Catch-22: The Things That Were Bound to Happen

By: M14Mouse

Summary: Something might have happened…Honest, just one tiny thing.

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

Many thanks to AKatsinTcups for betaing this chapter.

I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to what light I have.- Abraham Lincoln

"Alright! We get to visit Sensei today!" Ann cheered to the group as they headed toward the entrance of Mementos.

"And we get to meet his friends too," Ren added.

"Which are other persona users," Makoto pointed out, her own voice betraying her excitement at meeting a more experienced advisor.

"I want the dirt on Support Buddy!" Futaba shouted.

"You are just disappointed that he didn't have anything on his phone," Yusuke pointed out.

Futaba stuck out her tongue at him.

"Some of them, not all of them may be able to visit. Still…I think that it will be fun. The stories that they could tell us about their adventures in the tv world. Of course, that's going to later. We have to finish our requests first," Morgana said.

"Right," Ren said as he hit the app on his phone. Their surroundings shimmered as it changed into Mementos. To his surprise, he saw a worried Lila hovering there. She was clinging to her duct tape wrapped clipboard.

"No Sensei?" Lila said sadly.

"Not today, Lila. He should be down soon though! Theo said that he is totally back to 100 percent!" Ann said happily.

"This Theo has been doing a good job taking care of Sensei?"

"I mean, the guy is kind of his assistant. So, I think so," Ryuji said as he scratched behind his head.

"Not his secretary or his nurse?"

"That is clearly your job, Lila," Makoto said softly.

Lila frowned then nodded.

"You and the others coming with us today?" Ren asked.

Lila shook her head.

"No…no…the others are setting up a surprise for Sensei when he comes down again. I have to tell them that Sensei is feeling better and will be coming soon," Lilia said as she chewed on her lower lip.

He about to say okay when Lila turned around and disappeared into the shadows.

"She seems really sad. Maybe, we should have brought some snacks to cheer them up," Ann said.

"She's worried. She and the others will probably feel better once Sensei comes down again," Morgana said.

"You're right. Hell, we were worried sick but at least we've been able to at least talk to him," Ryuji said.

Ren nodded.

"Let's finish up our requests then visit Sensei," He said.

The group wholeheartedly agreed.

-P4P5P4-

"Man, we finished those quick!" Ryuji said as they exited Mementos.

Ren checked his phone once his clothes turned back into his normal attire. He thought to himself that they really did finish those quick. He knew everyone including himself wanted to see how Sensei was doing. When Theo gave them the go ahead, he had to hold everyone back from visiting Sensei all at once.

"We really wanted to visit Sensei," Makoto added.

"Maybe, we should get him some flowers," Ann said.

"No flowers. Chocolate. Sensei likes chocolate best. Shoot, I forgot shoes! I knew I would forget something!" A familiar voice said behind them.

"It isn't our fault that you forgot shoes, Lila," Ryuji said then his eyes widen. Slowly, the group turned around.

Futaba let out a scream then hide behind Ren.

His mouth dropped when he saw a very human looking Lila, who was writing furiously on her clipboard. Of course, her human self looked almost like her shadow self. She was still very petite and short and her black hair was still in a bun held up by her fuzzy pencils. Instead of her white bathing suit type outfit though, she wore a long flowing skirt with a blue tank top. She had a large brown shoulder bag over her left shoulder. Her wings were gone too.

Then he wondered, where in the world did she get the clothes?

"What is with the screaming? Is it another human thing?" Lila said as she looked up from her clipboard.

"You…you…." Morgana tried to stumble the words out.

"I'm not it!" Ryuji shouted.

"Not it? What are you talk about?" Ann said in a panic.

"The one to tell Sensei that Lila escaped," Ryuji said.

Ann's eyes widen.

"I'm not it either!"

"I did not escape!" Lila said as she put her hands on her hips.

"Ooo…I'll do it!" Futaba said excitedly.

Morgana sighed.

"We aren't going to tell Sensei that. At least, not over the phone."

"Agreed. We should tell Sensei in person," Makoto added.

"Ahh…man," Futaba said disappointedly.

"Okay, first, I need shoes. Second, snacks for everyone and chocolate for Sensei. Third, visit Sensei and give him chocolate." Lila said as she used her fingers go over her list.

"How are you expect to pay for these things?" Yusuke asked.

"Easy!" Lila said as she put her pencil in her hair then opened the flip of her bag to reveal a lot of money.

"Holy Cow, how did you get so much money!?" Ryuji asked as he looked into her bag.

Lila smiled sweetly at Ryuji, who stepped away.

"Easy. I asked."

"Make sense. The other shadows gave it to me when I ask. Lila just figured out the system like I did." Ren said with a smile.

