A/N: Okay, confession time - this story concerns topics which are the subject of some controversy. As a result, my usual research efforts have failed me almost completely. Usually when I write about things like Japanese society, science, and technology you can count on at least some authority backing me up, if not personal experience. But here I've got very little on solid information about medical treatment for transgender youth. I'll jump back in at the end with details of what is my personal assumption so there is absolutely no confusion as to what is my best guess and what is scientific fact. Just...as you read, please keep in mind not all of this is real.

For now, please enjoy the chapter.

Rei slowly got to her feet, taking in her ridiculous mirror. She had been knocked clear across the room, and now the. . . Shadow? I'll go with that. Shadow Rei was between her and her friends. It would take them a bit to catch up, and the Shadow was too strong to take on by herself. Stall. "Okay, do I even have to go over all the problems with you?"

The other Rei smirked at her. "Oh, I know. But what can I say? His Majesty remade me. Tell me with a straight face you don't want to look like me." Rei couldn't quite deny she felt a bit envious. "See? I'm not really you, but I'm the you you were supposed to be. Through His Majesty's power, all things are possible. All you need to do is submit."

Rei blinked. "Do you mind if I consult my expert? No offense, but you did just tackle me across the room."

"Don't listen to her, Rei!" Makoto shouted. "It's an obvious trap!"

Rei facepalmed.

Her Shadow laughed. "Okay, you got me. Sounds like we're even." She quickly made a motion with with her free hand in an odd gesture, clearly turning to Morgana at the last moment. A lightning bolt crashed down from the ceiling, and the poor Thief was sent flying, rolling along the ground into the wall. "Did you think His Majesty would make me without the ability to defend him?"

Rei brought her blade up. "You'd better not take me or Adler lightly."

The Shadow engaged, forcing Rei to dodge several strikes while she danced backwards, looking for an opening. Then she saw Makoto trying to sneak up. Well, I'm in trouble here. Rei lowered her guard at just the right moment, trying to force her Shadow to overcommit to the strike.

It worked, and Makoto's spinning kick was perfectly timed to take advantage. It was the Shadow's turn to be sent tumbling, laid out flat. Unfortunately, she was back on her feet in a flash and forcing Makoto back. Another bolt forced Rei to back away as well.

That was when she did something strange. Rei fell into a defensive posture, but it seemed the Shadow's attention was all on Makoto. The mudras she was making were slow and rhythmic. Makoto stopped and stared. "You want to beat me, right? We'll, you'll get plenty of chances. Just keep watching me…" The Shadow spoke in a low and even tone, just making the same gestures over and over again.

It all seemed so silly to Rei, but, in amazement, she saw Makoto's hands lowering. "Makoto, what the Hell?! Don't listen to her!" She charged in to try to force the Shadow to stop doing whatever it was doing, but it just kept blocking her strikes with its' own wakizashi. Morgana jumped in, having recovered from his own brush with death, but even that wasn't enough, with Makoto now finding her eyes locked on the Shadow's movements. "What is she doing?" Rei shouted at Morgana.

"I don't believe this!" Morgana replied. "That isn't even a Shadow, it's just a cognition. It's like a doll, just created by the Shadow ruling the Palace. How can it be this strong?!"

Rei felt her stomach drop. Because I managed to hurt him. She's as strong as he thinks I am, and I put the idea in his head by disrupting the Shadow without finishing it off! That must be why he's trying the charming act in the real world, he thinks I can take him in a straight-up fight if he tries to have me by force.

"Rei!" Morgana shouted. "We have to stop it somehow! It's...I've never seen this before, but I think it's forcing Kamoshida's cognition onto Makoto! Her Persona's not fully manifested yet, so she's not protected!"

Meanwhile, as Makoto watched the Shadow, its' voice seemed to echo in her head. "You're a rather pretty thing when the demure act comes off. And so smart, and powerful…" Huh? I'm not… "A girl as wonderful as you must understand how great His Majesty, King Kamoshida is." Someone stepped between her and the Shadow, but it seemed it was too late. She could still hear it. "Become His Majesty's servant. All girls should worship him, after all." No, that's not right! I came here to . . . "Forget everything and let yourself go." What...what did I come here to do?

Rei snarled. "No! You can't have her!" She pulled off her mask, and Adler answered the call with a bolt of lightning from the sky of its' own. The Shadow just winced. Morgana added pounding winds, but it accomplished nothing whatsoever. "Leave her alone!" When the Shadow ignored her, in desperation, she whipped out the model gun Ryuji had given her. "Stop."

The Shadow just smirked at her and continued to speak to Makoto. "Good girl. You're very lucky to be a servant of the greatest man alive, don't you agree?"

Makoto's jaw was slack now. King Kamoshida is the best. Why couldn't I see it before? The Shadow smiled. "That's perfect. You're becoming what you were meant to be. Just let it happen."

Is this what you want? To be forever a servant of those you know to be in the wrong?

Huh? Makoto suddenly realized there was a third voice in her head. Which was odd, because she hadn't recognized the second until just now. No...no…

Will you tread the path of strife? If you follow her, you will have to oppose everything you have professed to work for…

Follow...Rei? Makoto felt pain. In her chest, in her head. She stumbled about, free of the spell the Shadow was weaving around her but caught in a new one. No, not follow. I'll work with her, because we share the same goal. To free people from those who are abusing power at our school.

Just the school? Is that the desire in your breast? The voice sounded, disappointed.

Was that all? No….I don't want anyone to have to suffer under this fake justice any more. Kids like me, sacrificed to this pervert? Rei, who just wants to be what she can't help but be and is punished for it. And even me, being blackmailed for a good college? What's wrong with me?! "This is all bullshit!" she screamed.

