Authors notes: I appologize for the big space in the previous chapter , I would have fixed it, but my computer with the file on it decided to break. Joy.

To those of you who reviewed, thanks a lot, I really appreciate it. Now, with this chapter I admit that it is really long and might not be that entertaining, but I promise that if you do read it and review than I'll make the next xhappie very entertaining and you'll even find out who Keiko's rescuer will be.

You do care, right? ^_-

Keiko sighed in relief as she locked up the door to her parents noodle shop for the night. It had been extremely busy and she was sure that she smelled like Oden, but she couldn't help but smile inwardly at how well business was going.

Briskly she started walking to her car when her gaze falling on a kissing couple on the other side of street.

They held each other like they might never let go, as if they were just content to stay as they were.

If only Yusuke had been content….

Instantly Keiko reprimanded herself. It had been two months since Yusuke had left and she was not going let herself be depressed any longer! She was in charge of her own happiness now, not him. She had chosen that for herself.

But even that empowering revelation still failed to rid of Keiko of her sleepless nights and lonely heart.

She missed him. Missed her friend and first love.

But it had been her choice, and now she had to live with it.

Slightly squaring her shoulders like a soldier preparing for battle, Keiko forced a lilt into her step as she finished walking the distance to her car. Once she was in she turned the radio on as loud as she could stand it (and that was pretty loud).

At the moment Ayumi Hamasaki was belting out her latest upbeat hit, and Keiko let herself sing along at the top of her lungs during her whole drive home. Even at the age of twenty, this little ritual always made Keiko feel a lot better if something was bothering her.

After endangering the lives of countless citizens as Keiko had made her way through the streets at dangerous speeds, she finally pulled into the driveway of the apartment that she shared with her best friend Taki.

Her parents hadn't been too thrilled at the idea of Keiko living on her own as she went through college, but Keiko had needed the space and independence, especially after Yusuke had left to further his training with Genki.

Reaching her door, Keiko fumbled through her purse for her set of keys when the door suddenly opened and a demon yanked her inside with enthusiastic force.

That demon was Taki, her best friend and roommate, and no, she wasn't an actual demon, but the expression of pure evil mischief and delight that animated her face was enough to make Keiko seriously wonder.

Right now said demon/best friend had a death-grip on her arm and was hauling Keiko through the hallway to their shared bedroom.

Before Keiko could open her mouth to question Take's odd behavior, her best friend rounded on her.

"You're late!"

She made it sound as if Keiko had committed a heinous crime, and she had to struggle for a moment to remember what Taki could be talking about.

Then it dawned on her, sending a sinking feeling through her gut.

The club.

Keiko was had agreed (under extreme duress) to go with Taki to a club tonight.

Taki thought that it was just what Keiko needed to get over Yusuke and Keiko couldn't have disagreed more.

But even so she appeared repentant and tried to subdue her friends' ire.

"I'm so sorry Taki, but the shop was extremely busy tonight and we only had four people covering tables."

Seeing a possible escape, Keiko quickly added, "You could always go to the club without me, I wouldn't mind!"

This earned one of Taki's assessing look, and Keiko hoped that her friend would take one look at her hap-hazard appearance, and decide that her friend was unfit to go. Slumping slightly and trying to look as tired as possible, Keiko sent a silent prayer to any god that would listen

"Your going, No excuses."

Apparently now was a good time to become atheist.

Abruptly Taki turned and grabbed something from their closet, turned back and forcefully placed it in Keiko's arms.

She looked down and her heart nearly stopped.

It was the Green dress.

Oh god!

Panicked, Keiko looked back up at Taki like a deer caught in the headlights. Strangely, Taki was smiling, and even though it was a gentle smile, it still didn't bode well for Keiko.

"It will be ok," she crooned soothingly. " You'll be just fine. Its only one night, its not going to kill you Keiko. Here she paused and for a moment her eyes became serious and concerned as she gently lay one of her hands on one of Keiko's. " I think that this will do you good."

Unable to hold that compassionate gaze, Keiko sighed in defeat and headed for the bathroom for a shower.

"Don't take too long and don't forget to put on that dress!"

Taki's command followed Keiko down the hall and rang in her ears, haunting in its promise of humiliation.

