In uh...celebration(?)...um...morning(?) of Shinjiro's death on the Fifth of October Full Moon.
And also because I forgot to update. Hehe... ^_^;
Check out my two Persona 3 and Naruto crossovers, 'Harbour for Eternity' and 'To walk with Death'. The first one features Ryoji, Minato Arisato and Minato Namikaze. The second one (the sequel) features the ANBU, Kakashi and Ryoji after the Yondaime's death, as well as an OC Okami Hatake.
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"Minato? Minato!"
"Hm?"
The doors of the Lobby finally opened to reveal the rest of SEES crowded frantically around the door. Without a moment's delay, they quickly clattered in to assess his health.
"Well he looks fine." Akihiko sighed in relief after giving him a once over.
"Arisato, what was that?" Mitsuru demanded.
"Sorry Senpai, Its just...this place feels so familiar..." He took a deep breath and let out a relaxed sigh, a tiny smile on his lips.
The red head tilted her head slightly and her ruby eyes narrowed calculatingly. "Has this happened before?"
"Nah." He denied, mostly ignoring her and preferring to rake his eyes over the eccentricities of the hall they were in.
"Whoa... It's just as cool on the inside..." Junpei said in an awed voice.
"But, it sure is creepy..." Yukari shuddered.
"Nonsense!" Minato grinned. "I love it!"
The strange devices around the place and the interior design were definitely unique. A weird clock, something that resembled a jukebox and a familiar blue door. A huge set of carpeted steps led up to a huge clock with a door where the six should be. Plain pillars kept the roof up, though he had a sneaking suspicion that if they weren't there the roof wouldn't move anyway. Outside the windows creepy green silhouettes of architecture floated around. Definitely not normal in any way.
"If you're as in-tune with the Dark Hour as I suspect, then there is definitely something connected to the Dark Hour worth looking for in here." Mitsuru declared.
Junpei ran excitedly up the stairs, grinning like a goof. "Hey, there's a door up here!"
The Summoner took a few steps after him before a smell wafted under his nose. He froze, recognizing the familiar, familiar scent of cloying death and rusty blood wafting from the enticing doorway. The Magician was at the top of the velvet covered stairs, peering into the entrance.
Can't he smell that?!
Minato raised his voice with a hint of panic and rushed up the stairs.
"Junpei, don't!"
"Huh?" the teenager yelped. "Why? There's only another corridor behind he-"
The smaller teenager grabbed his shoulder and yanked him away from the entrance and hauled him down the steps. Something beyond the wall screeched and the humans froze. Minato unhanded Junpei and turned around resolutely. In the darkness past the doorway, he couldn't make out anything but he knew they were there. He wouldn't be surprise if the Master of Tarturus, the forbidding Death-entity Reaper, was watching.
To the surprise of SEES (and Yukari's personal fright), the impassive boy snarled and flared a powerful spike of killing intent and heavy spiritual pressure.
Back off dark-fragments! These are under this demon's protection!
The Persona-Users' faces went white as the sounds of shadows fleeing in terror registered. Mitsuru looked vaguely sick. Junpei only looked mildly rattled. Yukari was looking ready to bolt.
"As I was going to say, we are only in the entrance. The labyrinth lies beyond that doorway at the top of the stairs." Mitsuru informed them with only a slight quaver in her voice.
"First, we'll have you three get a feel for this place. Now that Minato's scared them, they shouldn't be as aggressive. You'd be able to look around fairly safely and get some battle experience." Akihiko suggested.
Yukari freaked out as usual. "What!? By ourselves!?"
Minato nearly sighed. This girl really wasn't Dark Hour material, she freaked out too easily. If she was on her own she'd be dead. Humming to a song only he could hear, he started down the stairs.
"We're not asking you to go very far," Mitsuru assured and held up a set of earpieces. "I'll be feeding you information from here."
Junpei indignantly yelled. "So, you two didn't plan on coming in the first place?!"
