Catch: The Sand and It is Everywhere
By: M14Mouse
Summary: Yu in a van with a bunch of teenagers (and no one dies).
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself.
– Søren Kierkegaard
"I have been waiting for this," Yusuke said.
Yu tilted his head slightly as he watched Mona turned into a van.
"I make sure that the AC on full blast," Mona said.
"You are so considerate," Ann said.
"R…Right," Mona said.
"All right! Let's roll!" Ryuji said.
"Thank, Mona, for making space for me," Yu said as got into the van.
"No problem, Sensei," Mona said.
Once he took a seat, he watched as everyone got in. They were already complaining that they were hot.
He felt fine. It might have to do with the bath house in the tv world. Now, that was hot.
He felt Mona purr under his feet and he took off.
He glanced out of the window. There was sand…a lot of it.
"So, how did you come about this Futaba again?" He asked.
He glanced away from the window when he was greeted by silence.
"Soo…how much of the story do you know?" Ann said nervously.
"Enough for Sojiro to call me," He said in amusement.
That was an amusing conversation.
"You know that your kids broke into my house." Sojiro said over the phone.
"... .Who do I need to talk to? Did anyone die?"
Sojiro chuckled.
"No. They brought me sushi and they stumbled across Futaba…Nearly gave everyone involved a heart attack."
"Futaba?"
Sojiro sighed.
"I might as well tell you before the kids do. She is my adopted kid. She is going through some trying times right now. So, she is hiding out in her room."
He hummed softly. He waited for Sojiro to continue talking.
"I know that it isn't too bright of me. She isn't even my kid. She was a good friend of mine's kid. I just don't know what to do. The kid lost her mom…I don't know."
"You are doing the best you can. You are a good man, Sojiro. You are more willing to do something than most people wouldn't."
He could almost hear Sojiro scratching his head over the phone. In a lot of ways, he is like Ren. They don't particularly like praise. They avoid and become embarrassed by it.
"Hmph."
"Oh, Sijiro?"
"Yes?"
"I only claim them when they are doing good."
"In our defense, we did bring him sushi," Makoto said meekly.
"Yes, he told me about it. I like to know your side of the story. I know that you have informed me that you were looking into ways to stop Medjed," He said.
"Man, I still don't know why you won't help us," Ryuji added.
Makoto cut him off before he could speak.
"This isn't Sensei's fight, Skull."
"How isn't this his fight?! I mean, come on…that asshole…"
"From what we gathered, Akechi isn't a part of Medjed. We picked this fight, Skull. We have to end it."
"I guess you are right," Ryuji said with a sigh.
"Anyway, we realized that we need someone equal in terms of skill to Medjed. When Futaba came forward to help us. As a price, we would have to steal her heart. When Ren pressed for more information, she promptly flipped out and stopped contacting us. As you know, the situation escalated, we decided Alibaba was the only available avenue. We went to contact her again."
"Makoto was super awesome and figured out that Futaba is Alibaba," Ann added.
"Well…she left some key clues…" Makoto flustered.
"Thus…the sushi incident," He said in amusement.
"Yes…and now we are here…it wasn't what I expected," Makoto said.
"Oh?"
"She is very smart and I expect her palace to be equally sophisticated."
"You know…you are kind of right. It's just a lot of desert," Ryuji said.
"I mean, it sucks that it is so damn hot," Ann said with a sigh.
"I don't know. I think that it fits her. We know that the palace reflected a person's cognition. This pretty much shows her view of the world outside of her room," Ren said.
"Desolate," Morgana said.
"I am enjoying the view of the golden ratio. I do wish that we arrive sooner," Yusuke said.
"Me too, man. It is so damn hot," Ryuji said.
"Are you sure the AC is on, Mona?" Ann said.
"As high as I can, Lady Ann," Mona said.
He turned to look out of the window again. He listened to them complain about how hot it was here.
He wondered briefly if he should tell them that there is a possibility that it will be just as hot inside.
He decided against it for the sake of his ears.
Roughly, he felt someone pushed him against the window.
"RYUJI! You pervert!" Ann shouted.
"HEY!" Ryuji shouted.
"My word!" Yusuke said.
"STOP IT!" Mona shouted as the van rocked back and forward.
He sighed as he rubbed his cheek. He really didn't need to ask what happened. Subdue ... .wasn't Ryuji's strong suit.
He needed to do something before he got out and walked. He would rather not. Theo was rather proud of the suit that he picked out for him this morning. The sand here would ruin it.
"The bathhouse was worse," He said with a hum.
"The bathhouse?" Ren asked.
