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 20: Solidify

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"Naoto… Naoto? Come on, it's time to wake up…"

Mhm—wha? Where was she? Why did she feel so tired and… her body was on fire…

"… Mom..! Mom! Naoto's face is red!"

She parted her eyes, watching a silhouette race from the room and she let out a small whimper, balling her hands into fists. What happened? She just remembered fighting Yasuka-no-Ikazuchi and then… nothing. Blinking slowly, she looked around the room, noticing the pillow under her head and the blue sheets pulled up to her shoulders. Across from her was a desk with a lamp, her Jack Frost doll propped against the glass and by the bed she lay in was a door, hall light streaming in through a minute crack. More light fell in as it opened, a young boy with blue hair and an average height woman with long hair standing with him in the door way.

"Naoto? Are you awake?"

Naoto stared quietly, but then croaked, "...Mom?"

Maria sighed and paced over, sitting down on the bed next to Naoto, placing a hand on her forehead, "… You're burning up. Minato, could you get your father?"

"Yeah," Minato replied and then ran out of the room. Naoto didn't do anything as Maria picked her up, but moan in discontent and shiver as the blankets fell away.

"Naoto… shh… here," Maria whispered, grabbing the bed sheets. She wrapped them around Naoto like bundling a baby and rubbed her back. Naoto was silent; still confused. How was her mom here? She felt so terrible…

"Maria, I got the fever medicine."

Toshihiro walked in, black cloak draped around his shoulders, but a cup of water and medicine in hand as he approached the bed. Naoto could see the crème colored vest he was wearing too, numerous tubes and a gun holstered in it. Maria frowned, "You didn't get a thermometer?"

"I have it!" Minato exclaimed, running into the room. He handed his mom the thermometer and she looked down at Naoto.

"Naoto, open your mouth a bit," she whispered and Naoto complied. The small stick was placed under her tongue and the room fell silent as they waited about a minute before taking the stick out. Minato turned on the lamp as Maria held up the stick. She shook her head, "38.7… We can't bring her along like this. Can we hold the trip off?"

"… I'm afraid Kirijo-san isn't a very forgiving man," Toshihiro muttered, handing the medicine to his wife, sighing, "Father is still here. We'll take her to Iwatodai next time when it's just a family trip."

"Yes. It's already risky that we're taking Minato with us," Maria sighed. Minato perked up at his name, but then looked away, silent. "Minato, don't sulk, it will just be a few days and by then, your sister will be well again…"

"But I don't want to go if Naoto isn't going," he said, walking over to the bed. Naoto bit her lip, curling closer to her mother's chest. Minato frowned and climbed onto the bed, his gray eyes staring at Naoto. Naoto looked back, letting out groan and shutting her eyes tightly. "Naoto…" Minato whispered, concerned.

"Just a little medicine…" Toshihiro murmured, passing a tiny cup with purple liquid in it to Maria.

"It's her first fever… come, drink up Naoto. It tastes like grape," Maria said, raising the cup to Naoto.

She scrunched her nose, "It doesn't smell like it…"

"Wait, let me take it," Minato said.

"But Minato, you're not sick. It could be…" Maria warned, but her son already took the medicine and drank it down. It was obvious he wanted to make a face, but he smiled at Naoto.

"It's okay… and it does taste like grape," Minato said, giving the cup back to his dad. Toshihiro was displeased with Minato's actions, but Naoto nodded slowly, waiting for the medicine now. When she took it, she crinkled her nose, quickly drinking down the water her father had. "Sorry. It does taste kinda bad, but you want to go outside and play sooner, right?" Minato asked. Naoto stared for a moment, but then nodded slowly.

"Mhmm… you're a good girl Naoto… and your brother's always looking out for you," Toshihiro said quietly, smiling and patting Minato's head. Maria laughed gently, laying Naoto back down in her bed.

"Minato, watch Naoto for a moment. We need to speak to your grandfather."

"Yes, mom…"

Maria and Toshihiro departed from the room and Minato shifted, pulling Naoto's sheets back to her shoulders. She watched Minato dazedly while he just looked back, worry written on his face. Shifting a bit, she raised a hand which he took hold of in a heartbeat.

"Don't leave me…" she whimpered, squeezing his hand as hard as she could.

He shook his head, "Mom and dad are dragging me along. The moment we come back, we'll play with Cerberus and Pixie… maybe Inugami too!"

She giggled slightly at the thought of a snowy day and them all playing together, but she frowned at the sound of yelling. It was making her head pound. Minato looked back at the door, releasing Naoto's hand, and slid off the bed. He walked over to the door and closed it before walking back over, climbing on again. He laid down next to Naoto, hugging her tightly, "They'll stop soon. Try getting some sleep…"

She frowned, but snuggled closer to her brother, nodding and allowing her eyes to close. The moment she did that though, she felt like she was fleeting from her body, viewing something entirely different. First thing she noticed was that she was very low to the ground. Second, the arguing was audible and deafening in her ears.

"I'm not working for this man because I WANT to, father! If I don't do this, the bastard will destroy everything! You know that!"

"Our family has nothing to do with the tribulations of mad men like that or his employees! One calamity will lead to another! You will stay here!"

