InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Scars Of Love ❯ Chapter 3 - A New Friend (Part 1) ( Chapter 3 )

"Ne, Nee - chan?"

Sango looked up from her drink to see her little brother, Kohaku, standing before her. A young boy with messy black hair and dark eyes, Kohaku used to be a very animated child with a very promising future. However, an encounter with Naraku changed everything. He now spent most of his time helping his parents run The Taiji-ya. Sango smiled sadly at the memories before replying.

"Nani, Kohaku?"

"Mama wants you to take Yuki's place as hostess for a bit. She needs her help in the kitchen." Kohaku added before Sango could object.

"Sango - chan, onegai?" A girl asked, popping out of nowhere.

The girl in question sighed.

"Fine," The other girl, Yuki, squealed in delight and headed off towards the kitchen, "just as long as I don't have to wear the…"

"Oh, and Sango you better wear the uniform!" Mrs. Misokata called from the kitchen.

"…Uniform." Sango finished with a growl, glaring at Kohaku's back as he continued to wait on his other customers.

"….."

Miroku had been oddly quiet during the whole exchange. A look of amusement crossed his face before he spoke.

"What Sango? You glare at his back like it's his fault."

"That's because it is his fault." Sango grumbled before getting up. "I hate that stupid uniform!!"

Miroku grinned, lecherously as he watched her stomp off. ~Yeah, but I don't.~

~~~~

Sango muttered to herself as she pulled off her school uniform, and started to change into the uniform that lay before her. The uniforms for the hostess were silk kimonos. They weren't really uniforms at all. It was the obi that made the outfit a `uniform.' The obis were a creamy white with the characters `The Taiji-ya' sewn in black. Sango, Yuki, and their mother, Kirara, were the only hostesses for the restaurant. So, therefor, they each had their own kimono that they wore as hostess.

Sango sighed as she stared at the kimono set before her. Hers was black decorated with brilliant phoenixes of red and gold. Green vines swirled around the edge of the kimono itself and it's sleeves. She quickly pulled the uniform on, tying the obi around the middle. Then she put her hair in a loose ponytail. She glanced in a nearby full length mirror before heading out.

It wasn't that she hated the kimono. Far from it. It was beautiful, and been owned by her grandmother, Kaede. (*) The old woman had given it to Sango as a sweet sixteen present. No, she didn't hate the kimono. It was Miroku's reaction that she hated.

~~~~

Miroku's eyes flickered to the impatient woman standing next to him. Yuki, Sango's older sister, stood there in her plain green kimono, the soles of her wooden zori tapping the ground in impatience. He raised his eyebrow in amusement.

"Where's the fire, Yuki?"

The girl in question nearly jumped a mile at the sound of Miroku's voice. She gave Miroku an angry glare before answering.

"I don't see how it concerns you Miroku," she sneered, "but if you must know....." For a moment Yuki faltered as she tried to think of an explanation. " Oka just wanted me to help her with the kitchen!" Yuki finally managed to get out, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Miroku said nothing. He just smiled to hide his confusion.

Yuki nearly let out a sigh of relief when she noticed Sango emerge from the dressing room, fully clothed in the restaurant's 'uniform'. For once the older sibling ignored the twinge of jealously she always felt whenever she saw the expensive kimono. Right now Yuki just wanted to be out of plain sight when HE came into The Taiji-Ya. Whispering a hurried thanks, which left Sango feeling confused, Yuki practically ran to the safety of the kitchen.

"What's with her?" Sango gave Miroku a questioning look. "Did you do something to her?"

Miroku held up a hand in his defense. "I didn't do anything. She was acting a little strange ever since you left."

"Honto?"

Miroku nodded his head in earnest. (All the meanwhile secretly grateful that his girlfriend wasn't going to pound him AGAIN.)

Sango let out a heavy sigh when a bell jingled, signaling that someone had entered the restaurant.

"Ah, the joys of being a hostess." She muttered before heading off towards the front of the building to greet the customer.

