Chapter 2
Tasuki was hustling out of bed. He had awakened late today and he was afraid of the penance that awaited him. He clumsily wiggled his way into clothes as he rushed to quiet the loud banging on the sliding doors. He tried to think quickly of an excuse to deliver failing miserably with every thought.
However, fists welcomed his face as he peered through, sending him plummeting towards the floor. Tears brimmed at his eyes while his hands cradled his cheek, as he tried to make sense of the tantrum being mouthed.
Tasuki could never understand his mother. She stood there consuming the majority of available space. She was a short, plump, voluptuous woman with a pair of E-cups on both sides of her chest. Her hair that was wrapped in a bun was now shaken loose in shambles. And her hands were balled into fists ready to launch again at his face. His four sisters rushed in at the last minute to restrain her, as he cowered and braced himself for the blow.
Surrounded by his fear only infuriated him but he didn't dear retaliate knowing fully well the consequences. "Bitch!" was the only word he mumbled when he was certain everyone wasn't within ear's reach of his door. Then he tidied his closet space of a room where he resided and scurried out of the house through the back exit.
He yearned to cleanse his heart of the unhappiness and to scrub his soiled skin clean. So his two legs carried him towards a nearby river and he willed himself to take a bath. He tossed his clothing aside baring his pale skin under the sunlight illuminating the bruises that trailed his small frame. He winced at his touch, chastising his eyes for releasing tears and cursed Suzaku for his horrid existence.
The mark that burned at his forearm had sealed his fate in this world, granting him only a relentless path of torment. The verbal abuse of his mother rang through his head constantly; as he thought of the countless times she had beaten him senseless. Most birthed from petty mood swings and chores left untouched. The latter minority because she thought she had spawned a heathen's child. No matter the reason, he had adapted to accepting his unjustified punishment. Excusing it as just her reason to escape her shame.
He recalled the one time she had taken him to Konan Market, at the time he was five and she was still proud to call him her boy. She had an unusual glow on her face that day, an overwhelming happiness for some reason. Little did she know the revelation Suzaku had in store for her. She had just finished purchasing a few daikon radishes and Tasuki was ahead of her skipping towards the next stall. She had settled in a conversation with the vendor, oblivious to what was going on around her. Then out of nowhere, speeding, was a runaway veggie cart that seemed to be targeting where she halted. Her screams bellowed throughout the entire market as she braced herself for impact, closing her eyes welcoming the death that awaited her.
A loud crash joined in the state of panic as the cart collided with the targeted stall. Clutching her right arm were the small fingers of her young boy who was lying on top of her as she felt herself falling towards the ground.
Her face was soon masked with confusion followed by a pang of fear as she witnessed a red light boldly surrounding them. The mark on his forearm had appeared directly in sight of his mother's. The symbol for five years he had tried to conceal was now evident.
"What was that red light that the little boy emitted?" were the hushed inquiries of the people who surrounded them.
"Maybe he's a demon."
"Probably the devil's spawn…""… Curse the female who would bear such a creature…"
His mother's embarrassment was enough to get her on her feet and gave her the will to scuttle away. She gripped him tightly, scarring his delicate flesh, infuriated by the shame she felt as she thought of ways in which she can hide him away. She didn't think she had to be thankful. She didn't feel fortunate to be alive. All she felt was an unknown hatred, disgust and disdain. When they finally got home she stampeded into the house, locking him in a tiny room where she bade him to linger.
Linger he did, losing count at a couple of weeks, living off scraps and water barely enough for him to survive. His skin, unhealthy pail, begged for the warmth of sunlight. He desired to be outside, for the wind to caress his flesh.
That day soon came. Followed by the verbal and physical abuse. Along with the title of 'chore boy' his existence had now became. It tore him up inside just recalling that memory. And he splashed the river liquid to conceal the tears that were now streaming down his face.
He had already wasted enough time. His tasks if left undone will add to more bruises on his skin. So he finished his river bath quickly and made his way back towards the house. There, his eldest sister awaited him, hands on hips, face screwed in revulsion.
She beckoned him with screams and curses connecting a slap to the side of his face. "Mitsuki awaits you! And like that the one-sided dialogue ended. She motioned him towards a bedroom door where her second younger sister waited, locking them within with the slam of the door. Mitsuki glared as her brother was pushed inside, angry at his repulsion and partially her disgrace. He reluctantly began removing his clothing in silent agreement of what she always willed him to do. And cringed as she invaded him, defiling his innocence.