Author's Notes: At last! This chapter is finished! I wrestled with part of it for a bit, but I think it finally figured itself out. Now I am off to get some shuteye; any longer and I'll be propping my eyelids open with toothpicks. And that doesn't sound all that comfortable. Constructive Criticism is always welcomed. Enjoy~!

Fiat Justitia Ruat Coelum

Chapter Five: Lending a Hand

Ahim matched the corners of the worn towel as best she could, pulling at the creases until she could fold it smoothly and place it in a neat pile upon its fellows.

She bumped elbows with the her companion, letting a giggle slip past her lips as the auburn haired young woman next to her cracked a small smile. The other woman's bright tresses swayed as she shook her head, nudging Ahim with her shoulder playfully.

The woman placed the folded shirt in her hands upon Ahim's bed with a sigh before stretching her arms above her head with a groan of relief. "I've forgotten how much faster laundry goes when you have someone to do it with."

Ahim blinked at her in surprise. "Joe and Gai do not help you, Luka?"

Luka gave an exaggerated sigh as she ran her hand through her hair. "They do," she admitted. "But Joe's so quiet that it feels more like a chore than ever, and Gai tends to get a little…over enthusiastic. Sometimes he's more hindrance than help."

Ahim's smile grew. "What about my brother? Does he not help?"

Luka snorted. "The day Marvelous helps with chores of his own volition is the day Joe starts singing folktales in the middle of the market square."

Ahim's laughter pulled a smile from the other woman. She slipped her arms around her shoulders in a half-hug, her head resting against Ahim's. "It's just not the same without you."

Ahim leaned against Luka, drawing in every scrap of comfort and familiarity she could. "I'm sorry." Her voice was barely above a whisper as Luka's arms came around to hug her fully.

"Don't ever apologize for what that man has done to you," Luka scolded her gently. She gave Ahim a tight squeeze before stepping back to catch her eyes. She frowned. "What's happened?"

Ahim blinked in confusion. "Happened?"

"You have dark circles under your eyes," Luka explained, her brows pinched in worry. "Are you not sleeping enough? Are you sick?" She slipped her hand up to her forehand to check for a temperature, frowning when Ahim gently pulled it away.

"I am not ill," she murmured, not surprised that Luka's sharp eyes had seen what she had been trying to hide.

"Then what is it?" Luka demanded, hands on her hips.

Ahim turned back to the small pile of folded laundry, gathering up a bundle of it in her arms. "She still cries out in her sleep," she answered softly.

Luka glanced at the small identical bed across the room. "Your roommate?"

Ahim nodded as she began putting the clean clothes into their shared, tiny dresser. "She cries out for her family, her husband, her daughter – all that she has lost. She puts on a brave face during the day, but the memories haunt her sleep."

"I can have Doc put something in her cup at night to knock her out."

"Luka!" Ahim gasped, spinning toward her in shock.

They were distracted by a quiet noise from the basket that lay upon the table in the center of the room. Ahim rushed over and scooped the baby out, cradling him to her chest. She tried to bounce him a bit, but his fussing continued. She started when Luka gently lifted him from her arms and held him like an expert. He immediately started to quiet.

"I take it he's another reason for your sleeplessness," Luka muttered but her hold was tender as she rocked him.

"He's a good baby," Ahim answered, watching the other woman in awe. "He hardly ever makes a fuss." She touched a finger to his clenched fist and he wrapped his fingers around it with a firm grip. "I think he knows when his mother is upset – his cries quiet hers. They comfort each other in that way." She looked up at Luka. "You're so good at this."

"Years of practice," Luka reminded her.

Ahim smiled, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "I look forward to seeing the two of you having your own."

"Ahim," Luka's tone was a quiet warning laced with a trace of exasperation.

"But, Luka –"

"We've been over this," Luka interrupted, her tone gentling. "There won't be a marriage until after we've secured your release and definitely no children until this entire debacle is dealt with." She met Ahim square in the eyes. "Your brother and I are in perfect agreement on this."

Ahim huffed, puffing out her cheeks in frustration. "Of course the two of you would be in agreement about that."

A sly grin slid across Luka's face. "What about you and Joe?" Her grin widened as Ahim flushed a brilliant shade of red.

