Atonements (Invite Only!)

[Firebreath Fishslap]

"Bakura?" Minato asked again. "Hey, what's going on? Bakura!"
Minato was growing steadily more panicked. He knew Bakura knew something about where Souji had gone, but Bakura was freaking out too much to say.

And what did you do? I seem to remember you tried to kill me because I ran! You were the one who decided nothing could save us and sent your screaming little monsters after me! If you hadn't tried to kill me for looking at your rotting face, then maybe I might have turned back! Izanagi yelled back.

Souji couldn't believe this. They were both a bunch of heartbroken idiots. Heartbroken idiot gods, for that matter. Not a good combination. And he was caught in the middle because of Izanagi. Again.

Fine. They could have their screaming match. But at this rate, Souji was doomed to death. He flexed his fingers again. He had almost all of his movement back in his hands. It was a good thing he'd figured out that little trick...

If Izanami wasn't too busy screaming at Izanagi, she might notice a glowing blue card had appeared in Souji's hand. He hadn't crushed it yet, but he was about ready to summon his Persona. Which meant the two of them could yell at each other both in physical forms instead of through Souji's head like they had been doing.

[mugenginga]

"Sorry, Minato, he's not here right now. I only let him answer because I didn't know who it was" Anpu was speaking in the manner he was known for now, "You have a slight problem, Minato. I don't know what set it off, but Ryoji? Isn't with us anymore. I last saw Souji running from it in the alleys near the Hotel. It's when he dropped the phone. Seemed hesitant to even try to fight back, though, Minato. Any reason why, Minato?"

Anpu repated Minato's name several times. His voice got a few notches more mocking every time he said his name. He'd even forced a bit of a shudder early on. Minato had seen him freaking before, so it worked for manipulation purposes. If he could throw Minato off trail, he'd buy Izanami some time. He glanced over at the human formed goddess. She looked like she could take on an army with one hand tied behind her back, but she also looked near tears.

Izanami did see the card. She shot her hand out. Souji may be recovering movement, but he'd still be sluggish. She grabbed the wrist with the card and squeeze. She'd break his wrist if it came to that, but she wouldn't let him crush that card. She continued to seem to not notice Souji, despite her action proving otherwise. She was looking him in the eyes, but the focus implied she was staring into him. It was a little unsettling.

"You're the one that should take the head in the relationship. Is that not what the other gods told us? You have to speak first. You are supposed to be the responsible one. So if the blame falls on anyone, it is you."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Anpu would hear a thump as the phone Minato was holding hit the floor. Minato's knees came next, as he practically collapsed. No. They had thought Ryoji hadn't awakened the day before, and now...
Anpu would next hear a shuffling noise as Minato ran across his apartment, and then the sound of a door slamming. Minato never bothered picking up his phone that whole time.

Izanagi's gaze shot between Izanami and the wrist she had grabbed. Damn. He hadn't been able to get Souji to summon him. She could very easily break Souji's wrist if he tried to crush the card with his hand. In fact, he ended up dropping the card when she grabbed his wrist. It fell to the ground. Had Souji had a full range of movement, he could have crushed it with his foot instead, but he doubted he'd even be able to support himself if Izanami let go of him.

And then Izanagi did something Souji hadn't expected. Souji suddenly felt control of his own body get wrenched from him as Izanagi yelled something.

"I have to take the head because you always pulled this kind of crap! If there was no one around to control you, you'd just fly off your rocker like you are now!" Izanagi yelled using Souji's body. Just to emphasize the fact that it wasn't Souji in control, he had that unfocused look that Souji tended to get when he spoke to Izanagi.

What the hell, you bastard! Get the hell out of my body and back in my head! Souji yelled at Izanagi.

You be quiet! You're just a lingering personality this body adopted while I slept! Fade away already! Izanagi yelled back. By this point, Izanagi was multitasking between Souji and Izanami.

Like hell! Souji retorted. Give me back my body!

It was never yours to begin with!

Izanagi was losing the battle on both fronts. Souji wasn't taking anymore crap. He'd just had his body hijacked by his own Persona. If that wasn't messed up, he didn't know what was.

[mugenginga]

"Minato?" Anpu didn't expect a response.

