Chapter 1

This shortcut was a bad idea.

Mai wasn't three steps down the alley before the tingle began between her shoulders. She tried to chalk it up to fatigue. A twelve hour shift was bound to leave her aching. She rolled her neck and shoulders, hoping it would go away.

The windows in the lane were dark or shuttered tight despite the heat that still rolled through the night streets. The lamps of the elevated railway at the end of the block left the alley in more than a passing gloom.

A shuffling came from her left and the twinge spread, ramping up her heartbeat with it.

Mai had taken shortcuts before, both deliberate and accidental. Still learning the Boston streets, she was always on the lookout for a new way home from the factory.

The shuffling became a steady crinkle right next to her and Mai froze. Maybe she could run the rest of the way?

Something slid in the dark, a metallic clatter causing her to jump. As she took a step, something heavy and warm fell across her foot.

Mai screamed, and a large rat flew from her foot and through the air. Landing a few feet ahead, it writhed to right itself, then scurried into the dark of a large trash pile, sending one of the bottles rolling across the path.

"What'd you do that for?" Mai scolded the retreating rodent, leaning against the wall to catch her breath.

Some tough city dame she was. Scared by a rat.

Mai sighed and pushed up from the wall, her tired head causing her to stumble a step on the uneven pavement.

There was a shift in the trash pile.

Mai was about to tell the rat off again when a piece of the shadow grew, pulling itself up to more than twice the heap's previous height.

The itch was back and stinging all the more.

A lumbering movement separated more of the tall shadow from the rest of the pile. Mai could make out the shape of a man.

"Hey there, kitten." His voice was heavy, it felt sticky and foul. She could smell the bitter scent of unwashed body buried beneath the alcohol. "What's a dish like you doing out on your own this time of night?"

She shouldn't say anything, she should keep walking, ignore him. The street and the light were less than thirty feet away. But Mai couldn't move. He wasn't blocking her path outright, but she was going to have to pass him to get there.

"You live nearby? Maybe you could do with someone watching over you."

She needed to go; between his scent and the thickness of his speech, maybe he would be too far gone and she would be able to slide past him.

She took a step forward, but he matched her, moving towards her with a step of his own. Closer, she could see his emotionless eyes. His face was haggard, clothes disheveled.

Mai took another step, but once again he mirrored her.

"Pardon me," she tried, "I need to go."

"Aren't you a hoity toity one." He pulled his hand from his pocket and gave it a flick. "I don't think you're going anywhere, kitten."

Mai's eyes widened at the pocket knife that he held towards her.

"Oh, no…"

"You got a fancy mouth, so how's about you open that bag and we see how fancy."

Hands shaking, she opened her purse.

"Please, I don't have much…"

"Don't care," the man said gruffly, "now come here and give it."

He launched at her and Mai ran. She heard the man growl and scramble after her, heavy footsteps thudding closer and closer.

She was too slow. No, he was too fast. She wouldn't make it.

"Please, go away!" Mai cried. He would be upon her soon.

Suddenly, she slammed into something, spots forming in her vision as a weight clamped down on her shoulders.

"Whoa, steady," a voice told her.

But Mai wasn't listening, her arm was already pulling back, swinging up to connect with whatever it could reach so she could break free.

The talking wall reeled back from the force of her fist and Mai tried to bolt, but a vice like grip solidified around her wrist, yanking her back.

"Let me go!"

"Damn, socked me real good, didn't ya."

Mai stopped pulling at her wrist and turned back to see a young man rubbing at his jaw. A flat cap was pulled low on his face, but she could still see bright blue eyes nestled between dark bangs.

He noticed her look and, removing his hand from his jaw, flashed a brilliant smile that seemed out of place in a desperate situation like this.

"It's alright, I'm not gonna hurt you," he said, still smiling. "What are those mitts made out of, anyway? Lead?"

Mai wasn't sure if she was supposed to answer, and before she could decide, a large arm came swinging at them. She could see the gleam of the knife as it barreled towards them, but then they were moving.

The smile fell from her rescuer's face as he spun them away from the intruding appendage and, using the momentum, swung his own elbow into the other man's ribs.

"Careful there, fella," the rescuer warned, the jovial tone still lacing his voice.

"She's mine," said the mugger, taking a step back to steady himself, an arm wrapped around his chest.