Rei's Shadow, or whatever it was, stumbled away in shock. "No...no way…she broke free on her own!?"

Makoto grinned, opening her eyes. Rei gasped in astonishment - Makoto couldn't see it, but her eyes were glowing with the same brilliant gold as Kamoshida's Shadow as a plate mask appeared over her eyes. "Come to me," she said, more to the voice within her heart.

Very well, let us proceed with our contract at once. The pain increased a hundredfold. Makoto screamed, feeling the pressure of the mask on her head crushing her. "I AM THOU! THOU ART I!"Makoto's hand convulsively reached up to pull it off. "This day marks my graduation." The mask came off. She felt blood, dripping down and evaporating around her until it took a form under her feet. The motocycle was all sleek chrome and blue lights, but most startlingly was, in place of the main headlamps, a blue dome covered the face of a woman. You have finally found your own justice. Please, never lose sight of it again.

Makoto smiled. "JOHANA!"

The room was filled with nuclear fire. Rei and Morgana barely covered their eyes in time to avoid being blinded. When it was gone, so was the Shadow. "Did...did I get it!?"

Rei looked around. "I...I think so…" Makoto felt a sudden sense of dread, and then Rei was hugging her. "That was amazing! I'm so sorry I doubted you!"

Makoto gulped. "Uh...is this the time?"

Morgana shook his head. "We'd better go. I've seen too many impossible things today."

Makoto blinked. "What do you mean? I've just gotten an up...grade." She suddenly felt exhausted, and her clothing seemed to dissolve. Fortunately, she was just wearing her school uniform when she was done. "Ooogh.."

Rei nodded. "Yeah, that's what Morgana was probably afraid of. I paced myself when I first changed and I could barely stay awake in class. You just went completely nuts."

Suddenly the voice of the other Rei laughed. "Well, I certainly had fun today. Come back any time. I'm sure I'll have all sorts of neat ideas to test out on you. Maybe I'll even get to drag you in front of His Majesty for your proper punishment…." The cognition's giggle sent a chill down the three Thieves' spines.

Makoto forced herself to stand up without leaning on Rei for a few moments, looking the other girl in the eyes. "...well the personality's almost right."

"That worries me, yes." Rei answered, pulling Makoto's arm back over her shoulder. "Let's go before Kamoshida shows up."

Back in the real world, it was obvious Makoto was in no shape to make the journey back to her apartment building. "I don't suppose you have the keys to the gate, Prez?" she joked. "Don't answer that, the last thing you need is a rep for liking school so much you sleep there."

Makoto glared at her, but couldn't quite deny it. "I should really - "

"Rest, you dummy." Rei finished the sentence. "You're leaning on the new guy, isn't that bad enough. We may need to get a cab."

Morgana saw the ugly look Makoto was giving Rei and decided to rescue the girl. "Rei's right. That was really an awesome amount of power you pumped out, but it was dangerous too."

"I've got to get back to LeBlanc too," Rei said worriedly. "Actually, that's a good idea. Chief knows you know...basically everything. I don't think he'll have any objections to you staying past closing."

Makoto looked at her. "But what about you?"

Rei sighed. "Right, right, can't be seen getting into a cab with you as 'Ren.'" She glanced down. "Morgana, I hate to ask, but is there a family bathroom in the neighborhood?" Both of them stared at her, Morgana in confusion and Makoto in astonishment. "Well, normally I'm in a hurry to get changed after school, but doing it around here is a recipe for getting caught. So I didn't check."

Makoto shook her head. "I'm really sorry, Rei." She closed her eyes. "I know I said it before but dammit. It took being sent after a student for….well, a serious problem they can't help to wake me up."

Rei smiled awkwardly. "Hey, now, it's not like dysphoria's all that common."

"Wait, what's dysphoria?" Morgana cut in.

Makoto smiled. "It's just like Rei said. It's a rare condition where someone's body image doesn't match the reality. It causes all kinds of secondary psychological problems. In Rei's case, she's actually male." A glare. "Sorry, I should have said 'was born with male body parts.'"

Rei grumbled out a 'Fair enough.'

Makoto chuckled. "She takes medication that helps with that, but without it…" She sighed helplessly. "Do you want to explain it to him?"

"Back at the cafe." Rei said firmly. "I'll take Morgana tonight anyway."

A loud shout alerted them to Ryuji. "Hey, I got the stu - holy shit!" It was Makoto's turn to glare at him. "What happened over there? Prez, you look like hell!"

Rei groaned. "Not so loud! We may not be out to commit murder, but geez."

"Sorry." Ryuji pulled out a sports drink. "Well, at the least she's looking pretty dehydrated. Guessing this'll help."

Makoto took the drink and, discarding all sense of propriety, started gulping it down. She was even letting it spill out the edges of her mouth. Rei giggled a bit at the image while Ryuji just looked embarrassed. Once the bottle was finished, she coughed and looked around sheepishly. "Uh...thanks, that helped….wait, what time is it?"

Rei gulped. "...way too late for your meeting with the principal. Let's get outta here."

"You." Makoto said despondently, munching on her second macaroon of the day. "You are contagious."

Rei looked at the, thankfully, much smaller pile of sweets on LeBlanc's counter. It was close enough to closing time that they were just going to be tossed. Sojiro was busy with dishes, so the four of them had the corner table to themselves as long as they kept their voices down. Rei had also changed into her casual street clothes again, and was looking much better. "Well, you can't live you life having no fun. Anyway, you didn't have to take the second one."

Ryuji was on his third. "Damn, you made these on Tuesday? They're a little dry, but they're still awesome."

"I was thinking I'd try a scone recipe tonight," Rei added proudly. "But anyway, where were we?"

