CHAPTER 25 / Change

February 27th, 2010

Dear Yukari,

I find myself day dreaming from time to time. Not of anything spectacular…but rather just something incredibly lazy. I imagine us up in the mountains on that picnic that we planned to go on. And then…well nothing would happen. We would go…enjoy the peaceful and beautiful landscape and just spend time doing nothing. And it was such a serene…peaceful dream that I don't want to wake up. But I know I have to wake up…I know that in the end my time is slowly slipping away.

A part of me wishes to lament the time I spend asleep when I should be with you…but my dreams have become so vivid and real that I feel like I'm not wasting time at all. When I close my eyes I see you…and when I am awake I spend every moment with you. Even now as I write in the journal all I can remember and see is you. All the trials we faced…the dangers and enemies we went against. It seems like all of that is fading to a distant memory. A memory that slips further and further away from me.

Is this an effect of becoming the seal? My soul is now tied to that place…in all my dreams it stands looming in the background…a reminder of the time that is soon to come. But you don't know…you don't remember…only Aigis remembers. But who I want to talk to…who I want to be comforted by…is you. This is a form of solitude I have never known before…and is most likely another price I pay for becoming the Great Seal. What will it be like? Perhaps for me it will be all a dream…and the one I have been having is what I will be in for the rest of time. I could enjoy something like that…an eternity of sitting in a field with you.

But it wouldn't be the real you…

I have to cherish these days…I have to hold you, touch you, as much as I can before I fade away. I don't want to leave you. But I willingly go in order to save you and this world that gave us the opportunity to be together. And though our time is still cut way too short, I will be waiting for you when this is all over. I'm sure that one day we will be together. It is something I have to believe in. I could not face this fate otherwise.

I love you now and forever.

Love Always,
Arisato Minato

November 9th, 2009 / Morning

"Today's the big day," Minato smiled as Yukari was turned back in her seat to talk with him. School definitely felt different after the events that had happened just a few days ago. The dorm was especially gloomy. Everyone but Minato and Yukari it seemed. The pair of them had found a sense of accomplishment and resolve that the others hadn't. Mitsuru had more or less become overburdened by the changing of power within the Kirijo Group, and even when she was around she wasn't exactly talkative to anyone. Minato and Yukari had other concerns for today. Plans that were made a while ago to meet with Yukari's Mother. "Nervous?"

"Well yeah…seeing my Mom after all this time…it's really nerve wrecking," she sighed and looked at Minato, concern crossing her face. "It's really happening, isn't it?"

"Don't worry, it will be fine," Minato smiled. "Besides you face Shadows and gigantic creatures…yet seeing your Mother makes you this nervous?" He teased her grinning.

"Shut up, you," Yukari shook her head but was smiling. "It's just…finding out what happened with Dad…makes me realize how important my Mom really is to me. I may have bonded well with my Dad…but she is important too. And you were right…I abandoned her."

"Often times we don't know what consequences will happen on our actions, especially as kids. We simply do what we feel is right, what helps us not feel pain. Even if what you did might have been a mistake…you are both still here…and your relationship can only get better. And I'll be here," Minato offered a warm smile. "Just take it one day at a time."

"Right," Yukari took a deep breath. "What would I do without you, Minato?"

Minato laughed, "You are stronger than you think, Yukari. I'm sure you would have done just fine without me."

"That's not a life I would want," Yukari said softly. Minato knew she had said it without thinking...but it was in those unguarded moments that Yukari truly spoke how she felt. And he couldn't express such a simple statement meant to him.

"Alright everyone," Ms. Toriumi got everyone's attention as she entered. "Today we have yet another transfer student…As you all know, this is our third. That makes it a hat trick."

No one seemed amused by her joke. But Minato just had to shake his head. Aigis made a bit of a ruckus when she came in…but apparently Minato's presence had caused more of a stir among the girls until it was widely known that he was in a relationship with Yukari. Although the theory running around campus is that the two had been involved since he had arrived considering how the rumors started way back. Well he had been involved with Yukari since the beginning but just not in the way everyone imagined. All of SEES was more or less bound together because of the Dark Hour.

"Please introduce yourself," Ms. Toriumi motioned for the new student to enter.

