Catch-22: The Support Group

By: M14Mouse

Summary: Makoto doesn't know what to think when she meets Yu…especially after watching him in action.

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

Luck always seems to be against the man who depends on it. -Unknown Author

Makoto was nervous.

Grownups often made her nervous for many reasons. She knew that it had to deal her old mindset. But still…the others spoke so highly of this Sensei. She wanted to make a good impression and not disappoint.

"Man, don't worry about it. Sensei is awesome," Ryuji said.

"Yes. You will love him," Ann added.

"Sensei is very insightful into one character. I look forward to our future training sessions. He expressed after the palace that he will do a session with Joker and I since our session was interrupted," Yusuke said.

"I said that I was sorry!" Morgana added.

"You are lucky that Sensei is so nice to le…"

"Shut up!"

Morgana jumped from Ren's bag and tried to tackle Ryuji.

Ren sighed as he grabbed Morgana to prevent him from making a scene in public.

"We have been learning a lot from Sensei. He is a good teacher," Ren added as he struggled to get Morgana back into his bag.

"And you met him in Mementos, correct?"

"Yes…just hanging out with his shadow friends," Ryuji said.

"Shadows are….his friends?" She said.

It was hard to get her mind around the creatures that attacked her to be someone's friend.

"Weird, huh? But…they are super sweet. Little Black Frost is so adorable and Lilim is a mother hen." Ann added.

"So is Harti," Ren pointed out.

"Incubus and Slime are quite humorous," Yusuke said.

She didn't know what to say as she listened to the conversation around her. It wasn't the strange conversation that she has been a part of but it was definitely the most interesting.

"I think that all of them would be flattered that you are talking about them," A voice said behind her.

She nearly screamed in surprise.

"Hey, Sensei!" Ryuji shouted.

She turned around to see a gray-haired man behind them. He was tall and didn't look much older than them. He wore a black jacket and pants with a white shirt underneath the jacket. She noticed on his back was a carefully wrapped sword.

"Hello, everyone. I am sorry that I frightened you," Sensei said.

He had to notice that.

"It…it is fine. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sensei. My name is Makoto Niijima," She said with a bow.

He smiled at her.

"The same. I have heard a lot about you . My name is Yu Narukami. It is a pleasure," He said.

She blushed.

"We should get going," Ren said.

The others nodded as they took out their phones and hit the strange app. She followed suit as their world disappeared into waves. Slowly, a new world appeared in its place.

"So, what do you think, Sensei?" Mona asked.

She turned to see Sensei staring at the bank.

"This is your first time in a palace?" She asked.

He nodded.

"Definitely different from Mementos."

"I haven't been to Mementos yet. So, I have no comparison in my head."

"Mementos is dark and twisted into many paths. It never stays the same. It is kind of confusing. It definitely is not like the tv world which remains static.

"The tv world?" She said in surprise.

"Yup. You should see him put his hand into a tv," Ryuji said.

"Gave me the creeps," Ann said.

No, she didn't want to see Sensei put his hand into a tv. She suppressed the chill through her body. She was still wrapping her head around the fact that there was a world inside of the tv.

"Palaces are like that. They don't change much unless we change the person's cognitive. Then the palace will change along with it."

"Interesting. I wonder…."

"You wonder what, Sensei?" Morgana asked.

"There are a lot of similarities between this world and the tv world."

"Like?"

Sensei shook his head.

"I need to think it over more and talk to a few people. I don't want to speak of it until I am sure," Sensei said with a frown as he stared at the bank.

Whatever, it is…it seemed to bother him. She watched Sensei's eyes move from the bank to Ren. His lips become pressed and his silver eyes become hard. She wanted to ask what was wrong but Ren's voice drew her to attention.

"Okay, let's go, guys. Mona, Queen, and Fox are with me. Skull and Panther can stay with Sensei," Ren said.

"I am fine. Do what you need to do. I don't want to get in your way."

"You aren't getting in anyone's way."

