Title: "Last Days"

Author: Agony-Howl

Summary: When the unthinkable happens, the Investigation team is on high alert. As they prepare for the killer to strike, Yosuke tries to figure out his feelings towards his partner and what he meant by "Today may be your last."

Pairings: Seta/Hana with Chi/Yuki on the sidelines. Flame and the Soul Catchers will come!

Disclaimer: I'll sic the Soul Catchers on you if you steal this fanfic. However, they will turn on me if I claim ownership of Persona 4 and/or the song "If Today Was Your Last Day."

Rating: T for language-not something I'd expect for an M rated game.

WARNING!!! There will be shonen-ai and shojo-ai. So if you don't like it, then don't read or flame me!

Before I begin…Yay! Second to last chapter!

Mostly just loose ends being tied up and confessions finally made. Why did it take so long for me to update then, you ask? Two words-WRITER'S BLOCK. The bane of authors.

So while I waited for more ideas to come I played more Persona. I've finally beaten Kanji's dungeon for the second time and am now getting ready for Rise's. I've also been writing other Persona 4 fan fiction, mainly Seta/Hana. One day, I promise I'll write a story that has Chie and Yukiko taking center stage. Unfortunately, this day is not that day.

Anyways, now to stop rambling and let you keep reading!

&

...And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

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---------------------------------------------------------------------------------"Admittance"---------------------------------------------------------------------------

It didn't take too long to return to their own world. Once they did, the group sat in their usual spot and got down to business.

"Do you remember what happened to you when you were kidnapped?" Naoto asked.

Yosuke rubbed his forehead as he recalled the event. "I was just heading to school when someone got me from behind." He explained. "Probably came out before he reached the front door, so he decided to take a chance since it would be the last chance he got." His gaze aimed to the ground. "I…couldn't see who it was…" he admitted.

Everyone looked disappointed-once again the identity of the killer eluded them. He kept his eyes down so he wouldn't have to look at their faces. Finally, Rise spoke up. "But we got Yosuke-Senpai out before the fog, right? Even though we don't have any new information, the killer's been thwarted again."

"That's true…" Yukiko agreed. "And we were even able to keep the killer from getting him until today. "

"Especially since there was midterms." Chie brought up. "I didn't need to worry that much about saving someone while they were going on."

"Thanks, Chie! You sure know how to make someone feel liked!" Yosuke shot at her, not feeling as bad now.

"Well, it's true!" Chie argued. "I don't want to be worrying about someone in the TV while trying to remember who the Sun King was!"

"As much as you two might want to continue arguing," Souji interrupted before the argument could escalate. "I feel I should remind both of you that it is getting late and that we have school tomorrow."

Yosuke groaned. "I forgot…I'm probably going to get an earful from my parents about my disappearance."

"Actually, since the door was left open and your bag was left behind, they might have figured out you were taken forcefully." Naoto explained. "So that should set your mind at ease."

"They've probably called the police by now…" Yukiko commented. "So you should probably get home soon, Yosuke-kun."

"Probably…" Yosuke agreed. He got up from his seat "Well, I'd better get going. See you all tomorrow."

Souji got up with him. "You're not heading home alone." He announced. "Not after spending that much time in there."

"I've been in there before!" The brunette protested. "I'll be fine."

"You've been in there longer than you usually are." Souji explained. "I'm taking you home whether you like it or not." He locked eyes with his best friend in a battle of wills, standing resolute.

Finally, Yosuke sighed in defeat. "Alright, but tomorrow I'm back to being part of the team and not the victim." He said.

The rest of the group said their good-byes and parted ways with the two friends, who made their way to the Hanamura house (Yosuke had asked Teddie to go ahead of them since he wanted to ask Souji something). Both were quiet while they walked, until Yosuke finally spoke up.

"Souji…why did you take the blow?"

Gray eyes turned to gaze at him. "You know the answer to that." Souji replied.

"No I don't!" Yosuke snapped. "If I did, I wouldn't have asked in the first place! I get you were trying to save my life, but I was asking why you risked yours!" He didn't care right now if his shouts woke the neighbors-he wanted to get his point across. "Why would you throw your life away for-" He was cut off as Souji pulled him into an embrace like he did by the river. Except this one was tighter, like if he let go his seething friend would be lost again. It was similar to one his mother gave him when he had been separated from her for nearly three hours nearly ten years ago-lost while they were getting groceries. She was in tears when she finally saw him, he recalled.

"Does this answer your question?" the silver-haired teen asked, his voice quiet.