Miroku grinned inwardly as he watched Sango walk, the silky fabric swaying as she walked. A lecherous grin once again plastered to face, Miroku watched for a bit longer before returning to his drink.

~~~~

Inuyasha nearly let out a cry of joy when he saw the big, red sign of The Taiji-Ya. The girl was heavier then she looked. She had passed out a few minutes ago due to the immense pain that she had received from her beating, courtesy of Kikyou.(**) (Although Inuyasha had yet to discover this.) Poor Inuyasha had had no choice but to carry her himself. (For no one on the streets seemed to want to help.) Although she wasn't too heavy for him to carry she still weighed a bit. So, of course, he was very relieved to see the restaurant just around the block.

~I just hope that Misokata-san is in today.~ He thought as he picked up his pace.

~~~~

"Inuyasha?!"

Miroku looked up with a start as Sango's cry reached his ears. ~So Inuyasha's finally back, eh?~ He thought as a worried frown started to form on his face. The worried tone that had laced Sango's voice startled him. He got up and headed towards the entrance.

"Kohaku!"

Miroku picked up his speed as the young boy rushed passed him, hurriedly.

"Nani, Nee-chan?"

"Get Mama! Hurry!"

Whatever thoughts Miroku had as Kohaku raced passed him soon disappeared as he took in the scene before him.

Inuyasha was kneeling on the floor with a pale girl, unconscious in his arms.

Sango caught Miroku's eye as she looked towards the kitchen. She motioned for him to come over.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Miroku got the vague feeling that he had seen that girl somewhere before, but he couldn't quite place it. As he racked his brain of the possibilities Kirara Misokata appeared behind the perverted schoolboy.

~Could it have been at that club that Kero and I snuck into? No, she looks too young for that.~

"Sango-chan, what happened?"

(~She looks almost exactly like busty Sherana. *nosebleed*)

"I'm not exactly sure Mama. Inuyasha just came rushing in here with her in his arms."

Kirara glanced over at Inuyasha and the girl, and frowned.

(~Maybe she's a sister of Umi-chan?~)

"Inuyasha?"

The boy in question didn't answer. He was just staring at the girl in his arms, a concerned look on his face.

The older Misokata let out a long hmmm... all the while noticing the dark glares her customers were giving the unconscious girl. ~Wonder what that's all about?~ She thought briefly before reaching a decision.

"Inuyasha, come with me. We're going to put this girl in the dressing room for now. Sango I want you to get your sister and grab some gauze, some wet cloths, and fill the sink full of warm water."

Sango nodded and rushed off to follow her mother's orders.

"Kohaku." Kirara raised her voice a bit to catch the attention of her youngest son who, at the moment, was refilling a cup of coffee for a customer. He quickly set the coffee back on the pot and rushed over to his mother.

"I want you and Miroku to take care of things while we're in the back. Think you can do that Miroku?"

Miroku gulped, having finally given up on trying to figure out who the girl was, and nodded.

"Good. Inuyasha, follow me."

Inuyasha stood up and followed Misokata-san to the dressing room.

~~~~

Inuyasha lay the girl on a soft couch and stepped back hoping that the women would let him stay in the room. For some reason he didn't want to leave this girl alone. It was stupid, but all of a sudden he felt very protective over this girl.

Kirara smiled gently at his expression. He looked so determined to stay near the girl. She had to admit that it was very cute.

"Inuyasha?"

The silver haired boy looked over at the owner of The Taiji-Ya.

"It's okay now. You can go."

"But...."

"Don't she'll be fine. Besides I want to take a look at her body, and you really can't be present for that."

A light blush covered Inuyasha's face as he realized what she meant, but he still didn't move.

"Inuyasha."

Kirara's tone had a harder edge to it. Inuyasha opened his mouth to object, but at that moment Kagome stirred.

Inuyasha kept an intense look on the girl when she groaned in pain.

The three Misokata women moved closer to her when Kagome's eyes fluttered open.

~~~~

When Kagome woke up to unfamiliar surrounding she couldn't help the fear that started to rise in her.

