A/N Hello everyone. Yes I'm late again with the chapter. Just a lot of stuff with work, life, family sorta caught up so I didn't have the chance to type up the chapter (all my chapters are handwritten and then I go to type it up in the event of something happening with the file or pc my work isn't loss. Also handwriting is just therapeutic to me.)

But we're past the 50 chapter plateau mark WHOHOO and delving into the Shido arc. This chapter was such a pleasure to write. I hope you all enjoy.

Feel free to review

Chapter 51

Night wore on the later it got into the evening. A wisp of cold fog was coming from Ren's nose as he breaths in and out. The noise from outside was still there but not as prominent. The guards were still searching for intruders, either them or the others.

Makoto next to him had her hands cup to her mouth blowing hot air to keep her glove-less hands warm.

"Give me your hands," Ren instructed. He holds them between his red riding gloves rubbing heat into them, "The last thing we need is for you to get frostbite."

Makoto wasn't as bundle up as Ren had been, relying on walking around to keep her body heat up. But now stuck in a dark cold office waiting, the shivering returned.

"Sorry, I didn't think the temperature drop this bad."

"We're by the water, it tends to be cooler when the water breeze comes in. But I'm worried about your shivering, probably should've checked with Maruki if he had extra coats lying around.

"I should be fine, once we start moving."

"I know but in the meantime," he grabs her and scoots her over his lap, wrapping his arms around her.

"R-Ren!?"

"Just sharing body heat to keep warm. Only until the guards are gone," he explained. Her hair by his face, her back pressed against his chest. Wrapped arms around her pulled her ever closer. Ren was being truthful about the need to share body heat, but this had its perks.

It felt like an hour went by before Makoto spoke up, "It's quiet, I don't hear any whistling."

"You're right." The elder Amamiya admitted once he checks his hearing. Ren had been resting his head on her shoulders, absorbing her warmth as she his. "As much as I would like for this to continue, we still have a mission to finish."

The two lovers untangled from one another and got their bearings. Ren peaked out the window checking both ways before climbing out. "All clear." Lowering themselves down on the ladder, the Phantom leader checks both sides again given another all clear.

"Let's make our way back to the large ship." They move to their initial spot noticing not as many bodies patrolling this time, making sneaking easier. Ducking behind a set of crates, they could see the law enforcement guarding the ship decreased significantly. Some were on the ship itself patrolling while the entryway to the docks dropped from a dozen to four.

Upon closer inspection they could tell the largest ship was made of finer materials like iron bolted together. The others in the harbor were wooden and aged. The 3 tier ship dimmed its lights at the docks with the latest in electricity.

"Let's get a closer look, I'll take these two, you grab the others," He instructed. Ren creeps his way to the first guard who had his back to him. Carefully timing it, he grabbed the guard wrapping one hand around his mouth and the other around his neck in a chokehold. The man was struggling but Ren had the stronger grip. The guard passed out a few seconds later allowing the Phantom Thief leader to hide the unconscious body.

The second guard on duty hadn't noticed a thing while patrolling. A rifle in his hand at the ready, these weren't local law enforcement. This had to be a private militia. He could see the second guard was on the heavier side, it would pose some difficulty taking him out.

He watches the pattern on the docs waiting for the opportune moment. When the guard's back was turned to him, Ren made his attempt to jump on the guard's back. The elder brother tried to put the larger man into a chokehold as well while staying silent. The heavier set guard dropped his weapon and grabbed Ren's head behind him squeezing it.

Ren's grip loosens but he was still hanging on tight to the back. He kicked the guard's back knee causing the man to buckle to one knee. Re-establishing his grip, Ren pulled tighter on the man to lose consciousness. It wasn't without struggle but he eventually succumbs before stashing the body again.

Makoto on her own side uses her fighting skills of kicking her opponents unconscious. They never even heard her light footsteps nor the force of wind her kicking brought, "All clear on my end….you okay?" She whispers lowly.

"I had some difficulties but it's fine. Come on," he picks up a flashlight he "borrowed" from the first guard he took out. It was quite dark even with the lights dimmed around the ship.

"We'll check out the haul," the boat was massive up close, finely coated paint-decorated it. Its anchor buried deep into the water."

"Ren…"

"What is it?"

"Can you point the light over here, I think I found something."

He aimed the portable light where she was pointing. It was an engraving of some sort that was difficult to see in this light. But the appearance was familiar, an etching of a lion overtop a coat of arms.

