04/16 Shadow world

"Shit," I growled and rubbed my stomach and dragged myself out of the Circus of Values. I was able to get half way before that one shadow jester nearly did me in. I limped with my sword by my side as a crutch to help me up and forward. Yosuke... that guy has more darkness in his soul than I thought possible. He suffers every single day because of the many men and women and students that whisper behind his back. His family didn't even want him, and the fact was an accident more than anything must be crushing. I've only gotten half way into his story. While mine is much worse his is a close second. How he's still alive and not suicidal is quite amazing.

I rose my hand and took a breath as I called upon Apsaras. I felt crisp and cool hands on my head as the card appeared floating above my palm. "Persona," I mumbled and closed my hand crushing the card into pieces which faded away into nothingness. I took a breath and sighed hard as the power within my soul flourished. The pain in my stab wound faded away and my lungs didn't burn anymore. I saved this last bit of energy to heal myself for when I exit this dungeon. I didn't feel like limping back to the studio again like I did the last two times.

I feel stronger than before after fighting my way in and back out. I'm just about done with today. I've so many questions and I need some answers before diving into that place again with or without back up.

With that thought in mind I left the Circus behind me and made my way back to the studio but not before picking up my timer. I looked at my watch and then my phone and smiled. "Seven hours have passed in the circus and only 23 minutes have passed in this world meaning that even less has passed in the normal one plus studio. Many for all I know maybe only a minute or two has past. Still this is good to know. Within the field of this places time I can basically still compare it to the rest of the world. Fascinating but that doesn't change the fact that the wounds and my own fatigue are very much real.

"Sensei you're back!" The friendly neighborhood teddy bear cheered as I came up smoothly to the stage.

"Kuma," I waved the furry guy down and pat his head on my back past him.

"How'd it go?" He asked and I sighed. I shook my head at the question unsure of how to answer that. "Well how far did you get?"

"About half way I think. I got enough in me that I could've pushed a little further but..." I thought back to the memories and the screams of Yosuke's past and paused. I pity the guy and sort of guilty of how I treated and thought of him before. He didn't deserve that. I don't think he deserves the alienation he faces every day. "I guess I made a bit of a misstep and had to come back to rest a bit. I might turn in for the day."

"Really. You've only been gone for a couple minutes at most?" The bear pondered and I shrugged.

"I lot can happen in a few minutes especially in a fight," I jested a bit and spoken from a lot of experience.

"Oh, alrighty then. I'll see you later."

"Sure Kuma," The bear ran in front of me and put his hand or paw thing up in something reminiscent to a fist. I smiled a bit at the gesture and bumped my fist to his.

"Awesome can't wait to see you again," he said and meant it.

"Thanks Kuma," I pat him on the head again and walked to my loadout table. I looked around for the sheet to nothing but didn't question it. I placed my knapsack of goods and stuff down on top of the wooden table. I removed my sword then held the tip over a small hole with 24 others like it but of different size and the like. I just noticed that the club and the sword I found before are in these stopping at the hilt. I put the katana into one and it stopped at the guard. Kuma must have made this for me while I was gone in case I might find a weapon to store. That was nice of him.

I pulled the buttons to my vest out from my chest that I found inside that circus. It held my potions well same protected me better than that of the riot gear. I reached down the pulled off the straps to my armor on my legs and slipped out of it. I placed the set in a small square labeled armor on the table and looked myself over. I pulled my yasogami uniform on once more in pristine condition.

I grabbed a rag to the side and wiped off my face. "Whooo," I let out in a calm breath once I felt a bit cleaner. So much black ash and soot covered my face. I've never been hit with so much fire at once in my entire life.

I turned from the bear and made my way to the televisions. I walked through them into the swirls and into the store.

04/16 After school: Cloudy

As my cell phone reset itself I noticed that only like 23 minutes past since I left. I'm positive most of that was used walking from the Circus and back if anything. I might need some help as well getting through it fully because I've had so many close calls in the place. I'm not sure what will happen if I die in there and don't plan to personally find out.

With this thought in mind I walked away as if nothing happened. I noticed the camera up top was connected once more. I got to say for such a modern day store their security system Stone Age like this town. That's something I'll have to look into though and to get the tape or data they might have on that camera. I'm sure it caught Yosuke and Saki walking straight into the television together like idiots. With the investigation going on this might compromise me. Can't have that.

I walked through Junes until I happened upon a door labeled "Staff only" and looked around a bit before walking to it. I didn't see any cameras, so I used my shirt to turn the knob and opened it to a hallway. They've a sign to the side labeled to show what's down it.

"Warehouse, Security room, breakroom," I listed off before facing back towards the hallway. I looked around and walked through towards the warehouse first. I've played enough Hitman to know that walking around in my uniform for too long will get me discovered. I need to lower the amount of risk of capture.

I rolled my eyes a bit as this brought back some memories of when my old friends and I used to sneak through the back stages of concerts past security and other places we really shouldn't have been without proper authorization. We did it still and it was a welcoming experience. I made my way into the warehouse and scanned the area to see a couple people inside working. One was on a forklift moving boxes and pallets and the others in a break room playing cards. I crouched down and groaned at how uncomfortable this was. If only this was a video game. I'd be capable of holding this for days.

