Buying Time (Invite Only)

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, Minato was still passed out on the couch. It was still rather early in the morning for him; he wasn't used to getting up before the sun rose, and with it being winter now, he definitely wasn't waking up anytime soon. He did stir just a bit, but he fell back asleep soon enough.

In truth, Minato had been having quite a hard time falling asleep; it was amazing in of itself that he was asleep as deeply as he was now. He was starting to recover from his Persona's awakening already (probably helped that he had already awakened to his Persona before), so he wasn't as exhausted as he had been the past couple days, but the entire previous day hadn't been helping things. Ryoji and Izanagi and Izanami oh my.

--------------------

It was Izanagi who woke Souji up early that morning. Not that Souji wanted to get up. Hence he rolled over in bed and covered his head with another pillow.

"...lemme sleep," Souji mumbled.

I want coffee, Izanagi stated.

"Get over it, it's like seven in the morning..." Souji mumbled again. "We've got more important things to deal with anyway. I need my rest."

Ah yes, the impending end of the world. I nearly forgot, what with your worries about your true self, species if you want to call it that. Didn't you say yourself that you're you and that you don't care? Izanagi chastized.

"...Shut up, I'm trying to sleep," Souji grumbled. He was perfectly aware that he didn't have to say these things out loud. But he didn't feel like talking in his head. "Neither of us need a repeat of yesterday morning, and you're already repeating it."

As you wish. You really should be more accepting of your abilities as both my avatar and as a Shadow, though. You can learn things, Izanagi said. And just to catch Souji's attention, he said, Like that your friends Naoto and Kanji finally slept together last night.

That caught Souji's attention. He shot up in bed. "They what?"

Oh, not in the way you're thinking. They shared a bed last night, Izanagi said. Souji lay down in bed again.

"I don't appreciate you eavesdropping on my friends," Souji said. "Now shut up. I need to sleep. It's been a long couple of days."

As you wish. I'll wake you up in a couple of hours, Izanagi said. Souji just grumbled and rolled over a bit.

[mugenginga]

Ryoji flinched a bit at how loud he had spoken. He hesitated and looked towards the door. After a few moments he exhaled and looked to the side. Nyx remained quiet, but she was definently there.

"Why did you stop talking to me?"

I had nothing to say. Would it not have worried your former host had I spoken to you while those events were transpiring?

"Don't call him my host. His name is Minato," Ryoji growled.

Nyx hesitated, It can be nothing. You are clinging to the emotions gifted from him, but they will only cause you pain. You could release them now, it is in your power...

"I don't want to. You weren't paying attention at all, were you? I really am just a tool to you, aren't I?"

No, Ryoji was surprised she sounded hurt, You were never in the original plans, Ryoji. Death was merely to do its purpose, as I am to do mine. Death should not be partial. Ryoji, I wish I could do something for you.

"Why can't you!" Ryoji had wanted to ask Nyx calmly, but the way she was coming across as grieving and helpless was pissing him off. She was a goddess for crying out loud, "Why can't you just not meet Erebus!?"

It was no longer a raised voice. He was yelling. It would be hard to miss at this point.

----------

Anpu was staring at the ceiling. His ability to sleep lightly allowed him to remain aware in the ring, and Bakura had still been sleeping when his conscioussness came to. He'd taken control of Bakura's body then. He looked at his clothes and frowned. He'd worn them for two days now, he'd need to do something about that.

He pulled the vial from his pocket and looked at it. The problem with paralyzing the Pharaoh's boyfriend would be that his plans wouldn't be effective. He could harm the short teenager, but he wouldn't feel much of it while still under the effects of the poison. He'd feel it afterwards, but that missed half the point.

He tipped the vial sideways and watched the water-like liquid move under the effects of gravity. He had quite a few doses. Yuugi's size was a bit problematic, as well. It would have to be taken into account. Killing him really wasn't a big problem, but it wouldn't be as condusive to his goals. Yuugi was about the height of a gradeschooler. He wasn't an athlete but he wasn't anywhere near out of shape either.

Anpu sat up and put the vial back in his pocket. It was probably getting problematic to stay here much longer, as well. If he was going to have the police bearing down on him via Takahashi, he'd need to leave soon. He stood up and headed towards the door. Adachi sounded to be still asleep. If he was going to do this right, he'd have to experiment. That alone would turn Takahashi's head towards him. If Adachi was right, and there was no reason to doubt him, that officer would be deciding he was the case to focus on.

