AN: Thank you for clicking and reading!

No, the title isn't a typo ;)

About honorifics: I debated for a long time whether to keep them or not. I decided to stick to what felt right for the character. Naoto will mostly use them because she's always articulate. Yu may lay off on them. If someone doesn't use them, there's a reason.

Also, characters will call each other like they do in the Japanese dub. Since the Persona 4 setting is quite close to RL Japan in terms of social constructs, it holds too much significance to switch to how the English dub handled it (hence why Yu calls Chie 'Satonaka' for example).

These scenes will mostly expand on canon material and add new twists or fresh bits to them. I'll also create scenes of my own.

The goal is to make the SLink feel more organic to the game's plot: the relationship between these two will exist outside their SLink, and be a lot more prominent during the game's high points.

I can expect a dozen chapters for what I have already planned. Most chapters will be divided into two parts; one for Yu's POV, the other for Naoto's POV.

If you have any idea of a scene you would like to see expanded in this format or just want to share your thoughts with me, it would be my pleasure!

Shadows Of A Man

Chapter I - Part I

I couldn't figure that kid out.

Everything about him screamed mystery.

He was a mere step behind us on a case involving a supernatural other world where human lies and hidden truths took form—which he didn't know about—and somehow managed to catch up after the arrest of Mitsuo Kubo. He understood Morooka's death broke the pattern, and that most of the team had been kidnapped already.

All of this, while being a year younger than me.

Now there he was, standing in front of us on the Flood Plain, a single hand on his hip, telling us that he thought we had the means to save the victims.

He was sharp. No wonder he was a detective at his age.

That could make him a formidable ally. Or an immovable obstacle.

I heard Yosuke's teeth grinding in my back and barely repressed a scolding look over my shoulder. Amagi and Rise had been understandably quiet, while Satonaka and Kanji had only reacted to this Shirogane's affirmations with surprised gasps.

I had to probe him to make sure he knew where we stood, without giving away our access to the TV world.

"You're quite confident in your theory," I said, crossing my arms.

The detective boy mirrored my position and met my gaze with unwavering determination, then turned around with a cocky half-smile spreading across his face.

"I am, but I still lack tangible proof. Although, further action will be necessary to obtain some sort of decisive evidence. I know there must be a way."

The probing was not successful. He was good.

"Further action…? What do you mean…?" Chie asked, her astonishment plain to hear.

"You don't really need to know," he said, facing us back. "I'll draw my own conclusions. The evidence should come to light."

He walked past me, our eyes not leaving each other until I had to rotate my head to follow him. He then stopped a couple of feet away from us, his head lifted to the sky.

"This is not a game for me either."

And just like that, he left.

But something rubbed me the wrong way with that last sentence.

His voice had sounded a lot more serious than for the last five minutes. As we watched him walk away in a heavy silence, the pieces started coming together inside my head. His appearance on TV, his search for proof, his will to see the case to the end…

There was only one thing that could ever make sense. He had been dropping hints. For us.

"What do you think he's planning to do?" Yosuke asked. "Is he not going to school?"

"Unless it swapped places with that old bat's textile shop, I don't think so," Kanji quipped.

"You go on ahead," I said. "Just wanna check something. I'll catch up in a few."

Rise inched closer to me and nervously stroked her own forearm. "Can't we come?"

"No, it wouldn't be useful. Don't worry, I won't be gone long."

Before they could respond, I was already darting towards the fading silhouette of the young Detective Prince. If I was right, he was running headfirst into mortal danger. If I was wrong, I ran the risk of giving away our access to the TV world for nothing.

I had to be careful.

"Shirogane-kun!"

He stopped as soon as my call reached his ears and threw a glance in my direction. He seemed too pleased for someone who shouldn't have been expecting me.

"Senpai. What do you need?"

I took a second to let my racing heart calm down and rapid breathing ease away. "You don't know what you're getting yourself into."

He chuckled and turned to face me.

"If I didn't know any better, that would sound like a threat to me. It's precisely because I don't know what I'm stepping into that I have to go to such lengths. Besides, I'm the detective here. You're the ones who stuck their noses in business not meant for them." He raised a hand. "I'm not saying it's a bad thing. Without you, I'd be as lost as anyone else."

He wasn't getting it. I had to be a little more explicit without giving too many clues.

"This is a dangerous case, you should think carefully about your next step."

"I already did. There are no other options."

Anger started replacing distress in my mind. Why was he so set on doing it like that?

"What if you go somewhere nobody can reach you?" I blurted out a bit louder than I intended.

"I highly doubt that will be the case," he said with yet another proud grin. "I'm sure you found my deductions accurate. And if they are…" He closed his eyes and looked lost in thought for a moment. "I can't let the truth slip away."

