AN: Hope you enjoy this next segment of Awakening, we're getting close to the end now. R&R please =)

~ WBR

See first chapter for disclaimer.

Awakening: Part 6 – Stalemate

Iwatodai Dorm

It shouldn't even be possible; midnight was more than twelve hours away. And yet there unfurled the most sinister persona either senior had ever dared imagine. It erupted from the crumpled teen's form, a jet of liquid shadow that burst into a light consuming cloud. The air around them warped, the putrid smell of…rotting…there was no other way to describe it. It made Akihiko's stomach lurch and twist painfully, bile rising in his throat. He wasn't the only one with nausea as Mitsuru began to cough next to him.

It lasted mere seconds, the sound of coughing attracting its attention. The cloud seemed to whirl round, plumes of creeping shadow slithering over the couch arm. The boxer found himself captivated by two smouldering yellow slits. They stretched across its face, giving off an eerie shimmering glow. At their disgusted reactions the persona shivered, a similarly colour grin splitting its 'face' in half as its cackle resonated around the room.

Tomoko whimpered on the floor, clutching at her head as she slowly sat back on her hunches. Tilting her head back, hair obscuring most of her vision, she came face to face with the horror from within her head.

"I am Arrius, and have answered your call. Together we shall be incredible, inseparable…insufferable…" the persona drew closer, inches from her upturned head, his teeth drawing apart in a wide maw, "…our potential has been achieved, yet will be ultimately lost unless you truly understand it. Overcome the odds, and hope you don't waste it"

Surging forwards the persona slammed into his host, dissipating upon contact…leaving Tomoko to hit the floor with a thump.

Kazou didn't know what to make of the silver haired senior before him, his sister comatose in his arms with a frowning Kirijo at their side. The twenty four year old had been finishing up his shift at the Bridge Inn, when his cell had gone off. How the red head had gotten his number he'd never know; he was starting to question whether there was anything the Kirijo Family didn't know.

His brown eyes bore into the pair with burning accusation, his arms expectantly outstretched to receive his sibling. Yet, the boxer seemed to hesitate…the Okida brunette scowled dangerously in response. Akihiko glanced at his companion, who's delicate brows seemed permanently knitted together.

"We need to speak Kazou-san" her eyes flitted up to his beneath her lush side fringe, "Urgently"

He didn't budge, his shoulders flexing slightly as Akihiko levelled him a challenging gaze, "Not before you hand over my sister…now"

From down the steps both seniors noticed the presence of two unknown men, similar in age to the currently bristling Okida. A blonde watched the street nonchalantly, but his red headed companion stalked them with his hawk like eyes, sizing them up. They were here….for back-up?

Akihiko's gaze hardened, instinctively stepping between Mitsuru and Kazou protectively. His fingers tightened their grip on the girl in his arms however, Mitsuru's hand coming to rest on his back going unnoticed.

"Something has come to my attention recently regarding your sister, Kazou-san. I wish to spe-" but the brunette was having none of it, his anger getting the better of him. Fists clenched, he eyed his slumbering sister with a mixture of suspicion and fear.

"I don't know what sick game you kids are playing at, but you aren't separating this family. This is the second time I've come to find her in your possession….hurt!" his arm whipped the air in emphasis, causing Mitsuru's expression to harden icily. He took no notice.

A sudden movement had Akihiko off guard, more focused on keeping his balance with the girl-! A forehead slammed into his nose, Mitsuru's sharp cry of shock alerting the pair of strangers down the steps. The blonde was calling out in surprise, darting up to try and intervene. The red head merely watched with an amused, approving smirk.

Tomoko's form dropped from the boxer's grip, rag doll in comparison as Kazou scooped her up and pulled away from them. Holding his sibling close, her head lolling against his shoulder as she grumble incoherently, Kazou hissed down at the kneeling teens. Mitsuru's glare was deadly as she held a tissue to Akihiko's bleeding nose, the boxer gritting his teeth in pain.

"You will leave us alone Kirijo-brat. We don't need more money grubbing, power mad women messing in our lives"

"K-Kazou-kun, what the h-hell are you-?" the blonde grabbed his shoulder whilst eying Akihiko worriedly, but was shrugged off as the brunette stalked away. Ryota met him with a cheer, receiving nothing in response but seemed unbothered by it. A jeer was sent Mitsuru's way as the two disappeared down the street. She stood glowering after them, more than tempted to run after them and take her rapier to their backsides.

Her attention was caught by the handsome blonde who'd knelt down beside Akihiko. The boxer tried to push him away, obviously still wary of him. But the fair haired stranger held his hands up, a nametag in his grasp, "I'm a medic with Tatsumi Memorial, Wakatsuki Seiji"

The red head snatched up the card, scrutinizing it for a moment before conceding. Akihiko hissed as the older man gently probed his nose. There was a lot of blood, but thankfully nothing seemed broken, "Looks like you're going to have a blackened nose for a few weeks"

The boxer groaned quietly, gingerly dabbing at his stinging nose with an already bloody tissue, "I'm used to them, it's not a problem"

Seiji got to his feet, offering an amicable hand to which Akihiko took. Once hauled to his feet, the silver haired teen took to straightening his shirt, now stained red in places. Seiji glanced over at the silently brooding Kirijo, following her gaze down the street.

