Shuffled
Story Summary: One was unwilling to fight death and the other incapable of seeing the truth. The failure of the two twisted the power of the wild card. Now Makoto Yuki must see what Yu Narukami could not and Yu Narukami must fight what Makoto Yuki would not. (P3 and P4 protagonist switch up)
Chapter 1: Girls with Guns Part Two
7 April 2009
The train was speeding down its tracks taking him forward to a new city. As he traveled from his parents and the home he knew before Yu Narukami slept soundly against the dirty window of the train. This was not an uncommon occurrence for him. Since childhood he moved from city to town to village as required for his parent's line of work. He had never known a home longer than a year's time. Despite this, in his childhood he never rebelled or mourned the uprooting of the life he established. Most children would have, but Yu Narukami was not like others and he was no longer a child. From the very beginning he had one insight that others lacked.
People are boring.
Dynamic social interactions become monotonous routine and new friends become old tolerances. Yu Narukami loves people and people love him. But love is fickle, it fades, and like everything time brings love to its inevitable conclusion. People are boring, at least after a time.
Yu Narukami loves people, but he hates boredom. That was his great challenge. Moving kept things new, ever changing and never boring. A new home came with new experiences and new people. Yu constantly yearned for the next place he would make his home. However, this was the first time he would be living apart from his parents, but that did not discomfort him. It was simply another interesting change.
The first thing Yu became aware of as he awoke from his sleep and rose his head from the cool glass window that his cheek rested upon, was the sound of music.
Burn My Dread.
He shook the offending earphones from his head with a quick motion. "Ugh, what is this garbage and why do I have it?"
He quickly grabbed the machine making the offending noise and shut it off. Hands rose from their lap to the ears and wrapped the earphones around his phone. He took one last look at the song title before moving his phone back into his coat pocket. "Burn my Dread? Burn my playlist."
Yu Narukami checked the time on his watch as he stretched the sleep from muscles. It was eleven fifty-four and he was late. He was scheduled to arrive at his new dormitory at ten thirty. He wondered if the other students would be awake this late and frowned slightly. He had wanted to meet the people he would be living with for the next year. He knew little about his knew home and wished to learn quickly. A year was no time at all and he had lost an hour of it already. He did know one thing, though how remained a puzzle. It was a coed dorm. Such terrible youth came naturally.
The speakers on the train marked its next stop as Tatsumi Port Island Station, his destination. He stood stretching the last weariness from his muscles and gathered his belongings in preparation for the train's arrival. On a whim he glanced around at the people who shared the train with him and met the large brown eyes off a pretty girl who sat to his left.
She had brown tanned skin that spoke of long hours spent outside under the sun's kiss. Her short black hair was tied up with a hair band. A working class girl of humble place in society, he thought. The shine of white colored lip-gloss on her full lips marked her as unique. Perhaps, the paint was her one way of standing apart from crowd. Was it a way to distinguish her from others the economic low class? He wanted to find out.
Some would look down on a commoner, a low class citizen, but Yu knew that commoners were never so common. His mother had once told him that love was the art of strange attractions, if so then the stranger, a stranger, the better. But it mattered little; his train had arrived.
The smile he offered her was kind, full charm, and her blush was telling. "This is my stop," he said with confidence. The noise he received in turn was indiscernible, but full of embarrassment and the teenage awkwardness he lacked. His smile became a chuckle and the train's doors opened as it stopped at its destination. Yu Narukami left her flustered as he walked off the train.
In time he would come to know her as Yuko Nishiwaki, the personification of Strength.
The station was quiet in the dark hours before midnight. The was ground dirtied by random litter and unwashed tile. The neon lights of the station's televisions marked the time as eleven fifty-nine. Midnight was coming, marking a new day, and marking his arrival. Yu Narukami watched as the large ornamental clock ticked the last ten seconds of the seventh of April. The second hand struck the final second of the seventh and welcomed the Dark Hour.
The station went dark as the light of electronics gave way to the green light of the Dark Hour. Yu Narukami was awakened from his trance and left in wonder. A station black out likely meant a city wide black out. He reached into his pocket hoping to illuminate his way out of the station with his phone, but found it incapable of being aroused.
"Tch, should have charged it before leaving."
Gracefully he reached out for a wall using it as a guide and eventually exited the station. He met the stale city air and breathed deeply of its pollution. The distinct taste of smog and smoke brought a smile to his face. The haze of the city marked a new phase in his life. He took in the haunted green light of the hour that hid between midnight. Basking in the moon, he knew it was green in envy of the life he would live in this next year.
"Or it's just pollution," He said to himself with a shrug.
He walked the deserted streets only questioning their emptiness briefly. By fate or ignorance he did not stumble upon the coffins. He reached the doors of the dorm that would be his home for the next year. Upon entering he met a child with pale skin and faint voice. He sat behind the reception desk staring with dark blue eyes that saw through the black.
"You are late. I have been waiting a long time for you," The boy said with the snap of his fingers.
Before the child could continue Yu offered him a smile full of kindness and charm. He raised his hand to the boy who took it after a thought. "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Yu Narukami and I apologize for keeping you waiting," he offered earnestly. "What is your name?"