A young man entered, he had dark hair and wore black slacks and a white button up long sleeve shirt. The odd thing was the yellow scarf he wore casually. Yet something about him seemed familiar to Minato but he could not place it at all.

"My name is Ryojii Mochizuki. I would be grateful if you could show me the ropes," he said with a small bow to the class.

"…Hey, he's kinda cute," a girl somewhere near Minato spoke.

"I was thinking the same thing," another girl added.

Minato shook his head and looked up at Ryojii, finding that he was looking at him as well. "…Nice to meet you."

Minato offered a nod towards him but couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity that he was getting from Ryojii. Well Minato had lived in a lot of places...but he would have recognized the name if he knew him from somewhere else...right?

"Ryojii lived overseas for a long time because of his parents' work, so he may not be used to all of our customs. Be sure to explain them to him. Now then, you need a seat. Let's see…That ones open," Toriumi pointed to a seat a couple away from Minato.

"Um…Toriumi-sensei? Technically that seat is taken…"

"You must be present to be a member of this class, so as far as I'm concerned, that seat is available," Toriumi replied without pause. "Life is nothing but a game of musical chairs. The rest of you should be careful, too."

Minato shook his head. Aigis got her seat in the same fashion. He understood why Toriumi-sensei thought the way she did better than most. Well for many reasons…but it still didn't make it any less entertaining for him. He watched as Ryojii made his way to his seat but stopped when he came by Aigis' seat.

"Good morning. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name…" Ryojii gave a smile to Aigis. Minato felt his eyebrow go up as he saw the exchange.

"…You are dangerous," Aigis words caught the attention of the whole class. Minato had to stifle a laugh.

"Dangerous? I haven't even asked you out on a date yet…" Ryojii looked deflated by what Aigis had said. Minato was beginning to wonder about what kind of person Ryojii was.

"A date…?" Aigis was perplexed.

"Aigis, what's wrong with you?" Yukari was immediately concerned about this.

Then Ryojii let out a laugh, "Rejected from the start. You're an interesting girl."

He didn't know the half of it. Still Minato was more amused than concerned about it. Minato could hear Yukari sigh loudly and muttering something like, "Not another one." To be fair though, Junpei had stopped being overtly like that since Chidori had entered the picture. When he did it was more to lighten the mood than anything else.

"Your teacher understands, Aigis…You haven't had very long to be the 'new student,' and already you share the spotlight," Toriumi sighed. "I wish your classmates would pay attention to me for a change…Hey, are any of you listening?"

Ryojii went to his seat and Minato shared a glance with him before turning their attention back to their teacher. Another change…and only a few days after they had a significant change in their own lives. Things seemed to just stack up on each other…plus Minato couldn't shake the feeling as if he knew Ryojii. And that certainly wasn't helping anything. He had other things he needed to focus on today anyway.

The day itself was more or less uneventful although half the class was gossiping about Ryojii which didn't make Toriumi-sensei happy. Still Minato and Yukari finally got to the end of the school day and quickly left as soon as the bell rang.

"Okay, we don't have time so let's hurry back to the dorm and get cleaned up before we go," Yukari spoke as she went through a mental checklist to make sure she was done. "Oh crap I was supposed to run something to the office for the Archery club…"

"No you don't. I talked with your Senpai and she'll take care of it. She understands how important today is for you," Minato soothed her as they both made their way off of school grounds and towards the train station. "We have plenty of time. We're meeting her at the Wakatsu Restaurant which is at the Iwatodai strip mall. It is really close to the dorm so everything will be fine."

The conversation continued much like that all the way to the dormitory. Yukari suddenly gets worried about something and then Minato shooting it down and calming her. Her nerves were starting to make Minato worried about the meeting with her Mother. Once they were back at the dorm and Yukari disappeared into the bathroom to bathe and get ready to leave, she had become much more at ease. Minato took a quick shower in the boy's bathroom and then changed into black slacks a blue button up shirt and black tie. Then put on a black blazer and slipped on his black dress shoes. It had been quite a long time since he had to wear anything formal, so he had actually bought all new clothes. Thanks to one of Elizabeth's request he had some spending cash. Actually the money he got from Tartarus gave him enough to live quite comfortably. It helped that he kept most of it because Mitsuru had put him in charge of the team's equipment since he was so detail oriented.

