"I heard that Naoto-kun has been found. He returned to his apartment." Dojima responded as his exhausted nephew slammed himself down onto the floor, feeling his lower spine crack as he did.

"Has he?" He responded sleepily, it took all his effort not to mistakenly say 'she', that was her thing to tell his uncle.
"He is your friend isn't he? Did he say where he was going before he left?"
"No, and…Naoto-kun isn't all that friendly with any of us."
"Hm…you and your friends should visit him." An unusual remark from his uncle.
"I think Yukiko-san might know where he lives. She's walked home with him for a while." He lied, he didn't want to, but he couldn't say he took Naoto home.

"Like I said, he's a cocky brat, but a good kid." The man shrugged, the effect of the murders showing as he struggled to get his muscles set into a comfortable position.
"I'll visit before work tomorrow."
"The hospital?" Dojima asked.
"Yeah, I shouldn't be there too long, they took on another part timer and he's going to take over some more of the duties. I can decrease my hours."

"What do you use all this money for?" Dojima asked curiously, careful not to get Nanako's attention and assume they were fighting again.
"I'm saving it. For university." It was a half lie; he saved the money from several of his jobs for his future education but most went onto supplies.
"Get some rest. You look awful." Dojima laughed. Yu sighed with relief; he had gotten away with it.

As much as he wished he would, he did not settle that night. He was worried for her. He remembered in a casual conversation that her grandfather and his secretary were out of town for six weeks, working on an independent case from the Inaba murders. That had been three weeks ago, hence why she hadn't moved back into the estate yet. He was worried, she would be alone. He could go and look after her for a while, he resolved, until her grandfather undoubtedly finished his case or sent his secretary home early.

-x-x-

She hated herself for not getting out of bed that morning, so when she woke around midday she resolved to at least stretch her legs a little. There were small knots beginning to form in her legs. She had dreamt of Kohyru in the few hours between her first waking and her midday waking. It said nothing, neither did she. They just watched each other, she noted how her shadow self was taking a shine to the creature, before it blew smoke and the scene disappeared once more.

"I need…to change." She had checked her phone to see a message from the secretary saying he would be returning to Inaba ahead of her grandfather, but due to complications in the case it would not be for a while yet. She did not want him to see her in this state, by the time he returned she should at least be able to walk around and feed herself. Well, get to the fridge at least.

Her body was weak, she had barely reached her small chest of drawers before she felt exhausted. She had managed to struggle into a tshirt and a pair of baggy bottoms before she felt a wave of nausea. She never made it further than a few steps before she knelt down on the floor, and let sleep overtake her again.

"Senpai, are you busy today?" Rise asked, grabbing him with a little more roughness than was needed in the hallway at lunch.
"I am, I'm sorry Rise-san."
"Oh is it music practice, or basketball today?"
"No, I have to help Nanako with her homework before I go to work." It was the most convincing lie he could think of.
"Oh, the others all mentioned going to the movies. I guess its ok." She went quiet. "Naoto-kun will be ok, right senpai?"
"She'll be fine." I don't understand how you can all go to the movies…well…I guess its better this way…

He had headed to Junes with Yosuke, and had made up a lie about wanting to pick up some food to eat in his break at work. Teddie was soon rushing out and dragging Yosuke away, only stopping to ask if Naoto was safe.
"She's fine." He nodded.
"Help Nao-chan get better, won't you sensei?" He smiled sheepishly.

He had no idea what Naoto ate. If she even ate at all. He had never seen her once stop to eat at school, in fact he very rarely saw her at school at all. He passed her in the library a few times, her head buried deep in a book, ignoring the world around her. Something as slim as her obviously didn't eat a lot, but he still went around the store picking up any pre-packaged ready to eat food he could find. He would ask Nanako to collect some fresh vegetables to see if he couldn't make Naoto some soup when she was able to eat that much.

He had knocked on the door first, just to check to see if she was awake, and to alleviate the worries of anyone in the neighbouring apartments who thought he could have been breaking in. He sighed, clutching the Junes bag tight against his body as he tried to free his wrist and unlock the door.
"Naoto-kun?" He called out as he stepped into the apartment, his eyes closed as a manner of respect. "Naoto-kun?" He called lower this time. His eyes shot open and noticed her asleep on the floor inches from her bed. "Are you ok!?" She didn't respond, he knelt down beside her, noticing she was breathing fine and didn't seem injured.

