Title: Finding Home

Author: Bonnia

Rating: T

Summary: A year after the events of Persona 4, Souji wants to go home to Inaba but his parents say no. So he does the logical thing; hops on a train during the night and goes anyway. Nothing can break the bonds between him, Yosuke, and the rest of his team- not even two pesky parents. Souji/Yosuke, Naoto/Rise.

Warnings: None in this chapter, unless you count teenage rebellion as a warning.

Disclaimer: I wish I did, but I don't own Persona 4 or any of these characters. Sigh.

Author's Note: Well, I had the idea for this fic a while ago but never got to cranking it out until now. And I'm hoping Souji's parents don't come off as too mean; they just have a higher standard of living than Inaba and think that their lifestyle is good for him.

By the way, this was written for a request on livejournal. Shortened Version: Anywhere from a week to a month after the end of the game, Dojima opens the door one fine, sunny morning to find Souji and a bag on his doorstep with the most horrifying greeting an Uncle can hear. "Hello, Uncle Dojima, I've run away." It's a little deviated from the prompt, but... author privileges? Something like that.

"No."

That was a word that Souji had heard and used many times in his lifetime. But now, it held more meaning than it ever had in the context it was used in.

"W-what?" He asked blankly.

Across from him on the sofa opposite, his parents both sat with stern, unyielding faces. His father had a slightly lined face with black slicked-back hair, who looked business-like in his gray suit. His mother, on the other hand, looked a bit more homely in her clothing but no less compliant. Her silvery-gray hair was tied neatly back in a bun and her eyes stared at him, worriedly but still firm.

"Son," his father started, "you must know about the murders that went on there, and their Police Department couldn't find a real suspect, instead arresting two others until a group of kids brought the real murderer in." Souji didn't tell him that he was part of that group, instead choosing to sit silently and in shock.

His mother took a different approach, leaning over to take his hand and holding his gaze. "It's too dangerous to go back at the moment, honey," she told him, then sat up and laughed once. "Besides, aren't you tired of being in the country? It is very boring there, and I'm sure you must be tired of my brother's ways. Ryotaro never was the most interesting one." She let out a short chuckle that along with her words, sparked Souji's interruption.

"But, they already caught him! I was safe the whole time, and Uncle was very kind to me. I made friends there, friends that I've never had in the city," he pleaded.

It was true, that was; the friends he'd made in Inaba could never be rivaled. What could bond a group closer together than experiencing Shadows, Personas, a TV World, and solving murders? The day he had left them was one of the saddest of his life, right after Nanako's... kidnapping, and her temporary death. Those two times were still the worst of Souji's life, hands down.

Mr. Seta's voice grew cold as he glared at his son. "You are not going back there while you are under my house and my rules, Souji. Golden Week is a time for family."

Souji scowled. "But Uncle and Nanako-chan are family! So are the rest of my friends, and Yosuke-" he cut himself off at the thought of Yosuke, their names making him miss the brunette and the rest of the group even more. He also had his thoughts cut off when his father stood up, towering over him.

"No. I will not have the heir of the Seta business frolicking about with a bunch of little people from some low-class town!"

Souji's fist clenched on the chair.

"If I have anything to do with it, you won't see those people until you're out of this house, which means after you've taken over the family business like a good son! Now, forget this nonsense." His father seethed.

Souji's mother stood and put a hand on her husband's arm, trying to calm him down somewhat. "Now, Seiichi, calm down. However," she looked down at her son, "I agree with him. Souji-chan, you need to focus on your studies and getting into a good college. These 'friends' can wait until you're out of high school, at least?"

No, they can't, Souji thought in a fit of rage. They're my friends and family, a better family than you'll ever be. However, he held it in and schooled his features to be emotionless, the mask he had refined so well before Inaba.

Standing, he bowed low to his parents as if he was submitting. His thoughts were exactly the opposite of his words, though. "Mother, Father, I see your reasoning now. I am sorry to have been so disruptive and insensible, and I shall follow your instructions."

Seiichi Seta relaxed somewhat, smiling triumphantly. "I knew you would see the light, Souji," he said. "There's no point in going back to a run-down place like that when you have such potential within you."

"Thank you Father," Souji said, eyes hidden. "And now, may I be excused? I want to get a headstart on my studies for exams."

His father waved one hand nonchalantly, already turning to his wife and forgetting about the conversation. "Go ahead, son."

Souji bowed to them again, and then ignored his father's self-righteous prattle as he headed towards and up the stairs to his room. He didn't look back.

The morning of May 3rd was a bright and sunny one in Tokyo, which meant that Michiko Seta was quite surprised when at 9:00 am her son Souji wasn't awake yet. He was usually on time about these things, she reflected as she ascended the stairs to look in on him and grab her manila workfolder.

She opened the door slowly, mildly surprised when the room and bed were cleanly made up, as if no one had slept there last night. Maybe he had already gone out, she thought, seeing a note on the desk. She picked it up, eyes growing wider at what she found.

Mother and Father-

Inaba is more of a home than this'll ever be. I shall take repercussions as they come, but for now I'm heading back to be with Uncle, Nanako, Yosuke and the others.

Please try to understand.

-Souji