A/N enjoy, read and review! Sorry for a slow update, I've been busy bc of exams and stuff, i actually have 7+ chapters written in advance but i forgot to actually publish lol

Michiru awoke to the blinding sunlight flooding the room, a dull ache in her head and her body paining her all over from the previous night. She sat up, seeing her husband opening the curtains.

'Good morning.' She greeted, feeling wary, not knowing if he was in good spirits.

'Breakfast is in ten minutes, you should get up.' It was hard to determine any tone in his voice, it was mostly flat and void of emotion.

'…Yes.' She stood up and headed to the bathroom, quickly washing her face. She inspected the bruises, hoping nobody would notice, before emerging, noting Masato was gone and a dress on the bed for her. The feeling was uncomfortable, but nevertheless she quickly put it on, noting the sleeves were long this time to hide bruises, and she wore tights to conceal anymore. Her face would have to be bare. Michiru stepped out of the door, and saw Masato stood right there.

'You took your time.'

'I'm sorry, I'll be more considerate in future.'

'You say that every time, yet you never fucking change.' He muttered under his breath, as he held Michiru's back and began walking, pulling her along. They garnered some strange looks from other couples walking to the same place, but he carried on grabbing her close and pulling her where he wanted her to go. They stood in the elevator with another couple, the two of them looking at Masato and Michiru, who had her head bowed, whispering something to each other.

'Your dress is so pretty, where's it from?' The woman turned to Michiru, smiling kindly. She was probably mid to early twenties, and she was very pretty.

'I…' As soon as she opened her mouth, Masato pulled her closer to the side, digging into her.

'Did I say you could speak to her?' He whispered into her ear, not loud enough for the other couple to hear. Michiru bowed her head again, confusing the other two. 'Good.'

'Are you okay, miss? Is that man hurting you?' The male asked, looking concerned. The grip somehow got even tighter and Michiru shook her head abruptly.

'Stay out of our business,' Masato hissed as the elevator came to a stop, and he began leaving before the man stopped him, putting a hand on his shoulder. The woman took Michiru's hand, slightly forcefully taking her out of the elevator to the dismay of Masato, as the doors slid closed.

'Are you okay?' The woman asked Michiru as she looked back at the shut doors of the elevator, feeling confused and terrified for the repercussions that this could have for her. 'Do you know him?'

'He's my,' She had to push herself to speak in a volume higher than a whisper, while the woman, who couldn't have been more than 6 years older than her, rested her hand gently and comfortingly on her shoulder. 'He's my husband.'

'Was he hurting you?'

'I don't' know, I don't think I should be here.'

'Don't' worry, you can come with me, we can have breakfast, it'll be fine.' Her tone was soft and she was clearly a kind woman, maintaining her hand holding Michiru's as they walked. 'My names Yamada Ayaka, by the way, but just Aya is fine.'

'I'm Ichihara Michiru, thank you for your kindness.' As soon as she said her name, Aya very badly hid the surprise on her face.

'Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't recognise you! The Kaiohs daughter?'

'Yes… I'm sorry, do we know each other?' Michiru was internally irritated by the fact she was now known, and there was now the chance of rumours – truths – spreading about her marriage. When she personally wouldn't mind the truth about the foulness of her husband being known, he would surely react badly.

'Oh, no of course not! I just recognised the name. You look so different to how I'd seen, though! How old are you now?'

'Eighteen.'

'And you're married? These high society families…' She covered her mouth suddenly. 'Sorry! I didn't mean to disrespect you!'

'It's okay! Don't worry, please.' The two of them walked into the hall together, Aya scanning the room before starting towards a table full of woman, around her age.

'Aya, who's your friend? Where's Tomoya?' One with short curled hair spoke up, when they were in close enough to hear. Michiru suddenly felt a sharp pull of anxiety in her chest, as she knew all these women would judge her, notice the bruises she had and know who she was. She usually didn't attend events and had no friends, so even this amount of people after the past three years was a huge strain. This would be incredibly abnormal for her younger self, who had brilliant composure and could easily get her way through conversation, but now Michiru wasn't capable, she had lost the grace she'd held.

'This is Michiru, she's joining us today.' She pulled out two chairs and they sat down. 'You started without us?' She noted the emptied plates.

'Kaioh Michiru?' The woman who spoke before asked, the others also ignoring Aya.

'Yes…' She mumbled, looking down, hoping silently that they wouldn't see the marks on her face.

'Are you sick? You look different to how I remembered.' Another, with bright lipstick and long black hair stared into her.

'I…'

'Didn't you get married? Is your husband here?' Michiru almost failed to notice the server who'd come to clear the table, and that she was Haruka.

