Author's Note: I'll be a little busy for the next few months so please bear with me until I finish my exams! Sorry! But on a lighter note, I hope you'll enjoy this chapter!

Chapter 10: Red-Handed

Cloudy

"Hi Mrs Amagi! Is Yukiko around?" Chie asked enthusiastically as she literally skipped up the slope and towards the older Amagi.

"Oh, Chie-san," the frail, dark haired women in a white kimono smiled politely, "A package just arrived and Yukiko was sent to pick it up. Maybe you would like to wait at the receptionist's desk? I'll get Chiaki to come over..."

Chie glanced around the inn. It was yet another busy day and the waiting area was already filled with a whole group of visitors coming in from all sorts of different places. Chie could see almost every one of them in seasonal clothing and colourful brochures in their hands. Their chatters were kept to a modest level as a result of the inn's own quiet atmosphere, urging everyone to do the same. Satonaka also noticed that the receptionist's desk was mighty busy as well and decided that a chat with Yukiko would have to wait.

She's still here after all... She's safe. Plus with so many people out here at the inn, the crazy killer won't have the chance or guts to get to her.

Satisfied with her reasoning, Chie declined Mrs Amagi's offer and bowed slightly, "No thanks, Mrs Amagi. I can see that you're busy here today too so I'll just e-mail Yukiko her homework."

She started to run down the slope, Chie turned back for an instant to wave goodbye.

She's safe. Yukiko's still here.

As she watched Chie run down the slope that led to the main road, Kanami Amagi felt her smile grow wider. The child was certainly a good friend to Yukiko. While she may be a little rough around the edges, Chie was a kind and strong girl, always there to support Yukiko when she was at her worst. There was even once where Yukiko was asked to make a speech in front of the class when she was in 5th grade and Chie had been the one who'd encourage her and help her through her stage fright.

The noise from the receptionist's desk started to get rowdier and louder as the phones rang off the hooks. Amagi rubbed the bridge of her nose tiredly, certainly they were calls from the TV stations again. The media seemed to be feeding off the murder incident like a leech for ratings as they called day and night, hoping that Amagi might finally relent and allow them to ravage the inn's reputation for their own amusement, entertainment and consumerism. The older Amagi frowned deeply, no way. No way in hell was she going to let them defile the inn that was the very essence of the long line of Amagis since the days of the First World War.

She walked over to a very flustered and busy Chiaki as the younger girl worked tirelessly to cater to the checking in of the large groups of visitors in the waiting room, "Chiaki-san, is Yukiko back yet?"

The young inn helper grimaced slightly as she struggled to switch between telling the shady TV producer to shove off as politely as possible and answering her boss's question, "... No, please, for the millionth time, the inn does not wish to associate our name with Sexy Rendezvous Inns. Look, I'm sorry but can you please hold?"

The dark haired girl heaved a heavy sigh as she regarded her bemused boss, "I'm sorry Amagi-san, but no, I haven't seen Yukiko-san around at all. I suppose she was called out by the other workers. She's been very busy lately."

"I see," Amagi sighed softly, "I'll go see if I can find that child."

As she left the desk, the raven haired women, with her hair tied up in a neat bun turned back and smiled at her exhausted inn helper, "And Chiaki-san, you're doing a fine job with those pesky TV producers. Thank You."

"Oh, I-it's my job after all..." she trailed off with a blush as she watched her lady boss walk away elegantly, off to find her daughter. Chiaki sighed. The Amagis sure were a great family. They had hired her, even though she hadn't graduated from high school and had no other qualifications except for her middle school final exam results. Chiaki had worked her butt off, but she never complained, because she was earning much more than what her equally under-qualified friends were earning. She had a good place to stay as well, all because of the Amagis. She grew up from a runaway delinquent to an inn helper and saw Kanami Amagi as a mother she never had, and the kind Yukiko Amagi was a sister she always wanted.

Chiaki let the phones ring. The caller id told her that it was the TV Company calling again. She began to check in all the people from the group tours, totally ignoring the shrill rings of the phones. Eventually the calls stopped and Chiaki mused that they must've gone for a lunch break. They'll be back. She just knew it. It was over an hour later that Mrs Amagi came running towards her. Shocked, Chiaki asked why.

The older Amagi was pale and panting, "Yukiko! She's missing!"

