A/N NEW A/N UPDATE: MY BAD MY BAD! I thought I had uploaded this almost 8 hours ago from the time of the actual posting. On AO3, I realize I never actually clicked the "publish" button it was still sitting there in draft mode. I went to take a few hours nap and then would check on it and normally I would get a few notifications by then so I checked in and saw the chapter ticket never actually went up. And I went...shit. So I'm just going to actually post it at whatever hour this is.

Welcome back to another new chapter on time for once XD. I'm glad so many of you enjoyed last week chapter and with Ren and Makoto. Do you like fluff, do you like progression, well you're going to like fluffgression. Cause that's essentially what this chapter is. It took a few rewrites but I'm glad with how it turn out. Thank you all for reading and feel free to leave a review or game suggestion.

Chapter 42

Present Day, 1885

Breakfast went down easier this morning than the past week. A roll of bread and an apple settle fine as the news of their wounded woke up again. After a small nap from her initial sleep, she woke up again this morning tended by Dr. Takemi.

Ren sat on a rock a few feet away from the carriage, allowing the two women privacy for an exam.

He was startled when he saw her awake last night. Shaking his head in case this was a dream. Even after sleeping a week, she still looks tired. The hug he gave her weakly returned but it was returned.

Staring at his reflection on his hunting knife while he waits, he could see the beginnings of a 5 o'clock shadow on his face. He had already shaved clean when they left the estate, only to grow back already.

Sighing to himself, maybe he'll fix it when they reach their destination.

"Ren! If you're still out there you can come back now," he heard Takemi's voice through the air.

Stashing his knife, he walked back to the medical wagon. Dr. Takemi was outside the back of the carriage helping ease Makoto out slowly.

"Slowly, no need to rush," She ordered.

Stumbling, Ren reached out to catch her, keeping her steady and straight.

"I got you, I guess you're having a wobbly welcome back." Arms around her waist, her hands on his chest, she needed all the support to stand up.

"Sorry, my legs feel a bit funny" Makoto mentions.

"You sleep for quite a while, it will take a few days to get your strength back. I recommend taking small walks to get the motion down. A hot bath wouldn't hurt muscles either," Takemi suggested.

"Why don't we try walking around the carriage for now," the elder brother said.

Ren keeps a hold of her the entire time while Makoto took baby step to shake off the tingling sensation in her legs. He hopes her injury didn't improve her hearing as it felt like the beating of his heart was as loud as a shotgun blast.

"How do you feel now?" After their short walk.

"My balance is off and my head hurts. And I'm really hungry. I think I can eat a whole deer."

"I'm fresh out of deer, but I'll see what Doc recommends. Relax, for now, we'll be departing soon anyhow," Lifting her in his arms, she lets out a surprise sound as he gently sits her on the ledge, "She's all yours Dr. Takemi."

Tents pack, horses feed, campfire snuffed, they were on their way for the final leg of their journey. Akechi was still using Anat for travel as Makoto was too week to ride again. Futaba rode shotgun next to her Father in one carriage as Shiho, Haru and Shinya rode in the back.

The young boy was trying to entertain the sad heiress with some card games. Morgana on Mercurius brought up the rear with Yusuke. Ryuji and Ann would travel the middle, leaving Ren and Akechi the front.

The last few miles had very little in civilization, no rail tracks, no major roads, just the green lushes fields, and the sky. On a small hill in the distance was a ranch house and a small stable nearby. The fences that surrounded it were broken in some places, some due to weather and tear. But it was holding.

"Is this the place," the Detective asked?

".…yeah. Its been a long, long, time since I've seen it. It looks like it hasn't aged a day. Though the inside will be different."

"You've been here before?"

Nodding, he feels a sense of nostalgia in his chest, "This is my home, my childhood home. Morgana might still be small enough to fit into his old bed," Ren jokes.

"I heard that!" the younger Amamiya brother yells from the back, causing the Caravan to chuckle.

