Lets take a look at things from Shiori's point of view shall we?

Please pay attention to how much time is passing from here on. Also, Naraku's full name is Naraku Warui. just so ya know!

Enjoy!

~Sabichan~

**Two weeks later**

She stared out the front window of the restaurant, watching the cars go by with mild interest. It had been so long. So long since she had last stood behind this podium, or greeted customers with a sincere smile. It had been a long time since she had smiled altogether.

"Shiori?"

She turned her deep brown eyes to the voice behind her.

"Yes Faye?"

"Are you alright? You're just staring out the window...Is something on your mind?"

"I'm just realizing how long it's been....since I've done this."

Her best friend smiled and stepped over to her. She pulled her into a tight embrace and let out a long sigh.

"I know honey. I'm so.. I'm so happy to have you back. I've missed you so much Shi. Just you standing here is a dream come true.

"Faye, I'm so sorry for what I've done to you all these past eleven years. I-"

"Shhh. We've already talked about this. Everything is forgiven. As long as you keep your promise to try, I will always be by your side. Please don't leave me again."

"I promise." Shiori whispered.

A whistling coming from the doorway caused them to break apart.

"Ladies, please. Don't let me interrupt."

"Mushin! Stop thinking like that!" Both blushed as they took another step away from each other.

"Oh, love, you can't blame a man for appreciating beauty."

"No wonder my son is the way he is. I should have never left you two alone. Maybe then he'd be happily engaged to Sango by now."

"MOM!" All turned their eyes to the red faced boy and girl standing behind them.

They looked at each other and then quickly looked away. The tension was thick in the air. Then she laughed.

It started as a small giggle, then a light chuckle. It bloomed into a light airy laugh that the Hoshi family had been without for eleven years, and which Sango had never heard.

It was as enchanting as it was contagious. Soon even the two mortified teens had joined in. Customers glanced up from their meals in amusement and curiosity, then shaking their heads, trying hard to hide the smile from seeing such real happiness.

No one noticed the door opening, nor the tall, refined man who stepped inside. Not till the laughter had died away did he credit any attention.

"Naraku?"

He smiled genuinely, and walked over the hostess podium, ignoring all the stares from the others.

"Shiori, my dear. I trust you are feeling...much like your old self again."

"Yes, I am. I feel like I haven't laughed for ages."

"It was a welcome sound to these humble ears. Almost musical."

Behind them, Mushin was making a multitude of faces, playfully choking on the sweet words of the man before him. A few coughs were heard from Faye and the two kids as they fought to hide their laughter. One by one, they made their escape before bursting into another fit of laughter.

Soon the two found themselves alone in the lobby of the restaurant.

"Naraku, what brings you here?"

"You, Shiori." His gaze was intense, his eyes boring into her own. She felt a stirring inside of her, a feeling long ago forgotten. He was looking at her like Shoji used to.

He continued to speak.

"I was hoping you had given some thought to our conversation. I was hoping you'd

have an answer for me."

Her thoughts were swept back to the night of the ball.

It had been like a fairytale.

Not that she'd never been to a ball before. No, before her husband had vanished, she had often been the one to plan them. Things had been so different back then. She had her true love, her children, and everything her heart had ever desired. They wanted for nothing, yet she took great care not to spoil her two boys. She and her Shoji had agreed upon the fact that they wanted them to have a normal life, to not feel like they were above anyone else, nor below. So they lived simply and taught humility and manners. Sesshie had been a gentlemen from the day he was born, but Inuyasha, he'd been something of a handful. So adventurous, so curious. But much like his brother, never ever disrespectful. Not like Kouga had been. Naraku's wife Kagura was an heiress, and lived her entire life as a princess of sorts. She passed her childish traits onto her son, denying him nothing, coddling him to no end.

And Naraku? Well he'd been content to go along with it. It was his only son, and he wanted to give him the world.

But Naraku himself? He'd been something of an enigma to her since they had first met. He'd been polite, a gentlemen, even quite charming, but yet always aloof. Like he always stopped short of saying what he really wanted to say to her. Her curiosity had led her into a close friendship with him, though not nearly as close as the one he and her husband had shared, nor like she and Faye. It was just...comfortable.

Then the unthinkable had happened. Both she and Naraku had found themselves alone, their spouses nowhere to be found. Naraku formed a search of the entire country, doing his very best to find any trace of Shoji or Kagura, but to no avail. It was like they had fallen off the face of the earth.

They did their best to comfort each other, running the company together, planning the balls, even accompanying each other.