Dojima Household, Souji's room

Night

Heavy Rain

"We might still want to keep an eye out," Souji said as he rubbed his chin.

"Yeah... Can't be too careful about things like this," Yosuke agreed steadfastly as he sipped his can of TaP whilst rocking on the back legs of his chair.

Chie was a little less calm than the two teenagers as she paced furiously, "Augh...! That's it! I'm heading over to the inn to check on Yukiko!"

The brown haired girl bolted off suddenly. The shock sent Yosuke falling off his chair and knocking painfully on the back of his head, "S-shit! Chie...!"

"Don't worry about her," Souji said as he picked up his own can of Dr. Salt from the table and crushed the ring into the opening with the sound of escaping carbon dioxide, "Just get her to text you."

"R-right, of course," Hanamura swallowed, his hands still rubbing the sore spot on his scalp, "Get her to text me... Why didn't I think of that?"

Souji groaned tiredly. The rain had fallen upon Inaba just this evening and it made Souji extremely sleepy. He stretched out his arms and began to strip off his shirt in favour of the long sleeved raglan shirt he had hidden somewhere in his drawer. He caught sight of his topless chest in the vanity mirror sitting on top of said drawer and frowned. He hadn't been working out lately, since he had other more important things to worry about, such as the TV world and his moving in to a new town. His abs were less defined than the last time he really looked at himself and his chest, while still broad, was a little scrawnier than he remembered.

"I wonder if Yasogami's got a soccer team..." the teen wondered aloud. He sighed and quickly dove into his drawer to find his shirt before he caught a cold again. Nanako wouldn't be very pleased. Souji began to search for his old dumbbells in his duffle bag that was stashed away somewhere on the aluminium shelf near his door. As he bent down to pick up the two 5 kilogram dumbbells, he happened to notice the time.

The midnight channel was coming on.

Have you ever thought much of this midnight channel?

Souji blinked wildly. The voice was of Izanagi, his persona. The silver haired teen cleared his throat uncomfortably, "Uh...U-um... N-not really..."

A soft chuckle in his head, you do not need to speak aloud your thoughts child. Just think it, and I can hear you.

Souji felt a blush creep up to his face, u-uh okay... How's this?

Izanagi laughed, it's fine. In any case, this midnight channel. It is... very peculiar to me.

Peculiar...? Seta thought with a creased brow, I mean... The whole concept of the midnight channel and the TV world IS already kind of a wacked out idea, you know?

Izanagi was silent for a moment. Souji thought that he might've upset the persona, but before he could apologize, he spoke again, I see. True, to you humans it may be so. You still have not grasped the reality of this magicks. At any rate, we are working together now. I have some questions I need answers to as well, so may we both find our true purposes here on this fog ridden journey.

H-huh? What do you mean? Souji asked, frustration in his thoughts. Izanagi was talking in riddles now. The teen waited for an answer, but the deity wouldn't speak. Having exhausted his patience, Souji decided to just concentrate on the static that had graced his turned off Television set.

Souji flexed his arms with his dumbbells in hand and waited, not really anticipating on what would come on. The static was on for a few seconds, but what graced the screen later shocked Souji enough to make him drop his dumbbells unto his foot.

"SWEET JESUS—"

"Hurgh? Souji? What's happening up there?"

It was Dojima, his uncle. Souji quickly rambled an excuse as the heavy footsteps stormed quickly in the direction of his room, "U-uncle Dojima! It's nothing! I-I just dropped something..."

Souji glanced towards the TV and prayed softly that it'll go away soon. He could already hear his uncle muttering as he closed in onto Souji's room. Seta sighed loudly in relief as the show ended just as Dojima burst in angrily.

"What the hell was that, Souji?" He asked loudly, throwing his hands up in disbelief when he saw Souji crouching down to attend to his bruised feet. The teen was even smiling sheepishly up at him, but Dojima could see the kid wince every now and then when his fingers brushed against the deep purple bruise. A pair of dumbbells was sitting on the space next to him, telling the whole story.

"Oh God, Souji! If you wanna build up, at least learn how to grip those damn things properly!" Dojima growled as he quickly ran off to his room to grab the first aid box that was hidden away in his wardrobe.