"I-I told this is for girls, dumbass!" His friend snapped. As much as he wanted to stay like this longer, he was still angry at Souji for endangering his life. "And it doesn't answer my question!"

Silence stretched between them until Souji pulled away. "I'll tell you tomorrow." he promised. "Right now, you need to get home."

Yosuke would've stood where he was until he got answers, but realized Souji had a point. His parents were probably worried sick right now-especially his mother. "Alright. You'd better explain everything tomorrow, Partner."

"I will."

&

Evening

When Souji arrived home, he breathed a sigh of relief; Dojima was still working. He was not in the mood for his uncle's questioning, which he would no doubt recieve since it was one of his friends this time who had disappeared. He talked with Nanako for a short time before getting her to bed.

Tomorrow...he would have to tell Yosuke the truth tomorrow.

&

As soon as he went into his room, Yosuke made a bee-line to his futon. The events from earlier had left him exhausted and he would've gone to bed earlier if his mother hadn't bombarded him with questions. She meant well-Masami Hanamura was known to be worrisome especially when it came to her family.

Teddie was already fast asleep, he noticed as he pulled the blanket over his body and drifted off into sleep...

...where he was surrounded by fog again. Souji stood a short distance away from him. 'This dream again?' he wondered, still unable to speak or move. 'No...I can't do this...I can't watch him die again...'

"Too bad. It looks like you're going to."

'You again...'

"He's going to die..." his Shadow said. "And you can't do a thing about it because you're still clinging to the memory of a dead girl."

At those words, it was as if everything became clear. Now he saw what was holding him back-someone's arm was around his chest pinning his arms to his sides while a hand was clamped over his mouth. He felt someone pressed up against his back; someone he last saw months ago taking a break from work.

'S-Senpai!?' he started to struggle against her grip, but it only tightened in response.

"Heh, maybe I should tell him why you couldn't save him before I kill him." the other Yosuke taunted. "Because you were too busy holding on to a memory."

'Clinging to a memory...' Souji had begun to walk into the fog. 'That's what I've been doing the whole time, isn't it? Trying to solve the case so I could avenge Senpai's death. And not just forget her or my life in Inaba, but that there would be nothing at the end once this was all over. I was so focused on what had happened I didn't want to know what would happen if I moved on. I was scared of trying to get on with my life after the case was finished.' Saki's grip on him began to lessen.

'But I'm not afraid anymore. Because now I know what I'll do once we're done.' The older girl let go of him, disappearing. His Shadow looked oddly pleased before it too vanished. Without anything holding him back this time, Yosuke ran after his friend.

"Souji, wait!" The silver haired teen stopped walking and turned to face the brunette.

"Yosuke...you finally made it." Souji smiled. He gently grasped his friend's hand and tugged it forward. "Ready to keep going?"

"Lead the way, Partner."

If someone had been behind them, they would've seen the two of them disappearing into the fog. Maybe it would be unnerving to that person, but that was because they weren't with them.

&

After School: October 25, 2011

Souji was waiting at the Samegawa river when Yosuke arrived. The two of them sat down near the river's edge.

"You want to know why I'm so protective of you, right" Souji asked. When his friend nodded, he sighed. "Alright. It's because I screwed up and you were the one who almost paid for it."

"Screwed up? When?"

"When I was fighting your Shadow. You were unconcious so you didn't know." Souji closed his eyes, allowing himself to remember. "The fight wasn't too hard at first, but then I made a mistake. A huge one..."

&

Souji swung the golf club so it hit mottled green skin hard. He then ran a foot back as the Shadow got back onto its feet. "Don't underestimate me!" it growled threateningly, although it was too late for that. The frog was unable to stand up while the figure attached to its back slumped. It was obvious that the battle would be in Souji's favor.

Both the frog and the figure covered their eyes with their hands. Not that it would do them any good-the next attack would be enough to finish it off. At least, that was what Souji thought as he summoned Izanagi to Cleave through the weakened creature with his blade. However, he had underestimated the guard it put up. The blow it took wasn't strong enough to break through and finish it off. And after it guarded, it followed up with-

"Get out of my sight!" A blast of wind sent Souji sprawling on the ground, unable to defend himself when the Shadow swatted him out of the way. He tried to get up but the wind, the blow from the Shadow, and Izanagi's attack took a lot out of him.

"S-Sensei! Wake up!" Teddie called out. It drew the Shadow's attention to where the mascot stood along with Yosuke, who was still unconcious. Unable to do anything else, Souji could only watch as it used what strength it had left after the battle to make its way to where they were. The mascot, as if able to tell its intentions, stood in front of the comatose teen.