'Was everything satisfa- 'the blonde stopped when she saw Michiru's face, an expression of shock clear on her own.

'Sir, are you alright?'

'Uh, yes, sorry about that.' She continued her job, and when she knew nobody but Michiru was looking, she gestured her head to imply that they needed to speak outside, before leaving the table.

'Do you know him?' Aya asked, seeing Michiru's worried expression.

'In a way,' She saw Haruka leaving, and stood herself. 'Could you excuse me for a second?' She had to walk fast as Haruka had a huge advantage on her in speed and distance. Eventually she followed her out of the hall and to a cupboard that was thankfully relatively empty.

'Michiru,' Haruka sounded upset, almost. She pulled Michiru into a strong embrace, the shorter girl wincing slightly at the soreness of her body, letting out a whimper, before holding her back. 'You're hurt.' She pulled out of the contact slightly. 'What happened? It wasn't…right? He didn't do this?'

'I don't want to lie to you, Haruka…'

'Fuck,' She stepped back, running a hand through her hair, her feelings shown in her expression. 'I can't believe he would… does it happen often? He hits you?'

'…It does… he hits me and…' Michiru looked down, covering her face in shame.

'You can't stay with him.' Haruka stated. 'You can't do that, I don't want to see you hurt anymore.'

'I have to, even if I could escape him, I have nowhere.'

'You have me.'

'We met yesterday,'

'That doesn't matter! You'd be safe, at least!' Her voice cracked, Michiru seeing the tears welling up.

'He'd find me, somehow. He'd get worse, I don't need him to be angrier with me,' All she wanted to do was be with Haruka, be safe and with somebody she could feel happy with. 'Please don't cry because of me.'

'I can't help it, I hate seeing you hurt and I've just met you.' A small smile crept onto her lips, 'I guess that's pathetic.'

'No! No, it's not.' She reached her hand up to wipe Haruka's eyes. 'I feel the same, I wish… I wish I could be with you. I don't know what I'll do. Everyday feels like hell, I can't go on like this. I think I'll die, I'm not strong enough anymore.' She realised she was crying too, mentally cursing herself for allowing this treacherous word vomit to come out.

'Michiru,' Haruka pulled her back into her arms. 'I can't let you get hurt anymore.'

'How can you do that?'

'I don't know, but I can't just stand here and let you be treated like shit.' She held her tighter. 'Does it hurt?'

'A little, but I'm happy here, I don't care if it hurts.'

'Michiru, you know… you know that I'm not a guy, right?' She laughed a little at the blonde's nerves, and her thinking she was so oblivious.

'Of course, I do! You know, I'm not interested in men.' Michiru buried her head further into Haruka's chest, feeling the warmth and her rising heartbeat.

'And, you are interested?' She brought a hand up to stroke Michiru's hair. 'I mean, you are interested… in me?'

'Yes.'

'Are you sure?'

'Haruka.' She looked up, the blonde's face flushed with her nerves. 'If I'm only sure of one thing, it's this.'

'I wish I could help you, it can't be hopeless. Couldn't you stay with your family instead, at least?' Michiru felt a coldness spread through her at the mention of them.

'No. I can't.'

'Should I not have said that? I'm sorry, I don't- '

'Its fine,' Michiru exhaled. 'That's just never going to be an option.'

'I see, I'm sorry…' Haruka felt guilty that she could've made the girl in her arms feel bad. 'At least, I want you to come to my room at any time you feel you could be hurt.'

'I don't know if I could, he might want to hurt you if I do that.'

'I don't care. As long as it's not you.' She moved one of her arms, into her pocket and fished out a key, displaying it to Michiru so she could read the number.

'It's the floor above me, I think.'

'Then you'll remember, and come anytime you have to? Promise?'

'I'll try – 'Michiru was interrupted by the door opening, and a small blonde girl standing there, looking puzzled at what she'd walked into.

'Haruka! You're not supposed to – Elevator girl!'

'Elevator… what?' Haruka asked, feeling annoyed at her friend for the interruption.

'It's the girl who Usagi and I saw in the elevator! With the creepy guy!' She exclaimed again.

'Mina! Manners?'

'Sorry Mom,' The girl, now revealed to be Mina, rolled her eyes. 'Are you just gonna stay here making out, or are you gonna do your job that you seem to have been neglecting?'

'We're not- Okay, fine.' Haruka sighed, turning to Michiru. 'Keep safe, please? And remember to come to my room anytime, okay?' She kissed her forehead, before parting with Mina.

'So, she's your new girlfriend?'

'No, Mina. You should be nicer to people when you meet them.'

'Come to my room anytime' She imitated, mocking Haruka's tone. 'Sounds awfully close, does it not?'

'Shut up.'