Fenrir's Masquerade

by ShadeJak

A catastrophic accident cost her everything ten years ago, Mukuro Ikusaba has recklessly danced with Death having pursued a life as a mercenary as she grew older, until a sudden discharge sends her to Gekkoukan High in Iwatodai, a city plagued by a sinister "Dark Hour" every midnight, and the reason for her arrival may be more then she believed. A P3 Re-Tell starring Mukuro.

10. May's End

5/24

With nothing else to do that Sunday after a morning workout on her training regimen and a shower after, Mukuro had found herself at the arcades that afternoon with Junpei, who'd wanted to check out a fighting game that'd arrived fairly recently and invited her along, though it seemed something else may have been on his mind as well once they'd arrived.

"...Hey, Mukuro, ya think we can pick up some new moves from these fighting games?" he asked, gesturing to the latest Street Fighter II arcade game with a big grin.

"...I don't think it works that way, Junpei," the young soldier replied, cocking an eyebrow.

"Well, there's gotta be a way I can move and fight like you in a quick amount of time with what we're doing and all!" the boy said, causing the rest of Mukuro's head to follow her eyebrow's lead and tilt in a manner that suggested he may not have put much thought in the statement.

"That's impossible," she said flatly. "...Doing so in a quick amount of time, I mean. You'd need to complete Fenrir's basic training... successfully, mind you, which you'd have to devote your entire day to for at least ten weeks."

"Eh, maybe not," Junpei sighed. "...But what about like, a super-badass special attack like that Battle Trance?" he asked. "...Well, maybe not exactly like that, but like something cool and devastating! Could you imagine that?"

Mukuro couldn't help but crack an amused smile. "It'd be something to see."

"I know, right?" her friend cheered, pumping his fist. "I was thinkin' how our power's gotta come from the heart, right? So that's why I think games and comics oughta give us a little inspiration!"

Mukuro's frown returned as quickly. "...Junpei, those are extremely different."

"Maybe so, but that's not what I'm talking about!" Junpei replied. "I mean like, seein' those heroes in action! It pumps me up, helps me picture my fights better! Plus, you never know, someday our adventure might get adapted!"

"You had me until that last part," Mukuro replied.

"Ah, c'mon! You know how many wars n' stuff get adapted into movies and such?" Junpei asked. "Ehh, it's beside the point. I mean like we saved people, we kicked ass on the monorail, too... once I stopped bein' a dumbass and all... but maybe I'll be the cool one, next time!"

Mukuro briefly glanced around the arcade, relieved everyone was too immersed in the games they were playing to pay Junpei's conversation notice. "...Just don't do a repeat of it."

"It's alright, I wasn't on my game before, but since we're doin' Tartarus tonight, this'll be my chance to make up for it," said Junpei. "...Check that, not just make up for it, more like totally knock it outta the park!"

"...In that case," Mukuro said, giving a small but encouraging smile, "...You'd better live up to that claim."

"Whoa, certainly talkin' like a leader, now!" Junpei declared in awe. "Just don't get upset if I steal the spotlight from ya when we go in, alright?"

Mukuro opened her mouth to speak, but noticed Junpei's cocky demeanor suddenly deflate to something more serious before he spoke again.

"Look, Mukuro... even though we resolved it and all after the monorail, it's just... it's not enough for me. I wanna prove I'm gonna make up for it, and do my best," he explained. "These powers, our mission, I got a lotta good things goin' for me right now, like I've really been waitin' for somethin' like this. My life's finally startin' to go somewhere and I wanna make the most'a that!"

Mukuro blinked in surprise from Junpei's statement, causing her to glance away briefly and running her hand through her dark hair. "I... I think I understand what you mean," she said. "Years of just letting days go by, fighting battle after battle just because I'm assigned to, and just getting sent out here, I don't just... get what Fenrir wanted for me, I think I've truly come to start feeling it now, too."

"Yeah, that's the spirit!" Junpei chuckled. "You settin' me straight back there, yeah it scared me at the time, but I'm glad ya did. I thought about it and it helped me see things a little better... I was just blindly chargin' in like it was about provin' I'm not a loser and can handle things on my own, but now it's all about bein' a good teammate you can count on to have your back!"

Mukuro could feel a slight blush to her cheeks. "I'm glad something good came of it," she said. "...But I don't want to be someone you're scared of, either. All of this is unlike what I've gone against before, so..." She gave Junpei a genuine, more warming smile. "...Thank you for having my back. In fact, you showed me that already in the fight against that giant Shadow on the train."

Junpei laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Right, I did, didn't I? Well, don'cha worry. I won't let it go to my head, but if you go screwin' around I might just need to take over, won't I?"

Junpei's eyes went wide as he looked at her. "Heeeeey, was that you stiflin' a giggle, there, Miss Soldier Girl?"

It was now Mukuro's turn for her eyes to go wide as she covered her mouth, mustering all her willpower to keep from blushing. "...No... I'm just..."

"Heh, it was seriously cute! Betcha Akihiko-senpai would turn into a stuttering idiot if he got that from ya!" he teased, grinning.

"What does he have to do with anything?" the dark-haired girl asked, cocking her head and her expression souring into a dangerous scowl as redness started to spread to her face.

"Oh, nothin'. Nothin' at all! You're good at the stoic thing, Mukuro, but sometimes your heart's on your sleeve like Yuka-tan's!" Junpei replied with a playful wink. "...Well, howzabout we play a few rounds, here? We got plenty'a time to kill before you-know-what don't wanna waste it!"

"How is that not-" Mukuro's words drifted off as Junpei was already turning his attention to the game before them and putting money in, gesturing she come and join. With a light sigh, she conceded, though making a mental note to also visit the Velvet Room before they returned to Tartarus. If they were able to resume their ascent in the tower, it was indeed likely to only get more dangerous.

---

Midnight had fallen, and The Dark Hour had once more descended upon the city and raised grotesque monument that was Tartarus towards the sickly green heavens and unnervingly close moon that hung in them again. The entirety of SEES had been quiet the trip over, till Akihiko spoke up as they entered the hallway leading into the lobby area.

"It's finally time, Mukuro," Akihiko said with a smile, turning his shoulders a bit and then slamming his right fist into his left palm, both hands now wearing fighting fighting gloves with studded plating on them. "...I know we put a lot on you three, but that's finally over!"

"You're sure you're ready for this?" Mukuro asked, cocking her head, causing the boy to chuckle confidently.

"Don't you worry, I've been preparing for it!" he said. "You're still our leader in this so any orders you give, I'll follow... I'll make up for all that lost time before you know it! Not to mention," he added. "...I gotta show my stuff as one of the veteran members!"

The young soldier smiled. "I'll be counting on you, then," she said with an approving nod and brandishing her combat machete. With her enthusiastic new teammate added to the roster, she felt prepared.

"I trust everyone is ready?" Mitsuru asked from her station, her equipment already set up. "...There seems to be an unusual signal just past the 20th floor, now. Something may be shifting, so please check it out first."

"It may be the barrier having gone down!" Yukari offered.

"Could be, yes. Let's confirm it right away," Mitsuru replied.

"I say bring it on!" Junpei cheered, brandishing his own blade.

"Gotta second that," Akihiko chuckled with a few practice jabs.

"I'd say they're ready," Mitsuru said with a faint smile. Nodding, Mukuro lead the group to the transporter in the lobby, and the group soon found themselves once more in the area where they'd found the barrier blocking their progress further up.

"Alright, I don't sense any Shadows, but something is definitely going on, here..." Mitsuru's voice stated from the team's communicators.

"The barrier's absence confirmed," Mukuro stated, noting that the glowing wall of energy had vanished, as had the piled on desks and chairs. The stairway leading up to a glowing green doorway framed by clock gears, however, was broken and incomplete.

"Wait, something's happening!" Mitsuru's voice cut through as the ground began to tremor, causing the group to huddle closer.

The tiles of the stairway shifted, drifting bricks and pieces and pieces of the walls and columns suddenly slipped from their place, feeding into the broken stairs and forming it into a complete set before the rumbling finally ceased.

"The signal stopped. What happened?" Mitsuru's voice inquired.

"The stairs beyond the barrier," Mukuro replied. "The way up was still inaccessible until just now when they reassembled. Permission to proceed?"

"Granted. All of you be careful, it's likely the Shadows there will be stronger then what you've dealt with thus far," Mitsuru answered.

"Heh, well you heard the lady! Let's get movin'!" Junpei declared and the group proceeded to ascend the tall staircase leading into the glowing green door ahead.

---

The light faded, and the group looked around at their new surroundings. In place of twisted hallways of tile and marble with rows of windows was now purple and cavernous. Spatters of the blood-like substance were dotted here and there along the floor and walls, which shone a flowing purple light from gill-like fixtures on fungus-like protrusions covering them to provide illumination. Something about it all, from the walls to the strangely-rounded stalagmites growing out of parts of the floor looked... organic, like they were inside some gigantic living creature's organs despite its otherwise rocky surface.

"Whoa, check that out!" Yukari shouted, pointing ahead to where a mass of writhing tendrils were entwined together blocking the path forward, prompting Mukuro to approach in curiosity with her machete ready. "Mukuro, wait-!"

It proved unnecessarily. With a sickening squishing sound, the tendrils parted and opened the pathway, allowing the four teens access through.

"Okay, that was kinda gross," Yukari remarked, glancing at them cautiously as the group walked past them.

"It definitely is a change from what we're used to of this place," Mukuro replied, only to pause suddenly, noting the huge, face-like carvings that seemed to be growing out of the purple walls adding to the alien decor of the place.