The boy released himself from the handshake and smiled oddly. "Yu, you are not what I expected. You may call me Pharos," the boy answered with odd amusement. From behind his back he pulled a contract and handed it to Yu. "Before we continue I must ask that you sign this contract. Don't worry all it says is that you will accept full responsibility for your actions. You know the usual stuff."
"I will need time to read it before I sign anything," Yu responded reasonably, "You understand I don't want to pay damages I did not cause."
The boy laughed in the same amused tone his words took. He took the contract from Yu. He turned the contract so that its spine faced Yu and then it was gone. The amusement on the child's face was gone as well.
"That is a neat trick." Yu smiled, "Maybe you could show it to me sometime."
"The denial of responsibility is a choice itself and comes with its own consequences." Pharos frowned, "In any case time brings all to its inevitable end." Pharos stepped into the shadows of the Dark Hour and was gone.
"That kid is really good that!" Yu said more impressed than troubled. Before he could search for the child, a new voice drew his attention.
"Who's there?" the girl demanded.
The sound of her voice was a charming sound despite the fear that resided in it. Yu turned with a smile kind and charming, but met the barrel of gun. The weapon was held by pretty thing in a pink cardigan sweater. Her hands shook as she held the gun, faltering in their resolve. Short brown hair framed her pleasant face and worried brown eyes stared at him. To his credit the smile on Yu's face did not waver once.
"Hi," he began, "I am Yu Narukami a new resident of this dorm. It is a pleasure to meet you." He held out his hand and stepped forward.
"St-stop right there," her voice shook as she retreated in response. Adrenaline steadied her unsteady hands and the barrel of her gun held straight.
"Woah easy there," Yu said his smile fading from his face naturally, "I'm harmless I swear, but maybe you could point that somewhere else? I can see you're excited and I don't think either of us want you to fire that prematurely."
"Then don't move." She said not lowering her weapon.
They stood in silence neither wishing to try the other. Cold sweat formed on the girl's neck tracing its way down the length of her back.
Yu offered another innocent smile, "You know, once we become familiar, I'll never let you live this down. It will be such a great story." He laughed. It was a calming sound. He saw some of the tension in the girls posture leave her as doubt settled in its place. He went to speak once more, but was interrupted by the arrival of another girl.
"Takeba, there is no need for that."
The girl in the pink cardigan turned in response the voice calling her name and smiled in relief. As she holstered her weapon, power returned to the dorm presenting the gift of a new day.
Yu shifted his glance to the new girl. No, girl was not the correct term. The woman in front of him held herself with maturity beyond her years. The girl in the pink was pretty, but the woman in front of him was stunning. Her long dark red curls marked her as foreign and her crimson stare stood in elegant contrast to her pearl white skin. On the curve of her full hip was a holster that held a gun of its own.
Yu Narukami took in the wicked women of his knew home. Girls with guns were a gift of the earth he decided. His usual smile returned. "Hello there. Thank you for coming to my rescue. I'm Yu Narukami. A pleasure to meet you . . ." Yu offered his hand to the red haired woman.
She took it with gentle confidence before releasing his grasp. "I am Mitsuru Kirijo a third year and this is Yukari Takeba a second year. And you are Yu Narukami our new dorm mate?" She continued when he nodded his affirmation. "You are late, but we have been expecting you. I know you must have many questions, but it is past midnight and I think it would be best if we all turned in for the night. Takeba can you show him to his room?"
"Y-yes," Yukari responded motioning for Yu to follow.
"We're just going to ignore the gun thing?" Yu asked innocently. Mitsuru and Yukari stared at him. "Ok then," He smiled, "It would appear I am your captive Yukari."
Yukari looked away suddenly embarrassed by her previous actions. He followed her up the stairs and wished Mitsuru a good night. They stopped before the door to his new room. Yukari spun around to face him and in response he raised his arms in the air. "Don't shoot! I surrender," He teased.
Yukari sighed angrily. "You are going to make that a thing aren't you?" She demanded.
Yu noted that she had a quick temper, but laughed pleasantly. The sound caused Yukari to chuckle herself.
"Fine, I guess I deserved that," She admitted, but humor was replaced by concern quickly. "I know this is . . . odd and probably really confusing, but I promise you are safe here. And I think things will become clear soon enough."
"I appreciate the concern," Yu answered with a compassionate smile. "I hope we can be friends." He extended his hand once more and this time she accepted it. He offered her a pleasant night before closing the door to his room.
He quickly discarded his shirt and pants before accepting the embrace of his bed. He was asleep in moments hoping for dreams of pink cardigans and crimson eyes, but the only dream he would remember in the morning would be of velvet.
The room was a dark blue and the chair he sat in comfortable thing. The distinct upward pull of the elevator's ascent combating the eternal force of gravity furthered his embrace into the chair he sat upon. As far as dreams went this was a pleasant one he decided. A gently mocking voice drew his attention.
"I did not expect to see you ever again yet here in this time," the voice said in mixed confusion and wonder. "Still I am glad to have the gift of this meeting. How are you my boy?"
