss Okumura, welcome to the Yoshizawa estate, I'm afraid Miss Yoshizawa is busy at the moment but she sends her regards," Ren spoke up.

"Thank you for having me. Hello again Monsieur Morgana."

"H..hello."

Ren offered a slight nod to Haru, "If you'll excuse me, I' have some business to attend to. Morgana and Edgar will guide you to the gardens."

Ren gave Morgana one last look before leaving himself. He didn't have any business, he was moving to a position to better see what would happen during this tea excursion.

Morgana and Haru were lead to the patio near the gardens where tea and cakes awaited them.

"I really appreciate the invite Monsieur, I wasn't quite sure if I was able to make it today to be honest."

"Just Morgana is fine. And I'm glad."

She takes a sip of tea before continuing, "Has the wound on your head been healing well?"

Morgana reached up to the small cut he obtain from their little run-in. It looked worse than what I was. It was becoming a faint scar for now.

"Its healed, I've had worse…..that is to say I fall off my horse a lot," the younger Amamiya said trying to recover his slip up.

"Oh my. Do try to be careful." They fell into a comfortable conversation, sipping tea and eating. Morgana had never been a tea drinker, it was too sweet to him, but he was adaptable

"So what exactly do you do Morgana?" Haru had asked the young man on their second cup.

"What is it I do?" The nerves were starting to get to him again. He went to loosen his collar when something out of the corner caught his attention. Ren was hiding behind the bushes trying to mouth something to him.

"Lie," the lips movement said.

"Oh, uh I'm a traveler. We're staying at the Yoshizawa's on a break. An old family friend."

"How fascinating, I always wanted to travel myself. I wanted to take a train and see the rest of the country, maybe the coast. But Father says its too dangerous for me." She looks somberly down at the crumbs n her plate.

"Well, why can't you?"

"...I am due to be married to a politician's son. Once that happens, I'm expected to remain home with children."

"I take it that's not what you want at all."

"Absolutely NOT!" She yelled back, "Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to let my emotions go like that.

"It's okay to let loose Miss Haru." Morgana offered her a comforting smile, "Was there anything else you prefer to do?"

The Okumura heiress had to ponder for a bit. She was so used to being under her Father's thumb and following his orders, that it was refreshing to have someone ask her what SHE wanted.

"If I had the chance to travel as you have, I would love to set up small cafes along the train stations. A place for a weary visitor. Odd that my Father owns the biggest RR company and I've hardly used it."

Morgana saw Ren motion for him to follow up about her Father.

"Was your Father always in the RR business?"

"As far as I know yes. My Grandfather use to be a businessman, he took my father with him on many trips. Supposedly he was offered a job as an associate for a Rail Company but turned it down. The company wanted to raise the fare prices and cut down the workers. I guess my Father and Grandfather didn't see eye to eye about it. He was already having debt issues from a failing business but he also couldn't let those people lose their jobs either."

"I'm sorry to hear that, but it seems things are fine now. That Gala last night must've cost a fortune," Morgana said trying to lighten the mood.

"They're the same thing mostly. People of the high class come to swoon Father and offer him favors, just like the men in black suits."

That piqued his interest, "Black suit?"

Haru nodded, she wasn't sure why she was so open to him, "Some people in all black suits came one day some time ago and offer my Father something. He hadn't been the same since."

"Do you know who they are?"

"They come and go random hours of the day. Its when I notice we started getting more and more money."

"I see. " Morgana gulped down the rest of his tea, "Would you like to walk around the gardens Miss Haru, I hear the estate has some really nice flowers."

A new setting could provide more information, Ren had given a brief thumbs-up before backing into the bushes.

"I would love to."

The older brother jogged back the guest house where everyone else was in hiding. He was looking for a specific person to pass on the information to. Searching the first floor he found Mishima in one of the study rooms fiddling with a machine on the table.

"Oh, there you are Mishima….what are you working on?"

He was trying to connect some delicate wires he glanced at Ren.

"The servants were cleaning out the old wing in here, they were going to throw this out. Its a bit beat up but functional. Was someone in Miss Yoshizawa family in the war?"

