12

The Other Chance

Chapter 6

Disclaimer: I do not own anything connected with Persona, Atlus or ancient deities used for cultural influence. I only own myself. Ha.

Chapter 6: Sharing Circle

TIME UNKNOWN:

Akio had been engulfed by the darkness. He felt as if he were perambulating through a thick mist until he came to a door. A very…blue door. Without any hesitation he opened it, allowing himself to be swallowed by light.

He sat in a chair, in the velvet room. He was unsure as to how he had arrived but nevertheless, here he was. Igor stared at him behind his gargantuan nose. It quickly unsettled Akio.

"It's so nice to see you again," Igor politely said to him. Akio rubbed his still throbbing head.

"I feel like shit," he pushed out. Igor grinned wider at him.

"That is because of your awakening to your 'power'," the long nosed freak informed him.

Akio sighed heavily. "You mean, 'Mr. Merciless' was my power."

"Yes," Igor replied "I see that it was Thanatos that heeded your calling."

'Thanatos,' Akio pondered, 'The God of Death? No, not just that…' His head was still ringing and he had trouble focusing his thoughts. 'I know that from somewhere. Where do I know that…? It's like a part of my memory that doesn't want to be found…damn!'

Igor smiled at his inward struggle. The game had begun again and he was the eternal spectator. But for now, Igor would fulfill his role as an informant to his young guest.

"That power is called a Persona…It is a manifestation of your psyche."

Igor's words shocked Akio back to conversation. "Persona? My…psyche? What do you mean?"

"A Persona is a facet of your personality," long nose continued, "One that surfaces as you react to external stimuli…"

Before he could continue he was abruptly cut off by Akio. "So it's like a mask, then? One that you put up in front of people…to protect you as you brave the hardships of life…" Akio was stunned to find himself saying this, but it seemed so…accurate. At least to him.

Igor was pleasantly surprised, almost as much as Akio was. Akio had taken the words out of Igor's mouth almost perfectly. Igor didn't think that Akio would recover this much in so short a time. His talents were beyond that of any other guest Igor had ever seen…and yet he was not. Akio's power was not greater than anyone else's but his rate of growth astonished the Velvet Room Master. Perhaps all Akio needed was time. Time to discover what it was that made him so…interesting.

"Yes," the Velvet Room Master continued, "But your ability evolves as you develop emotional ties with others."

Akio considered this carefully. "So the stronger my bond is with other people…the stronger my Persona will become?" he inquired.

"Exactly. You really catch on quick." Igor was again shocked that Akio had made such a realization so quickly. Igor knew that Akio was…different but considering his forceful involvement in the current world he knew that was to be expected of such "refined" guest.

"Now then," Igor said to him, "Time marches on in your world. I shouldn't keep you here any longer."

A bright light began to envelop the room. Akio shield his eyes and felt his consciousness moving back to reality. As the light became so intense he closed his eyes and heard Igor's voice.

"Next time we meet, you will come here of your own accord. Until then…Farewell."

The light engulfed Akio completely and thrust him back to the waking world.

Alone in the Velvet Room, Igor contemplated to himself. "I wonder if he'll ever recall his decision…Even so, the die is cast and the choice made."

April 19, 2009:

Akio felt his head become clearer and he heard noises of birds nearby. He slowly opened his eyes to a white room with large windows next to him. Outside birds were chirping happily. He was lying peacefully in a bed, completely comfortable.

He gently examined the room. He was in a hospital. Or a place that looked like a hospital. He wondered how long he had been asleep. He wondered if his siblings were okay.

He felt pressure on his midsection and looked down to see his beloved brother and sister sleeping with their heads resting on the blanket covering him.

At that moment, Akio felt a surge of the happiest energy he had ever experience. They were fine. He had done it. He had been able to protect them with all he had. And that was all he ever wanted. To see their peaceful sleeping faces was the greatest gift he could have ever received.

He savored the moment, knowing that the peace would soon be ripped asunder by the monsters that were his siblings. But for now he just wanted to enjoy the warmth their sleeping faces brought to him.

