Catch 22: The Field of Play

By: M14Mouse

Summary: Yu has a gun to his back and one chance.

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.

-Seneca

Yu heard the sound of a clicking gun behind him. He stopped for a moment and looked over his shoulder.

"Crow."

"Gambler"

He hummed softly as he turned back around. His hand twisted around the knob of his cane and took in the landscape before him. It was a strange mix of reality and metaverse. It was strange. It was pretty in its own way. The lights from the casino offered a nice contract from the surrounding gray buildings.

He almost laughed. Yusuke would enjoy his artistic point of view.

"I must say…your escape was quite daring…not as much as Joker's but it still was impressive."

"Thank you."

"Of course, not much of an escape since I caught you," Akechi said.

"Who said that I was caught?"

Akechi laughed.

"Have a card up your sleeve?"

"Possible."

Akechi sighed softly.

"I have no idea if you are telling the truth or not. You are a tricky one to read. Truly your codename. It is almost a pity that I have to kill you. Much like Joker, I like you. I have come to value our friendship. Because of that friendship, I feel that I should be the one to pull the trigger."

"And yet…you haven't."

"I am trying to figure out what you are planning. You remain behind on purpose. I just don't get you. I don't understand why."

He heard the frustration in Akechi's voice.

It really isn't that hard to understand. He is a college student and a member of an organization that fights shadows. He goes inside tvs. He fought in some life-or-death tournaments with other persona users and let's not forget the dancing incident.

In fact, let's not talk about the dancing incident. None of his personas has let him forget it either.

Despite that, a lot of good has come from those events. The friends that he had made, the places…the very strange places that he has been but…he lost normal a long time.

"Actually, I get that a lot."

"…And that annoys me a great deal."

"And I get that a lot too."

"You…I….It is almost funny. I have a gun to the back of your head. In a few moments, I am going to pull the trigger and end your life. We are talking over the most insignificant things."

"Just like old times, huh?"

"I suppose so," Akechi said with a snort.

"If you wish, I think that it would be a waste of a bullet. I touched one of my cards before I exited the building. Just to be safe. You can do it if it makes you feel better but it would draw some unwanted attention. So, I was thinking of an offer."

Akechi laughed.

"What could you possibly offer me?!"

"I can offer you a way to take down Masayoshi Shido."

-P4P5P4-

He stared at the window and watched the sun set.

He should make some phone calls. He should call and warn the others. He wasn't sure what happened if he did try to call. He was dealing with a force that was able to overtake Igor and his attendant. His thoughts turned to Margaret or Elizabeth. She might know what to do but he had no idea where the sisters were.

Although, he did catch the fake Igor flinching at the sound of thunder. There was fear there. He could feel his personas' voices rage in his head. He closed his eyes.

"Calm down."

He could feel them settle for a moment before Izanagi spoke.

You are thinking of taking his offer.

"He has rigged the game in his favor, Izanagi. He took Igor out. He fears us but I don't know if it is by reputation or he is afraid of thunder and lightning. I don't think for a moment that he is going to let me or any of his players walk out of this."

You are correct. You believe that you prevent this?

"I can try."

Always a fool.

He heard the fondness in Izanagi's voice and he shook his head.

"He has his terms. I will introduce myself."

That is a gamble.

"It is one that I have to take."

He sighed.

"I need to think this over more and get some food." He said as he grabbed the keys from the counter. He patted his pants to make sure that his wallet Once he made sure that the wallet was safe in his pocket. He opened the door and walked into the hallway. He locked the door behind him and headed toward the stairs.

Few minutes later, he was out of his building and looking around at his new surroundings.

It was as busy as he remembered. He turned around then ran into some hard.

He stumbled back for a moment then regained his step.

"My apologies!" A male voice said.

He blinked for a moment and shook his head.

"No, it is mine. Sorry. I should have been paying attention. It has been a while since I have been to Tokyo. I forgot how busy it is." He said.

He looked over the stranger that he nearly knocked over. He wore a light brown jacket, pants, and tie. He reminded him of a lawyer….much younger lawyer. He couldn't be older than a high schooler.

He leaned over and picked up the stranger's briefcase. He handed it back to him.

"Thank you. New here?" The stranger asked as he took his briefcase back.

"Going to school in the spring. I thought that I would come a little earlier to give myself time to adjust to the big city again."

"Really? It must be quite a shock to be back."

"A little. Just going to get some snacks for tonight. Tomorrow, I am going to find a grocery store."

The stranger's face brightened up.

"The store around the corner has an excellent selection of snacks and meals. I have visited quite often."

He grinned a little.

"Not much of a cook?"

"I must say that I am…not a very good cook."

"After I get settled, you can come over for dinner."

The stranger blinked in confusion.

"You would invite a complete stranger to dinner?!"

He eyed the stranger and shrugged.

"Of course."

"You are quite strange."

"I get that a lot."

The stranger laughed and offered his hand. He reached out and shook it.

"My name is Goro Akechi."

"Yu Narukami."

End of The Field of Play

Next Chapter: The Stakes

A/N: It is interesting editing these chapters. It like I'm reading my own story again. XD Many thanks for the reviews! Read and Review if you wish.