Second Chances

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Fast chapter. I'm doing this actually to spite someone. Getting the arc over is just a bonus.

Anyway, someone decided to review and take EVERYTHING out of context. He even went as far as saying that I learned Japanese culture watching 'cartoons'. I found myself laughing at that, since IRL, I've lived in Japan and will move there as I finish college. It would look stupid of me to move there without researching about it.

But seriously, he said that Japanese people don't bow anymore. So all his reviews to me after saying that were positively BS.

And again, I must point out. The Persona series explicitly stated that the World and Universe Arcana are different. It was stated by Igor and Margaret. It even says so in the Wiki page.

I'm not bothered by that reviewer, not in the least. I'm bothered that people take advantage of writing as an Anon and they make writers want to quit. Do you have a small penis? If you're gonna do that, at least log in. You're on the internet for God's sake. Are you that scared of people typing you to death? Anyway, to spite the guy, I'm finishing this chapter early. So if you guys want to thank anyone, thank that guy!

Also to clear up some confusion. Jin Shirato is Jin. You know, grenade guy? I got a few pm's asking who Jin was and asking if he was the same Jin that uses grenades in the story. Well, yeah, he is. Sorry for not clearing that up, I just thought everyone knew. :/

XxX

Minato had to dodge another strike coming from his left. Now normally this would have been easy for the Tartarus veteran. He would have already been gone and done with this Shadow. But apparently, what does kill it makes it stronger. Making his job even harder. Killing it would only make his job harder. The only thing he could do was wait for Hamuko to learn the full story and react accordingly.

He nimbly dodged another slash that would have otherwise beheaded him. Raising his right hand to his face, he willed for a piece of his soul to materialize in front of him. He didn't need to think of which Persona he needed, he only needed something that could fight.

The sudden appearance of Thanatos however, surprised him.

The sudden feeling of apathy and anger washed over him. These two emotions that conflict each other seemed to blend in perfectly each time he summoned the god of Death. And although this went against every kind of logic he knew, the mixture of apathy and anger seemed to fit in. Nothing else could be said about it.

The sudden sound of metal meeting metal snapped him out of his reverie. He looked up and saw that Thanatos had drawn its own sword to block the Shadow's sword, both swords glimmering under the pale green moonlight.

Minato waved his right arm to the right. Thanatos copied his movements, and using its claw-like hands, it slashed to the right across the Shadow's chest.

The Shadow jumped back in surprise, not expecting the attack coming. Minato lips curved upwards into a slight smirk as he saw what it did.

Although it knew how to fight, it didn't retain its memories. He just did that same move minutes ago.

Minato shook his head as he readied himself again, intent on stopping the Shadow from advancing onto their position.

Speaking of 'their'….

He turned around to face Hamuko and Yuki, but much to his surprise, both women weren't there anymore. He raised an eyebrow in surprise at their sudden disappearance. But before he could bother looking for them, he heard the Shadow start advancing towards Thanatos.

He turned around and quickly ordered for Thanatos to side-step to the left. Thanatos quickly did so, dodging the slash downward from the Shadow.

"Now!" Minato threw his right hand forward, ordering Thanatos to move.

Thanatos quickly did so and one of its coffins suddenly flew free from its chains. It flew high into the air, and it seemed to grow in size. It quietly floated in front of the green moon, eerily staring down on the battlefield. Finally, after a few seconds of just staying afloat, it launched itself and landed behind the Shadow, its door opening revealing the darkness within. The Shadow, surprised by the sudden movement, couldn't help but turn around and raise its sword to block whatever was coming behind him.

Thanatos quickly moved behind the Shadow, before it gave the Shadow a quick shove. Pushing it inside the dark coffin.

With a resounding Clang! The black coffin trapped the Shadow into its own darkness. The sound of it fighting to break free was heard from inside the coffin. It kept rapping on the metal coffin as if it was convinced it could escape, Minato however, knew better. After all, nothing can escape Death. Finally, after a few seconds, the sounds died down.

Minato let out a sigh of relief as the coffin began resizing once again. Before it flew from the ground and reconnected with Thanatos other coffins that hung like a cape behind it.

Minato then willed for Thanatos to stay in the World. Who knew what would happen if he just banished Thanatos with that Shadow still in its coffin. It was better say than sorry.

He turned around and began looking around, trying to discern where the women he was just with had hidden themselves.

He carefully started walking about the premises, with Thanatos silently following behind him. Its metal chains and coffin cape clinking and clanking as it moved. If he didn't know any better, he would have said that it sounded like a ghost.

Finally, after a few seconds of walking around, he sighed and took out his pocket watch. He clicked the button on the top and it flipped open. The timer still had thirty minutes, so he had thirty minutes to finish up everything. Hopefully, by the time he found Hamuko and Yuki, Hamuko would know what to do.

He turned around and looked at Thanatos, who silently stared back at him, its breathing steady. He raised an eyebrow, quietly prompting for something to happen.

To his disappointment however, Thanatos didn't react, it only continued to breathe steadily while eyeing him.

Minato let out a small sigh, before he walked past the Death god.

He stopped and looked up, eyeing the building with a critical eye.

He didn't know why, but every time he looked at this shrine, he had to repress a shudder. It felt so… Corrupted.

He shook his head away from those thoughts. As he moved to the side of the Shrine, trying to look for Hamuko and Yuki.

After all, Hamuko was smart enough to avoid going inside that thing, especially now of all times.

XxX

Meanwhile…

"…." Hamuko seemed to pause as she looked at Yuki. Yuki for her part didn't react at her blatant staring, only waiting for her reaction.

After a few more seconds of silent staring, Hamuko finally reacted.

"Okay, your father is Jin Shirato. You're Yuki Shirato. Anything else you have to add?" Hamuko asked as she gestured her hand for Yuki to continue.

It was Yuki's turn to stare at Hamuko.

