"That's it," Minato encouraged, weaving through a wild slash and circling away from Hamuko's range. "Keep going, you're getting better."

Hamuko lunged ahead with another slash, making Minato groan. "No," he sidestepped the attack and grabbed a hold of her wrist, stopping the redhead in her tracks.

Hamuko looked to the side and gave a nervous laugh. "Hahaha, oops…"

"See, if this was someone else, you'd be in a bad spot," Minato sighed and let go of her wrist. He backed off and resumed the lecture. "Don't lunge in like that. Use footwork to close the distance and then strike."

Hamuko hopped, nodding at his advice.

"You're fast, faster than me. Use your gifts," Minato said. "Now, come at me and do not lunge."

Hamuko nodded one more time and shot like a bullet for the blue haired teen, closing the distance with her footwork before unleashing a vertical slash just inches away from Minato.

"Nice," Minato smiled as the blade bounced off his body due to his persona. That was still a picture perfect strike. "Keep going."

Hamuko listened and attempted another overhand slash.

Minato ducked and saw Hamuko standing stationary. "Keep moving, don't stop. Hit and run."

Hamuko bolted and crowed Minato before uncorking more slashes, pushing Minato backwards. "Awesome…" his smiled widened as Hamuko managed to hit him a bunch of times.

"Switch stances. Feint. Keep moving, keep your opponent guessing," Minato said, weaving and dodging the attacks but Hamuko was catching up to him as well.

Hamuko then attempted an upward slash that ended up ripping through Minato's hair. "Oh shit!" she cried in horror and clasped her mouth shut.

Minato backed away and a few strands of his hair rolled down his face, making his eye twitch. "Welp…"

Hamuko dropped the sword. "Please tell me your fringe is alright…"

Minato pulled on it slightly before looking at the mirror. His emo-cut still looked perfect. "Thankfully, yes…." he cringed upon imagining himself without his fringe.

"Oh thank God," Hamuko breathed out, not wanting to imagine Minato without his fringe. "That fringe keeps one of your psycho eyes hidden. You'd scare children without that!"

Minato readjusted his hair and turned around. "Just say that you like it."

"Hahaha," she rubbed the back of her neck. "Sorry about that. I got a little over-excited."

"No problem, that was an awesome attack," Minato complimented. "Just a few inches and it would be a sure kill."

"I don't always want to rely on the sword," she kicked it away and crossed her arms. "I mean, easier to handle than a naginata but still the same thing. If someone knocks it away then I'm useless…"

"You always have your persona,"

"Without that too!" Hamuko replied. "I want something else. You just rush in and brawl without your sword or the evoker, I want to do that too!"

Minato looked away, he had no idea how to sugar-coat his answer.

"Say it straight," Hamuko said, making him look back at her. "I need you to tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear."

"Alright then," Minato said. "Don't hit me…" he took a deep breath and started. "I think your damage capacity and brute strength isn't enough to brawl like I do."

Hamuko listened.

"I couldn't do that with Theo because he was physically stronger. I even struggle to brawl with Sho because that bastard is strong as hell," Minato continued. "I only do it with Takaya and the other weaklings who aren't as strong as me."

"I agree though. Brawling is a good way to overpower and win against your enemy, especially when you have a sword but like I said, I don't think you are up for it…"

Hamuko hung her head. "Oh…" she sighed sadly.

Minato cringed. "H-Hey…"

Hamuko turned her head to the side.

"Ugh," the blue haired devil sighed, wracking his brain to think of something. He sized Hamuko up from head to toe and rubbed his chin, trying to think of a game-plan for the redhead. "Say…"

"…"

"How fat are you?" he blurted.

Hamuko whipped around and yelled at him. "Asshole!" she clenched her fists as a vein popped up on her forehead.

"Fuck," Minato winced. That came out bad.

"How dare you," Hamuko stomped and clenched her teeth. "You'll find out when I'm punching your face in from the top!"

"I didn't mean it like that!" Minato held out his hands. "I was just thinking of a strategy!"

"Oh yeah," Hamuko rolled up her sleeves, scowling at the audacity. "And that had to do how fat I am!?"