Souji sighed as his uncle stormed off to find something. He sat down gingerly, trying not to lean too heavily on the injured foot. The spot where the 5 kilo dumbbell had landed had turned into a deep purple colour, making Souji a little sick inside.

That, and because of what you just saw on that damned show...

"Shit..." Souji cussed softly when he heard his cell phone ring somewhere, but he couldn't pinpoint the location. It was probably Yosuke calling him. Souji heard tiny footsteps climb up the stairs and towards his room. Nanako had come to visit, it seems.

"Um... Are you okay?" she asked timidly when she saw the bruise. Souji smiled reassuringly as he nodded. He was a little preoccupied with the search for his phone.

Nanako grimaced as she walked into the room proper and squatted down next to Souji's extended leg. He was a little amused when he saw her wince at his injury. "...Daddy's looking for the first aid box in his room. I'll go help."

The seven year old quickly ran off. Once he was alone in the room again, he listened for the phone. Souji frowned when he couldn't hear his phone ring anymore and decided that today was NOT a good day.

Hours later

Dojima's room

Dojima yawned loudly as he stretched out. He had bandaged up Souji's foot and had given the boy a good stern lecture about working out safely before helping him to his futon. Teenagers these days are really quite vain. Working out with 5 kilo dumbbells was not really what Ryoutaro was doing back when he was 17. After putting Nanako to bed, Dojima quickly checked his cell phone for any messages that the office had sent him.

You have 2 messages.

"Two?" Dojima mumbled under his breath as he blinked lazily at the screen.

"Dojima-san! This is Kureno. I'm sending this to inform you that there has been another case that was lined up for you, since we have nothing to go on for the Yamano killings. It seems that Yukiko Amagi of the Amagi inn was reported missing by her mother this evening right after you left for home. I have already informed Detective Adachi about the new assignment, but I have a strange misgiving about that man, so I decided to just inform you myself. On a personal note, are you really serious about Adachi? He's like a complete moron if you ask me! You have it real tough, Ryou. Anyway, see you tomorrow."

Dojima couldn't help but laugh at the personal note officer Kureno had left him. That man had been his friend since he joined the force almost twenty years ago. He joined the force when he was only 24, a young grunt. He'd met his wife then, thoroughly smitten by her gentle demeanour. The direct opposite to his rough exterior, Chisato had soft features and had an equally gentle personality. They started dating when Ryoutaro finally mustered up the courage to ask her out at the receptionist's desk instead of finding every excuse to do admin work, just to see her. Kureno had been the one whose said admin work was pried away from him every time Chisato clocked in for work.

As Dojima let the nostalgia sooth him, the happy memories of Chisato was slowly starting to eat away in him. Ten years of marriage and finally, Nanako was born. Back then, his sister had already had her hands full with a ten year old Souji. Grunting softly, he scratched at his small stubble and pressed the button on his cell phone, calling up the next message in his inbox. The sender turned out to be Adachi.

"Hi Dojima-san sir! Hey! I'm at Junes right now and they're selling those cute little ice cream things that you like so much at half-off! Want me to get you some? Reply soon cause' the sale's ending! – Adachi"

Dojima rolled his eyes at the text. Adachi had completely forgotten about Amagi's case. And HE was the one who liked the mini ice creams, not Ryoutaro. He meant to send an angry text to Adachi when he caught sight of the time and decided that he'd rather not scare the kid at 2 am in the morning. Instead, Dojima slipped into his T-shirt and boxers and jumped into bed. Tomorrow, with Amagi's case, would be a long day indeed.

Souji's room

He was dreaming. No, it wasn't a dream. It was a recollection of what he saw just now on the midnight channel.

She was beautiful. But her beauty was warped and evil. She smiled at him through the screen, as if she could see right through his body, into his very soul. The raven haired girl smiled. She was wearing a ridiculous outfit, one that even Nanako would've been embarrassed to wear at her tender age of 7, a frilly pink princess gown, complete with a silver tiara.

A microphone in hand, Yukiko beamed, "Good evening! Princess Yukiko has got a biiiiiiig surprise for you all tonight!"

"I'm gonna go score myself a hot stud," she announced mischievously, "Welcome to Not a Dream, Not a Hoax! Princess Yukiko's hunt for her Prince charming~!"