Hamuko sighed. "I don't have time to get shocked, I'll just assume everything you're telling me is the truth. And even if it goes against all the laws of common sense, I really have no other choice. I have to help Minato, and you're the one with the answers."

After a few more seconds of silence, Yuki nodded her head. "Fair enough." She said as she moved past Hamuko and towards the wooden walls.

Yuki stared at the walls, in this kind of darkness, with the World taking in an eerily green glow. They looked like a darker brown than normal. She looked across the walls, and found that some parts of it dripped blood. It was strange, it was like water.

Yuki turned around and looked at Hamuko, her face taking an edge to it.

"My father was an honest man. He lived under one rule, and that is 'to live means to continue choosing.'" Yuki stated as she moved towards a piece of sealing paper, she put her hand on top of it, and closed her eyes and concentrated onto it.

Hamuko just stared at Yuki, waiting for her to continue talking. She watched as Yuki placed her hand on a piece of sealing paper and concentrate onto it. She knew there was something wrong with that picture. But she couldn't piece together what exactly was wrong with it.

She shrugged her shoulders as she just waited for Yuki to continue.

Yuki turned around and glanced at Hamuko before moving over towards another piece of sealing paper.

"My father also believed that if you have the choice to act in good will. You do it, no matter what. Conflicting beliefs I know, but he always managed to make it work for him." Yuki's voice seemed to slowly die down as she finished that sentence, and Hamuko could have sworn she heard Yuki swallow.

"My father, he was a nice man." Yuki took a deep breath as she placed a hand on the sealing paper. Sensing nothing once again, she sighed.

Hamuko saw Yuki's hesitation. And she spoke up to try to egg her to go forward. "Aren't all fathers like that though? The nicest man to their daughters." Hamuko said grinning.

Yuki turned around and saw Hamuko's grinning face. She couldn't help but let out a small smile in response to hers.

"I guess you're right. All fathers have a moral obligation to be the greatest man in their daughters lives after all." Yuki quipped. Hamuko let out a small laugh at that.

Yuki took a deep breath, before she hardened her nerves and continued talking.

"My father was brave, he was loyal, and he was foolhardy. But those are all the traits I loved about him."

XxX

7 years ago…

"Papa. Who's that?" A younger looking Yuki asked her father. Jin looked up from his seat, and he couldn't help but smile at his daughters inquiry.

"Ah! Yuki-chan! Can you come here for a second, I have someone to introduce to you!" Jin's voice was oozing with excitement, so Yuki couldn't help but nod in reply.

Yuki entered the dining area, where her father and his guest were sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the table.

Yuki moved around the table and sat next to her father, who was looking excited for some reason she couldn't discern. As she sat down on the floor, careful not to disrupt her robes as she sat down. She looked up and was met face to face with a boy about the same age as her if not younger.

Yuki looked up to her father, confusion evident in her eyes. Her father laughed at her face, but as she pouted and about to reprimand him. Jin spoke up.

"I want you to meet my young friend. He'll be staying here for awhile. Make sure you treat him nicely." Jin said, his voice full of mirth as he introduced his guest.

Yuki raised an eyebrow at the introduction. Her father hadn't said his guest's name. But she would honor her father's wishes. She turned to their guest and bowed politely.

"Hello. My name is Yuki Shirato. A pleasure to meet you!" She managed to say with as much pep as she could muster. She waited with her head bowed, waited for him to say anything.

Finally, after a full minute of silence, she raised her head in slight confusion.

She stared at their guest, and found that he had short blue hair that reached just to his shoulders. His black-rimmed rectangular glasses seemed to give him the image of a smart boy. But her stairs were mainly on his clothes. They were tattered and sort of raggy. There were holes here and there, and it was difficult to discern what color they were as it was dusty and dirty. Come to think of it, the boy himself was dirty himself.

Yuki turned to her father, unsure of how to proceed because she hadn't met someone as cold as the boy across from her is.

Her father however, just laughed as she patted her head in mirth.

"Don't worry Yuki-chan. He's just shy. I found him sleeping right underneath the shrine's steps last night. Poor kid was shivering and cold. So I did what I would normally do!" Jin said with a smile.

Yuki couldn't help but imitate her father and finish his sentence. "You helped him because you had an obligation to?" She said with mirth.

Her father let out a loud laugh. His daughter knew him too well it seems.

XxX

"So, are you going to tell me your name?" Yuki asked, trying to start a conversation with their guest. The blue haired boy however, just stared blankly at her, as if she was just a bird you saw everyday on your morning commute.

After a few seconds of silence, Yuki let out a sigh. "At least tell me where you come from. Please?"

The boy still didn't respond, only looking at her blankly.

Yuki shifted under her weight as the boy looked at her, as if he was scrutinizing her. Finally, after a few seconds, she stood up and made her way towards the supply closet. If he wasn't going to talk, then at least she could get some chores done.

As she made to grab a broom from the closet however. A voice stopped her movements.

"I don't have a name." Was all the voice said. Yuki turned around and faced where the boy was, but to her surprise. She found him to have gone, and without a trace.

She let out a sigh of frustration.

XxX

"What are you doing here?" Yuki asked the boy, who she had found sneaking around the backside of the shrine. She normally didn't care for what the boy did, as the boy also didn't care for them either. But she had just been instructed by her father to look out for the boy. Now more then ever.

She didn't understand just what her father was implying, but she didn't question it, as she just followed like any normal girl.

The boy seemed surprised. Whether this was because she had snuck up behind him, or because he didn't expect her to suddenly ask that question, she didn't know.

The boy turned around and faced Yuki, crossing his arms over his chest. "Nothing, I'm just bored." The boy said.

Yuki sighed before she pointed to a sign. The boy turned his head and looked at the sign. It was the guideline for the people visiting the shrine, and although most of those rules couldn't be applied to this situation, the third rule was the exception. As it read 'Do not go behind the shrine building.'

"Yeah, well get bored elsewhere." Yuki told him as she made to usher him out, moving behind the boy and pushing him towards the main area where the other people were.

