CHAPTER 1 – Life's Shadow

March 5th, 2011 / Early Afternoon

Today was the day. It had been on her mind for quite some time and it had been marked on her calendar for even longer than that. Yukari could still feel the pain at the thought of it in her mind. One year ago the man she loved had died. The doctors had no idea what had caused it. But she knew, all of them that had called him their leader knew about the real reason. It did not make it easier for her to come to terms with. She had made a promise to herself since then that she would look to the future.

She wanted to stay positive and remind herself that today was also a day of celebration. She was finally graduating from High School. Things had not been easy over the last year, but maybe by comparison to the last it should have been regarded as easy. It wasn't like she had to climb an impossibly tall tower and face down an unbeatable evil once again. No…it was just the aftermath she was still dealing with. Still she had hoped that graduation would not have occurred on the same day that Minato had…

"Hey, Yuka-tan!" While most days he still managed to grate on her nerves, she was thankful for the interruption on her thoughts. "Are you as excited as we are?"

"We?" Yukari glanced over Junpei's shoulder to see Kenji. "You two just can't wait to be done with school and slack off can you?"

"Hey now, I got lots of plans for the future," Junpei faked as if he had been physically injured which just made Yukari roll her eyes.

"I don't think any get rich quick schemes count as real plans," Yukari remarked as she got to her feet from her chair. The one she had been in for the last year. Class, just was never the same, not without him. And she doubted that the gap in her heart would ever truly go away.

"What are your plans, Yukari-san?" Kenji asked. Yukari didn't really find it comfortable to have Kenji call her by her first name but he had been a good friend to Minato and so she never contradicted him. "I mean after all you have a…"

"Anyway, Yuka-tan. Congratulations on graduating," Junpei interrupted.

"Thanks. You too, Junpei-kun," she found herself genuinely smiling at him. He smiled back and then put his arm around Kenji in a brotherly like fashion.

"C'mon bro, let's see how the other cuties are looking in their graduation gowns," Junpei said as he left the classroom, dragging Kenji with him.

"Yukari-san, I think you need to get changed," Aigis appeared from her other side; obviously she had finished putting her stuff away as well.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry, I am going so slow today," Yukari sighed flipping open her cell phone. A small smile spread on her lips. "Okay, lets got get changed, it is about that time."

She wasted no time and with Aigis they headed to the girls designated change room for the seniors and slipped their graduation gown over their clothes. Time ticked down and they and the rest of the girls left to enter the gym along with the boys and entered as a class. The student council president was calling for attention and started talking. Yukari saw the speech begin, but the words glossed over her as her mind felt as if she was in a different place.

How could she celebrate when he was dead? How could any of them? He had been a help to so many people. It had been so hard to see him that day. His body, cold and lifeless. She had held onto it one last time. She wanted to yell at him. How…How could he leave her all alone? It broke her in a way that she had never felt before. It had eclipsed even the pain of losing her father. Because in that precious time she had with him he had become everything to her. Her whole world had changed that day, and no amount of effort she did could make it better. Even after what had happened in the Abyss of Time. She could still remember the pain from that day as well.

After she had fought so hard…that stupid sense of hope she had at that time. She felt those words build in the back of her throat. "I want to see him. I made a promise to him, too. I promised that I would try my best to change this world, so that people would stop wishing for the fall." Still in the end she wasn't sure if she knew how to accomplish that. Was there really a way to make people really enjoy life? To make it so people didn't wish for death? When she knew that the thought had often entertained her thoughts from time to time. She had started off so strong, but things happened and they weren't the same any more.

The roar of applause shattered her thoughts. Her diploma in hand and she couldn't remember ever getting up to receive it. She couldn't stay here. She needed some air. She pushed past everyone and went to the first place that came to mind. Out of the gym and down the hall she found herself running up the stairs. She felt the breeze hit her as she stumbled out onto the roof. And now she realized she had been crying. And it was so hard for her to try and resist them from breaking her down completely. She made her way to the far side of the roof, looking off into the distance. She could see the monorail that went over the river; it used to be one of her favorite views.

The door to the roof opened again, and Yukari looked over her shoulder to see Aigis standing there. "Yukari-san, are you okay?"

Was she? Or more appropriately, could she ever be? Yes, of course she could. She just had to find that confidence again. Find that inner strength that she had. "You know I was really horrible to him when I first met him."