Yu offered the man a smile. He had an impossibly long nose and blood shot eyes. He was short in stature and dressed in the attire of a butler. His hands dressed in long white gloves formed a bridge that cradled his head. His stare was intense, but without malice. To the butler's left was a young woman with short silver-blonde hair dressed in the attire of a doorman. Her eyes were an unearthly yellow and her fair face was turned away from him colored by a faint blush. His dream went from pleasant to intriguing, Yu decided.
"I'm sorry have I dreamt you two before? I don't remember," Yu replied. "It is a pleasure to meet both of you, however. I am Yu Narukami." He offered his hand first to the man who accepted it with a smile and then to the woman who stared at it in confusion, but then gave it a quick shake before looking away from him again.
"You do not remember us?" The man asked. "The power of the Wild Card is truly mysterious in nature. I am Igor and this is my assistant Elizabeth. While you and I have met, I do not believe Elizabeth has met with you before."
Elizabeth turned to Igor with an inquisitive look. "He is very different from our previous guest. Will he always arrive without clothes?" Elizabeth turned toward Yu and her eyes glancing away every so often. "Are you not cold?"
Yu looked down realizing he had appeared in this dream the way he slept in his bed. He sat shirtless and with only his boxers covering his lower body. He smiled confidently, but with slight humor. "I apologize for making you uncomfortable, Elizabeth. Next I dream of you, I will try to make sure we are wearing equal clothing."
Elizabeth nodded, but said nothing more. Igor in turn laughed, "It is good to see that you have not changed, my boy. However, your time here is limited and we must speak of the choices you have made thus far. You have one last chance at making things right."
"My choices?" Yu asked.
Igor leaned forward in respect for the purpose of this moment. Change had occurred recently and with it the course of history. "You were offered a contract. Why did you not sign it?"
"It did not specify what I was really signing." Yu answered reasonably.
Igor chuckled in an amused way. "You have made a choice it has altered your course. If you will not bear the responsibility of your actions, it will fall to the shoulders of another, but regardless the consequence of even that choice will be yours to bear. Do you truly not remember?"
Yu shook his head more interested than concerned by Igor's words. "I do find it odd that I am dreaming a dream in which I have afflicted myself with amnesia."
"The mind is capable of hiding many things from itself," Elizabeth answered. "Although I think that is precisely the lesson you failed to learn," She giggled in taunt.
"If you are offering tutor me. I would be more than happy to accept," Yu responded not bothered by the insult.
"He is very different from the other," Elizabeth affirmed once more, looking at Igor. "His confidence is a sinister one. It is no wonder he failed."
Igor sighed gently, "Elizabeth his failure is our doing as well. We were tasked with helping our guests and they failed. We all bear the burden of our choices, especially when we chose not to act." He turned to Yu one last time. The smile on his face was apologetic. "I could have done more, but you were such a bright and confident young man. My expectations were too high, but these thoughts are for another time and our current time is drawing to a close. Before we part do you have any one pressing question?"
Yu sat confused with a myriad of questions dancing like leaves on the wind of his mind. However, he chose to ask the most immediate one on his mind. "Who's the sleeping kid with the blue hair next to you?"
Igor and Elizabeth's eyes both widened in surprise, but it was Igor that responded with a laugh. "You can see him?" he said more to himself, "But why should you not? The Wild Card's intent is truly puzzling."
Igor rubbed his temple. It was a weary motion. "To answer your question, his name is Makoto Yuki and your purpose is to succeed where he failed."
Yu Narukami was awake and dressed an hour before Yukari knocked on his door. Desperate dreams of the night before gave way to the excitement of morning. Today was the first day of school for Yu and he knew that first impressions for a transfer student would set the tone for the year to come. He opened the door to meet Yukari and offered her a smile.
She returned it briefly before stating her purpose. "Mitsuru asked that I show you to school. If you want of course."
"That is very kind of you," he accepted. "Should we go now or do you need to get your gun?" The joke earned him a small glare, but they proceeded on their way.
Iwatodai, Yu decided, was a good city. He watched as apartment buildings and shops passed by the speeding train's windows. He had spotted an interesting novelty bookstore and multiple restaurants of interest. He had yet to visit Paulownia Mall, but marked it down as a place of interest. He could stop by after class today. Nodding at the thought, Yu decided his afternoon.
Exploration was better with company; it was one of the lessons his mother had imparted on him. Perhaps Yukari would join him if he asked. His silver eyes met her brown ones and he smiled. They rode together in a comfortable silence that he did not wish to break at the moment. The pleasant presence of a pretty girl was a gift to be enjoyed.
As they exited their ride together, Yukari welcomed him to Gekkoukan High School. The elegant white campus with its green courtyard served to exemplify its status as one of the top High Schools in Japan. He strolled alongside Yukari past envious eyes and gossiping lips. From the reactions of his fellow students Yu realized Yukari must have been rather popular.
His dorm mate stopped when they reached the class listings posted on a large bulletin board. She turned to him and said, "Looks like we'll be in the same class."
Yu nodded happy with the observation. "Let's make it a good year, Yukari."