My fist tightened on its own. I could sense the heat rising from within, only cooled by the impeding sentiment that I could do little for now. There was no sense in turning into a rage ball.

I could warn him. Or at least try to.

"I'll stop you," I said with as much confidence as I could muster.

Not the most subtle I've ever been, but I hadn't found any other way. I was told I had a good poker face.

He merely adjusted his hat and cocked his head in begrudging acknowledgment.

"I understand the sentiment, but that would prove impossible. You would need to know things you don't. What is coming is ineluctable. Both your group and I need this."

I hadn't thought about how right he was. With the number of unknown variables we had to deal with, we couldn't assume anything.

Mitsuo's involvement was strange in all aspects. I wasn't convinced he was the killer, and apparently, neither was Shirogane.

This was a way to make sure we were all on the same side without arising suspicion inside the police force. He'd get his evidence; we'd see he wasn't the killer—and we'd both potentially prove the case wasn't closed.

Still, the sheer danger he was going to be in…

But I could see it now: he wasn't going to hear me. Maybe he didn't want to, maybe he didn't wish to.

As I kept staring into the deep blue of his eyes, I understood. There was nothing I would say that would change his mind.

"Why…?" was all I could ask.

He dropped his head slightly lower, as if he had been expecting the question, yet resented the answer.

"As I said. Truth is my goal, whatever the price."

"That price might be too much for anyone to handle. Not just you."

"That would be why I have you." He lifted his eyes towards mine, this time a lot less gloomily. I could almost detect a faint trace of cheerfulness in his smile. "I've observed you for a bit. You strike me as someone who doesn't shy away from such endeavors. Especially when we consider how every kidnapping victim has come back, somehow unscathed."

"Sure you want to bet your life on that?" I asked.

"Certain and willing." He turned away, ready to depart. "It seemed I underestimated you. I hadn't thought you'd catch on my meanings."

"I know I'm not the sharpest tool out there. But give me a nail and I'll understand I need a hammer."

"Indeed," he said with another chuckle and a quick nod. "Wish me luck, Senpai."

This was inevitable all right. If his mind was made, there was nothing we could do but wait, though we didn't need to be at each other's throats all the while.

He started walking, his golden-shaded tie flying at his side from the light wind caressing the Samegawa banks with its gentle kiss. However, the light trembling in his steps, as well as the one in his voice, hadn't eluded me.

He could play grown-up with everyone else, but I could see through his act.

"Shirogane?"

He stopped once again. "Yes, Senpai?"

This would be a step further in the investigation. Going along with it would net us an incredibly useful ally. We had to do our part.

But, to be perfectly fair, he looked like he needed some words of comfort. I couldn't let him jump into such a mess blinded and hopeless.

There was one last thing he needed to hear. My word.

"We won't let you down," I said, the hearth of determination burning hot inside me. "Don't do anything stupid in the meantime."

He seemed surprised for a moment, but his features softened in a flash. He lifted a hand, looked at me over his shoulder, and tipped his hat in apparent respect. The smile he displayed then looked off, in a weirdly good way. It was gentle, serene, beautiful.

He was showing me a true smile.

"I'll leave it to you. See you on the other side."

I couldn't tell whether it was a joke or a genuine statement. Either way, I simply watched as he disappeared from my sight; I let out a deep sigh as soon as he vanished around a corner.

I had to talk to the team about this. They didn't need all the details, but we would have to watch the Midnight Channel closely, monitor the coming rainy days. A familiar silhouette could show up.

I had a feeling the case was very much alive.

I just hoped we could keep that interesting fellow alive as well.

Some frustration started seeping into my will. Why did everything about a shadow murderer throwing people inside TVs have to be so complicated?

My eyes fell to my watch in reflex.

"Great," I grunted when I realized how late I was going to be.

Part II

I almost collapsed to the ground under the sheer strain. I never would have thought it would be this exhausting.

"I… I see what I was, until now, trying to hide," I managed to whisper.

A feeling I had longed for. A feeling I had hoped for, deep down. But a feeling I was afraid of.

My reflection, my own self, my Shadow, stood before me, her hands neatly tucked inside her immaculate white tunic, tears shining in the corners of her eyes.

"You're me. And I'm you," I said.

With a slow, careful, accepting nod, the younger Naoto smiled warmly. We both knew what that meant for us. For me.

She faded away and her smile was the last bit of her to disappear. A small blue silhouette stood in her stead. A little azure shine with butterfly wings and a glowing sword.

"That's it, Naoto."

I twisted my head towards the voice. The Investigation Team—as I had just learned they called themselves—watched me with worried eyes, except for their leader.

He had been the one that spoke. His eyes were different; glowing, shining, caring.

"That's your Persona," he said. "The power to transcend your fear and conquer your being, the strength of your own heart."

The power of my conviction given form.