He then made the foolish mistake of trying to get more comfortable and awoke the beasts from their slumber. 'Now I'm in for it…damn,' he thought as they slowly began to wake.

Minato and Minako felt movement and their eyes gently crept open. The first thing their eyes registered was the smiling face of their older brother gazing down upon them. Both of the thought it may have been a dream and never wanted it to end.

Slowly, Minako reached out and rested her hand on her older brother's face. Akio gave a quick laugh in response. It was then that both twins realized that it was no dream. He was really awake and smiling at them.

"Brother!" they shouted in unison, hurting Akio's ears.

Both leapt and hugged him, or rather, squeezing out what little life remained in him. Despite not being able to breath, Akio returned the hugs as best he could. After a moment they released their death grips and Akio took in a large breath of air.

As his siblings retracted Akio noticed their injuries. Minako had an ankle brace on her left foot and Minato had bandages on both his hands.

"We're happy to see you awake, brother," Minato said with his usual polite speech pattern.

"Yeah, totally," Minako agreed with her own unique speaking style.

"Yeah, me too," Akio replied, his vitality slowly coming back. "So what happened to you two?" he asked.

Rather than shying away from it they boldly showed their injuries to him directly. They told him about how they had fought off the remaining shadows after he passed out.

"You did what!" was his response to their story. He was sure he had killed that thing and kept them save but it seemed that he was wrong.

'This is bullshit,' he screamed to himself, 'I never should have let that happen to them…damn.'

Contrary to his thoughts however, his siblings were ecstatic to tell him something.

"We did it, bro," Minato said to him.

"We were the one to protect you this time!" Minako shouted, agreeing with her twin.

Akio was shocked. He could see their eyes shimmering with pride and joy. They had gotten themselves injured, damn near killed, just trying to protect him. Well, him and Yukari but he was still a driving factor in the equation.

Nevertheless, they had protected him. Akio wasn't sure how to respond. All his life he felt that it was his duty, no, his purpose to protect his siblings. He had toughened up. Worked hard. Sacrificed his own personal feelings. All just to protect them.

Now it all felt so…unneeded. He had no idea his little brother and sister felt so strongly about wanting to protect him. He supposed that he always knew that they did but for some reason it never really sank in.

They wanted to protect him. Perhaps he had been too protective of them. He always said they could take of themselves but deep down he wondered if he ever really meant it. Now he had his proof.

His siblings were growing up. He didn't need to hold their hands anymore. He still wanted to. He still wanted to be the cool, protective, badass older brother that they always looked up to.

In that moment, he realized that sooner or later they would have to learn to live on their own. Separate from one another. Not always spending time together. Learning to fend for themselves. The thought had always terrified him…until now.

This display of courage and bravery from them shook him to the core. They would always be his little brother and sister but at the same time they were individuals that needed to live their lives. He smiled to himself, somehow proud that his siblings didn't rely on him as much as he thought they did. A sad feeling mixed with utter joy. It was bitter but it was good.

He gathered his courage and spoke to them. "Yeah. And all it took was a few broken bones and a blow to my ego." He smirked at them as he spoke. They recognized the humor in his voice, glad to finally have it return.

"By the way," Minato said, "We told the others about the 'extra hour'. Since it seemed that they experienced it as well."

"Thanks for consulting me before blowing our secret. Real nice of you." Akio grinned at them. Even though it was only a short time to him, he missed their witty arguments.

Minako's usual temperament began to return and she fired back, "You were unconscious. It's not like we could ask if you approved or not. God, you're such a jerk sometimes. If you weren't in the hospital I'd smack you."

Akio knew it was true. "You could have asked my unconscious body. At the very least, it'd make me feel better," he retorted.

Akio and Minako continued to argue why Minato smiled to himself. "At least things are back to normal," he said under his breath.

Just then, the door was pulled open and Yukari walked in the room. She saw the scene unfolding before her and shouted, "You're awake!"

