A/N Hello All, HAPPY NEW YEAR. I'm back from my break. AND I KNOW I AM ONE DAY LATE. 100% my fault, I got caught up playing video games. I've recently been playing Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. SUCH A GREAT GAME. I had thought I was close to beating the game but apparently, I need 200%. So that was occupying my time. The outline for the next arc the Sae arc has been completed so chapter should be on time. I don't have any plans on writing a Castlevania fic lol. I've mentioned in a previous A/N I believe about two other P5 projects after this one. A side story to this one and a modern day P5 with a "twist"

So please look forward to that. I'm mostly focusing my mind on this piece because writing two pieces at the same time makes me lose focus. But without further ado. The next chapter, enjoy and feel free to leave a review.

Chapter 44

Present Day 1885

Rhythmic ticking grew louder and louder as Ren woke to the real world. His slumber, the results of a midday nap. His Father's pocket watch was what woke him up, placed near his head. The firmness of the mattress he laid on recalled the memories earlier that day.

The kiss….

The hug.

Makoto kindly "demanding" Ren take a nap on the bed after seeing bags under his eyes from the restless night.

"Did you enjoy your nap, Ren?" Makoto was next to him sitting on the edge of the bed. A book in her hands, probably one of the few books his parents keep around the house.

"How long was I out for?"

"Just a few hours or so. I told your brother to let you be till lunch."

Grabbing the pocket watch, he could read that it was 11:45 am, lunch would be called for soon.

"Thanks," he placed his pocket watch back in his vest pocket before joining her on the edge of the bed. He didn't think about it for too long before grabbing Makoto's hand in his. "This is nice."

"It is," Makoto blushes.

"I wish I wasn't so nervous about all of this, the last thing I want is to ruin this before what we have started."

"Ren, relax. You don't have to do anything but be you." She turned and pressed ever so softly to his lips he almost didn't realize she did it.

"That I can get used to," he goes for a deeper kiss only to be ruined by his younger brother barging in for the second time that day.

"Hey Ren, Makoto said you are up by now."

"Morgana….."

"Uh yes?"

"You're making me contemplate throwing you down the well. Just because this is our old house doesn't mean you can ignore doors as you please!"

Makoto tried to hide her laughter behind her hand, "Perhaps we can speak later Ren." She said leaving the two men in the room.

"Sorry, did I interrupt something?"

"Most definitely. But you had something you wanted to speak to me about earlier?"

"It was important actually, Ryuji and Yusuke found Mishima further out on patrol this morning, he was unconscious."

"Mishima's back!"

"Yes, but he's pretty badly hurt. Ryuji found him on foot, sent Yusuke back to tell yes. He's still sleeping."

Ren knew the one place in camp Mishima would be at, getting up to walk to Dr. Takemi, he hoped his informant was up and talking by now. The good news was that the man was awake and being attended to.

"Mishima!? What happen to you?" Ren said concerned.

"Sticking my nose a bit too deep," he had a coughing fit before continuing, "A group of men tried to jump me at night, they shot my horse too. But I do have something to tell you."

"Not until you've been fully examined," Takemi ordered. He had bruises on his knuckles and face. Dirt and scrapes littered his body, but he was hanging in there.

"Morgana." Red addresses.

"Yes?"

"Take a fast lap around the perimeter. Make sure we have no followers." Morgana immediately went to Mercurius to run around the ranch. Ren eyed the horizon, hands-on his revolver to see if anything came over the hill.

It took Morgana 15 minutes to make a full lap. "I didn't find anything unusual, do you want me to run again?"

"No, you take Ryuji and Yusuke to the north side and run patrol. I'll take Makoto and Akechi on this side. Ann will stay here with Boss and keep an eye out. Especially if anyone gets past us.

With orders given out, everyone was on high alert. Makoto was preparing Anat in the stable, haven't ridden her in almost a month.

"Are you up to this Makoto? Ren had asked her while he prepared Arsene.

"I can handle it," she hopped up on the mare and guided her out.

"You really think this is wise?" Akechi was on Hereward questioning the Thief's decision.

"She's a lot stronger than you think."

They rode out towards the destination. Everyone else would hide in the house until they came back. Akechi, Ren, and Makoto rode downfield keeping in close proximity. The three rode all the way to the stream not far off. Spreading out, they looked for any clues or any threats.

"Ren! I think I found something," he heard Makoto shout. She found the remains of a campfire snuff out, some pots laid nearby.

"Someone was here, they might still be," Akechi deduce. Getting off their horses they continue on foot. Ren didn't want to get too far stream in case someone doubles back.

"There's footsteps we can track," the detective points out again, "See these impressions on the ground, they lead away from the campfire."