"Geez, you're just full of clichés," she looked away embarrassed by his earnestness. "I have to go check in with the archery club before class starts. Will you be ok finding the class on your own?"
"Archery? Pistols too easy for you or something?" Yu joked.
Yukari gave him an exasperated look. "Yeah you'll be fine."
As his pink clad dorm mate made her exit, Yu strode past glaring male students and offered them a friendly wave that seemed to abate their jealousy. As he entered his classroom he smiled kindly to a group of girls gossiping about the new silver haired transfer student, about him. The girls looked away laughing shyly as they did. He took an open seat with confidence waiting for the morning class to come.
A tall male student stood in front of him in slouch. The boy wore his school jacket open and had a baseball hat that covered his short cut hair. The light dusting of facial hair on his chin seemed to soften his appearance. The tall student smiled at him so Yu decided to introduce himself.
"Hello I'm Yu Narukami. It is a pleasure to meet you." Yu extended his hand.
The boy's eyes widened in surprise, but he accepted the gesture with a quick shake. "Dude, so formal. I'm Junpei Iori by the way," he said. "Thought I'd come and say hi to the new guy instead of staring and gossiping awkwardly like everyone else. I really am a nice guy."
Yu smirked at the odd way Junpei complemented himself. "They do seem to be an interested bunch."
"Well, ya did show up with Yuka-tan," Junpei explained happy that the new transfer student was willing to engage him. "She is pretty popular. Plus you're in that dorm with the student president and the captain of the boxing team. It's only natural for them to talk, don't let it get to you. Heck even I'm a little jealous. Yuka-tan and Mitsuru are pretty cute."
At Junpei's playful wink and smile Yu decided he liked the informal, but honest teenager. "Student president? Captain of the boxing team?"
"You don't know?" Junpei asked a little surprised. "Mitsuru Kirijo is the student body president and Akihiko Sanada is the captain of the boxing team. They're both upperclassmen and popular to boot. They both live in the fancy dorm you're staying at, even Yuka-tan is a star on the Archery team."
"I met Yukari and Mitsuru yesterday, but I don't know an Akihiko."
"Ah yeah," Junpei laughed. "He'll be the one with a flock of girls around him that he is ignoring. Ah, man I'm really jealous of that guy. Speaking of which some of our female peers seem to have taking a liking to you." Junpei gave him a mischievous look as he shook his head towards a couple of girls staring at them.
Yu noticed and gave them a wave smiling at the embarrassed way they shifted their gaze. "I'm sure they are just interested in a new face," he explained innocently.
"Yeah, suuuure," Junpei teased. "Anyway you and Yuka-tan eh?"
"Me and who Stupei?" Yukari appeared behind Junpei glaring daggers.
Junpei seemed unconcerned with Yukari's anger, which made Yu conclude that the two often had such exchanges. Junpei shrugged and laughed, "You and your new boyfriend, the silver haired fox. Or at least that is the latest gossip. You two seemed very familiar and walked a little too closely this morning."
Yukari made an angry noise. "Don't go starting rumors Stupei. I was just showing him the way to school."
Junpei scratched at the back of his neck embarrassed by the admonishment. "Relax, I didn't start any rumors. I just heard them and repeated them. Who cares anyway? You know how fickle these things are around this school. It will be forgotten by lunch time."
Yukari sighed relieved, "I guess you're right." The relief in her soft brown eyes turned to worry, as she seemed to remember something. She turned her attention quickly to Yu and her tone was accusatory. "Yu!"
Yu was startled by her quick change in temper. He held his hands up in the air in pretend fright. "Yukari! Please don't shoot!"
She growled in response, "Oh, haha very funny. Don't tell anyone what happened between us at midnight. You got it?"
Yu just smiled, "My lips are sealed. I wouldn't want you to get physical again." The innocent tone of his was voice were in stark contrast to the implication of his words. The entire class was now staring at their exchange in teenage interest.
"Woah," Junpei interrupted eyes wide, "You mean you two actually . . ."
"Shut up Junpei!" Yukari demanded, "And Yu don't say things like that!"
"Like what?" Yu asked confused. As staring became active whispers Yukari began to blush a deep red and took her seat next to them. Luckily the teacher had entered to silence the class as the school day began.
The day's lectures passed uneventfully and proved to be a test in patience. Yu tried with great effort to pay attention jotting down quick notes. Academics were not a challenge for him, but he did not have a natural genius. He had to work hard for his top position in class and as such took great pride in his academic success. The new transfer student had a drive that allowed him to become proficient at whatever endeavor he undertook.
Balance in all things except for the pursuit of excellence; it was a lesson his mother had taught him long ago. So when the teacher asked Junpei a question about basic immunology, a subject that had not been covered in class yet, Yu's eyes turned dark. He expected the pleading glance Junpei sent his way and the hushed request for an answer.
"Dude, help me out!"
"Iori, look at me when you answer," The teacher reprimanded, "I asked, In which subset of thymic cells is the transcription factor AIRE expressed during T cell development?"
Yu Narukami's teeth were bared in shame knowing that he would fail Junpei. How were they supposed to know that? Immunology was a specialized course that they had not covered, let alone covered on the first day of class.