"Move out of the way, bear." The Shadow threatened. Realizing that Yosuke was coming closer and closer to another body to be found when the fog arrived, Souji reached in his pocket for one of the medicines he had been given before coming here. He didn't think he would need them until now.

"N-No!" Teddie protested, though he was shaking in fear. "I w-won't move!" Despite the situation, Souji smiled at his odd companion's courage.

"You're becoming a pain in the ass-move now!"

"I said no!"

"Then I'll move you!" A blast of wind was sent at Teddie, blowing him onto his back. His arms and legs wiggled frantically in the air like a bug on its back. The scene would've been comical had the situation not been so dire. The Shadow was now right in front of Yosuke. Souji thought it would use another wind attack or would simply stomp on his companion, but instead the frog crouched down so that the figure could reach one of its hands out and place it on his chest. Even from where he was, Souji could see something black spreading across the brunette's body and his face scrunched in pain.

Adrenaline fueled him as he pulled out a medicine that vanished into the air as soon as he did, his injuries disappearing as well. There was no time to wonder why it happened; Souji called Izanagi to cast Zio on the Shadow and Cleave through it while he ran over to Yosuke.

Dimly, he heard the creature screaming, cursing him as it fell. Yet all he could concentrate on was the state his companion was in. He brushed his hand against Yosuke's face and clothes, but couldn't find any trace of whatever was on him. Souji lifted him by the shoulders and gently shook him, but he wouldn't wake up. He was about to give up and prepare whatever he would have to say to Chie once he left when he saw a slight movement. Looking down, he smiled in relief-Yosuke's chest was rising and falling at a steady pace.

Souji gently put him down, then went over to Teddie and pulled him to his feet. "Sorry for making you wait." he apologized, then noticed a movement in the corner of his eye. The Shadow had shrunk until it once again looked like a replica of Yosuke. It got up and stood waiting, the condescending sneer it wore before replaced with an impassive expression.

"What it said before-about them being the same person-it's true, isn't it?" Souji asked quietly.

"It is." Teddie answered solemnly. "Shadows are the repressed selves of people."

"Then I have a favor to ask of you, Teddie."

"What is it, Sensei?"

"Don't tell Yosuke what just happened."

The two of them-along with the other Yosuke-waited.

&

After Souji finished his story, Yosuke was silent. Then, he asked "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why didn't you or Teddie say anything?"

Souji rubbed his forehead. "Because I knew you were going to be reluctant to accept your Shadow even without knowing we nearly got killed by it." he explained. "And afterwards it became something that didn't need to be mentioned-scratch that, I didn't WANT to mention it. Because it reminded me too much that I nearly lost you. I didn't want you to get hurt like before, so I kept telling myself that I would make up for my mistake by protecting you. So when you were about to get killed, I did what I thought was the best way to save you."

Those words tugged at Yosuke's heart. Yet there was something else he needed to do.

"Souji, there's something I want to tell you too."

Souji looked up, a bit surprised by his best friend's words.

"Somewhere deep down...I didn't trust you." Yosuke shook his head. "No, it's more like...I was jealous of you. I thought you were like me. Coming from the city to the countryside I thought you'd be bored out of your mind here. But as soon as you came here, you called your Persona...Became our leader, gathered people...You're a hero. I like you for that, and I'm proud of you...But I guess I was a little jealous, too."

"I didn't know..." Souji murmured. "It never seemed like you were."

"I didn't know it either..." Yosuke admitted. "When I called you 'special,' I thought some more about it." he took a breath, deciding to only tell part of the truth instead of all of it. "I think out of everyone, I wanted to be acknowledged by you the most..." He got up and spread his feet apart. "So...Souji. I want you to hit me!"

Souji got on his feet, eyes wide at the odd request. "Wait-What did you just say!?"

"Just what I said! Give me a good one. Knock out all this crap inside me." Yosuke insisted. "I want to be equal with you. I want us to stand shoulder-to-shoulder. So c'mon..."

Souji looked into his partner's eyes. He looked reluctant to fight, but at the same time seemed to understand nothing was going to change his mind. "Then let's get 'equal'-you hit me, too." He spread his feet apart, ready.

"Huh...? B-But I have no reason to hit you..." Yosuke protested. He thought about it for awhile, and realized what Souji was saying may be true. "I got it now. If we're 'equal,' then...I guess you're right." The two of them stepped away from each other before getting into battle stances. "Okay, here I come! Take your best shot!"