"Question is, is he a friend or looking for us?"

"There's only one way to find out.

Ren didn't want to find trouble, but if he didn't trouble would find them," Let's see where the tracks go."

Turning the safety off his revolver, the three cautiously traveled, following the water flow. There wouldn't be many places to hide or even ambush. But they continue to follow the footsteps that lead them to the owner of the campfire.

"I think we found our person of interest." They found a dead body of a traveler, blood pooling on the ground. "Based on the wounds, looks like an animal got to him."

"Sigh, we do get the occasional wolves out here once in a while. Poor soul."

".….Wolves," Makoto said more alert.

"Relax, I said occasionally." The elder Amamiya brother stood patiently as Akechi checked the body, he was the professional after all.

"Any luck?"

"No. Looks like he was just friendly after all. I'll take care of this, you two start heading back," Akechi suggested.

"Our side is clear for now, hopefully, the others didn't run into problems." The horses were where they left them, closer by the dampen firepit. The best thing they can do now regrouped and wait for Mishima's recovery.

Mishima dragged himself to the kitchen table to debrief the news. A wet cloth pressed to his eye. Ren and Akechi sat at the table while the other thieves made room in the living room.

"So what did you find out," Ren asked.

"Nothing good, I have two orders of business, the first being this," he reaches in his jacket pocket and pulls out a folded paper.

Unfolding it, the elder brother could see it was a wanted poster.

WANTED: Leader of the notorious Phantom Thieves alive for $10,000 reward.

"What's the occasion?"

"Keep reading," Mishima said.

"Wanted for the murder of Kunikazu Okumura, the kidnapping of Haru Okumura, the murder of SIU agents, forgery, disturbing the peace, and bribery. That's quite the list, though I don't recall forgery."

"They were all over the place, SIU has placed you as a top priority. Even the female prosecutor has taken the lead on the case. They seem to want you desperately."

"Sis is on the case? We have to stop this, maybe I can talker to her." Makoto suggested to the group.

"If Miss Nijima is offering a $10,000 reward to find Ren, she's up against a wall. She'll do whatever it takes to take you down even if it's false charges. The captain must have something on her," The detective ponders over his former coworker. "If we make our way to HQ I might be able to set a moment aside for you two or talk to her myself."

"Sadly, that's not going to be possible anymore Detective. I also found this,: Mishima takes out another paper and handed it to Akechi.

"Wanted: Goro Akechi for aiding and abetting a wanted criminal, espionage against the SIU agency….." the man in question crumple up the sheet in frustration. "This is the Captain's doing, he'll turn them against me."

"So we can't go through the front door, are there any other options?" This time Yusuke speaking.

"SIU building is highly secured, our only breach was an assassination against Koboyokawa. An inside job no doubt.

"What if we try another explosion?"

"And have the whole building chase after us? I don't think that's a good idea Ryuji," Makoto scolded the blonde.

"We'll be shot down like dogs blondie before being tied up and paraded around the street for the people to see.."

The group was discussing how to get rid of this critical problem off their backs. The few times Ren remembers meeting Makoto's older sister, she seems sturdy, unafraid to back down from a challenge. And according to his conversation with Akechi, she has her reputation at stake. If she was this desperate to capture him alive, she would want answers, names, to further pad her resume. If Ren is who she wants, then that's what they'll get. Give them the unexpected.

"Maybe I can send her a letter to meet me and—"

"I like Ryuji's plan," Ren butted into the discussion. All eyes look at him with varying surprise.

"You're joking right." the detective giving him a side glare.

"I don't think we need an explosion, but we need to cause a distraction. Something that would alert large amounts of SIU agents to our vicinity nearby their HQ. If we can get enough of them outside, some of us could sneak in and find her and take her outside to a safe location. But that is plan A."

"Captain won't let you escape in time."

"Plan B would allow the group to escape…if someone draws the fire away."

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

"Makoto…"

"No, you'll be turning yourself in. There's gotta be a better way to execute plan A."

"Getting captured on purpose will allow me to speak to your sister on her own terms, without any peer pressure from her superiors. She still doesn't know you're with us. I have no doubt in my mind if your association gets out, she would compromise everything to keep you from the noose."

"But if we do go with this plan, how will we get my brother out?"

"SIU has a particular interrogation tactic," Akechi explains, "We get you 'comfortable' if you don't start singing right away. They'll have you sit in your cell till the next day and try again to get information. If one still refuses, the third day is spent in absolute solitude with no meals. Some prisoners decided to end things themselves, others would sit in complete silence. But if nothing of value is given in the morning of the next day, the hangman meets you at noon."

"So where does that lead me?"