"I was just asking your weight," Minato replied. "It was more of a cardio question!"

"Ugh, idiot…" Hamuko spat. "What about my weight?"

"Well, I haven't seen you out of breath during fights and you don't seem to be packing fat," Minato rubbed his chin. "Not muscular as well…."

Hamuko looked away once more, swearing under her breath. "Idiot…" she said a little loudly and Minato apologized for the blunt question. No glares or anger, unlike the last few weeks. Hamuko couldn't help but test him at times but it was clear that Minato was his usual self towards her now.

Minato walked around, rubbing his chin as he kept thinking of a suitable battle plan.

After a few more minutes, Minato came back in front of her. "I think I got something…"

Hamuko perked up.

"You're fast and have good endurance. I don't think you should stand in front of your enemies and just brawl with them," Minato said.

"Then what?"

"Use your speed and endurance," Minato advised. "Keep using movement and feints. Be in motion all the time to disrupt your opponent's rhythm.

"Huh…" Hamuko blinked. That made sense.

"Also, you need to learn kicks," Minato continued. "You should only throw punches when absolutely necessary. Not to mention your reach isn't great and it will leave you exposed."

"You play tennis, right?" Minato asked and got a nod in reply. "Awesome!" he clapped. "Throw a head-kick at me!"

Hamuko looked away from him.

Minato tilted his head to the side. "What?"

"I'm wearing a skirt you moron," Hamuko replied.

Minato's expression soured. "Awesome. That's an amazing reason for not throwing a goddamn kick to save your life!"

"Come on, Hamuko," Minato taunted. "Or are you too fat to throw a kick?"

Upon that, Hamuko exploded forward and angled her body downwards to rock Minato with a brutal head-kick that snapped his head to the side. "Oh shit…" the redhead cringed as Minato wobbled backwards, shaking his head. There was an audible snapping sound when her foot collided with Minato's skull.

"Damn…" Minato blinked. That rattled his brain and not many shots were able to do so.

"I'm sorry, Minato!" Hamuko cried, rushing forward. "I had no idea about the power! I'm sorry."

Minato shook his head one final time and grinned. "I'm proud of you. That head-kick was awesome."

"Are you hurt?" Hamuko asked worriedly.

"Yeah and that's a good thing," Minato cracked his neck with a smirk. "I don't think anyone can take a few of those."

"Huh…" Hamuko angled her body upwards and kicked higher this time. "Guess tennis helps…"

"Yeah, the training has given you good balance and core body strength, that is why your kicks are so strong, even from the pocket," Minato rubbed his head, that hurt him more than he expected. "Just one thing, don't over-extend too much. Keep it comfortable so you don't trip."

Hamuko giggled. "Thanks!"

"No problem," Minato thought some more. "Next step, darling. You need to keep distance; if someone gets their hands on you then you might be in trouble."

"How do I do that?" Hamuko asked.

"Side-kicks. Those are effective at keeping someone away and controlling distance. It is vital that you control distance when the opponent is rushing at you."

"So I just lift my leg up and-" Hamuko paused. "Um, I have no idea…"

"Heh," Minato smiled. "What good am I for? I'll help you."

"Fire away, sir,"

Minato flicked out his lead leg and unbolted a side kick like a bullet, making Hamuko blink. That was fast and powerful. "Wow…"

"See?" Minato edged her. "Try it…"

Hamuko did the same thing but it was a lot slower and less powerful.

"No, no," Minato shook his head. "That's flawed."

Hamuko hung her head.

"Raise your knee, Hamuko," Minato ordered and the redhead did so. "You simply kick without setting it up. That's more like a regular kick and doesn't have the same power."

"Raise your knee first," Minato ordered and Hamuko did so. "Not like that, raise it till your waist. You were able to kick high; this should be no problem…"

Hamuko did as Minato said and raised her knee up to her waist, bending to the side slightly while doing so. "Yeah, that's the angle. You need to first raise your knee and then snap that kick out."

Hamuko nodded slowly. "So that builds up the power."

"Indeed," Minato nodded. "Stance. Raise your knee and kick." he stood in front of her. "One, two, three, go!"

