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Persona 4 FYL	By : RedDragonMistress Category: +S through Z > Shin Megami Tensei: Persona (all) > Shin Megami Tensei: Persona (all) Views: 7468 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 4 or it's characters, nor do I make any money from writing this story.

Chapter List
- 15
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�It would be so easy to simply give up, wouldn't it?�

�Wha?� Rise blinked, stunned by Naoto's sudden introspection. �What are you talking about?�

Naoto looked down at her hands, staring at them as though they weren't her own. �I... let him go, didn't I?�

...let him go...

Chie squeaked, looking around her in alarm. �What was that?!�

�I didn't hear anything,� said Yosuke, though he seemed doubtful of his own hearing. �Maybe it was the wind?�

�The wind can't talk, Yosuke!� insisted Chie, shaking her head. �I swear, someone spoke!�

�We ain't got time for this!� yelled Kanji. �Senpai's gettin' further away the longer we stand here talkin'!�

Naoto seemed to ignore Kanji's hurriedness, speaking only to herself. �...Tragedy shouldn't diminish how much we care about someone. And yet... I pushed him away.�

...pushed him away...

Chie yelled again, grabbing Yosuke by the arm. �Th-there it is again!! You heard it this time, didn't you?!�

�I know that voice from somewhere,� murmured Yukiko, her eyes seeming to shine with recognition. �It's... on the tip of my tongue, but...�

�Oh, man... What did we get into this time?� asked Yosuke to no one in particular. �Why can't these things ever be simple?�

�But... no matter what happens, he always goes to any length to be with me,� said Naoto softly as she closed her eyes, a gentle smile crossing her lips. �..Because he loves me.�

...he loves me...

�I smell something familiar,� said Teddie, looking around. �I wonder what it is. It's not a Shadow... but... it sort of is.�

�It's not a threat,� explained Naoto, causing everyone to look confusedly in her direction as she spoke again. �It's so... ironic, isn't it? I didn't expect that our situations, or our circumstances, would become so similar.�

The sleuth turned toward the street, her silver-blue eyes opening and gazing upon a dark-haired woman floating in mid-air, a white cloak billowing about her, her sorrow-filled face glowing with a soft, ethereal light.

�Did you, Izanami?�

The others gasped in shock and horror, reaching immediately for their weapons.

�What the hell?!� shouted Kanji, his hands grasping the heavy metal plate.

�Dammit, why does she have to be here now, of all times?!� cursed Yosuke, clutching his daggers.

�Peace, sons and daughters of man,� said the goddess clearly, the calm her voice making their resolutions falter. �I am not here for violence. Instead... I come at the summons of one who knows and understands my suffering, my eternal pain.�

�But how can we trust you?� asked Yukiko, still wary of their old enemy. �This could still be a trap.�

�I.. don't think it is,� said Rise, lowering her chakrams and staring curiously at the goddess. �I don't sense any hostility from her. But... you came because someone called you?� The idol shook her head, but gasped as an idea came to her. �Wait! You could stop all this! Use your goddess powers and stuff to end this so Souji-kun won't--�

�I... can't.� Izanami winced, looking away from everyone in shame before she could see the hurt cross their faces. �I... I asked Souji to undertake this mission because I cannot stop it myself. This power is too ancient and too terrible for me to affect it successfully... But I did what I could to protect him up to this point.�

�It was you!!� Yosuke pointed at the goddess, his eyes wide with revelation. �You made the Midnight Channel appear that night! When Souji was in the TV world and he and Teddie were in trouble! You warned us about it so we could go in and save him!�

�I did,� admitted Izanami, appealing to the group with a desperate look. �I couldn't simply let him die in there! I... I'm connected to him, like I was connected so powerfully with my husband so long ago! I feel compelled to protect him, to make certain he doesn't come to harm...� She floated to the ground, her bare feet landing gently on the street. �I... never expected this to happen five years ago. His Hope, his drive to succeed, to protect all that is dear to him, it is so much like my memory of my husband, the man I loved with all my heart and soul.�

�You're referring to the old myths, aren't you?� asked Yukiko, continuing as Izanami nodded in reply. �But... when Izanagi fled the Underworld after seeing what you had become, you cursed him bitterly. How can you say you still love him after something like that?�

�I...� The goddess slowly dropped to her knees, her shame weighing down upon her. �I was so ashamed of myself. Instead of being honest with my husband and telling him what I had become, I allowed my pride to get the better of me. I wished to handle the situation on my own terms, without speaking to him and treating him like the partner we had pledged each other we would be during the dawn of time. If I had been truthful about my condition sooner, perhaps our separation would have been prevented. But instead...�

�...you pushed him away,� finished Naoto, her brows creased in pain.