All eyes turned to her. She made her way over and took a seat next to Minato. "Um, how do you feel?" she asked Akio meekly.

"I've been better," he replied sending a final glare toward his sister, indicating he was done arguing.

"Well, thank goodness. You've finally come to," Yukari continued. "This is Tatsumi Memorial Hospital. It's just a short walk from the station."

Akio grinned. "Nice of you to tell me where I am, since my siblings were too overcome with emotions to explain."

Minato and Minako glared at him but he just smiled nicely at them. Minato turned to Yukari and asked, "So…what did the doctor say?"

Yukari shrugged, "The doctor couldn't find anything wrong with you," she relayed to Akio. "He said you were just exhausted."

Minako pouted and said sarcastically, "Yeah, because having a badass, samurai, death god come out of your head is totally due to exhaustion."

Akio gave Minako a quick look. Who knew if anyone else could hear them, especially with Minako's eternally loud voice. Luckily, Yukari stepped in to resolve things.

"Don't worry," she reassured them, "This hospital is owned by Mitsuru's family. They know about our…situation."

Akio felt like asking about that "situation" but his head still hurt and he just wanted some peace. He knew that with his siblings around he'd never get it but he still wanted to believe.

The siblings then began talking amongst themselves. Yukari sat uncomfortably for a while before she stood up abruptly, startling everyone. She turned to face them all.

"About that night," she began before bowing deeply, "I'm sorry I couldn't do anything…"

The sibling looked to each other confused. "It's cool," Akio told her, feeling really awkward.

"It's not like we really had any idea what we were doing either," Minako added.

"Besides," Minato continued, "It was my fault for stopping you on the roof."

Minato was embarrassed that he had grabbed her so suddenly trying to stop her. Even though he was just trying to help, he had inadvertently been responsible for Yukari not being able to summon her Persona. A fact he had avoided fervently.

Yukari lifted her head, feeling better about her actions. "But, seriously, your power…It was amazing. All of you."

Minako raised her hand enthusiastically. "Um, what exactly is it that we did?"

Yukari sat back down to explain. "The power you all used…We call it 'Persona'."

Akio recalled his conversation with Igor. The power he, and his siblings, had awakened to…he had called it Persona as well. No way was it coincidence. Akio felt as if he and his siblings were being drawn into something bigger than he had ever suspected when he signed the contract.

"And those creatures you defeated are called shadows," Yukari further explained, "Our enemy."

"I suppose that makes sense," Minato commented. Yukari looked at him quizzically.

"I mean, they were very…shadow-like in appearance so…'shadows' makes sense," he continued quickly, embarrassed that he needed to explain himself.

Yukari didn't notice the embarrassment and just nodded to him. Minato visibly relaxed, but only his sibling caught it. Minako shared look with Akio that said "We have a new task". By the end of the year, Minato would overcome his nervousness of pretty girls. They would make sure of it. But they decided to put it off for a moment.

Meanwhile, Yukari went on. "We'll explain everything later," she informed them, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before."

"Like we said, it's no big deal," Minako reassured her. "Besides, we like you."

Yukari visibly blushed, "What?" she replied confused.

"Yeah, it usually takes us a year before we warm up to someone but you wormed your way into our hearts pretty quick. Right, Minato?" Akio said winking at his little bro.

Minato however was stunned by their blatant admittance and was at a loss for words. Yukari looked at him, expecting him to comment as well. His mind was going a million miles an hour but he finally set on, "Yeah," while hiding a blush.

"We're all friends here!" Minako shouted overly happily. Yukari hung her head a bit at that remark. She honestly wanted to be friends with them. But first she needed to clear the air.

"I wanted to tell you…" she began, regaining their attention, "I'm sorta like you all."

The Arisato siblings looked to her puzzled.

"You also have siblings that make life hard to deal with," Akio offered, making his siblings sigh heavily. Yukari, however, found it refreshing and continued a little more light-heartedly.

"My dad died in an accident when I was little…and my mom and I aren't exactly on good terms," she told them. They could see where this was going but for once didn't mind so much.

