It...it's here...I'm pretty sure it's a miracle.

Same old thing, this is entirely fanmade and makes me no monies at all...cause I don't own persona..so yeah.

"Amagi!" Marooka called out her name snapping her back to reality "are you paying attention?!"

Yukiko felt fear consume her as she realized she had been daydreaming in class, a couple giggles could be heard as all eyes were on her.

"y-yes!" She said quickly blinking as her face flushed.

"then what was I talking about?!" Marooka spat

"u-um..." She hesitated

"The Meiji era." a voice said softly, barely meeting her ears.

"T-The Meiji Era!" She blurted out

"hmph." Marooka grumbled as everyone looked surprised "fine, as I was saying..." he continued on with the lecture

she breathed out in relief and turned her head slightly, having an idea who had just saved her. She looked back at Yu whose eyes flicked to her, a small smile spreading across his face as he was resting his head against his hand looking at the board. She couldn't help the bashful, yet thankful smile that she returned before looking back at the front in an attempt to focus.

All day she had been struggling to focus at school, the events of the night before had left her quite...distracted.

After they had kissed, Yu had walked her to the bus stop, as their time at an end. Yukiko hadn't paid attention to the time, so they had to opt for the fast option of her taking the bus. Now though, they were official, something she was having a hard time believing. She had awoken this morning almost convinced it had all been a dream. Even now she wondered if it had happened she glanced back slowly at Yu who was faithfully taking notes glancing between the board and his notebook. He stopped, noticing her starring before he looked at her curiously, she quickly looked back front embarrassed at being caught starring.

Class seemed to drag for Yukiko that day, for some reason she felt antsy. She wanted to talk with Yu, if only to affirm for her self she was really dating him now. When the painfully slow day did come to an end she hastily gathered her things together before standing up quickly, her chair scraping loudly. This earned her a few more strange looks from those around her.

"Yukiko?" Chie spoke up with a yawn "are we walking home together?"

Yukiko bit her lip, feeling slightly bad "um.." She glanced over at Yu, noticing two students she didn't recognize enter the class. "well.."she flicked her eyes to Yu a couple times hoping she would get the hint.

"huh?" Chie squinted before slowly looking over at Yu, an 'oh' forming on her face.

Taking that as an answer Yukiko walked around quickly and awkwardly to Yu's side of the aisle to find her self cut off by the same two guys she had seen enter.

"You coming to practice today man?" A shorter guy with blue hair gave a goofy grin "You haven't been in a bit."

Yu gave his signature smile "Yeah, sorry, I've just been really busy."

"well why don't you come today?" The taller one said simply

Yu's eyes flicked to her causing her heart to jump, no one else seemed to notice though. He looked thoughtful for a second before he gave a apologetic smile "I really can't today, but I will come next practice. Promise."

"Ah...okay." The shorter boy said dejected "we will see ya later then!" He pepped back up before the two left. Yoskue asleep on his desk and Chie was watching Yukiko with a curious look, though surprisingly she had remained quiet.

"Hey" Yu smiled at her, causing butterflies to form in her stomach

"um, hello." She almost started bowing before stopping her self, she looked at him to see an amused grin he noticed...she groaned before nervously clasping her arm behind her back "a-are you busy?"

Yu shook his head "Want to walk home together?"

She nodded, clasping her bag on her shoulder tightly as they she followed him out of class. The halls were crowded and bustling with activity as they walked side by side down the halls before they made their way down the stairs, a couple pairs of eyes here and there watched them curiously.

The air was warm but not so much to make the pair uncomfortable as they left the school building, their pace beginning to slow as they were around fewer people.

Oddly they had remained silent, both wanting a certain level of privacy before speaking their minds, both having essentially the same topic to talk about.

"I-"

"I-"

They both started before they chuckled slightly awkwardly before they both relaxed slightly "I guess I'm kind of nervous for some reason." Yu admited.

Yukiko breathed out to calm her self "I seem to be nervous all the time.."

