Date: 4/13

Location: Leblanc, Yongen

A scream tears through me as I sit upright in bed; I grasp at my chest with my left hand and feel the damp cotton of my tank top. I let a sigh pass my lips as I bring my right hand down my face. I looked towards the window and notice that it's still dark outside.

"What the fuck was that? It felt to dam real to be a dream or a nightmare." I whispered to myself as I raise my right hand and touch the spot where I felt her tongue, finding only dry skin, I flop back onto the bed and wincing immediately.

"Aaah, what the…" As I sit back up, I remember what she showed and started to do to me.

"Oh crap!" I throw the covers off of me and rush over to turn the lights on and then to my makeshift wardrobe and pull it off of the shelving unit, opening it without a care of damaging the box.

After finding my mothers' hand mirror, I flew down the stairs and into the small restroom that the café had and thanking god that there was a decent-sized mirror handing above the sink. As I entered the restroom, I place my mirror on the edge of the sink and pull my tank top up and over my head and placing it on the other side of the sink.

Even though I was topless, I was surprised that it was still somewhat warm in the café. I grab my mirror as I turn around and raise it high enough to see what she did to me.

"OH. MY. FUCKING. GOD!" I shout as I look at the design that is now lying across my back. There were curved diamonds along most of the lines and around the curved outer edge. Red lines faded to black from the centre with a gold looking iris staring straight ahead. Remembering that three of twenty-odd boxes were filled in, it didn't take me long to find them.

The first one had a zero near the edge and the words "Le Mat" written near the eye. In-between the two, a jester with a bundle tied to a stick and dog looking creature around his heels sat. The second one I found had a capital "V" at the outer edge and "Le Pape" written. The image was of a larger bearded man holding a staff with two pillars on either side of him. The last one had "VII" at the outer edge and "Le Chariot" opposites it. The image was of a man, holding a staff and wearing a crown, with one arm bandaged up, whilst standing behind a podium that had to horses in front of it.

"What the hell? Oh, she's gonna get a talking to next time." Reaching around with my free hand, I touch the edge gingerly, hoping that it wouldn't hurt. When no pain came, I let out a big sigh and slump forward slightly.

Turning around to face the restroom mirror, I place my mirror back on the side of the sink and turn the cold tap and splash my face several times. "What the hell is going on with my life?" I put my tank top back on, grab my mirror and head back upstairs.

Leaving my box on the floor, I place the mirror next to my bag and jackets and grab my phone of the window sill to check for the time. "4 am? Great, I might as well get ready."

Location: Shujin Academy, Aoyama-Itchome

As I was walking towards the school, I felt someone pat my back and Sun pop into my line of sight. "Mornin', Sleep well?" He said in an all too cheery tone with a devilish smile on his lips.

"Not really, woke up at 4 am due to reasons that I won't discuss here." I tap my nose in the hope that he gets what I'm talking about.

"Yeah, I get ya, bro. You looking forward to being bored?" He asked in a tone that sounded all too familiar.

"Well judging by the way those two there were talking," I point to a couple of male students that were a few paces ahead of me and Sun. "It sounds like it's another way for Taurus to stroke his ego."

A silence falls over us as we make our way towards Shujin, I couldn't help but hear the whispers going around. I take a glance at Sun and see him standing still, fists clenched and an angry look on his face.

"Sun?" I asked in a small tone.

"WILL YOU SHUT UP ABOUT US ALREADY!?" He shouts and I cower slightly before I walk over to him.

"What's the matter, Sun?" I placed my right hand on his shoulder.

"It's just… it's just that, now that I know what happened, it pisses my off that everyone's being a total ass about it." The hatred was clear as he spoke.

"I understand, just don't listen to them ok and remember, we're got a mission to complete." I remove my hand and smile at him.

A fierce look overcomes him as he brings his right hand up in front of his chest and clenches it. "Your right Ruby. Let's get that bastard!" I smile as I watch him walk off towards the school and up the steps.