"You're all alone too, right?" she finally said.

"Not really," Minato told Yukari, puzzling her. "We have each other." Yukari smiled at his comment, as did both of his siblings.

It was sweet and kind, just like Minato. Akio and Minako could have sworn they saw Yukari lean toward their brother a little bit more. They looked back to each other. The spark was there, now all they needed was some characin to light the fire of passion.

Yukari suddenly remembered something that caused her to pull away from them all a bit. She knew she had to tell them. It was only right.

"To be honest," she continued, "I already know about all of your pasts…"

All of the siblings grimaced, especially Akio, remembering the "broken kidney" incident.

"But, it didn't seem fair, so I wanted you to know about mine…" Yukari told them settling in for the story. The siblings also perked up and prepared for the story.

"Back in '99. There was a big explosion in the area. Supposedly, my dad died in the blast, but nobody really knows what happened. He was working in a lab run by the Kirijo Group." She informed them.

It made sense. Partially anyway. She was working with Mitsuru to get information about her father. All she had to do was stick with them and she'd eventually find something. At least that what she implied.

"So, if you stick it out you'll find out about your dad. Is that it?" Minako questioned.

"Yes," Yukari answered. "That's why I'm going to Gekkoukan High and why I was there when this happened to you."

"Makes sense," Minato added. "The best way to find out what happened is to stay close to them, I guess."

"But…of course, I panicked and wasn't much help…It was my first time fighting them, too," she admitted.

"Not like we did much better," the crimson eyed twin remarked.

"At least you didn't get as badly injured as we did," the dark-haired twin added.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, "You wouldn't have to go through all this if I wasn't such a coward…"

Akio raised an eyebrow to her. "Are you kidding? These two are crazy. They would have beat back those things with their bare hands if they had to," he said before pointing to his brother. "Look at him, it looks like he did."

Minato quickly turned to his brother, glaring. "It was only because I lost my weapon," he informed his big brother.

"Oh, yeah. I'm sure that's how it happened," Akio said waving his arms as if throwing and imaginary weapon. " 'Oh, no! I've lost my weapon. Guess I'll just beat it with my hands until they bleed'…Need I go on," he said overdramatically.

Minako laughed at her twin's misery but it didn't last long. Akio noticed her laughing and snapped his head to her.

"And you," he said getting her attention, " 'My stick broke so I'll just kick the puddle until it magically spontaneously combusts'…How do you survive without me?"

Now both twins were burning crimson in the face and shouted at him in unison. "At least it wasn't like… 'I'll shoot myself in the head and hope it works'…" they yelled together.

Akio grimaced a little. They obviously practiced that. He understood their anger but an apology was not enough. So Akio settled for, "Okay, so we all screwed up."

He turns to Yukari and says, "The point is…we're not so special. We're just lucky. Always have been, always will be."

Minato and Minako's rage subsided and they smiled and looked at Yukari with their brother. They had been lucky. But…Luck only happens once. And next time, if there was a next time, they would be ready.

Yukari smiled but it was sad. "Thanks…but still," she told them. She then shook her head and straightened herself up.

"And here I am telling you all this the minute Akio wakes up," she continued undeterred, "While I was waiting, I thought to myself, 'I've been hiding so many things from them…As soon as he wakes up, I'll tell them all the truth'."

This admittance was the freshest breath of air the siblings had gotten since they had arrived at the school. Yukari was definitely special if she had so much honesty and humility, besides the fact that she willingly shared her past with them. After so long of being alone, just relying on themselves, it was nice. It finally felt like time to open up to someone and Yukari was definitely that someone.

"So, thanks for listening. I've been wanting to share that story with someone for a long time," finished Yukari.

"Hey, anytime!" Akio offered, grinning happily at her. The meaning of that statement was lost on Yukari but for the twins, it was a huge compliment. Akio never, ever offered to help other people with their problems. All he seemed to care about was his siblings but she had worked her way past his defenses and she didn't even know it.

"Well, I better get going," Yukari told them, "I'll let the others know you woke up."