Yu laughed, easing the tension as Yukiko giggled slightly, his laugh made her smile and feel lighter some how.

As he quieted he scratched his face "I..admit for some reason I feel kind of awkward."

Yukiko nodded biting her lip as she rubbed her hands nervously

"I've never actually dated some one.." Yu admitted "so this is new to me."

Yukiko glanced at him, to see a surprisingly bashful crooked smile as he looked down at her. "I...honestly wasn't sure if it really happened." She said timidly "That probably sounds silly, but..."

Yu just looked at her, giving her time to go on

"I felt so happy last night, knowing you felt the same way...that I was almost sure it didn't happen." Yukiko admitted

Yu chuckled "It definitely happened...I don't think I slept much last night."

Yuikiko sighed "Neither did I..."

Yu chuckled more "Well...I guess it's just matter now of getting used to it...It's new for both of us."

Yukiko hummed to her self as they went quiet, noticing they had stopped no where in particular, an open field the closest thing to them.

"should we tell the others?" Yu asked almost to him self.

Yukiko blinked thinking about it, Chie knew sort of what was going on so that wouldn't be too odd for her to know. Yoskue and Kanji though..

"It'd be weird to announce it to them wouldn't it?" Yu scrunched his face up

Yukiko giggled imagining them pulling everyone together like it was a wedding announcement "Yes it would."

Yu chuckled "I guess it doesn't matter either way, though it will make things harder in a way."

Yukiko cocked her head "What do you mean?"

"well..." Yu rubbed his neck "usually when a couple is dating they spend a lot of time together, in groups and alone...it seems to change things slightly."

Yukiko hadn't thought of that. She remembered even today she had made Yu a priority and hoped Chie would understand, she almost felt a little guilty. "You are right.." she hugged her self Yu looked down at her before he looked her over, causing her to blush "w-what?

He shook his head "It's dumb, but...you really are beautiful." he looked away slightly "I..I like looking at you."

Yukiko felt her face warm up, but soon a giggle bubbled up inside her before she laughed happily her cheeks pink. Yu looked at her confused but his face slowly turned into a smile. She felt genuinely happy, she felt grateful and she felt...

loved.

That evening a report was shown of an Idol who had made the decision to move to Inaba on hiatus from her career. Yu had heard about her from Yoskue and apparently she was pretty famous, even Nanako was excited by the news.

Though Yu had wondered as he had watched the special if this was the start of another case.

He prayed it wasn't.

Things were changing for him, in ways they never had before. Suddenly he had a girlfriend and he was slowly opening up to her, something he had not expected to happen in his time here. He was developing friendships with people and in a way finally living a normal life.

Yet nothing was normal. He had a strange power that allowed him to face an unknown enemy. It allowed him to go where few others could and had dragged him into an ongoing string of attempted murders. It was a strange feeling, and it was suddenly becoming more real what was really happening. Maybe because he was beginning to open up and not shut him self from the world, it was nice yet he was feeling more...vulnerable. He was excited, happy and was finding him self becoming more head over heels over a girl he had only met months ago. And despite his attempts to resist...he hadn't been able to deny his feelings leading to action. He couldn't deny that suddenly, he wasn't so sure how brave he was, and suddenly he realized what they were involved in was serious. He hoped and prayed that maybe this time they could stop the next kidnapping from happening.

Somehow, he knew this was just the beginning,

Days Later

"Ah man, she isn't even here!" A voice groaned over the throng of people attempted to crowd into the small Tofu shop in the shopping district. A unified groan of disappointment was heard as the crowd slowly dispersed leaving 3 young men

"So this is it?" Kanji grumbled glancing at the Tofu shop. "Well we are here, we may as well get something" He shrugged.

Yu returned the gesture, as a depressed Yoskue following them as they walked slowly into the small store. In his time here, he had only glanced at this place and never actually had had any of their food. Glancing around he looked at their menu, deciding what he wanted to get.