"How are you feeling, dear?" A voice spoke softly.

Kagome blinked and looked over at the woman that had addressed her. She opened her mouth to speak, but discovered that her fear was constricting the use of her vocal cords.

~~~~

Inuyasha watched as scared blue-gray eyes darted across the room. First looking at Kirara, then Sango, followed by Yuki before the gaze landed on him. As the girl had looked at the Misokatas fear had started to fill those eyes and her complexion became very pale. However, when they settled on Inuyasha they seemed to relax. Almost as if she recognized him as her savior.

Kirara noticed this and quickly motioned for Inuyasha to come closer. Maybe it was better to keep Inuyasha in the room for the time being. At least until she started to tend to the girl's wounds. The girl was acting like a wild animal, scared and unsure of her surroundings.

"What's your name, dear?"

Kagome's wild gaze settled back on Kirara. She opened up her mouth to speak once more, and finally managed to quench her fear enough so that she could get out her name.

"Hig-Higurashi, Kagome."

Kirara's eyes widened.

"Higurashi? You wouldn't be Yazaki Higurashi's daughter, would you?"

A strange, guarded expression crossed Kagome's face before she nodded slowly.

"I was."

~Kami-sama! I thought Yazaki's daughter had died years ago.~

Kirara bravely held back the tears of joy as she smiled down at Kagome gently.

"I was very good friends with your mother."

Kagome's eyes went wide at this.

"Tell me Kagome....oh! I may call you Kagome right?"

Kagome nodded numbly.

"Are you living with anyone?"

"Mmm...I live with Jii-chan in one of the apartments near the old part of town."

Kirara just nodded. Not saying anything, but knowing very well what the 'old part of town' was like. She smiled at Kagome once more, and kneeled next the girl, putting a hand on her shoulder.

Kagome winced in pain at the touch, but tried not to let it show.

Both Inuyasha and Kirara noticed it, but didn't comment.

"Tell me Kagome, what happened to you?"

Kagome glanced at Inuyasha nervously, and only spoke when he gave her a nod of reassurance.

"I-I was walking in the park when a group of girls attacked me."

"Who, dear?"

"I'm n-not really sure who they were. I think one of them was called Kikyou."

Both Sango and Inuyasha drew in sharp breaths at the familiar name.

~So I was right.~ Inuyasha thought as his amber eyes narrowed in concern for the girl.

~She's still attacking people?! Like..like she did me?~

Kirara's eyebrows also drew together in concern. She, of course, had recognized the name. ~No wonder Kagome was unconscious.~

"Kagome, are you in pain?"

Kagome looked up, startled, at the concern that the older woman's voice held. She nodded slowly.

"Would you please let me look at your wounds? I used to be an EMT."

Once again, Kagome nodded. Her fear was starting to lessen. Despite the cautiousness that she always held around people something told her to trust her. To trust this woman that had once been her mother's friend.

Kirara stood up and gave Inuyasha a gentle shove, praying that he would take the hint.

Fortunately, he did.

Inuyasha gave Kagome one last look before heading back to the main part of the building. He might as well help Kohaku and Miroku. Only god knew how much help the two would need.

~~~~

Inuyasha closed the door behind him and started to head over to where Miroku stood, by the hostess desk. It was only when a bunch of whispers reached his ears did he stop.

"Can you believe they let HER in here? The daughter of that...that whore!"

"Have you heard what she did to some popular kid at her school?"

"Oh, you mean Naraku? Yeah, I heard that the little bitch seduced him. The poor boy didn't realize what was happening until it was too late."

"Well you know what they say: Like Mother, Like Daughter."

Inuyasha clenched his hands into fists and tried to ignore the whispers.

~No wonder that Kagome girl was so guarded! I mean with rumors like that!~ Inuyasha thought as he felt an extreme amount of pity for Kagome.

~Then Naraku...~ Not for the first time in his life, Inuyasha felt a surge of overwhelming hate for Naraku.

"That bastard." He growled as he stopped next to the hostess desk.

