So a big thank you to everyone who had reviewed! This is my first time writing a Persona 3 story, so I'm not really all that sure how well it would be received.

To ailiniel, I didn't even realise that I've made a mistake with the graduation date until you've pointed it out to me. Thanks for the tip off. I've already amended the date of her death, and as far as I understand it, Graduation Day is on the third of March, isn't it? So, that's the day when she died.

And to Chemical Fire, I don't mean to be rude here, but what do you mean by I'm 'ripping off good authors'? If you're talking about story plot, I'm pretty sure that there are always several stories out there with similar story plots.

And to answer a few questions, yes, I'll be making Shinji join SEES earlier than canon, and yes, the Theo in the past will be the Theo in the future. Also, just a heads up, but it's been about a month or so since I've last picked up the game, and my memory of the canon events in the game might be a little fuzzy, so just give me a heads up to any mistakes that I've made regarding the events.

Warnings: Slight violence. Suicidal implications. Lemon scenes.

Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 3 Portable or any of the characters, but the OC characters belongs to me

Chapter Two: Back and Again

May 01, 2009
Tatsumi Port Island Back Alley

Thud!

"Ouch!" Aragaki Shinjiro groaned as he fell from his makeshift seat of some crate in the back alley of Tatsumi Port Island, and rubbed his back. He then blinked as he took in the sight of the sun shining down on his face. "Huh?"

The brunette's eyes then widened when he remembered everything: his meeting with Theodore, what he had said, and that he has a chance to meet Yuuki again. Quickly, Shinjiro shoved a hand into the pocket of his coat and drew out his cellphone, quickly flipping it opened only to see that day's date flashing back at him: May 01, 2009.

May 01, 2009.

2009.

2009.

Shinjiro's eyes widened. '2009. He wasn't kidding. He really did send me back in time,' he thought in shock. A small smile then appeared on his face, and anyone who happens to see it might just faint, as Aragaki Shinjiro never smiles. Or at least, he never used to, until he had met Yuuki. 'I can see Yuuki again. And save her.'

He was about to get to his feet and rush down to the Iwatodai Dorm, but he then stopped, remembering that in the original timeline, he hadn't even met Yuuki yet. His first meeting with her was when Aki had asked him to accompany him to the hospital after having injured his ribs during a mission, as it had been a long time since the silver haired boxer had last seen him.

Shinjiro almost groaned. 'Alright, calm down. Remember what Theodore had said: 'you must be very careful'. If I really want to save Yuuki, I have to plan things out carefully. As well as that issue about Amada.' He thought sadly. 'But I can change everything: Kirijo's father wouldn't die – not if I can help it. Then there's the issue about Strega. And I sure as hell wouldn't let that Mochizuki kid near Yuuki!'

Shinjiro scowled to himself.

He might have been in a coma right after the October fourth battle after having taken two bullets in the chest for Amada, but he could hear everything that Aki had told him. That hot headed friend of his had simply ignored the 'No Visitors' sign on the door during his six month hospital stay until he had woken up, and had simply walked into his room like he had owned the place. Aki had told him about lots of stuff, and about everything that had happened.

Like what had happened with Amada, and the decision that he had made. The battle with Strega on the Moonlight Bridge. Then about that Ikutsuki bastard. But Aki talked about Yuuki most of all, and Shinjiro was glad about that. Privately, he thinks that it might have been because of their rather…one-sided conversation about the chestnut haired girl that had allowed him to live through his coma. Aki had also told him about that Mochizuki kid, and then about Strega once more.

And speaking of Strega…

Shinjiro felt about in his pocket for that familiar bottle of pills, and soon felt his hand closing around something hard. He closed his hand around that object and drew it out again, and there it is: that familiar bottle of pills that had been killing him slowly, and is also the source of Yuuki's pain. He should know, since he had sometimes been forced to take those pills in front of her more than once during one of their many outings, or even when they have walked Koromaru.

And if his memory serves him right, he shouldn't have been taking the suppressants for long if it is currently May. Maybe only about a month or so, if he recalls correctly…

The cellphone currently clutched in his right hand rang just then, startling Shinjiro out of his thoughts, and the surly young man swore to himself inwardly. Just what the hell is wrong with him? Why is he so jumpy all of a sudden, and acting so…out of character?

Shinjiro answered the call without even bothering to look at the name displayed on the LCD screen, already knowing who it is. There are only two people who would have telephoned him, and since technically, he hasn't met one of the two yet, there is only one person who would be calling him now.

"What is it, Aki?" Shinjiro snapped in the phone.

Akihiko's light laughter echoed from the other end of the line. "You're as eloquent as always, Shinji," he said teasingly. "Could you accompany me to the hospital? I…kind of busted my ribs during our last mission, and I need to go to the hospital for a check up today. And before you say no, it has been a long time since I've last seen you. At least let me see that you're still alive."

Shinjiro smiled to himself. He remembered this call from Aki the last time. The silver haired boxer had to practically bring out the big guns before he had agreed to go to the hospital with him.