"Dysphoria." Makoto said. "It's not a big deal with the outfit you wear in the Metaverse, but you should probably explain it since we're going to be depending on you in the real world."

Rei nodded. "Well, everyone's a bit different. It's more appropriate to say 'Gender Dysphoria' since dysphoria can be caused by other things, but for me…" She sighed, taking a sip of her coffee. "Well, for me since I could understand the difference, it was...ugh, this metaphor is so dorky. Have you ever played video games?" Ryuji nodded, but Makoto and Morgana shook their heads. "Okay. I do occasionally play, but I used to play games a lot when I was a kid. When you get really into a session, at some point the controls just kind of...go away. But not quite."

Makoto nodded. "I actually have my license. I know what you're talking about now. I do the same thing when I'm driving. But how's this relevant?"

Rei nodded. "Well, before I figured things out, that was...well, me. I was Rei, but it was like I was a tiny girl piloting a human-sized Ren-bot. It was practically first nature at that point. I didn't think about consciously moving around correctly or anything. Hell, I was good enough at it to practice Karate. But there was still that slight disconnect, like nothing I was doing was quite real."

"That's kinda cool, actually," Ryuji said, grinning.

Rei glared at him, but Makoto stepped in. "The metaphor doesn't quite convey the horror of it, I imagine. Even if you 'feel' things, that disconnect would mean, for example, tasting food as a list of flavors, rather than an experience."

"Close enough. Not like I'd wish it on Kamoshida, never mind you guys." Rei said. "I'm told I've got it as bad as it gets. By the time I was seven I couldn't just pretend there was nothing wrong."

To his credit, Ryuji put his soda down with a disgusted look. "Sorry, I didn't know."

Rei grinned. "That's what we're here to fix. Anyway, yeah, I still feel it just wearing a binder and boy's clothes. I can get away with shorts or jeans, as long as they're the right cut, but having to present as a boy for eight hours every day is just torture."

"I'll try to - " Makoto began, but Rei held up a hand.

It was a few moments while the younger girl collected her thoughts. "Makoto, can we discuss that later?"

Makoto shook her head. "You're suffering."

"Yeah, but I did punch out a drunk." Rei pointed out. "Even if he probably deserved it, don't act like I'm innocent."

Morgana looked up at her. "Why would you do that?" he asked.

Rei gulped. "I'm not getting out of this, am I?" She looked around at a bunch of stony faces. "It was stupid. I was late going home from the dojo..."

Yasuda was warm year-round, so Rei was jogging home in her shorts and T-shirt. The streets were well lit, with all the businesses shuttered except for a few small bars. The town was remote enough that, outside pilgrims, visitors were rare.

Rei knew better than to assume that, just because they should be devout that they'd be harmless, though. When she heard an argument on the streets, she almost took an alley to go around, but then she heard the voice shout "Damn girl!" The sounds of the sirens in the distance clinched it.

Can't just leave this alone. I'll beat the cops there. It's probably just a domestic dispute. Nothing I can't handle. So resolved, Rei rushed in. The woman was, in Rei's estimation, rather pretty and young, probably a little too young for the bald man she was with. "Okay, okay, that's it fella."

The man looked at her, bleary-eyed. "Whayu gonna do about it, brat?"

Rei rolled her eyes. "Sir, please. Right now you're no threat to anyone but yourself."

"I'll show youu..." The man slurred at her challenge. Even though he was considerably bigger than her, she just sighed. Then he lurched forward with a wild swing at her head.

She didn't know why she did what she did until later. There were so many ways she could have handled it, really. Maybe she was still keyed up from practice. Maybe it was all the stories about heroes kicking butt when she was a kid. Maybe the guy was just rubbing her the wrong way. When he swung at her, instead of stepping out of the way, or grabbing and restraining him, Rei stepped around the man's arm and slammed her fist into his ribcage.

Even though she made sure to pull the punch enough to avoid serious damage, there was a loud cry of pain and the man stumbled backwards. "Wha...what the hell?! How dare you you little bitch!? Don't you know who I am?!"

Rei skipped back, light on her feet and grinning. Hey, as long as he's picking on someone who can fight back. "Can't say I do, Jerk. Can I call you that?"

The man grinned as well, and Rei suddenly got the feeling she'd miscalculated. The sirens were getting louder, and instead of taking another swing like Rei had been sure the drunk man would. "Hey, when the cops get here, just tell them what she did."

Shit. Without the woman backing her up, Rei knew there wouldn't be any justification for it. It was only a misdemeanor, probably, given that the man wasn't hurt, but…

The woman shook her head. "No! Stop it! I'll...if you don't stop and be honest, I'll tell them about the money."

The man just laughed. "I'll just say you did it on your own."

Crap.

"...and...that was it." Rei sighed. "I don't remember a whole lot after that. I mean, I was arrested, but suddenly it was felony assault and I'd hurt him way worse than I possibly could have with one hit. Or without putting him in the hospital, which I know didn't happen. He even kept his name out of the record."

Makoto sighed. "Well, that puts things into a little more perspective."

Ryuji glared at her. "What do you mean? That was bullshit!"

"Pipe down," Rei hissed.

Makoto shook her head. "You're right. I can't say you were completely innocent. Still, to keep his name out of the record….that's not right."

"Yeah," Rei said. "Of course, I didn't know how bad I'd stepped in it til the sentencing. The prosecutor tried to make it sound like he was giving me a deal." She shuddered as she spoke. "A 'treatment facility' in Australia for homosexuals to try to get 'cured.'"

Ryuji snorted. "Yeah, right. You'd probably bite the doctors or something."

Makoto looked significantly more disturbed. "That's not even the right condition, and I'm pretty sure it doesn't work."