Sweat fell from his new friend's brow as he hissed one final plea, "Please, dude!"
Yu let out an angry breath and gave his best guess, "Dendritic cells."
"Dendritic cells!" Junpei answered with confidence.
The teacher quickly reprimanded him for not knowing and Junpei sat down in slight annoyance. The answer was medullary thymic epithelial cells.
"Well I guess I know who not to ask from now on."
Junpei's words were in slight jest, but they stung at his pride. The class had taken notice and Yu could hear the whispers of the class attacking his intelligence. For just a moment Yu's silver eyes turned an angry shade. He had been wrong. He had failed. It was unacceptable.
"Junpei," he whispered his tone dark, sending chills down his new acquaintance's back. "You and I are going to study basic immunology after school today."
The firm tone in the transfer student's voice brokered no argument.
As demanded, Yu dragged Junpei to the school's library immediately after the end of class. They studied for hours into the late evening. Junpei had requested to leave multiple times, but the blank stare he received from Yu in return sent chills down his spine. Finally, when the clock struck six marking their third hour in the library Junpei stood up to make his escape.
"Dude it's getting late and I don't think I can fit anymore immunology stuff in my head."
Yu checked his watch smiling sadly. Junpei was right and he was being unfair to the kind student who had befriended him. "Yeah we have been at it a while."
"A while?" Junpei said wearily, "It's been three hours!"
Yu laughed in a calming way and Junpei joined in. Yu smiled widely and in earnest knowing he had just made his first friend at Gekkoukan High.
"Well at least I know that you hate being wrong now," Junpei teased. "Good to know the excellent transfer student has his own issues."
Yu laughed again accepting the insult. "Yeah I guess I responded a little inappropriately," Yu admitted, but turned an assuring gaze towards Junpei. "But I promise from now on you will be able to count on me in class. I do appreciate you being kind to me on my first day here. Not everyone is so ready to welcome a stranger."
Junpei looked away from the earnest stare he received embarrassed. "I was a transfer student last year. I know what it is like to be the new guy. It was the least I could do."
The two teenagers nodded at one another and left the library. On the way out of the school, Yu spotted a familiar face.
Her tanned skin spoke of hours spent under the sun and the white paint on her full lips marked her as unique. It was the girl he had met on the train. He stopped to stare wondering at the coincidence. She was collecting her shoes from her locker, playing at the straps.
Junpei noticed that Yu was staring and smiled. "Oooh, Yukari not enough of a conquest," Junpei teased, "The transfer student has set his eyes on the lovely Yuko Nishiwaki, manager of the Kendo team. But where young love blossoms, jealousy festers. How will Yuka-tan react to this betrayal?"
Yu ignored him for the moment lost in thought. "She was on the train last night when I arrived in the city. What an odd coincidence."
"Yuko is nice I've talked to her a few times with Kaz. But wait didn't you say you got in around midnight? I wonder what she was up to so late?" Junpei asked curious, but brushed it off. "Well, whatever, ready to get going?"
Yu smiled, "Introduce us?"
"What?" Junpei asked surprised, "Just like that? You really are relentless you know."
He ignored Junpei's protest and forced him to walk up to the girl with him. She turned in response to her visitors recognizing Junpei immediately and smiling. Her white teeth gleamed charmingly behind her small smile. "Oh hey Junpei," she said kindly, "What the hell are you doing here so late. You hate school."
"Hey, don't be so direct," Junpei said eyes wide and flustered. "And I'm just showing the new transfer student around. Just being a great guy in general."
"Oh the new transfer student? The one who made a scene by showing up with Takeba this morning," Yuko gossiped excitedly. "I wanted to see what he loo . . ."
Her eyes widened as she finally noticed him; the boy on the train that smiled at her. "Oh it's you."
Yu smiled the same as the night before, perhaps, wider at the small blush he saw return to her face. "We didn't get to meet last night. I'm Yu Narukami. It is a pleasure to meet you again Yuko."
His hand extended once more in introduction and after a moment of faded embarrassment she shook it firmly. Her hands he noted were strong and calloused not typically feminine. They spoke of hard work and struggle. It was a proper handshake, one to be respected.
Junpei noted the staring and decided to take his leave. "Uh well I have to be going. It's getting really awkward for me, just standing here," Junpei realized he was being ignored, "Right, ugh, good luck dude I'll see you tomorrow I guess."
The sound of Junpei's rushed footsteps broke them from their trance. Yu laughed at the scene without embarrassment. "I really owe that guy."
Yuko looked over at the door Junpei had exited from. "He acts like a goof, but he really is a well-meaning guy." Her eyes returned to the transfer student feeling awkward in his presence. "Umm, how was your first day of school?"
"It was great. I made a friend," Yu answered happily diffusing the tension and easing her nerves. "And who would have guessed I would meet you here? The world is an interesting place."
Yuko relaxed easily in Yu's presence. The silver-haired transfer student spoke easily and created an aura of calm. He was easy to talk to, she decided. It was a rare gift for someone her age. "Is this the part where you proclaim it was fate?"