But she had found herself crumbling from the inside out. Everything she'd ever counted on was gone. She was alone, without the only man she'd ever loved.

Then Naraku had come to the conclusion that the dual disappearance had to be more than just a coincidence. He told her that he believed the two had run away together.

That's when she broke. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. Every word of love ever spoken by Shoji now became a lie. And everything around her seemed to remind her of that.

She came to believe that her sons did not need the fortune of lies their father had left behind, so she signed over his partnership to Naraku to free herself from Shoji's bonds. She took her two sons to live in a simple apartment, in a simple life. But Inu...he looked so much like his father, almost his exact double. And as he grew up, it only got more apparent. Then Sesshomaru-he inherited his father's charm and personality.

And it tortured her to no end.

Every time she would look at her sons, she would see the man who left her behind.

Eleven years passed. Her oldest son left her as well, claiming that she was suffocating him. He hadn't been in contact since.

All she had left was Faye and her last son, Inuyasha. Life settled into a routine of pure depression and self-pity. A pit which she had dug for herself. And she didn't care.

And why not? It wasn't like she would ever love again. She would never love again.

Then one night, Inuyasha had come home with a letter from Naraku, her once close companion. It was an invitation, not only to a charity ball as his escort, but also an invitation back into his life. He had said that when she had signed over the company, he'd felt an even greater emptiness than the morning when he'd woken to find his wife long gone.

He had spoken directly to her heart. No matter how much Faye sympathized and comforted, she would never know what it was like to lose her husband-No, he was still there with her, loving her. The only person who truly understood her loneliness was Naraku.

Only he knew what she was going through.

So she had agreed to go, much to the distaste of her son. But that simple letter had changed something inside of her. It had begun the long process of waking her from the pointless nightmare she'd been living for the past decade.

It made her feel happy, if even just a ever so slight glimmer of it.

That night had indeed been a fairytale. She'd felt like such a princess, and Naraku had been her prince. They had danced and she had even allowed him to push her into the limelight, to take the stage and sing for the other guests. It had been magic, to feel all eyes on her, to cast her spell over the room once more.

Finally their conversation. He'd led her out to the balcony of the hotel, overlooking the garden.

There he had admitted his true feelings to her.

He told her he loved her.

That he always had. Ever since Shoji and he had first watched her sing, she'd enchanted him as well. Only Shoji had had the bravery to actually do something about it. He'd said how he'd cherished the friendship that they'd formed, and that alone had given him the strength to try to give his heart to another, to move on.

And it had worked to some point, until Kagura had left. And then when he'd found out about Shoji's disappearance as well. She'd never realized just how much more Naraku had lost.

Not only did he lose his wife, but also his business partner and lifelong best friend.

If any one was truly alone, it was him.

And there he was, standing before her with every defense lowered, baring his true feelings and his soul to her. Asking her to help him heal, and to let him do the same for her.

Just to be with him.

A thousand thoughts had flooded her mind just then, some screaming to just run back home and go back to life as usual, some telling her to kiss him and it happen. It was so confusing, that she'd felt the urge to burst into tears.

She'd embraced him, as if clinging to him for dear life. Just as she was about pull away and give her response, She'd seen Miroku out of the corner of her eye.

Then her son's life had been turned upside down.

She'd never yet answered his request.

Now she looked into his eyes, and although his face was set in it's usual businessman look, his eyes told her of the turmoil and even fear that was going through him. She took his hand gently and gave it a firm squeeze.

"I only wish we'd done this eleven years ago, Naraku. I accept."

His face melted into once of disbelief and boyish joy.

"Shiori, I-"

"Wait. I have only one request."

"Anything..." He said almost breathlessly.

"I-I need to do this at my own pace. There's so much going on right now, and my son's chance of happiness is at stake. Please, please be patient with me."

His hand caressed her cheek lovingly as he smiled warmly

"I've waited to so long just to be this close to you, Shiori. I can wait even longer if you so require. And I will help in every way that I can. But please, take this to heart. You have to help yourself before you can help Inuyasha."

His words did have an affect on her. He was right. She would be of no use to Inu if she couldn't even stand on her own.

"Yes, you're right about that. You've always been right, Naraku."

They embraced, never noticing the eyes of the small boy watching them, having heard every word of what they'd said.

**I POV**

Two weeks had passed.

I tried to get Faye to let me at least come to work, but she adamantly refused. My mother wouldn't have let me anyway.

Something had been happening to my mother ever since she found out about Kagome. She had been paying more attention to me that I was used to. She had so many questions. Many of which I had no answers to . She asked if I had wanted to go into my father's business. If I had wanted to go to college. If I was angry that

Sess had left. What did I want to do with my life.