"…. I don't want to kick you again," Hamuko shook her head.

"I can take more than a few kicks for you," Minato replied.

"Oh dammit," Hamuko blushed and lowered her head.

Minato laughed. "So, come on. Do as I said and kick. You'll feel the collision."

Hamuko hopped a few times.

"Look over your shoulder when you throw the kick," Minato said. "Do not look anywhere else. Angle yourself backwards and look over your shoulder."

"I got it," Hamuko prepared herself.

"Make me proud,"

Hamuko took her stance and bended to the side before lifting her knee up to her waist and firing off a straight kick right for Minato's mid-section that knocked the breath away from his lungs. Hamuko could feel the nasty collision which sent Minato smashing against the wall.

"Oh damn," Hamuko knew the kick was perfect but that was a little too damaging.

Minato pushed himself off the wall and grinned. "Dammit man, you're natural at this," he complimented. "Nobody can take your kicks, I'm sure of it."

Hamuko giggled in embarrassment. "Thanks for the help and for being my kicking bag."

"Anytime," Minato said. "Remember. Keep firing those kicks to keep your opponent at a distance when he's rushing you. Keep him at a distance to use your sword."

"What if someone does grab me?"

"Poke his eyes, smash his nuts, do whatever you want," Minato motioned towards the wall. "Kick the wall."

Hamuko repeated what she did earlier, looking over her shoulder as she uncorked the side-kick. Minato widened his eyes at the small crack on the wall of his room. "Amazing…"

Hamuko took her normal stance and fist-pumped. "Victory! Thanks a lot, Minato!" she hugged him.

"Anything to help," Minato returned the hug. "Remember your training. Keep those nerves under check. Don't overcommit because you know, I'm a disaster with you…"

Hamuko pulled back and smiled. She felt happy that Minato was so dependent on her. "Just one full moon left. After you kick Takaya's ass, we'll finish school, head to college and keep living together."

"I hope so," Minato nodded. "Let's head down now. I need a drink." he walked towards the door.

"I can massage your stomach if you want me to…"

Minato ran head first into the door upon hearing that.

Hamuko snickered. Oh he was back, alright."

…

Yukari was busy brushing her hair when the door to her room was smashed open, making her jump up in surprise. "Holy hell!" she scowled and turned around to yell at…. Minato?

The blue haired demon was standing there, apparently contemplating something of great importance.

"Oh, Minato-kun," she put away the brush and restrained herself from yelling out at him for breaking into her room without knocking. "Um, what do you need?"

Minato looked around and cringed. "Ugh, pink shit…" he muttered.

"Well?" Yukari stood up.

Minato faced her. "Thank you."

The brunette blinked. There was no stutter or hesitation from Minato. Usually, whenever Minato would say sorry or thank you, he would stammer like a child but this time, he said it out loud with no resistance.

"Thank you," Minato repeated and got closer to her.

"For what?" Yukari asked, surprised to see Minato not flinching away in disgust that he usually did.

"For coming between me and Hamuko when I was about to hit her," Minato cringed at the memory. "I don't think I would be able to live with myself if I ended up slapping her…"

"Awww," Yukari smiled. "It's alright, Minato-kun."

"Weird, I really hated your goddamn guts a few months ago," Minato recalled. "I really wanted to murder you in your sleep…"

Yukari gulped.

"But you've come a long way now," Minato smirked. "You still like this gross shit but you've matured and I respect that."

"Hehehe," Yukari giggled.

"Thanks for preventing me from being more of a disaster," Minato held out his hand. "You're cool, Yukari."

Yukari shook his head with a smile. "Thank you, Minato-kun."

"Drop the –kun,"

The brunette widened her eyes slightly but ended up laughing again. "Sure thing, Minato,"

SMASH!

Lovers Arcana Rank 1.

"That's happening a lot these days," Minato tried to remember what Igor said about the social links but he really didn't give too much of a crap. "Whatever,"

…

Minato stood up from his bed and looked at the clock on his desk before heading towards the mirror. The blue haired fool took a long look at his reflection and let out a peaceful sigh. It felt incredible to have his body and heart returned to normal.