"If we don't do anything, everyone will be at risk! They cover it up in a school! The kids are already being exposed to something horrendous, but if it gets out, everyone will suffer! Tadashi-san, we must go!"

"You will remain here and care for your daughter instead of fight for something only a few will listen too!"

"It might only be a few, but one action from any of them can stop this!"

"Fine! Do what you wish! Be gone from my sight!"

Toshihiro's cloak fluttered as he stormed out of the study, Maria following close behind, looking cross. 'Naoto' walked into the room and leapt onto the desk, staring at her grandfather unblinkingly. Suddenly, she heard herself talk in a low, gruff voice.

"Tadashi, this is your son and daughter-in-law's case. A least respect his wishes and watch over Naoto."

"Naoto… a male name for a daughter… what were they thinking?"

"Forget about that… you should be preparing for Minato's training. When he comes back, his conditioning must begin."

"I know that very well, Gouto. Unfortunately, I don't foresee any good coming from my son meddling with that bastard. Kouetsu is conducting something heinous; you must know that, Gouto."

"Indeed I do, but your son is seeking the alternative. It is inevitable the product of this experiment, but any loop hole will buy us time."

"Hmph… this is something demons are inadequate for. Summoners in general are losing their edge in this world. It's time to move on…"

"Our lineage isn't one to be abandoned so far in the game Tadashi… If you try to stop it, I'll find a way past you."

"As you wish, Gouto. We'll see who holds to their word…"

'Naoto' rose to her paws and padded out of the room, but the moment she passed the doorway, she found herself inside a shrine. A storm blasted outside while she sat inside the darkness, her knees tucked against her chest. Mom and dad's funeral was yesterday, but in her grandfather's presence, she didn't weep or say a word. Actually, there was a lot she couldn't do under her grandfather's eye. The house was cold and something was missing. Every time she brought it up though, she would fall asleep and dream about a boy with blue hair, living with his small family, silent and withdrawn to himself.

She rubbed her eyes to stem the tears, but it didn't work. She didn't want to be here anymore; it was dark and the cold was making her shiver, but she didn't want to go home. Naoto shut her eyes tightly, listening to the wind howl and slam against the old shrine, but it died away suddenly.

"Why're you leaving me here? Why am I always left alone?"

Her eyes opened slowly and she found herself to be lying in a blindingly white room. There were no walls, no ceiling, nothing as far as she could tell as she sat up to glance around. Who had said those words? Was her shadow back? No, nobody was here… It couldn't have been. She looked down as something wet landed on her thigh and frowned when she saw she was naked. Well, at least she was back to normal; as normal as it was growing up.

"I don't wanna be alone…"

Another drop onto her thigh.

She understood now. She raised a hand to stem the tears, but it they were steadily becoming worse, flowing down her face. This was some purgatorial hell and no one was going to save her. That's just how it was; she was always alone in the end. She pulled her knees to her chest and bowed her head, allowing her hand to fall away from her cheek. They had probably died hating her anyway since she couldn't stop Yasuka-no-Ikazuchi. She failed to accomplish anythi—

"Finally…"

She blinked as someone grabbed her from behind and pulled her firmly against a pale chest.

"I carried you to safety, but you wandered away when I left you alone for a split second."

She turned a bit pink, but then looked up. He didn't look down, but she knew it was Minato hugging her close. His eyes did drop after a moment, a frown crossing his face, "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"… I-I failed… I let the others…"

"Shh, they're alright. We defeated Yasuka-no-Ikazuchi… you weakened him, but then I borrowed your body for a bit when the fire hit you," he muttered, chuckling, "It's been a while since I've controlled demons or a persona… I'm afraid it allowed you to be spirited away. Two souls cannot occupy the same body at once…" He shook his head, "Just like with everything in the world…"

"Then I…?" she trailed, her tears starting to clear up.

"You're still alive and your friends are waiting. You're not as alone as you may think, you know?" he hugged Naoto tightly. Black feathers fell around them and the room started to dull in color. Out of the blackness, a pale blue orb glared through, coming closer to the two of them. Minato extended a hand to the blue light. A small butterfly landed on his palm, wings flapping several times, but it came to rest after a moment.

Naoto stared at it curiously, falling back almost as Minato pulled away, "Ryoji says it's time to go…"

"Ah… alright," she replied, quickly gathering herself. He rose to his feet and held out his free hand to her which she accepted, rising to her feet. The butterfly, Ryoji, floated off of Minato's hand and moved around them slowly. Naoto looked around, her body light as though a heavy burden had been removed.

"Naoto… I have a favor to ask of you."

She held onto Minato's hand tighter as he started shining.

"What is it, Minato?"

Ryoji landed on their connected hands…

"Can you go to Iwatodai next spring? My friends visit my grave every March on the 5th. Tell them I'm still watching over everyone…"

She felt warmth spread through her body. She closed her eyes, pink lips curving upward in a small smile.

"Of course I can, brother."

A new voice chimed in.

"Siblings willing to sacrifice themselves for others… I'll take you home to rest. Minato, I'm still watching over you and I'll keep an eye on your sister. Remember that always."

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Me: Coming together. Please review.