Disclaimer: I do not own the Persona Series or characters.

The Persona Compendium

A Case of Déjà vu

Her eyes slowly opened to the early morning light and almost immediately she could tell something was off. She was alone in bed; her companions ever present warmth and caress missing, replaced by the slight chill of the morning air. She sat up rubbing the sleep from her eyes and turned towards the kitchen area of her studio loft, expecting to see him perhaps in the middle of preparing breakfast. Instead, she was greeted by the sight of a wall, but then not just any wall, but the wall to her bedroom at the estate. Thinking herself still somewhat asleep, she shook her head and looked around once more this time certain that she was indeed in her old room.

"What am I doing here," Naoto thought trying to remember the previous night's events. She and Yu had gone out with the rest of their friends to celebrate his return visit. There had been a party at Aiya and cake, and after Naoto had convinced Yu to accompany her back to her apartment. The last thing she could remember was falling asleep in his arms. Now she was in her old room at the estate and Yu was nowhere in sight. Had it all been a dream?

Knock Knock Knock

"Naoto-sama, breakfast is ready," Yakushiji called through the door.

"Um…yes…I'll be down in a minute Yakushiji-san," Naoto said still trying to figure out what exactly was going on. "I've yet to dress."

"Very well Naoto-sama, breakfast is being served in the gardens. Also you're grandfather has some things he wishes to discuss with you before you leave," Yakushiji said before returning back downstairs.

"I could have sworn I was with him last night. I've never been one to have such vivid dreams. Unless we were discovered and I was drugged and dragged back to the estate," Naoto thought with a cringe as she flung open her closet doors for something to wear. Her eyes scanned the racks of clothes, unable to find the new blouses and dress pants she had recently bought. In their place was her old collection of men's shirts and pants along with her dress boots and ties.

"Where are my clothes," Naoto grumbled in frustration, quickly selecting an outfit for the time being. Dressing quickly and giving herself a once over in the mirror, she spared a glance at her watch only to find that it too was AWOL. Sighing, she figured that the search for it and her wayward clothes would have to wait.

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She made her way to the garden patio, noting how cool it was despite it being August. Her grandfather was busy with the paper, Yakushiji standing attentively behind him as the servants finished laying out breakfast on the small round table for two. She had just poured her morning cup of coffee when her grandfather's voice wandered over the pages of his paper.

"You know Naoto-chan," her grandfather began, amusement clear in his voice, "for one hoping to grow so quickly you certainly enjoy your share of coffee."

"There has hardly been any conclusive study to prove that caffeine stunts ones growth grandpa," Naoto huffed stirring in her sugar and cream.

"True," the elder Shirogane admitted lowering his paper, "but then again there has not been a conclusive study proving it does not."

Naoto bit back any retort knowing full well her grandpa was merely teasing her. It was a trait that Yu shared with her guardian and one that she was not all that fond of. Thoughts of Yu led to thoughts of last night's dream causing her cheeks to redden slightly as she continued to stir her coffee.

"Are you alright Naoto-chan? You seem a bit flustered."

"No…no everything is fine," Naoto said motioning to her cup. "It is probably just the heat of the coffee seeing as it is rather cool today."

"Hmm…not particularly cool for the middle of May but I suppose to each her own," Naoto's grandfather said returning to his paper.

"Middle of May," Naoto parroted confused.

"Yes," her grandfather said shooting her an odd look, "Friday the thirteenth if I'm not mistaken." Flipping the paper back he came to the front page and presented it with his finger to the date, a date that went unnoticed as Naoto saw the headline beneath.

Murderer in Inaba Still at Large

The detective part of Naoto's brain kicked into high gear, a thousand questions trying to be sorted and answered all at once.

"What is going on? How is this possible? Did that really happen last night? Is this a trick? What about the others? What about Yu?"

Her grandfather kept an appraising eye on Naoto as she seemed to stare into her coffee, her face losing a bit of color. He knew how important this case was to her and he knew how headstrong she could be. The police had asked for her by name and a double homicide of a possible serial killer was a case that could make a detectives career male or female. The downside was that Inaba was a small backwater town and Naoto would be alone. The culprit up to this point had been targeting young women and if they should discover Naoto's secret, he shuddered to think what might become of her. Now perhaps, she was having second thoughts.

"You don't have to go Naoto-chan," he said grabbing her attention. "You don't have to prove yourself to me or anyone else for that matter."

She had managed to calm herself again, recalling that this was the day she would be leaving for Inaba. Her grandfather had never said this to her before. Perhaps something she had done had sparked this reaction. If so she would need to be careful, otherwise something could change resulting in untold chaotic consequences.

"I will be fine Grandpa," she said straightening her tie. "I am a Shirogane and I will not fail."

"I have never doubted your abilities Naoto-chan. I…I just want you to be happy," he said in a sad whisper.

"I know grandpa," Naoto said with the ghost of a smile, thinking of her friends and the man she loved.

"And I will be."