When I entered Shujin myself, I was greeted by the sounds of students gossiping about me, Sun, Belladonna-san and Taurus. I manage to ignore them as I headed for my classroom. The one good thing about being treated like a criminal, is that everyone was avoiding me, so getting to 2-D was easy. When I walked into the room, I was greeted by Toyoguchi-sensei, who was seated behind one of the desks on the front row.

"Oh! Toyoguchi-sensei," I bow slightly and straighten. "Good morning, I was expecting an empty room." I bashfully say as I start to walk to my desk.

At the sound of my voice, she stands; pushing the chair back as some of the papers fall to the ground and then turns to look at me. "Oh it's you Rose-chan," She clasps a hand over her heart. "I thought it was Ms Branwen for a second." She moves her hand back and then she goes to pick the papers that fell up.

"What do you want Rose-chan? Todays the Volleyball Rally, so all lessons are cancelled." Toyoguchi-sensei mumbled something else as she grabs the last page up of the floor and places them on the desk.

"Yeah, I know about the rally today, most of the school is talking about it." I said with annoyance. "I came here because I can get some pace before the day begins."

She looks at me with pity before sitting back down and speaking in a tired tone. "Well… just be quiet ok?"

"Sure." I say as I pull my phone out of my blazer and start to play a game.

I was extremely nervous when I was changing into my gym clothes. Granted I had prepared somewhat, my sports bra did cover some of the tattoo, but seeing as I had yet to get my own gym clothes, it meant that I would have to borrow some from the school.

After finding a pair that fit me, it didn't take to long for Sun to find me and drag me over to a corner of the gymnasium, explaining that we wouldn't be bothered too much. It didn't take too long before the gymnasium started to fill up with students and the odd teacher. Most of the students took the folding chairs that were for seating and the rest of them took to sitting against the two empty walls, apart from near us.

It didn't take too long for Taurus and his cronies show up in high spirits with the school team following behind, with a miserable look on them all. The match started shortly after Taurus gave a small speech. Watching the game was hard, to say the least, it was more of a whitewash than anything else as Taurus' team were literally flooring most of the students.

It became boring to watch after Arc-san fell to the floor for 6th time and I forgot that I was sitting next Sun till he spoke up. "Still sticks out… She hasn't changed a bit." I look at him to see him looking over at Belladonna-san, who was sitting on one the folding chairs with her left hand twiddling the ends of her left pigtail with a sad look on her face.

I hear a yawn from Sun as he stretches slightly. "Pretty boring right?" He asked as he places his chin into his right hand and closes his eye.

"Yeah, you're right." I said as I look at Sun, then at Belladonna-san. 'What were those two? Friends? Girlfriend and Boyfriend?'

I look back to the court in time to see Taurus spikes the ball right at Arc-san' face, the kid collapsing to the ground, hard. There were gasps and then silence took over the gym before Taurus ducks under the net and jogs over to him.

"Hey, are you all right!?" He asked in what sounded like a concerned tone as he shakes Arc-san slightly. Getting no response from him, Taurus looks around at everyone.

"You two! Take him to the nurse's office!" He points at me and Sun and all eyes land on us as well.

We look at each other for a few seconds before we get up and walk other too were Taurus and Arc-sans' unconscious body was. Lifting him and putting his right arm over around my shoulders was easier than I thought, especially seeing as I got to him first. I was glad when Sun got the other side and it didn't take us long to be out of the gymnasium and heading towards the nurse's office.

"Why did he pick us to do this?" Sun asks in a displeased tone.

"Well… he does hate you and me for reasons. Plus, it was boring." I said with too much joy.

"He hates you 'cause of your record bro, but I'm glad we're out of there. That asshole's actin' like a king here too. And the way he acted like was worried about Arc? What an abusive d-bag!" Malice was clear in his voice as we moved Arc-san towards the nurse's office.

"Should we really be talking about 'that' stuff when we're carrying someone?" I asked pulling Arc-san up a bit more.

"I guess you're right. Let's drop him off then and then we can talk about our plan." Sun starts to move a bit fast as he finishes speaking. "The rally won't be over before we get back."

As we continued on, I heard the bell ring, signalling the end of the first match and thought pops into my head. 'Time to find out how he's so good at Gun About!' "Right, how the hell were you that good yesterday? Bullshit that it was your first time playing!" I asked and all I get back is laughter.