"Who's a bastard, Inuyasha?" Miroku asked looking up. "Are you thinking of Naraku again?"

Inuyasha just merely growled in response. All of his friends knew of the deep hatred that the two boys held for each other, but this was the first time that Inuyasha had been angered by something that Naraku had done to a person that he barely knew.

~That bastard.~

Miroku noticed another growl had started to rise in Inuyasha's chest, and decided to try to pull him out of it.

"So what happened to that girl?"

"Huh?" Inuyasha looked up.

Miroku sighed inwardly, but repeated the question.

"What happened do that girl?"

Inuyasha's facial features darkened slightly before he answered.

"Kikyou attacked her."

Miroku bit his lip. Kikyou was the last person that either of them wanted to talk about at the moment.

"Do you know her?"

"Not really. I know I've seen her around school though. Why?"

"Well," Miroku chewed out slowly, "I know I've seen her before. I just can't figure out where."

"You? Forget the name of a chick?" Inuyasha laughed. "Never though I'd see the day. If it helps her name is Higurashi Kagome."

"Hig-Higurashi?!"

The silver haired boy gave his dark haired companion an odd look.

"Didn't I just say that?"

Miroku sat down very quickly.

"Oh, shit."

Inuyasha peered down at his friend.

"What's wrong, Miroku? You look pale."

"WHAT'S WRONG!? On absolutely nothing!" a few customers gave Miroku odd looks before going back to their meals, all the while muttering about 'punks' in 'civilized places'. "Just the fact that Higurashi used to be the name of the shrine that I now live at!"

Inuyasha continued to stare at Miroku.

"This Kagome girl probably lived in that shrine before me!!!" Miroku all but shouted.

Realization started to dawn in Inuyasha's face.