"Not that I can see," the other man replied.

"This man tried to rob me!" Mai said, pointing.

"I see." The young man stepped in front of her with his hands out. "Now how about we resolve this peaceably?"

The mugger eyed the rescuer up and down. He seemed to like this turn of events. He straightened, unwrapping his arm from around himself, and looked down at the rescuer, his face dark with a heavy scowl. The rescuer just smiled back, though now Mai felt it was out of place in a much more unnerving way. And the way his eyes held the larger man's, Mai wasn't really sure that he was as interested in a peaceable solution as he claimed.

"Give me everything you got."

Mai groaned; now she had gotten a stranger caught in this mess.

The young man chuckled. "Oh, you don't want to do that."

"Don't I?" The mugger waved his knife. "Hurry up, or I'll slice your throat."

"Look bruno, it's not too late to turn back."

"You making fun of me?"

The mugger leapt forward.

Mai gasped, covering her face with her hands.

There was a whoosh, and a dull thud.

Mai looked through her fingers. The mugger was face down on the ground, a brick resting beside his head.

"Wha...what?" Mai muttered, frozen as she stared at his unmoving body.

"Just in time," the rescuer sighed in relief, letting his hand fall from where it had been tucked inside his jacket.

Mai jumped, as another man appeared at the edge of the shadows. She couldn't make him out, his black suit and fedora blending him too well into the darkness.

"You had me going there for a second, I thought maybe you really weren't gonna show," the young man chuckled.

Mai stared at the newcomer. Whoever he was, he seemed to be a friend of her rescuer's. She glanced down at the mugger.

"He's not...dead, is he?"

"Nah, just knocked out." The young man looked to the man in black and gestured to the mugger. "Take care of this, will you?" He clapped his hand on Mai's shoulder. "I'll show her out."

The man in black clicked his tongue, but stood aside to let them pass, pulling a cigarette out of a case and shutting it with a snap. The young man led her towards the end of the alley.

"B-But I…"

"You look like you could use some pie. I know a great place."

"Pie?" Mai asked, still blinking at the body on the ground.

"Come on, we don't want to cause any more of a scene, do we?" He gave her shoulder a small squeeze and Mai looked back up at him. "Don't worry, my brother will handle it. Won't cha, Ollie?"

"Brother?" Mai couldn't make out the other man's face, as it was hidden behind the brim of his hat. All she could see was the red tip of a cigarette glowing in the darkness. "Who are you two?"

"Name's Gene," her rescuer said. When the man in black didn't respond, or even acknowledge her, Gene went on. "Come on, you like lemon meringue? You look like a lemon meringue kinda gal. The diner's just at the end of the block." He pointed to a lit window under a sign that read Tuft's Diner further down on Old Colony.

It was a walk, but not out of sight, and the tingle had finally stopped between her shoulders. So Mai allowed herself to be led away from the scene, still gathering her thoughts.

In the alley, Oliver waited for their voices to grow distant.

At his feet, the mugger stirred, groaning. "Ugh, shit…" He sat up, pressing a hand to the sticky wound on his head. Then pulling it away with a growl. "You're gonna bleed for this."

Oliver flicked away his finished cigarette, a polished shoe stepping out to crush the burning ember as soon as it hit the ground.

"Hey, you little shit. You disrespecting me?" The mugger scrambled up, pulling himself to loom over the other man. "Let's see how you do when you can't get the drop on someone."

Oliver didn't answer. He put a new cigarette between his lips and snapped his cigarette case shut.

The mugger grew pale, his shoulders pulling back. His hands, outstretched to fight, curled in front of his body protectively. His eyes were locked on the cigarette case, the brushed silver glowing in the dim light, and the design of a large eye engraved on it.

"Oh, shit...it's you."

Oliver put the case away and took out his lighter.

"Oh God, I, I didn't mean nothin'!" The mugger got on his knees. "I didn't know! I-I'll pay you! I got a family! Mercy, please!"

Oliver lit his cigarette. Took a drag. Breathed out. The man was making a scene. Exactly what he was here to prevent. He reached a gloved hand into his pocket.

"I wasn't gonna hurt the girl! Honest to God!"

As if he cared about some girl.

"Please, I'll do anything! Anythi—"

The mugger dropped to the ground. A slight pinging sounded a handful of times before it too went silent.