She constantly tried to ask about Kagome. How I felt about her, Why I didn't try to talk to her or didn't see her.

I always stayed silent. I just didn't want to talk about her. Just thinking about her was bad enough.

Then there was the way she was acting. It was like she'd gone back in time and become the mother I used to look up to. She'd even taken my place at the restaurant to help out Faye. My mother was working again.

Sigh.

I healed quickly, just like the doctor had remarked. Not even a scar from the two sets of stitches on my forehead and bottom lip.

Naraku made an appearance the day after I got the stitches removed. He had asked to talk to me alone.

"Inu, my boy. How are you feeling?"

"Fine." I mumbled.

"Good. Well I suppose you're wondering why I'm here."

"Damage control." I blurted out. He grinned.

"You're a smart boy Inu, just like your father. I miss him, I could really use his advice these days. You see, I'm not sure how he managed to raise such fine young man with as little time as he was around-and Me? Well I managed to do the very opposite with a boy I see everyday at home. Kouga has become...rather hard to handle."

"You spoiled him. You have since we were kids."

"You're right. I did. Kagura did dote on him so. When his mother left, it had such a bad affect on him. And since he had no siblings to lean on, it was just the two of us, standing back to back, trying to support each other. Oh Inu. If only I had turned around..." He trailed off. I watched a rare sadness pass over his face. He almost looked like the "Uncle" I had used to refer to. He looked so human for once, no slick exterior.

"Inu. My son has done the unspeakable. I don't deny what I know Miss Kagome has probably told you about their relationship. I always loved that girl. She's very special to you isn't she?"

I stayed silent, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Yes, I can see it in your face. The same look my son used to have when he thought about her."

"We're nothing alike." I gritted out between clenched teeth.

"No, you're not. I mean before my son became obsessed with her. You, of all people have to understand the way she enchants everyone around her. I couldn't wait to watch her become a part of my family, but unfortunately, her spell took too strong an affect on Kouga. He wanted to possess her, keep her all to himself. I can't tell you how many times we argued over his treatment of her."

"Then why didn't you do something? You're his father!"

"I am. But I'm not a very good one. I was too immersed in my business to become involved, too consumed by the loss of my wife and my best friend. I put my work before my only family, and now he hates me. He hates me because I'm not going to protect him this time."

I was a bit confused by what he meant by that.

"Inu, if you want to press charges against Kouga, you do whatever you feel is right. The same goes for Miss Kagome. I plan to pay her a visit after I leave here."

I mulled it over in my head.

"No. But I will support whatever she chooses to do. And in exchange for this, there's something I want you to do."

"Anything." I leaned in close to him, speaking low and threateningly.

"You keep your fucking son away from her. He so much as looks at a picture of her, and I won't be held responsible for what I do to him. I'll break more than just his jaw."

He nodded somberly.

"Done."

"And...I want you tear up that contract. Give Kagome her license back. She's not gonna call down some kind of media frenzy on you. She's not like that. You don't have to control her life anymore."

"It would be my pleasure to do so. You're a good man Inuyasha. You protect her even when she's not around. She is lucky to have you. As I am lucky to know you-I find myself wishing sometimes you were my own son..."

He stood to leave, first extending his hand. I shook it, for once not entirely hating the though of touching him.

"I will send your regards to Miss Kagome when I arrive. I hope to see you at work soon, Inuyasha. Come back when you feel you are ready."

My mother appeared from the kitchen and walked him to the door. They exchanged pleasantries, and he kissed her hand as he said his goodbye. The sight of them together still put me on edge, but not quite as much as it used to. I couldn't figure out why he was acting so...nice. Like he was his old self, the lively man I had known when I was younger. What was he up to....

Now I sat on the edge of my bed, restless and depressed.

I hadn't seen her in so long. Hadn't heard her sweet voice, or gazed in those deep brown eyes. Nothing.

Sango visited her frequently and relayed information to me.

Naraku had kept his word and her license was reinstated. And like I had expected, she also chose not to press any charges, simply saying she just wanted to put it all behind her. He also tried to give her some sort of settlement, but she refused.

"Inu? You in here?" I heard Sango's voice call down the hallway.

"Yeah."

She stepped in the doorway and smiled brightly at me. I patted the space beside me and she sat down, wrapping her arm around mine.

"How you doing?"

"The same."

"Pretty crappy then, huh?" She leaned her head on my shoulder

"Yep." I replied, and rested my head on top of hers.

"I've got some news for you."