I made my way inside and took a left under the sight of the break room and happened upon a rack of overalls. Junes warehouse uniforms of all things and a hat. That'll do.

I grabbed one my size and slipped it on before walking out and looking myself over. I pulled the hat down and tucked in my hair before buttoning up the cuffs at my wrists. I looked around and found a large glasses holder and snagged the darkest pair I could find. This made me feel like one of those idiots that wear sun glasses at night and inside without reason, but I'll deal with it just to keep my identity secured.

I walked out past the hanging coveralls or overalls. I grabbed a pair of gloves next and slid them over my hands. I noticed a few cameras up top but since security isn't breathing down my throat right now I'm in the clear.

I past the break room and tipped my hat to the guys in and one of them rolled his eyes at me. I walked back down the hallway to a bit more activity and past a few security guards and workers that didn't bother with me as I walked down towards the security room. The room was locked by key card sadly and I didn't have one on me. I stepped back and walked to another room a few doors down on the opposite side of the hall and waited. All those guys from before might mean they're changing shift so I waited in the broom closet for one to come by. Five minutes later a man showed up at the door and opened it. Two minutes later another man emerged and walked away.

I climbed out quickly and shot to the door and caught it right before it closed and squeezed in. They have a lot of screens and cameras with four different screens for each side of the room. At the Computers in the table sat people working on them.

I cursed and shot to the side just as one of them looked towards and door and hid in the corner of the opening into the room. I glanced over the side and saw the man getting up to check. I sighed and waited he got close and prepped myself for what's about to happen. There's no backing out now.

Just as he passed by me I wrapped my arm around his neck and my pressed my hand over his mouth. I dragged him back out of sight and tightened my hold to keep him steady. The man struggled a bit consequently causing my arms to gain a better grip on his neck right under his ears where the jugular is. The man reach up to my face so I leaned back and squat down a bit out of his reach. In about seven or eight counts he went still out cold.

I let out my held breath and dropped him down with his key card in hand. I laid him to the side before climbing back up to my feet.

"Taka?" I heard to the side of another one of the guards. I grabbed the night stick from the guard below me and waited. The other two drew their eyes to the door and looked to be on alert. The guard approaching had his night stick in hand but stopped shy of the corner. He turned away and waved at the other two. "Call this…"

He didn't make it to the third because I shot behind him with the night stick out and slammed it down into the back of his neck forcing the man down from the near perfect vertical stick with weapon I've done like a thousand times before.

I pushed past him towards the last two and shoulder charged one man forcing him back into his fellow just as he rose his radio to his lips. I was on them with the stick in hand and bat one man in the side at his ribs. The man winced giving me an opening. Before he could right himself I kicked downward into his leg forcing it to cave in his weight. I rose my foot up then round kicked the man square in the nose. I winced as he fell back to the ground.

The last guard climbed up to his feet with his radio up, but I threw my nightstick and smacked it square out of his hands to the ground, broken. The man looked taken back and faced me with his night stick up. "Who are you!" He yelled at me and I rose an eyebrow at him. Does he really expect me to answer that? When I remained silent the man rushed at me with his night stick up like an idiot. Do these men not know how to fight?

I stepped up with my hands up and grabbed his wrist and brought it back weakening his grip. I stepped back forcing the night stick between us then stepped forward bringing my right elbow across his chin. Dazed the man stepped back leaving his night stick with me. He threw a blind haymaker at me I saw a mile away. I stepped to the left and used my arm to lead him further forward. I kneed him in the chest once his flank was level with me making him gasp.

I tossed the night stick away and watched his knees give underneath him. The guard grabbed his stomach and leaned forward in front of me. I rose my foot up and round kicked him across the face allowing him to follow his friends into unconsciousness.

"Man," I shook my head before checking the guy over. I really messed up his nose. "Sorry." I really meant it. I didn't want to do this and assume it would be like one man and one monitor at most. I was wrong.

I shook my head and looked around for the screens I needed. I brought up the footage they saved from every day this month completely erased it from file along with a few others at random times before I arrived. One for the camera out the door, in the electronic department, the clothes department, and food court. All of these places on randomized days but stopped at yesterday when I entered and the dunce duo did as well about an hour later. I saw the recording of my shop lifting on top of this and made sure to take care of that as well.

I grabbed a flash drive in the desk I know all these places have for their computers and copied it the footage with myself in it same with those few I know. Chie especially because I've watched her for a couple seconds following Yosuke and Saki from yesterday and even myself. I'll have to look through this later though. Once I made the copies I wanted I deleted the originals. I went into the system files for the computers and delete the algorithms that contain the essence of the memory just make sure they can't back it up.

With that done I walked to the door out and quickly walked to the exit out. It had that key card thing as well so slid in the one I took guards to for door out into the side of Junes. With this done I kept my head down as I walked away until I was at least a quarter of a mile away from Junes. I looked around found nice corner to take the Junes overalls off along with the hat, glasses, and gloves. With it being cold out still I noticed a couple people with fires to burn leaves in their yard and made my way to one. I hopped the fence once the coast was clear and dropped everything into the barrel of fire they used to burn everything. I quickly hopped the fence once more and walked down the alleyway silent assassin style.