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They arrived in Inaba that afternoon, Yakushiji driving her to the small apartment that would become home during her stay. She made her way to the police station first after seeing the estate secretary off assuring him that she would be fine and knowing she would see him again in a few months. It was strange trying to pretend you didn't know anyone, trying to not to make it appear as if you had not spent months inside the station and knew it inside and out to where Detective Dojima's desk was to where they kept the coffee filters.

Meeting Adachi had been particularly trying as her first instinct was to pistol whip him in the head and arrest him right then and there. Logic won out in the end as one she would have some explaining to do and two said explaining would only serve to make her look like a lunatic. Instead she opted to merely grip his hand extra tightly during their first meeting.

"Quite a handshake ya got there," Adachi said grimacing slightly.

"Quit being a baby and get me those files for Shirogane," Dojima barked gulping back his third coffee of the day.

"R-right away Dojima-san," Adachi said as he scurried off.

"Idiot," Dojima mumbled as he watched his partner almost run into several people in his haste.

Before Naoto would have been incline to agree with Dojima's assessment, but she knew the monster that lurked beneath the mask of the imbecile. She would be keeping an eye on him.

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Monday arrived quickly and saw Naoto feeling anxious about the reunion of sorts she was about to have. Part of her had demand to head straight to Dojima-sans house and see if Yu was there and remembered anything at all. If anyone would have answers surly he would, but unfortunately doing so would seem very unusual to Dojima and if he didn't remember, Naoto didn't trust what her reaction would be. She had read enough novels involving time paradoxes to know that altering events drastically could lead to unforeseen changes. Changes she would have no knowledge of handling or anticipating. The last thing she needed was to do something that could result in any of her friends lives being in danger. At least in a way that she would be unable to help.

It was for that reason that she found herself waiting patiently outside the textile shop waiting to speak with Yu when he arrived. If he did remember then maybe they could solve this mystery together as they had done before. If he didn't remember, then she would let events play out as they had before and hope that she could lead them in the right direction when the time came.

"Excuse me young man," a voice called out behind Naoto, who turned to see Kanji's mother standing in the doorway.

"I couldn't help notice you pacing back and forth out here. Can I help you with anything?"

"Oh…um…no thank you I was just waiting for someone."

"I see," Kanji's mother said giving Naoto an appraising look. "Are you looking for my Kanji?"

"Ah…well…yes and no I'm afraid," Naoto said rubbing the back of her neck, "forgive me for not introducing myself, my name is Naoto Shirogane. I'm a detective working with the police concerning the recent homicides."

"You can't believe that my Kanji had anything to do with those do you," the elder woman said, a clear edge in her voice.

"Oh no of course not," Naoto said putting her hands up, "I am merely conducting my own investigation with those who might have come into contact with the victims over the past few days to see if they noticed anything strange in their behavior or anyone strange just prior to their disappearance."

"I see," Kanji's mother said still eyeing the detective, "forgive me but I often find myself defending my son from the police. They are very quick to judge and assume he is up to no good."

"Ah yes…I saw the report on the news."

"His heart is in the right place, but he has a tendency to leap before looking."

"He's very lucky to have you there to catch him. No wonder he would fight a gang so that you could get some sleep."

"He's a good boy," she said confidently.

"I know."

The older woman scrutinized the younger for a few brief moments more until her eyes lost their edge and a small smile found its way back to her face.

"If you do need to speak with my son then please come inside. No need for you to lounge about in the sun," she said opening the door wider.

"Thank you very much," Naoto said stepping into the shop.

As Kanji's mother set about organizing a few pieces here and there, Naoto could see the touches of Kanji throughout the shop. The carefully organized displays, the various fabrics and wool placed together in perfect harmony with one another. She could almost see Kanji milling about meticulously adjusting and readjusting each display, pins sticking out of his mouth not quite content with each change. It was the strange dichotomy of the man who at times seem so aloof and sloppy, but at the same time could hold such an eye for detail.

The door chime ringing had both sets of eyes on the entrance as they watched a tall, slender young man with a head of gray hair walk in. Naoto and Yu locked eyes, his face betraying nothing as she hoped against hope for something, anything, that would indicate that it was her Yu looking back at her. Those hopes were dashed as he turned away to look at Kanji's mother without a single glance back. Yosuke, Chie and Yukiko all followed each as she had remembered them that day, each offering her a brief look before turning to the business at hand. None of them seemed to recognize her.

She was crushed, feeling as if she had been hit in the gut, thinking that once again she was alone. Yes she knew eventually they would all be friends, but that was a long time away and if she wanted to keep the status quo she would have to keep her distance until after summer vacation. She and Yu wouldn't even be a couple until October.

"If everything goes exactly as before", Naoto thought before her blood froze at the idea of "If". There was a chance something could happen. If she didn't say the right thing or if he decided to see someone else instead of her on a particular day. If he never talked to Yakushiji-san. There were a thousand variables to consider and she had to be aware of them all.

A hand on her shoulder broke her from her nightmarish hypothesis as she looked into a set of concerned gray eyes.

"Are you okay," Yu asked stepping back to give Naoto some space.

"Yeah, you kinda looked lost there for a second," Yosuke said leaning back.