"Cheer up Senpai." Kanji spoke up to Yoskue "don't look so down."

"agghhh!" Yoskue grumbled scratching his head "I really thought we would see her!"

Yu couldn't help snickering at the behavior, even Kanji looked like he wanted to laugh. "w-whatever" Yu's voice wavered slightly with humor "Lets just get something to eat." He had almost forgotten their whole purpose in being here...he realized he probably should be a little disappointed too. They needed to warn her that she could be the next target.

After choosing the tofu they wanted, the old lady that usually manned the store wasn't any where to see, only a lone figure in the back washing dishes.

Kanji, being the obliviously overbearing person he was, stepped up to the counter "Hey!" He called back

The figure peered at them before wiping her hands on her apron before walking up to the front "Yes?" the girl had her hair in...pigtails, though it seemed more frilly and well done giving it a strange sense of style. It suddenly clicked

"you're..." Yu started

"Risette?!" Yoskue recoiled

She seemed dismissive "what do you want to order?

"o-oh" Yoskue cleared his throat suddenly acting cool "Well these guys really wanted to see you." he played off as he started naming their orders

"seriously?" Kanji rolled his eyes "Weren't you just going on about 'her long legs' and 'her curves'" Kanji said in a mock Yoskue voice.

Yoskue stuttered "d-dude!" he said quickly eyes wide, suddenly going into a stream of denial

Yu looked over at the idol, she seemed to not even be paying attention, like she was only there in body. He had seen her on TV and she seemed so lively, what was bothering her? Yu cleared his throat managing to gain her attention and silencing the two guys "That actually isn't why we are here."

"oh yeah...right..." Yoskue said genuinely embarrassed

"There has been a string of...kidnappings." Yu chose his words carefully "this may sound a little...strange but we think you may be the next target."

Her eyes flickered slightly, though they showed no fear, at least that he could see. She was a solid wall, though her face did soften slightly "I see..." She looked down, an almost solemn look on her face "well thank you."

Yu shook his head, the atmosphere suddenly very heavy and serious. "I know this is very sudden but..." he glanced at the other two who both had serious faces on "We have good reasons to be concerned." Kanji and Yoskue both nodded

"We just want to let you know to be careful and keep your eyes peeled for anything suspicious." Yoskue said seriously.

Risette was definitely paying attention, though her face had remained void of emotion most of the conversation, a smile managed to appear, albeit very small. "Thank you guys, I will." she passed them their order.

The following morning.

Yu spun his pencil nervously in his hand, recalling the previous night's events. He had gone home with some of Tofu only to have Dojima return with Tofu as well. Come to find out the police were on the same track they were on and had gone to warn the idol of the same thing they had. When Dojima had gone Risette had told them she had already been told to be careful by some high school boys. It didn't take Dojima long to figure out who they were. He had confronted him at dinner, and by shear luck (mostly Nanako) the conversation had ended when Dojima began to hint that he was suspecting Yu of being involved. Yu wasn't stupid to know that he wasn't going to throw out the option of Yu possibly being involved in the kidnapping side. Their relationship was straining and it was also affecting the good relationship the three had began to foster. Suddenly Dojima was more professional with him than he had been originally. His pencil snapped in his hand as he realized he had been clenching his hand so tightly. A couple people looked at him, he held his hand closed and eyes forward so they couldn't directly see what had happened. Chie however was eyeing him suspiciously.

With a slow breath out he realized he had to let this go for now, the most important thing was making sure Risette stayed safe. Starting today, they aimed to try and keep watch over the idol to see if they could stop the kidnapping from happening. That was the plan anyway.

But when did anything go according to plan?

After School

The group split into groups to appear more natural and less conspcious. Yukiko and Chie had grabbed drinks and had decided to "hang out" at the shrine, while staying in view of the shop. Yukiko and Chie watched the shop from the shrine, their drinks in their hands. To any bystander they were just two friends just hanging out.