"You've got that right. At the time I was picturing some old-school asylum where they pump you full of drugs and shock you and stuff." Rei said. "Turned out to be even worse. But I really lucked out. The judge looked into it before the sentencing, and instead it was a year probation and the prosecutor got a reprimand. It was after I'd been convicted, though, so he couldn't walk that back."

Morgana was just nodding his approval. "I see. Well, then, it seems I've made the right choice for my crew of Phantom Thieves."

"Huh?" came the chorus from all around.

Morgana looked like he was about to jump up on the table and make a speech, so Makoto quickly covered his snout with her hand. Rei nodded and quickly flagged Sojiro down at the bar. "Uh, hey, Chief, you mind if I take the study session upstairs?" While she was doing that, Makoto quickly coaxed Morgana back into her bag.

Sojiro sighed. "Whatever, kid. Just remember to lock up after they leave, and don't try going out yourself." Rei just nodded. "Oh, and if you're gonna make doing my desserts a regular thing, make sure you've got something else ready in the morning. This came out pretty good." He slid two thousand yen bills over the counter. "It would've been more, but you've been treating your friends."

Rei grinned. "Worth it, and thanks. Since it's spring, maybe strawberry tarts next?"

"Whatever," Sojiro replied with a worn sigh. "I can't say you aren't trying. Some time I'll show you how to brew coffee and you can actually take a few shifts."

Upstairs, Morgana was fit to spit nails. "What was that all about?"

Rei gave him a withering look. "In case you hadn't noticed, I live over a restaurant. Chief'd throw me out in a second if he thought I was smuggling a dumb animal in here. I know you're intelligent, but he doesn't and there's no way I could convince him before I'm trying to figure out which park bench to sleep under, and that's before the cops throw me in jail." By the end of the mini rant, Morgana was looking like she'd hit him. "Oh, Morgana, I'm sorry, but…"

Makoto took a deep breath. "It's understandable, Rei. You're stressed. Even just moving to a new school with your...condition would be awful, but then Kamoshida and all of this."

"Yeah," Ryuji added. "If anything, it's Morgana who should probably apologize for forgetting he's gotta pretend to be a regular cat."

Morgana growled. Rei shook her head, though. "No, it's probably new for him too. Anyway, you were saying before?" When Morgana puffed up, she felt compelled to add "Quietly please. You sound like a yowling cat when you get dramatic."

Morgana coughed, and did his best to sound dignified. "Oh, of course. Now, as I was saying, a proper Phantom Thief isn't just some random thug. Nor is he, or she, a gangster, out only to enrich themselves. A real Phantom Thief should always strive to be graceful, stylish, and kind to those who don't have anything, while bringing down those who would do the same to others."

Rei grinned. "Like Robin Hood? Rob from the rich and give to the poor...and maybe keep a little for herself."

Ryuji chuckled. "Yeah, I can see why you'd think Rei's a good fit...and I can sorta see myself getting into it."

Morgana narrowed his eyes, but let that pass. "Anyway, Rei, about that pistol…"

Rei pulled it out. "You mean this? Fake, sadly. That's why I didn't bother pulling the trigger."

"Ahhh…" Morgana said. "Here, yes. But in the Metaverse, well…"

Makoto raised an eyebrow. "Because it looks real, the belief of those around would make it real?"

"Real enough to fire bullets, anyway," Morgana said.

Rei's eyes lit up. "Would that work for any gun? Would you need to be a Persona user?" When Morgana, after some very obvious hesitation, made a noise indicating it probably would, she grinned. "Okay. Ryuji, get some dark grey and blue clothes, if you've got'em, and maybe wash out that hair dye. Or do something to cover it up. Maybe a bandana and face mask or something. Tomorrow afternoon I'll go to the store you bought this and see what I can get."

"Eh?" Makoto stared at her. "What are you saying, Rei?"

Rei smiled. "Hey, Ryuji's got every right to get in on this action too. Kamoshida crippled him. Now, obviously he can't mix it up like the rest of us without a Persona, but now that we know we can bring working firearms in and not get caught, he can still hang back and provide fire support, and maybe carry some of the supplies."

"What about the thing that other Rei did to me?" Makoto asked.

Rei nodded. "That's a concern, but I don't think it'll work on Ryuji." She addressed Morgana. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I think that...other Rei was wasn't a Shadow, but an extension of the Palace, right?"

"It was a Cognition, yes. Kamoshida's understanding of where you would fit into his ideal world," Morgana explained.

Rei nodded. "Right. She probably can't put just any idea into your head - all she can do is make non-Persona users act like other cognitions. And Kamoshida already sees Ryuji as . . . pardon me for putting it bluntly, but he sees you as an idiot who's too stubborn to give up when he's obviously beaten."

"But…" Makoto tried again.

Rei cut her off. "You don't interact with him much, right?" When Makoto reluctantly found she couldn't deny it, she said "So that Cognition Rei could make you act like he sees typical girls. I'm guessing the Persona protects us from that effect, too?"

"Exactly." Morgana said. "If an ordinary human weren't overwhelmed by the Shadows, in a few days or weeks the Palace itself might change them, and they'd be as good as dead. That Cognition just seems to be...accelerating the process somehow. This isn't normal."

Rei nodded. "Do you think it's because of what I did the first day, knocking him out?"

Morgana thought about it. "It's as good an explanation as any. Triggering a defense mechanism that was focused into the shape of the only person who has physically stood up to either him or the Shadow. It's like the Cognitive Rei is an incarnation of Kamoshida's own mental defenses, and it's focused on preventing us from reaching the upper levels."

"Right…" Rei said. "Let's call the meeting closed for tonight and get some actual studying in." Ryuji groaned.