"I could speak to him if you'd like?" his voice startled her though she quickly composed herself. Both watched the blonde curiously as he stared out as if searching for his absent friends, "About the schooling…that's what you were going to ask wasn't it?"

The seniors had to control themselves in order to stop their faces from vaulting; Akihiko failing but luckily was ignored. The red head merely chuckled, refreshed by the older man's oblivious nature, "Is she not enrolled to start locally after summer anyway?"

Seiji shook his head, frowning disapprovingly, "Her family are bickering over where to send her, her brother wants somewhere…that's not overly demanding with entrance exams…but Hakashi-okasan…"

"Err…does Tomoko-san not get a say in where she goes?" the boxer shook his head to clear his thumping head, watching curiously for an answer. Both were surprised to hear Mitsuru supply it.

"Her family are not in the best of states at the moment, but its impolite to speak of such things behind Hakashi-san's back" she turned her calculating eyes onto the blonde. Though the Kirijo heiress had picked up the hinting he'd done, he wasn't as ignorant as he seemed.

"To answer your earlier question, yes…I think Hakashi Tomoko could manage an entrance exam into Gekkoukan on scholarship. Unless her fees were paid beforehand" Seiji raised his brows at her insinuation, but his lip quirked, her implications budding plans of his own.

"I like the way you think Kirijo-san!" he bowed at the waist, hiding back his chuckle as he backed away from them to the steps, "I will speak to both Kazou-kun and Hakashi-okasan, and see what I can rile up"

As Seiji disappeared down the steps, Akihiko looked bemused at his beautiful companion, who watched the blonde with an amused smirk, "What just happened there?"

"I found a way for us to see Hakashi-san again" he blinked at her, frowning still. She merely laughed quietly, turning back into the door, "Either Kazou-san can serve time for the charges of assault I will press against him; buckle under Hakashi Miori's hassling or agree to Tomoko attending Gekkoukan"

"You'd really be that cruel?" his voice sounded somewhat taken aback, "What if she doesn't want to join us? You saw how little control over that…persona she had"

"We can't survive on our own Akihiko; we must find more users in order to explore Tartarus. She'd learn. Just as we have and still are. Arrius, I think that's what it called itself, felt immensely powerful. I am curious as to her abilities as well…she had kendo equipment with her during the fight in the Mall Square" he nodded at her as they sat back down on the couch, her expression turning contemplative.

"There's an elite dojo not far from here. It belongs to the Takizawa family; they have a massive estate outside Iwatodai. Hmm…I have some work to do it seems" at the slightly suspicious look on Akihiko's face she gave a ghostly smile, her hand laying on his shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry Akihiko, I will keep you informed…however, I must ask that the Chairman be kept out of this till I have a solid plan"

"Of course"

Kazou's Apartment:

Once again bundled in a heavy blanket, hair loose and scruffy, the teen stood silently watching the rain lash the window pane. The atmosphere in the house was stuffy; the clouds rolling in over Iwatodai were dark and thunderous. Everything was cloaked in shadow, the bulb to the living room had blown and Ryota had been forced out for another. She leaned heavily against the window sill, purple bags under dull green eyes.

She felt exhausted, both mentally and physically. Her stomach seemed to have shrivelled up at the sight of the simple rice bowl her brother had made, an easy dish for an upset belly. But her appetite had fled as it was replaced by pooling dread. Thick like treacle, it slid down her throat; its taste however left her gagging - sour, so bloody sour.

"At least my head's not thumping" Tomoko rubbed her bruised forehead gingerly, her mind still numb. She could remember snippets of the seniors' dorm; the shrill cries that must have belonged to her, the swell of power as it began to bubble out of control. Then….the cool press of metal again her forehead…and release – sweet, blissful release…

Then an explosion of sickness, maddening laughter and the blackest shadow.

Her nails bit into the white washed wood, the chipped green paint gleaming from a flash of electricity outside. The brunette stared out blankly whilst her mind chewed through the events at the dorm.

"P-Persona…that's what I said…what does that mean? Is that thing…the thing in my head…is that a Persona?" her ears twitched as her brother's voice rose in the other room. Though she only half listened, she could tell Seiji and him were still in their heated confrontation, "They didn't answer anything…I left with more questions than answers! Why me? What is that thing? Is it dangerous to my health? 'cause it sure damn feels like it! Do…Do they have them too?"

The latter thought had her freezing, eyes widening as another rumble drown out the rowing voices. Is that…is that why she felt like she knew them? The same essence ran through them as it did her? Tomoko sighed through her nose as she focused inward in an attempt to direct her questions to her usually talkative, parasitic 'friend'.