"Fine," said Shinjiro with a sigh. "I'll meet you at the hospital. Which room?"

Akihiko didn't say anything for several moments before he spoke again, sounding rather bewildered and surprised when he did. Obviously, he didn't expect for Shinjiro to agree so quickly, having been used to dealing with his stubbornness. When Shinjiro doesn't want to do something, nothing in the world can make him do it. The only one whom he would probably rage Hell and high waters for is probably only a certain crimson-eyed girl whom he would be meeting later that day.

"Er… Well… You will?" Akihiko sounded both surprised and bewildered. "It's…Room 406. I'll see you there?"

"Yeah." Shinjiro grunted into his phone before hanging up the call, a small gentle smile on his face. She is the only one who had ever seen him smile. He hasn't smiled once ever since he had killed Amada's mother by mistake.

Feeling a slight rattle against his leg, Shinjiro then stared down at the bottle of pills currently clutched in his hand, having forgotten about it temporarily because of the phone call from Akihiko. He gulped to himself nervously. Can he really handle his Persona without relying on the suppressants? Almost as if his own Persona is mocking him (it is said that Personas are an embodiment of the soul after all), he recalled Yuuki's words to him, and what Theodore had said.

I believe in you, Shinjiro-sempai.

If Yuuki-sama believes in you, then I believe in you as well. You won't lose control of your Persona. Not now, and not ever.

The three words 'I believe you' made Shinjiro make his decision right then and there. He stood up, dusting imaginary dust off of his clothes, and chucked the bottle of suppressants into a nearby trashcan as he left the back alley.

He has no need to rely on Strega's drugs ever again. Unlike before, he wants to live. He wants to be there for Yuuki, and not to hear her crying over him on Christmas Eve, making him feel like he's the lowest person in the world.

He wants to live.

And more importantly, he wants to still be there for Yuuki ten years from now.

XXXXXX

Room 406
Tatsumi Memorial Hospital

"I didn't think that you would really come, Shinji." Akihiko greeted Shinjiro the moment that he had walked through the door of the room that his childhood friend had told him about. The silver haired boxer was currently sitting on the lone bed in this room.

Shinjiro grunted, shoving his left hand into his pocket, and using his right to adjust the beanie on his head. "Well, as you can see, I'm still alive," he grunted.

"You definitely are." Akihiko agreed. "We have three new members in SEES now – with all three being juniors. And because Mitsuru had all but ordered me to stay put or else—" The sulky look on Akihiko's face caused Shinjiro's lips to twitch slightly. "One of the juniors had been taking the lead for operations for now, and she's doing an excellent job so far. Mitsuru is talking about letting her lead the group even after I've recovered, if the doctor gives me the all clear today." Akihiko sounded proud as he said that, and Shinjiro felt his heart skip a beat.

He knew just who Akihiko is talking about – Yuuki.

From his conversations with her during that month of September, he knew that Yuuki had first joined SEES around April – when she had just arrived in Iwatodai. And her first battle with a Shadow had been one of those large ones that had knocked her out for a week, and had put her in the hospital. Because Akihiko had gotten his ribs injured by that same Shadow, and Kirijo is mainly used for analyzing at that time, both Aki and Kirijo have then named Yuuki the leader for operations, as she is the only one among the three juniors who had awakened her Persona, and had actually fought them before. And not to mention that she has no difficulties whatsoever in summoning her Persona.

"Hey Shinji, won't you come back?" Akihiko asked suddenly, looking straight into his friend's eyes. "We need your power. And with three additions to our ranks, and then with you, we would be able to get things done smoother that way."

Shinjiro was very much tempted to say yes, and to give Akihiko a heart attack. But it would also be so out of character for him, probably making Akihiko suspicious instead. And besides, he is still uncertain about Castor. Theodore might have told him that what had happened with Amada's mother won't happen again, but Shinjiro would rather test it himself than having Castor go berserk on another person.

"Tch. You're annoying. Just how many times must I say 'no' before you get the message?" Shinjiro grunted.

Akihiko opened his mouth to argue, but the door slid opened just then, and a nurse poked her head in. "Sanada-kun? The doctor will see you now."

"Alright," said Akihiko, slipping off the bed that he is sitting on. He then turned to face Shinjiro. "Wait here for me, would you? I still want to talk to you."

"Tch. Whatever. Just don't take too long." Shinjiro grunted as he occupied the same bed that Akihiko had been occupying moments prior, looking bored and disinterested in everything, but was waiting impatiently for Yuuki to arrive with that idiot Junpei and Takeba.

The door slid shut behind Akihiko as he left to see his doctor, and silence fell.

Shinjiro's mind was working furiously. He knew that Yuuki would be here soon, and he seriously doesn't know how he's going to deal with it, and if he is going to break down when he sees her alive and well in front of him. The last time that he had seen her, she had been…

He choked back a straggled sob in his throat as he remembered how cold her body had been, and just how she wouldn't wake up, no matter how many times he had called her. The brunette then shook his head. 'No. I won't let that happen this time. I will save you,' he promised. 'I will find an alternative method to this Nyx problem that Aki had told me about. There must be one. I won't let you die.'

