Disclaimer: I do not own Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3, or Devil Summoner as most of the characters within this story as they belong to Atlus.

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Veluti In Speculum

Chapter 14: Split

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"This path hasn't been used in years, but she must be keeping it clear."

"Clear for you maybe…" Naoto replied, pushing aside another branch in her way. The moment they arrived in Shinoda the next morning, Gouto started leading her into the forest down a walk worn path. If it had been a path years ago, it had been forgotten for some time. It was obscured by branches on all sides and Naoto was having trouble following Gouto. He was small enough to avoid them, but she had to stop several times when a particularly large one was in her way, or Sukuna-Hikona was knocked off. She caught him just before he fell this time, "Are you okay?"

"Not in this forest! This shouldn't be happening!" Sukuna-Hikona exclaimed, obviously ticked at the branches.

"For being a soul remainder from Minato, I'm sure that must be the reason. Most demons traverse through here no problem."

"Yippee for them…" that sounded more like Minato this time.

"Hush, we're here…"

Gouto stopped walking and Naoto stepped out of the woods, holding Minato to her chest. It was an old, decaying shrine with no title. Two stone fox guardians stood by the stairs and to the side of the path she stood was a disused washstand. The air was cool, a bit foggy, but none the less, a feeling of safety emanated from the area.

She watched Gouto walk up the stairs and stop where a bell was enshrined.

"Ring the bell."

She blinked, but then nodded. Slowly, she walked up the stairs, looking around for a second longer before pulling the bell string. There was a soft chiming as the bells rattled. She stepped back at a crow's caw, eyes darting around again. Where was that coming from?

"It has been a while since a Raidou Kuzunoha has come here…"

With a start, Naoto looked back at the shrine. A woman garbed in dark robes covering her entire body and hooding her head stood tall before the bell, her arms crossed. Her eyes were obscured by her hood, but that was nothing. "… You have yet to earn the title, but if Gouto-Douji has lead you here, there is much more," the woman said coolly, "I am the Herald of Yatagarasu, the one who vouchsafes the peace of the Capital. Today, you have summoned me. Is there something amiss?"

"Gouto says you can get us to the Dark Realm. There is a demon kidnapping people in Inaba and I need to find it," Naoto explained.

"You have yet to pass the summoner trial. It is dangerous if I allow you to go into the Realm," the Herald warned. "Without proper training, being there can have hazardous effects. Are you still willing?"

"… Of course," Naoto replied.

"I see… Very well. I shall send you to the Dark Realm of the Capital with the Ritual of Entry," the Herald said.

"Yasoinaba please…"

The Herald just nodded and raised her hands. They came together as though she was in prayer and she bowed her head, chanting softly under her breath. Naoto held Minato closely, silent as the world started to spin in a sea of colors and glowing lights. It became faster and she closed her eyes before the feeling made her sick. In Sukuna-Hikona's form, Minato held onto Naoto's hands, closing his eyes too.

Floating, tug, lift, and…

Her feet hit wooden flooring and she almost fell over, shaking her head. Gouto landed on his paws, looking around.

"… We seem to have landed at your house…"

"But grampa is still…" she started, but then trailed, looking around. Everything had a purplish-red tinge from the sky and it almost seemed like it was sunset. However, this didn't feel like her home though the décor was the same. It was too… unsettling.

Letting go of Minato, he floated around the house, examining everything, gazing through Sukuna-Hikona's yellow eyes as he picked up a small photo. He set it down, silent for a moment, "… I remember living here… it doesn't seem like much has changed."

"Yes… Grampa likes keeping things in order…" Naoto said, following after Minato. Gouto walked quietly along, but then turned his head.

"Do you hear something?"

"Like what?" Naoto asked. Gouto turned his head again, ears twitching, but then looked up.

"Upstairs… it sounds like a music box…"

Naoto paused in the main hall, placing a hand on the stair rail a looked up, listening. There was a gentle sound of a music box and someone singing. She looked over at Minato, watching his antennae twitch. He blinked, "M-Mom?"

"M-Mom? But… what?" Naoto whispered, confused. She started ascending the stairs, listening to the voice. It sung quietly, accompanied by footsteps as they paced leisurely and the music box as it played. Naoto walked onto the flat of the second floor and moved down the hall, peaking into the room.

There was a tall female, adorned in a dark nightgown and robe with long, indigo blue hair flowing to her shoulders and curling at her upper back. She turned and Naoto saw her vivid crystal blue eyes upon the woman's flawless face, but they were gazing down at a small bundle in her arms.

"Maria… is he asleep?"

Naoto jumped as the man seemed to appear in a haze, walking over to her mom. Steely eyes, jet black hair kept short and maintained, and dressed in a white sleeping yukata, her father looked down at the bundle as her mom looked up. She smiled, nodding, "Yes… Minato just fell asleep. He wanted a lullaby, that's all."

"Mhm… he wanted to see mom," Toshihiro whispered. Naoto stepped forward, peering at the bundle now. The baby within the blanket was sleeping, mouth slightly open and one hand holding onto mother's nightgown. Suddenly, everything disappeared, and Naoto found herself to just be standing in her bedroom with Sukuna-Hikona and Gouto with her.

"… Gouto, what was that?" she asked, glancing at the cat.

He shook his head.

"I'm afraid I don't know. The Dark Realm has mysteries that have yet to be solved. I think we should move on…"

"Right. Minato?" she looked over at Sukuna-Hikona.

"Hm? Oh… right behind you."

She stared at him, "… Minato, are you okay?"