Anpu's lips curled up cruelly. Very little effort and he was already making a name for himself in this era. He couldn't help but imagine the chaos that would break loose if he actually repeated some of the deeds that had made him infamous in Ancient Egypt. The "King of Thieves" was not a title he had been given, but one he had earned.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Those yells were finally what got Minato awake. He blinked for a moment. The room was still dark. So why was someone yelling? And then Minato heard the word "Erebus." And that got him off of the couch. He didn't run over to the bedroom door like he might have the previous day, but he did head over to it, and stood right outside it for a moment before lightly pushing the door open.

"Ryoji? Hey, what's going on?" Minato asked.

----------------

Souji was prevented from sleeping as he heard what sounded like someone yelling further down the hallway. He couldn't make it out too well, but considering the thin walls of this place, it didn't surprise him that he could hear it.

That sounds like it's coming from Arisato's apartment, Izanagi said. Souji sighed.

"...Probably something to do with Ryoji then. I don't think I want to bother them, though," Souji said.

There is a way to find out without interrupting them, Izanagi said. Remember what I said about tapping into one's own latent abilities.

"I'm not going to eavesdrop on my friends," Souji stubbornly stated.

You are forgetting the urgency of the situation. It is likely related to Death, if it's really coming from that apartment.

"...Just this once then," Souji said. Had he been able to see Izanagi, he would have seen a smirk curl across the god's face.

Good. Now focus...

-----------------

Of course, at that moment, Adachi headed out of his bedroom. It WAS about time for him to be going to work. He was tired, but that didn't mean that he didn't have to work. Plus, Takahashi was probably going to be working him even harder because of what had happened the previous day.

He was in the middle of pulling his suit jacket on when he walked out into the living room and seeing what looked like Bakura, but considering the time, was probably Anpu, heading towards the door.

"Ryou-kun? Where are you going this early in the morning?" Adachi asked.

[mugenginga]

Ryoji looked startled as he turned his head towards the opening door. He looked away as he heard Minato speaking. Crap. He had been yelling. Even after the first scare he hadn't had the since to keep his voice down. Now Minato was awake and he had to deal with that as well as Nyx. He didn't want to deal with either. He was pissed at Nyx and in a knot about Minato.

"It's nothing..." Ryoji was looking at his chest, "I'm sorry we woke you."

We. Ryoji wasn't aware he had used that term. He looked a bit dejected. He was still in his outfit, having not taken it off last night, but his scarf lay in heap near the corner of the room. In a heap due to its length, and it looked to have been dropped there with no care.

However, there wasn't much of chance to react. Nyx narrowed her eyes. Or at least that was the expression Ryoji would have given the emotion he was feeling from her. It's not like he'd ever actually seen the goddess. Ryoji seemed a bit worried seconds after that emotion and he looked to the corner furthest from the door.

There was something there. At least in the metaphysical sense. It reminded Ryoji of Shadows, but it was off somehow. Nyx couldn't pin it down either from what he could read of her emotions. It was like stories of those that could sense but not see ghosts, and Ryoji doubted he would have caught it had Nyx not been fully active. The presence wasn't a body as much as an awareness. Either way, Ryoji was looking right at it, the conversation with Minato for the time forgotten.

Who are you...? A Shadow...?

To those that didn't know her personally, her voice would come as a bit of a suprise. It was soft. Even with the traces of suspicion and various levels of worry, it was a voice one wouldn't mind hearing. It was beautiful and held strong traces of a mother speaking to a child. If it was a Shadow, it had to be a special case. So she put effort into not worrying it.

Ryoji was suitably confused, however. Barring strange exceptions like himself and Teddie, Shadows were not able to function outside of areas that could support them. Be it the time of the Dark Hour, the TV World, or the fog of Man's mind, they simply didn't have the ability to function in "normal" space. Nyx didn't seem worried yet. Then again, Death was more than capable of defending itself against its lesser brethren.

----------

Anpu's face twisted in annoyance. He did not look that much like his host. Okay, strictly speaking he did. But he held himself taller and his expression was harsher. He should have gone more quickly. He turned towards Adachi without changing his expression.