"Man," I sighed and shook my hands and rolled my shoulders. This has been one interesting day. I can't wait to see how the police react to this. I could hear the sirens in time and quickly made my way home at a relaxed pace. I'm just a school student after all. No one would ever suspect me, and it showed as I walked past policemen and waved at a few on my way home.

04/16: Evening: Rainy

I reached the house just as it started to rain again and spotted Nanako on the television lost in her own little world at her show. She noticed me enter and said, "Welcome back."

"Thanks," I gave her a one word reply before looking up towards my room. It's been close to an hour since I left and Saki is still out of it. "Is Saki still upstairs?"

"Mmhmm," she nodded her head and turned back to show.

"Right," I walked up the stairs and opened to door to her still on my couch out cold. I walked past her and sat down on my bed then laid down for a moment. I grew bored in seconds and leaned back up with my music play in hand. I put my earphone on and touched through the different albums I have and stopped. "Distance by Kana Nishino?" I asked myself. When did I even download this? Then again my mom and I share a music library on cloud so maybe this is one of her songs. From a girl band is my assumption since that's all she ever listens to.

I went over to my chill Korean pop and hiphop instead and rested on my bed with my back against the wall.

I need to calm down. I think the last couple days of just moving all the time is getting to me. I'm tired on the inside but my body is still good from that last healing spell. I've a little power left so not completely drained but I wouldn't reach Yosuke at my current strength and the number of shadows that attack are double of what I faced in the television station. My persona as well aren't strong enough for the shadows within on top of this. I've gotten a bit attached to them and it shows since I have my original team from the start. Izanagi, Angel, Lilum, and the rest. I think it's because of pixie though. I've gotten familiar with these beings and I'd hate to lose them all of the sudden.

"Pixie," I sighed and rubbed my head.

I need help in the Living Nightmare but Teddy can't fight. I'm not sure about Saki. Chie is a fighter, but she doesn't have persona like they both do and to gain one seems to be the same trend. Face your inner darkness or be swallowed whole. Then again, I didn't have to do this. I just had to die.

"Lucky me," I scoffed.

I need to change my team of persona on top of this or find a way to upgrade their spells for something larger and more effective. I began to notice that I was out gunned once a shadow used a fire spell the encased me in a swirling inferno and their physical attacks doubled in either strikes or strength.

I thought back to my funds as well. I've suffered from the small changes in attack from the shadows I've defeated. My katana had gotten dull progressively during my trek. I can tell that the durability took a hit once it took four or more strikes instead of one or two like I got accustomed to. I need a stronger weapon and see if I can get better armor. It's like weapons become deadly and more real in that world.

"What if I got myself a gun," I chuckled to myself as I pressed play on my music player. Like I thought it was a girl singer but not a girl band.

Too bad I don't like guns or anything that used to shoot anyone. Those things make a situation messy. I'm gonna stick with a sword or blunt force weapon that much is for sure. I'm brought back to the arcana thing all of this brought up. I'm the Fool, Saki the Magician, and Chie is the Chariot. I'm curious of the other cards out there and what Yosuke is once I find him. "Maybe the Empress," I joked a bit and shook my head.

I watched over Saki as time went by and so did the hours. She must've been exhausted if she's going to be out this long. I grabbed a pair of boxers as well as one of my shirts for her to wear and made my way downstairs to take a shower. I noticed my uncle was back with the most tired look I've ever seen on his face while he sat silently at the table. I stopped just as I was about to enter the bathroom and felt for the man. It was enough to ask go to him. "Are you okay uncle," I called to him and approached just as he rose his head to look at me. His eyes appeared to be red and moments from falling down to the table and passing out.

"Yeah," he lied and put on a tired smile on his lips and I just looked at him. My uncle grit his teeth and groaned a bit before reaching for his cup of coffee to the side. I placed my hand on it and pulled it away from him. "Hey!" He glared up to me and I returned it with a vengeance. He met it for a moment before turning his head away and shaking his head. "Your mother, my sister, would look at me like that every time she knew I was either lying through my teeth and my making a crap situation worse."

I scoffed a bit before falling down to my seat in front of him and placed his cup to the side. "Uncle, what's going on?" I asked a bit worried for his health.

"Outside the fact I've got cases piling up on my desk like the murder of that announcer, the kidnapping of Saki Konishi and your part in it, the missing person's report I have on Yosuke Hanamura, and finally the assault of a couple guards in the Junes store; just amazing. And I shouldn't even be telling you about any of this so that just shows you how tired I am of all this." My uncle yawned and looked ready to drop his head down to the table.

"An assault at Junes," I questioned. That's what they called it.

"Yep. Someone came in, knocked out the guards, tampered with the camera recordings every which way, and finally disappeared without a trace. We have no witnesses outside of eye witness reports of a strange employee with glasses over his eyes that made his way through the building no one apparently recognized. What the hell is going on in my town," he asked maybe me, but I'm not sure.

"Well, I'm sure Yosuke will show up eventually," I tried to be optimistic.

"Not if it's the guys the kidnapped Saki Konishi before," he noted and I looked away. This really is getting out of hand now. I need to take care of this and shift this somewhere. "Are you sure you don't remember anything other than what you told us."

"Uncle I'm pretty sure it was just some stupid past business catching up with me. They weren't professionals per say. I think I might've been the target and Saki got caught in the crossfire. You know how my dad's business is and how his competitors are. It happens like once a year so this will clear up quickly."