The Green Dress was a creation that had been solely designed to embarrass Keiko for the benefit of her Demonic friend. She was sure of it.

That same said roommate was currently inspecting Keiko's appearance, circling her like a hawk.

She was wearing a short, solid black dress that complimented her black hair and dark features. Black stiletto's completed her outfit and the tap lightly on the floor as she circled her.

"It suits you very well" Taki proclaimed, nodding once in approval.

Keiko, to say the least, did not share her friend's opinion.

The dress was a deep jade green that had intricate black stitching along the edges. Keiko really liked the color and thought that the stitching was gorgeous, but it was the cut of the dress that made her blush in embarrassment.

It was floor length, but it might as well have been a mini-skirt because the left side was cut in a large slit that run high on her thigh, leaving a lot of leg exposed.

There were no straps, which made wearing a normal bra impossible. Taki had suggested that she go without one but Keiko wouldn't hear of it. Over the last few years her body had developed more than she had ever expected it to, and so she could never feel comfortable going anywhere without a bra.

So she had compromised on a strapless bra, and Taki had insisted that she wear the black lacy one with matching panties that Keiko had bought on a whim and then hid in her drawer in embarrassment. Taki had seen them and since Yusuke had still been around, (if you could call it that), she had questioned the horrified Keiko mercilessly until she had wanted to die of shame.

Then Taki had laughed, hugged her, and had never mentioned it again.

Sometimes she wondered if friend really meant 'a creature that is wont to inflict comfort or torture depending upon its mood.'

Yeah, that had to be it.

Lastly, she wore a pair of dainty black slippers that slightly relieved the boldness of the dress.

Taki had done her makeup expertly since Keiko really didn't like to wear much, and she had to admit that it looked good. She looked older and just a little bit more sophisticated than she really felt.

But she was still Keiko, and she could never wear that dress and look confident in it.

"Taki, I can't wear this! I'm just not that kind of girl. I know I'm pretty, but not bold and beautiful. This kind of dress should be on someone who is." Keiko's voice was pleading and she knew that it also was mirroring in her eyes.

She hoped that her friend would see to reason and spare Keiko this insanity.

Only problem was she never spared Keiko when she thought that it was good for her and the worst part was that she was usually right.

And right now she was looking at Keiko like you would a difficult child who refused to do what you told them.

Taki never understood how a girl as pure as Keiko could think about herself the way she did, and her disapproval showed in her voice.

"You are the only person I know who would say that and not be fishing for a compliment. I know that I can't blame your thinking entirely on the guy that left you, but I can blame some of it."

Taki's voice was gentle, but firm as she continued.

'Kieko, you are more than pretty and hopefully someday a guy who doesn't have their head shoved half way up their ass is going to make you realize it."

After this last comment, Taki winked, which dissipated the rising anger that Keiko had felt on Yusuke's behalf.

Because, truth was, he kind of did.

Keiko gave a small half smile and Taki pulled her friend into a hug.

"That's my girl," She said proudly.

But when she pulled back, she was frowning.

"What's wrong?"

Taki bit her lip and looked at Keiko apologetically.

"I just remembered, Shira wanted me to run over to her house for a minute before I head out to the club."

"Oh." Keiko tried to hide the distaste from her voice. Shira was an extremly pompous girl who thought that she could have anything and get away with anything. She was one of the few people that Keiko did not like, but she still made an effort to be nice to the girl. Only problem was, Shira never returned the favor with Keiko and seemed to take special delight in taking jabs at Keiko. She still had no idea why Taki was friends with her but she tried not to intervene,

Taki sensed her friend's unease and after a moment she smiled as an idea struck her.

" I know, why don't you just head down to the club without me and I can call Aoi and have her meet you there?"

Relieved that she didn't have to run into Shira, Keiko agreed and wrote down the address for the club.

As Keiko slipped out the door, Taki gave her one last wink and said, " Now don't even think of skipping out on me, ok?"

Keiko smiled and gave one last parting shot. " It would serve you right if you didn't see me again after making me wear this dress"

Immediately after she said it, Keiko felt a chill go down her spine.

Shaking it off, Keiko quickly made her way to her car, wondering all the while why she had a heavy sense of foreboding weighing on her heart.

The club was on old looking warehouse with a bright pink neon sign that read 'The Hide-out'.