Souji had never seen this coming. The modest, courteous girl he had met under that pavilion would never submit herself to something as ridiculous and stupid as this. It was like one of those late night cable TV shows that nobody with a proper life and a job would ever watch. Souji felt like he was watching Hentai as Yukiko continued to coo on screen, her eyes still on him, "And I came prepared~"

She placed a gloved hand on the region of her modesty and bent forward towards the camera, pushing her arms together so that her breasts would bulge out of her gown, "I've got my lacy unmentionables on stacked from top to bottom~!"

And that was it. Souji then proceeded to drop his dumbbell unto his now extremely sore foot and sent a raging Dojima into his room, smelling faintly of sake and a half gone cigarette hanging loosely from his lips.

Next Day

Clear skies

"There was a call for you this morning, from some guy named Yosuke Hanamura," Nanako said sheepishly as she brought Souji a cup of milk, filled to the brim, "he said that you should call him back."

"Okay, thanks Nanako," Souji smiled as he grabbed the cup from her, spilling some on her hand, "Oops, sorry."

The seven year old grinned as she walked over to the sink and washed her hands, "T'is okay."

She came back to the table and her face suddenly became a little sullen as she glanced down at Souji's bandaged foot, "Are you sure your foot's okay? It looked pretty bad last night."

"Yeah, it's fine now. I can walk okay," Souji chuckled awkwardly. Once again, he felt a little weird having people look after him. It was just like last night where he'd just look up at Dojima sheepishly, because at first he didn't know why the man was so mad, but eventually, he got the idea. He was worried, definitely. It was the only reasonable theory, strengthened by Dojima's lecture after the quick first aid to save his foot.

Nanako doesn't seem convinced. Noticing that the only way to diffuse the situation was to stop talking to Nanako all together, Souji stood up and hobbled up the stairs.

"You're not walking okay," Nanako frowned as she mumbled under her breath. She sighed heavily and began to clear the dishes. Adults were all the same, it seemed. They were just so stubborn.

Souji's room

He was looking for a phone. A silver flip phone, sony brand. Souji stumbled and hopped all around his room, careful to not knock his shin against the low work table. Next to a bruised foot, Souji couldn't stand an aching shin as well. He eventually found the phone lying on top of his drawer and began to wonder how the heck did it get up there?

Searching through the contacts list now, Souji found Yosuke's number under the pile of other names that Seta had never called in a long while. He held the phone to his ear and waited. One ring, two rings, three—Yosuke picked up on the third ring

"Yo! I called last night! Did you watch the show?" Hanamura asked, "Oh and I called just now too and your cousin was the cutest thing, she asked—"

"Stay focused Yosuke," Souji sighed exasperatedly into the phone, "and yes, I did."

"Oh right," he coughed awkwardly, "A-anyways, meet me over at Junes in about half an hour. I wanna discuss what we saw last night. You're coming right?"

Souji stared down at his foot and pondered. Yosuke cleared his throat impatiently on the other side of the line and stirred Souji from his day dream, "U-uh yeah, sure, I'll be there."

"Good," Yosuke chuckled, "alright, see you later, partner."

Junes

Forty five minutes later

Yosuke had almost finished his can of TaP when he saw Souji, dressed in a snug black shirt and a dark blazer, hobbling down to the table that he was sitting at. Hanamura was a little amused to see the ever popular transfer hunk Souji Seta hobble around with a bad foot.

"What's with the leg?" he asked with a grin as he sipped his drink.

Souji groaned as he plunged into the seat next to Yosuke, "Was watching the show last night while holding my dumbbells. I kind of freaked out at what Yukiko said and dropped one of them on my foot."

Yosuke started to laugh loudly. A few of the people sitting around them were all staring at them now. He then stood up and patted the silver haired teen on the shoulder, "Well, to cheer the ole' spirits up, I got somethin' for ya!"

"Eh?"

Yosuke reached behind his seat and pulled out two silvery glinting swords. If Souji could jolt up from his seat right now, he would. He had a pretty bad feeling about this as Yosuke began to wave the weapons around, "I found these in my dad's closet. God knows what else he had locked behind the closet. I just picked them up randomly before he caught me in his room at all."