Ren shook his head, "None that I know, maybe her father?"

The machine Mishima was tinkering with was a dented telegraph device. He'll be shocked if they could get electric signals out here. But ig it works, it could save sending telegrams to the post office.

"Do you need help, I can send Futuaba your way? No matter what it is, she'll find a way to get it working."

Mishima looked befuddle towards the machine, "That would be wise, or else this won't be done until the midnight hour."

Ren didn't need to look far in the guest house, a few shouts of her name had the girl running towards him.

"Why are you yelling my name so loudly, I was in the middle of something."

"Well, I need you in the middle of this. Mind giving Mishima a hand fixing this?"

The young genius examines the device very closely, rubbing her glasses on her shirt to get a clearer vision, "I can be done in 2 hours. Move Nishima."

"Its Mishima…."

The two men moved to the side to let the girl work.

"Once this gets up and working, I have something your contact up North needs to look up."

"What do you need Ren?"

"Anything about Okumura in the past few years, when his business truck gold, anyone that could've been in his way."

Mishima rubs the back of his head in thought, "If Okumura is who we thought he is, I might have to look at obituaries, random incidents, disappearances of business rivals, that sort of thing."

"The daughter seems clean based on my observations," Ren mentioned. She may have smiled but he could tell there was sadness in her eyes. He wonders how it must feel to be a caged bird.

"Do you want me to look into her intended?"

"Her intended?"

"During my recon, neighbors mention a frequent visitor was this son of a famous politician. He's supposed to be Miss Okumura's fiancee. A Sugimagi or something."

"Stick with Okumura for now, I'll look into the fiancee, we'll handle him differently."

"Will do," Mishima walks further into the room addressing the young girl still tinkering, "How's the project going Futaba?"

"You're distracting me Nishima!"

"Its…..nevermind."

Morgana had taken Haru on a tour of the gardens, telling her the many adventures while omitting their Phantom Thief activities.

"We had stayed at this local teacher's house for a while that my brother was sweet on. I had offered to grab food from the local markets only to walk in on them in the act," Morgana laughed at the memory.

"Oh, how scandalous," Haru couldn't help but giggle herself. "It's strange how the same gentlemen from earlier has a wild side."

"Do you have any siblings, Miss Haru?"

She shakes her head no, "I am Father's only child, my mother died when I was young."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"I didn't mean to make things sad. This has been a wonderful time."

"I'm glad, you're more than welcome to visit us again during our stay."

"I would love to, but…" She seems hesitant with her next words, "I don't know if I can again, my father is very strict."

That fact didn't surprise Morgana at all, "The winds are changing Miss Haru, there's nothing wrong with a little bit of rebellion."

"That sounds like something an outlaw would say, Morgana."

".….maybe."

The two look towards the horizon seeing the sun get a little lower. They had walked for a bit more.

"It is getting closer to the time I must depart, my stunt will probably force my Father to consider marriage faster. But I had a wonderful time and the tea was delicious."

"Right...you did mention marriage?"

"Sugimura, you two had confronted at the Gala." Morgana had tuck that information away.

"I see. I wish there was more time but, I can escort you back to your carriage at least," he offered. It was later in the afternoon but it would be some time to get back to her estate. No doubt to face her Father's wrath.

Helping her into her seat, the younger Amamiya offered a soft smile, "Will I still get to see you again?"

"If it's meant to be, I'm sure our paths will cross. You are a very kind man Morgana, may you be safe on your travels. Au revoir."

Okuura's Mansion

Akechi couldn't believe he did that on a whim. Especially letting her visit a friend after the breakdown in security last night. Though the ace detective has a feeling the thieves had something to do with it.

Maybe he was bored, he was wasting time down here as the SIU sent him and Sae on a "favor" per Okumura's request. All the's done are patrols and assist with smaller crimes with the local department. These petty crimes were beneath him, he had a case to solve that he was kept from.

"Where did my daughter go!" Akechi heard the angry voice of Okumura.

"She stepped out Mr. Okumura, she should be back later today," Akechi boldly told the head of the family.