"Yeah… sorry 'bout that. There's an arcade in Akihabara that me and some of the track team use to go to." He spoke in a humorous tone as we neared the office that we needed. "Let's head to the courtyard after this, this guy is heavy."

After leaving Arc-san at the nurse's office, we walked towards the courtyard with eyes following us as we walked. It didn't take us long to get there, seeing as people were giving us a wide birth. When we do get there, Sun walks straight up to a vending machine, gets a Mad Bull and nearly drains it one as I lean against the wall.

"Now that we're clear, we can finally start looking for those guys we saw yesterday. All of should be here today." He downs the rest and crushes the can with ease and spoke with hatred. We'll find someone who will spill about your physical abuse Taurus'. Just you wait asshole."

"Great! One problem though. I didn't really get a good look at the guys getting tortured, so…" I said scratching my cheek before I push myself off the wall.

He sighs as he throws the crushed can into a nearby trash can. "Fine, follow me then." I followed him as he walks off towards the main campus. "The first one I want to talk to is a guy from Class D, so let's start there. He's in your class, so I'll let you do the talking."

"Great, let's hope that we don't have any issues because people have been avoiding me lately." I said as we start to climb the stairs to the second floor.

The first thing I heard when we arrive at the second floor was more rumours about me. I manage to ignore them as we walked to my classroom… but someone spoke, loudly.

"I heard that her and her mother are the town sluts back in Inaba."

I stopped walking and I feel Sun walk into the back of me. I heard him say something but everything fell on deaf ears as I turned around and lock on to a curly black-haired, brown-eyed girl. "Did SHE just call our mom a slut?" I heard that voice say and before I knew what I was doing, I was walking up to her.

As I was walking towards her, I could see the fear in her eyes and the look on her and her friends' faces were of dread. When I got just inside of arm's length, I reached out and grabbed her collar and lifted and pushed her up against the nearby wall. I could hear gasps from everyone around as I did and I could feel something new run through me as I lift her higher.

"I do not care what you call me! But I will not and I repeat, will not have some skank talk about my mom like that! Do I make myself clear?" I said through gritted teeth just loud enough for her and her friends to hear. I then realize that I sounded more like her. 'What is going on?'

I turn my head to the left as I felt a hand on my shoulder, only to see Sun there with a look of shock and concern on his face. I look back at the girl I had up against the wall and the look of fear and the tracks of tears on her face brings reality down on me. Hard. I put the brown-eyed girl down and we both slump to the floor as fresh tears fall down our face.

"I'm so sorry; I don't know what came over me." I said through sobs and I hear her say sorry in return. We lean closer together and hug as more sobs leave us.

After a few moments, we both stopped crying and moved apart, I take my glasses off and start to whip my eyes with the end of my sleeve when I hear a gasp from the brown-haired girl in front of me.

"Your eyes are prettier than I thought they were." I stare at her before I felt a warmth on my face before I stammer a reply.

"Th… Thank you. I really like your hair; I've always wished I could do that whole curly hair thing." I said as I twirl my right index finger in a circle and put my glasses back on.

Her whole face lit up before she spoke. "Oh. My. God! I could totes see you with curly hair," She reaches up with her left hand, past my head and starts to play with my hair. "and you've got great hair to do it with as well."

I feel my face go warmer as her hand brushes up against my cheek. "Thank you, I always struggle with doing anything to my hair, so any help I would love."

"I would love to and I'm sure my friends would help to right?" She asked as she looks to the three other girls standing near us, each of them sporting a look of astoundment.

"Right, Girls?" She asked again but with more anger in her voice.

"Yes, Gwen." The three say in unison.

"Thank you, girls." The girl now known as Gwen said as she stands and pulls me up as well. "I'm Gwen, Gwen Darcy. To my right with the indigo hair is Nebula Violette. On my left with the dark blonde hair is Dew Gayl and next to her with the brick-red hair is Octavia Ember. We're all in class 2-A." They all wave slightly as their names get called out.