Minato ran his hands down his stomach and felt no pain. Usually, just touching his own body made him cry out in pain.

The blue haired persona user grabbed onto his sword. He was so weakened before, always suffering the aftereffects of the forbidden fusions. He was barely fighting at fifty percent after his first fusion.

"How the heck did I say alive…" he wondered. All those battles with Sho and the others were hard as hell. Minato got through every battle by skin of his teeth.

He walked over to the window and glanced at the Tower. There were so many things he couldn't do with his damaged body, but now…

Minato grabbed his evoker and opened the window. He had half a mind to drag Fuuka out of her bed but decided against it. He didn't want any distractions.

Minato jumped down the window and blew a kiss towards Hamuko's room. "Take care…" turning on his heel; Minato took off running towards the Tower of Demise. There was one thing he had to do, or at least try.

Minato slowed down his steps and casually walked when he got inside the gate of the tower. "Still feels like home…" he snickered, grinning like a beast as he got closer and closer to the access point. He wanted to maul some shadows with his full health.

Before he could jump inside, Minato caught a blue glow at the other side. "Huh…" he whipped around and glanced at the Velvet Door. "Been a while…"

Minato pulled out the key from his pocket which was glowing as he walked closer to the door. As much as he was repulsed by Igor, Minato knew he needed the hobbit's help.

Takaya had grown into a monster and Minato was just going through battles using his old, weak-ass personae. "I need help…."

Minato unlocked the door with the key and took a deep breath before opening the door to be blinded by a flash of blue light.

"…"

"Welcome back," Minato slowly opened his eyes at the voice; it was calm and a little excited. "Welcome back, Master Minato."

Minato fully opened his eyes and saw Igor grinning at him, with the exhausted attendant standing at his side as usual. Elizabeth looked knackered but she still had wide grin plastered on her face.

"Uh, hi," Minato slowly walked forward and leaned on the chair.

"Been a while," Igor leaned forward and held out his hand for a shake.

"Uh yeah," Minato replied, slowly inching his hand towards Igor's and shaking it slowly. "Been a long ass-time…" he recalled shredding the contact a few months ago and storming out of the room.

"Pleasure to have you back," Igor widened his grin.

Minato looked at Elizabeth. "Thank her…"

Elizabeth gave him thumbs down, while thinking it was a thumb up.

Minato slapped his forehead again. How the heck was this girl so freaking powerful?!

"I see you have collected a large number of personae," Igor noted with another grin. "Excellent. Do you wish to fuse some new ones?"

Minato nodded and sat down. "I need more powerful ones. There is a bastard I need to take care of and…. I do need your help with it…" he admitted.

Igor glided his hands over the table and the contract that he signed a few days ago spawned. "And help you we shall…"

Minato eyed the dozens of cards forming around the contract. "Simple or triangle?"

Minato looked up with a hungry grin. He could feel the power. "Triangle."

"Very well,"

There were several flashes of blue light.

…

Minato walked out of the Velvet Room, going over his new personae. His new, more powerful personae that he needed to brutalize Takaya for what he did to Hamuko.

Minato headed over to the access point and recalled the floor. "They were fighting on floor 84…" Minato set the device to floor number 70 and headed inside.

The blue haired psycho found himself in the bloodied halls of Tartarus once again. Usually, he would smile and laugh but this time, he remained calm and quiet. All the blood and darkness brought him joy but this time, there was something else he needed to do.

"Shinjiro…" Minato whispered the name of his deceased senior. He needed to find something of him, he just had to.

Minato unsheathed his sword and took off running, searching the entire floor before heading up the steps.

Minato didn't actively seek out shadows since most of the creatures scurried away due to fear but the ones that did try to attack him were reduced to ashes with little effort.

"Dammit," Minato cursed, looking around floor number 75. As far as he knew, Shinjiro had to be around these floors because the team hadn't explored further due to all the problems.

Minato took off running and went up the steps again.

Minato looked around and saw nothing, only shadows that were cowering away.

"Should have brought that wimp along," Minato sighed and headed up the steps.

"Come on," Minato stomped the floor; he wasn't going to go back without finding Shinjirio.