"But this… this is insane Souji!" My uncle shot up to his feet with a heated stare. "All of this happening here at Inaba is just insane. All this trouble and for what!?"

"Uncle," I said calmly.

"What!"

"You'll wake up Nanako," I gestured to the room behind me. It's late and past her bed time so I'm sure she's out cold right now and a light sleeper. My uncle grit his teeth and sat back down but still had a narrowed look on me.

"Are you involved in what happened today?"

"If it's the men from before I'd say yeah. They probably followed me around and are covering their tracks. It's happened a few times already for the past couple years. That's why I said it'll all amount to nothing. I took care of them and they won't be back."

"You're not old enough to deal with or take care of his Souji," my uncle alleged harshly.

"I understand you haven't seen me in a while uncle." I dropped my chin and closed my eyes with a hard breath out. I looked back with a very tired but steel look in my eyes and made his widen. "But I'm not a kid. I haven't been for years." My uncle stared into my eyes for a couple minutes as if he wouldn't dare break contact. He blinked and suddenly fell down to his chair as if he lost all energy within it. He shook his head and took a deep breath as well.

"How long will this go on?" He asked me.

"A week at most Uncle. After that this will never happen again. Then once I leave in a year you won't have to deal with me or this again?"

"That's not fair Souji. I'm your guardian," he stated. "I'm supposed to protect you and I…" he looked away with a pain expression. "I failed to do that, again."

"Uncle," I called him but he didn't seem to hear me. I climbed up to my feet and walked up to him. Once I was in front of him he looked up to me. I leaned down and helped him up and gave him a hug. I'm not much of a hugger but I hugged him this time around. "It'll be fine Uncle. If I were you I'd focus on the murders and lost lives we have now. The rest will mean nothing by the end of this week. Okay?"

"I… yeah sure."

"I'll stay out of trouble for now on so get some rest. You're exhausted."

"I…" my uncle began but sighed. "Okay." I nodded and dragged him to his room and helped him inside. I sat him on his bed and turned to leave him to do the rest.

"Souji," he called me, and I stopped at the door. "You're a good kid."

"No uncle," I shook my head. "I'm not good or a kid." With that I closed the door behind me and walked to the bathroom. "Go back to sleep Nanako," I said once I saw her door was cracked open and caught her frightened expression in her single eyes peeking out the cracks. She closed her eye and the door a moment after. I made my way to the bathroom and quickly showered leaving me in a grey shirt and shorts. I wandered back up to my room feeling drained like never before.

"Narukami," I heard once I opened the door to my room and met with Saki's look. I silently entered and grabbed the clothes I reserved for her and placed him on the table in front of her.

"If you want to shower it's downstairs with the towels in the cabinet to the right once you walk in. You can wear these if you want to and stay here for the night, or I can escort you home but it's a bit late. You can sleep on the couch a bit more if you like."

"Oh, thanks." She reached for the clothes then adopted a sour look. "Wait as the guy shouldn't you offer your bed to the girl," she questioned and I rolled my eyes.

"Not my bed," I scoffed and walked to my bed and sat down. "Unless of course you want to share," I felt a small smile curse my lips.

Saki frowned at me and snort at me. "Maybe later," she joked back at me. She picked up the clothes and walked downstairs. I heard the sound of running water moments later. I laid down on my bed and rested my eyes as exhaustion began to set in. It's really been one of those days. Saki came back in like 30 minutes in my clothes and very sexy to be honest. She looked better in them than I do.

"So what's the plan," she asked as she sat down on the couch.

"I went to find Yosuke today," I confessed before getting to that.

"You did!" She asked excitedly. "Did you find him?"

"In a way. He has a dungeon standing between me and him, and I can't get through alone," I said with a strong emphasis on alone. Saki's eyes widened a bit and she turned away. "Konishi, tomorrow I'm going back in either with Yosuke in tow or not at all. The shadows overwhelmed me alone so I need you and your power. You're strong enough help me."

"I-I can't," she shook her head.

"Then you killed Yosuke even though you know you can make a difference. I hope that's a choice that doesn't haunt you."

"You know you're not as nice as I first thought. You're a bit of a dick," she spat at me and I turned my head and looked at her.

"No, I'm not a sugarcoating boy you're probably used to. I'm a realist and how I talk reflect it."

"You can still be a little tactful!"

"No, not really." I turned my head back up and looked at the ceiling. "I'm heading to school tomorrow Konishi and after that getting outfitted to get Yosuke back," I declared.

"Narukami, how can you keep your cool like this?" She asked me. "Aren't you afraid?"

I blinked and took a breath. "I'm only afraid of something I can't defeat and we both can or don't you remember that first day?"

"I do," she whispered and shook her head. "What do you want me to do?" she relented and I smile a bit.

"I want you to come with me when I get outfitted, get you a weapon to bring, enter the world and fight with me, and save Yosuke before he dies. I have a feeling that tomorrow is the last day for him. I not sure how but that's what I feel."

Saki went silent for a moment before she nodded her head. "What do you mean by outfitted?"

"Armor and weaponry. You'll see once we're in that world. For now, I'm going to sleep." I turned around and yawned into my pillow.

"Okay, night Narukami."

