Catch-22: The Path That We Walk Alone

By: M14Mouse

Summary: Ren found him on the roof.

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

"Walk your own path. The right people will keep aligning."

― Hiral Nagda

"Where is Sensei?" Ann asked.

"I thought that he wanted to say good-bye," Ryuji said.

"I mean…Sensei sees them all of the time. It is more like seeing you later," Makoto added.

"Beside, I think Margaret went and talked to him or something on the roof," Futaba said.

"I will be right back. I want him to tell him that everyone is saying their good-byes. I mean…I'm sure that he wants to say good-bye to Hikari-chan," Ren said.

Most of the group nodded but Akechi was the only one giving him a knowing look.

He took off for the roof.

The stairs to the roof were right next to the break room. Once he reached the roof, he could see Sensei and Margaret looking at the empty void like a couple going out on a date. The only light was from the glowing signs of Hikari's theater. Margaret's head lay on his shoulder and Sensei's head was on hers. Their arms were linked together.

Suddenly, he had the impulse to leave.

"I believe that your student is here, my guest," Margaret said.

"Huh? I thought that they were saying their good-byes," Sensei said.

"I believe that they are. A lot of tears."

"From Theo or Hikari?"

"Both."

Sensei chuckled as he stepped away from Margaret, lifted her hand and gently kissed her knuckles.

He watched as Margaret's face flushed and turned to a small smile.

"I suppose that we will have this conversation later," Sensei said.

"As your attendant, I look forward to it."

Margaret broke away and walked past him. She nodded her head briefly before disappearing down the stairs.

"Uhh…."

He really didn't know how to react because their relationship was so different from what he had with the twins. It left him with a feeling of envy. He shook his head. That wasn't why he was here. He had time to think over what he said…A sense of regret washed over him. He meant what he said but he could have done it better.

Sensei smiled a little before turning attention to the endless darkness.

"I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be. You spoke your mind and in some cases, you're correct. We can be seen as sacrifices. Then again, any persona user can be seen as such."

It hit him. What they do…why they are doing it…who they are doing it for…

"…because we see what others can't see and do things that others can't do. Fight things that others can't fight."

"Correct."

"And there is a chance that we won't make it out…even with our plan."

"Possible but I have faith that the plan will work. After all, I have faith that you and the group can handle Akechi while I focus on Shido. Although, I'm afraid that mess Shido will be behind for me."

"You think that he might have done something?"

"Possible. It depends on the research and how far it goes. It is also possible that he sold the information too."

Crap.

"That is a lot of work, Sensei."

"Can be but it does have its rewards."

"So, you're coming down soon to see everyone?"

"In a minute."

He could sense the pause in Sensei's voice. He wondered why…

A thought formed in a moment of clarity. Sensei wasn't coming down because he knew that he was going to see them again.

No, he didn't want to come down because it is who he wouldn't see again.

"Some of them don't make it."

There was a moment of silence. He couldn't make out any of Sensei's body language.

"Quite a few of them don't make it. I won't tell you who. Although, I can imagine that you can figure out without my help"

His throat tightened up. Just by progress of elimination….oh…oh….

His heart sank.

"In reality, I never met them. I have only heard stories and visited them at their graves. I feel that I know them. The memories may fade but bonds do not."

Another thought hit him.

"Veles made you remember."

"Yes. My bonds with Veles made me remember a few moments here and there like the starting of the Wild Card club."

He left out a laugh.

"That was so strange, especially when I had to explain you to the others."

"I'm a bit to explain."

"I have so many questions. So…12 personas…is that a normal thing? The twins never told me if it was or not. The others were talking about it. I didn't want to ask without sounding a little stupid."

Sensei made a noise.

"12 is the number of mastery. In theory, I suppose that we can handle more but my question is…do we want to? Sensei said.

"No…I think that I'm good. But wouldn't you be holding 13 with Veles?" He asked.

"Currently, I have 10. I discarded one and another one I released from our contract. So, forming a contract with Veles hasn't done me any harm."

"I know you said that I might not keep that amount. Interesting to know. Fusion thing that you threaten the twins with…."

"I was bluffing but in theory, I could pull it off. Wild Cards can make things possible even when they aren't. Fusion might be right down my alley. Who knows? Right, Caroline and Justice?" Sensei said without turning around.

He turned around just in time to hear a loud crash behind him. Justice and Caroline were trying to untangle themselves from their pile.

"I knew it! You couldn't fusion anything. You're…" Caroline shouted.

He felt it before he heard it. The dropping of air pressure. The sudden heat in the air and then his eardrums started to pop.

It was like a train had passed by the theater. He saw younger Yu's persona. It shouldn't leave him in shock and awe but hell, he nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound.

Time definitely made Sense's persona stronger. The twins might have finally realized that.

The twins' faces became pale as Sensei turned around.

Fuck.

"Let me remind you of something, ladies. My younger self is still working on his personas. I had mine for a while now. Of course, you're welcome to test out my abilities if you wish. Margaret can be our judge. It would be sort of nice to test my skills. It has been some time since I had a new opponent," Sensei said airy.

"We….we…." Justice said with the most terrified expression. Caroline couldn't get the words out.

"Oh, dear. Look at the time. Why don't you go and say good-bye to the others? I'm sure that they would like it," Elizabeth said.

"Good…good idea," Justice said as she grabbed her sister and bolted down the stairs.

"Well, that was delightful! I can imagine the bloodbath…the violence," Elizabeth started to say.

"And the lack of building. I would rather go home in one piece. Falling into the void is not my list," Sensei replied.

Elizabeth pout.

"You're no fun."

"Besides, I wouldn't get you a puppy if you did throw me into the void."

Wait…wha?

Elizabeth must have the same thought because she started squeaking.

"You got me a puppy!"

"Figurative speaking…yes."

"Do I carry it around?!"

"You shouldn't but you do."

"Is it cute?"

"You seem to like it."

"You're my second favorite guest! I shall tell my brother to make him boil over with jealousy!" Elizabeth screamed before running down the stairs.

He turned his attention back to his Sensei, who looked amused.

"You got her a puppy?" He asked.

"Figuratively."

Then a horrible thought popped into his head.

"I'm not getting the twins a puppy."

"No, they strike me as cat people."

"Not getting a cat either."

Sensei just smiled like he knew better.

Urgh.

-P3P4P3P5-

When Mona finally pulled into the station, he could make out Sensei standing there.

"Sensei?!" Haru shouted as the group made their way out of Morgana van mode.

"How did everything go today?" Sensei asked.

"Good…it just felt surprisingly long," He said.

End of The Path That We Walk Alone

Next Chapter: The Skills We Pick Up

A/N: My goal was to post this last week but we all know what happened last week but look at that. I finished the PQ2 arc. YAY! We have a few transition chapters coming up but one of them is our first rank up for the World social link in...:flips through her notes.: A long time. Very long time. Thanks for everyone reviews, kudos, etc. Anyway, read and review if you wish!