Minato growled and kept searching around the floors, checking every single corner in the tower.

Finally, Minato stepped onto floor 82 and took a deep breath, the atmosphere just turned gloomy all of a sudden. The blue haired fool inhaled sharply, this was the floor, he just knew it.

Minato glanced around for shadows and bolted, not wanting to waste a second. "He's around here somewhere…."

Minato stopped dead in his tracks when a certain beanie came into his line of sight. "…" he gingerly made his way over to the bloodied cloth and picked it up. "What on earth did they do to him…" growling, Minato pocketed the beanie and slowly walked forward.

As Minato got closer, the anger and rage surged inside of him. He was never really fond of Shinjiro, heck he didn't even like him but that had changed. "Come on…" Minato hastened his steps, increasingly worried about the corpse of his senior. He hoped to God that the shadows hadn't devoured him till now.

"Bringing Fuuka here wouldn't have done anything," Minato cursed. "She can't sense dead bodies…" Minato rounded a corner and started to run again, desperate to find the body.

Finally, Minato got his wish and stopped dead in his tracks once more when he saw Shinjiro lying in a pool of blood just a few yards away.

Minato blinked and looked over the body as he walked towards it slowly. "…" Shinjiro's body was mutilated badly with his limbs broken and flesh blown off.

Minato gritted his teeth, Shinjiro was lying face down on the ground. He could see some bones sticking out of his skin. Strega had beaten him savagely and Minato didn't like it one bit.

"Tch," Minato made his way over to the dead body. He could tolerate and heck, even laugh at the highest degree of mutilation and violence but this was no laughing matter.

The blue haired fool crouched down and inspected the body further. He literally could see the bone from all the gashes on Shinjiro's body. "Takaya…" Minato growled.

Minato carefully grabbed Shinjiro's shoulder. Normally, he would roll people over with his foot but he couldn't bring himself up to do that to a warrior like Shinjiro. He rolled the corpse over and widened his eyes at the state of Shinjiro's face.

Broken nose, gouged out eyes, severe third degree burns and cracks all over his face. Minato glanced down and saw massive welts over his neck. "Those damn bastard…" the blunet scowled.

Minato bit his lip. This was too much, especially for a teammate like Shinjiro. He didn't deserve this.

"You deserve a proper burial," Minato didn't mind the blood and the smell coming from the senior. The blunet grabbed a hold of Shinjiro and lifted him up with no difficulty.

Minato started making his way towards the access point that he had found earlier. He kept looking down to see Shinjiro's mutilated face and for the first time in a long while, he cringed at the level of violence. This was brutal. Anyone else, especially Akihiko and Ken would lose their minds looking at Shinjiro.

Minato headed over to the access point and looked over his shoulder. He had so many new personae to test but giving Shinjiro respect was far more important, especially after what he did for Minato.

The blunet stepped inside the access point and was transported back into the lobby of the tower. This was the first time he stepped into Tartarus and didn't abuse the shadows because his bloodlust was overshadowed by something else.

Minato quickly ran outta the tower and headed straight for the cemetery. Shinjiro deserved a much better fate that getting devoured by shadows in that accursed place. For all that he did, he at least deserved a proper burial.

Minato stepped inside the cemetery and looked around a place for an empty spot. He was covered in blood that was leaking from the wounds but he didn't mind it.

The Wild Card quickly spotted an empty grave and ran over to it. It was freshly dug with a shovel lying next to it.

Minato rested Shinjiro on the ground and looked over his condition again. "Guess I was right…" he muttered, grabbing a hold of the shovel. "You are a warrior…"

Minato started shovelling the dirt from the grave, not believing that he was doing this of all things. He was dirtying himself for someone else, other than Hamuko.

Minato kept digging away the dirt, occasioning looking at his senior to remind himself why he was doing this. "Thank you…" he whispered. He knew Shinjiro was long gone but he still kept talking.

Minato was careful not to throw dirt onto the dead body. He slowed down his work-rate; there was still plenty of time.