"...Check it out, a Shadow! Better go say "hi!" Akihiko chuckled, glancing over at Mukuro who waited till it'd turned away before dashing forward, striking the monster from behind and it suddenly let out a shriek, its body splitting apart into three cross-shaped strange beings Celtic crosses with a blue plate and a red plate on either end like a scale, a mask with a Roman numeral on its front in the center.

"I'm sensing the Shadows, give me a sec," Mitsuru's voice declared, pausing a second, curiously, the Shadows merely hovered in place, not attacking. "Whatever you do, don't attack them with fire or ice. Try lightning or wind magic!"

"...Which means it's finally my turn to shine!" Akihiko cheered, unholstering his Evoker and pointing it to his head. "POLYDEUCES!"

A burst of light, and from behind Akihiko rose a towering, muscular humanoid figure, its chest covered in a Greek cuirass and its arms covered in plates of blue armor. Tiny red boots covered its thin ankles and feet and a red glove on its equally tiny left hand, that gave it a cartoonish build with its otherwise bulky form. Its head was more akin to a dome with glowing yellow eyes and long, flowing hair, and its right hand replaced with a javelin attached to an armored gauntlet that'd replaced the lower portion of its right arm.

The Persona raised its javelin-hand, electricity dancing off its tip and a blast of lightning stuck the enemies, knocking them all to the ground.

"Alright! They're down! Let's get 'em!" Junpei shouted, the group charging in on the Shadows and striking them in a flurry of attacks, the enemy dissolving in bursts of smoke immediately after.

"I sure missed this! On to the next round!" Akihiko declared proudly, rolling his shoulders and beating his fists together.

"We've got several floors to explore so don't tire yourself out, Akihiko," Mitsuru's voice warned.

"I've been lounging at the dorm for days thanks to your orders, Mitsuru, trust me I got plenty to burn!" replied Akihiko, getting a small smile from Mukuro.

"Hmph, whatever you say. I'm detecting a strong presence further up, however," Mitsuru replied.

"Must be another one of these mini-bosses!" Junpei said.

"In your peculiar vocabulary, I suppose so," Mitsuru answered. "...It's likely another guardian Shadow like the ones you fought on those special floors in the previous block. It's several floors up, so if you plan on engaging it, don't pick fights with every one you see. There's a teleporter in the corridor to your right if you wish to turn back."

"Understood," Mukuro said, despite feeling a bit of a thirst for battle, though if what they were to face was stronger then the Shadows they'd met, it may have been a good idea to turn back, if only for a different reason...

---

Blue light bathed Mukuro's field of vision.

"Welcome back!" Igor said, grinning at Mukuro as she reappeared within the ascending, antique elevator that was the Velvet Room, Theodore standing at his side.

"Good to see you again, Miss Ikusaba!" Theodore stated with a warm smile. "I see you've returned to Tartarus at last, as well! How may we be of assistance?"

"Would I be correct that you're here to create new Personas, perhaps?" Igor inquired, his bushy brow raising ever so slightly.

"I am, yes," Mukuro said.

"Wonderful, and since we last met, I see your heart has opened further," Igor stated, "...And for this reason, you will now be able to carry more Personas within it as well."

"As of now, it would seem you can hold up to eight, due to your growing bonds," Theodore explained, turning the open grimore he was holding so Mukuro could see. On the pages, several Tarot cards were present: The Fool, the Magician, the Emperor, the Heirophant, the Lovers, the Chariot, the Hermit, the Hanged Man, and the Tower, all glowing in varying degrees.

"Indeed, some currently shine brighter then others, and some you have yet to make, but in time, that will change," said Igor. "...The stronger your bonds with others grow, the more the strength of your spirit and heart shall grow with them, as will this power you were granted."

"I think I understand," Mukuro said with a nod. This would certainly come in handy as she and the others continued to explore Tartarus, and if more powerful Shadows like the ones fought in the train and the dorm roof appeared. "Any fusions I can make, I'll accept."

"As you wish," Igor stated, various cards depicting Mukuro's Personas, as well as names from the registry depicting ones she'd seen after battles in Tartarus appeared on the table, several new images of mythical beings appeared in her mind.

A snowman-like creature with a blue cap and a cheerful disposition.

...Jack Frost...

A serpentine white fox-like canine with a black head with a red glyph.

...Inugami...

An upright blue teardrop-like entity with a reassuring smile.

...Nigi Mitama...

A pumpkin with a carved smile, clad in a witch's hat and cloak with a single hand grasping a lantern.

...Jack O Lantern...

A green-skinned ogre-like being with a gold trident.

...Zouchouten...

A skeletal creature resembling a demonic bird.

...Gurulu...

An elfin man in green armor, weilding a spear.

...Tam Lin...

Many of her old Personas, names from the compendium, danced about in flecks of light, and with a snap of Igor's fingers, formed a whirlwind of light that pierced Mukuro's mind like an arrow, and she felt these new images within herself.

"Well done, I am certain your new Personas shall serve you well!" said Theodore. "Perhaps, we can, as humans call it, "hang out" again, soon."

Mukuro gave a small smile. "Perhaps,"

"Until we meet again, honored guest," Igor said, the Velvet room fading once more as Mukuro returned to Tartarus, ready to resume the team's ascent.

---

"Approach with caution! I'm detecting a strong signal ahead!" Mitsuru's voice warned as Mukuro lead the rest of SEES up a flight of stairs, stopping as they reached a platform where sat a large, perhaps twelve-foot-tall marble sculpture of a woman seated on a throne atop a pedestal, sculptures of infants nursing in either arm. It wore a mask with a tri-pointed crown covering its face with sculpted hair flowing down its shoulders. The throne itself had a row of flat metal spires jutting upward from the back like sunrays.

No sooner had they approached, however, that its eyes begun to glow a sinister red.

"This must be the guardian!" Yukari shouted, getting her bow ready with an arrow.

"Sure looks like it! After all those Shadows on the way up, we got this!" Akihiko smirked as he beat his fists together. "Ready, Mukuro?"

The dark-haired girl nodded, brandishing her Evoker. "I am."

"Let's do this!" Junpei cheered, readying his longsword.

Immediately, the sculpture-like Shadow trembled, and its body suddenly split in two like a wardrobe dresser, revealing a sculpture within of a bearded, robed man surrounded by glyphs resembling halos in the center, and sculptures of disciples gathered around him on either side engraved into the "doors" as it emitted a bright purple light that engulfed the party.

"What the hell?! That felt weird!" Junpei uttered, flinching.

"I don't sense any changes or maladies on any of you," Mitsuru's voice said. "I'm attempting to scan for a weakness, now, but I'm not detecting any. Hit it with all you have!"

"On it! HERME-" Junpei barely got the words out of his mouth before a powerful gust of wind blasted him off his feet.

"JUNPEI!" Yukari cried out, but had no time to react further as a blast of lightning struck her head-on, knocking her to the ground in a daze as well.

"Shit! It must know our weaknesses! Look out!" Akihiko barely ducked and weaved out of the way of a chilling wave of frigid cold was sent his way. "POLYDEUCES!"

With a pull of his Evoker's trigger, Akihiko's Persona materialized before him, firing a lightning bolt of its own at the enemy, though it seemed to do little in the way of damaging it as it promptly shut its doorlike formations closed again.

Mukuro seized the opportunity as its attention turned away, using her own Evoker. "NIGI MITAMA!"

The blue raindrop-like Persona appeared, winking as green light swirled around Yukari and Junpei to heal them from the Shadow's attack.

"Okay, that was embarrassing!" Junpei said, using his free hand to take out his Evoker. "Payback time! HERMES!"

SHOOOOM! A jet of flame came from the winged Persona, striking the enemy.

"I agree!" Yukari declared, taking out her own Evoker. "IO!"

FWOOSH! A gust of wind followed from Yukari's Persona.

Neither attack seemed to phase their enemy much.

"Dammit! Doesn't this thing have any weaknesses, Senpai?" Junpei protested.

"None I'm getting a reading for! You'll need to find another way! Try and disorient it before it counters!" Mitsuru ordered.

Mukuro's eyes widened as she saw the statue-like entity's doors begin to slowly open again, purple light emitting from them as time seemed to slow down for her before it unleashed a wave of flames, lightning, ice, and wind that sent her and the others flying again.

"My god... are you all okay?" Mitsuru's voice asked. "I think it's going back into defensive mode again, recover immediately!"

Rolling on to her stomach, Mukuro attempted to crawl away, ducking out of the way just in time to avoid a huge fireball that came her way, scorching the ground near her. "Nigi Mitama!" she shouted, fighting off the soreness and summoning the healer Persona again.

"Nnngghh... Io!" Yukari brought forth her own Persona, Mukuro felt a soothing aura of green light bathe her, both Personas working together to get the party back on their feet once more. "Now... Jack O Lantern!"

The pumpkin Persona appeared above her, breathing fire at the enemy. It hadn't done much, the flames lightly fizzling on the doors of the sculpture-like Shadow as it promptly fired back with a blast of flame of its own, though this time her new Persona simply absorbed it into its lantern.

Mukuro focused, she'd been able to defend herself this time, but the Shadow was pausing as it'd spent its energy attacking them all and its doors closed back up again and it'd only be a matter of time before it'd scan them again and have the advantage once more. The serpentine fox she saw amongst her new Personas in the Velvet Room came to mind, offering a move that could lower its resolve...