"What?"

"Well, Mr. Warui kept bugging `Gome about wanting to do something to "set things

right" and she just kept telling him off. Finally he came in a limo yesterday and asked us to come with him. Then he bought her a car."

"Really? Bastard never got me one."

"As I recall he tried but you politely declined. Something about `taking care of yourself' or some other manly bullshit like that? Am I right?"

"Aren't you always?"

She was. I had said no. He had offered one for my high school graduation, but just like Sess, I didn't accept it.

"What kind of car did she get?"

"An expensive one. Import. It's very nice, very comfy. Wish I had one like that."

I nodded silently. She raised her head and looked at me, playing with a strand of my hair. Just like Kagome used to...

"She misses you." I stared at the wall.

"I highly doubt that."

"She does. She doesn't say it, but she does. I can tell. Just the way she looks sometimes. And every time I go to see her, she's just sitting under that big tree, humming to herself. Hitomi says she cries a lot."

"Don't tell me this Sango. You're not making this any easier for me. Just tell me she's okay, and I'm happy."

"But she's not. And neither are you. Are you?"

"Well why the fuck would I be? She hates me!"

"She never said that."

"You should've seen her at the hospital Sango. She didn't have to say it."

She sighed in defeat.

"Impossible! The two of you are just impossible! I try and I try, but neither of you are willing to give in! So you said one wrong thing, does she let it go? NO! And you-you do nothing to try and explain it to her! You deserve to be miserable, you're not doing anything to fix this!"

"It's better this way. I'm no good for her anyway. I have nothing to offer her, Sango! I hurt her at the worst possible moment, right when she was most vulnerable, right when she needed me!"

Her voice was low, almost a whisper.

"You saved her. Inu...when Kouga first hit you...well, you should've been knocked out for at least a couple of hours, but you....you woke up in a matter of minutes. They can't explain how you did that. But I can. She said she called your name. And that you came just in time. You heard her didn't you?"

I stayed still for a moment then hesitantly nodded.

"You see! You rescued her. She can never forget that. Not ever."

"It's not enough, Sango. I could've done better. I could have protected her better."

"No. I don't think that's possible. But.. I know I'd fare better arguing with Miroku about how he drives. You're just too damn much for me to break."

She stood, and as the air rushed past my face from her motion, I caught the faint scent of strawberries. I look a good look at what she was wearing. She noticed, and blushed.

"Yeah we're already sharing clothes...Don't look at me like that. I am female, you know..."

"Just not used to you acting your gender."

She ruffled my bangs playfully. Then her face softened.

"I have something for you." She reached into her purse and pulled something out.

"What is it?"

"Pictures. From her birthday." She handed them to me in an envelope. I grunted in response. "Her Mom gave me a couple too...She said she took them before you guys came to the restaurant. They're....cute."

She moved to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"You know."

"Do you tell her about me too. Like some kind of middle man?"

"No. She asks me not to talk about you."

It stung to hear that. She walked back over and wrapped her arms around me.

"What she means is that she thinks about you enough without me adding to that....See how just a little slip of the tongue can break your heart in a millisecond. Or how taking it the wrong way can do the same. Hmm... Funny how that is..."

With that said, she walked out of my room, closing the door behind her.

Her words sunk in, but only served to make me more depressed. If my reaction had been that bad to something so little, I could only imagine what Kagome had felt. I turned my attention to the envelope in my hand.

I took out the pictures and slowly flipped through them. We had taken quite a few at dinner that night. She was in almost every single one, sitting right next to me.

She was so beautiful, like an angel amidst the bustle of the Houshi's and Sango.

The last two pictures were the one's Hitomi had taken.

One was of me, with my mouth agape and eyes wide in surprise. Pleasant surprise.

I was looking towards the staircase.

I shook my head, slightly amused. Had I really looked so dumb staring as she had descended the stairs? But who could blame me?

"No one..." I muttered as I looked at the last picture. Kagome, coming down the stairs, looking all the while like heaven itself. The camera had captured the moment perfectly, as appreciatively as my eyes had been that night.

I felt a drop of wetness hit my bare forearm. Then another. Quickly, I stuffed the pictures back in the envelope and set them down. I bit back the few remaining tears and wiped my face furiously.

"I have to get out of here...." I muttered aloud. Standing, I grabbed my jacket from the floor and pulled open my door. I was glad my mother was out. I didn't feel like arguing about me leaving the apartment. I scribbled a note and set it down on the kitchen table. Then I pulled on my jacket and found my house keys.

I locked the front door behind me.

Tbc…