"That looks the same as on the card, a lion's crest, it is a ship!"

"But how would we even get on? There are guards crawling all over the decks."

"We'll come up with a plan later. But this is it, look on the other side, see that?" Ren raises the flashlight to point out the other corner on the back of the ship.

Another smaller engraving, "M.S Inc.' "How much you bet that stands for Masayoshi Shido?"

"I've learned not to bet against you. But that could indeed be it, Ren."

"I think we've seen what we need to see, lets meet up with Mishima and hope the others are there." The two thieves snuck back out as silent and quickly as possible to avoid any alarms again.

When Makoto and Ren made it to the meet-up spot, Yusuke and Morgana were waiting with the informant. The younger Amamiya's angry face still settled on his looks.

"From the looks on your face, it seems things didn't go smoothly on your end. But I'm glad the two of you aren't capture."

"Same to you brother, how was your searching?"

"My guesses continue to luck out for me, we found it at the end of the harbor. 'Lion's Crest'. The large, gaudy ship you can't miss. But it's swarming with guards."

"That is indeed a problem," Yusuke added in.

"We'll discuss it with everyone else later, we should go back to the house it's quite late."

Elsewhere

The man known as Masayoshi Shido was in one of his personal smoking rooms. He already dealt with reports from his other benefactors earlier that day. Incompetent the lot of them. The only reliable person he could count on to get the job done was Loki. But even he too will run out of uses.

But Loki's usefulness wasn't what bothers him. What was bothering him was the Townhall meeting, the crowd was lively and had no idea of his true intentions. They ate up whatever he said. But of the dozens up dozen he saw in the building, he swore he saw a ghost. He couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Three knocks rapped on his door, "Come in," In stepped the scarred assassin himself.

"You called for me?"

"Yes, I have another task for you, but before that," Shido pauses, "You are certain the Phantom Thief leader is dead?"

"Yes, I shot him fatally in the heart, he couldn't have survived a wound like that."

"Good. I've come too far to let an oversight mess me up now. But still, I know what I saw the other day."

"You think he somehow survives the gunshot wound?" Loki ponders. He believed that Amamiya was dead. Even the greatest doctors wouldn't save a person that far gone.

"He's been a pain in my ass since the beginning. I've had to hush much more people, grease a few extra palms to keep things quiet. At least the newspaper bumbling idiot has held up his bargain."

"What is the original task you planned?" The assassin grunted out cutting off his employer ramblings.

"Has that moderator been taken care of?"

"Yes."

"And your progress on the remaining thieves?

"I've been closing in on their last known location, it seems the task team sent was wiped out from my information. A problem I regrettably didn't foresee."

"They will be captured and hanged by the time of my ascension. I will personally make sure of it. Send out another team, and double the pay."

"Will do," Loki confirms before taking his leave.

Shido will never admit his paranoia, he doesn't trust anyone around him, not for long. He was through with them once they used up their purpose and became a liability. The man had no care for those he dispose of, and hope no ghost of revenge would come back to bite him.

Maruki's Place

The trip back was thankful without incident, as the horses were hitch in the warmed-up stable. The house was warming as well with the fireplace going in the sitting room, beaming bright. Dr. Maruki must've left it going, as Ren noticed a few logs left to the side.

The artist and younger brother immediately went to retire to their respected room for rest. The elder Amamiya elected to stay by the fire pit but shed his long coat.

"May I have your company tonight?" Ren asked the woman beside him.

"You're not sleepy?"

"I didn't want to sleep just yet. Besides, we've hardly spent much time together lately. Thought I take my moments when I can," he said offering a smile.

The two sat by the fire, taking it in letting the heat thaw the coldness from their bones. "We gotta find a way into that ship."

"Ren, don't worry about Shido right now, let's talk about something else," Makoto tried to entice him by massaging his scalp. His hair was still soft with hints of curl on top. The relaxing motion leads to laying his head on her lap. It was a stressful day, give the mind a breather.

"What you'd wanna talk about?"

"Anything but the mission or Shido. Is this comfortable at least?" she continues to stroke his hair.

"It is, paying me back from earlier?" He teases.

She smiles back with a slight blush on her cheeks, "Not exactly." She lets the quietness between them simmer before she thought of something.

"Your father's pocket watch, have you thought about getting a new one? You mention preferring to have a watch on you. I don't think your Father's watch is anywhere reparable."