Oddly enough, there were a lot of people lined up at the door to get in. Most of them were girls that were younger than Keiko but dressed in a lot less.

So maybe she wasn't going to be the flashy one tonight after all. This made Keiko feel a little relieved and she set to find Aoi among the crowd of people.

After a few minutes of bumping in to people and a few hundred apologies, she started to worry that she wasn't going to be able to find Aoi.

Finding a bare piece of wall, she leaned against it, trying to be unnoticeable until Taki arrived.

Except that someone had noticed her.

Quickly Keiko glanced down for a few moments and then looked back up.

A tall blond guy about Ten feet from her was staring at her with eyes that were intense in their gaze.

Uncomfortable, Keiko blushed and turned her gaze to her shoes.

Why was that guy staring at her?

Before she could think on it too much, a pair of shoes that Keiko didn't recognize filled her vision.

Looking up, she found herself drowning in violet eyes that stared down at her.

They were like amethysts. No one, no person should have eyes like that. They were too beautiful

Must be a trick of the light…

" Hi, My name is Hokin. Are you looking for someone?"

The voice was rich and deep and it snapped Keiko out of whatever had made her want to drown in a strangers eyes.

Deeply mortified that she had been staring, Keiko could only nod as she blushed.

Hokin smiled. He was cute, with full lips and slanting eyes, he looked slightly boyish except for a scar that ran down his chin in a diagonal line. Up close she could see that his hair was and ash blond color and looking up she realized that he stood about a full head taller than she did.

There was an air around him of carelessness and mischief.

Keiko realized with a wrench that he reminded her of Yusuke and that made her slightly wary.

"I'm trying to find a friend that's already here." She said cautiously, again scanning the crowd for signs of Aoi.

Hokins smile widened, showing (was it her imagination?) slightly pointed teeth.

"I can get you into the club past the line, your friend is probably waiting for you in there."

Keiko looked at the guy in front of her dubiously. "Can you really?"

Hokin nodded. " I work here, so I could sneak you through the back, Its better than standing out here."

As much as she didn't want to, Keiko had to admit that standing outside forever wasn't very appealing.

Still….

"Why would you help me" she asked him suspiciously.

Hokins smile faded and he shrugged. " You looked like you were lost and might need some help. This isn't exactly the best place to come alone you know."

Turning as if to go, he said, "If you would rather wait out here, than that's your choice."

Instantly Keiko felt guilty for the way she had spoken to him.

"Wait, I'm sorry."

When he turned back she smiled apologetically. "I'm just a little nervous being here. I usually don't come to places like this. I would really appreciate it if you could help me inside."

His smile returned in full force and Keiko felt herself drawn to his eyes again.

"I would be more than willing to help you, but on one condition." His voice was held a small amount of teasing

Kieko raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"If you agree to dance with me."

Keiko felt like she was going to have a permanent blush set into her face. She looked at his boyish smile and found herself doing something she never would have thought possible.

She said yes.

"Great, let's go" He walked around to the side of the building, apparently heading for the back of it.

Keiko was still trying to figure out how she could have said yes.

Well, he was cute and Taki would be proud of her for dancing with a guy.

But she knew that's all she would do. She wasn't ready for anything more just yet. No matter how cute the guy was.

Snapping out of her thoughts, Keiko realized Hokin was no longer in front of her.

There was a corner to her right just in front of her.He must have just gone around it, Keiko thought as she hurried to catch up.

She rounded the corner and was about to shout for him to wait up when something strong grabbed her from behind.

Keiko's eyes went wide and she opened her mouth to scream but a cloth was firmly pressed to her mouth and muffled her voice.

The cloth was soaked in some sort of chemical that made her want to gag.

She tried to struggle, but that arms that held her were like a vice and she was quickly losing strength.

Fear mad her breathing harsh, and the deep breaths only made her take in more of the drug that was in the cloth.

"You're a real nice catch. Someone is really gonna pay a lot of money for you."

The voice was in her ear, but she couldn't concentrate on it because the world was slipping away, taking Keiko with it.

Sinking to the ground, limp and helpless, a flash of harsh violet was all Keiko saw before everything went black.

Post note: I appologize if I seem to rag on Yusuke, I really like him, I do. Even if he does have his head shoved up his butt! ^_^