"What about us?"

"Being an aunt goes both ways, you know."

Ahim flushed scarlet at Luka's implications. "Unlike you and my brother, Luka," she managed through her embarrassment. "I am not betrothed – to Joe or anyone else for that matter. We are not even courting."

"I know," Luka muttered, blowing out her bangs. "And I have no idea why. The guy's been head-over-heels for you since day one." She glanced at Ahim. "And it's not like you've been exactly hiding your feelings for him."

Ahim flushed again, saved from having to answer when the baby started fussing once more. She peered down at the scrunched up little face. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

"Hungry, I think," Luka answered for him as his head began searching. "Sorry, little guy, but I can't fix that for ya." She looked at Ahim. "Where's his mother?"

Ahim glanced at the closed door. "She should be here any minute now. The chef who watches her is good about letting her take a break to feed him."

Luka nodded before sliding the infant back into her sister's arms. "Then it's time for me to go."

Ahim held the warm bundle close, tears pricking at her eyes.

Luka frowned at the look, enveloping her friend in a hug before placing a chaste kiss against her forehead. "Please be careful."

Ahim nodded, blinking back her tears. "You as well." She bit her lip to keep her emotions in check as Luka moved to open the door in time to startle the woman on the other side.

Mako blinked in surprise as an auburn-haired woman sized her up with a searching look. Seemingly satisfied at what she had found, she nodded her greeting before slipping past Mako and shutting the door firmly behind her.

Mako stared at the doorway in bewilderment, roused from her musings as her son gave a warning whimper. She hurried over to Ahim, easing the child out of her arms and moving toward her bed.

"Who was that?" She asked as she adjusted her hold to a more comfortable position.

"Luka," Ahim answered simply as she busied herself with the rest of the laundry.

Mako watched the younger woman distract herself for a moment and understanding dawned. "The sister you spoke of."

Ahim nodded curtly, keeping her hands busy.

Mako's smile was soft. "I used to give strangers the same look when I first met them – wondering exactly who it was that had entered my sister's life." She chuckled. "The last person I accepted into Kotoha's life ended up stealing her away from me."

Ahim glanced at her roommate, eyes wide in surprise.

Mako let out a quiet laugh. "He married her," she explained. She let out a happy little sigh. "Kotoha's had a number of new people enter her life since then." She glanced at the contented look on her son's face as he fed. "Chiaki's been good to her." She smiled, remembering how she'd eyed Chiaki in a manner similar to the way Luka had with her. "I suppose I passed your sister's initial test, as he did mine."

Ahim felt the smallest of smiles bloom. "I suppose you have."

A young man with eyes that usually twinkled with mischief gave an almighty sneeze. His companion looked at him with concern.

"You're not catching a cold, are you, Chiaki?"

Chiaki scowled at his friend. "I'm fine."

The other man grinned. "Good. Your wife would have my head otherwise." His grin grew as the other's darkened. "I promised Kotoha I'd look after you," he reminded him.

"I'm fine, Genta," Chiaki snapped back.

"Will the two of you cut it out?" Their third companion muttered, raising a hand to his forehead and rubbing at his temples where a headache had started. Genta slapped him on the back companionably.

"Aw, don't be like that, Ryunosuke. It was all in jest." He grinned at Chiaki over his shoulder. "Mostly."

Ryunosuke muttered mutinously under his breath.

Genta blinked, checking over his other shoulder with confusion. "Hey, where's –"

"Resting," was Ryunosuke's terse answer.

Genta sighed, glancing at their new residence with a worried crease in his brows.

Ryunosuke caught the look and his features softened. "The innkeeper promised to check-in in a few hours."

"For what we're paying, he'd better," Chiaki muttered darkly, glancing at the inn once more before turning back to the bustling street. He sighed heavily. "Shall we?"

Genta bowed with an exaggerated wave of his hand. "After you."

Chiaki rolled his eyes, picked a direction and started stalking down the road. His eyes continuously swept back and forth as he took everything in. The village surrounding the castle's gates was nice to look at, but it was the feel about the place that set his teeth on edge. His shoulders hunched forward as he felt the weight of unseen eyes upon his back.