"Let's get you back in bed." He rolled her gently onto her back, negotiating his arms under her neck and legs and placed her back onto the bed, removing her cap and placing it on the vacant pillow beside her. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He took a quick look around the bedsit, a double bed in the corner, a small bathroom behind a door on the wall behind the bed. A very small kitchen, a leather couch and a large screen TV situated next to a laundry basket. The sofa didn't look sat on that much, her computer chair looked far more worn, her desk marked where she had spent a long period of time leaning on it. Her shelves were sparsely covered with notebooks and detective novels – this room was temporary lodgings for her – it was hardly a surprise it didn't feel homely.

He placed the chopsticks and sparse offering of food on the bedside counter, carried the clothes she had discarded to the laundry basket, and pulled her window to, he noticed her phone still had power in it to last until the morning, he left her a new note.

I thought you might be hungry. You were clearly up and about. I put your clothes in the laundry basket in the corner. I have to go to work now.

-x-x-

"My master is a caring man." The dragon was staring off into the white void, away from Naoto, who seemed to be alone today, her shadow nowhere to be found.
"He saved me." She went quiet. The dragon twisted, its body flexing so it did not have to lean on its claws and have to drop those beads it always carried. She watched it intently, as if it was waiting to say something.
"Never mind." It was close to her face now; she could feel the choking sensation in her throat from the fumes it released. "That was not quite what I meant."
"What did you mean then?" She huffed.
"It does not matter small one."

"When will I be able to move properly, without getting so tired?"
"What makes you think I have that answer?" The dragon mocked.
"I remember another creature…" She didn't know what she was doing, it was most likely reaffirming her memory with herself. "A…big cat…a tiger I think."
"Byakko." The creature responded. That was the end of that conversation.
"Saying things like that makes you think you are just a part of my imagination, you have my social skills." She didn't judge the beast's reaction.
"You will sleep for a while now Naoto." It fell silent once more.

-x-x-

A week into her recovery, she was able to appreciate the food and the notes left for her daily. She had established that Yu-kun visited her daily, often before work. For the first few days all that she had been left was pre-packaged, pre-cooked food in Junes; an unusual box from Aiya, filled with meat – which she assumed Chie had bought. The last two days had yielded something far more delightful, freshly made soup and warm bread. She wanted to stay awake to thank whoever came to visit her today, she felt ready, yet as the morning turned into the afternoon her body began to ache.

She threw the book she had been reading down onto the bed.
"A nap…won't hurt." She sighed. "Just a little while."

She did not dream of Kohryu, and Shadow Naoto was not there either, she hoped that meant for a peaceful and light rest.

-x-x-

The others had grown slightly suspicious of Yu by this point, he would slink off out the school as soon as the bell rang, occasionally walking across the floodplains with whoever was available before shying away and heading straight home.
"Welcome home big bro!" Nanako called, barely having got home herself. "Are you going to see Naoto-kun today too?"
"I'm afraid so." He felt bad for neglecting her.
"It's ok, dad says Naoto-kun doesn't have anyone to look after him, something about his grandpa being out of Inaba and not being able to come home. Dad is coming home straight away tonight."
"Good. I promise I'll make it up to you Nanako." He was rooting in the fridge for the bento box he made for Naoto.
"Bottom shelf." Nanako pointed out before dumping herself in front of the television. He smiled to himself and said goodbye.

Thankfully, since Naoto's rescue, the weather had been calm. He balanced the box carefully, in his arm as he unlocked the door to her apartment.
"Naoto-kun, are you awake?" He called out. He had yet to see her awake when he had visited, but it was obvious she was becoming more active. He no longer needed to keep her place clean, or replace her book as she read through it and more food and water were disappearing from the bedside table each day.

"I bought something special for you today." He kept his distance from the bed, she had shuffled under the covers and from the looks of it had a more peaceful sleep than other days, where her bed sheets had been pulled completely around her like a tight cocoon.
"I'll leave it here." He moved the soup bowl and plate where the bread had been the day before, placing the bento box in their place.