"Whatever can be done, do it, INUGAMI!" Mukuro ordered as she sat up, firing her Evoker once more and the Persona appeared, gliding towards their foe as it breathed out a gust of greenish-black smoke that caused the huge Shadow to creak loudly, as though weakened somehow.

"Excellent! It's unfocused! Akihiko, hit it hard as you can!" Mitsuru ordered.

"Heh, I think I will!" Akihiko dashed forward, moving at a superhuman speed aided by his Persona's power as he slammed his fists into the stone structure that was the Shadow. It trembled and shook from the impacts before the boy took out his Evoker once more "POLYDEUCES! KNOCK IT DOWN!"

The muscular Persona formed above him, and with a forceful blow, did exactly that, sending the Shadow toppling on its flat back with a crash with its protective doors hanging open.

"Alrighty, my turn! HERMES!" Junpei summoned his Persona once more, Hermes gliding down at high speed and dive-bombing the downed Shadow, a loud groan emitting from it as it was struck, cracks forming all over its stone surface from its impact and making it look far more vulnerable then it once did.

"Let's finish it!" Mukuro ordered, brandishing her machete, the others training their weapons and attacking the enemy in a brutal onslaught. Mukuro herself closed her eyes and focused, time slowing again for her as she made a dash while the Shadow struggled, attempting to force its protective doors shut and more and more cracks formed all over it, stone crumbling off from the assault exposing fleshy purple membrane underneath. The dark-haired girl leaped into the air, her machete raised as she descended, landing atop it as her blade slashed vertically along the statue within cutting through its visible flesh like soft clay and cleaving through the mask of the outer figure.

The group leaped away as the Shadow let out one last agonized groan before it dissolved away into smoke and ashes.

"Good work, everyone. I detect no more readings. How is everyone?" Mitsuru asked.

"I'm well, Senpai," Mukuro replied with a relieved smile as she felt the fatigue of her battle trance begin to set in.

"Heh, my blood's still pumpin'!" Akihiko chuckled, rolling his shoulders.

"I'm fine! A little tired but fine!" Yukari said.

"I get'cha Yuka-tan, what do we got left?" Junpei asked.

"I'm sensing the next floor has another barrier. There should be another two-way teleporter there as well so go and activate it before we call it a night," Mitsuru ordered.

"Understood," said Mukuro, taking a moment to kneel down and catch her breath.

"Pretty cool move, there," Akihiko remarked. "Something from Fenrir?"

"Yeah, Iori-kun can fill you in," the young soldier replied, smiling with a hint of tiredness.

"Saved our asses on the monorail!" Junpei explained.

"It's like taking a really strong adrenaline shot, good when you're trying to finish a fight quick but you feel it when you come back down right after," Mukuro said.

"I getcha, sometimes I can feel a real burn after I've been trainin' my ass off or just went for the finishing moves in a match at the school club," Akihiko said. "Still, pretty slick."

Mukuro felt a blush come to her face. "Thank you. You really held your own, too."

"Eh, still not quite where I wanna be, actually, blame being out for so long," Akihiko frowned. "Think I'll get back to nightly practice! Got some catching up to do for lost time, after all!"

"Hey guys, how about we get to the next floor, we can rest once we're done here, after all!" Yukari offered, heading for the purple stone stairs leading up to another glowing green doorway framed in rotating gears, the others following behind.

Through the doorway, the group was greeted with another corridor, green light emitting from large windows framing the walls around another stairway, several tendrils slithering away to clear a path to them. The stairs, however, were twisted and rolled under to a doorway further up and the clifflike formation at the end of the path where they stood only led to a sheer edge blocked off by crystal spires. To one side was another teleporter arch like the others, and a note laying on the floor near it.

"Ex... you... top... we..." Mitsuru's voice broke repeatedly, like an out of range radio signal.

"Hm?" Junpei looked down at his communicator in confusion.

"Kirijo-senpai! You there? You're breaking up!" Yukari cried into her own communicator as she held it up, getting only static in response.

"Sor... Te-...ing! Testing!" Mitsuru's voice stammered from the faulty signal before clearing up once more. "Testing, one, two. One, two. Testing."

"I hear you, now. Any trouble on your end?" Yukari asked.

"What's going on? Are we facing interference?" Mukuro asked, frowning in concern.

"Well, we are pretty high up, now, so the signal must be getting spotty," Akihiko replied.

"So what're we supposed to do if we get cut off?!" Junpei protested anxiously. "Kirijo-senpai's kinda our lifeline here we'd be goin' in blind any further up!"

"That's the thing, recon's not the wheelhouse of Mitsuru's Persona," Akihiko explained. "She manages well enough through supplemental equipment, but even that has limitations."

"Sorry to give you cause for concern," Mitsuru's voice cut on. "Still, for now, it seems we're at another dead end, so we have a checkpoint that should give me time to figure out the connection issues on my side."

Approaching the teleporter, Mukuro pressed a switch on its side and watched it spark and come to life, its arch lighting up and its systems beeping and clicking. One matter remained, however as her gaze traced down to the discarded note next to it.

"It another document, Mukuro?" Yukari asked, coming over.

"What's it say?" Junpei asked, joining along with Akihiko who was curious, now, as well.

"Kirijo's Ergo Research lab is setting up a facility on this island... It doesn't make any sense. Even a rank and file researcher like me can tell. What is about to take place on this island?"

"Hm..." Akihiko glanced away, unsure what to make of it.

"There's a reason these documents are here. The school, Tartarus, what happened ten years ago. It's gotta be all connected, somehow!" Yukari said.

Ten years ago... Mukuro's thoughts wandered back to the accident on the bridge when she'd lost her family. An explosion had occurred, then...

"Is everyone alright? I'm picking up the signal from the teleporter, please return when you're ready. The Dark Hour won't be around for much longer," Mitsuru's voice interrupted.

With a nod, Mukuro and the others went over to the teleporter to return to the entrance where Mitsuru waited and head home for the evening, thoughts of what the document said and how it connected to what'd happened all that time ago persisting in her mind...

"Hey, wait!" Junpei suddenly piped up, a frightened look on his face.

"Hm, what is it?" Mukuro asked, cocking her head.

"...Tomorrow's when exams are posted, right?" the boy asked.

"They are, yeah," Akihiko said.

"Oh god help me..." Junpei's expression melted from horror to crestfallen as he slumped noticeably the rest of the way back.

---

5/25

Mukuro let out a deep sigh. Her exam scores, while not terrible, had been several places short of coming near the top five bracket in her class. The young soldier leaned against the nearest wall she could place herself on and ran her fingers through her hair trying to de-stress herself.

"Aw, Mukuro, cheer up! You did better then me!" Junpei groaned, looking like it were the end of the world.

"Somehow, that isn't helping," Mukuro replied. "I can take on entire platoons infiltrating a hostage situation but I can't even get the high score on a high school test!"

"Well there's always next time!" the boy said with a forced smile that made it evident he didn't feel the same for himself.

"Academics aren't my thing... I guess I need to study more, then," Mukuro sighed. Her sister had always been the smart one she'd have likely aced this with no more then one study session at most, she thought.

"Studying might be a good start, actually," Yukari said, approaching. "Sorry, I take it neither of you are happy with your results?" she asked, folding her arms.

"Hey, I tried, alright?" Junpei whined.

"...Begging the teachers for a higher score after coming in early?" Yukari asked, cocking a brow. "What on Earth made you think that'd work?"

"I don't wanna get punished by Mitsuru-senpai!" said Junpei. "It's bad enough I heard Kuzuryu and some other girls from 2-E rippin' on me over it before you got here! One was like "Iori-kun sure talks big, unlike his brain!" then Kuzuryu acted like she was standin' up for me only to say I could still earn a living as a chimpanzee exhibit!"

Yukari snorted, covering her mouth and doing her best to stifle a laugh. "Sorry... uh, for what it's worth, I doubt Mitsuru-senpai expected much out of you, honestly, so she'll probably go easy this time," she said.

"Whatever, I'll never be popular at this rate," Junpei groaned.

"...Actually, speaking of 2-E," Yukari said, "...It looks like that girl Sanada-senpai mentioned, Fuuka Yamagishi, made the top score there despite her absences."

"I remember he saw her in the hospital last week," said Mukuro.

"Yeah, apparently she has a weak constitution but it's only a rumor," Yukari explained. "Wonder what she's really like, though? Having more people join our fight would be good news, right?"

"Gettin' a new girl on the team is good news either way!" Junpei said, trying to push back his grief over his test scores. "...C'monnnn, Yuka-tan! It's too early to give up hope on that, at least! We still haven't heard back, after all! Just gotta find a way to convince her! Plus, even if she is a little frail, just makes me wanna be stronger for both of us!"

Yukari sighed audibly. "Junpei, are girls all you ever think about? And what about your new reputation thanks to how your exam scores came out?"

Junpei's hopeful expression deflated. "Well, I hear she's pretty nice, so I'm sure she'd look past it, right?"

"Whatever you say, but we should leave her be till she gives us an actual answer," Yukari said. "Anyway, I think lunchtime's about over so we may wanna get back to class."

Right, Mukuro thought. Ms. Toriyumi was teaching next and she didn't look too thrilled last she saw her before lunch so the young soldier suspected she had prepared a scolding for the class soon as it resumed. Maybe Bookworms had some study guides she could use for next time, she thought, deciding it as her plan for once classes ended for the day.

---

Mukuro paused as she entered Bookworms, noticing both its elderly owners backs turned as they were searching the shelves of the store.

"Strange, I swear I left it right here!" Bunkichi muttered to himself as he looked about anxiously. "I don't see it anywhere, though..."