I didn't answer and laid my head down. I noticed Saki sitting there on the couch alone and sighed. I climbed up instead and wandered to my dresser. I pulled out a blanket and sheet for her and went back to my bed to grab a pillow. Saki watched me do this and present them to her. "Here," I offered them to her

Saki rose an eyebrow. "And here I thought you weren't at least a bit of a gentleman."

"Because I'm not giving you my bed?" I sneered.

"A bit but you can also come off as cross." I've heard someone say that to me once. I can come off as uncaring and rude from what I've been told. "But thanks." She took the pillow and the blanket from me. She laid them on the couch and I watched her bend over to do it. I'm actually a bit surprised she willingly is staying in a man's room at night. A man she barely even knows. She's not dense so I ruled that out meaning she trusts me a bit more than I first gave her credit for. She's an beautiful girl and I'd be lying if I said I didn't have thoughts or temptations. Sadly, I'm not the sort to touch without permission and so took my seat on my bed once more.

"Were you serious before?"

"Huh," I looked up.

"About me sleeping in the same bed as you."

"I don't mind if you don't," I put as simple as possible. I've had company in bed once or twice so it's nothing too new to me. I wouldn't mind sleeping with Saki next to me. Might keep the nightmares at bay.

"If I do, do you promise not to do anything?"

Now this was a development. I didn't expect this and I think she might be serious as well. She's actually sleep in the same bed as I guy she doesn't know? That speaks volumes of her character that's for sure. I thought on it for a moment and shrugged. "I don't plan on touching you in a sexual manner if that's what you're referring to. Though I've heard I tend to hold on to things in my sleep."

"Really," Saki giggled a bit. I felt a bit ashamed now. That can be taken in a bad way. Saki though didn't dwell on it and opt to pick up her pillow and walk towards the bed with me. This is very strange. Normally I have to work for it but here she is just coming to me. Saki sat on the bed next to me and sighed a bit. She's tired. Even though she's been asleep for the last couple hours she's mentally and physically exhausted. Unlike me I've taken advantage of the rules of the Shadow World to restore my physical self but Saki didn't have this luxury. I can see the mark on her neck from her own shadow and small cuts on her hands and her elbow from being thrown around during out push to the studio. She's hurt and probably didn't go to the hospital like I did.

"I noticed you had a sling for your arm before. Are you okay," she started the small talk to break up the silence between us.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I don't need it anymore."

"That good," she affirmed.

I rubbed my shoulder a bit and rested against the wall. Saki did the same as me with her legs going over the side of my bed but not all way. She sat with only the mid portion of her shins sticking out from the end of the bed. She let her arms lay limply to her side and her hands open on top my bed.

"You're not even nervous, are you? Does anything faze you?"

"The Reaper did," I confessed. Saki visible shivered at the mention of the Reaper. We did wake up a couple times and saw the Reaper once or twice. I know she heard the chains at least and it's moaning. "I'm afraid of it and know if we face it we'll die. I know that sounds grave but as we are now it's the truth."

"Hopefully we don't see it again," she murmured as the darkness of the room encased us both and took hold of us. "But I'm surprised you'd admit that to me. What else are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of not being good enough and no I'm not going to elaborate." Not right now.

"Oh, okay. I'm afraid of that as well I guess. I want to build something for myself. Stand out."

"More than you are now," I jested and Saki checked my shoulder with hers.

"I bet you like attention as well. I saw you with Yuuki. You were all over her like a dog." Saki clicked her tongue. She's not wrong and the same happened with that hot nurse from before. Normally I try to stay away from the trouble girls but for the life of me I can't help being drawn to them. Saki, Yukiko, Yuuki, Sayoko, and who knows how many more. Maybe I should stay away more than I have and aim for a more low key girl. Chie for some reason came to mine. She's cute and a bit tom boyish but a safer bet. "Do you do that to every girl you come across?"

"Yes I do."

"W-what?"

She didn't expect me to say that. "What I mean by this is depending on the person and how they come up to me that's how my response to them will be determined. She insulted me and you and I didn't like that so decided to mess with her. It wasn't hard for her kind of girl." I waved my hand with a flick. "I like to be left alone mostly so can be radical once someone bothers me."

"I see. Well you did fluster her. It was a bit comical," Saki giggled a bit. "But what about me? You came up to me first so how do you explain that?"

"You're beautiful in my eyes so I couldn't help myself."

"You're very forward." I wasn't sure but I think Saki was blushing. I could see a smile on her lips though from my compliment. "I guess that's a part of your charm. You don't hold back your thoughts or feelings when you talk so that means you're less likely to lie. Maybe that's why I know you won't do anything stupid like try to molest me in my sleep."

"Oh. And why is that? I could be a scumbag," I jeered.

"If you touched me I'd never forgive you and it'd ruin your chances," she smiled up at me.

"Heh," I chuckled a bit and shook my head.

"That's a laugh and a first," Saki's tone told me she prided herself in this accomplishment. I don't laugh much and mean it but this girl here is too stimulating.

"So I have a chance then? But don't you…" I stopped right there.

"Have a boy friend or lover," she finished for me instead.

"I've heard things, but I don't want to make assumptions. I don't want to step on another guy's toes as well."

"So you've stolen girls from other guys before," she deduced from my words. "Well it doesn't matter. If trouble comes your way don't you believe you can get through it Naru-chan."

"Maybe, maybe not. It all depends."