He'd heard the phone thunk onto the carpeted floor. Another thunk nearby, probably Minato. Footsteps muffled by that same carpet, and he could hear the aparrtment itself shake at the force Minato slammed the door. At that moment he heard Souji yell. Not Souji. The voice was deeper and more authorative. It contrasted in a similar manner to the similar voices of the Pharaoh and his boyfriend. If Minato had been there just seconds longer...

Anpu came out from behind the tree he had been leaning against as he walked. He stopped when he saw Izanami's hand around Souji's wrist. Except the stance was ever so different. Souji was holding himself more like a noble. And coupled with the way Souji was talking and what he had said earlier... well that was just great. He decided to stay where he was standing. Two gods going at each other's throats? Not something even he was stupid enough to get in the middle of.

Izanami saw the flickering of focus. Or sensed it, Souji's eyes weren't doing much in the realm of being readable. Her free hand was already in a fist. She'd never been seen all that much a lady by the other gods. She spoke out of line, she never knew her place. She brought her fist toward the gut of Souji's body. However, this was Izanagi in control. The man who knew her as a (ex)wife and sibling. He knew her style better than Souji, and even with split attention would have the advantage.

...it wouldn't be hard to believe them siblings at this point, what with appearance and the way they were fighting.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Izanagi moved much faster than he should have been able to at the moment, simultaneously wrenching his hand out of Izanami's grip and dodging out of the way of Izanami's fist. He may have been moving, but he wasn't in much of a condition to be fighting. At least Izanagi wasn't being tripped up by sudden change from being incorporeal to having a true physical form. Honestly, this body felt like a perfect fit, in a way. Just more proof that the little personality this body had developed before Izanagi had awakened within it was wrong and Izanagi was right.

He suddenly dodged behind Izanami and brought his leg swinging around in a roundhouse kick to attack her. He couldn't remember ever knowing that move, so he supposed it was muscle memory at work.

This body was always meant for me. It was only because I was prevented from taking my place within it that you developed. That is the only reason Izanami's little 'Hope' existed! And will cease to exist like the Shadow he is!

Now you're expecting me to believe I'm a Shadow?!

Shadows are emotions, plain and simple. You aren't even a proper soul, because we are the same people. You are just a Shadow formed from my own essence.

You're lying!

It is the truth. I told you, didn't I? We are one and the same.

[mugenginga]

Izanami's eyes widened as Izanagi so effortly pulled his hand free. She caught him moving back, but unlike his natural fit in combination with Souji's memories, she was not used to fighting in this form. Especially not against an equal playing field. She wasn't fighting a human with its fragile constitution. Her brother and ex-husband had taken complete control at this point. As if to echo that sentiment, the card had vanished from the ground. It belonged to Souji, not Izanagi, and the now spirit presence would feel that power reabsorb into him as the card engulfed itself in blue flame, gone in a second.

She tried to whirl around to block the attack, but he came at her with a move she didn't know he knew. The front of his foot connected to her temple with textbook perfection. He'd even taken her movement into account. The smack of the impact was made more impressive by the fact Souji had put on tennis shoes that morning, especially when you considered Anpu could hear it. One of the plastic coatings at the end of the laces also managed to scrape as it hit, causing a small cut to appear over the left eyebrow, corresponding to the hit temple.

Izanami collapsed sideways. She had to put every ounce of concentration and situational awareness she possessed into throwing her hands to the side. Her hand hit a rock, and the edge and force of impact drove it into the fleshy part of her palm just below the base of her thumb. History was known for stating gods did not bleed, but even if that had been the case, this goddess was in human form. She now had two bleeding wounds. If Izanagi wished it he had a perfect opening to crush her head. It wouldn't kill her, she'd long been undead, but it would not be pleasant. She still felt pain, even if it could not kill her.

Anpu had taken a few steps back. He was up against a tree at this point. It wasn't as much in fear as awe. He knew damn well he was witnessing a melee between gods. One Izanagi had in the bag at this point. He stayed quiet. He was alert in his observance. Fact was, if they wanted him to stay around it wouldn't matter if he ran now or later. The result would be the same.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Izanagi smirked, and on Souji's face, it was practically terrifying. He took a couple steps forward, ignoring a low sound he was hearing in the back of his head. So the Shadow was moaning in his despair now. He put his foot down on Izanami's back rather forcefully.

"I have won this fight Izanami. There will be no sending me to Yomi today. Try again sometime," Izanagi said. "Personally, I don't care if--" He stopped. That sound he had been making had gotten louder and clearer. And Izanagi realized with nothing but anger that Souji was laughing at him.