"Hmm a new watch would be nice, we would have funds to buy one. But obviously, other things have occupied my mind."

"Then let's get one as a gift, you never told me your birthday, I'm sure we can find one in time," Makoto suggested.

"Afraid it's not possible seeing it was about two weeks ago. Sorta forgot honestly."

"I missed it!?"

"Don't worry about it," he says as he grasps her chin pulling her down, allowing their lips to briefly touch, "This more than makes up for it. Being here by my side."

"Of course, I'll always be."

"I like that," Ren couldn't resist a yawn as his body was feeling heavier and heavier. "I guess I was more tired than I thought."

"You can sleep here if you want, I'll be here when you wake up," His lover told him, leaning down offering her own kiss. Ren rested his eyes as he continues to lay in Makoto's lap. It was soft and comfortable as she rubbed her fingers through his hair, lulling him to sleep.

Morning came for the outlaws and their host. Dr. Maruki seemed to be hold up a lot in his study room occasionally greeting them, but stuck to the books.

The main hall study room was still occupied by the two lovers resting. The elder Amamiya brother is awake, resting his back on the foot of the chair. The younger Nijima was curled in his arms as his winter coat draped over the both of them. She was coming to when she noticed their positioning.

"Good morning," Ren said

"Morning."

"For a rest that wasn't on a bed mattress, that was one of the better night sleeps I've had," he admitted honestly," But we missed dinner and I would like some breakfast before the others get to it."

They found Boss, ever the early riser in the pantry. A large pot was heated up and he was stirring it over and over.

"What's cooking Boss?"

"I hope you all like oats for breakfast, that's all the doctors got, a whole barrel worth."

"I guess a hunting trip will be in order soon."

Little by little the others trek into the kitchen, grabbing a bowl of hot oatmeal. The table only seated 6, but there were other chairs scattered about.

"I'm calling a meeting. There are some things we need to discuss."

"How did last night go?" the former Detective asked first.

"We definitely found the boat and location for this secret group," Ren pulls out the bloody card they've been holding for weeks."The ship had the same symbol on the butt of the vessel. A lion's crest. Makoto and I also saw another engraving spelling M.S. Inc."

"That's gotta be it!" Ryuji exclaim over the news.

"But how will we get in is the problem, we've run out of tricks and our lucks low. Also, there's a whole private militia guarding the damn thing. We could always find a few servants and switch places but there are hundreds of people in the city. We can't go around asking, 'Do you work for on Shido's ship, give me you job please," Ren expressed.

"There's the old fashion method of sneaking in."

"There are way too many guards to sneak in with the group we need Yusuke. Even split up it would be quite difficult," the younger Nijima added her own input. The guards on the ship weren't an exaggeration, they even had more men on the ground if it wasn't for the distraction pulling them away.

"Perhaps observe the location, see who goes in and out? Maybe track down the workers that way?" Morgana suggested.

"And what if they only report when they're ready to set sail, we have to figure when that happens too. Makoto and I at least saw a dozen just outside. No number clarity on what patrols looks like indoors. Just standing around waiting will increase the chance of getting spotted."

"Didn't you get into Okumura's Gala by being a guest? You, your brother, and Makoto were there for the party not as servants. Maybe replicate that option?"

"We were Yoshizawa's guest, someone vouched for us. It would be tricky trying to getting vouched again."

"Wait a moment, Makoto you were at the Gala that evening!?" Sae interrupted Ren and Akechi's conversation. Makoto had explained a few things during her adventures but this was omitted. It was the first time Sae was hearing about it, to think her younger sister was but a few feet away.

"I was, not much happen outside of talking with Akechi. Though I did fear of you spotting me and blowing our cover."

"Back to the topic at hand please, even if we try this method I can't be seen schmoozing with guests. I'm dead remember?"

"Maybe we will have to go the servant's route, a lot of folks with money and association with Shido wouldn't take two seconds to look your way. Working off their blissful ignorance will be our advantage. But just like the guest would have a pass to enter, the staff probably have to prove they are who they are too. Thus bringing us back to square 1 on finding someone." The gears in Akechi's head tinkering.

"Apologies for the interruption, I couldn't help but overhear your discussion." Dr. Maruki joined them in the kitchen looking to refill his coffee. "By no means do I have access to a ship own by Masayoshi Shido hehe. But its always a good time to sit down and have a pint every now and then after a long day's work."

"No offense doctor, but it's a bit early to go drinking."