They watched as the guys made another pass in front of the shop before they continued on. They watched as eventually Yu stopped and was talking for a little bit with Adachi who was also there. Apparently the police had taken an interest in the Tofu shop, though plain clothes detectives made it less obvious.

"Hey Yukiko..." Chie started cautiously "have you talked to Narukami at all today?"

Yukiko sipped her drink with a small frown "no, we haven't had a chance to talk at all...he's been so busy"

Chie nibbled her lip "something is bothering me."

Yukiko pepped up and looked at her friend seriously "what's wrong?" Yukiko hadn't even told Chie yet about Yu and herself, but then again they hadn't really had a chance.

"I don't know how to explain it, but today during class he seemed fidgety...he definitely wasn't there at the lesson if you know what I mean..." She glanced over at the teen who was walking away from Adachi "He kept tensing up and and even snapped his pencil in his hand..." Chie looked over at Yukiko "I know that seems so simple...but Yu seems to be the type of person that doesn't say what he is feeling and he especially doesn't show it..I wonder if the case has been affecting him."

Yukiko suddenly felt concerned, Chie was right...she had been so caught up with getting to know Yu that she had almost forgotten about the case and their battles in the TV world. A small pit of fear grew in her stomach realizing they may have to go back in. She had almost been oblivious to it previously, it had just been so fast that it hadn't felt out of place..but now with everything slowly changing, the reality of what they were involved in seemed to be more cold and harsh. Yukiko felt her throat tighten, suddenly at a lack for words. "I...I don't know.." She croaked slightly.

Chie breathed out "I hope we can stop this guy here and now."

The next day

"S-she isn't here..." Yoskue said slightly panicked, their supposed victory short lived.

Yu balled his fists in anger, frustrated at him self for being so on edge that he had jumped on the first suspicious person they saw, a simple peeping tom essentially. "I'm such an idiot." he growled quietly.

Yukiko ran out of the shop "her grandma said she was just here!" Chie on her heel.

"let's look around for her!" Yu said the first thing he could think of, though they all feared that she was long gone they all nodded wanting to try first. They all took off in different directions, Yu ran down the street stopping and asking any one he could if they had seen the young idol. Sweat ran down his face as he searched in desperation for any clue that she was still around.

He ran, and searched longer almost in denial that they had failed.

He grit his teeth in anger as he stopped at the flood plains, his blood pumping hard though his veins. "no.." He hissed angrily. If he had just told some one to stay back, this wouldn't have happened. "How could I be so stupid!" He growled in frustration before turning on his heel coming face to face with the Ebony haired girl. His heart seemed to stop for a moment, realizing she had seen him.

Her eyebrows were scrunched with concern "Yu?" She said softly.

He looked away with embarrassment "sorry..." he said meekly

she shook her head and stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him, regardless of his sweat and heavy breathing. It seemed to bring him a sense of comfort...and for a moment he almost wanted to crack and let everything out. No...this isn't the time.

"Ready?" Yu called back to the group. They all nodded in response "Lets go then!" He called out readying his sword as they moved forward quickly engaging the group of shadows in front of them.

It had been a week since Risette had been kidnapped. That same night Risette had disappeared she had appeared on the Midnight channel, confirming what they already knew.

She had been thrown in the TV world, and they would have to go back in.

To locate her that had gone about the small town gathering all they could about the young teen. They quickly found learned what they could and had been able to find where she was in the TV world.

The location was...rather mature.

A strip club, plain and simply had been conjured and was where they knew Risette and her inevitable shadow would be. However it had proven to be the hardest place they had been in the world thus far. The shadows were stronger, and mixed with the pulsing lights and pounding music it had left them not only physically tired but mentally drained. Their progress was not going quickly, the slowest they had experienced thus far.

This had caused everyone to be slightly on edge, not with each other but out of concern. A feeling of tenseness was in the air for the group as they fought harder today then they had before.