"Did you lose something?" Mukuro asked, making her presence known to the couple.

"Oh?" Bunkichi and Mitsuko turned, the old man smiling brightly. "Ah, Mukuro-chan! How'd you guess? You psychic?"

Mukuro shook her head. "No, I just... overheard you, is all. Sounded like you misplaced something."

"Yeah, my glasses!" Bunkichi stated, then blinking in realization they were where they'd always been on the bridge of his nose. "No, wait not my glasses! My wallet! I can't seem to find it!"

"Maybe I can help?" Mukuro asked. "My... people I used to live with, they were always particular about keeping a clean and organized space."

"Heh, well maybe that would make it a little easier, wouldn't it?" Bunkichi chuckled, looking around. "But we do what we can with the space we got. Still, I do appreciate the offer if ya mean it!"

The teen gave a small smile. "You're in luck, then. I'm good at tracking things down," she said, choosing not to specify on what but feeling confident she could still be of help.

An hour passed, however, but still no luck.

"We've looked everywhere, think maybe you left it at any stores?" Mukuro asked.

"Eh, it's possible, if I could remember which ones I was at today, kinda was an errand day for me!" Bunkichi sighed. "Ohh, I can barely remember what we're lookin' for, now!"

"Helloooo~!" an eloquent, yet pleasant female voice called as the door suddenly slid open and in stepped a tall, blonde girl about Mukuro's age. A foreigner given her very fair skin and Caucasian features, with baby-blue eyes and long honey-blonde hair flowing down her back like a gold waterfall, held with a braided headband and a small black bow. She had on a Gekkoukan High girl's uniform with black stockings and red mary-janes, complimenting her tall, lithe form and friendly disposition. To Mukuro, she looked more like a princess straight out of a children's fairy-tale book rather then a fellow student.

"Um, please forgive my intrusion!" she said with a quick bow and holding out a small brown leather wallet. "I found this on the ground outside, saw your ID in it so figured it must've come from here and belonged to you!"

"Oh, yes! That's it, alright! Thank you so much, Miss Nevermind!" said Bunkichi, grateful as he reclaimed his lost wallet. "It may not be full of silver and gold, but it's a bigger treasure to me, regardless!" He looked over at Mukuro. "She's a regular customer, loves looking for all sorts'a things on Japanese history here!"

"Mmhm!" the girl said with a bright smile. "Where are my manners? I'm Sonia Nevermind, I'm a foreign exchange student at Gekkoukan!" the blonde gasped suddenly, her blue eyes going wide as she brought a hand to her mouth. "Oh, my! Are you the transfer student everyone was talking about? I thought you looked familiar!"

"That'd be me," Mukuro said, taking a bow. "Mukuro Ikusaba."

"Well, it's wonderful to meet you, Miss Ikusaba!" Sonia said, bowing again. "As I mentioned, I came as part of an exchange program from Novoselic, heard of it?"

"I think I heard the name before, but not much else," Mukuro replied apologetically, but the other girl just gave a friendly giggle in response.

"Oh, it's quite alright," she said, bringing a hand up to stifle her laugh. "It's a smaller country and we've only opened our exchange program recently, so I understand."

"I see, well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Nevermind," Mukuro said with a small smile.

"Please, just "Sonia" is fine!" the blonde said reassuringly. "I actually came with another, a French student named Bebe, we were trying to learn crafts in the Home Economics room together but he had to return home so... I'm all alone, now, so figured I should be buying up books so I can try and learn all I can for my stay!"

"I was here for some study guides, actually," Mukuro said.

"Oh, how are you with Japanese History? That teacher's really something with his interest in the Sengoku Era! That sound's real "radical", right?" Sonia asked.

Mukuro raised a brow at the girl's outdated slang, but chalked it up to her simply being unfamiliar with social interaction here, plus who was she to judge, she thought.

"Yeah, it's my best subject," she replied, not an untrue statement as she'd at least done well there compared to anywhere else in her exams, be it due to her own interest after being out of the country so long or the teacher's overall lack of interest in it beyond the specific era he obsessed over that he chose the easiest answers to avoid refreshing anyone.

"That's great to hear! Well, if you feel bored and wanna "hang out" sometime, come visit the Home Economics room! I still "chill" there and try and learn the craft!" Sonia explained. "As they say, "be there or be square"!" she giggled. "Well, Sayonara!"

With another bow, Sonia turned and left, Mukuro making a mental note to go visit sometime as she recalled a note on the door once written in another language.

"She's so enthusiastic about Japan, ever since coming here," Mitsuko said with a light chuckle. "I suppose our country is very different from European cultural norms, so it must be quite an experience for her. Still, she's quite classy, almost regal, yet still so humble in a way, isn't she?"

"I think I remember a student mentioning she came from a wealthy family," said Mukuro, before her and Mitsuko's attention turned towards the latter's husband as he rummaged through his wallet.

"Hmm, I know I kept it in here! I didn't wanna forget it at any cost!" he muttered to himself before his face suddenly lit up as he pulled a key out. "Ah, there it is, I knew it was right here! Good going, me!"

Mitsuko, however, as Mukuro noticed, looked far less delighted.

"Dear... that key... is it...?" the old woman stammered. Bunkichi didn't look bothered, though.

"Oh come on, dear! You know it's the key to our son's car!" he replied in a cheerful tone. "Having this young lady visit us makes me feel young again, like when he'd introduce us to pretty girls like her he was dating!"

Mukuro could feel herself blush again, but Mitsuko didn't look like her husband had done much to cheer her up.

"...Besides, been a while since I putting the pedal to the metal!" Bunkichi said with a laugh. "What age do I look, dear?"

"Please, don't!" Mitsuko protested, now on the verge of tears. "Why must you get into a car?! Do you want me to end up all alone?!"

Mukuro's eyes went wide as Mitsuko's words brought up memories, painful memories.

The crash.

Her parents bodies burning in the wreckage.

Her sister falling from the bridge.

Ending up all alone...

"Mukuro-chan?"

"Mukuro-chan?"

Mukuro felt the fogginess fade and she saw the elderly couple staring at her with worry. Anxious, she took a deep breath and brushed back her hair.

"I'm so sorry for raising my voice, I didn't mean to frighten you," Mitsuko apologized.

"N-No, it wasn't that, it was..." Mukuro took in another breath. She was a hardened soldier, survived may battles, killed plenty of enemies, yet that memory... she didn't have a battlefield or warzone to blot it out, now. "S-Something else."

"I see, well... I suppose you're wondering what that was about, aren't you?" Bunkichi asked, frowning in regret as he took a puff from his pipe. "...Our son, remember how we'd mentioned him having passed away? On his way home from work, he was... hit by a dump truck driver who was drunk on the job."

Bunkichi sighed, shaking his head bitterly. "...Punch me, Mukuro-chan. I was so insensitive back there! In all my excitement I'd not considered how my wife might feel! A-And your face, just a moment ago! I'd almost forgotten... I'm such a..." The old man grumbled to himself. "You mentioned an "accident"... was it... no, no, it's not my place to reopen a wound for you, too."

Mukuro shook her head. "It's... alright. It was ten years ago."

"Mukuro-chan... you were white as a sheet for a moment," Mitsuko said, looking at her with concern.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be alright," Mukuro said, managing a small smile. "It's you I'm concerned for."

It seemed she and them did have more in common then she'd expected, Mukuro thought. She'd hoped she was moving on, but maybe it hadn't been as easy as she'd thought it was. It just took the right words, the right situation, to strike that flaw in her armor.

She heard the sound of glass breaking in the recesses of her mind as she regarded the elderly couple, feeling, at least, their concern for her well-being.

"Mukuro, you're so young, It's no good spendin' your best years mopin'!" Bunkichi offered. "And you especially needn't waste grief on an old-timer like me! You got your whole life ahead'a ya!"

"My apologies. I suppose I'm not as over it as I thought," Mukuro said.

"It lessens in time, but... it never truly goes away, unfortunately," Mitsuko said softly.

"You just feel like you'll have them forever," Mukuro nodded. "...Then you're proven wrong."

"Well, I doubt... our family, the people we love... they'd not want us like this," Bunkichi said. "Since I got my wallet back, I'd be happy to treat you both to dinner from one'a the places here. You come, too, Mukuro-chan! If anything, consider it a reward for helpin' us look around, alright?"

"I need to be heading back soon, but I appreciate your generosity, sir," Mukuro said with an apologetic bow.

"Oh, it's all good! I'll get'cha some take-out you can bring home with you! Any place you like, my treat!" the old man said with a kind smile.

Mukuro couldn't help but smile back, giving a grateful nod. Once she'd gotten the books she'd come for and her food, she made her way back to the dorm to study for the evening.

---

5/26

Mukuro eyed the sign next to the door, which read Home Economics, and noted the sign written in another language. It was European, given the lettering, and with the extra book she'd bought at Bookworms, Mukuro was able to translate it fairly quickly as being a type of culture club. Sonia Nevermind's name was written at the bottom as club owner, having taken the place of someone named "Bebe" after a family matter led to him cutting his foreign exchange visit short and returning back home.

Opening the door, Mukuro stepped inside to find the blonde working away at a sewing machine, a darker-haired girl with glasses tending to a fancy gown nearby.

"Almost... almost... Ha! I did it! I believe the phrase is "yatta", Miss Shirogane?" Sonia cheered from her seat.

The other girl sighed. "No "Miss"! I'm the same age as you!" she said. "Tsumugi" is fine!"

"Oh, sorry!" Sonia blushed, bowing in embarrassment despite being seated. "I was caught up in the moment."