Aigis didn't say anything. Yukari had never talked like this before. And really maybe she needed too.

"I was the first one to see him when he came to the dorm. I hadn't even successfully summoned my persona at that time. And I had been so worried that whatever had entered the dorm might have been a shadow. I asked who's there and got no answer. I pulled out my evoker, and that was when Mitsuru stepped in and stopped me. And the dark hour ended right at that moment. I still vaguely remember scrambling to hide my evoker and wondering how badly I had screwed up. Still Minato just stood there with his usual unfazed look and introduced himself. I had no idea then that eventually I would open up to him and let him in to my life. At Yakushima was when it had all changed. The night before we had met you, Aigis. I learned part of the truth about what had happened when my Dad died. He was the one to comfort me, when I wasn't even aware I had wanted it," Yukari let out a nervous laugh and then shook the fence as she felt so much grief and frustration. "It was here on the roof, I had made a decision back then. I wanted to know him. He was like me, no parents, I felt he could understand the pain that I felt. God, I was so selfish. Not once did I ever find out how he dealt with growing up. How he had managed to cope with being so alone. In a lot of ways, I know he had been worse off than me."

"I don't think he ever felt you were selfish," Aigis was now standing next to her. "Though I believe he was never sure how to express himself. I know that he loved you, Yukari-san."

She could not stop the flood of tears. It was also up on this roof where Minato closed his eyes for the last time. She had barely gotten to the roof in time. But they had all been so happy at that moment because they all finally remembered. Looking back she couldn't help but think that he had never forgot in that last month he had spent with them. He had spent every available moment he could with her. It wasn't until much later that she finally realized why. Yukari knew she could never get back the time she lost with him, but that made her wonder how much he had suffered in that last month.

"Yukari," came a familiar voice. Yukari turned back to see a familiar red head.

"Mit-mitsuru," she stuttered, trying to dry her tears. But it wasn't just her. The rest of SEES piled in behind her and onto the roof. "Why are you all here?"

"We came to congratulate you, of course," Akihiko smiled as they all moved towards Aigis and Yukari.

"I'm sorry, I just can't help it today," Yukari managed but felt Mitsuru put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"Has it really been a full year since then?" Ken Amada spoke softly. It looked like everyone was feeling somber about the anniversary of their friend's death.

"I brought something that came to me in the mail today," Mitsuru stated bringing attention to her. Yukari wiped her tears away and felt a semblance of composure returning to her. "It's addressed to you, Yukari. From Arisato Minato."

As Mitsuru presented a small package to her she was hesitant to reach out to take it. What had he left? Why was it showing up now? She shook as she took it and looked at the ordinary brown package. She had to know what was in it. Forgetting about everything around her she tore at the side of the package and ripped off the top. Inside were a letter and then a blue leather bound book. It was a journal. Clumsily she made her way and sat down on the bench with Aigis and Mitsuru helping her to it.

"Whoa, he must have…" Junpei started.

"He knew…he knew he was going to die that whole last month he was here," Yukari felt tears escaping her again. Apart of him was right here, in her hand. Answers that she wanted to know might be in it...but would it help her? She had to know, after all the man she loved had sent it to her. She opened the letter and felt more tears seeing his handwriting in front of her.

March 5th , 2010
Dear Yukari,

I've done some research and I think I got it right. Congratulations on graduating! I'm sure your senior year was tough. I hope archery club was fun in your last year, and maybe you'll pick it up again in college. I think in some way or fashion it will always be a part of your life. At least I hope so; I can remember a hundred of times when your arrows saved my butt.

I was going to send this directly to you, but I wasn't sure where you would be staying. So I figure I could send it to the Kirijo Group and Mitsuru would get it to you with no problem. Plus that also means everyone is with you right now. Tell everyone I say hi. I guess that might not be the appropriate thing to say. I'm sure Junpei managed to pull out his grades and graduate in the same class as you. And naturally Fuuka would be graduating as well. And Aigis, of course! Who would have thought that a mechanical maiden made to destroy shadows would be getting a high school diploma?

I hope Mitsuru is doing good with taking over the Kirijo group, and is she going to college at the same time? I wouldn't be surprised, and most likely its business focused so she can better handle the company. And Akihiko, I wonder what he is going to do. I didn't get to spend any time with him this last month so it is hard for me to say. But I could totally see him becoming some sort of law enforcer. And maybe having a persona will give him an edge.

