Hikaru-San: Ok…I thought I should try to take a different take on a story. Of course its an AU modern day Inuyasha story (never forget, I Am the Mistress of modern day Inuyasha stories (though I don't think I'm as good as bert8813)

Anyway… I'm trying to take a darker take into things compared to my other stories but hope you guys like this.

It was quiet for once. A young, tall, thin, young woman curled up under the covers, being careful as to not take any sheets away from the man on the other side of her. It pained her as she coninue the attempt to turn to the side. The bruises along her waist were sensitive to touch, as they were extremely blue.

How she was able to stay by him, she'll never know. As far as she was aware of, there was nothing for her to offer other than her body. She may be a college graduate, but she gave up the chance to go to med school for love. Or was this love? The constant emotional abuse, the physical abuse, everything? Did he truly love her anymore?

Naoko Seiki pushed the thoughts from her head, as she tried to go back to sleep.

(Next day)

"Naoko! Over here!" A giddy young woman around the same as Naoko called out.

Naoko tried to ignore her friends' call, and pushed her Gucci sunglasses back. She really didn't want to hear another rant from Sango and Kagome.

Someone grabbed her arm, making Naoko shriek and flinch at the same time.

"Long time no see,…" a silvered haired man said, his dog-ears twitching as he spoke.

Naoko released a sigh of relief… and annoyance.

"Kami! Can't you approach people like a normal person?" Naoko snapped.

"Geez… sorry…" Inuyasha scoffed.

Sango, her boyfriend Miroku, and Kagome finally caught up with the two.

"Seesh, Nao. You sure can get moving when you need to…" Sango commented, trying to catch her breath.

"Luckily for us… look where we ended up…' Kagome said, pointing to the building in front of them.

"Awesome! Sakura Yume… I haven't been here since the bar exam…" Sango said, shuttering at the memory of studying for her license to practice law in Tokyo.

"Naoko-chan, you look frozen. Let's go inside and get you some coffee…" Kagome said, wrapping an arm around her friend.

"Um… I really should get going…" Naoko said nervously, remembering the last time she ran late for meeting with her boyfriend.

"You're going to catch up with old friends now wither you like it or not…" Inuyasha said, pushing Naoko towards the entrance.

"No! Stop it! I have to go!"

"Is it a crime to hang out with friends all of a sudden?" Miroku asked, taking Naoko's coat off.

"It's not against the law. I should know…" Sango said.

"And take off the damn glasses…" Inuyasha said, tearing them off.

Naoko looked away from her friends, not wanting them to notice the barely there bruise on her right eye. Too late for that.

"Oh kami! Naoko!" Kagome said quietly, knowing that Naoko wouldn't want any attention brought to them.

"Holy Shit!" Inuyasha said, noticing the bruise.

"It's… it's nothing you guys…" Naoko said, as she took a seat at their usual table.

"How can you say it's nothing!?" Sango chimed in. "You shouldn't have to put up with this! You got to leave the asshole!"

"I can't..." Naoko said, expecting to friends to go back into their rants. She couldn't leave him.

"He told me the only way I can leave him is if I toss myself over the balcony of our apartment… he almost did two night ago when I tried…"

Naoko fought back the tears that were threatening to spill. She was going to show everyone that she was strong enough to overcome this. But the question was… for how long?

"Naoko… you know that we'll help you…" Miroku said, joining the conversation.

"We'll barge in, get your things and then you can stay with us until you get back on your feet and then…"

"No!" Naoko shouted, making everyone stand back.

Naoko got up from her chair.

"I really have to go now. I want to stay and catch up with you guys, but Naraku's waiting for me. He doesn't like it when I'm late…"

Naoko went to the coat rack, got her things, shoved her sunglasses back on, and walked out the door in a hurry.

Everyone else looked down at the coffee that the waitress brought out, taking a huge gulp from the cup that was suppose to be Naoko's.

"We got to do something about this you guys…" Kagome suddenly spoke up.

"Just forget it, Kags…" Inuyasha said, taking a sip. "You know she's as stubborn as a mule."

"And besides…." Sango continued. " You can't do much for a friend in that situation until she wants your help."

"Plus it's been 3 years…" Miroku added. "I don't think she's going to be asking anytime soon."

"Most likely he'll kill her before that!" Kagome argued.

"Ok… say we did get her out of the relationship… then what?" Inuyasha asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Find her someone who's hell of a lot better than Naraku! Duh!" Kagome said, as if it was obvious.

Sango, Miroku, and Inuyasha looked at Kagome strangely. The only time she ever cursed was when she was dead set on something.

"Ok fine Kags… you win…" Inuyasha said. "Now how do you plan on continuing this fascinating idea of yours?"

Kagome's smile fell.

"We just need the slightest bit of luck…" she replied glumly.

Naoko cautiously entered the giant condo on the 35 floor of the posh apartment building on the Ginza district. She prayed to the Kami that Naraku was running late from his business meeting and has not arrived home yet. No such luck, for as soon as Naoko closed the door behind her, a backhand came in contact with her right jawbone, bursting her lower lip.

"Where in the hell were you?" Naraku asked darkly, staring down at the woman crumpled on the floor.

"I'm sorry…" Naoko said quietly, trying to stop the bleeding from her lip.

"I ask you this one simple thing. To be back here at 3 so we can get ready for the gala tonight. It's 4 now. You just love to make me angry don't you?"

"No sir…"

"You know it doesn't have to be this hard…"Naraku said gently, getting down to Naoko's level. He got a handkerchief out and patted the cut on Naoko's lip. "Just do as your told and life's easy. Understood?"

Naoko slowly nodded, trying to prevent any more pain.

"You got lucky today, sweetheart…" Naraku said, getting up. "I can't have you showing up at the Gala with that nasty cut you got running into the door like that. I think we should stay in tonight. Yes?"

"Yes sir…"

"Now… go clean that up…" Naraku said, as he turned on his heel back into the study.

Naoko slumped there for a few moments, allowing a few tears to fall.

How did things get this bad?

What she needed now… was a miracle.

Hikaru- San: this is a different turn for me so please read and review and tell me how I'm doing!