"He is going out because he is in the Ring. As far as I can tell he's still asleep. As for a more direct answer to your question, I have things to do," Anpu went about undoing the looks, but he continued to talk, "I suppose it's only 'fair' to tell you I doubt I'll be staying here much longer. If you want to blame anyone, blame your superior officer. I'm not staying at a place where I'm so easily caught," he got the locks undone and opened the door, "He doesn't strike me the type that would listen to you about multiple personalities. After all, whether it is my host causing the harm or not, it is his body. If he remains free, so do I."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji had closed his eyes at Izanagi's command. His breathing had slowed, and if anyone walked in on him now, it was possible they would believe him asleep. Instead, he had closed one set of eyes, and opened another, a more metaphysical pair. He was actually recieving a hazy image of the scene within Ryoji's room. Didn't Minato only have one bedroom in his apartment? Ryoji must have been staying in Minato's room.

He could see Minato standing in the doorway, as well as Ryoji sitting within. And though he couldn't see it, Izanagi could sense something else within the room Ryoji was sitting within.

Souji had only been eavesdropping for only a moment before the other presence had sensed him. He jumped as Ryoji turned right toward him. And then a voice Souji hadn't expected rang through his head.

Who the hell is that?! Souji asked Izanagi.

The Maternal One. Answer her, Izanagi stated.

How?

Souji could feel Izanagi's annoyance, and yet, at the same time, he could feel something like... pride? Project your thoughts at the mind of Nyx's avatar. Make sure it is a strong thought. Your abilities, due to not merging with me, are weak; you require a stronger thought in order to project your speech into another's mind.

Souji concentrated a little more. This was weird.

"I'm Souji Seta. Are you Nyx?" he finally asked.

------------------

Minato looked a little disheartened at Ryoji's words. "...I guess you're talking to Nyx then?" He should have expected it, after all, Ryoji had awakened. And he HAD been talking to her before.

And then Ryoji had turned toward a corner away from the doorway. Minato looked confused. "Uh... Ryoji?"

-------------------

Adachi looked away from Anpu. So they were finally leaving. Dammit, he had wanted to keep Bakrua safe, but he had ended up accidentally getting them into more trouble. This was Takahashi's fault, just like Anpu had said.

"...If we just dispose of Takahashi, you won't need to leave, right?" Adachi asked. Takahashi had been being a bit of a thorn in Adachi's side for a while anyways. He knew about his Persona and his past. And he was driving Anpu, and thus, Bakura, away. "I know a way to kill him that won't leave any evidence."

[mugenginga]

Nyx wasn't trying to shield her form in any fashion, so Souji would get an emotion. With no physical form, the actions would be felt more than seen, but a human mind would snap if it didn't find some way to process it. So what Souji got was that an undefinable feminine figure blinked in suprise.

Souji... Wait, Souji?

A feeling of surprise came from Nyx. She searched the memories Ryoji had forced upon her earlier and collected them. Souji was the one whose purpose had been to be Izanagi's avatar. Izanagi had not deemed it worthwhile to grant Souji his autonomy. Souji had somehow thrown off the god, but the power he was exhibiting here was more Shadow than human.

The presence seemed to concentrate and she finally noticed Izanagi on the edge of Souji's presence. He wasn't putting himself forward, but the god was making no effort to hide himself either. Nyx doubted Souji had come upon this ability on his own, so it seemed there was at least some level of cooperation happening there. However, the presence was concealed enough that she wasn't aware he was speaking, or of Souji's side of the conversation to said god.

"Souji-kun!?" Ryoji sounded a mix of baffled and surprised.

Ryoji's voice ran right over Minato as he spoke, so Ryoji didn't hear him. He didn't know anything about the Shadow taunts Souji had gotten. He had also been out during any conversations in regards to his eyes. The teen was as a result very confused by the fact that the presence felt like a Shadow with something not quite right. He would have known if Souji were a Shadow, right?

Nyx was making no effort to hide the conversation from her own avatar. She knew it might have been more merciful, Ryoji considered Souji a friend. But she hadn't hidden picking up on Souji's presence before, it would be unfair to hide the conversation now. She glanced at Ryoji for a moment as he let out his incredulous shout before returning her focus to Souji. She nodded.

I am. It is with Izanagi's help you are here, correct?

----------

Anpu was halfway out the door when he stopped. He turned his eyes towards the apartment with a sideways glance. This was just in reaction to what Adachi first said. Of course, killing Takahashi would solve some problems, but it would likely raise others. Anpu leaned back from the doorway he had been in and looked at Adachi. His expression was flat and unreadable as Adachi said the second half of his statement.