"Yes, one of the "palaces" if you will inside of the tv world."
"Okay…you have explained that one," Ryuji said.
"You remember Kanji, Ann?" He said.
"Yes, he is one of your friends. Wait a minute…."
"I am not sure how much of the files that you have read but someone was throwing people into the tv world as means to save them. One of those people that was thrown in was Kanji. Kanji's world was the bath house. Kanji is scared of doing any "feminine" interests such as knitting and crochet, due to the bullying."
"But he is so good at it. Remember I showed you that bear, Queen?" Ann said.
"It was very cute," Makoto said in awe.
"He is making me one. He asked me what kind of things that I want with him. He is going to be so adorable!"
"Do you think that…he could make me one?"
"Me as well," Yusuke said.
"What?! Are you a little old for that, Yusuke?" Ryuji said.
"Not really. I have seen pictures of his work and he has a very good eye. I can imagine that my bear will provide inspiration for my future projects. I am sure that he would make you one if you ask," Yusuke said.
"WHA?!" Ryuji said.
He glanced over at Ren, who was trying not to laugh.
"Anyway, I am confused. So, a bath house?"
"He is very good at his work. It didn't stop him from questioning himself. To the point, Kanji compensates with a tough facade in order to avoid rejection, and he hides his interests. Of course, the TV world represents suppressed desires. In his mind, his hobbies and interests linked toward homosexual. Thus, the bath house represented a world of love between men."
"Doesn't that bother you?" Ryuji said.
"No. Kanji is my friend. I just want him to accept himself, which he has, I think. I can tell in some moments that it does bother him from time to time. My question is, does it bother you?" He said as he tilted his head to look at Ryuji.
"I would like to switch seats with Skull," Yusuke said.
"What?! Why?!" Ryuji said.
"Because I know that look on Sensei's face. If you say something stupid, you will likely be in an uncomfortable situation. I rather not be a part of it," Yusuke said.
"He…Hey! I am not going to say anything. It is fine! I promise, Sensei!" Ryuji said in a panic.
He smiled.
"Good," He said.
"Besides, if Sensei doesn't do anything…Kanji-san will. He is taller than Sensei and built like a truck," Ann added.
Ryuji's eyes widened.
"So…what happened next? In the bath house," Ren asked.
"Like I said before, suppressed desires ... Kanji had to confront them. In turn, he unlocked his persona, Take-Mikazuchi."
He wondered if he should tell him that his persona evolved into another persona. No….it is best to leave that surprise for them.
"I knew it! Kanji-san is a persona user too!" Ann beamed.
"Yes, he is. Right now, he is watching the tv world which I can report is safe for now."
"That is good to hear," Ren added.
"Very much so."
"Alright, guys. We are here," Morgana said as they came to stop.
Everyone got out to stare at the pyramid.
"Whoa…" Ryuji said in awe.
"That is impressive," Yusuke said.
He looked up. It was impressive. His eyes turned away from the pyramid and took in the surroundings.
"It is so hot," Ann said with a sigh.
"The AC ain't workin' at all. The hell was that lukewarm air about?!" Ryuji said.
"That was the best I could do, so quit your yapping," Morgana said.
He sighed.
This again….
Honestly…
"Perhaps, it is time to go inside before Ann kills both of you," He said as he examined the surroundings.
For some reason…. this place saddened him.
"Lady Ann wouldn't dare…" Morgana said.
"Geez, shut up! Sensei is right. It's hot and you two idiots fighting are making me more irritated!" Ann said.
"I can't believe her palace is a pyramid," Makoto said.
"A pyramid is a tomb, right?" Ryuji said.
"Yes, it's a pharaoh's tomb," Yusuke said.
"That's how it's mostly known. There are a variety of theories on it. For instance, it's even said to be a device for reviving the dead," Makoto said.
"Reviving the dead, huh? It's beautiful nonetheless…It's perfectly conformed to the golden ratio…" Yusuke said.
He smiled slightly and turned to walk up the stairs.
"FINALLY!" Ryuji said.
He heard the other footsteps follow him. Finally, everyone made it to the door and Ren pulled it open.
A rush of cool air hit his face.
Ahh…that is nice. The others would surely stop complaining.
"Whoa, it's so nice inside! Is this place air conditioned or something?" Ryuji shouted.
"It may be because Futaba's room in reality has AC pumping through it. Either way, this is a relief," Makoto said.
"Huh, our clothes still haven't changed even now. This has never happened before," Ann said.
That was interesting.
"It is refreshing that she doesn't see us as a threat…but we are completely surrounded by walls," Yusuke said.