"Man, all of the shadows will probably run away from you," Ryuji said.

"Or join your army of minions," Mona added.

"I could always use more," Sensei said with a grin.

Ann giggled.

"Sensei!" An unfamiliar voice said behind them.

She turned to see a shadow with a big…you know…with wings. She slipped into a fighting stance.

Sensei turned to the shadow and smiled.

"Incubus, what are you doing here?" Sensei asked.

"I came to visit! What are you doing here?" Incubus said.

"I came to see my first palace."

"Neat, huh?"

"Very. How about you show me around while the others do what they came to do?"

Incubus clapped.

"Of course, man! I love it too. Wait until you meet the guards. They are hilarious," Incubus said in excitement.

Sensei chuckled softly and nodded his head.

"Is this wise?" She asked as she watched as Sensei broke away from the group and walked toward the strange shadow.

"Wise? Probably not but it is Sensei. I am sure that he will be fine. Incubus will run and find us if something is wrong." Ren said.

"Right! Now let's get going! We have a heart to steal," Mona said.

"Man, Sensei really knocked something into you," Ryuji added.

"HEY!"

"Boys…."

"Yes, Queen."

"Ye…Yes, Queen."

She glanced over at the others trying hard not to laugh."

This will be a long day.

-P4P5P4-

They looked from their hiding spot to see two guards talking in front of the door.

"Man, after my shift, I am totally going to the group," One guard said.

"The group?" The other guard said in confusion.

"Yes, Incubus brought a friend. Sensei is great. He is supportive and listens. Unlike the boss…" The guard said.

"Don't let the boss hear you!"

"I know. I know. But you should come. It is a great support group!"

"Uh…maybe later…"

The guard gave the other guard a thumbs up.

She turned to the others.

"Is it normal?" She asked.

The others looked at each other. Ren shrugged his shoulders.

"I mean…it is Sensei." Ren said.

"True but this palace…not Mementos," Morgana said. She glanced over to see him thinking.

"There is a difference?" Ann asked.

"Yes, in a way, Mementos is the people's cognitive. That is why it is always changing. A person's palace doesn't change. It's like…," Morgana said.

"The king of the castle," Ren said with a nod.

"Yes! That king of the castle should have absolute power over his palace."

"Hmm…Sensei's appearance proves that isn't the case," She said.

"Yes."

"I don't know Sensei that well yet but could it be his persona?"

"We don't know."

"That is a good theory," Yusuke said.

"A good theory that we should look into until we finish the palace," Ren said.

"Right!" Ann added.

"Onward match," Ryuji said.

She sighed.

How could she not miss them being thieves? Subdue wasn't their strong suit.

-P4P5P4-

During their exploration of the bank, they made it back to the main sitting area.

She could see a small group of shadows in the waiting area of the bank. They were in a semicircle. It was a mix of guards, walking atms, and shadows they fought in the palace.

Ren held up his hand to stop them from getting too close but close enough to listen.

"Man, that sucks," One of the guards said.

The walking atm nodded…well, she thought that it nodded its head.

"That is why I sought a loan. Foolish, I know. I wanted my father to be buried in peace…" The ATM said. An oni handed the ATM a tissue. Sensei patted the ATM on the shoulder.

"Boss…tricked me too. Said that I could get out of life but it seemed that I was stuck in it. I am so freaky stupid," One of the guards said.

"No, dear. You were hopeful. All of us were. We hoped that the money would solve our problems," Another ATM said.

"Instead it has led to more."

There was a mumble of agreement between the group.

"WHAT IN THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!" A familiar voice shouted.

Morgana hissed as Kaneshiro walked across the waiting area toward the small group. Everyone scrambled away from the circle except Sensei and Incubus.

"We were talking, Mister….," Sensei said.

"Mr. Kaneshiro," Kaneshiro said angrily.

Sensei nodded briefly.

"Ah. The boss."

"Yes, the boss."

Kaneshiro looked angry. Sensei looked unimpressed.

"What are you doing here?!"

