4.
3.20.16
"What the hell?"
Kanji ran his hand through his hair. "You all right?"
"That was - that was your Persona. How?" Unsteadily, Naoto climbed to her feet. She hadn't yet pocketed her gun.
"Uh -" Kanji blinked, then looked down at the hand that had crushed the card. "Shit, I don't know." None of them had ever been able to summon a Persona outside of the TV World. Naoto braced her legs, staring at him. For a moment, she hardly moved, so Kanji noticed the sudden sharpness of her knuckles along the gun's grip. Nervousness trickled through his vertebrae.
"Prove," Naoto said flatly, "you are Kanji Tatsumi."
Kanji looked blankly at her, not because he hadn't understood, but because he had no idea what to say.
Naoto seemed to realize this. Her voice shook for a moment, but she steadied it. "What did we talk about that day after school?"
Kanji didn't need to ask what day she meant. He knew she was referring to the second day of their acquaintance, after she'd asked him to meet her at the school gate. He remembered his nervousness that day, the confusion, the anxiety over his sudden fascination with this stranger. He remembered the moment he'd seen her walking up to the gate. She'd had her hands in her pockets. Her face hadn't betrayed any emotion, eyes shaded by her cap, and her dark jacket had somehow made her seem even smaller. They'd walked along the Samegawa. It was spring. There had been carp shooting through the dark water of the river. She'd had to walk quickly to keep up with him. What he couldn't remember was what they'd talked about.
Watching Naoto now, he saw her set herself, lift her right arm, angle her pistol towards him.
"Hold on!" He made a quick warding motion with his hand. "It was a long time ago, all right?" He thrashed his brain into action. Why had Naoto approached him in the first place? (How many times had he asked himself that question?) "We - you were investigating the murder case. You wanted to know if anything unusual had happened to me. You called me...odd."
Naoto tightened her lips, then took a deep breath and dropped her gun into her pocket. "I'm sorry, I just -" She blinked quickly. "How did you evoke your Persona? It shouldn't be possible."
"Already told you, I have no clue. And why were you being chased by -" he glanced behind him at the empty street and its lack of bodies "- whatever those were?"
Naoto, breathing slowing, cast around the dark neighborhood, the unlit lamps, the open door, the light spilling out. "Is that your house?" Kanji nodded. "This isn't a secure location." Without waiting for his answer, she started towards the door.
Kanji grabbed the chair and followed. "My place doesn't have a moat or barbed wire either."
She let him go in first, then closed the door behind them. "Is there a lock?"
Kanji gave her an exasperated look, then locked the door. "Okay, what else are you going to say without explaining?" Naoto had knelt by the chair, tilting it on two legs to get a better look. There were several broad scratches against the wood, but nothing else. "Damn, no blood," Kanji muttered. "Thought I hit 'em harder than that."
"You hit them plenty hard." Naoto squared the chair and straightened, staring up at him. "They don't bleed."
Again, the reason Kanji didn't say anything wasn't because he hadn't understood. He was just waiting for her to say something that made sense.
She obliged, or appeared to do the best she could. "I don't know what they are. But I've...spent a very eventful two weeks, and I've learned that none of them bleed. At least, none that have been killed. That I've heard about. I don't know where they come from or what their ultimate goal is, but they have been targeting Persona-users." She rubbed the bridge of her nose, wincing. "May I sit?"
Kanji started slightly and moved over to the sofa. Beanbag had already ducked for cover, so Kanji just picked up the mail and dumped it behind the sofa, out of sight. Naoto sat. After a moment's indecision, Kanji opted not to join her, sitting crosslegged on the floor. Naoto was checking her phone.
Kanji drummed his fingers against his knees. "Why didn't you call someone for help?"
"I..." She sighed. "Firstly, I want to draw as little attention to these incidents as possible." Kanji snorted derisively. "I've been able to dispose of the bodies up till now, but if Rokuten Maoh hadn't cleaned up after me, I don't know what I would've done." No snort this time. "Secondly, I thought I'd thrown them off at Iwatodai Station. I didn't realize they'd followed me until the train pulled in here. So there was nothing to do but try to lose them again." She grimaced. "It didn't work."
"Just a bit. What were you planning to do, run them to death? Why didn't you just pistolwhip 'em?"
"I couldn't snipe them without drawing the Inaba Police Force, which, at this point, I feel is imperative. And it's impossible to turn around and fire a gun with any accuracy while running for your life. And there's no point in firing without accuracy. So I felt it would more prudent to escape, not waste time in a useless crossfire. As to why they simply didn't shoot me in the back..." Her gaze drifted to the side. "Well, that would have also drawn attention, wouldn't it?"
Kanji lowered his eyebrows. "I don't care how nice you put it, you're bullshitting me. You got caught." He clenched his fists. "You almost died on my friggin doorstep!"
Naoto closed her eyes as a last pretense of dignity. "I apologize for any inconvenience." She opened her eyes again. "And I never thanked you, I'm sorry."