"Yes…because that's how you approach someone you want something from…with insult" she felt her lips quirk into a grin. It no longer hurt to speak with it, and now seemed to wait till she spoke first. Green eyes rolled, it wasn't being considerate, that she knew. It was probably too tired to do much else than sit and wait.

"First a parasite, now insinuating laziness…you better improve that attitude girlie, or we ain't going to get on as well as I thought" the sniff of distain had her sniggering, the surreal image of her conversing with a being in her head causing her to laugh even more. She was going mad? Most likely. Did she care? Well, she'd have to find out some things first before she answered that one.

"I've got some questions for you" she tried, her inner voice sound far louder than she'd expected. It had her staining, and forced her to close her eyes to concentrate properly.

"I would be offended if you didn't – that was an impressive entrance after all…don't you agree?" the brunette grumbled when the creature screeched its amusement across her mind, though stopping suddenly to add, "I am a male you know, enough of this 'it' business…it's insulting"

"You have a gende-oh to hell with that! That's not what I wanted to speak about" a frustrated sigh issued before she continued, "Right plain and simple, no bellyaching. Are you a…p-persona?"

There was a short, deliberating pause before he replied, "Yes"

"Do those seniors have persona?" again, he seemed to ponder it, or was just wasting her time to annoy her - the latter seeming more likely, "That's spoilers"

"Answer the bloody question!"

"…yes"

She pumped the air with a fist, smirking to herself, "Though they are not the same as I" she paused mid move, quirking a brow. The 'persona' refused to elaborate.

"O-Okay….is this life threatening?" Tomoko saw a flash of his eerie yellow smile, his slit like eyes gleaming at the back of her head. He was playing with her.

"Maybe" that had her growling and slamming her hands onto the wood before her. The voices in the other room abruptly fell silent, and she vaguely heard hurried footsteps in the hall before they burst into the room.

"We're not finished!" she hissed within her mind, leaning over the sill. She cursed the laughter as he withdrew into her thoughts, leaving Tomoko to watch the distorted reflections of her brother and Seiji.

"Tomo-chan, are you alright?" the blonde's voice had her anger deflating, turning to regard the two older males with a tired smile. Kazou hovered for a moment before scowling, eying the couch in a 'get-back-on-it' kind of way. Tomoko grumbled and did as she was silently told.

"I'm fine, senpai" she slumped back into the ancient sofa, Kazou perching on the arm whilst Seiji leaned back into the cushions. The teen felt suddenly enclosed, though only the blonde watched her with a worried hen look. A heavy silence hung between them, something to do with her…and she didn't like it trying to rain on her head.

"You know, I can easily sleep here on my own" the two of them flinched when she spoke, her brother finally looking at her from the corner of his eye. Green irises burned him, and he sighed, "Unless there's another reason for the vulture act?"

Seiji's laugh was reassuring, soft and caused a blush to creep up her neck, "Ah, always directly to the point Tomo-chan. Well, there is something-"

"-that could easily wait until morning" Kazou finished for him, glaring out at the growing storm that had painted Iwatodai grey and blue. Tomoko's elbow lashed out and jabbed him in the ribs, that tempestuous glower turning on her. She sent one right back at him in defiance.

"A-As I was saying, there is something we need to talk to you about" Seiji regarded Tomoko with a warm smile, "School…Gekkoukan High School to be exact"

The brunette's face was the picture of confusion, "E-eh?"

Kazou refused to say a word, reverting back to sulking on his dilapidated roost. Seiji leaned back into the sofa with a content sigh, eyes closing whilst he spoke, "We received a letter from the school's office today, with the Kirijo seal. You've been offered a place in 1st year, starting after the summer"

Tomoko's mouth opened and closed a number of times, her mind refusing to work until a familiar voice piped up, "You have your new friends to thank for that, you realise"

Green eyes widened – yes! That made complete sense!

That Mitsuru woman was daughter to the corporate giant who, if she remembered from her mother's ranting, owned the most prestigious school around. But the red head must also have interest in keeping Tomoko close, for what the brunette swore had 'persona' written all over it.

She didn't want to return to school, preferring a scholarship in Kendo with the Takizawa family. But if this meant she could learn more about Mr Mad-Cat, then she was all for it.

"I resent that you kn-" the creature's complaint was abruptly cut off by the brunette launching at her brother, knocking them onto the floor with a cry of surprise from Kazou. Seiji sat stunned for a moment, slowly realising what the action meant and his grin returned – triumphant.

"She seems quite taken by the idea, Kaz-kun" Kazou's hand and the flipping-off Seiji received only encouraged the smirk on his face, "Did I mention that the fees have already been partially paid by the Kirijo family as well?"

Both siblings peered at him – dishevelled and red faced – in shock. Kazou managed to utter, "But Hakashi-okasan hates the Kirijo family….Then who-?"

A moment of dawning revelation and admiration grew on both siblings' faces. Seiji watching with a strange sense of pride as they suddenly embraced one another. Their voices rose with cheer as they praised the one and only….

"Takizawa-san!"