Upon closer inspection, the house could use a pickup. The door was slightly off the hinge, the roof had a hole or two where rain could get in. But no matter how run-down, he still held many memories growing up. Morgana's first steps on this porch, afternoon naps in the breeze while Morgana the Cat laid in his lap.

"Alright, let's unpack, wounded, women, and children's get the rooms. Everyone else, pitch a tent or find room in the stable," Ren gave out the orders. Ann was sticking with Ryuji in their shared tent while Takemi stays in her carriage. Shiho, Makoto, Shinya, Futaba, and Haru would be in the house. Due to Makoto's injured status, the young woman would have the master room to herself. The other 4 were sleeping in the brother's old room. The beds were built for them to grow into, Ren's father once mention. Big enough for two people per bed.

Tents were going up in front of the house, dust was being removed from the inside. The elder Amamiya brother took a tour inside, surprise to find the house still intact. Even after all this time, it wasn't ransacked or appear anything of value was stolen upon first glance. The food left behind had gone old. A few jars and cans remained in the pantry they could possibly use.

The fireplace would need to be clean and dry logs thrown in, it was colder where they are.

Buckets were placed where the holes in the roof laid, a temporary job until something could be done. But the main thing Ren cared about the land was if the Well behind the house dried up or not. The stone circle pit still had a rope and a bucket attached. Pulling up the bucket, the sound of swooshing could be heard in the bucket indicating water flowed under.

"Excellent."

They would make do in preparations as fall sets in and the chill arrive, even midday there was a slight cold breeze that made him shiver.

Being the gentlemen he is, he let Makoto keep his black duster jacket while she was recovering. Not for a lack of her trying to give it back.

"Ren, please take your coat, I saw you shiver twice."

"Then you'll be the one without a coat. I have a vest over my shirt, I'll be okay for now. Sit tight, I'll have a fire going soon."

The gang had been cleaning the ranch house all day and into the night. The sheets beat of dust and air out, the remaining food supplies counted and cooking over a campfire.

As promised, Ren had a fire in the house going with kindle wood found in the stable. A warmth the women and children's appreciated.

Makoto had fallen asleep during dinner on the rocking chair, in front of the fire. Shiho was helping Shinya with his lessons in the bedroom. Futaba on the other side of the room fiddling with something odd again. Haru was sitting in the living room, listening to the crackles of the fireplace in thought.

"Was there anything you all need before things wind down?"

"Turning, Haru sees Ren by the door, sleeves rolled up, his forearm that's still stained in leftover soot.

"We should be okay for now. Please tell Boss the food was delicious," Haru added. She offered Ren a smile but he notices it didn't reach her eyes.

"Penny for your thought?"

The Okumura heiress pause before looking back at him, "Everything feels like a dream. That one day, I'll wake up and be back in my old bed."

"I'm really sorry about what happen with your Father Miss Haru. Our intentions were never meant to bring him harm to him or you."

"I have to come to terms that…..Father didn't surround himself with people thinking of his best interest in mind."

"I swear, we'll get to the bottom of this. We'll find your Father's killer and make sure he meets proper justice."

"Thank you Mr. Ren. If….its not too much trouble, may I join you on this quest?" She asked.

"You know how to shoot a gun?"

"No."

"Tie rope?"

"...no."

"Have you handle explosives?"

".…"

"If you don't know your way around a gunfight, I can't let you join the forward party. You would have to remain with the civilian side, under Boss's direction."

"Please I want to help in whatever way I can," she pleaded.

"I'm sorry Miss Haru, but I cannot put you in that type of danger, Akechi and Morgana would kill me."

"Can you teach me how to shoot then?"

"You want me to teach you?"

"I must be taught something I don't know to learn it, Mr. Ren."

"You're completely serious…"

"Very. I refuse to sit by idly any longer."

Ren sighs as he shakes his head, "If that is your decision, and you're sticking by it, arguing with you will just delay the inevitable. Morgana has more free time with me, he explains things better when he comes to teaching. You two can start first thing in the morning."

