The hotel was large and imposing on the exterior. It's black windows rose countless stories high, reflecting the images of threatening rain clouds that were slowly moving across the sky. What an ominous sight, thought Shizuru as she stepped out of her limo at the hotel's entryway. The strong winds were rustling her fine silk kimono, and she hurriedly made her way into the lobby. As she walked toward the elevator in the rear of the lobby, heads turned to examine and admire her beauty. She was stunning. Her hair was worn up in a traditional Japanese style. Her makeup was lightly applied, serving only to highlight her finely formed features. The kimono, of course, was gorgeous and one of a kind. And she walked as she always did, with perfect posture and effortless grace. Everyone in the lobby was momentarily captivated by the sight of her, resuming what they were doing only when the elevator doors shut, blocking her from view. Shizuru let out the breath she'd been holding as the doors closed. One of her mother's assistants was accompanying her, and pressed a floor button on the elevator panel. The ride was silent as they ascended, the trance-like atmosphere interrupted by a dinging sound at the arrival of the 30th floor. Shizuru followed the assistant to a set of large rosewood doors that contained the private meeting room where today's arrangement was to take place. Summoning an air of confidence, Shizuru walked into the room. The young man who stood up from the table was exceedingly handsome. He had black, perfectly tousled hair, dark eyes, a well-shaped mouth and nose, and was dressed in an expensive western-style suit. When his eyes finished trailing up Shizuru's body and met hers, he flashed her a brilliantly white smile. Bowing, he said, "My name is Tadashi Kouji. It is a pleasure to meet you." Shizuru politely returned his bow and replied, "My name is Fujino Shizuru. It is nice to meet you too." They each knelt on opposite sides of the table, with their assistants sitting beside and slightly behind each of them. A teapot with fresh hot tea was sitting in the center of the table, along with two small cylindrical, Japanese-style teacups. "Would you please pour us some tea, Fujino-san?" He asked with a slight smirk on his lips; he was obviously teasing her. "Why of course, Tadashi-san," Shizuru replied with forced politeness. She then artfully poured each of them tea, fighting the urge to dump it in his lap as she'd jokingly suggested to Natsuki the night before. "Ah yes, very nicely done," he remarked out loud. "Now let's see, you were educated at Fuuka Academy, were you not?" "That is correct." "I myself was educated at the prestigious Eitoku Academy and am now attending the University of Tokyo. I understand you are not currently enrolled in a university, is that correct?" "Yes, I am taking a year off of school to complete my training in the traditional arts." "I see. Yes, that is very good, it is only appropriate that I marry a woman who is skilled at tea ceremony, flower-arranging, cooking, and all of those things after all. Not to mention a woman who is as breathtakingly beautiful as you are, Fujino-san." Shizuru blushed and remained silent, not knowing how to respond to such a forward compliment. She fumed internally at this his conceitedness and audacity. How could her parents actuallyexpect her to marry a man like him? On the other side of the table, Kouji was smiling. He couldn't believe his luck. He had expected a refined and well-mannered young lady to walk through those doors, but this Fujino Shizuru was a knockout. Not only did she possess all the air and grace of a refined woman, but she was also one of the most beautiful things he'd ever laid eyes upon. A sudden impulse caused him to motion to the two assistants and ask, "Could you two leave us for a moment? I'd like to talk with Fujino-san in private please." They bowed and left, leaving Kouji grinning and Shizuru slightly apprehensive. What could he possibly want to talk about in private? He stood up from his kneeling position at the table and walked around to her, offering his hand to help her stand up. "Come, let us go to the window and take in the view of the city from up here," he said, smiling so that Shizuru couldn't read his eyes. They proceeded to the window, where Shizuru rested her hands on the banister there. Kouji was slightly behind her, watching her as she looked out the window and deciding what he should do next. The city was rather dreary looking, Shizuru thought, with the clouds obscuring the sunlight and the light drizzle that had just started coming down. The sudden weight of a hand on her shoulder caused her to flinch and turn her head to look at Tadashi-san's face. He laughed at her actions and said, "There's no need to be so nervous, Fujino-san, don't be so tense." Regardless of his casual tone, Shizuru was not comfortable with the situation. Tadashi was quite tall and obviously in good shape, making him rather intimidating to her in their current situation. Not wanting his hand on her any longer, she moved to back away from him, but was stopped when he moved his other hand to grab her wrist. "Now, now, Fujino-san, or should I say Shizuru, there's really no need for this. We are going to be husband and wife in just a few short weeks, what's the use in resisting it?" "Please let go of me, I'm really not interested or comfortable with doing this, Tadashi-san. And