"If we go through with this, the 3rd day would be our best shot, there are less security and interactions. Our important prisoners are kept in the cells underground. However, there's a series of cells just slightly above ground we can crawl to. This is a crazy plan, but it might just work Amamiya."

"We're just gonna let him get torture just to speak to my sister."

"If he's shown willingness to provide information, Ren shouldn't be attacked. At the same time, we can work on trying to extract your sister safely. If the Captain of the SIU was willing to put a hit on one of their own agents, she still wouldn't be safe if Ren escapes. It seems his point is to convince Miss Nijima the same way I was, through words. Isn't that correct?"

"Yes. I know this isn't going to be easy, but nothing ever is. Do you believe she will make the right judgment call Makoto?"

Makoto felt unsure of this plan. Her sister was desperate and would do anything. There was so much Sae didn't know about her current life. If they did talk would she listen? Would she remember their Father's words?

"I have many concerns over this, but if Ren can get a moment to speak with her and convince to join us, I approve. But we need to solidify this idea, we can't second guess this."

"In a moment Miss Makoto," Mishima had politely interrupted her, "I have a second order of business you all still need to know."

"You've had a breakthrough with Lion's Crest?"

"Yes, after poking around, we weren't far off with our guesses. It is a society but that's not its name but a location. What the location is and where's located I do not know I'm afraid. But many people seem to be involved in the group, Okumura included. I can confirm, he was the main financial backing of this establishment. That was all I could find before I started being followed." Mishima concluded his report. He'll admit he was in a hairy situation and almost didn't make it back in time.

"Thank you, Mishima. We'll have to search once the first order concludes." Ren begins to address the rest of the group, "We know how the interrogation will proceed but we need to find a plan that will keep the guards chasing us and away from SIU HQ for a certain period of time."

"The HQ is located in a city? Are there any notable banks nearby?" Yusuke brought up.

"We will also have to find a pathway to escape on foot, there's so much traffic in a city, we can't ride full speed on a horse." Ann pointed out as well.

"I'm telling you guys we should bring dynamite and cause an explosion, that would delay them for a while."

"We already said no Ryuji, now let us think"

"I still like my explosion plan," the blonde gunslinger mumble under his breath.

The Detective was plotting deeply. Visualizing the landscape around the building, when something popped up in his head. It was within walking distance of HQ, and if broken into would give chase to pull guards away from one building to the next.

"What about a Casino? SIU keeps a close eye on it since hundreds of thousands of cash is held there. It's almost as important as the local bank."

Ren could see where Akechi was going with this, "Robbing a Casino in the heart of a city, the guards will come running. I do love a good cat and mouse game, but where can the others escape to?

"The city has a well-built sewer system, the casino has a hidden alleyway that blocks the view from the main street. The manhole cover will allow us to move underneath making the escape. The system covers everywhere, even the SIU building. We'll be able to crawl to those block of cells I mentioned earlier."

"So we go in rob the place, then wait till the guards show up to make our escape through a shit pipe?" Morgana said.

"That's the plan."

"We still have our clothes pack from the Gala, we can wear those overtop our clothes to get in."

"Ann's right, if we want to pretend to be high rollers, we got to look the part. Your suit should still be packed as well, brother."

"Switching to a new vest would be nice."

"You sure you kids want to do this, you're walking into the lion's den." Boss's concerns were reasonable. A small army would be heading their way or at least after Ren. But by association, SIU would seek to take down any problem they deem a threat.

"Whether it's the lion's den or the pits of hell, I wouldn't be a good outlaw if I didn't follow my own code. Kill only those that need to be killed, steal only what needs to be stolen, protect those that need protecting, That is the Phantom Thief."

"Makoto is a part of this family, and if we need to convince her stubborn sister to join us, then so be it."

"Thank you…Morgana."

"You all are a crazy bunch," Akechi stated almost impressed.

"You can call us outlaws or rejects, but never take us for granted," everyone agreeing with Ryuji for once. They've all come a long way from different backgrounds and yet manage to find a home right here.

"It seems everyone's mind is made up," Ren looked around at the faces, stopping at the one who holds his affection. She looked solemn the entire time. "Makoto….I promise we'll save your sister."

"But at what cost?"

"I didn't spend the last 5 years sniffing daisy and lazying about. I'm a survivor I can handle this."

"Whoever you plan to have as the forward team I'm one of them, you can't change my mind."

"I didn't expect you to," Ren replied back.

"It's going to take a few days to get there, the sooner we leave the better," Akechi told everyone.

"Boss, Futaba, Shiho, Shinya, and Mishima will stay here. Yusuke and Haru will accompany Dr. Takemi in the rearguard outside the city. We'll set up camp there. Bring extra cloth, it going to get cold."