I wave back to them before I spoke. "I take it that I don't need to introduce myself?" I asked and they shook their heads. "Thought so, again I'm so sorry Gwen, I… I really don't know what cam…"

Before I could continue, she interrupts me. "No…" She brushes a lock of hair behind her right ear. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have said that out loud, I remember reading it online the other day."

"Don't worry about it Gwen, most, if not all of them are false. I'm hoping that they'll go away eventually. Shall we exchange numbers and chat ID's then beautiful?" I wink and smile at Gwen and a nice shade of red appears on her cheeks as they all pull their cell phones.

After we had everything was sorted, I heard Sun speak up from behind me. "Is there no one that you won't flirt with?"

I turn my head to the left, towards Sun. "What can I say, when there are four beautiful girls in front of me, I just can't help myself." I look back at the four and wink again, noticing that all of them blushing.

"It was nice meeting you girls; we'll have to do something together sometime." I bow slightly, turn and push Sun towards the stairs.

"Hey! Stop pushing! We're goin' the wrong way." His protests fall on deaf ears again as I keep pushing him.

"I need to talk to you ok, so shut up." I annoyingly said as we reach the stairs.

As I push him through the door to the roof, I told him to sit in one the chairs and when he did, he finally speaks up. "So what's this all about then?"

I took a moment to check the stairwell and close the door. "I've been meaning to tell you something." I turn and move towards Sun. "Shortly after I got my Persona, a voice spoke to me."

"Yeah, my persona spoke to me as well, so I don't know why we're havin' this." Sun spoke in a matter of fact tone as I stopped just in front of him.

I sigh and take my glasses off to rub my eyes slightly and then I look back at Sun. "It wasn't Arsene… it was my voice, but she sounded different, like a more girlier and crazier version of me. I was hoping that it was going to be a onetime thing, but she spoke to me again when Zwei told us that he had a persona."

When I get no response from Sun, I put my glasses back on and continue. "When she spoke again, she said she wanted to… taste it." A shiver runs through me at the thought of her voice. "And last night I awoke to find myself trapped by her and shortly after speaking to her, she showed me a design, which led to me waking up earlier then I should have." I slump forward a bit but straighten as I steady my nerves.

'You can do this Ruby; you're only showing your back, nothing more.' I look at Sun before speaking. "Don't freak out ok Sun, but she branded me with that design..." I said bitterly as I hang my head in shame.

I heard Sun laugh like I was joking and when I didn't laugh back, he goes silent. "Oh… you weren't kidding were you?" I nod my head slowly.

I look up to see Sun in front of me and wince when I feel a hand land on shoulder. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to do that." He removes his hand and I slowly rub the spot on my back that he caught.

"No, it's not your fault. Her brand is on my back." I said as I stop rubbing and I take my PE jacket off. "I want to get a second opinion on it, so can you have a look at it please?" I don't let him answer as I turn around to lift the white tank top and my bra up just enough so that my back is exposed.

"Holy Shit… look at that thing… so what's this thing meant to do then?" He asked as I felt a finger poke my back.

"It's meant to track how well my power is coming alone, whatever that means." I said shuddering slightly as the cool air blows by.

"Le Mat, Le Pape and Le Chariot… what do they mean?" I heard him ask in an inquisitive tone.

"Not a clue. I haven't looked into them yet. Take a photo of it for me please Sun." I asked and heard the sound of a camera shortly after.

"Done… I wonder what the other you wants with you then?" He asked inquisitively.

"She wants power and apparently I'm the one she wants it from." I let go of my clothing, making sure that everything was right before I turn back around.

"Look… I think you should carry on this investigation, as I don't really want another scene like what happened with Gwen." I said grimly as I recall what happened not too long ago.

"But I…" A sigh leaves him. "Fair enough… after what happened; rumours are goin' to fly around here."

"Thank you Sun, I just need some time to think." I walk past him and sit down on one of the chairs.

"No probs, I'll let you know what I find." He waves and then disappears through the door.

It didn't take long till the noise of school and the rally to make itself known as I sat there. I let my eyes close and I think her. 'Why did you have to do that?'

In a calm tone, she spoke. "I did that because I know how much you idolize our mother, so I weren't going to let some cute girl disrespect her like that." I felt her lips next to my left ear and her hands on my shoulder.