He had proved to be a little bit of a domesticated beast since his move into Inaba, helping to pick up the slack for Nanako and cooking for three had showed him that much. He found it no effort to keep Naoto's apartment neat. If it wasn't for the fatigue he would be able to do it much faster. He couldn't complain though, this was his first day off since he rescued her, and he intended to stick around as long as he could in the hope he would get a glimpse of her awake.

She showed no sign of moving anytime soon, so he instead scooped one of her detective novels off her desk and decided to indulge in reading for a while. He could see what she had meant about these novels, the heroes were men – the victims and lesser characters normally women.

He felt his tiredness creeping up on him. Even as the book landed on his chest with a thud as he sprawled across the sofa, it didn't disturb him once.

-x-x-

"Thank you for this." The man on the phone was apologetic. "Whilst Naoto is a prime concern for myself and my master, we can not leave this case." The woman smiled to herself before politely replying.
"It's ok Yakushiji." She giggled.

She was the oldest of the maids on the Shirogane estate, having known Yakushiji the entire time he had worked at the estate

"Naoto-san?" The woman called through the door, pressing her head gently against it. "Your grandfather has asked me to check on you." She went to press down on the handle, to her surprise, the door was unlocked – despite Naoto not answering. "Oh my." She blushed as she saw the girl spooning a pillow against her chest, shivering slightly from her illness or ailment – the woman was not too sure what had caused Naoto to be so ill. The woman took a moment to cast a glance across the apartment – she was certain nobody had been in to clean it, yet it was spotless, then her eyes fell upon Naoto's couch.

-x-x-

"Did you sense that Naoto?" Her eyes did not snap open, rather they were a gentle flutter to be met by the face of that infernal reptile that was haunting her.
"I…someone is in my room?" She asked, focusing on the sound from the outside world.
"Indeed they are. I feel you have two visitors, your previous one has yet to leave." It coiled slightly, allowing itself to place its head level with her own, whilst keeping her back supported against a further length. "These guests mean no harm, I am sure."

"I wanted to be awake to greet my guests today." Naoto let her comment hang in the air.
"In time, young one. You will wake soon enough." She couldn't help but notice his whiskers, brushing against her legs. "Your strength is returning."
"Yes, I noticed." She took the chance to stand, noticing how the dragon shifted its weight to help her stand. "Why are you still here?"

"I do not know, but it seems I am in your thoughts and dreams often. I question if I am more than a pigment of your imagination after all."
"I was reaching the same conclusion myself." She remarked.
"I have a request of you." It remarked, marvelling at its own reflection in the red bead it clutched in its claw.
"What is it?"
"I wish for you to permit me to stay here." It lowered its head down, its nostrils close to her face.
"I don't think that would be wise, until I know what you are…I will not have much choice. But if I find out what you are and do not like it. You will not come here again, are we in agreement?" It chortled, which took her aback a little.
"I believe I will be of great assistance to you." It bowed its head slightly. "Now rest young one."

-x-x-

"Hm…Yu…that must be the boy on the sofa." She had decided not to wake him, he looked harmless enough, and the note left beside the sleeping Naoto seemed to suggest he had been the one coming to check on her every day. "I think this is something I should keep to myself, I do not wish to alarm Shirogane-san, I will simply tell them she is recovering." She decided to herself. She quietly placed her own note to Naoto beside the one in the notebook. She checked the fridge, placing a few items inside before glancing back at the boy.

"You are a handsome one." She whispered to herself, chuckling light-heartedly. He stirred slightly, before twisting onto his side, the book sliding onto the floor with a gentle thud. It was clear he would not be waking anytime soon. "Poor dear, you look exhausted. Are you one of those people Naoto has mentioned back at the estate?" She knew he would not answer, and instead decided she would find something to make him comfortable, remembering she had once bought Naoto extra bedding, which was still stored in a box in the corner.

-x-x-

"Koh…yru…" Naoto groaned. "Why do you…?" Her eyes were heavy, her talk with the dragon being a confusing mass of nonsense in the real world of the waking. Her watch notified her it was 6pm, she had missed her visitors by some time, she must have. She twisted to her right, to look at the bedside table in the hope of some goodies.