Yukari, can you read this next part so everyone can hear? I know it's hard but I want you to say it. After all you are my better half.

Yukari looked up at everyone, knowing that reading it was going to be one of the most difficult things she had done in a long while. "Everyone…this part is from Minato…"

I love all of you. Everyone became the family I never had the chance of having. Junpei was my brother and I'll always remember all the trouble we got into. I'd explain it but that stays between Junpei and me. Fuuka was like my sister, she helped me realize a lot of things in my life, but I'm not sure she realizes it. Ken, you were a lot of fun to hang with, even though we didn't do it that often. I like to think we were still close. Akihiko, I know that you'll keep training to get stronger, and I hope you do. Just don't forget to keep living your life, sometimes what you need most is always right beside you. Mitsuru, I hope things are easier in the company. I know there were a lot of problems for you right at the end. I only hope I was able to alleviate some of it in some fashion. And if you could keep checking up on Yukari for me I would really appreciate it.

The times we spent together were the best in my life. We went through hell. All of us. And I know if it hadn't been us then the fall would never had been prevented. But I would never trade back the decisions I made. I know all of you will be strong enough to move on without me there.

Yukari couldn't stop the tears and finally realized that the other girls were crying. Mitsuru, and Fuuka. Aigis couldn't help but join them either. The guys looked like even they were fighting a battle not to lose control themselves. Yukari took a moment before drying her eyes to look back at the letter. She needed to finish it.

It's only because all of you that I was strong enough to do what had to be done. I know that it isn't much consolation. It was something that only I could do, and if it meant that it was protecting the world that had my dear friends in it then I would do it over and over again.

She stopped speaking out loud. The next part had Minato telling her it was for her eyes only. Still this thought had always lingered in her mind. That he had known he was going to die. Just like in the Abyss of Time…what had been his answer to life? Had he truly been so at ease with his decision? Believed in it so fully? She read the last part of the letter for her.

Yukari, the journal I have given you was mine. I wrote as much as I could whenever I wasn't with you. Maybe you noticed my grades haven't been what they were in the past. I know nothing to laugh about right? And I'm sure you would hit me if I was there with you. And I really wish I was, Yukari. This journal is for your eyes only. I want you to know how I truly feel. The things I couldn't say because you just didn't remember. Remember, I love you most of all. Above anything in this world or the next.

Love Always,
Arisato Minato

"He wrote all this…for me?" her voice barely a whisper. She ran her hand over the journal. Why now?

"Everything that he did for us. How could I ever reach that level?" Junpei actually gave a small chuckle. "I think he could have at least gloated over it instead of being all sappy."

"He never did like us calling attention to his powers. He could summon multiple personas and even combine them for some crazy abilities," Akihiko added. Smiling from memories that seem to be flooding back. "And he even managed to remember everything when all the rest of us were in the dark."

"Yeah, to think he had been capable of so much. Arisato-san probably fought harder than any of us ever could," Ken put his hand on Yukari's shoulder. "But you know he really was protective of Yukari the most."

"Yukari, it's getting late. If you don't mind, I'll accompany you," Mitsuru cut through the voices that all started to reminiscing about Minato.

Shaken from her daze she pulled out her cell and flipped it open. "Oh crap."

"Don't worry, I have a driver ready to take us directly," Mitsuru turned to the others. "Also all the arrangements are made. So if everyone can gather in front of the school at around 7 we'll leave after."

Yukari quickly pulled off the Graduation gown that was slipped over her clothes and stuffed it into her bag. She waved to everyone as her and Mitsuru headed to the door of the roof. "See you all tonight."

Feburary 2nd, 2010

Dear Yukari,

I never intended for things to end up this way. But as time slowly marched forward to our last battle. I think somewhere along the way I realized what we were really facing. Was it the only solution? Did I have any other choices? If I had shared what I had realized with the rest of you…what would you have said? It was so bleak then, even with everyone resolved to face it together. All of us put our best foot forward and encouraged each other. We still hadn't known what had been the real cause. None of that had been the real problem.

Still I have some time left before I disappear completely. It's only been a couple days since that last battle. And I am so glad to see everyone return to school. Regular life can continue without having to worry about the world coming to an end. But why don't you remember? And not just you, everyone has forgotten about everything related to the dark hour. It's not right! After everyone struggled so hard and came together to fight, with the dark hour gone it all vanished. And me? I can't forget.

