(BL) Hunting The Field Guide - Chapter 348

Chapter 348: An unexpected duo
“So, why are we here in disguises?” Gunther’s tone was to be desired, but Kellen couldn’t blame him. They weren’t at the Guild, for obvious reasons, and Kellen had forced the man to cover up his easily identifiable hair since Pamela was running a huge publicity stunt that Gunther and Rhys were having a huge falling out.

Since that was what they had come up with, Kellen respected it. It just made Kellen’s plan to introduce Gunther to Carlos a harder thing to do. One, Kellen had to disguise himself, and two, he had to disguise Gunther. He had to employ his sister’s help, since he had no clue what to do, and he was pretty sure Gwen had done a good job.

Kellen was wearing a baggy outfit, a cap over his head, a fake mustache with a pair of glasses. He thought he didn’t look like himself, and that was all he needed. Gunther had a wig on. He had normal, brown hair, and Gwen had braided his hair before pulling the wig on. The wig looked…good, he guessed? Kellen wasn’t one to really know the difference, but he too was wearing sunglasses, and a baggy outfit.

The two of them didn’t look like themselves, and that was the more important thing. Sakura had agreed to this meeting, and even Carlos had agreed to it. That was a rarity, but also told Kellen that this was probably going to be a not fun meeting. Carlos didn’t agree to things easily. His earlier protests, and Kellen’s last visit to the Peach Guild should have made that obvious enough.

“Are you an idiot? We have to be in disguise so that we don’t get attacked.” Kellen said, and Gunther gave Kellen a look. He didn’t need to take off his sunglasses for Kellen to get the attitude.

“I’m not the one who got shot, twice.” Gunther was really rubbing salt into the wound.

“Do you want to compromise your next step before it even begins? I thought you were smart.” Kellen shot back before he marched towards the front door. Gunther grumbled, but followed after him.

“I miss the old Guide Woods. The one who was still angry, but wanted to impress me at the same time. This one is too snarky.” Gunther said as the two of them reached the doors of the Peach Guild. Kellen was the one to open them, and gestured for Gunther to enter first. Gunther made a face at him, but did as he was told.

The inside of the Guild was the exact same way as it had been in his memory. Kellen chuckled, moving towards the front desk, sure that he looked strange. Several of the women around them gave them concerned looks, but didn’t stop them.

“That was a lie, Gunther. A lie so that you would let your guard down. I have always been this way, but now you’re part of the exclusive club that knows that.”

“It’s a great honour, Gunther. You should be proud.” Sakura’s voice boomed, filling the space as she came around the corner, her lips turned up slightly before she halted, and started laughing. “That’s what you left the Guild in? Did Captain Thatcher not stop you?” Kellen shrugged.

“We avoided him. I had a feeling he’d have some opinions about what I’m wearing, or he was going to fuss over us.” Kellen said and Sakura’s expression shifted slightly.

“Well, given how the last few trips you’ve taken have gone, I can’t blame the man. Sorry that I can’t take them to visit you. It would be convenient if that was the case, but the research is delicate right now.” Kellen understood. He did a lot of delicate work, and it was actually quite nice that he agreed to speak to them at all.

“Honestly, I was actually surprised that they agreed. I wasn’t expecting much when I asked you if we could visit. I fully expected a rejection, so this was a nice surprise.” Sakura chuckled, looking over the unusual pair.

“Yes, I agree. I hope it’s enlightening for both of you, though I am sure you know a lot more than he does.” Sakura said, gesturing towards Gunther with her chin. Kellen turned his gaze towards Gunther, who was looking between the two of them with great suspicion. Kellen smirked.

“Hm, maybe. You would be surprised by what they have, and haven’t told me.” Kellen told Sakura who chuckled.

“Well, let’s not keep either of them waiting. We have Lieutenant Spencer joining us, since this will also double as a check in for the items that they are working on.” Kellen nodded. Multitasking made complete sense to him, while Gunther made a rude noise.

Both Sakura and Kellen ignored him.