Eventually, Makoto was feeling well enough to get home on her own, and then Rei was left alone above the cafe, curled up sideways on her bed. "I should get a futon or something," she muttered. "Night, Morgana. I'll introduce you to Chief properly tomorrow after we get home."

Her reply was a yawn and something that could have been 'That's nice.' She chuckled and slipped off to sleep herself shortly thereafter.

It wasn't to last, though. When next she woke, she realized quickly she was back in the Velvet Room. Well, 'realized' wasn't quite the word. Caroline was smacking her with that baton of hers. "Get up, Patient!"

"Gyah!" Rei rolled out of the hard bed. "Do you have to do that?"

Justine murmured in a bored tone "You're slacking off. Caroline always gets like that with lazy patients."

Igor was, in fact, looking slightly annoyed. "You seem to have taken a more cautious approach than I had anticipated. Nonetheless, it's undeniable that, with the proper motivation, you can accomplish much in very little time."

"Listen up, Patient," Caroline snapped at her. "Personas derive their power from the strength of your heart, and your connections with others!"

Rei was starting to get dizzy when Justine said "For example, you have formed a connection with the spirit of the Pixie. Please summon her now." in a tone that almost carried a command. Rei frowned, and focused. In front of her, a very vague outline of a small woman with butterfly wings appeared. Justine nodded. "You can see how indistinct the image is. You will need to forge a connection with someone who naturally resonates with the Pixie, as well as deepen your own understanding of her secrets, before its' power can be fully manifested."

"This is for your sake too," Caroline snapped. "There are countless people in the world with talents you lack. If you strengthen your connection with other Personas, it'll connect you with those people as well. So seek them out. When you have some more, come back here." She grinned sadistically. "We'll show you something good."

"I...see." Rei gulped, looking to Igor. "That isn't all, is it?"

Igor nodded, back to his more cheerful self. "Just so. What Caroline and Justine have just described to you is the power of the Wild Card. By linking your Persona with others, you can expand your potential to infinite heights. But, that is a gift for another time. Tonight, I have a different reward in mind, one that will aid you in the tasks ahead. Henceforth, your intuition will guide you to the hidden, those things kept in the dark. A most fitting skill for a thief, would you not agree?"

Rei gulped. "Yes." She knew she had lost control of the conversation, and didn't much like it.

Igor smiled at her, in a way that she would have described as 'warm' except that it didn't reach his eyes. "Another gift I bestow as well. When the time comes, you will be able to return here whenever you wish." A bell chimed. "But for now, I believe our time is up."

Rei up the stairs from her shower, barely managing to pull up to the bar. Sojiro wasn't in yet, but she noticed a note on the fridge and pulled out a bowl of curry. With a sigh, she started eating to one side while she got to work on the tarts she'd mentioned yesterday.

She was so busy with spooning out the fruit mix she didn't even notice when Sojiro came in. "Geez, kid!" Rei jumped at the shout. "You look like crap! Those drugs giving you some trouble?"

"No, just didn't sleep well." Rei said. "But that reminds me. I gotta go to Shinjuku after school." Sojiro stared at her with disapproval. "No, not the main strip. It's for my blood test. Gotta make sure the hormones are all in some kind of balance."

Sojiro gave her a skeptical look. "Why Shinjuku, then?"

"Tokyo U? The Medical school specifically? Geez, there's what, a few thousand kids on hormones? My dad could do the blood tests and send the paperwork in back when I was living out in the sticks, but now that I'm in Tokyo I may as well go straight to the research team."

Sojiro scratched his head in frustration. "I guess it's gonna be a problem. All right." He reached into his slacks. "Catch!" There was a flash of light, and Rei had to stretch out to get the keys. "Those are my only spares. Don't lose them, and come straight back to Yongenjaya whenever you're not going for a late exam. I'm just going to have to trust you, because I can't hang out here while they're draining your blood all night."

"Thanks." She put the tarts into the oven. "Besides, other than Ryuji have I given you any cause to distrust me so far?"

Sojiro chuckled. "Well, I guess Niijima does balance that out a bit." He started heating some water. "How long do those need to bake for?"

"Ten minutes." Rei said. "I still have to do the topping."

Sojiro shook his head. "Never mind that for the moment. I had desserts before you got here, and I can manage them on my own. I'll get that started." He pushed a cup of coffee into Rei's hands. "Here, this'll wake you up."

"You're going to be the death of my diet," Rei said good-humoredly. "I mean, between not being able to go to the dojo and all the curry and coffee."

Sojiro chuckled. "Perhaps you shouldn't bake so much if you want to stay thin."

"But it's all soooooo good!" Rei mock-complained. "Besides, I have a rule. Two per batch, period. If I want more, I have to make more." She sipped respectfully at her coffee. "Hmm...good stuff."

With Morgana hiding out in her bag, the way to school was even rougher. "Ugh. Okay, I need to work out more. And maybe not have nightmares."

Morgana stuck his head out of the bag. "Nightmares? You all right?"

Rei was about to respond she was all right, when another voice called out. "Amamiya!" Rei quickly stood up straighter and remembered to make sure the disguise was firmly in place, even making sure her hair was up, and then the stranger was on her. "Amamiya," the girl repeated. "Did you say something to Ann yesterday?" she asked.

Rei blinked. "Takamaki? Uhh…nothing important."

"Oh, right. I'm Shiho. Shiho Suzui." The girl said by way of introduction. "It's just…" Shiho gave her a look. ". . . wow, you look awful."

Rei groaned. "You're not the first person to say - " Suddenly, Rei was looking at herself in a compact makeup mirror. Not only were there dark circles under her eyes, but she was pale and even sweating slightly. "Okay, maybe I'm not doing so great."