"Chance," Yu replied, "Fate is forced, but chance is charming. My mother told me that once."
"And you repeat it so shamelessly." Yuko teased happily.
Yu laughed enjoying himself. "She always says terribly corny things like that."
Yuko nodded in agreement, but appeared to remember something urgent. "Shoot I forgot to return the Kendo armor to the storage room!" She readied herself to go back, but was stopped by Yu's voice.
"Do you need help?"
"I couldn't possibly," Yuko bit her lip.
"It would be no trouble."
And with that they walked together to clean.
While cleaning they spoke of the smallest of talk. Little things that seem so important to those blessed with youth. Favorite bands and sports teams were exchanged. Movies that inspired laughter and kept their limited attentions were suggested. An easy bond formed between them. Yuko told him about how she had become the kendo teams manager after watching a match and falling in love with the sport. She laughed at his jokes and blushed at his smiles enjoying the earnest interest of a boy her age.
Yu decided Yuko was easy to get along with and not so strange, but love is the art of strange attractions. Mostly he found her to be kind, hotheaded, but utterly boring. She offered comfort to one who thrived on discomfort, on struggle, on thrill. Still he had the typical attraction any male held for a pretty girl and he wanted company during his trip to the mall.
His mind went to ways in which to get her there. He had no illusions that even as bold as she pretended to be she would reject a forward offer for a date. Despite her interest he would be turned down. He needed her trust, not her interest. As they finished cleaning she thanked him and they left the gym. As they exited toward the school gate Yu had thought the evening lost, but charming chance struck once more.
In front of the school persimmon's tree they encountered an all too common scene for a high school setting. A young plain looking girl with sky blue hair was surrounded by a group of her peers. They jeered and bullied the poor girl without mercy. The bullied fell to her knees in awkward stumble scrapping her right hand and drawing blood. The bullies laughed harder at her suffering.
Yu took in the scene with quiet disgust for both parties, but more than his own feelings he noticed the hate in Yuko's eyes. And there he found checkmate, a chance to gain what he wanted.
Yuko spoke with low anger. "Why won't they just leave Fuuka alone?" She demanded from Yu, but found him already in motion.
She watched as the usually kind and warm grey eyes he offered her turned hard. They became a stormy grey evening and his lightning would strike down the wicked. She followed after a moment pursuing him as he pursued the bullies.
Calmly he walked up the four girls troubling the small blue haired girl Yuko had named Fuuka. "Hello I'm Yu Narukami. It is a pleasure to meet you," the kind tone in his voice was directed at all, but his eyes locked on to the bullied girl who stared back.
The four, bullying the one, whispered in part concern and part interest. They had drawn the attention of the popular new transfer student. The boldest of them stepped forward to accept his hand.
"Hi I'm Natsuki Moriyama," she said. "It's nice to . . ."
Yu withdrew his hand before she could take it in her own.
"I'm not talking to you," Yu said kindly, but the warning was clear. "I was introducing myself to Fuuka."
"What?"
"You're confused, that's to be expected. Normally I would give all of you my name, smile, and offer my hand," Yu explained drawing more incredulous looks. "But one should never touch the cruel and stupid. My mother told me that once."
Realizing they were being insulted the girls glared at him.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Natsumi demanded.
"I'm kindly asking you to leave so that I can speak with Fuuka. I am interested in making her acquaintance."
"And if we don't leave," she challenged.
"In that case I think Yuko might have something to speak with you about." Yu nodded in her direction knowing the Kendo team's manager would respond as he hoped.
"Natsumi, Yu is too polite to say it," Yuko started calmly, "But beat it bitch."
Yu stared back at her with wide eyes that spoke of surprise and renewed interest. He had not expected the vulgarity. The bullies stood shocked, but eventually departed glaring daggers at them as they went.
Yu crouched down to his heels and smiled at Fuuka once more, offering his hand. She took it after a moment and returned to her feet. "Th-thank you," the shy girl said gratefully.
"Not a problem," Yu said. "Let's get that hand cleaned up. You have a first aid kit in the gym right, Yuko?"
Yuko nodded and went to retrieve it as Fuuka offered ignored protests. "You don't have to do that," Fuuka began. "It's my fault that I fell and it's not that bad."
Yu ignored her motioning her to sit. She accepted her position after a moment and looked away embarrassed by his kindness. Yu observed the meek girl in front of him. Her face was plain, her eyes a teal green that did not draw attention, and while the color of her hair was an interesting shade its short length did little for her.
He offered the one compliment he could think of to end her protests. "Your hair is a very pretty shade of blue, Fuuka."
His words surprised her and her plain faced burned with a blush. "Thank you," she said quietly.
When Yuko returned she noted the awkward way Fuuka glanced away from Yu and the bright red that warmed her face. Yu began to clean the cut on her right hand. Gently cool water washed dirt and blood from the cut. The he dabbed gently at her hand to dry it and stop the bleeding. He opened a disinfectant swab and smiled apologetically. "This will sting a little."
"I-it's ok."
