Author's Note: Sorry it's taken so long between updates. I'm currently working on chapter fifteen, but I'm still not really happy with a fair chunk of this chapter, so I was waiting for more input. However, the semester is busy for everyone and I didn't get a whole lot. Finally decided I should just post it.

The pain had stopped some time ago. Raidou could breathe properly again too. Craning his neck low he could just make out Akira asleep against his leg. Gouto had curled up into a tighter, and tenser, ball than usual beside the Shadow so he'd notice if Akira stirred.

"I need to help my allies," Raidou croaked. His dry throat and the lingering, numbing, pain making it hard to talk.

Akira looked up at him with a tear-stained face. "Don't you want to know?"

"Know what?"

"What happened to mom and dad."

"Not really."

"You're lying."

"How would you know?"

"I'm you."

If Akira had said that during the fight Raidou felt he would have shouted in denial, whether he knew it was true or not, but now...it didn't feel true, but it wasn't a lie either.

"Would you take me down?"

Akira stood, waking Gouto, and pulled out the katana. Raidou slid to the ground, Akira guiding him, until he could sit leaning against the pole.

"Diarahan," the Shadow whispered. Raidou's wounds healed entirely, leaving him with only a vague stiffness.

"You can do that?"

"Here," Akira answered simply. He sat beside Raidou.

"Are you alright?" Gouto asked, sitting beside his companion.

"Yeah. Thanks, Akira."

"It's only because I don't know what happens if you die," the Shadow murmured in reply.

"Wouldn't you be free?"

"Where are the freed Shadows?" Akira pulled his legs tightly against his chest.

"Maybe Butterfly would know."

"They don't exist. I am you. If you die so do I."

"What happens if you die?"

Akira shrugged. "Who knows? Maybe you wouldn't even notice."

"I guess I didn't notice you before," Raidou admitted.

"I'm stubborn."

Tilting his head Raidou took a closer look at his counterpart. Even in a calm state anger lit the Shadow's eyes and a deep sadness made his face appear gaunter than it really was. If Raidou looked into a mirror this wasn't the face he'd see.

"Akira always gets himself into trouble."

"And Raidou is nothing but a tamed dog," Akira retorted.

"Would you rather I be an Inugami?"

"Would it really be so bad?"

Absentmindedly, Raidou reached down to scratch Gouto's head. "I couldn't do that."

Akira shook his head. "You can."

"I can't back down from my duty."

"Avenging your parents can be your duty."

Raidou stopped scratching Gouto. "I can't let Grandfather down."

He expected Akira to sneer, but the Shadow simply looked away. They sat in silence.

The mist which hung over the world now hung over Raidou's thoughts as well. Akira left a lot to think about, but at this moment he simply felt calm. Raidou closed his eyes.

Sensing the stillness, Akira looked over to Raidou. His companion seemed almost dead in his relaxation. The uncomfortable sense that Raidou Kuzunoha was simply a hollow corpse stabbed his chest. Was this all that remained when Akira was gone?

Something tickled the edge of his senses. Slowly, careful not to disturb Raidou, he stood. Someone was in his territory. He sniffed the air.

Several humans, possibly all Persona users. Sighing, Akira kicked Raidou awake.

"What?" Raidou instinctively reached for his katana as he stood.

"Trespassers." Akira gave a feral smile. "Enough of them that I might need some help."

"Fight together?"

"We can stop them in the hallway."

"Who's 'they'?"
"Does it matter?" Akira sprinted to the door, covering the room in a few long strides. Raidou followed him, surprised by his own willingness. Gouto seemed surprised as well, but didn't complain.

Hurtling through the door, Raidou became immediately aware of how different the hallway felt now that he was with Akira. The haze lingered, but it felt more like a warm blanket than a threatening obstruction. A group of five humans, four men and one woman, halted in surprise.

"What do you want?" Akira snarled, holding his katana in front of him.

"Merely to speak with you," the man in front of the group announced, holding his arms wide. His brow creased when he saw Raidou standing behind Akira, but he quickly got rid of the sign of discomfort.

"Then speak," Akira demanded.

"We wish for your aid against those who would take away the free will of humanity."

"Too wordy."

"We want to grant this world free will."

"Who are you?" Raidou blurted out.

"Will you help us?"

"He's ignoring you," Akira whispered to Raidou.

"I noticed."

Akira turned back to the spokesman. "Still, good question. Who are you?"

"We are simply a group of concerned individuals."

"Now they're just being evasive," Raidou noted.

"Irritating, isn't it?" Akira replied. "If you're going to be irritating, at least tell me what's in it for me. I do things I want to, not that others think I should."

"Freedom," the man replied. "We wish to allow shadows to bask in the light, to act of your own free will without fear of persecution."

"My free will?" Akira hissed. "What do you know?"

Raidou tensed. He wasn't sure why the spokesman's words had triggered Akira's rage, but the air crackled.

The spokesman stepped back as though disoriented. "It isn't your goal?"

Akira lunged forward. The spokesman raised one arm to defend. His free hand moved to place a mask on his face. Akira's katana pierced through the man's arm, finally stopping as its tip touched the man's mask.

The other four humans quickly pulled out masks as well. A haze surrounded the spokesman.

Akira jumped back, easily retracting his sword as the haze solidified into the image of what looked like a red turtle.

One quick slash cut the turtle in half.

The spokesman fell to the ground, drooling. Akira charged for the woman. Three more red turtles, from the remaining men, moved to intercept him. The haze around the women took the form of a giant skeleton.

Finally launching into action, Raidou pulled out his revolver and took careful aim at the turtle on Akira's right. They were clumping in quickly, but Akira didn't seem particularly bothered and kept his gaze on the skeleton the woman had summoned.

One well-aimed shot dealt with the turtle on the left. Akira darted in the same direction. The two remaining men lunged, but weren't ready for their opponent to shift to the left and missed, badly.

The giant skeleton the woman had summoned bore down on Akira. Raidou drew his katana and charged for the men, hoping to defend his companion. Akira thrust out his right hand and electricity crackled against his enemies.

"Why didn't you do that first?" Raidou yelled as he came in to knock out the stunned men.

"Didn't know I could," Akira shouted back gleefully. He easily parried aside the skeleton as it grabbed for him.

Wind rushed everywhere, attempting to knock both Akira and Raidou from their feet.

Raidou slid in behind Akira, using him to block the gusts and supporting him. The woman's eyes widened.

"Hey, dog," Akira greeted.

"Take her out," Raidou growled.

"You sure you're okay supporting me?"

Raidou leaned in even tighter. "Only if you're worth it."

Akira laughed and electricity crackled amid the howling wind. The woman's eyes rolled back, the wind stopped, and the skeleton faded away leaving only Akira and the Raidou who leaned on him.

Author's Note: Alright, hope you enjoyed and hope the relationship between Akira and Raidou seems about right. I want to make Akira stand out from other Shadows, and I hope that's working out without just seeming to disregard canon. I've also broken my promise to myself and am planning way ahead. However, I'm trying to stop things from setting in stone since the process of getting there is long and convoluted.

Hope you guys continue to enjoy!