"Is that so?" Anpu said. Adachi didn't change his expression in the least. He seemed to at least think he was telling the truth, "That might be the case, barring unforseen circumstances. You have my attention. Don't disappoint me."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato blinked a bit as Ryoji said Souji's name.

"Wait, did you say 'Souji?'" Minato asked incredulously.

...Crap, how am I going to explain this to Minato later? Souji asked Izanagi.

You won't. Focus on the conversation at hand. If you lose your focus, the link will break, and as you have been saying, you are in no condition to do anything at this point. I doubt you will be able to re-establish the connection if you lose it. Izanagi said. Souji nodded and the scene became slightly clearer than the fuzzy image it had been before. The focus was mainly around Ryoji, of course. That's where Nyx was concentrated.

"Yeah. I don't know why he's helping me now, but he is," Souji said to Nyx. "...I'm sorry if I'm interrupting anything; I heard yelling down the hallway and got worried."

Stop making small talk and get to the point, Izanagi growled.

"Nyx, why are you going to bring the Fall? It's obvious that even your avatar doesn't want it. And while he didn't mention any specifics, Minato mentioned something about Erebus," Souji said to Nyx.

-----------------------

Adachi took a deep breath, and his voice got eerily calm as he went on.

"I have two powers: the ability to summon a Persona, and the ability to enter a TV. You see, there's actually another world on the other side of these TV's. It's the same world that the bear that follows Seta around is from. This other world is populated with Shadows that go... berserk, so to speak, when the fog comes to this side after it rains," he said. This was the same kind of calm tone he had used with Yamano before he'd killed her. "Now, if someone is pushed into the other world by someone with the power to enter a TV, they're stuck on that side. There's no way out. And once the rain comes... well, they're murdered by the Shadows. Their body will still be found the day after, usually hanging from oh, a telephone pole, or something stupid like that, but there's nothing that indicates a manner of death. Nothing at all."

"Of course, Seta and his friends will know exactly what's happened, but we can deal with that bridge when we get there," Adachi said.

[mugenginga]

Ryoji finally remembered he had left Minato hanging. He turned to the door, keeping his peripheal vision on the area where Nyx sensed the presence. He nodded.

"It feels like a Shadow with something not quite right... but it sounds like Souji-kun, and introduced itself to Nyx as such," Ryoji said, "Nyx, what the hell is going on?"

Nyx looked between the two addressing her. She hung her head, You have my apologies, Souji, we did not mean to disturb anyone with our discussion. De-Ryoji, it would seem Souji is more Shadow than not. With Izanagi's help he has accessed those powers.

Ryoji blinked, "Souji's a Shadow!?"

----------

Anpu's expression remained unchanged as Adachi spoke. He was no stranger to magic and the paranormal. He was a glorified spirit inside an object that drew its power from the deaths of an entire village, after all. He'd made contracts with demons and could summon a monster from his own life force. It wasn't just that, either. If Adachi had been grasping at straws, his tone wouldn't have shifted like it was. The only thing crazier than what Adachi was saying would have been to not believe the man.

The thief king regarded Adachi for a few moments. Only once had he broken eye contact, he had turned towards the television early on, and had quickly turned back to Adachi. There was a similar expression to what the man had worn when his Persona had been holdings its spear to his throat. Similar, because this was darker. Anpu smirked a bit as well. The difference could only be from Bakura not being in any kind of danger at the moment.

Anpu kept his eyes locked on Adachi's. He sounded almost bored as he spoke. He was actually a bit concerned that Adachi was showing this side of himself. For a moment he contemplated forcing Ryou into awareness, but he decided against it. Ryou had been too focused on Magatsu Izanagi that one time to really understand how Adachi had almost flipped. There was an advantage in maintaining his host's trust in Adachi, however misguided it was. Misguided because Adachi was now suggested murder to protect him. He doubted his host would approve.

"That's fine and well, but what will happen after he dies? I suspect the department will be in a bit of an uproar. What makes you think we won't have more trouble after Takahashi disappears? Ryou's presence here seems to be hanging on you, Adachi-san."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato took a step back. He had missed the grand majority of the conversation involving Souji possibly being a Shadow in order to get Ryoji back to his apartment. And while Minato really didn't have much of a problem with Shadows, after all, Ryoji was technically a Shadow, it was still a bit shocking.