"Hahaha, I feel so shitty right now," Minato gave a bitter laugh. "You did this for me and I let you rot in Tartarus for days…"

Minato tossed away the shovel and took a look at the grave that he dug. It was deep and long enough for Shinjiro. The blunet bit his lip and lifted his senior up before slowly resting him inside the grave.

Taking another deep breath and one look at his condition, Minato began to shovel the dust and soil back onto the grave. He watched on as Shinjiro began to disappear under the soil.

"You give your life away for your friends and you get my respect," Minato spoke as he kept working. "You died like a warrior and I respect."

"But…" Minato took a deep breath. "You give your life away to protect Hamuko and I am in indebted to you for life…"

Shinjiro's legs and body were buried by the dirt at this point. Minato kept gazing at his face, his mangled face and eyes. That son of a bitch was going to pay.

"I might not like them as much as you do," Minato said. "But I promise you, your sacrifice won't go in vain."

"None of them are going to die now, no one," Minato swore. He hesitated when putting the soil on Shinjiro's face. "Tch, dammit…" Minato had honestly never hated any more than he did Takaya right now.

Minato threw the soil onto Shinjiro's and kept working with a stoic expression. Deep down, he was a little glad that Shinjiro was in the graveyard and not the blasted tower.

Minato tossed away the shovel and crouched down, settling the dirt with his bare hands over the grave. He glanced at the filth on his hands and shrugged it off to keep working.

The blunet grabbed a nearby tombstone and took out his knife.

"RIP"

"Shinjiro Aragaki," he scribbled those words on the stone and dug it into the grave. Taking a deep breath, Minato stepped away and looked over the grave of his senior.

"Thank you for saving Hamuko," Minato bowed his head. "I can never repay you for what you did but I'll do my best."

"And Takaya is going to suffer more than you did," Minato growled, clenching his fist. "I'll bring his head over to your grave. That piece of shit's days are numbered."

Minato turned around and started walking towards the exit.

He stopped for one final time and looked over his shoulder. "Rest in peace, senpai…"

…

"That goddamn moron!" Hamuko paced around the lounge as the rest of the team looked on worriedly. Minato was nowhere to be found and it was the Dark Hour.

"Wonder where he is," Akihiko said.

"He'll be in a lot of trouble when he returns," Hamuko scowled.

"He'll be back, don't worry," Yukari assured.

"Yeah, Minato is fully healed!" Junpei added. "No one can take him on now, no way."

"Still a stupid decision to just walk out during the Dark Hour," Hamuko said.

"Shall we go out and search for ourselves," Aigis suggested.

"No wait," Fuuka barged in. "I can sense him…." Hamuko walked closer. "H-He's heading back to the dorm."

Hamuko cracked her knuckles.

Everyone heard brisk footsteps approaching and moments later, the door to dorm slid open, revealing Minato who was standing in the doorway.

"You're in trouble now, mister," Hamuko yelled at him. "Where on earth were yo-" she stopped herself when she looked over his clothes. Dried was plastered all over his clothes and he was caked in dirt and soil which was a surprise.

Minato gave an apologetic smile to the redhead and set his sights on Akihiko who was frozen much like the others. He patted Hamuko on the shoulder and made his way over to the boxer.

Minato stopped inches away from his senior.

Akihiko blinked. "What are you…"

Minato reached into his pocket and grabbed a hold of Akhiko's wrist. Akihiko was about to pull away but stopped when Minato pulled out a familiar beanie from his pocket and rested it on Akihiko's palm.

Ken rubbed his eyes. "Is that…?"

Akihiko widened his eyes as Minato let go off his wrist and took a few steps backwards. "This is yours now…"

Akihiko brought the beanie closer and shut his eyes, trying hard not to sob.

"Arisato," Mitsuru whispered. Did he really head to Tartarus to retrieve a memento for Akihiko?

"The last grave in the third lane," Minato said. "He's there. Head over there tomorrow to pay him respects."

Akihiko's legs wobbled.

"Minato," Hamuko rubbed her eyes to wash away the tears.

Akihiko quickly pulled his junior into a tight hug and to everyone's surprise, Minato didn't pull away, instead he patted the boxer's back like he was consoling him.

"Thank you," Akihiko choked out.

SMASH!

Star Arcana Rank 1.