He noticed Souji staring incredulously at him with wide, grey eyes scrutinizing him, wondering if he was insane. Shrugging inwardly, Yosuke explained, "I mean, a golf club's not really what we'd wanna use when we go back in there. I know we have our personas and all, but still, we can't just rely on them. Jiraiya said so."

"Jiraiya said so, huh," Souji repeated with a lop sided smile.

"Yeah, he talks to me sometimes. And most of the time he's being a bitch, so I have this weird internal fight with myself," Yosuke laughed heartily, "Doesn't your persona talk to you too?"

"He does, actually," Souji grinned, "He's... like an old man. Talks in riddles sometimes."

"Whoa, sounds deep," Yosuke blinked, he then began to weigh the two weapons in his hands playfully, "Anyway, back to this. Which one strikes to your fancy?"

Souji placed a hand on his lips and thought carefully. The katana looked pretty good. It wasn't sharp from what he could tell, but at least it looked sturdy enough to work pretty well bashing up shadows. The shorter blade though, looked sharper, but still not as sharp as one would hope in a weapon.

"That katana looks pretty cool," Souji said.

"Ahah! Knew it! You look like those samurai kind, the sword fighting dude," Yosuke nodded approvingly, "Me on the other hand..."

"Hey... What about both of them?" Hanamura laughed heartily as he swung both blades around and kicked his leg behind, balancing on one leg, "Kinda like this!"

Souji laughed loudly. Yosuke was making a fool out of himself in public, but he didn't care. He was having too much fun to care. He then changed stances and swiped the blades sideways. More encouraging from Souji's end and Yosuke changed stances again, this time doing a dramatic spin that he'd seen them do in a movie once.

Before long though, trouble found them. They heard a policeman radio beep and a gruff voice reporting that he spotted two young males with weapons. Souji gulped, the only two young males around were him and Yosuke, and he was sure as hell that they were the only people around with weapons as well, fake or otherwise.

"Oh crap...! S-shit, I mean i-it's not what it looks like!" Yosuke blabbered nervously.

The policeman seemed unconvinced. He began to close in on them. Yosuke, flustered and panicky, began to wave his hands nervously, not noticing that the weapons are still in his hands, "T-this isn't what it s-seems...!"

The policeman seemed distraught as the fake swords were waving in front of his face. He cowered slightly and stepped back unintentionally, "A-are you resisting a-an officer of the law? Y-you're under arrest...!"

Just then, Souji heard two sets of footsteps run up behind them. He spun around and noted that two other officers had come down. He sighed heavily as he rubbed the bridge of his nose, Oh damn...

Amagi Inn

"Good Morning Chiaki-san!" Chie called out as she climbed up the slope to the entrance effortlessly. She had come to see Yukiko today, since she hadn't returned any of her calls or texts yesterday, so Chie had figured that she should visit, just in case.

Chiaki, who was just sweeping the front entrance, saw Chie walk up to her and she immediately broke down into tears, stunning the brown haired teen considerably, "C-chiaki-san! What happened? W-where's Yukiko!"

"Y-Yukiko-san...! S-She's missing!" the inn helper cried uncontrollably, "S-she-she just disappeared! I don't know w-what happened...! Waaaaahhhhh!"

Chie furrowed her brows as she suppressed the urge to join Chiaki in her crying session, choosing to just let the girl weep on her shoulders and patting her hair occasionally, "Oh...oh... It's okay... Don't cry... Yukiko will be back... I promise."

I promise! I'll protect Yukiko no matter what!

"Look, Chiaki-san," Chie said softly as she pushed the inn helper away from her soaked jacket gently, "I have to go look for my friends. I promise I'll get Yukiko back!"

And she ran. Chie could hear Chiaki call her name but she didn't turn back. She knew that the only people who knows where Yukiko could've been is her, Yosuke and Souji. There were just some things that the cops just can't help with. But first, Chie had to find the two boys.

Hmm, didn't Yosuke mention that he was hanging out with Souji this afternoon at Junes?

Nodding to herself, Chie ran towards the silhouette of an enormous building just west of the inn. Junes wasn't very far from the Amagi inn actually as Chie realised. She knew that Yukiko had mentioned this little factoid before when they chatted a few months back, something about how the costumers could visit the store to buy necessities easily.

