Hello again. Finals suck, don't they? I tried sneaking Theo into my Chem final, but that didn't work out. He stood out too much.
Anyway, I finally wrote enough for Chapter 2. Took me a couple minutes to figure how adding a new chapter works again. If some parts seem forced, they probably are. XD

Persephone – Minako
Hades – Theo
Cerberus – Koromaru
Charon - Igor

Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 and its characters. It belongs to the geniuses at Atlus.

It had been four days since Theo brought his new queen to the Underworld. Whenever he approached her, she would flinch from his touch. He had not forced himself on her or psychically harmed her. Yes, he understood she was depressed from being taken away from her mother, but what other choice did he have? He heard that Mitsuru had taken Minako away from Olympus because many of the gods (too many for her liking) were fond of the girl. The Earth dwelling goddess wasn't an easy woman to sway.

He sighed for the infinite time today as he entered his room. He was shocked to find Minako in it as she had requested a separate room. She sat in front of his mirror, staring at the image of the world above longingly. His heart ached. He wanted her to look at him like that.

The girl finally took notice of his presence. She regarded him with a cold look and turned back to the mirror. Theo figured one of his subjects told her how to work it. He waved his hand and the world above and its light vanished.

"Minako…" he started. The girl brushed by him without a word. A harsh, cold wind slammed the doors shut, cutting off her exit. Queen or not, this was his realm and he will not be ignored. "When I speak to you, Minako, you will reply. Understand?"

Minako gave him a defiant look, but he could see the fear behind it. She may be a goddess herself, but he held much more power.

"Did you hear me, Minako?" he said.

"…Yes."

Theo took a deep breath, regaining his composure. He sat on the edge of his bed, his face buried in his hands. "Come over here," he said. He looked back up as Minako slowly drew closer, unsure of his intentions. He took her hands gently, feeling her flinch. "What can I do to make you love me?"

"Love you?"

"Yes. I have honored every one of your requests. So why do you still look at me with cold eyes?"

"…Not every request."

"If I let you go back up Earth, your mother would do everything she could to keep me away." He placed his lips on her knuckles. "You are the most beautiful thing to have entered my life in eons. When I saw you, I knew that…" He shook his head.

"Why didn't you just approach me instead of kidnapping me?"

"I…I got caught up in the moment I guess." Theo chuckled. "You probably would have run from me anyway. Everyone does." He squeezed her hands tighter. "I am the Ruler of the Underworld. I am a reminder to humans of their unavoidable fate. I can only look through that mirror to enjoy the light without tainting it."

Minako just stared, bewildered. The mighty Underworld God showing emotions she didn't believe he possessed. She had never met him before four days ago. She only heard stories about him from the gods on Olympus, her mother, and the humans. None of them too flattering.

"I still don't understand your intentions," she muttered.

"To be honest, I don't either anymore." Theo chuckled again. He released her hands. The doors opened again. "You may go now if you wish."

Minako looked back at Theo before hurrying out of the room. She couldn't get the image of the powerful god out her mind. She had never seen anyone look so desperate before. The gods on Olympus tried to woo her, but they never acted like Theo when she turned them away. They'd just keep trying. He's not as dark as Apollo said. He's just…lonely. As she walked, she examined the world around her. It was cold and sadness emitted from every corner. She rubbed her bare arms, shivering. I do feel sorry for him, but I want to return to Earth.

She walked farther into the Underworld and came upon a river. She knew it was either the River Styx or the River Acheron. Approaching her side of the shore was a strange man rowing a boat. He wore a black cloak, bald, and had a very long nose. His passenger was an elderly woman. The woman thanked him when they landed and vanished into the darkness.

"Ah, Queen Minako," the long nosed man said, looking in her direction. He bowed. "It is an honor to be visited by Lord Theodore's Queen."

"Yo-You don't have to bow. I am only queen by name." It was forced onto me…

The man smiled. "I am Igor. I ferry the dead. If they pay the right price of course."