"On," she waved for me to continue.

"Whether or not the result justifies the risk." It's been a cycle for me of getting noticed by girl's with guys but seem something "different" within me. I get their attention and then I get involved with their daily lives. Then they develop feelings towards me. Then I have to deal with the back lash from their romantic other. It was worth it sometimes but not most of the time.

"That's fair. Risk and reward. Do you think I'm worth it?'

Now we're really diving into forbidden woods. I'm an honest man though. "Not right now."

"And that's why I trust you not to do anything," Saki noted on. I rose an eyebrow at her so she cleared her throat to clarify. "You don't seem like the kind of guy to jump into something without reason. You try to figure it out as well. Most guys would jump at a chance to see me like this and take advantage, but you look at the situation and take a step back. You think with the head on your shoulders more than the one between your legs." Saki leaned up and placed a kiss on my cheek. "I appreciate that."

"Not bad." I crossed my arms over my chest. "Do you normally analyze the guys that surround you?"

"Don't you?" She returned. She got me there.

I yawned faintly.

"Tired? So am I," she yawned a bit as well.

"We should get to bed then." I moved over to the head of my bed and laid down with my pillow down. Saki moved over and joined me. She laid her pillow down next to mine and laid down as well to my right with the wall next to her. I pulled my blanket over us and yawned again.

"Night Narukami." Saki closed her eyes and I did the same.

"Night Konishi." I felt myself fall as sleep took me.

04/17 - Sunny - After school

"The Persona ability is the power to control one's own heart… And the heart is strengthened through bonds. As you form bonds by becoming involved with others your own social links will gradually develop. The power of these social links is what will determine your Persona's abilities."

I listened to Igor's insight over my new social links both of which were unplanned in the grand scheme. But so was the fact that Yosuke has gone dark.

"So the closer these people get with me the stronger I become in that arcana then?" I summed up but only for the small man to smile sinisterly.

"I'm afraid you must play a part in the fruition of your bonds as well, not that you don't wish to."

"I see." It's simple. What I put in is just as much as I can take out until the social link can reach a point high enough that it can practically ride itself out. I just need to "play a part" and not the entire part. Though I have to give my heart to another and let them in to grow by the sounds of it and that doesn't sit well with me.

Talking to this man is draining. I've found out that he seems to enjoy talking in riddles and give slightly short-sighted information.

"Ah," Igor interjected. "Before I forget the simplest of pleasantries," he waved his hand towards me in an inviting manner. "Welcome… to the Velvet Room."

I blinked at the sudden greeting, but I guess I did barge in here rudely throwing questions his way left and right. He hadn't the moment to even welcome me properly like the other times I've come here. I bowed my head respectfully towards the man and his Two assistants? He has two now and the other one I think I've seen before. I don't have the time for that though.

"What is the Velvet Room again?"

"This is a place that exists between dream and reality, mind and matter," he repeated like he said before. "This room exists for only those bound by a "contract" may enter…" That means I'm the only one that made come here then. Not Saki or anyone else which also means I really am the only one that can see the door. "Because of a certain destiny that will befallen upon you is why this room exists for you." I guess I didn't get the message last time when I was on the train. I had this dream and played along without truly listening to the man while looking for an escape. I found it thanks to my alarm, but I feel now I should've listened. Even though it would've registered as something completely insane, I should've minded the words of this man.

I remember the tarot reading he gave me well though.

"I would like to express my admiration for your current accomplishments," Margaret giggled amused at my feats as she called them. "You have been quite busy as of late. You have progressed blindly in your personal search for the truth and yet found your way to persevere through the trials that befell you. Most of which you pushed on yourself."

Blunt and to the point. That's another entry for the codex. I can't fault her words though. Even though I've done some unreal things in the few days I've been here it's been without proper knowledge of my situation or insight in the Persona phenomenon that I've been subjected to. How I can acquire different Persona with the fall of every enemy and the cards the cross my vision after doing so? How I lost Pixie even is lost to me. Right now I'm shooting through the dark without a light source, and shocked I've hadn't hit a rough bump yet.

Margaret opened her book and I watch as seven cards appeared above her tome and revolved around each other in a hypnotic fashion. "What truly peaked my fascination is this." Margaret picked a card and held it up for me. It's of the Temperance Arcana that much I can see. Margaret turned it over and what manifested above me was Calliope. "You gained the persona of another individual. An accomplishment believed to be impossible and yet once you accepted her she then accepted you."

"Normally until your heart grows much further you'd be restricted to a limit to the amount of persona you can possess, but as you can see you have defied this as well with this powerful form of the Temperance Arcana you have obtained. One of which you may or may not regret to have accepting. We will see, but I'm sure it'll be quite an experience." Margret finished heavenly

We will indeed. I fear that meddling with this Persona might cause more concern to be warrant than I first thought. Those eyes of hers will never leave my thoughts and what I saw within them.

"Reflective I'm sure," Igor added in as well.

"So I've added difficulty to my journey then?" What else is new? I don't feel bad about this though. While I'm a bit spooked I did say I'd hold myself accountable for my actions. I signed the contract willingly after all.

"Worry not for as I said, we will help guide you along your journey to the Truth."

"And what is the truth exactly? Some monster that's trying to mess with the world or the people in it? I wager its generic like that. And this room is just so I get perks or buffs to help me push on this journey further."