"The faster we leave this place the better," he muttered. He glanced at his companions, noting with grim assurance that they too felt the gazes. "Are you sure we can't just grab 'em and run for it?"

"I wish," Ryunosuke murmured back. "But remember what Kaoru-hime said. We have to keep this –"

"Quiet," Chiaki interrupted with an exaggerated sigh. "I know, I know."

"We don't want to create an international incident," Genta added merrily.

"Of course not," Chiaki agreed. "Because where would be the fun in that?" He looked over at Genta as the taller man nudged him and Ryunosuke with his elbows. "What?"

Genta nodded toward a gathered crowd where official-looking parchments littered a wooden sign board. "Shall we see?"

"Might as well," Ryunosuke murmured.

The three waded their way through the assembled group of people as they stood by, gossiping in quiet, terse voices. Chiaki frowned, unable to catch their words. He glanced over at Ryunosuke to see the man's brows furrowed in concentration as he tried to listen without being noticed. Ignoring the chatter, Genta slid through the crowd to the sign board with ease. He stopped in front of the board, eyebrows disappearing into his hairline at what he saw.

Chiaki let out a low whistle when he finally managed to struggle to the front, eyes snagging on the same thing Genta had seen. "That's quite a hefty price on one person's head." He looked at the line of wanted posters. "What did these guys do?"

"Robbery, murder, willful destruction of property," Ryunosuke read as he joined his companions, deciphering the local language. "The list goes on."

"Wonder how much of it is true," Chiaki commented with curiosity.

"So they're a group of thieves then?" Genta asked, turning to Ryunosuke for confirmation. When the man nodded, Genta's eyes quickly scanned the posters. "There're no illustrations. Is there a description?"

"Vague ones," Ryunosuke answered. "There are two men, a Joe Gibken and Gai Ikari, and a woman by the name of Luka Millfy. Their leader goes by the name of Captain Marvelous."

Chiaki snorted. "Seriously?"

Genta's fingers tapped a quick staccato against his leg. "I've heard of these guys."

"You have?"

Genta nodded. "We should ask them for help."

"The thieves?" Ryunosuke was aghast.

"They could help us steal them back," Genta explained, keeping his voice low, though he was fairly certain the crowd around them couldn't understand him anyways. "They're good. I've heard rumors of the treasures they've found across the lands – for the right price, of course." He turned to face his companions. "They usually don't stick around for long. It'd be best to catch them before they disappear again."

"I don't think –"

"We don't have time to think this through," Genta reminded him. "The longer we're here – the longer they're here –"

"I know, I know," Ryunosuke bit in. He threw a glare at the wanted posters. "But disreputable thieves?"

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend," Chiaki murmured.

"How do we know they wouldn't betray us?" Ryunosuke countered.

"I don't." Genta ran a hand through his hair with a deep sigh. "But, perhaps, for the right price…"

"Oh, perfect, brilliant." Ryunosuke rolled his eyes in exasperation.

Genta raised a single eyebrow at the man. "Have you got a better idea?"

Ryunosuke grit his teeth together. "No."

"I say we try Genta's plan," Chiaki nodded toward the wanted posters. "If they're as good as he says, then it's worth a shot. Besides," he grinned. "It's not any more ludicrous than when we snuck into Aduro."

Ryunosuke shot the man an exasperated look. "Are you forgetting what happened to your leader after you lot snuck in? His capture and enslavement? Nearly being executed?"

Chiaki waved away his concerns. "It worked out in the end, didn't it?"

Ryunosuke's face grew serious and tinged with exhaustion. "For a while, yes."

The air between the three grew heavy at the reminder, eyes drawn to the castle casting its long shadow over the village as it towered above them all with its omnipresent leer.

Genta placed a hand on their shoulder, fresh determination in his eyes. "Well, let's try to salvage what we can." He gave the other two a light shove. "I'll go talk to the locals – send out some feelers. See if we can't get in contact with this captain and his crew."

"And what should we do?"

Genta grinned. "Try to stay out of trouble."

A robust young woman sauntered over to the table, tray in hand. Throwing a striking smile at the assembled group she began setting plates in front of the guests.