The boy however, resisted and slipped past Yuki's hands and ran over to where he was before.

Yuki sighed as she watched him disappear behind some bushes. To where the forest was thicker and to where she couldn't see him anymore.

She would have run after him of course, but she honestly didn't see the point. He didn't care about them, about his supposed 'Family'.

Of course, he wasn't really part of the family. As the boy wasn't registered. He didn't have a birth certificate, or rather, they couldn't find it. As he never told them what his real name was. So to them, he was just 'otouto'.

She sighed before she turned around, not bothering to look behind the bushes. Where the 'otouto' could be seen talking to men in black suits.

XxX

"Papa! I can't take it!" Yuki complained as she stomped her foot on the floor, the wooden floor creaking at the sudden impact. Jin let out a laugh at his child's antics.

"Can't take what Yuki-chan?" He said almost cheekily. Yuki puffed her cheeks in indignation.

"He keeps ignoring me! Every time I talk to him he keeps quiet!" Yuki complained. She sounded exasperated. But to her father, it was funny hearing her say that.

Jin let out a small chuckle as he put a hand on top of Yuki's head and petted her head. Yuki looked up at her father, exasperation and annoyance evident in her face.

"Now you know as well as I do he's not a talker. Give him some more time. He'll open up soon, just you wait." Jin said as he shooed his daughter from the room. Ignoring her pointed glare and just smiling at her.

As he closed the door behind his daughter. Yuki turned around and faced the door, pouting and staring blankly at the door.

Her father never seemed to believe her whenever it's about him. It was getting annoying for her.

XxX

"I said no! Now good day!" Yuki stopped her sweeping as she heard a shout coming from her father's office.

She wasn't one to eavesdrop. But she hadn't heard her father shout before. And the sudden shout he gave surprised Yuki so much that it intrigued her.

She carefully moved towards the window of her father's office. And quietly slid it slightly open. She peered inside, and to her surprise. Two men in black suits were pointing their guns at her father.

She was about to scream for help. But to her surprise, the door to her father's office suddenly opened. Revealing a third man in a black suit.

"Now there's no need for that you two. We'll be taking our leave Shirato-san." The third man chided his colleagues. And to her relief, the men holstered their weapons and turned around and exited. Leaving her father and the third man inside alone.

She couldn't make out any defining traits from the men, except for their black suits. But this third man was different from the two. His suit had only one sleeve. It was missing it's left sleeve, whether this was on purpose or if he had lost it in some convoluted way, she didn't know. But as she tried to discern what the man looked like. She was surprised by the sudden movement her father made.

To her surprise, her father was in front of the third man, his sword's edge on the man's throat. She had to hold her breath, as she could see that it was piercing the skin and giving a light wound to the man.

The man however, didn't seem fazed in the slightest as he looked up at her father's eyes. He seemed to mutter something, something that she couldn't hear.

But to her surprise, after the man's lips stopped moving, her father turned around and faced where she was peeking from the window. His face shocked and scared. Scared for what? She never knew.

She dropped her broom and ran, not looking back.

XxX

She heard them, but she couldn't move. No, whatever was happening, she just couldn't move to see what was happening.

Bang!

Another loud shot and her body stiffened even more. She didn't know when she started crying, but she knew that her face was dripping with tears already.

Bang!

She crawled on the ground, before she curled her body into a fetal position. She hugged her knees as she heard a scream come from the Shrine. She just couldn't bother to move, she was too scared.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

She cried harder. Only because those were the last shots of the night.

XxX

Yuki didn't know how long she lay down on the floor. But when the doors finally opened, she was met with an unfamiliar face with an unfamiliar uniform.

"Hey!...Found…..Poor girl…" She couldn't make out what the person was saying. She only stared blankly forward.

She didn't register the person picking her up and giving her over to the paramedics.

She was numb to the World; she didn't register anything at all.

Even after she passed her father's body by the Shrine, she didn't react. No, she didn't react until a week later.

XxX

Yuki didn't know why, but the closer she got to the lead investigator's room, the feeling of dread seemed to grow bigger and bigger inside her.

She didn't want to know, but she NEEDED to know. You can just imagine how this feeling made a 12 year old girl nervous.

As she was ushered into the room, the first thing she noticed was the detective's scowl as he read a piece of paper. Whether this particular piece of paper had all the information on what happened, she didn't know.

As she stepped into the room and the door was closed behind her. The detective turned his head to look at her. And then the detective smiled as he gestured for her to take a seat. Yuki did so, albeit she was still rather weary.

She didn't look down; instead, she just took into account the smiling face of the detective. His eyes hidden behind his fedora made him look rather intimidating, especially since his red hair seemed to be blood red. At least to her.

"Hi there. I understand you're here to hear the whole story?" He asked, his voice gruff and rather cheerful. Yuki however, didn't see anything cheerful about the situation.

She nodded her head, not trusting her voice as she was trembling already from anticipation.

She saw the detective nod his head, but to her surprise, instead of talking. The detective just slid over the piece of paper he was reading.

Yuki looked at the paper, and although it had a lot of words on it, she knew what it contained because of the title on the top left.

'Shrine Homicide'

She swallowed a lump in her throat as she reached for the piece of paper. But before she could grasp it, the detective spoke up.

"Listen Yuki-san. Can I call you Yuki?" The detective started. Yuki only nodded her head as she retracted her hand. But she still eyed the document eagerly.

"What's written on that piece of paper, are nothing but cold hard facts. And although you may get a sense of closure after reading it, you'll find that your outlook in life will change. I understand you requested for the paper personally, for the facts personally. But I would advise you to read it sometime in the future. What happened was far from pretty." The detective said, he raised his fedora and stared at Yuki, as if warning her about what she was about to do.

Yuki stared at the detective, before she nodded her head and made for the paper again. She heard the detective sigh, but she didn't look up.

