A/N: CW for rape and domestic violence, as well as homophobic slurs. read and review

Michiru looked up at the hotel, it was a well-designed building. She'd seldom accompanied her parents to these functions in her youth, and rarely with her husband. She couldn't say that it was an activity she'd wanted to participate in. The types of people at these places were all money hungry, egocentric men who carried around their insentient wives like they were just some luggage. She knew she'd be classified as this kind of wife, a fact she resented. She was surrounded by these kinds of women, also entering the building. It was at this point that she walked through the doors, and observed the people greeting the guests. Michiru's eyes fell on one of the women, dressed in a masculine fashion, though undeniably female. She had never had any doubt about her sexuality, and she'd known from a young age that she liked women. Despite this, she knew she could never admit that and had no friends or opportunity to even see people she was attracted to. This woman, however, was the most beautiful person she'd ever laid eyes on. Michiru was fully aware by now she was staring at her. As she passed they made brief eye contact, and there was that feeling, the tight nervousness and giddiness in her stomach, that she hadn't felt for years.

'Stop looking at him like that.' Masato hissed into his wife's ear, causing her to shudder and the feeling dissolved. She looked back for a moment, into the woman's blue eyes, and wished she'd been born somebody else so it was acceptable for spend her days doing just that.

Though she knew that couldn't happen, it was nice just to look at an attractive woman for once. Just to enjoy the thrill of it. This was rare, as she'd involuntarily become somewhat of a shut-in since marriage. Michiru let her thoughts rest on something happy for once, as she was guided to the hotel room. It was nice, as expected. A king size bed stood against the wall, in the centre. If Michiru had a different companion, or was alone, she supposed she'd be grateful for this experience. But she couldn't be, not in her position and with the man she had to call husband.

'You don't like it?' She shook her head.

'No, I do. It's great, thank you for this.' Michiru swallowed, feeling his hand on her shoulder, putting her hair back, breathing onto the exposed skin of her neck. She still wanted to shudder, push him away, but was too aware that this was useless by this point.

'Good.' Masato smiled, turning her around to kiss her on the mouth. 'You better be getting ready, shouldn't you? Everyone's meeting for drinks downstairs in a half hour.'

'Yes,' She muttered. It was almost more unbearable, his act of sweetness than when he was red in the face, screaming and hitting her. She stepped away, walking to the bathroom, hoping she wouldn't throw up.

After washing herself and face, she stepped out, seeing the dress her husband had chosen for her. He would choose most of her clothing, as allowing her her own choices had been dismissed as 'whoreish' in his view.

'Let me dress you.' Michiru almost jumped, realising his presence. He stripped her of the robe, revealing her underwear. His hands ran along the pale skin, across the expanse of her shoulders, stomach and back. Her eyes flicked up, and she almost vomited right there at the look in Masato's eyes, all over her, she wanted to cry. He came slightly closer, and she could feel exactly what she dreaded in his crotch.

'We could be late,' Michiru spoke, softly as not to anger him.

'You're right,' He pulled away, picking up the dress. 'You're too good, aren't you? Lift your arms.' She complied as Masato put it over her head. 'How did I get so lucky as to have you?' It was pulled down, and Michiru bit back the true reason. 'You look beautiful, Michiru. delicious.' She internally recoiled at the word choice, like he was the big bad wolf out of a children's storybook, who truly would eat her if she wasn't careful, didn't say the right responses at the right time. He rested his hands on her breasts, trailing down her abdomen. 'I'm getting hungry, I hope you taste as sweet as you look later.' Later. She wished it would never come.

'We should go,' Michiru spoke, trying to keep her voice as stable as possible. 'They'll want to know why we're late.' He pulled his hands away, before linking their arms.

'As you wish.' They put their shoes on and left the room, encountering many other couples on their way. The hall was elaborate, filled with businessmen and their trophy wives, exactly what she despised seeing. However, something she loved seeing caught her eye as the two of them begun circling the perimeter of the room. The servers stood at the edges of the room, one of which was unmistakably the woman she'd seen earlier. She took note of this, curious as to whether she could be fortunate in some way for once.

'Michiru!' A woman's voice called out, snapping her out of her thoughts. She didn't recognise her, but it wasn't a foreign concept. Her family was highly respected and well known, that even people not involved in high society would sometimes know of her. 'You've grown! How old are you now?'

'Eighteen, miss.'

'Youth is beautiful, is it not?' She laughed along politely, despite the comment making little sense to her. 'And this must be Mr Ichihara?'