Lieutenant Spencer was at the elevator waiting for them. She smiled when she saw the duo, her brown eyes smiled as she took in Kellen’s garb.

“Well, what a surprise, Guide Woods. You seem to be in good spirits. I assume the man behind you is Lieutenant Gunther. How are you doing, Lieutenant?” She asked, and Kellen didn’t look at Gunther. He chuckled.

“Well, I could be better. Not many Lieutenants go undercover, and I doubt that many could do so.” Lieutenant Spencer, able to sense that there was some tension between them, glanced at her Captain. Sakura grinned, crossing her arms as they waited for the elevator.

“I think you’re right. The news right now is insane. Pamela is a miracle worker. I could kiss her on her mouth, but I also don’t want to die, so I wouldn’t do that. Besides that, have you thought about how you are going to recover your reputation after this?” Kellen answered for him.

“If things go relatively smoothly, we’ll end up catching these fuckers, and Gunther can come back revealing that it was all an act. That alone will get him in most good graces. Plus, I’m sure some other big scandal or something will surpass what he’s done in the name of getting the A. E. G.’s trust. Maybe I’ll do a crime or something.” Kellen joked. The girls laughed, clearly finding it a little humorous, but Gunther’s laugh was a little too unhinged.

“Please, we can’t have Rhys pulling his hair out so soon. He’s a little young for that, don’t you think? We’ve already got me to worry about, if you add another person he really might lose it.” Gunther said, and thankfully the elevator arrived at the same time. The four of them stepped inside the metal box and once inside, Kellen elbowed Gunther in the side. He cursed. “Ow! What?” He complained, holding his side like Kellen had actually hurt him.

Kellen didn’t buy it for a moment.

“You know damn well what I meant by that.” Kellen said, his tone dark. His joke wasn’t funny, not with Rhys having a power that traditionally made the others who had it go insane. Gunther grinned at him, unrepentant.

“I’m just getting into character, Kellen. Do you think this kind of shit comes to me easily?” Kellen gave him a hard look.

“Why do you think I suggested you go undercover, Gunther?” Kellen asked and Sakura stepped between them.

“Alright. Have you told him anything, Kellen?” She asked, purposefully putting herself in between the two men.

“I haven’t. Nothing beyond that they are an Esper, and they used to be a part of the A. E. G.” Sakura glanced at Gunther.

“I don’t think I actually knew which one they worked for.” Sakura said and Kellen shrugged.

“I only found out in passing, and it wasn’t a big deal at the time. Did they know I was shot?” Kellen asked and Sakura sighed. She ran her hand over her smoothed top of her head. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, so it kind of looked like she was smoothing back loose hairs.

“Yeah, they do know. I didn’t really want them to know, but they got mad at me for trying to without information from them. When even Bella was getting mad at me, I knew I was really in the wrong.” Sakura said. “I think that might be why they agreed to this meeting.” She said, and Kellen had to agree. If he knew that Kellen had been shot by the A. E. G. twice, he was probably very worried.

He wasn’t going to be obvious about it, but Carlos was probably going to be asking Kellen a bunch of questions about his well-being. It would be cute, honestly. Carlos was so not that kind of guy, it was cute when he was.

“Well, it’s nice to know that they care. I did go out of my way to save them.” Kellen said and Gunther snorted.

“And hid it from pretty much everyone.” Kellen glanced at Gunther.

“Oh, and you would have looked so fondly on a man who had potentially targeted the Captain?” Gunther froze.

“What?” He demanded and Kellen sighed.

“This was exactly why I hid it from everyone, including Sakura. She didn’t know that I was the one who saved them until this whole gate fiasco. You keep this quiet, Gunther. I mean it. If anyone found out that he was still alive, everyone could be at risk. You’ll understand why once you meet him.” Kellen told him and Gunther gave him a suspicious look. Despite his behaviour recently, he was still Gunther. Just a little battered and bruised.

Kellen was sure that was only going to get worse while he was away from the Guild, but that was something that he was going to have to deal with when he got back.