Finally, after a few painful agonizing seconds of reaching. She finally grasped the piece of paper.

"Listen Yuki-san. When you find the need to talk to someone, just give me a call. I have a daughter about the same age as you. A friend will go a long way." This time, she did look up. And she was surprised to see the sad look the detective was giving her. It wasn't pity. No, she knew what pity looked like after three weeks of seeing the same look coming from many different people. No, this one was genuine sadness.

The detective slid his card over towards Yuki, stopping it on top of the piece of paper that was giving her a hard time.

She looked at the card, and saw the name, or rather the nickname. Dera-Deka, what a weird name.

She looked up, and nodded her head, before she removed the card from the paper and continued to read.

The detective didn't stop her as she ran out of the room after reading the piece of paper, leaving behind the card he gave her and tearing up the piece of paper.

The detective could only sigh at what happened. Before he looked down and deepened his sigh.

She couldn't have left the paper intact?

XxX

Hamuko swallowed a lump in her throat. She didn't know that it went as deep as that. That was enough to scar anyone for life. But she had to trudge on, there was one piece of information still lacking.

"W-what exactly was written on that piece of paper?" She asked, her voice trembling. Yuki stopped her inspection of the sealing papers as she turned around, her eyes filled with unshed tears.

"I never read the whole thing. But there was one thing-" Yuki seemed to be breathing heavily now, tears cascading down her pale skin and onto the wooden floor. "It said that though the man in the black suit that my father killed definitely held the gun. He never fired it."

Hamuko was confused now, if he never fired it, then-

"If you're thinking that someone fired another gun. You're wrong. The gun that was used was the one the man held." Yuki stated, trying to hold back tears.

"Then wh-"

"The trigger had the prints of a young child." This statement froze Hamuko.

But before Hamuko could react however, her World, as well as Yuki's, turned pitch-black.

XxX

"Damn, where the hell are they?" Minato muttered to himself as he had circled the perimeter for the third time already. He let out a sigh, they couldn't have possibly left the shrine could they?

He turned around and faced Thanatos, who was silent as ever as it stared down onto him.

Well, as long as they weren't near here, he could at least take Thanatos back in.

He snapped his fingers, and in a flash, Thanatos dispersed into light blue fragments. He let out a sigh as Thanatos disappeared. Before he turned around and walked towards the entrance of the Shrine where the offertory box was.

As he was climb up the wooden steps into the shrine. He felt the oppressive aura he was feeling all day every time he was close to the shrine or the offertory box.

He pushed back the feelings of oppressiveness and soldiered on. He wasn't about to be intimidated by something that he couldn't see.

As he finally got near the offertory box and touch it. He stopped in his tracks as he heard voices coming from inside the shrine. Very familiar voices.

He sprinted forward to get a better look, and to his shock, he saw Hamuko and Yuki inside. Both completely oblivious to the giant Shadow looming over them both.

He re-summoned Thanatos and ordered for it to charge at the Shadow.

With a mighty roar, Thanatos charged, its sword poised to strike and smite the Shadow threatening both girls.

But to Minato's dread, once Thanatos crossed an invisible line. It seemed to sink into an invisible barrier. Disappearing and giving Minato sharp pain all around his body.

With an almost inhuman scream of agony, he fell to the floor. Unbearable pain piercing his body like needles.

But the pain however, was dulled down as he looked up and saw the Shadow loom over both girls and enveloped both into its shroud.

XxX

"This is….Never would have thought…..Why…." She didn't know who's voice it was. But it seemed familiar, like it was coming from someone she had met a long time ago.

She tried to open her eyes, but they forcefully remained shut. It was if something was holding it back from opening.

"It seems she is awake." A new voice, this one more womanly. She tried to move her head, but it too seemed to go against her.

She heard footsteps coming closer, she tried to scream, but her mouth remained shut. So she tried to scream from her throat, but no sound came.

She tried to re-focus on the footsteps. Each one getting stronger, as if it was approaching her. No, it was approaching her. She felt fear crawl up her body, she didn't know what was happening, and she couldn't do anything.

Finally, the footsteps stopped. She knew whoever was walking was now in front of her. She just knew it.

"I apologize for your less than comfortable visit. But we require that you do not see us right now." The voice, sounded gentlemanly. Almost princely. A pause, before the voice continued.

"But know this; we are not going to harm you. In fact, we should be helping you in three days time." The voice said, confusing her greatly.

"But, due to some unforeseen events. A fight that was never yours to begin with has forced our hand. Do not fear what is about to happen. Instead, embrace it." As the voice said this, she felt something…. Invade her. She couldn't quite place it, but something seemed to enter into her. It wasn't anything physical, it felt more personal. She didn't know what was happening, but this object seemed to give her strength.

"You should feel it now, do not fret and embrace it. It will save you, but I fear it is not yours. So you should return it as soon as you are finished. Now, I believe my time is scarce. You will be waking in complete darkness. But do not fear, just reach inside and pull out what he gave you."

She felt a sudden pull into her mind. And before long, she felt herself fading into consciousness.

Before she fully re-entered the World however, she managed to open one eye slightly, only to see a blue butterfly fluttering in front of her.

XxX

"No!" Minato shouted as he saw Hamuko and Yuki disappear from his sight and into the Shadow's black cloak.

He reached into his soul for a Persona, anything at all. And he thrust his hand forward.

It was black frost who answered his call, but, like Thanatos before it, it disappeared as soon as it touched the barrier separating Minato from the Shadow.

Minato keeled over in pain, as if his soul was disintegrating as soon as Black Frost disappeared.

He fell down on one knee, glaring at the barrier with contempt. He was about to repeat the process of finding a Persona, but a hand stopped him from doing anything more.

"I would advise against that." He knew that voice!

Minato turned around, and was met face to face with Philemon, who was standing right behind him, looking down at him with some kind of feeling. It wasn't concern, no, Minato couldn't place it, but he seemed detached.

But now was not the time for that, he had friends to save.