The boxer smirked. "That's right. We're also going to appoint a leader to make any necessary decisions."
The magician instantly perked up and began jumping up and down. "For real? ...One of us? Oh! Oh! Me me me! Pick me!"
The Summoner sighed and stepped off the staircase. "Sorry Junpei, but I think they mean me. I have to teach you guys how to fight."
Akihiko nodded pleased. "That's exactly it. Arisato will be field Leader."
"W-Wait! Why him!?" The hapless cap-wearing boy protested."He doesn't look like a leader! He's all scrawny-"
"WHAT WAS THAT?" Minato smile sweetly.
"Nothin'. I didn't say nothin'."
"That's what I thought."
"But, he HAS fought them before..." Yukari input. "He's been doing it for ten years."
"Seriously?" Junpei gaped at his shorter friend, who only returned the disbelief with a cool gaze.
The Wild Card took a deep breath. "Junpei, I have a serious request."
"Hmm? What do ya want leader?" He snickered at the title.
Minato let out a long-suffering sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "No one's told you yet but I'm seriously ill."
"WHAT?!" The fledgling Persona User grabbed Minato's shoulders in a desperate grip.
The brunette frantically looked the Wild Card up and down, as if expecting to have something obvious wrong with him. His best friend was seriously sick and hadn't told him? Fear gripped his heart as he stared down at his shorter classmate that had somehow wormed his way into his heart in a very short time span. From what he saw during that small time, the younger boy brushed off serious wounds like nothing. For him to admit there was something wrong, it must be really bad.
"A-are you going to be alright? What's wrong with you?"
Minato sighed and carefully unpeeled Junpei's bruising grip. "It not that life threatening. You don't have to panic."
The rest of SEES shared a unanimous thought of. Yeah right.
"You sure?" The Magician poked again.
"I just need you to watch my back Junpei. I can collapse sometimes. I won't die, I'm too good at surviving for that to happen, Its just the condition I'll survive in is a bit of a debate."
Junpei looked mildly poleaxed.
"Now, your Persona will be strong, I can sense it." He admitted coolly. "I am putting my life in your hands." He bowed his blue head briefly.
"W-what?!"
All of his jealousy evaporated in that moment. He couldn't lead but the Leader, his friend, desperately needed his help. Someone needed him. Minato said he was strong, that he was someone he could depend on. That sealed it.
"...I'll try my best!" He agreed.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Yukari interrupted. "Junpei tends to be a bit irresponsible."
Minato nodded firmly, mind made up. "No offense Yukari, but Junpei is going to end up outclassing you in brute power. He'll be a strong protector."
Having allies will take getting used to. He mused.
Aw, now I have to worry about friendly fire...
I suppose we will have to prioritize their survival? Orpheus asked in a businesslike manner.
Yes. We can allow them to get injured but we will have to intervene for more serious injuries for now.
"There's another thing." Akihiko spoke up. "You two..."
The Lovers and Magician turned to face him. The silverette pulled out his evoker and aimed it at his head.
"Can you summon your Persona without any difficulties, like he can?"
"Y-Yeah, of course I can!" Junpei declared, a little unsure of himself.
"I think so." If anything, Yukari seemed more unsure.
"These are Shadows we're talking about here. Without your Persona, you're screwed." The boxer told them sternly.
"I'm aware of that." Yukari huffed.
The group began to move towards the stairs. A faint buzz from his Tome informed him that the Velvet Room would require his presence in a few hours. No matter how tempting that door was, he really didn't want to look like an idiot in front of everyone.
"We have a wide selection of accumulated weaponry that will fit each of you." Mitsuru informed them, gesturing to a small collection of cases.
"Right," Akihiko said business-like. "Yukari, we have a bow for you. Junpei, we've found a Katana. Minato..."
"Don't bother." He waved the Emperor off with a smile. "I have everything I need."