"Anyway, let's explore!" Morgana said.
Everyone nodded their heads. They crossed the pit of lava easily enough and finally made it to the long staircase.
"There are so many damn stairs…" Ryuji said.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a familiar pair. He turned around to see Lilim and Black Frost by the door. He smiled and waved.
"SENSEI!" Lilim shouted.
"Hee hoo!" Black Frost said with a wave.
"What are those two doing here?" Morgana said.
"I don't know. I will go and find out. Why don't you go and see about that treasure?" He said.
"Right," Ren said.
He nodded and jumped back across to Black Frost and Lilim. Black Frost hugged him. He smiled softly as he hugged him back.
"What brings you two here?" He said.
"Oh! We are visiting Nue and Anubis. Nue likes to give us rides," Lilim said.
"Hee Hoo!" Black Frost said.
"That is really nice of him. I am not sure he would let me ride on his back, Black Frost," He said with a grin.
"You can if you ask nicely!" Lilim said.
"I am sure that it is possible but I don't want to hurt him. I am taller and bigger than you two…"
He stopped speaking when he heard the echo of voices.
Creepy child….You kill her…Murderer…You are the one that killed her.
Instantly, his hand went for his sword.
He heard his students scream upstairs. He felt something grab his pants. He looked down at Black Frost, who shook his head.
"Black Frost….?"
"AHHHHH!"
He looked back up to see his students in their thieves outfits and running down the stairs. They duck against the wall as a giant ball of stone rolled down. The ball of stone fell into the lava.
Well…that was exciting.
"Are you well?" He shouted.
"We are safe, Sensei," Makoto shouted back. He watched as the others across back toward the exit.
He nodded his head. He sighed in relief.
"Not what?" Ann said once they were together.
"Even if we wanted to ask Futaba what's going on, it seems the door is shut. What do we do now?" Yusuke said.
"I think our best option is retreating for now. This is definitely more than what we expected. Why don't we prepare more and come back?" Morgana said.
"Good idea," Ren said.
He turned to Black Frost and Lilim.
"I will be back. You two have fun with Nue and Anubis, okay?" He said.
"Of course, Sensei! We will be here when you come back!" Lilim said with a wave.
"Hee hoo!" Black Frost added.
He smiled as he waved back. Then he pulled out his phone with the others and hit the app to return home.
"That was interesting," He said.
His students gave him a look. He smiled.
"Not exciting as the bath house. Why don't we go back to Leblanc to talk about your next move?"
The group grumbled as they headed out of the house. He followed behind them.
Hmmm….Futaba's palace felt familiar…he hasn't figured out why yet.
"Sensei? Are you okay?" Makoto asked as they arrived at Leblanc.
"Yes…I am thinking," He said.
"About?"
"The familiarity. I need to think it over for a bit then I will inform the others," He said.
The group entered the Leblanc and took a seat at one of the booths. Ren turned on the tv.
"The date that Medjed has set for the alleged cleanse is 8/21. That day is fast approaching. The Phantom Thieves, whom they singled out, haven't made any notable actions at this time. Will Medjed carry out their cyberterrorism?" the tv announcer said on the tv.
"In order to stop them, we need to steal Futaba Sakura's heart before the 21st. Our deadline is about two days prior, so the 19th ," Makoto said.
"Meetin' in Shibuya then comin' here's a pain, right? Let's make this place our hideout for awhile," Ryuji said.
"That would work ...until I find you a more suitable location," He said thoughtfully.
"What?" Ryuji said in surprise.
"I am working on finding you a more suitable hideout. You have been lucky so far. All of your missteps had led to allies. I don't believe that it will be wise to press it," He said.
"Sensei is right. We have been lucky. I do agree with Ryuji. This place would be the best hideout for now," Ren added.
"I have a question, Sensei. How are we going to explain your presence to the Boss?" Ryuji said.
"That is easy. Summer tutoring," He said with a grin.
Except Makoto, the entire group groaned.
This is going to be an interesting summer break.
End of The Sand and It is Everywhere.
Next Chapter: The Twins
A/N: Your responses to my question last week were hilarious. My favorite response is they go and live with Dojima. The thought alone cracks me up. As for Yu's shadows' fates, I know probably 80% what is going to happen to each one. Interesting enough, Black Frost's fate is up air at this point. As you notice, I moved the secret base chapter to after Futaba joins the team. Again, I want to thank you for your reviews, favorites, kudos, etc. You guys are awesome.
I will leave you with a little snippet for a future chapter because I can.
"I am fine. Beside, we didn't have safe rooms when we explored the tv world."
"What did you have?"
"A fox."