As she reminisced about Yukiko, Chie didn't realise that she had already reached Junes. She waited impatiently for the elevator to come, hopping occasionally to the Junes theme song that played over the broadcasting system. The song was much too catchy for its own good. Finally the elevator came and Chie stood aside to let two giggling teenagers to walk out. She could hear snippets of their conversation between their giggles.

"Oh my god, you should've come sooner! Just a couple of minutes ago too guys got hauled off by the cops for carrying weapons!" The girl in green laughed.

Her friend inhaled deeply, "OH MAH GOD! Weapons?"

"Yeah! But you could totally see that they're fakes, I mean the katana was totally blunt and stuff," the girl in green rolled her eyes as she waved her hand for emphasis, "Oh and I recognised one of the boys. It was Hanamura, you know? From Junes? And his friend was really hot, like with silver hair and this killer smile."

At this, Chie rolled her eyes dramatically. The conversation had spiralled into giggling at Souji's physique and killer smile. She needed to find them quickly, if they had any chance to save Yukiko at all. She started running again, this time she was running up the hill, towards the Inaba police station.

Police Station

"Um, there was a slight misunderstanding... ugh, we'll tell you about it later," Yosuke said exasperatedly, still sore about having his dad's swords confiscated. He was going to be in a hell lot of trouble tonight.

"Oh that's not important!" Chie grumbled frustratedly, "What's important is—"

"Yukiko-san," Souji said suddenly, "She's gone, isn't she?"

Chie blinked a few times in surprise, "You know already?"

"We're in the police station Chie," Yosuke sighed, "and the police usually know about this kinda stuff."

"Right," Chie nodded strongly, she caught a hint of sarcasm in Yosuke's voice but decided to ignore it this time round. She didn't want to cause a scene at the police station. Chie proceeded to explain about how Yukiko hadn't been answering her phone calls and texts, so she decided to visit the inn, and it turned out Yukiko was indeed missing.

Souji rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably, "The cops were saying that Yukiko might be trying to 'lay low'. They were suspecting her for the Yamano case, no doubt."

"WHAT! Yukiko's the victim, not the suspect damn it!" Chie said rather loudly as she stomped her foot angrily.

Yosuke sighed dejectedly, "With the police on the totally wrong track, I'm guessing that we're on our own."

Souji nodded his agreement. The boys turn to leave for Junes when suddenly, Chie ran up behind them and grabbed their shoulders. Because of her shorter height, she almost dragged both boys down with her, causing them to fumble. Chie growled, "I'M GOING TOO!"

"And that's final! I have to save Yukiko!" she said with determination in her voice, "I promised!"

Yosuke glanced at Souji. The silver haired teen cocked a brow up curiously and shrugged. Yosuke sighed in defeat, "Alright... But if you're coming with us, we gotta find some weapons. Can't be using our personas all the time, can we?"

"Weapons? I know a place!" Chie said suddenly.

Shopping District South

Daidara's Metal Works

Souji had seen this place before, just the other day he had gotten lost –again- and found himself wandering around the south shopping district instead of being home. He remembered fondly that Nanako had become rather unhappy with him for being late for dinner.

"Well, here we are!" Chie exclaimed with her arms extended in opposite directions.

Souji noticed that Yosuke was a little sweaty. He agreed though, that the store was a little weird. The whole establishment was lighted by fluorescent lights with orange tints and the colour gave Souji a headache. Three to four display stands of swords, naginatas, spears and kunais were sitting behind Yosuke; also there were shelves after shelves of trays with metal parts in them behind a tall, muscular looking old man. The man himself must've been Daidara. He had a long pink scar that ran down his right eye to his left cheek. Souji mused that the man looked a little like a pirate.

"How'd you find this place anyways?" Yosuke asked curiously. His head had conjured up all sorts of funny images of Chie running around, asking shopkeepers if they sold weapons.

Chie wasn't even bothering to look at Yosuke now, she had drifted over to one of the display stands, "Hmm? I overheard one of the guys in school talk about it. They said that this place sells weapons and armour."

She then started to mumble to herself, "Hmm... The chain mail or the steel armour..."

Yosuke watched Chie look over the armour and weapons with a worried expression on his face. Chie wasn't like him and Souji. She wasn't going to last long in there if those shadow things attacked again. But Chie, she seemed really serious about joining them. And if experience counted, Yosuke was pretty damn sure that she's gonna be all gung-ho and try to run off on her own.