Yukari dutifully strung her new bow without any trouble, testing the string. Junpei then distracted everyone by running around waving his katana in glee and yelling any epic quote that came to his mind. To Minato's own surprise, he recognized one.
"Who the hell do you think I am?!" He yelled, striking another pose.
"Did you just make a Kamina reference?"
He made another pose. "Yep! I'm livin' the dream man!"
The blunette saluted him wryly. "You, sir, are epic."
The two manga nerds gave each other high fives while the rest of SEES just stared. Junpei offered the Wild Card the hilt of another sword but he just shook his head.
"I'll be fine without anything." He hefted the deceptively innocent tome in a palm. "Besides, I'm not supposed to be fighting."
Everyone gave the book a strange look but the Wild Card only smiled enigmatically. With lots of teeth. The rest of them unanimously decided to drop the subject for their continuing well being.
"Come on then." Minato urged them on starting up the stairs, Junpei following him faithfully.
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Minato stared at the doorway into hell. He didn't need to look to know that his teammates were behind him. The rusty scent of blood drifted from the opening causing the rookies to cringe. Minato hesitated only a second, doubting if he would make it out of the nest alive, before his foot landed on the other side of the door.
He stepped into a checker tiled corridor, crimson dripping on the walls, with the corridor glowing the standard Dark Hour green. A few more footsteps followed his own. The two had finally gathered enough courage to step after him. A quick glance behind him reassured him that Yes, Yukari hadn't chickened out. Also that the doorway had sealed shut as if it were never there in the first place.
"So, this is it, huh...?" Junpei wondered, observing the corridor.
"I hope I don't get lost..." Yukari fretted.
A few quick steps brought him back to the now blank wall, ignoring his party members. The Summoner rested a gloved hand against the wall, lightly pushing for weakness. The entire structure was solid.
"I hope there's an exit somewhere on this floor Kirijo-senpai..." He grumbled.
"Can you all hear me?"
Minato whirled violently, bringing his fists up to guard. His gaze did a habitual sweep of the corridor before his mind caught up with him. Junpei and Yukari both jumped at his sharp reaction. The blunette relaxed and ran a hand through his hair in annoyance.
"Senpai could you please refrain from startling me in future? I tend to react rather violently..."
"That's putting it mildly!"
"Alright Arisato. I'll be providing audio backup from here on out."
"Roger Kirijo-senpai."
"Wait... Ya mean, you can see inside here?" Junpei yelped, glancing around wildly.
Minato could almost feel the smugness radiating from the Kirijo group heiress.
"It's my Persona's ability. I'd like to join you, but the structure of Tartarus changes from day to day. That's why outside support is imperative."
"...I don't really think so..." Minato mused. "If you have enough wits about you you'd be able to navigate fine."
A beat.
"Doesn't that make her job a bit useless?" Yukari said, a bit too eagerly.
"Depends."
"...Based on your current location, you can expect to encounter some low leveled enemies at any moment. Get comfortable with your weapons. Arisato, do not engage in combat."
"Meh." He brushed off the direct order. "I make no promises."
"...Arisato."
"Kirijo-san, not to disrespect you or anything, but even if I stood in a horde of low leveled shadows for the entire of Dark Hour, they can't hurt me."
"Very well then. You may fight if necessary."
Not like she could've stopped us! Thanatos cackled madly.
A ghost of a smile flit across Minato's mask.
"Now, let's begin. Keep in mind, these are real battles you'll be engaging in. Now, see if you can eliminate all the Shadows wandering around on this floor."
The small group obediently shuffled forward. Minato took point despite Junpei's protests. His companions clunked along for a few meters before Minato let out a sigh and stopped.
"This is ridiculous."
"Huh? W-what is?" Yukari flinched.
"You two sound like a bunch of elephants is what! The shadows will hear us long before they see us!"