The other girl, Tsumugi giggled. "It's fine. Just remember next time! Well, I better get this order to the Theater Club!" She paused upon noticing Mukuro. "Oh, hi! New member? I'm sorta part-time since I manage costuming at the Theater Club! Sonia-san's great, though!"

"I gotta learn to make my own stuff, can't make servents do everything!" Sonia said with another blush.

"Servents?" Mukuro asked.

"Oh, she's a-"

"Rich, yeah! I mean, guess you figured that out..." Sonia laughed, turning redder. "Yeah, I know I'm... fortunate, but I just can't be too demanding in the real world, right?"

Mukuro cocked an eyebrow at her odd behavior, Tsumugi finding her words first, though.

"I'm still gonna make you one for when you go back, Sonia-san. I wanna put all my skills to the ultimate test!" Tsumugi said with a giggle as she bagged the dress she was working on and slipped out of the classroom with it.

"I'm so happy you came!" Sonia said, seemingly trying to change the subject as she stood up from her seat and offered her hand. "When I met at the bookstore I hoped you'd come by. It's nice to make new friends!"

Mukuro glanced at her hand, recalling how foreigners greeted eachother and having been accustomed to it herself from her time in Fenrir, and offered her own gloved hand in return.

"Ooh, nice gloves! Leather? They're so stylish!" Sonia giggled.

"Woke up a little later then I meant to, didn't have time to apply my... foundation," Mukuro said with a light blush as she peeled back part of her fingerless glove and revealing part of her Fenrir tattoo.

"Oh, right. I heard something about Japanese law with them," Sonia mused, tapping her chin. "Well, I'm sure it's your business either way, so I won't pry! I'm just happy to see you again! I hope we can be friends."

Mukuro nodded. "I don't see why not."

"It's been a little hectic, Bebe was a genius at this but he had to leave early, I joined this club so I had someone like me it'd make it a little easier to adjust, and I've wanted to learn this kind of thing, and Tsumugi's been so nice, too!" Sonia explained. "I'm truly grateful for both of them having me, and getting the chance to hone my skills! Without skill's I'd just be..."

She shook her head. "Nevermind. Heh, the phrase, not my name... well, both, maybe... but if I may be bold, would you like to join our club? It'd be a great way to get to know eachother more!"

The girl was a little odd, but certainly very friendly, Mukuro assessed. Even if she seemed to be hiding something she didn't come off as bad in any way, and Tsumugi seemed to know of it so it likely wasn't something to worry over.

Still, she was curious.

"Okay."

Sonia's blue eyes blinked in surprise, but a gracious smile quickly formed on her face. "Wonderful!" she said clasping her hands with joy. "Many thanks! Unless there's exams you're free to come by Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, whenever you like! Hope to see you!"

"You two really the only ones?" Mukuro asked, looking around.

"Yeah, maybe some people find me unapproachable. I hope I'm not bringing Tsumugi down because of it," Sonia frowned. "She says I got a ton of admirers, almost to Kirijo's numbers, but... I guess they're intimidated by me. Some boys look like they're gonna faint or turn into impromptu waiters when I try and talk to them... it's weird."

"I may be sounding like Iori-kun when I say this but I'm sure you're probably somewhere in the top bracket of this school's girl rankings," Mukuro said, brushing back her hair.

"May be because I'm a foreigner, too," Sonia sighed. "Most girls just want me to help translate something for them and run off... word must've gotten out I'm multi-lingual. Otherwise, I don't think I fit in, much past that and... appreciating my looks. Hope no one else knows, I think just Tsumugi and Bebe."

"Knows what?" Mukuro asked, curious.

"Nothing. It's not important!" Sonia said anxiously, holding up her hands and attempting to drop the subject. "But maybe if I can learn all I can on Japanese culture and history and really "nail" this crafting and fashion I'm sure I can! I just wanna be a normal girl here, like the others. Even Kirijo-san fits in, right?"

"More or less," Mukuro replied. Mitsuru was wealthy and certainly held a professional air both at school and with SEES, but she still seemed to, for the most part, be regarded as another student as she wasn't the center of gossip and living in a dorm wasn't questioned by anyone as far as she could tell.

"Well, thank you again for joining!" Sonia said, handing Mukuro a sign-up sheet and pencil. "To our new friendship, hm?"

Before Mukuro could sign, however, she felt time slow and reality grow dim, as Theodore's words spoke once more within her mind.

Thou art I... and I am thou...

Thou hast established a new bond...

Thou shalt be blessed when creating

Personas of the Temperance Arcana...

The sound of glass shattering echoed within her mind as well as reality returned to normal and Mukuro signed on to the foreign exchange student's club.

"Well, I appreciate all of this, Ikusaba! I'm sure we'll really "rock" this club!" Sonia said, giggling. "I'll probably close club early today and let you head on home. It was wonderful getting to see you again!"

Nodding, Mukuro bid her farewell to ponder what she'd have for dinner that evening as she made her way back. Certainly a nice girl, but she still couldn't help but wonder, now, what her story was, Mukuro thought as she overheard students talking about Wild Duck Burger having a new eating challenge...

---

5/27

Mukuro had decided she'd stay away from Wild Duck Burger for a while. Despite her experiences in the wilderness and surviving on rations more times then she could remember that helped her succeed, the pile of burgers Mukuro had been required to consume had started off tasting good and she thought she wouldn't have enough, but after the fourth or fifth it left her feeling ill the remainder of the night and not even feeling hungry at lunch.

Mukuro had only started feeling better after the student council meeting, which Mitsuru had asked she make it to this time now that exams were finally over and gone without incident, Mukuro mostly just playing the quiet listener. However, once it'd ended, disciplinary head Kiyotaka Ishimaru suddenly called her in the hall right just as she was leaving.

"Ikusaba-san! May I borrow you real quick before you head out?" he asked, pointing dramatically at her from where he stood in the hall.

"Hm?" Mukuro cocked her head in curiosity at him.

"My apologies, but it is of utmost importance I get your opinion on something! Nothing overly serious, but..."

Mukuro was only more confused, now. "...Then why is it so important?"

"Look, it's a private matter between council members. Kirijo-senpai's busy and can't stay, and Fujisaki was too anxious to give me a straight answer, so I was hoping I could discuss it with you, one who has been to military school as well!" Ishimaru explained, looking around at the hallways which had grown crowded with students leaving their respective clubs. "Come! Let us go back in the student council room, away from these noisy halls!"

Soon as both were inside the student council room, Mukuro spoke up.

"...I appreciate your need for me, but what's this about exactly?" Confusion had become replaced with curiosity, now.

"Well, it's like this, Mukuro..." Ishimaru took a deep breath like he was ready for a rousing speech. "THERE ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE THE UNIFORM SHOULD BE ABOLISHED!" he boomed, gritting his teeth and clenching his fist in front of him before calming himself down. "It's absolute nonsense, am I right? There are schools who put far less effort into giving both comfort and stylish presentation into their uniforms for their students, not to mention the leeway I can tell they already get on the dress code, here, so if anything the students who attend Gekkoukan should be grateful for what they already have!"

THIS is what the issue was? Mukuro thought to herself silently. It was a foolish demand but still, hardly something she considered being brought in here over or something the student council, even Mitsuru, would have any authority on. Still, she decided to humor him for now as he appeared to be trying to cool down over the matter, trivial as it was, and her own upbringing did make his statement about gratitude for what the school accommodated and let them get away with sound reasonable.

"...You're right," she said, folding her arms and nodding.

"Exactly! Freedom is NOT life without rules! Without rules, harmony would not exist and the entire system would collapse, then we'd only have lawless might-makes-right anarchy!" Ishimaru explained, jabbing his finger into the air with purpose. "With the leeway I mentioned, and the fact they could simply transfer out, they mistake selfishness for freedom!"

"...I'd get in trouble for not covering this," Mukuro said, holding her hand up and turning it, both clad in fingerless gloves. "Tattoo. Military-based from out of the country... long story, but I wear gloves or makeup like I am now to cover it in school, regardless."

One of Ishimaru's arched brows raised, despite their rigid shape making them appear always so, the corner of his lips turning in a diagonal motion. "...I don't endorse tattoos, Ikusaba, due to societal rules and the types they're usually associated with, but so long as it remains concealed in the approved ways, not to mention a past in military school that tells me you have a good understanding on the importance of rules and following them, I suppose I have no reason to complain!" he said with an approving nod.

The boy ran his hands through his spiky crew cut hair Mukuro suspected used a lot of spray. "Sorry about overreacting a bit back there, too. I know people started calling me "the ultimate hall monitor" lately, but their behaving without common sense just frustrates me! They think I enjoy having to confront them about their disorderly conduct?! We've already got a problem with delinquents convening in those alleys near the train station, we don't need that here, too... you get where I'm coming from on this?"

The young soldier nodded. "...I do." Ishimaru was certainly very strict, but Mukuro had been around and trained by similar people and didn't hold it against them for doing their jobs and. at the very least, he seemed to be just trying to do his own job he was appointed for correctly.

A sound like glass shattering echoed within the recesses of her mind.

"Well, Mukuro, thanks for hearing me out on this matter!" Ishimaru stated, folding his arms. "It's not like the student council has the authority to grant that demand and the school wouldn't either, so maybe it is nothing in theory. Still, we need to inspire respect to maintain a safe and harmonious environment for our fellow students!" he declared, before giving Mukuro a salute and a more genuine, less tense smile. "...My apologies for keeping you! You're free to head home, now!"