Minato frowned as he looked at the mirror in his room. Mitsuru had said no more than a couple of words to him since that night her Father died. He had no words to make her feel better, but it wasn't good for her to continue on the way she was. He hadn't been able to talk to her about getting some better armor for exploring Tartarus or moving to a better weapon. No…she hadn't even come to Tartarus in the two visits they had made. Something needed to change.

A knock came at the door.

"Come in," he said still looking into the mirror.

The door opened and followed by a sigh. Minato glanced over to see Yukari looking at him with disappointment, "When was the last time you tied a tie?" She said as she moved over to him and pulled his tie making it come undone as she started to redo it again.

"It's been a few years," he commented softly as he stole a glance at Yukari's dress. It was a darker pink than usual and went down past her knees, but the dress was loose but still showed the curves of Yukari's body. It was not an elaborate or complicated dress, two straps over her shoulders and a slight v-cut to give a hint of cleavage. Simple but elegant…Minato thought it fit her incredibly well. "You look beautiful."

Yukari blushed but a smile appeared on her face, "You don't look too bad yourself, handsome." Yukari used his tie to pull him into a kiss. She pulled back after a moment and finished with Minato's tie. "There all finished."

"Ready to go?" Minato said using his hand to guide her chin up so he could look into her eyes. She avoided his eyes for a moment before looking into them.

"This is really happening, right?" Yukari asked in a whisper.

Minato grinned, "Yep, two overly dressed individuals are going to have dinner at Wakatsu."

She slapped him on the chest playfully, "Come on, I'm being serious."

"So am I," Minato leaned down and kissed her once more to ease her nerves. "You're nervous now, but when you see her, I know you'll realize the truth."

"The truth?" Yukari looked at him questioningly.

"That you've missed your Mother."

March 16th, 2011 / Evening

Yukari sat down nervously on one side of the couch. The whole situation was something she couldn't have seen coming even in her wildest dreams even just a month ago. Sitting down in the living room of someone from Minato's family. Yes…but this should have been something she did with Minato. Not something that happened after he had passed on...

The rest of SEES took other spots around the small living room of the Arisato home. Hamuko and Kana took the couch with Yukari and Mitsuru took a seat on one of the two chairs in the room. Isako took the other. The others took seats on the floor, the only ones remaining standing were Aigis and Akihiko who stood in the entry way of the living room.

"I would like to know everything that has happened thus far," Isako was the one to speak. She had vivid green eyes and brown hair. She was wearing a traditional kimono that was red with an intricate gold pattern on it. Yukari only noticed because she was curious if she had any distinct traits that seemed to be normal for the Arisato family. Minato had vivid blue hair...Hamuko had vivid crimson colored eyes. But Isako had only married into the family...her eyes were still a very distinct trait of hers.

"Let me be frank. How much do you know of your husband's work?" Mitsuru countered.

"If you are talking about Persona and Shadows and the Dark Hour, then I am quite familiar with all those subjects. My husband used to trust me with everything, plus I am also one of the scientist that was employed by the Kirijo Group," she took a moment to shift back in the chair. "Obviously something in my husband has changed recently…and I'm sure there are many things that he has not told me. To be honest I have not really talked with my husband in quite some time."

"You mentioned before Arisato Miyuki. I take it you were good friends with her?" Mitsuru asked.

"Yes…" Isako paused and looked away. "She was a bright, energetic individual. And…" She looked to Yukari. "You…you're Eiichiro's daughter aren't you?"

Yukari blinked, "You…you knew my Father?"

Isako smiled, "We all knew each other back then. We were all bright eye hopefuls out of college. We all met…we fell in love and got married. All of us couldn't have had better friends…but obviously all of that changed when Kirijo entered." Her smile turned sour and Mitsuru shifted uncomfortably.

"You mean my Grandfather?" Mitsuru did her best to regain her composure.

"I'm sorry, dear. I don't mean to insult you or your family name. Your Father Takeharu-san was a good man and did his best to clean up what your Grandfather left in his wake," Isako looked to Mitsuru sympathetically. "Your Grandfather approached all of us to join his research team. A promise of near limitless resources and up to date technology to fuel their research. Just being out of college…we couldn't say no. We learned about the world of Persona and Shadows and of the practical applications we could do if we could come to understand the basis of them. We were all blinded by the researcher side of us. As scientist…our curiosity got the better of all of us. After all...Shadows and Persona were quite a mystery and an enigma."