How can I explain to you why I had to do what I did? It's been so hard to just be with you the last two days when my inevitable future draws near. You deserve to know. I know you do. Out of everyone I encountered since stepping into the dorm that night, it was always you. Are paths were destined to cross, one way or another, this I believe whole heartedly. So this is all I can do for you. Maybe this makes me a coward. But hopefully when you read this you will have remembered the hardships we faced. If not, I will try and recount them as best to my knowledge in my last days in this journal. This I write for you and only for you.

Love always,
Arisato Minato

March 5th, 2011 / Evening

Yukari felt a comforting breeze cross her face as she stood along the rail of the ship. Night had set, so the ship had all its lights on heading towards their destination. Yakushima. It was a planned trip that all the former SEES members had made months ago. She pulled her pink cardigan sweater tighter around herself. It was surprisingly chilly but for some reason it was more comforting to her than anything else.

"Here you are," it was Akihiko. He offered her a small smile as he moved next to her on the railing. "Sorry, I'm not bothering you, am I?"

She looked over at him and shook her head, "I guess I can't help but think about him. To think he would send me something like that."

"Should you really be surprised? He loved you. I'm sure that last month tore him apart in a way that I'm not sure I could ever understand," Akihiko looked out into the dark night that covered the water they were crossing. "Still he really did reach the full potential of his abilities. Able to switch Persona's…and his ability to read a situation and react accordingly is something to be praised."

"Except he was always working so hard. Can you really think of any day he took off? Maybe at the beginning he was lax and uncomfortable…" Yukari sighed heavily. "He must have had to work harder to manage his power."

"You're right. It seemed to me that the downside of him holding multiple persona's was that after a while some were no longer useful. Constantly having to gain new ones, I wonder what it was like," Akihiko gave a soft chuckle.

"If you had asked he probably would have told you it was no big deal," Yukari giggled as she actually imagined Minato saying it.

"We should be reaching Yakushima pretty soon. I think you should take this next week and read his journal. It might be hard but it's important. I don't think you realize just how much he loved you," Akhiko turned towards her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Come inside soon."

Yukari merely nodded as Akihiko disappeared back inside, leaving her alone on the deck of the ship. She watched him go but she instead sat down with her back up against the rail. She reached under her cardigan sweater and pulled out the journal. "To be honest, I find it harder to not just sit down and read the whole thing." She flipped it open, the initial pain of seeing his handwriting was gone now. Now she was more curious about how he would recount their time together. She flipped to the next page.

April 17th, 2009 / Late Afternoon

Minato felt like his head was in a vice. Igor and Elizabeth had made it sound like it was no big deal. Yeah, awakening to his "power" had knocked him flat on the ground. Still it meant Yukari was safe. At the very least he felt somewhat comfortable. Though it could have been a little better. He groaned grabbing his head and sat up in the bed. It was about half a second later he realized there was someone else there.

"You're awake!"

He looked to the source and found it was actually Yukari. She looked so relieved. Now he felt guilty, just how long had he been out?

"Um, how do you feel?" Yukari asked.

A legitimate question. Still he quickly took in his surroundings. It was definitely a hospital. Could this be normal for people that awakened to their persona? No, it couldn't be. Considering things that had happened since he arrived none of it was normal. The velvet room was definitely not something that everyone could experience. It was actually more likely that his case was different. Probably something similar to the young boy he had seen twice now that no one else seems to be able to see. It was also because of that boy that he had known what to do with that gun shaped item he had used to summon his persona.

"I'm feeling okay. Killer headache though," Minato rubbed his head before lowering his arms. He could probably guess as to why; however the throbbing in his head made him want to leave out all the leg work.

"Thank goodness. You finally came to," she sighed, physically looking glad to see him conscious. "How much sleep do you need? It's been a whole week!" Yukari looked out the window away from him. He didn't know how he could defend himself, it wasn't like he had chosen to be knocked unconscious. But he barely knew her other than some superficial facts. She was in the same grade as him, the same class as him and apparently pretty popular among the school. She was also a part of the archery club. And lastly, she obviously had a persona and knew something about that mysterious time he had seen for the twice now.

The first time being when he had arrived late on the island. Minato must have been giving her a strange look because she clarified herself more specifically. "I was so worried about you."

"Sorry about that, Takeba-san," he said looking away from her. Maybe it was just his nature but he didn't like to make people worry about him. "Why are you here?"