"Ohhhh....Oh shit! That's not good. Defiantly not good."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Miroku said, standing as a bell jingled, signaling the entrance of more customers. He stood up to go greet them, only to stop in shock when he realized who it was.

~~~~

Kagome was just slipping on an oversized shirt when the four women heard the sound that sounded suspiciously like the breaking of dishes.

"What the...? Oh, that better not have been what I thought it was." Kirara muttered angrily before storming out of the room.

"Why do I have a feeling that those two are going to be in sooo much trouble when Mama gets a hold of them?" Sango commented.

"Well that boyfriend of yours certainly has a habit of getting in trouble." Yuki laughed at the slight flush that covered her younger sister's face. Kagome just smiled weakly.

She still wasn't sure what to make of the whole situation. She still felt uncomfortable around these people, but that was slowly starting to fade. They appeared to be very nice people, but Kagome could tell that the two sisters, at least, had some type of scars, whether it be emotional or physical..

Kagome opened her mouth to say something, but at that moment a shrill scream filled the air.

"WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS GOING ON HERE?!"

Sango opened the door, and the girls got a good look of what was happening in the restaurant. Kagome felt her heart stop at the sight.

An enraged Inuyasha stood in front of the hostess desk, his hands curled into tight, angry fists, his whole body shaking with rage. A few feet from Inuyasha sat a pale boy with curly, black hair. Blood dripped slowly from the bloody mess that used to be his nose.

~Naraku.~ Kagome thought, fear slowly rising, as her face paled. She swallowed nervously, the feeling that was just starting to fade away hit her, once again, with full force.

In front of Kagome stood Sango and Yuki both of them standing still as two types of emotions filled them. For Yuki it was a feeling of intense fear. For the bleach-blonde haired girl had gone out with Naraku once, just like Kagome had; and like Kagome, Yuki had been torn from that relationship rather abruptly. It had taken almost a year for Yuki to recover from the emotional stress that the relationship had caused and even now, 3 years later, the girl could feel the feelings of fear and depression come rushing back. Sango, however, could feel nothing but anger at the boy who was currently a bloody mess. This boy was the cause for her sister's breakdown and possibly the cause for Kagome's distress.

"Bastard." She muttered.

The restaurant, however, was deadly silent. Kirara, usually a quiet and gentle woman, stood in between the two boys a dark aura practically flowing off of her.

"What happened?" She asked in a low and dangerous voice, her green eyes (***) darting between Inuyasha and Naraku, even though the question was directed at Miroku.

Miroku swallowed before answering. He wanted to say something that would be in the favor of Inuyasha, but Misokata-san was known for her ability to see through almost any lie.

"Eto...ano....well, you see Misokata-san...." He trailed off still unsure of what to say, as he mind worked a mile a minute to come up with an explanation.

"Hai, Miroku-kun?"

"Well, Inuyasha came over to help me and Kohaku-kun..."

>flashback<

"That girl is such a stupid bitch." Someone, walking into the restaurant, commented with a laugh.

Inuyasha felt a low growl form deep in his belly. Two boys entered The Taiji-Ya, laughing.

"Naraku."

The boy with his curly, black hair tied back in a ponytail looked up, a look of surprise quickly crossing his pale face.

That look quickly changed into a cold smirk.

"Inuyasha."

The boy standing next to Naraku also had his black hair done up in a ponytail also spoke up.

"Oi, Inu-kuro!"

Miroku rubbed his temples in exasperation. ~Oh, no. Here we go again.~

However, this time (unlike the many previous times) Inuyasha didn't dignify the boy, Kouga Ishoutama, with a response.

"....."

Miroku stopped rubbing his temples, and raised an eyebrow in surprise. He looked over at his friend. Inuyasha had his amber eyes narrowed into dark slits, and they were looking straight at Naraku.

Miroku raised his eyes in realization. ~Oh, shit.~

Inuyasha had a reputation, along with being the son of one of the most influential businessmen in Tokyo (next to Naraku's father), of picking fights. He wasn't a bully who would just pick fights for no apparent reason, but for people like Naraku... Miroku bit his lip. The last time that he had seen that look on Inuyasha's face was not to long ago, and the person who had been on the receiving end....

Miroku shook his head and slowly backed away from the hostess desk. ~I should go get Kohaku.~ He thought. He sidestepped to go find the young boy when two things happened at once. There was huge crash in the background. (Which when he turned around Miroku discovered that it was a bunch of dishes that a pale faced Kohaku had dropped.) Then Inuyasha had dashed forward and landed a fist in Naraku's face, which sent the boy flying.

"You fuckin' bastard! How dare you do that to her!!! Hasn't your fuckin' family already done enough?!" Inuyasha let out a low growl, ignoring the stares of the customers behind him, as a door opened behind them.

"Her? Oh, you must mean Kagome. So you know the whore. My relationship with her was nothing. It was the bitch's own fault if she thought it was anything more than sex."

Inuyasha let out another low growl. The boy probably would have lunged at Naraku again if Kirara hadn't appeared from the dressing room just then. The owner of The Taiji-Ya let out a roar.

"WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS GOING ON HERE!?"

>end flashback<

Miroku took a deep breath and finished his story. (Being careful to leave out the parts that dealt with Kagome.)

Kirara stood there silent for a moment before speaking. During that time a thick, heavy silence filled the building.

"Well, Inuyasha, I won't deny that you're at fault here..." Naraku smirked at this. "However, I am aware of your past history with Nemurashi-kun and Ishoutama-kun. Therefor I will let it go...for now."

This statement left Naraku speechless. His mouth just hung open, the blood on his face was starting to dry. Kirara spoke again before Naraku could open his mouth. "Now, Nemurashi-kun, I am well aware that Miroku may not have given all of the facts of what happened." (Miroku sweatdropped, nervously.) "However, I am also sure that you must have done something to edge Inuyasha on. Now I think it would be wise if you go with my husband," Hikaru Misokata appeared next to his wife, "And clean yourself up and leave."

By the time Kirara had finished speaking Naraku's face was the color of a ripe tomato. He sputtered incoherent remarks. Kirara just ignored him and turned to face Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha, I would like you to join me in my office."

Inuyasha just nodded, knowing very well what Sango's mother would be like in this state. He turned to move, but it was at this time that Naraku regained use of his vocal cords.

"Misokata-san!"

From across the room Kagome flinched. Naraku had pronounced Kirara's name in the same tone that he had said hers just before they had `broken up'.

"No one does this to me, Naraku Nemurashi!"

"I think we all know who you are, dumbass." Sango muttered under her breath. The others ignored Naraku as the customers watched on with interest.

"I can have my father rip down this pathetic little establishment faster than you can say `Yamete!!'."

Kirara started herding Kagome, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku, Yuki, and Kohaku into her office. She paused briefly to tell her eldest son, Uchiru, to keep an eye on things before she answered Naraku.

"I am well aware, Nemurashi-kun, of the power that your father holds. However, I think you should know that I know many people. Some of these people have a status higher than your father's. So you should know now that threatening me is useless." She said. She didn't have a snide or cocky tone to her voice. She just said it matter of factly, as if she was stating the weather. Then she turned and joined the young men and woman in her office.

Naraku's dark, cold eyes narrowed after them. Then the sadistic teenager turned around and walked out the door; completely ignoring the help Hikaru Misokata was willing to offer.

Kouga just stood there staring after the group that had just left, an odd look in his eyes.