"Because of that…all of you were used by the Kirijo Group," Ken said who was sitting on the floor in front of Yukari and Hamuko.

Isako nodded, "Our research became the basis for the Mechanical Maidens, as we realized that the research of Shadows meant we would need a means to counteract them. I'm sure you all can imagine what happened after that. Consumed in our research and our continued results, we became fascinated by the possibilities that we could achieve. Then Kirijo Kouetsu…that man began to change. It wasn't just him, but others on the scientific team began to only look at certain aspects of the Shadows. Then the incident at Tatsumi Port Island occurred but I was at a different laboratory when it happened. I don't know the details of what happened. But I assume all of you know."

"My Father…as well as Arisato Kayane and Miyuki died as one of the experiments was supposed to come to an end. My Father…he interrupted the experiment that caused the birth of the Dark Hour and he did so to save us from something called 'The Fall'," Yukari started but Mitsuru soon picked it up.

"My Grandfather found a prophecy or something that described 'The Fall' as a means of deliverance, at least it was how he interpreted it because of a certain detail within it. He intended to wipe out the world in hopes that the prophecy would come true and place him as King of the world that was born after that," Mitsuru shook her head. "If it hadn't been for Yukari's Father then the world would have ended on that night."

"I was there that night," Aigis spoke up and stepped forward. "My last orders given to me were to allow the large Shadows to flee the city…and stop the Shadow known as Death from devouring them. However, I could not defeat him…so I sealed Death into a lone child that was on the Moonlight Bridge. Arisato Minato."

"You mean…Miyuki's little boy?" Isako was clearly shaken by this. SEES could do little more than just nod an affirmation. "How…how could you do that to a little boy?"

"I…" Aigis stopped for a moment. "I had my mission. That was all I knew at that time. My injuries were severe at that time, and I lost most of my core memories from that time. When the Dark Hour ended and the Kirijo Group began its cleanup I was taken to a lab and left there. No one had known what I had done."

"And what happened to Minato-chan?" Isako eagerly looked around to the others.

"He was placed in foster care and shuffled around the country from family to family. That is what the records indicate, but I am unsure exactly what his life had been life after the incident," Mitsuru put a file on the table in front of them. "It appears your husband kept tabs on his location but nothing more. I'm guessing he never mentioned it to you."

"No, he didn't. More than likely because I would have taken Minato-chan in myself if I had known. He told me they had all died on the bridge…that there was nothing left of them…" Isako was shaking.

"There is something else too," Mitsuru was getting more hesitant by seeing Isako reacting the way she was. This wasn't easy for any of them.

"You know that Minato was born with a twin right?" Yukari asked leaning towards Isako.

She nodded, too emotional to manage much else.

Yukari took Hamuko's hand, "His twin didn't die…her death was faked so that they could use her for a different experiment. This is her…Takahashi Hamuko. But…"

"My real name was supposed to be Arisato Minako," Hamuko finished giving a comforting squeeze to Yukari's hand. "It was an experiment led by your husband, Yoshimitsu."

Isako didn't know how to take it, so she got angry, "That son of a bitch stole a child from his own brother!? From Miyuki?! Why? Why did he do this?"

"We don't know," Mitsuru said softly. "His research was supposed to determine if they could force someone to develop the potential to wield a Persona by exposure to Shadows. We're still trying to determine his motive."

Isako took a deep breath, "Forced potential?" Something about those words had somehow cleared her mind.

Mitsuru nodded.

Then Isako shook her head, "If what you say is true then you're all wrong. This isn't about forced potential at all. More than likely it was something else. It has to do with research that most the others had dismissed but my husband had been rather adamant about."

SEES shared a glance with each other before looking back to Isako. "What do you mean?" Yukari asked.

Isako looked at all of them then got up from her seat and over to a book shelf. She pulled out a large bulky book that seemed incredibly old and placed it on the table. On the front was a family seal and underneath just one word. A family name. Arisato. "To see if the power of Persona is something that is inherited."