Her hand, frailer and skinner than she had wanted clutched the glass of fruit juice first. Someone had bothered to leave her a cold drink, and a fresh pitcher of water should she need it. She did not hesitate to gulp down the drink, not stopping for air until the glass was gone. She inhaled deeply, feeling the cooling sensation running through her insides.

Today she was ravenously hungry, disregarding the notes that had been left, she reached for the blue box and the chopsticks that lay atop.
"California rolls!" She sighed in delight. "My favourite." She placed a piece in her mouth, feeling her strength return as she chewed. She reached for the notebook, choosing to read the note left on her notebook.
"How kind of you, Yu-kun." She placed another piece of sushi in her mouth before glancing at the folded note that was written on familiar paper. It had the letter head of the Shirogane estate. "Has grampa visited?"

Hello Naoto-san. I hope you are recovering. Your grandfather is being held back in the city. I will let him know you are recovering. I am sorry nobody from the estate visited sooner. Your friend seems to have exhausted himself he passed out on the sofa. Don't worry, I'll keep quiet about what I saw –

She never got to the end of the note before she embarrassedly crumpled it.
"My friend?" She placed the bento box back on the bedside table, hoping desperately her legs would take her weight as she balanced on the counter to lift herself off the bed. For the first time in weeks that was not a struggle, she reached for her hat and pressed it to her head before stumbling across the room to the sofa. She was still unsteady on her feet, and each step had to be delayed as she regained her balance from the one before. She reached for the back of the sofa as soon as she approached, feeling more confident in her balance, she peered over.

He was laying on his right side, facing towards the television.
"Yu-kun?" She struggled across to the other side of the sofa, gently lowering herself to her knees in front of him, she noticed he had been reading one of her favourite detective novels, the torn pages and battered spine showed how much she had read it. "Yu-kun, wake up." She gently pushed his arm, rolling him gently onto his back.
"Wah-" He panicked her, causing her to stumble back against her coffee table. "Naoto-kun?" He blinked his eyes and focused towards the source of contact.
"Don't do that!" She scowled.

"I…fell asleep didn't I?"
"You look exhausted." She felt her tiredness creeping up again, she rubbed her eyes heavily.
"You look a little like the shadow you there." He chuckled.
"Shut. Up." She growled.
"Thanks for the blanket." He pushed himself up into a sitting position.
"That wasn't me. It was my family's maid." Her head felt heavy. "Senpai, how long have you been coming to visit me for?"

"Every day, I left you here the night we bought you back, then took some keys from the bowl. I know you mentioned your grandfather works a lot, I didn't want you to starve." He said bashfully. "Here uh…I'll help you up." He pulled her to her feet and dropped her down onto the sofa.
"Senpai…I didn't need your help. I don't really deserve it." She was quiet as he disappeared behind her to collect the food and water from her bedside.

"It doesn't matter, you're my friend, right?"
"Friend?" That seemed like an unusual concept for her. Which hadn't gone unnoticed by Yu.
"Yes, a friend. You know what one is, don't you detective?" He teased.
"Stop it!" She whined, before throwing her head forward and groaning.

"You're nearly there, just a bit longer and you'll be back to normal, huh?" He poured her another drink and offered her the glass.
"Thank you." She took the glass and felt her headache ease slightly. "I hope to be returning to school as soon as possible."
"I guess you won't need me to come round anymore if your family maid can come?"
"Well…she's meant to be taking care of her sister's grandkids; I don't think she will come to see me again until I'm healthy again." Naoto was tired, but her brain was working overtime. "Thank you for the food and things senpai…"

"No problem, it's Sunday tomorrow, I'll come see you in the evening with some food ok?" He promised. "I should go home soon…"
"Senpai…before you go can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"

"Do you have a persona called Kohyru?" She asked.
"Kohyru? You remembered that part of the fight against your shadow?" Her eyes widened, so nobody else had experienced, or at least mentioned it to him.
"I remember the name, can you tell me anything about it? Like what it looked like."

"He is a gold dragon, with these things sticking off his head like the base of arrows, he carries different colored beads in each arm, and he's been my most used persona." She was falling into a sleep state again. "I guess that'll do for now?" He pulled the blanket from beneath her feet and laid it over her.

For now, Kohyru would be her only company until senpai's next visit.