Title: Journey Home

Author: PreseatheKitsune (aka VGCG)

Summary: Humans, Magic Beings, and Demons all lived in harmony since the beginning, but soon, humans began to hate the other races. Battles broke out, wars started, and somehow, humans became the ruling race. The Demons continued to fight and the Magis disappeared into hiding or else faced enslavement or experiments. This came to be known as the Great Shift. Centuries have passed, Demons and Magis are rare and the Humans are creating something to make sure they're gone for good.

Warnings/Rating: T for language, violence, and some sexual themes. Also, this story is AU (Alternate Universe) and it might become M.

Authors notes: "Talking", 'Thinking', "Distant Talking"

Disclaimer: The Author doesn't own Persona 3 because it is copyright of Atlus.

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Chapter 3: The Beginning: The Ringmaster's Plot

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"We're home!" Ken called as he opened the door, taking off his shoes and placing them by the door. Shinjiro appeared in the conjoining doorway as Akihiko walked into the house, kicking off his own shoes, but then, the demon's attention turned to Ken as he walked around, looking in each room for someone.

"Aunt Yuki stepped out for a while if that's who you're looking for," Shinjiro said, causing Ken to jump. The young boy nodded, his face serious, "That's alright. We need to talk anyway without Yuki."

"… Fine, but let's discuss whatever is on your mind in the kitchen," Shinjiro grumbled, turning away. Ken followed closely behind the demon teen, entering the brightly lit, crème-colored kitchen. A pot sat on the oven, steam floating out in a hazy cloud until Shinjiro picked up spoon resting on a small plate and stirred the contents. He placed the lid on the pot and turned, wiping his hands on the apron he was wearing, "Oh yeah… Aunt Yuki wanted me to ask how the circus was…"

"Eh, I was listening to Ken's commentary," Akihiko admitted, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

Shinjiro smirked, "Figures. By the way, is the ringmaster for that show old?"

"How old you talking?" Akihiko asked.

Shinjiro shrugged, "I think about late 40's, early 50's most likely because someone like that came up to me at the grocery store. He wanted me to meet him at the circus two nights from now; said he had an 'interesting proposition'."

"Yep, that's the guy," Akihiko said, snapping his fingers. Shinjiro chuckled, "He's a creepy, old bastard."

"Can we stop talking about how the ringmaster is a freak for a second?" Ken asked, cutting into the older teens' conversation. His face was still sullen as he looked at the two, saying, "Aragaki-san, the circus had a magi in one of their performances."

"A magi? Heh, yeah right," Shinjiro growled, "Magis are in hiding. There's no way some fucking circus is just going to come across one and have it in their show."

"That's the thing," Ken said, "She's not there on her own will. She was captured, Aragaki-san."

"… Aki, do you really believe this?"

"Hey, I was there Shinji and I don't deny it. There was a magi there."

Shinjiro blinked, his dark eyes hiding his surprise, but he quickly collected himself, "Tell me more about this magi…"

"Alright… let's see," Ken looked over at Akihiko for a split second, "She's a water magi, a mermaid to be exact with red hair, eyes and scales. They made her transform right before us."

"Tch, that's abuse," Shinjiro grumbled, "It requires energy to transform like that and I'm guessing whatever tank they had for her wasn't that big either. They probably chain her up, cage her and throw some seals on after the show."

"That's hitting the nail on the head," Akihiko said, frowning, "We went behind stage before the performance. The cage isn't big enough for a tiger and they cover it with a blanket. After the performance, when we could see her up close, there was a bracelet on her wrist."

Shinjiro pondered with this new information while getting up to tend to the stew in the pot. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a packet of cigarettes, placing one into his mouth as he stirred the contents again. After lighting it, he drew a long puff, placing the lid back on the pot and sat down at the table, his eyes closed.

They snapped back open when a thought occurred to him, looking at Akihiko, "How old is this magi?"

Akihiko blinked, "Are you feeling alright?"

"Just answer the god damned question…"

"Ugh, I dunno…" Akihiko said, scratching his head awkwardly, "She looked about our age. Hell, she could've been older."

"… I get it," Shinjiro hissed, a puff of smoke escaping his lips, "Must've decided this town has the pick of the litter…"

"What are you talking about, Shinji?" Akihiko asked, raising an eyebrow. Shinjiro propped an elbow on the table, his dark eyes looking at the other two as he spoke, "Remember in history class when we went over the 'Great Shift'? Well, when humans took over, they not only came up with laws that effected magis and demons, they also came up with new laws for themselves. One of these laws was for women, not matter what they were. At 18, they're expected to be paired and wedded off immediately… well, the 'wedding' part only applies to humans anyway."

"… Wait… you don't mean the reason the ringmaster is rounding up every guy is just too…?!" Akihiko started, rising in his seat due to shock. Shinjiro just nodded, flicking his cigarette, "Breed her and give her to the highest bidder."

"We can't let that happen! It's not fair!" Ken exclaimed, "She's already treated bad enough, but just using her like that? It's despicable!"