"Help them! Please!" Minato pleaded as he looked at Philemon, who regarded him with a calculating look.

Finally, after a few seconds of silence. Philemon sighed. "I'm afraid I cannot interfere in this fight." Philemon told Minato, and he felt his blood boil at what he said.

"Wh-"

"Do not act so rashly, I never said I wouldn't help. My World and this World cannot possibly interfere with one another. As they are running parallel to each other." Philemon explained, Minato looked like he was about to question what exactly he meant, but Philemon wasn't finished.

"Take note Minato, as this applies to you as well." Philemon warned, before he pulled Minato to his feet. Surprising Minato at his strength.

"You see, My World and this World are parallel to each other. This goes the same for the dark World, where my polar opposite is waiting." Philemon explained, and seeing Minato's incredulous look, he further explained.

"I digress, but know that whenever there are two parallel lines, they will always intersect at some point in time. No matter what anyone else tells you, these lines are not normal lines. They curve and they turn, and when they go past the horizon, they will intersect."

"How does this go about helping them?" Minato asked, calming himself down. It wouldn't do good to keep exploding in panic every time.

Philemon smiled and regarded Minato with a nod for his patience.

"You however Minato, do not run Parallel to any World, instead, you intersect with all Worlds. A perk of being the Gray per se." Philemon explained further.

"Now, to go about saving Hamuko and Yuki, I have accelerated my World to the point of intersection." He paused and waited for any reaction coming from Minato, when Minato didn't have anything to say, he pressed on.

"She can summon a Persona. Hamuko that is." Philemon explained, and this time, Minato did react.

His eyes grew in shock at the sudden news.

"Do you me-"

"No. Though I have unlocked her potential to summon Personae, she does not have her full power. As she hasn't signed Igor's contract." Igor explained, cutting Minato off again.

Minato would have sighed and chided him for cutting him off, but now wasn't the time.

"What do you mean? I though Persona was one's own power. The members of S.E.E.S didn't sign your contract, but they managed to summon their Persona just fine." Minato said, perplexed at what Philemon was telling him.

Philemon only shook his head before he further explained. "First of all Minato, it isn't my contract. It is Igor's. And to answer your question, it is true that a Persona is one's own power. Hamuko's soul is not ready to have a piece of it come to the physical world. Her Sea is still filling, and if she so much as takes a drop away from it, there will be repercussions to doing so. The worst of which is death." Philemon explained, shocking Minato.

Minato grit his teeth in frustration, "Then what do w-"

"e do? Why, I thought you would be smarter than that Minato. Remember, though my World is this World are parallel, your World – or rather your Universe – intersects all Worlds." Philemon paused and regarded Minato with a scrutinizing look. When it was obvious he was just waiting for Philemon to elaborate, he rightly did so.

"You see Minato, I cannot possibly interfere. But you however, have a modicum of control in regards to running interference." As he finished this sentence. Philemon began turning to smoke. Slowly, from his feet and going upwards, his body began disintegrating. Minato shouted for him to wait, but Philemon's last words seemed to echo around the area.

"I want you to reach inside your self Minato, reach inside your self and think of Hamuko. Find your connection to her World. And when you find it, I want you to pull. I will handle the rest." Was all he said before he finally disappeared from the World. Leaving Minato confused and frustrated at what he said.

He turned around, and saw the Shadow looking at him from behind the barrier. Regarding him silently.

'Reach inside myself?' He thought, confused at his words. But nonetheless, he did so.

He searched for his connection with Hamuko, searching inside his soul for anything he could pin to Hamuko.

It was surprisingly easy he thought, like his own soul was guiding him towards the connection. It wasn't even three seconds later, that he did find the connection. There was no indication that it was his connection to Hamuko. But he knew, he knew that was it.

He reached into his soul, and pulled. And right before his very eyes, he saw the Life Arcana, and his most recent Persona, J'eanne appear right before him inside his mind.

And to his complete and utter shock, he watched as the Card and J'eanne shatter into millions of light blue pieces.

And right after the final blue piece disappeared, he felt slightly empty without both of them.

XxX

Focus! It is inside you! I want you to pull!

Hamuko didn't know who's voice it was, and she didn't care. It was so silent here, so comfortable. Nothing could possibly hurt her here. It was so comforting.

Do not give in! Pull!

The voice again, it sounded stronger. It had more emotion, and she wondered if she should stay there. She felt doubt creep up on her as she looked around. Only to be met with blackness.

Yes! That's it! Come on!

Hamuko began to frantically search for whoever's voice that was. It seemed so panicked, yet so reserved. But all she could see was blackness. Why was it so dark?

Almost there! Do not give up!

She turned, it sounded from right next to her. She knew that voice! The darkness, which was so comforting before, was now horribly oppressive. She tried to search for a way out.

Call my name! I will be with you!

She turned, and found a small light in the distance, she tried to run, swim, walk. She didn't know what, she only moved forward towards the light.

Call me!

The light grew bigger, and before long, it seemed to illuminate the darkness, driving it away and giving her a sense of warmth.

Call me!

The light enveloped her, it was so bright she couldn't see her body, but she knew it felt right. Whatever this was, it felt true, it felt strong.

Call me!

"J'eanne!" And then there was no trace of darkness left.

XxX

Minato didn't know what happened. He was looking at the Shadow with contempt, and then a bright light seemed to explode from inside the Shadow. Blinding him for a second, but as he raised his arms to cover his eyes, the light that washed past him seemed familiar, like it was…

He smirked to himself, so this was what he meant.

It surprised him, as this was something entirely new to him. But nonetheless, he was thankful for Philemon. He just made sure Hamuko and Yuki survived.

As the light died down, he moved his arms away from his face. And the sight just made his smirk wider and bigger.

There, standing right in front of Yuki, with J'eanne right in front of her, was Hamuko. Her face looking on impassively at the Shadow.