"Yeah, because that's what I'm complaining about, not the five bloodless pricks that were chasing you." He ran his fingers through his hair. "You were leading them to me on purpose?" He wondered if she could hear the shift in his voice. He hadn't welcomed the fight, but if Naoto had sought him for protection...
Her eyes widened. "I had no idea you live here." ...That's right, he'd only moved here two months ago. "I was running blindly. When you appeared, I - that's part of why I wasn't sure if this were all a trap."
Kanji stared at her. "What the hell is going on?"
Naoto opened her mouth - then hesitated. "I'm not even sure where to start. Every time I decide what I should do, exactly how much I should tell, something new happens, and all my plans just -" she exhaled and closed her eyes "- scatter to the winds."
"So you're saying that even you don't know. And you think us Persona-users are in danger." He studied her face. "Damn, you look dead."
"I think I've been dead for the past week. I've been sleeping on trains, and planes, and buses... That's usually where my pursuit finds me again." She kneaded her forehead. "If I could take a pill to stop sleeping, I would." She straightened. "I need to see Dojima-san." She was already dialing. Kanji watched as she placed the phone to her ear and waited. "He won't pick up."
"He's probably busy with the Amada case."
Naoto's eyes - and her attention - focused on him. It was both pleasant and uncomfortable. "Amada?"
"Yeah. Some guy who lived west of the Samegawa was murdered. Stabbed half a dozen times in the stomach."
Naoto swallowed. "Did he recently move into the area?"
Kanji would have liked to have said no, because it would mean he didn't have to factor in the murder of some stranger into the crisis surrounding Naoto. "I think I heard that, yeah. Why? I don't see how it matters."
Naoto reflected before answering. "I had reason to suspect him of being a Persona-user. I'm certain now, but it's...patently too late."
"What? There're other Persona-users?"
"Yes. But I can't tell you more now, I need to..." She shook her head quickly, as if clearing it.
"You need to stumble out there half-dead and get yourself killed for good?"
Naoto stood by way of answer.
"Does your grandpa know what's going on?"
She winced. "I will apprise him as soon as -"
Kanji climbed to his feet, which gave him the advantage of looming over her. "Bullshit again, Naoto. You don't want him to know the kinda danger you're in."
Naoto averted her eyes, staring at the floor. Her shoulders were angled with fatigue. "Detectives shouldn't run in families. I confess, were Grampa only a fellow investigator, I might have contacted him weeks ago. As it is, he's been very sick, and I can't bring myself to..." Her voice trailed off into unhappy silence, then she rallied, turning and walking towards the door. "And I fear seeking his help would only make him a potential target. In any case, I thank you for your ass-"
"Ass-kicking, you're welcome."
There had been more challenge than humor in his tone, but she smiled faintly. "I was going to say assistance." She continued towards the door.
Kanji, before he'd entirely agreed to himself that he'd do it, found he'd interposed himself between her and the door. If he'd tried to plan what to say, he would've stuttered and looked away; as it was, he looked her in the eye. She braced but let him speak. "See, I have this policy of not letting my friends walk out my door and get killed."
"I believe I've shaken my pursuit this time. Your Persona saw to that."
"Shit, Naoto, in your state, you're going to get run over by a car! Hell, a little red wagon could do you in."
Naoto's mouth tightened. "I am not that small."
"What're you planning to do? Jog up and down the streets of Inaba the rest of the night, looking for Dojima-san? Find Chie-senpai? Go home to your grandpa? Sleepwalk around out there so some more of those shitters can find you?"
"What do you suggest?" Naoto snapped. "I spend the night here?"
Swearing, Kanji turned to face the door. He could feel Naoto staring at him. He didn't know what he'd been suggesting. He was determined not to say anything else, not until she spoke.
"Persona-users are being picked off by the enemy." Her voice came slowly, considering. "One, Ken Amada, has definitely been murdered. Fuuka Yamagishi, a possible Persona-user, has gone missing. One more has been kidnapped, her whereabouts unknown...Rise-chan."
Kanji swallowed hard. "Shit."
"Singly, each has been overwhelmed." She fell silent for a moment. "I feel we who remain should close ranks, but I worry that that will only present a larger target for our enemy."
Kanji turned the house key over in his fingers.
Naoto sighed softly - a gentle sigh, not exasperated - which nearly made Kanji weak with relief. "Very well then." Her tone was careful. "I'll make myself comfortable in here for the next few hours." He heard her step away from the door and sit on the sofa.
"Uh -" Kanji made a strange sound in his throat, as though he were swallowing a whole turnip. "Y-y-you should take my room. The couch is lumpy."
There was a loaded silence while he could feel Naoto staring at him again. If he didn't end up with two sizzling brand marks in the middle of his back, it would be a miracle.
"Thank you, I appreciate your consideration," Naoto said evenly. She rose. "That door? Good morning, then." He almost couldn't hear her footsteps on the carpet, but he heard the bedroom door open, then close.