Yukari picked up her school bag and stood up, ready to head to the door. Just then, Akio was struck by genius.

"Hey, little bro," Akio directed at Minato, "Why don't you walk her back to the dorms? It's getting late, who knows what might happen if she's alone."

Minato's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "What!" he quietly inquired. Yukari also turned around to them, surprise covering her face as well.

"Th-That's okay," she replied to her senpai's offer. "It's not that late. I'll be fine on my own," she insisted.

Minako, not missing a beat, jumped in. "Mitsuru-senpai told us not to go out at night and it'll be dark by the time you get back to the dorm," she said before turning to her twin. "Besides, I have to stay here because of my ankle anyway. Minato will have to get back all by himself if you don't let him take you."

Yukari opened her mouth to speak but Minako continued. "I'd really feel much better about it if you let him escort you. He's pretty dependable, despite his shyness," she said inadvertently poking fun at her twin.

Minato nearly flared several nasty comments at both of them but was cut off by Yukari. "Alright…" she said nervously. "But only if Minato-kun is okay with it."

Minato practically stared at her. Of course he was okay with it. He'd be okay walking across the ocean if it meant spending more time with her. He caught himself thinking that and stopped. He was just concerned for her safety, that all. At least that's what he told himself.

"Sure," Minato said standing, gathering his book bag. He may have been nervous but he'd be damned if he let it show. Yukari left with Minato nipping at her heels. After they were sure the couple had gone, Minako looked to her older brother.

"Oh, you're good!" she congratulated.

"Oh, this is only Phase 1. Wait to see what I have planned for Phase 2," Akio sheepishly informed her.

Minako and Akio spent quite some time contemplating ideas of the "Hook Minato up with Yukari" mission.

The ride back to the dorm was largely uneventful for Minato and Yukari. Neither said much. Minato out of shyness and Yukari out of awkwardness. It wasn't until they got off the monorail before Yukari finally broke the silence.

"So…You and your siblings are pretty close," she said.

"Yeah," he replied. "Ever since we were little, big bro's taken care of us…especially after our parents died."

Yukari hung her head a bit. Not how she wanted to start the conversation.

"What about you Takeba-san? You said you aren't that close to your mother," he continued.

"Yeah," responded Yukari. "After dad died she threw herself at any man she could get…It was like she totally forgot about him…" Suddenly, she stopped herself. She couldn't believe she had said that. She barely knew Minato and yet she spoke to him like he was her best friend.

It was like she already knew he was a trustworthy and faithful guy. She didn't know how but she felt some kind of…connection with him for some reason she could not explain.

"Sorry, didn't mean to pry," he apologized, breaking her train of thought.

"Oh, no. It's no big deal," she told him. Except it was. She hadn't told anyone else that ever before, not even her friends. But somehow it didn't seem like a big deal, for whatever reason.

After that, they chatted a little as they got closer to the dorms. Minako had been right, by the time they had arrived back at the dorm it was dark outside.

"Well, here we are," Yukari said happily as they reached the doors, "Thanks for walking with me."

Minato fought off a blush as best he could. "It was no trouble, Takeba-san."

Yukari smiled cheerfully at him, "Well thanks anyway." She headed up the stairs in front of him but stopped before opening the door. She turned back to face him.

"Oh, and uh…You don't have to be formal around me or anything," she said blushing. "We're friends now, after all."

Minato smiled back at her and replied, "Alright…Yukari"

It felt weird for him to say but it also felt so…good, so right. It felt as if for some reason…he missed calling her that. He had no idea why. He was probably just excited that he finally had a friend outside of his siblings. Plus, this new friend was a girl…a very cute girl. His brother had been right…She was definitely "fine". And though he didn't know at the time…she was just his type.

And with that Minato and Yukari entered the dorms.

April 20, 2009:

Akio was release from the hospital and Minako had her brace taken off. It was still a little hard for her to walk but she managed just fine.

Meanwhile, Minato went to school with Yukari and ran into Junpei.