please call me Fujino-san, you hardly know me." Anger flashed through his eyes at this comment, and his grip on her wrist tightened. "I will call you whatever I please, Shizuru. And you would do well to stop giving me a hard time now, or there will be trouble in the future when we are actually married. I will not have a troublesome wife!" His tone was harsh, but not loud enough to garner any attention from outside the room. He then moved to kiss Shizuru's mouth, but she turned her head at the last second, his lips falling on her cheek instead. Kouji was furious. Never had a woman refused him before. His good looks and status as an heir to a multi-billion dollar corporation always gave him his pick of gorgeous women. He wasn't about to be denied what he wanted. Grabbing both of her wrists, he twisted them and held them with one hand behind her back. With his other hand he grabbed her chin roughly and forced a kiss on her mouth. Shizuru felt the bile rising in her throat as he kissed her with his tongue snaking around her mouth. She'd never felt so turned off by anything in her life. She was helpless to knee him in the groin, as her kimono made it impossible for her to lift her leg up. Struggling seemed to be of no use, as his strong grip held her firmly where he wanted her. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as she prayed for him to stop. When he pulled back she was weak from fear. And when she attempted to open her mouth and scream or yell for help, no sound could be formed in her throat. He sneered at her and said, "That ought to show you what happens when you try to act all high and mighty with me. It's best that you learn these lessons now, so I don't have to keep you in line when we're married." He then shoved her to the ground and got on top of her. "It's too bad you're wearing a traditional kimono, or this would've been a lot easier for me. I guess I'll just have to take what I can." He groped her breast through the fabric of her kimono. Smiling, he said, "Well, at least you're well-endowed, I'd expect no less from someone who is to be my wife." With her arms now free, Shizuru tried to push him away, but her strength was no match for his and her efforts were futile. She tried to yell for help, but it only came out as a whisper. He laughed at her, "Please, you're making yourself look ridiculous, just lay back and accept it." By now, tears were streaming out of her eyes and helplessness had consumed her body. She never would have expected her fiancé would be such an evil person or that anything remotely like this could've transpired at their first meeting. One word repeated itself in her mind over and over, like a mantra. Natsuki. Please save me, Natsuki. As Kouji was hiking up her kimono, she heard a commotion outside the door. Within seconds, the doors burst open; and through her tear-filled eyes she discerned the image of a raven-haired girl running towards them yelling, "What the fuck do you think you're doing, you filthy bastard!" Natsuki! Shizuru wanted to yell, but she still could not find her voice. Instead she watched as Natsuki grabbed Kouji by the back of his collar, pulling him back, and then landing a strong uppercut on his jaw. He fell backwards onto the floor and was attacked by Natsuki before he could recover. She pummeled him until she was sure he wouldn't be a problem and then went to Shizuru. Meanwhile the two assistants stood shocked at the scene before them. They hurriedly whipped out their cell phones, making calls to their superiors to report the situation. The marriage arrangement was called off by both parties within the hour. Leaning over Shizuru, Natsuki cradled her face with her hand, asking, "Are you ok? Did he hurt you? What did he do to you?" The worry, fear, and concern were etched on her face as she examined her friend with her eyes, taking in her disheveled kimono and bruised lips. Unable to answer her at the moment, Shizuru began to cry again. Interpreting her silence to mean the worst, Natsuki's eyes widened and rage welled up in her chest. "I'm going to kill him," she stated matter-of-factly as she stood up with a murderous look flashing in her eyes. "Wait," Shizuru choked out. "Wait," she repeated in a stronger voice as she sat up and grabbed Natsuki's arm to stop her. Natsuki looked at her, waiting for her to tell her why she shouldn't go kill that bastard right here and now. "I'm...ok. He didn't...rape me, he was going to, but you came in time to stop him. So please, don't get yourself in trouble by killing him or harming him any further. I'll press charges and have the police take care of him, so just...take me home, please." Shizuru watched with relief as Natsuki calmed down and returned to her side. She helped Shizuru up and led her out of the hotel, but not before making sure Shizuru's assistant called the police and took care of the situation there. Natsuki wanted to punch her too, for leaving Shizuru alone and obliviously letting this happen to her, but she managed to restrain herself. The police were waiting to question Shizuru about the events that had taken place when they arrived at her house in their cab. She sadly bid Natsuki farewell, telling her she would come to her apartment as soon as all of this mess was taken care of. Natsuki nodded in understanding, giving Shizuru's hand a reassuring squeeze before making her way home.
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