Kanji exhaled, then tipped his head back, pinching the bridge of his nose to make the bleeding stop.
3.20.16
The jet crossed over the North Pole like a sleek bullet. Furrowing her forehead, Yukari Takeba collected a slice of chocolate cake from the small kitchen at the back, then crossed into the long seating area. She slid in next to the only occupied seat. "Hey."
The other woman's auburn hair was rumpled over her face, her forehead in her left hand. She straightened, the fingers of that hand curving with an unconscious, inborn elegance. A small diamond glimmered on her third finger. Yukari was surprised to see it there; she hadn't seen it for a while, and she'd been sure it had been left behind in Paris. But she hoped her face didn't betray her.
Her friend gave her a small smile. "Thank you." She accepted the plate, and her smile grew a shade more genuine. "I'm going to need a fork though."
"Drat." Yukari laughed at herself, though it wasn't really that funny. "No, no, Mitsuru, I want you eat it like that. Like in a pie-eating contest." Not even waiting to see if Mitsuru would attempt a laugh, Yukari jumped to her feet. "I'll be right back." She jogged back to the kitchen, grabbed a fork, and jogged back in.
"Thank you," Mitsuru half-whispered, taking the fork. "And...thank you for being so patient."
"It's no problem," Yukari said with an easiness she didn't feel. "I love seeing the world like this. I only wish Aigis had decided to come. But I'm sure she's doing fine with Junpei and Chidori. And anyway, we're almost home."
Mitsuru glanced at her. "It's been a hard three months for you."
"I didn't say that!" Yukari took a moment to regain control of her voice. "And if it's been a hard three months for me, that's because it's been a hard three months for you. When you said you wanted company on your trip -"
"I never expected to keep you for three months," Mitsuru said quickly, cutting off a bite of cake but not lifting it. "And I didn't think we'd be moving around so much."
Yukari leaned closer to her and lowered her voice. "And I thought if something was really bad you'd tell me. Tell me more than you have."
Mitsuru gazed out the window, though there was little to look at.
Yukari sighed and settled back against her seat, crossing her arms. Mitsuru had been planning to visit America since last fall, and everything seemed to have been going well until the week of their departure, when they'd heard that Akihiko was wanted by the police. Why'd he'd killed three fellow policemen, where he might have gone, Yukari didn't know. She wasn't sure if Mitsuru knew. Yukari had expected Mitsuru to cancel all her plans and remain in Port Island to hear news of her fiancé, but she had left Japan two days early. So far away from home, Yukari couldn't do much digging for information; and so near to Mitsuru, she couldn't bring herself to ask questions, though she kept telling herself to. Every time she tried to come close to it, Mitsuru either looked pained or shut herself off entirely. Though angry and aghast, Yukari knew that Mitsuru was far more upset than herself, and she didn't need her best friend to become another source of trouble. Slapping her across the face wouldn't work this time.
Yukari hated sitting back and waiting. Only for a friend would she willingly do it.
3.20.16
"Dude! Dude," Yosuke hissed. Souji was rolling over and sitting up even as a pillow slammed into his face.
With an oath, Souji heaved his friend off of his bed, pitching him to the floor. "What? Is - oh hell."
"Oh hell? You think oh hell covers this?" Yosuke was already on his feet. "Before you ask, yeah, my room's the same!"
Souji blinked. Even without the light on, he could see clearly. The moon struck full across the opposite wall. The one his lamp plugged into. A thick stream of blood rolled out of the sockets, pooling on the floor.
Four nights ago, the blood flow had abated before Yosuke had gotten back in, and he'd met Teddie and Souji's news with skepticism - then belief - then uneasy skepticism the next morning. He kept saying it was a good joke, but the two of them could drop it, all right? It hadn't helped that Souji was blasted after a long day while Teddie kept complaining that his head hurt. Yosuke blowing them off hadn't really been a surprise. Even as he'd cleaned up the mess, Souji had found himself rationalizing. Rust. Right. Blood-colored rust. That came from an electrical outlet. But it made more sense than any other explanation.
Staring at the blood now, Souji decided he probably wouldn't smack Yosuke with an I told you so, at least not just yet. He fumbled out of bed, crossing the small room to kneel by the puddle.
"What d'you think?" Yosuke had come armed with his cell phone. "Should we call an exorcist or an...electrician, or - dammit, what am I saying? Is it Shadows?"
Souji shook his head slowly. "What about Teddie, did you check the outlet in his room?"
"Only that stupid bear could sleep through this. Teddie!" Yosuke glanced over his shoulder, but no one came running into the room. Swearing again, Yosuke jogged out. Souji saw that he had two sheathed knives jammed into his pajamas pocket.
Moistening his lips, Souji tentatively put his ear against the wall. He heard nothing - no groaning, or growling, or slavering oozing anything. The wall didn't even feel particularly warm.
"Souji!" Yosuke shouted from down the short hall. "Teddie's gone!"