November 9th, 2009 / After School

Minato wanted to laugh out loud but not because of anything funny, but just because of all the unnecessary tension that was currently in the air. Both Yukari and her Mother were staring down at their hands and neither was saying anything. They hadn't spoken at all. And while Minato had wanted to let the two of them do the talking it was beginning to look like he would have to get the ball rolling. They had all ordered their food and were waiting for it to finish. Still time was slowly passing and each of them was content to not say anything.

"Yukari, aren't you going to introduce us?" Minato urged from next to her. She looked over at him and made the realization she had forgotten to do so.

"Oh, um…Mom this is Minato. He's my boyfriend," Yukari quickly said, her Mom looking up.

Minato smiled and offered his hand out to her, "Arisato Minato."

"Takeba Ryouko," She said taking his hand, slightly confused for a moment. "I didn't know you were dating anyone, Yukari."

"I just…didn't know how to tell you," Yukari said averting her eyes. "I didn't know what you would think."

Minato had to stop himself from pointing out the fact that her Mother had no doubt been the same way and had probably spend a significant amount worrying about telling Yukari about her own relationship. He really needed to let the conversation happen naturally. He was somewhat hurt that Yukari had failed to mention him, yet had brought him to this meeting. If she had wanted to really avoid talking about him though she wouldn't have brought him along.

"We've been dating since the end of July. Yukari is very…particular when it comes to you," he said with a light chuckle. Yukari nudged his arm but he ignored her for the moment, "Both of you are nervous and need to talk, but neither of you know where to start. So I will. It needs to start with the truth. You both need to explain what happened ten years ago. Why both of you went in two different directions and stopped talking."

Both Takeba women said nothing, and while normally Minato felt that Yukari would yell at him and get defensive about it…making an excuse as to why she shouldn't do what he just say…Minato realized that maybe this was the precise reason why she had wanted Minato to come with her in the first place. Because she knew that he wouldn't allow them to say nothing at all. So despite how nervous she was Yukari was the first to speak.

"We were never left alone. After Dad died…the media tried to get into our lives and try to find out why Dad could be the cause of something. Dad became a scapegoat of the incident but…no one ever said exactly what had happened. Only that people had died because of it…Dad included. I didn't know what to think anymore…I couldn't comprehend how Dad wouldn't be coming home. It was like it was something that was happening to someone else…that maybe everyone was lying…that Dad was just late getting home. That he would be back any day. I truly wanted to believe that. I never once thought about what you were going through Mom. I know you loved Dad…and I thought that because you were bringing all those guys over that you…you had never cared…" Yukari shook her head. "I only ever cared about me…and what I felt."

"I couldn't believe it when they told me. How could my Eiichiro be gone? Maybe they had made a mistake? But the media…and everything else forced reality onto me. And I stopped feeling…anything for a long time. I failed you as a Mother…and I even failed your Father. Men I had known suddenly gave me attention…and for a brief window of time…with a couple drinks I could…forget everything. I ran…ran away from the world and from you. For a long time whenever I saw you I would only remember Eiichiro…Your Father gave everything for his dream…for us…and you. He often reminded me of how happy he was to have you…that you were proof of our love of each other. But I let you down…I let your Father down…and…nothing I can do to ever fully apologize for it. But still I want to…I have a lot to repent for…" Ryouko was shaking slightly but grew less so as she spoke. "I met Hideo not long ago…he forced me to wake up…forced me to realize something important."

They were interrupted for a moment as one of the employees brought over their food and then were quick to leave. It was obvious that the conversation was a personal one and they didn't want to intrude. Minato was glad that the conversation had started in earnest, and would be much easier for them to talk from this point forward.

"Hideo reminded me of life…of what I had neglected in my escaping from the world. And who I had neglected as a result," Ryouko looked at Yukari. "I should have never acted that way. Because of that my own daughter became a stranger…and I never…I never realized how much I was hurting you by doing what I did. I loved your Father…more than anything. And it must have looked like that wasn't true based on my actions. But I was so lost…I didn't know how to…well…do anything. Without Eiichiro…I felt like I didn't know who I was. Everything just…didn't matter."

"Mom, I…I'm sorry…I shouldn't have left…I should have stayed with you…I…" Yukari and her Mom both were on the edge of tears; if not fighting them back.