Igor just grinned at me. "But now that you are here we can explain in more details the "Perks" of the Velvet Room," the man chuckled. Embarrassed a bit from my use of video game language I looked away a bit for a moment. "For as you see, the catastrophe that is headed your way has already taken human lives in its approach towards you. You have already proved that you do not fear the coming storm and that your power against it will depend solely on you…"

I understood that but there must be more. I let Igor continue. "You have instinctively dabbled in the potential of the wild card but there is so much more for you learn," Igor chuckled with another wave of his hand from under his chin."

"As my master has told you, your bonds, if strengthen properly, will help you overcome any ordeal," Margaret supplemented.

"And my bonds are based around the Arcana in which the man or woman falls underneath. Like Saki with the Magician or Chie with the Chariot?" I summarized. "What happened to Saki by the way?" I know something happened to her. She's different than before. I noticed it this morning when she was quivering in my bed.

"Her shift… is a cause of her falling into inversion. Her true arcana has been remodeled because of her ordeals and so yes, she is now the Magician and so her Persona has become inverted as well." Her arcana was inverted? "These few circumstances in which a beings Arcana shifts or becomes inverted isn't as uncommon as it sounds.

'Who you are today will not for sure be who you are tomorrow or even a year from now.'

Those are the words of Calliope.

"Now," Margaret finalized. "Our role is to facilitate the shifts of paradigms."

"My… contribution is to give birth to new Personas," Igor carried on. "By mixing together multiple Persona cards I can transmute them into a new form. This is call "The Fusion of Persona" if you will. A "perk" that will come in handy I feel."

And I feel that this teasing isn't going away any time soon.

"You have the power to hold multiple Personas and use them accordingly. You have shown your fluidity well," Igor waved his hands and I saw a projection like something out of a marvel movie appear above the table. I watched a projection of myself switching persona in the station and fighting shadow after shadow single-handedly. Same with play backs of my time in the circus as well.

"When you defeated an enemy you noticed "the seeds of possibility' you may attain in the form of cards." I watched myself stop and swipe a card out of the air and ghoul to appear behind me.

"Even with your current advancement you have limitations." The ghoul stood above my Pixie. Pixie looked distraught and sad. She looked at me one last time before wrapping her small arms around the back of my neck and fading away. Ghoul was the one that took her place and she left. "Pixie willing left your soul to give way for one persona you needed more than it."

"Can I get her back?" I blurted out.

"I'm afraid not. I'll allow Margaret to explain."

"My role ties into the new cards you attain as well as the older and more experienced Persona you have now. These new and old cards are to be brought here to us." Margaret rose the tome in her hands up, still opened with a few cards revolving around the pages before she closed it fully. "This is the Persona Compendium. With this I can register the Personas you hold and allow you to recall them at any time. I have the first Pixie you've called upon but at her most basic form. She will not recall her time with you."

"That means if I would've come here before going to the station I could've stored Pixie here and recalled her later," I said ironically. If only I walked into the room like I felt I should've then I could've at least left her here safe and sound. Now she's gone with only a pale reflection of what she was. I took a breath and leaned back in my chair as I let this soak in.

"Yes," Margaret answered without effort. It was a rhetorical question and I feel she knows this but this woman isn't pulling her punches. I'm getting hit with the truth and the significances of my actions or lack of action that is. Everything is on me.

"Do not fear the unknown but master it and push through to new discoveries. Develop your Social Links and then your Persona will gain even more power. Power in which will be used however you wish. Remember that this will be one of your chief sources of strength… take this to heart," Margaret I think tried to support me. I think.

I recalled the strength I felt embolden within me once I developed a link with Saki. That means when I fuse persona of that Arcana they come out much stronger than before. That's good to know but I need something more. I looked towards Margaret once more and her tome. I pointed to it. "Can I have one of those for personal use?"

Margaret rose an eyebrow and looked towards Igor. The man nodded and she returned it. "If that is what you wish I can fashion one for you if that is what you want, but may I ask what you will use it for?"

"Depends, will the tome that you'll give me be able to record different Persona and shadows I face if I wish it?"

"I suppose it could, yes." Margaret answered.

"Then that's the answer to your question. If it can store my persona and a record of all persona I come across and shadows in that then I could really use a tool like that."

"You will only be capable of storing your current limit…"

"But as you said before the wild card gives me infinite potential," I reminded them and took those words to heart. "The person I am now will not be the same as in the future, and that in time I will grow with my social links. That means I'm capable of anything if with the right tools and the right mind set, correct?" I looked to the both of the talkative residents of the room and was met with smiles and a shine in Igor's eyes.

"I see… you truly are one of a kind… Very well. You will get the "tool" that you seek… but we will need time. For now," Igor looked towards Margaret who looked towards the unfriendly looking girl. The one that has been quiet for most of this. The girl sat in her spot silently as if she wasn't even part of this.

"Marie?" Margaret called the rude looking girl across from her.

Now I have a name for the pretty face.

This Marie girl rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah," she scoffed nonchalantly. "I can catch the hint." She turned her darkened eyes towards me. "Nice to meet you," she said rudely.

I felt myself smile a bit at her attitude. This sort of girl would be a challenge to charm and would take time to take a place in her heart like I thought. It would be worth it but the trials would be perilous I'm sure. This thought is just like my first when I met her last at the train station.