Instinctively Mukuro's own hand went up as well, before blushing in embarrassment and letting it back down before giving a polite bow and leaving for the day. She was still feeling the effects of the previous evening's attempt at the burger challenge, and thus another lone study session was destined to became that evening's plan.

---

5/28

Mukuro could not feel more relieved to see the end of class after another bizarre surprise lecture by Mr. Edogawa when he'd volunteered rather enthusiastically to fill in for the remaining class when the teacher had, according to rumors, twisted an ankle from a bad step off the sidewalk and got driven to the hospital. In a town with supernatural occurances it baffled the young soldier how this man was probably in the top bracket of strangest residents.

"Hey, Mukuro!" Junpei called her name as he came over. "Edogawa-sensei's lecture keep you up, too? Nice to hear something cool!"

Mukuro's brow furrowed. "You mean about curses, black magic, and how "bad juju" will doom one to ruin and misfortune, or the part about Venus' alignment enhancing your ESP levels if you eat enough cucumbers?" she asked.

"Think that'll work? Maybe my Persona'll..." Junpei paused as he noticed Mukuro's silent, skeptical gaze. "Well, anyways, was wonderin' if you wanna maybe go grab dinner together somewhere? Kinda feelin' a craving for ramen... maybe a beef bowl. How 'bout it?"

"Anything other then Wild Duck," she said.

"Oh, right, you finally feelin' better from the eating challenge?" Junpei teased. "I'd think a trained soldier could handle that!"

"...Apparently they had us in mind when making the challenge," Mukuro lamented. "But... I could go for ramen. It's nice being able to have warm full meals whenever I like."

"Yeah, I couldn't go without that," Junpei said, laughing a little. "...The challenge, though, they say it takes strategy to get through it. Dunno if I could do it, though, if it's not too hot I just kinda wolf it all down."

"I... tend to do the same," Mukuro said, brushing back her hair as she felt herself blush a bit. "...Old habits die hard, I suppose."

"Hey, it's not weird, it's kinda cute!" Junpei said with a grin, then speaking up again before Mukuro could respond. "Anyways, let's head on over to Hagekure Ramen before they fill up!"

No sooner had they arrived, however, when Junpei's mood quickly soured at what they saw.

"What the hell?!" The boy's fists clenched tight as he glared at the middle-aged drunk staggering about on the sidewalk. "...I don't think it's that "apathy syndrome" this time. He's totally wasted, in broad daylight, even!" he muttered in disgust as the man was cursing pretty loudly as well.

"Forget about him," Mukuro said, gently gripping Junpei's arm to pull him away.

"You're right, I don't wanna deal with someone like that!" Junpei grumbled. "...He gets hit by a car or somethin' it's his own damn fault!"

Unfortunately, their pause was long enough to get the drunk's attention as his eyes met theirs and he began to stagger towards them. "Whaaaa'urrr you lookin' at?" he mumbled in a slurred tone.

"The hell you want? Get outta my face!" Junpei snapped.

"Let's just go," Mukuro's tone was soft, yet dangerous, as was her glare towards the man.

"Heyyy, ditch this brat n' I'll showya a good ti-" the man's hand that was reaching for Mukuro was promptly seized, though not by Mukuro, but by Junpei, causing the former to stare in surprise.

"She ain't interested, creep! Get lost or I'll call the cops!" Junpei hissed, teeth grit tight with only barely restrained anger as he shoved the drunk's hand away, and he seemed to concede as he stumbled off muttering a few choice words.

Mukuro's grip on Junpei's arm relaxed, seemed she didn't need to take action, here, to her relief. Still, it seemed Junpei's anger hadn't faded yet.

"Ugh, I can't stand drunken idiots like that!" he grumbled.

"He's not worth it, Junpei. Let's just go get our food," Mukuro replied, a hint of sternness in her tone and earning an irritated sigh from the boy.

"Yeah, yeah, you're prolly right. I'm sure the cops'll deal with 'em if he keeps makin' an ass of himself," he conceded. "Let's go, hopefully food'll get my mind off it."

After having gone inside, Junpei took in a deep sniff of the air, savoring the aroma of freshly-made ramen beef bowls, yet it was evident to Mukuro he was still not completely calm from what had happened earlier as he ordered a bowl for himself and treated her to one as well, seeing him so quiet was strange, as he was normally very chatty, she assessed.

"Still thinking about that guy from earlier?" Mukuro asked as she waited for her bowl to cool.

"Yeah! Really pisses me off!" He sighed a little, staring down at his own bowl. "...I doubt anyone would feel that way."

He chuckled bitterly to himself at his words before glancing up at Mukuro. "You don't have parents, now... not tryin' to sound like an ass but I kinda... envy that."

Mukuro's gaze darkened noticeably. "You sure you want to go down this route, Junpei?" she asked, a hint of sharpness in her tone. "You weren't there, I don't know what's gotten into you but whatever it is..." the young soldier paused to take a breath, coughing from the steam that filled her lungs as she did so. "...I saw everything, Junpei. Right before I passed out."

"Sorry, that really did come out real shitty, didn't it?" Junpei asked with an apologetic smile. "I didn't mean it like that, just... there gotta be some parents that their kids are better off without."

Mukuro's glare softened a little. "What are you getting at? What do my parents have to do with that man we saw outside?"

"N-Nothing," Junpei said. "I'm... sure you had a great family that loved you, right?" he asked, getting a nod in response.

"Not... perfect, but I would never wish them gone," Mukuro replied. "I lost them after things got better for us..."

"I see," replied Junpei. "Guess the grass is always greener and all that, but... well... my dad was always drinking. He'd just sit there and drink, all by himself. Every time he did, he'd get violent over the stupidest stuff!"

He chuckled to himself again. "...But what's it matter? It doesn't even hurt anymore. I mean, when I was a kid and acted up I got spanked pretty good, that really hurt, but age and alcohol's taken what strength he had and somehow I didn't even notice it..."

"You were reminded of him when we ran into that man?" Mukuro asked.

"Yeah, guess that's what it was. Brought back bad memories," Junpei explained. "Sorry I brought it all up, though... must be pretty dull to hear, right?" he asked. "I'm not the sharpest guy in the world but I can tell when a subject ain't exactly one we feel comfortable on, so why not cheer ourselves up with somethin' more fun? Like how we better get started on our bowls before the noodles get all soggy!" he declared with a laugh.

Mukuro gave a faint smile, deciding to humor him. So that's who Junpei was, someone who hid his grief from everyone under the carefree, playful, sometimes obnoxious act he puts on for them. His real-life Persona so to speak...

A sound like glass shattering echoed in the recesses of Mukuro's mind as she felt she understood him more, and began on her own dinner, hearing out a few silly anecdotes Junpei shared to change the subject to something less grim as they continued eating.

---

5/29

Yukari paused as she left the building the sport clubs were held at, the sound of cruel laughter from several girls nearby catching her attention.

"Can you believe it? I pretend to take a picture of it with my cellphone and she breaks down crying!" a brunette girl declared, laughing again. "The look on her face? PRICELESS!"

"Oh my god, how pathetic!" another girl giggled.

"Tell me about it! I never laughed so hard in my life!" the brunette girl said, composing herself.

"You're both pathetic! I mean, that's the best you got?" a snide, but familiar voice asked, Yukari noticing an equally familiar girl with sunny-blonde hair and cruel, green eyes approach the two. "Honestly, what are you, grade schoolers?"

"Pssht, don't act so innocent, Kuzuryu! Think no one knows how you are with Koizumi every time you two are in the same breathing space?" the brunette asked, glaring at her.

Natsumi Kuzuryu folded her arms and sneered. "Who says I am? I'm just saying if that's all you got I'm surprised that girl was so emotional over it when she ran by crying a second ago." the blonde said, rolling her eyes dismissively. "...Like if I wanted to break someone without getting the family involved, I'd just lock 'em in a closet for the day or something. Like how Japanese prisons use solitary to crack their inmates and all..."

"Wow, I hear she's afraid of the dark, bet she would -snerk- utterly lose it if that happened to her even by accident!" the brunette's friend said barely containing her giggles, now.

"Think we should find out?" the brunette asked, half-serious, the two girls then laughing uproariously. Natsumi, however, just rolled her eyes again and stalked off back the way she came.

"Tch! ...Bullies," Yukari shook her head in disgust before one suddenly paused.

"Maki?" the brunette asked, noticing the odd, vacant stare on her friend's face.

The other girl, Maki, shook her head. "...Hm...? Sorry, did you hear a... voice whispering your name?"

"No," the brunette said. "Hey! Kuzuryu!" she called sharply, "...You playing some kind of trick?"

Natsumi had just reached the door as she turned. "What're you talking about? Why would I waste time messing with you kiddy-graders?" she scoffed, entering the building and closing the door behind her without another word.

The girl, Maki, froze again, her mouth hanging open, now.

"Maki! Hey! What's wrong?" the brunette asked.

"Oh, sorry... thought I heard it again. What were we talking about?" asked Maki, the brunette looking at her in confusion.

"Whatever. Let's go," the brunette said, noticing Yukari now and giving her a look before she and her friend hurried down the corridor to the doors as well.

"Least they're gone, I guess," Yukari sighed, running her hand through her bangs. "I can't stand girls like that! Why would they do those things?!"

Huffing angrily to herself, Yukari continued on her way to head home for the day.

---

Mukuro took in a deep breath of relief as she got back to the dorm that evening. After a rigorous session in Volleyball Club with Asahina and the others followed by an extra workout regimen with the former had left her hungry, but she'd decided to go for a change clothes first before she went out anywhere. Junpei was already at work on cup ramen, Yukari was seated across from him at the table and Mitsuru was reading in the lounge area.