�I hated him!� spat Izanami bitterly. �But not for the reasons he believed. I despised him for living, for still being alive when I had died in childbirth! I despised myself for my condition, for my loneliness that only seemed to stretch on forever after we broke our bonds!� She closed her eyes, tears beginning to gather. �I chose to accept what I considered to be my fate rather than battle for my life and my love, even though the man who came after me, who faced death to bring me back, wouldn't give up on me until he realized it was too late. No... Rather, I forced him to give me up because I gave into foolish pride. I did not become like that because of dying...� She looked up into the dark, starless heavens, her cheeks wet with her tears. �...I was already like that. I turned my thoughts and feelings inward, and I allowed my pride to rot me away from the inside out.�

Izanami sat on the empty street and stared up into the heavens for long moments, weeping silently to herself. Naoto couldn't take her eyes away, and she knew exactly why.

�...You've changed,� Naoto observed, a small smile creasing her lips.

�All because of Souji,� whispered the goddess, closing her eyes yet again. �He... he helped me remember everything that should truly matter. The warmth of the sun upon my skin, the cool spray of the rolling river, the softness of the spring wind, the soothing scent of sakura blossoms. He... gave me the chance to remember what it was like to live, and to love. Such happiness, the ability to enjoy the simple pleasures of this world, is the true essence of life.�

Izanami turned to Naoto, her eyes meeting the detective's... and smiled with deep understanding of something that had eluded her for so long. �For the first time in countless millennia... I almost feel whole... like my own fog has lifted.�

Naoto thought she caught a glimpse of something else in the goddess's irises, something far more familiar to her. �...But you still feel incomplete, don't you?�

�I... I do,� admitted Izanami, looking surprised at Naoto's observation. �I can tell that something else has changed, but I cannot pin-point...�

�I think I have an idea of what it might be,� hinted the detective, moving toward the kneeling goddess, stopping only when she stood a foot away from her.

The two women stared at each other for moments beyond count, Naoto's irises of purest silver-blue locked securely on the goddess's. But the vermilion hue that had tinted Izanami's eyes for so very long was no longer present, instead replaced by a pure, rich honey-gold.

�It's amazing... isn't it?� asked the goddess, her smile widening with ill-concealed joy.

�Unexpected,� admitted the sleuth, her own smile mirroring Izanami's exactly. �But not unwelcome.�

Between them, only a few words were now necessary: words of acceptance.

�Whaaa...� Chie managed a stutter, the scene before her having driven her previously into stunned silence. �What's going on?? Why are you two-- GAH!!� She shrieked again, joined by Yukiko and Rise, as Naoto and Izanami began to glow with a bright blue light, tongues of flame rising into the air around them. Both pairs of eyes shimmered with the same blue light, the link between them establishing itself once and for all.

�Thou art I,� announced Naoto firmly, her voice echoing in her throat.

�I am thou,� replied Izanami, who suddenly rose back into the air, their eye contact remaining unbroken.

�I can't take much more of this,� muttered Yosuke, reflexively clinging to Chie's arm and causing her to blush profusely.

The goddess was consumed by a bright flash of brilliant blue light. In the place of the white-cloaked woman, a regal female hovered above the ground, dressed in a white overcoat similar to Izanagi's, except strapped down entirely over her lower body, appearing more like a dress. Belts accented the jacket's sleeves, waist, and lower portion, and bandages wrapped around the open chest and exposed hands, rising up around her neck. A silver mask hid her entire face, the slits wide enough to reveal her glowing golden eyes, and long, silver hair flowed down her back and trailed against her coat. She carried no weapon, but her bandaged hands crackled with powerful energy.

Naoto smiled at Izanami with deepest enthusiasm, and her new Persona vanished in a blue haze. The detective let out a deep sigh, and turned back to her friends, all of whom were staring at her, stunned speechless.

�...What are you all gawking at?� Naoto laughed nervously, blushing as she looked down at her shoes.

�I just wanna know what the hell happened just now,� said Kanji, unable to grasp the event entirely.

�It was something wonderful,� said Yukiko, sliding her hand into Kanji's and squeezing it affectionately, causing him to blush too. �Trust me.�

�Are... you okay, Naoto-kun?� asked Rise, genuinely concerned as she moved toward her friend.