To her credit, Yu noted, Fuuka did not flinch once when the alcohol touched her open wound. Finally Yu blew lightly at the wound causing her blush furiously once more. A cloth Band-Aid sealed the cut.
"There all done," Yu smiled at both girls.
"Will you be alright, Fuuka?" Yuko asked concerned.
"Yes, I'll be fine," Fuuka said troubled by the darker girl's concern. "It was my fault really."
Yu's eyebrow's scrunched marring his normally neutral expression. "If you need help dealing with them I'm sure Yuko will beat them up for you." He laughed earning Yuko's annoyed, but amused glare. The look on Fuuka's face turned to horror.
"No it's not like that!" Fuuka argued desperately, "Natsumi is my friend it's just . . . complicated."
The distress on her face drew his interest, but he had plans that he did not wish to delay. "OK," he said evenly, "But if you ever do need help let us know."
"Thank you." She gave them a bow and left quickly.
Yuko watched her leave with concern. "Poor girl."
"Yeah, we should watch out for her just in case."
Yuko's eyes met him and he could see admiration and trust. She smiled at him happily. It was an attractive sight. "That was really nice of you to rush in like that you know."
"It wasn't anything. I've never liked bullying," he rejected the compliment politely. "Besides you did the heavy lifting. Beat it bitch?"
He teased her and she blushed with pride. The blush became a laughed that filled the sky with abandon and enjoyment. He saw the game was won in that moment and made his move.
"Say, Would you like to check out the mall with me? I heard of a neat coffee shop and a karaoke bar that I wanted to visit," Yu smiled knowing the answer she would give. "My treat."
Yuko considered for a moment, but her answer was never in doubt. She nodded shyly after a moment and the evening was set.
7 April 2009 (The Dark Hour)
Yu pulled hard on the coffin that stood in place of where Yuko had been.
The date had gone well all things considered. The two had chatted for hours at Chagall Café drinking a bitter roast that gave them caffeine highs, but eventually the easy idle chat became a test of interest for Yu and at his request they left for Mandragora, the karaoke bar. She laughed as he sang and he complimented her unimpressive, but pretty voice.
Yu could see that Yuko had enjoyed herself and smiled at the observation. It was a modest thing to make another happy and her company was pleasant, but simple. He checked his phone for the time, as he grew bored of singing and her company. A minute to midnight, he noted. When he signaled their departure Yuko looked sad for a moment and he wondered if such outings were rare for her. Still she agreed it was time to leave when he told her the time.
He offered her his hand as they went to walk down the steps of the mall's exit. A hesitant hand grew bold and she smiled a nervous, but pleased look as she went to accept the offer. Their hands just moments away would never meet as the Dark Hour struck changing repetitive realities to dark dreams. The green light of the altered time over took the moon and stars. Where Yuko once stood a coffin had engulfed and replaced her.
Yu Narukami's eyes widened in wonder, in fright, but most of all excitement. He knew the minute he saw the coffin that life would never again be boring. It was this moment he had been waiting for in ignorance. This was what he had hoped for, he had dreamed of, a life most strange. Laughter of crazed sound took him. Life was a wonder.
And so he frantically pulled on the coffin where Yuko had once been desperately trying to free her, to do something worthy of the moment. The coffin failed to open and so he dug his nails in pulling until blood was drawn. It was then he heard their coming, the silent slither of the creatures of Dark Hour, the shadows. They came forward after him, black amorphous things adorned with emotionless masks and holding butcher's knives.
Yu stared quickly fright taking him only for a moment. And then his smile returned. To be hunted as prey for the sake of girl. When had life become such fantastic fiction? Was there a single moment or was this the truth he had been blind to all along. With a single nod toward Yuko's coffin he ran drawing the shadows after him.
He ran past buildings and cars their light extinguished by the Dark Hour's terror. His feet carried him to parts unknown until his path was obstructed by the dead end of an apartment building's wall. With a quick turn he made to retreat the way he entered, but found the masked creatures in front of him, blocking his only escape. They walked in odd fragmented ways slithering toward him. Their knives raised high ready to draw red from him.
And then a cloaked figure appeared in the air. It's shadow cast over the black creatures that chased him. The cloaked figure was illuminated by the eerie green light of the moon and bullets rained from its fingers upon the creatures.
Yukari entered the main living room on the ground floor. It was the Dark Hour and she had hoped to sleep through it, but Akihiko had knocked urgently calling her for a meeting with Mitsuru. She met her two senpai with tired eyes, but ready ears.
Akihiko leaned casually against the frame of the kitchen wall. The older silver-haired boy had wrapped his hands in preparation for battle and was cracking the occasional knuckle. He looked excited Yukari noted and when the boxing captain was excited Yukari knew that meant their was a mission.
Yukari glanced over at Mitsuru. Her perfect face was unflinching marble, but her crimson eyes were bright with concern. On her hip was her evoker and in her hand a saber. Her red's looked at Yukari for the first time since she entered the room.
"Where is he, Takeba?" Her tone was even without the slightest accusation, but Yukari took offense.
"Who?" She responded genuinely confused.
"Narukami," Mitsuru answered. "He has not returned. He was supposed to follow you back to the dorm today."