Lila beamed at him then closed the flap of her bag.

"See?! That is why Joker is my third favorite."

"Who is your first favorite? Never mind. It's Sensei," Morgana asked.

"Of course. He is way ahead of any of you. But as his students, Panther is my first favorite…"

Quickly, Ann waved her hands.

"No…No…Uhh…Lila…Panther is my codename. My real name is Ann."

Lila frowned and stared at Ann. Yusuke waved his hand.

"Yes, my name is Yusuke."

"Ryuji."

"Ren."

"Futaba."

"Morgana."

Lila looked down at Morgana and frowned.

"That sounds a lot like your codename," Lila said.

"I didn't choose it. Ryuji did. I just stuck with it since it was better than nothing," Morgana said with a shrug. Ren kneeled and open his bookbag to allow Morgana to jump inside before standing up while adjusting the bag a bit on his shoulder. .

"Hmmm….Humans are weird," Lilia said thoughtfully.

"Tell me about it," Morgana said as he popped his head out from the bag.

"Okay, we need to move along before we get in trouble," Makoto pointed out.

"Right on! I can't wait to see Support Buddy's expression!" Futaba shouted happily.

"UMPH!" Lila shouted as she tried to walk, but end up almost tumbling to the ground only being saved by Ren and Anna catching her.

"Oh, I forgot about that walking thing too. I need to know how to do that," Lila added.

-P4P5P4-

It took Lila a bit of time to adjust to the walking thing.

"I flew everywhere. I didn't walk! Why are they selling those? Aren't they afraid of the ghost shadow popping out of them?" Lila said as they walked pass the jewelry stand.

"In this world, they don't pop out of gems," Ren explained.

"Oh…well, that isn't very fun." Lila said sadly.

"Your definition of fun is quite interesting," Yusuke pointed out.

"Everyone has their hobbies. Oh my god, fuzzy pencils!" Lila said excitedly as they passed by the convenience store. She bolted into the convenience store with a gleeful expression on her face.

"Well, we know that she can walk now," Ann said as the group quickly followed her into the convenience store.

"That probably isn't a good thing," Ryuji said.

"I don't know. She seemed really happy about those pencils, about as happy as Morgana is about sushi," He said.

"Which you still owe me by the way," Morgana said.

They found Lila holding different snacks items in her hands.

"This is for Black Frost and this one is for Ume. Ooo…Daito loves these!" Lila said as she took another box from the shelf.

"Here, let me help," Ren said as he took some of the snacks from Lila.

Lila beamed.

"Thank you!"

Once they got snacks for everyone, they had to talk Lila out of buying all the pencils.

"But…they will be lonely if I just brought one."

"Two," Makoto said sternly.

"Three. Odds are more attract to the eye. I read that in a magazine once," Lila said with determination.

"Three is the max."

Lila smiled and picked three different fuzzy pencils to add to her pile. Once they were done, they got in line. The guy in front of them was being loud and rude to cashier. Ren almost wanted to say something because he has been in her shoes but didn't want to escalate the scene.

Finally, the guy left, and Lila gave him a dirty look when he passed. They set her stuff on the counter and the cashier quickly rang Lila's snacks and fuzzy pencils up then bagged them for her. Lila paid the cashier and then took her bag before taking out one of her fuzzy pencils and handing it to the cashier.

"I can't accept that. I'm sorry," The cashier said with a bow.

Lila frowned.

"Take it. You can use it on rude people," Lila said as she held the fuzzy pencil in her hand.

"I can't?" The casher said in confusion as she finally took it.

Lila beamed.

"Now, you can stab rude people's eyes out. Trust me. You will only have to do it once. Now, I saw a flower stand. I want to see the flowers," Lila said as she walked out of the store.

Ryuji faced palmed and Makoto sighed.

"I feel sorry for Sensei." Yusuke said.

"I think that this is great. She is so much fun," Futaba said excitedly as she followed Lila.

"We better follow them before she does something else," Ann said.

"Like stab someone with her pencils," Ryuji mumbled.

Ren didn't think Lila would stab someone unless they pissed her off. Although, he wasn't sure how she would react to the flowers.

The group went after the pair and found them at flower stand. Futaba was explaining something to Lila.

"How pretty. You know, they don't have these where I come from," Lila said to one of his bosses.

"Oh, what type of flowers do you have?" His boss said.

"Well…none. Oh, we have gravestones and creepy subway stations! Those aren't flowers," Lila said thoughtfully.

His boss blinked softly as she was trying to figure out what to say.

"She means that she lives near a graveyard. So, she doesn't get to see many flowers," Ren said quickly.