The enticing aroma of roasted meat and vegetables arose from the plates she set before them, and it was all Chiaki could do to refrain from digging in right away. It had been a long day, and he wanted nothing more than to eat until he was fit to burst and then collapse in the bed that was waiting for him upstairs.

Instead he waited with impatience as he watched the woman flick a stray curl over her shoulder with a flirtatious smile. She asked something in the local language, but when they didn't reply, she switched smoothly into the common tongue.

"Anything else I can get for you?" She lowered her gaze before looking at them through her eyelashes.

No, Chiaki realized. Not them but at Ryunosuke. He shot a quick glance at the taller man, but as usual, the man was oblivious. Chiaki grabbed his goblet in an attempt to hide his grin with a sip of the mulled wine.

"That will be all, thank you," Ryunosuke waved her off with a casual flick of his wrist, missing the small, disappointed frown that pulled at her lips in response.

The woman glanced at the rest of the table, her gaze snagging on the hooded member of the group and her frown deepened. She erased it quickly with a subtle shrug of her shoulders. "If you're sure." She placed a gentle hand on Ryunosuke's shoulder, her lips pulling up into a sultry smile as he glanced up at her. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."

This time Ryunosuke blinked at her, momentarily dumbfounded as if seeing her for the first time.

Genta and Chiaki exchanged gazes of equal mirth as they hurriedly buried their faces in their mugs to cover their sniggering. The hooded figure sitting next to Genta gave a small cough in an attempt to cover laughter.

Ryunosuke watched, entranced, as the young woman sauntered away, hips swinging slow and enticingly as she moved in a way that said she was well aware and pleased with the attention.

"Now that Ryunosuke has discovered the female species," Chiaki began, earning him a glare from the man and a snort of laughter from Genta. "Shall we get back to the matter at hand?"

Ryunosuke scowled, opening his mouth to argue back when Genta cut him off.

"I spoke with some of the locals," he murmured so that the general robust calls for more ale and guffaws of laughter masked his words. His companions shifted closer to the table in their seats so that they wouldn't have to strain to hear. "It seems this Captain Marvelous and his crew live up to their reputation."

"What's the catch?" Chiaki asked, sensing the other man's unspoken hesitation.

Genta sighed gustily. "No one has actually seen the infamous Captain."

"With the size of the reward on those wanted posters, I'd keep a low profile too," Ryunosuke remarked, taking a sip of from his mug before stabbing a steamed piece of potato on his fork.

"That's just it," Genta continued. "From the tales the locals were telling, the Captain is everywhere. He and his crew already know the ins and outs of this city." He leaned forward in his chair and lowered his voice so that they all had to shift forward. "Even the castle."

Chiaki let out a low whistle. "That gutsy, huh?" He finished cutting a chunk of meat and popped it into his mouth, savoring the flavor with immense satisfaction. It tasted as wonderful as it had smelled. "Sounds like our kind of guy."

Ryunosuke frowned. "That seems like an unnecessary risk – taunting the king by sneaking in and out of his home whenever the thrill strikes him."

Genta spoke around a mouthful of food. "The way they tell it, it's like a game. Both seem to enjoy it as much as they hate each other – a contest of wits and daring to see who will be caught unawares first."

"And we want to work with this guy?" Ryunosuke's tone was dubious.

"Any enemy of the king is an ally of ours," Chiaki muttered as he sampled another forkful.

The trio hushed as the young woman from before approached once more, decanter in hand. "Can I top you gentlemen off?" Her question was directed at the group but she slid her gaze and smile in Ryunosuke's direction, delighted when the man flushed.

"Please," Genta answered for his suddenly tongue-tied friend. "And thank you."

"My pleasure," she shared a knowing smile with Genta before winking at Ryunosuke. His flush deepened.

She made quick efficient work of filling their mugs, hesitating at the cloaked figure. Her smile stilled, a smidgen of uncertainty crossing her features as she studied the last member of the group. She looked at Genta. "How about your friend there?"

Genta glanced at the figure sitting next to him, waving at the young woman to go ahead when he caught the subtle nod.

"Everything to your taste?" She asked to cover the awkward moment.

"It's great, thank you," Genta answered.