"Oh not at this very moment, but I've had my share of stressful jobs and bosses. Nothing wrong with a cold beer to wash the stress away." Ren had a feeling Maruki was trying to tell him something. The man had an odd way with words when he wanted to convey a message. The Lion's Crest ship a large 3 tier ship that would require dozens upon dozens of servers, cooks, entertainment. Shido is a man that demands a certain high quality that can be abusive and taxing on the mind and body.

But there was one language people understand from the cities to the back porches of the plains in the midwest. Alcohol talks.

"Detective, know any popular Saloons in the city?"

"Can't say, hardly drank."

"Miss Nijima?"

"None I'm afraid."

Ren ponders before chuckling to himself. "It has been a pretty stressful few days, I think we deserve a much-needed Saloon crawl."

"That's a stupid ridiculous plan, even for you."

"Relax Akechi, some of us will remain sober so we don't lose our marbles. But liquor loses lips."

"A drink would be nice, we went through a lot of shit recently, I'm in," said the blonde gunslinger.

"And as the doctor said, people tend to gather after work for a drink. Working for Shido must be hell, someone working for him is bound to show up if we hang around."

"Then I say we go, tonight brother!"

"You," Ren points," Will be our sober member. You're still young Mona."

"What! You were my age when you first had alcohol and wasn't reprimanded."

"Morgana, do as I say, not as I do. I need you to be eyes and ears," the younger Amamiya folded his arms grumbling under his breath, but reluctantly agreed.

"Mishima, I want your ears to the ground by, anything of note report back. Take Akechi with you to watch your back."

"Having me work while you go off and have fun?" Akechi joked.

"I thought you said you don't drink, investigating is what you do best."

Akechi won't admit he missed his detective days since going into hiding but he will make due. "Very well."

"If we're all settled, I guess now all we wait is for nightfall."

The same night, the plan was in motion, find a way onto the ship via an employee of Shido's. Makoto and Morgana were their careful watchers as Yusuke and Haru decline to join choosing to remain at the house. All the while the two blonde outlaws and the elder Amamiya went to town.

The Phantom Thieves leader had a hat secured to his head tightly and low. He was the one who had to be extra careful tonight. It was already dark when they enter the first bar, taking a table in the back. It was moderately crowded that night with a poker game going on.

"Mona here," Ren says passing over some cash, "Two beers and a whisky, get some water too."Morgana did as he was told to bring the mugs back to their table weaving between rowdy patrons. He was used to this at Boss's saloon.

"Thanks, pipsqueak, Cheers!" Ryuji clangs his mug against Ren before gulping down the contents.

"Go easy, we got a few more venues to visit after this," Ren said taking slower sips of his own drink.

"So what do we do now?"

"We wait some more Makoto, we can't go interrogating every person. There are sharks in the water, and they will smell blood if we look too stiff to be here. Our prey will come to us. Sure you don't wanna try whiskey?"

"I remember the last time, I'll pass," Though Makoto decline, the alcohol would taste better than the stale water she was drinking.

He was keeping his ear open as he sipped slowly. Ryuji was on his second beer while Ann only finished half of her first.

"I can't believe I missed out on this last time, Ryuji told me it was eventful."

"The pompous fiancee that peed himself? He was hardly worth the effort to detain him," Morgana complains.

"Well maybe tonight will be different," Ren said putting down his now empty glass, "Come on, let's move to another place."

The 2nd and 3rd bar visit didn't amount to anything other than a fuller stomach and dizziness. He caught himself stumbling a few times in the street before Morgana or Makoto lend him a hand. The later into the evening the busier and rowdier the places got.

"What will you have this time brother?"

"Check to see if they have Brandy? We haven't gotten anywhere tonight, perhaps a change in the drink is needed," Ren confesses. The words were coming out a bit mumble but slid Morgana more money from the Casino heist that was pocketed.

"Will you be okay Ren, you look a little woozy?" Makoto checked his forehead in concern.

"I'm fine, I've had worse and blacked out on the road, I'm tracking my intake. Heard anything so far?"

"Nothing interesting."

Morgana came back with their drinks again, a beer for Ryuji, brandy for Ren, and Ann changing her choice for a mead. She was becoming the first to be drunk, with slurred words and all.

"Hey, Ryuji….. it's getting quite warm, maybe *hic* we can cool off outside?" Ann said struggling through the sentence.

The blonde gunslinger had paused his drinking for a moment already on his 5th mug.