"Souji... you're a Shadow?" Minato asked. He was getting the feeling that there was a three-way conversation going on now, but he was only hearing part of it.

Souji flinched when Nyx explained things to Ryoji. It was the truth, but it was a painful truth, one he didn't really want to accept. Izanagi, on the other hand, was smirking. Nyx had gone ahead and revealed the truth. And this meant that two gods, including one who was considered the mother of all Shadows, had confirmed that fact. Souji couldn't deny it now.

Izanagi was starting to bother Souji now. He didn't have to see the god to be feeling unsettled by how he was handling this. Souji had started sensing a kind of amusement from Izanagi about the time he had agreed to listen in on Ryoji and Nyx. And the expression he could image Izanagi wearing... it was something akin to what he'd seen Naoya wear more than once.

"...You don't have to apologize, Nyx. I'm the one who chose to eavesdrop on you," Souji said. And then, he abruptly cut off the connection. He winced. He hadn't expected pulling out of that so quickly to hurt.

"I can't do this. It feels wrong spying on my friends like this. And I just walked in on a conversation between Ryoji and Nyx," Souji said.

You should have pressed her for more information. Well, in any case, you are likely drained. Go back to sleep, Izanagi said. It suddenly occured to Souji that Izanagi had been acting awfully friendly, which was odd, considering the events of the previous day.

"...Since when have you cared about me this much, Izanagi?"

Since your eighteenth birthday is in a few weeks.

"And...?" Silence. "Why is that so important?"

It's not. What will happen two years from that date is.

------------------

Adachi shrugged. He didn't seem too bothered by Anpu's insult. "I suppose there probably will be some chaos. But if this city is anything like Inaba, things will calm down after a few weeks. Maybe sooner. And Takahashi likely won't be missed too much. He wasn't married, had no family. I was his closest 'friend' so to speak. And I'm just his gofer."

He took a small pause. "Like I said, the only problem we'll likely have is from Seta and his little friends. And that's only because the majority of them have dealt with these kind of murders before."

[mugenginga]

Souji, wa-... he has left.

Nyx had felt the energy starting to vanish. She hadn't even gotten all of Souji's name out before she was aware of it being cut off. That had been sudden, and she doubted it had done Souji much good. The reason she'd continued were the words took a bit of time to catch up to the thoughts. Ryoji looked pained. It was likely connected to Izanagi, Souji's being a Shadow.

He thought back and realized he hadn't even seen Souji since he regained his memories. No... not quite. But the personality difference between his assumed self and his true self was vast. He strained to recollect the memories of when he had allowed himself to change to protect Atem. They were fragmentary at best, he'd been putting all his focus as Ryoji into controlling his true self.

He was lost in thought for a second, and he realized Souji had been there, but even then the feeling of him being off had been indescribably faint. He had a feeling it was only his power as a Shadow, the most powerful of the Arcana Shadows, that had allowed him to sense the Shadow that threw his perception of Souji off. He let out a labored sigh and turned back to Minato. He could see the concern in his friend's eyes. He nodded.

"...yes," he looked down, "I don't know why, but she is directly speaking to me this time. It is probably in a similar fashion that Souji can communicate with Izanagi. I'm really sorry we woke you. Go ahead and go back to sleep," Ryoji swung his legs over the side of the bed and supported himself on either side with his hands as if he were about to get up, "You can take the bed..."

The voice Ryoji had was the posterchild for depression. Souji had earned his autonomy from Izanagi, but he couldn't help but feel that it was at the cost of his humanity. He searched his memories from before awakening. Souji had not seemed off then, so it had to have been a result of winning said autonomy. Ryoji didn't have to worry about that, he was already a Shadow, but it was still a depressing thought. He wasn't looking at Minato anymore, but he could feel the gaze of the other teenager on him.

Nyx was right. It couldn't be anything, even if it was. That was why he couldn't tell Minato. That was why he didn't want to know what Minato felt. He said that in his mind, but he knew he was lying. He wanted to know, but he knew it would be more painful. Then again, if it weren't for the world coming to an end he would have never met Minato, either. If he looked half as torn up as he felt, Minato would be even more worried. And he didn't realize it, but he looked at least that torn up.

Ryoji...

After we leave. I don't want to continue this conversation in front of Minato.

