Disclaimer: I don't own the Persona series or its characters.

Scar Tissue I

It was a rainy day in late March 2012, a young woman with striking red hair stood sheltered by umbrellas at the foot of a grave. She stepped out of the cover of the umbrellas and knelt to tidy the area around the grave. She placed her token of remembrance on the grave before resting her hand against the tombstone. The rain hid the fact that tears were running down her face. "I miss you Minato…" Mitsuru Kirijo whispered as one of her bodyguards approached touching the young woman on the shoulder.

"Ma'am, we should get going."

Wiping the tears from her face, Mitsuru rose to her feet stepping back under the protection of the umbrellas; she looked back gently at the gravestone of the man she loved. It had been two years since he died on the roof of Gekkoukan High School, but the wound was still raw. The memories still hurt. The young woman who had spoken to Mitsuru considered her boss respectfully, "He was very special to you, wasn't he?"

Mitsuru nodded, "Yes. He was extortionary."

"I remember…" The young woman replied looking down at the grave.

Mitsuru raised an eyebrow but then remembered, "We went to Gekkoukan at the same time."

The young woman nodded adding, "I was in 2-E with your friend Fuuka. Arisato and I spoke occasionally. He was always very polite."

"Yes, he was."

The next day Mitsuru met with her female high school friends, Yukari Takeba and Fuuka Yamagishi. They were gathered at Chargall Café. It had been a year and a half since they'd seen each other, Yukari and Fuuka had completed their senior year of high school in that time. Mitsuru meanwhile had deferred University to secure the future of Kirijo Electronics, after many long days and sleepless nights the company was on its way to recovering financially and Mitsuru was finally allowed to step away and attend University.

Yukari sipped her tea and smiled replying, "Don't get me wrong Mitsuru, it's great to see you but why now?"

"To be honest, I was wondering that too," Fuuka added shyly.

"I did have an ulterior motive calling you here today." Mitsuru replied dipping into her bag to bring out some paperwork before continuing, "While examining the properties owned by Kirijo Electronics I came across a building within walking distance of Iwatodai University. I have organised, pending your consent for the three of us to room in this building during our studies."

Yukari stared at her friend open-mouthed, "Mitsuru-senpai… This is awesome!"

Mitsuru smiled with relief, "I'm glad to hear it. Fuuka, I don't want to force you into anything…"

Fuuka shook her head replying, "Not at all, I think it's a great idea. My parents are driving me crazy."

"Then its decided, the women of SEES are reunited!" Yukari announced punching the air. Mitsuru smiled while Fuuka chuckled shaking her head.

Yukari lent back in her chair with a satisfied smile observing, "Well, I guess this makes my afternoon plans a little redundant. I was going to search for an apartment near the University."

Mitsuru raised an inquiring eyebrow, "You were planning to live with your mother?"

"No way, things kind of… well, her relationship fell apart, and she's gone back to whoring herself." Yukari spat bitterly stirring her tea.

"What happened, I thought your Mom was finally happy?" Fuuka pressed.

Yukari sighed deciding to explain, "Yeah well, so did I. Then… then Minato died. I didn't cope very well."

The table went silent for several seconds before Fuuka spoke, "I don't think any of us did…"

Yukari nodded before continuing, "Mom didn't understand why I was so upset, and it put a strain on her relationship with her boyfriend. Then we met and well… Ugh, he tried hitting on me. He was almost old enough to be my Dad! I told Mom, and she dumped him, but we're not speaking, again."

"You should have told me Yukari; I could have helped," Mitsuru replied frowning.

"You could have at least told us; we're supposed to be friends!" Fuuka chipped in scolding the brunette.

Yukari held up her hands defensively, "Ok, ok, I'm sorry. I just, you both seemed so busy, I didn't want to bother you, either of you."

Fuuka sighed slumping her shoulders before responding, "It's not a bother to help a friend. We need to stick together."

Mitsuru nodded in agreement bringing a smile to Yukari's lips, "Thank you, both of you. I won't forget in future."

"Good, now, I think we should treat ourselves to a day out shopping," Mitsuru announced.

Yukari smiled and nodded, but Fuuka shook her head explaining, "I'm sorry Mitsuru-san, I have something I need to do before I start University."

"Oh, is everything ok Fuuka-chan?" Yukari asked concerned.

"Yes, I just, I wanted to visit Minato's grave before the start of Orientation. I don't want to get busy and forget."

The blunette bid the two women farewell and left leaving the table in silence. Mitsuru sipped her tea quietly as Yukari summoned the courage to ask, "Have you been?"

Mitsuru nodded responding, "Yesterday. You?"