"Thank you for your understanding! I will let Morgana know of tomorrow's plans." Haru gets up and leaves the house in search of the younger brother's tent. This leaves just Ren and Makoto alone in the living room. The brown hair young woman stirring awake in her chair.

"Oh, sorry Makoto. Did the conversation wake you?"

"Mmm no, I mostly was resting lightly. I only heard brief bits."

"I'm surprised you're still tired after all the sleeping you did."

"I just need to get my strength back. She sits further up in the chair, his coat acting as a blanket.

"Walk some more every day, eat and you'll regain your strength back in no time. I could really use you other there again."

"Makoto couldn't help but chuckle, "Of course you do. When Mona's not with you, you leave your back wide open. Very careless Ren."

"I leave it open because I know you'll have my back in a fight."

"I'll always have your back, Ren."

He stumbles over his next words, she was looking at him with gentle eyes and a smile. Did she always look at him like that? Or was he just now seeing the finer details.

"I appreciate that. You know….the other week I was really worried when you hit your head Makoto. And when you didn't wake for a few days….I got scared."

"I never meant to scare you like that."

"I know, but you're awake now and that's what matters."

"Doctor Takemi said you were by my side every day," she says unable to keep the reddening of her cheeks at bay, "And that you look like someone kicked your dog."

"Takemi I swear I'll…." He grumbled under his breath.

"So what did I miss exactly?" Makoto asked. It was later in the evening but she was feeling wide awake.

"Where do I even start?"

"Around where I blacked out would help."

"Well… after we passed you to Ryuji, Akechi and I chased down Okumura. But someone got to him first. We think the killer might be the same one Ann and Yusuke just missed. Mostly wears a black cloak. We traveled North for about a week for a new base of operation. Dr. Takemi feed you some odd concoction to quell your body's hunger while you slept. And we found a card that has a lion's crest on it correlating to Okumura's final words." The young woman took in the information given to her. Okumura's death was the biggest surprise to her when she woke, but in his dying moments, he gave them a clue they had to decipher.

"I see, and the Detective?"

"We agree to a truce with Akechi. He will be staying with us for a little while."

"I guess there was a lot I missed."

"Perhaps, but as you said, you'll get your strength back soon." The two sat in silence, no further words needed to be said. This was the peace Ren miss last week. A calming presence that erased the other noises.

"It's getting pretty late Makoto, it would be better to move you to the bed instead of the chair. It won't do well for your back. Can you stand?"

"Nodding, she got enough life in her legs to stand on her own but leaned on Ren to help her walk. They didn't have to go far, it was to his parent's old room gently placing her on the near side of the bed.

"Are you sure you'll be fine without your coat, you're sleeping outside after all," She tried to plead her case again.

"The coat will keep you warm more than me, besides I've survived in worse weather."

"If you won't take the coat, then….would you like to um…share. This is your house in name."

Ren couldn't believe she asked him that with a straight face. On one hand, he immediately wishes to say yes. On the other was an unmarried woman, he wasn't in a relationship with asking to share a bed with him. It would be improper. And yet he's thrown "inappropriate" and "gentlemen rules" out the window when bedding prior women.

But she wasn't asking him to bed her, she merely asked him to stay warm. Akechi was still using his bedroll outside.

"Ren are you okay?"

"Sorry, I'm fine. You caught me by surprise is all." What a lovesick fool Ren Amamiya was. "But are you comfortable about it?"

"I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't," she told him., the blush never leaving her face the entire time. She would admit what she was asking was bold of her giving their statuses.

Rubbing his eyes, he nods back to her, "Just for tonight though. It wouldn't be fair to the others."

"Oh…okay. I guess I will take this side then," patting the side she was already sitting on.

Ren moved to the other side of the bed, kicking off his shoes and socks. His velvet vest unbuttons and folded neatly on the dresser. The long sleeve shirt he wore underneath was made from good fabric that did keep him warm outside mostly.