"Regrets are not the reason the two of you are here," Minato interjected stopping the two of them. They both looked at him a questioning look in their eyes. They were both so alike he couldn't help but smile. "Sure, you want to know why things happened that way in the past, but things have changed now. You both have changed and now its time to leave the past in the past. It's good to remember it…there are lots of good memories there. But now its time for you both to move forward. It's what you both want, right?"

The Takeba women both nodded.

"Your boyfriend isn't one to mince words it seems," Ryouko giggled with a smile.

"You don't even know the half of it," Yukari giggled herself. Minato couldn't help but chuckle himself. His bothersome nature was no doubt a big contribution to their relationship even starting.

Minato smiled and got to his feet, "Well I think I'll leave you two to talk. It was nice to meet you, Takeba-san."

"Minato?" Yukari looked at him. He smiled and leaned down and kissed her cheek.

"I'll be nearby so just text me when you're done. Take your time, okay?" Minato whispered before standing up again.

"We'll have to talk more later. Arisato, right?" Ryouko asked, pausing for a moment at the name, then seemingly dismissing something.

He nodded, "Of course. But for now…you two catch up. I'm sure you both have plenty to talk about."

Minato got a box for his food and left the restaurant. He was just going out to one of the benches to eat before running into Hayase Mamoru. But after about two hours Yukari and her Mother were talking as they finally left the restaurant.

He was just waving goodbye to Mamoru as the Takeba women approached him. "Wasn't that who you went against in the kendo tournament?" Yukari asked looking after the individual in question.

"Yeah, as a side note, never accept a challenge from him in a takoyaki eating contest," Minato said shaking his head before turning to them.

"He sounds like a competitive guy," Yukari commented.

"Apparently he has a lot of siblings. I think that's just how it is in his family," he smiled. "Enough about that though, I assume you two have gotten caught up."

"Well there is still plenty to talk about, but we've made good progress," Ryouko said with a smile. Then she suddenly bowed to Minato. "Thank you for what you've done for my daughter."

He blinked for a second, "I didn't really do much."

"Yes you did," Yukari moved next to him and grabbed his arm.

"I just gave you a little push, that's all. Ultimately it was always your choice," Minato felt himself blush a bit. This wasn't a situation he was used to, or had ever experienced.

"We all need a push from time to time. The problem is…we often don't know it's something we need until…well we get it. For me…Hideo was the one that pushed me to reconnect with Yukari. He told me it was something I had to do," Ryouko looked at the pair of them. "You obviously make Yukari very happy. Next time we'll have to talk more."

"I look forward to it," Minato said earnestly. It was a first step that would be important to Yukari and her Mother repairing their relationship. Even without him he was sure that the two of them would become close once more. Since he was a part of it…he would more than happily watch them grow close as a Mother and daughter. And Yukari's smile would persist easily over the next few days.

March 16th, 2011 / Evening

"Inheriting the power of Persona?" Mitsuru sat back in the chair losing a bit of her composure. "But there has never been any solid evidence that such a thing could occur.

Isako flipped open the large book to a page with an elaborate family tree. "Of course not, because only my Husband had been following that possibility. Honestly, is it really so surprising? The reason why something like that couldn't be confirmed is that there was no liable way to test it. Not without evidence that a family line had the power before and that the appearance of Persona was not just a recent event. However, things have changed. Do you understand the principal we use to determine if someone has the potential?"

Mitsuru nodded but the rest of SEES looked confused for a moment.

"Actually, how is that done?" Junpei was the one to ask.

"There is two well-known ways that I'm sure you could all guess at," Isako said.

"Minato speculated that there was probably a set of circumstances that the Kirijo Group looked for that could flag someone as having the potential. But he thought of a couple others," Yukari spoke up. Isako seemed interested on what his nephew could come up with. "That there could be a possible genetic trait that made it possible…or even that there was a slight difference in our brains."

"That isn't too far from it," Isako said with a small smile. "It seems Miyuki's child was just as bright as her and her husband."

"What is it exactly?" Hamuko asked.

