I had a completely different chapter planned out for this but instead I got rid of it and rewrote a new one. I'm happier with this one and decided to focus on Minako's friendship with Junpei and Akihiko. Again the title is from a song this one is from I'd Rather Be With You by Joshua Radin. It makes me think of Minako/Shinji. Not sure why.

Oh! I forgot in the Prologue but I don't own P3P or anything else...Trust me...If I did...*sighs* Read, Review and again enjoy, I hope.

Chapter One

Need to be Bold, Need to jump in the Cold Water

As September began things had begun to pick up pace. After the eventful proceedings of the summer break, Minako was almost glad to be back at school.

She even turned up early and had spent time eating on the roof in a rare peaceful moment of her life.

Investigating the Dark Hour had been essential but Minako felt as if lately it'd just drained her usually bright and carefree personality. Even Junpei, her best friend, had realised something was wrong with her.

Her hopes that summer break would actually mean a break had been crushed. Instead it was filled with studies and tennis practice and even their trip to Yakushima had caused drama despite the fact that her and Junpei swore they'd make the trip fun. For just a few hours they'd been relaxed, even with their new team member Aigis.

"Heh, I knew I'd find you up here, what you eating?" Junpei's voice called out from the door of the roof. A small smile appeared on her lips as she turned to face him.

"Curry bread. No you can't have any," she added as he attempted to ask, there was a brief silence between the two. "Hey, Junpei, do you think things are just going to get more difficult from here on?" occasionally the pair would have deep conversations, she would usually instigate them, and this seemed like one of those times when she needed to hear something from him.

"What are you talking about? With you as Leader things will just get easier and easier!" he laughed and gestured her to follow him to class. "I was going to ask you if you wanna spend some time at the arcade after school. Blow off some steam, ya know," the girl looked at him, mildly surprised. The arcade sounded just the sort of thing she needed.

"Ha! Sounds like you didn't learn from last time but if you really want me to wipe the floor with you again then I guess I can make time!" she boasted, punching his arm lightly.

"Sure thing. I won't go easy on you this time just because you're a girl!" the argument continued down to class and, thanks to the beauty of passing notes, it also carried on in class andeven Yukari got involved.

After school, just as promised, Junpei and Minako had headed down to Game Panic and spent hours there. It had eased her worries for a while but as soon as they reached the Dorm and she saw him Minako's mood dipped again.

"…Where've you been, Minako-chan?" Akihiko looked up at the door as soon as the pair walked in.

"Game Panic. We're not going Tartarus tonight and I had the shift off at work so me and Junpei decided to blow off some steam," the silver haired boxer didn't seem convinced by this explanation, no matter how true it was.

It had been just over a month now and Minako was still frustrated by the wall that seemed to have built up between her and Akihiko.

The Leader inspected the lounge and found that now it was only her and Akihiko there, against her better judgement and despite having homework, she decided it was time to try and talk to him.

"So, where are the others?" a perfectly normal conversation starter as she sat down in the armchair hoping the TV was on so she wouldn't have to meet that piercing yet gentle gaze of her senpai that still made her heart race.

"Fuuka and Yukari are helping Ken with his homework, Junpei just went upstairs if you didn't notice and Mitsuru is working," that didn't account for her favourite member and their newest.

"What about Koromaru and Aigis?"

"Upstairs as well," Minako gave him a confused look. "I know it's odd but I don't think it's anything to…"

"We said go away Junpei! Just stay downstairs for a moment, will you!" Yukari's voice suddenly rang out from above them.

"W-What'd I do?" the victim asked as he ran to the safety of the lounge.

"What were you saying?" the girl whispered to Akihiko jokingly. He seemed to have a knowing smile on his face.

"Nothing,"

"You knew she'd do that didn't you?" and although she received no reply she didn't feel as if she needed one. Junpei was panting apparently bewildered at his harsh treatment.

"Nothing, we've been sentenced downstairs. Or rather, you two have been. I might be allowed…" her sentence was cut off by Yukari hearing she was downstairs.

"Oh! Mina-chan! Fuuka, is Aigis ready?" Ken was the first to return to the lounge, looking oddly uncomfortable but she assumed it was because he still wasn't used to living with a group of rowdy teenagers…and Mitsuru.

Koromaru was close behind immediately taking his place sitting next to the armchair Minako was using.