"… I haven't seen mom or dad in ages. It's a little overwhelming…" he whispered. He fluttered over to her and sat down on her shoulder, silent. She didn't blame him. To see their mom and dad after their accident… she shook her head. There was no time to dwell on this. She had to get out and—

Oh, now where was that crying coming from?

"N-Naoto… mom and dad will be home soon. S-Stop crying…"

"How peculiar…"

Gouto was standing at the railing, looking downstairs. A shadow image of a young Minato was walking around, awkwardly holding an infant in his tiny arms. It continued to cry loudly, but for what reason was beyond the three-year old boy. He was looking around frantically, but then disappeared from view into a hallway. Gouto blinked and looked over at the stairs, quickly running after Naoto as she jogged down the stairs. Where were her parents? Why was she just with Minato?

She stopped at the end of the hall, in the archway of the door leading into what was – or supposed to be - her grandfather's study. There was a piano in the room and Minato was sitting in the chair, his legs dangling towards the floor. Infant Naoto was still crying, lying against Minato as he reached for the keys, closing his eyes. He was trying to remember something. His hands started moving before he opened his eyes again. It was a simple, soft, and calm song floating from the keys, hauntingly reminiscent of the music box from the last scene. The crying covered it for a moment, but then it started quieting. The piano continued to play as the room changed back into the study.

"Mom's lullaby… I always played it for you on the piano. The music box should be in this house somewhere…" Minato said, small hands touching her shoulder. "Why are we seeing these?"

"If I had an answer, I would tell you, Minato."

"… I wonder if this world can take imprints of memories…" Naoto sighed, "How much has it recorded of my family?"

"Minato! Naoto! Oh my god! Tadashi! Toshihiro!"

"Maria! Where?"

Naoto backed out of the hallway, watching as her mother faded into view again. She was in tears, looking around hysterically. There was a difference. Her hair was now to her mid-back and she was wearing a yukata. It was probably an off day from work. Two pairs of footsteps were heard coming down the stairs and Naoto watched her dad and her grampa, younger, come down the stairs.

"Nothing. They aren't upstairs and we've checked the whole house… Minato knows those tubes are dangerous. And he took his sister with him," Toshihiro sighed, "Those weren't just the small demons in those tubes. Dad, one of your demons was in that batch."

"… This is serious. Those demons are deadly," Tadashi said, shaking his head. Maria shook her head, sobbing. Toshihiro walked forward, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. He rubbed her back as she cried against him.

"Shh… it will be alright. They're safe, Maria… they're…"

A loud roar made everyone including Naoto, Minato, and Gouto turn towards the window. Tadashi's eyes widened, "Cerberus! Don't hurt those children!"

"Cerberus?! You have Cerberus?! Dad!" Toshihiro exclaimed and bolted out of the door with Maria. Tadashi followed in a second and Naoto raced after him. There was more snarling and roars as they ran to the gardens.

There! Next to the rose bushes was an older infant Naoto, clapping her hands and laughing. Maria gasped and jogged towards the little girl, shrieking as a large white lion with a scaled tail and yellow eyes pounced on Naoto. "Cerberus! No!" Tadashi shouted, alarmed. Toshihiro pulled a spare tube out of his jacket, the top almost undone as the fangs lowered over the infant. Naoto's own eyes widened. That demon was going to… lick her? Infant Naoto was giggling as the giant lion licked her face and then nuzzled her. She, in returned, tried petting its muzzle, but more smacked its nose, grabbing some fur instead. The cat demon just plopped to the ground on its stomach and growled, paws curled around the child.

Minato came running in suddenly with Jack Frost tailing after him, but then stopped when he saw his mom, dad, and grandfather looking down at him. "… H-Hi," he said nervously.

Naoto blinked and everything disappeared; everything, except for a large white lion with a scaled tail slumbering on the ground. Its slim body rose and fell as it inhaled and exhaled, a light growl escaping its mouth as it rolled to its side."… Could this be the same Cerberus from then?" she wondered out loud.

"Demons are long-lived creatures… there's a chance and he would be a valuable demon on your side. He could probably make tracking down your friends easier…"

"Be careful how you approach him though. He might not remember you," Minato warned. She nodded and approached slowly, taking off her hat as the giant cat's ear twitched. Its eyes started to open, yellow eyes flashing under white fur and it yawned, rows of fangs flashing. It closed its maw and stared at her, rising to its four clawed paws.

"… WHO ARE YOU?" it asked, growling under its breath.

"I'm… Naoto, Cerberus… it's been fourteen years since we last saw each other," Naoto replied, looking into the lion's eyes. It tilted its head, closing its open jaw and stepped forward, looking down at her. It was massive, taller than her, but she didn't let that intimidate her. Its nose curled as it sniffed her hair and face, snorting occasionally as it checked her over. That she had been expecting. What she hadn't was a large pink tongue to lap her face from her chin to her cheek with a force strong enough to make her almost fall back.

"NAOTO. I THOUGHT YOUR GRAMPA WOULD NEVER LET US PLAY AGAIN," Cerberus growled, "BUT NOW YOUR IN THE DARK REALM AS A SUMMONER. I GUESS YOU WANT YOUR STUFF BACK…"

"… Oh, so you took my stuff. We can worry about that later. I need your help, old friend," she said, smiling at the beast. She reached forward and scratched its ear. She could feel its body rumble as it purred contently and it pulled back, nipping her hand as carefully as it could.

"YOUR FATHER WANTED ME TO HELP IF YOUR BROTHER OR YOU EVER CAME. WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?" it asked.

"My friends were brought here by a demon. I need your assistance to find them and also fight," Naoto explained. Cerberus looked at her, but then roared lightly.

"OF COURSE," was its simple answer.

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Me: Cerberus and demon time. Review please.