Nyx hung her head, but remained quiet. A love that could never be... she understood far more than she knew her avatar... Ryoji... realized. After all, it was the union of herself and the one she loved most that destroyed worlds. It was a past that only she and her brother knew of that bound her to that purpose. She didnt' want to burden Ryoji with that. The emotions that made of that entity were kind at their core, a kindness that made it suffer at its true purpose. Telling him the full story would only make them hurt more. She didn't want him to have pity for her on top of that he felt for the world.

----------

Anpu quirked an eyebrow as Adachi spoke. The man was having fun as he entertained these thoughts. Anpu knew that kind of entertainment well. After all, he'd had it when he came up with how to "greet" the new Pharaoh. Even with the traps set around the tomb of the Pharaoh's father, it had not been a problem. The biggest trouble had been getting the sarcophogus to the throne room. He'd almost died there, but he'd made his point.

"At the least it should extend the time I, and as a result, Ryou, can remain. I doubt you feel the need for permission, so I'll just leave you to it. However," Anpu smirked, "No matter how fond of him you are, it seems I'm not the only one that enjoys playing with the emotions of my host, eh?"

Anpu had dexterity. Even the slightly hindered rate of movement he had in this body, he was quick. And he was also poised, even more than usual. The door remained open and he knew that jab had a chance of pissing Adachi off. He doubted Adachi would use this "perfect crime" method against him, for it would harm Bakura as well.

And if he had the bright idea to throw the Ring into that world, he'd make him tear open Bakura's chest. The Ring, when inside Bakura, existed on a metaphysical plain. So he'd have useless blood on his hands if it came to that. Sort of a last laugh, and the thought widened Anpu's smirk. He'd still be leaving in a few minutes if Adachi reacted without violence. Two could play the intimidation game, and Anpu had a hostage.

(OOC: A note on alternate ways of referring to characters. Erebus is Nyx' brother and husband/consort in mythology. Just to make sure you understand. XD)

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato had heard what Izanagi had been calling Souji before. He had seen how Souji had freaked at Naoto's pointing out of the way his eyes had changed color. But he still had been having a hard time believing Souji actually was a Shadow until now. Effing Nyx had said he was a Shadow. Nyx, the supposed mother of all Shadows.

He was shaken out of his thoughts by Ryoji speaking, and his once again offering to give up the bed. "It's fine, Ryoji. I told you, you can have the bed. And Ryoji..." He shook his head. "Never mind." He walked out of the room and headed back down to the couch.

Shit. Again, he was having a hard time saying anything to Ryoji. He just couldn't think of something that wasn't awkward to say.

He was still worried about Souji, but he could ask why Souji had been doing... whatever he'd been doing when it was a decent time. Right now it was still dark outside.

-----------------

"What the hell does my twentieth birthday have to do with things?!" Souji demanded.

It won't matter to you by the time that comes around.

"Answer me!" Souji yelled. Izanagi sighed.

I suppose as the first avatar to resist me for this long, I should tell you. In truth, I hadn't expected to awaken within you for another two years, Izanagi stated. The first seventeen years of an avatar's life allow it to develop normally. The next two years allow it to adapt to better supporting my presence. I can't use my powers to my full extent on Earth without a working avatar. During this two year period, the avatar begins to lose itself and by the time its twentieth birthday comes around, it is not only free from its human guardians, but it is a fully capable vessel for me. I can then take its form and assume my earthly avatar.

"Then..."

You honestly believed that just because you fended me off once, I had given up on taking you over? No, in fact, you forcing me out probably works to our advantage. Out of the two of us, only you are capable of using a Persona. If somehow we can transfer that ability from you to this body, you may be able to survive, in a way. Izanagi sighed. Even if it is only as a Persona.

"You bastard!" Souji yelled, and a wave of pain moved through his head. He put a hand to his forehead and he felt like he was about to pass out.

Temper, temper, Souji-kun. For now, get some sleep, Izanagi said.

"How did you..." Souji didn't have time to finish that thought before he actually did pass out.

----------------

Adachi glared at Anpu, but he didn't move. He knew that Anpu had him beat in speed. If he went for him, Anpu would run. And if Adachi summoned his Persona, he couldn't stop him without causing a fuss. Which was what they were trying to avoid by killing Takahashi in the first place.

"This isn't a barn, you know. If you're still going out, then make sure you close the door behind you, Anpu," Adachi said. "And I expect you back before I return home. And don't worry. I'll dispose of Takahashi some time soon. I doubt he'll move all that quickly."