"I do need to piss." She swats his arm half heartily before scolding him.

"That's not…..what I meant."

"Hehehe," Ren couldn't help but let out a chuckle. The alcohol was getting to him now, find the overall situation funny.

"If you two 'cool off' we'll leave you behind, even you Lady Ann."

"Doubt that will happen, ugh—"The blonde thief rushes off outside in time to puke his guts out.

"I guess blondie can't hold his liquor."

"Be nice Mona, once he comes back we'll go to another bar."

"Will YOU be okay, you have been picking some heavy stuff."

"It may be a while since I've drunk this much, but I can handle myself quite well," Ren stated rising from his chair. Not one step taken did his face meet the floor. "Ow."

"Maybe we should call it," Makoto grabbed Ren from the floor helping him to his knees.

"No, no, let's do one final stop I got a good feeling."

"You said that about this place."

"I guess I misspoken."

"No you're drunk," she slings one arm around her shoulder and exits the way Ryuji left. Morgana helping Ann as they went to collect the other blonde thief.

As promised, they went to another saloon, the final one Makoto demanded. It was harder and harder to keep Ren in disguise as he wobbles to a table. It helps the saloon was dimly lit and seemed shadier than the last.

Ann was too full to drink any more as Ryuji and Ren both chug another round of beers, completely lost.

"Hey I bet *hic* bet I can beat you in darts," the blonde gunslinger tried his damndest to say.

"I prefer we keep anything sharp away from you boys."

"Don't be sour Mako, we're experts in our craft!" Ren was really having trouble standing on his own, the mix of whiskey, brandy, and beer was running through his system.

"That's the liquor talking."

The two men disregard her, heading towards the dartboard. Ryuji is up first, aiming nowhere near the middle of the board. His attempt almost hitting another patron, "…Oops."

"Here…..let me show you how it's really done." The elder Amamiya focused as best he could with all his might and got close to the goal. "See Ryuji…that's how it's uh," Ren struggles with his train of thought, "I forgot."

The two drunk thieves broke into a fit of laughter clutching their sides. Attempting to walk forward the Phantom Thief leader knocked into another bar patron spilling the man drink all over.

"Hey!"

"Sorry about that sir,…ugh come here I'll buy you another, apologies." Ren offered the man. He was able to make his way to the counter without further incident.

"Two beers please, one for this fella over here and one for me." Handing over the cash he received two mugs in return handing one to the patron he ran into. "No hard feelings?"

"I appreciate this Sir," the man said clanging the mugs together, "I was looking forward to a glass after a miserable day."

"We all had shit days," Ren agreed no longer sipping his drink.

The man took a big gulp from the replacement mug, "Well every day is a shit day when you work for the most powerful man in the world."

It was as if a veil was lifted from Ren's foggy mind, "I'm sorry, repeat that again?"

"It's nothing, just my job working crazy hours, boss around a lot. Horrible."

"Uh, this job… it wouldn't have anything to do with Masayoshi Shido? Does it?"

"It does, but I don't meet the man personally. He's just an asshole."

Ren wave to his group still at the table, their special signal to use in this situation. But with Ren's mind and body on different reactions, it made him look as if his body was flaying wildly.

"Is my brother okay, looks like he's having a heart attack."

"No I think, I think he's trying to signal us," Makoto confirmed getting up.

"You mind if we have a talk sir, my friend here is very drunk right now."

"I really would like to get back to my drink ma'am."

"It won't take long honest, why don't we all step outside."

"Outside sounds really good now actually," Ren mumble before running to the exit. Barely a step out the door when he lost the contents of his stomach, leaving a mess. "Ugh, I'm going to feel miserable tomorrow."

"That you will," his lover shakes her head before turning her attention to the stranger. "I know this is an odd question, but you told my partner that you work at a place own by Mr. Shido?"

".…yeah."

"Is it on his ship?"

It looks as if a candle lit in his mind before his expression changed to angry, "Look lady I can't give you tickets to wine and dine on his ship. People always ask me, you have to smooch your way to the man itself."

"Wait, that's not what we want. We're looking for something more serious with Shido."

"Like what?" the man asks going back to confusion.

"Payback."

A/N Writing Ryuji and Ren drunk off their asses was so fun. They all did need a breather as it has been quite a few tense day for them so it was getting two things needed out the way. It was also fun to write the Shumako scenes because they needed some, its been a minute since they had a honest minute alone.

Hope you all enjoy and feel free to review. Stay safe.