"Yoskue!" Yu called out as he jumped out of the way of the Lion like shadow that had just tried to pounce him "Hit it with Wind!" He called out as he slashed at the same lion, it roared with a distorted howl that sent chills up his spine. His sword slipped in his sweaty fingers, leaving him open for an attack.

"Persona!" Yoskue called out as wind plowed the creature away before it could strike him. It howled before disappearing into a cloud of smoke as every one stopped trying to catch their breath.

"Thank you..." Yu said weakly to Yoskue as he sat down. A simple thumbs up his response was all the doubled over teen mustered in response.

"what...is...up...with...these..shadows." Chie said between her labored breathing, as blood ran down her leg, a wound from the same lion they had just finished off. She cringed slightly before Yukiko summoned her persona, healing the damage done. He looked at the Ebony haired girl, she truly seemed to be a healer at heart. Something about her had kept him together yet made him want to completely fall apart. He still didn't understand it, his eyes were glued to her as he slowly caught his breath. She had knelt down and her head was downcast as she rested. When she had simply hugged him, something unusual for the normally nervous girl it had given him a comfort he never knew he had wanted his whole life. Something he had been denied off and mocked for. Part of the reason he never opened up was because he had tried...it had blown up in his face, leaving him more hurt and vowing to never go there again. Silly and bash, yet it had protected him from many things...yet she hadn't said anything in that moment, she was just there for him. It almost didn't make sense to him why she had come after him...why she had been concerned for him. What had he done to deserve it? He bit his lip realizing this wasn't the time for his thoughts to wonder. Finally he breathed a heavy breath out. "I don't know..." he said softly "They seem more aggressive than before."

Everyone nodded in response as Teddie moved over to Yu "They are really agitated Sensei." He spoke up "Whoever this Risette is, has a lot of suppressed emotion...I've never seen them get this bad when the fog is still here."

"Wait.." Kanji growled as he stood up "does that mean that girl is in danger?"

Teddie shook his head "I don't think so...they still aren't as bad as when the fog leaves."

Everyone breathed in relief.

"Still.." Yukiko spoke up "we probably should hurry, we still don't know for sure if she is completely safe."

Yu nodded "I wonder how much further we have to go..." he said quietly to him self. They needed to find her, as the maze like effects of this area had left them confused and distorted. He knew they couldn't do this much longer but he didn't want to give up yet. He stood up silently glancing around, Kanji looked like he was faring better than the others. Kanji and Chie were more athletic than the others so they seemed to have more stamina. Yoskue and Yukiko both looked exhausted, though they had been fighting hard since they had entered the world TV...He could have Yoskue and Yukiko back off and let Kanji and him self be the front lines while Chie played support. He could tell she was about worn out as well. "Kanji!" Yu called out, causing everyone to glance at him "come here real quick."

Kanji stood from the knee he and taken and walked over to him. "What's up?"

Yu glanced around "Everyone is running out of steam...but I wanna push a little further. Do you have it in you to do most of the fighting with me? I'll have Chie play support and Yoskue and Yukiko will be furthest back only when we need them." His voice was low "It's risky...but we gotta get further or we are going to keep going in circles."

Kanji nodded "You can count on me Sempai"

Yu smiled gratefully "Thanks." He turned to the others who had stood up as well "lets go a little further. Kanji and I will take the lead, Chie you play support." He nodded to Chie who nodded

"What about us partner?" Yoskue stretched with a slight flinch of pain.

"I want you guys further back, only jump in if it gets back." Yu said seriously.

"N-Narukami-Kun!" Yukiko said with slight suprise "we can't let you guys fight alone!"

Yu nibbled his lip "We will be fine...we are going to take it slow and easy..but I feel like if we don't keep moving we aren't going to get anywhere...we need to find where she is at...then come back."

Everyone didn't like the idea but at the same time they knew it needed to be done...eventually everyone nodded.