Shiho swallowed. "I was going to say that I hope all the rumors aren't getting to you, but obviously they are."

"...honestly, no, that's not it." Rei said. "I...uh...shouldn't say anything else."

Shiho tilted her head, looking at 'Ren' even more closely. "You know, there's one other rumor going around about you that you might not have heard. What's with your voice?"

"What is wrong with my voice?" Rei felt herself go cold. "No, don't tell me. It's...er...a hormone deficiency. My body doesn't produce enough testosterone to deepen my voice naturally, among other things."

"...oh. I'm sorry." Shiho said. "Er, is that related to…"

Rei shook her head. "No. I just...I don't know."

Shiho shook her head. "You do know, and I bet it's related to what you told Ann yesterday. She got all weird after talking to you on the roof. She even insisted on taking me out on a date. We haven't done that since middle school!"

Rei blinked. "Huh, I wouldn't have guessed." Shiho covered her mouth. "Uhm, you know, not all of us country gi-er, kids are bigots. If that's her thing, I can't exactly judge."

It was Shiho's turn to blink in surprise. "Uh...is that why you moved to Tokyo?"

"I won't say it wasn't a factor," Rei admitted. "But no." She checked on her phone. "I guess we've got time…." She looked around, and noticed there was an alcove for the lockers. "Please, somewhere a little more private?" Curious, Shiho followed the 'strange boy' "All right. First, I can't share everything. I've told too many people already. You've heard the saying 'Three people can keep a secret if two of them are dead?'" Shiho looked at Rei being so candid in shock. "Okay...then, because this isn't the big secret. But it probably won't make a whole lot of sense if you don't know the big secret, but . . . I'm babbling."

"Yes, Amamiya, you are." Shiho said, hands on her hips. "Does this have something to do with Kamoshida? I mean, it's no secret you don't like him."

Rei took a deep breath. "Has he been leaving you alone this week?" Shiho gasped. "I thought so. No, don't tell me anything else. If you do I'm obligated to tell you things and then someone else knows the thing I can't afford to let get out. So...just trust that this makes sense if you understand everything." When Shiho didn't say anything, Rei decided to take it as an agreement. "Kamoshida's started feeling me up."

"...you're right, that makes no sense." Shiho finally said. "I mean, I know Kamoshida's into girls. Although I guess you wouldn't look out of place in the right dress." Rei said nothing. "Okay…" Shiho shook her head. "This is just getting more and more messed up. I...I know Ann's been sleeping with him because he's been blackmailing her with my spot on the team."

Rei stared at her, jaw open. "Wait, seriously?! You knew?"

"Of course I knew. He told me. Well, more like he let it slip," Shiho admitted. "But what can I do?"

Rei growled. "I...I don't know. Just...just sit tight. I'm working on it." She took a deep breath. "One thing though. Ann didn't sleep with him yet. At least, that's what she told me, although I guess he'd been turning up the pressure until things started." Rei leaned against the wall. "This is so messed up."

Makoto steeled herself to enter the Principal's office. Just remember, no matter how much you hate him, he's in charge and he can make Rei's life even more of a living Hell than it already is with one phone call. She opened the door. "Sir, I'm sorry about yesterday. With everything going on around taking care of Mishima, it completely slipped my mind that I had the meeting scheduled with you."

Kabayokawa looked at her with just a hint of contempt. "Be that as it may, you're still in an important position in this school. Don't let another slip like that happen." She was about to respond, when he put on his usual, more pleasant, expression. "Besides, I'm sure you used the time alone with Amamiya productively. So, what have you uncovered?"

Makoto swallowed. "Well, sir, it's nothing like you suggested. He has to return home every night for a strict curfew, where he's locked in. I arranged to spend some time with him after the cafe he's living in closed - "

"You were discreet?" Kabayokawa interrupted.

Makoto nodded. "Of course, sir. There was even another student there. I tutored the both of them for awhile. The only odd thing is that Amamiya does switch to female clothing at the first opportunity, but explained that that's because the breast bindings he needs are dangerous to use much longer than the school day."

The man looked thoughtful, then disgusted. "And if we try to use that he'll just call me on it under the same laws regarding 'medical conditions' to make it into a scandal." He made a snorting noise. "He can't be this clever. There must be something."

Makoto smiled. Oh, too easy. "Sir, if I may make a suggestion. As long as he isn't wearing the uniform, Amamiya is virtually indistinguishable from a girl, who could attend any school. He waits to reach Shibuya each day before changing to deflect suspicion as well. And...well, he trusts me. It might be easier to make sure he's staying in line if we don't make a fuss. I'll just continue to tutor him."

Kabayokawa nodded. "And not coincidentally make sure he's not sneaking out to clubs at night. But what about your reputation?"

Makoto hid her grin. Got you. "Why, I think turning him around into a model student would be excellent for both my reputation and the school's." As long as I'm at it, may as well swing for the fences. "I was even considering giving him minor chores to do for the Student Council on half days. Nothing important, just some of the heavy lifting that comes with school events. If he does well, we'll give him some minor title he can put on his college applications or something."

Kabayokawa looked pensive at that suggestion. "We'll have to see about that. It may be a problem…"

Now why would that be? Makoto thought, but didn't say out loud. "Well, I can still hint at the possibility. It might help, even if we can't follow through. Besides, with the way the school is for him right now being seen to be helpful can't hurt."

"Very well."

The rest of the day was actually a little better. Takamaki seemed determined to give her space to work, for the moment, and the other students seemed to figure that whispering about someone who looked like she was on the edge of death and considering heading off with the Reaper would be in relatively poor taste. So she was left alone until lunch time, when, in desperation, she left class and headed up to the roof. She considered locking the door, but given the state of the place she figured no one would come up but Ryuji and Makoto. Just in case, though, she ducked behind some of the HVAC machinery.