He spent several minutes pointing out to them how to move more carefully before they continued along the corridor, slightly less noisy than before. Only slightly though, which irritated the silent Minato greatly. All his senses were practically wailing in horror at the combat faux pas his teammates were committing. To make it up to Junpei, the Wild Card had to promise that as soon as the fighting started, the Magician was allowed to be loud.
"Now rule number one," He lectured, checking around a corner. "Anything goes."
"Huh?" Junpei blurted, confused.
Silver eyes fixed him in a serious gaze. "These shadows are like highly intelligent, vicious beasts. They will not hesitate to harm you. The only way to even the field is to return the favour. Blindside them, hit them from behind, ambush them, do anything to ensure your continued survival. There are no morals in this death game."
Correct little Death. The Reaper's amused voice rang out in his head.
The only sign he heard the other Death god was a slight narrowing of his eyes.
Guess we found rule number one. He stated grimly.
"Game? You think this is a game? That's insa-" Yukari nearly screeched.
"No one said I was sane, little girl." Minato coldly snapped back, checking around the corner again. "In fact I'd been the first person to admit I'm mad, but that's how all Persona Users are. You just haven't found your own mental problems yet."
"Wha-?" She gaped flabbergasted.
Junpei actually looked a little thoughtful at his words.
"Minato, if you would stop scarring the rookies...?" Mitsuru's bland voice rang over the comm.
"Hai, hai, sempai."
"There's a Shadow around the corner. Move in and hit it before it attacks you. If you surprise it, you'll have the upper hand!"
Woman, how do you think we're still alive?! Thanatos grumbled. By playing fair?!
Thanatos... Orpheus groaned. Stop distracting Minato.
Sure enough, a large black blob with arms was crawling along the floor around the corner, oblivious to the predator lurking but distressed all the same. A disgusting trail of ooze was dragged across the floor behind it. Minato nearly smiled.
Ah.
"I call those blobs." He declared cheerfully, tossing his tome up and down in his hand like a ball. "Who wants to bet I can nail it from here?"
Before anyone could answer, he wound back his arm like a pitcher and lobbed his tome at the blob. The heavy brown book whacked the dark creature with an audible thwack. Instantly, the blob split into three very pissed off blue masked magician shadows.
"Now, You have the initiative! Strike!" Mitsuru called.
"Junpei, front and center!" Minato commanded.
"Righto Leader!" The excited magician yelled.
He charged forward, swinging his heavy katana wildly. Luckily, the sword managed to land a fairly large gash on one of their assailants.
"Yukari! Aim at the weaker one!"
"H-hai!"
He returned his attention to the wildly swinging Junpei just in time. The multiple enemies were overwhelming the rookie. A timely arrow, dispatched the wounded shadow, leaving two.
"Slash behind you!"
Junpei obeyed instantly and ichor splattered across the floor from another successful hit. One of the Cowardly Mayas lunged for Minato but the Summoner dodged quickly. An arrow implanted itself directly in the blue mask, sending the monster back to the nether.
"Home run!" And the last shadow exploded as Junpei, with his horrible sword style, decimated it.
The rookies breathed hard in the silence, adrenaline catching up with them. Minato inwardly preened. For once in his life he wasn't the one fighting to catch breath and it pleased him immensely.
"Good job." He simply said.
"Heh...That...was...awesome!"
"I figured you'd say that." Minato smiled.
He idly drifted down the corner, away from his panting classmates. Book once again tucked comfortably under his arm he let his steps echo down the corridor. As he walked he caught sight of a massive set of stairs.
"There should be a staircase nearby. Do you see it? A staircase is the only way to proceed to the next floor. I can't allow you to go any higher today, but please remember about it next time."
"Hai Kirijo-senpai."
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Right, as you can see, several demon qualities has kind of seeped across to Minato due to the decade long residence of a demon in his soul. On a side note, Demons speak literally. Like with Shadows being 'dark-fragments'.
eh, It ends a little lack luster but it picks up again next chapter, I promise! ^_^