"Talking and waiting for my students."

"Students…are you telling me the thieves are your students?"

"Yes."

"Honest, isn't he?" She said to the others.

"Very…" Morgana said with worry.

Kaneshiro's eyes narrowed.

"Interesting. I can imagine…"

"No."

Kaneshiro stepped back in surprise.

"What did you say?"

"I said no. I won't give you any information."

Kaneshiro snarled.

"You listen to him…"

"No."

Kaneshiro opened his mouth and Sensei just stared at him. His mouth snapped shut.

"You arrogant little prick, I am going to…."

"You will do nothing."

Sensei didn't smile. She couldn't make out his eyes from where she stood but his body language told what she needed to know. His blade remained next to him in his chair. One leg was over the other and his position was relaxed but….

Her eyes glanced over to the shadows. They were tense if something happened….she wasn't quite sure if they would be on Kaneshiro's side.

Apparently, Kaneshiro realized that.

"You're right. But I will do something to your students. Trust me. You are going to watch as I destroy them!" Kaneshiro shouted as he stomped out. His guards followed him out of the room.

"Wow…." Ann said.

"Damn…." Ryuji said.

"That was impressive." Yusuke said.

She glanced over to see Ren and Morgana give each other looks.

"Joker…Mona?"

The two of them looked up.

"Okay, guys! We know Sensei is safe. Let's move!" Morgana said.

"We have to move before Kaneshiro puts up his defenses again," Ren added.

"Good idea," She said.

The others nodded.

She looked one more time from where Sensei was sitting. She watched as the group gathered around him again. Sensei smiled at her and waved.

How did he know that they were there?

-P4P5P4-

"Alright! We found the treasure. Now, we need to go back and come up with our calling card!" Morgana said.

"Ooo…I can't wait to see what Fox comes up with," Ann said.

"I do look forward to this part," Yusuke said.

"Lets go and find Sensei," Ren added.

"Do you think that he has a bigger group now?" Ryuji added.

Ren chuckled.

"I hope not. I wanted to be able to get out of the front door."

Quickly, they made it back in the waiting room. Thank goodness for quick travel.

They found Sensei with two tall shadows.

"You need bodyguards, Sensei," Oni said.

"No, Sensei, doesn't need bodyguards. He has us!" Incubus said.

"Weakling!"

"I am not a weakling! I will cut you into pieces!" Incubus said.

"I will tear you apart," Fuu-Ki said.

"Calm down," Sensei said.

The shadows quieted down and looked at him.

"Thank you for your thoughts on my safety."

Oni and Fuu-Ki looked proud of themselves.

"But I don't need protection but my shadows friends do. Mementos is a very dangerous place. I worry about them when I am gone. With you two there, I will feel a lot better. Of course, while I am there, you can protect me as well if the situation calls for it."

"We don't need protection, Sensei. We are fine," Incubus said.

"I know that you are strong, Incubus. More the merrier, beside you will keep them in line."

"Aww…man…you are the best."

"Alright!" Oni said.

"I look forward to serving you, Sensei," Fuu-Ki said with a bow.

Sensei beamed at them then turned to Incubus.

"Think that you can show them the ropes, Incubus," Sensei said with a smile.

"Right! Come on, men!" Incubus said as the shadows disappeared. Sensei's smile dropped a little and he started rubbing his forehead.

There was silence in the group.

"Told you that he would add more minions," Morgana said.

End of The Support Group

Next Chapter: The Domino Effect

A/N: Nice try, Papyrus. XD This chapter popped up in my head while I was writing The Session. I thought to self…self…you know…that would be a totally Yu thing to do. So, I wrote it. I regret nothing. Interesting fact, I did look at American deities and important people during my search for Yu's mystery guest. Papyrus, you are close on being related to Hades. So, that brings up my next hint.

Hint: Yu's mystery guest is similarity to both Minato's Orpheus and Yu's Izanagi in lore.

And…again, thank you for the wonderful support. You guys are awesome. Read and review if you wish.