He could feel her shifting on her end, laying down into a comfortable position but not sleeping. The very least he could do was sleep on top of the covers. Laying straight on his back, the old wooden ceiling greeted him.

Silence greeted him, the gentle sounds of their breathing, the faint ticking of his pocket watch. The only light emitted under the door was from the fireplace.

Ren felt himself near the mattress edge, allowing as much space as possible to Makoto's side, though it wasn't needed. It would have to do.

"Hey Ren?" she whispered.

"Yes?"

"Do you ever have dreams anymore, in your sleep I mean?"

Turning his head, he could see the faint outline of her face in the dark, "Not as much as I use to. If I do dream, I don't remember it when I wake up. What's wrong?"

"It's just, I had a dream about my dad when I was hurt," She turns to lay on her back now, "I hadn't dreamt about him since he died. I don't even know if the dream was a memory or I thought it up."

"What did he say?"

".….For me and sis to stay strong. Believing people should worry about tomorrow's instead of yesterday's," she explains.

"Interesting."

"What? Does it sound odd?"

"No, no that wasn't it. I was just remembering my mother believes our dreams were ways our loved ones could talk to us when they pass on."

"So you think it was my real father?"

"That's up to your own interpretation Makoto."

"I like to think so. Helping me like he uses to."

"I don't think he'll like your associations with outlaws," Ren joked.

She turns on her side to face him, "You won't be an outlaw forever."

"When I retire, I'm coming right back here and sleeping at the base of the tree outside. Cities are too noisy and busy. The south is way to hot with too many bugs. Thankfully we sleep inside not out at the estate."

They shared a laugh over his complaints.

Coming back down, he thinks about a future that may not even happen, "I'll be lucky if I get to retire. The things I've done would have men chasing me for the rest of my life. Your association with me will have them chasing you too."

"We can't hide forever Ren," Makoto mentions sorrowfully.

"I know," Rolling onto his back, he closes his eyes, "It's late, we should sleep."

Ren Amamiya always had trouble sleeping through the whole night. He had a habit of waking up periodically unless he was too hurt or tired. Waking up this particular morning was a little different. The first noise he heard was the birds singing in the tree outside. The second was the soft sounds of breathing under his nose.

He felt heavier this morning as well. Cracking one eye open, he sees a tuft of brown hair in his face. An arm wrapped around his torso loosely, legs entangled with his own. And he was more center in the bed than he remembered.

Makoto was in his arms sound asleep still as he ponders at his current situation. Ren didn't want to move honestly. Ever since he recognizes the emotions he was going through, it felt like a veil was removed from his eyes. He was noticing things he never did before, physical details that caught his eye. How soft she was, how her hair shined a little when the sun kisses it.

He could afford to sleep in a little.

Ren woke up again to the sound of knocking, "Hey Makoto, sorry to bother you but have you seen my brother?"

Morgana startles Makoto awake, also not realizing the late morning. She was still in Ren's arms, the man looking groggy himself.

"Hang on Mona, I'm coming out," he then whispers to Makoto, "Stay here, I'll get Takemi while I deal with him." Hastily throwing on his socks and shoes, Ren opens and closes the door quickly behind.

"You needed me, Morgana?"

"Well yeah…..why were you in Makoto's room?"

"I woke up early and visit, see how she felt today," he lies.

"But I didn't see you go into your tent last night?"

"I….patrolled a little then sleep long after everyone else was sleeping. Now, what did you need me for?"

"Oh! Ryuji was looking for you for a hunting party with Yusuke. We're low on food. And Dr. Takemi was also looking for you. Also, breakfast is almost gone."

"Thanks. Did you speak with Miss Haru? She was going to ask you about training last night."

His younger brother looks away for a moment as if he was embarrassed, "Yeah, I showed her the repeater….she's a natural. A bit scary really."

"I guess I should be careful judging books from now on. The daylight's burning, I should find Ryuji and Doc." Bidding Morgana a farewell in search of their healer. He planned to look for her first.

