kokuei

I created my team; bringing Akihiko, Aigis and Mitsuru with me. We used to access point to reach a higher floor in the tower. We battled shadows as usual... but I still couldn't shake the unease. Akihiko must have noticed it, because he kept looking at me in a reassuring way. I smiled back whenever I could and would shrug it off. I ran up some stairs unthinkingly; suddenly everyone had been separated. I looked around. Fuuka came through on the support line... just barely. "Sh-ws... infes-ion! Mi-to, -e car-ful!" It was hard to make out what she said, but after taking a step around the corner; i knew full well. This place was full of shadows. I had to find everyone. Quickly. "Persona!" I called, summoning Messiah to assist me in battle. I walked around for what started to feel like an eternity, and through my own persona's ability I could hear the conversation most likely taking place in the entrance; though my ability didn't allow me to reply.
"Ryoji? Why are you here?" Mitsuru asked, rapier in hand, with a slight glare.
"Minato... where is he?" Ryoji asked, seeming quite flustered. "Where's Minato, damnit?" he raised his voice and stamped his foot, almost like a child having a tantrum.
"We don't know. We lost contact with Akihiko and Minato can bearly hear us.. we can't pinpoint a location. Why're you so angry?" Mitsuru explained. Ryoji cringed. "He's tired! He's in pain! Why is he-?" suddenly Ryoji stopped. Fuuka temporarily got communications back, so I interrupted. "Everyone, i-it's all right. I'm going.. Akihiko-senpai... I won't.. back.. without-" I got cut off as I continued to climb the tower. "That.. idiot..." Ryoji had a somewhat pained expression. Koromaru looked up at him from the floor and whimpered. Aigis looked suprised. "Ryoji-san, why would he do something like that?" Aigis asked. "Because... I told him the truth; I gave him the answer he longed for..." he said, sighing. "I... see. Then we must-" Aigis was interrupted.
"No. There is only one person who can stop him now. That person is himself." Ryoji gripped his scarf tightly and walked towards the exit. "Don't interfere. This is what it means to face one's true self. Minato-kun must learn through his pain what it means to live, breathe, fight and.. love someone other than me. When that time comes... I will disappear. I am merely his hollow half. The shadow half. The Harbinger of Death." Everyone looked somewhat confused as he left, unsure of what to say or expect. However they listened and waited...

I moved swiftly up the tower, I was pretty good with evasive movements. Of course, I knew it was only a matter of time. I had no idea how far up the tower Akihiko was and I had to search every inch of every floor. Exhaustion would hit me eventually. That just means I have to find Akihiko sooner rather than later, right? I constantly paid close attention to my surroundings, calling Akihiko's name continuously. "Akihiko! Where are you!" I started getting flustered; constant running and shouting had done me no good - I was no closer to finding Akihiko. It was then that I caught a glimpse of the Reaper. I stayed dead still. Maybe it hadn't noticed me yet. I tried to walk around it; but it saw me - it didn't seem interested though. I slowly edged a little closer. Was it after something else? I noticed a flicker of red go past the doorway it was about to go in to. "Akihiko! Wait!" I pushed myself off the wall, into a run, straight past the Reaper and over to Akihiko; but it was a wrong turn. We were both now cornered with nowhere else to go. "Akihiko... run." I said, looking at him through my one uncovered eye. "No. I'll figh-"
"Don't be stupid! I told them I wouldn't come back without you. I'm just distracting it, go on ahead." Minato smiled and though I could tell Akihiko wanted to protest, there wasn't the time to. "The access point: First left, second right and straight ahead. Go." I pulled the Evoker from my belt and raised it to my head. Akihiko nodded and ran, diving out of the way of the Reaper's attack as he headed for the exit. Once he was out of my sight, I dropped the Evoker. "Come to finally take my life?" I asked the creature, a smile on my face. This loneliness, this pain... it could all go away at the hands of this being. Akihiko had stopped, his footsteps had halted. He must have heard the evoker hit the floor. I saw him skid to a stop at the doorway of the room. I stood silently; a content smile on his face as the Reaper held it's gun to my head. "What are you doing? Fight, Arisato!" I heard Akihiko call, but it was much too late, I took the shot and slumped slowly to the floor, my consciousness fading almost instantly. The Reaper turned to Akihiko, and moved fast. But as it was about to catch him, something hit the Reaper back - all I could make out was a dark shape. Akihiko recognised it as he seemed to be staring in disbelief at the form that was fending off the reaper.
"Die for me!" Thanatos yelled; I recognised that young man's voice within it. Ryoji. The Reaper vanished, but wasn't yet defeated. Akihiko didn't dare move. Ryoji transformed back into his human form, his fuzzy, blurred figure running towards me. "M-Minato-kun!" My hair was now dishevelled and body limp, I couldn't move or even muster the energy to speak.