It merged into me with a glint of white light, its presence a reassuring balm of warmth spreading across my limbs, fusing with every fiber of my body.

My Persona.

Sukuna-Hikona.

It was a strange sensation; I couldn't help but smile and tear up.

A beautiful tragedy. Fortune had not yet exhausted her fountain for me.

"I was wondering why you were screaming that word during the fight," I remarked with a chuckle.

Despite my attempts at a cheerful façade, my legs gave out under my weight, and I was barely caught by Tatsumi-kun.

"You okay there?" he asked.

Speaking now required some effort. "I am. I will need a minute to rest."

"That's gonna be a helluva lot more than a minute, Missy!" Rise-san said. "We're bringing you back and you're taking a good vacation."

"I still can't believe you used yourself as bait," Hanamura-senpai chirped. "That's a ballsy move."

Satonaka-senpai smacked his head before he could utter a single snicker. "Being around you is depressing."

I would have taken offense to such a comment before. Now, I would have laughed along with them, had my cheeks decided to obey me.

"In any case, you're a devious bunch," I finally managed to say, suppressing another chuckle all the while. "To keep something like this hidden for so long… No wonder the police were powerless."

"This was a tough one," Senpai's gentle voice said. "But you proved it isn't over yet."

Narukami-Senpai. A man of multiple callings, it seemed. The only one who had been able to see through me. But now, I could see through him. There was no more vivacity inside his gaze; he was worn-out too.

"Let's get out of here. Kanji, can you lift her?" he added.

"No problem, Senpai."

Indeed, it didn't seem like much of an effort on Tatsumi-kun's part when he stood to his full height.

We walked in silence until we reached the exit of the laboratory, stepping out into a fog-stricken world. The sky was a constant struggle of red and black over stripes of unnatural colour marring a no-more natural Inaba. A vision from nightmares.

A loud thud in front of us drew a few gasps. I first imagined another Shadow had emerged from the depths of my own unconscious, but the following panicked cries were informative enough, if not reassuring.

"Narukami-kun!"

"Senpai!"

My heart jumped at both Tatsumi-kun's sudden dash forward and the idea that Senpai was somehow in danger.

"I-I'm okay, I'm a-all right," I heard Senpai's voice mutter.

I tried as much as I could to force my head to the right and could now catch a glimpse of what had happened.

Senpai was on his knees, Amagi-senpai and Rise-san crouching down at his side while they inspected his face.

"I'm fine, really," he said. "I might have gone a bit overboard for this one."

"No shit," Hanamura-senpai said. "You switched Personas like thirty times. You usually never go above ten. You sure you can walk?"

Senpai grunted while trying to pull himself upwards, failing miserably to push on his legs; he fell right back down. Something sank inside me when I heard him utter a quiet whimper.

Amagi-senpai summoned her Persona and called for the healing hands of Diarahan. A beam of light fell from the skies and enveloped Senpai's body, visibly easing the tension in his shoulders.

"Thanks," he said with a warm smile. "I'll feel better in no time." He then turned towards Tatsumi-kun and me. "But she's the priority right now. Kanji, I want you to take her out of here. You'll need Teddie to open the way. Amagi and Satonaka, please make sure she gets home safely. I'll keep Rise and Yosuke with me."

"But…" Tastumi-kun objected.

"No buts. Can I trust you with this?"

Tatsumi-kun looked hesitant, but Satonaka-senpai's hand came to his shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze. He nodded firmly, his determination now reinvigorated.

"Yes, Sir!"

A proud grin spread over Senpai's face. "That's the Kanji I know. Now shoo."

I didn't want to leave Senpai behind. I would have voiced my concern, but the atmosphere around us had drained all my energy. I tried to move, gesticulate; still no response from my own body. A weight settled above my stomach—Senpai would most likely be alright, but that didn't stop me from worrying.

I closed my eyes and waited, lightly rocked by Tatsumi-kun's steps.

"Are you doing alright, Kanji-kun?" Satonaka-senpai eventually asked. "You look a bit red. I can lift Naoto-kun on my back for a bit if you're tired."

"T-the hell I do!" he answered in audible consternation. "M-mind your own damn business!"

"O-Okay…?"

The trip back to our world was shorter than expected. The vortex of pure white I had experienced on the way in presented itself once more, and shortly we were standing inside the Junes Electronics Department, in front of one of its larger televisions.

I didn't know how, but I could feel some energy infusing itself back into me. Perhaps the fog was the reason I had been in such a weakened state?

Nonetheless, I felt that I could speak again.

Tatsumi-kun slowly put me on the ground and took a step back. "You're a moron, you know that?"

I scoffed at how simple yet accurate that sentence was. "…No argument there."

"Kanji!" Amagi-senpai exclaimed. "That's not how you talk to a girl who just went through all that!"