"The day before yesterday," Yukari replied with a small smile.

"Does it still hurt?" Mitsuru asked gently.

"I would it describe it as a dull ache, which never goes away," Yukari replied wryly.

"Indeed." Mitsuru agreed to smile sadly.

"Have you heard from Aigis recently?"

"No, after she finished high school Aigis left the lab. She spent some time in Iwatodai in the company of a Platinum Blonde woman. However, after several months both women disappeared, I haven't been able to locate them since."

"Doesn't that worry you?" Yukari asked slightly indignantly.

"Yes, it does. However, it is one of many things that I'm forced to worry about on any given day. Less you forget my dear Yukari that I am responsible for the lives of thousands. I am deeply concerned about the welfare of my friend, that doesn't change the fact I can't focus on it every second of the day."

Yukari nodded begrudgingly in agreement. After finishing their lunch, the two ventured out into Iwatodai to shop. After a long afternoon, they returned to their homes and packed to move to the new dorm.

The following day was the first of three days of orientation. After meeting up at the dorm, the three women left the movers in charge of their belongings and walked over the sprawling campus of Iwatodai University. While it was not quite a prestigious as Tokyo University, Iwatodai had produced several acclaimed graduates and at least one infamous graduate at least given Mitsuru, Fuuka and Yukari.

As the three crossed the grounds towards the main assembly hall, Yukari took in their surroundings, "My Dad graduated from this University."

"So, did a lot of my aunts and uncles," Fuuka added.

"My father did his primary studies at Tokyo University, but he completed several undergraduate courses here. I believe Ikutsuki also studied here." Mitsuru explained.

"Not a ringing endorsement," Yukari observed a sour look crossing her face.

The three women were silent as they entered the assembly hall. The large glass dome was supported by four beams at the compass points that held the glass in the place like a tent. In the centre of the hall was a fountain that rose to the ceiling and supported the central structure while also providing water to the pool below. Mitsuru, Fuuka and Yukari gathered poolside as the hall continued to fill with people.

"So many new students…" Fuuka observed.

"Since the Apathy Syndrome disappeared people have returned to Iwatodai. There has been an influx of young tech-savvy University students. I can only surmise that the upswing in fortunes for the Kirijo group is somehow related."

"Well, when you have the right person in charge anything is possible right?" Yukari asked rhetorically directing a smile towards Mitsuru.

"It was and is a group effort I assure you," Mitsuru replied with a small blush returning Yukari's smile.

"You don't give yourself enough credit Mitsuru-san." A voice replied emerging from the crowd.

"Akihiko!" The three women cried happily embracing their friend.

"Man… why don't I ever get greeted like that." Another voice moaned joining them.

"Stupei!" Yukari yelled smacking the brown-haired man over the back of the head.

"OW! Yukari-chan! What was that for?!" Junpei Iori demanded to rub the back of his head to sooth the pain.

"You know trespassing is against the law Stupei!" Yukari snapped half glaring at her male friend.

"Hey! That's unfair; I'm not trespassing, I'm here honestly." Junpei argued defending himself.

"No way, how did you qualify to get into this University?" Yukari asked indignantly.

"The board were dazzled by my winning personality," Junpei explained grinning.

"You're here on scholarship, aren't you?" Akihiko guessed.

Junpei anime fell, "You guessed…"

"That figures…" Yukari replied scoffing at Junpei.

"Are you also here for orientation, Akihiko-senpai?" Fuuka asked.

"No, as a Sophomore I'm here to escort you around the campus." Akihiko explained with a smile.

"So that's why you're here today, Mitsuru-senpai," Junpei observed.

"Junpei-san, I'm here for orientation just like you."

"Wha?"

"I took a gap year to help the Kirijo Group. I'm attending this University as a freshman, just like you."

"Wow, Mitsuru-senpai is now Mitsuru-san?"

Yukari smacked Junpei over the back of the head, "She's still Mitsuru-senpai to you, Stupei!"

"Ooooow, Yukari-san!"

"Settle down you two." Another voice admonished as they joined the group followed by several others.

"Whoa, it's a school reunion," Junpei observed as Hidetoshi Odagiri joined them along with Kenji Tomochika, Kensuke Hiraga, Kazushi Miyamoto, Yuko Nishiwaki, Rio Iwasaki, and Chihiro Fushimi.

"Hello, Kirijo-senpai." Hidetoshi and Chihiro said bowing in respect towards their former student president.

"Hello Odagiri-san, Fushimi-san. It's good to see you well."

Kenji sidled up to Junpei punching him in the arm, "Dude, this place is a babe fest." He whispered to which Junpei responded with an enthusiastic nod and a grin, "And all the girls from our school are filling out so nicely."