"I-I don't know," Yukari, answered worried. The Dark Hour was dangerous and they still did not know if the new transfer student had the potential. "He wasn't there after school. I figured he just went back to the dorm. Who just walks around a city they've never been in alone?"
Akihiko yawned and then stood straight. "Doesn't matter, we'll just have to get him back. Been a while since I had a good fight anyway."
Mitsuru nodded agreeing with Akihiko and ending the argument she was not having with Yukari. "Alright then Takeba grab your bow. It appears your first mission will be a rescue mission."
With those words they left the dorm to face the cold winds of the Dark Hour.
Smoke rose from her fingers to the black sky of the Dark Hour. He saw her for the first time. His savior, the woman with the straw blonde hair and the sky blue eyes. The black slurry remains of the creatures that chased him ran down the track of her mechanical body. Slightly, precisely, she glanced down at him. With their meeting the aeon's to come had been forever altered.
"I am Alternate Universe Aigis The Traveler." The girl's mechanized voice offered in explanation. "Come with me if you want to live."
Yu Narukami's response was a smile bright and full of charm.
AN: Some more world notes.
The Unfortunate Son
Naoto Shirogane
Age: 15
Persona: Sukuna-Hikona
Arcana: Fortune
Weapon: Revolver
Personality: Mature Detective
Personality Flaw: Her maturity is a mask for her insecurity, Lonely
Skills: Deductive Reasoning, Skilled Marksmen, Possesses an Extensive Vocabulary
Likes: Detective work, being taken seriously, being treated as an adult . . . Phoenix Ranger Featherman R
Dislikes: Her age (too young), her appearance (too female), fan mail
Stats (1-5 scale):
Courage – 5
Charm – 3
Intelligence – 5
Understanding – 1
Expression – 1
Diligence – 5
Bonus Stat: Stealth and Reconnaissance (Cross Dressing) – 4
Bio:
In terms of plot I needed to bring in a character to drive the investigation. Makoto is suffering from survivor's guilt in addition to his usual apathy and as such would serve as a poor protagonist early on. Originally I thought I would use Yosuke to drive the plot forward, but then I realized that based on the altered and accelerated killings of this particular alternate universe (Those will be explained eventually) that two important points have changed.
One, Naoto's services would be requested sooner than in the original story and since Saki Konishi is not going to die (minor spoiler) Yosuke would not have the same motivation for pursuing the case. For that reason Naoto is here earlier then anticipated and I happen to have plans for Naoto, so it works out well enough.
I tend to enjoy messing with characters and altering their personalities slightly to create a more flawed version, but in Naoto's case she is already so full of interesting little insecurities that I decided to leave her alone. In terms of personality, she is the same pint-sized detective hiding away all of the 'childish' qualities she pretends to disdain, but secretly loves. She was brought into Inaba early after the death of Kubo and for all of her maturity she is just a child. A very confused child trying to find her place in a world where her gender and age set her apart.
In terms of her personal history, the murders and the horrible nature they take in the Inaba case are a new experience for Naoto. In truth this is her first serial murder case and the first encounter she will have with the horrors that come with being a detective. A weaker person would fail, but Naoto is the young oak tree, just pliable enough to bend to a new challenge without breaking. However, a young tree bent will grow twisted. The child-like enthusiasm she has for detective work is on fragile ground as she is thrown into the cruel world homicide. Deep down she realizes that if she were to lose her love for her profession she would be left with nothing.
In terms of her relationship to the main character, the difference in her arc will primarily revolve around resolving her insecurities. Makoto is not Yu. He does not have the same self-assuredness that serves as such a good example for the P4 cast. Maybe Makoto's apathetic nature will work to kill the child-like excitement Naoto has for detective work instead of nurturing it the way Yu was able to in the original story.
If so that will be an event to be mourned. Naoto really does love being a detective. It is the only thing that keeps her from depression. She has no real friends, no true home, and her grandfather will die of old age eventually. Without her profession what does she really have?
Or maybe she will be able to overcome her insecurities and end up teaching Makoto the importance of having something to truly care about. Someone has to save Makoto from his apathy . . . or not. I really have not decided yet. Not everyone gets to have a happy ending.
Danzee: Thank you for the review and kind words. I am glad you find the premise interesting and while I cannot promise you that updates will be frequent, I can promise that I have no plans of abandoning the story.
UnholyDiver: Thank you for the review (that is a terrific username). I am glad I have your attention and I hope that I will be able to keep it as I continue to write.
Guest #1: Thank you for the lengthy review and the helpful comments. Your words are kind and I appreciate them greatly. While I do not know if this fic deserves more attention, I am glad that you think it does. That is always a pleasant thing to read.
The interaction between Makoto and Naoto will be the primary mode of dialogue for the next few chapters and I hope it will meet you expectations. I also enjoy picturing how the different personalities of the two different casts will mix and it was one of the driving ideas for this piece of writing. Now as for the plot this is an AU and while the driving antagonists are the same, you will have probably noticed that things are very different. In the end the paths Yu and Makoto will take are very different and everything is a little twisted, but I'll get to the explanations eventually.