'But you still didn't have to do that; you're making my life harder than it already is.' I raised my voice at her.

"I was doing you a favour babe. Now they'll leave you alone." She said in the same tone.

'Leave me alone? They won't do that; I'm surprised that I haven't been called to the principals' office and if that happens, I going to get kicked out here and get sent back to juvie.' I said to her, hoping that she understood.

"Oh! Do you like the design I gave you? And I do like what you called it."I feel a weight in my lap and her arms around my neck as her lips came close to mine, she spoke in a sultry tone. "I do have other ways of branding you."

At that, I open my eyes, stand up and move away from her and the chair. "One branding from you is more than enough thank you!"

"Aww, that's a shame, I'm sure that I could make you sing our name."She whispered into my right ear in the same tone as she presses up against me. "And I'm sure Weiss would sound beautiful as well."

I move away again and turn towards where I thought she would be and raise my voice at her again. "You leave her out of this."

"Oh, I see now. You want her all to yourself, well tough; I'm going enjoy her all by myself when I take you."She angrily tells me.

"Just leave me alone will ya!" I shout at her and when silence greats me, I sigh in relief.

"I only wanted to talk to you for a sec…?" I heard someone say who wasn't Sun or Gwen. Turning to face the door, I saw Belladonna-san standing there, still wearing the PE uniform.

"What do you want?" I asked her in a curt tone as I straighten up. 'I really don't need this right now.'

"It'll be quick. Okay?" She asked in an annoyed tone. I nod.

"So, what's with you?" She asked with stern amber eyes as they locked to me and I raise an eyebrow. "Like, how you were late the other day was a lie and all… then there are those weird rumours about you and Sun."

I leant to the left to look past her when I heard the door to the roof open to see Sun standing there with a look of anger. "Whaddya want with her?"

I watch Belladonna-san turn around. "Right back at you, you're not even in our class."

"What? Can't he have female friends now?" I said in annoyance and getting no response from either of them.

A sigh leaves her. "What're you planning on doing to Mr Taurus?"

A look of surprise appears on Suns' face before turning back to one of anger. "Oh! I getcha. You're all buddy-buddy with Taurus after all."

"This has nothing to do with you, Wukong!" She raises her voice.

"If you found out what he's been doing behind your back, you'd dump him right away." I go wide at that and hope that he doesn't mention the castle or Personas.

I watch Belladonna-san take a step back and speak in a confused tone. "Behind my back…? What's that supposed to mean?"

Sun must have seen the panicked look on my face before he spoke as his whole demeanour changed. "Bah… you wouldn't get it."

Belladonna-sans black bushy pigtails whip around her as she shakes her head before she spoke. "Anyway, people are already talking about you two. I don't know what you're trying to pull, but no one's gonna help you."

Her head dips a little and her tone changes to one of sorrow as she walks to the roof door. "I'm warning you, just in case. That's all." Then she disappears through the door leaving me and Sun alone.

There was a moment of silences between us as we hear Belladonna-san loudly talk to herself as she walks down into the school proper before Sun speaks up. "Why's she gotta be so aggressive all the time?"

"She got a stick up her ass or something?" I asked in the cockiest way possible which earns a chuckle from Sun.

"Would you believe me if I told you that she was different back in middle school." He kicks the ground before a serious look falls over him. "But that's not what I'm here for; I manage to get a name of someone who might tell us something."

"Who is it then?" I cock an eyebrow.

"It's Arc, apparently he knows a lot 'bout the "special" coaching, so I thought it would be best to tag-team him." He spoke with slight enthusiasm.

"Well, that would explain the bruises and bandages I always see on the boy." I think out loud before I focus on Sun. "Sure, let's get some information. Where will he be at this time?" I asked and head for the roof door.

Standing at the entrance to the school was getting boring after half an hour, especially with students that where leaving for the day, looking at us.

"You sure he hasn't gone home already?" I asked looking at one of the posters on a board.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure." I heard some noises from his phone before a "Game Over" sound is heard. "Damn it..." I heard some shuffling noise till I feel his eyes on me. "I last saw him heading to the locker room before I came to find you so…"

"So… he could have gone home during that time." I said after giving up on trying to understand what was on the board. As I turn and face Sun, I see Arc-san walk through the doors that were to the right of the bread shop.