Oliver held out his gloved hand as a small red orb flew into it. He took a deep drag and left the alley with a smokey exhale.

"It's good, right?"

Mai looked up at Gene, first bite of an enormous slice of lemon meringue firmly planted in her mouth. She had still been rather shell shocked when they arrived, so she'd let Gene order for her as they settled into a booth against the wall.

She nodded.

"Feeling better?" he asked.

Mai nodded again, finished her bite, and added, "Thank you."

"No skin off my back. Besides, now I get to have pie with the prettiest girl in South Boston."

Mai felt her cheeks warm and ran a hand through her auburn hair, pulling at the tangles.

"So what's your story, morning glory?" he asked. Her poor choice in route this time of night meant that she lacked any understanding of this part of the city. So his first thought had been that she was some rich dame who had gotten lost looking for a night of excitement. But in the light of the diner he could see that her clothes, while well cared for, had the slightly dated and well worn quality of the secondhand.

"My...story?" Mai asked.

"Yeah, it's obvious you're not from around here. Your family move in?"

"No, I don't— it's just me," Mai said, eating another bite of pie.

Gene could feel a length behind those words. She had been on her own, perhaps for a while.

"So, what's your name?"

"Oh! I'm so sorry. I never even told you my name. You rescued me, got me food, and I didn't even— how can I repay you? Oh, and your brother. Do you think he will be okay? Should we ask the diner owner to phone the police?"

"Slow down, slow down." Gene held back a chuckle. If she was this scatterbrained, then tonight wasn't going to be the last time she walked herself into some trouble.

"My brother can take care of himself. Everything's under control. You like the pie, yeah?"

"Oh yes, I do. Thank you again."

"That's great. So, your name?" Gene asked. He took a sip from his coffee and, grimacing, brought a finger to his now swelling lip.

Mai blanched. "Oh, I've done it again! I'm so sorry. I'm Mai."

"Mai, that's nice."

Mai felt her blush intensify. His constant flirting was so strange, but exciting. She had been scolded any time a boy had even looked at her before, and here they were, at nearly midnight, eating together at a diner.

"So what had you prowling the alleys so late at night, Mai?"

"I was looking for a shortcut from the factory."

"You working in a factory?"

"Yes, but it's only temporary," Mai told him with the swiftness of the overly defensive. "I'm going to be a teacher."

"What, like a governess?"

"No," Mai corrected, pointing at him with her fork, "a proper teacher. At a school."

"Oh, sorry, Ma'am."

Mai shifted in her seat, uncomfortable with her own outburst, but unwilling to take it back. She would not be a governess. She would not.

"I just have to find some time to speak with some of the local schools. This is just temporary."

"Sure." Gene knew full well that a factory job was never going to afford her that time. He knew he should just let it go, but helping out earlier left him with an altruistic taste in his mouth. "You got a fire in you, don't ya?"

Mai studied his face, searching for the lie, the familiar twinge of mockery that she had seen so often before. But she couldn't find it.

"I can tell," he continued, staring back at her. "You're like...a warm light. It's nice. You don't see many of those in this godforsaken place."

Mai wasn't sure what to say, but Gene just smiled at her again; this time, a smile meant to soothe, not entice.

Mai found herself smiling back.

"A warm light with a mean right hook," he added, pressing a finger to his tender lip. "Well, you've got a pretty smile and you sure don't seem shy. You ever think about waitressing instead?"

"Waitressing?"

"Yeah."

"Hey," a new voice called with the sound of the swinging door.

Gene's smile, the dazzling one, was back again. And aimed at the young man who was coming over to join them. He had a fedora on, but his grey trousers and periwinkle shirt were too light to be the brother from the alley.

"I was looking for you." His voice was serious, but his eyes were bright beneath his glasses as he approached.

"I'm sorry, I had a bit of a holdup," Gene told him. "Yasuhara, this is Mai."

"I can see that," Yasuhara smiled, taking his hat in his hand, "and it's nice to meet you, Mai."

"Nice to meet you, Yasuhara."

"Sorry to cut your evening short, but I'm afraid it's my job to make sure this guy gets back to work."

"Oh." Mai's eyes went wide. It had never occurred to her that someone might have somewhere to be this late at night. "I'm so sorry, I didn't realize I was keeping you."