Why did he have to come? I could have just died here. Everything would be over.

He picked me up into his arms and I heard him say something but I couldn't make out the words, before I let the darkness consume me.

_
genjitsuka

Everything was slowly slipping away.

He came back, didn't he?

I took shallow breaths. It hurt to think so much. To feel that pair of arms go around me before everything went pitch black.

"Minato-kun, good evening. How have you been?" Ryoji was sat on my bed. My bed? Home again? No... I knew this feeling all too well. "Why?"
"You should already know why, Minato-kun." he's smiling softly at me again as his face moves closer and closer; until his nose is practically touching mine. I remembered the one night we'd spent together and based off instinct my lips pressed to his. "I love you." I whispered. Ryoji backed away slightly and looked at me for a minute in silence. "I know..." he said, closing in on me, embracing me in a warmth that felt surreal. "You have to wake up. You've been sleeping too long." Ryoji said, still holding me. I shook my head. "No! If I wake up we can't be like this! If I wake up, you'll go away!" I held tighter to reassure myself that he wouldn't go anywhere. "Minato-kun." I didn't respond. "Minato-kun." I remained silent still. "Minato." "What?" I muttered quietly, muffled by Ryoji's shoulder. "There is another who loves you dearly. He's right by your side. You should wake up and accept reality. No matter how harsh it will become, Minato-kun. There are always people to look out for you." he pulled away and smiled at me. "...another... who loves me?" I asked.
"Yes... he's beside you, the real you, right now... he needs you more than anything; just like you need someone." Ryoji placed a hand on my face. "Now promise me, you will live on. Promise me that and let me rest. Let me disappear. I will always be a part of you; in your memory." Ryoji spoke so much sense, but still a part of me just wouldn't let him go. I heard him chuckle slightly.
"You're not going to make this easy are you?" he smiled. "Come now." he said softly, before kissing my lips, my jaw and my neck until I let go. He took my hands and smiled once more. "Ryoji..?" the look on his face was unlike anything I had seen before. It was sad and so lifeless. "I was always, just a dream." he chuckled. "We'll meet again...someday." he vanished, without saying another word. I was left confused, but every word of his meant something. Every word always did in these dreams. I created Ryoji inside of me, so I controlled these dreams. I wanted him to convince me to let go. That's what he meant? Right? I put a hand to my head and let out a partial chuckle.

I slowly opened my eyes. Everything was still a littly hazy. "A-Arisato?" I saw the pair of hazel eyes looking down at me.

This one... Ryoji?