"Hey, there he his." I look over at Arc-san and I see Sun do the same. "So, how do you…" Before I could finish, Sun calls out.

"Hey, Arc. Got a second?" A look of terror appears on Arc-sans' face when Sun calls for him and I can't help but feel sorry for him.

"What do you two want?" He spoke in a meek tone.

"C'mon man, we just wanna chat." Sun spoke like Dojima-san did shortly after Nanako-chan declared that we were friends. "Taurus's been "coaching" you, huh? You sure it's not just physical abuse?"

"Certainly not!" He looked away as he spoke.

"We were the ones who had to carry you to the nurse's office after that spike to the face." I watch as Sun crosses his arms and leans to one side.

"That was… that was just because I'm not good at the sport…" Sadness washes over Arc's face as he spoke.

"…Still, that doesn't explain all the other bruises you've got?" There was some sympathy in Sun tone.

"They're from practice!" A fierce look replaces the sadness as Arc straightens up.

"I thought I could hear your whines Arc, what's going on here?" The three of us turn to see Taurus walking towards us with a shit-eating grin.

"Isn't it time for practice, Arc?" Taurus spoke to him like he was nothing.

"I'm… I'm not feeling well today…" Arc spoke and looked exhausted and being slumped forwards just added to the fact.

"Then maybe you're better off quitting then. You're never going to improve that crappy form unless you show up to practice." You could hear the smugness in Taurus's voice as he spoke.

I saw Sun turn to face Taurus and before he moved, I spoke up. "Don't Sun."

The look Taurus gives us, just makes me wish that we could have dealt with him sooner. "You should listen to her, Wukong. You might actually learn something." As Taurus looks back at Arc, I heard Sun grumble something. "Well, Arc? Are you coming to practice or not?"

"…I'll go." Looking at Arc as he spoke, it was clear that he had long since given up.

"As for you," I turn my head back to see Taurus and Sun standing toe to toe. "any more trouble from either of you and you'll both be gone from this school for sure." He spoke with pure malice before turning around and talking a couple of steps away from us.

"Shujin Academy is a place where those with aspirations come to learn. Unworthy students like yourselves don't have any right to be here." As he leaves and Sun turns to face me.

"I hate that asshole…" Hatred was clear in Sun's voice.

"There's no point." I heard Arc say in a lifeless tone

"Huh!" Sun and I said at the same time, as we turn to face him.

"Proving that he's physically abusing us… is meaningless. Everybody knows… The principal, our parents… They all know, and they all keep quiet about it." Arc said in the same lifeless tone.

"You've got to be joking right…right?" I asked and I chuckle a bit, but when no one laughs, I stop and realize that he's being serious.

A panicked look overcomes Arc as he runs off toward the practice building leaving me and Sun alone. "Soo… do you want a drink?" I asked Sun in hope of trying to lighten the mood.

After sliding a can of Dr. Salt NEO across the table in the courtyard to Sun, I crack open my can of 1UP before speaking. "I still can't get over the fact that everyone knows about it."

I watch as Sun does the same to his can and drains about half of it before replying. "It doesn't make sense, why ain't anybody speaking up about it!?"

"Because Taurus is an Olympian gold medallist in volleyball who made the volleyball team famous." I said after drinking some 1UP.

Drinking the rest of his can, he crushes it in his hand as he speaks. "Still, that doesn't give him the right to do whatever he wants!"

Before I could speak, a family boyish voice speaks up. "I finally found you…"

Authors Notes

I was hoping to get this chapter out before today, but having two birthdays just after Christmas and New Year, doesn't leave that much time to do a lot.

But I do hope that everyone had a good Christmas and New Year, I got Assassin's Creed Odyssey for Christmas and it's the main game I'm currently playing (about 20 hours in and I still haven't explored most of the map).

And to top it off, I've got Red Dead Redemption 2 for my birthday to play through as well, so no shortage of games to play here.

Enjoy my friends.