"You're bringing me along Ren?" Haru said surprised.

Nodding back, he was certain in his decision, "Morgana tells me you gotten pretty good with a rifle, we'll have you in the back though just in case. Everyone else, make sure you get a good night's rest. We leave at dawn."

Prosecutor Sae Nijima was at the boiling point. Everywhere she looked, it was a dead end. She had posters plastered everywhere hoping someone would come forward with potent information. All they got are false calls and people trying to turn in an annoying neighbor. None of them looked like the Phantom Thief leader.

Too old, too small, too big, not the right hair. She was tired of these people wasting her precious time. She almost reached the point of finding a look-a-like to try and pass him off. But that wouldn't be right. She would be condemning an innocent man.

What would her father do? If he were still alive, would he try to do the right thing?

Sae wanted this to wrap up so she can be home for the holidays with Makoto. Busy working for SIU for months and poor Makoto was still missing. Or if Akechi was telling the truth she was with those that will not harm her.

Makoto was one matter, Akechi was a whole other problem. If Captain was right and Akechi was double-crossing them could his source be the Phantom Thieves themselves? If that was where her sister was, she could be executed as well.

Sae couldn't allow that. How has all of this turn into a mess?

A knock on her door stops her thoughts as a messenger told her the Captain wanted to see her. Making herself calm and presentable once more, she heads to the office.

"You wish to see Captain?" He was at his desk sifting through papers this time.

"Yes, I wanted to ask how far your progress on tracking down the Phantom Thieves was going."

"Work….is a little slow but we should have a breakthrough soon, Sir."

"Mmm, maybe this task was too much for you."

"Sir, I ASSURE you the situation is under control. They will face justice."

"That's good to hear Miss Nijima. I was afraid I would've had to call in Loki as the enforcer."

"But he is mute Sir, how would he interrogate?"

"You don't always have to use words when there are fists. That is all, please leave my office."

Obeying the command, Sae leaves as asked, closing the door behind her.

"If that woman doesn't find them, it's my ass on the line."

Present Day, Amamiya House 1885

Dawn arose with the break of sunlight over the horizon. Ren fully packing Arsene up, he had just tied his bedroll to the back of his saddle. Extra ammo was pack in his bag now resting across his shoulder. His black duster coat returned keeping him warm as Makoto choose to make a scarf out of the fabric bought the other day.

Yusuke was riding beside Dr. Takemi, a small cape upon his shoulders to keep him from the cold. Morgana was hopping on Mercurius and will take the end of the line. Ryuji had made sure to bundle up Ann before helping her on Carmen. Haru was waiting patiently next to the good doctor as they were almost ready to set off.

"Is everyone here Amamiya?"

"We're all ready to go and packed. The sun's up so we're wasting—"

"Ren hold on!" Futaba had run up to him clutching an item in her hand, "I worked on this all night, I wanted to give it to you before you left." She hands him a pair of glasses.

"Glasses?"

"Not just any frame of glasses, remove the earpiece." He did as he was told and the earpiece pulled away to reveal a small knife.

"In case you need to cut rope without being notice."

"You got anything for me Futaba!" Morgana shouted at the ginger-haired girl

"No!" she sticks her tongue out at the younger sibling before taking two steps. Changing her mind, she quickly turns to envelop Ren in a big hug before running back to the house.

"Don't die on me okay!"

"I promise Futaba."

Now all ready to head out, Ren clicked his mare into motion with the others following behind. It would be a while before they reach their destination, in between them lies ruthless outlaws, hunters, the harsh environment with the bite of winter sets in. They might come across snow depending on how much further north they would get.

Ren didn't want to admit it in from of the group, but he was worried and nervous about the plan. So many things could go wrong, a factor they overlooked, the personnel they weren't expecting.

But one glance over to Makoto, and all the negative thoughts went away. He would do this for her, he loved her, and he be damned if his problems became her misery.

The oath Ren gave yesterday would hold true as they wade to tough challenges.

Sae Nijima will be saved.

A/N Sae has a ticking clock on her that's ticking not in her favor. I also found it really hard to figure out the casino tie in but I'm think if this takes place in a fictional "place" (lets be real its just japan USA, I'm just vague with fake name that sound like real place here) but SIU HQ technically would be like northeastern which oddly has some notable old casinos in real life. But this is fiction so I can make up whatever XD. I also did double check, sewer were a thing during this time. How effective they were...eh not well.

I think another thing to note which I think someone brought up from last chapter, Hereward is a reference to P5 royal. I'm kinda mad Ren's Tier 3 is behind a paid wall but I digress. I'm excited for this Sae arc I hope you all are too.

Thank you for reading, and feel free to review.