"We never narrowed it down specifically but we were able to get to within 70% accuracy. It was a pivotal point in research that helped greatly with the mechanical maiden project. Some of that information also came from the research done on you," Isako said as she eyed Hamuko specifically. "There was, in fact, a chance that exposure to shadows from a young age could naturally cause the potential for Persona. It was speculated that it was more than likely how the ability came to be. From encounters from Shadows in ancient times. And that ability transferring to their children and so forth. But there were always gaps where family members would stop having that potential. At least according to what we have observed from known families who have or had the Persona ability."

"So it's possible that it isn't genetic," Akihiko noted.

"Yes, as far as we can tell there is no gene or trait that holds the Persona ability. However, someone who uses a Persona does have a different trait than normal people," Isako pointed to her head. "Persona users have increased brain activity."

"What do you mean? Is there something wrong with us?" Ken asked concerned.

Isako shook her head, "Quite the opposite. Your ability to process information is greatly increased. And you are far more capable at using your body effectively and efficiently. You all fought Shadows for some time I imagine. Tell me how do you feel?"

SEES looked around at each other for a moment but no one answered.

"You feel better physically than you have your whole lives, correct? You are capable of pulling off physical feats that others would probably consider superhuman. This is because you hold Persona. The power to face inhuman enemies that also hold vast power. In order for your brain to handle it…it has expanded its processing ability to use a larger portion of your brain to compensate. I'm probably describing it wrong as Persona development wasn't my field, but I have read the reports. At any rate because of your increased processing ability you are more in tune with your body and mind. I would wager that all of your appetites are much larger than they used to be as well. From before you were able to use a Persona," Isako gave them all a soft smile.

"It makes sense," Akihiko said. "I imagine our immune systems would be much stronger as well."

Isako nodded, "Due to Shadows constant presence in your lives it has adjusted itself as well. More than likely to fend off illnesses quickly so you are not out of the fight for long. One major benefit is pretty obvious. All of you have never gotten the same illness twice…have you?"

Everyone looked at each other once more. "No," Akihiko answered for the group. "But what does all of this have to do with the Arisato family?"

Isako pointed towards the book and the family tree diagram that was laid out before them, "The Arisato's have a well-documented history from even before the Sengoku era. They were a rare family of warriors…some Samurai and others soldiers. I say a rare family because they were also well educated. And they were known in ancient times as slayers of monsters."

Yukari could already tell where this was headed. But was that really true? "You are saying his family line had faced Shadows in the past? That far back?"

"There is no evidence to support that but there is also no reason to not believe it," Isako turned the page of the large book showing lines and lines of ancient text. "Knowing what we do now…and the events that have already occurred. The stories of the Arisato family cannot be dismissed."

Yukari pulled out the blue leather-bound book and placed it on her lap. "This is the record of Minato's struggle with the Shadows. He recorded everything that happened for me."

Isako smiled, "He was able to leave a record? His Father would have been proud of all the things his son accomplished. Especially the prevention of 'The Fall'. I have only recently come across the vague report that my husband has written as of late."

"Then you…" Yukari started but Isako put a hand up to stop her.

"The Arisato's, all possess a unique trait. Their brains from birth were already working as if they had awoken to the power of Persona. Generally this does not happen until an individual awakens their Persona," Isako said simply.

"Wait…so when they awakened did something else happen? Is that why they are capable of holding multiple Persona?" Mitsuru asked.

Isako shook her head, "Possible but unlikely. There is evidence of many others holding multiple Persona, but if my husband's report is to be believed there has not been someone as capable as Minato-san. How many was he capable of holding?"

"Twelve," Yukari answered which everyone seemed surprised at. "In the journal he notes that he rarely used more than five or six in combat because there had never been a need for him to switch so much. Except…"

"…In our final fight against Nyx," Akihiko shook his head. "That Velvet Room…it was how he was able to manage them. Is there a mention of the Velvet Room in the Arisato records?"

Isako looked at him for a moment then flipped through the book to a collection of drawings…all of them…different doors…each one was different but was clearly variations of the Velvet Room door.

Hamuko got to her feet and quickly crossed to the collection of drawings. Yukari hadn't noticed until now that Hamuko looked to be in a cold sweat. "Our ancestors…the family…they've all seen it?"