But something bothered Minato the moment he saw Hamuko. It was as if she was a stranger to him, he felt, null, to her. It was like he was detached, like she was a complete stranger to him.

He shook his head from those thoughts. After all, now was not the time to think, now was the time to act.

He noticed that the barrier had fallen, giving him free access inside the shrine. He ran past the entrance and over to Hamuko and Yuki.

He kneeled down next to Yuki, carefully checking if she had injuries. To his relief, she didn't have any.

Yuki's eyes fluttered open, and before long, she recognized just who was in front of her.

"Minato-san…." Her voice seemed weak, but Minato knew that it was because she was more tired then injured.

"Don't talk Yuki. You're weak right now. You should sleep." He told her as he picked her up bridal style and walked over towards the wall. Where he carefully propped her onto the wall.

But as Minato turned around to face the Shadow and Hamuko. Yuki's hand stopped Minato from walking. Minato turned around, and regarded her with a caring stare.

"Please…." She couldn't finish her sentence, as he voice was on the brink of disappearing completely. But Minato knew what she wanted. And he nodded, he knew what needed to be done.

"I'll finish it." He told her before he turned around and walked over towards Hamuko. Yuki couldn't help but let out a small smile. Before she drifted off to sleep.

Minato ignored the appearance of his new Priestess arcana. He needed to finish this tonight, for Yuki, and to give peace to her.

XxX

"I knew you were air-headed and impulsive. But hiding here?" Minato chided as he took a step and lined up next to Hamuko.

Hamuko let out a snort as she ignored his jibe.

"What took you so long?" She asked, her voice slightly coy. She heard Minato shrug, before the sound of shattering glass was heard.

She turned her head towards Minato, and was surprised to see a humanoid looking Persona with black coffins as a cape. The Persona itself seemed to tower over J'eanne, and she could literally feel the power radiating off of it. She watched as the Persona reached for its sword on its hip, before it roughly pulled it and raised it to point towards the Shadow.

She then turned her head to Minato, who was only smirking.

"He likes to taunt his enemies." Was all he said. Hamuko shrugged before she turned towards her own Persona. No, it wasn't hers, it seemed detached. She didn't know why, but she knew it wasn't hers.

But nonetheless, J'eanne took out her own sword and in custom fencer fashion. Saluted by drawing her sword close to her chest and touched her forehead onto the sword.

"Though you are not my master. I will fight for you today. Let us win this battle!" J'eanne said before she flicked her sword to the right as if flicking away blood.

It was then that Hamuko finally saw the full form of the Shadow they were facing.

It seemed to have no solid form; the only constant in its form was the billowing cape-like visage it had. She couldn't make out anything other then the cape and the pale white mask where its face was supposedly was.

And although the previous Shadow had a blood red mask with the number XIII on it, this one didn't have number. Only a pale white mask and dark cape.

Kind of like the Joker and Batman's baby.

She laughed at that, she didn't know why, but she felt great. Like everything the World could throw at her wouldn't get her down.

She stopped laughing as she heard Minato say something.

"Anything you have to say before we take this thing down?" Minato asked. Nonplussed at her sudden laughing.

Hamuko hummed, thinking over what she could possibly say. And before long, she snapped her fingers and made an 'oh!' sound.

"I have an idea who's Shadow the Samurai is, but this one is brand new." Minato raised and eyebrow at what she said.

"What are you talking about?" Minato asked, Hamuko just turned to him and looked at him blankly.

"The Samurai was Yuki's dad, and this one I think might be the other guy that died." She said.

Minato had to steady himself as he thought he'd fall over at what she said.

"W-wait, what?" He asked, surprised at the revelation. Hamuko however, just waved her hand dismissively.

"I'll explain later. I think I know what to do." As Hamuko said this however, both Minato and Hamuko had to jump to the side to dodge an attack coming from behind them. Minato rolled to the right, while Hamuko jumped to the left, separating both of them.

As Hamuko landed and Minato drawled to a stop, both of them glared at the attacker. Minato stifled a curse from escaping his lips as he saw who attacked.

It was the Shadow-murai.

"Why won't you stay down?!" Minato shouted as he threw his hand forward, signaling for Thanatos to charge. With a mighty roar, the god of Death threw itself forward, sword poised to swiftly strike the Shadow in two.

With a mighty Clang! The two swords, one from Thanatos, and one from the Shadow, met in a brilliant flash of sparks. Before both swordsmen promptly began what Hamuko could only describe as a dance of blades.

Hamuko was in awe at the sheer speed and ferocity the Shadow and the Persona showed, and also to the fact that it must take a great amount of control to have your Persona do those moves. She regarded Minato with a look, and to her surprise, it looked like he wasn't even trying.

Aside from him moving his hands to direct Thanatos to move, he hardly did anything else. It was both re-assuring to see she had a competent ally to watch her back, and slightly unnerving to see him fight so well. It showed that he was used to it.

Hamuko however, had to take her eyes off of the fighting, as she heard movement coming from her left.

She looked to her left, and promptly moved her hand to signal for J'eanne to intercept the coming attack. J'eanne promptly did so, stepping in front of Hamuko and raising her silver sword that seemed to glisten even now in the darkness.

J'eanne swung her blade downward, and the other Shadow stopped its advance so it wouldn't be cut in half.

Hamuko scrutinized the Shadow, trying to discern just what it was. If the Samurai was Yuki's father, this was supposed to be the man in black. The question was why was it here? It made no sense.

As J'eanne swung her sword forward to attack the Shadow. It quietly slunk into the shadows, disappearing from her sight. Hamuko carefully took a look around, trying to discern where it could have possibly gone.

It wasn't until she looked over towards where Yuki was, was when she saw where the Shadow was.

It was right in front of Yuki.

"J'eanne!" Hamuko shouted in a panic, she pointed towards where the Shadow was, and J'eanne immediately sprung into action. Charging towards the Shadow, sword ready to pierce it.