'Yes, Ichihara Masato, pleasure to make your acquaintance.' They shook hands, Michiru still wondering who this woman was and why she had such concern over Michiru's age.

'Well, you sir have gotten yourself a catch!' She laughed, rather annoyingly.

'Michiru, dear, I have to go greet some business associates, I won't be long, talk to your friend here.' He kissed her on the cheek, leaving her with this woman.

'You know I was just wondering the other day, how are Keisuke and Michiru doing? Is Keisuke here too?' There was a sting when she heard her brother's name, the thought of the happy relationship they could never have had.

'No, he's overseas with his wife.'

'You grow up so fast, it seems like yesterday- Oh!' She suddenly turned and ran to see another friend, leaving Michiru alone. She couldn't say she was upset about this.

'Would you like any Hors d'oeuvres, miss?' Michiru turned to see that woman again, offering her a tray.

'Ah,' She prayed the flush on her cheeks wasn't showing. 'No, thank you. I'm not too hungry.'

'I would be in your situation, I mean uhh…' The woman looked down, realising she wasn't supposed to talk to the people like this. This wasn't her regular job, and it slipped her mind it required much different etiquette to working at the garage.

'What situation is that?' Michiru inquired, ensuring she kept warmth to her voice that showed she wanted to speak with her.

'Uhh, I mean it's… being with annoying people and an old guy…'

'I can't say you're wrong.'

'Please accept my apology!' Michiru nodded, noting she had great balance to keep a tray stable while not focused on it at all. 'I'm Haruka, by the way.'

'Ichihara Michiru.' She smiled. 'Are you having a good evening?'

'Is that a joke?'

'No no!' She realised it could have come off as offensive too late. 'I just wanted to- Well, it's embarrassing but I don't have any friends, so maybe I won't talk with you so well.'

'Don't worry, please.' She smiled, and Michiru instantly knew she wanted to see that smile as much as possible. 'But how come you don't have friends? I hope this isn't too rude, but you seem fine.'

'Ah, well its complicated…' She glanced up to see if Masato was close. She couldn't see him. 'My husband is a little…'

'Oh.' Haruka seemingly understood, feeling guilty for asking. 'For the record, I think you're great.'

'Thank you, Haruka.' She smiled. 'I think the same about you.' She grinned back, her heart fluttering at the sight of this. They spent a little more time talking to each other, Michiru feeling happy and elated for the first time in years. However, it was abruptly ended by Masato taking Michiru's arm and dragging her away without the chance to even say goodbye. He only let go once they reached the elevator, which was being shared by two other servers, both blonde, one with a bun hairstyle and the other with a red bow. He kept his hand digging into her shoulder, roughly gripping her. Michiru couldn't show her emotions right now. She felt even sicker than before, and afraid of what could happen in a few minutes. The elevator pinged as it reached their floor, and he grabbed hold of her and took her out, noticeably startling the two girls still in there.

'What the fuck do you think you were you doing out there?' He shouted as the room door slammed and she was pushed up against it. 'Say something!' He struck her round the face, and she gasped.

'I was just talking to her, it-it's nothing, please don't do this.'

'Oh, so it's a girl?' Masato pulled her hair so she was facing right at him with one hand, the other pressing her wrist to the wall. 'You associate with dykes now, do you?'

'I just- '

'Shut up!' He let go of her hair and hit her face again, she was sure she would bruise tomorrow. 'Did I say you could talk like that?' His hand pressed harder, and Michiru's breathing became easily audible, her eyes spilling over with the tears that came from the fear. Masato grabbed her shoulders, pulling her towards the bed and all but throwing her on top of it. 'You think it's okay to embarrass me like this?' There was an ache in her chest as he straddled her and began unbuttoning his pants, and Michiru resisted the urge to look away when she saw what was underneath. He leant down to kiss her neck, pulling her underwear down her legs. She could feel his length pressed up against her, it was nauseating. 'You looked so good tonight, I could've just fucked you right there.' He discarded the garment and slipped his hand downwards, leaving a trail of goose-bumps in its wake. 'You would've liked that, wouldn't you? All those people seeing you like this, yeah?' She sobbed again, feeling even more worthless than the last time. 'Answer, bitch!' He slapped her suddenly, and she gasped at the sting.

'Yes, yes, please not this time… please…' She pleaded, dreading what was to come. 'I'll be good... please just don't...'

'You're so good, you know I have to do this, Michiru.' He grinned, discarding his own boxers and the girl cried out in pain as he thrust into her, knowing this was just the beginning tonight.