What's so funny?

I think you've got us switched around. If anyone's the shadow, you are.

Quiet.

By this point, Izanagi was trying to force Souji to fade away. In truth, Souji had nearly let go of himself when Izanagi had said he was a Shadow. But he had realized something.

I can't be a Shadow. You know why? It's a little something called a "doctor's visit." Naoto took us all to get examined months ago. Teddie didn't show up on anything. Naoto did the same with Ryoji yesterday. You should remember that one. It was around the time you awakened, so to speak. Ryoji's so human not even Teddie can tell he's a Shadow normally. But the exact same thing happened with him.

What's your point? You're wasting my time.

The point is, if I was a Shadow like you claim I am, then I wouldn't have shown up on the X-rays or anything at all, Souji said.

Izanagi pressed Souji's hands to his temples. The Shadow had grown smart. While he distracted him with a futile explanation for things, he was trying to force dominance. Just because the spirit is a Shadow does not mean the body isn't human.

I guess not. But you're forgetting one thing. You were my Persona before you "awakened" as you keep calling it. That means you had to be a Shadow too, huh? Well, if I'm a Shadow and you're a Shadow... then who's the human?

Silence.

Izanagi stumbled away from Izanami and started heading back toward the stairs. "We are done here," he snarled.

[mugenginga]

Anpu stayed where he was at. Izanagi announced his victory before spending a few moments looking irritated. A minute at most. He didn't seem very stable as he made his way for the stairs. Anpu took a few steps towards Izanami, who hadn't moved until Izanagi had begun to leave. Even know shen was only a bit raised off the ground. Only one hand didn't feel in massive pain, and she was using it to push herself up.

"Stay away from me," she said to Anpu. It was an order laced with traces of irritation.

Anpu stopped, but he didn't back up. There was still a matter at hand to discuss. This was not the right time to force his point. He wasn't sure if he had believed she was a goddess before. Somewhere he had been leaning towards her being mostly delusional sorceress, perhaps something like what the Pharaoh truly was. Somewhere in that fight, he had become more of a believer. He was not one for blind worship, but if she was a goddess he had to respect that. So he stopped and allowed her to guide the situation.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Izanagi silently waited at the bus stop. He was returning back to his's apartment, if only because he had nowhere else to go. Being trapped in this human form was slightly irritating in that regard. At least he had finally shut up.

This had been the most irritating avatar he'd had yet. He'd had several before, but this was the only one that the original sentience wasn't so easily dispelled. He suspected its ability to use a Persona had something to do with that.

He would be forced to keep it around should the Fall come after all. As much as he disliked to admit it, Izanagi could not use a Persona because he was this sentience's Persona. How that had worked out, he had no idea, but it was how it had worked. And Izanagi still held an obligation to humanity. Should his blue-haired friend fail, Izanagi would be forced to take the fall for him. Damn that presence.

His thoughts were interrupted as a bus pulled up to the bus stop. Izanagi climbed onto it, paid his fare, and took a seat.

He would be seeing his friends soon enough...

[mugenginga]

Izanami got to her feet. She looked at her hand with hateful disdain. She gritted her teeth as she reached slightly into the wound with her fingernails to hook the rock, and yanked it out. It bled rather badly. She held it up against the already red skirt. She spoke to Anpu without looking up.

"You're still here because of the deal, correct?" Anpu nodded, "You want to argue that you fulfilled your end. You don't have to. You did. It is as you are thinking, Izanagi got away for my own shortcomings. I will target the Pharaoh soon. I gave my word and I will not break it."

Anpu still said nothing. Izanami looked up at him. He was almost revering her. She scowled. He had just now seen her as a goddess, it seemed. Still, she had given her word.

"I can not guarantee it will happen quickly. Izanagi has always had an irrational protection towards humans. Yes, the same man that is trying to beat the teenager known as Souji Seta out of existance if you're suspecting that. As I told Souji recently, one human and the whole of humanity are different phenomena..."

Izanami turned towards the bus stop. Souji was like the Izanagi she loved. Her scowl got extremely dark at that thought. It meant that complicated issues of humanity and shadws aside, the feelings that fueled her hate were more towards a human than her true brother. He was hope, and she was beginning to realize that Souji was hope for humanity, for Izanagi. Her brother was a larger fool than she thought if he tried to discard that.

"You're dismissed," she said.