Surprisingly she wasn't in her wagon but around the campfire eating the remnants of the breakfast.

"You were looking for me?" Addressing her. Putting her finish plate down, she motions him towards her carriage.

"Yes, I need you to grab some buckets and extra hands and go to the well, we need to draw a bath for our patient. A heated bath is preferable."

"A heated bath?'

"I have some special salts I can apply to the water for Makoto. It will help her muscles. I would've grabbed the artist or the blonde but they were preoccupied."

"Akechi's wouldn't be busy, why didn't you ask him?"

"Does he look like he'll talk to anyone outside of you or Okumura? If he is free, ask him yourself, simple as that. Now move it, I like to get this done before lunch."

For someone that was the group leader, he sure felt bossed around this particular morning. Marching over to said Detective, Ren grabbed his attention.

"You have any plans for the next hour?"

"No, why?"

"I need your help with a bath."

".….I'm not drawing you a bath!?"

"No, it's not for me its for Makoto. Doctor's orders."

Closing his notebook he stands up, "You should've started off with that Amamiya."

"Ren, and if I was going to ask anyone to draw me a bath, you wouldn't be on the list."

"I feel so honored."

"Stop being a wiseass and follow me."

They would have to carry the buckets from the well to the house. His parents did have a side room that contains a tub with a small fire pit underneath it. For the days when it was cold and, hot baths sounded nice.

The length to carry had tired his arms out after a few trips with Akechi. Filling the bath slowly did take the full hour.

"So, where did you actually go last night. Not that I don't mind have the tent to myself, but we don't need you catching a cold at this time sleeping on the ground."

They had poured the last of the water in the tub when Akechi asked Ren.

"I wandered around the premise a little, then sleep once everyone went to sleep. You probably didn't hear me come in and leaving," the lies smoothing rolled out his mouth, all while attempting to get the fire under the tub started.

"You're going to lie to me after I've caught you in lies before? I thought you were smarter than that?"

Ren was thankful Makoto wasn't in the room next door or else this conversation would be awkward, "What parts you think are the lie?"

"All of it," Akechi sighs inwardly. "What you do with your non-criminal activities are none of my business. But it is her sister's business. Don't do anything foolish. I'll be outside if you need anything else." Leaving with a warning.

The bath was drawn and heated around lunchtime. Using the scraps from breakfast, it would be a small lunch for everyone. With all of his previous requests done, Ryuji, Yusuke, and himself would need to hunt if they wanted to eat something for dinner. There was plenty of game still in the area they could gather from deer, rabbit, elk amongst a few. Ren's stomach growling at the thought of food. He missed breakfast and lunch barely satisfied him. But the faster they moved the faster dinner would come.

Makoto Nijima couldn't recall the last time hot bath ease the muscles in her leg and back like this. The baths at the estate were nice to clean off the dirt and grime. But, whatever Dr. Takemi put in made her want to fall asleep right here and now.

It was easier getting feeling back in her legs as the day went on. The tingling sensation would come and go during the night, but as she ate and move it began to fade away. The cut on her head had closed but still had a reddish hue around the skin that would become a scar in time.

Leaning her head back over the edge of the tub, she thought back to this morning. She really was worried about letting him sleep in the cold. She remembers he mentions his own parents dying of sickness one after the other. Ren was also stubborn in not taking his coat back the same one he covered her with. But she was also able to understand why, Takemi had changed her into her only spare clothes, a thin blouse, and pants. After all the fussing, Makoto did find the jacket very warm.

Makoto was inwardly surprise he took her offer, she firmly believe he would've turned it down. But he stays last night and they talked. She always fancies their conversations. He didn't talk down to her but treated her like an equal on and off the field. Ren took her thoughts and emotions to heart whenever they talked. It made her feel useful.