"And she's already been sold," Akihiko said, remembering the woman in the cloak. Both Ken and Shinjiro looked up, blinking. The young boy's eyes widened, "Oh, that woman! Aragaki-san, Sanada-san! We have to save her!"

"You're on your own," Shinjiro grunted, getting back up to check dinner. Ken turned, alarmed, "W-What!? Why would you..!"

"Dammit, Ken, have you even thought this through? What are we going to do if we get her out?" Shinjiro chided, rounding on the small boy with his own glare, "For one thing, we wouldn't be able to stay here and as for the magi, she might be from the ocean for all we know and the closest coast is at least 3,000 miles from here."

"Aragaki-san, I know humans wouldn't help her, but you're a demon! And since when did you care about the rules?! I thought demons were willing to help magis?!" Ken exclaimed, taking a step towards Shinjiro, his hands balled into fists. Shinjiro bit his cigarette butt, causing it to fall to the ground. He stepped on it as he sneered down at Ken, "Have you forgotten brat? Demons and magis aren't exactly on the best terms. While we fight for our rights, those sniveling cowards went into hiding to keep following their own damn laws to protect humans! This magi can remain enslaved for all I care, it's what they deserve!"

"You… you... cold-hearted prick!" Ken yelled. He turned and bolted from the room, causing Akihiko to jump to his feet, yelling after him, but it was no use. The young boy raced out of the house, slamming the door. Sadly, Akihiko turned back to the demon, "Shinji…"

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"Stay in here and be a good little mermaid. Maybe the ringmaster won't let you suffer tomorrow night," the acrobat laughed, slamming the door shut and locking it before she could even get up. Her auburn eyes burned holes into the door before she turned away and walked over to the window. It was one of the few occasions where she ever even had a room, but for once, she didn't want it. It would be her prison until that woman returned and worse, she was supposed to be pregnant with some guy's child.

Looking out the barred window, she gazed at the three-quarters moon, a frown etched on her face. Life was a mockery as far as she could remember; a nightmare in which she was eternally trapped within. There was never any kindness or caring, only hatred and scorn, abandonment and imprisonment for her being a magi.

Her hair was stirred, her face teased by a small nights' breeze as she continued to look up at the stars and moon above. With a sigh, she forced her gaze down to the ground beyond her reach, to the trees and houses in the distance.

She blinked at the sound of a twig snapping and looked up. She had to peer slightly to make out the dark silhouette sneaking through the campsite, passed the other caravans with the circus. Steadily, it was getting closer. In fact, it seemed to be coming towards her.

Her auburn eyes flashed, but she didn't move back, her curiosity having gotten the better of her. Who would sneak into the circus caravan in the middle of the night?

It wasn't until the figure was right before her window did she realize they were short… in fact, she recognized the person. It was the young boy from earlier today, the one who had been with the silver-haired man. He stopped before her window, quite aware that she was watching him.

"Hello!" he said quietly, smiling at her. She glanced around quickly before looking down at him again, "You shouldn't be here… if you get caught…"

"I don't care. If I get caught, they'll probably just send me home," he replied, though, he appeared upset. Quickly, he hid it and looked at her, "Besides, me and Sanada-san already promised to get you out. If Aragaki-san wasn't such an ass, we could probably get you out now, but we'll just have to try tomorrow night."

"No!" she exclaimed, but then quickly covered her mouth, looking back towards the door. She could hear the 'night guards' talking.

"Hey! Did you hear something?"

"Ugh, it's just the fish. Go slap another seal on her and make her shut up."

"You have to leave, quickly!" she hissed, but the boy didn't move. She looked back, her eyes widening at the sound of footsteps. She grasped the bars and looked down at him, "Look, I don't want you getting hurt. You must return home and please, don't come back. Tell your two friends to forget about any plans you made. To help me is like stealing property from the circus, you'll be arrested for it."

-BANG! BANG!-

"Hey! Who are you talking to in there?!"

"Run!" she yelled. Her eyes followed the boy as he sprinted out of sight.

Just in time too.

Her room door opened and she turned around, leering as one of the night guards, a clown, walked in, smirking, "Ok, who the hell are you talking to, fishy?"

She remained quietly in the corner, refusing to answer him. The clown just chuckled, "So, you don't want to answer me? Maybe I should tell the ringmaster that you've been talking to someone through your window. You know, he wouldn't be too happy about that."

"…I wasn't talking to anyone," she answered finally, gritting her teeth and looking away. He just chuckled again, "Why should I believe you, fishy? I heard you tell someone to run so don't play dumb with me. Oh Ringmaster-sama!"

Her eyes widened and she ran over to him as he backed out of the room. The door was closed and locked in front of her face, leaving her to claw at the door, "Don't tell the ringmaster!"

"But now you tried to escape! I have to tell him about that!" the clown jeered. She backed away, frightened as she retorted, "I didn't try to escape!"

Her yells hung in the air as the clown ran off to inform the Ringmaster of her false doing. She walked back to the farthest corner of the room and fell to her knees knowing that tomorrow night she was going to face severe punishment for her actions.

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Me: The next chapter is being worked on. Who else is wondering what's up with tomorrow night? Heh…