"Good, you made it back okay," Mitsuru said, looking up from her book. "...It seems the number of Lost has started up again."

"I noticed," Mukuro said, recalling having seen a few on the way back. "Another full moon is coming pretty soon, isn't it?"

Mitsuru nodded. "After next week, yes. If another one of those Shadows appears, that'll be the third time in a row." She sighed. "I guess all we can do is wait and see. If one does, and we eliminate it, hopefully that means the Lost will return to normal, again."

Mukuro glanced over at the news, which had been kept low so Mitsuru could read but still keep attentive for anything important, covering several Apathy Syndrome cases.

"Hey, Mukuro," the young soldier saw Akihiko approach, dressed to go out. "Was gonna head out for a bite to eat at the strip mall. Wanna come? Sorry if the invite's kinda sudden."

Mukuro glanced to the side, feeling her cheeks redden slightly at the boy's friendly smile. "Sure, I was actually thinking about dinner, too, just... wanted to shower and change first," she said softly.

"No problem, I can wait!" Akihiko chuckled. "Go ahead and do what you gotta do, then we'll head on over."

Mukuro made her way to the stairs with a small and in her mind hopefully subtle amount of haste to get her things and get herself ready for the evening.

---

The shower had done wonders getting her anxiety out of her mind, something Mukuro didn't like, it somehow bypassing her mental discipline she'd gained from Fenrir to desensitize her from enemy combatants and other targets she'd been trained to eliminate. How the thought of him and his smile to her cut through all that, she didn't want to think about. It'd be absurd a third-year with his standing at school despite what Junpei implied could be feeling the same way.

...Even if she did like the way he'd smiled.

Still, she couldn't help but feel a little nervous when she found a smirking Yukari waiting outside the bathroom door with an unused lipstick tube and some advice about a little foundation to "hide the redness better" Mukuro gave her an icy stare for as she decided to comply to avoid potentially embarrassing herself in front of him again.

It's just a dinner run, not what she or Junpei think, she silently told herself as she noted Junpei's barely hidden grin of amusement as she came down dressed in a simple black turtleneck shirt and pleated skirt, with her black boots and gray tights underneath. It was then she noticed Akihiko look a little surprised.

"Ehhhh-heh, we'd better get going! All that waiting's really worked up an appetite, Mukuro!" he said with an apologetic smile but not quite looking her in the eye.

Did I overdress? she wondered, but chose not to say it aloud and potentially make things awkward. She didn't think what she'd chosen was anything extravagant or... anything else serious.

"Me, too," she said, starting to feel a familiar reddening again and taking a deep, slow breath through her nose. "I'm ready when you are."

"Great! Let's go!" Akihiko lead her outside and they began to make their way to the strip mall on foot. "Nice to get a good nighttime walk in, am I right?" he asked with a smirk. "...Especially now that our trip through Tartarus proves I've gotten my edge back since I've been focusing on my training again! Anyways..." He paused.

"Hm?" Mukuro asked, glancing over at him as they walked, the boy remaining silent for a few seconds. "...Akihiko?"

That'd got his attention as he promptly looked her way and spoke up.

"...Right! I've... been meaning to thank you for that. You've really stepped up as our leader, Mukuro!" he said with an approving nod. "Soooo, for that reason I thought I should treat you to a little celebratory dinner now. Tonight's on me, you got enough responsibility as it is, am I right?"

"Oh, yes... thank you," Mukuro said softly, feeling a knot in her stomach. It wasn't a... what Yukari and Junpei assumed, but she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed despite Akihiko's compliments and encouragement being exactly the sort of things a soldier would love hearing from a senior officer. "...I wouldn't want to disappoint you, Akihiko."

The boy chuckled. "You really are somethin' else, Mukuro!" he said, glancing ahead with a smile on his face. "I knew I had a good feeling about you... maybe that's why I enjoy when we get to spend time together, you know? I know you've got your history, but... don't push yourself too hard, alright?"

Mukuro frowned a little. "Combat's nothing new to me," she said.

"Yeah, but Shadows and the Dark Hour's effects and using Personas still is, right?" Akihiko asked, looking away again. "...Those things I'm sure they're nothing you can't master in time, and it'll get easier with more experience along the way!" he said. "Plus, I'm always here to help if you need anything!"

The dark-haired girl blinked, glancing down at the pavement a moment as she walked in silence for a moment, the station and the strip mall just up ahead. "...I appreciate it," she said, managing a small smile as they finally reached the turn.

"Ohmygosh!" a female voice suddenly cried out in astonishment.

"Sanada-san from Gekkoukan High!" another shrieked, prompting Mukuro and Akihiko to turn and see two girls about their age staring in awe.

"I heard you lived in Iwatodai, but I didn't think I'd run into you outside school!" the first girl giggled excitedly as the two rushed over.

"We're big fans of yours! Can we please get a picture wi-" the second girl paused, taking notice for the first time Akihiko was not here alone. "...Oh no..."

"Senpai how could you?! She nearly broke a girl's arm once!" the first girl gasped, looking at Mukuro in disgust.

"I only grabbed her wrist when she was trying to hit me, and nothing was broken," Mukuro said flatly, her mood soured significantly past the disappointment she was already feeling in her gut earlier as she looked over at Akihiko, who looked like he neither wanted to deal with these girls or be caught in the middle of this conflict that'd just arose.

"...Sorry, girls. I'm busy and I don't like having my picture taken," Akihiko said, as politely as he could manage despite the stress evident in his tone. Still, it seemed the fans weren't quite ready to leave him alone yet.

"I heard rumors you got injured! Are you okay, now?" the second girl asked.

"Do you need help? We'll be more gentle then this delinque-" the first girl was promptly cut off as Akihiko spoke again.

"Ikusaba-san's not a..." Akihiko let out a quiet sigh through his nose as he saw the confrontation was now drawing in more gawking onlookers, including one young woman asking her boyfriend if Akihiko was a model or celebrity.

Giving his fans a look and speaking in a tone with none of the irritation concealed anymore, he quickly turned his attention back to Mukuro. "Hey, let's go," he said abruptly, taking her by the hand and rushing off with her, ignoring the indignant cries of his fans as he led Mukuro to the back of the station closer to where the strip mall. Soon as they were alone again, though, Akihiko frowned and looked away from her, releasing her hand.

"...Sorry," he muttered. "I've had to deal with this problem at school, I didn't think it'd happen here, too! It's gotta be thanks to those interviews, or rumors online... I've gotten a lot of attention as I've kept up my winning streak."

"I've noticed," Mukuro said, folding her arms and frowning as well. "And for the record, I didn't nearly break a girl's arm at school. She tried to hit me and I grabbed her wrist to defend myself and told her to stop, that's all," she explained.

"I guess if you wanted to you easily could have," Akihiko said.

Mukuro's frown deepened. "Yeah, I could. Annoying as she was I'd rather... not, though."

"Sorry, that was dumb of me to say," Akihiko grumbled. "...I believe you, though, and I'm glad you didn't. You may be pretty badass, Mukuro but you're not a delinquent," he said, giving her a small, reassuring smile. "Me, though... wish they'd leave me be. I'm not some panda in a zoo for everyone to gawk at."

Mukuro couldn't help but smile a little at the analogy. "Junpei says I'm one of the "top cuties of Gekkoukan" or whatever the boys call it, and I do notice the stares and overhear some of the gossip..."

Now, it was Akihiko's turn to show amusement. "Heh, majority vote's gotta mean something. I think Mitsuru, Yukari, Fujisaki and that foreign exchange student are in that lineup, too, from how the guys in boxing club talk," he teased. "But you're strong, pretty badass, and..."

Akihiko shook his head, smiling a little. "Well, good to know I've got someone who gets it, even a little," he said. "But point is, that's not what it's all for. All I want is to be as strong as I can! I wanna train hard and feel real pride in my strength... but all I ever seem to get is more trouble."

He glanced around their hiding spot. "Alright, I think they've probably given up by now," he said, looking back at her with an apologetic smile. "Again, sorry for all the drama back there. Let's head out to eat, now. For real, this time. We only have so many hours left in the day, after all!"

Leading Mukuro around the corner, however, it was evident the girls hadn't left yet, but for entirely different reasons, namely the group of four dangerous-looking young men crowding them near one of the closed stores.

"Hey, c'mon! Just one drink!" one in a colorful silk shirt crooned, leaning towards one of the girls, who looked very frightened as her friend huddled near her nervously as well.

"P-Please! Just leave us alone, alright! We said no!" the girl protested.

"...Those girls from before," Akihiko whispered, pausing to survey the situation.

Mukuro folded her arms. As annoying as they'd been earlier, she wouldn't wish what those boys probably had in mind if they got turned down again on them. It seemed Akihiko had the same idea, as well, as he immediately stormed over to confront them.

"Hey, that's enough," he said sharply, making his presence known and Mukuro coming up behind him. "...Leave them alone, you don't want the police to come get involved, do you?"

"Who the hell're you?!" snapped Silk Shirt, he and the others turning to face him. The two girls saw their opportunity and promptly fled as another of the young men, a surly-looking guy wearing a blue hoodie and a baseball cap approached Akihiko and Mukuro.

"What, are you gonna call the cops or somethin'?" the hoodie-wearing man asked. "Quit tryin' to act like a big man for your girlfriend here, you little punk!"