Finally Yukari, Fuuka and Aigis appeared, Aigis wearing a Gekkoukan uniform.

I have to say I wasn't expecting that…She looks human…almost.

"Why're you in a school uniform? A winter one as well…" Junpei had been dumbfounded into silence it seemed.

"Well we were talking and Aigis said she wanted to go to school and then I mentioned it to Mitsuru as a joke and she enrolled her! Starting tomorrow she'll be in our year," Yukari seemed excited at the prospect of having another girl in their year from SEES.

"Oh wow! That's an awesome idea!" their leader could sense they wanted her approval with this and was happy enough to give it.

"I will protect you at school as well then." The robot's dull voice promised. It had worried Minako for a while the way the robot spoke but not as much as the way she looked.

Like she was pulled straight out of a dream from long ago or something but then again lots of children dream of robots, why would she be any exception?

"I'm happy you'll be at school! I hope you'll be in our class! Now I'm off to cook," she shot Akihiko a look of 'follow me' hoping he'd pick up on it and by the time Minako reached the kitchen the boxer was close on her heels.

"You wanted to talk to me?" he was keeping quite a distance from her just to be safe.

"Huh? Oh yea. Are we okay? Me and you?" the brunette was trying to keep it casual by looking for the cup ramen she'd bought the night before, again avoiding eye contact.

Akihiko however seemed thrown off by this question. "W-what? Of course." She could tell he wasn't lying but then…what was it she was feeling from him?

I worry too much. I guess…

"Hm. I can't find my ramen, damn," she heaved a heavy sigh realising she'd have to spend more money now going out and getting food.

"Hagekure?" Minako considered this for a moment. If they really were okay then it seemed only right to go out for a meal and besides food was food. She nodded; feeling slightly more relaxed as they walked out of the dorm together.

The night was like it had always been in Iwatodai, it wasn't too hot or cold and it certainly wasn't too quiet either. Cars bustled down and in the distance they could hear the monorail zooming down the tracks. This was exactly what she had needed and Minako felt like she'd found a home. Not the dorm in particular but just the city that surrounded them and once the Dark Hour was gone, it'd be perfect. She felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders as she reflected on why they were fighting.

Slowly a grin appeared and she stood up straight again. "Akihiko-senpai…Do you ever feel like you lost your reason for fighting sometimes?" she'd broken the comfortable silence as they reached the strip mall.

"Lost the reason for fighting? No. I can't say that I have but I think sometimes the amount of fighting we have to do can be overwhelming. But we need to be stronger to keep these Shadows at bay," with this his left hand was brought up and clenched into a fist.

"We do? I guess you're right but first we eat!" she grabbed his hand leading him into the ramen shop.

Gekkoukan High -Lunchtime-

What? Where am I?

It was the Dark Hour in the world surrounding Minako. Her red eyes took in the landscape. It was a residential area, or rather used to be. But again the only sound she could hear was the blood dripping down and that familiar ticking noise.

Her pale hands were grasping the same tiny clock that she'd seen months before that had stayed in her dreams ever since.

BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ.

The sudden noise jolted Minako nearly off of her chair.

"Whoa, Mina-tan. It's not like you to fall asleep," Junpei grabbed her shoulder to help her stay balanced.

"He's right, for once, you don't look well at all," Yukari turned from her desk with a worried expression that Minako met with a smile.

"No, I'm fine, just a weird dream," a carefree laugh seemed to ease her friends concerns just a little. Aigis was watching her intently though.

"You received a text message," the blonde stated for a moment their Leader looked confused however she realised that was what must have woken her up. She quickly flipped up the screen on her red phone and inspected it. She had, indeed, received a text. And it was from Akihiko, a light pink tint appeared on her cheeks.

Akihiko barely text her and definitely not while she was in class but she realised this could only mean one thing. It was to do with the Dorm or SEES.

"I have something important to take care of after school. I want you to come. I'll be waiting by the gate, meet me there," her hopes were dashed slightly but that did reinforce the fact that they were okay.

"He wants to meet you after school, eh?" Junpei mocked, reading over her shoulder. Minako was about to joke with him about it but Yukari snapped in.

"Do you always have to be so annoying? You can't just go around reading other people's messages ya know!" the argument faded into background noise though. She was too busy thinking about what Akihiko wanted from her after school.