"Yo, long time no see. What's up? Why are you all alone with Yuka-tan today?" he asked deviously.

"My sister and brother are in the hospital," he answered plainly.

"Whoa…Sorry, man," Junpei replied, shocked. But he quickly recovered. "Oh, I have something to tell you…" He stopped.

Minato and Yukari wait a moment before, "Actually, I'm not supposed to say anything. My bad," he said grinning.

"Uhg…Next time just don't say anything at all, Stupei," Yukari retorted.

Minato had to remember that. It stopped Junpei dead in his tracks.

"Hey, don't call me that," Junpei said, a little angry. Yukari looked kind of sorry but kind of not at the same time. Either way she decided to patch things up.

"I was only kidding. Sorry Junpei," she apologized. "Anyway I need to talk to him. We'll see ya later okay?"

Junpei regained his grin. "Oh, I thought it was only rumor but it seems…"

Yukari glared daggers at him, stopping him midsentence. "If you know what's good for you…don't finish that sentence," she threatened.

That did the trick because Junpei quickly excused himself and sped off to class.

After he was gone, Yukari turned to Minato. "I heard your brother and sister are getting released today. Ikutsuki-san wanted to talk to all of you once you got back."

That wasn't a conversation Minato or his siblings were looking forward too. But he thanked her and they went to class together, sparking even more rumors.

Later that day, Minako and Akio were released from the hospital. Minato went to meet them and informed them of the wonderful meeting they were to have with Ikutsuki. Akio and Minako's mood instantly went down the drain. They really didn't want to meet with "that man", especially today but they knew it was unavoidable.

They returned to the dorms and proceeded to the 4th floor meeting room Yukari had told Minato about.

They opened the large double doors and moved inside. In the room there was a large monitoring station. At the moment it was off but Akio realized now why he felt he had been watch. Mostly likely, they had been. Whether his siblings discovered it, he didn't know but he decided to keep the info to himself for the time being.

On the far side of the room was a long couch, two armchairs and a few stools for sitting. All of these were arrange around a long wooden coffee table. Sitting around the coffee table was Yukari, Mitsuru, "than man", and a young man with silver hair who was unknown to them.

"Ah, there you are," that man said to them. "I'm glad you're okay. I wasn't sure what I'd do if anything had happened to you all."

The way he said it made Akio sick. It was like they were test subjects or something. Maybe they were…He didn't want to consider the possibility but it stayed with him nonetheless.

Ikutsuki didn't seem to notice and continued, "The reason I asked you here is because I needed to talk to you. Please have a seat," he said pointing to the empty couch.

As the siblings moved to sit, they all noticed the silver-haired young man looking at them. "That man" picked up on their gaze and motioned to him. "I believe I mentioned him before, but this is Akihiko."

"How ya doing?" Akihiko greeted them. Akio looked to his siblings, noting their injuries and looked back to Akihiko.

"Been better," he responded. "Been worse but certainly been better."

Akihiko smiled at them. "Well, at least you're out of the hospital finally," the silver-haired boy offered.

"Yeah…" Akio said his mood dampening a little. Akihiko understood why. They were all still shaken by the attack. Akio more so than his younger siblings.

Akio was fairly certain only he had experienced the dreams of the Velvet Room and Igor. Of course he wasn't sure and he had no real way of asking, "So had any crazy ass dreams about a freak with a long nose in an elevator".

It plagued him but he knew he needed to keep that "dream" to himself. Whatever it was…it only seemed to affect him. And he preferred it that way.

"Hey, big bro. Ya gonna take a seat or what?" he heard Minako ask him from the couch. He had been so deep in thought he had not noticed everyone else sitting. Without a word, he positioned himself beside his siblings. Waiting for the long overdue explanation.

To Be Continued…

Thank you for the reviews. I wanted to get that out first. I know it will be a slow process to get new chapters up periodically because of school and now a family incident but I promise I am going to complete this story. No matter how long it takes. So please stay with me. Also, please continue to R and R. It lets me know people are still interested. Flames shall be used to smelt new ideas in my brain.