They charged at each other, throwing punches left and right. Both of them ignored the pain and kept going until finally they collapsed on the ground in exhaustion.

"Ugh..." Yosuke groaned. "Your punches are brutal...I was seeing stars there for a second."

"I think you broke my nose." Souji reported. Sure enough, there was blood coming out of his nose and from a cut on his cheek when he had gotten scratched instead of punched.

"Heh, sorry..." The two of them watched the sky while they recovered. "But thanks, man...I don't know how to say it, but that sure beat words." For the first time in what seemed like ages, he felt peaceful. Remembering the cut on Souji's face, he reached into his pocket and pulled out what was supposed to be his gift to his friend. "Souji, could you sit up for a sec?"

"Sure. Why?" Once the silver haired teen was up, a band-aid was stuck over the cut. "...Thanks."

"No problem-I was going to give it to you anyways." Yosuke smiled while the two of them laid on the ground again. "Y'know...we should fight more often."

"Pass-I don't know about you, but I have enough fighting in the TV." Souji declined.

"I was only suggesting!" Yosuke laughed. He grew somber as he watched the clouds. "The sky's so high up. Is Saki-senpai watching us...? Is she smiling at us?" He closed his eyes, smiling gently. "Souji, about what you said about last days...I think I've got it figured out."

"Hm? What do you think?"

"It means treating each day like it would be the last. Doing things so you wouldn't regret not doing them." He looked up in the sky again. "I'll be doing it from now on. The days I spend here are the days Senpai never lived to see. So I'm going to live without deceiving myself."

"That's good to hear." Souji said. But although he was smiling, there was something in his eyes that said he was hurting.

"There's more." Souji looked up, surprised. "I want to tell you something so I won't have regrets." Yosuke took a breath before continuing. 'Here goes...'

"The past two weeks, I've been thinking about different things. And one that kept coming up was that I felt weird around you. In a good way!" He quickly added. "But it was something I felt around Senpai...Like I didn't want to leave you." He took another breath. "Part of me didn't want to accept it, because I was afraid of how things would change between us. I wasn't ready for what could happen whether it was good or bad. But now, I think I should tell you."

One last breath. "I think...I like you. I mean, REALLY like you. I mean...damn, how am supposed to say this?" Yosuke grappled for words. His eyes widened as he was pulled up and into an embrace. "...Souji?"

There was a warm smile on his partner's face, though there was a bit of amusement in his eyes. "Are you meaning to say you love me?" he asked.

"...yes..." the brunette admitted. As soon as he did, Souji started to lean towards him. He would've leaned away if there hadn't been a hand pulling his chin forward.

The moment their lips met, he could almost see the sparks flying. There was hardly anything he wouldn't give just for this moment to last.

What seemed like a split second passed before they pulled away. Souji was still smiling. "I was hoping to be the one to say I loved you, but I won't complain." he said.

"Wait! You liked...loved...me too!? For how long!?"

"I think a couple of months."

"And you didn't say anything!?"

"I didn't quite figure it out until the time you appeared on the Midnight Channel. Not exactly the best time for confessions."

"Oh...Yeah, probably not."

Souji looked up in the sky where the sun was setting. "We spent a long time out here." he commented. "Better get home soon. See you tomorrow?"

Yosuke smiled. "You can count on it."

&

Kinda an awkward ending to the story, but I couldn't think of anything better!

SO! *Apologizes a thousand times* I'd type it all out, but you'd skip over it anyways. To make up for the huge wait and the grief my computer put you all through, I'm going to write an epilogue to the story. It will include both pairings-Seta/Hana and Chi/Yuki-and will take place on Christmas Eve.

Also, a friend of mine is having a birthday in a few months and I want to write a story for her. She is a Seta/Hana fan girl, so that's going to be the main pairing. However, I have two ideas and I don't know which one to use-I want to save the other one for another friend whoes birthday will be in six months.

So, I'm going to let you-the readers-decide which story to read. Both my friends have insisted that will be fine with either story and asked me to ask all of you. Here are your options:

Option A: One-shot, songfic, a bit angsty at first but sweet. Will contain an OC.
Option B: Multi-chapter, suspenseful, pretty dark and has TINY lemons. Will contain S!Souji.

Both stories take place after the events in December and, instead of Souji, Yosuke will be the one pining.

I'll be putting up a poll later, so vote there to decide.

And since it's a school night, I'll see you later!