"You saved my life, you know. So I'm not about to just leave you here alone," Yukari was speaking rather softly, but the room was quiet and so it wasn't like he had to try hard to hear her. But still what kind of person saves someone and then just passes out?

"A whole week? Man, so does that mean I have a headache for sleeping too long?" He rubbed his temples with his fingers and looked over at Yukari and connected eyes with her for a couple seconds before she broke contact looking away. "So did the doctors say anything?"

"The doctor couldn't find anything wrong with you. He said it was just exhaustion. But you kept sleeping and sleeping. Seriously can you understand how worried I was, Arisato?" She looked like she wanted to yell at him, and he could understand that. Especially if the doctor was probably telling you it was because he was exhausted. That hardly covered what it had actually felt like though. "Um…I'm sorry I wasn't of any help. I was supposed to be protecting you and I couldn't do anything. But, your power, it was amazing."

Minato wasn't about to try and contradict her. He simply didn't know enough about the situation to make any snap judgments or assumptions. Right now, he needed more information, and she obviously knew something about the whole thing. "You mean persona?"

"Yeah. How did you know that?" she blinked a couple times. Apparently not everyone awakened into their power as he had. Or had a place between dreams and reality known as the velvet room with a long nosed and seemingly all-knowing helper. "Wait, I heard you say it when you summoned it."

He looked towards the opposite wall, not really looking at anything in particular, "It was like a whisper in my mind. It's kind of hard to explain. But what were those things anyway?"

"They're called shadows. Look, I know you have a lot of questions, but we'll explain all of that to you later," it sounded like she had gotten to her feet, but Minato still kept her gaze away from her. "I wanted to tell you that I'm sorta like you."

"Like me? What do you mean?" Minato looked over and saw that she was standing at the window. The setting sun showing through the window making it hard to really see her. But he could see her outline and something about this called to him. It didn't sound like it was something she wanted to say.

"My Dad died in an accident when I was little. And my Mom and I aren't exactly on good terms. You're all alone too, right?" Yukari was looking at him but the light from the sunset made it hard for him to see her facial expression.

"Yeah, my parents both died about ten years ago," Minato confirmed.

"To be honest, I already know about your past. It's never sat right with me, so I wanted to tell you about mine. It was back in '99 there was a huge explosion in the area. Supposedly, my Dad died in the blast, but nobody really knows what happened. He was working in a lab owned by the Kirijo group. So, I'm hoping if I stick around long enough, I'll find out something. It's why I'm going to Gekkoukan High, and why I was there when this happened to you. Of course, I panicked and wasn't much help. It was my first time fighting them, too. I'm sorry. You wouldn't have had to gone through all this if I wasn't such a coward."

Yukari looked as if she was hanging her head. Minato found it hard to make out with the sun being annoyingly in the spot as it was. Maybe that was the reason why she found it easy to say all this to him.

"You aren't a coward. It wasn't like you didn't try," Minato softly spoke.

"But you were able to do it without any hesitation," Yukari's voice told him that she was conflicted. Ashamed that she hadn't been able to protect him and yet grateful that he had protected her.

"If I had hesitated, then I'm not so sure a hospital is where we both would have ended up," he gave a slight chuckle.

"That's not funny, Arisato."

"Sorry, Takeba-san," Minato sighed this time. "All of this is a lot to take in. And my head still feels horrid. I'm sorry to hear about your Dad. Needless to say, I know what it's like."

"Thank you, Arisato," Yukari finally stepped away from the window and towards his bed. She came into full view and he literally felt his heart jump in rate. She was more than just cute. Yukari was beautiful, and maybe it was just the atmosphere or the light from the setting sun in the background, but he definitely felt his cheeks rise in temperature.

"You're welcome. I'm glad that shadow didn't hurt you," Minato looked away trying to hide his red cheeks, but hopefully the light from the sun was doing most of that for him.

"Still, it's not really fair that I'm dumping all of this on you the moment you wake up. While I was waiting, the only thing I could think was how much I had been hiding from you. I knew that when you woke up, I had to tell you the truth. So thanks for listening. I've been wanting to share that with someone for a long time," Yukari extended her hand to him. He turned back towards her and took her hand.

Her hands were warm, delicate, but also had callouses associated with archery. He could only imagine the years she had dedicated to it. She was driven in a way most girls weren't but Minato was worried about her motivation. She wanted to find out either how her Father died or more dangerously why he had died. An explosion around this area…and the only clue being her Father's employer, the Kirijo group? It was close to when his parents had died, and if it was around this area. It would merit investigation. But if the subject was so close to Yukari's heart he couldn't do it openly without offending her in some way.