"I'm a bit surprised to see you here." The Velvet room is a place only those under contract can enter. That means my contract to Igor is what allows me to come here. I believe Margaret has a similar contract with the man as well. It leaves me to wonder just who or what holds Igor's contract to host over this room that's so important in my journey. Marie as well. What is her place in this and how can she leave? Can the residents leave at will if they so wished it? Igor probably doesn't for obvious reasons, but Margaret would blend in easily despite her eyes and strange choice of attire. The same goes for Marie.

"Huh? Oh, yeah we did meet some time ago didn't we? Hmmm," the rude girl mused to herself.

"Excuse her," Margaret sighed with her eyes closed. "This is Marie. Her soul is still very young and…"

"Shut up you! Don't tell him any more than he needs to about me," Marie snapped at the much more mature and now slightly tenser Margaret. I gulp and cleared my throat before Margaret could slam that book of hers on top of Marie's head like I know she wishes to.

"As you can see," she strained to say. "She may be… brusque at times."

"That's a way to put it," I said and earned a scowl from Marie but a smile from Margaret.

"Please understand that she's an apprentice and prone to sudden fits of impoliteness. Forgive her."

"Yes ma'am," I said respectfully.

"Very good," Margaret sounded appreciative. "Marie will be handling "Skill Cards'."

I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a small card from within. I rose it up and found the three stars on top to be a bit more luminescent.

"Media, as you now see," Margaret commented on once she saw it.

I remember getting the card from a chest but thought nothing of it. So, this is a skill card and for a skill called Media.

"You may use cards like that to provide your Personas with new powers." I noticed a shine in Margaret eyes for a moment with a sly smile on her lips. "I feel that while Marie may be inexperienced I'm sure she holds a purpose higher than a place within this room. Maybe she will help you form a bond between even yourself and the "outside world.'"

"In what way?" I asked a bit nervous of where this is going.

"I would appreciate it if you could allow this child to follow you during your day time hours if you will."

So take Marie out of the room and show her around. I can do that if it means she controls cards to make myself more versatile. "Sure."

"Hey-Hey! I haven't agreed to go anywhere with this weirdopervysleezebag!"

"Thank you. Please feel free to speak with her here when you wish to use her services," Margaret continued as if Marie said nothing like for the majority of my time her. I nodded with a smile.

"Stop smiling you!" I rose my hand up and shrugged. I'm not arguing with another girl this soon after what happened yesterday. I'm not for that right now.

Igor chuckled and drew that attention back towards him. "The coming year is a turning point in your destiny… If the mystery goes unsolved your future may be lost. Defeat in battle is not the only way for your journey to end… Please do not forget this."

"Death is not the only way for the future to fade away," I simplified.

"Exactly. Now," Igor leaned forward and peered at me. "I look forward to watching you further along on your journey. Do you have any more questions?"

I thought on it and shrugged. "Can I fuse Persona now?"

Igor chuckled once more. "Of course honorable guest."

As I exited the velvet room I fused a couple of my Persona together and found myself standing in the middle of the Central Shopping Center. "Mr. Narukami," the policeman who escorted me here asked. "Are you okay?" I blinked a couple times before nodded my head. "Are you sure because you've been standing there for a couple minutes staring into space."

"I'm fine, its just… I'm a bit out of it I suppose."

"I can't blame you honestly after all you've been though. Almost getting killed by gangsters and running for your life," the officer shook his head. "I can't imagine what you might' ve been through kid but you did it. Then she showed up screaming all that prattle and then the other girl in green doing the same. Whatever that was about I'm relieved I didn't have to butt in."

"I had it under control."

"Yeah, and I'm sorry about Hanamura." I nodded once more. "Do you need to go anywhere else today?"

"Yes sir." I have to get to the blacksmith today with my handy dandy sword on my back. I had to stop by Junes today to get it, but I still got it. Teddie was nice enough to put it in the bag for me and slip it to me through the television. My policeman was in the bathroom for the time and left me alone to browse the televisions. One of which I think I'm going to buy because I was looking around for a television to buy once I get the chance. I have a good amount of money now, but I still need more. Killing those shadows gave me small change I best but nothing substantial. The experience I acquired from my Shadow world journey helped a great deal to make up for it.

I found it amazing that my prescription drugs had double the effects tacked on with a couple more while I'm in the Shadow World. I felt untouchable until an hour later. That's when the drugs wore off. Then I kept taking them to help me out through the fights up to the point that I ran out. I really wish I had more, but I can't really demand the doctors for more. It would make it appear as if I'm a drug abuser. Don't want that.

As I walked up the to smith's shop and saw Saki in front waiting for me like I asked. The officer stopped the car at the front and looked confused on why I came here.

"We need a ride to Junes after officer," I said the climbed out and shut the door.

"Bout time," Saki frowned at me. "I've been waiting."

I checked my watched and its only five minutes past four. I'm early by like five minutes so she hasn't been waiting at all. I let it go and gestured to the Metal working shop. "Come on. Let's get armed and ready."

A/N: Gotta love Persona. Shifting this story is a challenge for me for some reason. Adding a bit more realism tacked on with the sudden changes is a bit difficult but I'll manage as I go.