Junpei nodded again with even more enthusiasm. Unbeknownst to them as the other boys moved away, Chihiro, Yuko, Rio, Fuuka, and Yukari had gathered behind them. Yukari cleared her throat, "Did you want to repeat that for the entire group Kenji-san?"

Kenji sweat dropped feeling as though the temperature in the room had suddenly dropped several degrees. He turned around raising his hands defensively before speaking, "I… I… I-it was… it was all Junpei's idea!"

"HEY! Don't throw me under the bus! Bros before… uh…"

The four girls loomed Junpei with death in their eyes, "Yes Junpei, bros before, what exactly?" Yukari asked sweetly.

"B-before the beautiful and amazing women of G-Gekkoukan High…?"

"Good answer, it's a shame it's way too late," Yukari said smirking.

As the four girls expertly executed the two boys Mitsuru's eyes wandered over the rest of the students. Some were watching the execution. The rest were gathered in small groups either meeting for the first time or reuniting. As Mitsuru scanned the room she saw a flash of blue hair, her head snapped back violently trying to find the blue hair again in the crowd. At first, Mitsuru thought it was just her eyes playing tricks on her, but after a few seconds, she found her quarry. The blood drained from her face; he was standing at the other end of the hall talking to another student.

"Kirijo-senpai, are you ok?" A voice called out breaking Mitsuru's concentration.

"Huh, Hidetoshi…? Uh, I mean, Odagiri-san, did you say something?" Mitsuru asked turning to look at Hidetoshi when she turned back to look in his direction again; he was gone.

"I was asking if you were ok, you look suddenly pale."

"Oh, it's nothing, I'm fine."

"I hope so Miss Kirijo; I would hate to see one of my star pupils get sick before the term even starts." An authoritative voice observed joining the Gekkoukan group.

"Miss Toriumi? Serious this is getting freaky, Mr Ekoda isn't going to pop in from, anywhere is he?" Yukari responded in surprise looking around suspiciously.

"I hope not…" Toriumi mumbled to herself before continuing, "Now if you're all ready to go, we should begin the orientation."

The rest of the day was taken up by the group exploring the campus both separately and together and meeting their teachers. Mitsuru tried to pay attention, but her focus was elsewhere. As much as she tried, she couldn't spot the blue-haired boy again that day, and if any of the others had seen him, they didn't mention it.

Later that evening Fuuka, Mitsuru and Yukari returned to the dorm. Yukari flopped down on the couch after kicking her shoes off near the door. "Man, I'm beat, who wants pizza?" She asked soliciting suggestions for dinner.

"Dutch treat?" Fuuka asked to which Yukari nodded, "I'm in, Mitsuru-senpai?"

"Hm? Oh, um, that sounds fine. Excuse me; I need to take care of something." Mitsuru replied retreating upstairs.

The two girls exchanged looks, Yukari was the first to speak, "She's been acting weird all day."

"Well, seeing everyone again in one place was a bit weird."

"I know, but still, something spooked her. I just wish she trusted us enough to say something."

Fuuka shrugged, "When she's ready she'll tell us."

Meanwhile, upstairs Mitsuru was in her room sitting in a chair that looked out over the city. Mitsuru stirred the whiskey in her hand by rotating her wrist gently as she waited. A soft knock at the door heralded the arrival of one of Mitsuru's bodyguards, the young woman who had accompanied her the other day. The young woman stood at attention waiting for Mitsuru to speak.

"Your name is Asuka correct?"

"Yes Ma'am, Asuka Mazaki."

"I've been reading about you; you say in your application that you didn't know your father and that you took your step-father's name when you were young."

"Yes Ma'am."

"I'm quite impressed with you Ms Mazaki; your academic record is exemplary. Your training record is also quite impressive."

"Excuse me Ma'am, if I may ask, is this a review?"

"In a way. You see Miss Mazaki, someone in my position must be cautious who they tell things too. I have many enemies, some of them are on the Kirijo Group's board. I cannot afford to look weak, especially as a woman. The old men who ran the company with my father and grandfather only need an excuse to declare me unfit. I don't intend to give them that satisfaction."

"I see, but what does that have to do with me?"

"I need to ask a favour of you, and I need it to be done quietly. Only you and I must know this is happening. If I'm wrong, my mental facilities could be called into question. Can I trust you to do what I ask and keep it secret?"

"Yes Ma'am."

Mitsuru nodded rising from her chair and staring out into the rain-soaked streets below, "I want you to access the records of Iwatodai University. I want you to search their records for a recent application."

"Whose name am I searching for?"

"Minato Arisato."

To Be Continued…