"And it is really dark," Lila added as she leaned over and looked at the lilies.

"Maybe, an Evening Primrose or Chinese Evergreen. There is also the peace lily. Hmmm…I don't have any of those in stock right now," His boss said.

"Oh," Lila said sadly.

"But I could order them. I would require the money up front if you don't mind."

Lila nodded her head eagerly.

"I don't mind. My friends and I love it. Although, I am going to have to figure out how get Nom Nom and Daito not to eat it," Lila said thoughtfully.

His boss smiled.

"Truly. We can't have your friends getting sick. Now, let me research the prices and the plants."

Lila beamed as she goes back to eying the roses. By the look she was giving them, she didn't like them much.

He wondered why.

"Maybe, we should get Theo some flowers? He looked so stress out when Sensei was gone. He did help us out too," Ann said.

"That is a good idea," Makoto added.

"Man, I don't think that he would want flowers. He seemed like an herb guy with all of the cooking he does," Ryuji said.

The girls looked at Ryuji with such surprised expressions.

"What?!"

"That…is actually a really good idea," Makoto said.

"Kind of impressive," Futaba added as she poked a cactus with her phone.

"HEY!"

"I'd like to note that Lila is gone," Yusuke said.

"WHAT!?" Ann said in a panic.

"When I turned around, she was gone."

"We will be back after we find our friend. Okay, let's split up. Hopefully, she hasn't gone far," Ren said.

"With the way that she moves, she probably is out the building by now," Morgana mumbled in the bag.

Personally, Ren couldn't agree more.

-P4P5P4-

It took him 20 minutes to find her. First, he wasn't totally surprised that she was at a shoe store. He was surprised that she was making some guy in a white suit cowering in front of her. While another girl with fluffy hair was touching Lila's shoulder and looked like she was trying to stop her.

Scratch that, he wasn't surprised at all.

Quickly, he approached the group. He just hoped that the police won't show up.

"…Now listen here, tiny robot man. You will say you're sorry," Lila said angrily.

Tiny Robot Man?

"My father…" the man in white said in high pitch voice.

Once he got a better view of the group, he understood why that the guy was cowering.

Ouch.

"Do I look like I care who your father is? Or who her father is? I simply don't care, tiny robot man. Now, say you are sorry or I will end you," Lila threatened.

The panicked look on the guy's face spoke volumes.

"Lila….You don't have too," The fluffy hair girl said.

"Lila…" Ren said.

"Yes…yes…talk to your friend. Tell her who I am," The guy in white suit said in a panic.

Uhh…

Lila didn't let go but she rose her other hand and held up a "give her a minute" signal.

"I told you that I don't care. You will say you're sorry now," Lila said coldly.

"I…am sorry for my recent behavior. Please forgive me," The man in white stumbled the words out.

"You are forgiven," the fluffy haired girl said softly.

"Good," Lila said as she let go. The guy in white stumbled back. Once he got back to his feet, he adjusted his suit. He looked like that he wanted to say something.

"Now go away. My new friend, Haru and I are going shopping," Lila said happily as she grabbed Haru's arm.

"Uhhh…Okay?" Haru said doubtfully.

The guy in the white suit gave Haru a murderous look. Lila must have saw it because she gave him a look that reminded Ren a lot of Sensei.

That cause the guy in the white suit to step back.

"I don't like bullies, rude people, and creepy babies. You are two out of the three. Harm Haru in any way and I will have Ume chop you into little robot parts to feed you to Nom Nom. Understand?" Lila said sweetly.

His eyes darted from face to face in a panic.

"Ye…Yes," The man in a while suit said.

"Good. Now, go away. Shoo," She said as she waved the guy in the white suit off.

Finally, the guy had some sense and ran.

Haru had this expression of awe and confusion on her face as she stared at Lila.

"Hey, Ren! This is my new friend, Haru. She is my second favorite person. Don't tell Makoto or Daito, okay? She was telling about these shoes that could make me taller. What were they call again?" Lila said excitedly.

"High heels," Haru said in confusion.

"Yes! Come on! I want to try them!" Lila shouted happily as she grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the shoes.

They might have found something that Lila likes more than fuzzy pencils and clipboards.

-P4P5P4-

He called everyone, got everyone there, and then it took forever for Lila to decide on shoes. She had to tried all of the shoes on even when they didn't fit her. Ann tried to help but ended up joining her.

He also realized that Haru had the patience of a saint. Carefully, she would explain things to Lila. Never sounded upset or angry when Lila said something off colored. He saw her a few times at school, but he really didn't know her. She seemed to fall in with their group quite well.

Finally, Lila ended up with a pair of high heeled shoes and a pair of sandals. She wore the sandals out and Haru said that she would teach her how to walk in high heels.