With a deep breath he moved as everyone formed up with him "Alright, lets do this." He said forcefully, willing him self to move against his achy body. They all started moving with him, their steps affirming their presence to him as he moved down a corridor that he hoped would get them somewhere, while Kanji stayed right next to him. They walked in silence, their eyes darting around quickly, watching for any shadows that may pop out and attack them. Yet the long hallway continued, without any turns.

"Yo Senpai.." Kanji spoke up finally after a few minutes, breaking the silence. "have you ever felt like you are crazy?"

Yu shook his head "Huh?"

Kanji scowled "I mean think about what we are doing..." he rested the metal bat he was using on his shoulder. "Jumping into a TV..." He shook his head and swore "I jus' sometimes wonder if I am dreaming or somethin'"

"Its more like a nightmare..." Yukiko said quietly

everybody was quiet at the dark remark. This trip had really taken it out of them as they continued to walk.

"Hey..." Yoskue spoke up "Am I the only one that finds it odd that we haven't run into any shadows at all? " He glanced around.

Yu stopped noticing the same thing. "Teddie...?"

Teddie sniffed for a little bit, but the air seemed to tense up slightly. There were always shadows. Teddie furrowed his brow "I...I can't smell anything..."

"Great, his nose is broken..." Chie cracked the joke, though oddly no one laughed. She laughed nervously before she tensed up "wait...when did the music stop?"

Everyone froze even more, no one had noticed the music had stopped. "whats going on...?" Yoskue said with a slightly shaky voice.

A strange sound pricked Yu's ears though he couldn't quite make out what it was.

"Is it just me or has it gotten colder?" Yukiko said timidly

Kanji's brow was furrowed slightly "Somethin' don't feel right Senpai".

Yoskue laughed nervously "Oh come on guys...it can't be-"

"Quiet!" Yu called out quickly, straining his ears for the sound. Everyone looked at him expectantly...it was as if a feeling of dread had fallen on them all.

"S-S-Sensie?" Teddie said weakly.

"chains..." Yukiko said softly "I hear...chains."

Yu felt his nerves stand on edge as the sound grew more prominent. They all turned back the long hall way they had been going down. A giant dark figure took up the hall way they had been walking down. Chains clanked around the cloaked figure, it's face hidden by a hood. Pure malice seemed to emanate from it.

"w-what is that...?" Yoskue said weakly

"S-S-S-SENSEI!?" Teddie yelled in fear

Yu's eyes were wide as his heart beat with a fear he had never experienced.

He nodded, his mouth try as he tried to speak no sound came. He swallowed hard as the creature's approach seemed to increase.

You must run.

A voice spoke quiet yet firm. He shook his head, gripping his sword tightly.

Death approaches, you cannot fight.

Yu sucked in air "RUN!"

Finally, I finally friggin' did it. Butts... that took forever for me finally sit down and really get this chapter happening.

Honestly, this chapter isn't great. In fact it's probably pretty rough and full of mistakes and I really don't worry enough to want to comb through it over and over...but the only way I was going to get out of my rut was to just get SOMETHING happening after such a long break. It frankly is shorter then I used to do, but I knew if I could get a chapter uploaded and get it flowing again a little bit I could get this story back on track.

The funny thing was, this break helped me a lot. I've realized how much I really enjoy writing and the ability to create something like this. I've been chipping away at this and tonight I decided I wanted to sit down and just write...I remembered all the things I wanted to do with this story and what I wanted to do with Yukiko and Yu...why I wanted to write it etc. Frankly I don't even know how many of my old readers are still around from when I first started this story almost a year and half ago...but regardless I am going to keep going...for my own sake because I really enjoy what writing does for me..it's a nice change of pace from my busy and active lifestyle. I never expected I would like it so much...even if I am essentially an novice at it...plus with this long break, I know my quality has most likely declined in many ways.

It's allll uphill from here boys and girls. please be patient with this rugged chapter, I will work to write better quality chapters but again I needed to start again SOMEWHERE.

Until next time.