"Not when she's dumb enough to use herself as bait. Tch. You're no genius at all."

Tatsumi-kun crossed his arms and averted my eyes. He had a strange way of showing his care, but I knew he meant well. I chuckled and sighed.

"I'm sorry for causing you all this trouble, Tatsumi-kun. Thank you."

His eyes burst open and he gawked at me for a few seconds, his face turning crimson.

"A-anyway!" he said. "I'm going back to help. I'm leaving her to you, Senpai."

"Me too!" Teddie cheerfully shouted. "I can't leave Sensei now!"

And just like that, the two of them disappeared inside the TV.

Amagi-senpai kneeled at my side, a look of tender tranquility upon her face.

"Take all the time you need. We'll bring you home when you've had some rest," she said.

"Sheesh… You really put your life on the line for this…" Satonaka-senpai added.

Silence reigned for a few moments, but there was a burning question I had to ask.

"Is… Is Senpai going to be okay?"

My voice was way too small, and I couldn't exactly tell why.

"Narukami? Don't worry about him. He's a sturdy fellow," Satonaka-senpai answered with a giant grin. "He's not our leader for nothing."

Her words were meant to appease me, but they somehow only managed to stoke the fire rampaging within.

My mind went back to that whimper that would surely haunt me for days to come. "He still held up until we were outside to avoid slowing us down…"

"He's tired but even without Diarahan he wouldn't be in danger. I saw it," Amagi-senpai said. "He's already done this the most out of us all!"

Something bugged me in that last phrase. "The most…?"

"Oh yeah, he was there from the beginning," Satonaka-senpai responded. "He helped Hanamura, then he helped me, then Yukiko… You get the gist."

"He did?"

Her pride was clear to see in her expression. "Yup! Told you, there's a reason he's the leader."

That shed a new light on Senpai. He had taken the case into his hands from the very start… Why? And how?

And there was the matter of his ability to change Personas. Where did that come from?

The images from their battle against my Shadow flooded back. His worried glances towards me as I helplessly writhed on the table, his reflexes when defending his team from her attacks, the light inside his eyes as he fought back… There was something about him that I couldn't yet pinpoint.

Somehow, he made us all feel safe. And seeing the team's respect for him only cemented my impression that Senpai was a precious asset I had gained for the case. But describing him as an asset seemed wrong in a sense.

He was an ally. Perhaps a friend?

That felt more appropriate.

One image stuck with me more than the others; the gentle smile he had displayed after I gained my Persona.

The urge to smile back to a memory inside my brain grew almost too powerful to repress. A strange heat rose inside my chest, not contriving nor stifling. It was a quiet flow, mellow and soft yet vivid and powerful.

"He's something, all right…" I voiced aloud.

"Don't need to tell that to Yukiko, eh?" Satonaka-senpai said in a teasing tone. She then turned towards her friend and repeatedly lifted her eyebrows.

Amagi-senpai's face turned bright red. "It was just—It wasn't—"

I was confused for a second, but Satonaka-senpai thankfully—or rather unfortunately, as I would soon learn—cleared the situation up.

"Yukiko here kind of had a crush on him for a bit," she whispered with a hand on the side of her mouth and a sneaky wink.

It was my turn to feel my face flush in second-handed embarrassment. "I probably didn't need to know that."

"C-Chie!"

"Whaaaaaat? It was cute!"

"It was an infatuation!" Amagi-senpai tried to explain while her arms stiffened at her sides. "He was the new boy in town, and he was easy to talk to, and he had just helped save m—WHY AM I JUSTIFYING THIS?!"

"Uh-huh… Very convincing."

"You're a cruel friend, Chie…"

The embarrassment faded, and a warm fuzz took over. Before I knew it, I was laughing earnestly at their light-hearted silliness. Maybe the exhaustion had helped ease off my awkwardness around people?

When I could finally calm down, I caught both their surprised gazes turned in my direction.

"Wha—Is everything all right?" I asked, tension shooting up as quickly as it had fallen down.

"Your smile is beautiful, Naoto-kun!"

"Yeah, you should laugh more often!"

And the embarrassment was back full force.

"P-Please stop it!" I stood up with difficulty, the heat now burning my cheeks. "I'm ready to go."

Satonaka-senpai stood closer to me and grabbed my arm to support me as I walked. "Sure! Let's move."

Returning home took a significant effort, but both Senpais' presence was a tremendous help. As I finally crossed the gates and profusely thanked them both, the reality of the day's achievements settled in.

The case was alive.

It was something that had nagged at me for days, and I had obtained hard proof, along with a new means to find the killer and a group of friendly investigators.

It had been my obsession. My sole reason for staying in Inaba. My driving force.

In that case, now that the game was afoot, why was Narukami-senpai's smile the only thing I could think about?