Morgana jumped out of his bag, equally eager to stretch out. Rei smiled at him. "Hey, I'm gonna take this sports bra off for a bit. Mind keeping an eye out?"

"You sure that's a good idea?" The cat asked.

Rei shrugged. "Probably not, but I feel like I need to breathe." Morgana dutifully took up a lookout while Rei opened her shirt enough to pull the damn thing up and let her chest out. "Ugh. For once I'm glad I'm as small as I am." She sat down on the roof tiles and quickly pulled out a sandwich.

"Why do it, then?"

Rei shrugged. "Better than jail. Marginally. If I knew they wouldn't take away my pills and let me stay in solitary I might deal with it, but…" Taking a deep breath, she grabbed a bottle of green tea she had snagged and drank it down in one gulp. "Aahhh. That's better."

"Hey, Rei!" A voice called out. A male voice. Rei froze, then quickly covered her chest. "Heard ya came up he-WOAH!" Ryuji said, startled as he turned the corner only to realize exactly what Rei was doing. He quickly spun back, taking cover against the machine blocking his view. "Whoa!" He repeated. "I thought you couldn't do that at school!"

Rei repressed a scream, barely. "Geez," She groaned. "Sorry, the binding was really bugging me. How long have we got?"

"About fifteen minutes," Ryuji confirmed. "I also heard you're feeling like crap. Want me to hit the gun place after school so you can rest?"

"It's…" Rei said, thinking about it. "No, it's fine. I'll be better once this is over with."

Ryuji seemed to think about it. "I guess you're the boss. Just…"

Morgana nodded. "She could probably use a hand. Even yours."

Rei coughed before that could break out into an argument - not a real cough, just enough to get attention. "That's very sweet, both of you, but before I go to this place I have to go to the hospital. I'm not sick, it's for...this…"

Ryuji coughed himself. "Hey, uh, you decent? This is kinda awkward."

Rei blinked and quickly buttoned her shirt. "Sorry. You eaten?"

Ryuji sat down and pulled out a bento, making Rei's mouth water. He shoveled some rice into his face, then felt a chill. His eyes slid sidelong to where Rei was staring. "Uhh...guess the old man doesn't feed you much?"

Rei swallowed and turned her attention back to her sandwich. "Sorry. Home-cooked meals are a thing of the past unless I like curry. Which, I do, but not every day breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

Ryuji chuckled. "Well, this one's mine, and money's tight for us too…"

Rei just munched unhappily on her sandwich.

Rei glanced over her shoulder. Technically, the girl in the Shujin uniform could be anyone, but the black halter vest and substitute turtleneck were a dead giveaway, even as she hid her face behind a fashion magazine Rei knew Makoto wouldn't be caught dead reading. All she needed was eye cutouts and it would have been too comical for Rei to resist laughing. As it was she just sighed. "Morgana, can you follow me? I'm still wiped."

"Are you sure?" Morgana asked. "I can stay hidden…"

Rei nodded. "I'll just pay the pet fare. It'll be a pain to get the card changed, but Chief will probably do it if I pay the difference."

"What about Makoto?" Morgana asked.

Rei grumbled. "I'm not giving her the satisfaction. I can manage."

This lasted until Rei didn't get on the train to Yongenjaya, but instead turned towards the Yamamote line. Then Makoto let the book drop to her side to race to catch up. Rei glared at her. "Doctor's appointment, okay?"

"Oh." Makoto deflated. "Sorry, it's just…"

"I know you still need to 'keep an eye on me,'" Rei said with some exasperation. "But you can try to not be so obvious."

"Sorry." Makoto sighed. "Besides, we're all worried."

Rei sighed. "If you must know, I think it's Adler." Makoto gasped. "Have you been having weird dreams?"

"Not really," Makoto said slowly, with a tone that prompted further explanation.

Rei sighed again. "I keep dreaming of this weird asylum, and it all started when Adler awakened...well, no, it happened the night before," She clarified. "Anyway, every time it happens I don't sleep well, and this time just for fun I'm . . . noticing stuff."

"'Noticing stuff'?"

Rei nodded, then glanced around. "Uhm, there's a new drama starring Rise Kujikawa premiering tomorrow night at 6:30, the two guys in the locker area are staring at that girl, and there's a guy in a Kosei High uniform in the corner giving a bunch of people very brief but intense looks." Makoto gasped. "I know, right. There's this guy, looks like a Tengu in human form, running the asylum in my dream, and last night he said he was giving me a boost to my intuition, and I feel like this is what he meant."

Makoto nodded. "Well, we can figure out a test for that later." It was Rei's turn to gasp. "I don't...not believe you." Rei realized she was choosing her words carefully. "But if this is real, we need to know what it is and what you can do."

"That...makes sense," Rei decided on. "Anyway, I'm running late."

The hospital wasn't any different from how Rei remembered it, but Makoto was staring around in bewilderment. Morgana, unfortunately, had to wait outside. "Wow, this place is so different…"

"Well, this is the research wing," Rei explained. She gestured around at the soft blue walls, comfortable chairs, the nurses and doctors walking around at a calm, unhurried pace, and the very few patients. "We're cut off from the part of the hospital where people are actually in trouble. Most people never see this area."

"I see." Makoto was fascinated. "Do you come here often?"

Rei actually nodded. "Not super super often, but it used to be once a year to verify all my stuff. I'll probably have to come every other week or so this year, though." She had already changed out of her uniform, and walked up to the reception desk. "Amamiya Rei, here to see Saitou-sensei."

"Saitou's busy today," The receptionist said brusquely. "You'll have to come back."