The sounds of faint voices beyond the door caused Shinjiro to perk up just then, and he glanced up at the door just in time to see it sliding opened, and the three juniors from SEES were standing at the doorway – just as Shinjiro had remembered it.

He scowled deeply, trying to restrain the bubbling emotions currently rising up in him as he spotted the familiar chestnut hair just behind Junpei's shoulder, with Yuuki being shorter than the boy. The cap-wearing junior seemed nervous, and looked ready to bolt the moment that he had saw Shinjiro, and next to him, Takeba looked scared as well.

"Umm… Is…Akihiko-sempai…?" Junpei trailed off as Shinjiro's scowl deepened even further, trying to avoid looking at Yuuki if he could. He wasn't sure how he would react. The cap-wearing junior looked ready to drop to the ground and die. "…in this room? By any chance?" He finished timidly.

Akihiko's familiar silver hair appeared behind the three juniors just then, looking rather confused at seeing the room so crowded, a black jacket slung over his shoulder as always. "What are all of you guys doing here?" he questioned, entering the room, being followed by the three juniors, and Shinjiro felt a beat skip in his heart as Yuuki came into full view, staring at him curiously.

The brunette man felt his lips twitch slightly. Just like last time, she is the only one who wasn't scared of him upon their first meeting. Even Kirijo was kind of intimidated by him when they have first met, and Junpei looked ready to crap his pants with their first meeting. But not Yuuki. She is the first one that wasn't scared of him.

Shinjiro remembered asking Yuuki once about it during one of their many 'dates' together when they were walking Koromaru. Though it's more like Koromaru running off the moment that they've arrived at Naganaki Shrine, and him having some alone time together with Yuuki.

Yuuki had smiled at him then, and had said that she doesn't find him scary at all. It is more like she felt that he had put up an invisible wall around him, not allowing anyone to get close. At that time, Shinjiro was surprised that she had managed to see right through him in a way that even Aki couldn't. But now, he knew that that is what made Yuuki…well…Yuuki. She always knew just what to say.

"We came to see you." Yuuki chirped, and Akihiko smiled at her, causing a slight flame of jealousy to flare up in Shinjiro.

"I'm just here for a check-up," said Akihiko with a laugh, patting her on the head.

Shinjiro decided that it is the best time for him to leave.

He has no idea that seeing Yuuki again could be so difficult. He was finding it difficult to not just wrap his arms around her, and to kiss her senseless. But he knew that if he ever gave into his emotions right now, he would probably only scare Yuuki away – as to her, he is only a stranger, just her sempai's best friend. At least, it is for now. And not to mention that Aki might punch him into next week if he ever does such a thing.

The silver haired boxer had always been a little over protective of Yuuki, especially when both Shinjiro and Yuuki have started spending a lot more time together. Though it's more like the crimson-eyed girl approaching him, and going for a meal together, or just walking Koromaru together. Simple things, but things that could make Shinjiro relax and feel like a normal teenage boy for once whenever he is with Yuuki.

"Is that it, Aki?" Shinjiro asked, getting up from the bed, trying to avoid looking at that crimson gaze.

"Yeah, thanks," said Akihiko with a smile.

Shinjiro grunted. "Don't be such a hothead the next time," he warned, and Akihiko grinned.

"Don't be a stranger, Shinji," he said.

Shinjiro grunted and walked towards the door, but the familiar scent of spices reaches his nostrils – the same smell that he had always smelt whenever he is with Yuuki, and even though his brain is telling him one thing, his body is reacting differently as Shinjiro turned and faced Yuuki. The chestnut haired girl was staring at him curiously with that innocent look of hers, just standing barely an arm's length away from him, and it was taking Shinjiro everything he could to not just close that distance between them and to hug her.

Just how many nights had he dreamed of this happening? That Yuuki is still alive, and that he could still embrace her.

Shinjiro had broken down in front of her gravestone the first night after her burial in the graveyard, crying for her to come back, and that he'll do anything for her – even wearing those ridiculous outfits that she had gotten as 'armour' many a time from Officer Kurosawa, and that he would cook for her every day, and even tell her 'I love you' as many times as she wished to hear it, as long as she would just come back. It had scared even Aki at that time to see his best friend act like that.

"You…" Shinjiro muttered, staring at Yuuki for a very long time, fighting to not let her name slip out of his mouth. Especially since Aki hadn't exactly told him their names yet… Shinjiro shook his head. "Never mind…"

He quickly walked out of the room and closed the door behind him, breathing heavily, fighting the urge to just walk back into the room where Yuuki is. 'I just have to wait. I just have to be patient,' he told himself.

He'll wait. He has waited for well over a year for this after all.

He'll wait.

He's good for waiting after all.

A/N: So I've gotten some complaints that I've made Shinjiro a little too out of character. My apologies, but during the rooftop scene in the game, Shinjiro seems much more gentle and affectionate to me. Thus, I'm basing his personality on that.

I hope that you like this chapter, and please read and review!