But to Hamuko's shock, the Shadow suddenly disappeared from view the moment the sword seemed to pierce it. She watched in horror as the sword appeared to be inches from Yuki's face.

But in the last second, Yuki's head fell to the side. Hamuko sighed in relief, that was way too close. If Yuki hadn't moved at the last second.

Hamuko felt an oppressive aura permeate her immediate surroundings. She froze in fear as she felt a presence appear behind her.

Carefully turning her head, she saw to her horror, the same Shadow that was in front of Yuki the moment before.

She called for J'eanne, but she knew that the Persona wouldn't be fast enough. She closed her eyes in hope for a miracle to happen.

And thankfully it did.

With a resounding crash, Thanatos crashed into the Shadow that was about to do away with her. Hamuko hadn't been so thankful in her entire life.

"Watch your surroundings! Don't ever let your guard down!" She heard Minato shout. She didn't respond to it visibly. But she was thankful for his timely intervention.

She breathed in a deep breath, steadying her breath. Before she ordered for J'eanne to assist Thanatos. To her ire however, the Shadow seemed to slip past Thanatos and J'eanne, slipping right between both of their swords.

She would have cursed, however, her attention was suddenly towards the other Shadow, the Samurai.

She raised an eyebrow as she noticed how it was moving, it seemed nervous for some reason, its stance was wide, as if it was blocking from their view whatever was hiding behind it.

She didn't need to second guess to know what to do during that situation.

"Minato! The Samurai!" Hamuko shouted as she redirected J'eanne's attention to charge the Samurai. J'eanne immediately reacted and charged, sword poised to pierce the center of the Shadow.

The Shadow seemed to hesitate to move, but its instinct immediately told it to dodge.

And it did, and to Hamuko's surprise, it seemed to be guarding the one thing she didn't think it would.

It was guarding the offertory box.

J'eanne's sword pierced the box, and immediately after, a burst of darkness seemed to explode from the box. Darkening the green room into a pitch black.

As the winds died down, and the color returned into the room, she was surprised to see the Shadow-murai going crazy, literally.

Its body seemed to contort as it gripped its sword and swung it around its vicinity. And although it slashed nothing, Hamuko could feel the power emanating from its swings. It was obvious that should J'eanne should attack now, she would likely get split in two should she move badly and get hit.

Thankfully, there was no need to interrupt as the Shadow-murai seemed to stop and melt into the floor.

But before she turned her head to look for the other, she heard a voice, a new one. Someone's voice seemed to echo around the shrine.

'My money! No! Where's my pay?!' The voice was otherworldly, almost demonic. She turned towards the Shadow-murai, and she was surprised to see a humanoid looking shadow right over where the Shadow-murai had melted.

She couldn't make out details like the face, or the color of its hair. However, she saw that it was wearing a suit, and though most of it was gray and looked smokey – for lack of a better word – she knew for a fact that it was black.

And before she knew it, the shadow disappeared from sight, leaving behind only two words that seemed to answer so many questions.

'My money!'

XxX

Minato heard Hamuko shout for the Samurai. But he had bigger problems to worry about, namely this new Shadow that was as slippery as a frog.

He felt a presence to his left, and he almost ordered Thanatos to charge at it. But he refrained from doing so, and he ordered for Thanatos to charge towards the opposite direction.

Minato let out a curse as the Shadow slipped right under Thanatos' sword and into the ground. This was getting tedious.

Minato dodged to the left as he felt a presence invade his personal space. He looked towards where he just stood, and saw that dark hands seemed to spring up from the ground and made to grab his legs.

He let out a sigh of frustration as the Shadow seemed to disappear once again.

This thing was just asking for it.

He ordered Thanatos to come closer to him and made it stand at the ready. He carefully controlled his breathing, trying to discern where it would pop out next.

It seemed like the Shadow didn't want to fight them head on, and was relying on tactics to either separate Minato from Thanatos, or to get them both in one fell swoop.

He turned around and ordered Thanatos to raise its sword just in time for a hand to reach for them both.

Thanatos' sword met the hand and pierced it right in the middle. And with a mighty show of power, it pushed it forward and cut the hand in two.

Minato let out a smirk. It seems he was right on the money on the latter.

'My money!' The sudden voice surprised Minato and he turned towards where Hamuko was.

He found her looking at a dark mark on the floor. He scrutinized the dark mark, and found that it was black ichor, the notable sign of a defeated Shadow.

He let out another smirk. Looks like he was right about Hamuko as well.

But his smirk turned into a frown as he saw Hamuko look at him and shout out another revelation.

"The other Shadow is Yuki's dad!"

XxX

She didn't know how long she was asleep. Heck, she didn't feel like she slept at all. But the moment she opened her eyes, she knew that it was probably not that long a sleep.

The scene in front of her was a scene of curiosity.

Minato and Hamuko, both rather new friends were standing back to back. Two beings right in front of them, swords out and stance wide. Both looked like they were waiting for something to happen.

She let out a low groan, careful not to disturb Minato and Hamuko's concentration.

She pushed back on the wall and carefully made to stand up. She seemed so tired, like all the strength she had had been sapped from her body.

With a low groan, she made to move over towards her friends.

'Yuki…' That voice, it was so familiar, so comforting.

She turned her head to the side, to look for whose voice it was. She scanned the area, and she didn't see anything.

'Yuki… Papa's here.' Papa? But Papa had been dead for years now.

Her eyes seemed to glaze over as the voice seemed to grow louder and louder in her head.

'Yuki… Papa is here, don't be afraid anymore.' Afraid? She was never afraid. No, she couldn't be afraid.

Why would she be afraid?

As she thought those words, she felt an overwhelming sense of dread was over her.

'Don't be scared Yuki, come here. Come to Papa.' Papa… Please, help me, I'm scared!

As fear etched into Yuki's heart, she couldn't register anything else that was happening. She lost all her connection with the physical World.

She didn't register Hamuko calling for her to come over. To run.