Rei blinked in astonishment. "What?! Is something wrong?!"

"Hey!" A voice called out. "I thought I said Amamiya wasn't off the project!" The man who ran up to the desk was definitely on the older side, with salt-and-pepper hair sticking out somewhat wildly and worry lines all along his face. He reminded Makoto somewhat of a mad scientist, with his coat covered in unidentifiable, but long-since set, stains over a rumpled suit.

Rei blinked in astonishment. "Saitou-sensei?! You told me it wouldn't be a problem."

"It's not, Rei-chan," Saitou explained. "There was some . . . very vigorous debate, but our foreign colleagues sided with me." He glared at the secretary. "Hirose-sensei's feelings about it aside."

Rei nodded with a sigh. "We still on for New York in August, then?"

Saitou nodded. "Provided your parole officer gives you permission to be out of the country, of course. If not, we can make arrangements."

Rei smiled. "Well, I don't get to see the others in person very much. I was kind of looking forward to it. I especially needed to trade notes with Steve this time."

"Steve?" Makoto asked.

Rei chuckled. "He's a friend from the study. Opposite of me, transboy."

Saitou chuckled. "And just who is this? Your new girlfriend?" Rei and Makoto both blushed, and he laughed.

Rei glared at him. "You don't have to embarrass her. Anyway, no, she's just a new friend. Makoto-chan, this is Hikaru Saitou, the doctor in charge of my hormones. Saitou-sensei, Niijima Makoto. She's student council president at my new school."

"Oh, forgive me Makoto-chan," Saitou chuckled, but bowed before Makoto could. "Rei-chan has always been a pleasure to work with. She is so delightfully...unpredictable." Rei muttered mutinously. "Oh, that's far from an insult. You see, I'm actually a psychiatrist by specialty."

Makoto grinned. "Well, Rei certainly doesn't match anyone's image of what one would expect if you told them of her medical history."

"Precisely!" Saitou declared, looking momentarily like he might run off to his time machine before getting a hold of himself. "While the literature is full of atypical examples, of course, Rei-chan's agreement to let us document her development from such a young age will hopefully be vital to the exploration of these matters."

Rei chuckled. "Right. Well, today I think it was just the medical checkup, yes?"

"Quite right, my dear! To the exam room!"

The exam room was just like almost any other, with Rei sitting on the padded table and looking around at the various instruments while she tried not to think about how long the needle had been stuck in her arm. What she wasn't prepared for, however, was Sensei's stern voice cutting through her thoughts. "Rei-chan, how many fights have you gotten into at school?"

Rei chuckled nervously, but didn't dare move. "Just the one….but honestly, doctor, I'm fine."

"Rei-chan," Saitou asked her. "How long have we known each other?"

Rei gulped. "Nine years."

"Nine years," Saitou said distantly. "In all that time, I've never known you to be violent outside the dojo. I believed you about that awful man, but this fight...and the injuries from your new binder, which I didn't authorize…"

Rei sighed. "Sensei, honestly, I wish I had been able to just come out right away, but the principal's got a bug up his ass. It's like he can't grasp that I don't act like this because I want to...I mean…"

"Yes, Rei, I've only spent thirty years studying the psychology behind transsexuality." The older gentleman laughed, pulling the needle out and keeping pressure on the gauze. "Still, that is a problem. Perhaps I can try to explain things to him. As your doctor."

Rei sighed. "You can try, but you know how some people are. He's just the worst so far."

Saitou nodded. "I take it that paperwork I sent you helped, or you'd have been here sooner."

Rei grinned. "Yeah. He doesn't buy it for a second, but he's smart enough to know a judge probably will so at least I'm not off the pills. Speaking of…"

Saitou gave her a look. "I'm not giving you any more than you need."

Rei shook her head. "It's not that. I was wondering if we could go to a patch or something a little more discreet."

Saitou put the blood samples into a pneumatic tube to go off to a lab elsewhere in the building. "Oh, is that all? Well, let me look at your chart. You're worried about needing to have them at school, right?" At Rei's affirmative noise, the man flipped through a folder. "We could probably reduce you down to one pill at school with a patch, but I think medically it would be better to stick to what we have for now. I can do some research and get back to you. You will be happy to know that, since you gained a little weight, we can up your dose."

"Ugh. That's not good news."

A/N: Hi, it's T.H. again. So, here's the stuff I can't actually say I know.

First, the availability of treatment in Japan. I. Can. Find. Nothing. There's plenty of sensationalist material about individual transwomen, mostly entertainers, but there's absolutely nothing about the science or medicine. I could only find some vague references to insurance coverage, and that was months ago and I can't find the references again now.

Rei's guess as to the number of transgender youth currently undergoing hormone treatment is a complete guess on my part. I drew on Julia Serano's numbers in her book Whipping Girl, and compared it to the population figures and arrived at a rough figure of 200,000 transgender-identified kids living in Japan today.

From there, I had to extrapolate from what I knew of LGBQ (note, no T) issues in Japan, which are currently at about where we were in 1995-2005 in the West, depending specifically on where you live. So if we go back that far on things, along with some vague references on Wikipedia for what that's worth to "Adhering to the scientific consensus" which appears to be referencing DSM-III in 2010, I concluded that maybe 2-5% of transgender kids are identified, and 80% or so are denied treatment on the basis of the outdated 'gatekeeper' system which still seems to be in effect in the country.

Incidentally, I have alternate ideas that can probably still work for plot progression if that's not the case. If any readers can point me at actual information regarding Japan's treatment of transgender youth, it will be greatly appreciated and, in honor of Stan Lee, you will get a No Prize, but I will edit the story to more closely match the reality in hopes that this story can be at least somewhat educational as well as entertaining.

Thank you for reading