Shaking her hand for only a moment he released her hand. If this was all just the beginning then he better not miss any details that could help him.

"Alright, I'm gonna get going. I will let the others know you woke up. Take it easy, okay? Be a good patient, and don't hesitate to call the nurse. I'm sure she'll take good care of you," Yukari seemed to reach the max of her comfort zone and was now looking to escape. Minato could understand that and wasn't really in a position to stop her. His head still pounded like a bongo drum and he didn't really have the strength to go after her.

"Thanks for checking up on me, Takeba-san," he smiled.

"You're welcome, Arisato. Bye," Yukari offered him one last smile before disappearing out of his room.

"Oh geez," Minato rubbed his temples again and pressed the button for the nurse. The nurse was in only a couple moments later.

"Oh you're awake, that's good news. How are you feeling?" the nurse smiled.

"Yeah, I could use something for a headache, and something to eat," Minato watched as the nurse gave a quick affirmation and walked off to get what he had asked for. "Still, Yukari had really suffered that much? And what about her Mother? Why was she distant with the one parent she has? I don't think it's something I can really ask. And if I investigate it behind her back she'll just hate me instead. Argh! I shouldn't worry about her, I still need to deal with this whole persona and shadow thing…why does it sound so familiar? And I need to talk to Igor about who the hell he is."

He cringed as his head throbbed. "Damn this headache!"

March 5th, 2011 / Late Night

Yukari barely remembered any of it. It seemed so far away and yet Minato remembered so many details about that time. It had to do with the significance and change it had brought to his life. Now that she thought about it that had been the first step in change for her. She had been constantly encouraged by Minato in the beginning. She had the motivation and drive to go forward, but no confidence. It was Minato that also pushed her and forced her to delve into her powers.

He was the reason she made it through all of it. And to this day he continued to be reason she was even still alive. That wasn't really accurate. He was the reason why any of them were alive. Every day was a gift given to them by him. She wasn't sure she would ever fully realize what that meant. To fully accept that the man she loved had given his life for the world. Yukari found it impossible to even fathom it. And how horrible of a person did it make her to wish that it had been someone else to take up that role.

But she knew that it was because of everything that pressed down on him that had made him into the man she loved. If all of that power and responsibility hadn't been given to him, and he had just been a normal guy, outside of everything that had happened. Some part of her knew that she would have never grown close to him. The countless shadows they had fought…all of the pain they experienced together. No, she could never trade those precious moments together away.

She closed the journal as she saw Aigis coming out onto the deck. Somehow reading had made her forget about how cold it was. She got back to her feet and offered a smile as she approached.

"Yukari-san, we are coming in to port. Your attention has been requested inside," Aigis told her.

"Thanks, Aigis. You know, I think we are close enough that you can drop the san," Yukari gave a small giggle.

"Is that okay?" Aigis was surprised.

"Of course it is. Let's get inside," she grabbed Aigis' hand with her free hand, clutching the journal with her other. It would be a long week at Yakushima but she would need it.

"Alright, Yukari," Aigis smiled.

Author's Note:

I have hesitated to post this story on for a few reasons but thanks to my friends at deviantart. So here it is, my fan fiction. I'll go into it a little bit here.

I try to keep things closer to how it is in Japanese culture. I say try because there is only so much that I know about it as I doubt I'll get to make it to Japan myself in any near future. At any rate I try to keep name use relevant to their relationships and only use certain parts of the english translation when I think it makes sense. Relationships here are a top priority, especially between Minato and Yukari. Which obviously I am using the name from the manga over teh film mostly because when I originally wrote this it was years and years ago.

Through this story, it will take place in two distinct timelines. The 'present' day which is a year after Minato's death and then naturally the 'past' as they read the journal. So make sure you pay attention to the dates or you might get confused rather quickly.

The name of the Fan Fiction itself is naturally representative of what the goal of the story is as a whole. Which I'll go into sometime later.

My goal was to keep it close to the source material and expand in a believable and natural way. Well at least in terms of the Persona universe. I hope you enjoy it.

Of course if you are impatient and don't want to wait for the next chapter here, you can read the whole story in its entirety on my deviantart account. Hint: I have the same username there as I do here.