I smiled and raised my hand steadily to his cheek. He placed a hand over my own for reassurance. "W-Where are we?" I asked, unnable to make out my location. "At the next barrier." he said softly. I smiled and closed my eyes.
"Mission accomplished." I said quietly, I heard him laugh and I opened my eyes again. His face was a little closer to mine than it was a minute ago and I blushed a little, regaining my vision more as I pulled myself up, using his shoulder to plant a little kiss on his lips. "Thank you, Akihiko-senpai." I smiled sincerely as I watched his face turn a bright red. "...so embarassed, Akihiko. I'm not one of the girls from the beach, you know." I grinned slightly, though it did ache to do so.
"Shut up. It's embarassing because it's you." he muttered. I stared him in the eye.
"I could do much more embarassing things, if you'd like?" I raised an eyebrow; thinking it was impossible for Akihiko to turn another shade of red, but no, I was proven wrong as his face turned darker. He picked me up off the gound and carried me like a prince would carry his princess across his arms. I wasn't complaining though. "That's enough out of you. That shot must have damaged your brain." he muttered, looking away to try and hide his embarassment. He walked across the room to the access point after picking up the briefcase with the document Elizabeth wanted in it and we returned. The relief on everyone's faces was obvious and I straight away apologised for being reckless. Mitsuru wanted to ridicule me, but refrained and shook her head.
"No. You did what you felt was right. Even if..." Mitsuru started calmly.
"..even though it was stupid! Moron!" Yukari butted in pointing a finger at me and suddenly flaring up. Akihiko put me down, but I used his left shoulder for support. Junpei followed suit and allowed me to use his right shoulder. "Man, you scared da hell out of me! Ryoji barged in here, talking about you and we all got worried. But it's good to see you're alright man." Junpei smiled out from under his hat, in his usual cheeky way. I couldn't help but smile back to that childish grin of his. Aigis stepped forward.
"Minato-kun, I am glad to see that you have returned to us." she said. I nodded silently. Koromaru barked at my feet. "He also is happy to see you back." Aigis translated the dog's speaking and I nodded. "Right, enough with all this. Let's return to the dorm." Akihiko said. Everyone nodded as we all headed slowly outside, just as the dark hour ended. We took the long journey home to the dorm; shortened slightly by the fact we were able to take the train. Once we got inside, everyone was exhausted and went to bed. Akihiko escorted me to my room and came inside. "Please, don't do that to me ever again." he said, kneeling beside my bed and taking my hand, resting his head on it. I looked at him with a pained smile.
"Sorry, Akihiko-senpai."
"Don't apologise. I was too caught up to notice your pain." he was blushing, I could tell. His cheeks were gently warming my cold hands.
"Akihiko-senpai..." I didn't know what to say, what was there to say? I caused him so much pain while I was caught up in my own problems. We're both just as sorry.

judaku

"Come closer." I said quietly, reaching out my other hand across my body. Akihiko glanced up and took that other hand. From there, he climbed on top of me, kneeling either side of my legs whilst his two hands, our interlacing fingers, held my hands beside my head. He looked beautiful in the moonlight. Just like Ryoji did... Ryoji... Akihiko must have sensed the sudden hesitation in my action, the change of look in my eyes.
"Arisato?" he asked. "Are you alright?" he went to let go and I reflexively grabbed tighter. Ryoji was gone. I couldn't let him leave me too. "D-Don't..." I muttered quietly, my bangs shielding my eyes as I turned my head to the side."D-Don't leave." There was a long silence, I dared look at his face. There was shock. I didn't really understand. Before I could even try to, he let my hands go and moved them around me, pulling me to sit up as he rested his chin on my head. "You idiot, Minato." he muttered. "I could never leave your side again." he let out what I thought was a chuckle, it made me relax, along with him calling me by my first name, I felt so much happier. "Sorry." I said again quietly. I could feel him shake his head as he pulled away from me, placing his hands on each of my shoulders.
"Stop apologising for everything." he said, smiling softly at me. I smiled softly.
"Sorry- I mean, you're right." He had a look of sincerity, peacefulness and joy all in one simple smile as he looked back at me. For the first time in a while, I felt genuinely happy. "Thank you, Akihiko-sempai." I spoke quietly. He pulled me in once more and embraced me, but this time I returned it. "Minato... It's okay to share your burdens sometimes. We're all here... especially me. You may be the type to keep quiet and try to deal with it... but that won't always work. That's why you have us; your friends." Akihiko's voice was so soft and calm, but I could hear the quiet trembling hidden in his words.
"Ryoji... He was a part of me... no... he is a part of me. Ryoji is important to me. But he told me we will meet again someday and that he's always with me in my heart. And... he told me that there was someone else out there who needed me; like I need someone..." I trailed off, but letting everything out now would help... wouldn't it? "Akihiko you once said I was precious: You, too, are precious to me. Ryoji isn't someone I will forget in a day, but with you by my side..." Akihiko pressed a slim finger to my lips. "Shh. I know... and I understand. But like I said, Minato; that's why I'm here." he replaced his finger with his lips and held me tightly. "That's why... I won't leave you." he whispered, right in front of my face, his breath ghosting over my mouth. I smiled. There was truth behind every word Akihiko spoke. "It's late." I said, noticing the moon outside. "Yeah... you've slept for like a week. You still need rest until morning." he let go and made me lay down; placing his hand on my chest and pushing me backwards. The moment my head hit the pillow, my eyes felt heavy. "Don't worry. This isn't a dream. I will be right here beside you when you wake." his quiet, reassuring words were enough to calm my soul and let me rest once more.