~~~~

Kirara let out a sigh and plopped down on a big, plush seat next to her desk. She motioned for the others to do the same. They all followed suit, that is except for Kagome. She just stood there looking very uncomfortable. Kirara noticed this and sighed mentally. She didn't say anything, however. Instead she turned her attention to a very nervous looking amber-eyed boy.

"Inuyasha, relax. I just said that for business. I know you're not at fault. We all know how Naraku can be."

The boy relaxed visibly.

"Yuki. Kohaku. You two can take the rest of the day off. I know that this must be a terrible ordeal for you."

Her oldest daughter and youngest son nodded in relief.

"Miroku do you think you could take over Kohaku's job until closing? I'll pay you."

Miroku nodded.

"I should be able to, but let me double check with my folks. It should be fine though."

Kirara nodded in relief.

"That's fine. There's a phone in the Main Office. Sango, could you please take over Yuki's duties?"

Sango just sighed.

"I might as well. Seeing as how I'm already dressed."

"Inuyasha, would you be kind enough to help Uchiru with his duties?"

Inuyasha nodded, as his friends had done. Although the look on his face remained the same he was immensely relieved that Misokata-san wasn't going to punish him.

"Excellent. You may all go. Kagome, dear?"

Kagome turned around to look at the woman as the others left the room.

"Hai?"

Kirara smiled gently. She had never seen anyone so guarded before.

"How are you?"

"I-I'm fine." On the contrary the dark haired girl was very nervous. No one had ever been this nice to her since her mother died. "Eto, ma'am..May I go? Jii-chan is expecting me home."

A look of disappointment quickly flickered across Kirara's face. The woman had really wanted to talk to the girl, but she couldn't force her to stay. Besides she looked nervous enough as it is. Kirara nodded.

"That's fine, but don't be a stranger. I would very much like to talk to you sometime."

Kagome just nodded timidly and hurried out of the restaurant.

~~~~

Inuyasha looked up from the table that he was busing to see the Kagome girl rush out of the restaurant, rumors following her like a wake. Kouga followed her shortly after.

Inuyasha frowned. Something didn't feel right. ~What is that baka doing?~

Putting his rag away, he yelled to Uchiru that he was stepping outside for a moment before rushing out to see what Kouga was up to.

* What? Did you think I wouldn't put Kaede in there somehow?

** - Kikyou's a bitch, ain't she?

*** - Yes, I know Kirara (the youkai) has red eyes, but I just think a human with red eyes is just a tad strange.

A/N: Okay people sorry to stop at the cliffhanger, but chapter 4 will be out soon. Beware it will be short. I'm just cutting chapter 3 in half. It's almost 18 pages!!!!! I'll put it out on Monday. Hope ya liked!!! Did it suck? I was reading it over and thought it did. Tell me what you think! R/R.