She didn't register Minato cursing as he shouted for her, to come to him and run.

'Don't listen to them Yuki… They won't help you. They'll only hurt you.' Yes, they'll hurt me. Just like that boy. He hurt me, he hurt Papa. Why? Why did he hurt us?

'That's right Yuki… Come to Papa.'Papa! Where are you! Please, make this fear go away!

Fear. Fear was etched into her heart. But….Something seemed to pull her back. Something in her heart wasn't fear filled.

She focused on it, and when she did, she felt warmth, she felt a connection.

A connection to who though?

'No Yuki, just come to Papa.' This connection, it felt so warm, it wouldn't hurt her right?

It couldn't hurt her. Would never hurt her. Who's was this connection?

'Yuki….Papa…' This connection. I want to find whose it is.

It felt so reassuring. It was nice, so warm and happy.

'Yuki.' Who was calling her again? She didn't know anymore. But it felt so nice.

Who are you?

'Yuki' The voice was different now, warmer. Almost closer.

It felt nice to be called by this voice.

'Yuki.' It was so close, she could feel it tingling her heart. Pulling its strings and making it beat faster.

Were you the owner of this connection?

'Yuki!' Where are you? I want to come with you!

Please! Help me!

"Yuki!"

"Minato!"

XxX

"Minato!" Finally! Minato let out a sigh of relief as she finally regained control of her actions.

But that was only the first part of the battle.

Minato had cursed himself for his carelessness, he didn't think that Yuki would wake up whilst they were fighting. And that just might cost her life.

She had woken up sometime after Hamuko had told him the truth about this dark Shadow. And both of them never noticed her walk towards them until it was too late to stop her.

To their surprise, Yuki had been captured by the Shadow. It enveloped Yuki into its cape. Cutting them off from saving her by the barrier it put up to separate them from her.

They watched and shouted for Yuki to wake up as they saw a green tether come from Yuki's chest and attach itself onto the Shadow.

Minato wisely told Hamuko to keep away from the barrier, as he related to her what happened the time he tried to destroy it while trying to enter the shrine.

So they were stuck on the other side, shouting for Yuki to wake up and gain control over her body once again.

Thankfully, shouting seemed to work, as Yuki awoke and the green tether severed itself from Yuki.

So shocked was the Shadow that its barrier seemed to give way for a moment.

And in that moment, Minato sprung into action.

Thanatos charged forward, and with a loud 'shing!' Its sword pierced the Shadow right through its chest.

Minato and Hamuko let out a sigh of relief as the barrier dispelled fully, before the Shadow began melting into black ichor.

Minato didn't waste any time however as he ran over towards Yuki and carefully looked over her. To his relief, she didn't seem injured. She only seemed paler than usual, but that was it.

"Minato…What happened?" Yuki asked, and although her voice was weak, her voice held a little luster as she talked to Minato.

Minato let out a small smile as he looked over Yuki. "I finished it, like I said I would." He told her as he curved his lips and smiled at Yuki.

To his surprise, Yuki smiled as well and nodded her head.

"Thank you Minato." She said before she turned her gaze towards where the Shadow had melted.

Her eyes seemed to grow in shock, and Minato noticed this. Before he turned to look at just what exactly she saw.

He couldn't help but look owlish himself at what he saw.

There, floating on top of the ichor, was the silhouette of a man. A man smiling at them.

The man regarded all three teens, before he flashed a brilliant smile and disappeared into smoke.

"Papa…" Minato heard Yuki say, he turned to her. Only to see her eyes full of unshed tears.

He smiled softly at her, before he took her body and hugged her.

"It's okay to cry now. It's over." He cooed into her ear.

And as the World returned to its normal state, losing its green hue, its pools of blood, and the eerily large moon. The only sound Minato and Hamuko could listen to was the sound of Yuki's relieved crying.

XxX

Holy fuck. I didn't think it would get this long. Seriously. It's 16 pages on size 10 font. Wtf.

And that concludes the Kyoto arc. And to those that know who dera-deka is. I salute you. I don't normally do cameos, but he seemed to fit right into the story. I needed a detective, and I was given dera-deka. I like to think that that doesn't really ruin this stories credibility, after all, he posed no subsequent impact into the story. But that will be the last you'll see of any kind of cameos whatsoever. I try to avoid things like that in the first place.

And also, just some news. The next chapter in already in the works. I just posted this now because I was lazy to log in and post it. :P And also because the hospital's Wifi is poor in my general area. And they upgraded just last week. I don't know why a hospital needs wifi in the first place, but I ain't complaining.

And because of that anon reviewer I was mentioning up top. I am going to moderate all Anonymous reviews. Note that I will approve criticism. But outright flaming will be deleted.

And lastly, this chapter is not proofread. Blame me being lazy. But I will get to that in awhile.

Teaser for the next chapter:

"Wait!" Minato let out a silent scream. Hamuko turned around and looked at Minato, regarding him with a raised eyebrow.

"What?" She asked, growing impatient, she just wanted to get a room and lie down. Walking around the whole city for an hour at midnight was tiring. Especially during this God-forsaken hour.

"I think we should wait. You know, so as to not freak out the other people in the dorm." Minato told Hamuko.

Hamuko was about to ask why they would do that, but Minato beat her to the punch.

"Why? Because people might not take kindly to having someone suddenly pop out of thin air. Remember, other people are in coffins during this hour. Who's to say the guys in the dorm aren't themselves in their own?" He asked. Hamuko thought about it for a few seconds, before she sighed.

"Fine you win. We'll wait for the hour to finish."

XxX

There, right in front of the school gates was a face I never thought I would see again.

Minato didn't register Hamuko running past him, as he only looked on, towards the one person that held his attention as of that moment. It took all his control not to run himself, and not to hug the person.

Hamuko ran into the person's open arms, happily laughing and squealing.

"Otou-san!" Hamuko shouted in glee.

XxX

C.O.Y.L out, Peace! :D