"Chie... Are you sure about this? I mean I know how you feel but..."

She stopped looking over the display. Chie turned to glare at Yosuke, her eyes glistening slightly in the orange lighting. She scowled, "No! You don't know shit about how I feel right now! Yukiko might die from this for crying out loud!"

She watched as Yosuke's face softened. He really was worried for her. Chie swallowed uncomfortably and turned back to the display, "I'm going, and you can't change my mind."

Yosuke glanced over to Souji. The silver haired teen sighed heavily and shrugged, "Alright, Chie, if you're really coming, then at least get something to protect yourself. You don't know what it's like inside, and I'm telling you right now, it's not going to be pretty."

Satonaka glanced back at the two boys and nodded surely, "Yeah."

"Alright then, now that that's settled," Yosuke exhaled loudly and stretched out, "Hey Souji, mind pickin' something out for me? I'm not really into shopping."

Souji groaned, "And you think I do?"

Yosuke chuckled, "Aw c'mon, you're our main asset in battle right now. Just pick whatever makes things easier for you."

The fluffy haired teen shoved a 5'000 yen note into Souji's hand and winked, "Keep the change, Bud."

Souji grimaced at his chuckling friend.

The cash register clinked and Chie was carrying a large bag with a strange metal chain armour inside. It looked mighty heavy to Souji and he groaned, thinking about the extra weight his sore foot would have to carry later. That's right, he still had an injure foot to take care of.

"Alright! I'm done! How 'bout you guys?" Chie asked with furrowed brows, noticing that both boys were still not ready.

Yosuke sighed and glanced inside Chie's bag. He flinched, "Damn... If we just carry these things around, we're just gonna get picked up again."

"Try to hiding it in our clothes?" Souji suggested with a small shrug.

Yosuke pursed his lips, "I was thinking of hiding under our winter uniforms. They're bulkier with the jackets on so people won't notice right?"

"Meh, I guess," Souji nodded. People generally don't give other people two hoots, and are more concerned about themselves.

"Alright. Junes is gonna be crowded until the lunch break period is over, so we wait for a couple of minutes at the food court and then swoop in when the people are leaving," Yosuke explained.

Both Souji and Chie nodded. The silver haired teen then pointed out at Chie's bulge around the stomach, the place where she had hidden her chain mail, "If we walk in together like this, people are gonna take notice."

Yosuke snorted, "Pfft, what the hell, Chie?"

The brown haired girl rolled her eyes at Yosuke, "S-shut up!"

"I propose that we go in from different entrances and meet up at the food court, it's a little better that way I guess," Souji smirked.

"Alright then, it's all settled! We'll meet at the Junes Food court!" Chie grinned enthusiastically.

Author's note: Yay! New chapter! -throws confetti- Anyway! Princess Yukiko shall be waiting in the next chapter~

Review Replies:

Astrih Konnash: Glad you enjoyed it! And yikes, female Morooka D: -vomits blood-

Blazehawkins: Ehhh heh heh heh heh A love triangle ehhh?

Coldman9: Sorry but no action in this chapter either! -Eh heh- But I'm glad that you enjoyed the chapter! And about the Boss, well its a fragrance company for men! They always use hot guys in their commercials -wink wink- Anyway, hope this chapter works for you!

devilhamster: Thanks! And yay! Hot Souji and cute Minato :D They're like that even in their respective mangas!

cyber500: Thanks! And if you wanna write a story, just do it! Once you start, everything should just fall into place on its own! -I guess-

arkee: Glad you enjoyed the chapter! And whoo hoo! Souji/Yukiko moments! It's the pairing for this fic so expect more during the dungeon and after the dungeon!

Thanks for all the awesome reviews! And Do write in for this chapter as well! You know how reviews makes an author wanna write -wink wink- Anyway! Glad you enjoyed the previous chapter and I hope you'll like this one too! Also! PERSONA 4 ANIME IS COMING OUT IN 2 MONTHS! I AM TOO EXCITED! I hope they show it on animax though. I wanna watch it on my Tv! WHOO HOO! Oh and I'm terribly sorry for the many typos in the previous chapters. WHY DIDN'T ANYBODY TELL ME? I WAS SO EMBARRASSED D: (But I haven't fixed them yet so SORRY!)