[mugenginga]

Ryoji didn't respond as Minato said he could keep the bed. He didn't need the bed, he doubted he was going back to sleep. He did stop moving, though. He turned to look up as Minato was about to say something else, but by the time he got turned to the blue haired teenager, he had been told to forget it. Minato wouldn't have the chance to see Ryoji looking at him for how quickly he turned around and headed to the couch.

The brown haired teenager looked down. Damn. Minato had all but lost the ability to even talk to him since he had awoken. His eyebrows slanted rathere severely as he looked at the door. Nyx was remaining quiet as he had requested. Nothing short of angst stayed on his face for several moments as he stared at the door, the only movement the rising and falling of his chest and the blinking of his eyes.

He pushed himself to his feet, walking past the all but discarded scarf and pushing the door open wider. Minato was already laying on the couch. He hung there in the door for a few moments. What was better? Really, what was better? In the end, he'd always have these emotions. The fact that Death had drawn Ryoji up for that final address to S.E.E.S. before proved that it would always be able to reach them. So if he knew, the pain would be forever.

Still...

"Minato, did you want to say something...?"

----------

Anpu's smirk remained. It was perhaps not the smartest move to be taunting a man with that voice and a face that more than backed it up. Nothing changed the fact that Adachi had taken Ryou under his wing. Anpu knew he couldn't have come up with a better hostage situation if his life had depended on it.

"I never worry," Anpu stated.

He walked forward and pulled the door closed behind himself. It had been a taunt, but he hadn't been kidding, either. His host trusted Adachi as a law enforcement official and one who cared about him. The latter was possibly true, the former was clearly a matter of convenience for the man. The illusion was nothing short of playing with Ryou's emotions. The man seemed to like "games".

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato turned his head to look at Ryoji as he walked into the room only a few minutes after Minato had lain back down on the couch. He reached back to flip the lightswitch back on (no need in sitting in the dark while they talked) and sat up. Ryoji was asking if he had anything to say.

"Er... well..." He finally nodded. "Yeah, I did. It's probably not anything you want to hear, though."

He moved so that he was sitting normally on the couch. Ryoji had to know what he had wanted to say. And now Ryoji had come out to ask him. ...Maybe he did want to know.

-----------------

Adachi turned away from the door and walked over to the fridge to grab his lunch. He didn't like Anpu. Anpu was practically holding Bakura hostage. But despite his threats before, Adachi was rethinking the plan of taking the Ring from Bakura by force. It was a cursed object. It had to have powers that would keep him from doing that.

Maybe it would just be easier to drop Anpu in the other side. That was something he didn't think Anpu realized. He was perfectly fine with killing Bakura if the need came. It wasn't something he would look forward to, but it wasn't something he had too much of a problem with. And besides, with how efficient Seta had been with rescuing people after the first couple deaths, he doubted Seta would miss Bakura falling in. So Anpu and Bakura could be separated, like dropping the Puzzle into the other side had somehow done to Yuugi and Atem.

In any case, Adachi had to leave for work. He pulled out a tupperware filled with some more leftover cabbage and decided that would work for lunch today.

[mugenginga]

Ryoji looked away and reached up for his scarf. He managed to poke himself in the throat. He let out a surprised cough before remembering his scarf was still laying in the bedroom. Right. He hesitated for a few moments before forcing himself to look back at Minato.

"I... It can't be worse than the The Fall, right?"

He wanted to know. He didn't. He did. He didn't. He swallowed a lump in his throat. He didn't know either way at this point, and for all he knew he was totally off base. He was grateful he'd never had a problem with blushing, he knew a lot of people would be at this point. ...Maybe he did want to know.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Minato gave a nervous chuckle at Ryoji's comment. Yeah, nothing could be worse than the Fall, right? He looked up at Ryoji, and became grateful he wasn't someone who blushed easily, because he would definitely already have been by the time he started saying what he was about to say.

"Ryoji, I... I can't deny it anymore. I know this is weird, and maybe even wrong, but I don't know, I've just been wanting to say this all day and couldn't. I tried but I kept failing all day, and all of the business earlier with Souji and you, and just everything, I couldn't focus enough to say it," He took a breath. "Ryoji, I... I love you!"

There. He'd said it. It had taken forever to say it, but he finally had. He felt somewhat relieved at finally getting out, but now he felt anxious about something. He didn't know.