Kunikazu Okumura brought his attention to the young detective.

"I order her to remain here. Her presence is required once Sugimaru arrives."

"I'm afraid she failed to tell me where she went. And while I understand your concerns over your daughter's wellbeing, inviting the son of a corrupted official might not be a good influence…..Sir."

"You have no say on how I treat my daughter! Since you've arrived you have been nothing but disrespectful," The older man claim.

"With all due respect Mr. Okumura, I've been here for over a month and still do not know why you have specifically requested me and Sae from the SIU. We deal with major incidents and crimes, not your personal bodyguard. I've been on a very important case that no one seems to want to give me answers to. Yet when I'm on the heels of a breakthrough, I'm sent to this sweatbox of a town. With that said, what is my purpose here?" Akechi was tired of being mistreated, sometime the situation requires you to be blunt.

"Do you really want to know Detective?"

"I did ask the question." The Okumura head guided him to his office, closing the door behind. The older man took a seat behind his desk.

"I specifically requested you to finish what you started a few years ago. I have a cargo train that will be departing from the location station in a week's time. This train MUST reach its destination. The strikes amongst my former workers have been slowing down this plan. But they should be taken of soon."

Akechi remembers one of his first mission for the SIU. Don't ask what's in the boxes, keep quiet, and if you see anything report it. If only he knew how much trouble they would encounter. But he survived with the faint scar on his nose and re-assigned to the crime department. Rising in ranks quickly.

"I am aware that incident Mr. Okumura, am I privy to the cargo content?"

"I'm afraid that's classified Detective. However, there is another reason you are here," Okumura had paused to pour himself some brandy sitting on the desk, taking a sip. "I am quite aware of the case you are working on, and so is your Captain. I have contacts, locations, businesses, answers you seek. You've been running in circles lately haven't you?"

"There's a catch."

Okumura let out a chuckle, "I personally don't like the current direction my "associate" is heading and it's been stifling my business for the last year or so. I will personally hand you there information along with all of their own associates. You solve your case as long as you look the other way against mine."

"I'm not surprised to know you would two time your partners just so when the dust settles your the man on top."

"You don't get to the top by being nice," he said.

"You've answered my first question, now answer another," Akechi demanded, "Where does Miss Nijima fit into this?"

"...Leverage," He swallows the last of his brandy, "Prosecutor Nijima is in a peculiar situation, so determined to prove herself she'll follow any order if there's a sign of a promotion at the end. Your Captain's words, not mine."

Akechi didn't need to ask any further. As long as Sae Nijima was following SIU tasks diligently, she was of use to them but the moment she's not, she's expendable. He can't let that happen. But he also doesn't want to take the deal either. Akechi may get the current figurehead but Okumura would walk free. All it would be is a change in the regime of whatever this countrywide operation consisted of. He would need a plan to take them all down.

"I'll do it, on one of my own conditions."

Okumura waited for the man to continue.

"Let your daughter do as she pleases, if your plans are to come to fruition, then you wouldn't need to entertain the politician's son. Wouldn't he be beneath you by that time and lack leverage for your own?"

"I can see why you moved quickly in rank," he thought for a bit. Akechi hoping he accepted the deal. It was either that or bluff his way out, "I accept."

"If you see Haru again, she still needs to act with the utmost dignity. We still have an image to keep."

With that Akechi was kicked out of the office. There was still time before Haru return, but he didn't want to deal with Sugimura yet. Walking down the second floor he knocked on the door he was familiar with the most.

"I'm busy," Sae muffled voice replied back. Akechi opens the door anyway barging ing.

"This is a bit more important. We need to talk."

A/N So by now you can probably see the alignment Akechi in regarding the Phantom Thieves character. It was also fun writing the tea scene between Haru and Mona. it was a fresh of breath air for Haru's case.

I had to do a bit of research for the telegraph device. Supposedly it can transmit messages kinda quickly in code like morse code. Typically there is a professional that runs it at the post office and then they send it out by train or other forms of transportation. Also the "contact" of Mishima had been mention prior if anyone caught it.

Thank you all for reading this story so far. See you soon, feel free to review. :)