Minato gave a faint smile. "You're welcome…" the two separated and Minato started making his way towards the steps. It was felt nice, it realty felt nice for some reason. The blunet chuckled and started making his way up, leaving the others in the lounge.

Hamuko grinned despite the tears. Minato searched the tower to search for Shinjiro. She couldn't help but smile and cry at that. He was changing rapidly and no words could express the joy she felt.

…

Minato rested on his bed after changing into some clean clothes. The blunet took a deep breath and leaned back on the bed. As much of a psycho Minato was, watching Shinjiro in such a grotesque condition drained him and so did the burying.

Just before he was about to head to sleep, a childlike voice made him jolt up straight.

"Pharos?" Minato called out, using the child's name for the first time. He always referred to him as a brat or stalker before. "Where are you?"

Pharos appeared in front of him with somewhat of a shocked face. Did he just call him by his name?

"There you are," Minato sighed and grabbed onto his shoulders. "Come here, Pharos." he pulled the child into an embrace, further shocking the younger male.

Pharos never thought Minato would hug him, he hugged only Hamuko and no else but now…

Pharos looked up to see Minato smiling at him. "I was worried for you, Pharos. I thought you were gone…"

"You were?" Pharos widened his eyes.

"You're my little brother," Minato replied. "Of course I'd be worried for you."

"Brother," Pharos blinked.

"Thank you for all that you have done so far," Minato hugged the child tighter. "I'd be dead without you and I'm sorry for mistreating you before."

Pharos clutched Minato's shirt and started to sob. "I-I'm sorry…"

Minato had no idea why he was crying. The blunet rubbed his back. "Ssssh. It's okay…" he whispered, consoling the child like an older brother. "Don't cry…"

Pharos looked up once more and his eyes turned pitch black.

Minato was affected in the slightest; in fact, the last part of Death inside restonated and Minato's silver eyes flickered to pitch black, matching Pharos'.

Pharos knew the end was coming and he couldn't bear it. He couldn't stand the thought of being serrated from Minato.

"You were always there, weren't you?" Minato asked.

Pharos nodded his head and Minato sighed.

"Guess I have a family after that," the blunet smiled. "I was too stupid to ignore that."

Pharos' skin began to crack once again and his face started resembling the monstrosity that sent Minato into that dreadful experience.

Minato shook his head. He was hugging the most horrific entity of ancient times who was inches away from his face and it looked dreadful and horrific just like last time. No one would remain sane after seeing such an entity but Minato didn't let go, instead, he tightened the hold around his brother.

"Still a family," Minato replied, looking deep into the red eyes of Death. "Nothing is changing that."

Death sobbed some more.

Minato let out a deep sigh as Pharos shut his eyes close and passed out in Minato's embrace.

Minato didn't care what Pharos looked like, who he was and where he came from. He was only cared about the fact that he had a little brother now.

And back. Lots happened in this chapter. A few notes.

1) The training was a little too long but I wanted to give everyone an idea of the gameplan that Minato came up with it. It's really hard to write a battle with just a weapon and persona. Like I said before, Hamuko was supposed to be a support character but not anymore, she'll have to battle now and for that, Minato taught her how to kick and use a sword. it will be easier writing her battles now. And that side-kick tutorial is actually legit, follow Minato-senpai's orders and you'll learn how to throw a side kick. Hope it was detailed enough for you guys. Had to cover how she was able to keep good balance and kick (yay for tennis) hopefully there was no BS.

2) Graphic scene did quite a lot. Minato is finally going to protect the other members and this only increased the Takaya hate and accelerated Minato's morality. Like I said, he's changing fast, this is the first time he has used the word 'senpai' that means he respects shinji a ton for what he did. Worth the cringes, eh?

3) The Pharos scene was a little emo. He's going to disappear soon and Ryoji is coming after him. I hope none of you thought 'yaoi!' when reading the scene. That was a brotherly bond between the two which Minato is finally starting to accept. Poor fella, his little brother is going away soon now. more suffering for the fool. sheesh. I'm cruel.

Thank you for the review. I will finish this if its the last thing I do! Thanks for the read and see you soon!