"Not all, but those that talk of the creatures they fought…also talk of an ally they had that appeared behind this door. And that they were important allies on their journeys," Isako said looking into her eyes and coming to another conclusion. "You are currently able to visit the Velvet Room…aren't you?"

Yukari saw it in Hamuko's eyes. Panic…confusion…she was being overwhelmed. She moved quickly as Hamuko suddenly collapsed but Yukari was there to catch her. Kana was only a heartbeat behind Yukari and helped support her as they brought her back to the couch to lay her down.

"I apologize, I might have revealed too much, too quickly," Isako said as she got up and quickly disappeared for a moment and came back with water and a damp wash cloth.

"Is she okay?" Kana asked Yukari.

"Yes, she just needs to rest for a bit," Yukari smiled and took a moment to look over Kana before she knelt down next to Hamuko. "Minato would have loved to know all of this. Then again he might have been irritated that he never knew about all of this before."

"I'm sorry for that as well," Isako said. "Had his parents been alive then he would have been well aware of Shadows and his family history. Much like my Husband and his brother Kayane had been taught, although he didn't tell me till years later when we were already working with the Kirijo Group and his focus in research was family line related. Even still Minato was an Arisato…I doubt it would have changed his desire to fight."

"Well you're right about that," Akihiko chuckled. "He was one of a kind on the battle field…and he was definitely skilled in strategy. More than I could ever be."

"Perhaps it is more appropriate that we will be facing Yoshimitsu on the Moonlight Bridge. It holds special significance to him," Mitsuru said who looked more concerned about Hamuko.

"For now, all of you please stay here for the night," Isako said bowing to all of them. "We still have more to discuss but for now…"

"Yes, thank you," Mitsuru said.

Yukari took the wash cloth and wiped Hamuko's forehead, seeing a look that was pained and confused still on her face. "Minato, I hope you see how hard your sister is trying. But don't worry…I'll be here to watch over her in your stead," Yukari whispered as she did her best to ease Hamuko.

Author's Note

Alright...Chapter 25. Minato and Yukari go and have dinner with Yukari's Mother. Oh but before that Ryoji transfers into class! Haha, not much of Ryoji for this chapter as the focus is more or less the meeting with Minato/Yukari and Yukari's Mother...which I have named her Ryouko. This was a meeting I felt should have happened during her social link...mostly because I felt there was a much more needed development...and it bothers me that Yukari more or less she is going to repair her relationship with her Mother but there was never anything more than that. As a matter of fact...she is never mentioned after Yukari's level 8 Social Link. While they do end it with a resolution...it felt odd that nothing is said about it in her last 2 parts of her social link. Obviously I wanted to change that. Plus having Minato be more involved with that makes the impact of losing him that much more for Yukari. Because...you know...I like drama. *shrug*

Then in the present Isako reveals insight to a few topics of the nature of Persona and the possibility of inheriting the ability. Granted everything I talk about is all theory and if any future titles expand on how Persona works and possible effects on the body then it will probably not be correct. But it was fun coming up with the way that I imagine obtaining a Persona could affect you. For me it feels like they would all stand out more among their peers simply because of the fact that they would carry themselves differently. Even Junpei would have seemed different after a month or so of fighting Shadows. Muscles more defined and increased stamina and so forth. There is a lot of things that would have effected all of them. I mentioned before that all of them would be used to being up late because of the Dark Hour. So even when none of them remembered the Dark Hour...more or less everyone in the Dormitory would have been a night owl. It's easy for the mind to forget, but not your body. Muscle memory can be a bit of a pain that way, lol.

Hamuko is overloaded with information in this chapter...and she might take a back seat for a few chapters as the focus is going to be on the contents of the journal...There is still a long way to go but the end of the story is coming. Some of the longest...and probably the hardest chapters I had to write are coming up. Lets just say that the confrontation with Chidori is one of the most emotional...and a scene I actually cried while writing. It has to do with the subtle changes I made to it...which I hope everyone will enjoy when we get there. I'll probably have a lot more to say about it when I post that chapter.

Anyway, I hope your enjoying it so far as we ramp up towards the end of the story. Only ten more chapters to go. So you know what to do, read, review and maybe spread the word if you enjoy it. If not...well then I'm surprised you read this far, haha. See you all tomorrow with the next chapter.