Minako had heard of Igor from her mother. It was important for the dead to be buried with coins so they could pay their way to find peace in the afterlife. If they could not pay Igor's fee, they'd be stuck in the river before her forever. Wait… "Igor, could you take me to the entrance? Please? I wish to leave and see my mother again."

Igor shook his head. "I'm afraid I cannot obey, my Queen. Lord Theodore would throw me to the Harpies if I did."

"Please. I-" Igor began to set sail again. "Wait! Where are you going?"

"There is another soul needing my services." Igor bowed. "I apologize, my Queen." He rowed back into the eternal darkness.

Minako wanted to cry, but she had no more tears. She stormed from the river separating her and her way home. She couldn't think of anyone else in the Underworld who could help her return home. Igor was her last chance. Now what?

A howl from behind made her jump, along with heavy footsteps. A giant, white three-headed dog ran towards her. The dog skidded to a halt in front of the terrified girl. Three pairs of red eyes stared at Minako, studying her. The right head bent down and lightly nudged Minako's shoulder. When the girl didn't do anything, the heads whimpered. Minako petted the right head's nose cautiously. The dog's tail wagged. Taking it as a good sign, she stroked the white fur. The other two heads bent down too, wanting to be petted as well. Minako smiled. Though the dog was unusual due to its three heads and size, it was adorable.

"I see you've met Koromaru." The dog's tail wagged even more when Theo approached. "He guards the path that leads souls into this realm. However, it seems he decided to abandon his post." Theo smiled as Koromaru snuggled against Minako, whimpering. "Don't worry, boy. I'm not angry."

"Koromaru…" Minako said. All three heads barked happily. She smiled again. "You're a good boy, aren't you? I'll call you 'Koro' for short." Koromaru barked again and ran around the gods, happy about the new nickname.

Theo had never seen Minako smile since that day he saw her. If he had known Koromaru would have made her happy, he would've introduced them sooner. He smiled when all three heads tried to lick her face, the girl laughing, telling them not to.

"Koromaru," he said. "I'm afraid you'll have to go back to your post." Koromaru's ears fell as he sat behind Minako. Theo couldn't help, but chuckle at the sight of the giant dog trying to hide behind the girl. "Minako can come visit you whenever she wants. If you stay away from your post too long, someone dangerous might come in and hurt her." Over their dead body, naturally.

Koromaru growled at the thought. He sped off, eager to fulfill his new goal. Theo chuckled again. It was refreshing to see his pet(?) excited about doing a task. He felt a gaze on him and saw Minako watching him with curiosity.

"Yes?"

"It's nothing. I just…I've never seen you laugh before."

"Is it that strange?" When Minako didn't answer, he realized something. "Oh, I see. Did the other gods make it sound as if I am incapable of laughing?"

Minako looked away. "In a way…"

Theo nodded. He heard what the other gods and goddesses thought of him whenever he went to Olympus. He was used to it. His brother, Akihiko, the king of the Gods, tricked him into taking the Underworld after they overthrew the Titans. If there was any reason to be angry, it was that. However, that was eons ago. He was over it and had accepted his current position.

"Theo." Minako stood next to him, curiosity now mixed with worry in her beautiful face. "Um, are you alright? I apologize if I offended you."

Theo smiled. He bent down and kissed her forehead. "You didn't. I was merely thinking. Come. Dinner is ready." He held out his hand. He was greatly surprised when she took it. Before, she would ignore him altogether.

"I can really go see Koro whenever I want?" Minako asked.

"Of course." Theo smiled when he heard the girl muttered 'thank you'.

And that's the end of Chapter 2. Hm? Why are you grinning, Theo?

Theo - I find it amusing that Master Igor calls me "Lord Theodore".

Yeah. We're not going to mention that to him.

Theo - Actually, I already did.

...What?

Theo - Yes. He says he'd like to speak to both of us.

... -flees to find Elizabeth for protection-

See you in Chapter 3.