True to his word, Akihiko was there when I woke up; curled beside me with a smile and his arms wrapped delicately around me. I wasn't sure whether to wake him or not, he looked happy to just be there. I needed to use the bathroom, so I slowly and carefully wiggled my way out of his grasp, then crawled over him to get out of the bed. I walked down the hall to see everyone sat at the table at the end. Every one of them looked up, their faces brightened. "Arisato, it's good to see you've recovered." Mitsuru smiled, she was busy as always but took the time to spare me a few words. "Thank goodness. I said my highest priority was to protect you, but I was not given permission to stay by your side." Aigis; she had a funny way of getting across her emotion. I smiled and nodded. Junpei stood up and walked towards me.
"Dude, you don't even look like you're injured, what happened?" I looked down. "Nothing...really. I don't remember. Akihiko took good care of me." I smiled and looked back up. Junpei had his usual carefree smile on.
"Well dude, I'm glad you're okay." He patted me on the shoulder and Fuuka looked up from her laptop. "Minato-kun... Don't push yourself too hard just because you've recovered. We can put of Tartarus for a few more days so don't worry." she smiled. "Get some rest." I nodded. "Alright." The remainder had their say before I could actually get to the bathroom. I was suprised none of them asked where Akihiko was, but it made things easier: Not having to explain. Koromaru followed me back to my door. I stroked him for a minute before explaining that I was going to rest. He sat down and didn't move, even as I walked into my room. Protecting me perhaps? I closed the door and turned around to see a slightly relieved Akihiko standing in front of my bed. He must have been worried when I wasn't here, especially for so long.
"Holdup in the hallway. Everyone was outside." I smiled and he smiled back. Just that simple gesture was enough to put my heart at ease. He walked over to me and patted me on the head.
"Good morning." Patting me on the head? No way. I took his hand that was on my head and used it to pull him closer. "Morning, Akihiko-sempai." I gave him a short hug and a light kiss on his cheek. "But I'm going to sleep today. If our hypothesis is correct, we have a meeting with death in a week." I remembered little Pharos saying something about the fall and Ryoji telling me about him disappearing and bringing Nyx down... I came back from my thoughts to Akihiko blushing, so red that it matched his jumper. "Y-Yeah. I'm going to be a little busy today, but I promise to come back later." he seemed constantly concerned.
"It's okay, Akihiko-sempai. I can manage to sleep alone. The others aren't far off if something happens and... I can always just call you, right?" Akihiko chuckled slightly. "Yeah, of course." he said, letting go and heading towards the door. "I'll be back." "Have a safe trip." I replied, smiling and turning to get back into my bed. Accepting Ryoji's disappearance may be easier with Akihiko beside me. I stared at the ceiling.

But Ryoji... I'll always love you.