"I…um…I'm fine thank you," Naoto said preparing to leave and speak to Kanji when a voice in the back of her mind demand she stop. She had to know, without a shadow of a doubt that he didn't remember, consequence be damned.

"Excuse me," she said turning back to the group who turned to her in kind. "Are you Yu Narukami?"

"I am," Yu asked quirking an eyebrow.

"You are Detective Dojima-sans nephew correct?"

"Yes…I am," Yu said a little confused.

"My name is Naoto Shirogane. I am a detective working with the Inaba police regarding the recent homicides," she said introducing herself and watching as her soon to be friends shifted uncomfortably. "I was wondering if I could speak to you in private."

"I suppose so," Yu said turning back to the others, "I'll be back in a bit I guess."

The two actually walked past Kanji as he made his way into the shop pausing as he looked up to see three people and ma looking at him.

"What?"

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They made their way over to the shrine entrance, Naoto unsure how to broach the question on whether or not Yu was a time traveler like her. As she collected her thoughts he stood with his thumb hooked in his pocket as usual, his irritatingly calm demeanor bearing down on her.

"So…" he began slowly, "you…wanted to ask me something?"

"I'm not exactly sure how to say this so I'll start with something simple. Do you…do you know who I am," she said holding her breathe.

"Well yeah," he said smiling, Naoto eyes lighting with hope, "you just introduced yourself in there a minute ago."

Naoto's hands balled into fist as she fought the urge to now pistol whip her future boyfriend taking solace in the fact that no matter where or when Yu Narukami would always be the same.

"That is not what I meant and you know that," she said steaming as her voice threatened to crack.

"I don't know," Yu said shrugging his shoulders, "we only just met. You said your name was what Shirogami?"

"Shirogane…Naoto Shirogane," she said gritting her teeth. "Had he always been this annoying?"

"Yeah whatever," Yu said waving her off, "how do I even know that's true? You said you're a detective right? Do you have any credentials?"

"Credentials? What kind of credentials?"

"I don't know…um…a badge or something?"

"I'm not actually with the police. I am a freelance private detective. We don't carry badges."

"Oh," Yu said looking somewhat dejected. "I know," he said snapping his fingers, "you can have this." Before she could say anything, Yu grabbed her hand and placed a small silver badge in it.

"It doesn't have anything fancy like a camera or a transceiver…oh but it flashes," he continued as she stared down at the trinket seemingly unaware of the arm that curled around her waist drawing her closer. "Please accept it."

"Yu…" Naoto managed to choke out.

"Me," he said smiling before leaning forward and capturing her lips with his.

"DUDE WHAT THE HELL," Yosuke screamed as he came around the corner jaw hitting the floor.

"What are you yelling for…H-HOLY CRAP," Chie said as her jaw went to join Yosuke's.

"Figures," Yukiko pouted crossing her arms.

"Did that dude and that dude just kiss," Kanji asked staring wide eyed.

"Stop staring you weirdo," Yosuke yelled trying to look anywhere but at his friend.

"What the hell man! I wasn't starin'," Kanji screamed back.

"Will you two shut up," Chie growled, "you guys are making this totally awkward!"

"We made it awkward!"

Using the bickering as a distraction, Yu had grabbed Naoto's hand and run off towards the south side of the market stopping just in front of the blacksmith's.

"Well that's going to be a fun conversation tomorrow," Yu said chuckling.

"It serves you right. Do you have any idea how I felt when I thought you didn't know who I was?"

"In my defense I didn't think you remembered until you brought me outside. Nobody else did," Yu said frowning.

"Why am I the only one? Why are we even doing this again?"

"That's what I'm going to find out but I have a feeling that defeating Ameno-sagiri wasn't the end of this," Yu said as he pulled a key from his pocket. Before she could question him, he seemed to fit it into a lock and her vision was blinded by a bright blue light. Where once there was nothing now stood a blue door shining and floating in midair. She looked around and saw no one seemed to notice this as they went about their business.

"Can you see that," Yu asked giving her a startled look.

"Of course I can see it. It's a blue glowing door."

"This is going to be interesting," Yu said taking hold of her hand.

The blue light again blinded her vision before finding herself in the back of a limousine, Yu beside her and before them a strange man dressed in a black suit and a beautiful woman in blue.

"My, my," the man in black chuckled, "what an unexpected but delightful surprise this is after all. Welcome to the Velvet Room."

This series will have little in the way of a structure like my Mass Fiction verse. It will be any kind of story dealing with any sort of characters. Alternate universe, future stories, time travel, head cannon stories to just plain crack. There is no real pairing but I do tend to lean towards Naoto/Yu. I won't really use Souji just because I've never read the Manga although I should. I am also woeful to admit that I was very late coming to the party because my first introduction to anything Persona related was Arena and that was because I wanted a new fighting game. I got interested enough in Arena's story to buy Persona 3 fes from the Playstation store. I finished that in about three days and went out to buy a vita and P4 golden immediately. Like my other stories of this nature if you have an idea you want to see leave a review and a prompt and I'll see what I can do.