She thought about the feeling of waking up in his arms this morning, the warmth, the motion of his firm chest moving slowly under her cheek. The steady pace of his fighting heart and strong arms around her. Makoto went to bed with both of them sleeping, backs facing one another. But somehow during the night, they inch towards each other, like a force.

Makoto couldn't tell if the blush staining her face was from her thoughts or the stream in the room. She found Ren attractive since the first time they meet. But through his kindness and respect, she soon felt more as time pass between them. She wanted to help him reach his goal, to help others as her father would. Maybe even see him live a life after all this…

"Pull yourself together Makoto," the young women mutter to herself. It was a brief image in her mind, just the thought, of sitting with him under that tree he mentions. Holding hands as they rested in the summer breeze. How wonderful it would be. But they have to get past today. She has to get stronger, Makoto promises she has his back. A promise she intends to keep.

Ren was tired. He had done errands all day, lifting and carrying buckets and dead animals. Once the food was in his stomach he was planning to sleep. But where?

It shouldn't even be a where, he had a tent he could share either with the Detective or harass his brother for the night. But he didn't have to sleep in a tent. That invisible offer still stood even after he told her one night only.

"Supper is ready everybody," Boss announced interrupting his thoughts. He was sitting on a small rock just outside the main gathering of the campfire. Trying to gather his remaining strength to get up for food.

A bowl of stew was placed in front of him, held out by Detective Goro Akechi, "Here take it, and sit back down we need to talk."

"You want to talk out here?"

"I rather the others don't eavesdrop," he blows on his own bowl of food before taking a bite.

"Then what did you want to talk about?" Ren takes a spoonful himself.

"I've been doing a lot of reminiscing since I've arrived. About who this black cloak is and Miss Nijima. I think she may be a target of his."

"What brought you to that conclusion?"

"She was also there in Okumura's mansion. Whomsoever behind this society would want to keep anyone 'outside' it quiet. I'm sure her life will continue to be spared if she follows Captain's orders….but the moment she questions them, she's in danger. I know you have your eyes on the prize, but I suggest we detour the current plan to help Miss Nijima. At least for Makoto's sake."

"And that's all? I'm sensing some missing information."

"Look! I don't have many people I personally trust, in fact, I can count them on one hand. Sae can be stubborn but, I trust her and owe her…..sometimes I even consider her a…"

"A friend?"

"Yes, she's a friend, I don't have a lot of friends either alright," Akechi admitted.

"And I'm not a friend?" Ren pretended to be hurt.

"Right now, you're a pain in the ass." Akechi could also count on one hand the number of times he's been embarrassed. He had coworkers, associates, acquaintances, and bosses, but rarely friends.

"So you want a group of outlaws to kidnap one of the country's top prosecutors over friendship?"

"When you phrase it like that, it sounds stupid. Think of it as saving your future sister-in-law." Akechi smirked.

Ren choked on his food at the title, "It's not like that!"

"And you burning holes in the back of my head while I danced with Makoto isn't like that either? I'm a bit insulted you think so little of my deduction skills," Akechi pauses as he finishes his bowl, "So have you told her?"

Giving up, Ren sighs, "No, I don't know where to begin."

"Maybe talk to the one in a relationship, Ryuji was it?"

"You're not offering advice?"

"I have less experience dealing with relationships than you. You don't want my advice."

It started as a chuckle until the two laughs at one another, releasing prior tension in the air. But Akechi did bring up a point regarding Makoto's sister. She was in danger, and they would need to do something about it. Before it was too late….

A/N And the Sae arc officially kicks off. Writing the bedroom scene was so fun. The alternate version would've actually had Ren deny her offer and then he would've been outtakes with Akechi and Ren being stuck to share a tent together. But I wanted to have more time for Ren and Makoto to realize what they have but not actually say. I know yall are waiting for them to say it to one another. Its coming I assure you XD

As you probably guess Akechi in his is a bit different from his game counterpart. But I have been dropping hints on who Dark Cloak could be. Hope you all enjoy the chapter.

Feel free to leave a review. Stay safe.