"Dunno, she's pretty damn cute, actually!" the leader sneered, flashing a sleazy grin at Mukuro. "Whaddya say, babe? Wanna ditch this clown and have the night'a your life?" he asked, about to drape his arm over Mukuro.

The moment it touched, the young man let out a shrill cry of pain as Mukuro slammed her fist into his solar plexus and her elbow into his kidneys on the side, leaving him staggering to the ground gasping for air as she weaved away from him. "Y-You bitch...!" he wheezed out.

"Serves you right," Akihiko chuckled. "Anyone else want a shot I'm game, too, so why don't we just go our separate ways, now. Sound good?"

"Why you cheeky son of a...!" Hoodie growled as a taller one with greased hair and a bomber jacket, presumably the leader, approached and helped Silk Shirt up, glaring at the pair.

"Hold up," Bomber Jacket said, his voice low and dangerous. "...Your pretty little girlfriend here's actually got some slick moves, how 'bout you? I imagine you gotta know how to fight if a girl like that's willin' to be hangin' around ya."

"...So what if I do?" Akihiko asked, putting a hand to his hip and glaring back at the gang leader.

"...So how 'bout you and I go a few rounds?" Bomber Jacket asked. "If you ain't too busy, there's a spot right around back," he explained. "...Thing is, whenever I see guys who act like they think they're hot shit, all I wanna do is put 'em in their place!"

Akihiko and Mukuro exchanged a glance, though neither looked afraid.

"No answer? C'mon, I'm sure a lotta people call you a tough guy, so why not put it to the test?" the leader asked, before looking over at Mukuro, giving a wide, sleazy sneer. "Or would you rather let your girl here fight for you 'cause you're ready to piss yourself!"

One of the others, wearing a brown leather coat laughed. "Bet that's what it is! Freakin' coward all talk and needs a girl to fight his battles for 'em!"

Akihiko closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath before looking back at Mukuro. "...See?" he asked, his voice barely concealing anger, now. "...Nothing but trouble. Stay here, Mukuro, I'll be done in a minute..."

"What, you think you're gonna beat me just like that?!" the leader growled, visibly offended by Akihiko's remark.

"It's okay," Akihiko said, rubbing the back of his neck with a slight smile on his face. "...I wouldn't dare go all-out against an amateur. It'll be a fair fight... and I'd feel worse for you if you had to go against her, funny as it'd be having your boys see you get your ass kicked by a girl as you'd put it," he chuckled.

"...That bitch hits like a sledgehammer, man," the injured Silk Shirt choked next to the leader, still nursing his injuries and struggling to stand, causing Mukuro to smirk in response. She knew Akihiko didn't want her involved in this but it would have been rather fun to humiliate their leader, too.

"Shut it! Let's do this, punk! You and me!" the leader snarled, glaring at Akihiko, pausing when a siren and flashing police lights suddenly went off nearby.

"Hey! Over there! Break it up!" Flashlights shone on the group as two policemen came rushing over, the gang members promptly fleeing into the dark alley further away. The police, however, chose not to give chase and instead turned their attention to the two people who hadn't run away.

"You two, what's going on over here?!" the first officer, an older one, asked as he approached Akihiko and Mukuro.

"We got a call about gang activity over here! You kids part of it?! Come with us, right now!" the second officer, a younger one asked sharply, shining his flashlight on the teens' faces and leading them to the front of the strip mall where there was more light from the stores and street lamps.

"Officer, I'll say this once," Akihiko said, scowling in annoyance as he glared at the opened back doors of the waiting police car. "...They were the ones who were antagonizing us. We were just here looking to get some dinner was all."

"Save it for the station!" the younger cop snapped, his older partner holding his hand up to him to calm down.

"You're both both high school students, right?" the older cop asked. "We'll need your contact information to notify your parents about this..."

Mukuro exchanged a glance with Akihiko then to the older officer. She could practically taste the irony of the man's statement. "...That might be difficult," she said softly, no less irate from the situation then Akihiko was.

"...If I could butt in, here..."

Mukuro and Akihiko turned, seeing a stern-looking, gray-haired officer approach.

"Kurosawa-san!" Akihiko gasped, smiling in relief.

Officer Kurosawa, Mukuro thought, recalling Akihiko having mentioned the man as the one who helped traffic weapons for the team for their Tartarus missions and having seen the police station at Paulownia Mall.

"...I'll handle these two. I've already cleared it with the brass," Kurosawa told the two officers, who proceeded to leave after. Soon as they were gone, Kurosawa turned his attention back to the two teens before him. "...Okay, I don't know what's going on here, but you better not be starting any trouble," he said.

"We weren't," Mukuro said, stepping forward. "...As Akihiko-senpai told the other officers, that gang antagonized us, we were only here trying to decide on where to get dinner," she said.

"We weren't in actual trouble, anyway," Akihiko chuckled. "If things got tense, we could get ourselves out of it easy. We were in no danger."

"...And yet we got a report from two young ladies about you getting attacked by a gang, Sanada," said Kurosawa, his brow raising in suspicion. "Look, if you wanna show off to a girl there's a time and a place for it, alright? I'm still an officer of the law, so I don't care who you are... anyone who disturbs the peace is gonna have to deal with me."

He glanced from Akihiko to Mukuro. "...Plus, if you're finally bringing a girl on a date, you could stand to be a little more of a gentleman and behave at least when you're with her, got it?" he asked Akihiko. "...And you, Miss, I know it won't be easy, but try and keep an eye on him, won't you?"

Mukuro nodded, relieved it was dark and hoping neither the officer nor Akihiko noticed the flushed look on her pale face and finding herself unable to give a verbal response thanks to the former's assumption.

"It's n-not like that," Akihiko stammered, frowning, his usual confidence momentarily gone to Mukuro's curiosity and confusion before shaking his head and managing a smile. "...Er, bold response, Mukuro... but thanks. My arm's all healed and we've got way more dependable people, now, so there's no better time to test my strength, especially now with someone like you! I'll keep honing my skills till I'm putting anyone I face down with my own two hands!"

Mukuro folded her arms, that strange feeling of disappointment returning inside her gut again as her normal impassive look returned to her face. Even Kurosawa looked put off, and sighed in annoyance.

"...You really haven't changed at all, Sanada. Thick-headed as always," he said, shaking his head. "In any case, don't get in over your heads. I got a hunch those guys were from a gang that's been getting active around here recently."

"Pretty sure we can handle ourselves," Akihiko said, smirking knowingly at Mukuro, who glanced back at him but said nothing.

"Just be careful, alright?" Kurosawa said with a hint of sharpness to his tone. "You do not want to get on their bad side, because once you're on it, you'll never get off." the officer turned, getting ready to leave. "...Anyway, it's honestly getting late and there's been enough ruckus, so you should probably just save your dinner plans for another time and head on home."

"Well, so much for that, I guess, with all the non-stop interruptions and all," Akihiko frowned, shaking his head in disappointment after Kurosawa had left. "He's right, though. We probably should head home and do this another time... sorry you got put through all my baggage," he muttered.

Mukuro glanced down at the pavement in silence for a moment. "It's alright. I learned in the military to expect the unexpected at all times," she said.

"Hey, we'll have plenty of other chances, I'm sure. I'll treat you and everything like I promised," said Akihiko, giving her a reassuring smirk. "Hey, how about we do some jogging for the way back? Get something fun outta this trip!"

Mukuro said nothing, her mind on other things, but she gave a nod.

"Great! Just stay close on the sidewalks and watch out for any cars," Akihiko said with a grin, stretching. "...Annnnnd, go!"

Mukuro remained silent the way back, though occasionally glancing over at Akihiko as he ran beside her. The night had not gone remotely like either planned, and it apparently hadn't been... what Yukari and Junpei thought in Akihiko's mind, either.

Part of her, though, would not have minded if it were, she thought. As obnoxious as his fans could be, the more she got to know him, she could certainly see why he'd have their attention.

Even if Kurosawa may have been right about some things about him, she thought, looking over at him again as she cleared a bench and kept pace, getting a look of awe from him before he quickly turned his gaze ahead again... Things Mukuro had no idea how to even get around as she had no experience there.

Not wanting to dwell on it, Mukuro tried to turn her thoughts to how another full moon was just a week and some change away, and, as the dorm building crept into view at the end of the streets, Mukuro wondered what this next full moon would have in store for her and the others...

---

A/N: Yeah, decided to do another new Fenrir's Masquerade chapter this time before resuming Heart of Justice. I've been playing through Persona 3 Reload and loving it so it's put me on a bit of a focus and as of this chapter I've been incorporating it into the story! Hope you enjoyed it! Also, Aki's social link I figured will finally start next time they hang out.

Also, learning of the passing of manga legend Akira Toriyama was a major hit to me. Dragonball was a part of my teen years growing up, and he was also the artist for Chrono Trigger, my favorite JRPG, heck, favorite game of all time.

0 - The Fool - SEES: Rank 3

I - The Magician - Junpei Iori: Rank 4

IV - The Emperor - Kiyotaka Ishimaru: Rank 2

V - The Hierophant - Bookstore Owners: Rank 3

VI - The Lovers - Yukari Takeba: Rank 2

VII - The Chariot - Aoi Asahina: Rank 3

IX - The Hermit - "MARY": Rank 2

XII - The Hanged Man - Seiko Kimura: Rank 2

XIV - Temperance - Sonia Nevermind: Rank 1

XVI - The Tower - Natsumi Kuzuryu: Rank 2

Mukuro's Personas: Omoikane, Jack Frost, Jack O Lantern, Inugami, Nigi Mitama, Zouchouten, Gurulu, Tam Lin