That would be interested to watch.

Lila wanted to go back to the flower shop, but it was closed. So, Ren promised that he would swing by tomorrow and order her flowers.

He thought that the subway would be another adventure. Turned out, Lila was relaxed about it.

"How else do you think we travel? Walking? Flying?" She questioned.

"You know, I really didn't think about it," He said as he scratched the back of his head.

She snorted.

Once they got off at Sensei's spot, Lila got quieter and quieter.

"Lila? Are you okay?" Ann asked with concern.

Lila stopped and stared at the group.

"What if Sensei doesn't like me like this? I am not the same," Lila said fearfully.

Lila looked so sad and small. Ren glanced at the others in the group.

Haru took Lila's hands and squeezed them.

"Sensei is going to love you the way you are. You are an unafraid and sweet woman," Haru said.

"Yes, Li. You are Sensei's right-hand woman and his best secretary. What would he do without you?" Ann said.

"Who else is going to keep everyone in line?" Morgana added.

"And make sure everyone gets their snacks," Yusuke continued with.

"And going to drive Support Buddy nuts!" Futaba said with a grin.

"And make lists for everything," Makoto added.

"And make sure no one was hurt," Ren finished with smiling at her.

Lila sniffed then launched herself at Haru and Ann.

"You are the best favorite people ever!" She said as she hugged Haru and Ann.

Haru giggled softly and Ann let out a laugh.

"Thank you," Haru said.

"I like you better like this. You're less green and silent here. Come! To Sensei!" Lila said as she grabbed Ann and Haru's hands and dragged them down the sidewalk. The others ran off to follow them with Ren lagging behind.

"Do you think that she is referring to a palace?" Morgana asked.

"I think so. We will ask her later about it. We need to catch up to the others," Ren answered.

"Right."

He rushed to catch up to the others.

In no time at all, they reached Sensei's door. Ren knocked on the door and a few seconds later, Theo opened the door.

"Good evening, everyone. We have been expecting you," Theo said with a bow.

"Sorry We ran a little late. There was an incident," Makoto said.

"Ahh…come inside, I made refreshments for everyone. Master and his friends are in the living room," Theo said as he let them through the door.

A group of unknown faces looked at them as they came inside.

"Hey, guys!" A short haired woman shouted and waved at them from the loveseat.

"Yo," A spikey haired man said from one of the kitchen chairs.

"Look at all, ladies. I didn't realize you knew so many hotties, Sensei!" A bouncy blonde shouted from next to Sensei on the couch.

"Don't mind him. Hey," Another blonde-haired man said with a sigh.

"Hello, everyone. How are you? It seemed that you picked up Haru too," Sensei said with a smile.

He turned to see Lila hiding behind Yusuke.

"And someone else too," Futaba said eagerly.

"Oh?" Sensei said in curiosity.

"Come on out," Futaba said as she grabbed Lila's arm and pulled her out from behind Yusuke.

Lila hissed at Futaba.

Sensei blinked for a moment then a small smile appeared on his face.

"Oh, hello, Lila. Did you have fun with everyone today?"

Lila made a happy noise and bolted toward Sensei. Futaba's mouth dropped.

"Wha…how…HEY!"

"It was bound to happen. UMPH!" Sensei said before he got a handful of clingy Lila.

"Man, Yu had her pegged on showing up first for months now," The blonde said.

"Damn it! We lost the bet!" The spiky haired blonde said.

"HA! Pay up!" The blonde girl said with a grin.

"I GOT A SISTER! YAY!" The bouncy blonde said eagerly.

"What…wait…huh?" Ryuji said.

Sensei laughed.

"Why doesn't everyone have a seat? I think that it is time we have a talk."

End of The Things That Were Bound to Happen.

Next Chapter: The Group Meeting

A/N: The title was the biggest give away (It was the line that Yu said to Teddie in anime when he became human). This chapter was a hoot to write. Just so much fun and so much foreshadowing. Now for comments…yes, the thieves in general don't have many good role models. That is why you see some (Yusuke, Haru, and Makoto) cling to Yu and others are more standoffish (Ann, Ren and Mona), and some scare (Ryuji). Yu knows this to some extent.

Someone needs a list of our shadow friends:

Lilim-Lila

Black Frost-Black Frost because he hates Toothless

Slime-Daito

Alice-Mint

Incubus-Ivy

Harti-Hiroko

Nue-Nom Hom

Yaskini: Ume

Oni-Takeshi

Fuu-ki-Takeo

I want to thank all of you for your reviews, kudos, favorites, etc. You always leave me amazed. Thank you and read and review if you wish.