Gene let out an exaggerated sigh. "Sorry about this, Mai, but when the boss man says it's time to go, it's time to go."

She shook her head. "It's no problem. Thank you so much for your help tonight."

"Oh yeah, hey, Monk!" Gene called out to the man behind the counter with a wave.

The man known as 'Monk' grabbed the coffee pot from its heater and headed over.

"Monk! How's my favorite joe slinger?" Yasuhara said, the smile on his face reflected in his voice.

"Top off?" Monk asked, ignoring the smirking man next to him and reaching for Gene's mug.

"No thanks," Gene said. "Hey, didn't you say you were losing one of your girls?"

"I did," he replied, "Taka is going to be moving out of town next week. I'll have to put a sign up."

"No need," Gene told him. "Mai here is the best girl in the biz." Gene gestured towards her as he smiled at Monk.

Mai's eyes widened. What was he doing? She hadn't even said…

Monk's attention turned to Mai, who only gaped in return.

"You ever serve before?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I, umm, I did, I mean, I have in a cafeteria. I helped."

"See, what did I say, she's old hat." Gene slid out of the booth seat and placed some coins near his mug. "I'll let you two hash out the details. I'll see you around, Mai. Thanks, Monk."

"Bye, Monk. Miss Mai," Yasuhara said with a tip of his hat, before following Gene out the door.

"Tomorrow, 4 PM sharp," Monk said, walking back over to the counter. "Shift runs from four to midnight and then there is close up time. I pay on Fridays, we're closed Sundays."

Mai blinked at the man.

"Are you, do you mean? Are you offering me the job?"

"Don't you want it?"

"I do!" Mai jumped up from her seat.

"Good." Monk thought for a moment. "If you wanna help me out with the close up tonight, maybe we can find you a uniform before we're done."

Gene already had his flask out and was drinking by the time Yasuhara caught up to him.

"Sorry," Gene said offhandedly. "I didn't mean to upset my keeper."

Yasuhara sighed, "I'm just here to make sure you come back after these dinners."

Gene took another swig.

"It won't be forever," Yasuhara said. "You know how this works."

"I do." Gene tilted his head back for a long draught.

"Look," Yasuhara said, stopping Gene's stride and drinking with a hand on his shoulder. "The boss is grateful for what you did. If he wasn't, you wouldn't—" Gene looked at Yasuhara's hand and then up at him.

Yasuhara pulled his hand from Gene. He didn't think Gene was dumb enough to threaten the gift that had been extended to him. But this was one of the Griffith Ghosts, Delany's mad cat, and if he kept drinking like that in the mood he was in... Yasuhara wrapped his fingers around the small switchblade in his pocket.

Gene poked at his swelling lip with his tongue. "You ain't gotta come get me, I know my way back."

"It's safer if I—"

"Worried?" Gene took another drink from his flask and screwed the lid back on. "I'm touched."

Yasuhara let his fingers loosen around his knife. "By the looks of your face, I was right to be."

"This?" Gene leaned closer, his tongue once more pressing into the bruised flesh of his lip.

Yasuhara swallowed. He could smell the moonshine on Gene's breath and it was making his head spin.

"I got sucker punched, it's no big deal."

"Who was it?"

Gene smiled, the surliness of earlier replaced with a bemused glee. "Mai."

"The girl at the diner?" Yasuhara blinked. "She hits you, and you buy her pie?"

Gene's grin widened, a quick grimace flashing at the stretch of his injured lips.

Yasuhara shook his head. "Come on, I need to get you back, or it will be both our asses."

They continued walking, Yasuhara pretending not to notice the side glances that Gene gave him between sips of his flask, or the insistent fluttering effect that Gene's continued attention to his swollen lip was having on his stomach.

He understood now...

Agreeing to watch over him had been a bad idea.

So this all started a year ago when I was watching the anime 91 Days, and suddenly had the urge to make a Ghost Hunt Irish Mob AU. I admit, my main motivation was to put the twins in some dashing suits. But I had also always wanted to write a historical AU, though I was too nervous to actually do it. So I really have to thank Tiffo for collaborating with me, otherwise this story would probably never have come to fruition. Also thanks to Snavej, for helping brainstorm ideas with us in the beginning.

And thank you, reader, for checking out this story! We hope you all enjoy!

-CSakuraS