The woman glanced at them. "Your accents," she started, her head tilting to the side as she studied them. "It's different than the usual folk who come along the trade routes."

"Just passing through." Genta sent her a winsome smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, the figure beside him tensing. He laid a subtle hand on his silent companion's arm in caution.

The young woman merely looked at Ryunosuke with a slight pout of her lips. "You're not staying?"

"N-no," Ryunosuke stammered out, earning him a quiet snicker of amusement from Chiaki beside him.

"Shame," she sighed, looking genuinely disappointed. Her gaze flitted between the four gathered at the table, glancing briefly over Genta's shoulder before turning at a call from across the room. "Coming!" She looked at the group, gaze lingering on Ryunosuke for a moment. "Let me know if your plans change." She hurried over to another table.

Having caught the woman's glance, Genta was ready for the voice that sounded from behind him.

"You'll break Rania's heart if you leave now."

Ryunosuke and Chiaki glanced over Genta's shoulder to see the back of a pale head of hair take a long, unconcerned draught from his mug.

"That a fact?" Chiaki asked, tensing at how easily the man had slipped in behind them without their noticing.

"Sure," the man glanced over his shoulder with a wide, disarming smile. "She's had her eye on your friend there since the moment you lot entered the room." He nodded at Ryunosuke, lifting his mug to him in approval.

"Rather observant," Genta commented off-handedly, taking a sip from his own mug, feeling the tension radiating from the companion beside him. "She a friend of yours?"

"We go back a little," the enigmatic man admitted, turning fully in his seat so that he was reclining with the table at his back. "She's a sweet girl, very easy to talk to."

"And just what has she spoken to you about?" Genta asked, turning at last with a quirk of an eyebrow.

The man waved away the subtle accusation in Genta's query before taking another drink. "Don't be so quick to judge Rania." He relaxed against the table, resting the ankle of his right leg upon the knee of his left. His posture radiated unconcern, but there was a way he held himself that suggested he wasn't one to be trifled with so easily. "Your probing has been noticed," he continued, cocking an eyebrow at the group before him. "What do you want?"

"We're looking for someone," Ryunosuke started.

"Like I said, we've heard," the man brushed the comment away with an impatient wave of his hand. "You're looking for Captain Marvelous and his crew." He took a sip from his mug, eyes never leaving theirs as they tensed. "I want to know why."

Genta fully turned in his seat to better face the man as a niggling feeling tugged at him. His casual inquiries had worked faster than he would have thought. He didn't doubt that this was one of the captain's own. The only question now was how much they could trust him. If the man before them was among the fringes of the group, the information could easily be sold to the king's men for the right price. The trick would be convincing this man that their request was worthwhile enough to send along so that it reached his leader's ears instead.

"We need him to steal something for us," he began. "We'd be willing to pay him well for the job."

"Yeah?" The man asked, seemingly disinterested as he went to take another draught. "How much?"

When Ryunosuke stated a figure the man choked. Thumping a fist against his chest he looked at them with incredulous eyes.

"That must be quite the trinket." He studied them with renewed interest. "Where is it?"

"The king's castle."

The man gave a low whistle, dark eyes dancing. "Filching from under the nose of the king, huh? That's a risk alright." He glanced at each of their faces, lingering on the hooded figure with curiosity. "You're either the gutsiest group I've ever met or the stupidest."

"Please," the hooded figure spoke at last, voice hushed even in the raucous room. "We need your help."

The man rubbed at his chin, not entirely convinced. "I dunno. It's not worth our necks to upset the king on your behalf. He's a fair temper on him. Especially when we don't know who we're dealing with."

Ryunosuke gave a startled noise of warning as the hooded figure turned slowly on the bench to face the fair-haired man. A hand went up, silencing Ryunosuke's protests before they could start, and the men tensed.

The stranger watched the scene with amusement as the figure moved cautiously, fingers gripping the hood and pulling the dark fabric away.

The blond man blinked at the revealed person before him, momentarily startled. "Well," he said at last as the hood raised once more, concealing features. "That changes things a bit." He looked at the group assembled before him with something akin to respect before he drained the dregs from his mug and moved to stand. "Turns out you're our kind of stupid."