�I've... never felt better!� exclaimed Naoto, unable to suppress her glee. �I feel like I can take on anything!� She hugged Rise, the idol yelping at the unexpected show of affection, but she took it quickly in stride, throwing her arms around her best friend and squeezing her tightly before breaking the embrace.

�First things first, though,� said Yosuke, and everyone nodded in agreement. �We need to catch up with Souji and give him another piece of our minds for ditching us twice since he's been back.�

�Does this mean Naoto's going to be our Sensei until we find him?� asked Teddie innocently.

�Huh?!� Naoto blushed uncontrollably. �I... What?! I'm no leader! I can't...�

�You could at least try,� suggested Chie, smiling at her with gentle support. �You're an ace detective! I'm sure you'll do fine!�

�Well... since we're running out of time and options, I suppose we have to make a few sacrifices.� Naoto sighed, quickly forming a plan in her mind. �Rise-san, please summon Himiko and search for Souji's current location. Teddie, try to sniff out how strong the Shadows' scent is and gauge their relative strength.�

The two nodded firmly and set to work as Naoto withdrew her cellphone from her coat pocket.

�Got him, Naoto-kun!� exclaimed Rise excitedly. �He's in the shopping district, near the Moel station. ...Wow, he made really good time, didn't he? I don't even know my way around that well!�

�There's still a really strong Shadow presence in town,� reported Teddie as Naoto began dialing a number into her cellphone. �Mostly scattered, but I think they're on the move.�

Naoto nodded as she placed her phone to her ear, looking relieved as the line connected. �Yakushiji-san, it's me. I--� She sighed deeply, covering her eyes with her free hand. �Yes, I'm fine. You didn't need to worry about me. Listen, I don't have time to discuss--� She growled audibly, pacing up and down the sidewalk. �I know! But please listen for a moment! I need you to--� Naoto stomped her foot, losing her patience entirely. �Would you just SHUT UP and listen for a second?!�

Everyone jumped at Naoto's outburst, who blushed with guilt as she composed herself.

�I... apologize. But I need the car.� She listened patiently as Yakushiji tried to confirm her request. �Yes, the good car. The four-door. � Yes, everyone's here with me. I told you you had no reason to worry.� She paced along the sidewalk again, listening intently to the secretary. �Yes, they'll keep an eye on me. I promise. Please hurry, though. Souji's in trouble and we need to act as quickly as possible. ...Thank you, Yakushiji-san.�

Naoto closed the cellphone with a deep sigh, rubbing her temple beneath her hat. �I swear, he's become much jumpier recently... but I'm probably to blame for that.�

�He'll get over it,� said Yosuke, grinning. �I'm just glad you got out of that funk.�

�It's still there,� said Naoto with brutal honesty, �but I don't have time for self-pity right now. We need to get to Souji and make sure we all get out of this in one piece.�

�Hell yeah,� agreed Kanji, punching his open hand enthusiastically. �You got a plan or what, kid?�

�Of course,� Naoto grinned, motioning for everyone to gather closer. �I requested the good car for a reason. It will be the best mode of transportation to use once we get to Souji... though we may need people to sit on others' laps. It will still be a tight squeeze for eight grown people.�

�Teddie can sit on my lap!� giggled Rise, who was still scanning with Himiko.

�Does that mean I finally get to score?� asked Teddie naively.

�You did that on purpose!� cried Yukiko, earning another loud giggle from the idol in spite of the death-glare she received.

�Focus, guys!� said Yosuke as he looked down the street. �...Geez, how long will it take for Yakushiji-san to get here with the good car?� The brunette sounded skeptical of any car being preferable to a motorcycle. He still regretted leaving Teddie's special cycle back in the TV world, but he would never have admitted it openly.

�Not too long,� Naoto reassured him, �just a few more min--�

�Oh, crap!!� gasped Rise, her eyes widening in horror. �Souji-kun's in trouble!�

�What's wrong?� asked Naoto, her face becoming stern.

�All the Shadows in town started moving all at once!� whimpered the idol, shifting nervously from foot to foot. �They're all moving toward Souji-kun's position!�

The detective cursed, stomping her foot on the concrete as everyone else looked at each other in horror.

The Shadows are trying to end it quickly, thought Naoto to herself, looking out toward the shopping district, worry shining in her silver-blue eyes.

Please, if anyone's out there, keep him safe until we can get to him. Just give us a little more time!

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Persona 4 FYL